The Vista March 23, 2010

Campus Quotes

Oklahoma State Legislation

Basketball

MAR 23, 2010

Baseball

What do you hope to accom- House Bill 3015 passed the Men’s basketball is done for Bronchos win a doublheader plish during the last half of house with a 95-0 vote. the season. split against the Angelo State the semester?

The bill promotes local and Rams on Saturday. healthy food.

uco360.com twitter.com/uco360

THE VISTA

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA’S students voice since 1903.

Protest

Campus Economy

PROTESTS BY UCO STUDENTS HELP PASS ACT

POSTGRAD ENROLLMENT INCREASE, JOBS DECREASE

By Tiffany Brown / Staff Writer The Oklahoma Hold Out has ceased. The Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act, S.1067, passed after a compromise in Senate was reached.

The Ugandan legislation would help to end what has become known as Africa’s longest-running conflict. It would help bring aid and stability to the region. Nearly 90 percent of residents in Uganda and from surrounding regions have been displaced due to the conflict between the government and the Lord’s Resistance Army, a rebel group.

At least 50 people camped day and night outside of Coburn’s office in the Chase Tower downtown to get him to lift his hold on Senate Bill 1067. Many of the activists were from other states. On some days, more than 50 individuals protested. Activists protested for 262 hours or nearly 11 days. Also, 13,820 signed the online petition for the bill to pass.

While University of Central Oklahoma students protested along with activists from organizations such as Resolve Uganda and Invisible Children, Coburn spoke with representatives who helped organize the protest. On March 9, He agreed to allow the bill to go to the Senate floor, but not without stipulations.

Coburn prevented the legislation from being passed based on a stipulation in the bill that would authorize the United States government to give at least $40 million to rebuild Uganda.

According to Coburn’s representatives, he did not object to the bill, rather the $40 million in new funds it would require.

As recent as February 2010, President Barack Obama reinstated the pay as you go (PAYGO) law, similar to the first PAYGO law enacted by the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 under George H.W. Bush.

Under the first PAYGO law, the U.S. experienced a surplus of federal funds up to 1997. However, the law expired in 2002.

In 2006, Congress reinstated similar policies and budget resolutions until the new legislation was passed in February.

PAYGO requires spending increases to be paid for by either an increase in taxes or by mandatory spending cuts from other programs.

Coburn lifted his hold after a compromise was reached. According to his representatives his stance did not change, rather his stipulations for the bill to pass was met.

Any money spent on this legislation – if passed into law – must come from the existing budget or spending cuts. It may not come from new spending expenditures.

All parties agreed to amend the legislation to follow the above stipulations.

On March 10, the LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act passed the Senate. The legislation was received in the House of Representatives on March 11.

Coburn was the only Senator who blocked the legislation from being heard on the Senate floor. Activist celebrated the milestone and are now turning their attention to the House.

The legislation must pass the Foreign Affairs Committee before it can be voted on by representatives.

TODAY

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The average per hour cost for a resident graduate student is just $164 at UCO, compared to $224 at Oklahoma University and $208 at Oklahoma State University,

By Ryan Costello / Staff Writer As the postgraduation job market picture grows increasingly grim, more and more students are returning to school to improve on their educational pedigree, and the University of Central Oklahoma has been riding the same upward trend.

UCO is among the country’s schools that saw a significant increase in first time postgraduate enrollment, including a 6 percent increase nationwide and a nearly 13 percent swell on the Broncho campus over last spring.

Further exemplifying the expanded national interest of students’ bettering their education is the growing popularity of grad school aptitude tests.

When the Educational Testing Service

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DID YOU KNOW? For every 100 gallons of gasoline burned, 230 pounds of carbon monoxide are produced.

compiled its data for 2009, it noted a record number of applicants for its Graduate Record Examinations. The GRE’s worldwide registrations topped 675,000 last year, a 9 percent increase over the previous year. The GMAT, or Graduate Management Admissions Test, also saw a 1 percent increase.

The GMAT and GRE are two of the most common tests that graduate programs use to measure the potential of applicants, and are often required for consideration, much like an ACT for postgraduates.

Richard Bernard, dean of the Jackson College of Graduate Studies at UCO, thinks one of the primary contributing factors to the expanded group of students who are mulling graduate school

Continued on page 4

Internet

CENTRAL FACULTY RATES 10 OF 25

By Jenefar DeLeon / Staff Writer

TOMORROW

The unemployment rate among college graduates in 2009 doubled from the prior year to 4.3 percent, or almost two million grads that were out of work.

The GRE’s worldwide registrations topped 675,000 last year, a 9 percent increase over the previous year. The GMAT, or Graduate Management Admissions Test, also saw a 1 percent increase.

is the state of the national economy.

“I do think that [more students are considering graduate school]. One reason of course is the nature of the economy, and another is us making known the opportunities we have at UCO,” Bernard said.

Among the unsettling statistics that may be behind the trend is the unemployment rate among college graduates.

The unemployment rate among college graduates in 2009 doubled from the prior year to 4.3 percent, or almost two million grads that were out of work according to an August 2009 article by CBS News.

To make matters even worse, the National Association of Colleges and Employers estimated that companies would hire 22 percent fewer graduating seniors in 2009 than in 2008.

There is, however, another caveat to consider for graduating college seniors.

A 2008 study conducted by CareerBuilder and Salary Expert Research posed the question, “Is the earning power of a postgraduation degree worth the cost?” If the results were any indication, then it may well be.

The average cost of graduate school nationwide sits between $10,000 and $15,000 for in-state students at a public university.

While the costs of postgraduate work have grown nearly 60 percent in recent years according to about.com, the benefits, say the CareerBuilder study, far outgrow the initial investment.

The research surveyed recent graduates with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in 18 different majors. Though some of the results were less notable, such as psychology and sociology, where a master’s degree holder earned less than $2,000 more per year than bachelor graduates, there were others that saw substantial annual gains.

University of Central Oklahoma ranks No. 10 out of the top 25 universities with the highest rated faculties for 2009-2010 in the recent annual review by RateMyProfessors.com Each year, http://ratemyprofessors.com generates more than 6,500 schools, one million professors and 10 million opinions. The site uses a five-point Likert scale and binary scoring system for students to rate professors.

It is owned and operated by MTV’s college network mtvU. It was built for college students, by college students. The site is studentgenerated and is the internet’s largest site for collegiate professor rating since 1999. The Web site includes schools in the United States, England, Wales and Scotland.

