FREEDOM OF SPEECH Where is the line drawn for extreme speech? PAGES 4-5
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TO BE OR NOT TO BE: ENGLER IS IN QUESTION. BY KAITLYN KELLEY KKELLEY@STATENEWS.COM
Interim President John Engler was apppointed on Jan. 31. Students, faculty and alumni were vocal of their support — or lack of support for Engler.
Interim President John Engler speaks to media on Feb. 21 at the Hannah Administration Building. PHOTO: SYLVIA JARRUS
SUPPORTERS Brian Breslin
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
“Board Chairman Brian Breslin said Engler’s depth of executive experience — his years of service to the state of Michigan and his experience as the CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers and president of the Business Roundtable will benefit MSU enormously.”
Bill Beekman
Interim Athletic Director
“Our top priority is supporting the courageous survivors of Larry Nassar’s horrific abuse and providing them with the help they deserve. In the coming weeks, as President Engler has said, we will be moving swiftly to implement changes that will protect anyone affiliated with MSU from sexual assault, harassment or bullying.”
George Perles Trustee
“When something’s on fire, you really don’t call the fire department three days later. You want to move right away.”
Dianne Byrum Trustee
Melanie Foster Trustee
NON-SUPPORTERS Rachael Denhollander Survivor
Morgan McCaul Survivor
Justin Johnson Trustee candidate
MSU College Democrats MSU’s Residence Hall Association
“We are concerned that the voices of survivors, students, faculty, staff, and community members have once again not been heard. The Board and President have a duty to serve the best interest of all Spartans, and in this case, they have failed that mandate.”
Faculty Senate Vote of no confidence
CAMPUS CENTER CINEMA
April 5-8
NOW FEATURING
Dan Kelly Trustee
“As a member of the MSU Board of Trustees, I am committed to working with Interim University President John Engler and the full Board in supporting the survivors of Dr. Nassar and addressing the challenges this matter has presented for the entire Michigan State University community. Each Board member brings their experience and background from their past that will help the university and survivors move forward. Because of the confidential nature of my work as a private sector attorney and my role as an MSU Trustee, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.”
ON THE FENCE Brian Mosallam Trustee
Mosallam said he voted for Engler “for the sake of unification, I agreed to vote with the majority.”
ASMSU
Willing to work with Engler.
Lorenzo Santavicca
The Post Thurs Wilson Aud 8:30PM 115 B Wells Hall 9:00 PM Fri, & Sun 115 B Wells Hall 7:00 PM & 9:15 PM
April 12-15 Student Film Festival Sat- Times to Be Announced
ASMSU president
Initially said he was “disappointed” by the selection of Engler, but ASMSU has been working with him. 2
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Contents
McKenna Ross Managing editor feedback@statenews.com
ONLINE AT STATENEWS.COM
What’s on the Student Elections ballot?
Football focuses Dispensaries on offense ahead in Lansing face of spring game closure
The State News explains each tax referendum and constitutional question in this week’s election.
Sports reporter Kara Keating breaks down how the offensive line is training.
Reports allege abuse from Olympic coach BY KAITLYN KELLEY
“I want do as best as I can, as good as I can, for as long as I can.” Abraham Aiyash Alumnus and Michigan Senate candidate See page 8
As ordinances change to limit the amount, dozens of marijuana dispensaries could shut their doors.
BY T H E N U M B E R S
$2.50 The proposed tax referendum for The State News See page 6
Go green and recycle this newspaper please! Thanks a bunch!
KKELLEY@STATENEWS.COM
CNN released a report on March 30 looking into John Geddert, famed Olympic coach and previous owner of Twistars Gymnastics Club, and alleged verbal and emotional abuse against gymnasts. In the report, CNN breaks down detailed accounts of Geddert’s forms of abuse from seven gymnasts and their families, medical records and electronic communications that allegedly document years of his mistreatment against those he coached. Each of the gymnasts’ stories have common themes when it comes to the way Geddert allegedly abused them. All seven gymnasts featured said Geddert repeatedly disregarded their injuries. According to the report, of the seven gymnasts, two attempted suicide because of his abuse, one said he injured her so badly it ended her career at 17 years old. Another said he failed to get her medical attention after she broke her neck at practice and another said he made her train for nearly
a month on a broken leg at age 13. According to the report, gymnast Makayla Thrush said Geddert told her to kill herself several times and gymnast Brittany Aragon said he would scream he was going to “beat her like a red-headed stepchild” if she didn’t perform her exercises perfectly. In addition to the gymnasts’ accounts of their experiences with Geddert, their parents also attested to Geddert’s forms of abuse in the report. “As parents, of course we’re happy that Larry is behind bars,” Ken Lorencen, father of gymnast Bailey Lorencen, said in the report. “But John needs to go down as hard as Larry did. Sometimes I think he was worse.” The report also went into detail about ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar’s relationship with Geddert and the gymnasts he worked with. Geddert and Nassar were known to be friends, working alongside each other for nearly 20 years. He was in Nassar’s wedding in 1996 and continued to be supportive of him as sexual assault allegations began piling against him. READ MORE AT STATENEWS.COM
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Attorney Shannon Smith talks to ex-MSU football player Joshua King before the plea agreement on April 4 at Veterans Memorial Courthouse in Lansing. King pleaded guilty to seduction and surveilling an unclothed person. PHOTO: SYLVIA JARRUS
VOL . 108 | NO. 26 CONTACT THE STATE NEWS (517) 295-1680
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RELIGIOUS DIRECTORY Stay up to date at: www.statenews.com/religious
