mymetmedia.com
The Student Voice of MSU Denver
Volume 39, Issue 22 February 15, 2017
Board of Trustees finalizes Janine Davidson as new president By Esteban Fernandez eferna14@msudenver.edu
Janine Davidson outside of the Student Success Building shortly after she was voted in and named the next president of MSU Denver on Feb. 14. Photo by Lauren Cardova • scordova@msudenver.edu
Months of searching concluded Feb. 14 when the MSU Denver Board of Trustees moved to formally appoint Janine Davidson as the successor to President Stephen Jordan. The appointment was preceded by a two-day visit to campus during which Davidson met with faculty, staff, administrators and others. Students had the opportunity to meet Davidson in an open forum held on Feb. 13. During the forum, Davidson reiterated her commitment to making herself accessible to students throughout her tenure. “To come be university president because you care and love students and then to sequester yourself and not be available to students would be sort of weird,” she said. “My leadership approach is to be open, transparent and available. There’s multiple ways to do that. If you invite me to things, I will come.” Davidson’s contract begins July 2017 and ends June 30, 2020. Her annual salary will be $300,000. Davidson comes to MSU Denver after serving as undersecretary of the Navy for nearly one year. Prior to that, she taught courses at George Mason University related to national security policy and military-civilian relationships. The incoming president is no stranger to Colorado either. She received a degree in architectural engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder before embarking on a 30-year military career in the Air Force. She was the first woman to fly a tactical C-130. Davidson also holds a doctorate in international studies from the University of South Carolina. Davidson said through an email statement that she will draw from her combined military and civilian experience to guide MSU Denver
“To come be university president because you care and love students and then to sequester yourself and not be available to students would be sort of weird. My leadership approach is to be open, transparent and available. There’s multiple ways to do that. If you invite me to things, I will come.” – Janine Davidson throughout her tenure. At the student forum and a later Board of Trustees gathering, she said she intended to follow through on Jordan’s work. In the same email statement, she said she was 100 percent committed to keeping MSU Denver on track to becoming an Hispanic Serving Institution. Davidson also said that she would work to strengthen the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program at MSU Denver by identifying obstacles and eliminating them for DACA students. She called it the right thing to do. One of the major challenges that Davidson said the school faces is the Colorado General Assembly. “In a perfect we’d have a partnership with the taxpayers and the legislature and they would understand the value of higher education and they would actually fund higher education at the levels that they used to fund higher education,” she said. “Don’t think I’m not going to continue to fight for that, because I think that it’s time we turned this in America around.”
Derrick Clark takes unexpected leave of absence By David Schaut dschaut@msudenver.edu
Fresh off of his 3-game suspension, MSU Denver men’s basketball head coach Derrick Clark has taken an indefinite leave of absence. The athletics department announced the leave of absence via press release on Feb. 10. “Derrick Clark has chosen to take
indefinite leave of absence. During his absence, Adam Wall and Michael Bahl will serve as co-head coaches for the Roadrunners. Because this is a personnel matter, further details will not be provided or discussed.” Clark has not coached the team since the imposition of his suspension on Jan. 28. The reason Clark was disciplined was not released by the department. The only information provided was that the suspension was the a personnel matter and not a legal matter.
Continued on PAGE 3 >>
A Colorado Open Records Act request fi led with MSU Denver by The Metropolitan for more information is pending. The Runners are 3-2 since Clark’s departure, and their two losses have come against Regis and Westminster, two teams ahead of them in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference standings. Their next game is at home against University of Colorado - Colorado Springs on Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
2
February 15, 2017
mymetmedia.com f: themetropolitan @themetonline
Student Housing Designed for You! All inclusive Studio Rates starting at $775/month!
RegencyStudentHousing.com
Met
News
@themetonline
f: themetropolitan
mymetmedia. com
MetStaff
Davidson selected as next President
Editor-in-Chief Joella Baumann • jbauma17@msudenver.edu
Board of Trustees secure Jordan’s legacy with pick
News Editor Esteban Fernandez • eferna14@msudenver.edu
>> Continued from cover
Features Editor Cassie Ballard • cballar7@msudenver.edu Assistant Features Editor Madison Lauterbach • mlauter1@msudenver.edu Sports Editor David Schaut • dschaut@msudenver.edu
One of her goals is to hold fast on MSU Denver’s low tuition. Davidson praised the work done to increase diversity within the student body
but said more work needed to be done to further increase diversity within the faculty and staff. Students were impressed by the incoming president. Eduardo Rascon III, a student in the Chicano Studies department, said he thought Davidson was great and that he
Assistant Sports Editor Jake Howard • jhowar50@msudenver.edu Photo Editor Lauren Cordova • scordo22@msudenver.edu Assistant Photo Editor McKenzie Lange • mlange4@msudenver.edu Director of Met Media Steve Haigh • shaigh@msudenver.edu Assistant Director of Met Media Ronan O’Shea • roshea3@msudenver.edu Production Manager of Met Media Kathleen Jewby • kjewby@msudenver.edu Office Manager Elizabeth Norberg • enorbert@msudenver.edu Sales and Marketing sales@mymetmedia.com marketing@mymetmedia.com Preston Morse • pmorse3@msudenver.edu Caitlin Monaghan • cmonagh12@msudenver.edu
What we do 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 600 words. Letters to the editor must be submitted by 5 p.m. Mondays to be printed in that week’s edition. There is a 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 email to themetonline@gmail.com. The Metropolitan is produced by and for the students of Metropolitan State University of Denver and serves the Auraria Campus. The Metropolitan is supported by advertising revenue and student fees and is published every Wednesday during the academic year and monthly during the summer semester. Opinions expressed within do not necessarily reflect those of MSU Denver or Met Media’s advertisers.
Submissions Themetonline@gmail.com
February 15, 2017
Janine Davidson, chairwoman Michelle Lucero and President Jordan take a selfie just after Davidson was named the next president of MSU Denver on Feb. 14 in the Student Success Building. Photo by Lauren Cordova • scordo22@msudenver.edu
3
appreciated how she listened to students during the forum. However, he and fellow student Selena Piña took a wait-and-see approach to how the president would eventually shake out. “It definitely looks good on paper and in theory, but there’s not really concrete things in order for me to be swayed a certain way,” Piña said. “There’s general concepts but no specific ideologies, no specific interests, just ‘whatever you want.’ That’s more work on us as students and members of the community.” Davidson said during the student forum that to start laying out concrete goals before learning more about the university and settling into the job was a “rookie move.” She also called on MSU Denver students to work to support each other and work toward success together. Regarding cuts in programs, she said she would make the process open and transparent to ensure people understood why certain programs were cut and others were kept. Near the end of the Board of Trustees meeting, Trustee Barbara Barnes Grogan, thanked the search committee and praised President Jordan. She also reiterated MSU Denver’s mission to diversity, saying that if it wasn’t important to Davidson, “we wouldn’t have picked her.”
Supporters rally to Planned Parenthood Protesters gather outside Republican senator’s office By Jonson Kuhn jkuhn2@msudenver.edu Supporters of Planned Parenthood rallied outside Sen. Cory Gardner’s (R-Co.,) office on Feb. 11 in downtown Denver. Julie Anne, one of the rally’s organizers, said that she and Liddy Knight-Greulich and Tiffany Caudill, also organizers, would meet on Wednesday to represent the people who attended the rally to Gardner. “We are going to reiterate the message and ask about his positions and intentions with regard to Planned Parenthood and women’s healthcare,” Anne said. “Today was very much about sending a message and that message is we are your constitutes and you need to listen to us.” A crowd of thousands stood with signs, all united under the common goal of ensuring Planned Parenthood’s funding stay intact and making sure that the goal is reached and recognized. There were booths set up for people to write letters to Gardner’s office, as a means of expressing their concerns. Those letters are then being personally delivered to Gardner’s Senior Healthcare Advisors.
healthcare away. That’s unacceptable to me There were pro-life counter protests and we’re going to fight it,” she said. scheduled at various Planned Parenthood clinics all throughout the country. The Colorado Stands With Planned Parenthood rally was very much a direct response to those protests. Anne, Greulich and Caudill all sought further support efforts from social media after seeing the massive success from the Women’s March. The three women suddenly found themselves pooling their resources and working together to organize an event that exceeded anyone’s expectations. “When we first started putting this together we honestly had no idea what to expect, but it was really humbling to see we didn’t have to beg or reach out to anyone, Colorado really stepped up and showed what matters to them,” Greulich said. “We truly couldn’t have done this without the overwhelming support of this amazing community.” Among the long list of non-paid speakers were local volunteers, politicians, students and activists. Caudill herself spoke much about her own personal experiences with Planned Parenthood and just exactly why the Mary Butler, 90, protests bills made to defund organization means so much to her. Planned Parenthood at Skyline Park outside of Sen. “It’s important to me because I have Cory Gardner’s office, who supports the defunding a little girl who is growing up in a world of Planned Paretnhood. Photo by Taelyn Livingston • tliving4@msudenver.edu where men are trying to take her access to
4XX
mymetmedia.com f: themetropolitan @themetonline
MileMet Break High Events February 15, 2017Met News Date xx, xxxx Sports Review Features Insight
News Briefs MSU Denver
>> SGA tackles DACA discussion Student Government Assembly is holding a discussion session in Casa Mayan on Feb. 15 from 11- 2 p.m. Students who attend can learn how to become involved in politics. The topic of the session will be the BRIDGE act and Ralph Carr bill. Both measures are related immigration and Trump’s executive orders on immigration.
