The Standard's 8.27.19 Issue

PSU makeover

Ride along

High expectations

The PSU received a new look over the summer

Ride through a day in the life of Bear Line driver Troy Shirk

Football team looks to bounce back this season

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019

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‘Angel Shot’ How a secret code word keeps women safe at the club or bar KAYLA CURRY Staff Reporter @kaylalcurry While people go out to clubs for a good time, sometimes clubs are a setting for the opposite.

The staff of downtown Springfield clubs, Zan and The Boogie/Bubbles, recognized the potential dangers in a club setting and implemented an “Angel Shot” code word policy designed to offer club goers a discreet way to escape uncomfortable or unsafe situations. The joint clubs publicly introduced the policy on their Twitter page this month.

“We were kind of taking the pulse of everything that’s happening in the world, and this is our way of addressing a situation before it even happens so that we’re prepared,” General Manager Jonathan Strazzinski said.

Club goers can order an Angel Shot from the bartender, signaling they are in need of help. Ordering an Angel Shot neat means the bartender will arrange a security guard to watch and alleviate the situation. An Angel Shot with ice means the bartender will arrange security to escort the person to their car or wait with them. The most severe situations warrant an Angel Shot with lime which signals the bartender to call the police.

One of the head bartenders of Zan and The Boogie/ Bubbles, Matt Kersey, discovered the “Angel Shot” policy on social media years ago and recently approached Strazzinski with the idea to practice it in both locations.

“It was a long time ago,” Kersey said. “I saw it and didn’t really think about it much at the time, but because of what’s going on in the

world right now, I thought even though we do it without thinking, it was good for people to know that it’s there and they were able to protect themselves in a safe, discreet way.”

Strazzinski said he makes security a top priority at both of his clubs. He stations security guards at every entrance and throughout the clubs, but he said he wanted to use a more proactive approach rather than a reactive one.

“We’re always, always trying to get better,” Strazzinski said. “We’re always trying to reevaluate old policies, change them, see if we can do better, do differently.”

In order to maintain a safe environment, Zan and The Boogie/Bubbles require employees to undergo situational training in case they encounter a club goer who needs help.

Strazzinski said employees review the security policies every night before opening, and almost every bartender starts off as security before being promoted to the bar.

Kersey requires bartenders and barbacks to undergo weekly training.

“Every week we’re going over serving, our angel shot policy, going over shots and drink training, so we do weekly training so everyone is still up to par every week when we’re rocking and rolling,” Kersey said.

Kersey said the combined 13 years of experience working clubs between him and Strazzinski gives them “keen senses” for detecting harassment in their clubs. Both locations enforce a zero-tolerance policy for harassment.

“It’s supposed to be a break from the stress of life,” u See ANGEL, page 8

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Bartender Matt Kersey pours a drink at The Boogie in downtown Springfield.

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Juul products are now off-limits to anyone younger than 21.

Impacts of Tobacco 21 New Springfield law takes college students by surprise GRETA CROSS Engagement Editor @gretacrossphoto Individuals under the age of 21 can no longer purchase tobacco products, e-cigarettes or vape pens in Springfield after Springfield City Council enacted bill Tobacco 21 on July 16.

“The intent of this ordinance is to reduce youth tobacco initiation,” according to a press release sent by the Springfield Office of the Director of Health.

Preston Kamler, co-owner of Springfield Vapors on Grand Street, said he disagrees the new bill will reduce youth tobacco and/or nicotine consumption.

“It’s definitely not going to do anything but make it another hurdle or two that somebody has to jump over, but if somebody wants to smoke, they’re going to smoke,” Kamler said. “If somebody wants to vape, they’re going to vape.

They’re going to find a way.”

The bill was passed just over one month ago and businesses are already feeling the consequences. Local smoke and vapor shops are not only losing revenue, but also regular customers.

“Already at this location (Tobacco 21

has) cost us probably a few thousand dollars in sales,” Kamler said.

The shop offers a loyalty point system along with a 10% student discount for shoppers. Kamler said a large amount of his regulars were individuals between the ages of 18-20, who can no longer shop at the store or utilize accumulated points.

“If somebody

wants to vape, they’re going to vape.”

Kamler’s vapor shop chain does have a location in Nixa, Missouri, where individuals under the age of 21 can still legally purchase tobacco, e-cigarettes and vape pens.

Somestudents take 10 to 30 minute drives outside of Springfield to acquire such products, such as sophomore psychology major Dalton Tummons, affected by the law, said he drives to neighbor-

ing cities such as Republic and Ozark to purchase JUUL pods.

“I do not think raising the limit is going to help anything,” Tummons said. “It is going to make youth want to rebel and go outside of a certain area to get their ‘fix.’”

Many smoke and vapor shop customers, specifically returning students, are simply unaware of the recent age change since it occurred over summer break.

However, some are attempting to use fake IDs. Sean Levy, owner of Discount Smokes and Beer, said his store utilizes special software to read IDs to indicate fakes, which they do not accept because of consequential fines.

Any person or permit holder who sells tobacco products to a person under the age of 21 can be fined $250 for the first violation and $500 for the second violation.

“We’ve confiscated seven fake IDs in the past week and school just started Monday,” Levy said Tuesday, Aug. 20. “So, what (customers) are doing is using their fake ID other places or they’re just having their friends that are 21 and up come in and buy it for them.”

However, under the law, it is illegal u See TOBACCO, page 8

How university officials are combating the enrollment decrease TINSLEY MERRIMAN Staff Reporter @MerrimanTinsley Missouri State University is facing an enrollment drop for the 2019-2020 school year. Although the university’s total headcount has dropped, it is still experiencing growth in other areas.

Last year, 20,330 students were enrolled

at MSU. This year, that number dropped by 4.6%. Total credit hours also dropped 5.4%, according to statistics compiled by Rob Hornberger, associate vice president for Enrollment Management and Services.

Hornberger said there are several factors that caused the enrollment drop. He said last May the “largest class ever” graduated from the university, with around 3,635 members leaving the university.

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Hornberger said the number of students graduating from Missouri high schools has been decreasing, and has been predicted to continue to drop for the next five years.

He said this creates competition between MSU and other universities for student enrollment, as “We’re all fishing from the same pond.”

He said many older students are not enrolling and instead focusing solely on working.

“We have fewer students 25 and older,” Hornberger said. “Usually that’s the sign of the economy, more people have jobs. So the economy being in a good spot is a good thing, but sometimes that will have an effect on enrollment.”

Hornberger said the speed of graduation has also changed, as MSU decreased its needed 125 credit hours to 120. This leads to

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Notice anything different about the PSU? MSU renovates the PSU, refurbishes vendors, replaces others with steakburgers ANDREW UNVERFERTH Staff Reporter @AndrewUnver A new semester can mean new sights on campus, as is the case with a few of the food vendors in Plaster Student Union that underwent renovations this summer.

Donald Weber, director of the PSU, said the renovations involved replacing Papa John’s and Grill Nation while performing a facade refresh on both Panda Express and Starbucks.

Papa John’s, which Weber described as “a brand students were not identifying with,” was replaced with Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers, while Grill Nation will soon be replaced by another concept from Chartwells called Madison Avenue Pasta, which is still in development.

Weber said construction began shortly after commencement in the spring, and he hopes Madison Avenue Pasta will be ready sometime in September.

While the vendor replacements came about as a result of falling sales, the facade refreshes were required due to contracts with Panda Express and Starbucks.

“We have license agreements with all the brands here,” Weber said. “Just like you see out in the real world with McDonald’s and Kum & Go, they’re always doing facade and brand updates on their spaces. We have to do the same thing with our spaces too.”

According to Chief Financial Officer Stephen Foucart, the budget for these renovations was set at $1.1 million

and is to be paid for by Chartwells.

“Chartwells, under our contract, periodically funds to provide for refresh and some new modifications to the food venues,” Foucart said.

Weber said the most expensive of these changes would be Freddy’s, due to the drastic changes within the space, followed by Starbucks, Panda Express and Madison Avenue Pasta respectively.

Though Freddy’s was open on Aug. 16, it was closed the following Monday due to electrical problems. Weber anticipates the vendor will resume service on Aug. 27 if repairs go as planned.