All Saints Episcopal Church 800 Abbot Rd. (517) 351-7160 Sun. Worship: 8am, 10am, & 5am Sunday School: 10am www.allsaints-el.org Chabad House of MSU 540 Elizabeth St. (517) 214-0525 Prayer Services: Friday night services followed by traditional Shabbat dinner @ Chabad. www.chabadmsu.com Eastminster Presbyterian Church 1315 Abbot Rd. (517) 337-0893 Classes for All Ages: 9:30am Sun. Worship: 10:30am www.eastminster church.org Greater Lansing Church of Christ 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. (Meet @ University Christian Church) (517) 898-3600 Sun: 8:45am Worship, 10am Bible Class Wed: 1pm, Small group bible study www.greaterlansing coc.org
The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing 920 S. Harrison Rd. (517) 351-4309 Friday Services: 12:15-12:45 & 1:45-2:15 For prayer times visit www.lansingislam.com/ Martin Luther Chapel 444 Abbot Rd. (517) 332-0778 Sun: 9:30am & 7pm Wed: 9pm Mini-bus pick-up on campus (Fall/Spring) www.martinluther chapel.org The People’s Church, multidenominational 200 W Grand River Ave. (517) 332-6074 Sunday Service: 10:30am with free lunch for students following worship. ThePeoples Church.com Riverview ChurchMSU Venue MSU Union Ballroom, 2nd Floor 49 Abbot Rd. (517) 694-3400 Sun. Worship: 6:30pm www.rivchurch.com
St. John Catholic Church and Student Center 327 M.A.C Ave. (517) 337-9778 Sun: 8am, 10am, Noon, 5pm, 7pm M,W,F: 12:15pm T & Th: 9:15pm www.stjohnmsu.org
Spotlight
Hate, extreme speech allowed at MSU despite push back from some
WELS Lutheran Campus Ministry 704 Abbot Rd. (517) 580-3744 Sat: 6:30pm msu.edu/~welsluth Pentecostals of East Lansing 16262 Chandler Road (517) 337-7635 Service Times: Sundays: Prayer 10:30am, Service 11am Wednesdays: Prayer 6:30pm, Bible Study 7pm pentecostalEL.org Denomination: Pentecostal
Hillel Jewish Student Center 360 Charles St. (517) 332-1916 Services: Friday night 6pm, dinner @ 7, September–April www.msuhillel.org
BY RENEE PRVULOV RPRVULOV@STATENEWS.COM
He approaches students on their way to and from class, attempting to bring them to the Lord. He grasps a sign firmly, expressing his beliefs, with the word “hell” accented in blood red font. His young daughter stands by his side, holding a sign similar to his. They vary from one to several people preaching outside of Wells Hall. He locks eyes with students walking past and encourages them to talk to him about God and their lifestyle. He preaches the word to them, prays over them, and hands out bibles. The First Amendment gives Pastor Michael Venyah and others the right to stand outside of Wells and preach or say whatever they want. There is some debate as to whether or not there is a point when freedom of speech should no longer be honored. Students are protected under this right. Universities have their own policies on freedom of speech and how it is practiced on campus. “Michigan State is wholly dedicated to freedom of speech, not just as a public institution, but as an institution of higher education,” according to MSU’s free speech website. “Here, ideas—not people—are meant to clash and to be evaluated based on their merits.” Hate speech is protected under the First Amendment. White nationalist Richard Spencer spoke at MSU on March 5. Spencer was first denied access to speaking on campus due to safety concerns, but the university eventually allowed him to speak. He came to the MSU Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education during spring break to minimize safety concerns. People like Spencer and Venyah speaking in public has sparked the question: how much free speech should be allowed on campus?
FACULTY AND ADMINISTRATION RESPONSE
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MSU worked to come up with neutral locations during the Spencer rally for the sake of students’ safety and to prevent disruptive activity. They chose an environment for him to speak that would be as safe as possible for the community, MSU Vice President and university spokesperson Emily Guerrant said. “While the university rejects the group’s divisive and racist messages we understand that as a public institution we cannot prohibit groups or individuals speaking in public forums,” 4
T H E STAT E NE WS
Guerrant said. The university steps in when there are safety concerns, one of the limited exceptions to restricting free speech. “MSU supports and encourages freedom of speech in all instances,” Guerrant said. Free speech is something not one person should have control over or should be defined by a person in power, MSU journalism professor and Editor in Residence Joe Grimm said. It is something that is protected by the constitution and it should not be hindered, even if the majority does not agree with what is being said, Grimm said. “I think we do not have a good definition of hate speech,” Grimm said. “I am very afraid who gets to decide what is hate speech, and when we will get to the point when they make people stop talking and silence their voices.” If someone says something is vile, they still have the right to express their opinion, Grimm said. “A public university is in many ways a government institution, so you have this problem where the constitution protects something that is there for all of us, that is the right to say what we want,” Grimm said. “And then you have people who want to take advantage of that by saying things that they are allowed to say, but are stupid, that are hateful, destructive.” He said he is afraid of what might happen if every person gets to decide what speech should and should not be free. “We cannot run around and have every city, every township, every county, every state, every university make up their own rules for what is hate speech,” he said. “We are talking about a federal constitutional amendment. I think it has to be decided in the courts.” Grimm said he thinks the university held Spencer’s visit at the best time and best location, as not many people were on campus at the time. The smart thing to do is stay away if you do not agree with what someone is saying, Grimm said. “I don’t think many people heard his (Spencer’s) message, and I don’t think anyone was surprised by it,” Grimm said. “He was not really breaking new ground there, and not may people heard him speak, and that is fine with me.”
