Campus Quotes
Heartwalk
Hockey
Basketball
Students answer: Spring Break: Party, work or study? And why?
Adjunct professor Mark Brennaman brings heart health awareness to UCO.
UCO loses to Lindenwood in the ACHA Division I semifinals.
After earning a six seed in the NCAA Division II National Tournament, UCO will face a tough opening matchup against Fort Hays State University on Saturday.
students voice since 1903.
State Legislation
LEGISLATION ALLOWS FINES AGAINST SMOKERS ON CAMPUS By Jack Chancey / Staff Writer College campuses in Oklahoma looking to go tobacco free could have help from two measures passed at the State Capitol on March 5, 2010. Sen. Jim Halligan, R-Stillwater, introduced Senate Bill 1674 March 5, 2010. The bill would allow colleges and universities to levy fines up to $100 for violation of tobaccofree policies. “When your rights impact my life, you have no right to say, ‘I want to smoke’ where I have to inhale it,” Halligan said. “This bill does a simple thing to allow fines when the faculty and institution have embraced a no-smoking policy.” The measure passed through the Senate with a 29-11 vote and was moved on to the House for consideration in House Bill 2758 by Rep. Lee Denney, R-Cushing. It passed in the House with an 81-11 vote and now waits signing by the governor. Debate on the Senate floor ranged from personal freedoms to health care and abortion. Sen. Randy Brogdon, ROwasso, a nonsmoker, said SB 1674 was just another instance of encroachment on personal freedoms. “This is hypocrisy,” he said. “This is a bad bill. Let’s quit picking around the edges. If you want to ban tobacco, let’s get rid of it.” Halligan argued that smoking has far-reaching impacts that raise the price of health care for nonsmokers. Sen. Johnnie Crutchfield,
Estimated percentage of persons aged > 18 years who were current smokers, by sex - National Health Interview, United States, 1965-2006 MEN WOMEN
50
PERCENTAGE
NEW YORK — It will cost about $3,000 to be the first person on your block with a 3-D TV. In hopes of starting a new era in TV watching, Samsung and Panasonic are starting to sell 3-D sets in U.S. stores this week. Because the sets require unwieldy glasses, and there is for now little to watch in 3-D, it will be some time before the technology is mainstream. PARIS — Is the Middle East going officially nuclear? Announcements by bitter rivals Israel and Syria that they’re interested in nuclear power plants could complicate the diplomatic storm over Iran’s program. Israel seems unlikely to accept Syrian assurances its program is civilian — and is already itself believed to have a secret weapons program that looks sure to remain off-limits to inspectors. SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman’s campaign for governor of California has a familiar ring to it: She’s an outsider from the business world who promises to sweep the Capitol clean of politics-as-usual and deliver fiscal common sense. California voters have heard that before. It’s the same message fellow Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger pitched during the 2003 gubernatorial recall election that elevated him to power. WASHINGTON — One bride wore a knee-length lace dress and pearls. The other bride wore a yellow shirt and white suit. As a pastor pronounces them “partners in life this day and for always,” they hug and smile as wedding guests — oh, and nearly a dozen TV cameras and reporters — look on. It’s the first day for same-sex couples in Washington, D.C., to wed, the nation’s capital joining five states that have legalized same-sex marriage.
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THE VISTA
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA’S
FROM THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
MAR 11, 2010
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D-Ardmore, said each generation is losing more and more of its rights. Sen. Tom Adelson, D-Tulsa, said although alcohol is legal, it is illegal to drink and drive. Innocent bystanders have no choice but to breathe secondhand smoke, he said. “Smoke them if you got them, but I don’t want to breathe it,” he said. Sen. Debbe Leftwich, DOklahoma City, said her husband died of lung cancer but never smoke a cigarette. She is for getting rid of smoking anywhere and everywhere. “The aims of a tobacco-free campus are admirable, but I feel like the current policy of no smoking 20 feet from a building is more than adequate,” Toni Hunt, a UCO student, said. The tobacco-free policy adopted by UCO, which goes into effect July 1, 2010, was the result of a collaborative approach to policy development and health promotion efforts. Support was generated by UCOSA, the Healthy Campus Initiative, Administration, Community Health Club and other campus and community partners. The tobacco-free policy is a community effort, and the ability to fine violators is just one step in reducing tobacco use on campus. For those UCO students looking to quit, the school will offer cessation programs. Education will also be part of the plan to help lower tobacco use. The use of curriculum infusion is a creative way of including tobacco issues into academics while still meeting course objectives.
2009
National Recognition
TODAY
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UCO NAMED TOP 50 FOR 2010 By Ryan Costello / Staff Writer
TOMORROW
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DID YOU KNOW? The average person ingests about a ton of food and drink each year.
In the pages of the latest issue of a nationally distributed sporting publication was a feature titled “The Top 50 Places to Watch in 2010”, and among the venues on the list was the campus of the University of Central Oklahoma. SportsEvents Magazine, a nationally published hub for athletic competition planners, tabbed UCO among a “select group of destinations and fields and facilities [that] not only meet but exceed the high demands of sports event organizers today, in both physical attributes and commitment to hospitality and service.” The periodical describes itself as not so much an entertainment publication, but rather a guide and exhibition to the movers and shakers behind the curtains of sporting events, from community games to national championships. Nominated by its peers in event organization and elected by the magazine’s readers, UCO was one of only two educational facilities, and the only university included among the list’s entries in its two-year history. “I just think it’s going to be a great year at UCO for events,” Katrina Shaklee, director of Sports and Recreation on campus, said. Highlighting the events schedule at UCO this year are the 11th annual Endeavor Games and the 2010 Sitting Volleyball Worlds, both of which are competitions for athletes with physical disabilities.
Continued on page 3
PHOTO BY PHOTO SERVICES
WEATHER
SportsEvents Magazine named UCO one of the top 50 places to watch in 2010 because of athletic events like the Endeavor Games. UCO was one of only two educational facilities and the only university included on the list.
OPINION
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THE VISTA 100 North University Drive Edmond, OK 73034 (405)974-5549 editorial@uco360.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 Wednesdays 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, 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
HOW CLEAN IS YOUR WATER?
