Volume 33, Issue 17 - Jan. 20, 2011 by Met Media

THE

ETROPOLITAN METROPOLITAN

January 20, 2011, Vol. 33, Issue 17

Serving Auraria for 31 years

Online >> http://themet.metrostudentmedia.com

Auraria back in the spring of things

Class times adjusted to allow more sections By Brittney Dahl bdahl14@mscd.edu

Metro senior, Haley Carnefix gathers textbooks Jan. 18, in the Auraria Campus Bookstore. Lines of students crowded the Tivoli and other administrative areas around Auraria during the first day of the Spring 2011 semester. Photo by Sean Mullins • smullin5@

mscd.edu

SPORTS Former men’s basketball player now shooting from sidelines as assistant coach • 17

Women’s basketball in elite group of undefeated Division II teams • 15

METROSPECTIVE Denver gets putt putt smashed • 9 Local band invited to play in the big leagues of South by Southwest festival • 14

ew class start times will help utilize the limited space on campus more appropriately, Auraria Higher Education Center officials said. The increased enrollment on campus revealed some programs are gaining as much as a 30 percent growth in students this semester. There is a need to provide classrooms for programs at Metro and CCD that had previously been reduced due to a lack of classrooms. AHEC hopes the scheduling changes — and eventually more classroom real estate — will provide more available space for students. “The most dramatic increase came from the Community College of Denver,” AHEC’s Division Director Jeff Stamper said. The earliest start time for most classes will be 8 as opposed to 7:30 a.m., Stamper said. Select classes will begin at 6:30 a.m. The previous start time at 7:30 a.m. was underutilized, Stamper said. Most evening classes will now end at 7:45. However, last section of classes will begin at 8 and end at 9:15 p.m. Previously all classes were finished by 8:45 p.m. “There were gaps in the schedule that weren’t utilized as efficiently as they could,” he said. Time changes have allowed AHEC to accommodate more classes per week. AHEC scheduled 6,100 classes this semester, up from about 5,800 during the fall. “The new schedule will allow more classes during the period of high demand in the middle of the day,” Faculty Senate President and Associate Professor of physics Kamran Sahami said. Sean Nesbitt, director of facilities planning and space management for AHEC, said an added bonus for most students would be coinciding the business aspect of academic advising and other services available on campus with class times. Nesbitt said students who work full-time and are accustomed to the 5:30 p.m. start time might find the 5 p.m. class more of an adjustment and scheduling conflict leaving less time to get to campus. Nesbitt said AHEC is looking at all possibilities to relieve growing classroom sizes. AHEC will be using non-traditional spaces, including conference rooms and the recently vacated Starz FilmCenter, for additional classroom space.

3 • JANUARY 20, 2011 • THE METROPOLITAN “To have a personal identity crisis over the fact that you are suddenlty a different Zodiac/ astrological sign is ridiculous.”

EWS

- LARA GRIFFITH • INSIGHT • 6

A marvelous marade

INDEX INSIGHT ... 6 METROSPECTIVE ... 9 SPORTS ... 15 TIMEOUT ... 18

WEATHER 1.20 • Mostly Sunny High: 35/Low: 12 1.21 • Partly Cloudy High: 47/Low: 18 1.22 • Mostly Cloudy High: 46/Low: 24 1.23 • Chance of Snow High: 39/Low: 21 1.24 • Partly Cloudy High: 42/Low: 21 1.25 • Mostly Sunny High: 56/Low: 28 1.26 • Mostly Sunny High: 47/Low: 22 By Kendell LaRoche

CORRECTIONS In the Dec. 9 print edition of ‘, State Senator Angela Williams D-Denver was misidentified in a photo as Angela Giron D-Pueblo on page A3.

racy Miller holds a sign of Martin Luther King Jr. as people march past Jan. 17 during Denver’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. Marade. The marade began in City Park next to the Martin Luther King Jr., “I Have a Dream” monument. Thousands marched in this year’s event. Metro hosted it’s 20th annual Peace Breakfast in King’s name Jan. 21. The breakfast honored local social rights activits. Story on page 9. Photo by Leah Millis • lmillis@mscd.edu

Hiatus for Healthy Moves Fitness program on hold until permanet space is found By Alex Baskett abaskett@mscd.edu Wide-spread popularity, steady funding and passionate support from students, staff and faculty failed to be enough to keep the Healthy Moves program from taking a hiatus while its future is decided. Healthy Moves held its final day of classes Dec. 9 in the Roger Braun Lounge. Despite a spirited struggle to keep the space, the health and fitness program’s lease was not renewed by the Student Advisory Committee to the Auraria Board. As a consolation, the program’s previous reservation for Tivoli 640

was honored. Despite the provision, Auraria Heath Center Director Steve Monaco chose not to hire a replacement for former program director Linda Wilkins-Pierce, who retired after the fall semester. A more permanent space needs to be found first, he said. “We want to offer the program … we’re committed,” Monaco said, reiterating his personal support for Healthy Moves, which has come under attack by supporters of the program. In an e-mail to supporters, Healthy Moves regular Barbara Harper Tinsley leveled charges against Monaco for announcing the program’s hiatus during finals week when many students were less likely to notice or respond publicly to the decision. Harper Tinsley called the decision “inexplicable,” citing available space, funding and student interest for the program. Tinsley is also circulating a

petition she plans to deliver to Metro President Stephen Jordan in an effort to find additional support from administration. “Since both funding and space are no longer concerns, it is no longer possible for the Health Center to use those issues as excuses for this decision,” Tinsley said. Healthy Moves supporters also sent more than 150 letters to Monaco, many describing the program as “an integral part of their education,” Monaco said. Finding a home has been an issue for Healthy Moves since it was removed from the St. Francis Center in 2009 after the Auraria Board leased that space to the Community College of Denver. During the hiatus, money for the program will be set aside. As soon as an adequate space is found, the program will resume, Mo-

naco said. The funds will only be held until next fall though, compounding pressure to find a new space before then. While Healthy Moves searches for a more permanent space, SACAB is drafting new rules that will limit how organizations can reserve space, said Jesse Altum, a member of the SACAB subcommittee responsible for drafting the new legislation. Altum is also a member of Metro Student Government Assembly. “We want to avoid another Healthy Moves situation,” Altum said. If the Auraria board approves the new policy, future reservation by clubs and organization in the Tivoli will be limited both on the length of reservations and the frequency. The new restrictions are meant to keep a few organizations from monopolizing the Tivoli, Jonathan Raabe, UCD’s SACAB representative said.

To notify The Metropolitan of an error in any of our reports, please contact Editor-in-Chief Ashley Moreland at amorela1@mscd.edu

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4 • NEWS • JANUARY 20, 2011 • THE METROPOLITAN • FYI: More than ten people a year are killed by vending machines.

VP MacKay says goodbye to Metro By Nic Garcia and Caitlin Gibbons The Metropolitan Resigning Vice President of Metro’s Student Services Kathleen MacKay said stabilizing leadership in her department was her greatest accomplishment. When she was hired in 2007, about one-third of the administrators under her purview were interims. Now with a solid leadership team in place, MacKay’s resignation is effective Jan 31. She said she is leaving her post for personal reasons. Her first stop after her last day at Metro Jan. 26 — Africa. “I don’t want to retire while I’m this young. I’m going to take a break now and then work a longer period of time. I’m mostly taking it for personal reasons, to take a little time and smell the roses,” MacKay said. MacKay has been planning a trip to Africa for more than nine years. After her world travel bug has been satisfied, she plans to spend time with her parents, who live in Broomfield. Leaving Metro was not an easy decision for MacKay. She has spent all of her professional life working with student services at multiple

schools. Metro’s Student Services department has been by and large different from other institutions. Until recently, Metro was the exception to the rule having Student Services as a separate division to the provost’s office, MacKay said. Most higher education institutions streamline the programs for a better student experience. “I’ve never worked in at a more complicated place than Auraria and Metro,” MacKay laughed. In the fall, MacKay and Student Services reported directly to Metro President Stephen Jordan. However, as of September, MacKay partnered with Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Vicki Golich. Student Services oversees departments including Student Life and the registrar’s office. Jordan said adopting the model was the second phase of the college’s restructuring. “For five years we have been setting the stage by developing collegewide strategies that would allow for this preferred model,” Jordan said in a statement announcing the transition. “It will not only enhance the quality of our students’ education, but also free my time so I can have a greater focus on external relations and fundraising for the college.”