STUDENTS ON CAMPUS
Freedom of speech affects journalism junior Claire Postelli’s education and what she is able to write about. T H U R S DAY, A PR IL 5 , 2 01 8
McKenna Ross Managing editor mross@statenews.com LEFT: Pastor Michael Venyah of Soul Winners Fellowship Church and his daughter Anna Venyah preach outside of Wells Hall on March 26. The church has a worship service every Sunday at 11 a.m. and Bible study on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.
THE LEGALITY OF EXTREME SPEECH Most speech is protected by the First Amendment, including hate speech. Only speech inciting imminent violence is illegal.
BELOW: Deacon Dan Widmayer of Soul Winners Fellowship Church preaches outside of Wells Hall on March 26. PHOTOS: MATT SCHMUCKER
“MSU supports and encourages freedom of speech in all instances.” Emily Guerrant MSU Spokesperson
“Anyone can complain about something they do not like, that does not mean it is invalid.” Pastor Michael Venyah Soul Winners Fellowship Church
FAR LEFT: A protester holds a sign that reads “There is no place for hate speech here spread love,” during the protests to stop Richard Spencer from speaking at MSU on March 5 at Lot 89. PHOTO: ANNIE BARKER
“I love being able to see both sides of the story and making sure I am informing myself through the biases,” Postelli said. Postelli does not think censorship is justified, and threats and extreme hate speech can still be voiced by others, she said. However, she said she thinks the platforms and ways of communication should be restricted. “When it comes to threats or extreme hate speech, while people can still voice that due to our freedom of speech, I think when it comes to the platforms they are involved in, that is when the censorship can happen,” Postelli said. MSU is honoring free speech the best it can as an institution and letting every side of the argument be expressed, Postelli said. But Postelli did not agree with MSU’s decision to allow Spencer to speak at the university. It should not have given him access to that
platform, Postelli said. “Yes, these opinions can be expressed, and they are expressed, and they do exist, but as a university what are you saying when you allow hate speech to come here, and what do you say when people are arrested at those times,” Postelli said.
VISITORS ON CAMPUS
Venyah of Soul Winners Fellowship Church stands outside of Wells Hall from time to time with others from his congregation to preach to students as they walk by. They often hold up signs expressing their mission. He has faced opposition for sharing his beliefs with other students. He is within the university’s policy and his rights under the First Amendment to stand outside and voice his message to students. “Freedom of speech is very important,”
Venyah said. “It is a biblical mandate and a constitutional right.” Postelli said those who stand outside of Wells have the right to hold up signs, but when they approach others is where they need to alter their practices. When they bring up hard topics, they should ask for the other person’s permission to proceed before diving into the topic, because they might not want to be a part of that conversation, Postelli said. “I think it is always important when you are bringing up hard topics to ask for consent,” Postelli said. “So, them holding signs is fine, but when they engage with other people, they should say, ‘Hey, is it OK for you if I bring up something that might be a little bit hard?’” Venyah said some students have blatantly expressed they did not agree with what they were doing. Some have escalated to accounts of physical violence — he said he has been hit T H U RS DAY, AP RI L 5 , 2 01 8
and choked by people who did not like what he said. People have called the police on him as he was preaching the gospel on campus, he said. The police used to try to put a stop to what he was doing, Venyah said, but now he feels his right to freedom of speech is more respected and more enforced. “MSU, I believe, in general is legally tolerant of it now,” Venyah said. “They used to try to stop us.” Within the last 10 years, he has seen more tolerance toward him preaching on campus. He would not agree if someone tried to stop him from speaking what he believed in, he said. It is unconstitutional, he said. “A complaint is not a reason to violate the constitution,” Venyah said. “Anyone can complain about something that they do not like, that does not mean it is invalid.” STATE N E WS .CO M
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Opinion
Rachel Fradette Editor-in-chief feedback@statenews.com
EDITORIAL: The State News is your voice — and it needs your help, vote ‘YES’ BY THE STATE NEWS EDITORIAL BOARD FEEDBACK@STATENEWS.COM
State News editors pose for a photo in the newsroom on April 2.
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THE STATE N EWS
The day started in court. It ended with the conclusion of a 20-year storyline — with 156 victim impact statements, with ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar behind bars and with President Lou Anna K. Simon’s resignation letter. On Jan. 24, MSU launched into uncharted waters. Rewind. It’s 7 a.m., and Academics and Administration Reporter and journalism junior Riley Murdock waits outside the Veterans Memorial Courthouse in Lansing. It’s the final day of Nassar’s sentencing and Murdock knows he needs a seat for the 8 a.m. start. By 9 a.m., Editor-in-Chief and journalism senior Rachel Fradette is in the newsroom prepping the newspaper, which will go to press at 5 p.m. And as Nassar’s sentencing nears its end, students take notice. City Editor and journalism junior Souichi Terada and General Assignment Sports Reporter and journalism sophomore Kara Keating tweet photos around 12:30 p.m. of the droves of students gathered around TVs throughout campus. At 7 p.m., Campus Editor and journalism sophomore Madison O’Connor looks over her story one last time. “Source: MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon to step down before end of week” the headline reads.
