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“Abhi lived more in his 20 years of life than most people do in their whole lifetime.” Friends and family mourn finance junior Abhi Shah
Hundreds of friends and family members gather together for a candlelight vigil on Nov. 29 at the Rock to mourn the death of former student Abhi Shah. PHOTOS: DEREK VANHORN
SPORTS
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HOCKEY SEASON BREAKDOWN
“I looked up to him, he looked up to me, we both motivated each other to be the best at everything we do.”
ART VENUES IN E.L.
See how the MSU hockey season has unfolded so far
Brandon Halmaghi, Human biology junior
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PAGES 4 AND 5
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East Lansing has a number of different places that showcase art for creative students and residents PAGE 7
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Rachel Fradette Campus editor campus@statenews.com
MSU opens new, first health clinic outside E.L. in east Detroit BY BRIGID KENNEDY BKENNEDY@STATENEWS.COM
MSU opened its first health clinic outside of the Lansing area on Nov. 29 in honor of a former College of Osteopathic Medicine faculty member. The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Popoff Clinic is located on Mack Avenue on the east side of Detroit. Formerly called Vanguard Family Health Care, it has been renamed to honor Dr. Michael Popoff, a doctor of osteopathic medicine who died unexpectedly in April 2015. “(Popoff) owned and operated this clinic for right about 47 years,” College of Osteopathic Medicine public relations director Laura Probyn said. “His family was left with this medical clinic and they offered the clinic as a gift to the university hoping that the university would take it on and operate it.” The Popoff family wanted to make sure the people who relied on the clinic would continue to have somewhere to go, because the east side of Detroit is a “medically underserved area,” Probyn said. “Healthcare is a great need there,” she said. The clinic will continue to operate as a family health care clinic, as it did under Popoff’s care. That means that the clinic cares for everyone, from children to the elderly, Probyn said. “That might mean vaccinations, that might mean tak-
ing care of people who have chronic conditions like diabetes, it might mean putting stitches on somebody who’s fallen,” Probyn said. Popoff attended Wayne State University and the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, according to his obituary, though he had another connection to MSU. Popoff worked as a clinical faculty member at MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine and helped to train osteopathic medical students, Probyn said. The rebranded clinic will carry on that part of Popoff’s work as well. “In addition to providing care for people who desperately need it,” Probyn said, “(The clinic is) going to give MSU osteopathic medicine students a place where they can go and learn.” MSU already has 85 residents working in Wayne County through the Detroit Wayne County Health Authority. The workers now have the opportunity to volunteer or do rotations at the Popoff Clinic, which they didn’t have before. “That’s going to be a new avenue of learning for them,” Probyn said. MSU hopes to honor Popoff’s legacy with both his patients and his students. “It’s going to be an opportunity for new doctors to build their skills,” Probyn said. “But most importantly for people who really need care to have a place where they can get really good quality healthcare.”
From left, Derrick Williamson, Linda Popoff, President Lou Anna K. Simon and MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine dean William Strampel pose for a photo at the grand openingceremony of the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine Popoff Clinic. PHOTO COURTESY OF LAURA PROBYN AT THE COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
MSU students, alumnus team up to create app and win competition BY RILEY MURDOCK RMURDOCK@STATENEWS.COM
A development company composed of MSU students and an alumnus has won three East Lansing startup competitions since the beginning of November, netting $11,000 in fund-
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ing among other resources. Their project, an application called Horizon, draws data from users’ social media usage and interests to create a personal travel profile for them. The app creates a travel itinerary for a specific destination or recommends places they might not have gone, Horizon CEO Oshan Weerasing-
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he said. Weerasinghe, an MSU alumnus, said he saw the need for the app with how much he had to travel for work. The app will ease a lot of decision making, Weerasinghe said. “I travel a lot for work myself, and the idea for Horizon came directly out of this need that I had,” Weerasinghe said. “When I travel, I spend time deciding what I want to do next, where I want to eat, and I kind of scroll through on my phone or on multiple tabs on a browser trying to plan what I want to do next.” In addition to using data from user’s social media to adapt its recommendations, Horizon will also adapt to user behavior the more it’s used, Weerasinghe said. “Once you start using it ... kind of like a girlfriend, it gets to know you better,” Weerasinghe said. Weerasinghe initially pitched the idea at Startup Weekend in November then teaming up with business sophomore Bailey Paxton and computer science sophomore Ben Buscarino, now CFO and CTO at Horizon, respectively. Later that month Horizon won Hatched, a monthly startup competition that provides $1,000 in funding to winners, in addition to resources such as interns and mentors. More recently, Horizon won The Hatch, a competition where the year’s Hatching winners pitch their ideas against each other for a further $10,000 in funding. “Having an idea and just kind of toying with it in your head, at least in my experience, is kind of aggravating at times because you have
no validation,” Weerasinghe said. “Getting some validation ... is always a great thing.” The members of Horizon expressed excitement about the company’s quick start and are confident in the app’s future success. “I think it’s truly revolutionary, because everyone’s working on how to save time, how to reduce the amount of decisions they have to make,” Buscarino said. “It’s going to be, I think, a huge consumer success when we actually really get it going and we really learn what other features people want with the application.” Weerasinghe said Horizon now has enough funding and resources to enter a production phase and plans to apply to nationwide competitions, basing itself in Lansing and making use of MSU resources. The company plans to market itself to MSU once a working beta is finished.
