The Vista March 04, 2010

Campus Quotes

Lee Rucker

National Women’s Month

A Decorated Season

Students answer: Do you think wild animals should be held in captivity? Why or why not?

UCO Jazz Lab director has made the Jazz Lab one of the premier music venues in Oklahoma.

March celebrates the history of women.

UCO men’s and women’s basketball wins numerous awards.

student voice since 1903.

FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WEATHER TODAY

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Student

By Ryan Costello / Staff Writer A UCO student was killed in an Oklahoma City automotive accident early Tuesday morning.

Georgia Missel, 64, a part-time student at the university, was struck by a vehicle while crossing westbound on North Portland between 39th and 40th street just before 6:30 a.m.

Missel was crossing Portland to reach the bus stop on her way to class, her apartment manager, Donna Sartin said. “[Missel] was walking westbound across Portland when, for unknown reasons, she stepped out in front of traffic,” police Master Sgt. Gary Knight of the Oklahoma City Police Department, said It was when she stepped into traffic that Missel hit the side of a moving vehicle, and hit her head on the pavement when the impact knocked her over.

“She was transported to OU Medical Center where she died a short time later.”

One of Missel’s professors at UCO, James Dolph, taught her Creative Writing II class this semester and in an e-mail to the Vista said he remembered her as an outspoken, inquisitive student.

“[Missel] was a very conscientious student who tried to be as thorough as she could in understanding assignments,” Dolph said. “I always enjoy those students who speak up in class.”

Dolph called Missel by her nickname, “Gabbie,” which he said was an appropriate one for her habit for striking up class discussions. When Dolph learned of Missel’s accident, he read her poetry in class to remember his former student.

“After I’d found out about [Missel’s] passing, I thought it would be an appropriate gesture for me to read just a few of her poems in class as a tribute to her inquisitiveness in particular, and to her life in general,” Dolph said.

Missel lived at the Newport Granada Apartments, where Sartin said she lost more than just a tenant.

“She was loved by everybody at the complex. … She was just a joy to be around,” Sartin said.

Sartin, who has served as apartment manager for 2 ½ of the three years that Missel lived at the Newport Granada, remembered what her former tenant meant to the community, especially the children.

Sartin said Missel, who “wanted to take courses [at UCO] that would make her more able to

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PHOTO PROVIDED BY DOUG HOKE OF THE OKLAHOMAN

UCO STUDENT KILLED IN ACCIDENT

UCO student Georgia Missel, 64, a part-time student at the university, was struck by a vehicle while crossing westbound on North Portland between 39th and 40th street just before 6:30 a.m.

Campus

PHOTO BY CARRIE CRONK

DARKNESS DESCENDS ACROSS CAMPUS

Several students including senior studio art majors Tim Cronk, Celeste Davis, Melody Long and Kaily O’Brien watched Edmond firefighters and the University of Central Oklahoma police work with students after power was lost in the dormitories. Another power surge hit the UCO campus that evening, knocking power out in two of the dormitories and the Education building, causing security to sound the fire alarm and evacuate the art department for the second time in a week due to electrical fires.

By Tiffany Brown / Staff Writer Dimly lit halls with flickering lights, dark, cold classrooms, and smoke-filled areas may sound like a scene out of a Hollywood blockbuster horror film,

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THE VISTA

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA’S

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have reached an agreement over a senior meals program that will allow a fix for this year’s budget to go forward.

Senate President Pro Tem Glenn Coffee, R-Oklahoma City, said Wednesday he would work to fund the senior meals program for the 2011 fiscal year in exchange for Democrat votes needed to complete the 2010 budget deal.

Democrats had held up the 2010 budget deal out of concerns about cuts to the program that provides meals to senior citizens across the state. The holdup threatened to lead to furloughs of state troopers and prison workers and cut funding for education.

More than a dozen uniformed troopers and prison guards were in the Senate gallery when the budget bills were reconsidered.

DETROIT — More than a dozen Toyota drivers have complained their cars accelerated by themselves even after being fixed under recalls for sticky gas pedals or floor mat problems. The development raises questions about whether Toyota’s repairs will bring an end to the cases of wild, uncontrolled acceleration.

Government safety regulators have begun contacting many of the drivers.

WASHINGTON — Declaring the nation is “waiting for us to act,” President Barack Obama tells Congress he wants final votes, and quickly, on the massive health care overhaul. Obama embraces a handful of Republican ideas — in an effort to woo skittish moderate Democrats after a long, contentious year of talk.

He knows he won’t get GOP votes.

MAR 4, 2009

but this was the reality of many University of Central Oklahoma students, faculty and staff.

On Wednesday, Feb. 24, many individuals were attending class in the Art and Design building.

While classes were being conducted during the

evening, a power outage occurred. Classes were shut down, and many of Central’s students, faculty and staff were sent home for the evening.

In a lab room where a student was working on a project, an electrical circuit had begun to burn.

Black smoke filled the room, but no flames were present.

Charleen Weidell, chair of UCO’s Art Department, had called the UCO Department of Public Safety.

Due to the power outage, students have gotten behind on their work, Weidell said. Students are stressed.

Students are working on projects that may require equipment they don’t have access to at home, she said.

The issue has been discussed amongst professors win the College of Fine Arts and Design, and professors are pushing deadlines back in an effort to accommodate students, Weidell said.

The College of Fine Arts and Design was not the only place that had power failure. West Hall was also affected by the power outage.

On Thursday, Feb. 25, electrical crews from the city of Edmond worked to restore power in every building affected by power outages.

The area between West Hall and Buddy’s Cafeteria was blocked off while crews worked to restore power.

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Local

MERGER TO CHANGE EDMOND MEDICAL CENTER’S NAME

By Harish Murali & Rahul Preeth / Staff Writers More weather at www.uco360.com

DID YOU KNOW? The best days for fishing are those between the moon’s new and full phases.

Edmond Medical Center will be renamed OU Medical Center shortly. The move is part of the merger signed between EMC and the OU Medical Center.

Beginning April 1, 2010, OU Medical Center, the state’s largest hospital, and Edmond Medical Center, the only full-service hospital in Edmond, will combine and operate under the OU Medical Center license.

“OU Medical Center and Edmond Medical Center have always enjoyed a very strong relationship,” Cole Eslyn, president and CEO of OU Medical Center, said. “The joining of these two hospitals

will bring to the citizens of Edmond all the benefits of a large tertiary hospital with the feel of a community hospital. Health care in Edmond will become even stronger.”

Both the medical centers are operated by Hospital Corporation of America, and the two hospitals have worked closely together and share many resources for years. “With the competitive marketplace, now seemed like the best time to formalize our partnership and build upon both of the hospitals’ strengths to produce a new health care experience for patients,” EMC spokeswoman Leslie Buford said.

The announcement came on Feb. 24, and the next several weeks will be spent finalizing the

merger. After completion of the merger, both hospitals will operate as one employee group, one blended medical staff and one board of trustees.

