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UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA CEDAR FALLS, IA THURSDAY, APRIL 5 VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42
CEDAR FALLS, IA
VOLUME 118, ISSUE 44
MONDAY, MARCH 28, 2022
OPINION
CAMPUS LIFE
SPORTS
OPINION PAGE 3
CAMPUS LIFE PAGE 4
SPORTS PAGE 6
Guest columnist Kristin Woods argues UNI is the most affordable, highest value university in Iowa.
Panther softball travels to Evansville and takes two of three games.
Check out the NI archives on the Old Administrative building from 1894.
Professor receives Yessenia Rodriguez: appointment at Yale Latina and proud NI Women’s History Month Coverage
History professor Reinier Hesselink has been invited to teach graduate classes at Yale for the 2022-23 school year GRACE TOUNEY Staff Writer
As students have returned to campus to complete the second half of spring semester, professors are gearing down as summer closes in. Many new classes and degree paths are set for the next fall semester, but for one professor a change of scenery is on the horizon. Long time history professor, Reinier Hesselink, Ph.D, has been invited to teach graduate classes at Yale in the 2022-23 school year. He will be leaving COURTESY/Yale for a new setting after teaching Professor Reiner Hesselink was invited to Yale by the Whitney and Betty at University of Northern Iowa Macmillan Center of International and Regional Studies. twenty-seven years. “I was invited by the est level across the humanities Whitney and Betty MacMillan and social sciences, and to facilCenter of International and itate deeper understanding of Regional Studies at Yale, the region at Yale and beyond.” because the faculty members Hesselink explained the creof its Council for East Asian dentials of his appearance at Studies, which is among the Yale, “The invitation specifies three or four most advanced that I will teach two graduate institutions for the study of seminars, one in the Fall of Japan in the world, had voted 2022 and one in the Spring of last December [2021] to invite 2023. Further, I am also to do me for one year,” Hesselink research in my specialty, i.e. commented on his upcoming the history of the Japanese city engangemet at Yale. of Nagasaki’s relationship with COURTESY/CSBS Yale’s Council for East Asian the outside world since the 16th Reiner Hesselink, pictured above, Studies mission “has been to century.” has been a professor at UNI for 27 support scholarship of the highyears. See YALE, page 2
BAILEY KLINKHAMMER Staff Writer
Yessenia Rodriguez is a junior Philosophy and Spanish major with minors in Legal Studies and Spanish English translation. She is from West Liberty, Iowa. At UNI, Rodregiuez is involved in a number of things. She works as an RA in Noehren Hall, and she is a part of Summer Orientation Staff, Student Admissions Ambassadors (SA A), Ethnic Student Promoters (ESP), International Student Promoters (ISP), Connecting Alumni to Students (CATS), National Residence Honorary, UNIDos’s Director of Administration and Campus Activities Board (CAB). This week, Rodriguez gave the Northern Iowan insight as to how UNI has impacted her, why Women’s History Month is so important to her and her role as a leader on campus. Question: What made you decide to become an RA? As a first generation Latina, I didn’t have a great support system or someone to go to, and I wanted to make a difference for first year students so that they received that support that I didn’t get.
COURTESY/Yessenia Rodregiuez
Yessenia Rodriguez is heavily involved on UNI’s campus, and hopes to help students and women of color feel confident and represented.
Question: Why choose the organizations that you did? UNIDos was the first organization that I joined my first year because it was a Latinx organization. I became vice president my sophomore year. I can’t let go of it because it’s a part of who I am. It was my only organization for a few years because of COVID, but I joined because my friends motivated me to and saw potential in me, and now I get to help prospective students beyond my job as an RA. I love working with others and making an impact that way. See YESSENIA, page 2
Jane Mertesdorf: Founder of UNI Softball NI Women’s History Month Coverage CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN News Editor
Two years before Title IX was passed prohibiting sex-based discrimination in schools, UNI Athletics Hall of Famer Jane Mertesdorf created UNI’s first softball program. She proceeded to lead the Panthers to numerous state championships and a national championship in 1978 despite lack of funding or resources. “We started with very humble beginnings… without a budget,” Mertesdorf said. “My social life was
pretty much done. We did everything. We had no field, so we went where it was dry enough, had grass, open space and we weren’t going to take out windows of buildings. We didn’t complain. We just did it.” The team used equipment from intramural sports, and drove station wagons to and from games since team buses and drivers were not supplied. “Those drives we had in the station wagons were some of the most eye opening and wonderful times because that’s when you start to know
people,” Mertesdorf said. Mertesdorf remembered the students and their passion for athletics fondly. “Students were the ones who created the interest in women’s intercollegiate athletics. Female students who had participated in high school sports were beginning to say ‘we need more than intramural sports on campus.’” Sh e continued, “Everything about how things developed was the students. The students were all highly motivated and highly talented. I was just the team’s facilitator. As a coach
We started from humble beginnings...we didn’t complain. We just did it
I loved the practices, I loved the games, and I loved working with the students.” In addition to initial low funding, the early softball program faced other obstacles. According to Mertesdorf, the female athletes did not have an athletic training room and the women were not welcomed in the existing training facilities.