Southeastern Louisiana University was ranked No. 1 on the list.

Dr. LaDonna Atkins, associate professor for Human Environmental Science, received the highest overall rating among Central’s faculties.

“I am glad to hear students enjoy my classes,” she said. “I want learning to be exciting and interesting.”

Although Atkins does not access the Web site herself, she does take comments from her students seriously and hopes it will help improve her classes as a result.

Comments from students included things such as, “Highly recommended for any class she teaches,” “Made me want to change my major to this,” and “She really loves what she does, and that helped.”

As an alumna to Central, she hopes to continue to share her passion to her students and hopes it shows by her lessons.

“I always tell my students, I remember what it was like to be a student, so ask me questions, and get clarification about projects or assignments,” Atkins said. “I enjoy the UCO people. Everyone here from the students to the staff make this a great place to work.”

Atkins is from Bartlesville, Okla., and enjoys spending time with her two children.

“I have a 6- and 11-year-old, so I am always catching bugs or baseballs,” she said.

Atkins said her family was supportive and excited, although they may not fully understand what the Web site means.

“I am sure my kids would say ‘go momma, go momma,’” she said.

PHOTO BY BYRON KOONTZ

WEATHER

UCO is part of a nationwide trend that has seen an increase in post graduate student enrollment. Nationwide there has been a 6 percent increase in postgrad students, but UCO is above average with a 13 percent increase.

Dr. LaDonna Atkins, associate professor for Human Environmental Science, received the highest overal rating among UCO’s faculty on rate my professor.com.

OPINION

2

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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

Editorial

‘‘

A JUSTIFIABLE $34 CUP OF JAVA

There’s a justice in overdraft protection fees: Those who are careless in their spending pay penalties that support banking services for the rest of the population, services such as free checking.

But where’s the justice in allowing someone who doesn’t have enough money to buy that $4 cup of coffee to put it on his debit card anyway?

The Federal Reserve wants to rein in that kind of spending/fee structure. Beginning July 1, banks will not be allowed to charge overdraft fees without first getting permission from customers. It’s not clear who would choose to be charged $30 extra for the privilege of overdrawing his account to buy something he can’t afford. But there are plenty of Americans who are happy to have that kind of buying power.

Bank of America has announced that this summer, it simply will no longer allow debit card purchases to go through if there isn’t enough money in the account. The transaction would be rejected, as it should be.

Such policies might force only a small change in consumer habits, but a small step toward sanity is a positive sign.

The downside of this is that bank customers who have grown used to the benefits — thanks to the minority of customers responsible for the vast majority of overdrafts — might find themselves paying a little more for bank services.

Likely, banks still will compete for the good customers.

Here’s hoping that responsible consumers can be rewarded for their behavior.

‘

STAFF

By Prakriti Adhikari/ Cartoonist

CAMPUS QUOTES

What do you hope to accomplish during the last half of the semester?

DUMONT TRIGGS

SHANE WILLIS

ANTONIA FONUNYAM

Advertising - Freshman

Public Relations - Senior

Pharmacy - Freshman

“Pass my classes because I am on academic probation and if I score less than a 2.1, I will get kicked out.”

“Get my credits lined out for next year. ... Survive.”

“Validate all of my courses.”

ASHLEY NOLES

JOHNATHON BOX

MANA ALYAMI

Special Education - Sophomore

Psychology – Freshman

International Business – Freshman

Have any goals you want accomplish by the end of the semester?

Let us know at twitter.com/uco360.

“Win the Lone Star Conference in softball.”

“Get a job.”

“Get all A’s in my class so I can go back to Saudi Arabia.”

NEWS

3

International

INTERNATIONAL OFFICE ADVISERS MAKE UCO STUDENTS FEEL AT HOME

The International Office Advisers and staff help students from all over the world feel comfortable in a foreign land. Advisers work with international students to assist them with academic as well as personal issues. UCO is home to more than 1,000 internatinal students.

By Chantal Robatteux / Contributing Writer The international students at UCO wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the International Office and its advisers.

There are several positions in the International Office that make the cultural exchange at UCO possible and memorable.

Dennis Dunham, the executive director of International Affairs who has been working here since four years ago, said he has been involved in international education almost 30 years now. He was first involved overseas in a program called Peace Corps, which is an American government program that sends volunteers overseas.

“I was sent to Korea, learned to speak Korean and to teach English as a second language,” Dunham said. “I became very, very interested in second language learning. I got my master’s degree in TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) and my Ph.D. in educational psychology, but I first started as the director of ELS in Korea and Oklahoma City.”

He then was hired by Oklahoma City University as the vice president for International Programs and had that position for about 15 years, and then the position at UCO opened up. “I was so happy to have this position because I was very interested in moving to a large university, so that was perfect,” he said.

Dunham does not have international roots, but he does have a sense of adventure. “When I first went overseas, I discovered that I really loved it and decided to make this my career.”

The Centre for Global Competency is the program where American students are sent overseas. “The rest of my office brings students from other countries here; the Centre for Global Competency takes students here and sends them overseas,” he said.

This gives American students more international opportunities. “I’d like to think that my job is to really promote international awareness and help the community of the University of Central Oklahoma take advantage and harvest the many, many international opportunities we have right here on campus,” Dunham said.

With working in the International Office, one also gets to travel. “I travel all over. I’ve traveled to every continent except Australia, and I guess the Antarctic and such, but I travel a lot, mostly to Asia.”

Sometimes, there is also a little bit of sightseeing possible on these travels. “Sometimes I go on trips and don’t do any sightseeing,” he said. “Occasionally I’ll do a little sightseeing.

Mostly it’s business. If I’m over there two weeks, probably 13 days is gonna be business.”

On his last trip to Kenya, he was talking to prospective students coming to UCO. “Our representative said she had a little surprise for me, and I was with my staff member Aaron, Aaron Wheelbarger, and so we got into a van and we drove for two hours,” he said. Finally they came to a lake and life jackets were put on. “We drove around the lake and found about 20 hippopotamuses, so that was very memorable. This was a recent memory. But I just enjoyed so much the hippopotamuses diving and jumping in the water,” he remembered. “But most of my memorable experiences are just with people. The kinds of questions they ask, the humor that they have.”

