The Merciad, Nov. 2, 2011

Students to meet cast of ‘The Buried Life’

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NEWS

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November 2, 2011

Students to meet cast of ‘The Buried Life’

By Kelly Luoma Editor-in-chief

Mercyhurst College students will have the opportunity to meet and take pictures with the cast of MTV’s reality show “The Buried Life.”

“The Buried Life” is a reality documentary series about four men from Canada who travel across North America working on completing their list of the 100 things they want to do before they die.

Each time they complete an item off their list, they help a stranger complete a goal.

Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG) is bringing the cast of this show to the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC) on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

The cast will give a presentation to students for an hour.

“The Buried Life’s” speech is titled “What do you want to do before you die?” As part of their motivational speech, they will discuss their bucket list.

MSG doesn’t have many other details about the presentation.

“They didn’t really give us an

agenda,” said MSG Event Coordinator Shannon Kissel. “They didn’t tell us anything they’re going to say.”

After the talk, students can line up to get the cast members’ autographs and take a photo with them.

The autograph signing will take place in the Cummings Art Gallery for one hour. At this time, MSG will take photos of students with the cast of “The Buried Life.”

Students will write down the names of everyone in the photo, and MSG will then tag these students in the photo on Facebook.

Kissel said that students are not allowed to bring their own cameras to take photos with the cast.

“Within the contract, you can’t even bring your camera in the PAC,” Kissel said.

MSG will provide paper for students to use for the autographs. The members of “The Buried Life” will sign only these papers, and they will not write personalized messages to students.

MSG PR Coordinator Jeremy Dickey said that this rule is meant to keep the line moving.

“We want as many people as can

Contributed photo

The cast of “The Buried Life” will visit campus Tuesday, Nov. 8. get autographs,” he said.

MSG expects there to be a large crowd for the event.

“Right now we have over 450 people attending on Facebook,” said Kissel. “We are expecting to sell out.”

The PAC seats 800 people.

MSG President Meghan Hess said she is happy about the expected turnout because it shows that MSG serves the students.

“I think student government’s focus this year is student engagement,” Hess said. “We expect a sold

out place. How much more engaged can you get?”

“We’re really here for the students, and the students are really here for us,” she said.

Students who are worried about getting a good seat or who don’t want to wait in a long line for autographs should check out Louie the Laker’s Facebook page this week.

Starting Wednesday, Nov. 2, Louie the Laker’s Facebook page will announce locations around campus where VIP passes will be hidden.

He will provide the location of three passes a day through Friday, Nov. 5.

These passes will allow students to cut the autograph line and get special seating in the PAC. A total of nine passes will be announced through Facebook.

The event is part of the MSG Distinguished Speaker Series.

“This is the first installment of our speaker series, and we’re really excited for it,” said Kissel.

“We just hope the students are as excited as we are.”

“I like that the first speaker we’re bringing is not only informational but entertaining and relate-able,” Dickey said.

“The Buried Life” ties in with MSG’s yearlong theme, which is “This is Reality.”

“We’re really trying to make sure things we do reflect back to the theme,” Dickey said.

Even though the event is free, students should bring money because “The Buried Life” merchandise will be sold at the event.

The event begins at 8:15 p.m. in the PAC. Only students with a Mercyhurst ID will be admitted.

Judge speaks about Title IX in athletics

By Liz Zurasky Features editor

On Sunday, Oct. 30, Janet Judge, a coauthor of a manual on Title IX for the NCAA, came to Mercyhurst College to speak about Title IX and its relation to the academic world.

Title IX is an amendment to the Civil Rights Act that enforces equality among genders in the college or university setting, specifically in athletics.

Judge played multiple sports during her undergrad years at Harvard University, where, after graduation, she became the assistant athletic director. She then went on to pursue her law degree from Boston University. She started working with Title IX in 1993.

She currently owns her own legal practice and advises colleges and universities on how to comply with the Title IX amendment.

Judge explained that the general misconception about Title IX is that it refers to sports alone, excluding any discrimination experienced within an academic setting. This is incorrect.

The amendment simply states that “no

person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

Sophomore Laura Akin was intrigued when she found out this amendment applied to all areas of academia, not just sports.

“I was very surprised. I didn’t know it affected things other than athletics,” she said.

Judge focused mainly on the problems of equality in athletics, but she did mention that the law affects every area in this setting, including “grad school admissions, science, technology, engineering, math, technical education, employment, intramurals, club teams and sexual harassment.”

Senior Juliana Franks said, “It was nice to hear that instead of just worrying about equality in sports, Title IX is also there to protect the rest of us from discrimination.”

Although this law states that the amendment encompasses everything in a college or university setting, the most easily provable situation for inequality to arise is in the athletic department.

Along with the equal treatment of collegiate athletes, Title IX also covers different compliance areas.

Sarah Hlusko photo

Judge spoke on campus Sunday, Oct. 30, about Title IX.

Mercyhurst is doing its part to ensure that the Title IX amendment is being followed.

Assistant Athletic Director Sara Headley said, “Compliance with Title IX is something we continually strive for. It is not an easy thing to attain. Every decision made must be thought through carefully in how it may or may not affect or be affected by Title IX.” Sophomore Samantha Siegfreth, a field hockey player, said, “I believe that sports at Mercyhurst are pretty equal. We’re all well

equipped and get what we need.”

Some critics of the Title IX amendment think this law calls for universities to cut men’s sports programs. This is not the case.

Judge stressed that it is important that all sports teams get equal treatment, not just women’s teams.

“Seventy-six percent of a school’s athletics’ budget is spent on football and baseball.

This leaves a very small amount of money for other sports to work with,” Judge said.

Judge also noted the drastic rise in women attending college in the past 40 years.

“According to the Department of Education, the number of women in college is going to continue to increase in the next few years,” Judge said.

Therefore, it is important to maintain Title IX and continue to ensure that both genders are treated equally in all settings of higher education.

Headley said, “Ms. Judge brought up some interesting points regarding compliance, and I am confident her visit will bring about new discussion.”

Judge was part of the Exploring Gender and Relationships yearlong speaker series. The next event is a performance by René Marie on Sunday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. in the PAC.