COURTESY/UNI Athletics
Jane Mertesdorf founded UNI’s first softball program in 1970. Her teams went on to win numerous state titles and a national title in 1977.
See MERTESDORF, page 2
PAGE 2
MARCH 28, 2022 |
YALE
continued from page 1
I am in the business of studying the past. The present and the future are always a surprise Hesselink has published two books pertaining to his interest in Japanese history, “The Dream of Christian Nagasaki: World Trade and the Clash of Cultures, 15601640,” in which he received a fellowship from the National Endowment for Humanities. His other book, “Prisoners from Nambu: Reality and Make-Believe in 17th-Century Japanese Diplomacy,” was published in Japanese and Dutch. “Yale will provide me with an opportunity to pull together different lines of research on aspects of the city that I have been engaged in for the past 35 years, and make these into a new book, the second volume in a projected trilogy on Nagasaki,” Hesselink disclosed. While Hesselink is well versed in the world of Japanese History, he believes visiting Yale will transform the ways he has previously experienced Academia. “Teaching at Yale will give me a tremendous opportunity to expand my horizon of the world of American academia, in which I only have the direct experience which I acquired at the University of Hawai’i in Honolulu (where I received my Ph.D) and at UNI (where I received my first academic appointment),” Hesselink said. With his last semester before his time away coming to a close, Hesselink sums up his thoughts on his upcoming move. “What will be the biggest take-away from my journey East? If I could answer that question I would be able to predict the future. However, I am in the business of studying the past. The present and the future are always a surprise to me.”
NORTHERN IOWAN L011 Maucker Union Cedar Falls, IA 50614 www.northerniowan.com northern-iowan@uni.edu 319.273.2157
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NEWS
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
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CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN News Editor
VOLUME 118, ISSUE 44
MERTESDORF
continued from page 1
Additionally, the coach was responsible for taking care of any injuries their players sustained. “It took 2-3 years before there was a change in athletic training here on campus and women were welcomed,” Mertesdorf added. “We were in a male dominated field, so we’ve always had to fight for what we believed was right.” Despite these setbacks, her teams won three Iowa Association of Intercollegiate Athletic for Women (AIAW) state titles, along with the AIAW Region 6 Championship in 1977. She also led the Panther women to the Women’s College World Series four separate times in 1973, 1975, 1976, and 1977, including the 1977 National Title. As the softball program
COURTESY/UNI Athletics
Jane Mertesdorf, pictured above, kick started UNI’s softball team in the 1970s.
began to gain attention from the media, Mertesdorf knew her time had come to pass the baton to another to keep the program’s momentum going. “When we started winning and the news media started to come around wanting interviews and everything, I as a coach knew that was not me. That wasn’t my personali-
COURTESY/UNI Scholar Works
A UNI softball infielder practices on a sunny day in 1976. UNI’s softabll program began with no budget, and used intramural equipment.
ty to be out there in the public,” Mertesdorf said. “I really enjoyed those years I was coaching. It was good timing to pass it on.” Over the years Mertesdorf has witnessed women’s collegiate athletics evolve and grow since its humble beginnings. “You feel renewed knowing you were at the start of it know-
YESSENIA
continued from page 1
Question: What female role models have helped you navigate your time at UNI? Connie Hansen, definitely her for sure, and Joellen Hatchett. They’re my motivation, if I ever need something, if I ever need anything they’re always there, especially as a woman of color they’re so supportive. They’re such positive people and they’ve made such a mark on me with their support, they’re probably two of the people I trust most on campus. Also, they make me laugh. Question: What do you hope people take away from Women’s History Month? My mind goes to equality. I want people to actually learn about women’s history and how important that is, and how that influences equality today. I just hope people take away that women just want to be treated as equals and seen as that.
COURTESY/University of Northern Iowa
Connie Hansen, pictured left, and Joellen Hatchett, pictured right with TC and TK, have been role models for Rodriguez while at UNI.
reflects exactly what I wanted to do. I’m proud of myself for being who I am and where I’m at. The difference between high school senior Yessenia and Yessenia now is such a great change. I never thought I’d be where I’m at today and that’s something I’m really proud of.
