TAYLOR SWIFT’S ‘1989’
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Swift fully embraces her pop side in this new album Page5
Duhawks prepare for NCAA Tournament Page 7 November 13, 2014 — Vol. 93, Issue 7
Mediation team competes in national tournament in Georgia by CASSANDRA BUSCH
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| news editor
The Loras mediation team consists of six students and is led by faculty advisor Dr. Mary Lynn Neuhaus, a communications professor. This past weekend, the team traveled to Gainesville, GA, in order to compete in the national competition along with other collegiate teams from across the nation. Mediation is the process of facilitation by a neutral third party that aids two parties in a dispute with negotiation and voluntary decision-making. The mediation process is used to solve disputes between two parties that wish to resolve their issue outside of the court system. For college-level mediation, three to five students receive a two-page case. Students can take the role of an advocate, client or mediator. The client-advocate team competes against another client and advocate team from another university. They are evaluated by judges, who award them points based on oral advocacy, teamwork, creativity, listening, critical thinking skills and professionalism. The mediation process consists of numerous smaller parts. There are a few different types of gatherings that make up this process. A “conference” consists of having both parties in a room at the same time. There are also private meetings between mediators and each party, and this is called a “caucus.” Neuhaus has been the mediation team coach for 15 years, as long as the team has existed on campus. She decided to coach the mediation team after receiving extensive training in the area of mediation in the summer of 2000 in Chicago, where she attended courses at a law school and became certified as an instructor in alter-
The mediation team traveled to Georgia to compete in the national portion of the International Intercollegiate Mediation Tournament. photo CONTRIBUTED
nate dispute resolution. “We encounter conflict every day and for many people it causes stress. Learning to solve problems and create alternatives is helpful and valued in the workplace,” Neuhaus said about the benefits of mediation. The current Loras mediation team is composed of six students: seniors Mark Chapman, Gabbi Herrera and Mark Fuentebella, and sophomores Lucas Tully, Dallas Knapp and Emily Decker. This past weekend, the national portion of the International Intercollegiate Mediation Tournament, sponsored by the InterNational Academy of Dispute Resolution (INADR), took place at Brenau University in Gainesville, GA, a city about 75 minutes
northeast of Atlanta. There were 50 teams in attendance, including Loras, University of Dubuque and UW Platteville. Each round of mediation has six people: two mediators from two separate teams, a defense side consisting of an advocate and client from one team, and a plaintiff side also consisting of an advocate and client from one team. There are two judges. Mediators are judged on how they handle everything. They begin with opening statements that should include things like how the process works, building rapport, and remaining completely neutral between the two parties. Then the advocates and clients are judged on how well they represent
“In court cases, either the plaintiff or the defense can win the case. However, mediation allows for win-win outcomes.”
Mark Fuentebella
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a senior on the mediation team
their certain parts, how well they support their case, and how creative they are in finding solutions. Fuentebella joined the mediation team this year and enjoyed the experience of being a part of it. “I like mediation because it allows for both parties in a conflict to walk away with something,” said Fuentebella. “In court cases, either the plaintiff or the defense can win the case. However, mediation allows for win-win outcomes.” The team took first place in the Advocacy portion of the competition, and Neuhaus was awarded the International Coach of the Year award. Although the team did not advance to the international competition, they plan to continue building a strong team dynamic next year. “National championships are always nice, but as Mark Chapman said upon returning from nationals, he learned so much about himself — his ability to listen better, to persuade others and to critically think has improved,” Neuhaus said. Any student interested can join the team, and should contact Neuhaus if they are interested or have additional questions. Practices begin each year after Labor Day, and take place three times a week.
18 schools attend Loras’ psychology conference Highlights included keynote speaker Dr. Randy Larsen, alumni speakers and presentations from current psychology majors by CLAIRA SIEVERDING
| for the lorian
This past weekend Loras hosted the 24th Annual Tri-state Undergraduate Psychology Research Conference. The conference consisted of a career and graduate school panel, a keynote address, undergraduate research presentations, and a graduate school fair. In attendance were 192 students and 21 faculty from 18 different institutions. “This was the largest and most representative of psychology programs that the conference has ever had,” psychology
professor Dr. Mary Johnson said. “The keynote speaker is nationally renowned for his personality research and that was particularly exciting.” The keynote speaker and Loras alum, Dr. Randy Larsen, gave a captivating presentation on the psychology of happiness. He dispelled a common myth stating that only 10 percent of our happiness is derived from circumstances, which includes income/wealth, gender, age, marriage, religion, education, and beauty. “The keynote speaker was awesome.” said senior psychology student Nick Kasten. “The different research he analyzed before conducting his own study is a good example for the undergraduates.” Another alum and recent president-elect of the Iowa Psychological Association, Dr. Catalina D’Achiardi, provided
students with insights regarding the current status of careers in psychology. Loras psychology students presented posters, visited with graduate school representatives, and benefited from all of the information provided in the keynote addresses. “Seeing the work that other people are doing makes me both motivated and inspired to continue my own work in the field of Psychology,” sophomore psychology and spanish major Mary Phillips said. “In talking to the speakers, professors, and other students, I realized just how much excitement and passion exists in this field.” The conference boasted record numbers, and organizers hope that it will continue to grow in coming years, making a positive impact in more and more students’ lives.
photos by CLAIRA SIEVERDING
Undergraduate students are given the opportunity to explore the field of psychology further by presenting their own work, listening to keynote speakers, and visiting booths of graduate schools.
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Chemistry Carnival makes science fun by MORGAN REA | for the lorian
This past Saturday, the Loras student chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS) hosted the first ever Chemistry Carnival. During this three hour carnival, the St. Joseph Science Hall hosted elementary -aged children who participated in handson chemistry-related demonstrations and activities. All of the activities were aimed to show how chemistry affects everyone’s life – from using sodium polyacrylate as a super-absorber in diapers to testing for starch in food! There were five rooms total, each which had its own chemical theme, such as the “Chemistry of Your Body” or “Green Chemistry.” Some of the most popular activities included rock-candy making [an activity in which children could watch and learn about crystal formation] as well as silly putty synthesis [an activity where participants could make their own putty and learn about synthetic polymers at the same time]. In addition to these popular activities, over a dozen additional demonstrations remained. An “It’s not Magic, It’s Chemistry” show was also performed every hour by Dr. David Speckhard and Dr. Edward Maslowsky. During this show, children were dazzled and amazed by demonstrations with liquid nitrogen, fiery explosions, and more. They also learned that the real “magic” behind these spectacular sights is actually chemistry in action. Though an exact count was not obtained,
News
The Lorian Nov. 13, 2014
photo by MORGAN REA
Elementary students participate in chemistry activities to learn about just how much chemistry affects their daily lives.
an estimated 300-500 people attended this event. The ACS officers and their moderator, Dr. David Oostendorp, helped to execute this event. However, this success would not have been possible without the amazing volunteers and ACS members who ran the hands on activities, nor would have it existed without Dr. Christina Edwards, who came with original vision of the carnival and was the chief organizer of this event. The funding from this event was also generously provided by the local ACS chapter. The Loras ACS and Chemistry department hope that this year’s success will lead to another carnival next year, with more chemistry to astound and excite.