“I think it’s truly revolutionary, because everyone’s working on how to save time, how to reduce the amount of decisions they have to make.” Ben Buscarino, Computer science sophomore
Contents
Cameron Macko Managing editor cmacko@statenews.com
ONLINE
Milo speaks at MSU amid protests
Sophomores underperform in basketball
Student-run businesses spotlighted
Milo Yiannopoulos comes to campus as part of Dangerous Faggot Tour
The MSU men’s basketball team is facing a lack of outstanding sophomores
MSU’s first annual Shop Everything MSU sales event held at MSU Surplus Store
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Number of points scored by senior guard Tori Jankoska against Oakland on Dec. 2 See page 10
“(Abhi) made it his number one priority to make sure that everyone around him was happy, and if people around him were happy, he was happy. And that’s something that you really can’t fake.” Veer Shah, international relations junior PAGE 4
People hold signs during a rally on Dec. 5 at the Capitol in Lansing. The rally was held to show solidarity with the Standing Rock Sioux tribe and those in attendance shared their opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline. PHOTO: DEREK VANHORN
3 bias incidents confirmed by police at MSU since Nov. 8 election BY MARIE WEIDMAYER AND BRIGID KENNEDY FEEDBACK@STATENEWS.COM
Since Nov. 8, when Donald Trump was elected president of the United States, three bias incidents have occurred on campus, MSU police confirmed. “They were all politically-motivated (crimes),” Sgt. Florene McGlothian-Taylor said. The first bias incident occurred on Nov. 10 on Beal Street. It was a simple assault and battery along with damage to property, according to the MSUPD Clery Crime Log. “This one had to do with an individual who was holding up a political sign and was assaulted as well,” McGlothian-Taylor said. The victim is pursuing prosecution so the case is open, McGlothian-Taylor said. The second bias incident, a simple assault and battery, occurred on Nov. 11 at Case Hall, according to the MSUPD Clery Crime Log. “What happened is individuals were having a discussion, which became a little bit heated when the individual threw (water) in the (other) individual’s face,” McGlothian-Taylor said. “The person became emotional because of the election, so that’s why that’s political.” The case was investigated but the victim did not want to prosecute, McGlothian-Taylor said. “This case is closed,” McGlothian-Taylor said. “No one was hurt or anything of that nature and
the victim did not want to pursue prosecution.” The third bias incident occurred on Nov. 21 and it was harassment: designated prohibitions, according to the MSUPD Clery Crime Log. “Apparently, someone had written offensive writing onto this person’s whiteboard that had political overtures,” McGlothian-Taylor said. “They were mentioning individuals involved in politics.” The case is still open, McGlothian-Taylor said. These crimes come amid a general atmosphere of fear at MSU and around the nation. According to a Southern Poverty Law Center report, Michigan had one of the highest rates of “hate incidents” in the first 10 days after the 2016 presidential election. On Nov. 29, The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing was one of many mosques across the country to receive an anonymous hate letter. The letter claimed that Donald Trump is “going to cleanse America and make it shine again” by “doing to you muslims what Hitler did to the jews.” Before the letter was received, the Islamic Center of East Lansing put out a “campus advisory” to warn Muslim students of their rights, and to give safety tips. If students feel that they have experienced any form of harassment, MSU police Capt. Doug Monette said they should report it.
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VOL . 107 | NO. 29 CONTACT THE STATE NEWS (517) 295-1680
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RELIGIOUS GUIDE Spotlight Look for this directory in the paper every Thursday and online at: www.statenews.com/religious All Saints Episcopal Church 800 Abbot Road East Lansing, Michigan 48823 Phone: (517) 351-7160 E-mail: allsaints@allsaints-el.org Website: http://www.allsaints-el.org Worship Times: Sunday Worship: 8 am & 10 am Sunday School: 10 am Sunday Vespers: 5 pm Thursday Prayer & Breakfast: 7:30 am Ascension Lutheran Church 2780 Haslett Rd., E. Lansing Between Hagadorn & Park Lake Rds. (517) 337-9703 Adult Bible Study: 9am Sunday School: 9am Worship Service: 10am ascensioneastlansing.org Eastminster Presbyterian Church 1315 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI, 48823 (517) 337-0893 www.eastminsterchurch.org Worship Gatherings: Sunday Worship 10:30 am UKirk Presbyterian Campus Ministry Wednesdays at 7pm www.ukirkmsu.org
Lansing Church of God in Christ 5304 Wise Rd., Lansing, MI 48911 http://lansingcogic.org/ Worship hours Sunday: 10:30am, 5:00pm Monday Family Prayer: 6:00pm Little Flock Christian Fellowship A Non-DenominationalEvagelical Church MSU Alumni Chapel (Basement Hall) Sunday Worship Service: 10am-12 Noon. Fellowship Lunch after the service Weekly Bibly Studies & Students’ Meetings. littleflock.msu@gmail.com www.littleflock.org Martin Luther Chapel 444 Abbot Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-0778 martinlutherchapel.org Sunday: 9:30am & 7:00pm Wednesday Worship: 9pm Mini-bus pick-up on campus (Fall/Spring) Peoples Church Campus Ministry 200 W Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI (517) 332-5073 ThePeoplesChurch.com Worship Times: Sunday: 10:30 AM worship 11:30 AM Student Lunch & Gathering Monday: 6:30 PM Student Dinner & Bible Study
Greater Lansing Church of Christ 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. East Lansing, MI (Meeting at the University Christian Church building) (517) 898-3600 Students welcome! Sunday Worship: 8:45am River Terrace Church Sunday Bible class: 10:15am 1509 River Terrace Dr. Sunday Evening: Small Group East Lansing, MI 48823 Wednesday: 7pm - bible study (517) 351-9059 Students please feel free to www.riverterrace.org call for rides Service times: 9 & 11:15am http://www.greaterlansingcoc.org St. John Catholic Church and Student Center Hillel Jewish Student Center 327 M.A.C. Ave. 360 Charles St., E. Lansing East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-1916 (517) 337-9778 Friday Night stjohnmsu.org Services: 6pm, Dinner: 7pm Sunday: 8am, 10am, Noon, September - April 5pm, 7pm Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 12:15pm Tuesday & Thursday: 9:15pm