THURSDAY, APRI L 5, 2 01 8
Editorial Adviser Omar Sofradzija leaves the call to Fradette and O’Connor. He leaves for the evening. O’Connor hits the publish button and the story breaks. One hour and 45 minutes later, Simon resigns. The editors change the cover of the paper before sending it back to the printing press. One more day of reporting turns into one more month of national attention toward MSU. One more month adds to the almost two years of reporting on Nassar and adds to the 109 years The State News has covered MSU. And all of it — every article, every late night, every issue — is for you, the students of MSU. This week marks Student Election Week at MSU. We urge you to exercise your right to vote, and as you fill out your ballot, consider voting “Yes” on the proposed State News tax referendum so we can continue to provide transparent coverage of your university. The referendum would add $2.50 per student per semester to the tax, which currently stands at $5 per semester. It isn’t a lot, but would go a long way in keeping The State News and its journalists alive in an industry that’s seen dramatic decreases in revenue from advertising. The State News is independent from MSU. We receive no money from the university. Instead, our revenue largely comes from adver-
tising and the student tax — a tax that has not seen an increase since 2001. The $2.50 we’re asking for will make up for inflation increases. We call on you, the students, to support this referendum because we want to serve you to the fullest. We want to provide you with the best coverage of your — and our — university from an independent, local viewpoint. This referendum will allow us to cover the university with the maximum amount of resources, and will allow other students pursuing journalism to have the opportunity to cover important stories during a critical time in the university’s history. Every student at MSU is here to make a difference in the world. Help us do the same. To vote “Yes” to support The State News, go to studentelections.msu.edu. Voting opened April 2 and closes April 9. The State News Editorial Board is made up of the Editor-in-Chief Rachel Fradette, Managing Editor McKenna Ross, Campus Editor Madison O’Connor, City Editor Souichi Terada, Features Editor Sasha Zidar, Sports Editor Jonathan LeBlanc, Inclusion Representative Maxwell Evans, Staff Representative Marie Weidmayer and Copy Chief Casey Holland.
Timeline: William Strampel at MSU BY ANNA NICHOLS ANICHOLS@STATENEWS.COM
Former Dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine William Strampel was arrested March 26 and faces four charges. His charges include fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony count of misconduct in office and two misdemeanors of willful neglect.
His arraignment was March 27. As a result, there is a $25,000 personal recognizance bond and Strampel is not to have contact with alleged victims, witnesses or current or former MSU medical students. He is also not to travel out of state. June 29, 2017 In the affidavit, Victim 1, a medical student in the college aged 26 at the time, was allegedly told by Strampel in a meeting that 26-year-old women can “put-out” for 20 minutes with an old man for a free vacation. Also, he allegedly commented on the difficulty of sending nude photos, which the victim interpreted as a request for nude photos.
Here’s a timeline of Strampel’s involvement at MSU and of the dates alleged in the court affidavit, which details the four charges: April 15, 2002 Strampel’s appointment, approved by the MSU Board of Trustees, as the dean of the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine becomes effective.
Victim 2, a student at the time, alleges she is barraged by Strampel with derogatory comments about her appearance after being instructed by Strampel to turn around twice so he can observe her whole body.
Nicole Eastman, who came forward publicly as Victim 4, alleges she was grabbed on the buttocks by Strampel at the college’s annual ball.
2002
2010
2011
Victim 2 is called into Strampel’s office and alleges she was again told by Strampel to turn around so he could observe her body. She alleges Strampel said, “What do I have to do to teach you to be submissive and subordinate to men?”
2013
2014
Dec. 14, 2017 Strampel steps down from his position as dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine for medical leave.
2017
Victim 2 alleges Strampel grabbed her buttocks while posing for a photo at an event to acknowledge scholarship winners at the University Club. Months later at a luncheon, she also alleges she asked Strampel to stop staring at her chest and instead look at her face and he said, “Eye candy is eye candy.” Victim 3 alleges Strampel advised her to become a centerfold model after she failed an exam twice. April 2014 MSU’s Title IX office begins an investigation into ex-MSU and USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar after a female student comes forward about sexual abuse at the hands of Nassar. June 2014 Nassar emails for consent from Strampel to continue seeing patients amid the Title IX investigation. Strampel gives the OK. July 28, 2014 Strampel receives an email with a final Title IX report from the investigation, which requires new guidelines for Nassar when he treats patients.
T H U RS DAY, AP RI L 5 , 2 01 8
2018
Feb. 2, 2018 A computer from Strampel’s office on campus is seized under search warrant by special agent investigators from the Attorney General’s office. Approximately 50 pornographic images, many of which thought to be of MSU students because of their MSU clothing, are found. Among additional pornographic videos, a video of Nassar performing “treatment” on a young female patient is found. Feb. 9, 2018 Interim president John Engler files a request to the Office of the Provost to begin terminating Strampel’s employment at MSU. March 26, 2018 Strampel is arrested. March 27, 2018 Strampel is arraigned on charges of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony count of misconduct in office and two misdemeanors of willful neglect in East Lansing’s 54B District Court via video conference. May 3, 2018 This is when Strampel is scheduled for a preliminary exam at 9 a.m. in 54B District Court.