NEWS

November 2, 2011

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SIRs can make a difference

By Alaina Rydzewski Managing editor

Writing in pen, filling in all the bubbles of a single column, not filling in the bubbles at all, putting checks or x’s in the bubbles instead of filling them in—these are all things students do on the Student Instructional Reports (SIRs) that make them unusable.

North East Admissions Counselor Katlin Hess, who was the graduate assistant in the Office of Academic Affairs for the 2010-11 school year, has seen it all. Hess was the person who received the SIRs and decided which ones could be sent for processing.

“One time I got one that said ‘This teacher was awesome,’ and also one that just had a full-page picture of Sponge Bob’s pineapple with a note that said, ‘Sorry this drawing is so bad.’ While these usually made me laugh out loud, I couldn’t really count them for anything,” she said.

This leads one to question the significance of the SIRs and whether students are taking them seriously.

SIRs have serious uses “SIRs are a way for department chairs, professors and administrators to evaluate student reactions to certain classes or teaching methods so that changes can be made for next term or certain classes can be re-evaluated,” Hess said.

On the SIRs, the bubbles from each category are averaged into a score ranging from one to five, and professors at Mercyhurst are expected to score an average of four or above.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Phil Belfiore, Ph.D., explained the SIRs and their importance.

“The SIRs are important because it gives faculty some indication of how students perceive their class.

They’re important for the administration because it allows us to see how well our faculty are actually teaching,” he said. “The SIRs are certainly one leg of the stool on how we evaluate teachers for promotion and merit. There are multiple legs to the teaching stool.”

The other legs are department chair, school dean and administration observations and student and faculty interviews, Belfiore said.

“Going up for promotion doesn’t mean they are doing good or bad; it’s just part of the process,” he added.

President of Faculty Senate Michael Federici, Ph.D., said there are two main purposes for the SIRs and that each SIR is different, depending on the level of experience of the faculty member.

“The first purpose is to identify weaknesses in the teaching that you can help with, and the second purpose is for the rank and tenure process,” said Federici. “If you have bad SIRs, it’s unthinkable–highly unlikely–that you would receive tenure. SIRs can be a real obstacle if they’re not good.”

‘Tricks of the trade’ SIRs are so important for faculty that Federici has even heard rumors of professors making unethical decisions in order to ensure high scores.

“There are cases in the past of faculty skirting the rules,” he said.

“There have been faculty who have insisted on staying in the room, for example, which could make students uncomfortable. There have also been faculty who have taken the SIR itself to OAA, which makes it possible that it could be tampered with. Once it’s been filled out, only students should handle it.”

There are also “tricks of the trade,” such as when to pass out the SIRs, according to Federici.

“The closer you get to the end of the term, the lower the scores get,” he said.

Federici said he “never pays attention to that” and always gives his during the last class of the term.

He has never had a problem with any of his SIRs. The students’ voice

Because of the importance of SIRs for the rank and tenure process, Belfiore thinks students should take the SIRs seriously.

“Students have an important voice in it. If faculty aren’t teaching at the level they should be, students have a chance to reflect that with SIRs,” he said. “Students have a large voice in how we determine the quality of teaching. We rely on the students for feedback. They should take it seriously. It is meaningful.”

Hess elaborated on their importance.

“As a student who has filled out SIRs for the last five years, I was actually surprised at how seriously the administration takes this whole process. I assumed that these results were just kept in a file. I didn’t realize that so many people look at the results and how much effect they have on faculty members and the classes they teach,” she said.

What students should know Federici also thinks that students should take the SIRs seriously. He said there are two things students should know when filling out the SIRs. “Students have an obligation to help a faculty member to become better and to identify their weaknesses. Also, people’s jobs depend on the outcomes of the SIRs for the rank and tenure process. Students should be honest and SIRs should be taken very seriously,” he said.

One reason students might not take the SIRs seriously, according to Belfiore, is that they “may not know what the outcome of the SIRs is or the seriousness of it.”

“A lot of things are going on when students are filling out the SIRs,” said Federici. “For example, if students like them personally, they might give them higher scores.”

He said that preferences on how a class is taught could also affect scores.

“The hope is that it will balance out,” Federici said.

Department Chair of World Languages and Cultures Alice Edwards, Ph.D., said, “The problem is that students don’t see the immediate results of the SIRs. The wheels of academia turn slowly.

“If any changes are going to be made, it will take a period of time to collect the data. The SIRs could have an enormous impact, but not until the data is collected. You have to trust in the system.”

The long wait for effects

This could be difficult for some students to swallow.

“We’ve all done them for four years, but we haven’t seen any changes,” senior Garrett Kimple said.

This leads to discouragement among students and could be a leading reason that the SIRs are not always taken seriously.

“As a freshman, I took the SIRs more seriously, but students

around me flew through them and that affected how I fill it out now,” senior Brian Purcell said.

This doesn’t take away from their importance, though. Faculty also think the SIRs are an important aspect of their teaching.

Professor of philosophy Bud Brown, Ph.D., recently gave a talk at the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) in which he “tried to illustrate how I utilize the SIRs to change my teaching,” he said.

“Valuable information can be gained from SIRs for teaching for professors,” said Brown. “Low scores serve to remind me that I need to be constantly improving my teaching.”

On students not taking the SIRs seriously, Brown said, “The temptation is to think, ‘Does it really matter? I’m only one person,’ but they are serious and should be taken extremely seriously by everybody.

They are extremely important.”

It seems that most students would agree.

Senior Andrea Sauers said, “I take the SIRs seriously because I think that good teachers should get the credit that they deserve and receive feedback, and bad teachers should get that feedback, too, because of all the money we pay. Taking the SIRs takes 10 minutes at most— there’s no reason that students can’t answer them seriously.”

Junior Chelsea Schermerhorn thinks that most students take the SIRs seriously because “there’s been an understanding of what the point is. But because they are structured, it can be difficult to give constructive feedback. Sometimes professors give

supplemental forms and questions within the department, and the professors get better feedback that way.”

Senior Angelina Smith agreed.

“There should be a way to explain yourself,” she said.

Another factor leading to the seriousness of SIRs is the professor and the way he or she taught the class.

“I think it depends if the teacher takes the class seriously, as to whether students take it seriously.

If the teacher takes it more seriously, than I do, too,” senior Ryan Williard said.

Smith added, “I think students are more serious about it if you have an inadequate teacher and actually have something to say because it feels more important.”