This enables patients in Edmond to have more choices in specialists coming to the hospital so they can receive care closer to home, rather than traveling downtown for services, Buford said.

As part of the collaboration, nearly $17 million has been committed for enhancements to the new OU Medical Center in Edmond. It will return the obstetrics services back to Edmond, which have not been offered here for the last five years, and

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OPINION

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THE VISTA 100 North University Drive Edmond, OK 73034 (405)974-5549 editorial@uco360.com

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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, double-spaced, 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 730345209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131. Letters can be e-mailed to vistauco@gmail.com.

Management

Editorial

Kory Oswald, Editor-In-Chief Elina Golshani, Copy Editor Chris Wescott, Sports Editor Ryan Croft, Web Editor

Tiffany Brown, Senior Staff Writer Jenefar De Leon, Staff Writer Ryan Costello, Staff Writer Jack Chancey, Staff Writer Rahul Preeth, Staff Writer Prashanti Ganesh, Staff Writer

Harish Murali, Staff Writer Anuj Srivas, Staff Writer

Design Steven Hyde

Advertising Kris Graham Brittany Koster

Circulation Stephen Hughes

Photography Byron Koontz Garett Fisbeck

Editorial Comic Prakriti Adhikari

Adviser Mr. Teddy Burch

Administrative Assistant Tresa Berlemann

BEN LAMB

Sophomore-International Business

“My dad is a snake breeder, so they’re raised domestically, but I don’t think an animal should be taken from its natural habitat unless it’s for research in which the animal isn’t being hurt.”

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STAFF

By Prakriti Adhikari / Cartoonist

CAMPUS QUOTES

Do you think wild animals should be held in captivity? Why or why not?

JASMINE WRIGHT

Freshman-Mass Communications

“No. I think they should be free.

It’s just wrong. Let them be free.”

ERIN HAMILTON

MARIA ATKINSON

Freshman-Geography

Freshman-Geography

“No! Animals weren’t created to be put in cages. They’re wild for a reason. They help prolong the environment they live in. Without the animals, the ecosystem will cease to exist.”

“Wild animals? No. They’re wild for a reason. They don’t bother me.”

Editorial

IS DEMOCRACY REALLY WORTH FIGHTING FOR?

By Tiffany Brown / Staff Writer Injustice is a threat to American democracy as we know it.

Sexism, homophobia, racism, xenophobia and other “isms and phobias” used to alienate or discriminate against another person corrode the concept of democracy.

Certainly the United States of America had achieved what no other country had when democracy was implemented by the founding fathers and those who fought for independence from Great Britain.

Several historical documents promote the principle concept of freedom: “We hold these truths to be self–evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” Thomas Jefferson said in the Declaration of Independence.

“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United

States of America,” the founding fathers said in the Preamble of the Constitution.

Even today, Americans pride themselves on being able to say the U.S. is a nation based on democracy. The Constitution serves as the foundation on which that democracy is built.

Constitutional rights are supposed to be extended to, and protect the rights of, each and every American citizen.

Today, discrimination is prevalent. News headlines are evidence of that.

“Wal-Mart to pay $12M in Ky. discrimination suit” “The EEOC (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) filed a class-action suit against Bentonville, Ark.based Wal-Mart in 2001, alleging it hired 18 to 25-year-old men instead of women for jobs in the warehouse and routinely told applicants that order-filling positions were not suitable for women,” Brett Barrouquere wrote for the Associated Press on March 2, 2010.

“Hope, worry about settlement of discrimination suit with black farmers.”

“Now that black farmers have reached a new settlement in their massive discrimination lawsuit against the federal government, other minorities and female farmers are watching the

case closely in hopes of getting similar grievances addressed.”

“Congress has yet to come up with $1.15 billion to fulfill the agreement black farmers reached last week with the agriculture and justice departments,” Krissah Thompson wrote for the Washington Post on Feb. 26, 2010.

Many may argue that injustice is not linked to democracy.

To a certain extent this is true. Individuals are responsible for their own actions, not the government.

But yet and still, the U.S. is placed under a microscope, while the world closely observes and at times scrutinizes the events that occur in the U.S., including the practices that are wrong, just as much if not more, than those that are right.

Since freedom and justice are the staples of any democracy, when inequality is perceived to be prevalent in a society, the democratic concept is undermined and overshadowed by the notion of hypocrisy.

As a nation, if we as Americans cannot and/or will not acknowledge the constitutional rights granted to all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, etc., then we must ask ourselves is democracy really worth fighting for?

NEWS Missel continued from page 1

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Science

UCO’S SCIENCE DEPARTMENT RECEIVES SIX FIGURE GRANT

write children’s stories,” used to write for the youths who lived at on the apartment grounds.

According to Sartin, Missel also used to put on Halloween skits, and started shopping in the middle of the year buying Christmas presents for the children at the complex.

“The kids here just loved her,” Sartin said.

Taking the same early bus twice every week, Missel almost By Jenefar DeLeon / Staff Writer never missed the trip, and always carried all of her school effects in the same notable vessel, Sartin said.

The University of Central Oklahoma has received a five“[Missel] had that big suitcase that she had with her all the year, $600,000 grant from the National Science Foundation time. … She caught that bus every Tuesday and Thursday Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathmorning,” Sartin said. ematics, also know S-STEM program.

Some mornings, when conditions were harsh enough, Sartin The grant will fund scholarships for participants of Step@ herself would drive Missel to the bus stop. In fact, in addition UCO, which is an extension of the S-STEM program. The to Missel’s classmates and professors on campus, Sartin may program has been supported by Central’s College of Mathhave been the closest person to her former friend and tenant. ematics and Science’s Center for Undergraduate Research and Missel had been estranged from her immediate family, a son Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and and ex-husband, for more than 20 years, according to Sartin.

Mathematics. “[The family] is not even going to identify her body,” Sartin Step@ UCO is a program to help high said. school students transition to college life As a student, however, persistence had paid for Missel. She successfully, especially those majorhad recently completed two manuscripts for children’s books. ing as students of Central’s science, One was “House of Cards,” based on “Alice in Wonderland,” technology, engineering or mathand the other was called “Witch’s Brew.” ematics programs, who are also A memorial serviceis planned for Sunday, March 7th, at 2 known as STEM majors. The p.m. at 3407 N.W. 39 Expressway. program also supports undergraduate research and education, offering Summer Bridge and Fall Bridge programs for students.

Stress reduction With the new funds, Step@ UCO Summer Bridge alumni will be selected to receive up to fouryear scholarships that will help the students maintain and focus on schoolwork instead of trying to find alternative employment.

John Barthell, dean of the UCO College of Mathematics and Science, and Wei Chen, assistant dean, serve as co-private investigators of the CURE STEM project.

My co-PIs were thrilled when we received the news that the grant had been funded, Charlotte Simmons, professor and chair of the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, said.

“It is extremely fulfilling to know that we will be able to help so many students as a result of these funds,” she said.

