The Vista Feb. 12, 2009 by The Vista

www. thevistaonline. corn

What you need to know Point/Counterpoint: The Obama Stimulus Plan

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Food Review: Garden Pizza and Mediterranean Cuisine

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Signing Day brings impact football players

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Feb. 12, 2009

Tornado Tuesday Storms send students scampering

Senate group rejects gun bill

Rhiannon Winkelman ,Via1111 ricer

As Edmond residents returned to their homes after Tuesday's outbreak of tornadic weather, many faced mounting traffic backups and spotty cell phone reception. The outbreak of tornadoes that left all of Edmond seeking cover resulted in damage to a broad path of homes and businesses north and west of the city. One tornado touched down in north Edmond at about 3:4o p.m. Tuesday, and the skies remained threatening until after dark. "There were no injuries, no deaths," said Glynda Chu, Edmond city spokesperson. "It was a miracle." However, damage to property and houses was estimated in the millions, Chu said. Though the tornado—didn't reach the UCO campus, students i•several buildings were shuffled out of classrooms and into basements or storm shelters. In all, about 120 to 130 houses were damaged in the Oak Tree area, and another 4o to 5o houses were damaged in the Homestead Estates. In the Oak Tree addition, at Sorghum Mill and Kelley Roads, some homes suffered no damage, while many others lost windows, roofs and fences. In that area, the storm ripped trees from the ground and deposited them in large piles that filled yards and blocked residential streets. Emergency crews were on the See STORM, page 4

Joseph Lopez ('orresporidenl

The controversial proposed campus gun law failed to draw a second motion Wednesday in the Oklahoma Senate. With solid opposition, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education did not vote on Senate Bill iloi. State Sen. Randy Bass, D-Lawton, proposed permitting some people to carry handguns on • campus, regardless if they owned a concealed handgun license. Committee Chair Sen. Jim Halligan, R-Stillwater, called for the vote with Sen. Jay Paul G-umrn, D-Durant-, motioning in support of the bill. The motion did not draw a second. Senate Bill nor would have allowed people who are CLEET certified or employed by an Oklahoma law enforcement agency to carry a firearm on cam-

UCO leader named top city citizen

Eight die in Oklahoma outbreak; governor declares emergency OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Gov. Brad Henry declared a state of emergency in Oklahoma County and 16 other counties Wednesday after tornadoes ravaged parts of the state and killed at least eight people Tuesday. Henry said the declaration will speed up efforts to help those areas and is a first step toward asking for federal assistance. President Barack Obama spoke to Henry and Sens. Jim Inhofe and Tom Coburn and "passed along his condolences and best wishes to the victims,"

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said. A tornado Tuesday night killed eight people and injured dozens in Lone Grove while Edmond, Oklahoma City, Pawnee, Wilson and Springer also sustained damage from twisters. The counties included in the declaration are: Canadian, Carter, Cleveland, Garvin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Logan,. Love, Murray, Oklahoma, Pawnee, Payne, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, see DAMAGE, page 4

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Top: A rotation looms above Fretz and Second Streets around 3 p.m. Tuesday. Bottom: A house in Oak Tree Addition on Kelly Road sustained damage.

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Politics and public perception of higher education contribute to increased tuition costs, said Steve Kreidler, executive vice president for administration and finance. Kreidler said within the past 25 years, the percentage of state budgets that go to higher education has decreased. "There are two big reasons why the state budgets have less money for higher education," Kreidler said. They include unfunded mandates

from the federal government, such as the current Medicaid system, and "a gradual shift of opinion" in how the average citizen felt towards public higher education. Kreidler also said that over the past couple of decades, people have gradually thought of public higher education as a benefit to the student, rather than as a benefit to the community. As a result, the public feels that students should shoulder more of the cost of their education, rather than with taxpayer dollars.

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Times reporter outlines how American intelligence failed

Politics, perception lead to increased tuition rates Caleb McWilliams

University of Central Oklahoma President Roger Webb was named the 2009 Citizen of the Year by the Edmond Chamber of Commerce at their recent awards banquet. The chamber selected Webb because his leadership encourages ROGER WEBB growth and advancement at UCO, which in turn positively impacts the City of Edmond. Chamber leadership cited the UCO Forensic Science Institute,

Nelson Solomon

Photo by Rhiannon Winkelman

New York Times writer Thom Shanker speaks at Pegasus Theatre on Feb. 11.

After Saddam Hussein kicked United Nations weapons inspectors out of Iraq, United States intelligence was left to guess how close the dictator was to developing weapons of mass destruction. The American intelligence community guessed wrong, said Thom Shanker, the Pentagon correspondent for the New York Times yesterday during a session with students in Pegasus Theater. "The U.S. and the world had good visibility into Iraq's weapons of mass destruction during the time the [United Nations] inspectors were there," Shanker said. "When the inspectors were kicked out, they had no visibility at all, so they logically just continued the dotted line in that upward spiral without anysee INTEL, page 5

Th eVista Thursday, Feb. Page 2

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The Vista

Comm. Building, Rm. 107 100 N. University Dr. • Edmond, OK 73034-5209 405-974-5549 • editorial@thevistaonline.com The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, semi-weekly during the academic year except exam and holiday periods, and only on Thursdays during the summer, at the University of Central Oklahoma. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained. EDITORIALS Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO. LETTERS The Vista encourages letters to the editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not Personalities. Letters must be typed, doublespaced, with a maximum of 150 words, and must include the author's printed name, title, major, classification and phone number. Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste. The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters. Address letters to: Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr., Edmond, OK 73034-5209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 107. Letters can be e-mailed to editorial@thevistaonline.com .