Weber also said construction for Madison Avenue Pasta has been slow due to the challenge of developing a totally new concept within the space that was formerly Grill Nation, though progress is being made.

“We’re just making sure that everything is going to be 100% correct so that we have a fully operational and functional space for students,” Weber said.

While vendor refurbishment will soon be taken care of, Weber also mentioned future changes to the Remembrance Lounge which houses the PSU’s piano.

The changes are set to be made sometime this semester with the name being changed to the Traditions Lounge and the area to be designed by Traditions Council.

With the completion of these renovations, as well as the renovations made to Chick-fil-A in 2018, Weber said all of the vendors in the PSU will have been recently refreshed and up to standards.

Photos by JAYLEN EARLY/ THE STANDARD

(Top) Students wait in line at the newly renovated Starbucks.

(Far left) Panda Express received a new sign in the renovation.

(Left) A Starbucks employee serves drinks to students.

Career Center shakes hands with new management platform AFTON HARPER Staff Reporter @affie888 Missouri State University Career Center has updated the budgeted job platform available to students and alumni.

Before summer 2019, students had access to JobTracks, where students could build a profile and upload their resume for employers to view.

The Career Center is now using an “upgraded” platform called Handshake, Director of the MSU Career Center Kelly Rapp said.

Students can access Handshake through their student email account.

Handshake is a career management platform specifically tailored for students seeking jobs and internships, Director of Communications and Public Relations at Handshake

professional network on Handshake to find jobs, Khare said.

Rapp said MSU decided to switch from JobTracks to Handshake because it’s more updated and will better suit students’ needs.

“It’s really built to cater to this generation of students,” Rapp said.

“It’s kind of like LinkedIn, but for college students.”

The MSU Career Center’s budget covers the cost of Handshake for all students and alumni to access.

Handshake’s price point was also a factor the Career Center’s career management platform transition.

Rapp said Handshake is $1,000 STEVE TRAN/THE STANDARD cheaper than JobTracks.

Over 800 universities have partStudent uses Handshake’s mobile app. nered with Handshake to help stuPriti Khare said. recruit early talent on Handshake, and dents in all fields of study find jobs Khare said 400,000 companies, job postings are updated in real-time. and internships. including all Fortune 500 companies, Students don’t need an extensive In order to be more noticeable on

Handshake, Rapp said students should complete their profile.

Handshake’s mobile app also allows students to update their profile on the go.

The mobile version of the platform doesn’t have as many features as their desktop version. For example, students are not able to upload their resumes to Handshake unless they access Handshake through a desktop computer.

When students upload their resumes to Handshake, a peer reviewer from the MSU Career Center looks over the document. The student then receives a proofread copy of their resume via email with direct feedback.

Peer reviewers focus on grammatical errors and page layout suggestions.

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opinion

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019 | THE-STANDARD.ORG

‘Chances are, you won’t graduate!’

Athletes have a right to take care of their bodies AMANDA SULLIVAN Sports Editor @mandajsullivan

Saxton gives his take on MSU’s graduation rate Graphic by KAITLYN STRATMAN/THE STANDARD

JAY SAXTON Columnist @jayasaxton I may have just dashed your future dreams and burst your proverbial “bubble.” So before you call home with the bad news, wipe the shelves bare of Kleenex, binge-watch Netflix, eat quarts of Ben & Jerry’s or get out the want ads … take a breath and relax.

Graduation rates can be confusing.

Universities' percentage rates are based on an incoming class of freshmen graduating in six years, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics. If you were going to call your parents … now is the time. Tell them you’ll need more money and you’ll be home a couple years later than expected. Hopefully, they did not buy party favors, balloons and signs that say “Class of 2023!”

On average, only 33% of college students who are entering school this semester will graduate in four years and only 57% will graduate in six years, according to the website College Solutions. Does this seem low? Does this account for all people who graduate?

These percentages can be tricky. When I first looked at graduation rates, I was more than a little discouraged. I thought that only 57% of people ever graduate.

Only six out of ten? College must be hard! Although, it’s rarer that an incoming freshman will graduate in four years, it doesn’t mean that only 57% of students ever graduate.

Here’s where it gets even more confusing. There are no real statistics on people who have been admitted to a college and earn a degree sometime in their lifetime. I was admitted to college in the fall of 1980, left, worked many years and returned to earn my degree in 2019; do I count in the graduation rate? No. Do transfer students who graduate count?

No. Does MSU care about it’s graduation rate? I can’t really speak to that, but it does hover around the national average for public colleges and universities. Is the rate an indication of the quality of instructors or their commitment to the students? Enrollment is continuing to increase, especially in the graduate college. So no, I don’t think there has been a negative view of their graduation rate.

Maybe there should be more emphasis on completing a degree in four years.

But is that the university’s responsibility or yours? Many students will drop out over financial issues or stress. Working a job while going to college can be stressful. Maybe some students find a part-time job they really enjoy while going to school. They get a promotion and make some serious money. After a while, they think “who needs college?” Some students are just not successful and drop out. Whatever the case, can we blame the university for the low graduation rate?

MSU has great resources to help students succeed, but they don’t force you to go when you need help or guidance.

Should they force people who are getting poor grades or even failing into tutoring

sessions and writing labs? I spent an entire week as a graduate instructor learning how to help students learn, how to create passion, build student relationships and instill motivation. MSU is committed to student success. The Bear Claw offers writing help and tutoring in all subjects.

This is an amazing resource. But, here’s what’s strange: everytime I’m there, it doesn’t seem very busy.

If you want to be one of the 33% who graduate in four years, you need to do a few things. First, get serious about your studies. Read your textbooks and attend classes. Learn about the study cycle (“Teach Yourself How to Learn” by Dr. Sandra McGuire available in the bookstore).

If you work, try to limit the number of hours so they don't interfere too much with your study time. Learn how to say “no” sometimes and don’t overcommit.

With over 400 different organizations on campus, it’s easy to find things to do other than study. Yes, the events put on by the Student Activities Council are awesome and every night there are some great local bands around town, but sometimes you just need to buckle down. Work closely with your advisor, so that you don’t take unnecessary classes. This will only extend your graduation date. If you’re interested in another subject, buy a magazine.

Finally, commit to what you started and find others who have the same vision.

Hopefully, you’ll hear the “Pomp and Circumstance” in four years, instead of 35 years later ... like me!

The words no athlete wants to ever say: I am retiring.

It’s the toughest three words an athlete has to come to terms with.

High school and college athletes have an “expiration date,” if you will. After their senior year, the pool of athletes shrinks a little bit more. It’s a well-known fact that very few college athletes move on to play professionally. In fact, the NCAA’s recruiting facts webpage says only 2% of college athletes move up to the pros.

When high school and college athletes “retire” after their time, it’s usually after four — or five — years of participating with the team. They’ve traveled, practiced, worked, studied — they’ve spent their entire athletic experience dedicated to this one team.

There are athletes who don’t get to end it on their own terms in that four-year period, though. Some have to retire before their expected clock runs out.

Now-former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck announced his retirement on Saturday after battling constant injuries. Luck said his love and joy for the game of football had faded as he continued to battle back from each injury.

“I felt stuck in it, and the only way I see out is to no longer play football,” Luck said in a press conference on Saturday.

Luck is just one of many who didn’t get to live out his dream of playing his favorite sport for as long as possible.

I know because I am one of those athletes.

I tore my right ACL my junior year of high school and ultimately had to retire after only one year of collegiate soccer because of consistent problems with my knee.

I know how Luck is feeling; It’s the feeling of injury after injury — rehab session after rehab session — only to return to practice and restart

In recent years, popular culture and political activism has very much blended together. Some people champion this and are excited to see celebrities with privilege speaking out about social issues, certain political figures and movements across the globe. However, many believe that actors, musicians and athletes should stay away from politics because they lack adequate qualifications and speak out for the purpose of branding. But this is a very narrow idea of politics, and a very narrow idea of branding.

First, it is important to understand that politics touch the lives of every single American, and perhaps every single global citizen, regardless of government type, party affiliation, wealth or knowledge.

Political science is not just a general education course — it is the study of who gets what, and how much of it. Politics and government are very different things, and in the age of social media and the idea that everyone can have an opinion, and should voice it, builds this empire of social movement; this is healthy for both democracy and for informed voters and citizens.

