Volume 26, Issue 1 - May 29, 2003

A student produced newspaper serving the Metropolitan State College of Denver and its surrounding communities since 1979 http://metonline.mscd.edu Issue 1

Volume 26

NEWS

pg 3

May 29, 2003

Darker side of life

by Travis Combs The Metropolitan

FEATURES

SPORTS

pg 8

pg 13

Opinions.............................pg 6 Music..................................pg 7 Calendar.............................pg 14 Classifieds..........................pg 15

by Steve Stoner - The Metropolitan Kevin Ling chats with friends at Club Onyx in Denver during the Colorado Dark Arts Festival May 25. It was Ling's first time attending one and enjoyed the "whole spiel," including art, music and fashion.

We have all seen them at one time or another: a group of teens at the local mall wearing vampire makeup, sporting Victorian-era clothing styles. They are definitely “out of sync” with the majority of the shoppers, both in terms of fashion and in terms of attitude. Passersby evince a mixture of fear, revolt, humor, and curiosity.

The average person usually notices such teens from a distance. The casual onlooker may assume many things about the backgrounds of these misfits, considering them loveless freaks, criminal fetishists, or social deviants.

Suspicion, mistrust and fear have often surrounded this lifestyle, which its participants call “Gothic.”

Often characterized by dark and melancholy styles of fashion, music, art, and sexuality, the Gothic subculture and its advocates have drawn intensely negative media attention through such music stars as Marilyn Manson and the 1999 tragedy at Columbine High School.

Since the shootings in Littleton, CO, parents, teachers and community leaders have scrutinized a sub-culture that has enjoyed an almost undisturbed existence in the midst of the fickle tastes of popular culture. In this bittersweet limelight, Gothic culture has received little, if any, good press.

In accordance with the saying, “any publicity is good publicity,” the Gothic scene has watched its ranks swell with neophytes from all walks of life, especially teenagers and those in their early twenties.

These youngbloods coexist and share a lifestyle with those approaching their midthirties who never cared to know if there was a more socially acceptable way of life.

Despite their admittedly less-appreciated style of expression, both the young and the not-so-young practitioners of the modern-day Gothic form of expression gathered together in the spirit of celebration.

The darker side of life found its day in the sun at the second annual Colorado Dark Arts Festival, which celebrated the macabre through music, poetry, film and fashion.

see DARK ARTS on 8

Mayoral run-off heat

WEATHER

Thursday

Monday

May 29

June 2

Friday

Tuesday

May 30

June 3

Saturday May 31

Sunday June 1

Wednesday June 4

Candidates look for ways to gain Denver votes before June 3

by Chelsy Klein & Noelle Leavitt The Metropolitan In Denver’s run-off race for Mayor Don Mares and John Hickenlooper work daily to gain voter appeal before the polls open on June 3.

Mares, an experienced politician, has held the position of Denver Auditor, and

Hickenlooper is an entrepreneur who owns many small business around Denver.

One of the strategies both candidates use in their campaign is musical concerts for potential voters. Hickenlooper held “Hickapalooza!,” a gathering of several well-known musicians such as Hazel Miller, Chris Daniels and Jake Shroeder from Opie Gone Bad at the Fillmore on May 21.

“Hickapalooza!” was advertised in Westword and other local papers. There was an admission charge of $5 that went toward Hickenlooper’s campaign.

Mares took a different approach with music by holding several “Mares-a-thons” during which he and his supporters ran through Denver neighborhoods campaigning for votes. Mares decided that he would use music as a medium to reach voters.

“When you are in politics for a while, people only want to see you in one way; they see

me as a politician. So when I started to run for a more visible office — mayor — one of the things that I am that I don’t think any of the other candidates are is a musician. So early on it was a way for me to look different and show a different side of me,” Mares said.

The concept behind Mares’ mini-concerts was that he and his supporters would jog through a precinct and stop at local coffee shops or restaurants to speak with residents. They would end the run at a local park where food and a local band were offered free to the public.

Each Mares concert was specific to the community in which it was held. Mares’ team invited an R&B jazz band in Five Points, a reggae band in Northwest Denver and a rock- alternative band called “Out’a the Bleü” at Platte Park in south central Denver. These shows were just a few out of 14 total.

see MAYOR on 3

May 29, 2003

N

ews

Page 3

Hickenlooper vs. Mares from MAYOR on 1 “Music transcends age, class and race it reaches everyone. These specific bands are conducive to the groups of people who are coming. And Don (Mares) is the kind of person who fights for all walks of life. Also, music is a huge part of his life, so this was a great way to combine the things that he is good at besides politics,” said Corrie Bonnar, Deputy Field Director for Mares.

Mares did not stop with concerts in the park; he made an appearance on KBCO, a radio station based in Boulder, with Brett Saunders’ “BCO morning show,” where he sang to the listeners and voiced his issues.

Mares and Hickenlooper both realize the need to campaign specifically to women

in the communities. Hickenlooper held a “Women for Hickenlooper Luncheon,” and Mares held a “Women for Mares Luncheon.” Each of these luncheons, held on May 27, were used not only as fundraisers for their campaigns, but also as a forum to reach the female voters in the community.

Hickenlooper supporter Jame´ Byrd said, “I see John [Hickenlooper] as the fresh change that we need for the city.”

One of the issues that the two run-off candidates face is the sluggish economy and the lack of employment in Denver.

“I want to create jobs; not just for women, not just for men, for everyone,” Hickenlooper said.

Since the middle of May, the two candidates have held debates for the public to see how their agendas contrast each other.

“I think the challenges that face the city are so significant and so immense that we [the candidates] can’t afford to tear each other down. And even when I was only three percent in the polls, we stayed positive. I never talked about problems Mares might have had; we stayed positive. I think there’s a genuine hunger in the public for someone who’s not going to attack his

by Steve Stoner - The Metropolitan opponent at any opportunity.”

Mayoral hopeful Don Mares entertains supporters at a campaign rally in Platte Park May 24.

Hickenlooper said his strength through- Approximately 50 people attended the rally, which provided food and live music. out the race has been his commitment to listening to the words of the song saying are going to look for a leader like Webb, I keeping his campaign a positive one.

Mares said his unofficial campaign song that, ‘the bigger they come the harder they think that most people are looking for new leadership, so you will be honoring the perin relation to his feelings about fall.’” son who was just Hickenlooper mayor, but carrying out would be Jimmy your own vision for a Cliff ’s “The city,” Mares said.

Harder They Hickenlooper said Come.”

Webb has been remark“I was listening to ‘The -John Hickenlooper, Mayoral candidate able in this country and he plans to help supHarder They port projects Webb has Come,’ —this was Denver has had only one Mayor in the already implemented in Denver. right before the first election when I knew I The race is set to conclude with the wasn’t going to come in first, making sure past twelve years — Wellington Webb — so to come in second— and [I was] thinking the candidates have had to make big appeals polls closing on June 3 at 7 p.m. about my opponent John Hickenlooper, how to a vastly diverse population.