MANAGEMENT

Nelson Solomon, Co Editor -

Greg Newby, Co-Editor Stephani Tobin , Copy Fzfitor Kayleigh Adamek, Design Edor Keith Mooney, Ad Manager

EDITORIAL Chase Dearinger, Fectoes Writer

Laura Hoffett, Senior Reporter Ryan Croft, SeniorReporter Caleb McWilliams Staff Writer Angela Morris, Staff Writer Chris Wescott, Sports Writer

MULTIMEDIA Rhiannon Winkelman, Photographer Cliris Albers, Multimedia Producer Jost= Gibe* Multimedia Assistant

CARTOONIST Jared Aylor

ADVERTISING Stacey McEntire

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ADVISER Kelly S. Wray

Freedom of speech preempts `cyberbullying' rules Arizona Daily Wildcat The First Amendment doesn't have any fine print. There aren't any puling little equivocations, any "buts" or "excepts." The amendment protects freedom of speech, period. This is why the First Amendment presents an ever-present threat to those who would seek to stifle us in the name of hurt feelings. And that is why we must be ever on alert to spot attempts to keep us from expressing "hurtful" thoughts. They don't trumpet their intention of censorship; they mask their intentions in the guise of promoting "safety" and preventing "harassment," even if those elements are in no way relevant. The New York Times reported Saturday that Katherine Evans, a former high school senior and honor student at a Miami high school, was suing her former principal for ordering her suspension. Evans had been suspended for posting an angry rant against an English teacher of hers on Facebook. "Sarah Phelps is the worst teacher I've ever met!" she wrote. After a few days, Evans took the post down. Two months later, she was suspended for "cyberbullying harassment." She's suing in order to remove the suspension from her record because she feels, quite rightly, that she was unfairly charged. Had Evans threatened her teacher, the school would have had a case. But she didn't. Pretending that there is no difference between criticism - even mean criticism - and threats is both stupid and dangerous. For one thing, it threatens to quash legitimate criticism; for another, it corrodes the seriousness of genuine threats. What's particularly disturbing is that Evans is being punished for making her views public. As Howard Simon, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union, told the Times, "If Katie Evans said what she said over burgers with her friends at the mall, there is no question it would be protected by free speech." Posting something on the Internet does not render the First Amendment null and void. The very notion of "cyberbullying" is preposterous when applied to an adult - particularly a teacher. If a teacher is prepared to crumple up and sob at the thought that one of her students might not like her, she'd better start looking for another job. We'd all like the world to be a nice place. We'd all prefer that people express their feelings in a pleasant way. But the world doesn't work like that, and attempting to enforce "niceness" by referring its violators to the principal's office, or the police, isn't merely unconstitutional. It's also doomed to failure.

Cartoon provided by UWIRE

Point/Counterpoint: The Obama Stimulus Package

Passed recovery bills not enough to help Generally speaking, effective economic stimulus proposals have three main characteristics: they are timely, targeted Colartbwor and temporary. It is important that a stimulus bill be timely and provide With each passing day there is more bad news about the the economic boost when we need the economic boost. economy. Currently, the U.S. economy is in the fourteenth Unfortunately, the current proposals will take years to full month of a recession shaping up to be the worst since the take effect...much too slow to do us much good today. Great Depression. With the economy losing 2.5 million It is important that a stimulus bill be targeted to those jobs in just the last five months, we are in the midst of an programs that will provide the greatest benefit to the econeconomic crisis. omy. In order to do this we need to put more money into So, it is not surprising that Congress is working to pass an more people's pockets. economic stimulus bill. The problem is the stimulus they are We can do this by increasing aid to state governments debating is not the stimulus we need. so we can avoid painful cuts to education and large tuition In the last few weeks the U.S. House of Representatives hikes. Furthermore, we can provide greater tax relief to and the U.S. Senate have passed differing economic stimu- America's families so they can better weather this economic lus bills designed to jumpstart the U.S. economy and help storm. families weather the economic downturn. However, both Finally, it is important that a stimulus bill be temporary. versions would provide some aid to state governments, We must not forget that every penny the government spends some tax relief to working Americans, and a bunch of new today must be paid back by the workers of tomorrow. Thus, spending programs. Included in the bills are plans to pro- large perinanent programs with large permanent costs carry mote cleaner energy, improve health care technology, build too large of a burden that young people must shoulder in new roads and bridges, and repair old school buildings. the future. While one might be able to justify each of these spending There is still time to give us the timely, targeted, and temprograms, they will do little to provide the short-term eco- porary stimulus package we need. But the versions passed nomic stimulus we need because they will take years to fully by the House and Senate will not do enough to save us from implement. this economic crisis.

Dr. Mickey Hepner

Stimulus is vital for economic improvement i Dr. Mohamad Shaaf Contributor

According to the IMF "Advanced economies are already in depression, the worst cannot be ruled out, and there's a lot of downside risk." This crisis is deep, wide, and worldwide. Its speed of deterioration is alarmingly high and may lead to further bank loan defaults (toxic assets), further deterioration of banks' net worth, more bank failures, job losses, and housing foreclosures, more tax revenue shortfalls and state employee furloughs, and continuing devaluation of stocks and real estate. Past experience, including that of the Great Depression suggests that the only institution that can stop further exacerbation of this downward spiral is the federal government. Many have tried to explain this crisis by focusing on the symptoms such as government policies of the past and present, budget and trade deficits, corruption, fear, greed, immigration, and sub-prime mortgages. However, the root cause is the huge shortage of purchasing power on one hand, and what the Fed's Bernake called the "glut of saving" that cannot find profitable outlets on the other. This manifests itself in widening income inequality and concentration of wealth and income, both at home and

abroad, that have been building over many years. The solution is a large dose of stimulus; even with some waste is better than doing nothing. The speed and size of the stimulus are vital. Recent tax policies as well as those of the 1980s were ineffective. In fact, those policies caused the concentration of wealth to occur more quickly. The current problem has cost taxpayers about $3 trillion so far, more than three times the suggested stimulus package, and still the banks are not functioning. Nationalizing failed banks was suggested and would have been a far better solution in that the cost to the taxpayer would have been little. That solution would have increased confidence in the banking sector, and eliminated the credit freeze that still drags on the economy. Also, nationalized banks can be privatized again after the crisis is over. We expect the economy will continue to deteriorate further with or without the economic stimulus. However, without the stimulus and massive government spending, it will decline for a much longer period and to a much lower level. Sustainable solutions hinge on policies of reduction of inequality, like those of the New Deal: social security, minimum wage, and progressive taxation. Half measures cannot sustain a recovery. In sum, without the stimulus -- the economy will get much worse.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: I would like to respond to a recent article regarding the ice event two weeks ago and what the reporter apparently perceived to be a lack of a plan of action on the part of the Physical Plant. As you may know, UCO has experienced some very challenging weather conditions over the years, and this was the third major ice event on our campus in as many years. As a result, I can assure you that we do have a well thought-out plan to deal with ice. However, when going up against Mother Nature our plan does not always produce results we seek, and in many—if not most—situations, the plan must be adjusted hourly. For example, when temperatures remain below freezing and we see no sun, ice won't melt. Thus, our options are very limited. However, when conditions change and melting does begin, we must be concerned with all the runoff and re-freezing, which creates black ice. The week of Jan. 26 was one of the most challenging. ,, nnthear