Question: What do you think is your biggest accomplishment at UNI? I have two, actually. Being an RA and seeing the impact on my residents, and hearing what my residents say about me to other people
Question: What is the importance of women leadership to you? When considering politics, I feel like people look at it and only see white men, but there are so many opportunities for women and for women to see themselves reflected in the decisions made by people in power. I think that’s a big importance in female leadership.
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Showing representation on campus is super important, showing that they can be in those positions motivates female UNI students to be who they looked up to after they graduate. It’s a huge confidence booster to see women in leadership positions here at UNI. Question: Do you have any advice for students at UNI right now? My sophomore year was horrible. It really sucked, I was in this mode that things weren’t possible for me because I’m not only a woman but a woman of color, and that was really hard to overcome. But, changing my mindset and taking care of myself really helped me move forward. You’re always The Northern Iowan is published semi-weekly on Monday and Thursday during the academic year, except for holidays and examination periods, by the University of Northern Iowa, L011 Maucker Union, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0166 under the auspices of the Board of Student Publications. Advertising errors that are the fault of the Northern Iowan will be corrected at no cost to the advertiser only if the Northern Iowan office is notified within seven days of the original publication. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement at any time. The Northern Iowan is funded in part with student activity fees. All material is © 2021 by the Northern Iowan and may not be used without permission.
ing it has grown in positive ways,” Mertesdorf said. “Softball is just one little branch of how women can grow, succeed and contribute beyond. They can become great participants in the community. The women are out there, they just need to have that avenue. For me it happened to be softball.” able to continue forward. If anyone needs that push, I’m there. I’ll give you that push. Take a minute, step back, take care of yourself. Know you’re able to do it, and do it. If there’s something you want to apply for, do it, even if you think you won’t get it, at least you can say you tried. Question: Are there any organizations that you would recommend students to get involved in? Cat Crew applications are out, Peer Mentor Applications are out, those were my starting points. They got me familiar with campus and got me involved, and gave me that support here at UNI. Through those two programs I got my start and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.
CORRECTION In the last issue of the Northern Iowan, a story entitled ‘UNI Unviels UNIFI’ contained inaccuarcies. The program requires students take 37 credits, not 25. Additionally, Curriculum Coordinator Jeremy Schraffenberger was misspelled as Jeffrey Schraffenberg.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Letters must be less than 300 words in length and are subject to editing. Not all submissions will be printed. Send submissions to northern-iowan@uni.edu.
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PAGE 3
OPINION
NIXSON BENITEZ Executive Editor
MARCH 28, 2022 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
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VOLUME 118, ISSUE 44
Disclaimer: The following opinion articles featured do not reflect the opinion of the Northern Iowan newspaper or staff as a whole.
UNI: the most affordable, highest value university in Iowa KRISTIN WOODS
Guest Columnist
Editor’s Note: Kristin Woods Ph.D is the current Senior Associate Vice President and enrollment managament and student success at the University of Northern Iowa The Universit y of Northern Iowa is a comprehensive university serving our state and region, with a proud history of offering our students exceptional academic and co-curricular programs which lead to strong career outcomes. Students who attend UNI engage with dedicated faculty and staff on a daily basis, both inside and outside the classroom, building the kinds of relationships and skills that provide them a significant advantage after graduation. When paired with UNI’s lowest net cost of all public universities in Iowa, the high value of a UNI education is clear. From the 2020-2021 academic year to the present, UNI has the lowest net cost for Iowa resident students
of all three public universities in the state, both overall and at all income levels, as documented in U.S. Department of Education data. Net price ref lects the cost of attending a university after scholarships and grants. UNI’s work to lower costs for students is grounded in our relentless focus on student access and success. This commitment to keeping costs low and quality high translates to exceptional value for our students. Regional comprehensive universities like UNI are often referred to as the people’s universities given their focus on teaching and emphasis on access and opportunity for a diverse student body. As compared to larger research-focused universities, UNI and our comprehensive university peers are greater drivers of social mobility, enrolling a larger proportion of students from low-income and first-generation backgrounds and making a larger impact on moving students to higher income quartiles after graduation (de Alva & Christensen, 2020).
UNI’s future is bright. While declining birth rates and pandemic recovery have created some setbacks in enrollment, we know who we are and who we serve. Our campus community is investing in new and existing academic programs that align with workforce needs. We are creating streamlined degree completion pathways for students returning to higher education after a time away, and using new recruitment strategies to reach students whose college search process was disrupted over the past two years. Even during the COVID-19 impacted years of 2020 and 2021, UNI’s new freshman classes grew in size, bucking trends of decreased new student enrollment faced by other institutions in Iowa and across the country. We will build on this momentum with the resilience and innovation needed to be an accessible and affordable university for the people of Iowa. With exceptionally strong programs and the state’s lowest net cost, the value of a UNI education is higher than ever.