Giving Tree gives back to children in need
turn the gifts and the child’s information tag to Campus Ministry and the gifts are distributed As the holiday season officially begins, to the child’s family just before the holidays. the Loras College Social Work Council is Additionally, participants have the option again helping Christmas dreams come true of making a monetary donation. All donathrough the Giving Tree. tions are used by the Social Work Council to “This year we wish to make sure every purchase necessities for those children not family who requests help for Christmas readopted from the tree. If any money is left ceives it,” Giving Tree student coordinator over, games and toys are purchased to make Teage Browning explains. the child’s Christmas extra special. The Giving Tree is an annual program Finally, participants can get involved which provides Christmas gifts to chilin the Giving Tree by becoming part of the dren, from newborns to teenagers, who’s team that raises money and advertises the families are in need and may not be able to program. It is not necessary to be a social afford even the necessiwork major to get involved. ties. The program is adLast year the Giving ministered by the Social Tree helped over one hunWork Council, which is This year, we wish to dred and sixty children made up mostly of Social make sure every family have a wonderful holiday Work Majors, in conjuncthrough the generosity of who requests help for tion with Operation New Loras students, faculty, View, a local community Christmas receives it, staff, alumni, and othaction agency. Operation Teage Browning er Dubuque community New View first identifies Giving Tree student coordinator members. and provides names and “In an ideal world, there information about famiwould be no need for help,” lies and children in need said Browning. “As long as to the Giving Tree prothere is a need, Giving Tree wishes to help gram. Then, the Giving Tree provides various options for people to help the children Christmas dreams be met.” in need. For those interested in meeting these First, participants can adopt a child from dreams this year, whether it be through dothe Giving Tree, get the child’s information nations of time to raise awareness of the Givincluding their name, age, and clothing ing Tree or donations of money to purchase sizes, and then shop for the necessities and gifts, please email Teage Browning at Teage. extra gifts if possible. Participants then reBrowning@loras.edu. by MAGGIE WELDIN | staff writer
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One-year anniversary of Typhoon Yolanda
UNICEF have shifted to more long-term efforts such as providing monetary help to 15,000 families to pay for basic necessities, strengthening the healthcare system by distributing vaccinations, and improving sanitation by building latrines and more sanitation structures. Many Filipinos are displeased with by CASSANDRA BUSCH | news editor how their government has responded to the crisis, but thankfully these humaniToo often after a natural disaster, tarian groups and other volunteers are communities are aided for a short period of time with immediate recovery stepping up to rebuild their communirelief and then left alone to rebuild by ties. The rural and more impoverished areas were hit especially hard, and these themselves after it seems that the maare the areas where too many are still jority of damage is restored. However, homeless, lacking schools and proper these places are in need for potentially sanitation. Many Filipinos have stepped years after the disaster actually occurs. up in their own communities to help lead UNICEF is an organization that does its restoration efforts. best to follow through with the commuHundreds of local volunteers have nities that they aid, so that they can get been rebuilding latrines, installing fauback on their feet and restore quality cets and building septic tanks in schools of life to equal or better and other public buildthan before the disaster. ings. These locations are This week marks the This week marks essential to the Filipino one year anniversathe one year communities in order ry of Typhoon Haiyan, to provide a safe place also known as Typhoon anniversary of for children, and in adYolanda, which struck Typhoon Haiyan, dition they could serve the central Philippines also known as as possible safe places las t ye ar in m id- Nofrom future natural divember. It was a CateTyphoon Yolanda, sasters. gory 5 storm, one of the which struck the strongest storms ever There are additioncentral Philippines al long-term plans put recorded, and impacted the lives of more than 14 in place by local and last year in midmillion people. Yolannational governments November. da brought winds over as well throughout the 200 m.p.h. along with country. In the city of torrential rain, which Tacloban that was hit tore through the Philippines with a venespecially hard, the government has a logeance. It displaced over four million cation to build an elevated road connectpeople from their homes, some of whom ing the city to two coastal towns nearby are still living in temporary shelters. that would serve as a dike to hopefully Over the last year, humanitarian relief prevent such devastation from possible effort groups have been working tirelessfuture disasters. ly to bring aid to those suffering in the Although much has been done by Philippines. UNICEF has inoculated 1.3 UNICEF, the Red Cross, other humanmillion children against measles, helped itarian groups and the Filipinos themto provide 1.3 million people clean waselves to recover from this disaster, ter, given 500,000 children hygienic there is still much work to be done. It supplies, built 2,000 temporary learngoes to prove just how long recovery can ing spaces, provided 620,000 children take from such a large-scale incident and with school supplies and assisted more also the importance of international parthan 40,000 children with psychologiticipation in relief efforts such as what is cal support. More recently, the efforts of going on in the Philippines.
UNICEF and other international humanitarian groups continue to help rebuild areas of the Philippines that are still suffering from last year’s disaster
Opinion
The Lorian
Nov. 13, 2014
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2016 cycle will yield pipeline debate I
t happened. There was a Republican wave and now Congress is dominated by the Republican Party. But that’s OK, because there are only two more years until 2016, when Democrats have a much more favorable map and a second chance. Instead Dallas Knapp of talking about what the elections mean, or forecasting into 2016, I would like to draw attention to something that has been under the radar in recent months, global warming. Much of the attention from the last election cycle had to deal with President Obama, the Affordable Care Act and where politicians stood on those issues. In the 2016 cycle, I expect a rise in
‘KNAPP’ TIME
global warming as a talking point. I expect as well as Sen. Mitch McConnell’s, there this for a couple of reasons, one being the was talk of finding common ground upon Democratic primaries for the presidential which to compromise. One of those areas election. Primaries are generally host to where common ground can be found is politicians trying to appeal to its party’s in the Keystone Pipeline. Sen. McConnell base in order to get knows, as does Obama, the nomination, that there are enough When the pipeline followed by a run to votes in the Senate to the center in order pass the legislation starts to be debated on to get the moderate allowing the pipeline. the floor, I bet that the vote. I am sure the When the pipeline environmental groups, 2016 cycle will be starts to be debated on no different and will the floor, I bet that the ranching groups, and follow this same environmental groups, Native groups will all trend, so nominee ranching group and start to garner more hopefuls will all Native groups will all be trying to cast start to garner more media attention. themselves as the media attention. To top most environmentally it all off, another reason friendly candidate. that global warming will Another reason I see the issue returning again enter the public debate is because of to the stage is because of the Keystone a change in leadership in the House. With Pipeline. During the president’s speech the election of new House members and
‘Turn-ip’ for being a vegetarian I
by CASSANDRA BUSCH| news editor
get a lot of questions about my vegetarianism. I don’t really mind, honestly. I’m used to them. My dietary habits are extremely different than most people’s, and I think that this tends to fascinate. Some people are almost caustic, however, and they take their jokes too far. No, I am not a rabbit. No, I do not sneak pieces of meat when people aren’t with me. No, I am not dying from a lack of protein. I’ve been a vegetarian since I was four years old. I’m the only one in my family that is, and I became one of my own free will. I was a big animal person when I was little [still am], and once I found out what meat was… gone were the chicken nuggets, hamburgers and hot dogs. Since it’s been so long, I don’t even really remember what it tastes like, and so I can’t really respond to the question, “Don’t you miss bacon?” And no, no matter how confident you are that you will be able to convince/tease/trick me into eating meat, I won’t. Not even for $100 dollars. As a funny side note, family on both sides have been butchers in the past, including my grandpa who even owned a meat shop. Every single time I see him, he asks if he can make me some bacon and eggs for breakfast. Some people argue with me that by being a vegetarian, I’m disobeying God. I’ve been told that I’m sinning because God gave us the animals for the purpose of consuming them. People have told me that animals are placed on the earth to eat, and by refusing to do so I’m basically denying God’s gift. I could
respond with the quote from the Bible that says, “And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so.” [Genesis 1:29-30]. God gave us plants for food for humans and animals, just as much as he gave us the animals. I really don’t think that God hates me for not eating hamburgers. At least, I hope not. People become vegetarians for all sorts of reasons. Some include health related motivations, religious reasons, objection to the standards to which some animals are subjected to in the process, or they plain just don’t like meat. Whatever the reason, some vegetarians are very protective of their decision and feel that it is a very personal one that they would rather not discuss with others. In my case, I’m usually always up for a lively debate about the pros and cons, unless I’m hungry, and you’re keeping me from my meal. I will get cranky if this is the case. But otherwise, I don’t mind the curiosity. A little warning though, not everyone is as willing as me to talk about being a vegetarian, and we already get quite a bit of flak about it … you may find that although they don’t eat meat, vegetarians can have a pretty big bite.
No bad deed goes unpunished Over the past three years, we have spent a lot of time in the library. Sometimes, this means sitting hour after hour at a table, staring at our computer screen, desperate for human contact. Eventually, this longing to make eyecontact with somebody, anybody, actually motivates us to move away from our computer and take a lap around the library (or, if we are feeling ambitious, the ACC). When we do this, we leave our laptop out. Sometimes we leave our phone out. Maybe we even leave our can of Pringles out. You have seen those tables in the library. The ones that sit empty for 10, 15, 60 minutes at a time. Papers, books and computers are there even though you haven’t seen a person around in quite a while. No, we are not going to complain about those who hog prime real estate. We dread carrying our books around as much as the next person. What we do want to do is highlight an
issue that we have noticed the past few weeks. Why have our friends’ bikes, iPhones and purses been stolen? Why is it that we can feel comfortable leaving a large chunk of our possessions unattended in the library for hours on end, but we cannot leave our bike in our garage? Or why is it that if someone misplaces their iPhone for a few minutes, it suddenly disappears? We can’t seem to come to terms with the fact that, in public, we are able to leave everything so vulnerable. But the minute there is no one watching over us, it becomes ‘cool’ to steal. This isn’t a scene from “Les Mis.” People aren’t stealing of loaf of bread from the café. Students’ valuables are most likely being stolen by other students. Let’s get our act together. But for now, I’m thinking that I won’t be leaving my phone (or the Pringles) lying around the library any time soon. — Lorian staff
the retirement of others, there is always a change in who leads what committee. One such change is happening to the environmental committee in the House; they are getting a new chairman — Jim Inhofe. Inhofe is controversial because he is a climate-change denier, even going so far as to say that the Bible is proof that climate change is not real. As you can tell there is a clash of ideals; how can someone that doesn’t believe in climate change help prevent it? Well, that question is to be made into a campaign issue. Already the Democratic Party is setting up plans that center in on Inhofe’s comments as chairman, using his actions as a way to paint Republicans as sellouts to big money and out of touch with the American people. Only time will tell whether or not the Democrats succeed in their objectives, but global warming will for sure come back into the limelight.