Colorado >> Senators pressure Russia Both of Colorado’s senators, Cory Gardner and Michael Bennett, are pressing the Trump administration over its relaxed stance toward Russia. Bennet has pushed for an investigation over Michael Flynn’s lie concerning his contact with the Russian ambassador concerning U.S. sanctions on Russia. While Gardner has not called for an investigation, he has not ruled it out either. However, in an interview he said the administration must take a tougher stance toward Russia.
Budget cuts no obstacle for SGA
MSU Denver student Trevin Billenger has been one of them. efoste12@msudenver.edu “I have become more aware of what’s going on with SGA and their events on Despite facing budget cuts this year, campus,” he said. “I am more inclined now MSU Denver’s Student Government to pay attention and get involved in local Assembly waded into spring ready to face and federal legislation since paying more the challenges of second semester. attention to what SGA does and how their “SGA is doing well. We are making government works.” a large focus on how to get MSU Denver SGA has also been dealing with obstacles students engaged in local and federal regarding staff. Over winter break there legislation as that is what students have was a change in vice presidents – Christian been asking of us,” said Liz Milewski, Solano-Cordova resigned his title and President of SGA. was replaced by Richard Ramos. The SGA has been very busy as of late. Last organization went through this change and, year, the organization got a new president, on top of that, was trying to run without a Liz Milewski. According to Milewski, there full staff. Milewski ensured that she and the have been minimal problems rest of SGA have been handling as far as SGA’s operations as it perfectly and are doing just as a concerned. She even said well as last semester, despite the that a lot of good stuff was fact they have been presented coming to the students of MSU with a few situations that could Denver. SGA is the formal cause the organization to come representation of the student undone. Metropolitan body to higher administration As for the future, Milewski 5" x 6.875” and faculty. revealed a few exciting things Budget cuts hit the Thur 2/16 that are in the works. organization this semester. “We are doing a two day That hasn’t been enough to event for Delete Blood Cancer, stop SGA. Milewski explained activist and advocacy training, that while budget cuts are a and preparing for a massive factor, that hasn’t stopped election for SGA,” she said. them from being able to SGA is on track to bring do their job correctly and more events and opportunities Student Government Assembly President Liz Milewski works in her office on Jan. 13. accomplishing what they want. to the MSU Denver community Her term ends at the end of the school year when elections will be held to find her “We have been planning in the future. successor. Photo by Lauren Cordova • scordo22@msudenver.edu many events for months which helps us cut back on small fees,” she said, “Overall we are doing just fine budget wise.” SGA Senator, Sydney Privette, also said that there haven’t been any noticeable differences in the way they operate since the budget was cut. “Our president Liz is very conscious of our budget and always makes sure that we set and stay within the budget,” she said. “We’ve done such a great job at staying below our budget that Liz actually encouraged us to spend more this semester to make our events bigger and better.” SGA has worked on attracting students and making them more active in their school community. It was SGA’s largest focus.
By Erika Foster
YOU AND A GUEST ARE INVITED TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING!
INVITES YOU TO ENTER FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN AN ADMIT-TWO PASS TO SEE
VISIT
IN TIVOLI 313 FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A PASS! One pass per person. Each pass admits two. While supplies last.
GET OUT HAS BEEN RATED R (RESTRICTED – UNDER 17 REQUIRES ACCOMPANYING PARENT OR ADULT GUARDIAN) FOR VIOLENCE, BLOODY IMAGES, AND LANGUAGE INCLUDING SEXUAL REFERENCES. Sponsors and their dependents are not eligible to receive a prize. Supplies are limited. Passes received through this promotion do not guarantee a seat at the theater. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, except for members of the reviewing press. Theater is overbooked to ensure a full house. No admittance once screening has begun. All federal, state and local regulations apply. A recipient of prizes assumes any and all risks related to use of prize, and accepts any restrictions required by prize provider. Universal Pictures, Allied Integrated Marketing, The Metropolitan and their affiliates accept no responsibility or liability in connection with any loss or accident incurred in connection with use of prizes. Prizes cannot be exchanged, transferred or redeemed for cash, in whole or in part. Not responsible if, for any reason, winner is unable to use his/her prize in whole or in part. Not responsible for lost, delayed or misdirected entries. All federal, state and local taxes are the responsibility of the winner. Void where prohibited by law. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. NO PHONE CALLS!
IN THEATERS FEBRUARY 24 GETOUTFILM.COM
STOP BY THE METROPOLITAN'S OFFICE AND FILL OUT AN ENTRY FORM. All entries due February 24 at noon, winners will be drawn February 24 at 1pm. This film is rated PG. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited or restricted by law. Limit one entry per person. Duplicated entries will be disqualified. Winners will be chosen at random for all entries received. Limit one admit-two pass per person. Supplies are limited. Sponsors and their dependents are not eligible to receive a pass. The passes are valid Monday - Thursday, excluding holidays. All federal, state and local regulations apply. A recipient of prizes assumes any and all risks related to use of prize, and accepts any restrictions required by prize provider. Summit Entertainment, Lionsgate Films, BIC, Metropolitan and their affiliates accept no responsibility or liability in connection with any loss or accident incurred in connection with use of prizes. Prizes cannot be exchanged, transferred or redeemed for cash, in whole or in part. Not responsible if, for any reason, winner is unable to use his/her prize in whole or in part. Not responsible for lost, delayed or misdirected entries. All federal, state and local taxes are the responsibility of the winner. NO PHONE CALLS!
IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE FEBRUARY 24!
@themetonline
f: themetropolitan
mymetmedia.com
Date February xx, xxxx 15, 2017MetMet Break Sports Events Review Features Insight News
Bridge to legal status for DACA students
XX5
Colorado representative revives bill in U.S. Congress
By Jonson Kuhn jkuhn2@msudenver.edu On Jan. 12, US Representative Mike Coff man (R-CO) made efforts to breathe new life into a bill aimed at protecting undocumented young people who were brought into the United States as children from being deported. MSU Denver is home to at least 400 undocumented students. With a possible pending executive review over The Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals, some students’ legal status hangs in limbo. Many are left feeling uneasy and uncertain about their future. Former MSU Denver student Government member and DACA student Cristian Solano-Cordova has been very outspoken over the years regarding the issue as it directly affects him and his entire family. He said it’s difficult for people like him to not support the bill. Cordova has worked to organize people and call lawmakers to support the bill. He said that if American voters do not express their opinion, no one will listen to the DACA students because they cannot vote. “We don’t really have an option but to support this. If this is the only option available to us in this current political climate, the lowest hanging fruit, if not the
only fruit available, we’re going to go try and take it,” Cordova said. President Trump’s administration is moving to make good on promises to discontinue programs created through Obama’s executive orders, such as DACA. The bill, called the Bridge Act, was fi rst proposed back in December by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), with only three co-sponsors at the time. It was reintroduced into the Senate under the new Congress and with
more co-sponsors. No legal status is at any point provided to DACA students through the bill, however, it would permit them to maintain work authorization in what is called a new “provisional protected presence” that would remain in effect for three years from when the bill was enacted. It would also prevent government agencies such as the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE from using information gathered through DACA as a
SGA senator Cesiah Guadarrama Trejo voices her concerns regarding DACA to incoming MSU Denver president Janine Davidson at the student open forum in the Student Success Building on Feb. 13. Photo by Lauren Cordovo • scordo22@msudenver.edu
means of locating undocumented students for deportation. Coff man released a statement saying, “Today’s introduction of the Bridge Act is only a fi rst step in the long process of permanently reforming and strengthening our immigration laws. I believe children brought here at no fault of their own merit the opportunity to live, work and study in the United States. For the balance of immigration reform, I am optimistic that we can fi x our broken immigration system by enacting tougher laws, securing our borders and implementing stricter enforcement, all while still keeping families together.” The Bridge Act may be the best option to maintain work permits and driver’s licenses if DACA is brought to a halt. Many Republicans, including Graham and other supporters of the Bridge Act, say that DACA far exceeded Obama’s range of power to begin with. “In my view, the DACA executive order issued by President Obama was unconstitutional and President-elect Trump would be right to repeal it, however, I do not believe we should pull the rug out and push these young men and women who came out of the shadows and registered with the federal government back into the darkness,” Graham tweeted on Feb. 9.