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News
Souichi Terada City editor city@statenews.com
MSU alumnus, former MSA president Abraham Aiyash eyes State Senate seat
LEFT: Then-political theory and constitutional democracy and premedeical senior Abraham Aiyash leads a chant on Jan. 31, 2017, at The Rock on Farm Lane. STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO RIGHT: Michigan Senate candidate Abraham Aiyash speaks at the Students Demand Action Rally on March 14 at the Michigan Capitol. PHOTO: ANNIE BARKER BY RENEE PRVULOV RPRVULOV@STATENEWS.COM
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THE STATE N EWS
THURSDAY, APRI L 5, 2 01 8
MSU alumnus Abraham Aiyash is the first progressive Muslim Yemeni-American candidate running for State Senate in District 2. The primary will be held Aug. 7, and the election is Nov. 6. Aiyash is 24 years old and studied premedical sciences, political theory and constitutional democracy while at MSU. He was also a member of the Student Senate, a part of the James Madison College, co-founded a non-profit, was the president of the Muslim Students’ Association, or MSA, and was a member of many other organizations. He said he rebuilt MSA and gave the organization a new direction. “I saw this opportunity there to really take this organization and make it something where one, we engage the Spartan community on campus, not just among each other but we are able to engage many people on campus, and say look, we have a presence,” Aiyash said. MSU alumna Hauwa Abbas has known Aiyash for more than three years and has worked alongside him with MSA. Abbas credits Aiyash for changing the reputation of the MSA — for the better. Before, they were seen as a place where Muslims met up, but really did not do much, Abbas said. “He really changed the structure to make it more academic-based and something of purpose,” Abbas said. “He ended up being the kind of president we have never seen before in MSA past.” He worked with businesses to give members of MSA discounts and access to places. One of his proudest accomplishments through MSA was the Halimah Project, an organization that provides support for refugee children in Lansing. “These kids are growing up in a country where they are being told by a few people that they somehow don’t belong,” Aiyash said. “So I took it upon the MSA to say we have to do something for these kids to make sure that they
escaped fighting fear and famine in hopes of building a better tomorrow.” Aiyash always thought he would go to medical school, but the vision for his life changed. Aiyash was an organizer for protests when President Donald Trump signed the travel ban. This event is where he was thrown into the political atmosphere and began to see the impact he could have, he said. “We had a demonstration to show people that the Michigan State community is with you, and we will not let one election define who we are as a community, and we are not going to allow one election to define how we treat people, as a function of who they are or what they believe in,” Aiyash said. “In that moment is when I started getting encouragement from friends and mentors to consider getting back into the political landscape.” One of his driving motives for running for this election is wanting to fix the political corruption and profit-driven decisions. He wants to engage people in their government by being an honest leader, Aiyash said. “We need to set a standard for honesty, accountability and transparency,” he said. Aiyash’s priorities in his campaign are transparency and engagement. If elected, he will be the first state senator to release his financial reports to his constituency. He will make that clear and accessible to the public, Aiyash said. “I want to make sure that we have leadership that will be held accountable,” Aiyash said. Social relations and policy senior Gerena Walker was in James Madison College alongside Aiyash. Aiyash re-created the college inclusion committee. Walker said he is fair and she thinks his age gives him an advantage. “He is in a good position because with him being young, he is very open, especially in dealing with innovation and trying new techniques,” Walker said. “He is also closely-knitted as far as being apart of having recently just studied public affairs.” READ MORE AT STATENEWS.COM
Sports
Jonathan LeBlanc Sports editor sports@statenews.com
Football’s early enrollees ‘locked in’ to adjusting to football, college life it,” Day said. And then there’s college, trying to find your classes across the 5,192 acre MSU campus. Actual freshman stuff. All of which Scott has been impressed by so far, especially Sophomore cornerback Josiah Scott was an early enrollee in academically. spring 2017. “Whenever I go in for tutors, they’re always in there, even if He walked into Spartan Stadium wide-eyed, and collected 30 tackles, 10 pass deflections and two interceptions in 2017 — they don’t have to be, just getting that extra work in,” Scott said. enough to earn All-Big Ten honors from the coaches and media. “I always see them doing their work all the time in the lounge Now, the Hamilton, Ohio native gets to help current early enroll- at our dorm or at the student athlete building, so they’re putting in the hours in the schoolwork as well.” ees adjust to college football and life in college. Junior safety David Dowell said the early enrollees have been “I basically tell them all the time, ‘I’ve done this before. I know the ropes and how to go about things,’” Scott said after prac- learning from their elders, so they can try and figure out how tice on March 27. “I feel like they’re really taking what I’ve been they fit into MSU football. “Everybody has a specific path and how they’ve got to handle telling them, and all the older guys, what they’ve been telling them, and they’ve been applying it. They’ve been really work- things,” Dowell said. “You’ve got to just get thrown into the fire. It’s about as much as you can