“Although there are some people who he spent over $400,000 that last month. Just

‘I

want to create jobs; not just for women, not just for men, for everyone.’

by Chris Stark - The Metropolitan John Hickenlooper listens to voter concerns at the Women for Hickenlooper luncheon May27.

Student journalists take Metro to court

by Travis Combs The Metropolitan Metro student journalists had their day in court May 16th, when the Denver District Court held a hearing to show cause or dismissal in the barring of two Metropolitan reporters and a photographer from covering a school disciplinary hearing.

Judge Herbert Stern III heard arguments from prosecutors Chris Beall and Eileen Kiernan-Johnson. The student’s case argued that preventing media coverage of the disciplinary hearing violated the state’s open meeting statues. The defense team from the Colorado Attorney General’s Office refrained from presenting their case for dismissal and the hearing recessed until July 18th.

The event in question involved the removal by Metro judicial officer Elyse Yamauchi of student reporters Noelle

Leavitt and Lindsay Sandham, and photographer Danny Holland from a judicial hearing against former Metro Student Government President, Brotha Seku.

According to the prosecution’s argument, barring media access from the disciplinary hearing violated the state’s open meeting laws, “Under state law, school board hearings are required to be open,” said Kiernan-Johnson.

“This is about decision-making bodies making decisions behind closed doors,”said Leavitt. “If a student wants their hearing to be open, then let it be open.”

Attorneys for Metro State, John Sleeman and Nancy Wahl feel that disciplinary hearings for college students are not a matter of public interest and should be closed. Metro’s student conduct code states that open disciplinary meetings are

‘This is about decision making bodies making decisions behind closed doors.’

- Noelle Leavitt, student journalist

Seku gave a written statement in which he voluntarily gave up his privacy rights in order for the media to gain access.

left to the discretion of the disciplinary board.

“We’re trying to get the judge see it

(Seku’s hearing) was an open meeting and therefore falls under open meeting law,” said Leavitt. “We want to change how school judicial hearings are handled.”

Similar cases have been brought to court in other states, such as North Carolina, where an appellate court decided that a school disciplinary board is, indeed, a public body and hence open to media coverage.

If the case were decided in favor of the prosecution, Metro, as well as other public schools, would need to change their policies regarding the conduct of disciplinary hearings.

“If we win, Metro would have to redefine the student conduct code,” said Leavitt. “It would force the school to do the right thing. We are going to win, because we’re doing the right thing.”

MAY 29, 2003 ~ THE METROPOLITAN ~ PAGE 5

Smoking ban approaches Denver Denver restaurants, but not bars, could become smoke-free

by Svetlana Guineva The Metropolitan Restaurant owners, smokers and nonsmokers are in disagreement over a smoking ban that, if passed, could eliminate smoking in restaurants in Denver.

City Councilwoman Happy Haynes is the primary bill sponsor for the ban and Rita Aragon, one of her staff members, said their goal is to get the ban approved after turning in a proposal to the Denver City Council Committee June 10.

“We want to make it clear that Denver councilwoman Haynes is willing for a compromise,” Aragon said.

The compromise aims the proposal at restaurants only, not bars. Restaurant owners across Denver have different opinions on how it could affect their businesses.

“We will be penalized by the smoking ban. I think it should be a personal choice where you want to spend your dollar and not an imposed regulation,” said Scott Diamonds, owner of Pints Pub Restaurant and Bar in Denver.

Some restaurant owners are indifferent about the ban.

“If people want to smoke, they will go some place else. If they come here because of the food and service, they will continue to come,” said Jimmy Choplas, owner of Chef Zorba’s Cuisine.

Erin Leary from the American Heart Association said restaurant employees and their customers are constantly exposed to second hand smoke and a ban in Denver would help decrease the number of people who get heart disease every year.

“Since I’m a smoker, I don’t think that regulation of that kind is fair, but I also agree with the argument that the secondhand smoke creates health problems,” said Cindie Landon, a smoker of 25 years. “When I think about it, maybe an eventual ban would be a good thing, so I can quit smoking.”

Other cities across Colorado have already implemented smoking bans. Pueblo voted for a smoking ban May 20, eliminating smoking in both restaurants and bars throughout the city. Denver’s non-smoking activists see Pueblo’s recent victory as a helping hand in lobbying for a smoke-free Denver.

“I’m very disappointed. I expect to lose a lot of my customers,” said Ted Calantino, owner of Irish Public Grille in Pueblo.

Daniel Parent, a nonsmoker from Denver, said she supports the ban and would like to see the city council push for nonsmoking in restaurants for as long as it takes.

“I don’t like going out and smelling like smoke. I don’t like going to a restaurant and the nonsmoking and smoking sections are too close together,” Parent said.

by Steve Stoner - The Metropolitan University of Colorado at Denver student Cole Rudy practices guitar on the Lawrence Street Mall May 27. Rudy does not support the smoking ban Denver proposes.

ATTENTION Lot H and Arts Building Customers Beginning May 19, Lot H will be closed for construction. Alternate parking will be available in the Parking Centre (Garage). Access to the parking spaces directly in front of the Arts Building will also be closed. Access to the Arts Building loading dock will remain open during and after the construction period.

Lot H will reopen for the Fall 2003 semester no later than August 17. The area in front of the Arts Building will reopen as a pedestrian mall and the temporary classrooms will be removed. A traffic circle will be built at the intersection of 9th Street and Curtis Street (by the Mercantile Restaurant). Access-A-Ride drop-offs and pick-ups will resume at the circle when the semester starts.

Beginning Fall 2003, Lot H will no longer have parking huts. The lot will operate with vending machines located throughout the lot, which will have two different parking rates.

Need information or assistance?

ATTENTION: METRO STUDENTS

Web: www.mscd.edu/metroconnect E-mail: helpdesk@mscd.edu Phone: 303.556.8325 METROPOLITAN STATE COLLEGE of DENVER

is coming on July 7 Log in to metroconnect.mscd.edu to get your new portal username and password.

From Metro Connect you can access your new Web-based e-mail account, personal calendar and Banner Web information from anywhere.

The lower section of Lot H will remain daily-fee parking with an anticipated daily rate of $3.25. Motorcycles will have a reserved section in the lot with an anticipated daily rate of $2.50. The eastern (or upper) section of the lot will be priced at an anticipated hourly rate of $1.00 per half-hour with an anticipated maximum rate of $5.00 for all day parking.

Parking for persons with disabilities (permits and daily fee parking) will be located in the upper section of the lot with no change in the current rate structure.

