THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015
VOLUME 118 ISSUE 44 NDSUSPECTRUM.COM
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY | FOR THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE
Campus Parking: Dodging, Ticketing, Paving NDSU’s Future Citations fund infrastructure, infuriate students Benjamin Norman
NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Head News Editor
A parking ticket went from $15 to $20 at the start of the 2014 fiscal year, a 33 percent increase. Total revenue between the two years rose 63.3 percent.
PA R K I N G CITATIO N Citation # RB31074 Fiscal year: July 1 to January 31 Fine per ticket: $20.00
Violations:
Top 5 Ticketed Lots So Far This Fiscal Year
1,736 1 Union Lot 1,617 2 Visitor Lot 3 Wellness Lot 1,612
A $5 increase and shifted
enforcement made a
$100,000 difference between
2013 and 2014.
See back for more information and payment options
This fiscal year
For an interactive look at which parking lots on campus receive the most citations, visit
ndsuspectrum.com
is projecting
similar statistics
To many, the burgundy-colored 1999 Chevy Blazer doesn’t stand out in the parking lots of North Dakota State. But to one or two, the mid-sized SUV is eyecatching. Devon Tucker said he and his Blazer have accumulated, at the very least, five parking citations while at NDSU. And five, he said, is a conservative estimate. Punching tickets Tucker isn’t alone. From July 1, 2014, to January 31, 2015, NDSU officers doled out 14,035 tickets, an information request revealed. These citations distributed during the first six months of the 2015 fiscal year brought in $235,805. NDSU is on pace to surpass last year’s totals. Officers administered 14,984 citations during the 2014 fiscal year, equating to $274,067. Tucker said parking enforcement often nabs him by the loading dock near the Music Education building and T2 Lot. This year alone, enforcement has ticketed 510 vehicles in T2. That number, however, is by no means the most ticketed area. Last year, the Memorial Union lot racked up 2,147 citations. This fiscal year, the same lot has already garnered 1,736. The Visitor and Wellness Center lots round out the top three-ticketed hotspots, the latter of which has increased by 685 tickets from the 2013 and 2014 fiscal years. It takes two Brit Stevens, NDSU’s transportation manager, said two parking enforcement officers patrol campus. The two, adorned in their NDSU Parking TICKETING | PAGE 3
EMILY BEAMAN | THE SPECTRUM
Greek Life Becoming Unstable Life
Seven fraternities throughout the United States under the microscope after gloomy incidents in past few weeks
Pace Maier
Co-News Editor
Its been a freak few weeks for Greek life. Greek life has been in the spotlight recently due to incidents, causing five separate fraternities around the nation to receive suspensions, including outrage at the University of Oklahoma. The Ugly The Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter in Norman, Okla., was suspended for a video posted to social media that displayed white students on a bus singing a racist song. Though North Dakota State Greek Life remains controversy-free, some members voiced their opinions of the troubled fraternities. “I personally believe the video is unacceptable,” First Vice Chief Engineer of the Sigma Phi Delta fraternity Jordan Arneson said. Two members of the fraternity who started the chant were expelled from the university. “I personally don’t blame SAE for shutting down that chapter because chanting indicates it’s a part of their culture, and no matter how hard they try, or how many members they expel, it would still be a part of that chapter’s culture in some way,” Arneson said. “Racism and discrimination have no place in Fraternity life, and every incident undermines every Greek organization’s objective.”
“Just because we have a few bad apples doesn’t mean we are all like that.” - Jordan Arneson, First Vice Chief Engineer of the Sigma Phi Delta fraternity at NDSU Sigma Alpha Epsilon hasn’t been the only fraternity receiving suspension. Other incidents closed down the Penn State University’s Kapp Delta Rho fraternity, when a Facebook account displaying pictures of unknown, partially nude women and illegal drugs surfaced. A week later, a Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter at Furman University, the Washington and Lee University’s fraternity Phi Kappa Psi and Sigma Chi fraternity chapter from the University of Houston were all suspended for hazing incidents. “Hazing negates this and treats individuals as essentially sub-human,” Arneson said. “The problem, however, is that campuses are so worried about being perceived as having leniency on hazing, that they would rather shut down a chapter than look bad in the media. “I agree that campuses should not tolerate hazing, but we can also not allow chapters to be shut down unjustly.”
A lawsuit may be looming at the Uof O, with the chapter’s attorney claiming the fraternity’s freedom of speech was violated. “If there is no evidence other than what one person says over the other, then you almost have to throw out the case,” Arneson said. “However, if it is a reoccurring charge, then you can assume some truth that there is hazing going on.” The Bad Another incident at a fraternity affiliated with the University of Michigan took place in early January. Sigma Delta Tau fraternity caused about $430,00 worth of damage to a resort located in northern Michigan, tearing apart the Treetops Resort rooms, removing ceiling tiles and trashing hallways. Earlier this month, the fraternity was dismissed from campus life for a minimum of four years. The Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chapters from NDSU as well as University of North Dakota sent out a statement after the racist video from the U of O Chapter was released. “We were disgusted and appalled as we watched the video depicting a racist song sung by members of the chapter at the U of O,” the statement read. “In no way does the behavior and attitude of these members reflect the behavior and attitudes of members of our two chapters.” Diedrich Harms, president of the NDSU Chapter, said members of the fraternity are taught to be “The GREEK LIFE | PAGE 3
Greek Life EMILY BEAMAN | THE SPECTRUM
INSIDE
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Student campaigns involve new policies under the student court supervision
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Greek life making national headlines shows issues needing to be addressed
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Head baseball coach Tod Brown leading with upfront approach
2 THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015
News
NDSUSPECTRUM.COM
The Spectrum
NDSU students traveled to Miami for the Clinton Global Initiative University event earlier this month. After an award ceremony, they met with the former President and Secretary of State.
ALEX KOPPY | PHOTO COURTESY
NDSU Students Improvise, Thrive, Meet Clintons Students were recognized for their contribution to math tutoring website prototype Camille Forlano Staff Writer
Judges, including Chelsea Clinton, recently recognized three North Dakota State students for their academic achievements. The three won the Codeathon event in the Clinton Global Initiative University event earlier this month in Miami. However, the trio – Alex Koppy, Robbie Suppa and Drew Spooner – almost did not make it to their own recognition ceremony. They did not find out they were being recognized at CGIU until shortly before the ceremony and heard Clinton was presenting. Without a ride to the event and rain starting to fall, the three had to improvise. They hitchhiked their
way to the hotel with a stranger. Once back and dressed, they rushed back to the streets and hailed an Uber cab back to the event. There, they were able to go backstage and meet with the Clinton family. Alex Koppy, a senior double majoring in mathematics and math education, and Robbie Suppa, also a math major, cofounded the Mathematical Enthusiasts Society, a group of math and math education students who volunteer as tutors and build a network of other math enthusiasts. One of the Mathematical Enthusiasts Society’s biggest problems is scheduling busy college students to organize times to tutor. The volunteers have been tutoring seventh and eighth graders at Carl Ben Eielson
“We’re focusing on making an impact in our community, but I love that the CGIU gives you the resources and connections necessary and shares stories from other people from other countries.” -NDSU senior Drew Spooner Middle School in Fargo since the group formed in November. The duo met Drew Spooner, a senior majoring in marketing who joined the group in November, told them about CGI and the Codeathon event. They were accepted into the conference after submitting their commitment to action before December. There, Spooner worked with students from Northwestern University in
Chicago, Duke University, University of Miami and a STEM Education Leader from Microsoft Seattle. The Codeathon is an event where groups work with coders to develop a basic prototype for a website or app that would better their commitment. The group’s idea is to create a prototype website where students can experience a free online discussion board alongside tutors and their teachers.
