The Clarion - October 26, 2010

ZOMBIES ROAM HAUNTED HOUSE, BARELY SCARE | Page 8 University of Denver student newspaper since 1899

Vol. 117, Issue 22

October 26, 2010

www.duclarion.com

Halloween event spurs school spirit

Powderpuff fundraiser

Free event to boost school spirit

BY TULLEY STAPP Clarion staff

The Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) and other campuswide student organizations are hosting a Halloween carnival Friday from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. on the Driscoll Lawn and at the new student entrance in front of Coors Fitness Center.

The free event is part of an initiative to unite the student body and improve school spirit.

Other sponsoring organizations include the Undergraduate Student Government (USG), Greek Life, D.U.G.S., the International House and the Student Spirit Committee.

Free food, games, prizes and gift certificates will be given to attending students.

“Our hope is that everyone will come enjoy themselves and celebrate Halloween and then want to further support our teams on their game days,” said Karin Hart, SAAC representative who was in charge of planning the event.

Hart is a senior on the women’s lacrosse team. She said SAAC also is trying to improve attendance at games and gain the support of students by designating a “game of the year” for every sport.

Each of the 17 Division I teams will choose a game that is important to them, that will then be marketed by SAAC for more students go to this specific game.

SEE FREE, PAGE 4

MICHAEL FURMAN

| CLARION

A couple hundred students watched Friday’s powderpuff football game fundraiser hosted by Sigma Chi fraternity at Observatory Park. Tri Delta won the tournament, beating out Alpha Phi and Delta Gamma (pictured), Delta Zeta and Gamma Phi. Sigma Chi raised $470 for Huntsman Cancer Institute.

Asian-style Skew snags Stick-E Star site

BY CORY LAMZ Managing editor

ANDREW FIELDING

| CLARION

Alumni band Bemused impresses with alternative rock sound

ENTERTAINMENT | Page 9

QUOTABLE

Managing partners stand in front of Skew, the Asian-style restaurant on University Boulevard.

Skew Restaurant will open in December in the area left vacant by Stick-E Star, one of the most popular student hangouts that closed in April.

Skew will have a family-oriented atmosphere but cater to DU students, parents, alumni and local University Park residents.

Skew will be open every day, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Lunch and dinner entrées will be available for under $10, according to Marcus Apipattanamontree, one of Skew’s managing partners.

Items will include Asian dishes, such breaded pork and chicken teriyaki, both on skewers.

“We grew up with this food, and we believe it to be a convenience – holding

food on a stick in your left hand and holding a napkin in your right,” said Apipattanamontree’s brother and business partner, Hutch Phanichamnuay.

“It’s art on a stick,” said Apipattanamontree, 26. “We’re taking an Asian favorite, deconstructing it and putting it on a stick.”

Both sit-down and takeout dining options will be available, but the service concept will include basic, quick-grab skewers for those with time constraints, like students, the brothers said.

Skew will serve different alcoholic beverages, including muddled fresh drinks like the Caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail made with cachaça, sugar and lime, but to be concocted at Skew with original tweaks to the national recipe.

“We’ve changed from being a very good defensive team to a very good offensive team overnight...”

SPORTS | Page 11

SEE RESTAURANT, PAGE 4

days left

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TIL WIN UN B TER REAK

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October 26, 2010

Monster Brass hosts tunes, treats International students meet, dine each week Free Thursday lunches assist international students with adjusting to new American environments, lifestyles.

BY MORGAN SPEER Clarion staff

RACHAEL ROARK

| CLARION

The Lamont School of Music hosted Denver Brass’ Monster Ball Saturday afternoon, which featured a one-hour performance by the Denver Brass, followed by a trick-or-treat street for children. Performers of the ensemble and children alike were festively disguised as bumble bees, surgeons and vampires, among many other costumes.

U P C O M I N G TODAY Greek Life scholarship fundraiser All day Crimson and Gold, 2017 S. University Blvd.

Campus Life and Crimson and Gold host a Greek Life Scholarship fundraiser, donating 10 percent of the restaurant’s daily profit to the scholarship fund.

Military presentation 12:15 - 1:45 p.m.

Room 150, SIÉ CHÉOU-KANG Center, Ben Cherrington Hall Colonel Dave Grosso, Army fellow at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, gives a presentation on his recent deployment to Afghanistan called “Observations and Lessons-Learned Enduring Freedom X.â€?

WEDNESDAY Career and Internship Fair 3 - 6 p.m.

Driscoll Ballroom Students and alumni are invited to meet representatives from local and national organizations to learn of positions from internships to mid-upper level employment. For a list of participating organizations go to www.du.edu/career.

Sorority dance event 6 - 8 p.m.

Driscoll Ballroom Sigma Lambda Gamma hosts a variety of performers to look into their cultures through dance.

E V E N T S

Greek Life scholarship fundraiser All day Zingers, 2075 S. University Blvd.

Campus Life and Zingers host a Greek Life Scholarship fundraising day, donating 10 percent of the day’s profit to the scholarship fund.

THURSDAY Human trafficking clinic Noon - 2 p.m.

Cyber Cafe, Ben Cherrington Hall The Human Trafficking Clinic hosts two Cambodian human trafficking survivors giving their stories in a presentation called “It Begins With a Girl.� Free Illegal Pete’s burritos will be served.

Artist lecture 6 - 7 p.m.

Room 286, Sturm Hall Timothy Weaver will give a lecture on his video, print and rare book installation on display at Penrose Library. Weaver‘s objective is to contribute to the ecological memory through inquiry along the technology/ art interface.

Greek Life scholarship fundraiser All day Spicy Pickle, 2043 S. University Blvd.

Campus Life and Spicy Pickle host a Greek Life Scholarship fundraising day, donating 10 percent of the day’s profit to the scholarship fund.

FRIDAY Economics lecture 4 p.m.

Room 235, Sturm Hall Marshall Auerback, Senior Fellow at the Roosevelt Institute, gives a lecture called “The Follies of Faux Fiscal Policy.�

DU international students gather every Thursday during the school year at the University Park United Methodist Church for a free meal and to talk with volunteers about adjusting to American life.

This event, World Diner, allows international students to meet other students and receive help with understanding and coping with the new environment outside of the classroom.

Advertised mostly by word of mouth, these weekly gettogethers, between 12-1:30 p.m., can accommodate more than 50 students.

Generally 30-35 attend each week. “Everyone has fluctuating schedules, but it’s cool coming back every week,� said Ben Knappe, a one-year volunteer with World Diner. “It’s nice meeting the new people but still knowing the old people who come back every week.�

Every meal is a hearty attempt at some form of international

cuisine, made by volunteers who come from multiple organizations and several Christian denominations.