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Now, who is to say that any college student in a lower level political science class has more or less right to speak out on issues than someone with a much broader, more vast audience? Through the evolution of time, starting with early civilization to present, people have become better and better at achieving basic survival needs in an earlier, cheaper and more efficient way. This is why we have time to think about things that interest, challenge or excite us.

People with amazing talents (or business, or stellar family name recognition) are no different. They have opinions, they have passions and they have things that really upset them about the world we live in, and they should speak to those issues just like everyone else should. Stifling opinions and quieting the masses is a surefire way to foster hostility, resentment and an unenthusiastic society with little political efficacy.

This controversy was reintroduced as issue in popular culture following the higher frequency of award ceremonies “becoming political.” For instance, The Oscars in 2018 were perhaps the most powerful displays of the “#MeToo Movement.” All actors and actresses in attendance wore black to make a political

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statement and some even wore pins that read “Time’s Up!” meaning that the time for sexual assault being brushed aside is over. Oprah Winfrey made moving remarks about fighting for a new era where no little girl has to say “me too” again.

Critics argue that these celebrities should stay in their corner and leave the politics to the politicians, but that is exactly the idea that sent America in a downward, partisan and hostile spiral.

In order to create change and make a difference on social issues, everyone must be on board. Social issues are often times the last topic on the agenda in government, taking a back seat to economics, foreign policy and security. In order to make these issues painfully obvious to representatives, the general public needs to get involved. And who better to ignite the public than the people with the largest followings, the most resources and the most access to wide-range messaging?

People look up to celebrities for more reasons than just why they are famous.

And when they use their platforms to talk on issues that affect a wide range of people, we all benefit. Maybe there exists an issue that you did not know about until you read it on Instagram from Ellen, and there is nothing wrong with that.

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the cycle.

In a study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine, the NCAA’s Injury Surveillance Program found that recurrent ACL ruptures could cause athletes to end their career sooner than if they hadn’t torn it.

The thing is, though, recurrent ACL tears aren’t the only kind of potentially career-ending injuries.

The ISP found in another study that ankle injuries are common among basketball players. Precautionary measures are taken by many athletes to prevent injuries: Lady Bear junior Elle Ruffridge wears ankle braces regularly.

It could be a recurrent injury to one body part — like my knee — or a build up of multiple injuries — like Luck.

Injuries are a part of being an athlete but there comes a time when you have to reevaluate if it’s worth it.

For Luck, his passion for the game faded because of his injuries.

“It’s taken the joy of the game away,” he said in his press conference.

For me, it was the idea that I wanted to still be able to crawl on the floor if I have kids.

Those who haven’t dealt with this don’t truly understand the inner debate that goes into retiring early. There’s a lot of people to disappoint — especially if you are a professional athlete like Luck.

But, ultimately, athletes have to do what is best for them and them only. In Luck’s case, he knew the physical and mental toll on his body wasn’t worth continuing as a professional athlete.

There’s more to sports than just the game. Athletes, especially professional athletes, give up so much for everyone involved in a program — fans included. I hope fans understand the sacrifice athletes make for their entertainment.

Even if they retire early, be thankful for the athletes who put their bodies through the ringer for you — and their love of the game.

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life

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019 | THE-STANDARD.ORG

A RT I S T F E AT U R E : NEAL POLALLIS

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Neal Polallis at his work station in the graduate studio in Brick City.

MFA STUDENT NEAL POLALLIS AIMS TO DEPICT SCHIZOPHRENIA ZOE BROWN Lifestyle Editor @zoe_zoebrown

Once while on the job, Polallis was assaulted by a man in a paranoid state. The assault prompted Polallis to begin entertaining the idea of going back to school to pursue his master’s degree.

His graduate work frequently draws from his past job at the psychiatric hospital, and his relationship with a family member with schizophrenia. Polallis said his work is very personal.

The research for Neal Polallis’ Master of Fine Arts project was not done online or in a lab. The research took place unknowingly, before he began the program, as he worked in an inpatient psychiatric unit and simply lived his life.

Polallis’ current work focuses on schizophrenia, depicting the disease in the form of layered images. He uses digital and film “I WAS TRYING TO photography and computer softFIGURE OUT WHERE ware to create his images which are often dark, featuring ele- MY CHILD WAS IN THIS ments of familiarity while conWORLD THAT I veying a feeling of chaos.

Polallis is a Springfield native COULDN’T REACH.” and earned his Bachelor of Fine - NEAL POLALLIS Arts at Missouri State University 25 years ago. After undergraduate school, Polallis moved to Nashville, Tennessee where he worked He said the impact of his expein commercial photography at a job he described as “torturous.” riences has been traumatizing at Polallis left the job after about times, and overwhelming, specifi10 years and didn’t pick up a cally regarding his background camera for three or four years. raising a child with schizophrenia.

He moved back to Springfield, “Being a parent, you always where he took a job at an inpa- want the best for your kids and tient hospital working in the acute it’s truly a helpless feeling,” Postabilization unit. He frequently lallis said. saw patients with schizophrenia.

Polallis has channeled these “We generally saw people at feelings into the pursuit of finding their worst,” Polallis said. answers and understanding. Polal-

lis said he communicates and figures out problems visually.

“I was trying to figure out where my child was in this world that I couldn’t reach,” Polallis said.

To produce his images, he uses layers of effects and visuals to create the final product.

“I’ll layer effects but also horizons, interior and exterior, to give that duality — that uneasiness that things are identifiable yet they don’t make sense,” Polallis said.

Polallis’ goal is to raise awareness and destigmatize the disease for others while trying to make sense of it himself.

“It is treatable, it’s like any other disease and it takes diligence to keep it in check,” Polallis said. “There are times where things happen or it flares up but there’s a scale and we just always think of it in the most negative way because that’s what has been produced in movies.”

Sarah Williams, graduate coordinator of the master of fine arts and visual studies program, is on Polallis’ MFA thesis committee.

She describes Polallis as a hard worker, thoughtful, introspective and willing to experiment.

“I’m always surprised by what he’s trying to do — how he’s bending the boundaries of the techniques in order to explore and get to the heart of what interests him,” Wil-

liams said.

Williams said experimentation is what makes Polallis and his art unique. She said she’s impressed with what he is willing to try out.

“He’s not scared of something not working or a flop and I think a lot of times that will stop an artist, especially one that’s in an MFA program with an MFA thesis show looming,” Williams said.

“But he never seems to let that affect the work that he wants to make.”

In May of 2020, Polallis will present his MFA thesis to a committee of four faculty members he has worked with throughout his time in the program. The graduate students will present their body of visual research as well as a thesis statement about their work.

Polallis said that he doesn’t necessarily call what he does “art.” Instead, he calls it work, but emphasizes that what he does is not a chore.

“When I work, I lose track of time,” Polallis said. “I get lost in my imagination. I’ve done that since I was little.”

Polallis’ work will be shown at the Springfield Art Museum beginning the first week of May. Polallis describes his work as multi-layered and personal, which he equates to his experience with the disease itself.

Images by Neal Polallis

Neal Polallis created “Self Portrait” (top), “They Won’t Leave Me Alone” (middle), and “Lake” (bottom) which may be included in his MFA thesis body of work.

Bear Line driver puts students first Driver Troy Shirk spreads positivity across the Bear Line routes and beyond ANNELISE PINJUV Staff Reporter @Annelisepin

JAYLEN EARLY/THE STANDARD (Top) Bear Line driver, Troy Shirk, counts how many students board the bus during his Thursday route. (Left) Shirk rests his hand on the steering wheel. He recently switched from driving the evening route to the day route so he can spend more time with his wife. (Right) Shirk chats with students on the bus as he drives them to their destination.

Troy Shirk, a Bear Line driver for Missouri State University, wears a pin on his lanyard that features an upside down turtle and the words “Stay positive.” Doing the right thing and keeping a positive attitude is everything to him, Shirk said.

Often taking the Maroon South route, Shirk has been driving the Bearline for about three and a half years. Prior to that, he was a bus driver for his children’s school.

“Driving around in a circle is boring. It can be really boring. But if I can put a twist on it, and make it mine own, then why not?”

