NEWS
Page 2
December 8, 2010
New building design, site, timeline determined By Kelly Luoma Managing editor
Mercyhurst College plans to begin construction on its $9 million academic building in the spring. “We are mostly ready to go in terms of finance of the building,” Vice President for Advancement David Livingston, Ph.D., said. The plan is to begin construction in March 2011 and have the building ready for fall 2012. The Center for Academic Engagement, which is the “working title of the building” according to Vice President for Academic Affairs Phil Belfiore, Ph.D., will house both the undergraduate and graduate intelligence studies programs and the hospitality management department. The Applied Politics Center and Evelyn Lincoln Institute for Ethics & Society will reside in the new building as well. The communication department and graphic design department will have some of their classes in the new building, but as of right now, the faculty’s offices will stay on the bottom floor of the Hirt Academic Center, Belfiore said. The deciding factor to move these departments “would have to be if we have adequate space to move them,” Belfiore said. If there is not enough office space to move the entire faculty from a department, none of the faculty will move, Belfiore said.
He said he wants there to be room inside the building to accommodate department growth. Priorities are another factor that determine if the communication or graphic design departments move into the new building. As of now, lecture hall space is a priority in the new building, according to Belfiore. Faculty and the college administration have been meeting to discuss these changes and what each department would like in the new building. “We’re happy to be in the conversation,” said Director of Graphic Design Jodi Staniunas-Hopper. Communication department chair Anne Zaphiris, Ph.D., said the communication department enjoys being part of the planning process as well. Since nothing is set in stone, both Zaphiris and Staniunas-Hopper said it was too soon to comment on the decision for their departments to stay in Hirt but have classes in the Center for Academic Engagement. The departments to be housed in the new building were chosen based on several factors. Intelligence studies was chosen because “it’s one of our largest majors and because it’s not in the center of our Erie campus,” Belfiore said. Intelligence studies is a growing major, and there is a need to create adequate space for the department, he said. “We’ve outgrown this facility,”
News Brief
Student Life announces first iPad winner Mercyhurst North East student Clark Fike will find at least one unexpected Christmas gift underneath his Christmas tree this year. He was the winner of an Apple iPad given away by Mercyhurst Student Life. The Apple iPad served as an incentive for taking a brief survey on the Mercyhurst Portal during the week of Nov. 29 through Dec. 5. More than 1,000 students participated in this event and Mercyhurst Student Life Vice President Dr. Gerry Tobin called this turnout “a great success.” Students who would like another chance to win the second Apple iPad can log on to the portal again for another brief survey between Friday, Dec. 10, and Tuesday, Dec. 14.
Ethan Magoc photo
The Center for Academic Engagement will be built where the maintenance building and parking lot are now located. The academic building is scheduled to open in fall 2012. Associate Professor of Intelligence Studies Kristan Wheaton said about the current intelligence studies building. “There is simply no place for us to put all the things we have going on.” After the intelligence studies major was chosen to be a part of the new building, the administration looked at which majors could benefit from the integrated computing centers that would be shared with intelligence studies. Hospitality management was included in the building because it is growing in size, and the Grotto Dining Room, which serves as an instructional facility and restaurant run by students, is “small and inadequate,” Belfiore said. According to Belfiore, the idea of the building is that Mercyhurst is involved with the world. “All of these things engage in the world outside Mercyhurst,” Belfiore said. “Mercyhurst prides itself in that.” The building will help students become more involved with campus and academic life. “Our goal is to be able to get closer to other disciplines,” Wheaton said. Belfiore referred to the academic
building as a “showcase.” “This building is designed to stand out,” Belfiore said. “We want to make sure the exterior stands out.” The architects were asked to “design a signature building for academics and to complement Old Main,” said President of Buehler & Associates Inc. Shelane Buehler. The Center for Academic Engagement will have similar characteristics of the gothic architecture as well as “portions and rhythms of Old Main,” she said. The approximately 41,000square-foot building will have four floors. Hospitality management will take up the lowest level of the building. This level will include kitchens, classrooms and possibly a facility similar to the Grotto Dining Room where students can gain hands-on experience. The ground floor will most likely consist of an atrium for students to work and study in, the Applied Politics Center, the Evelyn Lincoln Institute for Ethics & Society , several general-purpose classrooms and an auditorium. This auditorium will be similar to Walker Recital Hall but will be