These weekly meals are paid for by the International Neighbors Network (IN2) a nondenominational faith-based organization.

IN2 partners with International Students Incorporated (ISI) to gather volunteers who help cook and serve the food and eat with the students. “The food is good,� said Yunyun Wu, a first-year international student.

After recently attending the World Diner, Yunyun intends to continue coming back every week.

IN2 also provides volunteering opportunities for international students. This gives them an additional perspective on American life they would not have otherwise.

Every Friday, IN2 takes a group of students to South High School to tutor.

Last weekend, IN2 funded a field trip to a Colorado ranch where the students volunteered in the morning and rode horses in the afternoon. “Our goal is hospitality and service,� said Kelli Hayes, the IN2 Executive Director. “We have no religious agenda. IN2 wants to give students the option to explore what they want to explore.�

Latino heritage night 8 - 11 p.m.

Driscoll Ballroom The Korbel School of International Studies hosts “Noche Caliente� a night of Latin dancing with live music by the band Quemando.

SATURDAY Charity basketball event 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Hamilton Gymnasium DU Athletics and Recreation hosts the “World’s Largest Knockout Game,� benefitting the Food Bank of the Rockies.

All ages are welcome and donations are voluntary. No advance registration is required.

SUNDAY Music academy fundraiser 3 - 4:30 p.m.

Hamilton Recital Hall, Newman Center for the Performing Arts The Lamont School of Music hosts a fundraiser concert to benefit the Lamont Summer Pre-College Music Academy, featuring academy faculty Linda Wang on violin and Richard Slavich on cello. For more details contact Connie Glen at cglen@indiana.edu.

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October 26, 2010

Bike share grows in popularity

BY ALYSSA SAMSON Clarion staff

A year after two DU students met with a representative of Denver and B-Cycle about a bik sharing program, the program is thriving and expanding.

Students are increasingly using rented bikes to travel between campus and downtown Denver.

A week ago, when the Homecoming parade closed off streets around campus, many people checked out the bikes to get around campus more easily. The gymnastics team, for example, rode bikes throughout the entire parade.

Sophomore Clara Chang said she used the bikes throughout the first week of the quarter because she had not renewed her RTD sticker.

She had a good experience and was able to use the bike as long as she needed because the renting process made it easy.

“I think it’s a great investment. A lot of people who aren’t able to bring their bikes or don’t want to buy one can use them,” said Change. “There are B-Cycle stations all around Denver, which is really convenient.”

Two former DU students,

Mary Jean O’Malley and Zoee Turrill, started the bike-sharing program on campus.

It launched last April in downtown Denver, which increased the number of available bikes this fall.

“While our annual membership numbers are lower than anticipated, the 24-hour membership numbers are much higher than we imagined, making up for the lower annual membership number. There are approximately 500 trips a day now, which is a great number,” said Brent Tongco, communications director with the Denver Bike Sharing Program. “The community support is extremely positive.”

O’Malley and Turrill have been recognized not only by Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, but also by the Clinton Foundation through the Clinton Global Initiative.

Denver’s system has received positive press throughout the world for the largest public bikesharing program in the US. “I know that we achieved something here and I am so proud of our university and our city for being on the forefront of this innovation,” said O’Malley, who is currently working with Teach for America in Tulsa, Okla.

During their senior year, O’Malley and Turrill raised another $20,000 by fundraising and advocating for the program.

DU’s financial commitment is now over. The donation of $50,000 was one-time, and it was to install kiosks, bring the bikes and get the system up and running, said O’Malley.

As for Denver, bike sharing programs have been used since 2008.

A temporary bike program called Freewheelin was used during the Denver National Convention in 2008, designed to help thousands of attendees and visitors to move around the city in an easy and sustainable way. During the DNC, over 5,552 bikes were taken, totaling over 26,416 miles and 818,899 calories burned, said Turrill.

“What Denver has today is a third-generation bike-sharing program, an automated check out from kiosks linked via the Internet so a user can check out a bike from any station and return it to any other station,” said Turrill.

“This allows people to do things like commute, drop the bike near work, and commute home later. The B-Cycle systems have been extremely successful since coming to Denver.”

P O L I C E ILLNESS On Wednesday, Oct. 20, 10:45 p.m., Campus Safety responded to Johnson-McFarlane Hall to provide medical assistance to a student. Upon arrival, officers contacted paramedics who came to the scene, gave medical assistance and determined the student did not need transport to a hospital.

DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

On Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 7:05 p.m., a Campus Safety officer responded to a call from Centennial Halls regarding an injured student. The officer arrived to evaluate the injury and provide assistance to the student.

The student was transported by a friend to Porter Hospital.

On Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 1:53 a.m., Campus Safety responded to a call from JohnsonMcFarlane Hall regarding an intoxicated student. Upon arrival, an officer spoke with an intoxicated student who was extremely ill. The officer called for paramedic help, who transported the student to Porter Hospital.

On Saturday, Oct. 23, at 2:50 a.m., Campus Safety contacted an extremely intoxicated male sitting in the Ciber Soccer Stadium. The party had no identification and was taken into custody of Denver Police.

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INJURIES On Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 4:30 p.m., Campus Safety responded to a call from the Boettcher East construction site regarding an injured construction worker.

Campus Safety arrived on the scene to find that paramedics were already treating the victim, who was then transported by paramedics to Denver Health.

On Friday, Oct. 22, at 12:57 a.m., while on routine patrol, Campus Safety officers observed seven students in a room at Centennial Halls in possession of a small amount of alcohol. When confronted by the officers, the students surrendered the alcohol with no argument.

MICHAEL FURMAN

were two students and three unaffiliated minors, along with alcohol, marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Denver Police released the minors to the custody of a parent. The students surrendered the drugs and paraphernalia into Campus Safety custody and discarded the alcohol.

On Saturday, Oct. 23, at 3:25 p.m., Campus Safety responded to the Ritchie Center on report of an unaffiliated, unconscious person in a locker room. When the Campus Safety officer made contact with the person they were conscious but unresponsive.

Paramedics transported them to Swedish Hospital.

On Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 6:12 p.m., Campus Safety received a call from a restaurant near campus regarding an intoxicated student who had passed out near the entrance to parking lot P. An officer arrived on the scene, evaluated the student and called for assistance. Paramedics arrived and looked the student over before transporting them to Denver Cares. The student was later released to the care of their parents.

The Denver bike-share program sees about 500 trips daily. The program was established to promote health and reduce obesity, lessen traffic congestion, improve the environment in Denver by lowering carbon emissions and provide an affordable transporation option.