Leanna Ordoñez, graphic design major, has the opportunity to ride Shirk’s Bear Line quite often.

“Troy is always positive no matter what the weather or circumstances,” Ordoñez said. “He always tells his passengers to have an amazing day whenever they get off the bus.”

Ordoñez said that Shirk always has a smile on his face, which makes her realize how much she loves MSU and all that it has to offer.

“We all need help, and the best way to get through any given day is to help each other out,” Shirk said.

Shirk said that even though there are rules and regulations that are meant to be upheld by the drivers, bending the rules is okay if it means he is doing the right thing. Shirk recalled a time when an 18 year old girl got on his bus.

He could tell that she was homeless.

“It was cold that night,” Shirk said. “She had nowhere to go so she just got on my Bear Line and it’s kind of divine that she did. I had

packed a lunch that day so I gave her my lunch.”

Shirk let her ride the bus the whole night, then went to campus security to see if they could find her a warm place to stay for the night. Two days after that, the head of transportation sent a letter of acknowledgement to Shirk’s boss.

“That made me really, really proud, to just do the right thing,” Shirk said. “Especially by her, because she didn’t know where she was, didn’t have a home. She could’ve been raped, she could’ve been murdered, and I don’t want that to happen because of something I didn’t do and I could’ve.”

Shirk said he loves telling stories while on his route, and his favorite one to tell is how he met his wife.

“It was the first day of classes over at Drury,” Shirk said. “First day, first class, and she was the first person I talked to. We became study buddies or whatever after that. Now we’ve been married over twenty years.”

Shirk and his wife, Cinnamon, became empty-nesters two years ago. Though his kids are grown, Shirk describes the student riders as his kids.

“I think that if I watch over you all, and do the right thing for you all, that somehow karma or the man upstairs will make sure that someone is doing the same for my own kids,” Shirk said.

Shirk said he believes you have to share some of yourself with others to make a positive impact. He said that a smile is the one thing you can constantly give and get back. He believes that in a world full of negative news, tragic events, and crippling self doubt, that a simple smile and “Hi, how are you?” can make all the difference.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019

THE STANDARD

‘The Way, Way Back’ is satisfying and idealistic COLE TRUMBLE Critic @Cole_Tr Life is a lot of things. It is both long and short, it is joyful, it is suffocating, it is hard. Life is full of choices. Some we make, and some are made for us. Life is strange, simple, isolating and interconnected. Life is all of these things at once.

Every day we learn and experience more about the world we inhabit and every day we learn more about how little we understand as well.

It is up to us to navigate it on our journey.

The movie I am reviewing today is an exploration of the futility and complexity of life, how we try to find our way through it and how we try to enjoy ourselves along the way.

It is one of my favorite films I have ever seen and one of Steve Carell’s best performances. It is, “The Way, Way Back.”

I brought up this movie in David and I’s video where we discussed our favorite films.

“The Way, Way Back” is my ultimate feel-good movie primarily due to excellent casting, good acting and the writing for this script that sets the tone for a nice coming-of-age flick.

Our film begins with our hero, Duncan, played by Liam James, traveling to a vacation home with his mother, her new boyfriend, Trent, and Trent’s daughter. Things aren’t easy for Duncan, and even though he has a really cool name, he isn’t cool at all.

His pseudo-stepdad is a prick, he doesn’t like Trent’s friends

Cole Trumble and he finds it difficult to feel comfortable in the new environment he’s stuck in for the summer. Mix in a bumpy interaction with the girl next door (he thinks she’s cute and she thinks he’s weird — it gets better I promise) and Duncan is in clinical need of an escape.

Duncan finds sanctuary in the form of a mediocrely managed waterpark called Water Wizz as he befriends Owen, who hires him to join the staff.

Owen is played by Sam Rockwell which guarantees an animated and energetic performance full of hijinks.

Duncan’s time at Water Wizz changes him — he becomes more confident and outgoing Duncan learns how to take what life throws at you and contribute to your surroundings as well.

Similarly to Duncan escaping to Water Wizz, watching this movie is an escape from reality. While there are plenty of problems in Duncan’s life and the lives of every other character in the film, it is a sort of idealized realism. When watching this film, it is obvi-

ous the real world doesn’t play by the same rules that the world of the film does. In the film we get inevitably satisfying — if not always happy — endings.

With a semi-mystical waterpark as our place where everything works itself out, all we need to do is staff it.

One look at the cast list will show you a slew of recognizable celebrities. Each one brings an undeniable presence to their scenes, which makes this one of the most colorfully cast movies I’ve seen, with names like Jim Rash, Rob Corddry, Maya Rudolph and AnnaSophia Robb.

I will say that the performances in the film are not the most dynamic, and when it comes to depth, we are not talking the Mariana Trench.

However, the performances in this film are strong and consistent. Again, we see in this film less realism and more simplistic idealism, as the characters are somewhat archetypes but mixing them together creates a rewarding experience.

At the end of the day, this is not the strongest movie out there and I definitely like it a lot more than I think it is good, but there is a simple pleasantness about having things work out. In this film, as in life, there is conflict, but it doesn’t bring the world to a halt. And while not entirely realistic, it is nice to have things simply work out in a film. Yeah, that’s pretty Hallmark, but I like it. Watch it with your family or if you’re drinking an entire bottle of wine alone. 6/10

Weekly Crossword © 2019 King Features Syndicate

ACROSS 1 Summit 5 “-- and Circumstance” 9 Speed stat 12 Reedy 13 Smell 14 Exist 15 Kitchen shredder/slicer 17 Pen point 18 See 35-Down 19 Skiers’ hotel 21 Cripples 24 Challenge 25 “Sad to say ...”

26 Greek biographer 30 Charged bit 31 Rid of rime 32 Whopper 33 Big star 35 Alpha follower 36 Has a bug 37 Vestibule 38 Starbucks order 40 Many millennia 42 Id counterpart 43 Some baboons 48 Distant 49 Behave 50 Tide type 51 Attempt 52 Vicinity 53 Slightly tainted DOWN 1 PIN requester 2 Dance syllable?

3 60 sec.

4 Provides 5 Horseback game 6 Valhalla VIP 7 Calendar abbr.

8 Church dignitary

9 “Rebecca” setting 10 Bluenose 11 Cup-bearing Greek goddess 16 Chances, for short 20 Man-mouse link 21 Den 22 Lotion additive 23 Required 24 Channel 26 Pod group 27 Basketball’s Jeremy 28 Give as an example 29 Listen to 31 Predicament 34 “Scram!”

35 With 18-Across, studying hard 37 Supporting

38 Departed 39 Culture medium 40 Oscar winner Hathaway 41 Icelandic epic 44 Melody

45 Meadow 46 Run from the cops 47 James Bond, e.g.

THE-STANDARD.ORG 5

Reviews ‘The House That Jack Built’: A cruel, obnoxious study in madmen DAVID WHEELER Reviewer @DontTellThe_Elf The House That Jack Built,” featuring a refrain of David Bowie's "Fame" periodically slam-dunking itself into the narrative, the music eliciting more shock when it hard cuts at full volume than any of the onscreen bloodshed, is a damning offense. How dare you bring Bowie into this, Lars von Trier, the easily-detestable writer-director of this provocative serial killer drama that has — since its world premiere at the 71st annual Cannes Film Festival in 2018, where walkouts and booing were extremely prevalent — sent a concussive shockwave through the film community because of its extreme violence, cynical aberrations and imperious exploration of hell and art.

Naturally, it is all well and good to fashion a two-and-ahalf-hour film studying the arc of a serial killer, but things only begin to unravel when von Trier literally transposes the film into an odyssey by miming Dante's “Inferno,” a part of the larger narrative poem, “The Divine Comedy,” where Dante, accompanied by the poet Virgil, journeys through heaven, purgatory and hell.

The late Bruno Ganz fills in for the role as a pathfinding Virgil, while the titular Jack, played admirably by Matt Dillon, discusses five, randomly chosen murder "incidents" he orchestrated. During the years he spends as a serial killer, failed-architect Jack is also trying to build the perfect lakeside house for himself, but he repeatedly dismantles the halfbuilt houses after deeming the materials and methods unsuitable. However, once the eponymous house that Jack built is finalized, one can see he had found the correct “materials.”