Student opinions count Something that is easily agreed upon is the importance of student opinion.

“I think that student opinion is exceptionally valuable because they are sitting there in class every day. Peer evaluation is also important, but that is only for one class,” Edwards said.

Federici said, “We wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t listen to student input. Low SIRs are usually the first indicator that something is wrong.”

Students should let their opinions be heard, even if it is not through a SIR but through a one-on-one discussion with a department chair or school dean, because it’s the students who are affected the most by inadequate teaching.

News Briefs

‘Drunk bus’ to add pick up/drop off location Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG), Student Life and EMTA added an additional pick up and drop off location to the Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening bus route.

The new location will be at the corner of East 38th Street and Old French Road and will be re-evaluated at the begin-

’Hurst wins trophy in Collegiate Challenge In the WQLN Collegiate Challenge that took place last week, Mercyhurst won the “Most Improved” trophy for money raised.

Last year the college raised $7,611, and this year that jumped to $13,125.

FEATURES

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Student veterans form their own club

By Brady Greenawalt Staff writer

More than 100 veterans call Mercyhurst College their home. The Mercyhurst Veterans Association (MVA) is a new group on campus that offers support to those veterans in the student body and on the staff of Mercyhurst College.

“We have been talking about forming a veteran organization for some time, and I think we can all agree that it was long overdue,” said senior Timothy Hudak, the president and co-founder of the MVA. Hudak served five years in the Marine Corps as an intelligence specialist.

“Veterans of Mercyhurst recognize each other pretty easily, be it hair, lingo or some boots. We have an informal network and a lot of us stick together,” Hudak said.

This association gives the veterans of Mercyhurst an opportunity to formalize that network.

The faculty adviser for the MVA is Assistant Professor Stephen Zidek.

This is Zidek’s first year at Mer-

cyhurst. He teaches in the intelligence department and is a veteran of the Marine Corps.

“Making the transition from military life, doing combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan and then coming to Mercyhurst can be very surreal,” Zidek said.

One of the official missions of the MVA is to ease the transition into college for veterans who have seen active duty.

“We need a support structure for veterans coming to Mercyhurst,” said Hudak. “Many combat veterans struggle with PTSD or have other scars both physical and mental. It can especially take its toll when you realize you have no one to talk to.

The 18-year-old sitting next to you in class is not going to understand or even comprehend.”

Support for veterans will be offered in the form of group gatherings and educational speakers.

“It is our intent to have a monthly meeting of sorts. We plan to do some outings together, such as an Otters game or a BBQ,” said Hudak. “We are also planning to have some VA experts come in,

such as a VFW representative or a VA doctor to explain to the veterans their rights and benefits as veterans.”

Providing support for campus veterans is not the only thing the Mercyhurst Veterans Association seeks to accomplish.

“The other element of the Association is an external mission,” said Zidek. “We want to help the veterans of the Erie community.”

In the near future, Zidek plans for the MVA to coordinate with the many veteran groups around Erie.

As part of this effort, the MVA also has plans to get involved in the annual Toys for Tots charity campaign that is managed by the United States Marines.

The MVA is open to all students and faculty who have served in the military. For students who have not served but would still like to support the organization, an “associate members” program is offered.

Students who are interested in joining the MVA or would simply like more information can email co-founder James Oefelein at joefel62@lakers.mercyhurst.edu.

November 2, 2011

DIY College style: Couscous stuffed tomatoes On her blog, A Grapefruit’s (many) Passions, senior Alaina Rydzewski writes about her foray into cooking, along with movie, book and music reviews. To check out her blog, visit agrapefruitspassions.tumblr.com.

I found this recipe in Redbook magazine, and was surprised not only at how easy it was but also how great mine turned out.

Two pieces of advice up front: Make sure you like tomatoes, and watch your fingers. There is quite a bit of cutting for this recipe, and I ended up slicing my thumb.

Ingredients you will need: 2 beefsteak tomatoes, 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 1 box of basil-and-herb pearled couscous, 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice, 2 ounces of crumbled Parmesan cheese, 1 /4 cup of pine nuts, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/2 tablespoon each of salt and pepper.

Optional ingredients: 1 ounce of prosciutto.

1. Prepare the couscous from the package instructions. This is very easy. It includes boiling water, adding the contents, simmering and adding the spice pack.

2. While the couscous is cooking, cut the tops off of the beefsteak tomatoes and spoon out the insides.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and pepper to make a vinaigrette, in which you will put the couscous, cherry tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and pine nuts.

4. After you have mixed all of that together, spoon it into the beefsteak tomatoes. The recipe suggests serving it with crackers. I ate mine by itself, and it was still delicious.

Overall, this recipe took about 20 minutes, which isn’t bad considering all of the work that went into it.

Zach Dorsch photo

Senior Tim Hudak, Assistant Professor Stephen Zidek and junior James Oefelein started the Veterans of Mercyhurst Club to support veterans enrolled at Mercyhurst and in the community.

DIY College Style is a weekly column featuring two college students’ blogs on quick and easy tips about crafts and food.

FEATURES

November 2, 2011

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Yoga Club relieves stress

By Faye Clark Staff writer

It’s difficult to stay healthy in college. Between students sedentary lifestyles, crowded living conditions and the anxiety of classes, we are beset by illness and anxiety.

The college offers a chance to fight off a few of these hazards of higher education through yoga classes offered several times a week

by Betty Amatangelo.

“Our culture has our young people wrapped too tight,” said Amatangelo. “Because of this, they’re suffering from depression, anxiety, eating disorders and addictions. I’ve seen other people benefit (from yoga), and I’ve benefitted myself.”

Four days a week, Amatangelo shares her yoga experience with the school through her classes of different difficulty. The classes range from gentle yoga on Fridays for people who want to meditate, stretch and relax, to the more active workouts on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Amatangelo also holds an athletes-only class over

the weekends.

“It’s just fun doing it with your friends,” said freshman Gabby Kasten, who was recommended to the program to help confront anxiety problems.

“Yoga helps with relaxation and stress relief. It gives me an hour and a half a day where my mind isn’t going crazy,” she said.

Amatangelo discussed the benefits of yoga.

“Yoga involves physical aspects of health, like strength building and physical balance,” she said. “Because yoga has a spiritual aspect, you can use scripture in the sessions, any scripture, and it has a more lifegiving, life-changing foundation.”