R E P O R T

On Saturday, Oct. 23, at 10:21 p.m., Campus Safety contacted an unaffiliated male in possession of drug paraphernalia. The male was unable to provide identification and Denver Police issued him a warning regarding the posession of drug paraphernalia on campus.

On Friday, Oct. 22, at 4:41 a.m., an unaffiliated male party had tried to gain access to residence hall rooms at Centennial Towers and had urinated outside of the building. The male was intoxicated and aggravated.

Denver Police were called to the scene and arrested him.

On Monday, Oct. 25, at 12:03 a.m., Campus Safety responded to Centennial Towers on report of the odor of marijuna emanating from a student’s room. In the room

On Saturday, Oct. 23, at 1:49 a.m., Campus Safety contacted a group of two students and one unaffiliated party walking on East Asbury Avenue, one of whom had fallen and struck their head. All three members of the group appeared to be intoxicated and the two students were carrying false identification cards. Paramedics transported the student with a head injury to Denver Cares. The unaffiliated party was transported off campus

by Denver Police.

THEFT On Thursday, Oct. 21, at 1:13 p.m., Campus Safety took a report from a student who came to the Campus Safety Center regarding a bicylce stolen from Centennial Towers. The student reported the bicycle was left at a rack near Centennial Towers at approximately 1 p.m. the day before. When the student returned to retrieve it at 9:50 a.m. on Oct. 21, the bicycle was missing. The student was unable to remember if the bicycle had been secured properly.

On Thursday, Oct. 21, at 1:34 p.m., a Campus Safety officer was approached by a student who wished to report a stolen bicycle seat. The student reported that the seat had been secured with a lock to a rack in parking lot N at 10 p.m. three days prior.

HARASSMENT On Friday, Oct. 22, at 1:18 a.m., a Campus Safety officer responded to a call regarding a report of harassment near Penrose Library.

Upon arrival, officers contacted two students who reported that three unaffiliated males had shouted racial slurs at them and threatened harm. While officers interviewed the victims, two of the unaffiliated males returned to the scene and were detained by DCS officers until DPD was able to respond. The victims declined to press charges. Both suspects, who were heavily intoxicated, were transported by Denver Police to Denver Cares.

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October 26, 2010

Michael Bennet speaks at Sturm Restaurant serves

up $10 entrées, takeout on skewers

Continued from page 1 It also will serve some alcoholic beverages in special volcanoshaped glasses that will contain drinks like the Bangkok iced tea.

“We would like to call ourselves a lounge,” said Phanichamnuay, 31. The business partners intend to establish Skew as a location for the community to frequent before going out to bars or other events for the evening.

Apipattanamontree, Phanichamnuay and Phanichamnuay’s wife Wattra Phairatphiboon, 30, have been working for four months to prepare for the December opening.

The same design team behind local breakfast restaurant Snooze has worked on the interior of

Skew, which will offer three different seating areas: bar seating, a family dining area and a banquet table that will seat 8 to 10 people.

Skew will be the third restaurant operated by Phanichamnuay.

He moved to Denver from South Orange County, Calif., with his wife and Apipattanamontree to start this new venture.

“We’re very confident in our product,” said Apipattanamontree.

“Value, good food, a good setting – what more could you ask for?”

“Value – that pretty much says it all,” said Phanichamnuay of Skew.

Skew is located at 2070 S. University Blvd. Follow Skew Restaurant online at twitter.com/ skewrestaurant.

Free food, drink prior to games Continued from page 1 Following the carnival, there will be two games of the year, for both women’s soccer and women’s volleyball. Women’s soccer will play North Texas at 6 p.m. and women’s volleyball will play Western Kentucky at 7 p.m.

These games will be the final home games for both teams, in NATALIE PIPE

| CLARION

Senator Michael Bennet spoke Thursday at 9:45 a.m. in front of Sturm. Bennet, a Democrat, is running against Republican Ken Buck for Colorado’s open Senate seat. Michael Bennet was appointed to the spot by Governor Bill Ritter in 2009 to replace the seat that Ken Salazar vacated when he was selected by President Obama to be Secretary of the Interior. The election is next Tuesday, Nov. 2.

Debate over tax measures heats up

BY ERIN HOLWEGER News editor

Two opponents and two proponents debated the three tax measures on the Colorado ballot, amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101, last Tuesday at the Newman Center.

Natalie Menten and Debbie Schum, Colorado Tax Reforms activists, spoke for the measures.

Against were State Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, and State Senate President Brandon Shaffer, D-Longmont.

Aaron Harber moderated the debate, which was attended by about 35 community members.

It was part of Harber’s Colorado Election 2010 series, which has hosted debates for the state gubernatorial and senatorial races and for issues on the November ballot.

The debate primarily discussed the controversial Amendment 60.

Menten and Schum believe property tax increases and government spending are out of control, and this measure would successfully reduce the state’s debt and put money back into the pockets of individuals.

“If you think the government is going to reign itself in, you’re going to be waiting a very long time,” said Schum.

Penry said this measure addresses the right problem but is the wrong solution.

“The solution on a practical

level just doesn’t work,” he said.

“Fiscal conservatives in the state legislature all say this goes too far,” said Penry.

Amendment 60 would cut mill levies in half by 2020, which would lower property taxes statewide by 50 percent over the next 10 years.

Property taxes go to fund local schools, so school funding from property taxes would be decreased by half by 2020.

Amendment 60 would require the state to make up for lost property tax revenues from its general fund.

The state would need to supply nearly $1 billion by 2020 for school funding from its general fund, said Schum and Menten.

This would be impossible, argued Shaffer and Penry, considering the total state general fund was about $6.6 billion last year.

Nearly $1 billion in other services would have to be cut to fund schools.

“If you’re going to propose it, you have to tell us where the funds will come from,” said Penry.

Menten argued the money would come from current waste and over expenditures in state spending.

She mentioned that the state spent $5 million on supplies and $8 million on miscellaneous expenses last year.

Funding for schools could come from stripping these kinds of expenditures to only the necessities, she said.

Amendment 60 would also void all voter-approved tax increases above TABOR limits in counties and municipalities across the state. TABOR (the Taxpayer Bill of Rights) was an amendment to the Colorado Constitution in 1992 that limited property tax revenues to a certain rate. TABOR allowed for cities to overturn these tax revenue increase limits in popular vote referendums.

“We need to restore TABOR. TABOR is what allows us to decide where the money’s going,” said Schum.

This goes against the vast majority of voters in school districts, said Shaffer. Over 98 percent of school districts in the state have voted to exceed TABOR limits to allow their districts to raise more revenue for school funding.