The Islamic Society of Greater Lansing 920 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823 Islam 101 Dec. 4, 2:30 p.m Friday Services: 12:15-12:45 & 1:45-2:15 For prayer times visit www.lansingislam.com/ Trinity Church 3355 Dunckel Rd. Lansing, MI 48911 (517) 272-3820 Saturday: 6pm Sunday: 9:15am, 11am trinitywired.com University Baptist Church 4608 South Hagadorn Rd East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-4144 www.ubcel.org 10 AM Worship Service 11:15 Coffee Hour 11:30 Sunday School University Christian Church 310 N. Hagadorn Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-5193 universitychristianwired.com Sunday: 11:15 am Sunday Bible Study: 10:15am University United Methodist Church & MSU Wesley 1120 S. Harrison Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 351-7030 universitychurchhome.org msuwesley.org Sunday: 10:30am 9:00am Garden Service in the summer TGIT: 8:00pm Thursdays Sept. - April WELS Lutheran Campus Ministry 704 Abbot Road East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 580-3744 www.msu.edu/~weisluth 6:00pm Saturday
Religious Organizations: Don’t be left out of the Religious Directory! Call 517-295-1680 today to speak with an Account Executive
Friends, family mourn sudden death of MSU junior Abhi Shah BY MADISON O’CONNOR MOCONNOR@STATENEWS.COM
It was a Wednesday afternoon when human biology junior Brandon Halmaghi was in Ann Arbor touring the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Just four hours later, he would be back in East Lansing, grappling with his best friend’s death. Around 1 p.m. that day, Halmaghi received a message from his neighbor. The apartment Halmaghi and finance junior Abhi Shah shared was unlocked and surrounded by ambulances and police, the neighbor said. Halmaghi tried tracking Abhi, his roommate of three years and friend of six, on the Find My Friends app and found his phone’s location was at Spar- Finance junior Abhi Shah (left) and human biology junior Brandon row Hospital. Halmaghi during their junior year of high school at homecoming. “Immediately, I knew some- PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDON HALMAGHI thing was wrong,” Halmaghi lives he impacted are speaking up to bring his said. He drove from Ann Arbor to the apartment and life’s story to light. was greeted with syringes, medical gloves, incubators and no sign of Abhi. He went to Sparrow Growing up in Novi Halmaghi met Abhi on the first day of high school Hospital in search of Abhi, but had no luck. “The hospital kept telling me that they had no in 2011, and from the moment they met, they had record of Abhi Shah in the hospital,” he said. “And a connection. “I looked up to him, he looked up to me, we both I kept showing them my phone, that his phone was at Sparrow Hospital and they kept telling me that motivated each other to be the best at everything we do,” Halmaghi said. “Abhi and I were not only they couldn’t help me.” Around 5 p.m., family and friends who had gath- best friends, we were brothers. We hung out everyered in East Lansing received a call. East Lansing day after school.” In high school, Abhi’s favorite classes were Spanpolice asked them to come to the station. “That’s when they told us the news and told us ish and business classes. He was involved in Disthat we had to go to the hospital, and we ended up tributive Education Clubs of America, ice hockey, seeing him in the morgue,” Halmaghi said. “And recreational basketball and a season of lacrosse. “A week before lacrosse tryouts, all of our friends that’s how it went downhill from there.” Abhi died on Nov. 23 for reasons currently were saying how Abhi didn’t really engage in any unknown, but his family and friends are ensuring of the Novi sports, so he picked up a lacrosse stick his legacy lives on. A candlelight vigil for Abhi took and he made the team a week later,” Halmaghi place last Tuesday, a foundation to help orphans is said, laughing. “Although he wasn’t that great, he being created in his name and the people whose was there, he supported everyone and he was just a ball of energy for everyone.” “He would always manage This energy is something Abhi had prior to high to make sure at the end of school as well. Abhi was outgoing from an early his father, Pratik Shah said. the day, everyone was just age, Abhi and international relations junior Veer Shah had been friends for almost 18 years, Veer Shah smiling and laughing and When he found out Abhi died, he said he having a good time. That’s said. was in disbelief. “I actually ran up the street and just crouched just the kind of person he down and started crying because I couldn’t realwas.” ly fathom it,” Veer Shah said. “But the only rational reaction to that news was for me to just start crying. But in my mind, I was still in disbelief. ... Pranav Shah, How could such a focal point in our lives be gone?” Civil engineering junior When they were 8 years old, Veer Shah’s young-
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Spotlight er brother was born. Abhi played with Veer Shah’s younger brother constantly, and as a result, Veer Shah’s brother’s first word was “Abhi.” “He called everybody ‘Abhi.’ For a period there, there was nothing else but that word,” Veer Shah said. “That just goes to show that no matter the age, no matter your personality, there was going to be a way that Abhi broke through and made a difference in your life.” Civil engineering junior Pranav Shah knew Abhi since they were born, he said. At MSU, both Abhi and Pranav Shah joined the Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students and performed in numerous shows. These shows could often become stressful, especially as the rehearsals grew longer and more intense, Pranav Shah said. “He would always manage to make sure at the end of the day, everyone was just smiling and laughing and having a good time,” Pranav Shah said. “That’s just the kind of person he was. He always managed to light up the room whenever he walked in.”
“In my mind, I was still in disbelief. ... How could such a focal point in our lives be gone?”
Cameron Macko Managing editor cmacko@statenews.com
help someone every day, you’ll sleep better.” To go along with this mentality, Abhi’s friends and family are starting the foundation “Smiles 4 Kids,” essentially, The Abhi Shah Foundation. “The little thing that we started thinking is, ‘What made Abhi happy?’ And, you know, he always used to bring smiles, so we are in the process of establishing a foundation, the Abhi Shah Foundation, you know, Smiles 4 Kids,” Pratik Shah said. The foundation, created by Abhi’s parents, will provide resources for orphans in need globally. The foundation is currently gathering money by selling bracelets and the goal is to start selling shirts in January. The shirts will be designed by Halmaghi. All proceeds from both products go to the foundation. Abhi Shah’s parents want Smiles 4 Kids to be something that lasts longer than a few months. They hope to make sure it lasts for years, Pratik Shah said. “We want to make sure we can put our hands into it, our time into it, so it’s not just collecting money, but going to those places and hugging those kids, and then you feel like you’re hugging your child at that time and hopefully that love is coming back,” Pratik said.