The grant will prepare scientists and mathematicians to enter the work force or pursue graduate degrees in science, engineering, technology and mathematics fields. The scholarship will be able to support between 30 and 42 students who are academically talented but financially disadvantaged and are pursuing degrees in biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, the mathematical sciences or physics.

ANCIENT LABRYNTH TECHNIQUE USED TO ALLEVIATE ANXIETY P H OTO BY T H E VIS TA

ON UCO’S CAMPUS

The current grant will sustain efforts initiated with the STEP@UCO program, funded through another National Science Foundation grant received last year by Chen, Barthell and Greg Wilson, director of Research & Grants.

The STEP@UCO grant funds Summer Bridge, a four-week residential orientation program for high school students entering UCO as STEM majors. The goal of Summer Bridge is to create an easy transition into university life, by allowing students to become acquainted with faculty members and peers early in their undergraduate careers in both the classroom and research environments.

In the past, Summer Bridge students were eligible to receive an $800 stipend during freshman year.

This new grant will provide up to $5,100 per year for up to four years for Summer Bridge participants.

Beginning with summer 2010, applicants for Summer Bridge will automatically be considered for the scholarships, provided they have filed a FAFSA with the UCO Office of Student Financial Services. Summer Bridge participants from previous years are also eligible to apply. The deadline is May 1.

A recipient must be a current or previous Summer Bridge participant with a declared major of biology, chemistry, computer science, engineering, the mathematical sciences, or physics, and have demonstrated financial need as determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. They must also be citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., be enrolled full time for each semester in which a scholarship is received, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.

“First and foremost, this grant aims to recruit academically talented undergraduates with financial need into science, mathematics and engineering disciplines, and to mentor and support them through the completion of a baccalaureate degree in a STEM field,” Simmons said.

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Students and some faculty make their way along the winding path of the labyrinth as Celtic music plays softly overhead.

On Wednesday, March 24, the Student Counseling Center set up a labyrinth in the Health and P.E. building as a part of the Stress Reduction Series. The labyrinth was prepared by Diane Rudebock, Ed.D., R.N. Rudebock is an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies.

“Walking the labyrinth is a personal experience,” Rudebock explained. “Labyrinths have been found in many cultures throughout history dating back 4,000 years. The designs were found on coins and jewelry and in caves.”

Rudebock instructed the students to listen to their inner wisdom about how they need to experience the labyrinth during the walk before they began the journey. A labyrinth does not have tricks or dead ends like a maze; it has one path that leads to the center and back out again. The circuitous path leads to the center and back out to the beginning.

There are four parts to walking the labyrinth. First is The Preparation: A time to stop, pause and reflect. Students are told to take slow, deep breaths to quiet the mind. The Inward Journey is a time to release and let go of the details in life. It is a time to open the mind and heart. The Center is a time for stillness and meditations. Students are told to spend as much time in The Center as they need. The Outward Journey traces the same path out. It is a time to reflect on how the experience will affect each person as everyone returns to their daily lives.

It is helpful to be open to planning any necessary changes the individual would like to make.

“I felt peace,” freshman Joieth Penn said. “Whenever I would come to the twists and turns in the walk, it reminded me of obstacles in your life. I thought about how it resembled my life.”

English education major Amy Stradone also took time to walk the labyrinth.

“It was really calm, and it gave me a chance to let my mind wander,” she said. “I didn’t have to think about grades or tests or work.”

More than 100 participants came to the labyrinth, ranging from students and faculty, art majors to psychology majors.

Rudebock said it was a very successful walk, and it benefits each student in a different way.

There are several other labyrinths in the metro area, including one at First United Methodist Church of Edmond, which is open the third Monday of each month from 6-8 p.m.

mond Electric’s underground crew supervisor who oversaw the project.

All the underground cables that needed to be replaced have been replaced, and there should not be any other power outages in the same areas that were affected, Griffin said.

There are some plans in the future for design system changes to prevent the problem from being as extensive as it was last week, he said.

The school did not have to pay any expenses to fix the electrical shortage, Griffin and Corff said Also, neither Corff nor Griffin said he was aware of the problems pertaining to the Art and Design building.

“They may have been affected in the original outage,” Griffin said. But electrical graphs would need to be checked to confirm the power outage in the building.

Besides the students, faculty and staff who are still coping with the effects of the power outage, the only evidence that remains are the yellow, green, red and orange flags and spray paint marks used by electrical crews.

UCO is a dynamic university that has been consistently growing and adding new buildings over the past years, Corff said.

“We are striving to stay ahead of UCO’s needs,” he said.

Medical continued from page 1

PHOTO BY GARETT FISBECK

UCO’s Student Counseling Center offers several ways to de-stress including the labyrinth featured above.

The power outage was caused by an underground wire shortage installed by UCO before the university set up a contract for electrical services through the city of Edmond 10 years ago, Bob Corff, Edmond Electric’s energy services manager, said.

“Edmond Electric services the campus from five meters,” Corff said.

If services are interrupted in one section of the building, power is rerouted through one of the other meters on campus to maintain power, Corff said.

We’ve done a lot of things to make sure electrical services were restored on campus, he said.

This was the second power failure. The two outages were not related, Corff said.

“We had to pull very large power lines through small pipes,” Corff said. “It was not something that could be done by man.”

During the time of the outage, electrical crews temporarily fixed the problem.

After electrical crews received the proper equipment, the electrical wires were replaced, and the power was fixed.

The first power outage was due a line being cut off Danforth and Broadway by tree trimmers. This event resulted in power failures that lead to the heat being temporarily cut off in several buildings on campus, according to Brett Griffin, Ed-

will have more pediatrics, as well as a fast-track system for pediatric specialists at Children’s Hospital. “This $17 million investment into our community shows the continued strength of the Edmond economy,” Patrice Douglas, Edmond mayor, said.

Part of the $17 million enhancement will be used for the development and implementation of a Comprehensive Woman’s Center, including the return of obstetrics services. The existing surgical floors will be renovated and updated with the purchase of new operating room equipment.

The Edmond emergency department currently treats around 21,000 patients a year. An additional 10 to 13 rooms will be constructed, which include a new registration area, two fast-track rooms and a treatment room to the department.

The center will increase its staff when it opens the OB unit next year.

“Patients coming to OU Medical Center Edmond will enjoy greater access to more medical specialties than previously available, as well as advanced technologies,” Dr. Curt Steinhart, chief medical officer at OU Medical Center, said. It has access to latest medical equipment and medical research, he added.

On March 1, the EMC welcomed the new CEO, Jordan Herget, who’s currently chief operating officer of Eastern Idaho Just as many of its patients, Edmond Re- Regional Medical Center. He has a master’s degree in health gional will be given a new life by merging care finance from Johns Hopkins University. with Oklahoma Univesity Medical Center.

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NEWS Greek

DIRECTOR JAZZES UP LAB

SORORITIES MEET, SHARE CULTURE

By Jack Chancey / Staff Writer

By Prashanti Ganesh and Anuj Srivas / Staff Writers

UCO’s Lee Rucker embodies jazz.