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university Monday afternoon, all day Tuesday and all day and trying to make our campus safe. Let us not forget that Wednesday. When conditions finally began to improve they are here on campus and dealing with the very conchand the sun came out on Wednesday, a layer of ice covered tions that are keeping everyone else safe at home. I assure by a layer of sleet began to melt and we had a great deal of you that no one has a greater sense of frustration when water coming off our roofs and drainage from other areas their efforts fall short than they do. Considering the day of campus. Our grounds crew applied large amounts of we reopened the public schools were still closed and the sand and ice melt on sidewalks throughout campus, but airport only had one runway open, I am very proud of what temperatures remained below freezing. By 5 a.m. that they were able to accomplish. Thursday, the grounds crew began clearing our sidewalks, That said, I would like extend an open invitation to you which had been made possible by the sand and ice melt or any member of your staff to join us next time campus applied the day before. Because there are no machines is closed due to ice and experience first-hand our plan of available for the removal of ice, this work must be done action and the effort required to clear this campus. I have by hand. Because of all the sidewalks, entries, stairs, etc. no doubt that you will have a greater appreciation of what on our 210-acre campus, the process is slow and physi- we are up against. I know of no better way to write a story cally demanding. If you consider the time and effort that is than to write it from the front line . required just to clean the windshield on your car, you can appreciate what our crews are up against. Mark G. Rodolf It should never be assumed that our grounds crew gives anything less than too percent effort during these events. Physical Plant Director They are loyal and dedicated to UCO and somehow are able +es ,enn;•ni-n;.,

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Mediterranean-themed Space-rockers elevate pizza and buffet brings smiles sound on third album to hungry Edmond residents Daviyion Johnson and Ryan Kolb

Alex Shafer Corresponeknt

Restaurant Reviewers

Spacy lyrics, booming drums and psychedelic guitar riffs; this method which the Secret Machines prides themselves on are highly reflected on the band's third album, titled "Secret Machines." The album has the same mood of their previous albums, but is more epic and is more of a rock album compared to the band's previous work. The band released "Secret Machines" on Oct. 14, 2008, while keeping up a growling touring schedule, spanning the United States and United Kingdom. The new album introduces a new addition to the band's lineup; Phil Karnats assumes guitar responsibilities after the departure of Benjamin Curtis in 2007. The absence of Curtis is seemingly unnoticed, because of the style that Karnats brings to the band, as well as the tightly structured format of the band. Founding members Josh Garza, drums, and Brandon Curtis, bass/keyboard/vocals, have retuned abilities to elevate their sound to new heights. Garza's big beat and painfully loud drumming style has a seasoned feel to it. The subject matters of Curtis' lyrics are very abstract and rather absurd, but this is not a bad thing. There is a depth to Curtis' words that eclipses former hits. Curtis also impresses instrumentally; he is a commander of the band while sitting at his keyboard. The album has two basic sounds to it;

Photo provided

The Secret Machines released their third album, "Secret Machines," and toured both the U.S. and U.K. in 2008. quite and somber, and loud, epic rock. The overall sound of the album is best described as space-rock, which is a loud, psychedelic version of classic rock. With every track on the album, the Secret Machines keep showing that their loud, experimental sound has only gotten better and more influential.

A good value is what most of us are looking for, especially during these rough economic times and is becoming harder and harder to find. Thankfully there are places like The Garden Pizza and Mediterranean Cuisine that have enough value and tasty food to help us all through. How good, you ask? We suppose you will just have to read more to find out. The Garden has been serving Edmond for more than 15 years, so obviously they are doing something right. It is not a fancy dining experience by any means, but it definitely gets the job done. It's family owned and they offer some of the friendliest service we have ever encountered and the atmosphere made us feel right at home. We even conversed randomly with customers throughout the restaurant. We were informed that this place is perfect for our readers who are vegans as they have a healthy plethora of choices on their buffet and menu. UCO students can also get free drinks with their student ID (you can thank us for that one). This place has excellent value. They offer a $6.99 buffet complete with pizza, meatball (not meat sauce) spaghetti, rice pudding and other delicious items for your dining pleasure. Since this is a Mediterranean restaurant, you will find plenty of varieties of food and flavors from that part of the world. This buffet is the type of value you wish for,

but never find. The Garden serves their dinner buffet Monday through Friday, 5 p.m to 8 p.m. and it is worth every penny. Ryan ordered off the menu, while Daviyion had the buffet. Who do you think got the better deal? Ryan ordered a large calzone (four pieces) for $9. Little did he know he would have been plenty full with just the small order with two pieces for $7.99. Live and learn. The calzone's breading was very soft and doughy while the insides of melted mozzarella cheese engulfed the sausage and chicken chunks to form one amazing calzone. Daviyion dined on two delicious plates of buffet goodness. The first time through was a pizza and pasta run, so it included gyro pizza, spaghetti and pita bread with some yummy dipping sauce. He isn't even sure what it was. The second time through consisted of couscous, salad, yogurt sauce, rice pudding (for dessert) and of course more pita bread for making my own gyro, which is also on the buffet. Overall, Ryan gives The Garden a solid 4.8 out of 5 stars due to an outstanding value, super-friendly service, and scrumptious leftovers for later. They have been around for 16 years for a reason. Daviyion says that between the $6.99 dinner buffet, relaxed environment and the amazing cook, The Garden Pizza & Mediterranean Cuisine is a must-try for those who want to try something new and different and enjoy great food with an unbeatable value.