Life without Abhi Veer Shah, As a testament to Abhi’s character, 500 people International relations junior showed up at a candlelight vigil held a week after he died and 1,200 showed up to his funeral. It has been a little more than two weeks since When Pranav heard that Abhi died, he was in denial, he said. At first, it was impossible for him Abhi’s death. For some, these two weeks have felt like years and for others they have felt like days. to accept it. “It’s so hard to just know that he’s — I’m not For Pratik Shah, every day is another day withgoing to see him again. He called me on Tuesday out his only child. “We lost everything. ... We don’t know where afternoon, the day before he passed,” Pranav Shah said. “I happened to have an exam that day, so we’ll go from here,” he said. “Being the only child I told him, ‘Nah man, I’m sorry. I can’t hang out and all the hope that you had — that one day Abhi today.’ But little did I know that was the last time would marry and we’ll have grandkids and he will take my practice — and all those dreams got shatI could have seen him.” tered. It’s like, where do we go from here? And myself and my wife are asking some very hard At MSU for business When Abhi was younger, he wanted to be just questions. Why us? Why happen to Abhi? Why so like his father, who is a financial adviser. For Hal- early? And we do not have any answer from anyloween as a child, Abhi put on a suit and had “cli- body, not from God also. It’s very hard.” But for some, Abhi’s death is a call to make ents” and “appointments” and “business,” just like his father. Years later, becoming a financial advis- changes and to live life as he did. Halmaghi said this means adopting the friender was still Abhi’s goal. “He had a dream in his life — He wanted to be liness Abhi showed to others. “His exuberant personality, broad smile and joyeither a big corporate guy or he wanted to take my financial planning practice,” Pratik Shah said. ous laughter will never be forgotten,” Halmaghi “So our son was very ambitious to move forward.” said. “We are all going to miss him dearly, but I Abhi held internships in his junior and senior pray we will all have the strength and willpowyears of high school and was admitted into the Eli er to think positively on the amazing life that he Broad Business School at MSU, Pratik Shah said. lived and move forward with our own lives as he On Nov. 1, Abhi tweeted, “Go out of your way to would want.” For Veer Shah, this means making other people happy and developing deeper relationships. “He made it his number one priority to make sure that everyone around him was happy, and if people around him were happy, he was happy,” Veer Shah said. “And that’s something that you really can’t fake. It’s too genuine, it’s too selfless of a quality to mimic. It’s in you or it’s not, and it was certainly in Abhi.” Pranav Shah said Abhi’s legacy was helping others, staying in touch with old friends, valuing each relationship in life and living every moment to the fullest. “It seems like a daunting task, but I’ll try to make the people around me happy like he did, and that’s how he’s going to live on. The news of Finance junior Abhi Shah (left) and human biology junior Brandon him passing is a shock to everyHalmaghi (right) at their high school graduation in 2014. PHOTO one, but I know he is at peace COURTESY OF BRANDON HALMAGHI now. I know he’s still here
Finance junior Abhi Shah stands with a friend. PHOTO
around us giving us the strength to move on,” Pranav Shah said. “I hate that this was my wake up call, but after his passing, I’ve been talking to people that I used to be close with but lost touch with over the years.” When Abhi Shah is remembered, it will be for his enthusiasm and energy. He will be remembered for the deep connections he made with others. His personality and character will live on through friends, family and those who adopt his same attitude toward life. “Abhi lived more in his 20 years of life than most people do in their whole lifetime,” Veer Shah said. “That is his legacy.”
COURTESY OF VEER SHAH.
“It’s like, where do we go from here? And myself and my wife are asking some very hard questions. Why us?” Pratik Shah, Abhi Shah’s father Finance junior Abhi Shah (left) and human biology junior Brandon Halmaghi (right) about a month before Shah’s death. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDON HALMAGHI
CAMPUS CENTER CINEMAS proudly presents
December 8 - 10
Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children Thurs 8:45 pm 115B Wells Hall Fri & Sat 7:00 & 9:15 pm 115B Wells Hall
American Honey Thurs 8:30 pm 119B Wells Hall Fri & Sat 7:30 pm 119B Wells Hall 9:15 pm 117B Wells Hall www.rha.msu.edu ccc@rha.msu.edu 517-355-8285
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The Spartans celebrate with freshman defenseman Damian Chrcek (7), center, after scoring the second goal of the game during the first period in the exhibition game against U.S. National Team Development Program U-18 Program on Dec. 4 at Munn Ice Arena. The Spartans defeated USNTDP, 5-1. PHOTO: NIC ANTAYA
Dec. 9 and 10 MSU vs No. 11 Minnesota at Munn Ice Arena TV: Big Ten Network, Radio: Spartan Sports Network, statenews.com
DID YOU
PLAYER MATCHUP
KNOW?
MASON APPLETON
MSU’s record vs. Minnesota since Big Ten conference play began three years ago is 2-7-3
Last matchup at Munn Ice Arena against Minnesota was a 5-0 win for MSU
SPARTANS SOPHOMORE forward leading scorer
11 points 5 goals 6 assists
The last time MSU won in OT against Minnesota was Nov. 5, 1977. The score was 4-3
GOPHERS SOPHOMORE forward leading scorer
20 points 9 goals 11 assists
MSU
MSU Wins If The Spartans continue to create traffic in front of the net and receive some puck luck
Souichi Terada
TYLER SHEEHY
MSU Loses If The penalty kill falters after being up and down all season, allowing too many goals
MINNESOTA
4-6-1
OVERALL RECORD
7-5-2
2.45 3.55 23.45 14.5% 73.1%
GOALS PER GAME AVG.
3.57 3.21 32.79 22.6% 78.7%
GOALS AGAINST AVERAGE SOG/PER GAME POWER PLAY % PENALTY KILL %
PREVIOUS MATCHUPS 1 Win
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3 Wins
News
Cameron Macko Managing editor feedback@statenews.com
Several art galleries operate in E.L., city working to continue support BY MCKENNA ROSS MROSS@STATENEWS.COM
Tucked away in downtown East Lansing, surrounded by housing and a comic book store on Albert Avenue, stands Saper Galleries and Custom Framing — one of several art galleries downtown aiming to bring art and culture to the city. Roy Saper, the proprietor of the gallery, started his business in 1978 after graduating from MSU. The 6,000 square foot gallery exhibits work from 150 artists from more than 15 countries with 1,500 pieces of inventory, meaning there’s something for everyone. “We pride ourselves in that we have artwork for literally everyone,” Saper said. “There’s not a person who would not come in here and find something they don’t like. And (we’re) affordable — we have a ton of artwork that’s under $100.” Pieces in the gallery range from oil on canvas and pencil sketches to hand-blown glass and wood construction. Saper contributes his success to all the options of art in the gallery. “It’s a broad range of imagery,” he said. “We’ve found that the clientele that we have is very supportive of this gallery, which is why we’ve been here for nearly four decades.” With only three people on staff, Saper said he works night and day before exhibitions to ensure they open smoothly. He said it’s worth it, though, to see the community appreciate the artwork. “We like being, and we are, a community gallery,” he said. “A gallery for the people, for the community. That’s been evident from the shows we’ve had and the response we’ve had to those exhibitions. Around 7,500 clients and they’re very supportive of the gallery, which is nice. We’re in it for the long haul.” East Lansing has made an effort to be a com-
munity welcoming to art. The city has ordinances requiring large projects to dedicate 25 percent of its funds to art, and frequently hosts art and music festivals throughout the year. City Manager George Lahanas said another way East Lansing supports the art scene is by collaborating with MSU on (Scene) Metrospace, a gallery downtown. “We split the operation and the costs,” Lahanas said. “They control the content, and we offer free space and some utilities.” Still, East Lansing’s art scene faces some challenges. Deb Cholewicki, the gallery manager at Grove Gallery and Studios, said it can be hard to make a mark in the city. “I think overall, a lot of the community doesn’t really get what arts and culture is and that’s starting to change, which is a good thing,” Cholewicki said. “The other challenge is that we have a huge student population. That’s very transient, people are coming and going. Students don’t typically have a lot of money to come and buy art.” Saper said when he built his gallery in 1986, he thought he would start a trend in downtown. “We have a dearth of galleries,” Saper said. “When I bought this vacant parcel of land with nothing on it except a path that went through from Division Street to Albert, my belief was that between here and the Marriott, I thought all these buildings would turn into art galleries. I thought we would start something and all these others would come in, but it’s not easy to run an art gallery.” When Grove Gallery opened eight years ago, it aimed to add to the art scene. Cholewicki said she thinks it has helped. “I think it’s constantly evolving and growing,” she said. “I think that every year sees more momentum building for the excitement around the arts.”