ACCEPTING CHALLENGES IS STRONG. SEEKING THEM OUT IS ARMY STRONG.
There’s strong. Then there’s Army Strong. Find your path to success as a Soldier in the U.S. Army. You’ll not only learn leadership skills and
goarmy.com or call 1-800-USA-ARMY.
For more information about opportunities in the U.S. Army, visit the Denver Career Center-Auraria Campus or call 720-904-2174.
©2015. Paid for by the United States Army. All rights reserved.
Met
Opinion
6
mymetmedia.com
February 15, 2017
f: themetropolitan
@themetonline
Inside the news room If Met Media collected a nickel for every time someone accused a member of our staff of over stepping their bounds, asking questions they “shouldn’t” or misrepresenting someone or something on Auraria Campus, we would empty out a sizeable jar on a regular basis. This is not to say that we are unethical or act without integrity, but we have inherited a bad rap. We give you a looking glass at how we perceive our craft in the hope that it will change some of the perceptions about what it is we do and why we do it.
By Joella Baumann By Esteban Fernandez
jbauma17@msudenver.edu
eferna14@msudenver.edu One of the best ways to get under my skin is to call Met Media and The Metropolitan ‘just a student newspaper.’ We may be students but our publication is so much more than that. It is our first exposure to the world of Journalism. The stories we publish have real impact, and serve the student body at Metro. I know for a fact they have impact, because otherwise we wouldn’t draw so much ire from people around campus. Prying out secrets and shining a spotlight where things fester and hide tends to carry that consequence. It is also something I take special delight in. My work at the paper is preparing me for the world of political journalism. My days here have taught me how to report, the value of truth and ethics, and to never back down to a bully. I take pride in the independence of The Metropolitan and the fact that we don’t grovel to the pleasure of our sources. I’m also proud to work with the people I do. I see the same level of dedication, toughness and resourcefulness in each of my peers. I see it in the sports editor who does more than report on games by fi ling CORA requests on the administration and our photo editor who rushes toward an Auraria campus alert rather than away from it. I see it in our features editor, who lights sparks and turns to steel when she catches the scent of a good story. I see it in our Editor-in-Chief, who pushes us weekly to be the best we can be while balancing the demands of motherhood and class. For all these reasons we are more than ‘just a student paper.’ We’re a real paper. And when we get to the real world, watch out.
By David Schaut By Lauren Cordova scordo22@msudenver.edu As a student journalist I have learned a lot about myself and what path I want to take in life. I used to think that the only way I would be happy is if I traveled the world working for National Geographic. After studying at MSU Denver, I have found that discovering local stories and giving a voice to someone who may never get a chance to tell their story any other way can be much more rewarding than being a globetrotting photojournalist. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to travel the world and take photographs telling stories that make an impact on the world, but now I know that there is much more to happiness and success than that. One of the most important things we focus on as journalists is to seek the truth and report it. As photojournalists, our job is to illuminate the human condition. These two goals can be accomplished anywhere. Whether following soldiers through a war-torn city or telling the story of a local refugee family, a good story can be told in an impactful way from anywhere in the world if you have the integrity and drive of a true journalist.
dschaut@msudenver.edu I was asked to write an op-ed on what it means to be a student journalist. I struggled with the assignment because the only differences I find between a student journalist and a journalist are knowledge, ability and pay. When I think about what I do, I don’t consider myself a student journalist. I seek truth and report it. I develop sources in the areas that I cover so I can have an inside track on information. I hit the pavement and doggedly pursue stories and people in order to make my story as accurate and complete as possible. I piss people off. I do all of the things a journalist does, albeit with many more mistakes. The difficulty with student journalism is that access is more difficult to ascertain. Me saying that I represent The Metropolitan does not carry as much weight as me saying that I represent The Denver Post or 9News. So in order to get taken seriously I have to persist until people understand that I will not stop. But my job doesn’t change. My job is to get to the events people care about and cover them. Am I bitter about the difficulty? No, I love it. It’s tough but it’s worthwhile. But, the difference between journalists and student journalists? We’ve got to bust our ass just to get some respect.
Have a view on current events you’d like to share? Want to voice your thoughts on a subject that has been covered in the paper? Send your pieces to themetonline@gmail.com or Editor-in-chief Joella Baumann at jbauma17@gmail.com
I have been asked more than a few times to define the role of a student journalist. I’ve been told that we play a smaller role and have a place on campus. For those who have said this, I get the sense that our place is outside of their business. MSU Denver is my family’s alma mater and a place that where I have come to fruition. I care greatly about this campus and its happenings far most than most. However it is not a gentle love as a I have for my child, but a tough one. I expect back from my campus what it expects of me. This leads me into my first love of writing and in that my love of journalism. There are very few other instances in my life where something expected honesty, integrity, ethical wisdom and patience of me all at the same time. I have learned so much about knowing when to lead and when to follow. In my time with the paper I am proud to say that we have ruffled a few feathers. We have elicited frantic emails and phone calls from professionals who feel that we have crossed some invisible line. To those people, thank you and your welcome. We have learned through our professors that we are the watchdogs and that it is our job to hold those with power accountable. You all, the administrators, the deans, the boards and the professors hold the power over the most important entity on this campus: the student body. A student body to which we owe our allegiance and which we are a part of. This gives us the right to ask the questions and attend the meetings. To fi lm and record and question and report is our craft and our duty. We will continue to strive for that standard in the most respectful and unapologetic manner.
Met
Features
@themetonline f: themetropolitan mymetmedia.com mymetmedia.com f:themetropolitan @themetonline
February 2017 August 21,15, 2014
Geometry influences a Black Beauty canvas By Cassie Ballard cballar7@msudenver.edu A gold pendulum glides across Black Beauty sand, carving geometric symbols that change with each new person that enters the room. Without the presence of movement, it returns to the perfect repetition of design. “One of the things that, for me, is really important about this piece is how it preserves real time history. The piece, because it is sand and it’s physical engraving, literally shows when someone has gone through. So you can say, ‘this is when I went through’,” said Laleh Mehran, the artist who designed the pendulum art. Sensors in the room detect movement and increase the speed of the rotation. Th is changes the shapes drawn by the pendulum. The path is set from two separate geometric designs that repeat their motion. Together, they make a predetermined pattern. With added speed, the two shapes react differently, creating new and unexpected shapes. These patterns are recorded
Professor and Graduate Director in Emergent Digital Practices at the University of Denver. She spoke of her history and past works on Feb. 8 at the Center for Visual Art. Born to two Iranian scientists, Mehran reveals her scientific background and dissent in her art. She uses a unique style of performance, technology and audience interaction to express her vision. She also adds influences of Iranian geography, geometry and structures like Masjid alHarām or the Grand Mosque in her expression. “I’m interested in these details, these beautiful ways of working with geometry to make shapes happen and the addition of one thing to another and how it becomes exponentially complicated all of the sudden,” Mehran said. “If you take something away or change it, it clearly shows it’s imperfection.” Mehran’s artwork is called The Entropic System. It is a small scale version of a similar installation Mehran had at the Arvada Center called the Entropic Order in 2014. The large scale version used
Laleh Mehran talks about the processs of Entropic System on Feb. 8. Photo by Lauren Cordova • scordo22@msudenver.edu
by a camera on the pendulum to give observers a closer perspective. The outcome of the planned path is only changed by the influence of presence. “As you entered the piece it would speed up and then have these crazy spirals showing how your presence was basically disrupting the perfect flow. It was disrupting the perfect image,” Mehran said. Mehran is the Associate
the same Black Beauty sand, which is actually coal slag or a crystallized byproduct of fi red coal. The iridescent sand was placed across the museum floor with a pendulum hanging 12 feet from the ceiling to draw in the intricate patterns. There was no camera necessary, since the scale gave viewers more room to examine the pattern change with the naked eye. The Entropic System takes an eight hour cycle to fi ll the
Laleh Mehran speaks about her art work and her Entropic System installation at the Center for Visual Art on Feb. 8 in Denver. Photo by Lauren Cordova • scordo22@msudenver.edu
slag canvas. The fi nal product is a recording of the events throughout the day, just to end up being erased for a fresh start. The daily patterns became a representation of history and influence. “It has this visual representation of everything that has happened during its history,” Mehran said. Mehran metions how the gallery fulfi lled the last crucial aspect of the piece, wiping the canvas clean before the talk. “I saw her literally wiping history,” Mehran said. The art even began to impact people’s reactions to each other. Mehran explained that some of the people who would come to see Entropic Order would cause disruptions with each other. Some would sit still to witness a perfect pattern while others would move around to control new patterns. “It created, for me, a little bit of uncomfortable tension,” Mehran said, explaining one conversation she heard. “The folks who wanted to see this appparatus work and wanted to see what it meant when these ideas were implemented in this perfect way and then the person who wanted power over it.” Some students were able to fi nd deeper personal meaning through Mehran’s art. “Th is show is inspiring
MSU Denver student Miriam Nissan contemplates Laleh Mehran’s small-scale installation piece, Entropic System. Photo by Lauren Cordova • scordo22@msudenver.edu
to really fi nd what you are passionate about. To dive into that research and just keep going deeper and deeper and deeper because you never know
what you are going to fi nd through that research,” said MSU Denver design student Conor Baldry.