The group’s next step with the website is to find web developers who would be interested in creating a website for the students, hoping the winning approval of the CGIU will bring positive recognition. With the help of Andrew Mara, associate professor of English, David Wells, professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering, Sherri Stastny, associate professor of health, nutrition and exercise sciences, and Paul Brown, senior lecturer of management and marketing, the group was told what to expect in Miami. The CGIU encourages students to take action on some of the millennial generation’s biggest concerns, like the future of energy, the power of big data to address global challenges
and peace building in the Middle East and North Africa. The group had the opportunity to see students from 80 other countries live “a selfless life of service in hopes of creating a better tomorrow for every citizen on Earth, despite political views,” Koppy said. “The whole Clinton Global Initiative University event was a great experience,” Koppy said. Drew Spooner had a wonderful experience at the event and enjoys the mission of the event of making an impact in the community. “We’re focusing on making an impact in our community, but I love that the CGIU gives you the resources and connections necessary and shares stories from other people from other countries,” Spooner said.
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THE SPECTRUM | NEWS | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015
The student court will oversee student body elections, accumulating with voting April 8 and 9. Eric McDaniel and Josh Fergel will face Robert Kringler and Aaron Weber for 2015-16 student body president and vice president.
FACEBOOK.COM | PHOTO COURTESY
Student Court Oversees Elections
This year’s campaign season offers new policies, faces to the mix
Head News Editor
Two tickets are running for student body president and vice president this spring. The campaigns, Eric McDaniel and Josh Fergel on one ticket and Robert Kringler and Aaron Weber on the other, will be closely monitored by one particular group: the student court. The campaigning season started Wednesday morning, a two-week period the eight justices will preside over and moderate. Chief Justice Mathew
offers a few new changes to this year’s campaign, including how much money a ticket can spend. “The $1500 limit was decided based off of last year’s spending by candidates,” Warsocki said, including donated goods and other expenditures. “This money does come out of the campaigns pockets.” He said he thinks the amount, raised from a $1,200 total last year, will suffice. A presidential ticket can spend up to $1,500 on a campaign budget, the 2015 election code states. Any expenditures passed that
limit will detract from the candidates’ vote total. Warsocki said the campaign season is designed to be short and sweet. “We actually looked into making it a longer campaign time, but the court feels like this is a long enough time for candidates to get their message out,” he said, hopefully relieving candidates from a possible burn out. Though the tickets only publically launched this week, candidates have been active since at least March 10, when ticket applications were due. The 15-day period
between the application due date and the start of campaigning is designed to “give all of the tickets an equal amount of time to prepare,” Warsocki said. Warsocki, who said he joined student court “on a whim” after his freshman orientation, is new to his position as Chief Justice. The court elected him to the position after Fergel announced he would be running with McDaniel. “Justices are to let the Court know as soon as possible before petitions are due that they wish to run,” Warsocki said. “Last year, Associate Justice Aaron
Webber ran for Student Senate and simply took a break from court until we knew whether or not he won.” Though there are challenges the justices face – Warsocki said, in particular, staying impartial during elections when friends are running is difficult – he stays with the court because he thoroughly enjoys it. “All the members of Student Government are close-knit, and I have made some great friends,” he said. Campaigning closes 8 a.m. April 8. Then, online voting begins. Polls close 5 p.m. April 9.
and Transportation Services does not have authority nor does it have a regulation or policy regarding towing,” Stevens said. “We do not tow, impound, boot or in any way confiscate the vehicles of students, staff, faculty or visitors on the NDSU campus or property.” Tucker said while parking enforcement “is necessary,” sometimes it’s a tough pill to swallow. “But other days they can go to hell,” he said. Money for the future
The hundreds of thousands of dollars garnered by citations stay on campus and go toward projects, Stevens said. As NDSU transportation manager, Stevens oversees the account. “These funds are used for re-constructing, resurfacing, re-striping, snow removal and other operational expenses necessary to operate all of the NDSU parking lots,” she said. They do not go toward financing other expenses,
like paying for MATBUS. NDSU Parking and Transportation Services increased citation prices from $15 to $20 after taking over parking enforcement duties from the City of Fargo in July 2013. Pending approval, multiple parking expansion projects are slated to start in the near future. Stevens said the destruction of Thordarson and C.I. Nelson Halls will open up more space for parking. She also said the
tennis courts just south of the Fargodome will be converted into the R Lot, pending approval. For $185, faculty and students can largely bypass tickets by purchasing a yearlong parking pass. But for some, avoiding parking police is worth the risk. “I do not have a parking pass because I am not on campus enough to get my money out of it,” Tucker said.
Creed and their membership would be revoked.” No incidents have surfaced with NDSU Greek Life like the one at U of O, and Arneson said people can’t compare Greek Life in North Dakota to Greek Life around the rest of America. “I’ve talked to plenty individuals from various social fraternities on the coasts and at least once I’ll
say, ‘You seriously get away with that?’, or ‘If they made me do that I wouldn’t have joined,’ because they have a serious hazing problem out there,” Arneson said. “Thankfully our Nationals makes routine visits to our chapters to prevent us having that problem, but I still believe it’s a little scary knowing that is what’s happening.” Greek Life is rarely in the limelight because of the
good they do around the community – it’s because of unacceptable behavior. The Good “Fraternity and Sorority members do a ton of good, but it is always the negative that overshadows it, just like a drop of ink in a bucket,” Harms said. “We just try to keep doing the good things we do, stay involved on campus and continue to give back to the community
through service and philanthropic events.” With these seven fraternities in the news, Arneson and Harms want the public to know these incidents don’t reflect North Dakota fraternities. “Just because we have a few bad apples doesn’t mean we are all like that,” Arneson said. NDSU has 12 fraternities now that host events for the community.
“Greek organizations, especially here at NDSU, donate countless hours, donate countless dollars and expect nothing in return,” Arneson said. “Greek organizations also do not tolerate these incidents, as you can see by SAE’s swift action at removing their charter, and we will continue to be proactive against these types of events.”