Kasten and her friends described this spiritual aspect as yoga off the mat–being the best person you can be and helping other people.

“Betty’s a really great person to be around. She helps your selfesteem and tells you what you need to hear,” Kasten said.

“I want students to come away with an appreciation for stillness,” Amatangelo said.

Freshman Blake Brady enjoys yoga

Jill Barrile photos

Betty Amatangelo instructs yoga classes on and off campus.

because “you meet a lot of friendly people. It’s healthy and peaceful, and I feel great after the sessions.”

He said that the classes helped him to relax, and he enjoyed the peace and quiet of the experience.

“If you feel stressed, or have aches and pains, come to yoga. It’s free, it’s fun and you are not judged at all,” he said.

“I think that young people want to be a part of something special or different,” said Amatangelo. “Yoga has a reputation for being mysterious and esoteric. I think curiosity brings them there, and then they have such a physical, emotional and sometimes spiritual response that they come back.”

Classes are offered in the Herrmann Student Union Mondays at 4:45 p.m. and Fridays at 3:30 p.m. Classes are offered in the Rec Center at 8:15 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Jill Barrile photo

Yoga classes offered throughout the week help to reduce the stress and anxiety that college often presents to students.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

November 2, 2011

Dancers present breathtaking fall performance

By Mathew Anderson Staff writer

This past weekend Mercyhurst Dance Theater, in collaboration with SoMar Dance Works, presented its fall show “Beyond Words” in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center.

This breathtaking series of scenes captures the imagination of the viewers and takes them for a ride that only true masters of the art can provide.

Sophomore Drew Klobuchar said after he attended Saturday’s performance, “the dance was very captivating as my imagination was taken for a ride ‘beyond words.’”

“It was also very exciting to see my dance teacher perform with elegant beauty and grace,” he said.

The goal of the Mercyhurst Ballet Theatre (MBT), created by dance chair and faculty Tauna Hunter and Michael Gleason, is to challenge a small group of extremely talented Mercyhurst dancers.

This was MBT’s first local performance, and the eight elite Mercyhurst dancers featured in this ensemble will represent the college at performances in local schools and tours in Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio.

For this particular performance, MBT was joined by the talented Justin Koertgen of Dayton Ballet. Kortegen joined the group in the opening act for a dance titled “…de un corozon

Jill Barrile photo

Mercyhurst Ballet Theatre is made up of a small group of talented dance students. roto,” choreographed by Thom Clower.

He also joined them for a beautiful duet titled “The Proposal.” Emily McAveney was featured in the matinees and Anastasia Welsh was featured for the night performances. The

dance was choreographed by Koertgen.

Within this wonderful performance were three world premiere pieces, including “Absence of Opinions: The Mourning of 9/11,” which is quite an emotional piece set to the music of Dmitri Shostakovich.

This was a visual representation of that historic day, and as the events unfolded on the stage chills ran up and down the spines of those in the audience.

The second piece was “That Which Lurks When Shadows Fall” with music by Combustible Edison, which was a great choice of comic relief after the heaviness of the 9/11 piece.

It exhibited the fears of a little girl as she is dragged under her bed by monsters. As the Halloween-esque music played in the background, the little girl learned that the monsters weren’t as scary as they appeared, and they became friends.

The Last of the premiere pieces was “Duet: A Case Study” set to music by Mercyhurst professor of music Scott Meier and wonderfully choreographed and performed by Solveig and Mark Santillano.

“I think that the ‘Beyond Words’ performance is a great opportunity for people to get to see the wonderful talent in SoMar dance works and Mercyhurst ballet theatre,” said sophomore Rachel Bauer. “I don’t think most people know that this talent exists within the dance department.”

This is the type of performance any department would be proud to see on stage.

On Screen/In Person celebrates a life of jazz

By Alex Stacey A&E editor

“If there ever was a lady with a capital ‘L,’ who has earned her recognition in jazz, it is Marian McPartland,” said George Wein, founder of the Newport Jazz Festival.

This week, the Guelcher Film series brings the film “In Good Time, The Piano Jazz of Marian McPartland” to the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC).

This film is part of the PAC’s On Screen/In Person program, which brings filmmakers and directors to where movies are screened. Filmmakers work with the community to help develop a deeper respect for the film’s subject matter and the art of film.

Filmmaker “Huey” will attend the screenings to answer audience members’ questions after the film.

“In Good Time, The Piano Jazz of Marian McPartland” is a tell-all title. The documentary is a collection of video clips, interviews and recordings that detail McPartland’s musical life.

In 1948, McPartland moved to the U.S. from England with her husband, jazz trumpeter Jimmy

McPartland.

McPartland proved herself in a male-dominated genre and is considered a leading jazz musician of the 1950s.

Her harmonically rich music makes her noticeably versatile—she is able to work well with any musician.

Musicians such as Dr. Billy Taylor, Elvis Costello, Dave Brubeck, Diana Krall, Bill Frisell, Nnenna Freelon, Renee Rosnes and Dick Hyman sing her praises.

“Marian’s open mind, generous musical spirit and wicked sense of humor are here for all to see and hear,” said Costello. “Diana [Krall] and I are delighted and honored to be among those cheering from the sidelines.”

Rosnes said, “This important film forever preserves an extraordinary piece of jazz history.

“You will fall in love with Marian McPartland and her music all over again.”

This is truly a celebration of life through music.

The film will be shown in the PAC, on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 2:15 and 7:15 p.m.

Tickets are available at the PAC box office. Tickets are free for students with a Mercyhurst ID.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

November 2, 2011

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‘Siegfried’ promises to be a visual spectacle

By Marie Karbacka Staff writer

File photo by Tyler Stauffer

Yamato will perform Gamushara! at the PAC on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 2 and 6 p.m.

Yamato set to again astonish PAC audiences

By Alex Stacey A&E editor

The most popular show in the center’s history is back for another performance on the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC) stage. Given many years of sold-out audiences, this is a show not to miss.

This year, the Taiko drummers of Japan are back with a new program. Gamushara! incorporates Yamato’s enthusiasm and cultural history, which is sure to engage the audience.

With the motto, “Go anywhere if invited and make the world a little more happy,” the group’s full, varied schedule is proof of its popularity.