NORTHERN IOWAN/KARLA DEBRIUIN
Although the pandemic has impacted higher education across the nation, UNI is continue to look for ways in making higher education more available.
Upsets and underdogs in March Madness ABIGAIL SAATHOFF
Opinion Columnist
SAINT PETERS PEACOCKS/COURTESY
As the Saint Peter’s Peacocks enter the NCAA Tournament - Elite Eight, they are being rooted as the ‘underdog’ team in the tournament.
This year, March Madness fans have been able to see the most incredible and astounding upsets in March Madness history. Baylor losing, St. Peters going to the Elite Eight, Gonzaga losing, etc. With the month coming to a close and March Madness reaching the Elite Eight, it is the perfect time to truly evaluate why we love big upsets so much, even if they destroy our brackets. Like every other March Madness fan in the world, I created my bracket hoping that all of my selected teams would win, but after the first upset, I suddenly seemed to forget what teams I was cheering for, and was all for a big upset. Sports Psychologist Chelsi Day states that, “Because most of us have never competed in sports at a high level, we relate more with the underdog than the powerhouse, so it’s nice to see the little guy win. It gives us hope
that we can do big things if we try hard enough if we have grit and perseverance.” I’ve found myself particularly entranced by the St. Peter’s Peacocks who have so far upset Kentucky, Murray State and Purdue to reach the Elite Eight, and play University of North Carolina (UNC) tonight for a place in the Final Four. Even more interesting; none of the Peacocks players were ranked out of high school and come out of a school with less than 2,500 students, making them the ultimate underdog. Even more so; the Peacocks are the first 15 seed in history to reach the Elite Eight. Because of their nature as an underdog in the tournament, I found myself cheering them on passionately as if they were my own team. I’ve even found myself learning the names of the players and following them on social media. In a study by Frazier and Snyder, they found that fans favored the underdog about 88.1% of the time compared to the ‘better’ team. The appeal
of the underdog is the same reason we love movies like “Rocky,” “Miracle” and “The Blind Side.” These movies, just like these games, are related to the average person and make our hearts sing with content when the underdog wins. But, the reason we love these big upsets and the underdog isn’t just because it’s reliable and makes it feel good, but something called “Schadenfreude” according to Day. This word means the feeling of pleasure we get from the misfortune of others. Something about seeing teams like Baylor, Kentucky, Gonzaga, Arizona and Purdue lose games against higher seeds after winning all season, brings me the slightest bit of joy. I couldn’t even hide my excitement when Gonzaga lost, despite the fact that I had Gonzaga winning one of my brackets. So as you finish watching March Madness, and see who reaches the final, here’s a reminder to remember why you love that upset so much, so you can enjoy it just a little bit more.
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CAMPUS LIFE FROM THE NI ARCHIVES
MARCH 28, 2022 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
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CATHERINE CROW Campus Life Editor
VOLUME 118, ISSUE 44
Adieu to the Old Ad Editor’s Note: This article was originally published April 13, 1984. The Old Ad is the Old Administration Building was built in 1894 and razed in 1984. It was estimated it would take $700,000 to bring the building up to minimal safety standards. This piece is an opinion from Denton Ketels, a student at the time. The old Ad is falling down, falling down, falling down, the Old Ad is falling down, Poor Old Lady… Yes, a few big meanies (probably graduating seniors mad because they have a final May 7) dealt a severe blow to the hopes of preservationists in the Old Ad referendum Wednesday. But, quitters never win, and all may not be lost. Perhaps the next step is to hit up the senior class
COURTESY / ROD LIBRARY
gift committee. It won’t get enough funds to save Old Ad, but it can donate something that may be of service in producing revenue for this or future causes that come down the pike. May I suggest toll booths on the University sidewalk system. Ten cents to get on, 25 cents to get off. The majority of students wouldn’t object too loudly or too long to that. Students are, by and large, reasonable and generous people when it comes to the good of the University. Why, just think of all the charitable acts they perform daily. Students give lots of folks good jobs by willfully paying overtime parking fines four times the amount asked by the city. If the lots are full from being oversold, do students get mad? Don’t
The beloved as was razed in the Fall of 1984.