The details of these building

materials, as I hope will be the case for the film entire, will remain left to the imagination.

Throughout Jack’s occupation of murder and architecture, the film is narrated with epistemological discussions on art, architecture, life, death, compulsive disorders, child murder and taxidermy, duck torture, farmwork, lamp posts and shadows, among other ostentatious things, while walking through some indeterminate void, later in the film realized into hell itself. My own hell consists of, at a certain juncture in the film, watching clips from von Trier's previous films play out in montage as he/Jack ruminates on art, iconography and suffering. It’s all as ludicrous as it sounds.

The first incident is mindless von Trier didacticism where we find a roadside damsel-in-distress in actress Uma Thurman — sporting a broken carjack. However, shortly before her carjack violently and repeatedly connects with her face, she quickly clarifies he would be too much of a "wimp" to be one, which then acts as an apparent catalyst for Jack’s moonlighting — and sunlighting in certain cases — as a serial killer.

Interestingly, despite its barbarity, the film can often be funny, though unfortunately, it's hard to laugh when your eyes are rolling at the same time. The second murderous incident is perhaps the most rewarding, with it being the most darkly humorous, when it finds Jack — after having a rough time of it with strangulation techniques — repeatedly leaves and reenters the crime scene thinking he's missed a spot of spilled blood.

He is Mr. Clean at first before he takes the self-appointed moniker of Mr. Sophistication since his tidiness keeps his identity hidden from the authorities. The third incident is simply vile, involving the mur-

der of two children along with their mother, and likewise is the fourth, and once the fifth incident arrives, I've entirely become victim to the machinations of a madman director.

This is my second von Trier film following his doomsday, depression study with “Melancholia,” which I quite liked — as antithetical that sentiment would appear to be given my own current endeavor to take the film on my own guided journey through hell, a hell consisting of scolding text that in all summarizes how much it blows.

I've had a passing familiarity with the rest of von Trier’s work over the years. His seemingly recurrent proclivity to deal in the very nasty and cynical, the boorishness behind his ostensible acquaintanceship with the zone beyond his external anal sphincter, his historically asinine comments on Hitler during a previous Cannes press conference, and in his musings on art — which gets an update here in the guise of Thurman's battered face dissolving into a Picasso painting.

Von Trier has long been known as the chief provocateur among contemporary filmmakers, seemingly taking pride in his work eliciting walkouts and critical derision, but I never found myself wanting to lay on a full-scale slaughter of this film. The wisecracking in this review should suggest as much, as I'm mostly impartial to this whole affair. The film can curiously be seen as somewhat autobiographical, a perverse correlative to von Trier's own career as one who — with each of his own films, incidents — rattles some cages and subjects his audience to murderous audio and visuals. I’m neither offended nor rattled, just unresponsive, but there are many that will certainly take offense.

Even the cinematographer u See WHEELER, page 8

6

THE STANDARD

sports

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019 | THE-STANDARD.ORG

Kicking it into high gear AMANDA SULLIVAN Sports Editor @mandajsullivan The countdown is almost over. Football season for the Missouri State Bears is almost here.

And there’s a lot to look for from this team.

Senior leadership will matter.

This Bears team is packed with seniors who know what it’s like to play under fifth-year head coach Dave Steckel.

Quarterback Peyton Huslig enters his third season at Missouri State, and the juco transfer knows what this season means for the team.

“We’ve really been working on turnover margin in practice,” Huslig said at MSU’s media day on Aug. 8. “If we can fix that one problem, then I think it will fix a lot of things for us.”

Huslig isn’t the only senior who knows there’s a lot at stake.

Three defensive seniors were selected to All-Missouri Valley Football Conference preseason teams. Linebacker Angelo Garbutt earned a first-team selection after leading the Bears’ defense with 99 total tackles in 2018.

Linebacker McNeece Egbim and defensive end Matt McClellan were placed on the preseason second team. McClellan said he knows the importance of leading this team towards success.

“We just know everyone is looking up to us, so we just have to get it this year,” McClellan said. “We have to play a positive role and show everyone that we can do it this year.”

The Bears return several other starting seniors, including long snapper Chandler Collins, who was selected to the STATS preseason All-America team.

Photos by BILL SIOHOLM/THE STANDARD

(Above) Junior tight end Isaac Smith jumps and catches a pass.

(Left) Senior quarterback Peyton Huslig throws a pass during practice on Aug. 21.

Oklahoma A&M College. He was a second-team all conference pick in 2018.

Sophomore tight end Jordan Murray has grown with this offensive line since the end of last season, and he said everyone trusts this O-line to do its job effectively.

“The O-line — I feel like they’ll give us some good things this year,” Murray said. “We have all the faith in the world.”

Turnovers are a major factor.

The offensive line is settling in.

While Steckel said the offensive line has grown tremendously in the offseason and during camp, he knows the group is young and has a lot of work to do.

“Everybody’s got a long way to go,” Steckel said at Missouri State’s media day on Aug. 8, “but from the spring to where we are now, the offensive line has done a really good job and is jelling right now, which will be critical to our success.”

Junior center Casey O’Brien is the only returning starting O-lineman from last year. He is surrounded by four players who have all had some experience or another in a college football game.

Redshirt freshman Ian Fitzgerald played in the Bears’ 52-24 win over Lincoln last September. Since his one-game appearance fell under the new redshirt rule, Fitzgerald redshirted his true freshman year. He has regularly played

left tackle in scrimmages.

Senior left guard Andrew Colvin joined the Bears last season after starting his collegiate career at Butler Community College in Kansas.

He only appeared in the first two games for the Bears in 2018.

Sophomore right guard Derek Kohler appeared in 10 games during his redshirt freshman season last year, primarily protecting the punter on special teams.

Junior right tackle Daniel Allen joins the Bears after spending two years at Northeastern

For the offense, Steckel wants to see fewer turnovers and better ball handling. He wants his defense, though, to be hungry for the ball and force as many turnovers as possible.

Last season, Missouri State opponents scored 81 points off turnovers while MSU only scored 30.

The Bears also had 17 fumbles, losing all but seven of them. Missouri State finished the 2018 season tied for the third-most turnovers lost in the FCS. Huslig alone finished the season tied for the second-most interceptions in the country with 16.

“I want the quarterback to protect the football,” Steckel said at MSU’s media day on Aug. 8. “I told the quarterback that if someone’s not open, then I’m open on the sidelines.”

The Bears kickoff the season at 8 p.m. on Thursday at Northern Arizona.

Reviewing last season’s attendance numbers Women’s STEPHEN TERRILL Sports Reporter @Stevethe2nd Missouri State sports had interesting attendance numbers in the 2018-19 school year, with some sports seeing sharp rises while others continued declines.

The highest attended Missouri State sport was men’s basketball, in which Dana Ford led the team to a 16-16 record in his first season as head coach. Total attendance for home games was 77,255 over 15 games, which translates to an average of 5,150 attendees per game.

The Bears filled an average of 47% of the available seats at JQH Arena, which was top among MSU athletic programs.

In terms of the Missouri Valley Conference, the Bears ranked No. 4 in attendance in basketball, only 279 attendees per game less than Bradley, who ranked No. 1.

Compared to the 2017-18 season, men’s basketball saw a 13% rise in attendance from an average of 4,518 per game to 5,150 per game. That is part of a steady increase that has taken place over the past few years. Since the 2015-16 season, attendance has risen nearly 24%, from an average of 4,140 per game to 5,150.

The next highest attended sport was football, which had 44,432 total attendees over six games for an average of 7,405 attendees per game. The Bears won four of their first six games, and then lost the last five games of the season.

Football games saw an average of 44.8% of Plaster Stadium’s 16,500 seats filled.

Compared to the rest of the Missouri Valley Football Conference, MSU ranked No. 7 behind Illinois State, who averaged 1,855 more attendees than Missouri State per game. The top attended MVC team was North Dakota State, whose team won the FCS championship in 2018. According to NCAA figures, NDSU ranked No. 5 in average attendance across the 124 teams of the FCS. Football has seen a steady decline in attendance in recent years. Last season saw an 11% drop from the 2017 season, and a 26% drop since 2015, a season where the Bears went 1-10.