“more for lectures and speakers than music events,” Belfiore said. The second floor will have offices, computer labs, technology centers and specific purpose labs designed for intelligence studies, graphic design and possibly communication students to use. The intelligence studies department will be on the third floor. Although the intelligence studies department has its own building now, Belfiore said the department’s space will not decrease because faculty and students will be able to use the entire third floor and the technology labs on the second floor. “It will be more condensed in the fact students will be able to work together,” Belfiore said. He referred to small seminar work spaces and collaborative spaces that students will be able to take advantage of when working on projects. Although most of the details of the building are not subject to change, the site of the building is not. The Center for Academic Engagement will be built where the maintenance building and the parking lot of the maintenance building are now. The academic building will be located south of the solar panels, so there will still be open grass area at the front of the school, Belfiore said. Even though the site of the academic building is definite, the new site of the maintenance building has not been decided. “We will probably have to use a temporary space during the 18 months of construction then develop a more permanent solution once the new building is up,” Livingston said. As of now, there are no definite plans for the current Center for Intelligence Studies, 3928 Wayne Street. Livingston said the school will continue the lease on this building once the department is no longer there and find another use for it. All aspects of the new building are tentative and could change in the next couple of months. If all remains on schedule to break ground in March, bids must be sent to construction companies in late January or early February. Therefore, all final building decisions will be made by the first week of February, Livingston said.
NEWS
December 8, 2010
Page 3
Students explore textbook buying options in effort to save money By Stacy Skiavo Staff writer
The most well-known way for students to buy their books is to purchase them at Mercyhurst College’s bookstore, but the variety of ways students can obtain textbooks seems to increase every year. Now that the required textbook list is posted online prior to each term, Mercyhurst College students have the option to compare textbook prices and decide the least expensive way to obtain their books. In a recent Merciad online poll, 48 percent of students who responded said they purchased their books online for winter term. Thirty-four percent said they bought their books at the bookstore. “I order online when I can unless the book is a new edition, otherwise I go to the bookstore,” freshman Scott Dempsey said. Websites like Amazon, eBay or Half.com are favorites among stu-
dents where prices can be cut by more than half on both used and new books. “I never knew the savings I could find once I stopped shopping at the bookstore,” sophomore Paige Bosnyak said. “My last purchase saved me $169 by buying online. (It was the) best decision of my life.” Other students use the option of renting their books through websites like Chegg or Barnes & Noble. According to the Merciad poll results, 10 percent of students rented their books for winter term. Obtaining books this way allows students to rent from the company for a discounted price and then send them back at the end of their term. “I like using Chegg, because then I have no hassle with selling my books back or dealing with the bookstore,” sophomore Ryan Fragapane said. “Last time I went to the bookstore, they were out of the book I needed and I avoid that with Chegg.”
Ethan Magoc photo
Sophomore Cory Krchnavy and freshman bookstore employee Matthew Mulford examined a booklist on Tuesday, Nov. 30.
Due to the many options students have when deciding where to purchase or rent their textbooks, not as many seem to be purchasing from the bookstore on Briggs. The bookstore’s sales were lower for the winter term, according to Bookstore General Manager Dan Cullen. This, however, was expected since sales seem to be higher in the fall term every year given that students seem to take more classes during the fall term than winter. The difference in sales wasn’t by a large margin. Bookstore employee and junior Mike Wayner said he barely noticed a difference. “The sales seemed about the same between terms and pretty
constant. It was busier around the first week back (in fall) though,” Wayner said. Although prices at the bookstore may seem expensive, it remains an option for students because nearly every textbook required for college classes can be found there. Cullen and Mercyhurst professors try to reduce these prices in order to save students money on books. “My job is to keep the price down as much as I can,” Cullen said. Professors review textbook editions and try to use the cheapest books with the most useful material, according to Cullen. Despite efforts to save students money, buying books is expensive.