Vice President of Student Services Kathleen MacKay discusses her plans after her resignation takes effect Jan. 31. MacKay will vacation in Africa before spending time with her parents. Photo by

Steve Anderson • sande104@mscd.edu MacKay said she sees fundraising becoming paramount with money for higher education dwindling each year. She said she hopes her successor will have to do their homework to appreciate the uniqueness of Auraria.

“We’re an important place for giving people opportunities,” MacKay said. “We educate one in five Colorado students.” MacKay said she wished she could have attended more campus events during her tenure.

“It’s easier to do the job when you’re reminded why you do it,” MacKay said. A goodbye party for MacKay will take place at 4 p.m. Jan. 25. in the Tivoli Turnhalle.

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Did you know: The stegosaurus is designated as Colorado’s official state fossil? • THE METROPOLITAN • JANUARY 20, 2011 • NEWS • 5

Professional Handbook lacks policy for canceling classes Instructors allowed to cancel class without notification By Ramsey Scott and Lisa Gennaro The Met Report Metro has neither a policy nor a standard requiring teachers to notify their students when canceling a class. Last semester, Metro students in an environmental science course were left wondering why class had been canceled for an entire week. “We didn’t get an e-mail, we didn’t get a note, and I didn’t hear a reminder in class so the first thing I thought was that something went wrong,” Amberleigh Plowman, a Metro sophomore, said. The Met Report was notified of the incident and investigated what Metro’s policies are regarding cancelations of classes and notifying students thereafter. Its investigation found that the college has no set standard. The Metro State Professional Handbook given to professors lacks

a policy on how students should be notified of an absence by the instructor, planned or not. The investigation discovered the method of notification is at the professors’ personal discretion. Teachers have the options of e-mailing, posting a note outside of their classrooms or mentioning an upcoming cancelation to students during class. “How they notify students about that is up to them. Usually, they certainly mention it in class. If that is the way they want to do it, they can certainly e-mail,” Professor Kenneth Engelbrecht, chair of the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department, said. Engelbrecht said professors are given leeway to cancel class in order to attend academic events, which is part of a professor’s responsibility. If a student misses a class where a professor announces an upcoming absence, it is the student’s own fault, said Engelbrecht. While he believes the current system is fine, not everyone agrees that the method should stay as it is. Faculty Senate President Kamran Sahami and Provost Vicki Golich agree the lack of a policy is a prob-

GOOD QUESTION: Why do first-time borrowers have to wait 30 days before their loans pay out? By Alex Baskett

11 percent of Metro grads default on student loans exceeding federal benchmark

The Met Report Online www.metreport.tv

The Met Repot Channel www.youtube.com/user/ TheMetReport

lem. “In this day and age, I don’t see why there wouldn’t be an e-mail,” Sahami said. “In terms of a the commuter campus … the portion of the students that really have to work that come down here, rearranging their schedules, I think an e-mail would be the very least you could do.” The current handbook is dated February 2010. Golich said the policy for canceling notification is one of many issues that could be resolved by a revision of the professional handbook given to professors at Metro.

Bad borrowing has put an extra hurdle in the way of students hoping to use student loans for the first time to cover additional education expenses like books, housing and transportation. However, those first-time borrowers are not the ones responsible. They are merely the victims of other students who have defaulted on their student loan obligations. A rise in the number of Metro students defaulting on their education loans has triggered a delay in distribution of funds for first-year students who are first time borrowers. When a school’s rate of default on Federal Stafford Loans rises above 10 percent, new students’ funds are delayed an additional 30 days. Brian Hultgre, assistant director of financial aid, said he’s been in contact with other local institutions to discuss the rise in defaults. Metro, like many other schools in the area, is merely dealing with results of a national economic crisis and a jump in the unemployment rate, he said.

While Metro’s current default rate of 11 percent is nowhere near the 40 percent mark, where the school would lose federal funding altogether, the funding delay has served as an adequate wake up call for the administration, Hultgren said. Individual institutions and the federal government have started to address the issue. The federal government has gone as far as offering students and graduates opportunities to win large cash prizes in drawings for visiting websites about financial literacy, Hultgren said. “It’s the carrot to get people to take advantage of these resources,” Hultgren said. In 1989, when the Default Management Initiative was originally introduced, the national rate of default within 24 months of graduating was 22.4 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Education. The current national rate stands at 7 percent. Nearly 1,200 schools have lost their eligibility since the program’s inception.

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Caught up in cosmic limbo Recently, I have been informed by several friends, a scientist and, most importantly, Facebook that I am no longer a Scorpio. It seems that because Earth rotates on an axis every couple of thousand — OK, I don’t understand the whole thing, but the stars aren’t lining up the same way they did about 5,000 years ago when the Zodiac signs were created. Now there is a new/old Zodiac sign, Octopus (really it’s Ophiuchus — Nov. 29 to Dec. 17), and I have been bumped back. So, I’m apparently a Libra now. This stinks. I really liked being a Scorpio. I don’t know why, but you know it’s a day relating to your specific day of birth. And even though a million other people are born on that day it’s like your one identity that never changes — and now it’s changed. I genuinely feel depressed. Well, let’s try and fix that. I am lost, feeling as though I have no identity, but all these Zodiac and astrological signs have personality traits. I suppose I had the personality traits of a Scorpio, and now I should have the traits of a Libra. Well, astrologists say a Scorpio is not to be taken lightly. I am on a mission to learn about others, only concerned with beginnings and endings, endless curiosity, stubborn and determined to succeed. Also, Scorpios are complex, secretive and suspicious. Scorpio’s element is water, but I have never been good at swimming.

Libras are focused on others and do not — extra emphasis NOT — want to be alone. We epitomize balance, harmony and a sense of fair play. Though our favorite partnership is at home, in marriage. The symbol for the Libra is scales, fairness; we are objective. Libras want balance, what is best for everyone and abhor conflict. First off, I feel a little bit of a connection with the Libra sign because I absolutely love the word “abhor.” It just emotes so much more passion than “hate.” Besides, if we abhor conflict then how can we really say we “hate” conflict? Anyway, I digress. Besides, the Libra’s element is air and I abhor flying. Their quality is a cardinal, and I really don’t see what religion has to do with any of this. Hmm, this is odd. I was able to pick traits from the Scorpio personality that I feel I possess — and I was able to pick traits from the Libra personality that I exhibit as well. Now I’m really in an identity crisis. Am I a Scorpio or a Libra? You evil scientists! You have me confused! Maybe this is the universe’s way of easing me from my old crazy Scorpio personality into my new levelheaded Libra personality? Oh no! Am I becoming a levelheaded adult? Will I (gasp!) want to get married? Or perhaps, it’s a long shot, maybe this means squat. To have a personal identity crisis over the fact that you are suddenly a differ-

THE METROPOLITAN • JANUARY 20, 2011 • INSIGHT • 6

munity event — hitting a total of 18 before bystanders tackled him while he reloaded. No “weapons of mass destruction” — George W. Bush’s bogus rationale for his Iraq war — were found in Iraq. But personal-sized WMD’s, like Loughner’s Glock and 31-round clips are available at nearly any gun shop or gun show in America — thanks in part to a spineless U.S. Congress, fearing National Rifle Association wrath, allowing a President Clinton-era Assault Weapons Ban to expire in 2004. But easy access to semiautomatic Glocks and similar WMD’s are what the NRA, Tea Party foaming mouths and Right Wing broadcast blowhards would have us believe the U.S. Constitution’s framers had in mind with a Second Amendment calling for a “right to bear arms” for a “well-regulated militia” at a time of 18thcentury single-shot flint-and-powder rifles. That rapid-fire automatic weapons with highcapacity clips shouldn’t be available to anyone but military or law-enforcement people should be a no-brainer. It isn’t. Because, when the NRA sneezes, gutless politicians catch pneumonia. A social outcast, loner and holder of many conspiracy theories, Loughner’s psychic profile is disturbingly similar to that of Columbine high schoolers Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, shooters in the 1999 Columbine massacre that took the lives of 12 students and one teacher, including the shooters’. Despite worldwide media attention on Colorado due to the Columbine massacre and fervent calls for tighter controls, nothing happened. The same was true after shooting massacres at Virginia Tech; Fort Hood, Texas, and a string of smaller-scale shootings going back long before Evergreen’s John Hinkley shooting at President Ronald Reagan in 1982.