Going to a game is more than just the game itself: it includes amenities. Assistant Director of Athletics, Communications Rick Kindhart said the university provides a top-notch experience for fans on gameday.

“We are always looking for ways to make the game day experience better for our students,” Kindhart said. “We have an unbeliev-

able tailgating atmosphere and an exciting brand of football. The next step is keeping the party going inside the stadium from the opening kickoff to the end of the game.”

The tailgating is done through BearFest Village, a tailgate the university coordinates that takes place between Plaster Stadium and McDonald Arena.

“It is a great place for fans to gather before the game and get excited,” said Caroline Woods, coordinator of partnership services for Missouri State sports properties.

The tailgate allows outside vendors to come in and set up booths near the stadium. Beer and wine are allowed at the tailgate for those 21 or older. Spirits are banned, however.

After football, women’s basketball was the next highest attended sport, with 30,332 attendees over 13 home games, for an average of 2,333 per game.

The Lady Bears went 25-10, won the MVC tournament, as well as making it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA women’s tournament.

The Lady Bears were near the top of the Missouri Valley Conference in average attendance, second to Drake.

Attendance at Lady Bears games was very u See ATTENDANCE, page 8

Interim head coach brings a different mindset DEREK SHORE Sports Reporter @D_Shore23 Like many male athletes from Puerto Rico, Manolo Concepción’s first sport he ever played was baseball. Concepción went into high school on a dual-scholarship, continuing to play baseball and later picked up volleyball.

Once he made the Youth National Team, he leaned toward volleyball specifically and decided to pursue a career as a volleyball coach.

“I loved the experience I had as (a player), especially with the players and coaches that I was surrounded by,” Concepción said. “That took me where my career led to. I feel lucky to have the people I had around me to get to the level I played and competed at.”

Now, Concepción finds himself as the new face at the helm for the Missouri State volleyball program — at least for the 2019 season.

Concepción will be the program’s interim head coach after the resignation of longtime volleyball coach Melissa Stokes. He will be the interim head coach through this year and a national search for a new head coach will be conducted following the season.

Missouri State announced Stokes’ resignation on Aug. 12 after an investigation found NCAA violations occurred within the program.

Concepción took over the program on an interim basis on July 16 after Missouri State

GRETA CROSS/THE STANDARD

Manolo Concepción is the new volleyball interim head coach. announced Stokes was being placed on paid administrative leave during the investigation.

Concepción said he is honored to represent a program like Missouri State.

“It means a lot,” Concepción said. “I’m very humbled to be representing this institution.

That was the reason I came here — because of the winning tradition and what the players represented here and the legacy. I’m surrounded by a great group of women that have made this program great and the way that it is.

“I feel lucky. I feel honored to be wearing maroon and white.”

Concepción comes to Missouri State with extensive experience coaching at the college level, highlighted by his time at Evansville.

Stokes first hired him as an associate head coach in March after he spent the last six seasons as head coach for the Purple Aces.

At Evansville, Concepción coached four All-Missouri Valley Conference individuals who ranked among the Valley’s top two in digs, aces and kills during various seasons.

He’s no stranger to the MVC. Concepción said when he first started his coaching career he wanted to “start from zero.”

He went from coaching at the high school level in Puerto Rico to coaching club volleyball and finally got his first opportunity at the junior college level in the United States at Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas, from 2005-2007.

“From there, it took off,” Concepción said.

A year later Concepción was hired as an assistant at Evansville in 2008. He then became a head coach at West Carolina, where he spent the 2009 and 2010 season.

Concepción returned to Puerto Rico again and served as an assistant coach for professional men’s and women’s volleyball clubs — during which he trained three Olympians — before returning to the U.S. to become the head coach at Evansville.

Missouri State senior Aubrey Cheffey said Concepción brings an analytical mindset to the team. u See VOLLEYBALL, page 8

soccer season starts with exhibitions CLAIRE NIEBRUGGE Senior Sports Reporter @claireniebrugge

The Missouri State women’s soccer team is back on campus and back in action, as they hosted three exhibition games from Aug. 14-18.

After a 3-0 loss to Southeast Missouri State in the first game, the Bears came back and won their next two matches 4-1 and 3-0.

Head coach Rob Brewer said he hadn’t set expectations for the team before the exhibitions but was pleasantly surprised at how the newcomers have begun to blend in with the returners.

“There’s been good progress shown in those exhibitions,” Brewer said. “Now, we’re getting ready to get on the road and play for real.”

The 23-season veteran coach said he’s excited to see the seniors develop their leadership skills and see what they do with their team.

“It’s their team, and I’m just along for the ride,” Brewer said. “I’m not really driving the boat unless we get into choppy waters.”

Missouri State will host the 2019 Women’s Soccer Missouri Valley Conference Tournament in mid-November.

The Bears’ current upperclassmen — featuring seniors Ashley Coonfield, Brittney Robinson and Kaitlin Maxwell — already have championship rings from their 2017 title and know what it takes to be great, while the underclassmen have not felt that.

Robinson is in her fifth year in maroon.

The defender is preparing to be the Bears’ leader in the backfield amidst an All-MVC first-team selection.

Coonfield emerged with a strong freshman season in 2016, scoring four goals, but struggled last season.

The forward has already had a better start to the 2019 season with a goal in Friday’s loss at Western Illinois.

Another starter, Maxwell, returns after an explosive 2018 season. The goalkeeper ranked second in saves among the MVC, as well as earning MVC Goalkeeper of the Year.

Brewer said he was excited to get word of the tournament out and to have the opportunity to bring the team back home for the finale after two months of traveling.

Since 2014, every host of the MVC women’s soccer tournament has also been dubbed the champion.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019

THE STANDARD

THE-STANDARD.ORG 7

Recapping Missouri State athletics’ summer

The Missouri State women’s soccer team is predicted to get fourth in the Missouri Valley Conference this season.

Loyola-Chicago topped the File Photo/ charts with six THE STANDARD first-place votes while Drake and Illinois State earned one first-place vote apiece.

Missouri State will host the MVC Championship in November. The last time the Bears hosted the tournament Men’s soccer tabbed as in 2017, they were predicted to place preseason favorite to win seventh and ended up winning the title. conference They return 15 letterwinners, inA poll of the Missouri Valley Con- cluding 2018 Goalkeeper of the Year ference men’s soccer coaches select- junior Kaitlin Maxwell. ed Missouri State as the front-runner Ice Bears schedule to to win the 2019 conference.

MSU was given 32 points in the have fewer contests poll, including four first-place votes.

The Missouri State Ice Hockey Coming in at No. 2 was Loyola-Chi- club’s schedule has 35 games scheduled this season, a 14-game drop from cago University with 31 points.

The Bears posted a 9-2-6 record 49 a season ago.

This was in part due to the Ice in the 2018, which ended in sudden death penalty kicks to Central Arkan- Bears’ travel partner in the Western sas in the semifinals of the conference Collegiate Hockey League, the Unitournament. versity of Arkansas, ceasing operaMissouri State opens the MVC sec- tions. Head coach Jeremy Law said tion of their schedule on Wednesday, in the spring he thinks the reduction Sept. 18, at home against Valparaiso. in games will help the team long-term with fewer possibilities for injury.

The Bears open their season on the road against Illinois State on Friday, Sept. 20. The home opener is Friday, Oct. 4, at Jordan Valley Ice Park against Colorado, the first of 18 home games.

File Photo/THE STANDARD

Volleyball picked third in preseason poll

Missouri State’s volleyball team was picked to finish third in the Missouri Valley Conference this year, according to the league’s coaches preseason vote.

The Bears received 68 votes to tie Bradley for third in the poll, while Northern Iowa is the unanimous favorite. Illinois State earned the No. 2 spot, with Loyola and Drake expected to round out the six participants in the MVC Tournament held Nov.

Fifth-year men’s soccer player wins Virgil Cheek Award

Kyle Hiebert, a fifth-year senior former men’s soccer captain, was selected for the 2019 Virgil Cheek Award.

The award is given out each year to a senior male athlete that best demonstrates “high qualities in scholarship, character, attendance, leadership and athletic performance,” according to a university press release.

