Western Courier | January 31st, 2020 by The Western Courier

Sports: Women's basketball gets blown out at home.

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Opinions: It's time to do away with zoos.

Friday, January 31, 2020 - Vol. 120 Issue 50

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JB Pritzker holds State of the State address “The State of our State is growing stronger each day” By Devon Greene editor-in-chief

Gov. JB Pritzker held the annual State of the State address on Wednesday to discuss the health of Illinois. Pritzker began the address by thanking various officials and members of Illinois government, including his wife, MK. “With quiet strength and with little fanfare, you’ve worked hard over the last year to make this state more inclusive and welcoming to all, from DuQuoin to Springfield to Chicago, caring about and advocating for some of our state’s most vulnerable people,” JB said. “I want to say thank you for making some important aspects of Illinois shine once again.” MK is the leader of the Pritzker Family Foundation which

focuses on child development, early childhood development and women’s health. Following his thanks, Pritzker discussed what he has done in his first year as governor and the unfortunate situation he stepped into a year ago. “We inherited a mess that was years in the making, and it had bipartisan roots,” Pritzker said. “On day one it was clear to me that we had a government infrastructure that had withered from neglect and a lack of public trust. At times, it seemed like even the most basic things – like getting a government-issued iPad to work – were hard to do.” A big theme in Pritzker’s address was the idea of stability. He spoke of how unstable the government was before he came into office and how he has tried to instill a stable centerpiece in

his time as governor. He touched upon the growth Illinois’ economy has seen in the past months. “Today the Illinois economy supports 6.2 million jobs,” Pritzker said. “This is the most jobs on record for our state, and we now have the lowest unemployment rate in history. Last year, for the first time in nearly 20 years, every major region in our state was growing simultaneously – and even more remarkably, communities in southern Illinois, like Carbondale have led that growth. Over the past year, Illinois has reduced its unemployment rate more than all of the top twenty most populated states in the nation — and more than our Midwestern peers.”

99 percent of new cases of the Coronavirus have appeared in China, but 16 countries across the world have confirmed cases. Of those countries, Thailand has the most recorded cases with 14, they are followed by Japan with 11, Singapore with 10, Malaysia and Taiwan with eight, Australia with seven, South Korea and the United States with six, Vietnam and France with five, Germany and the United Arab Emirates with four, Canada with three and India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Finland with one. According to the CDPH, this is the first person-to-person transmission in the United States and it is unclear how the virus spreads from one person to the next. Yet, according to Allison Arwady, Commissioner of the CDPH, person-to-person contact is the most likely way for the virus

to spread. “We know coronaviruses are most likely to spread through close personal contact, and we know this second patient had close contact with his wife after she began to develop symptoms, so it’s not totally unexpected that he acquired the virus,” Arwady said. “This is exactly why public health has been monitoring him closely, and why we monitor any close contacts of confirmed cases. This does not change our guidance that the risk to the general public remains low at this time. People in the community do not need to change their behavior based on this news; for example, they don’t need to cancel events, avoid mass gatherings, or wear gloves and masks in public.” At the moment, IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike says that the risk of contracting the disease in the state of Illinois is

State of the State page 2

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks at an event.

WIKIMEDIA.ORG

Illinois confirms second case of Coronavirus By Devon Greene editor-in-chief

Illinois has confirmed its second case of the Coronavirus, a virus that has killed more than 170 in China. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH, Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Cook County Department of Public Health, along with the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that a man in his 60s contracted the virus after he caught the virus from his wife after she took trip to China. Her trip consisted of a visit Wuhan, China and returned on Jan. 13. Upon returning to the United States, she was hospitalized. The Chicago-based couple are both hospitalized at the moment and remain in stable condition. According to the World Health Organization, roughly

still relatively nonexistent. “I want to emphasize that the risk of this novel coronavirus to the general public in Illinois remains low. Local, state and federal health officials are working to identify those who have had close contact with the individual Iinorder to take protective measures to minimize further spread of the virus,” Ezike said. “We will continue to keep the public fully informed as additional information becomes available.” As for containing the possible outbreak due to the victims, officials from health agencies are investigating any locations where he may have visited or any individuals he may have made contact with over the last two weeks and a team from the CDC has been deployed to Illinois to help in the investigation. According to the CDC, of

the six confirmed cases in the country two have come from California, one from Arizona, one from Washington and two from Illinois but the CDPH has also said that there has been no information to support the virus spreading widely across the United States, so citizens do not need to take any additional precautions. The CDPH did release a list of things to do in order to help prevent any viruses, including the flu. The list includes, washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, avoid close contact with people who are sick, stay home when you are sick, cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Friday, January 31, 2020