7
8
mymetmedia.com f: themetropolitan @themetonline
February 15, 2017
The land of love fires up a cool festival Photo and story by Karson Hallaway cgonzo88@msudenver.edu The sweetheart city of Loveland, brings the surrounding businesses and residents the Fire and Ice Festival every Valentine’s Day season, which gives the downtown center of Loveland an opportunity to share locally owned beer, food and inviting music from its own born and raised. Festival curators, Heidi and Nate Webb, are natives of Loveland and have based the festival on their early years as a young couple sitting on a rooftop nearly 20 years ago. Now they share the magic from their own family with the city of Loveland through the Fire and Ice Festival. “We are the land of love and we need to become that,” Nate said. That’s exactly what they did by bringing a team of pyrotechnics and city planners together to ensure visitors have a close-to-home Disney experience. As business owners of Blazen Illuminations, Heidi and Nate are proud to have brought back Loveland’s Fire and Ice Festival in 2017 and are expected to have welcomed more than 3,600 visitors from all areas of Colorado. Heidi said she likes to think of the festival as Disneyland for people who don’t get to go. The festival’s third year takes close to six months to plan and execute. The Webbs plan in early March and work in unison with the city of Loveland when contacting all the talented artists, businesses and partners that make the event possible. The three day festival features eight breweries, two distilleries, 45 live performance artists and musicians that give Colorado residents a family friendly experience. People come to visit the three day
Heidi and Nate Webb work hard six months in order to bring the festival together for the Valentine’s Day season.
Fire and Ice Festival because its curators and planners of Loveland City bring the magical experience and pair it well with the locally owned businesses that support its downtown center. “It’s good for downtown,” said Dillon Schmidt, the doorman at Chillers located in Loveland, when asked what he thought about the festival. Every year Loveland closes five blocks of 4th St. for the festival’s carnival games, rides, live performance stages and ice and
Steel owl fire sculpture designed by Gammaspace Art Collective in Golden. for this years Fire and Ice Festival in Loveland on Feb. 12.
fire sculptures. When visitors arrive they’re welcomed with a lively downtown city center that has a carnival style carousel. Some of the most notable attractions visitors come to see are the fire and ice sculptures made by local Colorado artists. On the block between N. Garfield Ave. and Railroad Ave. are fire sculptures designed by lead designers Jordan Pai Quan and Veronica Rivard at Gammaspace Art Collective. The collective is an artist organization run by a team of designers of the fire sculptures: Joshua Birkmaier, Caitlin Morris and Misty Powel. “Loveland is great because it allows us to share art with a community who has never seen it before” Morris said. The art collective has designed multiple steel sculptures for the Apogaea Colorado Burning Man sanctioned event. At the festival, Birkmaier and Morris present two ice sculptures. One is titled, Hin Han, a flaming owl that serves as the arbitral of the afterlife, and the other an Arcus Hymenoptera, which Morris describes as an ant archway formed by two winged ants holding a metal heart in the center. The archway theme comes from the collective’s division at the Burning Man sanction which symbolizes what happens when people come together, explains Morris.
Ice Sculpture designed by Luan Bui at Loveland’s Fire and Ice Festival on Feb. 10.
On the evening of Feb. 12, Heidi and Nate had to say goodbye to their more than 3,600 visitors and shut down the multiple day-to-day operations. However, what was most surprising was how the Webbs greeted the end of the festival. “Ironically, dead silence when it’s all put away and what’s left is only as good as the impression you put on people,” said Heidi.
Editor’s Note An article published in The Metropolitan on Feb. 8 misinterpreted the Presence: Reflections on the Middle East exhibition at the Center for Visual Art. Through photography, the exhibition explores the presence and absence of people, the influence of culture, the repetition of pattern and the idea of trace in photography – the idea that photos can hold memories of the past. The Metropolitan regrets the error.
mymetmedia.com
f: themetropolitan
@themetonline
February 14, 2017
Love is a drag with an entertaining show By Jonson Kuhn jkuhn2@msudenver.edu Ever feel like Valentine’s Day is nothing more than a drag? Well, for the folks at the LGBTQ Student Resource Center on the Auraria campus, Drag is just a way of life. Th is year’s Valentine’s Day marked the seventh annual drag show, Love is a Drag, in the Tivoli Turnhall.
“There’s a huge focus on saving the lives of these kids so that they don’t feel like they’re alone.” – Steve Willich The event was created around the idea of celebrating gender performance, as well as providing a safe outlet for participants to explore who they truly are and to educate the campus on non-binary gender identities and all while looking fabulous, of course.
In addition to glamorous performers, there was free pizza and chances to make your own Valentine’s Day cards for condoms. Booths were set up, offering various services from the Student Health Center, CU Community Counseling Center, as well as the Phoenix Center, who offered participants an opportunity to create art that defi ned their personal idea of the word consent. The event is all in the theme of having fun, said Steve Willich, director of LGBTQ Student Resource Center. It all began from acknowledging a very serious situation. Willich said that back in 2010 or 2011, there was a rash of suicides by young people who were gay or perceived to be gay which received a lot of national attention. Willich wanted to do something to help and decided to put a rally together for support. “There’s a huge focus on saving the lives of these kids so that they don’t feel like they’re alone,” Willich said. “We asked ourselves what we could do to actually make a difference, so from that we came up with the Drag Show.”
9
Juana Man performs a heartfelt song during the Love’s a Drag show in the Tivoli Turnhale on Feb. 14. Photo by McKenzie Lange • mlange4@msudenver.edu
There were a number of performers and overall the event lasted from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. but the fi rst hour served more as a workshop hosted by one of the veteran drag performers, Yvie Oddly, who spoke about his own personal experiences on campus and what exactly drag means to him.
and advocate, West has been working with Love Is A Drag for over four years. Within that amount of time he’s seen the event grow steadily which he says is a testament to the awareness of not only the event itself but to the charitable causes, as well. West said supporting Rainbow Alley, a drop in space for homeless or at risk
LGBTQ youth, was the most crucial takeaway. “They provide so many great opportunities and services to those youth and so everyone that comes here is a bigger part of donating just their time or their money to recognize that there is a place out there for those who need it,” West said.