As the UCO Jazz Lab director he has made the Jazz Lab into one of the premier music venues in Oklahoma. A stout man of medium stature, Rucker leaves no doubt in one’s mind that he can command a great stage presence when wielding his trumpet.

His office is an exercise in organized chaos. Stacks of papers, instruments and a nice comfortable couch greet his visitors.

Unlike other professors across campus, his office has an open, relaxing vibe to it. Big windows allow for ample natural light to come in, a feature not enjoyed by others around campus.

Music pours through his open door that looks out onto the stage of the UCO Jazz Lab. The music is not at all distracting provided you enjoy the sounds of music.

Rucker is a very informal conversationalist. The first thing he brings up is his dislike for late-day e-mails, which he can’t always get to. No matter, with his feet propped up on his desk and a wise-guy smirk that appears frequently, he makes you feel like you’ve known him for years. A musician who’s traveled as much as he has is going to have some stories to tell.

He gave advice on how to not become addicted to gambling, good places to go bass fishing, and to work hard and play hard when you’ve earned it. All are pieces of great advice, and each one is backed up with life experience.

By virtue of Rucker being comfortable with his feet propped up, it is hard to not just sit back in his couch and let the conversation wander where it may. The information he knew about casinos in Oklahoma was informative, albeit a bit trivial. Most people do not know there are 140 casinos spread throughout Oklahoma, with one being the fifth largest in the world. Casinos might be where Rucker goes to spend his “moonlight� money, but one of his favorite getaways is fishing. He has been a bass fishing guide for 16 years, with dozens of pictures to show interested guests. Not at all surprising, his relaxed demeanor is perfect for the easygoing days of fishing.

Rucker comes to UCO from Yukon. His interest in music came from his brother who was in a professional Dixieland jazz band. Like many young children, he picked up records lying around the house and was swayed toward jazz. As a college freshman in 1974, Rucker got a start in UCO’s then-new jazz program. He has been a prominent figure with UCO for nearly three decades, teaching, conducting jazz band, marching band, music theater pit orchestra, and now running the business operations at the Jazz Lab. Rucker is right when he says, “Jazz is America’s music. It’s

PHOTO BY BYRON KOONTZ

Feature

Jazz Lab director Lee Rucker has organzed UCO’s Jazz Lab into a premier venue and still has time to hold private lessons. He has also been a bass fishing guide for 16 years and has been with UCO for approximately 30 years.

not going anywhere,� and he expects the UCO jazz program to continue its growth. UCO has now added a graduate degree for jazz musicians. To keep fresh, Rucker plays with his Dixieland jazz group Civilized Tribe, a collection of music professors at UCO. He also engages in freelance playing on the side, for what he called his “moonlight� money. Lee Rucker is a talented and easy man to talk with, and when asked, can give you an opinion on anything.

While diverse in their own ways, sororities are united by the ideas that bring them together, such as sisterhood and involvement. They are also brought together by the culture they share among themselves and with the many women who have preceded them. On Monday, March 1, sorority women of all ages came together at UCO’s Nigh University Center to celebrate International Badge Day. International Badge Day was established by the National Panhellenic Conference to encourage college councils to set aside a day or an event for women across the nation to wear their sorority badges or Greek letters in celebration of sisterhood. Various members proudly displayed everything from circle-shaped badges, to Roman lamps and Greek letters with diamonds, gold and gems. “I think the most important parts of International Sorority Badge day are the celebration and the unity,� Jessica Schwab, Central’s assistant director for Greek Life and Student Organizations, said. “It’s wonderful that all the sorority women across the globe can have one day to celebrate their affiliation together whether they are collegiate members, alumnae or graduate members. International Badge Day is a time where we can all come together in the bond of Greek sisterhood and remember the great things we have done on campus and in the community.�

Our members engage in community service and philanthropic endeavors, participate in various campus activities, and create new programs and initiatives on campus, she added.

For those in UCO who don’t know much about Greek Life, UCO Greeks have a rich tradition on the Central campus. “Greek Life and sororities give students a channel to form friendships and at the same time volunteer and participate in other events on campus,� Megan Aguilera, Central’s Panhellenic president who was instrumental in organizing this event, said.

International Badge Day also allows sorority members who are currently in college the refreshing experience of interacting with sorority woman who have long since graduated from UCO. With this year’s theme being “Keep Your Fraternal Experience Close to Your Heart,� both national and international sorority groups across the country celebrated International Badge Day in their respective universities. “It’s always nice to see the various badges that different sororities have,� Hailey Hinkle, a Delta Zeta member, said. “If you don’t know them, it’s OK, but they all have different values and ways to celebrate what we as Panhellenic women believe in.�

Charity

EVENT UNITES VOLUNTEERS AND ORGANIZATIONS UCO is one of 70 universities across the nation to participate in “The Big Event,� a community service project that was created in 1982 and is in its fifth year here.

By Jenefar DeLeon / Staff Writer University of Central Oklahoma students will give back to their community by participating in the annual community service project, “The Big Event.�

The Volunteer and Service Learning Center is sponsoring the event.

Around 70 colleges and universities across the nation adapted The Big Event. UCO has hosted an event since 2005. The Big Event was created in 1982 by Joe Nussbaum, former vice president of the Texas A&M University Student Government Association, as a form of “thank you� to his community. Since then it has continued nearly 30 years later.

The Big Event will take place from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on March 6. The students will meet on campus at Plunkett Park to have breakfast, listen to speakers, pick up their free T-shirts and then will go out to their sites across Oklahoma City and Edmond. “The Big Event is the single most visible and perhaps impactful way that UCO gives back to the Edmond and Oklahoma City communities which support our great university,� Josh Krawczyk, director and assistant to the vice president for Student Affairs, UCO Volunteer & Service Learning Center, said. “It is very important that these community agencies and citizens know how much we appreciate their partnership and support.�

The Big Event brings together hundreds of volunteers and organizations to come together one day to help the community. Nonprofit organizations including Infant Crisis Services, Hope Center of Edmond, Feed the Children, City Rescue Mission and OKC Neighborhood Alliance will be participating in the event. “Participants always love The Big Event,�

Krawczyk said. “It creates new relationships that, in some cases, last a lifetime. And it also generates a passion for service that some

didn’t even know they had, and continue well beyond a single Saturday.�

Volunteer activities include gardening, painting, packing canned foods and bundling diapers.

Currently there are 330 students already signed up, but the center is expecting to have around 500 volunteers this year. “Our biggest year before now was 480 participants in 2008,� Krawczyk said. “Our hope for this year is the same as every year – that our participants will perform meaningful service of benefit to the community, but that also results in making new friends and challenging our comfort zones.�

Space is limited based on the capacity of each of the services’ sites. Students are recommended to check back with the center between now and March 6 to see if any cancellations have been made. “I enjoy the challenge to our students. The work is often physically demanding, but more than that, some of these sites are hard to come to terms with personally,� Krawczyk said. “Homelessness and hunger are hard to witness for the first time for students working at any of our partner shelter facilities, for example.�

The Big Event celebrates the very strong tradition of service at UCO. In the 2009-2010 school year, UCO students, faculty, and staff will log more than 50,000 hours of service with the VSLC, and the Big Event is one more way this tradition of service is growing, he said.