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TICKETING | FROM FRONT Enforcement jackets, cover all of campus in a given day, Stevens said, though their walked routes frequently differ. “Routes taken by the enforcement staff are generally influenced by the number and types of customer complaints received in the office as well as the number and types of events being held on the campus,” Stevens wrote in an email directed through NDSU communication
director Anne RobinsonPaul. The lack of parking police sometimes creates a cat-and-mouse game between enforcers and illegally parking students. “I’ve gotten lucky some days and received no ticket, despite how illegally I was parked,” Tucker said. While tickets are commonplace, the other threat to illegally parked cars does not happen often. “The NDSU Parking
GREEK LIFE | FROM FRONT True Gentleman.” “The membership of our two chapters is quite diverse, but we don’t see the differences because these men are our brothers united in the same bonds of friendship and fraternity,” Harms said in an email. “If someone thought having a display of racism and bigotry as acceptable, they (don’t) line up with our
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gone
we’ve
Benjamin Norman
Warsocki said the students that comprise the court will enforce the 2015 election code. The judicial branch of student government is designated to uphold and “(p)romote an unrestricted election code” and election campaign, the student government website said. In addition to enforcement, Warsocki said two debates will be hosted by the student court. The first is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Monday at Thundar’s Den with a following debate 12:30 p.m. Thursday at the same place. The new election code
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Features
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015
NDSUSPECTRUM.COM
The Spectrum
A BISON ABROAD |
NDSU School of Business Student Takes China
Justin Warner
Contributing Writer
I have been living and studying in Europe for over a month now. I have had the fortune of visiting six different countries and seeing many incredible places. Europe is full of rich cultures and diversity that makes each new day an adventure of its own. When I first arrived here, I was honestly a little nervous. I got off the plane in Amsterdam, and for the first time in my life, I was alone in a place where English is not the first language. I quickly learned nearly everyone speaks English. Western Europe is full of kind and helpful people so it didn’t take long for me to feel right at home in Brussels, Belgium. Brussels is the perfect place to study abroad because it is the European Union capital, so it is full of people from all over Europe. It’s a very unique city that is always full of surprises. This is pretty apparent in their monuments, some of which consist of a fountain statue of a little boy peeing and a
massive statue of an atom. I find that Belgium is a lot like the North Dakota of the U.S. in that is not a tourist destination and yet is full of great sites, people and culture. Also worth noting is that Belgium gets some bonus points because the beer is pretty fantastic. It has been exciting to be able to travel a lot while being here. Germany has become one of my favorite countries in Europe, as it has some of the best food and culture. I also thoroughly enjoyed Austria, Switzerland and the Czech Republic. Europe is full of incredible places, so you can’t really go wrong in visiting any of the countries here. After a month into my study abroad adventure, I can easily say that it has been the best decision I have ever made. I strongly encourage every student to look into studying around the globe. Studying in Europe has really had a profound effect on me for the better.
The opportunity to study in multiple locations adds additional value to the overall experience.
JUSTIN WARNER | THE SPECTRUM
Humans of NDSU Tessa Beck
Features Editor
Where is your favorite place to be and why? After clarifying whether his response needed to be campus or North Dakotacentric, senior public relations and advertising student Charles Graywood responded with, “It’d have to be Prior Lake, Minn. It’s my hometown … I just like being there because I have a lot of friends and family there. I like spending time with them.” Graywood indicated he is an active participant in outdoorsy activities, and Prior Lake has more opportunities for activities like hiking and biking.
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THE SPECTRUM | FEATURES | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015 British Invasion
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Across Well wishing to a female ruler Played Robert Shaw in “Glory” Person living next to you, in England Where Big Ben is Popular band from England Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson sequel British detective He wrote The Hobbit You steep this Lennon’s wife Revolutionary War movie It’s both a comma and a university Harrison of the Beatles Starr’s first name Where a play is held, in England
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Opinion
THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015
NDSUSPECTRUM.COM
The Spectrum
Fraternities Must Continue and Strengthen Self-Accountability Greek life atrocities, though widely scattered, show troubling issues needing addressing Benjamin Norman Spectrum Staff
I remember the first time I was chided for shortening “fraternity” by three syllables. Foolish Freshman, you never say “frat.” It suggests a negative connotation. A fraternity, I was told, is more than the caricatured image unfairly molded by tales of parties, hazing and movies like “Animal House.” There’s undeniable truth to this. From fish fries to French toast feeds and Freezathons to clothes drives, Greek life, at least at North Dakota State, is a valuable asset to campus and our community.
But altruism alone does not excuse fraternities from scrutiny, as the media has shown this year. Earlier in February, officials suspended the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter at Furman University for hazing. The chapter is nearly 150 years old. Hazing-related charges this month also suspended the Phi Kappa Psi chapter at Washington and Lee University (a member used a Taser on a pledge) and the Sigma Chi chapter at the University of Houston (details of which were not publicly shared). Details were shared – virally – when social media recently propelled the racially charged video taken of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter at Oklahoma University. The clip, brandishing the N-word and mentions of lynching, shut
“You think a horse having a heart attack creates negative connotations? Sorry, John Belushi in 1978 doesn’t come to mind when these atrocities are happening in fraternities today.” the chapter down entirely. And, as uncovered last week, police have been investigating a secret Facebook page with ties to the Kappa Delta Rho chapter at Penn State. The KDR chapter allegedly had a “Covert Business Transaction” page (and then a second after one victim discovered the original) where members shared pictures of unassuming, partially naked women. You think a horse having a heart attack creates negative connotations?
Sorry, John Belushi in 1978 doesn’t come to mind when these atrocities are happening in fraternities today. Unfair as it may be to discuss only the bad apples of the fraternity world, an unabashed conversation still needs to be had about the collective culture of Greek life. One idea that P.R. majors offer in assistance: Open the windows and blinds to clear the air. Fraternities, much like other collegiate crowds, are infamous for
their confidentiality and unanimity. While some chapters are more transparent than others, it’s still too quiet. I remember asking my fraternity-rushing roommates freshman year about the pledge process. I didn’t get much detail, which is fine – if there isn’t activity being veiled. I understand the mystique of secrecy. I also understand groupthink. A detective-written affidavit said 144 members joined the second KDR Facebook page, the New York Times reported. At least 144 people knew of this repugnant and active page before a former-KDR member came forward. This is the 21st century, people: How does one person even let this happen? Policy aimed to counter
these outrages – like SAE announcing last week the start of a diversity initiative aimed to fight racial intolerance – is helpful, but word-on-paper alone will not alter the landscape as much as needed. A culture change is needed. Brothers need to hold each other more accountable than ever before. Fraternities are a powerful source of good in this nation, and, again, the majority of the chapters are fighting the good fight. But with power comes responsibility. Hell, as a decent human being there comes responsibility. Don’t want to be called a frat? You’ll earn those three syllables back doing what fraternities are designed to do: philanthropic work, chapter camaraderie and upholding the most basic of morals.
The STEM Building Offers NDSU an Upgrade Lucas Schaaf Staff Writer
You cannot stop progress. This saying is generally said as some artifact or natural beauty is harmed for the act of progress. I am saddened over the notion of Churchill Field being harmed, but I do believe in the need on
campus for a new building. Enrollment continues to increase, but our facilities continue to age. The Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) building will improve the campus’ ability to educate students in a modern environment. Many of NDSU’s classrooms, labs or other working areas are severely decrepit from years of use.