To help relieve this burden, students have the option of going to financial aid and applying to see if they are eligible for the Book Fund. “Students can get roughly $100 toward books depending on how much they qualify,” Cullen said. Mercyhurst tries its best to help students in this area, and all money spent at the bookstore goes straight back to the school and the students, he said. Students can visit the book list on the Mercyhurst Portal by clicking Campus Life, Bookstore and Coffee Shop, then finding their campus list on the left. This process helps students compare prices and find the best place to purchase textbooks for the upcoming term.
FEATURES
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December 8, 2010
Flagship Niagara offers students unique opportunity By Lynn Dula Staff writer
Mercyhurst College students have the special opportunity to participate in two highly exciting and unusual programs during summer 2011. Students will have the chance to spend three weeks aboard the Flagship Niagara learning to sail, as well as participate in one of two exciting academic programs. The Flagship Niagara program is only open to 12 colleges in the nation, and has been in place at Mercyhurst during the past year. As of yet, no Mercyhurst students have participated, but that could change this summer. This program offers Mercyhurst students college credit in either history or biology. The history program takes place at the beginning of summer (May 24 to June 14), while the environmental science program will be run at the end of the summer (July 26 to Aug. 15).
Contributed photo
Students get a chance to be a crew member of the historic Flagship Niagara, while earning college credit. The program is an experiential learning opportunity with a large amount of hands-on activities. Participants will sleep on hammocks, eat meals cooked on a woodstove, learn to sail the ship and even fire cannons. Students do not need any former boating or sailing experience to participate in the program. History department chair Chris Magoc, Ph.D., is the lead professor on campus for the history program. “The chance to learn Great Lakes
and maritime history and to live it — aboard a square-rigged nineteenth century sailing vessel — is a special opportunity,” Magoc said. “We are hopeful that a few of our students will be able to take advantage of it this year.” Students who participate in the environmental science program will be exposed to freshwater fauna such as fish and mussels. They will also travel throughout the Great Lakes and have an opportunity to compare these very different bodies of water. Students participating in the
history program will participate in traditional classroom sessions centered on the Great Lakes. They will also explore maritime and naval history with a focus on the War of 1812 and the Battle of Lake Erie in which the original Niagara played a central role. They will also be reading historical and literary materials on the history of the War of 1812 and the tradition of sailing aboard ships similar to Niagara. Most importantly, they will be experiencing history by living it.
Students interested in either of the programs should contact the lead professors to receive more information about the program. There will be an informational session sponsored by Mercyhurst’s History Department on Monday, Dec. 13, at 3:30 p.m. in the Mercy Heritage Room. Steve Mauro, Ph.D., heads the environmental science program. “My advice to students: Be open to new experiences and unique learning opportunities such as these,” Mauro said.
Efforts continue in Study abroad teaches far green initiative more than language By Faye Clark Staff writer
At the moment, living on campus at Mercyhurst College is a student’s dream: We are provided with independence, free Internet, cable and utilities. But just because students do not see the bill for such luxuries does not mean they come without a price. Money for cable and Internet generally ends up coming from a student’s general tuition. But who is paying for the lights left on in dorm rooms and heaps of wasted food at the Egan Cafeteria? Students at Mercyhurst are made aware of the college’s core values, which include Global Responsibility. Recycling bins are placed in all the dorms, but are these measures actively offsetting Mercyhurst’s
impact? Or are we passively following conditions and popular environmentalism? In 2007, President Thomas Gamble, Ph.D., signed the President’s Climate Action Plan with more than 600 other college presidents nationwide. The goal of this organization is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, with colleges hoping to reduce net emissions by 20 percent and electricity purchased by the college by 15 percent by 2015. Also, there are additional objectives where the school tries to promote classroom involvement and research opportunities for sustainability. Mercyhurst has been consciously working to meet these goals by purchasing renewable energy credits in the form of wind power—in 2003 before the plan was signed, in 2008 and again in 2010. To read the full version of this story, please visit www.merciad.com/features.