“Drag is the only queer art form that exists that can’t be robbed from queer identities, it’s our only voice and means of expression that is uniquely us.” – Yvie Oddly
Veteran drag performer Yvie Oddly on stage following the Love is a Drag show at the Tivoli Turnhale on Feb. 14. Photo by McKenzie Lange • mlange4@msudenver.edu
Audience members were encouraged to ask questions regarding the specifics of drag and even picked up a few tips on how to break into the business for themselves from someone who truly knows the world of drag intimately. “Love is a Drag, five years ago, was my birth place in drag. Drag is the only queer art form that exists that can’t be robbed from queer identities, it’s our only voice and means of expression that is uniquely us,” Oddly said. The evening’s MC, Peaches West, was also no stranger to the event. A local educator
Diamond Star dances and lip syncs to the Supremes during the Love’s a Drag show in the Tivoli Turnhale on Feb. 14. Photo by McKenzie Lange • mlange4@msudenver.edu
Rainbow Alley is a safe space supporting LGBTQ youth and their allies ages 11 to 21, providing a drop-in space, youth-led events and activities, counseling and support groups, health services, and life services, all in a warm,welcoming, and supportive environment.
To Donate or contact go to: http://glbtcolorado.org/rainbow-alley/
Met
Reviews
@themetonline f: themetropolitan mymetmedia.com
February 15, 2017
Dance and conflict collide in Billy Elliot By Avery Anderson aande133@msudenver.edu Reviewing theatre can be an interesting job. Of course there are always the hits and amazing productions from the big guys like the DCP. Also the long standing and reliable theatres such as the BDT Stage. Smaller theatres are where things can become interesting. You have some of the saddest productions or some of the most breath taking. The Vintage Theatre’s production of “Billy Elliot The Musical” is one of those breathing taking diamonds. The regional premiere of this hit show has found a great theatre in Colorado to open in. The winner of ten Tony Awards, including Best Musical, features music by
Elton John and lyrics by Lee Hall. The show follows Billy Elliot, a young English boy who discovers a love for dance in a rural mining town. As you follow Billy on his journey of becoming a part of the National Ballet Academy there is also a subplot of the miners’ strike. The juxtaposition this provides throughout the show is beautiful. While the adults are physically fighting one another for their rights, Billy is fighting his feelings through dance. As both plots advance the characters in those plots, Billy’s dad and Billy, grow in their way until eventually the two plots connect and collide. Dad must decide if he wants to continue the strike or support his son’s love for dance. Billy is played by the amazing, young and talented Kaden Hinkle. This is not an easy role for anyone to take on, especially a young man but
Hinkle does it with complete grace and conviction. Audiences may recognize Hinkle in either the national tour of ‘A Christmas Story’ or as Michael Banks in the BDT Stage production of ‘Mary Poppins’. Hinkle brings something special to the role of Billy. He makes you connect with the character through his incredible singing, spot on acting and amazing dancing. By far one of the highlights of the show is his rendition of ‘Angry Dance’. Hinkle does what any good Billy Elliot does. He is able to express emotion through dance. Hinkle is joined by a truly stellar cast: Andy Anderson commands the stage and the family as the dad, Benji Dienstfrey makes you laugh every time he opens his mouth as the best friend Michael, Adrianne Hampton makes you want to take lessons with the always smoking but always
Kaden Hinkle as Billy Elliot and Adrianne Hampton as Mrs. Wilkinson on stage in the production Billy Elliot at the Vintage Theatre in Aurora on Feb. 3. Photo by Jannelle Althoff • jannellealthoff@gmail.com
considerate Mrs. Wilkinson and my personal favorite, Deborah Persoff, a recent Henry Award winner for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre as the honest and often forgetful Grandma.
‘Billy Elliot the Musical’ is now playing through March 19th at the Vintage Theatre. For tickets visit vintagetheatre. org.
Love and anime hookup at cosplay convention By Kavann Tok ktok@msudenver.edu Anime is adapted from manga or Japanese comic books, which have grown into a worldwide pop culture phenomenon. It was originally popularized by Tokyo commuters picking up manga at newsstands to read while riding trains to and from work. With Valentine’s Day in mind some couples enjoyed a
romantic cosplay weekend at the Animeland Wasabi 2017 event held at the Crowne Plaza Denver Airport Convention Center. In the game room, players competed at “Street Fighter” on giant screens as others put on live “Rock Band” karaoke concerts. The dealer’s room was filled with anime and superhero collectibles, while artists showcased mangainspired galleries. There was also a costume contest in the main auditorium.
Keith Johnkoski, 22, dressed as Natsu from the anime series “Fairy Tail” and Janay Ruzicka, 21, dressed as Temari from “Naruto Shippuden” at Crowne Plaza Denver Airport Convention Center in Denver on Feb. 11. Photo by Kavann Tok • ktok@msudenver.edu
One cosplay couple, Keith Johnkoski and Janay Ruzicka, played characters from two separate series yet bonded their characters through their love for anime. “We’ve been together for about two years. We have everything in common except food,” Ruzicka said. She made her costume in 2011. “I’m Temari from ‘Naruto Shippuden.’ This was pretty much all closetbound, and I just sewed a few things together,” Ruzicka said. Johnkoski came as Natsu, a fire-dragon slayer from the anime series “Fairy Tail.” He ordered his costume online and drew emblems on his skin to give his character an authentic detail. “My favorite part is taking pictures with people, talking to people and just seeing all the cool stuff you can buy around here,” Johnkoski said. Another couple who enjoyed the event was Ricardo Valdivia and Rosa Lopez. While Valdivia wasn’t dressed up, he supported his girlfriend who went as Ciel Phantomhive of “Black Butler.” “I saw the character, and said ‘I have to cosplay it,’”
Lopez said. “My favorite part about being here is seeing the other cosplayers. It’s fun to meet people who have the same hobby as you.” This was her first year at Animeland Wasabi but her third year of cosplay. Denver Comic Con was where her inspiration came from, deciding to participate instead of just spectate. “It’s more fun when you’re involved instead of just watching. I just found stuff in my closet that I could use as a cosplay. I used a lot of hot glue and safety pins,” Lopez said. Collectors combed the vendors’ booths for manga, art prints, books, figurines, plushies, hand-made trinkets, Asian snacks, clothing and all things anime! Artist, Alexandra Miller, worked one of the booths. She started drawing when she was eight years old, taking a cartooning class in Denver. “Last year I actually did it for the first time,” Miller said. “It was really fun and it was a nice community. I’m from Colorado but for these conventions, I travel across the country.” For five years, she has
produced artwork in anime and manga form influenced by popular characters. She puts a personal twist on them, developing them into her own style and technique. At another booth was a colorist, Christopher Bower, who grew up making fanart with his friends Will Woods and Tyrine Carver, founders of Musetap Studios. “We love coming to this,” Bower said. “We’ve been coming to it for three years, and they’ve switched it a couple of times to different locations. I love coming to Denver though.” Guests of the event included numerous voice actors, such as Chris Rager, Lisle Wilkerson, Jamie McGonnigal a director, producer and organizer, Michaela Laws a writer, director and more. Music was performed by rapper and electronic dance music artist, None Like Joshua and trance and hard dance DJ Blakeland. This is an event for anime enthusiasts who enjoy mingling with other fans and for a few couples a unique romantic weekend.