Ode to Room 347 A
llow me to indulge, dear readers, in the spirit of the season as I dedicate this week’s letter [and I do consider them letters] to my dear friends of Room 347. If heaven has Saturdays, I plan to spend them all sitting at a round table in a brilliant library with 30-foot wooden ladders and dark-wood Kalli Miner shelves. And there I’d like to chat with some of the best thinkers and authors of the past. How totally content I would be to merely sit and listen to the likes of Wilde, Camus, and Dostoyevsky, and ask them questions over some red wine. For now I’ll spend my Saturdays hiking and spending time in my mind in the woods, a solid second best for sure. But, I still do think about what life would be like if I could spend my Saturdays in that library with those incredible minds. Saturdays are, after all, really great days. But, Mondays are the best these days because they’re as close as I come to that dream. Every Monday at 5:15, I climb the stairs in Hoffmann Hall to a cozy, nearly forgotten room where I spend the next hour or so in an almost heavenly Saturday. Now please, do hold with me until the end here. This isn’t a religious letter, and it could be most beneficial for those who are especially opposed to religious adherences. So, please, tuck any assumptions and judgments away for just a short while longer. These meetings are formally referred to as Bible studies. And though we do, indeed, evaluate and discuss Biblical lines, we do so, so much more than that. Picture this: this group is made up of, I kid you not, an atheist, an agnostic, a Muslim leader, some pretty die hard Catholics, at least one protestant, and couple of seekers. Yes, I know what you’re thinking, this sounds like the beginning of a very off-color joke. But I’ll tell you, these meetings, this group, is so very special and the conversations we’ve had enriched my own life so much. And, those who have come and gone because of distance, graduation, whatever,
‘MINER’ DETAIL
have said similar things. Just this week I was randomly contacted by two people who used to attend who told me they missed the group terribly and the discussions even more. To use more contemporary vernacular, we are all really just a bunch of ‘randos’ who have no real reason to be together other than the fact that we discovered through some coincidental grape vine that we have similar interests and a need for valuable and difficult conversation. And more, that we needed more diverse minds with which to have those conversations. So, this isn’t a call to evangelize and recruit for this Bible study. As you’ve probably realized, we’re all really there to learn from one another, not to convert each other. I don’t think that any of us ever expected that this small meeting would turn into what it has, or that it would grab the attention of the people that it has. However, in retrospect, I can honestly say that these people have had the single biggest impact on the way that I think. And more importantly, the way that I love because of the culture that has manifested itself in that room, one that we all carry with us now. I’m not sure if our facilitator knows it, but it’s a pretty understood thing between those of us who attend the study that his teachings have impacted all of us in unbelievable ways. Nowhere else on this campus have so many minds been opened and so many hearts brought together. I’m a senior now and reflecting on my college career is something I’ve been doing a lot of. When I left for college, I wanted so badly to break free from the manufactured, mass-produced teachings of my generic high school education where we teach students to be producers, not thinkers. (Did you really think I’d make it to the end without mentioning social justice?). Twice this week I’ve been told I have a beautiful mind, and that is probably the highest compliment I’ve ever been given, though not because I think it’s true. It’s the best because I know that if I have conveyed this in anyway, it is merely a reflection of the lessons I’ve taken from the beautiful minds in room 347. And that is a gift that goes far beyond any classroom.
Editorial staff co-executive editor: MARY AGNOLI co-executive editor/ features editor: COLIN HALBMAIER news editor: CASSANDRA BUSCH sports editor: RYAN GRAHAM assistant features editor: SAMANTHA VATH assistant news editor: ELLIE HORST
assistant sports editor: DREW BRASHAW executive copy editor: HANNAH WAY head copy editor: KAITLIN YAHR copy editor: MARGARET SENTOVICH advertising manager: COLLEEN MULRY moderator: TIM MANNING
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The Lorian
Features
Nov. 13, 2014
Staying Fit is a
BRAIN GAME
Broke with Expensive Taste by MYCHOLE PRICE | staff writer
by CASSIE BUSCH | news editor
Working out to stay fit is on a lot of people’s minds. Going to the gym, lifting weights, running, swimming—these come to mind pretty fast when someone says that they want to get in shape. However, there’s a part of the body that’s often overlooked when it comes to being the best version of yourself: the brain. The brain is the center of everything in your body, and it has a starring role in whatever you do. Because of this, the brain should be at the top of everyone’s list of body parts that need “exercise.” Many of our daily life choices are actually detrimental to our brain health. We all need to take a step back, learn a little about our precious noggins, and do something to keep our minds sharp. Whether it is through diet, physical exercise, social time, or mental activities, there are plenty of ways to keep your brain moving and in good health. Your diet has a key role in brain health. Like the rest of your body, your brain needs a good balance of nutrients to function properly. It needs nutritious food that encourages good blood flow, and is low in fat and cholesterol. If you eat foods that are traditionally thought of as “healthy” for your body and keeping your weight low, they are most likely good for your brain as well. Maintaining a healthy weight has been proven to keep your mind working well until a later age. There was a study conducted on 1,500 adults that discovered that obese middle age adults are twice as likely to develop dementia later in the lives. Adults that have high blood pressure and high cholesterol have six times the risk of dementia as well. There have been studies conducted as well about foods that may help promote brain health. Fruit and vegetables with dark skins like kale, spinach, brussel sprouts, alfalfa sprouts, beets, eggplants, broccoli, raisins, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, plums, red grapes, cherries, etc. are all high in antioxidants, which are beneficial for good brain function. Fish high in omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial as well, as well as nuts like almonds, walnuts, and pecans. Social interactions are also important to keeping a mind sharp. Numerous studies have shown that activities combining physical, mental and social components are most beneficial towards brain health. One study of 800 people aged 75 years or older that had been physically, mentally, and socially active during their lives proved to have a lower risk for dementia. Activities that incorporate all of these facets include volunteering, certain clubs, traveling, being active in your work place. Mental stimulation is essential for good brain health as well. According to the Alzheimer Association website, low levels of education have been associated with higher risk and earlier onset of Alzheimer’s. Connections between brain cells are responsible for brain health, so it makes sense that the more education and mental activity someone has, the stronger the connection between brain cells will be. Activities that improve brain activity include reading, writing, doing crossword puzzles or sudokus, attending plays or lectures in the community or at Loras, gardening, or even just going for a walk. Finally, physical exercise is necessary. Physical activity keeps blood pressure and stress low, reduces the risk of diabetes, stroke and heart attacks, increases blood flow, and even stimulates the production of new brain cells. To be most effective, it should be done regularly, and for at least 30 minutes a day. In addition, doing exercises that are aerobic improves consumption of oxygen, which benefits brain functions. Just make sure that the activities you choose include protection for your head! Helmets and seatbelts are extremely important in protecting your brain. The combination of these dietary, mental, physical and social components will help to keep your mind sharp for as long as possible, and may help to prolong the onset of dementia of Alzheimer’s. Think about it! Your brain is responsible for everything you do, so it is so important to take care of it while you still can.
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Ever wanted to see your name in print? Join our team of writers and make your dreams come true! Sophomores and older get paid! If interested, let us know!
Colin Halbmaier Colin.Halbmaier@loras.edu
Mary Agnoli
Mary.Agnoli@loras.edu
The painfully long awaited rap album from the Harlem native, Azealia Banks, has finally dropped. Most might recognize her for the catchy and controversial “212” that was released back in 2011. After that exploded in the U.K and made waves here on the mainland, we expected another female rap sensation. Problems with her record company and her social media presence had us waiting for a new album with baited breath. But she’s delivered, and has a lot to say. This isn’t a traditional hip-hop album. Every track is based on a different genre. There is a bit of trap, jazzy hip-hop, house and a fusion of R&B. “Heavy Metal & Reflective” is clearly the turn up jam, with an ambience that’s enough to make any twerking-deficient individual give it a try. The sounds are unexplainable but the drums that ricochet off one another is a sound to be heard. “Ice Princess” is a trap-inspired Frozen-themed rap. Azealia shows her hood side and with opening lyrics “I’m so cold I’m drippin icicles/I go and take yo man that **** might miss you/spent his whole commission on my neck and ear/to stand around me [you] need to have ya winter gear,” it’s clear she pulls no punches. That track is the most comprehensible due to
lack of tongue twisters. But with the Tokyo/NYC jazz fusion track “Desperado,” your ears are teased by the spell binding lyrics reminiscent of 90’s hip-hop such as her second verse: “I be pretty, prissy, plenty plush and stuff/you be piggy-pissy, penny-crushed and crunched.” If you want to decipher that off the top of your head, go ahead. “Chasing Time” is a dance club track with a plethora of singing styles, soaring vocally and then trailing over a synth chorus but still giving a dose of her rap that spits faster than a kid on a sugar high. “Miss Camraderie” is like racing on Super Mario’s Rainbow Road to an intergalactic rave trying to escape astronaut police. It was a perfect ending to the album’s overall sound. Azealia Banks proves she can create music for all tastes. Whether or not she’s ripping new ones with her degrading lyrics or wants to uplift basic girls, she does it with a new spin and deserves credit. While all this time could have better contributed to fresh tracks, overall she proves her wordplay challenges Nicki Minaj and devours Iggy Azalea. Hopefully this album can put her on the map more than her feuds on social media.