Since 1979

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ashley Moreland amorela1@mscd.edu MANAGING EDITOR Caitlin Gibbons cgibbon4@mscd.edu

LARA GRIFFITH lgriff25@mscd.edu ent Zodiac/astrological sign is ridiculous. I’ll level with you. I am very attached to my birthday, as I’m sure a lot of you are. And granted Scorpio sounds a lot cooler than Libra; I mean Scorpio sounds like Angelina Jolie, the Lara Croft version before she had all the babies, and Libra sounds like Reese Witherspoon, the cute blonde, I got married at 23 to my first real boyfriend version. But they are both very pretty! My birthday and the millions of others that were also born that day has NOTHING to do with what planet happened to be in the sky and what stars happened to be aligned. My personality has NOTHING to do with the day I was born. So screw you Zodiac signs. I will subscribe to neither of your labels (though I still have to check out the new Octopus one). The one and ONLY thing that I will take from this ENTIRE experience is I really like the word “abhor!”

NEWS EDITOR Nic Garcia ngarci20@mscd.edu ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Alex Baskett abaskett@mscd.edu FEATURES EDITOR Megan Mitchell mmitch46@mscd.edu MUSIC EDITOR Stephanie DeCamp sdecamp@mscd.edu ASSISTANT MUSIC EDITORS Ian Gassman igassman@mscd.edu Matt Pusatory mpusator@mscd.edu SPORTS EDITOR Mark Babish mbabish@mscd.edu ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Cody Lemon clemon2@mscd.edu COPY EDITOR J. Sebastian Sinisi Drew Jaynes PHOTO EDITOR Steve Anderson sande104@mscd.edu

Outrage absent while old, new demons remain in New Year Don’t tell the sports blogs, talk radio and Twitter addicts, but the Broncos and Nuggets may not be the most important stories on this planet. January is supposed to be a new year, new beginning, feel-good time when we bask in goodwill built during the holiday season that served to at least mute some of last year’s illwill, of which there was plenty. But, despite the Broncos and Nuggets overkill, in the bigger world beyond Mile High Stadium, the Broncos’ citadel at Dove Valley and the Pepsi Center, last year’s demons are still around. And since the bling-ball dropped over Times Square to welcome 2011, the old demons have been joined by new ones. The new demons have nothing to do with questions surrounding the selection of the Broncos’ new head coach John Fox, nor whom the Nuggets’ franchise-face Carmelo Anthony will play for. But some of the more important questions are a lot less entertaining. Unless you never venture past a Facebook cocoon or Dancing with the Dweebs, you now know all about the Jan. 8 shooting of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in a Tucson, Ariz., bloodbath that left six dead —including a federal judge and a 9-year-old girl. That Giffords, 40, shot through the head, remains alive at all — apart from incredible progress — is miraculous. The shooter, 22-year-old Jared Loughner, was asked to leave Pima Community College when delusional and bizarre behavior became too obvious to ignore. Still, despite a history of worsening mental illness, Loughner had no trouble getting a Glock 9 semiautomic pistol — along with several 31-round ammo clips. They allowed him, after shooting Giffords, to rapidly spray the parking lot crowd at a Giffords’ com-

THE METROPOLITAN

ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITORS Luke Powell lpowel18@mscd.edu Sean Mullins smullin5@mscd.edu

J. SEBASTIAN SINISI sinisi2@msn.com As with the Columbine killers, Loughner showed all the warning signs while nobody paid attention —even as Klebold’s and Harris’ parents were clueless while the boys made bombs in their garage to avenge being victimized. When a disturbed mind like Loughner’s strikes, agenda-wavers from the Left and Right trot out the usual suspects with few surprises. And zero results. There have been laudable calls for less inflammatory political rhetoric. It has gotten out of hand from the Right with Sarah Palin literally flashing a gun-sight cross-hairs on Giffords’ 8th Congressional District in Arizona, and calls for “Second Amendment solutions” by Tea Party fire-eaters. But little of substance seems likely after a temporary armistice. Not only do tighter gun laws never get to first base in America, but — this time around — there’s been barely a peep of protest in that direction. Nor does there seem to be much of a sense of outrage. Sadly, we seem to have moved beyond outrage, along with attempted remedies, as outmoded reactions. Because outrage is so last century. More than a generation ago, a sense of outrage stemming from slow-moving Civil Rights efforts and a Vietnam war that drained any hope for a “war on poverty” at home, led to outrage and — eventually —lasting change. Now, anger is absent. But we have opiates like Facebook, Twitter, celebrity blogs, “reality” TV, American Idol and, closer to home, the Broncos’ and Nuggets’ ongoing intrigues. Progress indeed.

ADVISER Jane Hoback hobackje@comcast.net GRAPHIC DESIGN Kathleen Jewby kjewby@mscd.edu INTERIM DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA Kate Lutrey lutreyk@mscd.edu ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF STUDENT MEDIA Steve Haigh shaigh@mscd.edu ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Elizabeth Norberg enorbert@mscd.edu

The Metropolitan accepts submissions in the form of topic-driven columns and letters to the editor. Column article concepts must be submitted by 1 p.m.. Thursdays and the deadline for columns is 9 p.m. Sundays. Columns range from 500 to 800 words. Letters to the editor must be submitted by 5 p.m. Mondays to be printed in that week's edition. There is 500-word limit for letters to the editor. The Metropolitan reserves the right to edit letters for formatting and style. All submissions should be sent by e-mail to amorela1@mscd.edu. The Metropolitan is produced by and for the students of Metropolitan State College of Denver and serves 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. Opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of Metropolitan State College of Denver or its advertisers.

THE METROPOLITAN • JANUARY 20, 2011 • METROSPECTIVE • 9

ETROSPECTIVE

MLK Breakfast Committee members from right: Robert Bowles, Alysyn Middleton, Patty Lohman, Tony Ledesma and Joshua Gabrielson sing "We Shall Overcome" during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Breakfast. The breakfast honors those who have demonstrated characteristics that reflect Martin Luther King Jr. Photo by Steve Anderson • sande104@mscd.edu

Remembering the dream Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Breakfast brings community together for 20th anniversary celebration to inspire social activism By Megan Mitchell mmitch46@mscd.edu The Tivoli Turnhalle was roaring with applause every five minutes from hundreds of tearing and cheering guests Jan. 14 during the 20th anniversary of Metro’s Martin Luther King Jr. Peace Breakfast. The theme of the celebration was “Rediscovering Lost Values,” and was presented over the clatter of plates and glasses as a resounding call to action illustrated by music, singing, storytelling and inspirational anecdotes from distinguished community representatives and activists in Denver. “If we are to go forward today, we have to go back and rediscover some of the values that we left behind,” Luis Torres, Metro's deputy provost said. “All reality hinges on a moral foundation and all reality has spiritual control." The MLK Peace Breakfast traditionally

awards publically nominated social equality advocates in the Denver community with the Peace Award to recognize their extensive achievements in promoting diversity and equality among all social divisions. This year’s four recipients, honored for their widespread work in Colorado and around the world were: Aaron Smith, president of the Student Association for Social Workers and Board of Directors at Rocky Mountain Peace and Justice Center; and Gerie Grimes, executive director of the Hope Center Community Building, devoted activist in student youth and community building programs. Metro professor Mary Ann Watson has spent 11 years making films to benefit the disenfranchised and Opalanga Pugh was a professional speaker who created educational workshops for diversity training and community health in Africa and Denver. “I'm so very proud to have my work recognized in such a public way,” Watson said. “My