10 12
Met
Sports
@themetonline f: themetropolitan mymetmedia. com
February 15, 2017
MMA giants merge to form Legacy Fighting Alliance By Jake Howard jhowar50@msudenver.edu The second-tier of mixed martial arts is coming to the 1st Bank Center in Broomfield on Feb. 24 for Legacy Fighting Alliance 5: Edwards vs. Townsend. This will mark LFA’s fifth event of 2017. The Resurrection Fighting Alliance, based in Las Vegas, and the Houston based Legacy Fighting Championship merged to form LFA in May 2016. The merger brought together two of the two of the most lucrative MMA organizations in history. LFA’s first live event took place Jan. 13 and had 14 bouts on the card, 10 of which ended with finishes and also a unification of two bantamweight belts. Three of Denver’s best MMA fighters from of Factory X will be competing at LFA 5, one of them being Brandon “Raw Dawg” Royval, who was recently added to the card. Royval will be competing side-by-side with teammates Ian Heinisch and Marcus “Bad Intentions” Edwards. Royval, Heinisch and Edwards are all coming off wins. Heinisch remained undefeated at 7-0 in his professional career after his last bout, while Edwards will enter the cage with a record of 13-4. Royval comes in with a career record of 4-2. Opening up the night for Factory X will be Royval, who fights in the flyweight weight
class. All of Royval’s wins have come from finishes, including a highlight-reel flying knee and a 30-second triangle choke. “I think that’s just a theme of my fighting,” Royval says about how his ability to finish fights so quickly. “I have a style that leads to finishes. I attack on the ground and I attack on the feet. I’m not a wrestler, so I don’t have that in-between spot. Everything’s working to finish when you’re a jiu-jitsu striker, whether it’s a submission finish or a knockout.” Royval will meet Rakan Adwan who comes into the fight with a record of 3-1. “I’m always looking for the finish,” Royval said. Royval’s teammate Ian Heinisch is known for his power as well as his wrestling and jiu-jitsu background. The middleweight division fighter has overcome many hardships in his personal life to become a force to be reckoned with in MMA today. “Just going through the hardship I did, it’s just the perfect ingredients that breeds champions,” Heinisch said. “I love my past, it just fell into place.” Heinisch will be facing Lucas Rota who has a record of 12-6, but he doesn’t see experience being a factor. “I know he’s going to be tough, and I don’t expect this to be an easy fight, but honestly, he’s on his way out, I’m on my way up, and he’s just another body in way. I’m going to get in there in and take care of business like I
dschaut@msudenver.edu Two weeks after he was dismissed from the team, junior point guard Cameron Williams is back for the Roadrunners. Athletic department officials announced Williams’ dismissal on Jan. 28 and said it was for a violation of team rules. On Feb. 10 they issued a press release prior to the game against Chadron State. “Metropolitan State University of Denver student-athlete Cam Williams has been reinstated to the men’s basketball team. Williams has met with men’s
basketball student-athletes, coaches, and administration following his initial dismissal for violating team rules. Further details will not be provided on this matter.” Williams missed games against Westminster College, Black Hills State University and South Dakota School of Mines while he was off the roster. The team went 2-1 without him on the court. He has been the team’s most potent scorer so far this season. He is averaging 15.1 points per game and is shooting 49 percent from the field. He’s third on the team in assists with 2.1 per game
Nationwide News » Nuggets tie NBA record in rout of Warriors
Brandon “Raw Dawg” Royval works the kicking pads in preparation for his bout at LFA 5: Edwards vs. Townsend. Photo by Old Soul Era • oldsoulera@gmail.com
always do and move on,” he said. Moving up the card, the mainevent of the evening will be Edwards vs. Adam “Prime Time” Townsend. For those not familiar with Edwards’ “Bad Intentions” nickname, it epitomizes his fighting style. He is known for his vicious knockout power in the lightweight division. His last win came in 12 seconds at LFC 60 when he brutally knocked out Billy Christianson. He also has two finishes in 10 seconds or less and has finished four other fights in the first 30 seconds. He attributes his timing as to how he is able to finish opponents so quickly. “I’m fast, I’m quick and obviously I’m powerful,” Edwards said. “But a lot of the time, I’m not even hitting the guys hard, it’s just they’re running into that strike they don’t see. The best strike is the one your opponent
doesn’t see, and that’s the one that puts them out.” With his winning record and powerful fighting style, Edwards has been knocking on the UFC’s door for sometime now and believes a win over Townsend should be his ticket to an invitation from Dana White. “I put in a lot of work over the past few years being a professional fighter,” he said. “I’ve fought a lot of high level guys, and I think I’ve proven not only to myself, but the fans, the promoters and the MMA world that I’m ready for that next level.” All three men who will be representing Factory X at the 1st Bank Center on Feb. 24 fight with the intention of finishing their opponents. Tickets for the fights are available at AltitutdeTickets.com and the main card can be seen on AXS TV at 7 p.m.
Cam Williams reinstated to basketball team By David Schaut
1211
and is grabbing 4.1 rebounds per game. He’s also been a huge factor in MSU Denver’s well known fullcourt press defense. He is third on the team this season with 23 steals. His ability to get to the free throw line has also been crucial for the Runners. He’s gotten to the charity stripe at a higher rate than any of his teammates, shooting 114 this year, making 82, all while missing five games this year. He was back in action on Feb. 10 and 11 and scored 10 and 20 points respectively.
The Denver Nuggets tied the NBA record for three pointers made in a regular season game on Feb. 13 in their 132-110 rout of the Golden State Warriors. The Nuggets made 24 threepointers in their win over the NBA-leading Warriors and shot 60 percent from the three point line. Nikola Jokic has his second career triple-double in the game with 17 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists. The 21 rebounds and 12 assists were career highs for Jokic. Rookie Juancho Hernangomez had the best scoring output of his career and exploded for a game-high 27 points. He added 10 rebounds to secure a double-double. The Nuggets have now beaten the Warriors in back-to-back seasons and currently hold a two game advantage for the final Western Conference playoff seed over the Portland Trailblazers and the Sacramento Kings.
» UCONN women reach milestone The UCONN women’s basketball team increased their record winning streak to 100 on Feb. 13 with their win over the No. 6 South Carolina Gamecocks. UCONN has now won 980 games since Geno Auriemma was hired, and is undisputedly the greatest women’s basketball program in the history of the sport. Auriemma has won an unprecedented 11NCAA championships with UCONN. UCONN’s last loss came against No. 6 Stanford on Nov. 17, 2014.
» Charles Oakley tossed from Garden
MSU Denver guard Cameron Williams attempts a lay-up against Regis University at the on Feb. 11. The Roadrunners lost the game 80-82. Photo Kenneth Martinez • kmart143@msudenver.edu
Former New York Knicks Center Charles Oakley was escorted out of Madison Square Garden and arrested for misdemeanor assault on Feb. 8 after becoming combative with security. Knicks owner James Dolan subsequently banned Oakley from the Garden. After a meeting with the NBA commissioner, Dolan lifted the ban on Oakley, but Oakley is still seeking an apology.
XX 12
mymetmedia.com
Date xx, xxxx MetMet Break High Events February 15, 2017Mile Sports
Player deviates from convention
By Jordan Roland jroland1@msudenver.edu Romello Washington is a 20-year-old semi-professional basketball player and Aurora native who has dedicated his life to the sport since he was in third grade. So much so, in fact, that he founded his own semi-pro team. He bounced around during his high school career. He started at Valor Christian, then went to Eaglecrest, John F. Kennedy and finally finished his senior year at Vista Peak Prep where he averaged 18 points, two assists and two steals per game. Before his senior year, Vista Peak was a non-existent school in terms of talent, but Washington quickly brought attention with his ability. “I blew up there, I made a name for us,” Washington said about his time at Vista Peak. “It was a school that nobody knew about. I stepped on the court and made a difference.” During his senior year, Vista Peak Prep were twoyear 4A league champions and Washington was selected to the CHSAA/MaxPreps AllState Second Team. After he graduated he had his hopes set on being recruited to a college but he chose a different path. “I made a whole new decision in life and I just feel like there was better opportunities presented,” Washington said. Once he put college basketball behind him, he set his time and effort on founding the semi-pro team USA Denver, which he plays for now. He wanted to start USA Denver for other athletes in his situation. The program is only two years old, but in that two year span it has seen major growth in popularity. Players have joined and the team has started to get recognized locally. Washington
has been featured in USA Denver commercials, has had radio interviews and invitations to play other professional teams. Washington’s father Robert introduced him to his lifelong passion. He taught him the importance of small details like cardio, lifting weights and consistency to achieve greatness. Aside from his smooth step back jumper that is perfected with consistency and finesse, Washington never presents himself with a cocky attitude. From jumpers to crossovers, his production on the court has been defined as electrifying because of his ability to carry a team on his shoulders and dazzle crowds, but with every great player comes humble attitude, and his actions define every sense of the word. “Everything is my weakness right now and I’m always willing to work hard with getting my jump shot perfected, defense, ball handling,” Washington said. “I consider everything a weakness because you can always improve.” Throughout his career, Washington has always led by example through his actions to show people that he is reliable and trustworthy. But he also carries the same attitude into his everyday life off of the court, and his hard work has paid off. When he’s not on the court he listens to music, promotes radio and tv shows, works a regular job and provides for his pregnant fiancé, Jameka Pollard. “Man, my ride or die right there. She’s been through it all with me since I started USA Denver, she has been awesome,” Washington said. Aside from basketball, he watches Marvel superhero movies and dreams of being a famous movie director if basketball was no longer a
f: themetropolitan
@themetonline
Nationwide News » Eight Patriots starters to boycott White House visit Alan Branch, LeGarrette Blount, Martellus Bennett, Devin McCourty, Dont’a Hightower and Chris Long have all stated their intention to avoid the annual Super Bowl winning team’s visit to the White House. Some of the players have stated that Donald Trump and his policies are the reason they chose not to go. For example, McCourty said, “Basic reason for me is I don’t feel accepted in the White House. With the president having so many strong opinions and prejudices I believe certain people might feel accepted there while others won’t.” To be fair, this isn’t the first time champions have skipped White House visits. Tom Brady, Chicago Cubs pitcher Jake Arietta and Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas all skipped visits when Barack Obama was president.