East Lansing resident Roy Saper poses for a portrait on Dec. 6 inside of Saper Galleries and Custom Framing at 433 Albert Ave. Saper opened his gallery in 1978 and said, “Saper Galleries provides a resource for everyone who might have (or) who has an interest in art,” and his gallery sells art to clients all over the world. PHOTO: NIC ANTAYA
Various pieces of art are pictured on Dec. 7 at Saper Galleries and Custom Framing at 433 Albert Ave. The gallery has numerous windows that allow for the gallery to be illuminated by natural light. PHOTO: NIC ANTAYA
Various pieces of art are pictured on Dec. 7, at Saper Galleries and Custom Framing at 433 Albert Ave. The gallery has numerous windows that allow for the gallery to be illuminated by natural light. PHOTO: NIC ANTAYA
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News
Cameron Macko Managing editor feedback@statenews.com
Bill changing MIP laws passes Mich. House and awaits Gov.’s signature BY COLTON WOOD CWOOD@STATENEWS.COM
ACROSS
1 Rodent Templeton in “Charlotte’s Web,” for one 4 Provide with more than enough 11 Miner’s target 14 Flightless bird 15 Memorable Greek shipping magnate 16 Aggravate 17 Bake sale confections made with root veggies 19 Finish off 20 Chance for a hit 21 Asia’s __ Darya river 22 Cornstarch brand in a yellow-and-blue container 23 Chair or bench 24 Shine-minimizing makeup layer 27 Harmonious 29 Scare 30 Soon-to-be grads. 31 Vanity cases? 33 Plagues 34 Wireless networking protocol 36 Degenerate, like Agnew’s snobs 39 Apt name for a Dalmatian 40 Mil. academy 43 Black, in Bordeaux 44 Like the flame at
Arlington National Cemetery 46 Pop’s pop 50 Vacation site you might sail to 51 Painter Magritte 52 Managed care gp. 53 Follow, as advice 54 “Fear the Walking Dead” network 55 Driver’s alert about an infant, and a hint to what can precede both words of 17-, 24-, 34and 46-Across 58 Peace symbol 59 Central Texas city 60 Bestow, to Burns 61 Chemical suffix with benz62 Cut at an angle 63 Always, to Poe
DOWN
1 Finds new players for 2 One who plays without pay 3 Wrapped headdresses 4 Chimney residue 5 Colony insect 6 Tic-toe filler 7 Father of Jacob and Esau 8 Words on a volunteer’s badge 9 Highway headache 10 Half a figure eight
11 Late in arriving 12 Substance used for chemical analysis 13 Obtains via coercion, as money 18 Part of APR 22 Knee-deep (in) 24 Bach work 25 Therapeutic plant 26 Prince Siegfried’s beloved, in “Swan Lake” 28 Like pool tables 32 Ave. crossers 33 Swag 34 Suisse capital 35 Newspaper page with views 36 Personalize at the jeweler’s 37 Work site supervisors 38 Bride-to-be 40 Performing in a theater 41 Dieter’s unit 42 Thin 45 Man who “wore a diamond,” in “Copacabana” 47 Abu __ 48 Realm of influence 49 Holmes’ creator 53 Still sleeping 55 “Kapow!” 56 “__ the land of the free ... “ 57 SSW’s opposite
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A bill was passed in the Michigan House of Representatives on Tuesday that would change a first minor-in-possession, MIP, charge from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction. Michigan Sen. Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), who was in law enforcement for 31 years and has seen a vast amount of teens abusing alcohol, submitted the bill after he discovered there was a wide disparity in the way teenagers are punished for MIP cases. “In some jurisdictions, you’re put into a program (and) you end up with nothing on your record, in other jurisdictions, you end up going to jail in some cases for seven days (and) you have a permanent criminal record,” Jones said. “I think this wide disparity is certainly not justice, and after talking with many, many parents, I decided to put in a bill that would make your first offense — and your first offense only — a civil infraction, which is similar to a traffic ticket.” Jones said the bill had widespread bipartisan support as only one person in the House and one person in the Senate voted against the bill that is now awaiting Gov. Rick Snyder’s signature. Once enacted, a person’s first MIP offense will now result in a $100 fine along with any court costs, which is less severe than the current $100 fine and up to 90 days in jail. Jones stressed the fact that an officer can still place a first MIP offender under arrest if certain criteria is met. “I want to emphasize that if you are intoxicated — you haven’t had half a beer or something — you’re intoxi-
cated, the police can still throw you in jail and hold you until sober and they’ll send a report to the judge and if you’re extremely intoxicated, the judge may order you into a rehab program,” Jones said. “So, those two options are still available.” The bill has been met with an abundance of support, including the Michigan District Judges Association, Jones said. Jones also noted his disapproval of officers conducting breathalyzer tests on students walking out of a cab to get to their dorm rooms. He said it was not appropriate and was just another reason he pushed this legislation through. Jones said other offenses after the first violation will not be changed by the new bill. A second MIP offense will still result in a misdemeanor charge that is punishable by up to 30 days in jail while also being charged a $200 fine and a third offense will still include a punishment of up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine alongside a revocation of the person’s driver’s license, even if they weren’t driving.
“I decided to put in a bill that would make your first offense — and your first offense only — a civil infraction, which is similar to a traffic ticket.” Sen. Rick Jones, Sponsor of MIP bill
East Lansing City Council approves plans for Costco on Park Lane Road
Level: 1
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Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www. sudoku.org.uk SOLUTION TO MONDAY’S PUZZLE
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Renderings of a planned Costco in East Lansing. Site plans must now be approved by Meridian Township’s planning department. Photo courtesy of E.L. City Council. For more go to statenews.com.