Dunham also added he has had wonderful experiences with people who were just being nice to him. He just got back from England. “We were hosted by a museum where our students have the opportunity to do research and study,” Dunham said.

“They treated us so well and allowed us to go behind the museum and touch the artifacts, and it was just really a wonderful experience.”

Speaking another language besides English is not a requirement to work in the International Office, but Dunham speaks Korean and has been studying French for two years. It has been helpful for him.

“I’ve done a lot of work in Korea, and developed a lot of relationships, and people are very pleased to see an American

speak their language,” Dunham said. “I have found that French is a very useful language. So many people speak French, and Korean has been wonderful, and I love to speak it, but there’s not many people that speak it in the world, whereas French is just a wonderful language for communicating with people in various places.”

Dunham said the one thing the office tries to do is to have people become globally aware.

“This office brings, I think, more than anybody, the community, the international community, the Oklahoma City community, faculty, staff, and students together for events to learn about things which build international awareness,” he said.

“One of these is April 20; we are going to celebrate the secondyear anniversary of the Centre for Global Competency.”

This will be a concert in connection with the UCO Chamber Orchestra.

There are several positions in the International Office, such as admission advisers, immigration advisers, a study abroad adviser, a receptionist who also assists with office management, and an administrative assistant. Nearly all positions require bachelor’s degrees, but the assistant director position requires a master’s degree.

Aaron Wheelbarger is an International Admissions adviser and has been here for six years.

He has done some study abroad and volunteer work to teach

-For the fall 2009 semester, 1,041 students from 93 countries across the globe enrolled at the University of Central Oklahoma.

-Nepal has the most international students enrolled at UCO with 123.

-There are 25 international students who are the only students from their respective countries.

English as a second language to students, and that’s when it got his interest to really start to work with international students.

“Most of my traveling is Southeast Asia sections or Africa, I normally go once a year, sometimes once a semester,” Wheelbarger said.

When overseas, he normally does seminars about the university, delegates with partners, and trains them to make sure what is presented to students is correct, as far as admission purposes.

“We also help students comprehend the financial aspects of what it will cost them to come to the U.S. and also go to local universities and colleges to talk with faculty and students there,” Wheelbarger said.

The most memorable experience Wheelbarger has had was on his first travels for the university to Southeast Asia.

“We went to Vietnam, and in Vietnam, we were in an auditorium of about, oh, I would say 300-400 students, and after we had talked about the university, the faculty and students wanted myself, and I was along with Timothy, Timothy Kok. They wanted us to sing a song. So I had to sing a song in front of 300-400 students.”

He didn’t remember which song it was, but it had to be an American one. “Timothy started actually just playing the guitar. I knew what song he was playing, so I sang while he played,” Wheelbarger said. “They loved it; they clapped and were all happy. So that was quite a memorable trip.”

“We try to represent the university well.”

Wheelbarger said he isn’t fluent in any other language be-

sides English. “I can somewhat speak what’s called Bahasa (Indonesia) but mostly just English.”

Jay Shacklett, also one of the International Admissions advisers, has been working in the International Office for a little more than four years.

He graduated from UCO about five years ago with an M.B.A. and liked and appreciates UCO, so he thought working here would be a great experience for him. When the opening came up, he applied and was fortunate enough to get it.

“My mom is 100 percent Macedonian, born and raised in Canada, so I’m half Macedonian-Canadian, and the other half is my father’s side which is American mutt. French, English, Cherokee Indian, and who knows what else is tossed in.”

Shacklett didn’t have any experience as an actual adviser, but he had a fair amount of intercultural international experience from having studied intercultural studies as an undergraduate student and having traveled quite a bit over a few years before taking this job.

“We (admissions advisers) basically assist students from the time we first meet them, or they inquire of us,” he said.

“We work with them, help them with the application process, bring them in.” Once they are here, the advisers work with the international students to help them adjust, help them with general academic issues, nonacademic issues, personal issues, and extracurricular activities.

Shacklett also has done some traveling. He went to the Netherlands, Greece, Bulgaria, Moldova, India, Nepal, South Korea and Taiwan.

He travels to recruit new students. “We can use some vacation time when we are over there, but pretty much the rest of the time involves the tasks, like recruiting, or meeting with partners and contacts over there.”

Shacklett enjoys interacting with the students. “I must say that the best part of this job would be working directly with the students, you know, counseling them, having some good long talks about life and issues outside of the classroom, just helping them adjust to life here and just encouraging them to overcome hurdles.”

Glenn Freeman is also one of the international student advisers and has been working here almost 11 years. “I was working in the private sector when I applied here, and really wanted to get into working at a university,” he said. “I missed the environment of students.”

Freeman is a dual citizen – he is French-American.

“I was born in the U.S. of a French family, and lived in Fort Sill, which is a military installation where there were internationals all around me,” Freeman said. “I’m the last of 10 children, and none of them spoke English when they came to the United States. I was born very shortly afterwards, so I grew up in an international family.”

His position does require at least a bachelor’s degree. There’s no specification as to which field, but you do have to have a background that has exposure to internationals either through cultural relations or travel or foreign language studies.

“I advise international students in an array of areas,” he said. “Part of it is advising them on immigration regulations and benefits, part of it is advising them on cultural adaptation, part of it is advising them on academics.” Then there is also the other end, which consists of reporting to immigration on student enrollment, the student grades, changes of status, employment applications and so forth.

Freeman has traveled to 47 different countries, such as the Ukraine, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Czech Republic, Switzerland, France and Morocco. He also travels frequently to Washington, D.C., and other places, not just with the job.

“I also have a position of being chair-elect for the National Association of Foreign Student Advisers for our region, which is Region III,” he said. “I used to recruit international students.

Now most of my travels are associated with NAFSA, and NAFSA travels are basically to promote international education throughout the world.”

Freeman thinks it is important that when there is an opportunity to visit another country, that some time is taken to learn some of the culture of the country, the language, and the architecture. “It helps us to enhance our understanding of the world.”

He speaks French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, Latin and English.

“I decided to learn other languages because I grew up in a family that was bilingual,” Freeman said. “Being able to speak to students in their own language, even if they have a very good level of English proficiency, is comforting to them at times when they might need comforting.”

He also has one incident from working in the International Office that he still remembers; it’s about a student from Bangladesh who had been mugged and beaten with a baseball bat.

The student was in a coma for several months.