Hollywood A-Listers shine in ensemble date flick a strong attraction to her. Anna has her own man problems to deal with, because Copy Editor Conor is in love with her, but she doesn't se. to feel the In what could be considered the firstdecent date movie same way. Add in a cute cameo by of the year, "He's Just Not That Into You" boasts a spread of Hollywood A-listers and attractive up-and-coming actors to Drew Barrymore as Mary, show the different facets of love, dating, marriage, hook-ups a woman who has trouble dealing with rejection via and breakups. The film, adapted from the so-called self-help book made various different methods popular on "Sex in the City," seemed cluttered in parts due (voicemail, e-mail, MySpace, to the large cast, but there were enough endearing scenes to Blackberry) and you have a big cast with some pretty make it work — barely. The big question the movie asks — namely to its female big issues in the world of characters and audience — is, "are you the exception? Or are romance. The movie works on some you the rule?" The rule being, of course, that if a guy wants to call you or go on a second date with you, they will — no levels, and it does a fairly good job balancing each excuses. They will find a way. Gigi [Ginnifer Goodwin] finds herself on a date with character and their connecConor [Kevin Connolly], and waits for a phone Call that will tions to each other. However, Photo provided never come. In a neurotic and insecure state of mind, she it seems to paint each gen- Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Connolly co-star with a makes a "drive-by" to Conor's favorite bar, only to meet his der into stereotypical boxes. number of other actors in "He's Just Not That Into You," which opened Feb. friend Alex [Justin Long], who informs her that Conor is The women are portrayed as 6 nationwide. needy and highly insecure, not into her and will most likely never call. whereas the men are seen Beth [Jennifer Aniston] lives with Neil [Ben Affleck], infidelity, being dumped and getting married. It's wellas womanizers and a bit egotistical. The exceptions to this paced and ends realistically, and the multiple storylines her boyfriend of seven years. She wants to many him, and seeing her younger sisters get married at a rapid-fire pace are Johannson, who played Anna as a femme fatale whose help it feel shorter than the two hours it runs. Fans of doesn't quell her urge. However, Phil has no desire to get intentions with Ben are less than ethical, and Jennifer Johannson, Aniston and Jennifer Connolly will likely find Connolly, who despite rejecting Gigi, holds a strong torch themselves happy, and Cooper, Affleck and Long provide married, he likes things the way they are. Janine [Jennifer Connolly] works with Beth and Gigi and for Anna. great eye candy. Overall, this is a great movie to see on date or with a suspects her husband Ben [Bradley Cooper] may be smok"He's Just Not That Into You" opened last Friday and is ing again, despite his promise to quit. However, Ben meets group of female friends. It follows the book well, and even playing in Edmond. aspiring singer Anna [Searlett Johannson] and develops has interludes with "people on the street" who talk about Stephan! Tobin

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Jazz Lab gets rocked by alternative bands Angela Monis StaffW wet.

The Jazz Lab was rocked last Saturday by Fine Print, Fires of Atlas, and Electric Primadonnas, and each band brought something unique to the stage. People started filling up seats as the first band, Fine Print, began getting their equipment set up on stage. The four musicians which make up this band: Lacy Saunders (vocals), Matt Harrison (guitar), Eric Harris (bass), and James Devine (drums) opened up the show with "Shift," a unique sound comparable to nothing heard I've before. In each of their songs, this band released a new creative vibe full of experimental various rhythms which oddly enough fit together perfectly to set this band apart from others. Fine Print's set consisted of switching back and forth from instrumental music to adding in vocals by Saunders. Saunders breathtaking warm tone reminded me slightly of Fiona Apple. However, when she pumped up her pipes to full volume, she added an original edge to her sound. Unfortunately, even with such a powerhouse voice, there were a still a few occasions when Saunders was drowned out by the guitar, bass and drums. Each instrumental song Fine Print played was different from one another. Some would possess a sort of under-

ground funk vibe straight out of California. Some would start out calm, with the drums playing a chill beat, while Harrison and Harris sprinkled in the bass and guitar before the sound would just explode into an electric energy that made you wish you were driving in your car with the windows down on a nice day. I found it almost unbelievable that Fine Print as only been playing together for one month. The quality of their sound and their ease on stage made me feel like I was watching a band who has played together for years. I hope they can begin booking some shows at outdoor musical festivals, where they would fit in perfectly and use their talent and style to draw in a crowd. The audience cheered for the next band which hit the stage, Fires of Atlas. This band, greatly differing from the previous band, swept the atmosphere with a mainstream indie/alternative rock sound comparable to a mix between Spoon, Aqualung and Coldplay. During the middle of the performance the band mentioned that Fire of Atlas will only be playing two more shows together. If you want to check out these guys or are longtime fans, they will be performing at the VDZ's May 7 and at the Jazz Lab April 30. Chris Anderson (guitar/vocals), Andy Snow (bass), Brian Peirce (drums) played last, as they gave a mind-blowing performance as the Electric Primaddonas.

All three musicians were so dynamic on stage that each individual grabbed attention. Anderson rocked impressive guitars riffs reflective of those heard throughout the late 196os and earlier 1970s. Snow kept his fingers busy for the majority of the songs as he ripped catchy bass riffs which pulsed through the atmosphere and Pierce rocked out some amazing drums beats which helped define the music. Electric Primadonnas mixed in different sounds of psychedelic, blues and indie rock to truly put on an amazing show.

For more reviews, visit www.thevistaonline.com Rome Study Tour Travel AND Earn Course Credit May 24-June 8 Meeting February 17, 4:00-5:00, LAR 211 Room is still available Approx. $3,000 + Tuition Contact :Dr. Sheetz-Nguyen at jsheetznguyen@uco.edu

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Emergency crews were on the scene shortly after damage occurred, routing traffic through broken stoplights and away from damaged neighborhoods. At 3:3o p.m., Assistant Fire Chief Tim Wheeler spoke to the Vista about the plan for fire and rescue crews, stationed at Mitch Park. "When the first units came over, we found that we did have some light damage over this area," Wheeler said. "Since that time, [the tornado] has touched down briefly in Edmond on the west side to the north side. Right now our heaviest damage is going to be on the northwest side of Edmond. " According to the Edmond Sun, only residents of damaged neighborhoods were being allowed in. At 3:45 p.m•, Jessica Moore, a spokeswoman for the city of Edmond, said "we are having moderate to severe damage in the Oak Tree Area. We do have power lines down and we can confirm that some of them have been on cars." Although widespread damage left many residents fearing for their homes, many were able to return to their residences. With the weather report predicting rain for the rest of the evening, Edmond residents could begin to clean up the debris left behind after today's rash of storms.