The line of vehicles that frequently block the intersection at Curtis and 7th Streets will be eliminated.

Opinions

May 29, 2003

Page 6

The ‘Road Map’ to MidEast peace ripe for protest Operation Iraqi Freedom is all but over. The moment I realized this, I held a personal moment of silence for the pop-anti-war crowd. I have to admit, I will miss them. I really think it’s horrible when an entire culture disappears. Please stay; you’ve learned so much and accomplished so little. I can’t let you go out like this. Would you consider protesting Israel?

Just think about it.

Israel is currently in violation of more U.N. resolutions than any other country on the face of the Nick earth.

The Geneva Bahl Convention means nothing to them. Israel has more nuclear weapons than the United Kingdom, and torture is legal. They routinely kill innocent civilians and use terror tactics. They annex land that they have no right to take, invade other countries preemptively, and refuse diplomacy. Does this sound familiar? You could use your recently refined argument again, but this time it wouldn’t be unpatriotic. Would this be anti-Semitic or just plain right?

According to UCD political science profes-

sor and international law expert Wadi Muhaisen, the United States is in violation of federal law by supporting Israel. Which means that nonviolent protests can and will work. Is our government begging us to protest unconditional support of Israel?

Despite obvious reasons not to support Israel, we still send them 25 percent of our annual foreign aid without asking questions. We even call Israel an ally. Arabs in the region see all of these things and they begin to hate America. Can you blame them? Can we blame America first?

We can no longer try to kill the weed without killing the roots. In this situation, Israel is the root of instability and hatred in the Middle East.

We must root the problem out. According to Metro political science professor Dr. Akbarali “Ali” Thobhani, Iraq will only be a success if the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is resolved. Dr. Robert Hazan, Metro’s political science chair, agreed that there must be peace in both Iraq and between the Israelis and the Palestinians if peace is to prevail in the Middle East. Is this possible? How must we go about this?

According to Hazan, “the potential for peace is there.” Hazan, Thobhani, and Muhaisen all believe that a two-state system is needed for

peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians.

Thobhani thinks that if peace is achieved it could rapidly spread throughout the region. How can we make this happen? President Clinton tried this at Camp David in 1993. This failure led to the current uprising. What went wrong?

Muhaisen was at Camp David and said that there are many myths floating around about it.

According to Muhaisen, Israel was only willing to give up 60 percent of their illegally occupied territory, which would include swapping wasteland and dumping spaces in a 9-1 ratio favoring Israel for higher quality Palestinian land. The Dome of the Rock would remain under Israeli control, but the Palestinians could fly their flag over it. The Palestinian state would be broken up

by Israeli roads, which would be heavily guarded effectively shutting down transportation inside the new state. No wonder Yasser Arafat walked away from Camp David. Muhaisen said this is a myth as well.

Camp David remains the best solution Israel has ever offered. Israel offered, walked away, and then ran a media campaign saying that Arafat walked away. Israel demands that freedom fighters stop sacrificing themselves before any solution will be offered again. What do they mean by again? Was Camp David really a solution?

Israel demands an end to “suicide bombings” because they are worried about their security.

Let’s all shout in unison: We’re worried about our security too, so either cut the crap or we’ll cut our aid. President Bush has threatened to do this already. How will their security survive without our money? It won’t. They’ll be forced to act civilized. I’ll protest for this! Should we sacrifice our security for Israel’s?

Hazan called President Bush’s two-state plan for the conflict a “solid road map.” The Israeli government doesn’t want a two-state solution.

Where do you think money from the extremely powerful Jewish lobbies will go for the 2004 presidential elections? I’m willing to bet it won’t go to Bush. The 2004 election could have serious long-term ramifications. Where is your vote going?

If we don’t clamp down on Israel, I fear the lives lost in Operation Iraqi Freedom will be lost in vain. Who will protest against unconditional American support of Israel? Unless we force elected officials to act rationally in regard to Israel, what’s going to stop them from taking the money like President Truman did in 1948? We must be willing to protest where it matters and to use our votes wisely. Do we want to be stuck in a cycle of revolving foreign policy mistakes?

Tae Kwon-do cut provokes outcry

Letter from SGA communications VP

Tae Kwon-do at Metro is just as important to me as getting my education at Metro. I can’t stand by and watch the Human Performance, Sport and Leisure Studies (HPSL) department get rid of evening Tae Kwon-do and, more importantly, its instructor, Mr. Larry McGill.

For me, it is like seeing that Metro is closing down on the nightly news, when I had no idea before then.

When I opened Metro’s fall schedule for 2003, I was awestruck to Dan find that the class was not Frauenfeld listed. When I questioned McGill about it, he told me that he just found out himself and it is true.

McGill told me that he was being cut from the school too. His students asked him if the summer and fall catalogs had misprints before he even knew that Spring 2003 would be his last semester as a Metro instructor.

My question to you is: “Why?” This is absurd. My instructor has yet to be given a sound and valid reason this is happening. The HPSL department is ridding the school of an extremely talented instructor whose whole life has revolved around the quality teaching of his skill, Tae Kwon-do. And for no good reason.

37 years ago, McGill helped found the HPSL department and Tae Kwon-do at Metro.

He is as much a part of this campus as the P. E. building is. Now they are telling him to leave.

Greetings, Metro Students, Faculty, Staff, Administration and Alumni/ae: We have completed another semester full of classes and surprises. Finals have finished, summer classes start soon, and your new Student Government Assembly (SGA) prepares for the 2003-04 year. The new SGA seeks to bridge the gaps separating students, alumni/ae, faculty, staff, and administration to insure a better experience for everyone. The SGA hopes all these groups will work together during the coming year. and looks to help students connect with these other groups to ensure a positive educational community.

Your new SGA officers bring valuable experience to their posts. They come from diverse backgrounds and environments that reflect the diversity upon which Metro prides itself. Felicia Woodson, President, wants to mend the broken bridges that prevent students, faculty, staff, administration, and alumni/ae from working with each other. Krista Kaufmann, VP for Academic Affairs, has attended several planning meetings and looks forward to hearing from students. Sarah Prouty, VP for Student Services, brings senior leadership and hard work to the team. Candace Gill, VP for Student Fees, is glad that finals are over so she can focus on her position. Anna Davis, VP for Administration and Finance, is trying to determine the best possible way for the SGA to spend its money. Christina Quissek, VP for Diversity, is tackling the contro-

A student produced newspaper serving the Metropolitan State College of Denver and its surrounding communities since 1979

Editor-In-Chief Ian Neligh neligh@mscd.edu Contact Us: Editorial: 303.556.2507 Advertising: 303.556.2507 Fax: 303.556.3421 http://metonline.mscd.edu

Every semester that I have attended Tae Kwon-do, the beginner’s classes have been completely full. Apparently there is a demand for this course. Even students from the two other schools on campus attend this Metro course. It is truly a unique class.