Shaffer estimated that about 73,000 Colorado jobs would be lost from the public sector if Amendment 60 passed, including 21,000 teachers and 21,000 construction workers.

“This is not the time to take this step backward and decimate our economy,” he said.

Schum countered that theoretically no jobs would be lost in the private sector and she estimated taxpayers would save about $376 per year on average if the measure passed.

“When you see a government that’s out of control, it’s not just your right, but it’s your duty to interject,” she said.

which the teams will honor their seniors.

“Games of the year are a good way to make sure that students are getting involved in all the sports here at DU,” Hart said.

“The carnival will be a fun way for fans to socialize together and then have the chance to cheer on two of Denver’s teams.”

October 26, 2010

5

www.duclarion.com

Gambling is more than just luck, it is a grade in mathematics gambling allowed, it was stressed.

The interterm was so Clarion staff successful that it was turned into a course that is now offered If you ever plan on going to winter quarter on Tuesdays and Vegas, chances are you won’t win Thursday from 2-3:50 p.m. big.

In Hannum’s class, game This is simply cold, hard playing is both permitted and math, according to Professor a part of the Robert Hancourse grade. num’s class After going “Probability : t h rou g h The Mathall of the ematics of mathematics, Gambling.” probabilities Statistics, and statistics, probability students and other “dry spend the • Winter quarter. math-based remainder Tuesdays and material” are of the course transformed Thursdays, going through using the world 2-3:50 p.m. and casino games. and culture of 4-5:50 p.m.

T h e gambling as a a p p l ication center referaspect of the ence. class is highly Hannum stressed, and presentation is key. taught the course during the Poker chips, card decks and 2009 winter interterm, which table felts are the “props” to make allowed students to take their the classroom experience as realknowledge of gambling and the istic as possible. math behind it to the casino However, if you take this tables of Las Vegas. class solely to learn how to count In addition to trying their cards to follow in the footsteps of luck at the card tables, students the MIT students in the movie also listen to professional card “21,” you’ll be sorely disapcounters, casino attorneys, pointed. casino executives and experts, In addition to learning the ins all of whose professions lie in the and outs of the gambling industry, gambling and casino industry. the course also teaches about house For this course, not only was

BY JESSICA SPOMER

Probability: The Mathematics of Gambling

NATALIE PIPE| CLARION

Professor Hannum bases his course, “Probability: The Mathematics of Gambling,” on the techniques used by card counters and casino surveillance alike.

odds and casino surveillance.

Odds are that the house, or casino professional players, will beat you, and the

casino surveillance will be watching you get beat.

The aspect of surveillance in the casino industry is what

Hannum finds to be most interesting. Casino surveillance uses this same knowledge base to determine whether the amount of earnings by a gambler is mathematically feasible without cheating.

Surveillance in casinos consists of many different features, including body language detectors to those using the same math formulas the cheaters are using to try to “win it big” in Vegas.

Surveillance professionals are responsible for figuring the odds and determining the probabilities, and they tend to be comprised of former card counters who know exactly how to win.

What is most fascinating, according to Hannum, is that underneath the card and “gaming” aspect is an industry that is completely math based and logical. In other words, gambling becomes more than just luck.

So, while the odds of winning lots of money in Vegas to help pay those student loans is completely against you, the odds of having the opportunity to take a class that focuses on learning the math, the mystery, and the marvel of the gaming industry are very high.

Hannum will also teach Statistics I on Mondays and Wednesdays during the winter quarter in two sections: 2-3:50 p.m. and 4-5:50 p.m.

Interested in writing for Lifestyles?

Dining reviews, human interest pieces, art exhibits, student profiles, professor profiles, club feeatures and much more.

Write for the Clarion.

For more info, e-mail Deidre.Helton@du.edu

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:KR PRYHV \RX" Nominate a speaker for our May 13, 2011 event @ TEDxDU.com.

6

October 26, 2010

www.duclarion.com

Comedy Central holds rally restoring sanity, fear

BY DYLAN PROIETTI Opinions editor

Four days from now there will be a rally in Washington D.C. known as the Rally to Restore Sanity. This rally, hosted

by The Daily Show’s Jon Stewart, will be a much-needed breath of fresh air for this country.

Perhaps not even a breath, as this may actually be too disruptive.

Think of this event as a silent moment among a group of people that feel compelled to assert their belief that everyone has their own belief, but they don’t need to shout about it.

For anyone who has ever watched cable news, hearing their slanted opinions and feeling absolutely no rage boil up inside of you as you have no desire to publicly proclaim your moderate political stance, this rally is for you.

I’m not suggesting you attend, although if you are, I give you a modest, non-committal headbob. Rather, this rally seems like a concept that Americans may or may not want to incorporate into their own lives.

Clearly, those attending the rally feel a connection to the source, but, and I think they would agree, that is a choice for each

individual to decide.

If you happen to remember this article four days from now, however, maybe make the effort to not yell or push your opinion on someone for a full day. Frankly, you’re probably busy; I’m busy; and this day may pass like any other. If you are so inclined, and I use that in the most level way possible, feel free to contribute to the movement in any way you see fit.

If that means you decide (with quiet resolve) to attend one of several rally support locations, that you will let people speak without interrupting them or that you will stop stealing your roommate’s pudding (seriously, pudding?), then you may have contributed in a safe, sane way to this cause that some would deem great but others might disagree with, which is fine.

You may or may not want to support the Rally to Restore Sanity additionally, because this rally is also acting as a conduit for donations to DonorsChoose.org, which will raise money for educational charities.

Essentially, if you are reading this with mild interest but have no serious qualms with any of the content, but still maintain your own opinion, you may want to consider spreading the sanity on Saturday.

BY AJ GUNNING Entertainment editor

DU Nation, on Oct. 30 there is a rally, but not just any rally, a rally that will surpass all rallies, a rally funded by the common man’s common man (and Reese’s). I’m of course talking about Stephen Colbert’s Rally to Restore Fear.

Let’s face it, this Saturday we will experience the greatest moment in our nation’s history, greater even than the founding, than the end of the Civil War, than victory in Europe, than the Civil Rights movement, than Woodstock. What will happen on Saturday will be nothing short of the greatest transformation in the history of this country.

For far too long, this nation has been run by “sane” and “intelligent” men. DU Nation, this is unacceptable.

Since when has courage, fortitude and sacrifice gotten anyone anywhere?

This nation was founded on a principle of fear: fear of redcoats (even Santa can’t bring that fashion back), a fear of the Redskins (what if Shanahan takes them to the playoffs this year?) and apparently a fear of improperly imported tea from India.