Although our beloved green space is being minimized, this building was used out of necessity. It will grant thousands of students access to an updated environment. I will never personally be educated in the STEM building, but I am excited for the future students, as they will be able to learn more effectively in this state-of-the-art building.
The updated labs will be a breath of fresh air to a great deal of students as many labs have a retro aura. Much of my career at NDSU was spent in severely aged facilities and hindered the efficiency and effectiveness of my education. I am also very intrigued in the idea of having classrooms optimized for conducive learning. Many
of the classrooms used for my education were not optimized to fit the mass amount of students into that room. This creates an environment that is often crowded and hinders the ability of students to learn the content. I believe faculty will also look forward to improved facilities, as many classrooms do not have adequate technology
or board space to convey the necessary topics. I do not think NDSU should just stop once this building is done. A continued effort to revitalize campus will further benefit current and future students. If we can stay on this path, I believe the future of NDSU will look bright indeed.
When a Word Isn’t Just a Word
Ugly encounter made me think twice
Denise Luttio
Contributing Writer
It’s still hard for me to believe in 2015 we have problems with racism in America. With the recent activity at the University of Oklahoma with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity among a plethora of other incidents, it reminds us all that racism is alive and thriving in certain areas. The fraternity members were caught on camera chanting something you would have expected to hear in 1815, not 2015. The chant went something like this, “there will never be a n***** SAE / You can hang them from a tree / But they’ll never sign with me.” I don’t think I need to explain anything more
about what was said. I brought it up to bring my next story into context, as something similar happened right here on campus. I was walking to my car after class a few days before spring break when I witnessed something that literally made my jaw drop and my skin crawl. A boy on one of those Razor Scooters was crossing the street when the driver of a car who obviously hadn’t seen him went through a stop sign. The driver honked at the boy and then yelled the same obscenity as listed above, “F****** n*****.” Since it happened on campus, I can only assume it was probably a student. I really hope not. I hope Bison students have more sense and class.
“The color of your skin doesn’t automatically mean you are in the majority, as your viewpoints are outdated and frankly disgusting.” It is no secret NDSU and North Dakota in general are predominantly white. However, I always thought NDSU was a great place for diversity and tolerance when it came to other cultures and races. I know this one student does not reflect the views of the majority of people around here. However, if you are reading this and are siding with the driver, shame on you. To the driver of that car, double shame on you. Judging on the language
you decided to use, I am guessing ignorance rules your life and you might not even be able to read this. However, I guess if not for your abhorrent actions, I wouldn’t have had the courage to write this. I just want to let you know you are in the minority. The color of your skin doesn’t automatically mean you are in the majority, as your viewpoints are outdated and frankly disgusting. For those who think it is just a word, that is a
problem. Yes, it’s just a word, but it’s a word that doesn’t ever need to be said for any reason. Even if this was said out of anger, it doesn’t matter. This is the kind of behavior that perpetuates racism and further divides the country. I don’t know the answer to solving racism. Teaching tolerance is not the same as teaching a math lesson. Racism is deeply rooted and hard to dig out. When it comes to issues like this, does it really come down to personal choice and free speech? The fraternity is claiming it’s their right to free speech. I suppose it is their legal right, but morally, they owe themselves and the people around them something better. I choose to live in
a way that makes not only myself better, but everyone around me better. It’s a choice to make the world a better place with love, understanding and tolerance. I refuse to sit idly by and watch bigotry and ignorance take over. Things will never change if we don’t speak up. We as a human race need to teach each other love and tolerance. The University of Oklahoma did the right thing. They severed ties with the fraternity and two of the students have been expelled. This is sending a clear message that while you have the freedom to say whatever you want under our Constitution, that does not relieve you from societal repercussions.
Applications due May 1, 2015 • for more information or to apply online, go to:
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THE SPECTRUM | OPINION | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015
Assigning Homework Over a Break
Practice bordering on cruel, unusual punishment
Caleb Werness Opinion Editor
Last Sunday night I was sitting in my apartment enjoying the final few hours of spring break, then it hit me. I had forgotten about the mass of reading I had been assigned in two of my classes. This realization instantly
took the wind out of my sails as I scrambled to gather my books in an attempt to quickly go over everything. Granted, procrastination was the reason I found myself in this situation, but I feel assigning homework over a break is impractical. I’m sure I was not the only one who spent Sunday evening in somewhat of a rush to get any remaining homework finished. The simple truth is homework,
when assigned on a break, does not take priority. Many of us are out of town, enjoying the week vacation. While some professors allow students to enjoy their break as a time to put off school and school related content, others do not share this notion. Between two classes, I had over 100 pages of reading. It doesn’t seem like much overall, but it was definitely enough to interrupt my break.
Spring break offers one of the only opportunities we as students have to put the books down and simply enjoy some time off. When homework is assigned over this week, it takes away from the very nature of break. “Spring break” and “homework” are two words that are like oil and water: They will never mix. Let’s be honest: Finishing homework is not something thought
about when on break. The quality and time devoted to completing this work will be sub-par at best. It makes much more sense to give students the whole week off away from schoolwork and let them recuperate. After this weeklong hiatus we can put the old thinking caps back on and return to our schoolwork with a renewed mind. This will help us produce better work in the long run. I feel like I did an
injustice to the reading I had assigned because it did not have my full attention and I skimmed through it rather quickly. I believe it would be in greater benefit of the students and the professors to forget about homework for a week and relax. Once the week is done, return back to the grindstone with everyone on the same page. Let spring break actually fulfill the requirements of a “break.”
Spring Break Sorrow No More
Why taking a trip might be exactly what you need
Amber Zolondek Staff Writer
I was laying on the floor of our apartment living room when my roommate, Katie, suggested I come with her and a group to South Padre Island. “Why would I even entertain that idea? You know better than that,” I said as I brushed off the suggestion. “Come on, it’ll be fun,” she pleaded. “Besides, it’ll be cheap!” This, out of all things, caught my attention. I had initially planned my spring break to job shadow, interview and complete other tasks over the
weeklong “vacation” from school. “Fine, I’ll go?!” I laughed as I nervously agreed. I had never been on any sort of crazy spring break trip and wasn’t planning for that kind of experience, especially on my last year. But, knowing that I was graduating in less than three months, my intuition made me secondguess my concerns and allowed myself to actually get excited for the chaos. The road trip started with seven people caravanning in two cars all the way down to South Padre Island, Texas, a 24hour drive split into two days (thank God). I was a complete stranger to five of the members of our “squad” and by the end of the trip, we had grown together through crazy memories and dumb stories.