As I talk to people here about Tae Kwon-do, they tell me a few things: they like to get a workout and learn something that is always useful; they like the fact that it is offered in the evening; and most of all, they say that McGill is an outstanding instructor.

If McGill teaches at another school, many students, including myself, will seek his instruction there. This means less money for my college during times when we already need as much funding as we can get.

So, I ask you, why must the HPSL department end Mr. McGill’s life of teaching at Metro in such an unprofessional way?

At an absolute minimum, Larry McGill deserves a sound and valid reason from his superiors. It baffles me that after all of his dedication to this school and to this class, this instructor is no longer needed by Metro, even though the students feel that his instruction and this class are needed.

I ask for your help in writing letters to the HPSL department, to the school boards, and even to the state’s congress, questioning why they believe that your education is expendable, and why they think your most valuable, knowledgeable instructors are no longer needed.

Layout Assistant Armando Manzanares

Opinion Editor Justin Breuer

Reporters Shannon Hasty, Armando Manzanares, Melissa K. McGuire, Phillip King, Jose Rocha, Joel Tagert, Nick Bahl, Rami Wilder, Jeff Maher, Jonelle WilkensonSeitz, Andrea Terrones, Lindsay Sandham, Kristi Starns, Jonathan Kueene, Andrew MacPhail, Elena Brown, Chris Pilkington, Donald Smith

Sports Editor Rob Moore Photography Editor Joshua Lawton Copy Editors Tim Dunbar

Thank you, Rachel Christina Miller VP for Communications millerra@mscd.edu 303-556-3312

For letters to the opinions editor, email Justin Breuer at breuer@mscd.edu

News Editor Noelle Leavitt

Features Editor Travis Combs

versy concerning the percentage of minority faculty compared to the percentage of minority students. Linda Cordova, VP for Organizations, is a political science major who aspires to work in state government. Robert Haight and Amanda Peterson are the Student Advisory Committee to the Auraria Board (SACAB) representatives.

They are deciding which restaurants to add to the campus. Rustin Tonn, your Attorney General, is choosing his new chief justice. The representative for the Board of Trustees is Harris Singer, who is returning after several years in office. He brings valuable experience to the SGA. I am the new VP for Communications. I will keep the student body informed about the SGA. I look forward to serving you throughout the coming year. I am investigating new ways of keeping the entire Metro community informed about the SGA and about the issues we support.

I would like to find out as much as I can about what your needs and ideas are regarding Metro State College. These are perilous times for the college because many current changes could interfere with the quality of your education. I am very excited to get this year off to a good start and I hope to communicate effectively.

Photographers Shannon Davidson, Joshua Buck, Danny Holland, David Merrill, Will Moore

Graphic Artists Bryan Danknich, Linette Mount

Adviser Jane Hoback Assistant Director of Student Publications Donnita Wong Director of Student Publications Doug Conarroe

The Metropolitan is produced by and for the students of the Metropolitan State College of Denver, serving the Auraria Campus. The Metropolitan is supported by advertising revenue and student fees, and is published every Thursday during the academic year and monthly during the summer semester.

The Metropolitan is distributed to all campus buildings. No person may take more than one copy of each edition of The Metropolitan without prior written permission. Direct any questions, comments, complaints or complements to Metro Board of Publications c/o The Metropolitan. Opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of The Metropolitan State College of Denver or its advertisers. Deadline for calendar items is 5 p.m.

Thursday. Deadline for press releases is 10 a.m.

Monday. Display advertising deadline is 3 p.m.

Thursday. Classified advertising is 5 p.m. Thursday.

The Metropolitan’s offices are located in the Tivoli Student Union Room 313. Mailing address is P.O. Box 173362, Campus Box 57, Denver, CO 80217-3362. © All rights reserved.

May 29, 2003

M

usic

UK’s Blur finds a new voice

by Ivan Moreno The Metropolitan One of England’s proudest exports, Blur is best known as the band responsible for one of the coolest rock anthems in recent memory, the Woo-Hoo! Song Is the song something to do with the lead singer getting his head shaved?

Blur’s latest offering, “Think Tank,” is the antithesis to the Woo-Hoo! Song (otherwise known as Song 2). Where Song 2 demonstrated a flair of rebel-rousing guitar hooks and a catchy beat, the collection of songs on “Think Tank” are, for the most part, mellow. Plus, you have to dig below the synthesizers to find the melodies.

With the departure of guitarist Graham Coxon, Blur go into the direction of space rock, relying more on all-over-the-place drum-machine rhythms and a mixture of instruments as far ranging as the saxophone. They even employ a Moroccan orchestra behind he reggae ambiance of “Out of Time,” a leisurely paced ode to a wasted life. “And you’ve been so busy lately/that you haven’t found the time/to open up your mind/and watch the world spinning gently out of time.”

Frontman Damon Albarn’s lethargic delivery of the lyrics always fits the laid back atmosphere. Behind blooming instrumentation, Albarn’s voice measures the action, moving perfectly with the tone of the songs.

But not all of the songs are laid back.

“Crazy Beat” is 21st century dirty dance boogie, complete with a computerized chorus. And Blur briefly flirts with 70’s punkrock in the one minute all-out guitar scratching of “We’ve Got a File on You.” Still, the shinning moments of the

Graphic by Brian Danknich- The Metropolitan album happen when the vibes are calm.

Like the pleasing melancholy of “Sweet Song,” where amid suspended keyboards Albarn wails the words, “What am I to do/someone here is really not happy/put myself on a line/it seems I never got

through to you.”

On “Think Tank,” Blur get through; they manage just fine without their former lead guitarist, establishing a new and rare sound for themselves.

For the First Time: one time too many

by Chelsy Klein The Metropolitan Have you ever listened to a band or musician play on a CD and loved every line sung and every note played, but when you see them perform live you wondered where all the talent went? On Saturday night, that happened to me. I listened to a band by the name of “… For the First Time Today” play at the Boiler Room. This is a band that has some potential for success if you base your opinion on their CD, but to hear them live is a completely different experience. “...For the First Time Today” is composed of six members: bassist Wally Cox, drummer Dan Dunn, backing guitarist Josh Friedman, lead guitarist Chris McLellan, backup singer Dan Martin (AKA “CQ”), and lead singer Ginty (no last name, just “Ginty”).

These boys have migrated to Colorado from all across the United States. Wally is from California, Ginty and Josh hail from New York, Dan Dunn and Chris come from New Mexico, and Dan Martin is from Massachusetts. The band members hold fulltime jobs except Ginty, who is unemployed; and Chris, who is a full-time student at the Art Institute studying culinary arts.