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Recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court have undermined the ability of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to stop pollution of the nation’s waterways. Congress should pass a Senate bill that would leave no doubt about the agency’s authority to crack down on manufacturers, developers, and others guilty of discharging toxic wastes into wetlands and rivers. For 30 years, the EPA and federal courts — including the Supreme Court itself — had broadly interpreted the Clean Water Act’s jurisdiction over “navigable waters” to protect virtually all the nation’s wetlands and waters, including tributaries of rivers. During that time, pollution levels fell dramatically and the quality of drinking water improved. Then the Supreme Court muddied the issue by taking a cramped, overly restrictive view of the law’s wording. In a 2006 decision, the court said the EPA had authority in wetlands cases only if the wetlands form a “significant nexus” to “navigable” waters. The uncertainty surrounding this ruling has thrown a wrench into EPA’s enforcement of the law. According to EPA regulators cited by the New York Times this week, more than 1,500 major pollution investigations have been dropped or put on hold in the past four years. The Times report cited EPA data showing that about 117 million Americans get their drinking water from sources that, under the court rulings, could be excluded from Clean Water Act jurisdiction. In Massachusetts, happily, the public enjoys an extra degree of protection thanks to a state clean water act that is more expansive than the federal law, but the state agency that enforces it has been under budget pressure. A bill co-sponsored by Sen. Benjamin Cardin of Maryland would end the ambiguity in the federal Clean Water Act in part by dropping the word “navigable.” Called the Clean Water Restoration Act to emphasize that it simply returns to the EPA the power it had before the court rulings, the bill deserves quick approval by Congress. Even anti-government zealots must acknowledge that it is no fun having a tea party with contaminated water.
Tell us your thoughts ... What will you be doing over spring break?
Give us your opinion at twitter.com/uco360.
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STAFF
By Prakriti Adhikari/ Cartoonist
CAMPUS QUOTES
Spring Break: Party, work, or study? And why?
JOHNNY DELUCIA
JESSICA KUEGLER
BEN LEWIS
Art – Senior
Photographic Arts – Sophomore
Broadcasting – Freshman
“Study. Because I have to. Got some art projects due. I am going to be working on an album though as well.”
“Party, with no alcohol, in Colorado. I want to hang out with friends and have a good time. And sleep.”
“Party. Because I’m going to Colorado to go skiing. Oh yeah.”
BAILEY BRAUNAGEL
DANIEL ASHCRAFT
PAULINE NGUYEN
Undeclared – Freshman
Biomedical Engineering – Senior
Chemistry & Health Studies – Sophomore
“Work. I need the money. I work at CVS.”
“Party. Because I’m stressed this semester trying to graduate.”
“Work. Just because I need to make money. I work at California Sun.”
Health
PROFESSOR TO HELP RAISE AWARENESS
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PHOTO BY BYRON KOONTZ
National Recognition continued from page 1
PHOTO BY PHOTO SERVICES
NEWS
The Endeavor Games is a multi-sport event for disabled athletes. It will take place June 10-13 this year and is one of the reasons UCO was listed in SportsEvents Magazine.
The Endeavor Games, which take place June 10-13, will feature athletes participating in 11 different sports that are tailored for disabled competitors. Endorsed or sanctioned by U.S. Paralympics, National Disability Sports Alliance, Disabled Sports USA, United States Association of Blind Athletes, USA Track and Field, and Wheelchair Sports, USA, according to the UCO Wellness Center, the Endeavor Games is expected to set records for attendance and participation in 2010. The Sitting Volleyball Worlds, which is from July 8-19, is an international competition that will serve as a qualifying stepping stone toward the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. When Hamilton Field House is readied and the veil is lifted on the Worlds tournament, Edmond and UCO will play host to 640 athletes from more than 20 countries. The Volleyball Worlds will feature 40 teams, 24 men’s and 16 women’s, competing for the opportunity to compete in London in 2012. “To host two very major events back to back
was probably why [SportsEvents Magazine] selected UCO,” Shaklee, who herself was given an award of excellence in the sports events planning industry by the same magazine last year, said. The campus also serves as an official training site for the USA Olympic and Paralympic teams, as part of a partnership between UCO and the U.S. Olympic Committee. Shaklee, who for the past eight years has specialized in coordinating Paralympic events, believes that both the upcoming year and the magazine feature that applauded it could potentially mean significant exposure for UCO. SportsEvents Magazine is sent out to event planners, and more pertinent to UCO, to event managers seeking venues nationwide. “A lot of people out there in the nation read [SportsEvents] Magazine,” Shaklee said. “I think it’s very good that UCO is in there, and people can see that we can host these big events.”
Studant Organization
PHOTO BY BYRON KOONTZ
EXHIBIT FOCUSES ON NEPAL
Mark Brennaman supports team 55+ in the upcoming Heart Walk aimed to raise money for heart research. Team 55+ hopes to raise awareness among professors.
By Jenefar DeLeon / Staff Writer Fifty UCO teams will participate in this year’s annual Heart Walk presented by the American Heart Association on April 17 at Bricktown Ballpark. Mark Brennaman, adjunct professor of Success Central and Success Strategies, will be participating this year at Heart Walk along with other team members. The team he will be participating in is called 55+. He hopes to bring awareness to adults of the age of 55 and older about the importance of being aware of heart risks as they get older. “There are over 1,000 professors on campus who are at the age of 55 or older,” Brennaman said. “We want our team to target that age group and bring awareness about the risks as we reach retirement.” All proceeds from the event will go toward heart research in Oklahoma, Brennaman said. More than 3,000 people participate at the Heart Walk each year, and the goal is to increase the number this year by having more members of the UCO campus to participate. Brennaman said he wants to help spread the word to others and help reduce the risks for future generations. “My children’s and grandchildren’s generation have a higher risk of heart problems compared to my generation,” Brennaman said. “And I want to help turn things around and help bring awareness to our community and campus about the importance of a healthy heart.” Along with the annual Heart Walk, UCO will host a benefit concert to help raise money
for the American Heart Association. This will be the first year UCO will host a benefit concert for the association. UCO has been involved in the annual Heart Walk for more than 12 years, Brennaman said. The benefit concert will help raise donations for the event. The event will be free to attend, but Brennaman asks donations to be made to the association. It will take place 2-3 p.m. March 12 at the UCO Ballroom located in the Nigh University Center. The event will have comedian-songwriter Kendall Irvin perform at the benefit concert to help raise donations and bring awareness. Irvin will perform “Seniors Say the Darndest Things” at the concert. “I am really excited to perform at the UCO campus,” Irvin said. “My mother suffers with heart problems, and I am happy to be part of an event to help raise donations for research.” Irvin said his experience being a caretaker of his mother and working for an insurance company have made him understand that senior adults say the darndest things and have funny stories to tell that his audiences can relate to. “We want everyone to participate at the annual Heart Walk or at the benefit concert, Brennaman said. “We will have a blast and at the same time bring awareness to a great cause.” For more information about the annual Heart Walk, visit the American Heart Association’s Web site to view UCO teams that are available to join or http://www.markbrennaman.com to learn more about Kendall Irvin. The Web site features audio of Irvin’s work.