belief is that we should think globally, but act locally.” In accordance with that philosophy, Watson recently organized two textbook drives to Axum, Ethiopia and Nairobi, Kenya where she collectively amassed 14 tons of books. She also led two school-building drives for elementary schools in Maasai county in Kenya and Adowa, Ethiopia. The MLK Peace Breakfast's Master of Ceremonies, Donnie Betts believes the key to rediscovering lost values lies in bridging the gap between generations by establishing a common, open dialogue where ideas are exchanged and action is cooperatively taken. He said campus and community organizations working toward equal rights in areas like prison reform and gay and lesbian rights must unite as a single body of progressive movements. “We must find out how can we all now – like

the '60s and '70s – come together and work for a common good,” Betts said. “Maybe get one thing off the table first, then work on the next issue and take that off the table and on and on.” Currently, Metro is considered a minorityserving institution with an increase of an additional 1,100 minority students from 2009–10. “Despite these accomplishments, there are serious, profound difficulties we face now that perhaps pose a greater challenge in the near future,” Torres said. Colorado has the second-largest educational achievement gap in the country between the white majority population and the next largest ethnic group, Latinos, he said. “I believe that the ceremony brings us together and to remind us of our responsibility,” Watson said. “We have so many opportunities in the U.S., … We must be responsible beyond ourselves.”

10 • METROSPECTIVE • JANUARY 20, 2011 • THE METROPOLITAN

Having a smashing good time Traveling miniputt event and bar comes to Denver Story by Ashley Moreland amorela1@mscd.edu Photos by Luke Powell lpowel18@mscd.edu Laughter, cheers and the loud, mechanical sounds of roboticized art reverberate off warehouse walls, intensified as the afternoon goes on and alcohol is consumed. For six weeks, Smash Putt Miniature Golf Apocalypse! is invading Denver, offering a unique activity for adults by mixing miniature golf, experimental art and a full bar. “It’s the grand experiment; it’s a theory we’re trying to prove; it’s ever-changing,” Jeremy FranklinRoss, co-creator and “instigator” of the project, attempted to project over the cacophony buzzing around the course. This is the first time the event has been to Denver, with one appearance in Portland, Org. and two in Seattle. Franklin-Ross said he wants it to become an annual event in Denver. The course consists of various holes/pieces of art like the Deconstruction Zone, where players must hit their ball up a ramp and into a machine, which drills a hole in their ball. Another is the Driving Range, in which players use an air cannon to project their balls at targets of random pieces of metal, such as a saw blade, hanging in a metal cage — earplugs and hardhats with plastic face shields are provided. One of Franklin-Ross’ favorite holes is Infinity, which is an upwardslanting infinity symbol with a trick hole. “It’s usually a drunk couple [attempting this hole],” he said with a laugh. “The guy will go straight up and try to get it in. The girl will read the directions, then laugh when he can’t [make the shot].” Even if a player can get the ball in the hole, it pops right back out. “It’s impossible; it’s infinity,” Franklin-Ross said. Franklin-Ross said the team adds a new hole each time they present the project. Denver’s experimental hole is Cataputt. This hole requires two people, though Franklin-Ross said it is quite amusing to watch one person try to do it on their own. One player stands on one side of the obstacle, directing the catapult, while the other launches the ball toward windows (holes) in a picture of Rome’s famous Colosseum. “This is all pretty inventive,” Andrew Carr said while he and Katie Parks waited in line to try Cataputt. “A lot of work was put in, [and there

FROM LEFT: Linda McKenzie, Beth Spencer and Nicole Dougherty watch the golfball navigate the Foosball hole at Smash Putt Jan. 16. Smash Putt incorporates moving foosball players trying to block the putt.

were] cool ideas involved.” They said it was their first time at Smash Putt and their favorite hole was the Driving Range. Keith and Julie Mitchelle, trying their luck at Tool Run, also attended for the first time. “It’s pretty nice,” Keith Mitchelle said, looking around, admiring the course. “And the bar is a nice touch!” Smash Putt will run in Denver during the weekends until Feb. 6. Franklin-Ross said attendance at the event has been unpredictable because of winter weather and he is surprised “Denver doesn’t come out in the snow.” “I’d think Denverites would be

used to the snow,” he said. “We’ve had good attendance otherwise … It’s just great to see people come out, have a few drinks and enjoy the experience.”

SMASH PUTT 2762 Walnut St. www.smashputt.com $10–15 Check website for tickets and times.

A grave of golf balls after being drill pressed in the final hole, Deconstruction Zone.

A hole is drilled into a golf ball after a player made the putt at the Deconstruction Zone hole.

THE METROPOLITAN • JANUARY 20, 2011 • METROSPECTIVE • 11

Focusing on fine art, photography Story and Photo by John McEvoy jmcevoy@mscd.edu

By Megan Mitchell mmitch46@mscd.edu

Jasmine Champion, assistant to the director at Working With Artists, arranges balloons Jan. 15 prior to the 10th birthday celebration of Working With Artists. a new liaison with a company that does video marketing for television in order to broaden their audience and focus. “We do four Internet TV shows. [We’ve been in] The Jeffco Business Guide, we do a tech and art show from all over the county by different artists. We do a green show for Jefferson County businesses that do green

information and we do kind of like a Larry King Live, but it’s JBG Live,” videographer Randy Little said. Linda Sheridan, executive director of Working with Artists, moved to Colorado from San Diego five months ago. With a background in art history, nonprofits and politics, this was the perfect position for her. Sheridan said she loves artists and has had her

own art exhibited in galleries all over southern California. “I’ve walked into a situation where the staff are people I couldn’t have picked better, and that is a gift for someone in a situation like this,” Sheridan said.

Green Russell mixes classy drinks, atmosphere By Ian Gassman igassman@mscd.edu I shake my glass at the bartender, asking him for one more drop of rye, gin or scotch –– anything. He shakes his head back at me as he darts his eyes around the crowded, dimly lit basement, knowing the Feds could break up this soiree at any moment. Finally, I lay down my tattered bills and think about trudging through the snowy city to another well-hidden bar. After all, the night is still young and I’m still thirsty. As I get outside and begin to ascend the dark staircase, the cold wind hits me and I snap back to reality, realizing it’s 2011, not 1921. I was just in the recently opened Green Russell cocktail joint, where drinks are legal and especially tasty. Located near 14 Street and Larimer, the Green Russell lies among some of the trendiest restaurants in the city and it follows suit. Exclusivity is a factor, as the bar is only open Wednesday through Sunday. Getting an early reservation is recommended, and there isn’t a cheap draft beer in sight – only cocktails, wine or hard alcohol. These offerings mimic another type of business that was found during the early 20th century, a “speakeasy.” Since that the Denver-based culi-

Head

d te

Til

The FLASH Gallery in the Belmar Arts District hosted a birthday party and fundraiser for Working with Artists Jan. 15. The WWA organization and FLASH celebrated 10 years together as Denver’s premier fine art photography school and gallery. Through diverse classes in photography and frequently changing exhibits, FLASH and WWA seek to involve artists and the arts community in the latest contemporary fine art technologies, techniques and processes that are available now or emerging soon. “Education is a big part of what we do. Gallery exhibitions for everyone, from ‘very beginner’ to ‘very advanced as well as public forums for photographers to come and network, meet with people and share creative ideas,” Associate Director Valerie Photogoddess said. Photogoddess got started in photography when she was 15 and received her degree in photography from the University of Northern Colorado in 1998. She started as a volunteer for WWA, and after eight years and has worked her way up to her current position. In addition to the gallery, classes and special projects, WWA is starting

Bad ad overload

nary giant Frank Bonanno is behind the Green Russell and its “storefront” called Wednesday’s Pie, it’s no wonder the bar has an intriguing concept. Like Bones, Luca d’Italia or any of Bonanno’s other restaurants, the Green Russell serves gourmet food and drinks with a price tag. The atmosphere, though, is complimentary. At first, it’s easy to notice the mood-lighting or soft jazz. Upon closer inspection, patrons will see that each bartender wears a tailored vest and slacks as they crack large cubes of ice off one big block and pour jiggers of top shelf alcohols into crystal mixing glasses. Bartenders can even mix up a customized drink depending on one’s taste in liquor.