Angela Morris St41 . 14/ther

The Theater Department kicks off this semester's line of productions with "The Crucible" on Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the Pegasus Theater. The play is set in Salem, Mass. during an era when the Puritans, a strict religious regiment, dominated colonial society. The lead character, 17-year-old Abigail (Ali Ward), is employed as extra help around the Procter's house. While working for the family, Abigail has a scandalous affair with John Procter, husband and Li-her of the household. As soon as John's wife finds out about her hustql nd's infidelities, Abigail gets kicked out of

the house. Abigail refuses to give up the idea of being with John and decides to bewitch his wife to get her out of the way. The minister of the town, who happens to be Abigail's uncle, catches Abigail and her friends dancing in the forest naked in an attempt to stir up the devil so that he might cast a spell on Mrs. Procter. The minister scolds his niece and her friends, but matters get worse when two girls fall dangerously ill after dancing in the forest. The doctor of the town can't figure out what caused the sickness, so the town starts look for unnatural sources which leads up to the town members believing that the girls fell ill because of witchcraft. Abigail and her friends friend themselves on

DAMAGE Continued from Page 1 Nowata, Osage T and Washington. Emergency crews sorted through bricks and beams Wednesday, looking for more victims after a half-mile wide tornado blasted throughLone Grove, killing eight and seriously injuring 14. Most of the deaths occurred in a mobile home park where deadly projectiles were hurled against people. There were also miraculous tales of survival. People taking shelter in a closet grabbed a little girl and snatched her down after the tornado blew part of the roof off and threatened to carry her away. The tornado carved a path of destruction, demolishing or damaging homes and businesses throughout Lone Grove, a town of 4,600 about 100 miles south of Oklahoma City. Most of the bodies were found in and among the wreckage of mobile homes. A trucker driving through town was also killed when the winds slammed into his rig.

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theAcademyofContemporary Music at UCO, the university's award-winning sustainability and green practices, UCO's designation as an official U.S. Paralympic Training Site and national leadership in campus security and safety among the many reasons Webb received the award. "While I am honored by this recognition from the chamber, I share this award with our outstanding faculty and staff. UCO's success is the result of our combined efforts to lead the way for our students every day," said Webb. Webb became UCO's 19th President in 1997 after serving in the same capacity at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah.

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trail and begin attempting to make other citizens of the town their scapegoats by accusing numerous people of being involved in witchcraft. As the accusations spread, hysteria breaks through in this God-loving, fear-stricken town. "Like any production, it's incredibly time consuming," said cast member Pallas Johnson (Mercy Lewis). Auditions started in early January and the cast has been busy practicing, building a stage and helping out with sewing their costumes. "We've had to put in io and 12 hour workdays last weekend to get everything just right," Johnson said. The play will run from Feb. 17 to 21 at 7:30 p.m. and one matinee open to the public on Feb. 21 at 2 p.m.

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anybody asking the counterintuitive question. "Hasn't the embargo affected them somehow, might he not have been motivated to stop the program, or might have there been cataclysmic failures? Why are we so sure it's a straight incline upward? And that was their failure of imagination." Shanker said the reasons being in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts have evolved as time progressed, but there is a need now to fix what's been broken. "The reasons for being there [Iraq and Afghanistan] now are to clean up their mess and try to leave both Iraq and Afghanistan as places that are not threats to their neighbors, are not threats to us, not har-

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percent cut." The question that arises, then, is what will be cut. "People cost the most [in the Pentagon budget], salaries, health benefits, retiree benefits, which people have earned and deserved. No one's going to take those away," he said. "So what's left? Research and development? That's the future. You want to cut back on your future? Weapons you're buying now? We're at war. So it's going to be very difficult and interesting process to see what they figure out and cut and where." Shanker pointed out part of answering this question involves asking what risks should be taken by excluding certain aspects of the military's processes, with the threat of other hostile nations causing strife on the horizon.

threats to us, and have reasonably functional governments to supply the needs for their people," he said. He also discussed potential defense spending cuts that will likely take place with the economic downturn. "There's a 'perfect storm' building up in a negative way for military spending," he said, "with the mortgage collapse, the crisis on Wall Street, the global economic meltdown, and the American public is tired of overseas engagement. It just happens after a long war. "So, I think the defense budget will have to come down. The proportional cut for the 2010 budgets will be around to percent. But Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House Finance Committee, is saying a 25

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In the spirit of the call to action presented by newly inaugurated President Barack Obama, the UCO Volunteer & Service Warning Center (VSLC) would like to highlight the following service opportunities this spring and invite the entire UCO family to be active in serving the Edmond and Oklahoma City communities to bring about positive change at a local level, Please visit the MC (NUC 212) for more information,

Ode. Service -Infant Crisis Services, Inc, ; lygglefelagg -Hope Center of Edmond ; www,edmondhopkenteAur -Feed the Children ; yasigakcartm -HeartUne 124-1 of Central Oklahoma ; nikfigibigitilignag

Thew four agencies represent only a small set of opportunities for Americans to help one another; if you already volunteer in your community, please take time register your service at www,uraittiff , or kit help you locate a aeivice opportunity that suits your interests, 1316 EVENT on Saturday, April 18" will find hundradc of UCO §tudant§, faculty, and staff Offing for a §14#14 44y of 4grYigt? it more NO 30 ON§ 410444 E4 M044 and 0144homa City, Join us for this special day to give bad to the community that Wrongly §upport§ UM, Volunteer §ign-Aip§ Win lurch 2g, PIVJ § ION Of