With its beginnings at a festival at the Toichi shrine in Nara, Yamato has grown to become an acclaimed performing ensemble with more than 200 performances around the world each year.

Yamato is a full theatrical experience with stunning acrobatics alongside silent acting with enthusiasm and humor, all as part of an entertaining celebration of Japanese culture.

The group was created in 1993

by Masa Ogawa in Yamato-no-kuni, the present-day Nara Prefecture in Japan. The troupe’s headquarters are in the village Asuka in Nara, a community held as the birthplace of Japanese culture.

Originally the group consisted of only four members, but that has quickly grown to a troupe of 17 males and females. In addition to performing, Yamato is also involved in many educational activities with schools.

Performances center on Wadaiko drumming. The group thinks of the sound of the drums as the “heartbeat.” With the “heartbeat,” they attempt to create the energy of life to envelop the audience.

The group thinks of every concert as a “meeting,” where the energy exchanged between the performers and the audience creates new energy. It is this energy that gives the performers the drive to continue to express themselves.

Yamato will perform at the PAC on Sun., Nov. 6, at 2 and 6 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting the PAC box office or by calling 824-3000.

Tickets are $15 for a Mercyhurst student with an ID.

The Metropolitan Opera has undertaken the huge project of restaging Richard Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen,” commonly referred to as “The Ring Cycle.”

The cycle is made up of four separate operas: “Das Rheingold,” “Die Walküre,” “Siegfried” and “Götterdämmerung.”

The first two were a part of last year’s Met HD Live broadcast series starring Bryn Terfel and Deborah Voigt.

This year the final two installments will be shown.

The next opera in the cycle is “Siegfried,” which airs on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 12 p.m. in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC).

The opera follows the story of Siegfried, son of Siegmund and Sieglinde—the twin demi-gods.

With the re-forging of his father’s magic sword, Siegfried journeys to obtain the famous ring and learn the meaning of fear.

At the end of his quest, Siegfried rescues Brünnhilde, who has been condemned to an eternal sleep by her father, Wotan, king of the gods. Only a true hero, who is pure of heart, could free her.

The new production directed by Robert Lepage is a spectacle for the opera viewer.

General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera Peter

Gelb described this production as “the most complicated and challenging opera production ever produced by the Metropolitan Opera.”

“Since Wagner was way ahead of his time, I believe he would be pleased by what we are attempting under Robert’s inspired direction,” Gelb said.

The stage is set with 24 hydraulic planks made of aluminum and covered with fiberglass, which allows images to be projected on the planks. These images are sensitive to the performers movements and sound. For example, when Wotan walks on the clouds, the audience can see the clouds dispersing with every step.

Junior Adam Ferrari attended “Die Walküre” last season. When asked what he thought about the new modern age set used in this production of the “Ring Cycle,” he said, “I think it’s incredible. It made the performance incredibly intense and dramatic.”

“The Met always seems to find great ways in showcasing their operas and making them new again.”

Junior Sara Maitland said, “A six-hour opera is very long if you have little visual action, and it might disengage the audience. The hydraulic effects helped to create a more visualizing, stimulating and overall better performance.“ Junior Kirstan Orgel agreed that the opera set was visually stimulating for the audience.

“Siegfried” will feature Jay Hunter Morris in the title role, Deborah Voigt as Brünnhilde, and Bryn Terfel as Woton.

Tickets are $15 for students, and can be purchased at the PAC box office, or by calling 824-3000.

Coldplay disappoints with ‘Mylo Xyloto’

By Aaron Ullman Staff writer

The newly released Coldplay album is quite an intriguing compilation.

The band’s fifth studio album, “Mylo Xyloto,” has a sound unlike its previous work.

It is not necessarily bad when a group morphs and changes its sound, but it seems Coldplay’s has evolved in the wrong direction.

The problem with this album is that there are virtually no standout tracks, save for “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall.”

Most of the songs are mediocre at best.

There are a few on the album that are not enjoyable at all.

The magic and charisma of the group’s previous albums is just not there.

“Paradise,” “Charlie Brown” and “Princess of China” (feat. Rihanna)

are only palatable upon a few listens.

Chris Martin’s usual soaring and powerful vocals is lackluster.

His voice lacks emotion and drive in these tracks, in addition to many of the other songs.

Unlike times past, there is no mirth and charm to his voice throughout the album.

Even the three instrumental leadins seem bland and uninspired.

There are really only two songs that rise above mediocrity: the aforementioned “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” and “Hurts Like Heaven.”

“Hurts Like Heaven,” the opening track to the album, contains an upbeat tune with a very catchy melody.

The kicker to the song is the paradoxical lyric “You use your heart as a weapon/ And it hurts like heaven.”

The notion is one many can relate to—being wounded in a relationship, yet not wanting to let go.

It is “Every Teardrop is a Waterfall” that redeems the album as much as is able.

Besides a wonderfully complex melody complete with Scottish bagpipes, the lyrics are what really brings the song together.

The song is basically about putting aside the sadness, worries and hard times in life and losing yourself in the healing power of music.

The lyric “I turn the music up, I got my records on/ I shut the world outside until the lights come on” sums up the song quite nicely.

The power and breadth of the effect of music on human emotion is clearly portrayed in this song.

It is one of the stand-alone bright spots on the album.

Coldplay has not exactly sold out, but it is easy to say that “Mylo Xyloto” is the band’s worst album to date.

While there are a few decent songs on the album, the listener is left with an overwhelming sentiment of disappointment.

OPINION

Page 8

November 2, 2011 September 3, 2008

The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst College, the staff of The Merciad or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be e-mailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

Registration times debated Harboring hatred

By Jerry Johnson Contributing writer

Last week we learned that due to concerns over conflicts between the new longer class times and practice schedules, winter term athletes, regardless of class standing, were allowed to register at the same time as seniors, while spring term athletes will receive the same benefit later this year.

Mercyhurst Dean of Faculty Brian Reed, Ph.D., explained that the change was made to ease any problems that athletes might face with the new schedule. Later class times in the afternoon come in conflict with team practices and game travel times.

While all this is undoubtedly true, there remains the question of whether this is fair to other students. This editorial is not written as an attack on student athletes; however, those athletes are not the only students who may be faced with serious scheduling conflicts.