Vista Writer Jenefar DeLeon can be reached at Jdeleon@uco360.com.

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Know your Bronchos

Thomaira Babbit

NEWS

5

Breaking Barriers/Graduate student Favorite Food: Artesian food Classification: Graduate student for two semesters Last Book Read: The Israel-Palestine Conflict: 100 years of War. It’s a textbook for one of my classes.

Passion: Middle Eastern architecture and culture

Q: What was the last museum you visited?

Q: How did you become

interested in Museum Studies?

A: The Oklahoma History Museum. A: At first, I was into archaeology.

The focus is on finding the artifacts in Q: What was the most interesting museums. A few summers ago, I had display at the Oklahoma History Museum?

A: I really like the Indian Gallery.

It’s my favorite. It has lots of information and artifacts about several Indian tribes.

the opportunity to dig in Jerusalem for a few weeks. I found it rewarding to be behind the scenes and interpret the artifacts archaeologists find instead. Instead of finding artifacts, the museum professional would be interpreting the facts.

Q: What has been the most

rewarding experience you have had thus far?

A:The most rewarding experience

I have had was actually creating the Breaking Barriers exhibit. It was really a great experience to do the research and put all the information together.

Even though there were so many people who did not want the display to be set up and people who vandalized it, I really enjoyed working on it. I’m looking forward to doing a lot more and having similar experiences.

Describe yourself in several sentences beginning with the words “I AM”: “I am a hard worker. I am trustworthy.”

“I am dedicated to finishing everything I begin.”

“I am very excited to meet as many people who are interested in museums and the topics I am interested in.”

“I am very happy to be givin the opportunities “I am excited ... to start working in my I have been given so far.” museum career.”

1

PHOTO BY GARETT FISBECK

PHOTO BY GARETT FISBECK

PHOTO BY GARETT FISBECK

NEWS WITH A FLASH

2

3

1

Seventeen international student groups organized the International Food Festival, which took place March 3, 2010, in the Nigh University Center Grand Ballroom and benefits UCO international student organizations.

2

The parking lot east of Wantland Stadium is closed from Wednesday, March 3-12, due to construction.

3

The flag on the north side of Thatcher Hall flew at half-mast Tuesday, March 2, in remembrance of Gen. Alexander Haig. He died Feb. 20 in Baltimore, Md., due to a staphylococcal infection.

While the ROTC flag was at half-staff, state institutions were full-staff. “We’re a federal institution,” Capt. Michael T. Sell, UCO Army ROTC enrollment/scholarships officer, said. “It’s [the command to lower the flag] sent down on a federal level.” State facilities are often not affected, and vice versa.

6

NEWS

Campus

UCO CELEBRATES WOMENS HISTORY MONTH DURING MONTH OF MARCH UCO’s Women of Many Ethnicites and Nationalities (W.O.M.E.N.) and Meshawn Conley, director of Multicultural Student Services, organzied events throughout the month of March to celebrate Women’s History Month.

March 5, 2010: General Meeting – Executive Board Nominations NUC 202, 6:00 p.m. Learn more about W.O.M.E.N and the work they do at the University of Central Oklahoma and within the community.

March 8, 2010: Relationship Forum The Black Student Association and WOMEN NUC, Constitution Hall, 7:00 p.m.

The weather delayed this much anticipated forum in February, but youtube phenomenon and www. ihustlenation.comcommentator is back and ready to discuss the ins and outs of relationships. Join W.O.M.E.N. and the Black Student Association as team-up to bring Mr. Lewis Williams to tell it how it is about men, women and love!

March 9, 2010: Love Your Body Campaign Information Table NUC, Food Court, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Hollywood and the fashion, cosmetics and diet industries work hard to make us believe that women’s bodies are unacceptable and need constant improvement. Women and girls spend billions of dollars every year on cosmetics, fashion, magazines and diet aids. It is now time for women to take a stand to start loving themselves. Tell us what makes you beautiful during our Love Your body campaign.

March 12, 2010: These Steps Could Save Your Life NUC 202, 6:00 p.m. You don’t need to be Bruce Lee to defend yourself successfully. In a real world situation, an attack is over within a few short seconds. These seconds are filled with panic, chaos and confusion, and you won't have time to think at this point. The application of a few simple principles and techniques will allow you to instantly stop any attacker! Join us in learning self defense methods that could save your life. Wear comfortable clothing and bring water!

March 22, 2010: Exceptional Women Brunch NUC, Heritage Room, 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

This brunch is designed to celebrate the women on the University of Central Oklahoma campus that are making a difference within our community.

March 24, 2010: Even Superwomen Struggle NUC, Will Rogers Room, 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Many women feel pressured to be Superwomen, women who struggle with perfectionism, work-life balance, andgender stereotypes at home and at the office. Join in on a discussion on how women balance the pressures and demands of life while still being true to themselves.

Business

STOCKS RISE ON SERVICES REPORT NEW YORK (AP) — An upbeat report on services industries and more takeover news boosted stocks for a fourth day.

The Dow Jones industrial average climbed nearly 30 points in afternoon trading Wednesday to erase its losses for 2010. The Dow had also traded above its 2009 close on Tuesday but lost most of its gains to a late slump, leaving the index still in the red for the year.

More indicators of a slow but steady recovery in the economy helped ease concerns that have dogged the market since early this year. Major stock indexes have climbed to their highest levels since mid-January, when the Standard & Poor’s 500 index began a 9.2 percent pullback on concerns that the market was getting too far ahead of the still-struggling economy.

The Institute for Supply Management said its services index for February rose to 53 from 50.5 in January. Economists had forecast that the index would hit 51. Growth in services industries is seen as crucial for a rebound.

A steady stream of corporate deals gave more support to the market, as occurred earlier in the week. Acquisitions signal that businesses are confident in the economy and see some companies as undervalued. In the latest deal, private equity firm Elliott Associates offered to buy the 91.5 percent of software maker Novell Inc. that it doesn’t already own.

Separately, a report on the labor market came in as expected. Payroll company ADP said employers cut 20,000 jobs last month.

The ADP report is seen an early indicator of the government’s closely watched monthly employment report, though there are often wide variations. The Labor Department is expected to report on Friday that the unemployment rate edged up to 9.8 percent last month and that employers cut 50,000 jobs.

The struggling labor market is still one of the biggest concerns for investors.

Meanwhile, austerity measures announced

by Greece allayed some of the market’s wor-

ries about the global economy. Investors have been trying to determine whether problems there will spill over to other economies.