Hiebert had a 4.0 grade-point average as a student and helped the Bears to a goals-against average below one in the 2018 season, which ranked No. 16 nationally. During the season, Hiebert started all 17 games and played in all but 45 minutes of

MSU female athletes earn season awards

Missouri State recognized a pair of the school’s top female student-athletes on June 13, the university’s yearend institutional honors for 2018-19.

Former Lady Bears star Danielle Gitzen was named the recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Female Athlete Award, as voted on by the head coaches of Missouri State’s 11 intercollegiate programs.

Golfer Ashley Childers was also announced as the recipient of the Dr. Mary Jo Wynn Senior Female Scholar-Athlete Award.

Gitzen started all 35 games as the sole senior for Missouri State last season, earning All-MVC first team and MVC All-Defensive team honors for the Lady Bears that finished 25-10 and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16. She led the team with 13 points, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game and scored in double figures 26 times.

Childers was named to the 2019 CoSIDA Academic All-District team after earning the MVC Elite 17 Award in 2018.

The Wynn Award is presented every year to the graduating female senior student athlete with the highest GPA. Childers completed her undergraduate degree in May with a perfect 4.00 in logistics and operations management.

Former volleyball Bear wins postgraduate scholarship

Missouri State’s former volleyball standout Emily Butters, who graduated last spring with a degree in exercise and movement science, File Photo/ won a postTHE STANDARD graduate scholarship announced by the Missouri Valley Conference on June 6.

The MVC Faculty Athletics Representatives Committee voted to award post-grad scholarships to four student-athletes, due to their exemplary academic and athletic performances. Butters will receive a $5,000 postgraduate scholarship from the conference.

Butters was an American Volleyball Coaches Association Honorable All-American as a junior in 2017, and this past year became the fifth-player in Missouri State history to earn multiple all-region honors.

To be eligible for consideration,

u See RECAP, page 8

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Women’s soccer team tabbed sixth in preseason poll

the season.

Hiebert was also selected to the All-MVC second team, the USSC All-West Region third team and the MVC Scholar-Athlete first team, among several other awards.

U

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Missouri State is tabbed to host three Missouri Valley Conference Championships during the 2019-2020 athletic season.

“We always take pride in hosting Missouri Valley Conference championship events each year, and I think it’s great for our coaches and student-athletes to get that opportunity,” Director of Athletics Kyle Moats said in a release.

Most notably, the Bears will host the MVC women’s soccer championship at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium, Nov. 8-10.

Missouri State will also host two events away from the Springfield campus: the MVC women’s swimming and diving championships which will take place Feb. 19-22 in Columbia, Missouri.

The other event is the MVC women’s tennis team championship on April 24-26 at Cooper Tennis Complex.

Battle for Bell, round four The Bears have hosted at least three MVC championship events in Missouri State and Drury Univereach of the last four years, including sity will once again put their baseball clubs up against each other in the fight women’s soccer in 2017. against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The Bears and Panther continue to raise money and awareness for ALS in honor of the late Howard Bell, who lost his fight in 2013.

Bell enjoyed a successful stint under current Bears head coach Keith Guttin, where he lettered three years and led the team with a .396 average, helping MSU to a record 47 victories and was named Mid-Continent ConFile Photo/THE STANDARD ference Player of the Year.

The Springfield, Missouri native later went on to coach at Glendale High School under head coach Mark Missouri State, Adidas Stratton. Stratton left Glendale to start renew partnership the baseball program at Drury UniMissouri State University and versity, leaving Bell to fill his shoes Adidas renewed their partnership for as head coach with the Falcons. seven more years.

The exhibition contest is on SatAdidas became the official foot- urday, Sept. 21, at U.S. Baseball Park wear, apparel and accessory brand in Ozark, Missouri. The gates will for MSU in 2014 and will continue open at 4 p.m. for a silent auction, to be the university’s selected brand autographs and batting practice, followed by the first pitch at 6:30 p.m. through 2026.

“Adidas is one of the top athletic Tickets are available through The brands in the world, and we are ex- Meyer Center, U.S. Baseball Park, cited to continue our partnership,” Drury University’s O’Reilly Family MSU Director of Athletics Kyle Event Center Box Office and coxMoats said in a release. “All of our healthfoundation.com. teams benefit by being under one Football umbrella and having one look, which truly makes us Team Adidas. Our predicted student-athletes appreciate the one- to finish team concept.”

The new agreement also includes last in expanded promotional allotment to conference Missouri State contingent on annuThe Missouri al purchasing volume requirements Valley Football and bonus incentives to include Conference preadditional revenue if the Bears season poll preachieve certain seasonal and yearly dicted the MisFile Photo/ milestones. souri State Bears THE STANDARD

28-30 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

Valparaiso, Indiana State, Southern Illinois and Evansville finish the poll in respective order.

Also, sophomore outside hitter Amelia Flynn represents Missouri State on the seven-player preseason all-conference team.

RI

ER

A four year starter and All-American for Missouri State in the early ‘90s will be inducted into the Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Fame on Friday, March 6, 2020.

Bill Mueller set single-season records for singles, runs, walks and hits, and still holds the batting average for a four-year career at Missouri State with .376.

After being drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1993, Mueller made his major league debut in 1996.

He would go on to play for the Giants, Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. During his time with the Red Sox, Mueller won the American League batting title in 2003, as well as a World Series in 2004.

After retiring from playing, Mueller spent time on the Dodgers coaching staff and front office, as well as hitting coach for the Chicago Cubs.

He was also a first-base coach with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Mueller will be joined in the 2020 MVC Hall of Fame by Kansas basketball coach Phog Allen, Evansville basketball star Larry Humes and several others.

to finish in last place of the 10 teams in the league.

North Dakota State led the way with 32 first-place votes, while South Dakota State, Illinois State and Indiana State followed with four, three and one first place votes, respectively.

Despite the last-place vote, four Missouri State players earned preseason Valley honors.

Senior wide receiver Tyler Currie was selected to the conference’s preseason offensive team on July 30.

Currie earned All-MVFC honor mention at the end of his junior season after leading the team with 548 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. He ranked fifth in the MVFC for yards per reception with 15.66.

Seniors Angelo Garbutt, linebacker, McNeece Egbim, linebacker, and Matt McClellan, defensive end, earned preseason All-Defensive team honors on July 31. Garbutt was the sole first-team selection after leading the Bears with 99 total tackles last season. Egbim and McClellan earned second-team spots for their final seasons.

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Missouri State to host three postseason championships

Former Bears infielder selected for hall of fame

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TUESDAY, AUGUST 27, 2019

VOLLEYBALL

RECAP

Continued from page 6

“He has so much volleyball knowledge,” Cheffey said. “He is a big numbers guy. He is a big stats guy and very into the logistics of things. He is very real, which is good. He is very energetic and supportive. He encourages mistakes — that is a big thing.”

The Maroon and White Scrimmage was JAYLEN EARLY/THE STANDARD held on Aug. 24, and now the team enters New interim head coach Manolo the 2019 season predicted to finish third in Concepción talks with the Bears the conference, according to a preseason vote volleyball team at the Maroon and of the league’s coaches.

White Scrimmage on Aug. 24 at Concepción said the team is very motivated for the season ahead.

Hammons Student Center.

Continued from page 7

“You see all the players highly-competitive in practice,” Concepción said. “They involve us all in their process of learning and development. We have been really excited for them because of that.”

Cheffey said Concepción’s experience at different levels of volleyball stands out the most about him as a coach, which gives him a unique view on the game.

“Even though he may say things we have already heard, he says it in a different way,” Cheffey said. “It’s a fresh mindset.

He is an awesome coach.”

ENROLLMENT

TOBACCO

students graduating sooner and a decrease in total enrollment.

To combat this drop in numbers, MSU is creating a “Strategic Enrollment Management” plan. A SEM plan is an approach many universities have taken to focus on helping students on academics as well as increasing university revenue.

“Our approach is to say ‘OK, we know this is coming, we’re not overreacting to it and (are not) overly worried,’” Hornberger said. “But we do want to be intentional and strategic in how we respond to it.

So that’s why we’re creating this SEM plan where we have members from across campus involved. For our kickoff we’ll probably have well over 150 faculty and staff involved.”