“When he came out of the coma, he was very physically incapacitated and injured,” Freeman said. He ended up being sent back home. “He stayed home for about six months, and he came back and was still very frail and still very fragile, so he was going through a lot of physical therapy but was able to resume his classes. He finally graduated and got his OPT. The company that he worked for sponsored him for an H visa. He was approved the H visa.”

The Bangladesh student just recently got married to a U.S. citizen and has now been approved as a permanent resident.

“It’s those types of stories of students who have gone through hard times and have been successful that make this job so rewarding.”

Freeman said he loves his job. “I’m glad I have a salary, but I would do it for free.”

4

NEWS

Dance

Ucommute

PHOTO PROVIDED BY PHOTO SERVICES

DANCE COMPANY KICKS UCO HOSTS FAIR FOR OFF “SOLEMN OPUS” OFF-CAMPUS HOMES

The Kaleidoscope Dance Company performs an ecletic array of dances, including hip-hop, modern, jazz and ballet during a concert held in November 2009. The Kaleidoscope Dancers scheduled to perform in Mitchell Hall later this week.

By Jenefar DeLeon / Staff Writer The University of Central Oklahoma’s Kaleidoscope Dance Company will perform modern and contemporary dances to music by Beyonce, Gorillaz and many more at its spring concert on March 25-27 at Mitchell Hall Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

This year the performance will include challenging contemporary ballet and variety of dances including jazz, hip-hop, modern, African, and flamenco, as well as the contemporary ballet “Solemn Opus: The Journey of Lost and Found.”

The “Solemn Opus: The Journey of Lost and Found” was instructed and choreographed by UCO guest dance instructor David Justin.

Justin is an assistant professor of dance at the University of Texas at Austin and former soloist with the San Francisco and Boston ballets.

“Solemn Opus” has won positive reviews from critics and has even been performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and on stages across the world; it will be performed by five UCO Kaleidoscope dancers.

Other dances will be choreographed by UCO dance faculty members as well as with UCO graduating senior Melissa Kendall.

Her dance is based on the Greek myth of sirens, half-women and half-bird creatures that would lure sailors to their land by their beauty and voices. The performance will be called “Will You Choose to Listen?” It will be

a modern and contemporary dance. Kendall’s dance will also be performed in April at the American College Dance Festival in Louisiana.

Tina Kambour, assistant chair of the UCO Department of Dance choreographed “Scattering of Memories.” It is a modern dance inspired by her movement classes taught at an Alzheimer’s day center in Norman.

During the performance, a solo dancer will perform among items of clothing that will be hanging from the stage ceiling, including a wedding dress she repeatedly returns to.

A choreographed jazz piece by Hui ChaPoos, a UCO dance instructor, will be performed by eight graduating seniors.

The performance starts off slow and sensual to “Paradise Circus,” by Massive Attack, then the performance becomes energetic as the music changes to “White Light,” by the Gorillaz.

Also, UCO dancers will be performing to Beyonce’s “Halo” hit. The dance is a mix of contemporary and hip-hop movements.

Following the spring concert, the dance company will have dance and scholarship auditions on Saturday, March 27 from 1-5 p.m. in the UCO Health and Physical Education Building. For more information, contact Jaime Jacobson, UCO Dance Department chair at 405-974-5231.

Spring concert tickets are $14 for adults, $10 for seniors, UCO faculty and non-UCO students, and $4 for UCO students. For tickets, call the Mitchell Hall box office at 405974-3375.

Campus Economy continued from page 1

Graduates who earned a master’s degree in physical sciences earned an average of more than $38,000 per year over graduates with a bachelor’s.

Bernard points at the national statistics as a clear indicator of the advantages of postgraduation schoolwork.

“The stats certainly tell you that [master’s degree’s offer more earning power], and in some fields it’s absolutely true. … On the overall, the better one gets prepared through education, the better off they’ll be,” Bernard said.

V Do the right thing, recycle this issue of The Vista.

Go Green!

At UCO, where the average per hour cost for a resident graduate student is just $164, compared to $224 at Oklahoma University and $208 at Oklahoma State University, Bernard believes that the costs for graduate school are well worth the potential payoff.

“UCO’s tuition costs are among the lowest in the nation, and I know for a fact that the quality of education here is very high, and we have a faculty that’s very engaged,” Bernard said.

By Prashanti Ganesh & Anuj Srivas / Staff Writers The Office of Commuter Student Services and UCOMMUTE Council will host the third edition of the annual Commuter Student Housing & Living Fair 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on March 24. Around 40 vendors from Edmond and the Oklahoma City Metro are expected to set up stalls around Broncho Lake.

Apartments, property management groups and off-campus businesses are the chief vendors and will hand out information and giveaways to promote their properties. “This fair is expected to help students who are moving off campus or are currently living off campus,” Nathan Box, coordinator of Commuter Student Services, said.

A few of the apartments that are going to promote at the fair are Cottages at Northern Hills, Spring Creek of Edmond, Summit Groves, Villas at Stonebridge, Fountain Lake, and The Links at Oklahoma City.

The fair is organized to help students with making better choices about living off campus. The property management groups will help the students with such decisions by explaining the various options available in the markets.

This fair is designed to help students make better decisions by telling them what the safest options are available to them near campus that are within their budgetary concerns. The fair intends to help students to find a place to live in a secure society that they can call home.

“Live on campus, and you are more likely to get connected to all things Central, but choosing to live off campus is a big switch in the level of responsibility,” Box explained. “Our office doesn’t exist to tell students to live off

“Live on campus, and you are more likely to get connected to all things Central...”

campus. We exist to help them make wise decisions and as a resource to reconnect with the campus community.”

The Office of Commuter Student Services contacted the vendors to be a part of this fair and have set up two vendors in each tent with about 12 tents overall. With around 1,100 students attending the fair last year, the organizers are hoping to have a better turnout this year. They also informed that in case of rough weather, the fair will be moved to the Nigh University Center Ballrooms.

To help the students get the entire package, UCOMMUTE also helps them with other aspects of living off campus, like commuter meal plans, traffic and weather, mass transportation, parking, campus maps and more.

On the day of the fair, an annually published Off-Campus Housing Guide will be handed out that lists the various apartment options in Edmond and northern Oklahoma City. The guide will also contain other information, like UCO and Edmond contact details, service information, how to read a lease, and how to manage repairs around the house.