be foolish, they are glad to buoy their future alma mater’s Security Fund by contributing twice what Cedar Falls get for ‘illegal’ parking. Student may look dumb but they comprehend the for public relief, and the economic logic behind why the entire west side of the campus should have one row of two-hour meters for hundreds of people with threehour night classes. In all fairness, it should be noted that students don’t drop all of their goodwill in one bucket. If they see books they sold back in perfect condition for $5 sitting on the shelf selling for $12.95, they don’t bat an eye. They just stroll over the Union, sit down over a few thousand cups of 38-cent coffee and talk about the needy people in the world - like the
Board of Regents. If those people say they need a double-digit tuition increase and a room and board increase in the same year, then it must be so. Besides, those measures will ensure that our bankers’ sons and daughters get a chance to go to college, I overheard some students say the other day. And, with faculty salaries being what they are, it’s touching to see students supporting professors’ video games and word-processing scams… er, I mean, ventures. Clearly, the problem with the Old Ad is the mechanism for extracting… er, um the initiative for making... donations. A word of warning however - one shouldn’t go around thinking that students are just a bunch of unsuspecting
dupes who are in a position to be taken advantage of. God knows how they might react if they were aware of this perception. It would take a good faith administrative compromise to get students to see the worth of the proposed toll system. For example, on Fridays a $5 change of registration slip could be worth one free access to campus from family housing. In the meantime, I think someone should give student philanthropists credit for what theyre already doing. And to the students themselves, I say, “Keep up the spirit, future alumni!” Dig a little deeper to help out your university community and do it with a song in your heart… Every time it rains, it rains, pennies from students…
COURTESY / ROD LIBRARY
The old ad, pictured above, had fallen into dispair over its 90 year standing. Many student organizations attempted to save the old ad before its demolition in Sept. 7 1989.
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CAMPUS LIFE
CATHERINE CROW Campus Life Editor
FROM THE NI ARCHIVES
MARCH 28, 2022 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
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VOLUME 118, ISSUE 44
Women’s softball looks promising Editors Note: This article is from March 20, 1973, from the Northern Iowan newspaper. After two weeks of practice since March 6, the women’s softball team has a “pretty promising battery, with good prospects in the outfield and
COURTESY / UNI SCHOLAR WORKS
infield, although we haven’t chosen positions for this season yet.” says Kris Meyer, returning senior shortstop. Starting its second season after an encouraging one last year, the team first will stand Ames there on April 7 at 11 a.m. Like all upcoming games,
it will be a double-header, and an average of one game per week will be played during the season. Coached by Jane Mertesdorf, women’s physical education instructor, 20 women are out for the team this year, including many non - p.e.
The women’s softball team in 1973 was composed of 20 young women coached by Jane Mertesdorf.
majors. Nine are returning from last season: Kris Meyer, Teresa Allen, Deb Busch, Sherry Ebensberger, Marlys Frohwein, Julie Goerner, Carol Johnson, Janet Parker, and Deb Shay. Anticipating is the work for several team members who
will attend a convention sponsored by the American Association for Health, Physical Education, and Recreation to be held April 13 to 17 in Minneapolis. Workshops, demonstration, and VIP speeches will be included on the agenda.
COURTESY / UNI SCHOLAR WORKS
The team had been practicing for 2 weeks, with a promising outlook for the season ahead.
NI ARCHIVES
This cartoon is from the Sept. 6 1985 Northern Iowan issue.