pick up and just trying to contining hard in film, the weight room and on the field.” The Spartans have seven early enrollees this spring: defen- ue to play fast as you do that.” The early enrollees will have their first chance to showcase sive backs Xavier Henderson and Kalon Gervin, wide receivers what they’ve learned so far to Julian Major and Javez Alexthe Spartan fan base on April 7 ander, quarterback Theo Day, at the annual spring game. linebacker Edward Warinner To s ome , it m i g ht b e and offensive lineman Dimi- “There’s so much good competition right tri Douglas. now, they’re doing a good job of just intimidating. But from what freshman coach Scott said all seven of them Don Treadwell has seen, he said have been successful so far saying, ‘Let’s just take it one day at a time, this spring. because I have to give it all I have today.’” he doesn’t think the first public game will affect how the freshSome are doing better than men perform. when he was in their position Don Treadwell “They’re so well locked in, I a year ago. Freshman Coach think it’ll be a byproduct and by “They may be able to go out the time they actually have peoand play this year because ple in the stands,” said Treadthey’re showing a really well, who is also the assistant good traits of things coming defensive backs and special teams coach. “But you know how in,” Scott said. One of these players is Henderson, who defensive backs coach it is. When you’re an athlete on the field, you honestly really Paul Haynes said is practicing on the starting defense as a nick- wouldn’t know if there was someone in the stands or 500 (fans). “That being said, there’s so much good competition right now. el cornerback. “Xavier has been awesome,” Haynes said after practice on March They’re doing a good job of just saying, ‘Let’s just take it one day 27. “Very athletic, can play man-to-man. And again, we’re just at a time, because I have to give it all I have today. And then throwing him in the fire, just throwing him in the fire and cov- when come out again next time in practice, I’d better be ready to suit up again, because the competition level is very good.’” ering big time wideouts and he’s getting better.” For Henderson, the spring game will just be a stepping stone Henderson said part of this, plus the decision to enroll early, was to get familiar with the playbook, not the physical aspect of it. into what his goal is, which is to mimic what Scott did a year “Most of the guys in our class and most of the guys that play ago: Get into the secondary rotation. “All the guys are back, the DB’s are back so we have so many at Michigan State are athletic already,” Henderson said. “So I come up here and I can run with some of the guys, but know- dudes and so much experience,” Henderson said. “Just trying to ing what I’m doing and trying to play with knowledge so I can learn from them and see if I can maybe get in there on the DB position a little bit like Josiah (Scott) did.” play faster is probably the biggest part.” And for Treadwell, he now has to coach this young, competHenderson isn’t the only learning the playbook. Day also enrolled early to get familiar with the playbook and itive group. “We’ve got quality young men here,” Treadwell said. “They’re said MSU’s playbook “is something” compared to his high school’s, all just anxious to learn, and to get to know (the media). But most Divine Child. “I think I did a pretty good job at it and I think I’ve shown importantly, they want to perform well so they’re just all ears.” BY JONATHAN LEBLANC
JLEBLANC@STATENEWS.COM
Freshman quarterback Theo Day (6) throws a pass during practice on April 3 inside Duffy Daugherty Football Building. PHOTO: MATT SCHMUCKER
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE
WHARTONCENTER.COM or 1-800-WHARTON
April 13-22 Pasant Theatre
Music by Green Day Lyrics by Billie Joe Armstrong Book by Billie Joe Armstrong & Michael Mayer Directed & Choreographed by Brad Willcuts Musical Direction by Dave Wendelberger Freshman defensive back Xavier Henderson (3) runs in between drills during practice on April 3 inside Duffy Daugherty Football Building. PHOTO: MATT SCHMUCKER T H U RS DAY, AP RI L 5, 2 01 8
“American Idiot” is presented through special arrangement Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. wwwMTIShows.com
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Sports
Jonathan LeBlanc Sports editor sports@statenews.com
Two-way players bring value and flexibility to baseball
ACROSS
1 Stay in the big house 10 Beach pretender 15 [Yawn] 16 Many a Studio Ghibli film 17 Fund for incidentals 18 Character who dances on the beach at Stavros 19 Supporting 20 Evil skill 22 Talbot Jr. or Sr. on “Rectify” 23 Obstacles on the set 25 Confident response to “Your opponent is ready” 26 Funeral rite heap 27 Poet Thomas 29 “Baby Blues” baby 30 Maranjab Desert country 31 Empty out badly? 33 Repertoire 35 Skeleton’s place? 38 Do maintenance on, as a putting green 39 Card carrier 41 Convene 42 Chill (with) 43 Kate of “House of Cards” 45 Grouses 49 Welding sparks
50 Better 52 Tar on the ocean 53 Compete 54 Like free-range chickens 56 West of Tinseltown 57 Country album? 59 History buff’s artifacts 61 Tearful queen 62 Big brother, often 63 First chips 64 Chaotic places
DOWN
1 Nursed 2 Zip 3 Overhaul the plant 4 Old hand 5 Dessert company founded in 1928 6 Shells from stands 7 Sequentially 8 It runs in the shower 9 Short-lived things 10 Indistinct 11 Noted resident of The Dakota in Manhattan 12 Singer? 13 Pale order 14 Tone down 21 Washes out 24 South Seas cover-ups 26 They’re beaten at parties
28 Intrusive 32 Tough guy’s exhortation 34 Church of country 35 Allergy sufferer’s choice 36 Legendary court figure 37 Mine carriers 40 “As if!” 42 Caribbean city with cocotaxis 44 German chancellor Merkel 46 City west of Baghdad 47 Mercury, e.g. 48 Bargains beyond belief 51 Teammate of Mariano for 19 years 54 Exploits 55 Small change 58 #16, familiarly 60 Booking agent?