When asked to describe their music, the general response was “Eclectic garage jazz band.” After hearing them live, I was left with the burning question in my head: “Can they

even hear themselves play?” This is by no means a jazz band! Not even a musically challenged person would be so bold as to call this jazz in any form. They reminded me, and a few of the other patrons (of which there weren’t many), of a hardcore rock metal band who love to scream.

“I don’t like it when I have to yell over the band just to be able to talk. On a college campus, you need college level music - these guys are too hard rock,” said Cody Efingee, former Metro student. Mates Spriggs, another show patron remarked, “I can’t understand them!” He was right. Lead singer Ginty shoved the microphone so far into his mouth that the words were jumbled and unintelligible. “They remind me of Metallica - garage days revisited,” noted Marrana Davis.

Not all of the comments were negative, though. Beth Pettitt said that they were “Rough around the edges, but they have potential. They have good energy.” She was certainly right about that: I have never seen a band’s performance start a one-man mosh-pit before! They weren’t afraid to move around on stage, which is always a plus. One of my biggest complaints about watching live music at any level is that many artists don’t move.

I still wondered where they got the term “Eclectic garage jazz band,” but there were some pretty good songs on their self-titled CD. “… For the First Time Today” prove on the CD that they have some skill in making

music, but their live performance was the exact opposite. Ironically, many of the band members mentioned Harry Connick, Jr. as an influence to their music. On their CD you could hear Ginty trying to sing in Connick’s style; but putting Harry Connick Jr. against Metallica’s instrumentals just doesn’t blend.

“You’ve got to do something new or you’re just a copycat,” said Wally.

Apparently, they stick to that motto very closely because they sound nothing like I’ve ever heard before. The closest that I could come up with for comparison’s sake was Pantera –meets-Prodigy-with-an-attempt-atPhish jam sessions. They were adamant about not doing covers in their live shows and if they did it would sound “nothing like the original song or anything you’ve ever heard before.”

I asked the guys where they saw themselves in five years. Apart from playing to a jail audience, Josh wants “to be in a band that’s important.” Ginty’s goal is “to chart new territory.” Wally’s goal is to be able to play two basses at the same time - “one with my hands and one with my toes.” Dan Dunn’s perspective is slightly different; he thinks that “… For the First Time Today” will be “a Vegas lounge band.” Overall, I’d say that these guys are not the master performers that they could be; so don’t be too disappointed if you miss their show.

Page 7

Club Dates The Fillmore Bad Company and Paul Rodgers, June3. Foo Fighters, Pete Yorn and Special Goodness, June 4.Rabbit in the Moon, June 7. Evanescence, June 11. india.arie, Hazel Miller and Wendy Woo, June 20. Train, July 5. 3Doors down and Our Lady Peace, July 16.

Herman’s Hideaway 303-777-2535 Strange Condition, Love.45 and Soul Thieves, June 6. Rexway, Carolyn’s Mother and High Seasons, June 7. Rubert Planet, Zen Barons and Losing November, June 13. Opie Gone Bad, Potempkin Square and The Ride, June 14. Orion’s Room, Hard karma and Salus, June 20. Buckner Funken Jazz, June 28.

Bluebird Theater 303-322-2308 Lennon and The Nixon Grin, June 1. Infexious Recordz Showcase, October Episode, Brutial Infliction and Tripcage, June 5. United Dope Front, The Funnies and Born in the Flood, June 6. Tim Reynolds and Greg Howard, June 7. Sister Hazel and Blue October, June 11. As I Lay Dying, June 12. Stephan Lynch, June 13. The Buzzcocks, June 14. Switchfoot, June 16. Starflyer 59, Easter Drang and Voices Underwater, June 17. The Gourds, June 18. !!! and Outhud, June 19. Martin Sexton, June 20.

The Ogden 303-830-2525 The Cramps, Ouintron, Miss Pussycat and Call Sign Cobra, June 2.

The Flaming Lips, Liz Phair (acoustic preformance) and Starlight Mints, June 3. Fomofuiab, Typecast, Apathy and Ten50six, June 7.Rollins Band featuring Keith Morris, June 26. Champion Nation and Twisted Soul Present - The Liberation Process, June 27. Cradle of Filth, Shadow Falls, Killswitch Engage and Sworn Enemy, July 14.

The Boiler Room 303-893-5733 Soulpatch, June 7. Pontis Pirate, June 27. Young Lions Conclave, June 28.

Gothic Theater 303-788-0984 The New Pornographers, The Prgan and Otion, June 3. The Haunted, Shia Hulud, Bleeding Through and Kataklysm, June 4. The Samples, June 5. Maraca 5-0 and The Painted Saints, June 6. Yo La Tengo and The Clean, June 11. Thro CUlt, Corruption, SIlencer, Excommunion, Mandrake and Sickbox, June 13. Heavens Playground, June 14. Marc Cohn, June 15. Particia Barber, June 18. Supersuckers, Throw Rag and THe Bronx, June 20. New Monsoon, June 21. Acoustic Syndicate and Henry Parsons Project, June 26.

Widespread Panic Aftershow Party and Particle, June 27. Charlie Musselwhite and The Delta Sonics, July 2.

The Soiled Dove Jefferson Starship Acoustic Explorer, $20, June 17. Acoustic Alchemy, July 8, $20. Patrice Pike and the Black Box Rebellion, $6, July 9.

eatures

F

Page 8-9

May 29, 2003

A celebration of the delight in darkness: gothic underground has its day in the sun from DARK ARTS on 1

Dark Arts Festival

Held simultaneously in three different venues in both the Capital Hill and Lower Downtown neighborhoods, the CDAF organized and executed a day-long spectacle, draped in dark black with sounds and sights of a melancholy fantasy which would have made Edgar Allen Poe stand up and take notice.

“We’re supporting this scene — showing off,” said Gavin, Director of the Festival, who requested that last name be withheld. “What we’re doing this for is another kind of validation, from our peers and friends.”

Starting at 12:45 p.m. May 25th and run-

“This is about the Colorado artists,” said Gavin. “The reality is that in ten years they’ll be working their McJobs. We want to support anything this scene calls art.”

What exactly does the Gothic scene call art? Though the answer may be different among the showcased artists, poets and musicians, Tony Labadie, a graphic artist who superimposes images of demonic monsters over images of human nudes, said Gothic art touches on themes many mainstream citizens might classify as “horror” rather than “fine art.”

“I like monsters,” said Labadie, who showcased his work at the Rock Island dance club, one of the three venues used as showcases during the CDAF. “When I was a kid, I dreamed

‘What is Gothic 150 years from now? We’re dust.’