Campus
BRUNCH BRINGS CAMPUS AWARENESS Prateek Pradhan speaks to Nate Cole about Umes Shrestha’s photography and Nepal. Nepal at a Glance will be in the Nigh University Center today until 2 p.m.
By Jennifer Hebert / Contributor Nepal Student Association is hosting a photography exhibition featuring work from a photographer in Nepal. Nepal at a Glance will take place 11 a.m.2 p.m. on March 10 and 11, on the second floor of the Nigh University Center in front of Barnes & Noble bookstore. The photography exhibition will feature work from Umes Shrestha. Shrestha is currently living in the capital of Nepal, Kathmandu, and he’s the founder of ktmROCKS. A nonprofit online magazine/event management organization, ktmROCKS has been supporting underground bands of Nepal since 2001. The online magazine also has an indie record label that produces and releases music, as well as promotes bands. “Goal of the photograph exhibition is to share the perspective and the art that Umes Shrestha has captured through lenses,” Prateek Pradhan, president of NSA at University of Central Oklahoma, explained. “We want to share these photographs with our community at UCO.” Pradhan was looking at Shrestha’s photographs on Facebook when he first came up with the idea to do the photography exhibition. “First Prateek was inspired from Umes Shrestha’s work,” Prakriti Adhikari, the vice
president of NSA, said. “If you Google Nepal, you will only see the front side of Nepal, not the back. Umes’ photographs falls under the back side.” When many people see pictures or think of Nepal, they only think of the mountains and the tourist attractions of the country. Nepal shares its northern border with China. It’s surrounded by India on the south, east and west borders. The country is the home of eight of the top 10 highest mountains in the world. The highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, is located in Nepal and is the one of the main tourist attractions in the country. NSA is planning other special events for the semester, such as Nepal Night and possibly a movie night. “NSA is looking forward for a Nepal Night around the second week of April, if things go well,” Pradhan said. “If it does not work, we are planning to work with OU to pull off a Nepal Night on fall semester.” Nepal Night is a night to celebrate the culture of Nepal. There is usually dancing, music and food on this night. NSA hopes to see students, faculty and community members at the events. NSA meetings are usually 8:30 p.m. on Fridays in the Summit Apartments located on Blackwelder Avenue in apartment number 12. Everyone is welcome to attend the meetings.
By Prashanti Ganesh & Anuj Srivas / Staff Writers One could get lost with the amount of history and variety the UCO campus has to offer. Students who do not live on campus especially might miss out on being able to get a chance to visit every corner of the campus. Commuter Student Services and Student Affairs hold Brunch in a Crunch to introduce the UCO campus to commuter students and those who live on campus as well. The event takes place every month in a different location on campus. Commuter Student Services provides food and drinks and invites people to visit the selected building or office. “It’s rewarding to help students to get more out of the college experience,” Nathan Box, coordinator of Commuter Student Services, said. The buildings are chosen to add to campus activities and bring out the history of UCO. The most recent Brunch in a Crunch event was on Thursday, March 4, in Evans Hall. The Laboratory of History Museum, located on the mezzanine level in Evans Hall, preserves the history of UCO and tries to interpret it with the help of objects, oral histories, documents and photographs. The building is administered by the Department of History and Geography and has various collections, exhibits, programs and services. Numerous donations like Native American artifacts, and dressers that date back to approximately 1915, illustrate the long history of UCO.
There is also a clock built in 1897 made out of bicycle wheels and axe handles. There are also exhibits that show the history of UCO in chronological order. It shows how UCO was founded in 1890. Vista stories from 1918 about Student Army Training Corps help current students relate to what it was like in the past. With tours, presentations and lectures, Laboratory of History Museum tries to associate the history of UCO with wider historical perspectives. “This is probably the second or third oldest building on campus after Old North,” Box said. “It was used as classroom space and could possibly have been a library at one point of time.” The Commuter Student Services committee has 29 different ways to promote its events, like fliers, e-mails, Twitter and other online groups, as an effort to get as many people as they can to get interested in their events. “This is my first event, and I came to know about it through e-mails from the committee,” Latisha Fair, a community health major, said. “It’s very helpful and facilitates commuter students like me to learn the campus. It’s good to see history.” “We get around 60 students per event,” Jared Epling, a student worker, said. Workers at the event said approximately 60 students attend each one. The last Brunch in a Crunch was in the International Office. The next meeting will be in the Campus Activities and Events office in the Nigh University Center on April 14.
4
NEWS
Cancer Awareness
By Jenefar DeLeon / Staff Writer Two UCO students raise awareness and donations for childhood cancer research by shaving their heads on Friday at Chicago’s annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser Junior psychology major Kyle Springman and junior art and design major Lisa Curry plan to drive the 12 hours to Chicago to participate in one of the largest volunteerdriven research fundraising events. St. Baldrick’s Foundation helps raise donations and awareness with the help of volunteers like Springman and Curry. Every three-and-half minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer. Each year, 160,000 children are diagnosed with cancer worldwide. But with the help of volunteers and events like this, research continues to try to find a cure. St. Baldrick’s Foundation has more than 106,000 volunteers who have shaven their heads to support research to find a cure.
PHOTO BY GARET FISBECK
STUDENTS TO SHAVE HEADS FOR ST. BALDRICKS
Students Kyle Springman, Craig Hormann, Kelli Reed, and Lisa Curry (clockwise from left), collect money donations and pass out fliers with a web address for donating online in the NUC on Tuesdday, March 9.