By Alaina Rydzewski Staff writer
I am extremely homesick, and that is quite possibly the understatement of the year. With five days left (and counting), I am ready to go home. Barcelona, and Europe in general, has been good to me. I have learned so much, not only about Spanish culture and language but also about myself as a person. I have been lucky enough to travel to Italy, Belgium and Greece along with other cities in Spain during these past three months. My wonderful boyfriend was even able to come to Barcelona for five tremendously short yet funfilled days. I have finally come to appreciate the weather here, but I am adding snow and the occasional cloudy day to the list of things I miss about home.
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Alaina Rydzewski standing in front of a cathedral at the highest point in Barcelona. That includes dill pickles and any kind of Cheerios. Along with the list of things I miss about home, I am already starting a list of things I will miss about
Spain. However short it might be, the first item will definitely be café con leche (coffee with milk). This unique but relatively simple combination puts regular American coffee to shame, and I am not so sure I will be able to drink American coffee when I return. To some, this might seem like a rambling of jumbled thoughts, but these are the thoughts turning over in my mind every day, with a slight change in the number of days I have left until I see my family and friends again. Not to leave you with any wrong impressions. Like I said, Barcelona has been good to me and I have had an amazing time here—I have made so many memories and lived life to the fullest. I have taken advantage of the chance given to me to discover who I am, without the distractions of home in the way. To read the complete version of this article, visit merciad.com/features.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
December 8, 2010
Page 5
Metropolitan Opera presents ‘Don Carlo’ By Megan Duane Staff writer
Catherine Ashmore photo
‘Don Carlo’ presents the story of a love triangle between a father, his wife and his son.
The Performing Arts Center will transform again on Saturday into a front row, behind-the-scenes look at the Metropolitan Opera. The Metropolitan Opera’s Live in high definition (HD) simulcast series has been growing with each and every season of productions. On this occasion, the Met will be showing its new production of Giuseppe Verdi’s classic Grand Opera Don Carlo. When first performed in 1867, the opera was five acts long in
French and called “Don Carlos.” Today, the proper cuts are still disputed in the opera world; however, in this production the Metropolitan Opera will stay true to its first performance in presenting a fiveact opera in Italian titled “Don Carlo.” The story is one of a love triangle, including a father, wife and son. It is based on Friedrich Schiller’s play “Don Carlos, Infant von Spanien.” King Philip marries Elizabeth, who had been promised since birth to the King’s son, Carlos. Elizabeth feels she must accept marriage to the King to keep peace between Spain and France. Then, Carlos is
told to go to Flanders and forget Elizabeth. Carlos asks his father to send him to Flanders. King Philip senses Queen Elizabeth never loved him and becomes jealous of his son, so he throws Carlos in prison. Elizabeth and Carlos meet in a convent and are discovered. But Carlos’ grandfather’s ghost drags Carlos to safety in a tomb. Opera is a worldwide timeless tradition and with the expanding HD simulcast series provided by the Met, audiences have become more diverse than ever before. Join Mercyhurst’s community in embarking on this journey of musical beauty.