BIG HERO 6
Disney’s latest film reminds us who the king of animation is by NINO ERBA | staff writer
This has been lingering for some time, but it has to be said: Disney and Pixar have switched places in the animated film landscape. While Pixar has tarnished its reputation with sub-par (by their standards) films like “Cars 2,” Disney has righted the course it’s on. The remarkable string of films it has released this decade continues with “Big Hero 6,” proving that its acquisition of Marvel wasn’t the kiss of death. Hiro Hamada (voiced by Ryan Potter) is a teenage whiz kid who’s exceptionally smart but preoccupied with illegal bot fighting. That changes when his brother, Tadashi (voiced by Daniel Henney), encourages him to participate in an exposition that gets him into the college of his dreams. Shortly after, a fire leads to disaster and he falls into a depression. With the help of Tadashi’s creation, Baymax (voiced by Scott Adsit), and a group of his friends, Hiro tracks down and fights a villain who’s using Hiro’s inventions for an evil plan. The movie plays out better than it sounds. It does fall into some of the clichés of both Disney (dead parents and a group of entertaining sidekicks) and Marvel (loss of a loved one and origin stories) movies of yore. But the film successfully accommodates both sides of the coin in an entertaining way. There are several components that push the movie almost into the stratosphere. One is the animation. We’ve had a string of films with extraordinary anima-
tion, including “The Lego Movie” and “How To Train Your Dragon 2.” “Big Hero 6” contains bright and colorful design, remarkable attention to detail, and exceptionally fluid animation. Another is how the movie meets the happy middle between Disney and Marvel. The two aren’t a match made in heaven, but given the track record that Marvel has had since the acquisition, it’s hard to complain about their output. For those too young for the superhero movie institutions like the Batman or Spider-Man movies, this will be a quality introduction. It’s not too scary or violent, and the writers do a good job of hitting the right tone. It’s wide appeal is something for the whole family to enjoy. However, the true star of the show isn’t even human. Baymax, an inflatable healthcare robot, is so lovable that it’s almost too much. He’s not very bright and is sometimes painfully slow and socially awkward. Despite this, he’s big, fluffy, and just plain hug-able. If Disney decides to make shorts revolving around Baymax, don’t be surprised. Big Hero 6 has competition at the Oscars this year. Will the brand recognition of Disney help it edge out “The Lego Movie” and “How to Train your Dragon 2?” It’s hard to tell, but this film is a worthy nominee. Keep your eyes peeled next year.
The Lorian
‘No’ Your Way to the Top by MAGGIE WELDIN | staff writer
From a rejected applicant for an internship at a non-profit, to Director of that same non-profit two years later, recent Loras graduate, Beth Kelchen, proves your degree does not dictate your job opportunities. She explains that her wide variety of experiences led her to her current position as Director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Dubuque County. Kelchen started at Loras College intending to work in the healthcare industry and graduated with a degree in Athletic Training. Looking back at her journey, she realized that “the more experience I had, the more I enjoyed what I was doing and the less I saw myself sticking with my major,” which is a common obstacle for many college students. Kelchen’s first college job was at her local swimming pool in Cedar Rapids. During her sophomore year, she was drawn to Dance Marathon and became an AmeriCorps member, donating time as the DM Community Outreach Co-Chair coordinating a variety of fundraisers within the community. While Kelchen dabbled in National Service, she still had her eye on the healthcare industry. With the goal of gaining some real world experience, she became a Patient Care Technician at St. Luke’s Hospital thanks to her athletic training background and personal connections. During the second semester of her sophomore year, she was informed of an internship with the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, which is sponsored by UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital, through the CEL office’s Service Learning Coordinator, Maggie Baker. She applied, but was denied due to her conflicting schedule. Kelchen’s junior year began with administrative assistant positions with both the Physical Education and Sports Studies office and the Campus Safety office. The director of RSVP then emailed her informing her the intern position was open. Kelchen applied again, was offered the position, and accepted knowing it would combine her love of service with her interest in the healthcare field, since the program is sponsored
by the hospital. Because of her remarkable work ethic, Kelchen was asked to complete a second internship running the RSVP office while the Director was out on maternity leave. She accepted, knowing the variety of experience she could collect. Kelchen has also held positions as a Green Iowa AmeriCorps member, an intern at United Clinical Laboratories, a Billing and Clerical Specialist at Mercy UCL Lab and an intern at the City f Dubuque Human Rights Department working on the Volunteer Generation Fund Grant. It is her wide variety of experience that gave her the courage to apply to for the Director of RSVP position. She explained, “When I first applied for the position I wasn’t sure I would get it. The listing stated a minimum of 6 years of human service experience was needed and a degree in volunteer management or human services. I honestly think that my internship with RSVP paved the way for me to be able to obtain this position.” Beth Kelchen is now happily married to Loras Alumni, Andy Kelchen, and is focused on her position as Director of the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program. She has some great advice for future graduates looking to position themselves for a great job. She says: 1) Don’t be afraid to hear “no.” I was told no the first time I applied to be an intern with RSVP and now I am the Director. 2) Make meaningful connections and stay in touch with people you worked with. Keeping in touch is a simple way for you to stay in their mind and maybe they will think of you if a job happens to become available. 3) You can make a career out of something that is not your major. Believe me, it is possible. Education is great, even better is the experience you get from the real world. If you can combine what you learn with what you are working on and apply it in a way that is beneficial to the organization, you are really utilizing your education well.
SWIFT SURPRISES by NINO ERBA | staff writer
It’s telling that the two most powerful artists in the music world made their mark in vastly different ways with their recent albums. Beyonce shocked the world when she released her self-titled album without warning, and things haven’t been quite the same since. Taylor Swift took the traditional route of releasing singles before “1989” hit the shelves and iTunes, but she made the dramatic move to pull all of her music from Spotify, putting an emphasis on seemingly obsolete physical sales. Considering that streaming has become a norm in today’s music world, T-Swift’s is unexpected. Apparently CD sales still matter, because “1989” sold more albums in its opening week than any album since “The Eminem Show,” which was released in 2002. Expect it to sell more, especially with the Christmas season coming around. Of course, this isn’t the only big news about “1989.” This is Taylor’s first official “pop” album, even if her music was as much pop as it was country. Her previous album, “Red,” gave us songs that could only be called “pop,” especially the epic “I Knew You Were Trouble.” Was it justified? Well, she did something incredibly smart: she embraced the synth. “1989” is full of synthesizer, synth bass and drum machines. She hasn’t given up acoustic guitar yet though, as “How You Get the Girl” and “This Love” still use it, although both songs aren’t as organic as some of her previous songs like “Safe and Sound.” All her new toys, however, are double-edged swords. As good as her synth fixation can sound, they need a strong or at least charismatic singer to provide cohesion, and while Taylor is definitely distinctive as a singer, she still needs work. Also, despite the amount of electronic instruments and reverb, “1989” doesn’t really sound like it dropped out of the titular year. It sounds too modern to stand alongside Paula Abdul or Gloria Estefan, whether it’s the lyrics or Taylor’s singing. Her singing is still one of her biggest liabilities. While it’s too much to ask her to be Adele or Beyonce, you’d think that with her millions, she could pay for voice lessons instead of a penthouse in NYC. She has improved over time, but she still has the throaty, squeaky voice that can rub ears the
wrong way. The next time she ventures into new territory, she would do good to work out the kinks. Also problematic is her choices of tone: she sounds too robotic in some places, while on the unnecessary “Bad Blood”, she sounds uncomfortably nasty. That said, Swift still manages to write some killer tunes. “Welcome to New York” is both catchy and uncomfortable, like a song you hear in the grocery store that hooks you, but doesn’t feel quite right. “Shake It Off” makes you wish Taylor would knock it off with her defensiveness, but its hooks are still steel-grade after all those radio plays, plus the Internet has produced a mashup video of that song with an actual aerobics video from the late 80s. What’s important is that she still can hit the bullseye: “Out of the Woods” is tremendous and proof that she should work with Jack Antonoff more often. “Wildest Dreams” finds her imitating Lana Del Rey, and it works, even it doesn’t ooze enough summertime sadness to be the real deal. “This Love” (the only song she wrote herself) and “Clean” (a collaboration with Imogen Heap) are lovely ballads that she should think about using for her future singles. That is, if her fans don’t land them on the Hot 100 as they are. So, on a reinvention level, this album can’t touch previous pinnacles by artists like Madonna or Pink. Were Taylor to churn out an electronica record or a more punk album, that would be a transformation. However, before Taylor can start going on her next world tour, doing any more commercials for Diet Coke, or even finding her next boyfriend-ofthe-month, she needs to slow down and lay down the groundwork for her voice, both artistically and literally. She clearly has it in her to produce mature, outstanding work, but she needs to be consistent. And she also needs to realize that even some of the biggest superstars dramatically refine their voices as they grow. When she can achieve the kind of steps forward with her singing that Madonna, Pink and Beyonce achieved in their careers, perhaps she can be the phenomenon that so many people clearly see her as right now. Given how many albums she’ll sell with “1989,” her fans at the moment might not care as much. Let’s hope that as they grow up, Taylor will do the same.