The minute we crossed the bridge onto the island it was as if this curtain was pulled and I was in absolute vacation mode. I needed to touch the sand, I wanted to tuck and roll out of the vehicle and run the streets of Spadre high-fiving all of the spring breakers. However, knowing when to keep calm down in SPI is key. Our neighbors included 13 guys in one house, all members of the Navy Academy in Annapolis, Md. Somebody should have pinched me. Was I dreaming? Every day was a new experience, whether it was lounging by the pool with Kendrick Lamar blasting, beach time with others wanting to play sand volleyball, or my personal favorite, getting my moves on at the dance clubs lined
along the ocean. I think what was so important for me was not the chaos or crazy stories, but to finally tie up my last semester as a Bison with a pretty bow. I will forever remember the crew that came down with us, the sun beating down on my shoulders and friends I made from being stuck in a car for more than four days. As someone who would not classify herself as a “spring breaker” until this trip, I highly advise anyone considering to take a trip to simply do it. If you find yourself not having fun, find something fun or someone to do some new activity with and make it fun. It is always going to be what you make it and you might as well make it memorable. Spring Break 2k15 is one almost-regret I’m glad I took a chance on.
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Going on an actual “vacation” makes a break more enjoyable.
8 THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015
Arts & Entertainment
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The Spectrum
JACK DURA | THE SPECTRUM
JACK DURA | THE SPECTRUM
Alex Kleven, Lexi Wedll and Lexi Zawatzke rehearse a scene from Nick LeDoux’s original play “Once Upon a Dream.”
Wedll and Zawatzke’s characters swap experiences in a scene from “Once Upon a Dream.”
JACK DURA | THE SPECTRUM
The MU Gallery’s last day of its “Trophy Wife” exhibition is Thursday.
Editor’s Choice: All Fargo’s a Stage for Art Jack Dura A&E Editor
Thursday: Last day of “Trophy Wife” exhibit The last day of the Memorial Union Gallery’s latest exhibit is Thursday, and you can catch the “Trophy Wife” show between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. The gallery is free to see and “Trophy Wife” offers artists’ interpretations of what a trophy wife is in form and function. If you can’t make the last day of the exhibit, never fear; pieces from the gallery’s permanent collection are currently on display. The theme, you ask? The 1970s, from the Vietnam War to the end of the space age, along with other sociopolitical issues from 1970 to 1979. Friday: El Zagal Shrine Circus The circus is back in town for a weekend of magic and wonder at the Fargodome. Presented by the El Zagal Shrine, “Circus Spectacular” opens at 7 p.m. Friday with five more performances over Saturday and Sunday. Advanced tickets range from $12-$15 while tickets at the door are $14-$17. Tickets are available online or by phone at 701-241-9100. Saturday: “Run For Your Wife” in West Fargo This laugh-out-loud farce reunites cast members from the last 15 years of Harwood Prairie Playhouse shows. “Run For Your Wife” is the only show repeated in the company’s 31-year history and it takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. at Dawson Hall at West Fargo’s Bonanzaville. Tickets are $12 and are available at the door or by phone at 701-298-6807. Sunday: Graduate piano recital Amy Mercer, one third of the tricollege Lyra Trio, commands the stage of Beckwith Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. Sunday for her graduate piano recital. The recital is free and open to the public, and Bison students can keep in mind all NDSU Performing Arts events are free with the flash of a student ID. Monday: Senior piano recital Another piano outing is up for grabs from senior Benton Schmidt. The music major presents his recital at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Beckwith Recital Hall. Like Mercer’s performance, this is free and open to the public.
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Kleven, Wedll and Zawatzke rehearse “Once Upon a Dream” March 23 in the Walsh Studio Theatre. The original play penned by senior Nick LeDoux mounts the stage Thursday and Friday.
Springtime Brings New Work
From Newfangled Theatre Student theater group puts on original play nursed by all aspects of the stage Jack Dura A&E Editor
When Newfangled Theatre puts on its latest production, it will hopefully be a dream come true. But then again, it kind of already is. “Once Upon a Dream,” an original, student-written play, has been in the works since last fall for the student theater group, and this Thursday and Friday will see the show come to fruition. Penned by senior Nick LeDoux, the play is not only a capstone fulfillment for the English and theater major but a project around which newfangled has come together. “I ... wrote a project summary for Newfangled to see if they would be interested in putting on the performance,” LeDoux said in an email. “They put my project along(side) others and had the theatre students vote on which they would want for Newfangled’s spring productions. Luckily a majority voted for my original play.” Concerning a young man in love with a girl in his dreams, “Once Upon a Dream” follows Cecil as his dream girl Talia overshadows Brier, a real-live woman who
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loves Cecil. When Cecil’s former guardian and a selfproclaimed witch visit him after years apart, Cecil is given a chance to bring his love to life. “I will give life to the one you love and you shall live the way that was once only possible in your dreams,” the witch says. “But I need a life in return. Someone willing to die for your happiness. Do you know of anyone who would do this for you?” For those involved, this show and its story have had something for everyone in Newfangled to work around. As its writer, LeDoux has learned a lot W about the writing process. “I feel that I’ve grown so much as a writer, not just in my ability to write, but in my ability to take criticism and meet a deadline,” he wrote. Meanwhile, others in newfangled theatre have found places to support the show in stage managing, directing, designing and more. Auditions offered by the company helped decide a cast and from there, “Once Upon a Dream” became a vision brought to life. “As far as the rehearsal process, it has been amazing seeing it all come to life,”
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LeDoux said. “I couldn’t be happier with theS current cast, although everyone who auditioned did a great job.” For those contemplating seeing the show, LeDoux knows they will enjoy the acting and story surrounding them. After all, “Once Upon a Dream” is entertainment by students, for students. “(F)or the most part,” LeDoux said, “I feel people will enjoy the fact that this production was brought about solely by NDSU theatre students.”
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Spring and Summer Concert Season Nearly in Bloom Music artists hit the Midwest region with something for everyone Jack Dura A&E Editor
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JACK DURA | THE SPECTRUM
Spring is in the air and so is another season. Concerts and tour stops are swooping into the area the next few months, and here are some highlights of the concert season at hand. Scotty McCreery: April 9, Fargodome The youngest man in country music takes the Fargodome’s stage for North Dakota State’s Spring Blast Concert. With hits like “The Trouble With Girls” and “Water Tower Town,” McCreery has clinched platinum album sales and three No. 1 albums on Billboard charts. McCreery’s concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and costs $15 for students. Lowel level student tickets are currently sold out, and the general public can get in for $25. Tickets are available at the Bison Card Office in the Memorial Union. Marilyn Manson: April 10, Fargo Civic Center Rock villain Marilyn Manson drops into Fargo for an 8 p.m. concert on April 10, rocking the Fargo Civic Center with his brand of music “as a martyr in the war against censorship.”
“With his latest album ‘Pale Emperor,’ Manson and his band – all named with female style icons’ first names and serial killers’ last names – come to Fargo for the first time …” With his latest album “Pale Emperor,” Manson and his band – all named with female style icons’ first names and serial killers’ last names – come to Fargo for the first time for a concert that will be his first in U.S. since Manson’s time in Australia and Canada. Tickets are $36.50 and available from Jade Presents. Boston: June 25, Scheels Arena “More Than a Feeling,” “Peace of Mind” and “Amanda” are some of the hits of Boston, the rock band taking Fargo on June 25. The 7:30 p.m. concert at the Scheels Arena finds the near-40-year-old band hitting the road “back by popular demand.” Tickets range from $35 to $125 and are available from Jade Presents. Take your dad!