DU Nation, how are we supposed to

sit around and have a rational and national discussion about the problems facing this country when there is so much to fear like a complete takeover of MTV by bad Jersey Shore re-runs or South Park being only half as funny as it used to be.

These are terrifying times, DU nation, when the rich are being so overburdened with taxes that they can only afford four Ferrari sport cars instead of five, when banks are so scared to loan they’re sitting on record profits and when our debt is large enough to buy the entire region of the Middle East (special sale: buy one political mess, get two free).

DU Nation, we need new leadership that can direct us down the path of fear - whether that’s Scientology (Tom Cruise, please don’t sue us), British invasion (of Katy Perry) or M. Night Shyamalan’s next film. In a country as large as ours, how is anything supposed to get done if we aren’t first given an irrational fear of it?

So, watch the Colbert Report all this week to get prepared for the exciting revolution occurring this Saturday, in Washington D.C., where, in one voice, this nation can finally declare, we are afraid (especially of bears, those Godless killing machines).

Pioneer Voices What are you going to be for Halloween?

AT LEAST

different opinions

CHRISTIAN KENDALL Sophomore California

ANGELINA ROMASANTA Freshman California

MELISSA MUSCATO Senior Colorado

LUKE MAISH Sophomore Texas

“I don’t know what I want to be for Halloween yet.”

“One night I’m going to be an Indian.”

“Jasmine from ‘Aladdin.’”

“I’m going to be a pirate.”

Write an editorial for the Clarion and have your voice heard.

Email: Dylan.Proietti@du.edu

Editorial Board ARIANNA RANAHOSSEINI

AJ GUNNING

Editor-in-chief

Entertainment

CORY LAMZ

STEVE COULTER

Managing

Sports

ERIN HOLWEGER

RACHAEL ROARK

News

Photography

DEIDRE HELTON

MEAGAN BROWN

Lifestyles

Online

DYLAN PROIETTI

ANIA SAVAGE

Opinions

Adviser

Assistants

Staff

MICHAEL FURMAN

Alyssa Samson Jeff Gentile Jessica Spomer Joe Kendall Jonathan Havey Morgan Speer Tulley Stapp

Photography GIGI SUKIN

News KIRSTEN CANGILLA

Copy ANDREW FIELDING

Online

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October 26, 2010

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‘Hereafter:’ a tale of life’s ever-after

BY STEVE COULTER Sports editor

In his new film “Hereafter,” director Clint Eastwood analyzes some big themes of life, death and the afterlife, the latter dominating the film’s other serious subject matter.

Eastwood, like his protagonist in the film, George Lonegan (Matt Damon), admits he does not know what happens after we die. Yet, the film offers a plausible and moving drama through three interwoven stories of living and dying that is more concerned with the humanistic aspect of death, rather than its religious component.

By choosing to steer clear of religion, Eastwood and screenwriter Peter Morgan are able to express what they imagine a human is capable of when he or she passes on.

The beauty of “Hereafter” though, is not Eastwood’s creative articulation of humans in the afterlife, rather it is how he brings together three vastly different people together in order to prove that we are all capable of living beyond death.

Then there is George, an-ex psychic with an extraordinary gift of speaking to the dead, who cannot connect or even come into contact with another human without having spiritual visions of one of their dead relatives or friends. George, a psychic, is an isolated man living in San Francisco, taking night culinary classes and working a blue-collar

COURTESY OF HOLLYWOODNEWS.COM

Award-winning actor Matt Damon and actress Bryce Dallas Howard star in Director Clint Eastwood’s latest project about the meaning of life and death.

factory job during the day. He doesn’t accept his gift as what it is - something that can be used to help others.

Rather, he hides from it, eschewing his older brother’s (Jay Mohr) advice that he should use it for profit. “It’s not a gift; it’s a curse,” George repeatedly states.

Damon is perfect as George, a character similar to some of his previous roles, but unique in a

lot of different aspects.

As the triangle of characters continue to live on after their own experiences with death, the message that Eastwood is trying to send becomes clearer to the audience, more than it should perhaps.

The film is a little contrived, however, it still works, because of the way Eastwood develops the three character’s stories.

Marie (Cecile de France),

an actress obsessed with her near-death experience, cannot relate to the world the same way that she used to; however she has a desire to live the life that was momentarily taken away from her.

For Marcus (George and Frankie McLaren), a quiet London schoolboy, it seems he is a half of the person he was before his brother’s premature death, which means he has to

learn how to become a complete individual.

He tries to find answers through various phony psychics, but it isn’t until a meeting with George where he realizes that there are no exact answers as to where his brother is now.

However, what Marcus learns is that we are all capable of living and dying. However, what matters is how we impact others while we are alive.

Upcoming concerts • Papa Roach Oct. 23 at the Filmore • Godsmack Oct. 27 at the First-Bank Center • Gary Numan Oct. 28 at the Gothic • Eli Young Man Oct. 29 at the Grizzley Rose • Tyrone Wells Oct. 29 at the Soiled Dove Underground • Particle Oct. 29 at the Fox Theater • The Congress Oct. 31 at Cervantes • Drake Nov. 2 at the Wells Fargo Theater

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8

October 26, 2010

Haunted house not so terrifying

PROVIDED BY KELLY NELSON

The 13th Floor Haunted House provides a few chills and thrills, but overall is overrated and overpriced. But if you’re really looking for a scare this Halloween, the best haunted house in town is your local Redbox.

The 13th Floor not worth the $20 investment

BY CORY LAMZ Manging editor

No, you don’t need to sign a waiver permitting the staff to touch you. No, they’re not going to pour a bucket full of live spiders on you. No, the 13th Floor Haunted House is not what you’d

expect it to be, but you’re still going to scream like a little girl.

Much hype surrounds the 13th Floor Haunted House.

Most of it isn’t true, but you’ll be screaming nonetheless.

Despite the name, the 13th Floor is only one floor, laid out in a large warehouse. But what a floor it is. Designed as a labyrinth, you’ll be walking through scene after scene of shocking sights.

Pop band, pep sound

BY JEFF GENTILE Clarion staff

Allstar Weekend has just about every trait that hipster nonconformists use to deride “mainstream” music.

A guitar consisting of little more than few chords; simple drum lines; cheesy electro-pop thrown in; electronically corrected vocals; and what’s worst is they were discovered by the Disney Channel.

These traits alone have put Allstar Weekend on every mainstream hater’s hit list. However, it’s a little stupid to condemn any band just because of the music they choose to play. So the real question is: as an electropop-rock album, is Allstar Weekend’s Suddenly Yours any good to listen to?

The answer is, not really.