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SPORTS
WOMEN’S SOFTBALL
MARCH 28, 2022 |
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
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COLIN HORNING Sports Editor
VOLUME 118, ISSUE 44
Panthers take two of three from Evansville HUNTER FRIESEN Sports Writer
The UNI softball team continued their conference schedule with a trio of games against the Aces of Evansville this past weekend. Coming into the stretch, the Panthers had an 11-10 record overall, and a perfect 3-0 record within the Missouri Valley Conference, with all of those wins coming from the previous weekend’s sweep of Southern Illinois. The first game took place early on Saturday, and it took a while for the bats to fly in UNI’s favor. Evansville was able to get on the board first as they scored a run in the bottom of the first. The Panthers took their time to answer back, waiting until the fourth inning
for shortstop Kylee Sanders to hit a triple to score left fielder Kamryn Shaffer, who had been walked just before. Another run would be scored for the Panthers in a unique rules situation that had to be taken up with the conference office. Mya Dodge had a hit into left field that scored two runners, while Dodge was called out at first. After review, it was revealed that neither Dodge nor the Evansville first baseman had touched the bag, which disallowed Dodge from being ruled out. Evansville would answer and tie the game in the bottom of that same inning, but the Panthers put on a hitting clinic in the sixth inning as they added four more runs to their total. Daryn Lamprecht and Sanders each got RBI dou-
bles in the inning, along with Sammy Moss’ RBI single. A final run in the seventh inning sealed UNI’s victory 8-2 in Game 1, with Samantha Heyer credited as the winning pitcher. The Panther’s offensive surge continued in the second game of the day, with them getting on the board instantly this time around. The Purple & Gold scored five runs through the first two innings, with ace Kailyn Packard shutting down the Aces on the mound by allowing only one hit and striking out six through the five innings. In that fifth inning, the Panthers would experience another offensive explosion with five more runs batted in. Lamprecht would hit her first home run of the sea-
son, along with Sanders getting her second double of the day. The Aces had no answer to UNI’s firepower as the Panthers won handily 10-0. The Panthers would come painstakingly close to their second conference sweep of the season, but they were stopped just short in the third game of the series. Similar to the first game, Evansville was able to score three quick runs in the bottom of the first because of a few wild pitches and errors from UNI’s defense. The Panther’s offense would eventually be able to pick up the slack as Taylor Hogan batted in two runs in the fourth inning, and Shaffer would get a solo home run in the fifth. Both defenses held firm after that, with the final two
innings of regulation held scoreless. It wasn’t until the second extra-inning that UNI got multiple hits as Lamprecht and Moss got on base, and were unfortunately left there. To make matters worse for the Panthers, Evansville also recorded multiple hits, along with the game-winning home run by senior Alyssa Barela out into right field. Despite losing their first conference game of the season, the Panthers were still able to win the series, and improve their overall record to 13-11. After those two road stretches, they will be able to welcome a rival home as they will take on Missouri State next weekend in the Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex.
NBA
NBA playoff preview: what to watch for DAVID WARRINGTON
Sports Writer
As we come to the end of March and inch closer to April, we are also getting closer to the 2022 NBA Playoffs. With the play-in tournament beginning on April 12, followed by the playoffs themselves on April 16, we are just weeks away from the conclusion of the regular season. With the season winding down, teams find themselves in various different positions. Some are coasting towards a high playoff seed, some are battling for a more favorable seed, and others are just trying to get to the NBA Draft. The NBA playoffs have undergone a change in recent years. Previously, the top eight teams in the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference all qualified for the postseason, and it was a simple 16 team tournament from there, with all matchups being a best-of-seven. However, the play-in tournament was introduced last year, allowing 10 teams in each conference to play for a spot in the playoffs. The top six teams from each conference still automatically get to the playoffs, but teams that finish between seventh and 10th have to earn their spot, with two teams qualifying. In the Western Conference, the Phoenix Suns, who were just a couple of games away from being NBA champions a season ago, have had a phenomenal season, already clinching the top seed with
their 60-14 record, nine games in front of second place. The only other team in the conference to clinch a playoff spot is the second place Memphis Grizzlies with a record of 51-23. Memphis is playing very well right now, winners of three in a row and eight of their last 10 despite missing star player Ja Morant to injury. Morant is expected to return for the playoffs, making Memphis a very dangerous team. The Golden State Warriors are currently in third place, with a record of 48-26. They have struggled as of late with the loss of Stephen Curry, winners of just five of their last 10. However, a fantastic start to the season still has them positioned to get a high seed, and if Curry can return for postseason play as is currently expected, this could be a dangerous team. Looking at the playoff bubble, the Los Angeles Lakers are currently in 10th place, holding the last spot into the play-in tournament. Despite all-time great LeBron James leading the NBA in scoring, the Lakers have struggled this season, with multi-time AllStar Russell Westbrook having an especially poor season. However, they are still two games in front of the San Antonio Spurs, and are in position to compete for a playoff spot. In the Eastern Conference, the race for the top spot is much more competitive. The Miami Heat are currently in first place at 47-27, and are the only team in the confer-
Tribune News Service
The Phoenix Suns have been the best team in the NBA throughout the entire year, and are looking to win a title after losing to the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA FInals last season.
ence that has clinched a spot in the playoffs. However, the Philadelphia 76ers and the reigning champion Milwaukee Bucks are both just half a game back from Miami, and the Boston Celtics are only one game back. In fifth place is one of the biggest surprises of this season, as the Chicago Bulls, led by Demar DeRozan, who has had a career resurgence in his first season in Chicago, are well on their way to clinching a spot in the playoffs. One team that is surprisingly on the bubble is the Brooklyn Nets. Despite having arguably more star power than any other team in the form of
Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and previously James Harden before he was traded to the 76ers, Brooklyn is currently in eighth place, meaning the Nets would have to compete in the play-in tournament. However, things seem to be trending up for the Nets. Just last week, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced that athletes and entertainers are no longer required to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This means that Irving, who had previously only been able to compete in away games due to his vaccination status, can now play in home games in Brooklyn. Things at the bottom of the
playoff qualifiers are not as close in the east as they are in the west. The Atlanta Hawks currently sit in 10th place, a full five games ahead of the New York Knicks in 11th. With the NBA Playoffs just on the horizon, teams are jockeying for position and competing hard to try to get the most favorable position they can. With a super competitive Eastern Conference, and a Western Conference headlined by the Suns alongside some sleepers behind them, this year is shaping up to be one of the most exciting editions of the playoffs that we have seen in quite some time.