A cocktail like the “Bitter End” features the local Leopold Bros. whiskey, paired with ginger liqueur, hints of lime and Fernet Branca. When drizzled down the thin handle of a mixing spoon, the bitter Fernet Branca red liqueur begins to float at the top of the glass and gives the cocktail a unique layering effect: dark on top, light on bottom. Each layer contrasts bittersweet flavors with a refreshingly minty and almost medicinal quality. Keep in mind that an imaginative cocktail like this costs $12. Bottles of wine start at $45, and the price for straight alcohol varies. Denver-based distilleries have a lot of prominence, with Leopold Bros. dominating a lot of the cocktail

menu. The small-batch Leopold Bros. distillery makes gin, vodka and even absinthe, among others. Their “Three Pins” liqueur has an amazing flavor and an inspired distilling process – a number of alpine herbs and flowers are set with sprits and aged, then strained from the alcohol. Drinks likes these don’t really require a thought-out food menu, but fortunately the Green Russell has an extensive one. With various spreads like the $9 smoked, potted trout and tarragon pesto or the $8 deviled egg dip, it’s as simple as putting a hearty amount on a fresh piece of baguette and devouring. It’s also easy to eat a whole batch of the blue cheeseflavored chips. At only $6 a basket, this atypical and delicious bar food is within most price ranges. Don’t lurk in the shadows or worry about knowing some special password; the truth is the Green Russell isn’t a secret. Any bar enthusiast can appreciate its cleverness and enjoy a cocktail or two.

GREEN RUSSELL Specialty cocktails Customized drink mixing sets the Green Russell apart from other cocktail lounges. Photo by Andrew Bisset •

abisset1@mscd.edu

1422 Larimer St. (303)-893-6505

Growing accessibility in consumerism and in-home sales revolutions have made online and TV shopping the most used means for Americans to buy anything they want, whenever they want. Popup spam, personal targeting ads on Facebook, oceans of commercials and late-night infomercials constantly flood the mind with unlikely suggestions that are unwillingly embedded nonetheless. The allure of comfort and nuances in convenience often draw a popular following of interested consumers. The infomercial for Pajama Jeans, for example, has more than 500,000 hits on YouTube, and Snuggies are one of the most-wanted products today. Late-night product advertisement doesn’t necessarily need to showcase things that are comfortable or useful in order to gain sales. Now, an outrageous or bafflingly annoying commercial is enough to gain a popular following, generate free ads through conversation and push unimaginable amounts of useless crap all over the kitchens and junk drawers of America. Long-running spoofs eventually get run into the ground and taken too literally until the squawking “pitch-men” and impossibly enthusiastic actors have been turned into celebrities. It’s all fun and games until suddenly everyone owns a Slap Chop and a Magic Bullet. The tactics being used by advertisers to lure buyers are usually invasive, insulting and targeted at an audience of fourth graders. The real tragedy, however, is how successful all of these obnoxious stratagems are in the end.

Don’t miss Denver artist, S.D. Prochyra, dicuss his newest collection,“Requiem” showing at Illiterate Gallery until Jan. 28.

12 • METROSPECTIVE • JANUARY 20, 2011 • THE METROPOLITAN

Read The label

Hot Congress is party majority One thing we didn’t ask Lucas Johannes was if he ever wanted a big family. Since 2008 or so, he’s had one. As the invested co-founder of the Hot Congress collective and record label, Lucas and his music-addicted cohorts have provided a home for 12 of Denver’s greatest bands. Out of their camaraderie, a website, www.hotcongressdenver.com, has been established, a handful of great records have been released and the label has received a lot of deserved buzz. On Jan. 20, the Hot Congress Fest will take place at the Gothic Theatre where Night of Joy, Lil’ Slugger, Kissing Party, Fingers of the Sun and Thee Goochie Boiz will showcase a mix of experimental rock, retro-pop and the kind of sonic innovation that best defines Hot Congress. Interview by Ian Gassman • igassman@mscd.edu

Lucas Johannes Photo courtesy of Lucas Johannes

IG: When was Hot Congress born and what was it like in the early years? LJ: Hot Congress was started around the end of 2008 [and the] beginning of 2009. Basically, we just wanted to raise money to fund and self-release a compilation. I think, in the first year, we didn’t really look much past that goal. IG: Who had the initial idea to start Hot Congress? Would you consider yourself the main “idea guy” these days? LJ:The initial idea seemed to have come from a number of people at around the same time—members of bands like the Vitamins, Achille Lauro, The Pseudo Dates, Jim Jims, Action Packed Thrill Ride and others. Basically, it was just a group of friends talking about starting a collective and putting out the compilation CD, and then we went ahead and did it. It’s really nothing more complex than that. For the first year or so, there wasn’t any clear-cut “leader” of the group. But when it came time to getting the compilation out, having a release show, and promoting it, it was clear to me that someone needed to take a bigger role in organizing things. But as far as being the “idea guy,” I wouldn’t say that. It’s still a collective and everyone is always free to bring ideas to the table. IG: Your website mentions that Hot Congress is a record label and a collective. Have you found a balance while operating under both of these titles? LJ: Over the last few months I think we’ve been focusing more on the record label side of things. This means putting most of our effort and resources into releasing albums. As a collective we are still hosting a monthly show at the Sky-

Met’s Music Picks

lark Lounge, running a blog on our website and other things of that nature. I guess the line between the two is fairly blurry at this point. IG: As you know, Denver has a lot of bands and very few labels. Would you say that, inadvertently or not, Hot Congress has become obligated to keep adding Denver bands to its roster? LJ: I’m not sure I feel that we’re obligated to continue adding Denver bands. We likely will, as there are so many great bands in Denver right now that it’s hard to imagine not adding [one]. It’s great that you mentioned the lack of record labels here, as that was a huge impetus in our deciding to become a label. Over the last few years, though, there’ve been a number of really great other labels and collectives that have sprung up, [including] Fire Talk, Act So Big Forest, Bocumast, Long Spoon, Buckingham Pie Group and probably a bunch of others I’m missing. I think Denver’s only starting to realize its potential. IG: What records have you released so far and what bands will you release for in the future? Will there be another compilation coming out soon? LJ: In the past year we’ve released two EPs, Achille Lauro’s Indiscretions and Amazing Twin’s New Wives’ Tale, [as well as] one 7-inch vinyl single, Roger, Roll’s Polaroid in Reverse. Coming up in the next few months will be releases from Fingers of the Sun, Hindershot, The Don’ts and Be Carefuls, Achille Lauro, Sun Red, Lil’ Slugger and possibly some others. We’re also planning on having a new label sampler made available by the beginning of February featuring songs from past and upcoming releases.

out of 5

Ben Folds and Nick Hornby • Lonely Avenue Collaborations can be a tricky thing, no matter what the talent level involved. Artists working together can produce timeless classics or forgettable tripe (remember David Bowie and Mick Jagger’s “Dancing in the Street”?). Author Nick Hornby and musician Ben Folds have created the former with their release Lonely Avenue, a symphonic pop album in the most classical sense. The album plays like a collection of Hornby short stories. Each song is its own universe, inhabited by Hornby’s assortment of flawed, quirky and heartbroken characters. It is a testament to Hornby’s talent; his storytelling ability is not diminished by the transition from prose to song. His lyrics are sharp and exquisitely descriptive without being stale. This is not prose set to music — this is classic songwriting at its best. Hornby has found the perfect partner in Folds, who continues to prove why he is the musical successor to Burt Bacharach. Folds fills the album with massive walls of sound, crafting out spaces within the sonic landscapes for Hornby’s heartfelt and funny lyrics to shine without being lost. Even though he jumps all over stylistically, Folds remains true to the story in each song. Nothing about this album seems forced, even when it switches from classic R&B to over-the-top synthesized rock to ’70s rock ballad and back. Yet it is Folds’ singing that steals the show. He inhabits each of Hornby’s characters and brings them to life. When an enlightened hippie wants to kill his neighbor’s dogs in “Your Dogs,” Folds makes you feel like he is about to snap, his voice straining more and more with each line. In “Levi Johnston’s Blues,” Folds channels Bristol Palin’s ex-boyfriend’s fear and helplessness so well that lyrics like “do some fishing and kill some moose” are not played for laughs, but for nostalgia.