As far as pop music goes, Allstar Weekend is above average, but nothing special.

The songs are catchy yet simple.

Bassist Cameron Quiseng actually seems to know his instrument well, and the rest of Allstar Weekend seem to have a good enough handle on their instruments to crank out

some catchy tunes.

However, there isn’t anything to hear that really differentiates Allstar Weekend from any of the other numerous pop-rock bands you can find in this day and age.

Allstar Weekend’s biggest issue is its bland, completely unoriginal sound.

Every song brings on an instant feeling of déjà vu, because every song has at least one song that sounds exactly like it.

Some might say that this is the nature of the pop genre as a whole, but artists like Passion Pit, or even Lady Gaga, have shown that you can make a poppy song with soul and originality.

Since the style and genre can’t be blamed for Allstar Weekend’s blandness, the blame falls squarely on the band itself.

Perhaps it was laziness or lack of originality that caused Allstar Weekend to have such a cookie-cutter sound.

Fans of pop music will probably enjoy Suddenly Yours, but they will probably enjoy any of the other major pop-rock boy bands, such as the Jonas Brothers or Honor Society, just as much.

The scares start even before you enter the haunted house. A zombie waits with you in line, going from one person to the next, with one creepy glance after another, to keep you occupied and, of course, to spook you just a little bit.

But the zombie is just one of several character actors there to creep you out. Or make you scream. Or both.

As you progress through

the haunted house, expect to encounter everything from a doctor gone berserk to a crazed prisoner. But don’t forget the hissing twin girls that follow you to the next area or the leftfor-dead soldier with an attitude problem.

Whatever the fear or phobia, the 13th Floor likely caters to it.

Darkness, clowns, heights – you got it.

The only problem is that

it’s going to cost you $20. For 30 minutes of freights, it’s a good investment. For a haunted house that fails to live up to its overhype, it’s $10 too much.

The 13th Floor Haunted House is located south of the Denver Coliseum, at 4120 Brighton Blvd. The 13th Floor is open through Halloween, from 7 to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.

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October 26, 2010

DU band packs the Hi-Dive Bemused, an alternative rock band, plays a live show Molly Cottrell performs

BY MEAGAN BROWN Online editor

The $6 cover didn’t stop students from pouring into the Hi-Dive Friday night when DU musicians Molly Cottrell and the band Bemused were playing.

The first band, Silver String, started the night off with a few songs before leading into solos by Cottrell. She took over the stage to huge applause and warmed up the audience with her first song, “Fellow Travelers.”

Cottrell is a singer-songwriter and has been writing her own music for seven years.

A senior vocal performance major at DU, Cottrell hopes to become a Grammy-winning performing and recording artist.

She is recording her demo within the next few months.

Though this was her first show at the Hi-Dive, Cottrell has previously had shows at Martini Ranch, Illegal Pete’s, Jordan’s, Dazzle, Mercury Café, Jazz at Jack’s and Alto.

You wouldn’t know it simply by talking with her, but when she gets on stage with a microphone and a piano, the deep jazz voice she has is surprising.

She has a vocal range that lures you in.

Combined with her smart, deep lyrics, it is no surprise

PRODUCED BY CHRISTIAN WOOD SEITH

Christian Wood Seith, left, and Colby Marks, right, play an alternative rock show at Dick’s Spoting Goods Park. Four of the members are DU alumni.

that she has been compared to Alicia Keys. She says she is really inspired by old school soul music like that of Otis Redding and Ray Charles.

“I thought Molly’s voice was way too big for the Hi-Dive and that kind of talent needs to be showcased in a bigger venue,” said

Lennon’s life examined Film explores famous singer’s life and tragic early death

BY JONATHAN HAVEY Clarion staff

“Nowhere Boy” is a film based on the life of Beatle John Lennon and specifically on Imagine This, written by his half sister Julia Baird.

It begins with his teenage years and takes us through his rise to fame and tragic death.

Young Lennon grew up under the strong influence of his mother Julia Lennon (AnneMarie Duff ) and his aunt Mimi Smith (Kristin Scott Thomas) who created the foundation for his future as a person and the indelible mark he was about to leave on contemporary music.

The film has created quite a stir in the UK since its release in December, capturing four well deserved British Academy Film Award nominations including Outstanding British Film, Best Supporting Actress for AnneMarie Duff and Kristen Scott Thomas and Outstanding Director Debut Sam Taylor Wood.

Aaron Johnson does a very good interpretation of John Lennon and reveals the mischievous antics of the teenaged singer and the constant internal battle Lennon fought inside of himself to find out who he was.

He is guided by the out-

standing performances of Duff and Thomas as his guardians through his very rough childhood.

Duff leads the cast with the best performance in the entire film by seamlessly embodying the character of John Lennon’s mother Julia. She’ll have an Oscar nomination waiting for her in the upcoming months.

These performances combined with the unique storytelling style of director Sam TaylorWood and writer Matthew Greenhalgh with the help of Julia Baird’s memoirs have created a film that is very different than a lot of films that focus on the lives of renown figures in history.

They focus on a narrow period of time and delve deep into the plot and story development giving the audience time to take in the entirety of the story, instead of stretching the film across a time period of more than 20 years.

The integrity that Wood and Greenhlgh produce with this style of filming allows the acting performances to flourish and the lost persona of John Lennon to be fully exemplified.

The journey the film takes the audience on in “Nowhere Boy” is embodied by the lyrics of the following song “Mother” from his debut solo album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band: “Mother, you had me but I never had you. I wanted you, you didn’t want me. So I just got to tell you goodbye, goodbye...”

Denver resident JD Snell. She sang a few songs with Bemused, including “Criminal” by Fiona Apple and “Son of a Preacher Man” by Aretha Franklin.

Lead singer of Bemused, Christian Wood Seith, said that they “definitely had Molly in mind when putting together

the show.” He wanted to create a DU-themed show and Cottrell “contributed a key part of the success.”

Bemused was created by Seith in January 2009, but the group members have been playing together for a little over a year.

There are four DU alumni that make up the band. Seith is the lead singer-guitarist, the drummer is Nic Thornsberry, the lead guitarist is Colby Marks and Rich Kimball is on bass.

Bemused is not new to the Hi-Dive and they say it is one of their favorite places to play.

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October 26, 2010

www.duclarion.com

Pioneers dig deep; avoid loss

BY STEVE COULTER Sports editor

MICHAEL FURMAN| CLARION

Freshman goalie Sam Brittain makes a diving save in Denver’s Western Collegiate Hockey against Wisconsin in last Friday’s 4-2 win. Brittain started both games in net for the Pioneers, limiting the Badgers to only two goals in each contest. Last year, the Pioneers and the Badgers played three times and in each game, Wisconsin netted three or more goals.