Sophomore outfielder Bryce Kelley (17) puts a ball down the foul line during the game against Niagara on March 16 at McLane Baseball Stadium. The Spartans fell to the Purple Eagles, 3-2. PHOTO: MATT SCHMUCKER BY JOSHUA CHUNG JCHUNG@STATENEWS.COM
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Whether it be hitting a 90 mph fastball or throwing an 87 mph curveball to get the batter swinging, baseball is likely known as one of the hardest sports to master for same people. Most recently, Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels made headlines coming from Japan as a two-way player. A two-way player is one who is capable of both pitching and batting. The MSU baseball team currently has a pair two-way players on its roster: sophomore outfielder and left-handed pitcher Bryce Kelley and freshman infielder and right-handed pitcher Zach Iverson. “Some days, like in the fall, I would do all the infield work and then I would have to go to the mound and throw a bullpen and it would be a lot,” Iverson said. “With our trainers’ help, I’ve been able to stay healthy. “I’ve been able to continue to do that, continuously throughout the fall and throughout now and it’s been good.” Iverson has shown strides of potential, as he has a .269 batting average with 14 hits on the season. Iverson has also already hit the mound twice this season, once against Illinois and once against Central Michigan University. He said being a two-way player is valuable, since the team is getting “two guys on (its) roster, but only filling out one spot.” “You get an extra pitcher in there, and pitchers are so important through the season. Always having that extra hitter, you know, big game, eighth inning, you need someone to fill that spot and you have another guy to be able to just throw in there,” Iverson said. “It’s good to have a guy that can play both and that can do both.” Kelley has the skill to be at the mound, however, the Spartans favor him more as a hitter, as he has a .353 batting average with 55 hits in his freshman season. He has gotten at least one hit in 26 of the last 27 games. Kelley has yet to pitch a game for the Spartans in his young collegiate career. The Rockford, Michigan native said when he came to 10
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East Lansing, he was not sure whether he would be an outfielder or a pitcher. “It was a tossup from the start,” Kelley said. “Coming in here and that the end of my first freshman fall I thought that spring I’d have better shot at pitching than anything, and it turns out to be the exact opposite.” Kelley said he’s been playing outfield for two years now with no pitching yet, but still is considered a pitcher which is a fun challenge every day. Head coach Jake Boss Jr. said Iverson and Kelley are both athletic players who had a lot of success in high school. But the tricky thing, he said, is managing their throwing arms and making sure they don’t get to0 much throwing from their position play one day or on the mound the next day. “It can be used as a very good thing, I’d say,” Kelley said. “Makes you very well-rounded, you respect your position of each position that you play and you respect the guys that you play with. It’s definitely a challenge.” Iverson started out as a position player and developed as a pitcher with no real pitching coach — so he taught himself. “The one I probably like the most is hitting,” Iverson said. “There’s nothing better than hitting the ball hard, I guess, or fielding a ball and throwing the guy out, making a big play. But pitching’s also good, too. They’re both good to me, it’s hard to pick one.” The Big Ten has a total of 12 two-way players with Iowa having the most at three. MSU is tied with the second most with University of Michigan, with Maryland, Illinois, Rutgers, Minnesota and Nebraska each having a two-way player each. “Being an everyday player in the outfield is very fun, and being a pitcher is a little bit different because you have the ball and everyone is kind of looking at you,” Kelley said. “Depending on the day, if my stuff’s there, pitching is really fun, but I love hitting.” GO TO STATENEWS.COM FOR MORE COVERAGE OF THIS YEAR’S BASEBALL TEAM, ALONG WITH COVERAGE OF OTHER MSU SPORTS.
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Features
Sasha Zidar Features editor features@statenews.com
MSU student leads a double life on tour with band Hot Mulligan BY JAIMIE BOZACK JBOZACK@STATENEWS.COM
Most students at MSU might attend lectures, play clubs sports, wander the campus and hangout with friends in their free time. However, professional writing junior Chris Freeman is not the typical student. In fact, he is currently halfway across the country on tour with his band, Hot Mulligan. The emo rock group is currently on a 46-day tour across the country opening for bands, including Knuckle Puck and Free Throw. Freeman plays guitar for the band and does vocals. The band has been on tour since March 8. “I went to school full time for two years and then I decided that I wanted to tour full time, so now I am taking online classes part time and I just use a hotspot to do my homework while we are in the van between shows,” Freeman said. “It is actually the worst thing in the world, it’s so hard.” Freeman said being on tour is a completely different world than being in a lecture on campus. His double life is part of who he is, and at times, he said maintaining the two lives can be difficult. But he said there is nothing he enjoys more than playing a show. “I really don’t like being bad at things at all,” Freeman said. “If I am bad at something I just don’t do it. So if I am going to do something I just make sure I try my best. I am self-motivated I suppose.” Freeman said MSU has prepared him in some ways, but these two parts of his life tend to not collide. “You’re meeting new people all the time on campus, but there is not a whole lot you can do to prepare going into the touring world except you just have to do it and it’s going to suck for a little bit, but you get better with it through experience,” Freeman said.