STUDENT AFFAIRS

Peanut Co. owner refuses to testify to Congress

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his plant manager. "The time lapse, INSTRUCTOR NEEDED Associated Press beside the cost is costing us huge $$ $$$ Bethany YMCA. Tuesdays and causing obviously a huge lapse in & Thursdays, 1-4PM. ConRolland Bastianelli for time from the time we pick up peanuts tact details. 290-5061. WASHINGTON (AP) — See the jar, until the time we can invoice." the congressman challenged Stewart Lightsey also invoked his right not NEED STUDENT PIT Parnell, holding up a container of the to testify when he appeared alongside To clean office, home peanut seller's products and asking if Parnell before and vacant apartments afternoons near he'd dare eat the subcom- weekday UCO. Must have positive them. Parnell mittee. attitude, be dependable pleaded the "Their and trustworthy and do Fifth The behavior is quality work. Call Connie, owner of the criminal, in 641-0712. peanut commy opinion. BUSINESS STUDENTS pany at the I want to see 4 to 9 hours or more per heart of the jail time," week. Flexible hours, massive salsaid Jeffrey hourly pay plus. Commonella recall Almer, whose puter/Internet experience helpful. Earning potential refused to 72-year-old excellent. 623-2857 answer the mother died lawmaker's Dec. 21 in EARN EXTRA $$$ questions — Minnesota of Students needed ASAP. or any others salmonella Earn up to $150/day being mystery shopper. No ex— Wednesday poisoning aperience req'd. Call (800) about the bacafter eat- 722-4791. teria-tainted ing Peanut products he Corp.'s pea- PT/FT defiantly told nut butter. OFFICE ASSISTANT Knowledge of Word, employees to Almer and WordPerfect, PowerPoint; ship to some AP Photo/The Washington Post, Kevin Clark other rela- phone, math skills & driv50 manufac- Stewart Parnell, left, president of Peanut Corporation of America, leaves the tives of vic- ing req'd. Flexible hours. turers of cooktims urged Email resume to ies, crack- Energy and Commerce Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing lawmakers to rrsuop@sbcglobal.net ers and ice on the salmonella outbreak associated with peanut butter Wednesday Feb. approve man- PT CHILDCARE 11, 2009 in Rayburn Building in Washington, DC. cream. datory prod- NEEDED IN EDMOND "Turn them uct recalls Wed: 4-10PM and SAT loose," Parnell homes, prompting the massive recall. and improve public notice about con- 4-11 PM. Occasional had told his plant manager in an inter- The government raided the company's taminated food. weekend stays. Valid Okla nal e-mail disclosed at the House hear- Georgia plant on Monday, and Peanut Darlene Cowart of JLA USA testing DL & Refs required. Call ing. The e-mail referred to products Corp. closed its Plainview, Texas, facil- service said the company contacted (405) 314-8064. that once were deemed contaminated ity. her in November 2006 to help control HELP WANTED but were cleared in a second test last Counter, receptionist, A federal criminal investigation is salmonella discovered in the plant. year. Cowart said she made one visit to part-time. Computer expeunder way. Summoned by congressional subThe House panel released e-mails the plant at the company's request rience necessary! JJ Kelly poena, the owner of Peanut Corp. of obtained by its investigators show- and pointed out problems with pea- Bridal. Call 752-0029. America repeatedly invoked his right ing Parnell ordered products identi- nut roasting and storage of peanuts 12325 N May Ave. not to incriminate himself at the House fied with salmonella to be shipped and that could have led to the salmonella. PT CHILDCARE Energy and Commerce subcommittee quoting his complaints that tests dis- She testified that Peanut Corp. officials HELPERS hearing on the salmonella outbreak covering the contaminated food were said they believed the salmonella came Prefer Early Childhood Majors. 2:30PM - 6PM, 5 that has sickened some 600 people, "costing us huge $ $ $ $ $." from organic Chinese peanuts. days a week. Call for inmay be linked to nine deaths — the An FDA inspection report had terview. 330-3077. In mid-January, after the nationlatest reported in Ohio on Wednesday al outbreak was tied to his com- placed the earliest presence of salmo— and resulted in one of the largest pany, Parnell told Food and Drug nella in June 2007, the first of a dozen DUE TO EXPANSION product recalls of more than 1,900 Administration officials that he and times the company received private PROGRAM Starbucks Coffee Compaitems. his company "desperately at least need lab results identifying the bacteria in ny is looking for AccountParnell sat stiffly, his hands folded to turn the raw peanuts on our floor its products. ing Reps. Please contact in his lap at the witness table, as Rep. into money." Cowart said she believed Peanut us for more details. ReGreg Walden, R-Ore., held up a clear In a separate message to his employ- Corp. stopped using her company for quirements - Candidate jar of his company's products wrapped ees, Parnell insisted that the outbreak lab tests because it identified salmo- should have internet access. Mr. Marlon Paul in crime-scene tape and asked if he did not start at his plant, calling that nella too many times. Marlonsl9@yahoo.com would eat them. The company's internal records a misunderstanding by the media and "Mr. Chairman and members of public health officials. "No salmonella show it "was more concerned with SERVER POSITIONS the committee, on advice of my coun- has been found anywhere else in our its bottom line than the safety of its Available @ Pearl's Lakesel, I respectfully decline to answer products, or in our plants, or in any customers," said committee Chairman side. Apply within. 748-6113 your questions based on the protec- unopened containers of our product," Henry Waxman, D-Calif. tions afforded me under the U.S. he said in a Jan. 12 e-mail. Charles Deibel, president of Deibel SHOGUN'S Constitution," Parnell responded. In another exchange, Parnell com- Laboratories Inc., said his company STEAKHOUSE After he repeated the statement sev- plained to a worker after they notified was among those that tested Peanut Hiring for wait staff, bussers, eral times, lawmakers dismissed him him that salmonella had been found in Corp. products and notified the dish washers, host, bartender. Apply in person at from the hearing. Georgia plant that salmonella was Northpark Mall (NW 122nd more products. Shortly after Parnell's appearance, "I go thru this about once a week," found. Peanut Corp. sold the products & N. May) after 5:30pm. a lab tester told the panel that the he wrote in a June 2008 e-mail. "I will anyway, according to an FDA inspec- 749-0120 company discovered salmonella at hold my breath .... again." tion report. its Blakely, Ga., plant as far back as "What is virtually unheard of is for TEACHER NEEDED Last year, when a final lab test found 2006. Food and Drug Administration salmonella, Parnell expressed concern an entity to disregard those results and IMMEDIATELY Edmond Daycare. FT/ officials told lawmakers more federal about the cost and delays in moving place potentially contaminated prod- for PT. Experience preferred, inspections could have helped prevent his products. ucts into the stream of commerce," competitive wages. Apply the outbreak. in person @ 24 NW 146th. "We need to discuss this," he wrote Deibel said. Call Camelot C.D.0 @ "We appear to have a total systemic in an Oct. 6 e-mail to Sammy Lightsey, 749-2262 breakdown," said Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., chairman of the committee's investigations subcommittee. Cookies, candy, crackers, granola bars and other products made with contaminated peanuts have been shipped to schools, stores and nursing

Blagojevich accuses lawmakers of 'cheating on spouses, drinking' Deanna Bellandi Associated Press