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Lorian Leven
Eleven Ways to Multi-task and Save Time for the Over-Involved Student (AKA any Duhawk)
by ELLIE HORST | copy editor
1. Clean your shower while you are in it. Before you clean yourself, wipe down the shower walls with that spray your mom left in your closet. 2. Waiting in line for CAB movie tickets or the Cafe to open? Organize/delete old pictures or text conversations off your phone. 3. Call your parents while walking to class—that way you only have to talk for 10 minutes, but Mom will appreciate it enough to send a care package. 4. Going to the AWC to workout before class in the morning? Sleep in your workout gear! Don’t worry—no one will notice your wrinkly clothes while you’re squatting 350. 5. Made your roommates a 5-star meal? Do the dishes while it’s is cooking. (This also works if you’re microwaving ramen; wash the bowl from last night’s meal so you can repeat the process when you’re hungry again in 2 hours) 6. Have your Tweets read to you as you’re getting ready for class— you’ll be caught up on the drama and still look decent enough for a yearbook picture. 7. Make an intramural team with your friends—hangout with friends as well as get some exercise! 8. Have a friend who is stressed about registering? Take them grocery shopping with you. It’s a chance to get them off campus, and they can vent to you while you’re making sure you have enough peanut butter to last until Mom’s next care package. 9. Fold your laundry during your favorite Netflix show or movie. When your roommate says you’re lazy, you can let them know you got your laundry done. 10. Read an assigned book/article while biking on a stationary bike— homework and health! 11. Write a Lorian article while reflecting on your week. Catharsis and recognition!
Wasting Time Turning clicks into cash. by COLIN HALBMAIER | co-executive editor
Productivity enthusiasts everywhere are still trembling from the aftershocks of the Farmville Incident, during which millions of people across the planet put aside their responsibilities to tend to their crops and beg their neighbors for help. The concept of a timesink is nothing new, dating back to the earliest days of assisted procrastination. Today, games like Candy Crush dominate the distraction market, keeping men and women just like you and me from doing the duties assigned to us. It is an epidemic beyond compare, and today, I am reluctant to admit that I have been infected. I first discovered Clicker Heroes a few weeks ago when making my usual rounds on the internet. The premise is simple enough: fight monsters by clicking them, then spend your gold to upgrade your clicks and hire minions to click for you while you’re away. Like most games, it starts out small. Click a monster a few times to take away its measly ten lifepoints. Now, on the verge of reaching level 100, I face a monster with one sextillion lifepoints. Written out, that equates to 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 points of health to take care of. Where did it all go wrong? It’s actually a carefully constructed system of work and rewards. In any timesink game, you begin feeling powerful. Upgrades are cheap and levels are easy. Slowly, they begin to turn up the difficulty. You’re still flying through the competition, but now you have to think and plan out your time. Before you know it, you’re waiting several hours for the next level to unlock, or sending Facebook invites to your friend asking for an extra life so you can beat just one more level on Candy Crush before you turn in for the night. It’s a vicious cycle, and one that is not easily broken. By that point you’re invested, and if the creators are lucky, willing to pay a dollar or two to make that long wait go away. The scary part is that it works; in its first fiscal quarter, Zynga, the creators of Farmville, reported that the game had generated about $235 million in revenue. That comes from in-game purchases and ad revenue. It’s estimated that only 1-3 percent of players actually pay, but simply by opening the page, you’re paying them through ad revenue. That’s a lot, given the 236 million players they had in the beginning. So why am I still playing Clicker Heroes? Truthfully, I don’t know. Part of me is stubborn. Part of me likes the feeling of success, even at the cost of my time. But in the end, I’m willing to bet that if you ask someone why they’re playing Candy Crush, they’ll look at you and shrug, making some kind of excuse about how it’s something to do. We say we’ll stop after the next level, but the next level never comes. It gets pushed back and redefined. We live in a world that wants to give our time away, and there are plenty of companies out there willing to turn that into their own profit. After all, it’s just clicks, right?
Mind & Soul
The Lorian
TIPS with TRISH Too Close for Comfort Dear Trish,
I have a new friend at Loras who is starting to seem kind of “clingy.” He doesn’t like his roommate, and therefore wants to hang out in my room all of the time. I have tried giving him hints about wanting some time in my room alone or doing things with other friend groups, but he is clearly not picking up on the hints or choosing not to. Any suggestions about how to tell him to give me some space without hurting his feelings? I really like him, and I’m afraid I’m going to start really NOT liking him soon. -Help for the Needy
What are you looking for? the life that is true life: We Need God for EVERYTHING by FR. GROSS | for the Lorian
MASS TIMES at Christ the King 5:15 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9 p.m. Wednesday 8 p.m. Sunday
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Trish says:
The Lorian is beginning a column by Tricia Borelli, Director of Counseling Services. Here she will answer student questions concerning anything that relates to keeping it together while doing this crazy thing called college. Send questions or comments to Ms. Borelli, Loras Box 100, or to the e-mail address tricia.borelli@loras.edu. All names of those sending questions will be kept confidential.
Hey Duhawks! I hope the semester is going well for you. I want to share with you a scripture passage that has challenged me and now comforts me. I think it can do the same for you. I love the Gospel of St. John chapter 15. In verse 5, Jesus says, “Without me you can do nothing.” When I was younger I always had a problem with this Scripture. I thought, “Do I really need God for everything?” I could get up, take a shower, eat breakfast, study, go to class, be athletic, and ask a girl on a date presumably without of any God’s help. I always believed that he gave me the gifts to do all those things when I was younger. I always believed, “God helps those who help themselves.” The older I get the more I think that phrase that we have heard in life isn’t all that true. If Jesus said, “Without me you can do nothing,” I think he really meant. If God is good, then why do I think that he would make impositions on my life? If he is good, he wants my good. When the reality of God’s love
Nov. 13, 2014
and God’s goodness for me took a greater hold of my heart, the scripture passage that bothered me has become one that gives me the greatest comfort and consolation. To know that without God I can do nothing takes the pressure off life. It leads me to adopt a posture of spiritual receptivity instead of thinking that I have to make all the realities happen in my own life through my effort. This doesn’t mean that I become a natural and spiritual couch potato that takes no initiative in life. Rather, to know without God that I can do nothing inspires me to always desire God’s love. That takes work. It takes work when we need God for everything we do, from waking up to loving our neighbor. I think that is one reason why it takes effort to acquire the habit of going to Sunday Mass every week. There are times in life when we deceive ourselves and think that we don’t need God. There are times when we want to tell God that we can handle our lives without his help. There are times when the consequence of Adam’s sin affects us, and puts the thought into our minds that God doesn’t have our greatest good in mind for our lives. That’s why being open to God takes work. That’s why it takes consistency. That’s why we have to persevere. So let’s make an effort to be open to God. I know this is old fashioned, but let’s go to Sunday Mass no matter what. Let’s at least give the Lord one hour, and tell him that we need his help and grace. Jesus said, “Without me you can do nothing.” He meant it. So let’s live in Christ!
ADORATION at St. Joseph’s Chapel 9 to 10 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday thru Friday
Sounds like a little a case of dependency. Someone who is dependent may not be okay with spending time alone or may not see value in spending time with other people. Other signs of this can include persons who are overly trusting or “overshare” and tell all when giving personal information. People who have unhealthy boundaries also tend to not be able to read social cues very well; so “hints,” as you put it, will likely not work because he doesn’t recognize them. He likely has some insecurities and self-doubt. I appreciate that you are being sensitive to your friend, but the truth is, you need to be assertive. Assertiveness is a learnable skill and a mode of communication. It is when you are respectful of yourself and respectful of the other person. This is different than being passive which is only taking into account the feelings of others and not yourself. You are being rather passive in this situation. The reverse, or aggressiveness, is when a person only takes into account their own feelings and not the feelings or rights of others. If you are not direct with someone about their tendency towards neediness, your feelings of annoyance towards the person will only increase and can lead to aggressiveness. Assertive communication is truly the best way to handle this situation. Sit down and talk to you friend using “I” statements like, “I really like hanging out with you but I also like my space.” Or, “I am overwhelmed because I’m not used to spending so much time with people. I would like it more if we could make time to study together or go eat in the café in the evenings.” If you can talk to the friend, one on one, it will be better for both of you and likely save the friendship. The more the person feels secure about the friendship and themselves, the more comfortable and less clingy they are likely to become. Good luck.