- Gavin, Director of the Colorado Dark Arts Festival

ning until two a.m., May 26th, Gavin said the CDAF, a non-profit organization, drew a crowd of approximately 700 Gothic participants last year, and expected a crowd of over a thousand for this year’s event. Though important, profit and crowd numbers took a back-seat to the celebration of a lifestyle that has never quite gained mainstream social and artistic acceptance.

by Chris Stark - The Metropolitan Chris Wham lights Heather Curtis' cigarette at Rock Island during the The Colorado Dark Arts festival. The festival occurred simultaneously on May 25 at Rock Island, Onyx and Cafe Netherworld.

of monsters. I started having wet dreams about monsters and saw that no one else was doing the kind of work I wanted to do, so I created my own [images].”

Labadie said the CDAF provided a great opportunity to introduce the darker art and artists into Denver’s apparently sluggish art scene.

“The CDAF is great way to introduce the darker arts and its local artists,” said Labadie. “Colorado is a bland scene for certain types of arts.”

Along with Rock Island, the CDAF presented fashion shows, industrial-Gothic music, poetry and films at Club Onyx and Café Netherworld in the Capital Hill neighborhood.

Showcasing various outfits with liberal doses of dark colors, leather and lace on fashion runways; industrial musical bands singing about such themes as falling from the grace of God; and prose expressing the poet’s depth of despair, the festival aimed to provide a little something for everyone — including sex.

Shauna Huff, a CDAF patron and long time participant in Denver’s Gothic community, said that the Gothic scene allows acknowledgement and expression of the darker side of sexuality as well as a style of dress and music. “(The Gothic community) is a mild strip-club

by Steven Stoner - The Metropolitan where you can relax and do what you want,” said Huff, Rachel Marzullo displays her wares at the Colorado Dark Arts Festival who was adorned in a at Club Onyx in Denver on May 25. In addition to the works of art the corset and fishnet stockfestival had live music and a fashion show.

by Chris Stark- The Metropolitan A fashion show at Rock Island featuring Buunker Bunnie clothing was the highlight of the Colorado Dark Arts Festival. The festival also included bands, DJs amd works from local artists. It also occurred simultaneously at the nightclub Onyx and Cafe Netherworld.

ings, a common sight among the female participants in the CDAF. “It’s an open-minded scene to express who you really are.”

With an abundance of what many in the mainstream would consider taboo, both the Gothic community and the CDAF would seem to attract individuals regarded as aliens among “normal” society. Colorado Dark Arts Collective Director of Communications, William Tompkin, said those within the Gothic community often have rewarding careers and lives outside of the scene.

“This is more like an art movement than a sub-culture,” said Tompkin. “These people are going around through their everyday lives just like everyone else. They’re not evil.”

Susan See, a staff member of the CDAF echoed the opinion that those who are drawn to

the Gothic community are indeed often misunderstood by those who embrace what is commonly accepted as a normal lifestyle.

“We don’t deny the realities of life,” said See. “I think that’s what scares people. We wear our heart on our sleeve. At least we’re honest.”

Living up to the reputation of dwelling exclusively on the gloomier side of life, Gavin said the Gothic community expresses its views on living life to the fullest by providing a philosophical perspective on the inevitability of the death of everything, including the CDAF and the Gothic scene in general.

“What is Gothic 150 years form now?” asked Gavin. “We’re dust. There is a lot of interest in this question. I was given a limited amount of time to express myself in this life.

The Gothic scene explores that question.”

PAGE 10 ~ THE METROPOLITAN ~ MAY 29, 2003

Spring Love finds troubled love

Bolder in Boulder

by Jonelle Wilkinson Seitz The Metropolitan

by Steve Stoner - The Metropolitan Runners cross the finish line at the 25th Bolder Boulder May 25. A record crowd of 48,108 ran this years race.

For full photo essay go online: metonline.mscd.edu

iploma D

The fifteen-member cast of the Bug Theatre’s Spring Love outnumbered the audience members at the May 18 performance.

Despicable. Anyone who has ever looked out from the stage into a house only spotted, not filled, with people or heard the pathetic, sparse applause of a few knows the feeling of futility the cast must have felt. Amazingly though, the sad turnout did not noticeably diminish the actors’ energy.

Spring Love, written and directed by John Maloney, is a collage of intertwined plots, anecdotes, monologues and musical interludes about romantic love. Unlike the hideous I Love You You’re Perfect Now Change, Spring Love deals with the relationships of gay men, lesbians and prostitutes as well as marriage and heterosexual relationships. The tone of the play, however, is unfortunately much like that of the former in that most issues are resolved easily; the question is more often how to resolve than whether to resolve at all.

The only plot that did not end with a couple moving blissfully forward in their relationship is one in which David (Nils Kiehn) became involved with Jeff (Darren Schroader) and David’s girlfriend (GerRee Hinshaw) found out about it. The plot’s final episode concluded with Hinshaw singing a song that left no doubt that she was finished with David.

The most troubling relationship was the one between Jeff and Rex, a prostitute (Step Pearce).

When Jeff decided he was paying Rex for the wrong reason and wanted to end their relationship, Rex suddenly admitted he liked Jeff and renounced his career with no strings attached.

From then on, the couple seemed to be moving in a straight line toward eternal happiness.

The same easy resolution took place with the only married couple in the play. The couple (Belinda Hoole and Kevin Wenning), bored with each other, had only to go on separate vacations in order to rejuvenate their relationship for life.

However, their story was made fun by voice-over narration and a constantly flashing ring on Hoole’s finger.

The love between characters played by Jadelynn Stahl and Mare Trevathan Philpott seemed to grow organically. After escaping a game show where they were bachelorette contestants vying for an undesirable bachelor, they discover a giggly, girlishly sensual love between themselves. They are one of the couples, along with Erika DeShay and Ed McBride, who explore the “I love you” issue, in which one person says it and the other does not know how to reciprocate.

Philpott’s character, though unable to say the exact words, finds her own way to reassure Stahl’s character that the feeling is mutual.

Robin Davies, Cupid a.k.a. Senor Ramore, tied things together somewhat and closed each half of the show. In disguise, he wore a large overcoat and assisted those who needed help with love. Alone, he wore tight pink pants and wings and smoked a cigarette (sadly, this personification of angels as rough men is overdone) as he addressed the audience about the state of love in today’s society. His British accent aided him greatly in winning the audience’s adoration.

Music, manifested in the ukulele by Kiehn, the saxophone by Todd Simmonds, the French horn by Katie Benfield and songs by the cast, also tied the episodes together. Hinshaw’s lovely voice, backed only by the creaking of the Bug’s stage underfoot, was a highpoint of the evening.

Kenn Penn’s set, Dr. Seuss-like stairs and entryways covered with fake turf and colorful flowers, was effective in creating an sureal landscape that enhanced the whimsical scenes and provided irony during conflicts.

Remaining performances of Spring Love are May 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31 at 8p.m. at the charming Bug Theatre, 3654 Navajo St. in Denver.