CHICAGO (AP) Ousted Gov. Rod Blagojevich is lashing out at the Illinois lawmakers who removed him from office, calling them drunkards and adulterers who don't know how to do their jobs. Blagojevich's former colleagues and close associates are laughing off the latest comments as those of a desperate man, but he could make people nervous if he starts naming names as federal prosecutors prepare to indict him on corruption charges. "At some point he's going to realize how much trouble he's in and the way the federal sentencing works now, the best way to reduce your own sentence is to cooperate against someone else," said Chicago defense attorney John Beal. Blagojevich, impeached and ousted last month in the wake of federal corruption charges against him, seems open to spilling in a book at least some

of what he saw during his two terms as a Democrat in the state's highest office. "I've got my crayons ready, I'm ready to write it. I'd like to tell those stories," Blagojevich said during a Wednesday interview on WLS Radio's "The Don and Roma Morning Show." Blagojevich said he wants to point out "the phoniness and hypocrisy" of the politicians who run state government. "A bunch of them are cheating on their spouses, a lot of them drink in excess, very few of them know what's going on, they just take their marching orders from legislative leaders," Blagojevich said. As salacious as Blagojevich's comments may be, what ultimately will matter is whether he can tell prosecutors about illegality in state government, Beal said. "Feeding them a lot of gossip doesn't get you anywhere," he said. Lawmakers brushed offBlagojevich's latest remarks. "We're watching a guy destroy him

AP Photo/Richard Drew

Blagojevich self in front of our eyes," said Democratic state Rep. John D'Amico of Chicago.

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DEADLINES: All classifieds MUST be submitted by noon Tuesday for the Thursday publication and Friday noon for the Tuesday publication. PRICES: Classified ads cost $7/day for the first 20 words and $.10/word thereafter. PAYMENT IS DUE WHEN AD IS PLACED. Classified Display ads (one column boxed ads on classified page) have same deadlines and prices as regular display ads. Call 974-5549 or 974-5918 for info

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Tuesday, Feb.

12, 2009

Page 7

Signing Day brings impact players Chris Wescott Sports Writer

National signing day was last Wednesday and lost in the shuffle between the state's three Division I schools was the haul of good players UCO signed. UCO head football coach Tracy Holland surely has a big grin on his face thinking about how his Lone Star Conference North Division Champions can only get better with the injection of some young talent. "This is a great recruiting class for us," Holland said to the press after the signings Wednesday. "It really was a solid haul. The Bronchos competed with some Division I schools and even got a transfer from Texas

Tech." Defensive end Joey Fowler, is a six-footfour, 25o pound red-shirted freshman, originally from Westmoore High School. Scout. com listed the recruit as "a major defensive end prospect who is as strong as an ox." The Web site also said his strengths were his intensity and effort, pass rushing skills and toughness. Fowler was recruited heavily by several Division I schools and eventually signed with Texas Tech. The Bronchos looked to sew up some holes on their offensive and defensive lines. They did so by signing nine players that can man the trenches. They also bolstered their run game and added a star player in the defensive backfield.

The Bronchos signed corner back Anthony Phillips out of Mustang. Phillips is an outstanding athlete who had a 6-A leading 12 interceptions in 2008. He is a quick athlete and is listed at six feet tall and 185 pounds. To go along with Phillips, UCO signed six defensive backs. Defense seemed to be a major priority as they signed 17 players total on the defensive side. The Bronchos not only recruited quantity, they went for quality. UCO signed eight Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State picks. One of those all state picks was running back Matthew Mitchell of Sallisaw, Okla. Mitchell was a star athlete in 4A high school

football, as he was second in 4A with 1,510 yards and 22 touchdowns. The Bronchos were not messing around with this off-season. They understood that they needed to be aggressive with their recruiting like they were last season. "We set high expectations for this recruiting class and as we look back, the excitement in our coaching office is high because we felt we exceeded it," said head coach Tracy Holland. The Bronchos got an early start on setting up some success for this football season with a big recruiting class packed full of solid players. The Broncho football team seems ready to make a run at a repeat division title.

UCO SOFTBALL

MO catcher takes last run at record book Jose Ortega Correspondent

Senior Alley Roberts has long been a powerful driving force for the UCO softball team. A true leader, she will take aim this season at the school's career home run record. Coaches say she is one of the finest players in NCAA Division

II.

Coming off of a successful junior senior season in which she earned AllAmerican honors ALLEY at second base, Roberts is set to start at catcher this year, and she hopes to move up the list for home runs in a career. Roberts is fourth on the school career home run chart. She has hit 20 and needs just eight more to break the record. "I try not to think about it too much," she said. "It would be ama zing to break the record, but I try to stay focused on playing well and winning games." Jodi Craig, who hit 27 home runs from 2004 to 2008, owns the record now. April Ferrall, who played at UCO from 2000 to 2003, hit 26 dingers and is second on the list. Chasidy Horton (1996-1999) is third with 23. Career home runs in not the only record list Roberts is on. She has hit the second most home runs in a single season at UCO, after having hit 11 last year. She is also second on the list in singleseason hits. Along with fellow teammates and coaches, Roberts

Softball team features mix of young, old

counts on family for support. She doesn't mind the move from second base to catcher this season, she said. In fact, she only wants to make a contribution to the team's success. "My parents are my number one fans," she said. "I'm sure my dad would love to see me in a record book someday." "I really enjoy playing every position," Roberts said. "Playing center field last year t14,as really fun." Roberts is optimistic about this season. UCO opens it season with a doubleheader against Washburn at 11 a.m. Friday in Edmond. "We have several new younger players with great potential," she said. As a senior, she is determined to help her younger teammates wherever possible. Throughout her past three seasons, Roberts has established herself as a respectable player. Photo Services "She is an altogether smart athlete," said UCO Central Oklahoma senior Alley Roberts shines in the field but does some of head coach Genny Stidham. her best work at the plate. The Pawnee graduate will be chasing the Central "She's the total package with Oklahoma school record for career home runs this season. a great arm and speed. She is truly an all-around threat on the field." Growing up in Pawnee, RICHARDSON, Texas -- Central favorite, collecting 13 first-place votes Okla., Roberts has had a Oklahoma was picked for a second-place and 108 points. passion for the sport from a finish while senior star Alley Roberts Midwestern State was third in the young age. was named the Preseason Co-Player of voting with 86 points, followed by "I've been playing softball Cameron, Northeastern State, East since I was about 5 years the Year in the Lone Star Conference. The league office released the picks Central and Southwestern Oklahoma. old," she said. last Friday. Roberts became UCO's first softball "Pretty much since I The Bronchos earned two first-place All-American in 10 years last season, could pick up a bat." votes and finished with 90 points in balAs finance major, Roberts loting of North Division head coaches, earning third-team honors at secis looking to become a finan- sports information directors and media ond base from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association after hitting .375 cial adviser after graduation. representatives. Her passion for softball, Defending champion Southeastern with 11 home runs, 32 runs batted in however, is unquestionable. Oklahoma was named the preseason and a school-record 46 runs scored. ,