PAGE 7
SPORTS
COLIN HORNING Sports Editor
MARCH 28, 2022 |
NFL
NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
|
VOLUME 118, ISSUE 44
Opinion: this has been one of the craziest NFL offseasons ever Quarterback carousel, unpredictable trades and an ever-changing landscape have brought about drastic change to the NFL in a matter of weeks CADEN SHEA
Sports Writer
The NFL had a spectacular season and postseason in 2021-2022. There was no shortage of entertaining and defining moments - from a crazy 15 second drive by the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes to send their game against the Bills to overtime where they would eventually win, to the rise of Joe Burrow and the Bengals as legitimate contenders with their capturing of the AFC Championship. When the season concluded, many fans were left with a sadness that could not seem to be filled. A void that only grew deeper as one of, if not the greatest player of all time, Tom Brady announced his retirement from the league. It seemed to mark the end of an era, and many of us were left satisfied with waiting until the next season started. Until everything changed. The NFL offseason mixed up teams with trades and signings, gave players massive contracts and more unforgettable moments for the league. The NFL will never be the same because of this offseason and that is precisely why this may be the single greatest NFL offseason for the quarterback position of all time. First of all, we had the rollercoaster of Tom Brady’s “retirement.” Brady claimed that he was retiring from the league to focus on his kids and family and start a new chapter in his life. He would go down in history as the greatest to ever do it and the only player to win seven championship rings in his career, more than any player in league history. The NFL and its fans became excited for the new era that would be happening under new blood no longer controlled by Brady. Fast-forward 40 days later, when he posted on Twitter that he would no longer be retiring and would be returning to the NFL for yet another season under the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He caused a lot of false buzz, fished for compliments and insisted he would be going out in class, just to take it back and announce that he had unfinished business. As a man that did things that no player might
ever do again in our lifetimes, there doesn’t seem to be anything that could be considered unfinished business. He added a lot of star-power and headlines to an already fun offseason. The trades and free agent signings are usually the highlight of the NFL offseason and this year was no different. The hottest topic at the beginning of the season was seeing where current Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers would end up. He shocked everybody by announcing he would stay with the Green Bay Packers, despite rumors suggesting that he would end up with the Denver Broncos. A few hours later, the Broncos announced that they would be trading for superstar quarterback Russell Wilson in what seemed like a calculated response. There was a lot more movement at the quarterback position around the league soon after. The Pittsburgh Steelers, who lost their longtime quarterback Ben Roethlisberger after his decision to retire, picked up former Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills quarterback Mitchell Trubisky. Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan was traded from the Falcons to the Colts, and the newly named Washington Commanders traded for former Colts quarterback Carson Wentz. The quarterback position was on everyone’s mind. The biggest story to come out of the quarterback position was the Cleveland Browns getting Deshaun Watson. Watson was the quarterback for the Houston Texans and was one of the brightest stars in the league until allegations of sexual assault halted his season. He did not play for any of the 2021-2022 season and was a big question mark for pretty much the entire NFL. In the middle of the commotion that the offseason brings to the NFL, Watson was cleared of all criminal charges. This gave him access to play for any team in the NFL. Watson wanted to play for Cleveland so they initiated a giant trade for him that the Texans accepted, as this trade changed momentum in the AFC for a good while. The NFL brought forth many changes to the league through this offseason.
Tribune News Service
One of the many big moves made in this NFL offseason was the Denver Broncos trading for longtime Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson.
Tribune News Service
Legendary quarterback Tom Brady had initially announced that he would be retiring from football, only to announce his return to playing a short time later.
This was just counting the quarterback position but there were many other radical changes like Devante Adams going to the Las Vegas Raiders and Tyreek
Hill migrating to Miami to play for the Dolphins. The craziest part about this offseason is that it is not even over. Many defensive juggernauts and quarterbacks like
Jimmy Garoppolo and Baker Mayfield still have unanswered futures. One thing is for certain, however: next NFL season will be interesting, to say the least.