“People are feeling better about the recovery,” said Nick Kalivas, vice president of financial research at MF Global in Chicago. Kalivas said the week’s merger news has reassured investors that stocks aren’t overpriced because companies are still willing to pursue deals.

“It’s causing people to get excited about owning stocks and I think it shows that there might be some value here,” Kalivas said.

In afternoon trading, the Dow rose 28.41, or 0.3 percent, to 10,434.39. It is now up less than 0.1 percent for 2010.

The broader Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 4.42, or 0.4 percent, to 1,122.73, while the Nasdaq composite index rose 6.28, 0.3 percent, to 2,287.07.

Bond prices slipped, pushing yields higher.

The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury note rose to 3.64 percent from 3.61 percent late Tuesday.

The dollar was mixed against other major currencies. Gold rose.

Crude oil rose $1.30 to $80.88 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

A recent surge in dealmaking has investors upbeat about growth potential. CF Industries made a new offer for Terra Industries, which last month agreed to be sold to Norway’s Yara for $4.1 billion. Dow Chemical Co. Bain Capital agreed to buy a plastics business from Dow Chemical Co. for $1.63 billion.

Among stocks, Novell jumped $1.34, or 28.1 percent, to $6.09.

Two stocks rose for every one that fell on the New York Stock Exchange, where volume came to 526.3 million shares.

The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 3.71, or 0.6 percent, to 652.02.

Britain’s FTSE 100 rose 0.9 percent, Germany’s DAX gained 0.7 percent, and France’s CAC-40 rose 0.8 percent. Japan’s Nikkei stock average rose 0.3 percent.

March 29, 2010: Movie Night Mass Communication Department, 8:30 p.m.

Join W.O.M.E.N. as they view a movie that discusses the miscommunication between women and men and how this miscommunication hinders us from finding true love.

NEWS

7

International

VIOLENCE IN IRAQ CONTINUES AS BLAST KILLS 32 NORTHEAST OF BAGHDAD The suicide bombers struck just days before a crucial election that will determine who will govern the country as American forces began to depart.

Security forces inspect the scene of one of three suicide bombings in Baqouba, Iraq, Wednesday, March 3, 2010. A string of three deadly suicide bombings killed 30 people in the former insurgent stronghold of Baqouba on Wednesday, including a blast from a suicide bomber who rode in an ambulance with the wounded before blowing himself up at a hospital, police said.

BAGHDAD (AP) — Suicide bombers struck in quick succession Wednesday in a former insurgent stronghold northeast of Baghdad, killing at least 32 people just days before a crucial election that will determine who will govern the country as American forces depart.

The blasts in Baqouba — including one by a bomber who rode in an ambulance to a hospital and blew himself up there — were the deadliest in more than a month and illus-

trated the challenges facing Iraqi forces trying to prove they can secure the country after the full withdrawal of U.S. forces by the end of next year.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombings but they bore the hallmark of al-Qaida in Iraq, which has promised to violently disrupt Sunday’s parliamentary vote and warned Sunnis not to participate in the balloting. Iraqi authorities vowed not to

let the insurgents derail the democratic process.

“These attacks aim to terrify people from going to polling stations,” said Fakhri al-Obaidi, spokesman of the Diyala provincial council in Baqouba. “But I am sure that people will insist on voting.”

The violence began about 9 a.m. with a suicide car bomb that targeted a local government housing office near an Iraqi army facility, police spokesman Capt. Ghalib al-Karkhi said.

Within minutes, a second suicide car bomb exploded 200 yards (meters) down the street near the provincial government headquarters near many police and army personnel.

It was the final bomber, however, who caused the most casualties, by donning a military uniform, pretending to be wounded and riding an ambulance back to the hospital where he blew himself up, al-Karkhi said.

Many of the wounded from the first two bombs were killed in the third attack.

Police later safely detonated a fourth car bomb about 220 yards (200 meters) from the hospital in Baqouba, which was once controlled by al-Qaida in Iraq before a series of U.S.-Iraqi offensives led to a drop in violence.

Mahmoud Fadil, 50, said he was heading to the electric company’s office when the force of the explosion tossed him in the air.

“I saw others covered with blood lying on the ground and some crying because of wounds caused by shrapnel and the huge blast,” he said.

Insurgents often carry out multiple bomb

attacks to maximize the number of casualties as rescuers and others rush to the scene to help those affected. Authorities arrested four men suspected of involvement in the bombings and clamped a vehicle ban on the city, 35 miles (60 kilometers) northeast of Baghdad.

Wednesday’s bombings were the deadliest since Feb. 1, when a female suicide bomber blew herself up among Shiite pilgrims in Baghdad, killing 54 people.

The persistent violence has dealt a blow to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s efforts to portray himself and his party as the best chance for stability in the wartorn country.

Deputy Interior Minister Ayden Khalid told reporters later in Baghdad that security forces expect further attacks but will not allow them to interfere with the vote.

Iraqi authorities have vowed to tighten security for the election, including a nationwide vehicle ban, airport closures and the deployment of hundreds of thousands of security forces across the country.

Also Wednesday, a senior official in Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission said the results of Sunday’s vote won’t be announced quickly because of the time required to collect votes from abroad and to investigate any complaints. He did not estimate when results would be released.

In Babil province south of Baghdad, police arrested 33 people for distributing leaflets calling for a boycott of the election because it is “supervised by the Americans,” a police official said. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to

ApplicAtions for the following AwArds now AvAilAble in nUc 424 Outstanding Freshman, sOphOmOre, JuniOr & seniOr healthy Campus initiative BrOnChO spirit award COmmitment tO diversity COmmitment tO COmmunity serviCe student leader OF the year OrganizatiOn OF the year OrganizatiOn advisOr OF the year Outstanding Central man & Outstanding Central wOman

ApplicAtion deAdline is tUesdAy, MArch 23rd @ 4:59pM

8

CLASSIFIED

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Accountant And Olde Florida BookKeeper Payroll Needed Urgently Our company has a wonFor more information contact okadatakesh@gmail. com

Server Positions Available

Perculs Lakeside. Apply within. 748-6113

Shogun’s Steak House Of Japan

Hiring for waitstaff, busers, dishwashers, host, bar tender.

Apply in person at Northpark Mall (NW 127nd N. May) after 5:30 p.m. 749-0120

Teacher Needed Immediately For Edmond Daycare FT/PT experience preferred. Competitive wages.

Apply in person @ 24 N.W. 146th or call Camelot CDC @ 749-2262

Part Time Job

Senior Services of Oklahoma is looking for students to fill part time positions.

Several from 9a.m.-1p.m. shifts and 1:30p.m.5:30p.m. shifts are available for Monday- Friday. We pay $10.00 per hour for energetic phone work educating senior citizens on healthcare issues. No experience is needed; We will train. Business is located at 1417 N.W. 150th St. in Edmond. Call 879-1888 to set up interview. Ask for Megan Parris.

Summer Employment Fun Valley Resort South Fork Colorado

Needs students for all types jobs: kitchen, dining room, housekeeping, stores, maintenance, horse wangler, office and other.