Liturgical dancers perform for Christmas By Sarah Mastrocola Staff writer
Online
To help honor the spirit of Christmas this season, the Liturgical Dance Ensemble will be performing for both Mercyhurst and for retired citizens of the Erie community. On Sunday, the Ensemble will dance as part of the Mercyhurst Christmas mass. They will appear alongside the Carpe Diem Chorale, which will be singing a combination of “What Child is This?” and “Child of the Poor.” This is an annual tradition that many look forward to. “In general, I find liturgical dance in any Mass helps the congregation worship the Lord in a different way. It also adds uniqueness to a service,” said Liturgical Dance Ensemble President Christine Wilbur, a senior.
While the mechanics of the preparation and presentation of the dancing is much as it would be for any performance, liturgical dance is often different in its effects on both dancers and viewers. “It’s more of a spiritual experience, not a performance,” said senior Claire Dorothy Hinde, who is choreographing for the Mass. “The Christmas Mass incorporates many of the college’s musicians and dancers, and it’s usually a pretty crowded Mass, which brings the Mercyhurst community all together nicely before break.” In addition to the Christmas mass, the Liturgical Dance Ensemble will also perform at the Forest View Retirement Home in Erie on Monday. Pieces to be shared at this benefit performance are set to a variety of holiday tunes. Choreographers for the show include sophomore Anastasia Welsh and seniors Heather
Gorres, Sarah Mastrocola and Lindsey Smith. “Personally, I like to see the residents’ reactions to the dancers and the dances being performed for them. I love seeing their eyes light up and the excitement that comes from them when they watch the Ensemble perform,” said Wilbur. Much of the work that the Liturgical Dance Ensemble does is service related, and Wilbur explained that the performance for the Forest View residents is also viewed in that light. “I definitely think it benefits the residents, particularly during the holidays, to have something different to look forward to and to have different people to talk to,” said Wilbur. “Everyone needs a little excitement in their lives, and I am really glad that the ensemble is able to touch at least one person with holiday cheer,” she said.
Read more at merciad.mercyhurst.edu/arts_entertainment
OPINION
Page 6
December 8, 2010 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.
TSA deserves credit, not criticism By Andrew Mayher Staff writer
With so many people traveling for the holidays, the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has been in the media spotlight. In addition to being sued, it has received various complaints concerning their security policies. These criticisms are ridiculous. I understand that it may not seem like the United States faces threats, specifically with regard to air travel. You hear more about LeBron James playing in Cleveland wearing his Miami jersey than about substantial news. However, threats to air travel are real. Richard Reid attempted to blow up an American Airlines flight with explosives in his shoe. Umar Abdulmutallab tried
to blow up a Northwest Airlines flight with plastic explosives in his underwear. And recently, explosives were detected on a cargo flight hidden in ink toner. So, here is my question to those who complain: Would you rather face the possibility of going through a full body scan, taking your shoes off (I know it’s a lot to ask) and possibly being exposed to a device searching for explosive residue? Or would you prefer to take the risk of an air hijacking or explosives detonating that could kill you and hundreds of others if or when the plane falls? I think I know your answer. If I’m wrong, then you need to consider the safety of those around you. If another attack would occur, which I pray it never does, many of those who gripe about TSA security would be just as loud and quick in saying the TSA was not proactive and is at fault for not taking threats seriously.
Many of the complaints revolve around the Fourth Amendment, which affirms the “right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures...” This amendment aims at protecting those in the midst of a criminal investigation that would ultimately lead to a suspect’s prosecution. This is shown through the exclusionary clause, which acts as an enforcement to this amendment. It is not aimed at airports, where passengers voluntarily subject themselves to searches. Airport security is not focused on solving crime; instead, its goal is to prevent planes from exploding. If you truly feel that your intrinsic and unalienable rights are violated by the TSA checking for dangerous explosives, please do not subject yourself to those security checks. Try driving, taking a boat or train to your desired destination, or just stay put.