With 13 minutes left to play in the third period of Saturday’s contest against Wisconsin, the men’s hockey team faced a challenge—overcoming a 2-0 deficit.

Seconds later, senior captain Kyle Ostrow netted his first goal in the game, bringing the Pioneers back to life. With a little more than four minutes remaining, Ostrow finished off a nice possession with an assist from fellow senior Anthony Maiani.

The Pioneers (2-2-2) were able to hold onto tie the game 2-2, finishing their Western Collegiate Hockey Association opening series with three points (1-0-1) after a 4-2 in Friday night’s match.

“We talked in the locker room at the second intermission and I challenged our senior forwards,” said head coach George Gwozdecky. “I thought they played OK and were capable of so much more; and they certainly responded.”

The Pioneer line, featuring Ostrow, Maiani and senior Jesse Martin, was on the ice both times Denver scored and proved to be the difference maker.

After the first two periods, DU had outshot Wisconsin 27-15.

SEE UND, PAGE 11

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October 26, 2010

UND up next for hockey

Continued from page 10 “Continually finishing off around the net, in terms of scoring, is our biggest challenge right now,” said Gwzozdecky.

Going into the weekend the Pioneers had connected on just eight of 98 shots, making only eight percent of their shots.

Against the Badgers, the team struggled once again, scoring only twice on 38 shots on Saturday night.

“I don’t think our scoring percentage is that good,” said Gwozdecky.

No. 12 Denver was able to score their first power-play goal in Magness Arena on Friday night’s win. However, the Pioneers continued to struggle, going 1-11 throughout the weekend.

The final power play of the weekend occurred under two minutes to go in the second period of Saturday’s game.

The Pioneers used a line spearheaded by freshmen Jason Zucker and Beau Bennett.

“The line with Zucker, (Drew) Shore and Bennett had some tremendous shots,” said Gwozdecky.

“Our final power play of the weekend was our best power play this season. We didn’t score, but we created momentum with it.”

With enough early shots on the Badger defense, the Pioneers finally broke through in the third period.

“Best overall performance of this year,” said Gwozdecky. “After a three-point weekend, the guys realize what they are capable of then when they dig deep and I think they dug deep tonight.”

Fighting Sioux await WCHA play gets tougher for DU as they travel to Grand Forks, N.D., to take on No. 8 ranked North Dakota Fighting Sioux.

The Pioneers practiced yesterday and will hold practice today and tomorrow in Magness Arena.

DU departs Thursday morning and will get one practice in North Dakota before Friday’s game, which begins at 6:37 p.m. MST. “We’ll get off the plane and practically step on the ice,” said Gwozdecky. “So Thursday’s practice won’t be as thorough as we would have if we were playing at home.”

As the team prepares for its second WCHA series, freshman Sam Brittain will most likely be asked to start both games as sophomore Adam Murray is nursing a groin injury.

Brittain started both contests against Wisconsin, limiting the Badgers to two goals in each match.

“Sam relishes the opportunity to play in both games,” said Gwozdecky. “He held us within two (versus Wisconsin), knowing that if he did we could get the momentum on our side.”

As for naming a permanent starter in net, Gwozdecky said he is not making up his mind just yet as Murray has to recover from his injury in order for the staff to evaluate each goaltender.

“I would have to say his status is questionable,” said Gwozdecky.

Despite being swept last weekend against No. 6 Maine, UND is still a top WCHA opponent.

Last season, the Pioneers swept the Fighting Sioux in their four regular season matchups.

However, UND played defeated DU 4-3 in the semifinals of the WCHA Final Five, the first of two losses that ended the Pioneers 2009-2010 season.

Men’s lacrosse outscores pro players

RACHAEL ROARK

| CLARION

The lacrosse team outdueled competition from the Major League Lacrosse 20-15 last Saturday at Peter Barton Lacrosse Stadium. The contest was the Pioneers last until they play Feb. 5, 2011.

BY JOE KENDALL Clarion staff

The Pioneer men’s lacrosse team ended its fall preseason on Saturday with a 20-15 win over the Pro Players, a team forged by players from Major League Lacrosse (MLL).

The game marked the end of five weeks of fall ball, where the Pioneers held practice four times a week and competed in two different scrimmages, one against the MLL pros and another against a trio of college club teams.

“The NCAA allows you 17 contests that can mean scrimmages, games or whatever,” said head coach Bill Tierney. “Last

season we had 16 regular season games so we were only allowed to play one game in the fall.”

The schedule will look different for the Pioneers this season. They only have 13 regular season games, according to the schedule released on Monday afternoon.

“It gives us a little more leeway,” said Tierney. “[This year’s schedule] allows us to have a couple of scrimmages in the spring before our regular season.”

On Feb. 5 the team will compete in a preseason scrimmage in Chapel Hill, N.C., against the University of North Carolina and Georgetown.

According to Tierney, the team will be more prepared this

season because of the opportunity the 2011 preseason presents.

The Pioneers are looking to improve last year’s season, where they clinched the No. 9 seed in the NCAA championship tournament after winning the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference’s (ECAC) regular season title.

Tierney said he still needs to fill positions on the team that were created by graduating players, including senior captain and ECAC defensive player of the year Dillon Roy, who signed with the MLL’s Colorado Outlaws.

On Saturday, Roy played in the scrimmage against his former team, but was unable to shut down DU’s potent offense.

“We’ve changed from being a very good defensive team to a very good offensive team overnight almost,” said Tierney. “We’ve got to figure out who is going to play for us [on defense].”

Despite defensive gaps, the team has all of its attackmen back, including a group of talented freshmen and transfer players.

The offense, which scored more than 11 goals a game last year, is highlighted by two juniors, Alex Demopoulous and Mark Matthews.

Both players notched more than 48 points last year and were named to the first team All-ECAC. On Saturday, they combined for seven goals and five assists.

2010: TEDxDU

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12

October 26, 2010

FAST BREAK men’s soccer (6-5-4, 3-22 MPSF) DU 0, Sacramento State 0 (2OT) DU 3, San Jose State 1

what went right After four consecutive winless games, the Pioneers got the win Sunday afternoon, outplaying the Spartans in the second half of the contest. The Spartans jumped to a 1-0 lead only to have the Pioneers score three goals over a 24-minute period of time. Junior Jarod Stigall led the Pioneers with two goals and an assist.

what went wrong The Pioneers failed to put the ball in net this past weekend, until they scored in the 62nd minute of Sunday’s contest. The scoring drought spanned over four games dating back to Oct. 8.

up next

Denver hits the road to continue conference play against Cal State Bakersfield on Friday night. Then the team travels to the Pacific Northwest on Sunday to take on the University of Seattle.

women’s soccer (16-2, 10-0 SBC) DU 3, Florida Atlantic 0 DU 1, Florida International 0

what went right DU claimed the Sun Belt Conference regular season title with its overtime victory on Sunday.