I have a friend here who is a single parent, raising his son. Not

only does he need to make sure that he gets the classes required to fulfill his degree but that his class schedule does not conflict with the responsibilities of raising his child.

The fact that raising a child is a more important endeavor than participating in an organized sport is a hypothesis I doubt many people would care to challenge; yet, to the best of my knowledge, he does not receive any special dispensation regarding his scheduling times.

It also seems doubtful that this individual is the only Mercyhurst student who is both attending this institution and raising a child.

Nor is that the only scenario in which students may be faced with serious difficulties in scheduling.

There are other students who have no option but to work either part or even full-time while pursuing their degree.

Many of us who have dual majors, or a major and multiple minors, are often faced with having multiple required classes all scheduled for the same time period, leaving us attempting to figure out what class we must absolutely register

for and what class or classes can be taken during a future term.

Again, neither of these two groups of students receive any additional advantage in registration.

The conventional system, in which those who are closest to graduation register first, is, within reason, fair. Seniors have fewer future terms in which to register for those last few classes they need to fulfill their degree requirements than does a junior, who in turn has fewer terms left than a sophomore or freshman.

Reed did not believe that this change in procedure would have a significant impact on registration and, anecdotally, this does seem to be the case. I also have no doubt that most professors would sign into their class a junior or senior who might not have another opportunity to take a particular needed course.

That having been said, there still remains the question of whether, given that there are other conditions that would benefit from this advantage, this alteration is fair to the student body as a whole.

Staff writer

Over the weekend, I attended my first hockey game. I loved it. The atmosphere was intense and exciting and the players played a good game.

However, when it came to school spirit, it was the “Unofficial Spirit Club” that could have cleaned up its act.

Besides the profanity shouted at ear-splitting decibels just a few feet away from where children were sitting with their families, members of the “Unofficial Spirit Club” were shouting anti-LGBT slurs and holding posters to the same effect.

I know the response – what should a student section do, if not harass the other team? They are, after all, just words.

As the term draws to a close and we gear up for our impending finals, I began to reflect on what has been the most challenging or baffling to me this term. Surprisingly, what I find myself most unable to comprehend is not Russian declensional endings or the proper use of Aristotelian logic, but rather the way we treat one another.

Our campus community is a small world, where you know almost everyone in your classes. The more time I spend here, Mercyworld begins to get smaller and smaller, which has its ups and downs.

What I fail to understand is that

as young adults, some are still unable to cherish these close interactions and are set on harboring feelings of intolerance and hatred.

We see examples of this in our everyday lives, from intolerant slurs, to persistent roommate conflicts and even to unnecessary drama over a relationship.

As a member of the junior class, I thought that our age group would be past this by this stage of our collegiate careers, but as evidenced by the actions of some, this is simply not the case.

While we have all had intolerant outbursts, this seems to be a moment when we can recognize the impact of our actions and come together as a community to rectify our treatment of others. Instead of harboring hate, I advocate for relationships permeated by peace.

If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen.

School spirit taken too far

By Faye Clark

By Caitlin Handerhan Opinion editor

But we use words, our language, to convey many things – information, ideas, our likes and dislikes.

Words, quite literally, define our very being.

People need to think about what they say before they say it.

It may be cliché, but words do hurt. If they didn’t, then insults would not exist.

What would be the purpose of calling someone an idiot if the word had no power?

Without that power, insults have no meaning. Without meaning, they cease to be words and are nothing more than noise.

Words can hurt, and they can even kill. The suicides of LGBT teenagers that we see in the news come from a long and hopeless struggle these people have faced against the abuse and slander of their peers.

If we call our rivals “gay” and if

the things we don’t like are “gay,” then the word “gay” must mean something bad.

So when a student or a peer comes out as gay, then there must be something wrong with them, too.

This is of course untrue, but that is how language works. It allows us to interact with our world in a very narrow way, with our experience giving us ready-made definitions of the things we don’t entirely understand.

This problem is by no means limited to the LGBT community, either. There are sluts, and there are dorks, and there are worse words to call a woman, a person of a different ethnicity or anyone even a little bit different.

Language is where we start to define our differences. Language has to be where it ends.

Editors Kelly Luoma Alaina Rydzewski Liz Zurasky Caitlin Handerhan Spencer Hunt Alex Stacey Chrissy Mihalic Kaitlin Badger Jill Barrile Ethan Johns Max Rivera Bill Welch

Positions @mercyhurst.edu Editor-in-Chief editormerciad News Editor newsmerciad Features Editor featuremerciad Opinion Editor opinionmerciad Sports Editor sportsmerciad A&E Editor entertainmentmerciad Copy Editor copymerciad Graphics photomerciad Photo Editor photomerciad Web Editor ejohns89 Ad Manager admerciad Adviser wwelch

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OPINION

November 2, 2011

September 3,Page 20089

The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst College, the staff of The Merciad or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be e-mailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

Citizens may be greatest risk to national security

By James Gallagher Contributing writer

The construction in front of Old Main is extremely disruptive to classes -nothing quite like sitting through an already tedious lecture with a bustling construction zone to help you focus.

Kim Kardashian is getting divorced after only 72 days of marriage to NBA player Kris Humphries. Looks like he was not the only player in that relationship.

Security system is to increase the retirement age, as life expectancy today is far higher than it was when social security was enacted in 1935.

However, this solution would not fare well with constituents, most of whom are reliant on entitlement programs. Due to this heavy constituency reliance on entitlement programs, any politician who pushes for reform of entitlement programs would commit political suicide, and they would never be re-elected.

Furthermore, politicians attract votes based on a platform to protect entitlement spending from budget cuts, leaving defense as the only major option to cut.

According to Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), “Basically, Congress wants to spend money, because it’s easier to get votes if you spend money than it is if you don’t spend money.”

This is the reason that no politician wants to change the current funding for these entitlement programs. It’s too risky.

However, a possible solution

for Congress to avoid this political suicide would be to establish a federal body whose recommendations are subject to an up-or-down vote in Congress. This would represent a major political breakthrough.

So rather than politicians taking the blame individually, they can all follow a panel and exert blame externally.

The means to cure the deficit is in no way a fiscal challenge, but rather a political one. Congress can fix the deficit crisis today if its members wanted to. It’s just a matter of Americans voting fiscally minded politicians into office.