NEWS

State of the State from front page

One major item was on the agenda last year when citizens went out and voted at the polls, the state budget. The 793-day-long budget impasse left higher education, businesses and citizens across the state reeling under former Gov. Bruce Rauner, so when Pritzker stepped into office, it was one of the first things he wanted to get done. “We passed a bipartisan, truly balanced budget on time, with renewed investments in job creation, cradle to career education, and physical and mental healthcare,” Pritzker said. “Even the credit rating agencies and financial analysts described a ‘distinct improvement’ in our fiscal stability, and investors took notice and lowered our state’s borrowing rate. A

balanced budget is an important accomplishment, but it’s more than just about fiscal discipline. It’s a moral document that reflects our values as a state.” He spoke of the infrastructure bill that will reportedly support 500,000 jobs in the state and repair roads and bridges that continue to crumble away and the legalization of marijuana in the state of Illinois. Pritzker said that the legalization of cannabis will create 63,00 new jobs and offer opportunities for those from communities that didn’t previously have them. Pritzker also highlighted the changes made in the medical and public health fields. Affordable healthcare was also one of Pritzker ’s focuses when coming into office and he has accomplished some key tasks that he was interest-

ed in. The state has reduced the amount of deaths related to opioid use, lowered the dependance on opioids by shifting the medical programs to use cannabis to cover chronic pain conditions and capped out-of-pocket insulin costs at $100 for a 30-day supply. However, will all the positives that Pritzker brought up, he still said there is work to be done within the government. “We must root out the purveyors of greed and corruption — in both parties — whose presence infects the bloodstream of government,” Pritzker said. “It’s no longer enough to sit idle while under-the-table deals, extortion or bribery persist. Protecting that culture or tolerating it is no longer acceptable. We must take urgent action to restore the public’s trust in our government.

WesternCourier.com That’s why we need to pass real, lasting ethics reform this legislative session.” Pritzker spoke against lobbying and for-profit peddling among elected officials at every level of Illinois government. “Most states have a revolving door provision for legislators, and it’s time for Illinois to join them,” he said. “Elected officials shouldn’t be allowed to retire and immediately start lobbying their former colleagues. It’s wrong, and it’s got to stop.” Diversity and discrimination were also big subjects Pritzker discussed on Tuesday. He said that he has worked tirelessly to right the wrongs perpetrated against communities and minority groups across Illinois. He spoke of the criminal justice system that he and members of government hope to take a

look at this spring. Also on the spring agenda was the topic of clean energy. Pritzker hopes to reduce carbon pollution, promote renewable energy and electrification of the transportation sector. Pritzker closed out the address with a story about Kim FIlian, a citizen who put up a Pride flag in her backyard and ended up handing out Pride flags to her neighbors and eventually, all over her hometown of Barrinton, Ill. “I’ve thought a lot about that story this past year. It reminds me of the fundamental goodness and decency of the people who live here in Illinois and about how hard they will fight for each other,” Pritzker said. “Those are good ideals to live by. Those are good ideals to govern by. Let’s all try to remember them in the year ahead.”

Colchester receives donation for Trooper Ellis park By Devin Brooks NEWS3 reporter

COLCHESTER, Ill. (NEWS3) — The City of Colchester received a donation for the Trooper Gerald “Jerry” Ellis Memorial Park, from generous donors in the community. Colchester residents Jon and Teri Lundgren presented a $2,700 check to the city during a council meeting Monday night. Jon said that money was the remaining funds from the nearly $6,000 donated overall. “It’s special to drive by every day and see that,” Jon said. “For our small com-

WC Located on the third floor of the Heating Plant Annex on the south end of campus across from Sherman Hall. Mail: 1 University Circle, WIU, Macomb, IL 61455 Phone: 309-298-1876 Fax: 309-298-2309 Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays E-mail: micour@wiu.edu Member: Illinois College Press Association, National Association College Press

munity, it’s tragic it has to be named after a person who was killed in the line of duty, but it’s a way to remember a local hero.” Jon said several families and companies made donations for the park that was completed last summer. Illinois State Police District 14 held a park dedication service in September honoring Trooper Ellis. Jon said the property was initially a vacant spot that was deteriorating. He said his family always wanted a park downtown that would be donated to the city, so this is a special way to pay tribute

to one of Colchester ’s own. “We hope it inspires more of the community connection; that’s what it’s all about,” Jon said. “Our small communities are dying. We need to keep it together and not be forgotten.” The donors hope the city will use the money to upkeep the park and add on to the property. Trooper Ellis was from Colchester and a U.S. Army Veteran. He was an 11-year veteran of Illinois State Police, assigned to District 15 in Downers Grove. Trooper Ellis died last March in a car crash involving an

Trooper Gerald Ellis was killed last March.