MAY 29, 2003 ~ THE METROPOLITAN ~ PAGE 11

d n a in Baghdad r a Fe loathing

This is an unusual story, but we live in unusual times. I have a friend with whom I’ve been in sporadic correspondence since he left the Texas desert for the one in Iraq.

He has agreed to relate his story for the readers of the Metropolitan. He has found himself in the middle of a war that few will understand and even fewer will experience firsthand.

At times I have known him to be wildly patriotic — he has served in two military branches — but because of the nature of his story, he wishes to remain anonymous.

This story is the second in a series of attempting to illustrate a cross-section of this conflict. He has found himself, like so many other Americans before him, in the middle of a war, dehydrated and horribly sunburned.

BAGHDAD “Through the fever-induced haze of two days on the road and three days in a humvee, stopping only briefly to urinate and refuel, I sat and pondered why my convoy was now at a standstill in the middle of Baghdad, Iraq. How the hell did I come to this place?”

He had been in the desert about two weeks, just long enough to become acclimated to the harsh environment. His immune system had dealt with the foreign illnesses and the new atmosphere, and he was finally able to concentrate his full attention on the mission at hand.

“So now, at the hottest part of the hellish day in a country where people want to kill you, far from my friends and relations I sat, sweating toxins into the atmosphere, all the while powered by the mix of caffeine, Copenhagen, and painkillers in my system.”

His head ached by the third or fourth hour on the road to Baghdad. He felt like he had the flu under the pressure of the heavy sun and the mounting tension of trying not to be left behind

again.

“I had no anti-flu meds, so I took arthritis-strength powder painkillers to help me out.”

The vehicle convoy made poor time across the desert, causing the proverbial “hurry up and wait.” When the line of vehicles finally began to roll again, the drivers were plagued by vehicle breakdowns and delirium brought on by lack of sleep.

“Before we made it into Baghdad, I watched helplessly as the Hemmet Fueler, a six-wheeled vehicle carrying almost 2,500 gallons of JP-8, veered off the road at 50 miles an hour and jumped a one foot embankment. This must have served to wake up the fool driving, because he promptly

veered back onto the highway, narrowly avoiding a concrete pillar wider than his vehicle.”

Countless times along the way to Baghdad, the convoy would suddenly stop without explanation. Each time they were ordered to get out and set up in the desert with their weapons, in case of an attack while they were waiting. Then, without much warning, they would start moving again, with “no explanation whatsoever.”

“Several times I would be relieving myself. and have to “cut it off” and hurry back to my position as the vehicle’s primary driver.”

After what seemed like an eternity of driving beyond the point of exhaustion, the men were allowed to rest for around three hours before doing it all over again.

He realized they were delayed once more. They were in the outskirts of Baghdad.

“It was hot, and I was delirious with the sickness I had contracted before leaving. When I say it was hot, some may imagine a heat index of 100 or 110 degrees. That may have been true if I had been in the shade, but I was seated in direct sunlight, wearing not only my full compliment of WEB gear, but also a very warm woodland camo flak vest, and, thanks to the efficiency of the central issuing facility on post, a winter weight DCU top.”

“On top of it all, I’d actually had to stop drinking any sort of liquids due to the fact that I had to urinate more furiously than I ever have before.

And that’s saying a lot.”

In the humvee, he looked immediately to his right where his Captain sat engaged in conversation through his window with some Iraqi school children who spoke English fluently. To his left, several Iraqi men were hopping a wall in order to loot a local government building.

His eyes instinctively scanned across the ragtag rooftops of the nearby shanties for snipers. Every doorway, window and blind spot became suspect.

“My eyes were reporting directly to my sub-conscious, at this point in order to allow my conscious mind to enjoy the full brunt of what seemed like a feverish dream. A small voice in my head asked if my bladder had burst yet, and I replied that I couldn’t tell.

Suddenly I was aware that I must urinate, regardless of the consequences. There, on a public street, I could not simply whip it out. We had been warned against being seen ‘pissing on Iraq.’

“So then and there I decided it was best to fill a bottle.

Normally this is an easy enough task but not today.

A few minutes later, I knew without a doubt that I had urine on my pants. I didn’t care. The crisis in my bladder averted, I continued to hallucinate and then, laughing, stuffed a dry, jowl-quiver inducing lump of foulest Copenhagen into a lip devoid of moisture, all the while refusing my body’s urge to hydrate.”

“Finally, though, I relented and drank some hot chocolate — without the chocolate, of course.”

Somewhere along the yellow brick road into Iraq, some impatient civilians waylaid the convoy. The civilians were in such a hurry they didn’t even realize they had accidentally blocked the path of U.S. Military vehicles.

“I was in the process of laughing maniacally and ramming a civilian auto when my captain made me stop.

With a sharp look in my direction, he leaped from the vehicle with our Squad Automatic Weapon (M-249) to aid in directing traffic. The other two men in the vehicle followed suit. I pointed at this one old Iraqi man who was in the process of backing out of my way.

I tried to look mean, but I don’t know how intimidating I am with a lip full of chew and a grin on my face.”

The desired effect of moving the Iraqi civilians out of the way was accomplished and they moved through the intersection.

“Later we stopped next to a hospital, and again we became instant celebrities. I remember thinking something like, ‘Hey, there’s a fat Iraqi kid. Who’d’a’thunk it?’”

They continued driving after a short time. The sun blinded him for a few short hours and they stopped to rest, the city of Baghdad behind them. After what seemed to him like an eternity, they began to move again, only to stop a little before dusk.

“As is the custom in this place of hate, I had to don my coldweather undershirt to stave off the cold of the upcoming night. I had time to do this, take a leak and eat part of an MRE while the other three passengers, all of whom outranked me, broke the cardinal rule of this particular operation and went digging around in a blown up tank lying by the side of the road.”

“Disregarding possible booby traps, these three particularly bright individuals (a captain and two ‘senior’ NCOs) traipsed right up to a burned-out enemy tank and had their pictures taken with it. Conquerors, aren’t we all?”

After a short time, everyone got back into their humvees and began the last stage of their trip to Saddam’s hometown of Tikrit.

story by Ian Neligh graphic by Brian Danknich

This is ongoing correspondence and will be continued in the next edition of the Metropolitan.

May 29, 2003

S

ports

Tennis finishes strong Women reach national semi-finals

by Chelsy Klein The Metropolitan The Metro women’s tennis team defeated Northern Colorado 5-0 to capture their second consecutive regional title, and a trip to the National Championship in Orlando, Fl. The 33rd-ranked Roadrunners defeated Bloomsburg University 5-1 in national championship quarterfinal play, and then dropped 0-5 against Lynn University to end their season with an overall record of 21-2.