Scholarship

CITIZENS BANK AWARDS SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS

By Jenefar DeLeon / Staff Writer Two UCO students receive the spring 2010 Citizens Bank of Edmond scholarship.

Citizens Bank of Edmond partnered with UCO to promote higher education by offering the UCO Continuing Student Scholarship. The scholarship was first established in 2005 and is given to two deserving UCO students each spring. This year an estimated 70 students applied for the scholarship. It is available for both freshman levels to graduate level.

“I enjoy being part of this program that encourage students to continue their education,” Lee Cantrell, UCO bank manager said.

“As a recent graduate myself, I know the feeling and I enjoy having the opportunity to helping others.”

This spring the award was given to Adam Worden and Arturo Federico. Each received $500.

“These two recipients showed much what we value at Citizens Bank,” Cantrell said.

“They showed community involvement either at UCO campus or at their community as well as academic excellence.”

Worden is an English major and spends his time involved in campus activities including the UCO Chess and Games Club. Worden

hopes to obtain a Ph.D. and become a professor at a university or college or receive a master’s in library science and become a librarian for a university.

Federico is a biology major and plans to attend medical school. He is also involved in the community. He serves as a volunteer and mentor for Fillmore Elementary School and serves as a youth leader for his church, Crossings Comunidad Cristiana. He was recently accepted into the McNair Scholars Program.

The program supports students who are seeking to enter the medical field.

Citizens Bank of Edmond is proud to present scholarships to these two UCO students for their efforts to excel academically and involvement in their communities.

Cantrell said both students were grateful and excited when they first heard the news.

“We welcome students to stop our by offices if they have any questions about the scholarship or about our services, we are here to help,” Cantrell said.

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

Historic Health Care Reform

NEWS

5

How Could Health Bill Affect You?

to be insured or else pay a fine, which takes effect in 2014.

There is an exemption for low-income people.

INSURANCE MARKET REFORMS: Starting this year, insurers would be forbidden from placing lifetime dollar limits on policies, from denying coverage to children because of pre-existing conditions, and from canceling policies because someone gets sick. Parents would be able to keep older kids on their coverage up to age 26.

A new high-risk pool would offer coverage to uninsured people with medical problems until 2014, when the coverage expansion goes into high gear.

Major consumer safeguards would also take effect in 2014.

Insurers would be prohibited from denying coverage to people with medical problems or charging them more.

Insurers could not charge women more.

President Barack Obama makes a statement to the nation Sunday night following the final vote in the House of Representatives for comprehensive health care legislation, in the East Room of the White House in Washington, March 21, 2010. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Associated Press Congress approved a major overhaul of the nation’s health care system for President Barack Obama’s signature. Here are some of the features of the legislation.

HOW MANY COVERED: 32 million uninsured. Major coverage expansion begins in 2014. When fully phased in, 95 percent of eligible Americans would have coverage, compared with 83 percent today.

COST: $940 billion over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

INSURANCE MANDATE: Almost everyone is required

MEDICAID: Expands the federal-state Medicaid insurance program for the poor to cover people with incomes up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level, $29,327 a year for a family of four. Childless adults would be covered for the first time, starting in 2014. The federal government would pay 100 percent of costs for covering newly eligible individuals through 2016. If the Senate approves a package of changes this week, a special deal that would have given Nebraska 100 percent federal financing for newly eligible Medicaid recipients in perpetuity would be eliminated.

A different, one-time deal negotiated by Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu for her state, Louisiana, worth as much as $300 million, remains.

TAXES: To make up for the lost revenue, the bill applies an increased Medicare payroll tax to the investment income and to the wages of individuals making more than $200,000, or married couples above $250,000. The tax on investment income would be 3.8 percent. If the Senate follows through, it would impose a 40 percent tax on highcost insurance plans above the threshold of $10,200 for individuals and $27,500 for families. The tax would go into effect in 2018.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: Gradually closes the “doughnut hole” coverage gap in the Medicare prescription drug benefit that seniors fall into once they have spent $2,830.

Seniors who hit the gap this year will receive a $250 rebate.

Beginning in 2011, seniors in the gap receive a discount on brand name drugs, initially 50 percent off. When the gap is

completely eliminated in 2020, seniors will still be responsible for 25 percent of the cost of their medications until Medicare’s catastrophic coverage kicks in.

EMPLOYER RESPONSIBILITY: Employers are hit with a fee if the government subsidizes their workers’ coverage. The $2,000-per-employee fee would be assessed on the company’s entire work force, minus an allowance.

Companies with 50 or fewer workers are exempt from the requirement. Part-time workers are included in the calculations, counting two part-timers as one full-time worker.

SUBSIDIES: The aid is available on a sliding scale for households making up to four times the federal poverty level, $88,200 for a family of four. Premiums for a family of four making $44,000 would be capped at around 6 percent of income.

HOW YOU CHOOSE YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE: Small businesses, the self-employed and the uninsured could pick a plan offered through new state-based purchasing pools called exchanges, opening for business in 2014.

The exchanges would offer the same kind of purchasing power that employees of big companies benefit from.

People working for medium-to-large firms would not see major changes. But if they lose their jobs or strike out on their own, they may be eligible for subsidized coverage through the exchange.

GOVERNMENT-RUN PLAN: No government-run insurance plan. People purchasing coverage through the new insurance exchanges would have the option of signing up for national plans overseen by the federal office that manages the health plans available to members of Congress. Those plans would be private, but one would have to be nonprofit.

ABORTION: The bill tries to maintain a strict separation between taxpayer dollars and private premiums that would pay for abortion coverage. No health plan would be required to offer coverage for abortion. In plans that do cover abortion, policyholders would have to pay for it separately, and that money would have to be kept in a separate account from taxpayer money. States could ban abortion coverage in plans offered through the exchange. Exceptions would be made for cases of rape, incest and danger to the life of the mother.

When Will I See Changes?

Immediate:

Insurance companies cannot place a cap on how much occurred expenses it will cover. This includes patients with terminal illnesses who undergo ongoing medical treatment. $5 billion dollars would be set aside to provide insurance coverage to U.S. citizens who are currently uninsured due to pre-existing conditions until the legislation takes effect in 2014 if passed by the Senate and signed into law by Obama.

Students and young adults may be added onto their parent’s insurance plan up to the age of 26. This will provide coverage for thousands of students who are currently uninsured.