» Meachem jailed for not paying alimony
Romello Washington pursued his basketball passion in a different way than most athletes. Instead of playing in college, he founded his own semi-professional team called USA Denver where he plays and manages.
priority. He describes himself as the quiet nerd who opens up once you get to know him. Washington joked around when he was asked if he had any superpower, what would it be. He’d want to be invisible. Whether talking about basketball or the obstacles one endures in life, Washington wakes up everyday with the same mentality to work harder than he did the day before. He knows that you can’t take days off.
“Getting up and thanking God first for everything, starting the new day right. With a kid on the way that’s really pushing me with everything being in the gym harder and having a better job,” he said. Basketball and being a strong man for his fiancé are Washington’s two main focuses in his life. The lessons he’s learned have shaped him into being the man that his fiancé, parents and peers have all come to love.
Former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem has been jailed for 30 days for not paying more than $400,000 in alimony to his ex-wife. Meachem can be released immediately if he pays $100,000 to his ex-wife Andrea Rhodes. Court documents show that while he has paid $200,000, he was supposed to pay $588,000. Meachem claims that he was swindled by former associates and didn’t pay enough attention to his bank balances. He said he is borrowing money from NFL associates to get by. Meachem won a Super Bowl with the Saints in 2010.
Watch LIVE on Campus Channel 20 at 12:30 p.m. every Friday and nightly from 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. on Comcast Channel 58.
Watch for Campus News, National News, Entertainment, Weather and Sports.
mymetmedia.com/metreport TheMetReport @TheMetReport youtube.com/user/TheMetReport the_met_report
@themetonline
f: themetropolitan
mymetmedia. com
February 15, 2017
Women’s basketball peaking at right time By David Schaut dschaut@msudenver.edu Don’t look now, but the MSU Denver women’s basketball team has won six of its last seven games and currently sixth in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. The Roadrunners continued their hot play Feb. 10 and 11 with wins over Chadron State and Regis University. Junior guard Georgia Ohrdorf played a stellar game against Black Hills State and scored a game and season-high 27 points. She also secured the double-double with 12 rebounds in the 74-66 win. Sophomore guard Jaelynn Smith was two assists away from a triple-double and finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Junior guard J’Nae SquiresHorton was the star against
bitter rival Regis. She nearly matched her season-high scoring output of 28 but finished the game with 24 points. She also chipped in four rebounds. Ohrdorf was second on the team in scoring and had 10 points. The Runners are peaking at the perfect time. They have three games remaining before the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference tournament and two of those games are against teams beneath them in the RMAC standings. They play the second place University of Colorado-Colorado Springs Mountain Lions on Feb. 18, then hit the road to finish the regular season against Colorado Christian on Feb. 24 and Colorado School of Mines on Feb. 25. The RMAC tournament will be hosted by the regular season conference champions and it begins on Feb. 28.
kmart143@msudenver.edu The MSU Denver Roadrunners men’s basketball team rallied together Feb. 10 at the Auraria Events Center to get the 75-59 win over the Chadron State Eagles despite starting guard Sunday Dech suffering a concussion and convulsing uncontrollably early in the game. Dech was injured from a fall of more than five feet on a leaping drive to the basket four minutes into the first half. He was convulsing uncontrollably and visually in pain following the fall. He required immediate medical attention. Dech was then taken to the hospital to be further evaluated. He was later diagnosed with a concussion and is currently in the NCAA concussion protocol. The Roadrunners three-point shooting caught fire following the injury stoppage. As a team, they shot 53 percent from long range in the first half. The game’s leading scorer, Brian Howard, dropped 22 points while going 4-5 from beyond the arc. The hot shooting led to the Roadrunners to a 10-point lead the the end of the half. The Eagles played tough into the second half, but the Roadrunners supplied enough defense to maintain their lead. They went on a 14-0 run midway through the second half to pull away. From there, the Eagles
imploded by committing several fouls including a technical foul by forward Jordan Perry. Peter Moller led the way sinking all five of his looks from the line. Moller finished the game with a double-double, scoring 15 points and adding 10 rebounds. The Roadrunners lost a tough one on Feb. 11 against Regis. They were in a prime position to take home the win. They battled back from a large deficit early only to then take a large lead of their own. The lead was short lived as the Rangers made it a tightly contested game in the waning minutes before stunning the Roadrunners with the 80-82 win at the buzzer. The game was scoreless for the first three minutes. The Rangers then found their rhythm and they built up a 12-point lead with six minutes left in the first half. The Roadrunners were then able to cut the Rangers lead to 29-34 at the half. The Roadrunners used an uptempo attack to shoot 55 percent from the field in the final frame. Five Roadrunners finished in double digit scoring; including guards Allec Williams, who had 19 points, while Enrique Cortes Zotes had 11. They built up a 14-point lead with 10 minutes left in the game. The Rangers rallied to climb within three points with five minutes left in the game. In the final minutes, both teams exchanged the lead several times.
13
Roadrunner News » MSU Denver announces 2017 athletics Hall of Fame
MSU Denver Roadrunners guard Luisa Tago drives to the basket against the Northern New Mexico Lady Eagles at the Auraria Event Center on Nov. 4. Roadrunners beat the Lady Eagles 78-53. Photo by Lauren Cordova • scordo22@msudenver.edu
Roadrunner men continue to play amidst turmoil By Kenny Martinez
Met Sports
The Rangers hit a three-pointer with three minutes left to take their first lead of the half. Roadrunners center Bounama Keita responded with a dunk to retake the lead. Keita finished with six points and a career high 16 rebounds. However, the Rangers were relentless and hit yet another three then drew a foul to take a 76-80 lead. The back-and-forth scoring frenzy continued with Roadrunners guard Peter Moller draining a shot from beyond the arc to cut the Rangers lead to one. Moller finished the game with 12 points; with six coming from long range. The momentum stayed on the Roadrunners side with Keita delivering a thunderous block on the other end of the court. The block was followed up by senior
guard Brian Howard drawing a foul that sent him to the line for two. He would only make one to knot the game up at 80 with a minute remaining. The ensuing play resulted in the Rangers missing a threepointer, but Rangers forward Dexter Sienko tipped in the rebound at the buzzer to send the Roadrunners faithful home with the sour taste of defeat. The play was reviewed for several minutes, but the referees later confirmed that the final shot was off before the buzzer. The Roadrunners will have a full week to reflect on the disappointing loss. The next time they take the court will be to face the UCCS on Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
MSU Denver guard Allec Williams leaps for a cross-court pass to guard Brian Howard during the game against Chadron State on Friday, Feb. 10 at the Auraria Event Center. Roadrunners won the game 75-59. Photo by Kenny Martinez • kmart143@msudenver.edu
The MSU Denver Roadrunners will induct three student-athletes, one contributor and one team into the Roadrunners Hall of Fame on Feb. 17. The contributor in the class is the outgoing university president Stephen Jordan. Charlie Blueback, one of the student-athletes, was an NAIA all-american in indoor track in 1982 and finished in third place in the mile run at the national meet. Jonh Liese was also a track athlete and was a two-time NAIA all-american, in 1983 and 1984. Kira Sharp was a national champion women’s soccer player and all-american. She scored the only goal in the 2006 NCAA championship game. The induction ceremony will begin place at the Auraria Event Center at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at RoadrunnersAthletics.com.
» MSU Denver softball slow out of the gate After starting the season 3-2, the Roadrunners’ softball team has lost three in a row. The season began with a 9-3 win over Nebraska Kearney on Feb. 4. The Runners followed that with a couple of losses against Colorado Mesa and beat Nebraska-Kearney again. The Runners then traveled to St. Gearge, Utah to take part int the Dixie State tournament. They started the tournament with a win against Concordia University, but followed that with three losses. Seniors Hayley Fields and Brooke Lovas are currently leading the team with six RBIs each.
» Baseball starts season with 2-5 record The MSU Denver baseball team started the season with a 15-10 win over Nebraska-Kearney, but followed that win with only one win in the next six games. The Runners split the season opening series with Nebraska-Kearney 2-2, but were then swept in three games when they traveled to Emporia, Kansas to take on Emporia State. They have been outscored 34-64 in their seven games thus far. Freshman Dylan Nelson, junior Cale O’Donnell and junior Hunter Donaldson are tied for the team lead in RBIs with five each.