Shania Twain: July 28, Target Center With a recovered voice and a wrapped Vegas residency, country queen Shania Twain returns to the road for the final concert of her career. Her “Rock This Country” tour hits Minneapolis on July 28, taking the Target Center by storm. Impressed? Tickets range from $46 to $136 and are available from Target Center. Diamond Rio: July 31, Fargo Theatre Country music lovers can pull on their boots for another concert this summer from Diamond Rio at the Fargo Theatre. The 8 p.m. show features the sextet and all its hits like “One More Day” and “Meet in the Middle.” Advanced tickets are $49.50 and available from Jade Presents. Taylor Swift: Sept. 9, Fargodome Was The Spectrum saving the best for last with this concert list? Depending on your tastes, maybe. Regardless, music superstar Taylor Swift sweeps into Fargo on Sept. 9 for her second Fargodome concert, on “The 1989 World Tour.” Tickets range from $39.50 to $119.50 and are available from the Fargodome or by phone at 855-694-6367.
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THE SPECTRUM | A&E | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015
“Cinderella” is another modern update of a classic fairytale on the big screen.
DISNEY BLOGS | PHOTO COURTESY
Live-Action ‘Cinderella’ Brings Cartoon to Life Stunning costumes, scenery in new Disney film Linda Norland Staff Writer
Few films bring back as much childhood nostalgia as classic Disney animations. “The Lion King,” “Aladdin,” “Snow White” and many others have touched generations of kids with their bright colors and happy endings. This month, Disney revived one of these classic animations with a live-action retelling of the fairy tale “Cinderella.” Its ad campaign started in 2014 with an image of a glass slipper, and it was impossible to tell whether the film would live up to its predecessor and was all its promotions bragged.
But with stunning costumes, scenery and a strong cast of characters, “Cinderella” breathes life into a fairytale worthy of multiple retellings. Disney follows the tradition of last year’s “Maleficent” and the popular TV show “Once Upon a Time,” riding on the popular craze of retelling old stories from new angles. In the past decade, fairy tales have been rewritten every which way, from the villain’s point of view, in the modern world or (finally) with the princess saving the prince. Although this movie is not particularly unique in that department, it does offer stunning visuals and a message about kindness that is all too relevant in today’s society. The vivid hues, costumes and fantasy-world scenery all make the story
seem like a cartoon come to life. Lily James (who portrays Rose in “Downton Abbey”) does a magnificent job portraying the kind and fair Ella. But Cate Blanchett really steals the show as the wicked stepmother, who proceeds to make Ella’s life a living hell by treating her poorly and, well, you know the story. Helena Bonham Carter, perhaps best known for her role as Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter films, holds a wand for the good side as Ella’s well-intentioned but kooky fairy godmother. Of course, she’s had a bit of practice with both the wand and the weirdness. This movie did receive quite a bit of flak for Ella’s tiny waistline, which also serves to make her appearance more cartoon-like.
Indeed, she does appear shockingly thin in the film and apparently went on a liquid diet to fit into the iconic blue gown. The new short “Frozen Fever,” a followup to the film that everyone has heard about by now, also premiered with “Cinderella.” It features the beloved characters from “Frozen” and is probably meant to increase anticipation for the sequel which was recently announced. A release date and plot hints are yet to be revealed, but Disney will still ride the profit wave even if it is terrible. Also to be noted, in 2017 Disney will reboot “Beauty and the Beast” with Emma Watson (yes, Hermione Granger herself) as the beauty. Thus continues the trend of recycling and updating old material for modern audiences.
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10 THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015
Sports
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The Spectrum
Bison Run Falls Short
Gonzaga size, experience prove too much for Bison
Connor Dunn Spectrum Staff
The North Dakota State Cinderella story did not have a sequel in this year’s NCAA Tournament, but the Bison gave No. 2-seeded Gonzaga almost all it could handle with a careerbest performance from a surprising source. The Bison made the partisan Key Arena crowd nervous throughout the game, but the Bulldogs made enough plays down the stretch to secure an 8676 victory Friday night in Seattle. Six-foot-six sophomore Dexter Werner poured in a team-high 22 points to keep NDSU in the game against the West Conference champion Bulldogs. The feat is even more surprising considering the height he was up against. Gonzaga threw 7-foot-1 Prezemek Karnowski and 6-foot-10 Domas Sabonis on Werner, but the height advantage had no effect on the Bismarck native who bobbed and weaved through the Bulldog bigs again and again to the tune of 10 of 14 shooting from the floor and 22 points in only 24 minutes off the bench. “Dexter’s a unique
matchup,” head coach Dave Richman said. “He’s got good length. The wingspan surpises some people. He’s really strong. Obviously what he was able to do tonight is go off the bounce. That’s different for a lot of (centers) guarding him.” Stopping the Gonzaga height on the other end was a different story. After the Bison came out firing with three straight 3-pointers to open up the game with a 13-12 lead with 13 minutes, 16 seconds left in the first half, the Zags responded with a 12-0 run. Gonzaga made its living at the free throw line and in the paint during the key stretch. At 6-foot-10, forward Kyle Wiltjer posed a matchup problem for the Bison, who started 6-foot4 Kory Brown as the defensive assignment, but Wiltjer took his game inside shooting 8-for-12 from the floor and 5-for-5 from the free throw line. NDSU tried to run a zone defense against the Zags in the first half, but to no avail. Whenever a big guarded Wiltjer, he would step back and knock down shots, which he did for his gamehigh 23 points. “Size, skill, parts surrounding him, you name
it,” Richamn said. “What makes him a tough guard is he’s so versatile.” Offensive rebounds also hurt the Bison, giving up six in the first half, and firsthalf foul trouble plagued NDSU, as both Bison big men Werner and 6-foot8 Chris Kading had three fouls each before entering the locker room down 43-30 at halftime. At times during the first half, Gonzaga looked like it would run away with the game, but the Bison consistently answered the call in the second half, led by Werner and freshman guard Paul Miller. “In the first half, they played a little bit tougher than we did, beat us on the boards, and we decided at halftime that we weren’t just going to go down like that,” said Miller, who had all of his 13 points come in the second half. “We wanted to come out swinging in the second half.” With 14:58 left, the Zags lead ballooned to 18 points, but a 10-2 run led by Miller and senior guard Lawrence Alexander cut the lead to 10. A few minutes later, a 3-point play by Werner brought the Bison within six and a spin move around Domas Sabonis got the
Bison within 68-62 with 6:05 left in the game. Then senior guard and WCC player of the year Kevin Pangos took control of the game, converting the unconventional four-point play after Werner fouled Pangos on a successful 3-pointer. “I really thought that was the key,” Richman said. “To me, he’s the engine that makes them go. When he needs to make a big shot, he makes a big shot. He’s the ultimate team guy. He’s a winner.” The Bison drew within eight points with five minutes left, but another 3-pointer by Pangos and a Sabonis rebound and basket gave the Zags a 77-64 lead with 4:02 crushed any hope of an upset. The Bison finished their season 23-10. “Going forward, especially for us younger guys, no one expected us to be here,” Miller said. “We were picked to be the fifth seed in our own conference. The experience of playing in this game will really help us going forward. Then, the fact that we were able to compete with, like Coach Richman said, a team that’s got a chance to make a really good run here, that’s pretty positive.”