Rethink what it means to be ‘thankful’
itude. His passing reinforced the ideas of beby JACKIE RUSS | staff writer Thankfulness. Appreciation. Acknowl- ing grateful for the time I had with him, his edgment. Gratitude. Have you ever really relatively good health, and being able to see thought about what these words mean? him [along with the entirety of my extended Sure, when you’re asked what you’re thank- family] before he passed away. Following the death of my two grandpas, ful for, you probably respond something like this: “I’m thankful for my family, friends, a I was really struggling with a lot of different roof over my head, food in the refrigerator, things – life, faith, school, friends, etc. I menclothes on my back, etc.” Some people may tioned earlier about being grateful for my be thankful for good health or even their struggles, and despite how incredibly difficult faith. Don’t get me wrong, these are all and trying these times in my life were, I am wonderful things to be thankful for and we more and more grateful for them each day. should acknowledge and appreciate them, These struggles, along with others that aren’t but have you ever thought about being mentioned here, have made me who I am tothankful for struggles or dark/trying times? day. They have allowed me to be more sensiThis is not something I would have nor- tive to others, more empathetic, more undermally thought about, but in light of some standing, and how important it can be to “just things that have happened in my life, I have be” with someone who is struggling. I have become much more aware, take fewer things learned to be grateful for the wonderful comfor granted, and try to accept an attitude of munity we have here at Loras and how lucky gratitude. I don’t wish struggles or dark I am to attend such an incredible institution. times on anyone, nor am I always true to It took a while for me to see, but after being told repeatedly to look at how what I’m writing. I’m human, blessed I was, my eyes were after all. I have learned to opened. I had been looking at My sophomore year here my situation the wrong way. at Loras was the beginning be grateful for When I was stressed about of my recognition of how the wonderful school, it was pointed out important thankfulness and that I should be grateful to community we gratitude are. Over fall free be attending a school where days of that year, we moved have here at I was taking classes difficult my grandpa into assisted Loras and how to stress me out. When I was living. While it was difficult lucky I am to struggling with faith, it was to see him leave his house, pointed out that we grow I was thankful that he was attend such through struggles and that I still around and relatively an incredible should be grateful to have so healthy, as well as for the institution. many opportunities to grow additional help and care he in my faith as well as have would get in his new home. knowledgeable and helpful He didn’t spend much time in assisted living before falling and ending resources to go to with my questions. When up in a nursing home before passing away. I was struggling with life in general or with Obviously at the time, I didn’t see any good friends, it was pointed out that things had to in this situation, but looking back, I have so go right first in order for things to go wrong many things to be grateful for. The first was and that I should be grateful. I may have gotten tired of hearing this that I had the opportunity to spend 19 years getting to know my grandpa and learning phrase, that I should be grateful for my strugfrom him. The second was that he lived to gles because it meant that something had to be be 87 and was relatively healthy the entire going right, but it has sunk in. As I reflect back time. The third was that I got the chance to on the struggles of my past as well as my cursee him one last time before he passed away. rent struggles, I try very hard to try to see the In addition to these three things, I have de- good or at least one or two things to be thankveloped a deeper appreciation for my family, ful for in a situation. It hasn’t been easy and both immediate and extended as well as my probably won’t get any easier in the future, but that isn’t going to stop me from trying my lineage. Later in my sophomore year, my grandpa best to see where I can be grateful in every siton the other side of my family passed away uation. This holiday season I encourage you unexpectedly. This one was a bit harder to to be intentional about what you’re thankful take than the first one just because it was for and look beyond the typical answers to the so unexpected. I again learned about grat- question “What are you thankful for?”
Sports
It’s playoff time
photo by KATHERINE EDWARDS
Junior forward Richard Lenke fights for the ball during the Duhawks’ 2-1 win over the University of Dubuque during the semifinals of the conference tournament.
early advantage. Tyler Salzwedel corralled the ball in the penalty area and beat Adam Roloff to take the 1-0 lead. Wartburg 3, Loras 2 (2 OT) The Duhawks finally got their equaliz 1 2 OT OT F er when Tom Fluegel laid the ball off to No. 7 Loras (15-2-2) 0 2 0 0 2 Pizzello, who beat two defenders and sent the shot home to tie it at one. This lead No. 22 Wartburg (12-3-5) 1 1 0 1 3 wouldn’t last for long, however, as Wart*Wartburg wins on penalty kicks, 5-4 burg received a free kick after a yellow 44:55 WART Tyler Salzwedel card on Calvin Miller. Kevin Krueger’s free 77:49 LOR Mike Pizzello (Tom Fluegel) kick found Jay Tegge who set up Zubeen 79:50 WART Zubeen Azari (Jay Tegge) Azari for the goal. 85:53 LOR Calvin Miller Azari nearly added a second goal when he took a chance in the 81st minute, but Adam Roloff was able to stretch out and by FRANK FERNANDEZ | sportswriter After a bye in the Iowa Conference tour- make the save. Building off that defensive nament, the Duhawks looked to capture effort, Calvin Miller was able to equal the their fifth consecutive tournament cham- score with a header. With the scored tied at two at the end pionship. Their quest began with a matchup against the University of Dubuque of regulation, the Duhawks were heading into overtime for the second straight Spartans. The Duhawks struck first in the 68th game. Both teams had chances in the two minute, when junior Tyler Kruikshank overtime periods, but were unable to sent a ball into the box. The shot caromed off a defender, right to the feet of soph- cash in for a goal. The game now headed omore Kyler Olsen. Moving to his right, to penalty kicks to decide an Iowa ConOlsen beat three Spartan defenders and ference Champion. The Duhawks consent his shot into the upper 90 to give the verted on their first three PK’s by Simon, Fluegel, and Olson and the Knights anDuhawks a 1-0 advantage. The Spartans did not waste time equal- swered with three successful PK’s of their izing the score. In the 77th minute, Bran- own. Tied at 3, sophomore Jonah Jacke don Wiley fired a left-footed shot past stepped up for the Duhawks. His shot was sophomore goalie Adam Roloff to even turned aside by Austin Boyke and gave the game at 1-1. With the score now tied, it the Knights the momentum, leading to would be a dogfight until the horn sound- the game-winning goal by Brady Anderson and a conference championship for ed. With no goals from either side, the the Wartburg Knights. Coach Dan Rothert did not seem to be game moved into overtime. In the 98th minute, first-year Spencer Moore sent a too worried after the loss. “It was tough to end the conference long ball over the Spartan defense that found the feet of Tyler Kruikshank. He tournament like that, would’ve liked to see sent a one-touch pass to junior Bryan a victory, but mental errors held us back,” Irwin who blasted the winner top shelf he said “We know there are little things to to send the Duhawks to the conference fix, and we will improve before the NCAA tournament.” championship game. Even with a loss to Wartburg, the DuThe stage was set for the Iowa Conference Championship Game between hawks were given an at-large bid in the the Duhawks and the Wartburg Knights. NCAA Tournament. As the top seed in the North Region, Loras will also host the These rivals were regional round, facing off for the which takes second time in the Playoff Preview place Nov. 15-16. last four games, Statistic Loras Westminster Loras will bewith the Duhawks gin tournament taking the first Scoring offense 18th (2.79) 13th (3.05) play Saturday Goals against 93rd (0.97) 111th (1.02) match-up 3-1. Assists per game 26th (2.05) 18th (2.21) against WestminMuch like that first Save percentage 263rd (73.2%) 259th (73.3%) ster College (MO) game, Wartburg Win percentage 16th (84.2%) 121st (60.5%) was able to take the in the Rock Bowl.