MSU’s plan focuses on recruiting and helping students in academics, as well as marketing the university to incoming students.

Hornberger said while MSU expected incoming freshmen, sophomores and transfer students to drop in number, its graduate level

to provide a person with tobacco products if they are under the age of 21.

Young smokers may be unaware of the chemicals they are consuming via e-cigarettes.

According to the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, 63% of surveyed e-cigarette users did not know the product they were using always contained nicotine.

Along with his own personal financial struggles, Levy said he believes the city is also being met with financial consequences.

“I think the city is losing a lot

Continued from page 1

programs have experienced a 3% increase, totaling 3,746 members.

In a recent Clif’s Notes blog post, MSU President Clif Smart touched on the recent drop in enrollment affecting the university. Smart reported MSU still has time to assess the enrollment issue.

“The die is not firmly cast,” Smart said in the blog post. “We still have time to double our efforts and implement new recruitment and retention strategies. It is critical that we all work together to prioritize enrollment in the coming academic year.”

Smart’s blog said the SEM event will take place on Sept.

18 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Darr Agricultural Center.

The drop in enrollment for the 2019-2020 school year also has a predicted effect on finances for the 2020 fiscal year, showing a $4-5 million drop in financing for the university.

But both Hornberger and Smart are sure that the SEM plan implemented will help this issue in the coming school year.

Continued from page 1

of tax dollars as well because when you start looking at the money they’re not gaining from us, that’s a lot of tax dollars they’re not getting,” Levy said.

The Missouri Department of Revenue states that the separate taxes collected on cigarettes and tobacco products are deposited in the State School Money Fund, the Health Initiatives Fund and the Fair State Fund.

One-tenth of each cent per cigarette is collected.

For more information on Tobacco 21, visit www.springfieldmo.gov.

MSU Total Home Athletics Attendance

Baseball: 12,771 W. Soccer: 1,570 M. Soccer: 3,546

Volleyball: 9,394

W. Basketball: 30,332 M. Basketball: 77,255

Continued from page 1

Strazzinski said. “Whether that’s school or work or whatever it is. You’re supposed to be able to come in here, have fun, and forget about all that. This was just more to make sure that that happens.”

Senior human resources management major Halle Craven said she respects Zan and Boogie/Bubbles for implementing this policy and hopes other clubs and businesses downtown follow in their footsteps.

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“I thought it was a really cool initiative and much needed in our environment,” Craven said. “Being a female college student, the last thing you want to worry about when you’re out with your friends is being harassed or taken advantage of.”

No one has had to use the Angel Shot policy yet, and Strazzinski hopes no one ever has to. He said he just wants people to feel safer knowing there is a proactive security policy in place.

WHEELER Continued from page 5

for the film, Manuel Alberto Claro, seems to be phoning it in by taking inspiration from the mockumentary style of “The Office,” which may be an intention, to heighten both the comedy and rawness of it, but it is still mostly ugly in the end.

The film gets high marks, on a pure visual splendor standpoint, for some of the ghoulish imagery found in the epilogue where hellish walls ooze blood and in the descent down a wall of blackened, mangled corpses.

Grisly happenings are to be seen here, but along with my joshing of von Trier, I'm more seeing the creation of this film as a young kid laying waste to a tower of building blocks, picking his nose, taking his nasal findings to use as the film's points and themes, and laughing at the calamity he has created as he goes.

This is a film occupied by two madmen, one a serial killer, and one a film director.

20000

40000

60000

80000

Number of people in Attendance

Volleyball star wins Dr. Charlotte West Scholar-Athlete Award

Not only did she earn a postgraduate scholarship, but former Missouri State volleyball libero Emily Butters was selected as the female recipient of the Dr. Charlotte West Scholar-Athlete Award, announced by the Missouri Valley Conference on June 7.

The MVC Faculty Athletics Representatives Committee chose Butters from a field of league student-athletes who met the award criteria, including academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.

As libero, Butters led the Bears with 5.08 digs per set in 2018, finishing the season with 599 total digs, the fifth-highest mark in school history. She owns nearly every digs record at Missouri State, with her 2,482 career digs, third in MVC and 16th in NCAA history.

Butters played in every set of her career, ranking fourth in MSU history with 513, and seventh in NCAA history for consecutive sets.

MSU long snapper earns national preseason honor

Missouri State football’s long snapper was included in the FCS Preseason All-America football team that was announced by STATS on July 30.

Senior Chandler Collins has started as a long snapper for the last three seasons, with a perfect 2018 season on field goal and extra-point attempts. He also tallied two special teams tackles and downed six punts his junior season before being named to the All-Missouri Valley Football Conference third team.

Collins is one of 16 MVFC players honored in the preseason by STATS. The 16 MVFC players is the most of any FCS league, and Collins is one of two MVFC long snappers to make the All-America list.

Craig Massoni joins the baseball Bears staff

Softball: 3,096

Football: 44,432

ANGEL

recipients must have achieved a grade-point average of at least 3.40, played in the MVC for at least two seasons and graduated from their institution within 18 months. Butters had a 3.93 cumulative GPA while at Missouri State. She is continuing her education at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas.

Average Percentage of Seats Filled Per Season

The Missouri State baseball team welcomed a new volunteer assistant to the coaching staff for this season.

Craig Massoni concluded his own collegiate career in 2013 as the Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year, as he helped Austin Peay earn an NCAA Regional berth, all while leading the Governors with a .385 batting average. He led the club in four other offensive categories.

Massoni was drafted in the 33rd round of the 2013 draft by the San Francisco Giants where he played for two seasons, followed by three seasons in the independent leagues.

Massoni spent the last two seasons at Arkansas State, where he wore many different hats — assistant coach, first base coach and worked with hitters and infielders — and he helped the Red Wolves finish among the top quarter of all Division I offenses in scoring during the 2019 season.

Grad transfer hangs up his jersey

W. Soccer, 13% M. Soccer, 29.5%

Softball, 21.5% Baseball, 8%

W. Basketball, 21.2% M. Basketball, 47%

Graphic by JADIE ARNETT/THE STANDARD

Missouri State’s attendance for both basketball teams numbers increased from previous seasons.

ATTENDANCE Continued from page 6

similar to the 2017-18 season, increasing by 1%. Compared to the 2015-16 season, when the team went 24-10 and won the Missouri Valley Conference Championship, there was a 31% decrease in attendance.

Overall, attendance for football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball all exceeded NCAA averages for their respective classifications.

Significantly less than the top three sports, MSU baseball and volleyball were next highest, respectively.

Baseball had 12,771 attendees

over 20 games, for an average of 638 per game.

Volleyball had 9,394 attendees over 12 games, for an average of 783 per game.

Men’s soccer had an average of 443 per game. The team ranked No. 3 among university sports in average percentage of seats filled, filling an average of 29.5% of the seats and Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium.

Softball and women’s soccer fill out the final numbers, respectively.

Softball had an average of 258 attendees per game. Women’s soccer averaged 196 attendees per game.

A Colorado State grad transfer will not play in his final season of college basketball eligibility, Missouri State head basketball coach Dana Ford announced.

Anthony Masinton-Bonner thanked the Springfield and Missouri State communities for welcoming him to the area for his short stint, according to a university press release.

“Thank you, Missouri State, for believing in me and making me feel a part of something special,” Masinton-Bonner said. “In my short time with the program, I am absolutely grateful for the experience and wish the guys and the staff nothing but the best.”

Masinton-Bonner spent four years with the Rams, where he averaged 12.2 points a game and knocked down 44 percent from three. The 6-foot-2 guard previously announced on April 15 he would be attending MSU for the 2019-2020 season.

Hirdler selected as athletics compliance director

Missouri State hired a new Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance this summer.

Alex Hirdler, had previously served as the NCAA Compliance Coordinator for Oklahoma State University since March 2017.

The Office of Athletics Compliance website says the office “acts as a resource center to coordinate, monitor and verify compliance with all NCAA requirements and to educate various constituencies of the university and the athletics community regarding NCAA regulations.”

Hirdler went to school at the University of Iowa, where he earned multiple bachelor’s degrees in accounting and sports and recreation management before going on to complete a master’s there.