Driving becomes dangerous By Kathleen Vogtle A&E editor
As Erie weather becomes increasingly obnoxious, driving likewise proves more hazardous. However, this doesn’t seem to pose a problem to drivers on Briggs Avenue. Even in the best of conditions, Briggs is a problematic and potentially dangerous area on campus. Although not necessarily a narrow road by itself, the parallel-parked cars on one or both sides significantly diminish the amount of space cars have to maneuver. Class changeover aggravates the situation more. Added to the numerous vehicles arriving at and leaving campus, hundreds of students are traversing the road to and from the apartments. Snow, slush and ice make the distance slippery and uncertain.
However, no one would be able to tell that these conditions exist by observing the way many drivers navigate the space. Some cars barrel up and down the street with little to no regard for people trying to cross or for other vehicles. With cars parked along the curb, especially larger vehicles, it is often extremely difficult to see if a person is about to step out into the road. Pedestrians who are still on the curb or passing between two cars can also have a tough time determining if another vehicle is coming. Many students have complained about how unobservant drivers can be on Briggs. The main problem seems to be speed. The posted speed limit is 25 mph, and many cars travel at least that speed or faster, regardless of external variables. This time of year, these problems are compounded by the weather. Snow, sleet and ice make conditions difficult for drivers
and pedestrians alike. Cars cannot brake as quickly or effectively as usual, and those on foot often have to move much slower and with more caution to avoid a slip. Taking into account these variables, it is evident that a change in mindset is needed on Briggs’ asphalt. The speed limit should either be lowered or more strictly enforced, especially during the class changeover. A higher enrollment equates to more students crossing Briggs as more cars pass through, meaning there is a greater chance for an accident. The speed limit should reflect these changing conditions. Drivers and pedestrians can also be more respectful of one another. Neither group has exclusive rights to the road. Drivers can slow down and those on foot can be more observant of their surroundings. These and other minor changes can be extremely effective in preventing major problems in the future.
More Online...
Writing becomes personal Mary Nolte explains the meaning behind her words.
The Good
Mercyhurst’s football team just had the longest season in our school’s history. Congratulations to the Lakers on an exciting run.
The Bad
Many cars have been getting stuck in the snow, and not all teachers have been able to make it to school. How did we not get a delay?
The Ugly
The mailroom is days behind on its processing of packages. For those students still waiting for books, this is unacceptable.
If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen. Editors Ethan Magoc Kelly Luoma Alex Stacey Victoria Gricks Nick Glasier Kathleen Vogtle Samantha Williams Tyler Stauffer Ethan Johns Chrissy Mihalic Max Rivera Bill Welch Brian Sheridan
Positions @mercyhurst.edu Editor-in-Chief editormerciad News Editor newsmerciad Features Editor featuremerciad Opinion Editor opinionmerciad Sports Editor sportsmerciad A&E Editor entertainmentmerciad Graphics photomerciad Photo Editor photomerciad Web Editor ejohns89 Copy Editor copymerciad Ad Manager admerciad Adviser wwelch Adviser bsheridan
The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst College. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of finals weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B. Our telephone number is (814) 824-2376. The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters are due Mondays. by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit letters to box PH 485 or via e-mail at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
December 8, 2010
Page 7
Men’s basketball features global roster By Ethan Magoc Editor-in-chief
With four international players, Mercyhurst College’s men’s basketball team features the most worldly roster in the entire Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference this season. Call it a global education. Call it solid recruiting. Call it an international brand of the game. Whatever label others may want to apply to the program, the players simply want to be known as winners. And, so far, they’ve earned that moniker with a 4-1 start. Iddo Cohen (Israel), Olivier Dupiton (Canada), Luis Leao (Brazil) and Jonathan Ouegnin (France) were each born at various corners of the globe but have all ended up in Laker jerseys this season. “If you get 14 players from Erie and Pittsburgh or 14 from around the world,” head coach Gary Manchel says, “as long as they’re a good fit for the college on and off the court, that’s what we concern ourselves with.” All four say they have meshed well with Mercyhurst’s 15-player roster, and early season statistics confirm each has a specific niche
Ethan Magoc photo
Mercyhurst College freshman Jonathan Ouegnin is one of four international players on the men’s basketball team. and benefit to the team. Leao, the team’s second-leading scorer at 16.6 points per game as a redshirt sophomore, has also grabbed a team-high 45 rebounds in five games. Dupiton averages eight points per game, but he holds a leadership role as the team’s eldest player. He began study in Mercyhurst’s Organizational Leadership graduate program this fall after a fouryear career at Division I Stetson University. “(Mercyhurst) definitely fit very well for me,” Dupiton said. “It’s
taken me a little while to get comfortable, but I’ll get there.” One of five Laker seniors, Cohen saw limited playing time in 2009-10 but has already topped last year’s total appearances, playing in each of Mercyhurst’s first five games. “It’s always nice when you can contribute,” said Cohen, a 6-foot-9inch center. “Last year, we had a lot of guys who played my position, so it was their turn. This year, I have more chances.” And Ouegnin, a freshman, is averaging 10.6 minutes per game early in his college career.