I truly believe that the man (or woman) of the century will not be the one who comes up with a source of alternative energy, but rather the one who finds the solution to our national deficit. If we can’t solve the deficit crisis, should America continue to deficit spend and print more money in hopes that the day of reckoning will never come?

Technology detox may not be feasible

By Larae Tymochko Staff writer With the new release of the iPhone 4S, there was a mad rush that paralleled the upcoming Black Friday shopping day. One can only wonder the amount of anticipation and revelry for the unveiling of the iPhone 5. This technology fix is a must for digital device junkies, who need to be “connected” at every waking moment of the day.

It is no stark surprise that technology has changed life as we used to know it.

But when does it get to the point when we become so engulfed by the radiance of a screen and keyboard (miniature or not) that we must say

O li Online

We have a shortened week next week and get to enjoy a day off from classes on Nov. 11 during our once-a-year reading day.

Being in the intelligence program and ROTC, I have become conditioned to thinking about threats to our national security in specific ways.

However, the most grievous threat to American national security is the American people themselves.

In the words of comic character Pogo the Possum, “We have met the enemy, and he is us.”

So why are the American people a threat to national security? The answer is the national deficit.

Americans seem to believe that they are entitled to everlasting prosperity and increasingly growing government benefits (entitlement programs).

However, the American people equally feel that they don’t have the responsibility to pay for these costly programs.

The American people as a whole are self-absorbed with their own well-being, ill conceited of what their actions will bring about. But if the American people are the most significant threat to their own national security, then Congress would be the second most significant threat.

Here are some numbers that reflect poor fiscal policy on behalf of Congress: America currently borrows 42 cents of every dollar it spends. Of that dollar, 68 cents go toward entitlement programs, and at the current rate, entitlement programs will consume the entire U.S. budget by 2049.

The three largest programs contained within entitlement programs that are causing the majority of the problem are Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. The American people have come to take these programs as a God given right of every U.S. citizen.

For example, the most effective method to fixing the current Social

enough is enough?

Take away a cell phone, laptop, iPad or any other variation of technology, and you don’t have to wait long to realize the tension, nervousness or short-tempered manners from the person you just “unplugged” from their Twitter and Facebook account. These classic signs of withdrawal would plague many techies of our generation who have become engrossed and dependent on their electronic devices.

I have found that the most irritating behavior is when you’re in the middle of a conversation and the person whom you are engaged with whips out his or her smart phone and blatantly texts someone, while interrupting and halting the conversation.

Furthermore, on the list of

The politics of poverty

By Jaslyne Halter Staff writer

“don’ts” for dates is constantly updating your statuses and texting your friends while ignoring your company presently at the table.

This overwhelming urge to stay in the loop of social media is one way to keep you out of the loop when it comes to the events of the real world.

Sadly, there is a common feeling among people who “couldn’t possibly live” without their digital vice. The feeling is one of isolation – that one is cut off and cast adrift, a social outcast since once hasn’t tweeted ones last 140 characters from the last 18 minutes.

It’s ironic to think that you are missing so much based off of social networks and news feeds that what you are really missing out on are the things that are taking place in the

“real” world – not the one found on the MTV channel either.

Cliché yes, but take a minute to stop and smell the flowers. Instead of food dieting, maybe a tech diet should be installed in place.

Detox your daily routine of any electronic components, and find the chance to detach yourself from the pounding of a keyboard and ding of a text message. You’ll find you have ample time on your hands, sleep better at night and improve the overall quality of your well being.

A challenge for you is to turn off your hi-tech gizmos and gadgets and take a low-tech approach to life.

You may find that you take pleasure in life more, but don’t bother to tweet about it.

merciad.mercyhurst.edu/ opinion

Sports

Page 10

November 2, 2011

Football hopes to finish tough season strong

By Spencer Hunt Sports editor

When the Mercyhurst football team began the 2011 season, the players had expectations of defending their Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division crown.

After losing their fifth straight game and falling to 3-6 overall, those expectations have calmed.

“This season has been just as unique as last year, just a different road,” Coach Marty Schaetzle said. “Last year everything fell into place.”

This season everything has fallen apart.

The team started out with a promising 3-1 start, but as they hit the toughest stretch on the schedule, nothing seemed to go their way.

During the five-game losing streak, the Lakers have had a chance to win each game. Only one game was decided by more than a touchdown: a 10-point defeat to Edinboro. Two other games needed

jill Barrile photo

Injuries and a run of bad luck keep piling on the Lakers.

Despite a promising 3-1 start, the team has lost five straight. overtime to decide a victor.

“I have never had a season where so many games followed the same script of playing good football and not finishing games,” Schaetzle said.

Last year’s team was able to make the critical plays to win the games,

but this team has just missed these opportunities.

“Part of it is experience,” Schaetzle said. “We can pull out one play from three games that if we fixed that mistake we would’ve won the game.”

Those critical plays are not lim-

ited to just one side of the ball either. With senior quarterback Travis Rearick out for the season with a knee injury, sophomore Anthony Vendemia has stepped in admirably in his absence.

Unfortunately for Vendemia and the Lakers, he stepped in against the four top defenses in the PSAC. Even against the stiff competition, Vendemia has led the Lakers to 386 total yards a game, which is No. 6 in the conference.

“When Travis stepped in last year, he had plays behind him already, but Anthony has put us in a position to win each week, and his experience will pay dividends in the future,” Schaetzle said.

The 2011 Lakers are a young team with a few upperclassmen scattered throughout. Senior linebacker Ian Wild has led the defense with 90 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, seven sacks and five forced fumbles on the year.

Unfortunately, Wild has had to battle an injury that kept him out against California (Pa.).

Senior receiver Trevor Kennedy

Ryan named Coach of the Year

By Spencer Hunt Sports editor

As athletes get older, they love to remember the glory days of their careers. They will tell stories to anyone who will listen about how great their careers were.

Men’s lacrosse C o a c h Chris Ryan doesn’t have to think back too far.

A f t e r guiding the men’s Coach Chris Ryan lacrosse team to the 2011 National Championship, Ryan was named Division II Coach of the Year on Oct. 21.

He will receive the award during

the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association/ United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association luncheon Dec. 2.

“It is a terrific honor, and I was very surprised by it,” Ryan said.