In 2014: Insurance coverage cannot be denied to U.S. citizens who are considered to have “preexisting conditions.” Also, insurers cannot charge individuals with pre-existing conditions more than someone who does not have any conditions. Section 111,167 Small business, self-employed, and unemployed individual s will have immediate access to resources and will be able to purchase coverage costing less.

Now, the U.S. Senate must approve the healthcare legislation. If the changes made by the House of Representatives are approved, individuals who do not have any type of insurance coverage will receive a penalty. In 2014, individuals will be required to pay $95 or 1 percent of their income. In 2015, it will increase to $325 or two percent of income. In 2016, the penalty will be $695 or 2.5 percent of income.

Low-income citizens may be exempt from this penalty under a hardship provision included in the bill.

Medicaid will be expanded to include more individuals. Tax credits will be available to help offset the cost of premiums. The amount of Tax credit given will be based upon income.

(According to CNN)

Opponents of the health care reform bill carry a “Kill the Bill” sign as protesters begin to arrive at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Sunday, March 21, 2010. (AP Photo/ Charles Dharapak)

Oklahoma House Votes Dan Boren (D) 2nd district:

NO

Tom Cole (R) 4th district: NO Mary Fallin (R) 5th district: NO Frank Lucas (R) 3rd district: NO John Sullivan (R) 1st district: NO

President Barack Obama, center, takes part in health care reform meeting with Republican and Democratic leaders, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010, in the Blair House in Washington (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

6

CLASSIFIEDS

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Server PosiPart-time tions Available Caregiver Pearls Lakeside. within. 748-6113

Apply

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.

Hiring for waitstaff, busers, Please call Magro Price at dishwashers, host, bar tender. 850-7603 Apply in person at Northpark Mall (NW 127nd N. May) after 5:30 pm. 749-0120 Need 2 female interns for LIFT Ministries. 20 hours weekly. $8 per hour. Must love God and love students. brouch@fpcedmond.org

Shogun’s Steak House Of Japan

Internship

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

Olde Florida Payroll

Our company has a wonderful 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

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: 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

ELC English Language Center

Prepares International Students for University Programs TOEFL GMAT. Located next to the UCO Plaza 1015 “C” Waterwood Pkwy info@elcok.com and www. elcok.com 348-7602

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 Bedroom House for Rent

350.00 + utilities. No pets!

No smoking! Call Patty 4088765

1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartment Homes

~Spring Creek of Edmond~ Huge Student Discount!

No application fee or Security Deposit w/ Student ID 341-3932

Corner’s Apt

Remodled Apt, New Applicances, Granite Countertops, 1 and 2 Bed Available from $499 to $599. 5 min to UCO, Call Joe @ 405-4148150 for details.

FOR SALE

2005 Solitaire Mobile Home for Sale by Owner

Three bedrooms, two bath with deck. The home is spacious and bright with plenty of closet space and built in storage.

Located at 301 Dennis, Lot 153 OK 73003 Call - (405) 359-9471

Across

Down

1. Permeate 6. Gp. with Indonesia and Algeria as members 10. Honoree’s spot 14. Bewail 15. Actor Green of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” 16. “I’m ___ you!”

17. ___ of Langerhans 18. Gastrocolic omentum 19. Whirlpool 20. Acts of getting†off a ship 23. Cousin of -trix 24. Breezy 25. Machine that rinses 29. Decide to leave, with “out” 30. Time of origin 31. Apple spray 34. Baby grand, e.g.

36. French vineyard 37. Ambiguity with one interpretation that is indelicate 41. Legend on the ice 42. Some tournaments 43. Miles per hour, e.g.

44. Member of the beat†generation 46. Bawl 48. Followed 49. Chills and fever 51. ___ de deux 54. Game of hide and seek 57. Adjoin 60. ___-en-scËne 61. Awful smell 62. Expert 63. Bad day for Caesar 64. Chip away at 65. Broadcast 66. British tax 67. Extend, in a way

WORD SEARCH

1. Ammonia derivative 2. _ Lake, city in central Washington 3. Teardrop-shaped items 4. _ cycle 5. Bag 6. Academy Award 7. Of the nature of peat 8. Handbag 9. Atomic number 17 10. “Who ___?”

11. Furthermore 12. It would 13. ___ sauce 21. Do-it-yourselfer’s purchase Add Feels Mud 22. Curtain fabric Ant Flock My 26. Pelvic bones Any Fox Navy Are Fuels Neck 27. “Snowy” bird Armor Go Net 28. Reprocess Ask Head New 29. Sun, e.g. teacher AstonNod 30. Brewery equipment ishing Him Of At Hint Open 31. Building block Awake Holy Organs 32. “Two Women” OsAwoke Hour Own car winner Ax Icy Pace 33. Atmospheres Be If Packs 34. Cheat, in a way By Ill Paw Cars Ink Pay 35. Setting for TV’s Cart Key Peas “Newhart” Cell Kit Per 38. St. Anthony, notably Copy Lad Pin 39. Rampant Crow Led Pot 40. Arid DoLet Raft mestic Lie Rely 45. “For shame!”

Efforts Limp Rim 46. Blackguard Ended Mail Rows 47. Illicit cigarette Era Mend Rung Eye 49. Beasts of burden Mode Rural Faces Mom Sake 50. “You’ll never ___!”

51. Jest ANSWER FROM MARCH 11 52. ___ dark space (region in a vacuum tube) 53. Scatter 55. Right-hand person 56. “Catch!”

57. “Act your ___!”

58. Depress, with “out” 59. Altdorf is its capital

Rearrange the letters in each word to spell something pertaining to Irish-American Heritage Month. (Hint: author)

MYRADON DHCALREN ANSWER: Raymond Chandler

Teacher Needed Immediately For Edmond Daycare

Sharply She Shops Sign Sits Sleeps Small Snail Solid Spell Spy Stops Stunt Successfully Tan Taps Tiny Too Tore Tray Up Was We Works Yes

SPORTS

7

Hockey

PHOTO PROVIDED

SENIORS GO OUT WITH A BANG

Senior captain AJ Alfrey tries to move the puck past an OU player in the first round of the playoffs.

UCO beat the Sooners 5-4 in double overtime, moving them to the semifinals.