The three newest international players took quickly to Mercyhurst’s system, as did Cohen when he arrived in 2007. “These guys play our system as well as anyone else,” Manchel said. “We focus so much on a team game, and not so much the one-on-one aspect that many young American players see.” All four grew up playing the game in their respective homes and neighborhoods then made it onto advanced travel clubs, joined national teams or, for Dupiton, played Division I. Those achievements all caught Manchel’s eye. Cohen wanted to study abroad after he finished Israel’s three years of mandatory military service for males. He competed for the Israeli National team and connected with Manchel when the coach was visiting Israel. His hometown of Haifa lies just north of the West Bank on the Mediterranean Sea. “It’s a nice port city with warm weather and beaches,” Cohen said. “My first year in Erie was tough with the snow.” Dupiton, though a native of Montreal, agreed about Erie’s climate. “I played in Orlando for the past four years, so I’m not used to the cold anymore,” he joked. “But I don’t live too far from the gym or
my classes, so it’s all good.” He received several offers from other colleges after his Stetson career concluded in February, but had a priority of finding a private school “not too far away from home.” “After my visit, I had a good vibe with the guys here and the coaches,” Dupiton says. He noted the difficulties attached to attending college hundreds of miles from his urban Montreal home. “The first two years didn’t really matter, but by the fifth one, it’s harder being away.” Though they share the team’s largest age gap, Dupiton and Ouegnin have bonded as the team’s lone French speakers. Ouegnin began playing the game with his father in LeChesnay, a suburb of Paris. He excelled on a club team in Besançon before making his way to Phoenix last year to play for Westwind Prep International, a high school basketball powerhouse. “We did great things last year (at Westwind), which helped me get recruited by colleges,” said Ouegnin, who received Division I offers from the University of San Diego, Western Illinois University and Portland State. “I don’t really care about the snow since we have it in France, too, and it’s cool because there’s a lot of international students (at Mercyhurst),” he said. Leao, a native of Brusque, Brazil, could not be reached for comment. The quartet has united with its 11 other teammates for a 4-1 start. “We gotta keep winning,” Ouegnin says, “gotta go to the (NCAA) tournament.” Even with a diverse range of backgrounds, the team’s chemistry could hardly be better. “These are just good guys. Great to be a part of,” Cohen said. Dupiton found that out on the first day of practice. “From the get go, we meshed pretty well as teammates,” he said. “For the first time, I see on a team that there’s not a lot of animosity against anybody. No one’s fighting, everyone is supporting.” A global education.