“I am excited to shave my head,” Curry said. “There has been mix emotions. A lot of people tell me I should just donate and not to shave my head, but it is only hair. It will grow back,
and the impact that I would help make is very exciting.” Team Lettuce Water includes a third member who helped inspire the cause. Curry’s friend Colleen Smith from Chicago, Curry’s home-
town as well, has a younger sister Caitlin, who was diagnosed with cancer at age 11. Caitlin is currently cancer free and is working on her Ph.D. in occupational therapy at the University of Chicago. The name of the team was inspired from a childhood memory, when Colleen and her sisters believed lettuce and water mixed together would cure cancer. They were just 7 and 8 years old. We thought it suited our team and especially how close we are to the cause, Curry said. Springman said the first time he heard about the cause was when he read about it on Curry’s Facebook. “When I found out she was going to shave her gorgeous hair, I was inspire to be part of it,” Springman said. “I wanted to do something good, and I look forward to the event.” Springman said he was at first hesitant about shaving his curly blond hair, but because it is about bringing awareness and donations
to research, he is willing to shave his hair. Currently Team Water Lettuce has raised more than $2,000 for the event. Curry said her hair will be donated to Locks of Love. “We have been receiving donations from family and friends,” Curry said. “We have been bringing awareness to campus to help raise donations and spreading the word out and hope to inspire others to help.” Curry and Springman said so far they have been receiving positive feedback, which they are glad to see. But sometimes people think they’re asking others to shave their heads, which is not true. Team Lettuce Water is hoping to raise $3,000. “We are so close reaching our goal,” Curry said. “We hope to reach it on Friday, but donations will be accepted afterward.” For more information or to make a donation, visit their page at http://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/
Theater
By Heather Aki / Contributor Although the set of “Pippin” may be ready to perform on, it is missing one detail: the actors. With two and a half hours before the curtains open, the cast members are called at 5 p.m. to start preparations for the show. Before the process of hair and makeup, some actors finish having dinner in the “Green Room.” The walls of this room are green, and the atmosphere is equivalent to a living room in your house. With a couple of small love seats, matching chairs facing one another, and a coffee table in the center, this room is where the actors relax before chaos ensues. “It can be real crazy at times, but it is all worth it when you see the finished project,” Racey Ballard, a costume shop student worker, said. After a short rest, actors separate into the men’s and women’s dressing rooms.
INVESTIGATE
Along the walls are sections for the costumes to be hung. Each actor’s costumes are separated by one another with a name board and ditty bag. These bags hold each actor’s personal items and accessories like socks and jewelry. Three of the four walls are filled with costumes, and the last is the long, wide mirror surrounded by lights and actors’ makeup kits. This is where the hair and makeup for the show is created. With pictures of inspiration surrounding the mirror, the actors try to create looks for their characters. During these two hours there is a timely schedule on who gets their microphones taped onto them. Between the thirty members in the cast, each one has to have a microphone attached and taped along his/her backside in order for the head piece and pack to stay in place. While two-and-a-half hours may seem like a long time to get ready for any daily routine, it feels like 30 minutes for ac-
BEFORE YOU INVEST
tors when preparing for a show. Once microphones are in place and hair and makeup is finished, actors make the finishing touches by getting into costume. With the stage manager checking in with cast and crew members to make sure the show is on time, the countdown to the premiere of the show is tingling inside everyone. “This is crunch time,” Ballard said. “We make the costumes look right to fit the character and help with the lastminute details.” Trimming threads and making sure the entire look of every character is complete, the costume crew makes sure each actor is ready. With only minutes before the actors have to be in their places, everyone is trying to stay calm and focus on their characters for the show. After all the finishing touches are made, the lights cut out and the music begins to play for the show to begin.
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY PHOTO SERVICES
THEATER SETS, STAGE FOR PIPPIN
Cast members perform on the set of “Pippin.” The show ran from March 4-6 in the Mitchell Hall Theater.
The next theater event will be...
Noises Off 7:30 pm, April 8-10 & 2 pm, April 11, Mitchell Hall Theater Following the unbreakable rule that, “The Show Must Go On,” a second-rate theatre company battles infidelity, unexpected pregnancies and other foibles of humanity in a desperate effort to produce a comedy. One of the most hysterical farces of modern theatre.
V Do the right thing, recycle this issue of The Vista. Go Green!
NEWS
5
CAMPUS
PHOTO BY GARETT FISBECK
UCO ENCOURAGES SAFE SPRING BREAK
Students glance at a display of an actual vehichle involved in a drunk driving accident during an Spring Break Saftey event hosted by TADCA and ADAP. communities by promoting drug and alcohol By Tiffany Brown / Staff Writer abuse awareness,” Dennis Maddon, TADCA member and graduate, said. The allure of Spring Break has many UniMembers of TADCA and staff from ADAP versity of Central Oklahoma students excit- were on hand from 11:00a.m-2p.m.March ed. It will give students the opportunity to 10, under the blue tent near Broncho Lake leave behind textbooks, assignment sheets, to raise awareness of drug and alcohol abuse no. 2 pencils and college-ruled notebooks during Spring Break. in exchange for parties, palm trees, Pink La“The ADAP office…had a lot of informadies, Peach Schnapps, Piña Colada and shots tion on drug and alcohol abuse,” Madden of Patron. said. Before spring break comes, UCO’s CounAlso, questions were answered and genseling Service Alcohol and Drug Prevention eral concerns about student safety were acOffice (ADAP) and Tomorrow’s Alcohol and knowledged, Madden said. Drug Counselor of America (TADCA), hostStudents had the opportunity to learn ed Safe Spring Break event to inform Central about the dangers drugs and alcohol can students about the dangers that exist during pose and what can happen as a result of imSpring Break. paired judgment. “TADCA is a student organization that is “There [was] an automobile that was hit by serving the UCO campus and surrounding a drunken driver in the Edmond area placed
on campus grounds,” Madden said. The car was an actual vehicle= hit by a drunk driver. The ocuppants of the car died. “Statistics [show] that a majority of accidents occur when the victims are under the influence of drugs and alcohol; especially driving fatalities,” Maddon said. Whether staying in the states or traveling abroad, students are being asked to think about the decisions they will be making over spring break. “We hope...they will keep in mind the consequences that can result from abuse of drugs and alcohol and possibly consider alternatives and/or avoid driving when under the influence,” Maddon said. “Domestic violence, date rape, and overdoses are also direct results of drug and alcohol abuse. Most of the time these are unintentional results of intoxication.” “Students should be aware of the dangers of alcohol abuse and realize the consequences of irrational behavior while intoxicated,” he said. While many spring breaks have come and gone the safety event hosted by ADAP is new. “This is the first year that Safe Spring Break has been observed and it is actually a service provided by the UCO Counseling Service Alcohol and Drug Prevention Office (ADAP),” he said. Although, the Safe Spring Break was new this year, the partnership between TADCA and ADAP is not. “TADCA…has always assisted the ADAP in alcohol and drug awareness activities,” Maddon said. The event was free to attend.