Iowa Conference Championship
The Lorian
Nov. 13, 2014
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DREW’S VIEWS
5 perks of marrying a sports hater
I
spent this past Sunday evening sitting snugly on my couch, watching joyfully as The Packers whipped the Bears like rented mules. Although my wonderful wife, Jenni, was sitting right by my Drew Brashaw side, the two of us may asst. sports editor just as well have been on different planets. Had an uninitiated passerby gazed into our living room window at any point during those three rapturous hours, he would have seen me bouncing around in my seat with a big, dopey grin on my face, engaged in a spirited one-sided conversation with the television screen. All the while, my wife sat perfectly calm and motionless beside me – earbuds firmly implanted, and eyes glued to season 4 of “Portlandia” on her tablet. The aforementioned hypothetical voyeur would likely assume that one of us was crazy. I’ve got news for you, creep: you’d be right. You see, Jenni isn’t a sports fan. My mind began to wander a little bit as the game wore on – as one’s mind is wont to do when the score is 42-0 by halftime – and I began to imagine how my life would be different if my better half shared my passion for sport. To that end, I give you “5 Perks of Being Married to a SportsHater”: 5. I only have to buy one ticket I know what you’re thinking: “But Drew, you’re a high-profile sports writer – surely you don’t need a ticket to get in to a football game.” Unfortunately, however, a homemade media credential with The Lorian’s logo on it doesn’t carry much weight outside of the Iowa Conference. Have you priced tickets to an NFL game recently? And I’m not talking about teams like the Minnesota Vikings – I mean for teams that people would actually pay to watch. It’s insane. Throw in the price of a beer and a hot dog and pretty soon we’re talking about a serious monetary investment. If my wife cared enough about sports to accompany me to the game, I’d be financially ruined. More often than not, I prefer to watch the game at home anyway, and when I do… 4. There’s never any argument about which game to watch on TV We’ve all been in this situation before: you’re watching intently as your favorite team battles it out against a bitter rival, when someone in the room chimes in with: “Can we watch the Chiefs game instead? I have Jamaal Charles on my fantasy team.” Or worse yet: “C’mon, the World Series is on, let’s watch it!” Not in my house. Sure, I might have to
do some lobbying occasionally in order to put a game on the TV at all - but when I do, it’s the game that I want to watch. There can be no conflicts of interest when one party is entirely uninterested. Also, because of Jenni’s complete and utter apathy towards all things athletic… 3. I never have to explain anything Similar situation to the previous scenario: you’re locked in to an important NFL game on the television when, suddenly, Jon Gruden says something that makes your girlfriend’s/wife’s/ sister’s/mother’s head explode. While you struggle futilely to explain what “Spider2 Y Banana” means, your favorite team makes the play of the year to win (or lose) the game, and you missed it. Thanks to my wife’s total abhorrence of sports, this fate will never befall me. Even if she wanted to, Jenni could not care any less than she does about zone blocking schemes, infield fly rules, or two-line passes. Even if Jenni feigned enough interest in these things that she asked me to explain them to her, I could tell her whatever I wanted, because in our home, on matters relating to sports… 2. I’m always right There are no dissenting opinions in the Brashaw household as it pertains to sports. If I say a coach should have opted to go for it on fourth-and-forever in the first half, then that’s what should have happened. If I say Phil Mickelson shanked a drive because his shirt was coming slightly untucked, then that’s the cause. If, in the midst of a rage fueled tirade, I say that Kirk Ferentz should be fired and publicly flogged, then that’s what’s up. My word is law. Regardless of how outlandish an assertion I make, the response is always the same: “That’s nice, Dear.” But lest my dictatorial, omniscient authority go to my head, Jenni provides a very nice check, because… 1. She keeps things in perspective for me Before Jenni and I met, I was a man who let his emotions get the better of him. A Packers or Hawkeyes loss almost always meant a week of anger and frustration for me. I never went so far as to put holes in walls, but I wasn’t the most pleasant fellow to be around when things didn’t go my team’s way. Jenni simply will not tolerate that kind behavior from a grown man, and it has actually led me to a more enjoyable viewing experience. I used to freak out; now I just watch. While it’s certainly important for a married couple to have mutual interests, there’s something to be said for separate spheres. To paraphrase a line from a famous Seinfeld episode, it’s good to be master of one’s own domain.
Swimmers struggle at Auggie Men and women fall to 2-1 after falling in Rock Island
performances, it was a lack of depth that proved to be the Duhawks’ Achilles heel. “We swam fairly well, but we just didn’t have the numbers that Augustana had,” by DUSTIN DAWSON | sportswriter The Duhawks traveled to Augustana said Coach Colin. The teams start this week of practice off College this past Friday in quest of earning in unknown territory following their first their third win in as many tries. This feat would be no easy task howev- losses of the season. Practice will be imer, as the Vikings came in ready to swim. portant these next couple weeks in order Augustana started the year out with an in- for the Duhawks to rebound. “We will prepare the same way we do evvitational in Bloomington, IL, but this was its first head-to-head match up of the year ery week and that is with hard work,” said Coach Colin. and they didn’t disappoint. The Duhawks get a Both teams saw Loras at Augustana well-deserved break their first loss of the this Friday, as the y e a r , a s t h e m e n Women......................... Event.............................. Men next time they return fell 152-67, and the Augustana.............400-Medley Relay............. Augustana to the pool will be a women, 130-87. The L: M.K. Maher................1,000-Free..............L: Michael Krol home meet against results of the latest A: Allie Patch...................200-Free............... A: Chris Wilson Simpson College on meet don’t tell the A: Nicole Olsen................50-Free.......................L: Ike Casey A: Emma Novak...............200-IM...........A: Adam Bernardi Nov. 21. Simpson whole story. A: M. McGregor............1-Mtr Dive...........A: Josh Wielinga has yet to compete “We had several L: Kim Breaux................... 100-Fly................ A: Chris Wilson in a head-on-head season (and at least A: Jamie Graf...................100-Free......................L: Ike Casey match-up, but will one lifetime) best L: M.K. Maher................. 100-Back.............A: F. Hernandez open its season this times,” said head L: Lexie Mollahan..........500-Free..........A: Adam Bernardi A: M. McGregor............3-Mtr Dive...........A: Josh Wielinga Friday against concoach Doug Colin. A: Jordan Johnson..... 100-Breast..........A: Ian Disteldorf ference opponent D e s p i t e s o m e Augustana................ 400-Free Relay................ Augustana Coe College. s trong individual A: 130, L: 87.................. Final Score.................. A: 152, L: 67
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The Lorian
Nov. 13, 2014
Sports COACH’S CORNER
The Angelo Effect
photo courtesy of JIM NAPRSTEK
Duhawks conquer the Norse Loras gets a much-needed win on Senior Day
with sophomore Jeremy Peters’ 41yard punt to the Luther 22-yard line with just over two minutes left in the game. Loras 22, Luther 20 “It was so important for us to get out of there,” Helminiak said. “I told Loras (3-6, 2-4) 15 0 7 0 22 the guys it was a moment of truth Luther (4-5, 1-5) 13 0 0 7 20 when we got out of the 1-yard line and got almost to midfield and burRobert Kelly 18-33, 162 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT ied them with that punt. We talked Calvin Smith 14 carries, 60 yards Nate Even 5 receptions, 34 yards, TD about it all week long — (Luther’s) Calvin Harridge 17 tackles not a team that can play from behind J.P. Awe 10 tackles, 2 sacks because of what they do. With a minute or two minutes left on the clock, 1st quarter Lor Lut they are not comfortable throwing the LOR 11:42 Carrier 30 yds from Kelly (Quigley kick) 7 0 football. It takes them completely out LUT 9:27 Vos 4 yds from Sirios (Knutson kick) 7 7 of their element.” LOR 9:15 K. Smith 90-yd kickoff return (Vatch run) 15 7 LUT 1:11 Cooper 25-yd run (kick blocked) 15 13 The head coach couldn’t have been 3rd quarter Lor Lut more right. Luther (4-5, 1-5 IIAC) LOR 7:26 Even 8 yds from Kelly (Quigley kick) 22 13 managed only 12 yards on their final 4th quarter Lor Lut possession before turning the ball LUT 12:29 Vos 9-yd run (Knutson kick) 22 20 over on downs, and the Duhawks (3-6, 2-4 IIAC) held on for a 22-20 victory by DREW BRASHAW| asst. sports editor on Senior Day at the Rock Bowl. “This was a huge win for us, espeHead Coach Steve Helminiak called cially where we’re at as a program,” it “a moment of truth.” Pinned down on their own 2-yard said Helminiak. “We’ve got ten seline, clinging to a 2-point lead with niors that are working their tails off. five and a half minutes to play, the They’ve been through so much adverDuhawks knew exactly what needed sity, and to finish it with a win in the Rock Bowl is huge. It’s big for the proto be done. On 3rd-and-8 from the Loras gram and it’s big for those guys. It’s a 4-yard line, first-year quarterback memory they’ll never forget.” Senior Day was much more than Robert Kelly hit senior wideout Nate Even for 12 yards and a first down to a ceremonial event for the outgoing move the Duhawks out of the shadow class of Duhawks — every senior in of their own goalpost. Senior running the lineup contributed to the Loras back Calvin Smith added a 21-yard victory. Senior defensive backs Mike rush for another Duhawk first down. Canevello, Dave Pirkle, and Tucker The drive stalled out at the Loras 37, Brady were instrumental in bottling but it chiseled 3:29 off of the clock and up Luther’s potent triple-option allowed the Duhawks to flip the field running attack and creating negative
yardage plays. Pirkle’s third-quarter strip of Luther’s J.J. Sirios, and Brady’s subsequent fumble recovery, set up an 8-yard Kelly-to-Even touchdown pass to make the score 22-13. Even, who missed significant playing time last season with a fractured clavicle, will return to the Duhawks next season to play out his final year of eligibility. The senior wide receiver stands on the cusp of breaking the Duhawks’ single-season records for receptions and receiving yards, needing only four catches and eight yards in Loras’ season finale to eclipse the respective marks. “I’ve got to thank the offensive linemen. They’ve been doing a great job,” Even said when asked about his stellar season. “Bob Kelly and Dylan Jones have both been throwing me the ball this year, and they’ve been doing fantastic. With the new offense this year, it’s just been great.” The standout receiver will relish the opportunity for another season in a much-improved offense. “I’ve been waiting three or four years for this,” said Even. “I’m glad I’ll be able to come back for one more year and really stick it out. I think we’re going in the right direction.” Loras football will close out its 2014 season this Saturday with a trip to Waverly to take on #5 Wartburg. The undefeated Knights locked up at least a share of the Iowa Conference Championship with last week’s 4110 drubbing of the Simpson College Storm and are automatic qualifiers for the NCAA tournament.