By Chris Wescott / Sports Editor For nine UCO seniors, this year’s semifinal loss to No. 1 Lindenwood in the playoffs was the last time they would step on the ice in that Broncho uniform together. The loss hurt, but what hurt more was looking around the Edge Ice Arena rink lobby in Chicago, Ill., and knowing that, that was it. However, there is not one Broncho player who can hang his head after this year. For those nine seniors, and the rest of the UCO hockey team, it was a season to remember and what could possibly be a turning point in this program’s history.

UCO began the season with two losses to No. 1 Lindenwood. The losses, however, did nothing to halt any start to momentum for the Bronchos, as UCO went on to win their next nine contests.

Of those nine wins, four were against, at the time, ranked oppo-

nents. Though all good things must come to an end, and the Bronchos met the brick wall that is Lindenwood again, losing two on the road to the Lions.

UCO got back on track with splits against ranked opponents Oakland and Iowa State. The Bronchos then began to hit their stride for the second time in the season, winning five straight. However, a disappointing loss to Robert Morris on the road, then a heartbreaking shoot-out loss to the University of Oklahoma began a slump that UCO would have to battle their way out of.

Starting with the loss to Morris, UCO netted just a 4-6 record over the next 10 games. The Bronchos fell out of the playoff bracket and needed road sweeps over two top 10 teams to make the post-season.

UCO went to work, beating Arizona 4-2, then 5-4 on the road and then going to No. 4 Illinois, and shutting them out 1-0 on the first

night, then winning 3-2 in comeback style on the second night.

The wins were good enough to put the Bronchos at the 10th spot, and secure them their second straight playoff birth.

In two meaningless games against their in-state rivals, the Oklahoma Sooners, the Bronchos were trounced by a combined score of 9-3. The losses were devastating, especially the one at home on Senior Night, in front of a huge crowd that was starved to beat the Sooners.

The Broncho fan base and seniors would get redemption in Cinderella fashion. UCO upset the No. 7 Sooners in a thrilling 5-4 double overtime, first-round victory in the playoffs. With the final horn sound, the largest fan base in attendance at the tournament in Chicago burst into euphoric joy, and the on-ice celebration was one to remember.

UCO was not done yet, however.

They took on the No. 2 Penn State

Nittany Lions in the second round, and came back to win in overtime 2-1. That celebration may have been twice as joyous. The University of Central Oklahoma became the first collegiate hockey team from Oklahoma to ever make it past the second round of the playoffs. While the OU program has been around for more than twice as long as the UCO program, the Bronchos did it first.

However, momentum, support and a fairy-tale-like story line were not enough to bring UCO to the finals. The No. 1 Lindenwood Lions beat the Bronchos 4-0 in the semifinals and ended Central Oklahoma’s magical run.

Senior captain AJ Alfrey disagrees with the Cinderella label, and says he knew UCO had it in them all along.

“Cinderella? No,” Alfrey said following the playoffs. “Contender?

Yes.” A large part of the Broncho’s success this season was the nine seniors on roster. Without their foundation, UCO may have never gotten past the stigma of not beating OU, or may have never gotten in the playoffs at all. They will be sorely missed.

“I love them,” UCO senior goaltender Justin Sgro said. “I have had a great time with them over the past four years, and we did something really special this year.”

“It’s been an honor playing with them,” senior Shawn Steggles said.

“It has been nothing but great memories for four years is what it comes down to, and I wouldn’t want to do that with any other guys in the league.”

Those feelings are mutual throughout the locker room, which includes senior captain Brian Thompson.

“I couldn’t be happier to know a group of guys, than the nine that I’ve met for these four years,” Thompson said. “We came in from

all different parts of the country and didn’t know anyone. But from day one we have been the closest of best friends. I couldn’t ask for anything more. I hope that whatever they go on to do, they have the ultimate success.”

“We made a good run,” Alfrey said. “I think that they (the seniors) should take this experience and use it in whatever they do from here.”

Two Broncho seniors were chosen to represent the University of Central Oklahoma in the 2010 ACHA Men’s Division 1 All-Star Game.

Sgro and Steggles were given the honor. The game took place this past Saturday at Adrian College.

According to the league’s official Web site, “The game is geared to highlight and attract the best ACHA Division I players and showcase their talents on the ice while representing their individual schools in competition.”

Next season looks bright for the Bronchos as two players from this year’s junior class topped the stat sheets in points. Jonathan Cannizzo had a breakout year, scoring 23 goals, while adding 20 assists.

Matt Cohn finished second on the team in points with 35. He scored 11 goals and had 24 assists. Steggles also had a breakout year with 17 goals and 12 assists.

Sgro made 976 saves on the year and had a 91 percent save rate. Sgro was arguably the Most Valuable Player of the national tournament, in which he had a 94 percent save rate. Sgro was voted first-team alltournament.

UCO finished the season with a record of 24-13-2.

With nine seniors leaving, the pressure is on recruiting. There are some big shoes to fill, and the players coming in will have to step up immediately. That is, if UCO wants to continue to grow as a hockey program and build off the great season that has just passed.

BASEBALL BACK ON TRACK AFTER SPLIT

By Ryan Costello / Staff Writer

UCO baseball earned a much needed doubleheader split against the Rams of Angelo State University on Saturday, taking the second matchup of the twin bill 7-2 following a 7-6 opening loss.

The Bronchos stopped the bleeding with the win after taking losses in their last eight games, stumbling to an 8-14 record on the season, including a 6-14 mark in the Lone Star Conference.

Saturday evening’s win over the Rams marks UCO’s first victory since a triumph in the opening match of a March 6 doubleheader against Southwestern Oklahoma State, preceding the losing streak that came against stiff competition all around, including four defeats against LSCleading Cameron.

The Rams, who had swept UCO in a doubleheader just a day earli-

er, found themselves trailing 6-2 in the penultimate sixth inning of the opening game of Saturday’s twogame set.

Broncho starter Tyler Schuman had pitched a strong game through five innings, but an error-laced bottom of the sixth gave ASU the opportunity to crawl back into contention. Schuman was relieved by Chris Muchmore after hitting a batter that resulted in two runs, one earned and another unearned, following two Broncho fielding errors.

ASU tallied another run against the Bronchos following an RBI double, narrowly holding on for a 6-5 lead heading into the game’s final inning.

UCO was shut out in the top half of the seventh inning, and in the final frame, the wheels fell off for the Bronchos.