been weird and kind of a far cry away from what we are used to. We are playing to over 150 every night, so it’s kind of nuts.” Sanville’s goal for the band is to start making a profit from shows so they can continue to tour and experience the United States through playing music. “We have pockets of fans that are showing up to these shows,” Sanville said. “A lot of these people haven’t heard of us before because we are one of the smaller bands on the bill, but at every show we have a few pockets in the crowd that are singing all of the lyrics back at us and trying to crowd surf and stuff.” Sanville said the most rewarding parts about playing in Hot Mulligan are the live shows. “It’s just fun to play music with my friends, so Lately, live shows has honestly I’d be doing it in a garage by myself if been in abundance. “The other guys say there was no one coming to shows.” they get nervous sometimes, but I just like to Chris Freeman perform so if I get to Professional Writing junior be onstage then I am content,” Sanville said. Freeman co-writes at least half of the songs. “I like that there are a lot of people, because it He said all of the band’s songs are about real means that if they want to dance then there are a lot of people dancing.” life experiences. Drummer of the band, Brandon Blakeley, curThe band is currently signed to No Sleep Rerently lives in Iowa. cords, a record label based out of California. He said getting the band together can be chalThe young artist started playing instruments in sixth grade after he was inspired by bands lenging because of the distance, but when they do come together it makes it worth it. such as Simple Plan. Blakeley said tour life can be mentally and “It’s always fun to have people sing along, or even if they are totally new to the band, physically challenging some nights. “Everyone’s a little sick right now,” Blakeley just show them what you do and what you’re about,” Freeman said. “It’s just fun to play mu- said. “We are kind of taking turns being sick, so sic with my friends, so honestly I’d be doing it that’s a little rough right now. We are all kind of in a garage by myself if there was no one com- crammed in the van right now, we don’t have a lot of room ... so the only way to get your alone ing to shows.” This is Hot Mulligan’s biggest tour yet, and time is to either put headphones in or read a Freeman said he hopes the band continues to book.” Despite the challenges of being on the road, tour more, especially after being able to work Blakeley said the overall experience of playing with a few new booking agents. Lead singer of Hot Mulligan, Tades Sanville, live is the most rewarding. “(The most rewarding part is) when I play said he started taking singing seriously when he was 15 years old, when he heard bands that a really good set and I walk away knowing I included Rise Against and NOFX. Sanville cur- didn’t make a fool out of myself,” Blakeley said. rently lives in Lansing, but the 22-year-old grew TO HEAR HOT MULLIGAN’S MUSIC, up at the Upper Peninsula. “Tour has been good,” Sanville said. “It has GO TO STATENEWS.COM
From left to right, Garret Willig, Tades Sanville, MSU student and professional writing junior Chris Freeman and Brandon Blakeley of Hot Mulligan pose for a photo. PHOTO COURTESY OF HOT MULLIGAN.
“The other guys say they get nervous sometimes, but I just like to perfrom so if I get to be onstage, then I am content.” Chris Freeman Professional Writing junior
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Features
Sasha Zidar Features editor features@statenews.com
Alumnus Jim Higgins remembered BY CLAIRE MOORE CMOORE@STATENEWS.COM
S
ince the 1960s, Jim Higgins held season tickets for MSU football. In 1990, he opened a bar for Spartans living in the heart of Chicago. For years, he was actively involved with a branch of MSU’s alumni network, the Chicago Spartans. He cooked at picnics for incoming MSU freshmen and donated to SpartyBall, an annual alumni fundraiser event that raises money for endowed student scholarships to MSU. And, like thousands of his fellow Spartans, Higgins knew well the chants of, “Go green, go white!” Kevin Higgins recalled these pieces of his father’s life after news of Jim’s death made waves among members of the Spartan community. Kevin said his father Jim, 73, died in the early morning hours of March 26. “It’s kind of surreal, still,” Kevin said. “I don’t even think it’s quite hit me yet.” He said his father had undergone heart valve surgery in December 2017, and entered into a rehabilitation period in the following months. A battle with a lingering bacterial blood infection caused Jim’s health to deteriorate, and Kevin said his father had entered hospice a
few days prior to his death. “It’s been hard in the last week,” Kevin said. “But he’s in a good place now.” MSU alumni organization Chicago Spartans, of which Jim was an active member, released a statement on Facebook following his death. For Sarah Cantwell, vice president of the MSU Alumni Association International Board, Higgins was one of the first alumni she met when she and her husband moved to the Chicago area in 2011. But before she took the job with the Alumni Association, Cantwell had been part of the Chicago Spartans, much like Jim. “I think when everybody thinks about Jim, he was everything that you think when you think of what it means to be a Spartan,” Sarah said. “He absolutely loved Michigan State, he loved alumni, he loved current students. He really wanted to help in any way he could.” Jim was known for opening Higgins’ Tavern, a bar he established in the Chicago area for Spartans and non-Spartans alike. He described it as “a cozy neighborhood bar with a sports motif and great bar food,” according to the establishment’s website. “It’s one of the hubs, one of the main Spartan bars in Chicago,” Sarah said. “It’s great. You could always walk in there and if Jim was
in, he knew exactly who you were when you walked in. It was definitely a sense of community, and that’s what Jim instilled.” Matt Cantwell, Sarah’s husband and the current president of the Chicago Spartans organization, also recalled the impression he got when he first met Jim. “Jim was a great guy,” Matt said. “He was just a true Spartan, you know, loved Michigan State, loved Chicago. He was just a genuine and very generous person.” Matt said Higgins’ contributions to the Chicago Spartans were numerous — they ranged from opening up Higgins’ Tavern to the alumni group to even donating Chicago Cubs tickets to SpartyBall’s silent auctions. “Before Sarah and I met him, he was a member of the Chicago Spartans Board of Directors, so he contributed in that way,” Matt said. Matt said Jim’s death greatly affected the deeply-rooted network he had built amongst his fellow Spartans. “It was a great loss for the Chicago Spartan community,” Matt said. “He was a friend of many and of Sarah’s and mine, so it was difficult that he won’t physically be here with us anymore. It was very sad to hear. A lot of us are devastated by it.” But Jim’s sons will be making sure their fa-
MSU alumnus Jim Higgins poses for a photo with Sparty. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE HIGGINS FAMILY
ther’s emphasis on community continues. In order to fulfill his father’s wishes, Kevin said he and his brother, Tim, will oversee a celebration of life at the Higgins’ Tavern on April 8.
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