CONNOR DUNN | THE SPECTRUM
Dexter Werner (left) goes up for a shot against No. 2-seeded Gonzaga Friday night at Key Arena in Seattle.
No Rebuild Needed Loss to Gonzaga cannot overshadow season’s success
AJ. Jacobson is part of a returning cast next year for the Bison, a team who has set high expectations after making the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row this season.
Connor Dunn Spectrum Staff
F o r most midm a j o r programs, a trip to the NCAA Tournament is bigger than life. It is a chance to become a Cinderella story and upset Goliath in front of millions. It usually takes a special team made up almost entirely of seniors who have been waiting patiently to make a run to the tournament. This typical mid-major rebuilding process happens every five years or so. Most teams get that special group of experienced players and one chance to make the
NCAA Tournament. The Bison were this prototypical mid-major program with seniors Ben Woodside, Brett Winkelman and Mike Nelson, making a historic mark in NDSU’s history with a trip to the Big Dance in 2009. Five years later, seniors Taylor Braun, Marshall Bjorklund and Trayvonn Wright wrote another chapter in Bison history by taking down Big 12’s Oklahoma and becoming the nation’s Cinderella team. See ya, March Madness in 2019, right? This year’s Bison team disproved that trend and the notion that NDSU is a typical midmajor program. The 2015 Bison were picked fifth in the Summit
League preseason poll in a season dubbed a rebuilding year. From the outside, all anyone saw was a team with one senior, two freshman playing considerable minutes, unproven players stepping into larger roles and a new head coach. The team doesn’t even have a full-size practice gym. The ceiling’s too low at an old warehouse to even attempt a half-court shot. Strength and conditioning took place in a converted supermarket, and the team only had nine practices all year on its temporary home court in Scheels Arena. It seemed a rebuilding year was plastered all over the Bison program because that’s just what mid-major programs do after a trip to
the NCAA Tournament. With new head coach Dave Richman and lone senior Lawrence Alexander, that common thought was not about this team or this year. The Bison reloaded this year and broke out of the mold of a stereotypical midmajor program. Would the Bison faithful and the rest of the college basketball world liked to have seen NDSU beat Gonzaga? Heck yes, but a loss to a No. 2 seed that has been ranked in the top five during most of the season and as high as third in both top 25 polls should not take away from the overall season’s success for NDSU. This team did not lose a game in Scheels Arena,
extending a nationally ranked 25-game home winning streak. They made a repeat trip to the NCAA Tournament, knocking off top-seeded South Dakota State in a hostile environment in Sioux Falls, S.D. This year’s Bison team produced a winning culture and a mid-major program that reloads. Just look at next year. Only one player graduated, two freshmen redshirting and four recruits are coming in. JUCO transfer Malik Clements might play immediately as a shooting guard, along with 6-foot9 big man Dylan Miller from Hillsboro, Ill. The Bison also caught what is considered a steal in South
CONNOR DUNN | THE SPECTRUM
Dakota’s Gatorade Player of the Year 6-foot-9 Deng Geu from Sioux Falls, whose game is a mirror image of Wright. With freshmen A.J. Jacobson and Paul Miller contributing this year, along with sophomores Carlin Dupree and Dexter Warner and juniors Kory Brown and Chris Kading, the Bison don’t need to rebuild next year after a trip to the NCAA Tournament. NDSU men’s basketball has a winning culture and a reloading philosophy that breaks the mold of the ordinary mid-major program. The Bison are on the map nationally and with a new stadium on the way, the direction the program is going is extraordinary.
11
THE SPECTRUM | SPORTS | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015
Help build a better future peacecorps.gov/openings Apply today. 1.855.855.1961 | chicago@peacecorps.gov
Dave Richman brought a different personality as head coach, but the success has remained at NDSU.
CONNOR DUNN | THE SPECTRUM
Richman’s Different Demeanor Hasn’t Changed NDSU’s Success
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New coaching personality hasn’t thrown Bison off course Sam Herder Spectrum Staff
At his introductory press conference last y e a r , Dave Richman stressed he is going to continue to be himself. Learning under former North Dakota State head men’s basketball coaches Tim Miles and Saul Phillips, two guys who could entertain a crowd with a 12-pack of Mountain Dew and a bobblehead, Richman learned the ropes on how to lead the Bison. But he has led in a different way. And his way has worked just fine. It was probably an adjustment at first for players, boosters and fans. Gone were the quirky answers, the stories and the made-for-television moments. Enter Richman, a 36-year-old head coach with an always-focused look on his face. He answered questions calmly, cracked a joke here and there, but kept things simple.
Not that it was a bad thing. It was just different. Richman stressed family. Growing up near Fargo and now with four daughters, Richman’s team created the Twitter hashtag #BisonFam. He demanded discipline and refused to lose. With a young team, Richman pulled out single-digit win after win. And most importantly, he coached the hell out of his players. Here is what Richman had to work with on his roster entering his first year at the helm: lone senior Lawrence Alexander, who spent his first three years dishing the ball to three 1,000-point scorers; junior Kory Brown, who is a menacing defender, but noneffective outside the lane on offense; junior Chris Kading, who is also more effective on the defensive side and a role player on the other end; sophomore Carlin Dupree, an athletic but raw talent; sophomore Dexter Werner, a football player who is athletic enough to play Division I basketball; redshirt freshman A.J. Jacobson, an unproven, but highly-hyped product
out of Fargo Shanley; and true freshman Paul Miller, a sharpshooter with zero college experience. Those were the scouting reports on the 7-man rotation entering the 2014-15 season. But Richman got every single player playing to his maximum ability and then some. The players bought into his message, whether it was the upperclassmen who were accustomed to Phillips’ unorthodox ways or the freshmen who were recruited by Phillips. He got every inch of talent and hard work out of his players and the result was a Summit League championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. But the feel-good year isn’t enough. NDSU Athletics released a video of Richman’s speech after the Bison’s 86-76 loss to No. 2 Gonzaga in the tournament, a game which saw a gritty and courageous battle from the Bison. Richman’s intensity and determined personality is easily noticeable in the video. He talked to his players like they were his family, but he looked each player
in the eye and firmly stated “this is the standard of North Dakota State University men’s basketball. The standard. Not good, but great.” Richman was a wizard this season with what he did. The national media ate up the story of NDSU practicing in a warehouse and lifting in an old grocery store while its arena was being renovated. Not many coaches could keep 18- to 22-year-old guys on track, especially after everyone in the Summit League, and probably some in Fargo, stacked the odds against them. But a Midwest guy with a hardworking, laserfocused edge can. And Richman did. Schools around the country no doubt took notice. At 36, Richman will be tempted to leave his home state multiple times as bigger schools come calling. It’s not a question of if, but when and what school calls. But until that day comes, Richman will continue to build the Bison program his way. And so far, his way has worked just fine.