Sports
Casey Harrison Sports editor sports@statenews.com
Practice translates into success after blowout win against YSU BY CASEY HARRISON CHARRISON@STATENEWS.COM
Head coach Tom Izzo said his team was “playing with an AAU mentality,” through the first 10 games of the season. Play style that lacked toughness and grit. Especially after a narrow four-point victory against Oral Roberts University on Dec. 3, where the Golden Eagles out-rebounded the Spartans and outscored them on second-chance opportunities, 17-10. After a 77-57 blowout win against Youngstown State University (5-5 overall) on Tuesday, Izzo said his team learned to play more cohesively and has made progress with every game. During his postgame press conference, Izzo said freshmen guards Cassius Winston and Josh Langford have made significant improvements. “Well I think we took another step, a small step,” Izzo said. “What I was most excited about is we really challenged Josh (Langford) and Cassius (Winston). The last two games the turnovers have been down, the 16 assists and two turnovers with your point guards is phenomenal.” Langford finished the game against Youngstown State with a career-high in both points with 15 and assists with three. Langford shot 6-of-8 from the floor, three of which coming from 3-point range in 19 minutes. Winston followed up his 15-point performance against Oral Roberts, having shot 8-of10 from the field with nine assists in 25 minutes. Izzo’s players know they’ve made progress, too. Fifth-year senior Eron Harris said even though the team is improving on the fly, he’s holding the team accountable to keep getting better. “We’ve just been continuing to progress and continuing to get better,” Harris said. “I’m happy about it but I think we could have done it even better, but we just have to continue to get better at this point.” Winston said after the game it was the team’s
most energizing performance to date. Winston said the mix of vigor and strategy proved to be a formula for success, but one game isn’t enough sample size. “We played with energy, but we played smart at the same time,” Winston said. “We made good plays, solid decisions, but we have to keep building on that because that’s what’s going to win us games.” One of the biggest points of emphasis for Izzo since the loss to then-No. 5 Duke on Nov. 29 has been the team’s ability to play a complete game — and do so with grit and enthusiasm. Even in years prior, Izzo has made physicality a cornerstone of his program, with this team well aware of that. “(Coaches) have been on us about our energy, about our toughness,” Winston said. “At some point, you’re not going to let anybody call you soft or anything like that, or let them tell you you’re not competing. It’s a chip on our shoulder and we have to prove to the world and prove to everyone those first four games — that’s not us.” After a gauntlet of travel, including four games against AP top-25 opponents and eight games in total through a month, Izzo said it’s all time away from the film room and practice. Now the opening stretch of the season is over with, Izzo said the team can get grounded into practice and work on conditioning, especially with the freshman class. “I don’t think we’re in great shape,” Izzo said. “I sit there and say, ‘Well how could you be? You haven’t practiced,’ so that’s another area I feel like is not their fault, but we have to overcome it. I just feel like some guys are looking tired out there.” Izzo cited Langford and freshman forward Nick Ward as the greatest benefactors of team practices. Ward was averaging 16 points per contest in his last three games coming into the game on Tuesday against the Penguins 6-of-10 shooting with 13 points in 20 minutes. Ward was also honored as Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Monday. Izzo, however, said the box score of a good
Freshman guard Miles Bridges (22), freshman guard Cassius Winston (5) and sophomore guard Kyle Ahrens (0) celebrate during the second half of the men’s basketball game against Youngstown State on Dec. 6 at Breslin Center. The Spartans defeated the Penguins, 77-57. PHOTO: NIC ANTAYA
game from his team does not indicate growth. “They played one good game,” Izzo said. “As I told my staff on the bench, the minute you hang your hat on someone, like Nick Ward, he was playing so good but he really played OK tonight. The stats are better than he played. We have to keep hammering away.” Harris said more time in practice has translated into comfort on the court come game time. Against Youngstown State, MSU held an offense averaging 82 points a game headed into the match to 57. MSU outscored their opponent in the paint 34-12, grinded 24 points forced from 12 Penguin turnovers, 20 points from second-chance attempts and manufactured 23 points off the fastbreak. “We have a couple more days to practice now and that’s going to help us,” Harris said. We were
on the road for a really long time and now we have to practice and get better and prove it.” As the team gets more comfortable, Winston said they’ll only get better in terms of strength and toughness. The Spartans out-rebounded the Penguins 47-32 and assisted on 28 of the team’s 34 baskets. “We’re not the most talented or the biggest team out there,” Winston said. “But we’re going to play with the most grit and we’re going to play the toughest.” But Izzo said there is still work to be done. “In our society one good game, one good play and we’re ready to canonize guys as the best leaders, the best shooters, the best this or the best that,” Izzo said. “Guys, we have a long, long way to go.”
Spartans to host No. 11 Minnesota at Munn BY COLTON WOOD CWOOD@STATENEWS.COM
After opening the season with an overall record of 4-6-1, MSU’s hockey team will commence Big Ten conference play when it hosts No. 11 Minnesota (7-5-2 overall) in a two-game series this Friday and Saturday. Despite a 1-4-0 record in the month of October, the Spartans managed to reverse their fortunes and ended the month of November with a winning record of 3-2-1. “I think there’s a lot of areas that have improved from where we started to where we are today,” head coach Tom Anastos said during his weekly press conference on Tuesday. “I think our goaltending has gained some confidence and has gained experience most of all.” Minnesota is fresh off a home loss to a No. 10 Ohio State last Saturday, but will look to rebound from the loss on Friday. “(The Golden Gophers) have depth on their team,” Anastos said. “They have skill on their team and it’s a new season that the Big Ten season is opening, so for us to be home, it’s going to be important that our compete level is very high. We’ve got to continue to improve, and understanding and executing the structure of our game, and we have to raise our game another level from where we’ve been.” Anastos said this Minnesota team might arguably be as good of a team as any they’ve played this season, if not better. “I think Denver is a real good team,” Anastos said. “Obviously, there were others. North Dakota was a good team. (I) thought