According the U.S. government: Over 100,000 Americaa.…several may die, hundreds will be arrested, and still more will make mistakes that could affect them for the rest of their lives. Recent violent attacks have caused the U.S. Embassy to urge U.S. citizens to delay unnecessary travel to parts of Michoacán, Durango, Coahuila and Chihuahua Excessive alcohol consumption and unruly behavior can lead to serious problems with Mexican authorities. Alcohol is involved in the vast majority of arrests, accidents, violent crimes, rapes, and deaths suffered by American students on Spring Break. Disturbing the peace, lewd or indecent behavior, littering, driving under the influence, drinking on the street or on public transportation, using public transportation without payment, or making obscene or insulting remarks are all considered criminal activities by Mexican authorities. The importation, purchase, possession or use of drugs can incur severe penalties, including imprisonment without bail for up to a year before a case is tried, and imprisonment of several years following.
FEATURE
GETTING TO KNOW DR. J. KOLE KLEEMAN PHOTO BY BRYON KOONTZ
Q: A: Q: A:
Q: A: Bio Dr. J. Kole Kleeman
Occupation Mass Communication Professor Number of Current Classes taught
five Has taught at UCO for 15 years
What are your favorite hobbies? Everyone who knows me knows I love hunting. I love to hunt wild boar. They are ugly, mean and taste good but so does venison. I also love music and occasionally get to jam with friends.
Q: A:
What impact do you hope to have on students? I hope I help to cultivate more engaged, ethical citizens. I expect students to take classroom time seriously but also encourage healthy debate. I think our students who go out and work in the media are better prepared to understand trauma, racism, violence and some of the other structural problems and injustices in our society. I am a utopian. I want to help change the system. I think my students will do that.
Why have you chosen to teach on topics such as race and sexual orientation that some say are complex to dissect? They are not complex to dissect. I have always found social injustice and what I call oppression (unjust differential treatment) of others to be repugnant. Whether this concerns physical-violence (hate crimes, lynchings etc.), occupational-financial discrimination, unjust laws against certain groups of people and other forms of mistreatment. It often takes an activist spirit to make change. These areas are very obvious to the oppressed but not to the oppressors. .. Furthermore, my students have very little historical memory of racial and sexual oppression. They do not know who Emmett Louis Till was or what Stonewall or the pink triangle meant symbolically as an event that should never be forgotten and never repeated.
Q: A:
What has been the most powerful moment that has transformed your life? I overcame colon cancer two years ago. I’ve never been sick in my life. [Doctors] found through a colonoscopy a tumor in my colon that hadn’t spread. It was the most painful experience I’ve ever been through.Currently, I am cancer free. My best friend at UCO Professor Doug Getzoff died too young of lung cancer. I think about him everyday. Who has had the biggest influence in your life? I would say my 92 year old friend Dr. Harry Ammon who is a historian and has a very well respected biography on James Monroe. Harry introduced me to the life of learning and elements of taste that has been influential in my life...,my family; who was encouraging of education...and my grandfather who was not educated but was very wise was a strong mentor to me while growing up.
One of Kleeman’s classes is Gays and Lesbians in film/media 1. This course shows students the oppression[of] gay and lesbian people from the Nazi period of about 1933-1945. An estimated 5,000-15,000 gay and lesbian people were sent to concentration camps. Also, student study the firing of professors and government workers under Eisenhower’s Executive Order 10450 and the terrible period of McCarthyism where gays were thought to be communists and subversive. 2. We move from this ideology to how G/L/B/T have been treated by the film industry. Out of 32 films with major homosexual characters from 1961-1976, 13 feature gays who commit suicide and 18 have the homosexual murdered by another character. Students learn a great deal about this muted group they were not aware of...the class is the result of my doctoral dissertation “Strategies and Tactics of Film and Media Visibility in the Gay and Lesbian Liberation Movement: 1948-1995 Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation from Ohio University.
6
NEWS
PHOTO BY HADI INOUYE
P H O T O B Y V I G R G I N I A M AY O
News With a Flash
PHOTO BY LAUREN VICTORIA BURKE
A man wears a headband during a demonstration to mark World Solidarity Day with Tibet in Brussels, Wednesday March 10, 2010.
PHOTO BY ITSUO INOUYE
An Iraqi woman displays her inked finger after casting her vote in the parliamentary elections in Baghdad, Iraq, Sunday, March 7, 2010. Under a blanket of tight security designed to thwart insurgents attacks, Iraqis went to the polls on foot Sunday in an election testing the ability of the country’s still-fragile democracy to move forward at a time of uncertainty over a looming U.S. troop drawdown and still jagged sectarian divisions.
PHOTO BY LOUIS LANZANO
A student who successfully passed the entrance examination for the University of Tokyo gets a congratulatory toss as the results of Japan’s most prestigious university exam is announced at its campus in Tokyo, Japan, Wednesday, March 10, 2010.
P H OTO BY HAT EM M O US S A
June Bent of Westboro, Mass., holds a portrait of fellow pilot and friend Doris Duncan Muise, deceased, who also was also a pilot, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, March 10, 2010, where former members of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, the first women in to fly America’s military aircraft, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
Rapper Lil Wayne is handcuffed at Manhattan criminal court, Monday, March 8, 2010, in New York, after being sentenced to a year in jail in New York City for having a loaded gun on his tour bus in 2007. (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)
Palestinian Hamas supporters take part in a rally to protest against Israel’s addition of two West Bank shrines to a list of Israeli national heritage sites, in Gaza City, Tuesday, March 2, 2010. Israel’s decision last week drew widespread international criticism and heightened Palestinian suspicions of Israel at a time when the U.S. is trying to restart peace talks.