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Wrestling In North Dakota State’s rich history, not one time have they had multiple AllAmerican wrestlers in one season, but 2015 is the year of change. Hayden Zillmer and Kurtis Julson became the first Bison teammates to reach All-American status. They are only the eighth and ninth All-American wrestlers in NDSU history to do so. Zillmer, in the 184-pound weight class, finished the year 38-6. At 174 pounds, Julson finished the year 2312. For the second straight year, the Bison were ranked in the top 25 nationally. They finished the NCAA Tournament with 19.5 points, which was good enough for 23rd overall. “It’s impressive,” head coach Roger Kish said. “We
happened to be infielder Cheyenne Garcia’s first of the year. Baseball On the opposite side of the spectrum, the NDSU baseball struggled over break, going 1-5. The Bison lost to Summit League opponents Oral Roberts twice and to Omaha three times. The first game against Omaha was a firework implosion as both teams combined for 34 runs. The Bison lost 20-14. However, heading into the eighth inning, the Bison were down 16-5 before they rallied. They put up nine runs in the inning to cut the deficit to 16-14, but the Golden Eagles were not finished. They scored four insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to ensure they would not lose an 11-run lead in the last two innings. Track and field The NDSU track team
traveled to Tempe, Ariz., to participate in the Baldy Castillo Invitational. Tyler Parker shattered the NDSU record in javelin throws. The previous record was 228 feet, 10 inches and Parker tossed a 235 feet. That throw is the fourthbest in the entire NCAA this year, but Parker placed third in the meet. Bison freshman Payton Otterdahl posted a mark of 56-10.25 in the shot put to tie for second in NDSU history. Earlier in the day, Otterdahl threw 163-3 in his collegiate discus debut to stand at 10th all-time for the Bison. NDSU senior thrower Emily Lesser secured the Bison school record in the outdoor shot put with a throw of 51-09.75, an improvement of 26 inches over her previous personal outdoor best. She now ranks fourth nationally.
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wanted to finish on a higher note this afternoon, but it’s a long tournament. Kurtis and Hayden competed hard and competed well. We’re extremely proud of these young men. They have nothing to hang their heads about, that’s for sure.” Softball The NDSU softball team had an excellent two weeks. While many students were somewhere warm and enjoying their spring break, the Bison took care of their business. Since March 14, the Bison have won nine games in a row. In that time span, Krista Menke won six games and improved her record from 10-2 to a blistering 162. In their last series against Western Illinois, they outscored them 24-6 over three games. In the second game, they won 14-1. Eight of the nine starters got a hit. NDSU had 16 hits combined and only one home run. That home run
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THE SPECTRUM | NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY | THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2015
Tough Truth Players respect Brown for being upfront, personal
FILE PHOTO | THE SPECTRUM
North Dakota State head baseball coach Tod Brown has improved the program over his seven years with an upfront approach.
Colton Pool Sports Editor
When David Ernst was drafted in the late rounds of the MLB draft out of Fargo South High School, he had a tough choice to make – go to the professionals and risk getting swept under the rug or go to college and continue getting better. Right in his front yard was North Dakota State’s baseball program led by eighth-year head coach Tod Brown. Brown promised Ernst he would play right away, so the young pitcher trusted him. Ernst signed on, and Brown stayed true to his word. “The thing about coach Brown is that he doesn’t beat around the bush,” Ernst said. “He tells it like it is. I hate it when coaches don’t tell ya what’s going on and
that sorta thing. That’s why I like him and respect him.” In Brown’s first seven years as the Bison’s head coach, he’s gone 166-193 but has improved the program in the last few seasons. The Bison have recorded a .518 winning percentage in the last four seasons, won a school-record 40 games in 2012, made it to three consecutive Summit League championship appearances and won a conference championship last season to make their first NCAA Tournament since 1956. In Brown’s tenure, 16 Bison players have been named Summit League honorees and six have been first-team selections. On top, 14 of Brown’s players went on to sign professional contracts. And he does all of this without even strictly focusing on baseball – academics and character
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might be even more important to Brown. Last year, the Bison baseball team tied a schoolrecord with a 3.12 team GPA. Throughout Brown’s Bison career, he’s coached three NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipients and his teams have been around the 3.0 GPA mark every season. This year’s Bison (514, 1-5 Summit League) haven’t played a home game all year, so Brown stresses academics on the road. He said he wants a cast of good guys who know when to focus on baseball and when to focus on school. “It really goes hand-inhand,” Brown said. “We stress that what these guys do off the field and in the classroom carries onto the type of player we want on the field. Guys that are cutting corners in their personal and academic lives,
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they’ll come in here and cut corners on the baseball field. Those who don’t work hard and go through the motions don’t have a good sense of team.” Brown said he gets to know players and their families and looks for specific qualities through recruiting. When potential athletes are narrowed down, Brown’s staff gives them a tour of the campus to show them what NDSU is all about. But they don’t get to that point before Brown knows what those athletes are all about. “When we go through the recruiting process, we’re looking for guys that are good on both sides – they’re going to be good citizens for NDSU and our baseball program, but also good in the classroom,” Brown said. “Those are the best type of players, as they give full
effort in baseball as well.” As soon as winter ends, Brown and his staff spend time traveling, watching high school games and keeping in touch with recruits. The coaches see thousands of kids just to narrow it down to a few scholarship-worthy players. “These players are the lifeblood of my job,” Brown said. “If I have bad kids, bad players, bad citizens and guys that don’t play hard, I’m going to be out of a job.” Brown said he makes it a point for coaches to get involved with the personal lives of his players for not only better connections but also to recognize problems as soon as they come up. “I hope that our players respect that we want to be upfront with everything, whether it’s our academics, things that happen in their personal lives or on the baseball field,” Brown
said. “I don’t really think anybody wants to hear any coach blowing smoke out their backside. Sometimes it’s hard to hear, but I had teachers and coaches tell me exactly how it was so I knew how to react and what to do to improve the situation.” Having played four years with Brown as his coach, Ernst has had plenty of time to get to know his coach. And the thing he respects most is his honest approach to improvement. “He’s honest, but he’s not mean about it either,” Ernst said. “Some guys can be very mean about it. But, say something’s not going right, coach Brown will tell you how to fix it. He’s not going to chew you out. He’ll tell you what to do. That’s a big reason why I respect and trust him.”
Looking for Summer Courses? The Department of Criminal Justice and Political Science has several offerings to jumpstart your academic career!
Political Science Introduction to Political Science*
May 19th-June 12th
American Government*
May 19th-June 12th
International Politics*
June 16th to August 7th
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(POLS 220)
Applied Research Methods
May 19th-June 12th
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Criminal Justice Introduction to Criminal Justice
June 16th to August 7th
Criminology and Criminal Law
June 16th to August 7th
Applied Research Methods
May 19th-June 12th
(CJ 201)
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* General Education Course