Named 1999-2003 RMAC Champions, 2002 and 2003 North Central Regional Champions, as well as 2002 and 2003 NCAA Tournament Qualifiers, the women have repeatedly excelled in their game, earning #1 ranking for the North Central Region in both 2002 and 2003, and a Top 40 National Ranking in 2002 and 2003.

Junior Jasmon Crabb had her first loss of the season in her singles match against Lynn University on Friday May 9th, thereby eliminating her from competition and sending the

women Roadrunners home empty handed. “[We] achieved all of our goals,” said Head Coach Eduardo Provencio. “The team overall played better than expected.”

Provencio said the team would probably have gone farther if they had been more challenged in a broader arena, rather than just playing regional schools. The national rankings have not been released yet, but Provencio feels that the women will probably be in the top 25.

As for the men’s team, they finished 18-3 overall for the year, after an upsetting defeat

by Northwest Missouri State 5-3.

“Northwest Missouri State was ready far a fight and we weren’t ready to play at that level,” said Provencio. “We played well all year, but ended with some disappointment.”

Freshman Andre Nilsson, from Orebro, Sweden, was named Conference Freshman of Year and finished 14-0 in singles with an undefeated regular season. He beat the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats the No.4 singles round.

Page 13

Provencio resigns ITA ‘Coach of the Year’headed for Division I school

Troubled season closes Baseball team finishes in 5th place

by Ivan Moreno The Metropolitan A season that started with high expectations for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champs drew to a close on May 4 as the Roadrunners lost four straight to the Regis Rangers.

Going into the series, there wasstill a chance that Metro could have qualified for the RMAC tournament. If they won 3 out of the 4 games with Regis and if New Mexico Highlands had lost one of their four games against Southern Colorado, Metro would have appeared in the tournament.

When the Roadrunners lost the first two games against Regis, (1-5, and 3-13) erasing any hopes for continuing the season, all they had left to play for was pride.

“We realized the conference tournament was on the line, and we needed to do well.” Head coach Vince Porreco said. “We needed to go out and compete as athletes and as a team, once we didn’t reach [the tournament].”

The next two games also ended in defeat.

Regis was able nab the fourth and final spot in the tournament, beating Metro 8-2 and 15-9.

Though the Roadrunners began the year winning nine of their first ten games, they placed 5th on the RMAC standings with record of 11 and 17, three games below .500. They finished the season 25-26 overall.

The Roadrunners never matched their brilliant play from the first ten games again. After a four game series with Northwest Nazarene, garnering 37 runs, Metro was unable to string together more than two consecutive victories.

Weather may have been one factor, as key conference games scheduled to play on Auraria Fields were moved to neutral playing grounds because of field damage due to the storms in March. The bulk of Metro’s loses came when they traveled: they only lost twice at home.

“When you’re at home you feel more comfortable, your players get better rest, you feel more comfortable with your facility. So it does play a

big part of it,” said Porreco. “It’s tough when you have some of the teams coming in and you have some home field advantage to go play at a neutral site. It’s no excuse, we just didn’t handle that adversity very well.”

Even with the tough road schedule, Metro’s offense was able to put up great numbers on offense, with four players hitting above .350 for the year. Meanwhile, their pitching woes echoed loudly through the spring as they amassed a combined earned run average of 7.36.

Coach Porreco doesn’t blame any one area, though.

“There is no blame. It’s a team effort. There were times when we pitched well and we didn’t produce on offense,” he said. “We didn’t complement each other very well this year, with pitching, defense and our offense. Seems like we were never able to come up with the big pitch, or the big play, or the big hit.”

Injuries are the factor that the fans usually don’t hear about. Starting catcher C.J. Brown separated his shoulder and played hurt half the season, until finally he couldn’t anymore, missing the last three weeks. Vital players from the pitching staff were injured as well.

“We had a projected starter go down in January, Mike Sloan, and a left-handed closer who we were expecting to do some great things went down also,” Porreco said. “Then, our number two starting pitcher, Dan Morasci, had a stress fracture in his arm and wasn’t able to throw the last three weekends.”

A week after the sweep at Regis, eight Roadrunner players were credited with All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference honors.

Outfielder Brian Edwards was selected to the All-RMAC First Team for the second year in a row, (he was also selected to First Team AllRegion) while pitcher Blake Eager and first baseman James Edwards earned seats on the All-RMAC Second Team. Clint Cleland, Ricky Fuller, Aaron Garcia, Caleb Salankey, and Brad Swartzlander all received All-RMAC Honorable Mentions.

by Chelsy Klein - The Metropolitan Metro Head Tennis Coach Eduardo Provencio and his golden retriever, Cheyenne. Provencio will leave the Roadrunners for a head coaching job at the University of Texas’ Pan America campus.

nis, but his special talent is his ability to relate to the student athletes.”

Since taking the reins at Metro in 1999, Provencio has led the Roadrunners to an overMetro State Roadrunners Tennis Head all record of 42-6 and regional championship Coach Eduardo Provencio has accepted an titles two years in a row. He has been twice offer to coach at the University of Texas, and named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference will resign his position here effective June 30.

Men’s and Women’s Coach of the Year, and Provencio, recently named the was honored as the 2001 National Coach for Intercollegiate Tennis the Botswana Davis Association North Cup Squad.

Central Region “He should be able Women’s Coach of the to be very competitive Year, will begin July 1 at a Division I school,” as head coach at the Pan said Assistant Athletic America campus in Director and Head Edinburg, Texas; a Soccer Coach Brain Division I program.

Crookham, who also “[Texas] is a pretty praised Provencio for tropical place, which is putting Metro tennis a better environment for into the national spotgood tennis. It’s a great light and for being a opportunity,” said positive influence both Provencio. on the athletic staff and The news comes as in his teaching ability. a hard blow to The “We are going to Roadrunners as an miss him sorely,” said excellent year draws to Director of a close. The women’s Julie Rummel-Mancuso Assistant Campus recreation, team won their second Assistant Director of Campus Recreation Julie Rummelconsecutive North Mancuso. “I know that Central Regional he did a lot of good things here at Metro, but Championship this year and ranked 33rd it is great that he has the opportunity to move entering nationals, where they advanced to the on to bigger and better things. He has worked NCAA’s Elite Eight, before losing to Lynn hard and really deserves this chance to be a University in the semi-final round.

Division I coach, but we will miss him a lot.”

“He has taken our men’s and women’s There is no word yet about who will take tennis team to a national power and he is over his position when he leaves. Three candiready to move on to be a Division I coach” dates are competing for the post, and said Athletics Director Joan McDermott. “He Provencio said he would participate in the is an awesome guy and a great coach. Eduardo process of filling the vacancy he leaves has a great knowledge about the game of tenbehind.

by Chelsy Klein The Metropolitan

“He has worked hard and really deserves this chance to be a Division I coach, but we will miss him a lot.”