Ramsey Scott • rscott42@mscd.edu

IG: Is there any specific reason behind the upcoming Hot Congress Fest and what else does the label have planned for 2011? LJ: The Gothic Theatre asked Fingers of the Sun to play, as well as design the entire night’s lineup. They’ve been gaining a lot of momentum lately, leading up to their record release next month. [They’re] being called one of the best bands to debut in 2010 by [the Onion’s] A.V. Club, so it’s fitting that they were asked to play such a great gig. They asked a few other Hot Congress bands [and also] some others that aren’t under our banner. We think that the line-up is fantastic, so we’ve decided to push the show as a collective. It’s probably the most eclectic lineup you’re likely to ever see at a place like the Gothic, too. IG: Where would you like to see the label after this year or, for that matter, in the next few years? LJ: At this point our goal is to continue releasing music that we’re passionate about and to try and get that music heard by as many new people as possible. IG: In your opinion, what is the most beneficial thing about Hot Congress? LJ: The best thing about Hot Congress is the support structure that we’ve built up for ourselves. Everyone is so invested in and excited about each other’s music right now.

Hot Congress Fest 8 p.m., Jan. 20 @ Gothic Theatre

Cake • Showroom of Compassion Cake is one of the most steadfast and reliable bands in rock ‘n’ roll today. Chances are, when you put on a Cake album, you know what you’re in for. And that holds true for their newest release, Showroom of Compassion, the band’s first release since 2004’s Pressure Chief. With such a wide gap between releases, it’s only natural to worry about a band falling off or messing around with their sound, but within the first minute of the opener, “Federal Funding,” these worries are put to rest. This is the same old Cake. Funky basslines, trumpets and the classic talk-singing abound throughout all 11 tracks. However, there doesn’t seem to be a “Short Skirt/Long Jacket” or “Going The Distance” among them. No track stands out as one that will be everywhere in a few months. But there are valiant attempts on songs like the lead single, “Sick of You,” and “Long Time” with its catchy synth line. Every song on Showroom will probably get stuck in your head for at least a few days, but there are no real earworms. Showroom of Compassion is far from an incredible album, but it is packed with great little jams filled with solid melodies and a nice dose of humor, like on “Mustache Man (Wasted).” Really, what more can you ask for from a Cake album? They’ve been making the same kind of songs for years, and most of them sound pretty similar, but that’s Cake. If you mess with the ingredients you might screw up the whole recipe.

By Matt Pusatory • mpusator@mscd.edu

14 • METROSPECTIVE • JANUARY 20, 2011 • THE METROPOLITAN

Sounding off

Wheelchair Sports Camp: SXSW! Right off the bat, there are a lot of obvious questions one can ask Kalyn Heffernan, emcee; Isaac McGaha Miller, drummer; Abi McGaha Miller, saxophonist; and Chris Behm-Meyer, DJ, of local band Wheelchair Sports Camp. Aside from Heffernan being in a wheelchair, the front woman suffers from Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which afflicts her with brittle bones that could break from any fall and a height closer to that of a little person than as your average 23-year-old. Throw into the mix a brother-sister rhythm section, the fact that they’re all Caucasian and their obvious political passions, and you get the kind of unique group that creates a buzz before a single beat is dropped. Since The Metropolitan got the exclusive that they’re playing the South By Southwest festival this year, we thought we’d dig a little deeper to see what makes this unusual hip-hop band tick, how they feel about success and most importantly, how they got to where they are now.

Interview by Stephanie DeCamp • sdecamp@mscd.edu SD: So you guys are going to SXSW! Tell me about that. [Cheers all around] IMM: For me it’s a mind-blowing thing, because growing up and playing in shitty punk bands in high school and just kind of slowly progressing musically to where I am now ... that was something I just always dreamed of. From the time I was 16, I was like, “Someday I’m going to headline Red Rocks and play SXSW! These are my dreams!” So to have it actually happen is very surreal to me. I don’t know what to expect but I know we’re all definitely stoked on it. AMM: It’s true. It sounds like such a cliché, but it truly is a dream come true. You never think that [it’s] actually going to happen. Everybody says “Oh yeah, I’m talking to a guy who knows a guy with SXSW,” and you’re like, “Sure, yeah, whatever ...” SD: So, how did you get invited? KH: I just kept bugging [them], saying we really

want to come out here, we’ve got these articles coming out talking about how we want to come and we’re going to do everything we can to promote it. We got feedback from this guy, and he really liked our band and really did what he could to get us. And he said this year they’ve had a lot of hip-hop submissions and it’s been kind of a problem for them. And I guess he had to fight with his manager about getting us there, but we got there. CBM: That’s so cool. IMM: It’s cool just to know people are fighting for us [Everyone cheers]. SD: How important is commercial success to you as a band? IMM: I think it’s one of those things that would be really nice, but it’s really funny for me, personally at this point. I basically swore off music as a career a few months ago. Like, I’m just going to do it for fun and I’m never going to care about the money, because it’s just a hard

Wheelchair Sports Camp Photo by Stephanie DeCamp

career to try to get [going successfully]. And now things start rolling in, so it’s kind of one of those, as soon as I stop caring, commercial success kind of slowly starts coming through the door … I mean, I think we’d like it; it’s not like we could sit here and say ... AMM: “How dare you try and pay us!” [Laughter] KH: But I definitely don’t think we’d all be in the same spot, in the same room, in the same band or any of that if we cared enough about [the money]. AMM: The thing that’s tricky about that, is if you want to make a living off of your art, you have to make some sacrifices ... I mean, yeah, commercial success is important because we live in a society where money is everything. But at the same time, I think the reason why this band is together is just because we love each other and we love the music. SD: So do you guys actually make money at your

gigs? IMM: Sometimes. KH: Yeah, but it doesn’t feel like it, because I pretty much take all the money and eat really well. [Laughter] No, I put it in a band account and that ends up being spent quicker than we can make it. There’s shirts, websites we’re looking into now ... it’s expensive to be in a band. SD: So what are your plans for the future? What are you thinking post-SXSW? KH: We’re not. No sleep ’til Austin! [Laughter] IMM: It’s difficult to plan post- SXSW because you’re kind of hoping something happens at SXSW. But [with] that being said, if we just go down there and play a killer show, and no one wants to deal with us, we’ll still be stoked as hell, honestly.

Wheelchair Sports Camp 9 p.m., Feb 18 @ D-Note Call for price (303) 463-6683

All Liver No Onions • Dolphin Dreamz EP If you’ve never seen local 12-person-plus act All Liver No Onions, then you are missing out on one of the best-kept secrets Denver has to offer. Their debut, four-track demo Dolphin Dreamz, is a perfectly acceptable way to introduce the unfamiliar. Every instrument here is present for roll call, and though not mastered, the demo gives the listener the feeling of being at the house show the busy band likely played the night before. The second track, “Onions,” fully displays the band’s peacocklike love of rapturous musical climaxes, while the following pensive track “Creepy Fingers” lets the listener in on the secret that this band has a lot of people. Which means, of course, that they have a full chorus at their disposal to holler and sing all of front man Oliver Ceelen’s inner indie musings. Sure to be the newest love of the local indie-rock set, this band’s first toe-in-the-water effort may start out quietly, but by the end, you’ll be yelling along with them just as loud as they are.