Salary/room and board/bonus. For Information and application write to: Student Personnel Director 6315 Westover Drive Grandbury TX 76049 or Call 1.800.548.1684 or email: rafain@sbcglobal. net

Part-time Caregiver

Looking for part-time caregiver for a 21 year old male. He has autism and is very high-functioning. Need help with transportation to and from his activities and work. Please call Magro Price at 850-7603

Housekeeping Position

Bed & Breakfast next to campus. Must be available all holidays, weekends, schoolbreaks. Hours 12-4p.m. Apply in person. 328 East First.

Our Expansion Program A small company is looking for Payroll Specialist, Please contact us for more details.

Requirements- should be home and have access to the internet weekly. Email Frank Juliet frankjuliet@gmail.com for further information on the Job Contact Information.

derful opportunity for the right person. We are seraching for a specialist that would assist the controller in everyday administrative duties.

Educational employees Oldefloridapayroll is looking for outgoing, sales/service oriented individuals with previous financial experience. This position provides a variety of member service functions involving cross-selling products and services, disbursing funds and opening new accounts.

Involves constant and direct dealing with Oldefloridapayroll members and potential members and requires the ability to accurately record information and communicate effectively. Cash handling and customer service experience is required.

Two positions available: 30 hrs/wk- 1660 Herndon Ave, Clovis 20 hrs/wk- 430 Pollasky Clovis Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Account, LTD, 6% company 401k contribution.

To know more about this Job Vacancy, you are to Contact Mr. Akibu Walker Via Email: akibu_jobs@yahoo. com

SERVICES

The Language Company: Edmond

Conveniently located on the UCO campus, offers English as a second language classes for international students/individuals.

NOW FEATURING a specially designed program with: With Strong emphasis in listening /speaking, highly interactive classes, and new and improved TOEFL program.

Enjoy small classes and the campus facilities. Contact us at (405) 341-2125 or www. thelanguagecompany.com

FOR RENT

New Townhouse APT, 3 bd, 3 ba, w/d Hookup

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1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartment Homes

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Female student to rent room. All bills paid. Access to garage and pool. $600 a month. Contact Michelle 642-4333

1 Bedroom House for Rent

350.00 + utilities. No pets!

No smoking! Call Patty 4088765

Across 1. To the point 6. “Murphy Brown” bar owner 10. Duff 14. Downy duck 15. Put on board, as cargo 16. Ashcroft’s predecessor 17. Harshly criticize 18. Comrade in arms 19. Black cat, maybe 20. Characterized by oneself 22. A fisherman may spin one 23. ___ lily 24. Emulated running mates?

26. ___-bodied 30. ___ juice (milk) 31. Barely beat 32. Cut short 33. 100 centavos 35. Run off to the chapel 39. Keeps tobacco fresh 41. As expected 43. “Fiddler on the Roof” role 44. Fill 46. ___ gin fizz 47. Expression of doubt 49. French software engineering vendor 50. Big mouths 51. Common, heavy mineral 54. Confusion 56. Husk 57. Party favor 63. ___ fruit 64. “Iliad” warrior 65. Excellent 66. Corker 67. Church part 68. Clear, as a disk 69. Appear 70. Brews 71. Copenhageners

Down

SUDOKU

1. British tax

2. Houston university 3. “American ___” 4. Bondman 5. Iron

6. Theater regulars

1 7 2 9

7. Calls to hunting dogs 8. Doing nothing 9. Dutch cheese

10. Cytoplasm and nucleus

5 9

13. In shape 21. Beat

26. Hurting

4 1 7

6 5 8 7

12. Administer extreme unction to

7 8 3

6 2

11. Chart anew

25. Stead

5 3

7

6 4

3 4

9 6 2 3

2 8

ANSWERS FROM MARCH 2

27. Bummed out 28. Describe

29. Functional cavity liner 34. Removes by heat 36. ___ podrida

37. Farm equipment 38. “___ only”

40. Angry outburst 42. Capture

45. Accomplish 48. Tomorrow

51. Natives of France 52. Bicker

53. Charles de Gaulle’s birthplace 55. Put in

6 9 59. Halo, e.g.

60. Hate group 4 61. “... or ___!”

3 62. Bakery selections 2 QUOTE OF THE DAY 1 “Either write something worth 8 reading or do something worth writing.”

5

- Benjamin Franklin 7 58. Face-to-face exam

1 3 7 8 5 6 4 9 2

2 5 8 9 7 4 3 6 1

8 1 3 4 9 2 5 7 6

7 2 9 6 8 5 1 3 4

5 4 6 7 1 3 2 8 9

4 8 1 5 6 9 7 2 3

3 6 5 2 4 7 9 1 8

9 7 2 1 3 8 6 4 5

SPORTS

9

Basketball

A DECORATED SEASON The 2009-2010 regular season brought much recognition and awards for several UCO Broncho men and women.

By Ryan Costello / Staff Writer handed out its individual acknowledgements for the As the men and women of 2009-2010 season at the LSC UCO basketball enter rigor- Awards Banquet in Bartlesous row of postseason tests, ville, Okla. on Tuesday. they’ll now do so as a pair Among the most recogof teams stacked with award nized team at the ceremony winning talent. was UCO’s LSC North vicThe Lone Star Conference tor men squad. The Bron-

cho’s two top transfers, Chris Rhymes and Dauntae Williams both received honors on Tuesday.

Williams, who established himself as a star on the Bronchos roster, apparently did so for the conference as well, becoming UCO’s third straight

LSC North Player of the Year.

Williams led the Bronchos in scoring (20.2), rebounding (7.8), assists (5.5), and shooting (58 percent) this season.

Chris Rhymes was tabbed as the LSC North Newcomer of the Year, averaging 12.6

points and 4.4 rebounds per contest and starting 22 games for UCO. Rhymes made his most memorable play of the season when his buzzer-beating layup gave UCO a 71-69 overtime win against Cameron.

Men’s Head Coach Terry

Evans was also honored, being named LSC North’s Coach of the Year for the fourth time after leading his Bronchos to the North title for the third consecutive season and the fifth time in six years.

Eric Cazenave, UCO’s senior sparkplug guard was named to the North Division’s all conference first team, being joined by Williams.

Tyler Phillips’ season was good for an appearance on the second team LSC North roster, and was joined by fellow Broncho Shane Carroll on the LSC all academic list.

For the Broncho women, Cristina Yarbrough’s 2.6 steals and 3.5 rebounds per game earned her a third consecutive season as the LSC North’s Defensive Player of the Year and a spot on the all North Division squad.

Also honored for the women was Ashley Beckley, who joined Yarbrough in first team all LSC North honors and was given all LSC academic status.

Rounding out the awards for the women were Jordan Stark, who along with Kasey Tweed was given all LSC North honorable mention, and Traci Murphee, who was joined by Tweed in being named to the LSC North Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

LSC TOURNAMENT continued from page 10

Angelo State University and Tarleton State of the LSC South both played the Bronchos early in the season, and neither team lost by more than four points.