(Michigan) Tech was a real good team, but I think Minnesota may be the best team that we’ll have seen so far in terms of their depth, their talent level.” The Golden Gophers, led by leading scorer Tyler Sheehy, are statistically better than the Spartans in nearly all facets of the game. Minnesota currently is No. 19 in the NCAA with 50 goals, while MSU is No. 56 with 27. As the third place team in the Big Ten, Minnesota is outshooting the Spartans, averaging 32.79 shots on goal per game, which ranks at No. 12 in the NCAA. The Spartans, on the other hand, are shooting 23.45 shots on goal, No. 59 in the NCAA. Minnesota is also 14-for-62 on the power play, which is No. 9 in college hockey, while MSU is 9-of-62, which is good for No. 42 on the man-advantage. “They always have a real good power play and our penalty kill has been up and down,” Anastos said. “(It) started very slow, but it has gotten better, but needs to have a really big weekend to give us a chance because their power play is very dynamic.” Senior forward Villiam Haag has played his best hockey in his career against Minnesota. In 12 games against the Gophers, Haag has a total of six goals and three assists. His nine points against Minnesota are the most career points by an active Spartan against any Big Ten opponent. “(Haag’s) play is very important to us,” Anastos said. “As a senior, players get a lot of ice time both in even strength and power play situations.” READ THE FULL PREVIEW ABOUT THE MATCHUP AGAINST THE GOLDEN GOPHERS AT STATENEWS.COM
Senior forward Joe Cox (21), senior forward JT Stenglein (22) and redshirt-senior defenseman Rhett Holland (11) celebrate after Steinglein scored a goal during the second period in the exhibition game against U.S. National Team Development Program U-18 Program on Dec. 4 at Munn Ice Arena. The Spartans defeated USNTDP, 5-1. PHOTO: NIC ANTAYA
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Sports
Casey Harrison Sports editor sports@statenews.com
Jankoska providing depth and senior leadership for Spartans BY STEPHEN OLSCHANSKI SOLSCHANSKI@STATENEWS.COM
Sitting on the bench for less than a minute against Oakland University on Dec. 2, Tori Jankoska wasn’t pleased. Up to that point, about 4:36 left in the second quarter, she had chipped in five points, four assists, a steal and five rebounds though her team clung to a one-point lead. Less than one minute later the Spartans trailed by a point and Jankoska was hurried back into the game. As is her nature, she doesn’t settle, she responds. Down 22-21 Branndais Agee clutched a defensive board and dished to Jankoska, who found Taryn McCutcheon for a jumper and the lead. Back down the court, MSU forced a turnover right to Jankoska, who fired it to Jenna Allen in the post. Bucket. McCutcheon stole the ball on the ensuing inbound play and flipped it to Jankoska, who caught it in-stride and snapped the nylon with a 3-pointer. That sequence, encapsulating seven points in 1:29, was all generated or ended by Jankoska,
bringing MSU out of a lackluster performance into a six-point lead. She saved the night for MSU numerous times against Oakland, coming up big to tie or take the lead down the stretch. Five times in the third quarter she either dropped shots that tied the game or put MSU in front of the Golden Grizzlies. MSU escaped the third quarter with the lead and never trailed in the final quarter, mostly thanks to Jankoska, who finished the night with a careerhigh 37 points, seven assists and 10 rebounds — good for her 15th double-double. “She was amazing,” head coach Suzy Merchant said after the Oakland game. “A few assists away from a triple-double and a legit one that’s very efficient. She took 16 shots. It wasn’t like she was shooting 25-30 times to get there. She’s really doing everything she can on the offensive end to be competitive and attack, block different ways.” Backed up by a young team that has hit the road for many of its early contests, it has been Jankoska’s steady hand that has propelled MSU to 5-2 in its past seven games, six of which were road games. “Tori has done that her whole career, basically,” Merchant said. “Not so much her freshman year,
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Then-junior guard Tori Jankoska brings the ball up court during the women’s basketball Big Ten Tournament championship game against the University of Maryland on March 6 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Spartans were defeated by the Terrapins, 60-44. PHOTO: NIC ANTAYA
from sophomore year on, she’s just tough. She’s a competitor and she’s got a lot of heart and competes, believes in herself and is really confident. I feel like having her out there maybe a little bit tired is better and she’s experienced and she kind of knows what’s going on out there and scouting reports and things like that.” Jankoska added another double-double in MSU’s 71-54 victory over Quinnipiac Tuesday night, sustaining a promising start for the senior whose prowess and skill is now front and center following the departure of Aerial Powers. The improvement in Jankoska’s game has come from an attitude similar to her coach’s. Instilled with a never satisfied approach, Jankoska has carried it with her for the longest time. “I think that’s what makes me play at the level I can, because I’m not the most athletic, I’m not the quickest, I’m not the best shooter,” Jankoska said. “So just to be able to compete and go one-onone, make sure I’m not losing against the girl in front of me, I think that’s what helps me become a good player.” With Powers gone, Jankoska is the team’s best
player and she’s lived up to it, averaging 22.9 points game while tallying an average of 7.3 boards a game and shooting nearly 40 percent from beyond the arc. Her production has been expected from seniors before and it’s nothing new for Jankoska to continue that facet. The senior role can be a double-edged sword, and Jankoska has found herself trying to navigate the leadership aspect she’s never really been a part of. “We had a team meeting last night,” Jankoska said following the Oakland game. “A lot of it was about the way I was leading and the aggressive attitude and stuff like that and tonight I just tried to stay a little more calm, obviously getting to people when they needed it.” Her competitiveness and never satisfied approach hasn’t been lost on her teammates who understand the situation surrounding the team. “We’re so young, I feel like everybody’s trying to figure out their role on the team,” Allen said. “Tori’s done a great job leading this team, she’s a senior captain, she’s scoring, she’s rebounding, she’s assisting, she’s done a great job.”