By Stephanie DeCamp • sdecamp@mscd.edu

Fierce Bad Rabbit • Spools of Thread A flashy sense of style and a clean, polished sound make Denver’s Fierce Bad Rabbit an eye-catching live act, and in their first full-length album, Spools of Thread, both qualities come through strong and clear. With catchy hooks and undeniably essential strings, this is pure indie-pop in our own backyard. Vocalist Chris Anderson’s earnest, boy-next-apartmentover voice carries each standard song of love and loss throughout the album, defining, more than the other members, the pop aspect of their genre. What is remarkable live, and no less represented here, is the solidity of the rhythm section, as bassist Dayton Hicks and drummer Adam Pitner lay down the kind of railroad tracks that few bands could veer off. Viola player Alana Rolfe also contributes backing vocals, further proving this writer’s theory that both sexes in a band usually adds at least two points out of 10 to their overall appeal. While nothing’s groundbreaking, this local act is hard to deny props, too. Sure, somebody may have done it before, but what’s the harm in trying to do it better? Fierce Bad Rabbit seem up to the challenge and are completely worth checking out.

By Stephanie DeCamp • sdecamp@mscd.edu

15 • JANUARY 20, 2011• THE METROPOLITAN “It’s the grand experiment; it’s a theory we’re trying to prove It’s ever-changing.” JEREMY FRANKLIN-ROSS CO-CREATER AND INSTIGATOR OF SMASH PUTT • METROSPECTIVE • 10

PORTS

And then there were 4 ... Women nationally ranked for first time since 2007 By Mark Babish mbabish@mscd.edu The hottest basketball team in Denver is the Metro Women’s Basketball team, as they are one of four remaining unbeaten teams in Division II. “Its an awesome feeling,” I love it,” junior guard Candice Kohn said. On Jan. 14 the 21st ranked Metro welcomed the Thunderwolves of Colorado State at Pueblo. Sophomore guard Emily Wood was huge early on for Metro as the sophomore guard went 4-4 from the field, scoring 10 points to keep the score close. It was an action-packed first half, as there were a combined nine ties and lead changes between the teams. CSU-Pueblo was led by senior forward Amanda Bartlett, who had nine points in the first half. Metro would take a 33-31 halftime lead after senior forward Cassandra Bratton made a layup with 30 seconds left on the clock. The normal lockdown defense of Metro allowed the Thunderwolves to shoot just more than 50 percent from the floor in the first half. “We were a bit tentative in the first half with our defense,” Head Coach Tayna Haave said. Metro kicked up their defensive in the second half, pressure forcing three turnovers in the first 90 seconds. With the defense clicking, Metro’s offense started to heat up hitting four of six from long range. Five players finished in double figures for the ’Runners led by Kohn’s 13 points. CSU-Pueblo was limited to four of 21 shooting in the second half only scoring 14 points. Metro would

go on to win 74-47 and remain perfect in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. “That was the defense I’m used to seeing for 40 minutes a game,” Haave said. The following night Universtiy of Colorado at Colorado Springs Mountain Lions, 6-8 overall, came to take on the ’Runners. The Mountain Lions earlier this season beat defending National Champions Emporia State “We knew it was going to be a hard game,” junior guard Jasmine Cervantes said. The first half saw both teams struggle from the field with each squad shooting less than 40 percent. Still, Metro was able to build up a seven-point lead midway through the first. The Lions would respond by scoring six unanswered points to tie the game at 23 apiece. Cervantes would respond as she drained a three-pointer to give Metro a five-point halftime lead. The last 20 minutes were just as competitive as the first 20. UCCS tied the game with 14:47 on the clock when guard Jessica Brown converted on a three point play. “You gotta give UCCS credit. They are a streaky team, and they will keep fighting to the end,” Cervantes said. Metro finally was able to stretch the lead to double digits thanks to an 11-1 run. They would go on to win, 73-57, and retain their onegame lead over Fort Lewis and Colorado Christian for the top spot in the RMAC. The team is currently ranked 14th in the latest Women’s Basketball Coaches Association poll. They take to the road to face No. 5 Fort Lewis and Adams State.

This Week

1.21

Women’s Basketball 5:30 p.m. @. Fort Lewis

Men’s Basketball

7:30 p.m. @ Fort Lewis

Indoor Track and Field TBA @ CU Potts Indoor Invitational

1.22

Women’s Basketball 6 p.m. @ Adams State

Men’s Basketball

8 p.m. vs. Adams State

Indoor Track and Field TBA @ CU Potts Indoor Invitational

RMAC Awards It was a sweep for Metro in the RMAC Defensive Player Awards for the week of Jan 10. Senior gaurd A.J. Flournoy took home the men’s honors. While senior foward Cassondra Bratton took home the women’s honors.

FROM LEFT: Metro guard Candice Kohn drives past CSU-Pueblo’s Rachel Espinoza and Amanda Bartlett Jan. 14 at the Auraria Events Center. Photo by Steve Anderson • sande104@mscd.edu

RMAC standings

1. Metro State 2. Fort Lewis 3. Colorado Christian 4. Mesa State 5. Nebraska-Kearney 6. Adams State 7.CSU-Pueblo

8. Regis 9. UCCS 10.Colorado Mines 11. Western State 12. N.M. Highlands 13. Western N.M. 14. Chadron State

Men’s Basketball No.1 in RMAC By Matt Hollinshead mhollin5@mscd.edu The Metro men’s basketball team appears to be adapting well to first-year head coach Derrick Clark’s coaching style, now that they’re leading the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Roadrunners, on a 10game winning streak, are now 13-2 this season, including a 10-1 record in conference play. Coach Clark gives the defense credit for compiling the streak to begin with. “Our defense is our trade-

mark,” Clark said. “I think people understand that we defend at a high level.” Metro concluded winter break action Jan. 14 and 15, defeating Colorado State University at Pueblo, 67-56, and University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, 77-39. Metro got off to a rough start defensively, against CSU-Pueblo, trailing 7-0 early. Their offense ignited a couple minutes later, thanks to a threepointer by junior forward Paul Brotherson. From that point on, the Road-

SIDELINE

runners were flat-out aggressive on defense. In the first half alone, Metro was spectacular in transition, scoring 22 points off 11 turnovers. “We just keep getting better defensively,” Clark said. “We’re stopping teams, and our offense is catching up.” The stellar effort would carry into the second half, which agitated the turnover-stricken ThunderWolves, who accumulated 21 turnovers. In the game, Metro had 34 total points off turnovers and showed great discipline, especial-

ly on defense. “Turnovers were a big factor in the game,” junior guard Reggie Evans said. “If we can get a team to force 21 turnovers, you’ve got a good chance to win a basketball game.” The following evening, Metro kept the momentum going. They blew out UCCS, courtesy of a balanced attack, as well as superb pressure defense. Continued on Page16 >>

They said it: “My personal life is what’s sacrificed, but I would do it one hundred times again because I love this place.” -MEN’S BASKETBALL ASSISTANT COACH MICHAEL BAHL ON COACHING 16

Metro Sports Analyst Preston Hardy takes a look at the ‘divorce’ that’s happening between Melo and the Nuggets.

16 • SPORTS • JANUARY 20, 2011 • THE METROPOLITAN

Metro Briefs Now that your back in school after hitting the slopes or relaxing at home, it’s time that you got caught up on whats been happening in Metro sports.

Mens Basketball Metro 64 - Mesa State 61:

The Men got the new year started off right. Johnathan Morse scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds in the win. It was the first victory against Mesa since Dec. 19, 2008.

Metro 66 - Colo. Mines 62: Reggie Evans had a game high 22 points on the night. Metro made seven free throws in the last 20 seconds to ice the game and take sole possession of first place in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference.

Metro guard Reggie Evans works the ball around CSU-Pueblo guard Mykael Thompson Jan. 14 at the Auraria Event Center. Photo by Steve Anderson • sande104@mscd.edu

Men’s winning streak at 10 << Continued from page 15 Despite another rough start, the Roadrunners overwhelmed the Mountain Lions in virtually all aspects, from attacking the post to trapping them on defense. “It’s all about defense,” senior guard A.J. Flournoy said. “They always say ‘defense wins championships,’ so we just try to live by that motto.”

Metro was able to consistently get stops and stay out of significant foul trouble over the course of the game. That turned out to be good compensation early on because Metro’s offense didn’t fully kick in until the second half, where they outscored UCCS 47-16. Metro only allowed 39 total points, which tied for the secondfewest number of points allowed in school history.