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Teacher Needed Immediately For Edmond Daycare
FT/PT experience preferred. Competitive wages. Apply in person @ 24 NW 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: Studemt Personnel Director 6315 Westover Drive Grandbury TX 76049 or Call 1.800.548.1684 or email: rafain@sbcglobal. net
als to add to our team! Now hiring for both AM and PM Servers Please Apply in person Monday- Thursday between 2 and 4 pm. Charleston’s Edmond 3409 S. Broadway Ste 400 Edmond, OK 73013 (405) 478-4949
Cook Needed
Cook needed for fast paced environment, 15-20 hours per week, experience not necessary, apply in person at 318 East Ayers.
SERVICES
The Language Company: EdAcross mond 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
NO PETS! 1-1/2 blk from UCO. 1107 E. Campbell. NO PETS! $1125/mo, plus deposit. Tenant pays all utilities. 641-0712
1, 2 & 3 BedOlde Florida Payroom Apartment roll Our company has a won- Homes 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 finacial experience. This position provides a variety of member service functions involving cross-selling productsand 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. Cahs 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
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OKLAHOMA FUN FACTS In Bristow, Oklahoma it is against the law to serve water to a customer in a restaurant unless one peanut in a shell is also served. The consequences for this "serious” offence can result in a fine of up to five dollars. Oklahoma has four mountain ranges including the Ouachitas, Arbuckles, Wichitas and the Kiamichis. Facts provided by www.legendsofamerica.com/
Down
1. Slump 7. Lacking in insight 15. Pro Fiitball Hall iof Fame Dave 16. Roomie 17. Fall-blooming herb with showy daisylike flowers 18. Noted the similarities or differences of 19. European capital 20. Box office take 21. Downhill racer 22. Awl for making small holes for brads or screws 24. Bashfully 25. “20/20” network 26. Grassland 27. Its motto is “Industry” 29. Curb, with “in” 31. Commissioned 36. Flabbergast 37. Originally associated with husbandry and crops in Roman mythology 38. 2004 Queen Latifah movie 39. Examinations of stained cells in a cervial smear for uterine aner 41. Narrow wood runners 42. Essen basin 43. Moray, e.g. 45. Clairvoyance, e.g. 46. Dispatch 49. Usurp 51. Brightly colored fish 52. They’re all in the family 54. Cowboy 55. Preposterous 57. Heavyweights 58. Small bombs 59. Only a very short time before 60. Monocle 61. Dabbed
WORD SEARCH
1. Sheaths
2. Beam†of†light generated by a laser 3. Cast out 4. Defeat
5. Some like it hot
6. Over 60 minutes 7. Killer whales 8. Sack
9. Heavy reading? 10. Referee
11. Blockbusters
12. Before the due date 13. Brace
14. Lingerie item 20. Ice mass 23. Fortune 24. Blue 27. Thick-walled tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the urinary†bladder 28. Less verbose 30. Brely avoids failure or disaster 32. Good buddies use them 33. Disassemble 34. Beingness 35. Broke up
40. Morgue, for one 44. Sheath
46. American professional basketball player 47. Silly trick
48. Eastern wrap
49. Bottomless pit 50. Reached
52. Fizzy drink 53. Angers
56. “Dog Day Afternoon” character 57. Cooking meas.
Rearrange the letters in each word to spell something pertaining to St. Patrick’s Day.
LERDNAI ANSWER: Ireland
Hiring for waitstaff, busers, dishwashers, host, bar tender. Apply in person at Northpark Mall (NW 127nd N. May) after 5:30 pm. 7490120
Achievements After All Am And As Axle Be Bloody Bush Certain Chairs Chalk Conservation Cup Deep Dies Dollar Dome Dry Dye Either Elf Era Event Eye Far
Films Fog Fuel Fun Got Hog Hopes If Inn Is Jar Keep Lap Leak Less Lets Met Mind Must Needed Nib No Oak Of Or Over Page
ANSWERS FROM MARCH 9
Pain Pies Pin Plans Rats Rob Row Said Set Sheep Ski So Spit Straw Tax Tea Tend Than Tide Too Toys Vote Web Wine Yawn
7
8
SPORTS
Golf
BENSCH WINS INDIVIDUAL TITLE DESPITE BRONCHOS’ FALTER IN WINDY FINAL ROUND UCO’s women placed third and the Broncho men finished seventh after final round struggles in Wichita Falls, Texas. By Ryan Costello / Staff Writer The men and women of UCO golf failed to capitalize on strong starts at the Midwestern State Invitational early this week, shooting shaky rounds in the contest’s final round in Wichita Falls, Texas on Tuesday. UCO’s women shot a second-round 330 overall to fall back to third place after holding a two-stroke lead following a 321 for the opening day. The men wasted an openinground rally, falling from a fourth-place tie to a final resting place at seventh for the competition. Despite the second-day struggles at a windswept Wichita Falls Country Club, the Bronchos did manage to crown one winner on the greens and fairways of Weeks Park. Sophomore Erica Bensch captured her first collegiate title at the Midwestern State Invitational, tying for first after an opening-round 76 and securing a three-shot victory after shooting a 78 in the second 18 of the 36-hole competition. “Erica played great for 36 holes, and she just continues to get better every week,” UCO coach Michael Bond said to bronchosports. com after the tournament. “I’m really proud of the way she hung in there and maintained her composure today in some really tough conditions.” UCO’s Cassy Knight also had a strong showing, tying for 10th individually. Even with the two strong personal efforts of Bensch and Knight, the Bronchos couldn’t keep pace with a West Texas A&M team that finished first in the 12-team tournament after shooting a red-hot 311 in the second round despite the heavy gusts in Wichita Falls. “As a whole, we just made too many mistakes, but hats off to West Texas,” Bond said. “Shooting 311 the way the wind blew today
was phenomenal.” The Bronchos’ tournament 651 also fell behind the second-day rally of host Midwestern State, who finished just behind West Texas with a 643. UCO’s men were also hampered by the winds in Wichita Falls, following opening-day rounds of 298 and 297 with a dismal 319 in the final 18 holes on Tuesday. Broncho Dillon Rust backed up an openinground 74 on Monday morning with a oneunder-par 70 in the afternoon session. The second day for the redshirt freshman was far more difficult for Rust, as he wrapped up with an 80 to fall back to 14th in the individual competition. In fact, the only Broncho to break 80 in the tough final round was Andrew Green with a 77. “Everybody got off to a terrible start today, and we just couldn’t recover,” UCO coach Dax Johnston said after the Bronchos’ final-round falter. “It’s disappointing we didn’t play any better than that.” The 54-hole men’s competition was dominated by Oklahoma City University, which finished with an 859 total tally – 23 strokes better than second-place finisher Dallas Baptist, and more than half a century better than UCO’s 914. UCO’s women will see their next action on Monday at the Lady Otter Spring Invitational in Seaside, Calif., where they will look to continue their strong play of late. UCO’s women have finished in the top five in five of their six tournaments after their first competition was canceled. The men will return to Texas next week for the Dallas Baptist Invitational on Monday.