PAGE 8
CROSSWORD
Across 1 Way back when 8 __ top 14 Winnipeg’s province 16 Doubleheader half 17 1986 movie set partly in the Australian Outback 19 Shoe parts 20 Loch with a legend 21 One-named singer 24 Biol. or ecol. 25 Under attack 26 Co-star of the 2015 film
CLASSIFIEDS NORTHERNIOWAN.COM | VOLUME 118, ISSUE 44 “Joy” 64 Wine competition attend- 23 Run until 28 Boot attachment ees 25 Calf father 30 “Bridge of Spies” actor 27 Tara family name Alan Down 29 Harborside strolling spots 31 Onion rings are fried in it 1 “Better Call Saul” network 32 Without end 34 Worldwide economic org. 2 Long-nosed fish 33 NFL scores 37 1988 movie set in a Southern 3 “Microsoft sound” compos- 34 Green climbers California high school er 35 D.C. underground 40 Tam or trilby 4 Like cannoli 36 Set loose 41 Pencil tip 5 One making amends 38 Sample in a product pitch 42 Time in ads 6 Mars and Venus 39 Hard-wired 43 FBI agent 7 Bios are often part of them 43 Mourn 44 __ of influence 8 Vanilla containers 45 Summary 46 Start of el año 9 “The Simpsons” shopkeeper 46 Have a place in the world 49 Record players, briefly 10 Star of E! network’s “I Am 47 Critical inning 52 Improve a lawn Cait” 48 Down for a pillow 53 Roman baker’s dozen? 11 Machu Picchu’s range 50 Actress __ Pinkett Smith 54 More sudsy 12 Attorney general under 51 Competed in a British bee 56 1996 movie set in Nevada’s Reagan 54 Flower starter Area 51 13 “Give it __” 55 At Hollywood and Vine, 61 Nicks on many albums 15 Novelist Waugh for short 62 1967 Temptations hit 18 Single show 57 Crusty dessert 63 Like some movies ... lit- 21 Cookbook measuring 58 Fourth of 26 erally including 17-, 37- and words 59 __ Lingus 56-Across 22 Fourth of 24 60 Cloth meas.
KARLA DE BRUIN Managing Editor
MARCH 28, 2022 |
Today's Horoscope
FIND US ONLINE! /NorthernIowan
@NorthernIowan
@northerniowan
March 28, 2022
Today's Birthday (03/28/22). Teamwork brings gifts this year. Accomplish bold endeavors together with persistence, discipline and coordination. Realize lucrative opportunities this spring, before contributing this summer to grow family fortunes. Shared finances surge next autumn, providing support with winter financial changes. Share and grow with friends. To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21-April 19) – Today is a 9. Count your blessings. Friends spice and season your stew. Learn from each other. Share recipes, tips and techniques. Grow and develop with social connections. Taurus (April 20-May 20) – Today is an 8. Work takes priority. Things are lining up for you professionally. Inspired actions have lasting benefits. Lucrative opportunities develop with disciplined coordina-
tion. Assume more responsibility. Gemini (May 21-June 20) –Today is an 8. Advance your exploration and expand boundaries. Build your investigation on solid foundations. Emphasize basic elements. Get to the heart of the matter. Cancer (June 21-July 22) – Today is a 9. Collaborate for a common vision. Invest time, energy and money for future growth. Contribute your piece. Astute financial management provides long-term dividends. Strategize. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) – Today is an 8. Partnership gets satisfying results. Collaborate to get farther. Share a heavy load. Connect over common enthusiasms, commitments and interests. You're more powerful together. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) – Today is a 9. Enjoy physical action. Get out and move! Generate beautiful results with focused efforts. Make tech-
nical improvements. Advance toward an enticing prize with gusto. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) – Today is an 8.You're especially attractive and charismatic. Prioritize fun, romance and playfulness. Practice your arts, skills and talents. Discover more options than you thought you had. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) –Today is a 9. Domestic improvements pay nice dividends. Physical action gets results. A coat of paint provides an inexpensive dramatic change. Clean and organize. Apply elbow grease. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) – Today is an 8. Get the word out. Express a heartfelt message. Discipline with communications gets satisfying results. Issue statements
and post your views. Include clear illustrations. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) – Today is a 9. Energize efforts and reap extra bounty. A push now can get especially lucrative. Routine gives you strength. Practice your arts. Get farther than expected. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) – Today is an 8. Grow and develop your skills, talents and capacities. Explore beloved subjects and ideas. Discipline and coordination can accomplish a personal dream. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) –Today is a 7. Listen to your heart, gut and spirit. Notice your own limitations. Plan your next moves. Love animates your commitments. Choose your direction. Organize and prepare.
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