Muchmore retired the first Ram batter he faced in the seventh be-

fore giving up a hit, a walk and an intentional walk to fill up the bases. ASU continued to capitalize on Muchmore’s control woes, drawing back-to-back walks to score the game-tying and winning runs, dealing UCO and Muchmore [0-3] the 7-6 defeat.

A reeling UCO squad would need to muster up a sound effort to answer the Rams, and that answer would come in the top of the third for the Bronchos.

Trailing 1-0 headed into the frame, UCO opened with a Jordan Mullin single, and Mullin would score two batters later, racing from first to cross the plate following an RBI double, courtesy of Ryan Schoonover.

Broncho pitcher Kade Kauk would follow with an offensive contribution of his own, doubling down the left-field line to score Schoonover.

UCO would add to the lead with an RBI single off the bat of Casey Bruns and a bases-loaded walk by David

Hadley.

The Bronchos would add some window dressing with lone runs in the fifth, seventh, and ninth innings, but wouldn’t need any of it, as Broncho Kade Kauk would limit the Ram lineup to just two runs en route to a 7-2 victory.

Kauk [3-1] pitched the complete game masterpiece for UCO, striking out two and scattering nine ASU hits for just two unearned runs.

Arrow Cunningham, Casey Bruns, David Walker, Jordan Mullin, Kauk, Schoonover and Hadley each had a single RBI to supplement the balanced Broncho attack.

UCO will look to build on the win against ASU when they face yet another tough opponent in the Oklahoma University of Science and Arts today at 3 p.m. at Broncho Field.

The Drovers are 24-5 on the season and are riding a six-game win streak.

8

SPORTS

UCO Basketball

By Ryan Costello / Staff Writer

Just as spring break began for UCO students, so too did NCAA Division II March Madness, where the men and women of Broncho basketball punched their tickets for the break.

Not to Mexico, and not to Florida, but rather to exotic Texas.

Unfortunately, the Bronchos had neither umbrella cocktails nor white sand beaches awaiting them, but instead steep competition on the hardwood. Too steep, in fact, as both Broncho clubs suffered firstround eliminations in the tourney’s opening weekend.

In Canyon, Texas, UCO’s women opened with their greatest Lone Star Conference North foe, Northeastern State University. UCO had split the season series with the RiverHawks, and the two teams’ tournament matchup was no less competitive, as the Bronchos fell in a hard-fought loss, 54-52.

The Bronchos’ greatest struggle was with ball control. UCO turned the orange over 27 times, a season high, leading to 19 NSU points.

Despite the turnover woes, UCO did manage to keep pace with the RiverHawks throughout, using stiff defense to stay within striking distance. The Bronchos held NSU’s shooters to just 30 percent shooting in the game, including just 25 percent in the first half.

“We just made too many mistakes and turned the ball over too much,” UCO coach Guy Hardaker said to bronchosports.com. “We did a nice job against them defensively, but you can’t turn the ball over like that and expect to win against good teams.”

Neither team led by more than six points in the contest, and the Broncho deficit was just three at 52-49 with 11 seconds on the clock. UCO set up a shot for Cristina Yarbrough, but her behind the arc prayer fell short with just five seconds remaining.

NSU would hit two free throws before Yarbrough would hit a three as the buzzer sounded to bring the game to its final margin.

Ashley Beckley led three Bronchos in double figures scoring with 16 points and 10 rebounds, Yarbrough added 10 points and five rebounds, and Jill Bryan scored ten points. Rose Anderson finished with a balanced game, contributing nine points, six assists and five rebounds.

On the men’s side, poor shooting plagued the generally accurate jump-shooting Bronchos, and it turned out to be too much for UCO as they fell to the Fort Hays State Tigers, 80-64.

The Broncho offense had ranked fourth in the nation at nearly 90 points per game, and was among the nation’s best 3-point shooting

PHOTO BY JEREMY ENLOW

BRONCHOS BOUNCED

Dauntae Williams [above] takes the ball down the court at the Lone Star Conference Tournament.

teams, netting 10.1 treys per contest.

When they needed their offense the most, though, UCO just couldn’t find its shooting touch. After shooting an uncharacteristically low 36 percent from the floor in the first half, UCO had weathered the storm, trailing by just six at intermission at 38-32.

When their shots again refused to fall in the second half, however, the Bronchos were quickly put in a

deep hole against the Tigers.

UCO seemed to have righted the ship closing to within 39-38 in the opening minutes, but FHSU would answer with an 11-2 run that put the Bronchos in their first doubldigit ditch at 50-40 with just over 12 minutes remaining.

The Bronchos would never challenge FHSU from there, shooting a woeful 26 percent in the second half, a number that perplexed even head coach Terry Evans.

“We just couldn’t make any shots,” Evans said to bronchosports. com. “We got plenty of good looks, and we’re normally a very good shooting team, but nothing was going down today, and that makes it tough,” The Bronchos were led once again by Dauntae Williams, who scored 19 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Chris Rhymes was the only other Broncho in double figures, scoring 15 on the night.

BRONCHO TENNIS WINS NINTH STRAIGHT

By Chris Wescott / Sports Editor The UCO tennis squad continued their winning ways over the spring break, stretching their streak to nine in a row. The No. 26 Bronchos topped Colorado Christian and Metropolitan State 9-0 a piece last Thursday, to get to a 9-1 record.

The Bronchos swept all of their doubles

matches. Julia Shviadok and Eli Abramovic dominated the No. 1 match, beating Sara Howard and Bronwyn Allmand of Colorado Christian 8-2. Lacy Caldwell and Virginie Rodriguez won the No. 2 match by a score of 8-3. Lindsey Sweetgall and Meredith Marney of UCO won their No. 3 match 8-1.

In singles, Abramovic won both of her matches 6-0 and 6-0, leading the Bronchos to

victory. Shviadok, Anto Rossini, Caldwell, Rodriguez and Marney won their singles matches as well.

Against Metropolitan State, UCO swept the doubles again, winning 8-3, 8-1, and 8-3 in No. 1, 2 and 3. In singles, Caldwell and Abramovic dropped a combined two games, while winning their matches. Rose Cabato won both her matches by scores of 6-2 and

6-1.

UCO is on a nine-game run after losing their season opener against Oklahoma State.

Their games against Colorado State-Pueblo and Mesa State were canceled.

They now return to Edmond to face Dallas Baptist and Drury on March 25 at 9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. respectively.

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