Loras wrestlers shine in opener this year’s team has a solid foundation on which to build. Weight......................................Champion(s) First-year 125-pounder Vincent 125 ........................................................Vincent Elizalde (Loras) Elizalde got the fireworks started for 133 ................................................................ Nick Miceli (MSOE) the Duhawks, earning a tech fall and 141 ........................................ Nick Steger, Troy Valdez (Loras) a major in his first two matches of the 149 ...................................Jimmy Davis, Evan Weaver (Loras) 157 .......................................................... Steven DeWitt (Loras) tournament. Elizalde dispatched two 165 ............................................Manuel Mendoza (Dubuque) more opponents on his way to the fi174 .......................................Jordan Richardson (Augustana) nals of his weight bracket, where he 184 ................... Thomas Reyhons, Eric Timko (Augustana) won a 7-4 decision over University of 197 ............................................. Jose Luis Hernandez (MSOE) Dubuque’s Joey Cisternos to claim the 285 .....................Jack Seamen, John Schraidt (Augustana) championship. “Vincent Elizalde had a solid first by DREW BRASHAW| asst. sports editor performance, that’s why we recruited The Duhawks’ season got off to him,” said Steward, adding, “As with an explosive start last weekend as the team, it was a good start for him Loras notched first-place finishes in personally. I look forward to watching four weight classes at the Knox Col- his progress.” Junior Nick Steger and first-year lege-Chuck Porter Invitational. Troy Valdez were each awarded firstBut don’t look for head coach Ranround byes in the 141-lb. bracket. Both dy Steward to be handing out laurels wrestlers earned two pin-fall victories any time soon. en route to an impressive all-Duhawk “In my mind it was critical for us final. Steger and Valdez opted not to to perform well in our first competi- wrestle one another to decide first tion,” Steward said. “It enables our and second places, and the teammates kids to see some reward for the hard were named co-champions. work and time they’ve put in. That beIt was déjà vu at 149, as sophomore ing said, I’ve stressed to the team that Evan Weaver and first-year Jimmy it was a good start – we now need to Davis advanced through their respecbuild on that start.” tive sides of the bracket to earn anothBased on their debut performance, er Duhawk co-championship.
2014 Chuck Porter Open Results
“We’re very pleased with the 1-2 finishes at 141 and 149,” Coach Steward said. “It shows that we have some quality depth at those particular weight classes. While I am happy with that, I won’t be satisfied until we have that quality depth at every weight class.” Far and away the most dominant performance of the tournament was turned in by senior Steven DeWitt. The top-seeded 157-pounder earned technical falls in all four of his matches, including a 20-2 smothering of Truman State’s Roark Whittington in the finals. Senior Joe Butler advanced to the finals of the 174lb. bracket, earning a fast pin-fall and two decisions before losing 10-6 in the championship round to Augustana’s top-seeded Jordan Richardson for a second-place finish. James Buss, Loras’ defending National Champion at heavyweight, did not compete. The top-ranked junior was held out of action with an illness. The Duhawk matmen look to continue their early-season success this weekend, as they travel to Decorah to compete in the Luther Open.
Y
ou watched it. I watched it. Last Sunday night, the Chicago Bears got absolutely dismantled by the Green Bay Packers. This wasn’t your normal, everyday loss either. It was bad. Real bad. 55-14 doesn’t seem to give justice to how horribly the Bears were shat on last weekend. They were outclassed, outRyan Graham manned and just plain bad. sports editor All season, the story has been about the Bears failing to live up to expectations. Last season, they had the second-best scoring offense in the league. Their defense was garbage, but with the addition of a few new pieces, many of us thought, “Hey, if the defense gets a little better and the offense stays the same, we could be looking at a 10-6 season!” Instead, the offense got worse, as did the defense (somehow), and ten weeks into the season, the Bears are 3-6. I’m beginning to think that our high expectations were misplaced. The fact of the matter is—the Bears just aren’t very good at football. They’ve allowed 50-plus points two games in a row. They have the worst defense in football. Their offense has been below average at best. Two of their three wins came against the hapless Falcons and the LOLJets. Their only quality win came against the San Francisco 49ers, in a game they likely would’ve lost if it wasn’t for Colin Kaepernick’s four interceptions that allowed the Bears to come back from a 20-7 deficit. So who’s to blame? Some have pointed the finger at Marc Trestman and the coaching staff. Others want to blame Jay Cutler and his lack of PASHUN. Some idiot meatballs even decided to harass Trestman’s daughters on Twitter for their favorite team’s recent shortcomings. [Bangs head on keyboard.] The fact of the matter is— the man who deserves the brunt of the blame isn’t even employed by the Bears. If we’re out here pointing fingers, the first one should be directed at Jerry Angelo. As I’ve said before, Angelo, the team’s former General Manager, set the Bears back ten years. Ten years of ineptitude. Ten years of wasted draft classes. Ten years of awful contracts. Ten years of people looking around saying, “Wait, this guy still has a job?” In the NFL, the best teams build through the draft. It’s not always about finding superstars. Sometimes, it’s about creating depth. According to an article from the Boston Globe, among the 53 players on the Bears’ current roster, only 11 were originally drafted by the Bears. This is the lowest total in the NFL. Other teams on the bottom of this list include the Buccaneers (1-8), the Raiders (0-9) and the Jaguars (1-9). At the top of this list, we find the Packers (6-3), the 49ers (5-4), the Seahawks (6-3) and the Patriots (7-2). Do you sense a trend? Angelo’s incompetency might not have affected the Bears in the early 2000’s, when they still had one of the top defenses in the league stacked with solid veterans. But guys retire (a la Brian Urlacher). Guys get old (a la Lance Briggs). Guys get hurt (a la Charles Tillman). Then what? Who do you have waiting in the ranks? Who’s your next Brian Urlacher? Briggs? Tillman? The true effect of Angelo’s incompetence is finally coming to a head this season. After years of clinging to their veteran leadership, those veterans are gone. That leadership is gone. Now what you’re left with is a hodgepodge of castoffs and journeymen that have been pieced together in a last-ditch effort to assemble something that remotely resembles a football team. Let’s take a look at the numbers, shall we? Of Jerry Angelo’s 82 draft picks dating back to 2002, only 21 are still in the NFL. Of those 21, a grand total of five are still on the Bears. Those players include: Lance Briggs (possible Hall-of-Famer, but old now), Charles Tillman (same deal as Briggs, also injured), Matt Forte (OK, nice pick), Stephen Paea (Ehhh) and Christ Conte (Bad). Sure, Angelo did have a few hits, but that’s still a retention rate of only 6.1 percent. Not good. Now let’s take a look at the Green Bay Packers draft classes from the same time frame. Among their 88 draft picks from 2002-2011, 34 are still in the NFL, while 19 continue to call Green Bay home. That’s close to a 22% retention rate, without even considering the draft picks from 2012-2014 that are still with the team. We’re talking about guys like Aaron Rodgers, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Clay Matthews. Not only that, the Packers have built up their depth as well with guys like James Starks, Andrew Quarless and Matt Flynn. Angelo may be long gone, but his spirit still haunts Halas Hall. Stop blaming Trestman and Cutler. What do you expect them to do? Look who they have around them. Ten whole years and all they have to show for it are two old guys, a solid running back, an underachieving nose tackle and arguably the worst safety in the NFL. Good luck with that.
GRAHAM SLAM
A Loras defender takes out the Luther pitchman during the Duhawks’ 22-20 win over the Norse. Loras held Luther’s tripleoption offense to 238 yards rushing, a far stretch from the 350 that they averaged coming into the game.