14
Mile High February 15, 2017
Auraria Events 02.17
Location Price Time 02.17
Location Price Time 02.18
Location Price Time
Events
mymetmedia.com f: themetropolitan @themetonline
Concerts
SGA Meeting Weekly student government meeting. Open to the public.
02.17 Location Price Time
Colorado Symphony Boettcher Hall $29 and up 7:30 p.m.
02.18 Location Price Time
Russell Scott Summit Music Hall $12-$15 7 p.m.
02.17 Location Price Time
Shawn Nelson St. Patrick’s Brewing Free 7 p.m.
Tivoli Free 1 p.m.–3 p.m.
02.17 Location Price Time
Linda Wang Newman Center $10, free parking 7:30 p.m.
02.18 Location Price Time
Retrofette Lost Lake Lounge $8 9 p.m.
02.17 Location Price Time
The Mighty Twisters Coffee Sale Free 7 p.m.
02.17 Location Price Time
Arapahoe Philharmonic 02.18 7275 S Broadway Location TBA Price 8 p.m. Time
SF1 Lost Lake Lounge $8 9 p.m.
02.17 Location Price Time
Acoustic Throwdown Bowman’s Lounge Free 8 p.m.
02.18 Location Price Time
Sphere Ensemble Overland Crossing $5-$22 7:30 p.m.
02.18 Location Price Time
SiR Lost Lake Lounge $8 9 p.m.
02.17 Location Price Time
BeatSpeak Appaloosa Grill Free 10 p.m.
02.19 Location Price Time
Choral Evensong St. John’s Cathedral Free 3.30 p.m.
02.19 Location Price Time
02.18 Rky Mtn Rhythm Posse Location Brik on York Price $3 Time 9:00 p.m.
Third Fri. Art Walk Enjoy the art on display at the Center for Visual Art, and surrounding galleries. Center for Visual Art Free 6 a.m.–8 p.m. Mariachi Workshop Learn Mariachi music.
King Center Free 8 a.m.–3 p.m.
Playing with perspective is back in a whole new way! The show will now be recorded as a podcast with new shows posted as soon as possible afterwards on soundcloud.com
Other News >>Trending • Oscars high season for film piracy according to BBC News • India launches 104 satellites into space, breaking Russia’s record. • iPhone 8 to feature wireless charging
Wylie Jones Bar Louie Free 10 p.m.
Other News
Met Sports
• Michael Flynn was forced to resign as National Security Adviser after he was accused of lying about contact with the Russian Ambassador over U.S. sanctions. The administration is facing renewed pressure over its ties with Russia after the New York Times ran a story claiming that the campaign had contact with Russian Intelligence during the election.
SPORT Mens Basketball
SPORT Women’s Basketball
02.18 Location Time
02.18 Location Time
vs. Oponent Auraria Events Center 5 p.m.
• Rep. Mike Coffman will hold one-on-one meetings with constituents over the Affordable Care Act from Feb. 20-24. Analysts predict that a repeal of the law would have a major impact on Colorado, as the state adopted many of the law’s requirements.
vs. Oponent Auraria Events Center 7 p.m.
Pro Sports 02.16 Location Price Time
Avalanche Buffalo $$$ 5:30 p.m.
02.17 Location Price Time
Avalanche South Carolina $$$ 8 p.m.
02.19 Location Price Time
Avalanche Pepsi Center $ 8 p.m.
02.18 Location Price Time
Rapids Massachusetts $$$ 5 p.m.
Met
Break
f: themetropolitan
mymetmedia.com
Horoscopes
Overheard this week
Capricorn
Cancer
June 21 - July 22
A rash bout of sexting will leave you feeling vulnerable and you’ll be eight sheets to the wind by sun-down. Yes, eight.
Great things are possible with so much transformative energy aimed your way. You need to overcome your fear of energy.
Leo
Aquarius
July 23 - August 22
January 20 -February 18
Great progresss is being made both internally and externally. Who cares if Pepto tastes like crap and yes everybody farts.
“I said eat the cookie.”
Take the time to distinguish between what’s real and what’s illusion. Yes that means no more mushrooms. Go back to the booze.
Improve your people skills to make the big changes you want and need. Otherwise newspaper blankets are in your future.
you. You lose.” “Bye Felicia.” Hear or see something that makes you laugh? Shake your head? Roll your eyes or say WTF? Tweet it to @themetonline with the hashtag #overheardoncampus
Across 1. Bungle badly 6. Famous fabler 11. ‘’It’s freezing!’’ 14. Rudimentary seed 15. Sri --16. Tolstoy’s first 17. Fruity loaf 19. Actress Gardner 20. Criticize crudely 21. Chicago political name 22. Desert Storm missile 23. Vein pursuit 25. Second-chance exams 27. Ribbed cover 32. Drab’s partner 33. Cigarette stat 34. Turns sharply 36. Keep --- to the ground 39. Worship 41. Command to a horse 42. Pisa’s place 43. Axman 44. ‘’Don’t --- the small stuff!’’ 46. Born as 47. Untouchable lawman 49. Backs a candidate 51. Paper pads 54. Resentment 55. Pub brews 56. Uplift 59. No-see-um 63. Mass. school 64. Meaty wrap
Your efforts may sometimes feel over abundant but that’s because you have a big ego.
Scorpio
April 20 - May 20 Focus on your own well-being above all else. Th is way you can increase your material wealth and have a more stable beer fund.
October 23 -November 21
Sagittarius
May 21 - June 20
66. Garfield, to Jon 67. Musical drama 68. Not on deck 69. Random choice 70. Financier John Jacob 71. Wishlist entries
— David Schaut “The stuff under the table.” —Lauren Cordova “Whiskey.” —Esteban Fernandez “ABC gum.” — Cassie Ballard “Your gum.” — Erik Kemp
Your drive for success is unwavering. Your success rate is really really sad.
Gemini
You’ve got charm, smarts, and the element of surprise going for you all. Unfortunately you’re also a class-A screw up.
“Double mint...twins.”
Libra
Taurus
squats. No one.”
“Strawberry Juicy Fruit.” — Joella Baumann
September 23 - October 22
March 21 -April 19
“No one likes it when you do
“In the end we all win. Except for
You normally act with great consideration and compassion. What’s up with the tude?
Aries
“Run Forrest run! Running is fun. Now run.”
Virgo
August 23 - September 22
February 19 - March 20
“Cash me ousside. How bou dah?”
What’s your favorite gum?
Relax and don’t go for the gold. The stars have limited what you can achieve.
Pisces
“Snitches get stiches.”
15 15
Met Picks:
December 22 - January 19
“Valentine’s Day my ass.”
February 15, 2017
“The kind that shuts me up.” — Mady Smarr
November 22 - December 21 There is plenty of energy that will prompt you to dig into those gas station nachos. It’s called the munchies.
Down 1. Short cuts 2. Somewhat round 3. Deli order 4. Racket 5. Old biddy 6. ‘’Duchess of ---’’ (Goya painting) 7. Viscount’s superior in rank 8. Scornful smile
9. Authorized 10. Toad’s stool 11. Feijoada ingredients 12. Vaudeville production 13. Many have shoulders 18. Fred Astaire’s sister 22. Peter or Paul’s title 24. Motorist’s option 26. Turncoat 27. Mormon State 28. Created 29. Baked apple dessert 30. Calf locales 31. ‘’--- having fun yet?’’ 35. ‘’I’ve --- the light!’’ 37. Away from the wind 38. Bread choices 40. Virginia square dances 45. Cheerio 48. Prepares in a teapot 50. Feel sorry about 51. Florida bay 52. Strange 53. Highway headache 57. Spheroid hairdo 58. Vail device 60. Khartoum river 61. Tiny particle 62. Clears from the no-parking zone 64. Feathery wrap 65. Box score stat
Sudoku
Difficulty: Medium
Difficulty: Hard
Answers:
@themetonline
Source: http://www.onlinecrosswords.net
HOURS MONDAY–FRIDAY: 10 A.M.–10 P.M.
20% Discount
SATURDAY: 11 A.M.–10 P.M. SUNDAY: 11 A.M.–8 P.M.
for students and faculty. Not valid on alcohol.
900 AURARIA PARKWAY SUITE 240 DENVER, CO 80204 720-458-5885 FOLLOW US @TIVOLIBEER