Sports
December 8, 2010
Page 8
Meghan Agosta readjusts to college life By Spencer Hunt
Staff writer
Two years ago, Mercyhurst College earned its first ever trip to the women’s Frozen Four in Boston, Mass. The Lakers ended up losing in the championship game, 5-0, to the University of Wisconsin. After that game, a few players graduated, but most were fired up to start the next season and begin another run at the title. However, the team’s captain and then-junior Meghan Agosta didn’t know whether she would be back right away. Agosta would soon hear during the summer of 2009 that she was invited to the Vancouver Olympics and try for a second gold medal in women’s hockey. And back in Erie, the rest of the team returned to school and practice for the 2009-2010 season. Agosta and the Canadian National team went on to win the gold medal in February at the Van-
couver Olympics. The Lakers’ women’s hockey team ended up losing in the NCAA semifinals to Cornell University. But this season, Agosta is back in Erie and looking to bring that first championship to Mercyhurst. Women’s hockey coach Michael Sisti was certainly happy to have back a two-time gold medalist. “She is a great person, and from a hockey standpoint, she brings knowledge, leadership and experience to the team...she is another great player for other teams to have to worry about,” Sisti said. Training with the best female hockey players in Canada is bound to change a player’s skill level, but Sisti noticed that Agosta has “taken training more serious than ever before. She has been very focused.” “It is certainly special to see a young kid come in here and watch them play and grow and mature as players,” Sisti says. Coaching someone with Agosta’s resume might be difficult, but not in this case.
Ethan Magoc photo
Senior Meghan Agosta is adjusting to being back with the Mercyhurst women’s hockey team. Sisti spoke of a great “mutual respect between the players and coaches” and cited this as a key ingredient for a national title run. After taking a year off to just train and play hockey, Agosta had
one problem coming back to Mercyhurst—her schoolwork. “School was definitely the most difficult adjustment, and it was tough to balance school and hockey again,” Agosta said.
When asked whether she kept up with the team during her time away, she responded with a resounding “definitely,” even findng time to attend the CHA playoffs and watch her teammates. “Mercyhurst was/is a part of me, and leaving was hard, but I knew that I would have another shot to come back for a national championship, whether it was the (200910) season or after the Olympics,” Agosta said. When this season began, there was one question that wasn’t answered until everyone was back on the ice: Who would be captain? Senior Vicki Bendus was the captain last season, and won the prestigious Patty Kazmaier Award as the top player in Division I women’s hockey. Agosta was voted as team captain, with Bendus and fellow senior Jesse Scanzano serving as assistant captains.
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Football team’s season ends with whomping By Nick Glasier Sports editor
Every story has an ending. For the Mercyhurst College football team, that ending came Saturday with a 49-14 loss to Shepherd University. Although the final loss was a drubbing, there is no feeling of shame for the Lakers who reached new heights this season as a program. “Not a great game, but a great season,” head coach Marty Schaetzle said. The Lakers reached the NCAA Division II playoffs this year for the first time ever and finished with a 10-3 record. The teams were tied 14-14 at the end of the first half after an interception return for a touchdown by senior Byrant Kimball. This seem-
Ethan Magoc photo
Despite deflecting this pass, senior Brandon Harper and the Lakers could not stem a 35-point half by Shepherd University in their 49-14 loss. ingly swung the momentum back in the Lakers’ favor. “We went into halftime tied
14-14. We didn’t come out in the second half, though,” Kimball said. It was just not the Lakers’ day
offensively or defensively, as Sheppard went on to score 35 unanswered points in the second half.
Junior quarterback Travis Rearick felt especially frustrated as the Rams’ defense forced him into a number of mistakes. “I kept on feeling like we had stuff open, but I didn’t put the ball in the right spots,” Rearick said. Schaetzle felt the same way about the Lakers’ offensive performance. “Offensively, we worked to get big plays but we couldn’t connect on them today,” Schaetzle said. The poor offensive play also led to a very tired Laker defensive unit. The Laker defense was unable to stop the Rams running attack just a week after shutting down Bloomsburg University. Mercyhurst’s season has come to a close, but Schaetzle saw meaning and importance from this game. He’s already thinking of next season. “We have to learn from this game and look to the next time around,” Schaetzle said.