Midwestern State University, last year’s tournament winner and the top seed from the South Division this year, handed UCO a 96-89 loss in early December, and second place LSC north finisher Northeastern State defeated UCO 81-74 on February 20, ending the Bronchos’ record 16 game win streak.

If UCO’s women are to secure their first LSC tournament title, they too will have a difficult stretch ahead.

Their opener against Abilene Christian will be their first test, as the Wildcats defeated UCO 81-80 in a December 19 matchup.

Both teams that UCO could be facing in the second round have defeated the Bronchos this season, Southeastern Oklahoma on January 16 and West Texas A&M on January 9.

Should the Bronchos advance to the championship round, two of their potential opponents have already trounced the UCO women during the regular season.

Tarleton State pounded the Bronchos 85-55 on December 1, and Northeastern toppled UCO 81-66 in February 20 loss that ended a record nine game streak of triumphs for UCO. All games in the LSC tournament are played at Bartlesville’s Bruin Field House.

10

SPORTS

Hockey

WE MEET AGAIN...

PHOTO BY GARET FISBECK

No. 10 UCO is making their second consecutive playoff appearance and will face No. 7 OU in the first round.

Broncho captain Matt Cohn (left) meets up with Sooner captain Blake Martin (right) prior to a face-off Feb. 19. OU owns a 12-2 series lead over the Bronchos and have won all four games this season. The Sooners have the No. 7 seed in the 2010 ACHA Men’s Division I National Tournament which begins this Saturday. The Bronchos have the No. 10 seed and will play the University of Oklahoma 2 p.m. this Saturday, March 6. The winner of that round will play the winner of No. 2 Penn State and No. 15 Canton.

By Chris Wescott / Sports Editor While the UCO men and women’s basketball teams are hopefully celebrating victories at the Lone Star Conference Tournament in Bartlesville, Okla., the Broncho hockey team hopes to be making their own success in Chicago, Ill. This weekend No. 10 Central Oklahoma travels to the American Collegiate Hockey Association Men’s Division I National Tournament in Chicago. These playoff games will determine who wins the national championship.

UCO’s upset over then-No. 2 Ohio earlier this season, their road sweeps of No. 8 Arizona State and No. 4 Illinois were all nice, but there is one top 10 team the Bronchos would like to beat more than anyone else. Their instate rivals, the No. 7 University of Oklahoma Sooners.

They will get their fifth chance this season to do just that this weekend. This time, it’s for all the marbles.

“We were kind of hoping to draw someone else,” UCO defenseman and first-year Broncho Nick Novak said. “But I think most of the guys were pretty pumped that we have another shot against them.”

UCO head coach Craig McAlister says playing the Sooners in the first round of the national tournament is both a blessing and a curse.

“It is a twofold thing,” McAlister said. “It actually makes it easier, because we know exactly how they play. It’s just us getting out there and stopping them.

“It is one of those things where it’s nice to know and play a familiar foe. But it would be nice to play someone who hasn’t seen us before as well, but the facts are that the No. 7 team plays the No. 10 team.”

The Sooners have owned the series between these two schools, and OU has a 12-2 record all-time against the Bronchos. OU is 4-0 against UCO this season.

In their last two contests, the Sooners beat the Bronchos 5-1 on Friday, Feb. 19, and then held off a UCO comeback effort for a 4-2 win on Saturday, Feb. 20.

“They had us the first game,” Novak said.

“We didn’t seem completely prepared and focused at home on Senior Night, but I felt we played much better Saturday night. They just got a few lucky bounces in the first period.

“We battled back and showed a lot of character. We can definitely win if we play a full 60 minutes.”

This first-round matchup will be a homecoming for some UCO Bronchos. There are currently 14 players on the roster who hail from Illinois. There are going to be a lot of

bronze and blue fans in the stands this weekend.

When asked whether or not having their family at the games could be a distraction for some players, coach McAlister said staying focused at times like that is always a problem, but he thinks this game will be different.

“I don’t think at a national championship tournament guys will have a problem focusing.”

The UCO head coach is also encouraged with how the team has approached practice leading up to this weekend.

“I think it’s been very positive out there on the ice. Guys are working hard,” McAlister said.

“We are changing a few things, and they are buying into that. Everyone is team-oriented, and everyone knows what the goal is.

“Sometimes you have to just stick it out there. It’s not just for me; it’s not for them. It’s for the better good of the team, the university and all of us to do well up there. So, their goals and their focus is right, right now.”

After everything the team has been through this season, from their incredibly tough schedule to having to fight for a spot in the tournament, the players are very motivated and very determined.

“I’m so pumped,” Novak said. “This is my first time competing in a national tournament. We’ve felt all year that this is our year to go steal a national title in Chicago.”

No longer wide-eyed at the prospects of playing for a national title after last season’s trip to the playoffs, the Bronchos are ready for a second chance.

“Last year was our first time,” McAlister

said. “Sometimes your first experiences, they are all new and fresh. You got some guys just trying to figure out the ropes. That being said, all but a few guys have been there before.

Been there, done that, ready to go play a big game. They know what the national tournament is about.”

The brackets are set, and UCO will take on OU at 2 p.m. on Saturday at The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Ill. It is the fourth game on the schedule for the first round. The winner of that round will then face the winner of the No. 2 Penn State and No. 15 Canton game.

Other notable first-round games are No. 5 Iowa State vs. No. 12 Kent State, No. 8 Minot State vs. No. 9 Oakland, and No. 6 Liberty vs. No. 11 Arizona State. Information on the tournament, including updates, a full tournament schedule, and brackets can be found at http://achahockey.org.

Basketball

BRONCHOS HEADED TO LSC TOURNAMENT

By Ryan Costello / Staff Writer By today, the men and women of UCO basketball should already be under way in their quest for the Lone Star Conference tournament title in Bartlesville, Okla.

UCO’s men were slated to play their first game yesterday evening.

Should they have not fallen to the upset bid of West Texas A&M, who finished fourth

in the LSC South Division, the Broncho men will be facing off against the winner of the matchup between second place LSC South finisher, Tarleton State, and Texas A&M Commerce, who finished third in the North Division, Friday at 8:30 p.m. in the tournament’s semifinal.

The women of Broncho basketball h ave their first matchup scheduled for this evening at 6. against an Abilene Christian University

INSIDE SPORTS:

team that finished third in the LSC South’s regular season standings, and will follow with the winner between the North Division’s fourth seed, Southeastern Oklahoma and an LSC South winning West Texas A&M club.

Of the teams between the UCO men and their second LSC Tournament title, the road is highlighted with a cavalcade of tough matchups. If the Broncho men are to successfully navigate their bracket and claim their second

A LOOK BACK ON THIS SEASON’S AWARDS

title in the LSC tourney’s brief three year history, they will potentially have to face two of two squads that played them tight during the regular season, and two that beat UCO in 2009-10.

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