Sophomore Kaitlin Bast won the game for the Pioneers in overtime, scoring her second goal of the contest. Freshman midfielder Nicholette DiGiacomo tied the DU single-season record for assists with 14 total after recording two on Sunday.

The Pioneers have yet to lose at home this season.

what went wrong The two goals scored on Sunday were the first goals that the DU defense had allowed in six games, breaking a streak of six consecutive shutouts from goalie Lara Campbell. So far, the Pioneers have only allowed three goals in conference play. Denver has won 16 consecutive conference games dating back to last season.

up next The team hosts North Texas for their regular season finale. The game is scheduled for Friday at CIBER Field and will begin at 6 p.m. Before the game, the senior class will be honored.

volleyball (13-14, 7-5 SBC) Colorado State 3, DU 0 DU, South Alabama 0 DU 3, Troy 0

what went right On Sunday, the Pioneers completed a two-game weekend sweep of Sun Belt Conference competition.

They were able to shutout South Alabama on Friday, then followed that performance by crushing Troy. Junior Alyssa Bonelli led the way on Sunday, recording 11 kills and eight blocks.

what went wrong In a midweek matchup against instate rival CSU, the Pioneers failed to win a set against the No. 15 ranked team in the nation.

The Rams (18-2) won every set by more than six, dominating 25-11 in the third and final set.

up next The Pioneers only have one game this week. On Friday night, they play host to SBC foe Western Kentucky in Hamilton Gymnasium.

Athletics undergoing NCAA evaluations, visit

BY TULLEY STAPP Clarion staff

DU athletics is undergoing a periodic evaluation of its programs by the NCAA, whose representatives visited campus earlier this month to interview administrators, coaches and student athletes.

As part of the NCAA evaluation process, the division of athletics and recreation assumed a selfevaluation of its 17 varsity sports, which was completed in May. The NCAA evaluators will analyze this evaluation in the coming weeks and DU should be informed as to its status as a Division I NCAA school by spring, according to Cynthia Rail, associate athletic director for compliance and student-athlete support services.

The evaluation, which occurs every 10 years, is a complete look at the school’s compliance with NCAA rules and regulations, as well as the welfare of student athletes and academic integrity.

The self-analysis process was conducted by a committee selected by Chancellor Robert Coombe. The committee consists of personnel from every area, including compliance, student support services, budget and finance and development.

“This process is an in-depth look into our athletic program,” said Cindi Nagai, DU athletic adviser and committee member.

“It helps us take a look at what we are doing here and ensures that we are maintaining high levels of honesty and integrity.”

According to Nagai, the committee has been preparing for this evaluation for the last 12

to 14 months by compiling documents required for the study.

Included in those documents are reports that show the school’s governance and commitment to NCAA rules.

Following the self-evaluation, the NCAA assembles a peer review team to evaluate all of the aforementioned documents.

This team is made up of athletic directors and compliance officers from other NCAA institutions, which arrived on campus Oct. 3 for a three-day comprehensive assessment.

During the review, different student athletes and coaches were asked about their experiences at DU. “They basically wanted to know how I liked the school, and my thoughts on the athletic department,” said Andrew Lay, captain of the men’s lacrosse team.

Lay met with the NCAA evaluators on Oct. 4.

“In my experience though, Denver has done an extremely good job taking care of its athletes, so talking to them about it was fairly easy,” said Lay. “I can’t imagine this program will have any trouble with the certification process.”

As for the school’s athletic success, Denver boasts a substantial athletics program, capturing 28 NCAA Division I championships.

Most prominently, the Pioneers men’s and women’s ski team and the men’s hockey team are perennial contenders for national championships in their respective sports.

“We have incredible athletes, coaches and staff here at Denver and this evaluation should resemble that,” said Nagai.

Volleyball eyes postseason

ANDREW FIELDING

| CLARION

Sophomore Lyndi Johnson, senior Kresson Vreeman, freshman Alex Turgeon and junior Alyssa Bonelli come together in celebration during a recent match in Hamilton Gym.

Coulter’s Corner

Clarion sports editor delves deep into sports world

A hero goes unnoticed Pittsburgh’s men’s basketball coach Jamie Dixon is a hero, but most sports fans wouldn’t know that. And it’s not their fault.

Steroids. Rape allegations.

Gambling. Drug misuse. Illegal recruitment.

These are the storylines that liter the sports sections across the country.

Yeah, this is the information the readers want, therefore is the most profitable, however this shouldn’t be the case.

The sports media scale doesn’t need to tip heavily toward stories regarding athletes and coaches who are caught doing wrongful activities.

Instead, there should be a balance between good and bad, giving the average sports fans more coverage about inspiring accounts of people doing things the right way.

If this were to happen, then maybe the motivation to create a better sports society would exist.

After all, it is the responsibility of journalists to cover all storylines and develop them to the best of their ability.

If this is a description of the job, then why did Dixon’s rescue of a women from a dangerous car accident end up on page 10 of the sports section in Monday’s USA Today?

As an aspiring sports writer, I can take only one thing from this—heroes don’t sell papers.

Rather, what does sell papers are stories about Brett Favre’s alleged scandal with a reporter.

Dixon’s heroism last Saturday night was eschewed and pushed to the second, third or fourth page of most sports sections on Sunday morning, and was even avoided by the Denver Post.

Meanwhile. a story regarding Tennessee head coach Bruce Pearl’s recruiting violation was on the front cover of USA Today’s sports section last week.

This raises the question, what should sports fans demand from their sports media?

A friend of mine, who is a die-hard Pitt basketball fan, hadn’t heard about the story until I texted him yesterday, two days after Dixon sustained cuts to his hands from a broken windshield when he was helping a woman inside a car that had flipped over and crashed.

I am sure that plenty of papers did get around to covering Dixon’s account, like ESPN on Monday morning, however was it too little, too late?

Dixon made his team’s practice on Sunday morning, despite his injuries.

On Saturday night, he was one of only a handful of people to pull over and help the situation.

Later he was referred to as a “good samaritan” by the state police on the scene.

It was an act that went above and beyond his duty as a coach, but not something that was beyond his duty as a human being.

Maybe that is why he didn’t get the attention he deserved.

Steve Coulter is the Clarion sports editor.