“At halftime, we weren’t really happy with our performance in the first half,” junior forward Glenn Miller said. “We just came out, [and] it fueled our offense. We were ready to go.” Metro remains unranked in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Division II poll released Jan. 18 and will travel to Fort Lewis College Jan. 21 and Adams State College Jan. 22.

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Womens Basketball Metro 58 - Mesa State 53:

The ’Runners held on for the victory after letting a 20 point second half lead lead slip to only two. Kristin Valencia led the team with 13 points.

Metro 72 - Colorado Christian 56: In a battle of first-place teams. Metro used a 19-1 first half run to take control of the game and hand CCU their first conference loss of the season.

Womens Soccer The Metro Women’s soccer team is having open tryouts at 10 a.m. Feb. 12. For more information contact head coach Adrianne Almaraz at aalmaraz@mscd.edu.

Baseball

David Fox was named Central Region Pre-Season All-American by Collegiate Baseball Magazine. Jordan Stouffer was named as a player to watch, and Correy Collins also got recognition as newcomer to watch by the magazine.

Track and Field Sean Linbom won the 800 meter dash in a time of 1:24:00 at the Air Force Invitational. Carl Arnold III finished second in the mile. On the Womens side Carrissa Sinda finished fifth in the mile, and Kery Allen finished ninth.

Did you know?

The combined record of the men’s and women’s basketball is second best in the nation. Their 28-2 record only trails Tampa University’s 29-2 record.

THE METROPOLITAN • JANUARY 20, 2011 • SPORTS • 17

Bahl just can’t stay off the Metro court By Cody Lemon clemon2@mcsd.edu Former men’s basketball captain and All-Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference star, Michael Bahl, rejoined the Roadrunner’s this season in his first year as an assistant coach. Bahl graduated from Metro in 2007 leaving behind a legacy as one of the best players in Metro’s men’s basketball history. His Metro career was littered with achievements including an Elite Eight and Final Four appearence. “We had a lot of good seasons when I was here,” Bahl said. “Personally, my greatest accomplishment was when I lead the nation in three point field goal percentage my senior year.” During his first year after graduating, Bahl began his coaching career as a varsity assistant at Arapahoe High School. The following year he became the girls’ junior varsity head coach at Golden High School. According to Bahl, he had always planned to eventually coach after playing. “I’ve tried the nine to five stuff and it’s just not for me,” Bahl said. “I wear sweats or shorts everyday to work. No complaints there.” As assistant coach, Bahl watches

over the players and focuses on aiding in their development. He lives at the Regency with the guys and keeps a close eye on them. “They are 18-19 year old kids and they like to have fun, but at the same time these guys are here to do a job,” Bahl said. “During the week we keep it pretty strict.” Bahl was recruited as a player from Broomfield High School by the current Head Coach Derrick Clark, who served as an assistant coach for Metro at the time. This past year Clark returned to Metro after leaving for four years to become the head coach and brought Bahl with him. Bahl said that Clark has been a

great mentor to him over the years. “My first two years when he was on staff, we had a really good relationship,” Bahl said. “He’s given me a great opportunity here and I love working for him. Bahl explained that the transition from player to coach tended to be difficult and not playing took some getting used to. “It’s hard at times because you still think you can play, but then you start to get out there with the guys and they blow by you and make you look silly,” Bahl said. “Not playing was a big adjustment. One of the biggest adjustments is time. There is a time commitment that I forgot

Above: Player, Michael Bahl, goes up for a rebound in a 84-74 win over against St. Gregory’s University in 2005. File photo by William Moore

Above Left: Coach, Michael Bahl, motivavtes his players during warm up before defeating Colorado Mines 66-62. Photo by Steve Anderson • sande104@mscd.edu

about. Not just as a player but especially as coaching staff. Being such a young coach and playing only a few years ago, Bahl is able to bring certain aspects to the

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team that the other coaches aren’t able to. “I think I can relate more with the guys with what they are going through,” Bahl said. “Everybody has bad days. I’ve been there and done that and it’s all fresh in my mind. I give them perspective in what it’s like.” Bahls favorite part of coaching is witnessing the progress of the players. “Seeing the guys for the first time in the fall to now and how much they’ve improved,” Bahl said. “The hard work does pay off and it’s nice to see the kids grow.” Bahl doesn’t intend stopping at the assistant coaching position. Coaching is in his blood and he hopes to make a career out of it. “I have aspirations of becoming a head coach some day,” Bahl said. “I think that’s why everyone’s in the business. I would love to coach Metro. I love my alma mater and I love the people here, but there are certain steps that you have to take.” According to Bahl, he plans on getting comfortable in the office and on the sidelines. “Right now I’m very sound here,” Bahl said. “I love this place and I see myself being here for a long time.”

Tickets are just $15! to purchase your discounted tickets bring your student i.d. to the pepsi center box office starting at 12:00 pm on the day of the game. limit 2 tickets per i.d., box office purchase only.

Student RuSh ticketS Subject to availability. offeR available foR Select gameS only. See coloRadoavalanche.com foR fuRtheR detailS. PePSi and the PePSi globe aRe RegiSteRed tRademaRkS of PePSico,inc. offeR exPiReS 4/8/11.

CROSSWORD

IMEOUT

18 01.20.2011 THE METROPOLITAN

SUDOKU

BEST OF ONLINE Texts from last night

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WEEK PREVIEW Thursday/ 1.20

Sense 7 p.m. Boulder Museum of Contempory Art Dawn Spencer Hurwitz will create some of her inspired fragrances in the gallery. $10

Friday/ 1.21

Sunday/ 1.23

Indoor Music Gear Swap and Flea Market 10-4 p.m. Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom A way for musicians and shops to swap gear without the hassle of Craigslist. Trade everything from gongs to guitars. $8

Redneck Romeo and Juliet 7 p.m. 2620 W. Second Ave. Inspired by Shakespeare’s classic work, this modern twist includes trailer park settings and competing meth rings. $10

Monday/ 1.24

Saturday/ 1.22

Tuesday/ 1.25

Mammoth vs. Wings 7 p.m. Pepsi Center

The Patsy Decline Show 8 p.m. Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret The annual Denver show is a popular spoof of country music, starring Lannie Garrett.

Compliments Around Campus 10-2 p.m. Tivoli Commons and other campus areas Celebrate National Compliment Day by sharing a compliment with a friend, professor, or someone special.

Gig Series 12-2 p.m. Tivoli Arium Metro’s bi-monthly music series showcases local and student musicians.

Wednesday/ 1.26

Tivoli Open House 9-3 p.m. Tivoli Turnhalle All offices will be open for new students to explore. Refreshments are provided.

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Not sure how we got back down, broken rib says we didn’t use the stairs. I hope no one at work will be able to read the “who wants body shots” on my chest. I forgot about it. You broke a plate, told her her wedding china was ugly and you were doing her a favor. then proceeded to break every plate you could get your hands on. Judging by the mobile uploads you added of me last night, we cant keep living this way. There are dudes in kilts outside my window practicing fire breathing with cheap vodka and a modified grill lighter. I thought you should know.. BIGGER SANDWIJH COM NIW OR DIE!!

My life is average

Today when I was studying for a Spanish exam, I wrote a word that I wasn’t sure that it was spelled correctly. I waited for the red squiggly line to come up. Then I realized I was writing with a pencil on paper. MLIA Today, someone told me they liked my eyeshadow. I wasn’t wearing any. If I’m going to have dark circles around my eyes from lack of sleep, at least I look good in them. MLIA Today, I was driving into a parking lot and was almost hit when someone backed out of their parking stall without looking. Frustrated, I said “Geez, Grandpa! Way to pay attention!” It actually was my Grandpa. I waved. MLIA Today, I noticed that you can gift tall grass on Farmville. I have yet to accept my friends’ gifts of tall grass because I know that this is where wild Pokemon live. MLIA Note: Best of Online entries are not edited.

LAUGH OF THE WEEK