UCO’s Cassy Knight eyes down the green. Knight finished 10th individually at the Midwestern State Invitational, and Broncho Erica Bensch took her first collegiate individual title, but stiff winds in Wichita Falls, Texas dropped the Bronchos, the women to third, and the men to fifth.
SPORTS
9
Softball
BRONCHOS BACK ON TRACK WITH SWEEP By Ryan Costello / Staff Writer After starting 6-0 on the year, UCO softball had stumbled to a 9-5 mark, losing five of their last eight games and in need of a momentum boost as they entered Lone Star Conference play. Two Bronchos in particular stepped up in a Wednesday doubleheader against
LSC North rival Northeastern State. In the opener of the midweek double bidding, senior Molly Shivers pitched a six-hit shutout in a 3-0 win over the RiverHawks. In the nightcap, sophomore Brittany Geter walloped her first Broncho big fly through the crisp Tahlequah night air and over the left-field fences at RiverHawk Park.
Geter picked as good a time as any to hit her first career home run: the Broncho half of the seventh inning, giving UCO a 2-1 lead that would stand to be the final margin. UCO coach Genny Stidham knew her team needed to take advantage against the broken-winged RiverHawks, who were dropped to 5-13 in the dual losses. Stidham spoke
with bronchosports.com after the two-game set. “It’s always good to go on the road and win in the conference,” Stidham said. “Both pitchers threw well today, and we did just enough offensively. [Geter] had the big hit today, and it was great to see her come through like that.” The first game, an afternoon
matchup, ended with the Shiver shutout. Early on, however, both teams were struggling to mount a consistent offensive attack. The game was scoreless through the first three innings, and the two teams stranded a total of six runners on the bases before any would cross the plate. The Bronchos changed their fortunes come the fourth inning. Kelsie Deckard, the Bronchos’ most successful offensive player in the early game, drew a walk to open the frame and stole second on the very next at-bat. From there, the Bronchos implemented the small ball game. After Shivers struck out, Rachel Lowery tapped a bunt in front of the pitcher that would advance Deckard to third base, and a RiverHawk throwing error on the same play sent Deckard home to give UCO a 1-0 advantage. The Bronchos would tack on a pair of insurance runs, one in the fifth on Kacie Edwards’ RBI double down the left-field line, and another on Deckard’s RBI single in the top of the seventh. Shivers smothered a final RedHawk rally in the final frame. After an NSU double to open the inning, Shivers sat down the last three batters in order to seal the shutout. In her seven shutout innings, Shiver (6-3) allowed just three walks on top of the six hits and struck out seven NSU hitters. Deckard finished with two hits and a walk in three official at-bats, and added a stolen base and an RBI. Kacie Edwards finished one for four with an RBI double, and Shivers also had a sound offensive game, going two for four with one stolen base. In the second run-in of the twinbill, the Broncho offense was even fewer and further between and was completely personified by the home run. UCO pitcher Rachael Steverson kept the Bronchos in the contest, confounding the NSU lineup throughout, with the top of the second being the only blip on the radar for the RiverHawk offense. That second inning had three hits by NSU, including an RBI single that gave the RiverHawks a 1-0 lead. The NSU advantage wouldn’t last though, as a UCO home run off the bat of Kayce Raines erased the deficit in one full swoop. With the score knotted at one run apiece, Geter stepped up as UCO’s first batter in what would be their final turn at the plate. Geter’s clutch home run put the Bronchos up 2-1, and Steverson handled the rest, retiring three of the four hitters she saw in the final frame with nary a run crossing the plate. Steverson (4-2) earned the win, allowing just one earned run on six hits and three walks. Steverson also registered eight strikeouts in the complete game gem. Geter and Raines powered a UCO offense that managed just four hits in the contest. Geter finished one for three, and Raines had one hit in four at bats. Both hit their first big flies of the season. Deckard also had a stolen base in the nightcap. The doubleheader sweep propelled UCO to a season record of 11-5, with an untarnished 2-0 mark in the LSC. The Bronchos will meet the RiverHawks again in a doubleheader on Saturday, their next action in Edmond.
Vista Writer Ryan Costello can be reached at rcostello@uco360.com.
10
SPORTS
Hockey
BRONCHOS FALL SHORT IN SEMIFINAL By Chris Wescott / Sports Editor A fast start by the defending national champions, and a lack of scoring output proved too much for the No. 10 Bronchos. UCO had been labeled the Cinderella story of the tournament. It was a feel-good tale of how a team, just four years removed from being made from scratch, made it further than anyone would have thought. It was a tale of how a team, labeled bluecollar and hardworking but having little to no all-world talent, shocked the national scene, beating No. 7 OU in double overtime, then coming back from behind to beat a No. 2 Penn State team in overtime. It was a tale of a team, that just a few weeks ago, wasn’t even in the tournament and had to fight to get there. Finally it was a tale of homecoming, where 14 of the players on the team were going back to their birth state to play for a title. Some stories are too good to be true. No. 1 Lindenwood shut out the fairy tale No. 10 Bronchos 4-0. The No. 1 Lions stormed out to a 3-0 lead in the first period. Their flurry of shots overshadowed the lack of shots by the Bronchos by a mile. Lindenwood shot the puck 24 times in the first period to UCO’s three. The Lions scored with 16:01 remaining in the period, then scored two power-play goals within four minutes of each other to take their commanding lead. The Lions seemed to be skating circles around the Bronchos, who had no answers for the speed of the Lions. “They’re fast, they’re big, they’re physical,” senior captain AJ Alfrey said. “They are really skilled. We had to play a perfect game to beat them.” Sadly for the Bronchos, they did not play a perfect game. UCO played much better hockey in the second period, limiting Lindenwood to just one goal, and outshooting the Lions 11-9. However, they could not put the puck in net. The third period went much of the same way. UCO had the bulk of shots, and pressure, but could not transition that into a score. That is how the game would end, in a 4-0 Lion victory. Being knocked out of the semifinals can be a disappointing affair. However, if you look
PHOTO PROVIDED
UCO faced off against defending national champions and No.1 Lindenwood in the ACHA Division I Hockey Semifinals on Tuesday in Chicago, Ill. The Bronchos were eliminated after being shut out by the Lions, 4-0.