Bronchos picked to finish second in LSC

A good mix of returning veterans and eager newcomers has Central Oklahoma ready to make a run at the Lone Star Conference North Division championship in 2009. The Bronchos have six starters back from last year's 36-16 club that finished runner-up in the LSC North en route to making the NCAA Division II national playoffs for the third time in four years. UCO hosts the Broncho Invitational to open the season this weekend, starting with an 11 a.m. doubleheader against Washburn on Friday. Seven freshmen are among the lo new players on the roster, with the performance of those newcomers the key to UCO's titieSt for'Stiteesยง. "We have several returners back and their stability is important to us," said 12w-year head coach Genny Stidham. "Our upper classmen are good leaders who work hard and hopefully our freshman will draw on that. "We've got a lot of young players and that lack of experience is a concern, but we've also got several players who can play multiple positions and that's a big plus." Leading the Bronchos this spring will be senior All-American Alley Roberts, who hit .375 with 11 home runs and 32 runs batted in last year. UCO's other returning starters are seniors Ashley Geter and Lindsey McLaughlin, juniors Molly Shivers and Kelsey Tiger and sophomore Megan Bentley. At first base, senior Ashley Geter made just four errors in 348 fielding chances last year and is set to handle the first base duties for the second straight year. Senior Lindsey McLaughlin played some here last year and could help if needed. The Bronchos are looking for freshman Brittany Weaver to step in and see the bulk of the playing time at second base. Senior star Alley Roberts was an All-American here last year and could be used on occasion. UCO's in great shape at shortstop with the return of junior Kelsey Tiger, who started all 52 games last season and is one of the best in the league. She hit .321 with 3o RBI in 2008.

Wrestlers head down homestretch this month Steven Vidal Correspondent

The UCO Wrestling team is in its last week of regular season competition in advance of the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament on March 1. The team is riding some recent success in last Saturday's Missouri Valley Open in Marshall, Mo. However, January finished off in disappointing fashion with losses at highly- ranked NebraskaKearney and top- ranked Nebraska-Omaha. "I don't think there's any secret

this has been a challenging season for us," said UCO head coach David James. James said January had some "disappointing losses" made more difficult by "disappointing effort." He is especially referring to the losses in Nebraska. The team hoped to continue to get back on track Tuesday night at home against Newman; however, the dual was cancelled because of a tornado that struck north Edmond. "In my opinion, we've been an okay dual team, but a better tournament team," said James. "The importance of tournament wres-

ding for a wrestler is tops." With the regional and national tournaments right around the corner, James said the team is performing pretty close to how it was at this time last year. However, there are different variables from each year. Last year's squad finished sixth overall at the Division II National Tournament and featured one individual champion. "We have very high expectations and standards for the program," said James. Some of the variables the coach mentions include six new wrestlers in the lineup and some injuries. James said those are not excuses

for how the team has performed in some of its recent matches. "You can't feel sorry for yourself even with injuries," said James. He said one dual can affect your confidence, and he was referring to the loss to Nebraska-Omaha late last month. James hopes that his wrestlers will relish the opportunity to face Nebraska-Omaha once again in the regional tournament next month. "We can't change what has happened," said James, "but we can change what will happen next." James said some of his wrestlers have turned their intensity up.

"It's got to bother you deep to turn it around; hopefully they're grasping hold of that motivating factor," said James. While the coach says expectations have been rattled, he says there is still enough schedule left to make improvements. "Some individuals are doing the right thing," said James. "If we can get just one wrestler doing everything right, we are doing well." The teams finish up the regular season this week with duals at Central Missouri on Thursday and then will be back home against Truman State on Saturday for senior day.

Thursday Feb.

12, 2009

Page 8

IMO Hockey: Bedlam Weekend Chris Wescott Sports Writer

This is the weekend that every UCO hockey fan looks forward to every season since head coach Craig McAlister came over from OU to start up the UCO program. It is an intrastate rivalry that always provides big hits, spectacular goals and downto-the-wire games that leave the fans at the edge of their seats. This time will not be any different. It is time for hockey bedlam. McAlister started off at OU, and was a key part in building a winning franchise with them. However, he left the Sooners to start the UCO club just a few years ago. "I started the program at OU, so leaving the program was a very tough decision," McAlister said. "I left OU mainly because of the off-ice administrative staff made it impossible for me to continue working for the common goal of a national championship." "Let's just say the communication completely broke down and I thought it would be best if I moved on the entire program suffered," McAlister said. "However, the next day after I left OU, I was contacted by interested parties at UCO to start a program there. The UCO school administration and our off and on-ice staff work extremely well together and thus we have a tremendous working relationship and that give us the cohesiveness we need to be successful." McAlister knows that this is a big rivalry for UCO and understands the implications this series has, as do the players.

"Yes, they are, but they have to remember that in order for us to be successful, we must stick to the game plan," he said. "When we run our systems correctly, we are a tough team to play against and we cause a tremendous amount of frustration, just ask Illinois." The coach was alluding to Illinois, who at the time came into Edmond ranked No. 1 in the nation when the Bronchos handed them their first loss in 47 games. The Sooners are coming into this game ranked sixth in the nation. That is the exact spot that OU was in

when UCO upset them in November. UCO is currently ranked 12th. McAlister believes there are several key players to watch for both teams, but that with the Bronchos it is more difficult to tell who will step up. "Kyle Allen is a senior and very much the heart and soul of the Sooners," McAlister said. "When the situations call upon a player to step up his game, Kyle always is the one who answers. Adrian and Owen are very talented players." "As for us, we are a difficult team to play against,

because you never know who is going to step up and play above the rest of the team," he said. "Opponents always prepare for AJ, but we have a wide array of players that can hurt you on any given night. For the Bronchos, the game plan boils down to keeping a cool head. "It will be another battle and we must not lose our heads and become too emotional," McAlister said. "Usually when that happens, mistakes take over and â&#x20AC;˘ you break down leading to offensive chances given up."

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Come to our office, we'll show you the way. Less time in the classroom, more time to play! Stop by to visit or give us a call. We're in room 315 in Thatcher Hall.

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