“Two things make this great: The first is that the award is voted on by my peers, and two is that it speaks highly of the assistants and studentathletes in the program.”

Ryan guided the Lakers to a 14-2 record, but he didn’t do it alone.

“This is a family award for us.

One of the main components for our success is to be consistent, and our coaching staff has been together 10 years,” Ryan said.

Ryan became the men’s lacrosse coach in 2001 and has consistently put out winning teams. With a 12331 record, Ryan ranks in the top five among active coaches for winning percentage.

In Ryan’s 10 seasons, his Laker teams have lost more than four

games only once. In that same time period the Lakers have put together eight seasons with double-digit wins, including each of the last three.

“We have built a great foundation, built on good people,” Ryan said.

Ryan and the team have continued to celebrate a victory nearly five months after the championship game.

“All our eyes have been focused on the 2012 season, but every couple of weeks something comes up to take us back to 2011,” Ryan said.

After such a transcendent run to the title, could the Lakers have a hangover effect in 2012?

“We definitely had one in 2008, but we have learned from our mistakes,” Ryan admitted.

In 2008, the Lakers were coming off a loss in the national championship after a 13-2 season. The 2008 squad went 9-4, Ryan’s worst season

since 2002.

“I thought long and hard about that season,” Ryan said. “I think fall ball was a little more stringent than in years past to help get the point across that it’s a new season.”

The 2012 season will have to compete against the heightened expectations that last year’s team didn’t have to face.

“Last year’s team was a work in progress all year, but they kept finding ways to win and hit their stride at the perfect time,” Ryan said. “It was unexpected, but well earned.”

Thankfully, the Lakers return 17 upperclassmen that helped build the foundation for the championship run and are looking for a repeat.

“Winning the award was a nice way to finally close the 2011 season, and it puts us on the path for 2012,” Ryan said.

The Lakers begin their title defense Feb. 25 at Wingate University.

has continued to light up the record books and the scoreboard. Kennedy has added to his school record 15 touchdowns and has 1,114 yards on the season.

Despite these seniors’ best efforts, their experience has not been enough to carry the load.

“The younger guys have learned from the seniors what it takes to get to that next level,” Schaetzle said.

The experience the younger players have earned this season will certainly pay off in the years to come, but no one is ready to start looking ahead to next season.

“Our main goal is still to get the players ready to play on Saturday and to work hard during the week,” said Schaetzle. “They have worked extremely hard all season.”

The Lakers have two games, both on the road.

“We have two opportunities left to work hard,” Schaetzle said. “This season has been a perfect storm the wrong way.”

The first opportunity comes Nov. 5 at Clarion.

Bram sisters earn weekly honors

Mercyhurst Senior Bailey Bram and freshman Shelby Bram have received College Hockey America (CHA) weekly awards.

Bailey earned CHA Player of the Week after posting nine points in two games. She tallied a career-high seven points on Saturday alone with two goals and five assists.

Shelby won Rookie of the Week after scoring her first collegiate goal and multipoint game. She scored three goals during the weekend.

The team will take on the Brampton Thunder in an exhibition Wednesday Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

November 2, 2011

Page 11

Sports

Page 12

November 2, 2011

Men’s hockey earns big win against RIT

By Spencer Hunt Sports editor

Getting off to a fast start in athletics is always the goal for teams wanting to start the season off strong.

When a team starts off slow, sometimes it can send them into a tailspin that is unrecoverable.

This was the case for the Mercyhurst men’s hockey team who started off slow but are showing that an 0-4 start isn’t the end of the world.

“I wasn’t concerned about the 0-4 start. I would have preferred 4-0, but we played hard, which is the important part,” Coach Rick Gotkin said.

The Lakers began the 2011-12 campaign with a tough four-game road stretch.

The Lakers had to travel to Alaska to face both Alaska and Alaska-Anchorage in the Alaska Gold Rush Classic, an event where the Lakers remain winless.

After the trip, the Lakers had two weeks to prepare for their first Atlantic Hockey America conference game. The team tried to turn things around against the preseason

AHA favorite Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT).

“We don’t have any easy games, especially in this conference,” Gotkin said. “Every game is a battle.”

Despite the 0-4 start and the match-up against the favored RIT, Gotkin and the Lakers came out with a 2-1 victory.

Leading the team in the victory was goaltender Max Strang. The senior turned away 49 of 50 shots to earn his first win of the season.

“Max has played well in every game and given us a chance to win,” Gotkin said.

The Lakers finally had their first win of the season out of the way, but their weekend wasn’t over.

The team had to turn around and travel to Ithaca, NY, to face No. 19 Cornell on Saturday night.

“Their crowd is legendary,” Gotkin said of the Big Red. Despite a hostile crowd, the team pulled out a 5-4 victory, pushing their season record to 2-4.

“Our guys feel better about themselves, and we have to find a way to keep the confidence going up,” Gotkin said. “The wins help validate some of the hard work the guys have put in.”

Despite a fairly young team, Gotkin has received production from a number of new faces. Five of the seven goals scored over the weekend were by freshmen. That doesn’t mean junior forwards Grant Blakey, Paul Chiasson and sophomore Daniel O’Donoghue aren’t producing.

“Those three in particular do so many things that don’t show up in the stats and have been terrific leaders,” Gotkin said. “But we love the 12 freshmen we have, and they are doing great so far.”

Now that the weekend is over, Gotkin isn’t getting too excited over two victories.

“The conference win was big, and that point could be the difference in the playoffs,” Gotkin said.

“The bottom line is there is a lot of hockey left.”

Hopefully, the crowd that supported the team Friday night will be there every time the Lakers take the ice at the Mercyhurst Ice Center.

“The crowd was fantastic, and I really think they made the difference against RIT,” Gotkin said.

The Lakers take on another AHA opponent Friday and Saturday against Connecticut. Both games start at 7 p.m.

Jill Barrile photo

Senior Max Strang has waited three years for his turn in the net. The waiting has paid off, as Strang posted a career best 49 saves in the victory over RIT. If Strang can continue his strong play, the Lakers will have one less thing to worry about. With 12 freshmen earning playing time, consistency in net is a nice luxury.

Jill Barrile photo

Crowd support was a big factor in the RIT win. With their ongoing support, the Lakers could be a force in the AHA.