UCO’s Alex Jackson prowls the ice at the ACHA Dvision I Tournament in Chicago, Ill. The Bronchos were defeated 4-0 in the semifinal round against Lindenwood Tuesday after riding a Cinderalla run through the first two rounds.
at what the Bronchos have done this season, including the playoffs, it’s inspiring. “We weren’t even supposed to make the tournament,” latecomer and newcomer to the Bronchos, JM Biron, said. “When I joined the team in January it was a long shot for us to make the tournament. We had to win some
really big games on the road.” When asked about the Cinderella story label, Alfrey said he doesn’t agree with that. “I don’t think it’s Cinderella,” Alfrey said. “Because we beat the top teams. We beat No. 2, No. 5. We’ve beat all the top teams we have played.”
Losing in the semifinals was sad for the Bronchos, yet the sadder part is knowing it is the last time the nine seniors will ever step on to the ice and play in a Broncho uniform. “I’m proud to have played with the nine seniors this year,” junior Jonathan Cannizzo said. “I hope that next year, I am half the man, the leader and have half the work ethic that those guys showed this year. They are the start of the program, and I can’t explain to you how much pride I have to say that I have played with those nine guys.” After the loss to Lindenwood, the team didn’t want to leave the ice. The emotional roller coaster of a year was coming to a close, and it was finally hitting them. The Bronchos huddled up one last time in the locker room. One last time as a team, and a family. “I love them,” goaltender Justin Sgro said about his fellow seniors. “I had a great time with them for the past four years. We did something special this year.” Something special is an understatement. What head coach Craig McAlister has done just four years into the program is nothing short of amazing. Four years in, the Bronchos not only finished the regular season ranked top 10, but they made their second consecutive tournament appearance. Nobody expected the Bronchos to get past the first round. There was a stigma that UCO couldn’t beat OU. They wiped that away. Nobody expected them to beat No. 2 Penn State. Yet, they battled a full 60 minutes and beyond, coming back, going to overtime and defeating PSU 2-1. Central Oklahoma have done something the Sooners could not. UCO became the first team from Oklahoma to make it past the quarterfinals. OU has had twice as long to accomplish what McAlister and company have done in just four seasons. So to all you seniors, all nine of the Bronchos men who will be hanging up the skates when it comes to college hockey, well done, good luck and may you find comfort in the fact you helped build something special. Something that has and will continue to grow as a part of campus life and UCO itself. CinVista Sports Editor Chris Wescott can be reached at cwescott@uco360.com.
Tennis
By Ryan Costello / Staff Writer After starting 0-1 thanks to a 7-0 rout by the hands of the Oklahoma State Cowgirls in the season opener, No. 26 UCO tennis have rattled off seven straight wins. The latest triumph in the streak came on Wednesday in thrilling fashion against Lone Star Conference rival Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas. After the doubles round saw UCO’s teams fall twice in three matches, the Bronchos faced an early 2-1 deficit. UCO’s Anto Rossini and Rose Cabato represented the only Broncho team to take a win in doubles, downing their opponent by a final tally of 8-5 and giving UCO a desperately needed point to stay within arm’s reach of MSU. In the opening match of singles play, UCO’s Alex Odell-Michels fell 6-0, 6-4 to MSU’s Julia Shviadok, again putting the Bronchos in a two-point hole at 3-1. UCO’s Eli Abramovic defeated Leah Roberts in straight sets 6-4, 6-3 in the following match, pulling the Bronchos to within striking distance at 3-2. After MSU’s Monika Graff took down Rossini in back-to-back 6-2 sets, UCO fell behind by two once again, staring dead at a 4-2 mountain with only three remaining sets to climb it. Fortunately for the Bronchos, it was when they were left with no room for error that they began to turn the tides. The next two sets ended in wins by UCO’s Lacy Caldwell and Virginie Rodriguez, who were previously defeated in the doubles
P H OTO BY VIS TA A R CHIV E S
UCO EXTENDS STREAK TO SEVEN WITH WIN
UCO’s Lacy Caldwell rears back for a forehand volley. Caldwell and the Bronchos overcame a two-point deficit when they defeated the Mustangs of Midwestern State University. UCO is riding a seven-game win streak since losing their season opener.
round but stepped up in singles to tie the overall match at four points apiece. The Broncho rally set up a crucial, decisive final match between Cabato and MSU’s Ashley Huse. Cabato bested Huse in the first set 6-3. Huse tried to regroup, but Cabato buckled down on the reeling Mustang, shutting her opponent out 6-0 to secure the final set. The comeback win was UCO’s second consecutive 5-4 nail-biter.
After the game, UCO head coach Natalya Smith said fatigue may have played a factor in MSU, who entered the contest ranked 38th with a 6-3 record, being able to give UCO everything they could handle. “I think Midwestern played really good, and we were fighting a little bit of fatigue, but I was proud of my girls for stepping up in the singles matches,” Smith said. The Bronchos, who played a pair of matches in Dallas, Texas this weekend, notched
their first LSC win when they downed the Mustangs. “It’s good to get that first conference win, and we’re going to keep working hard,” Smith said. UCO now touts a strong 7-1 record overall to go with a 1-0 mark in the LSC. The Bronchos will have some time to rest before they get a chance to extend their win streak when they travel to Denver, Colo., March 18.