“I’m not the quickest, I’m not the best shooter. So just to be able to compete and go one-onone, make sure I’m not losing against the girl in front of me, I think that’s what helps me become a good player.” Tori Jankoska, senior guard on the MSU women’s basketball team
Features
Connor Clark Features editor features@statenews.com
MSU student uses music to help fight feelings of suicide and depression BY BRYCE AIRGOOD BAIRGOOD@STATENEWS.COM
Business-preference sophomore Murphy Nye has been alive for 19 years. For about a fifth of that time, he said he hadn’t wanted to be. Nye’s depression began when he was in high school. He said he used to be a really happy, outgoing kid. After he reached ninth grade, everything flipped. “I was deprived of feeling,” he said. “It was really sad because it wasn’t the fact I was just sad all the time. I was sad because I couldn’t feel anything.” Logically, Nye said he knew this didn’t make sense. He had a fantastic family and he worked hard at sports. He even was All-state in lacrosse both his junior and senior year of high school, he said. It didn’t matter. Nye said his condition worsened to the point he was admitted into a psychiatric hospital by his parents because they feared he would kill himself. “I couldn’t even get out of bed most days, like I just gave up,” Nye said. A chemical imbalance in his body was ultimately discovered. Nye is known as
an under-methylator. His body is incapable of breaking down folate, or the B9 vitamin, he said. According to the Psychology Today website, L-Methylfolate is the form of folic acid that passes through the bloodbrain barrier and is involved in neurotransmitter synthesis. According to the website, “It indirectly facilitates the synthesis of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, three neurotransmitters involved in mood regulation and other important functions.” Or, as Nye said, it affects things people basically need to feel happy. “It’s like a plant without any nutrients,” Nye said. “If you don’t have the nutrients, it’s not going to be able to grow. That was basically my brain.” Before being diagnosed with his deficiency, Nye said he turned to music for solace. Growing up, his mom always played music from artists like The Beatles and Michael Jackson. When his depression worsened around a year ago before he discovered his condition, he said he picked up the guitar. During this stage in his life, Nye said he looked to artists like John Mayer,
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Business-preference sophomore Murphy Nye poses for a portrait on Dec. 7 at his apartment in East Lansing. Nye taught himself how to play guitar and has used music as a form a therapy to help cope with his depression. Nye said that “Stop This Train” by John Mayer saved his life one day during his freshman year when he was actively feeling suicidal. PHOTO: CARLY GERACI
Jack Johnson and Pearl Jam, who he felt were really soulful and expressed themselves through music. In fact, some of their music has saved Nye’s life, he said. During January of his freshman year at MSU, Nye said he was listening to music on his headphones on his way to the train tracks. He said he didn’t have a solid plan for what he was going to do except that he wanted to end his life. However, the song ”Stop This Train" by John Mayer started playing and made him turn back. Another instance happened during the summer between his freshman and sophomore year. Nye said he was sitting in his garage with the garage door closed and his car running. That’s when the song ”Better Man" by Pearl Jam started playing. Nye said once more he changed his mind and his life was saved by music.
“It was really sad because it wasn’t the fact I was just sad all the time. I was sad because I couldn’t feel anything.” Murphy Nye, Business-preference sophomore Since these incidents, Nye has started taking a supplement to help his deficiency and now wants to help other people. “Every month since the summer has been one that I didn’t expect next,” he said. “I’ve been blessed. I really have.” Nye helps others musically in a couple ways. One way is by offering music lessons to friends and other people around MSU’s campus. One such person is computer engineering freshman John Camilleri. Camilleri said he first tried to teach himself how to play some fundamentals in guitar, but he started taking lessons with Nye about six months ago when he hit a block in his musical education. “He’s encouraging,” Camilleri said. “He teaches in a way where it’s really easy for me to understand. If I don’t understand something, he’ll dumb it down
so that I understand it better.” Some of the things Nye taught Camilleri include chord progressions and what notes sound good with certain chords. Camilleri said he knew Nye in high school, but that it’s only within the past year that they became good friends. “I’m not just saying this because he’s my friend, but he’s one of the most caring people I’ve ever met,” Camilleri said. “He always brings a smile to my face when I’m around him. I love to be around him whether we’re playing the guitar or not playing the guitar.” Nye said he charges $10 for half an hour of lessons or $20 for an hour in either the guitar or piano. He said it’s not set in stone though. One time a girl paid for a half hour session but then she and Nye ended up talking for an hour. “It’s just fun for me to talk about something I’m passionate about,” Nye said. “It’s really not even like a job. It’s something I do already. It’s kind of cool just to make a couple bucks off it.” The other way Nye wants to help others is through the new student organization he founded called Concerts for Cures. Nye said the group will put on concerts to help bring awareness to mental illnesses as well as raise money to go toward finding cures for them. He said he would like to have the first concert in either late January or early February and he wants to rent one of the lecture halls in the Business College Complex for it. He said for future concerts he will ask others to help perform music and tell their stories, but for the first one it will be just him sharing his story of depression. Nye said he wants to help people find their outlet for helping them cope with tough times. Nye’s was music, but for someone else it might be sports, working out, reading or something else. Nye said if someone is struggling with depression or another issue, they need to find that outlet that will help them pull through. “No one will ever understand how great happiness is, and you can’t take it for granted because it is something that some people are incapable of feeling,” he said. “I just want to help people that think they can’t feel it because of genetics or whatever, I want to help them have the same opportunity as I did.”
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Diane Selke comes back to teach at MSU Tennis Center
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MSU alumna Diane Selke looks to return the ball back over the net in her days as an MSU tennis player. Selke played tennis for MSU from 1975-79. Photo courtesy of MSU Athletic Communications
The MSU Tennis Center has brought back one of its own, alumna Diane Selke, as a tennis professional and instructor within the MSU Tennis Center’s community. “Her expertise, knowledge and enthusiasm will have an immediate impact on all of our programs,” MSU Tennis Center manager Heather Mactaggart said in a press release. “This will allow us to continue to provide high-quality products and services to meet the needs of the university as well as the Lansing community.” Selke said she was looking to come back to East Lansing to be a part of the MSU tennis community. “You hear about Michigan State so much. ... (I want to help) the program, make a difference and make this the best adult junior program open to the public,” Selke said. “I liked all the branding MSU was doing.” Selke is a certified tennis professional from the United States Professional Tennis Association, USPTA, and has been a USPTA master professional since 1996. She has been teaching tennis since she graduated from MSU in 1979. However, when Selke graduated in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in science and physical education, her original plan wasn’t to be a tennis professional. “When we started here at MSU we were in demand, but by the four years when we graduated we were in supply,” Selke said. “So we couldn’t find a job anywhere.” Selke said this led her to work for one year with her sister, fellow MSU alumna Sue Selke — who
was the first tennis player, male or female, to be inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame — before branching out on her own. “I said, ‘Hey I love my sister, but I need to be me, go explore, travel and make my own name,’” Selke said. But Diane’s love for her sister is what made her want to go to MSU in 1975 and then come back after spending 35 years in Colorado, she said. “I have green in my blood,” Selke said. Selke said though she didn’t want to teach at the same club as her sister, Court One Athletic Club, she wanted to stay in the same area to be close to her. “We get to see each other, but we get to do different programs,” Selke said. Sue said even though both of them teach tennis, they both have different methods of teaching the sport and share ideas on how to better their teaching skills. Selke taught previously in Denver at the Valley Country Club, along with many other clubs, and is also the vice president of USPTA. She is also the head of both the awards committee and the diversity and inclusion committee within the USPTA. She is currently sitting on the board of directors for the USPTA. She is the only woman member on the board and is the only woman in Michigan who holds the title of a Master Pro credential, she said. “It’s like getting your Ph.D. in tennis.” Selke said. However, Selke said she aspires to do more within the USPTA and to move up from her current status. “I have goals of being the second woman president of the entire organization, hopefully,” Selke said. “I have to work my way up.”
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