STAFF MEMBERS PUBLISHING AND CIRCULATION editor-in-chief Devon Greene DJ-Greene@wiu.edu

proofreader Mary Kilbourne

news editor Devon Greene

MC-Kilbourne@wiu.edu

DJ-Greene@wiu.edu

photo editor Becca Langys

opinions editor Allison Young

RE-Langys@wiu.edu

AN-Young@wiu.edu

assistant photo editor Sara Remar

sports editor Bradley Piros

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BJ-Piros@wiu.edu

production manager Brandon Trost

assistant sports editor Chris Bean

BL-Trost@wiu.edu

CR-Bean@wiu.edu

business manager Janiya Haynes

edge editor Rachel Greene

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assistant business manager Nash Miller

copy editor Amanda Wandachowicz

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A-Wandachowicz@wiu.edu

advertising manager Tyler Hoffman

proofreader Alexis Lowe

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AL-Lowe@wiu.edu

adviser Will Buss WJ-Buss@wiu.edu

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NEWS 3

Western Illinois University announces improvements in retention, graduate enrollment

DEVON GREENE/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Flags fly above the Western Illinois University sign. MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – Western Illinois University's fall-to-spring retention for new, full-time freshmen has increased to 89.7 percent, compared to 86.3 percent for Fall 2018-to-Spring 2019, according to 10th-day data released by WIU's Institutional Research and Planning. Total undergraduate retention (Fall to Spring) has increased to 90.4 percent, compared to last year (89.7 percent). "Increasing our retention is one of our main priorities, and I'm happy that we've seen an increase. The new early intervention initiatives we

implemented in Fall 2019 are helping to ensure the success of our students and to catch any issues early so we can help those students who may be struggling," Interim President Martin Abraham said. "Our proactive efforts are paying off. In addition, our new initiatives in regard to enrollment are also beginning to pay off as we're seeing an increase in admitted students for Fall 2020 compared to last fall at this time. The challenge is to convert these admits into registered students." WIU's Spring 2020 new graduate student enrollment

has increased to 209 (186, Spring 2019). The University's Spring 2020 total enrollment is 6,994. "Our efforts on graduate enrollment continue to be successful, thanks to the hard work of the faculty and staff within our academic departments, along with Associate Provost Mark Mossman and the staff of Graduate Programs. Dr. Mossman and our Graduate Programs staff have worked hard to streamline the graduate admissions process," Abraham added. "We continue to view graduate programs

as a growth opportunity for Western as we expand our graduate offerings." Fall enrollment continues to be the focus of recruitment efforts, he added. In addition to the many existing programs in place to provide prospective students with an in-depth look at WIU, such as Western Express, Discover Western and events at the community colleges, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions has developed new programs to assist the yield effort, including a pregame social for prospective students Saturday, Feb. 15,

an Explore WIU Local Visit High School Day March 5 and an Admitted Student Day March 23. "Since taking over as interim president, I have stated that our target was to have a larger incoming class for Fall 2020 than we did in Fall 2019. This remains our goal. But a secondary goal is to have greater enrollment in Fall 2020 than we currently have," Abraham said. "When we achieve our enrollment goal for Fall 2020, we will begin a new chapter in the history of WIU – one of growth and expansion." Courtesy of University Relations

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2020 Spring Semester Editorial Board

Edge Editor - Rachel Greene Editor-in-Chief - Devon Greene Opinions Editor - Allison Young

OPINIONS

Friday, January 31, 2020

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BRANDON TROST/PRODUCTION MANAGER

Zoos have always been seen as a place for families to enjoy seeing animals from different parts of the world. It can be a unique experience because every zoo is different. But in recent studies, people have been very vocal about how zoos can be seen as animal cruelty because animals are held captive and are not in their natural habitat. I agree with these studies because the animals that are held in a zoo atmosphere have no experience of what it is like to be out in the wild, and their life span is not nearly as long as other animals that are in the wild. I have so many fun memories from different zoos all around the world, but now that I look back and think about it I do not ever think that I saw an animal in the zoo up and moving around or playing with another animal in its habitat. They are always so lethargic and bored. It makes me so sad that people are willing to spend so much money on a single day to view animals in a habitat that they are not even comfortable in. If you have been to a zoo as someone who is paying for it on your own, you know how expensive it is. They jack up the prices because they are aware that people are willing to spend any kind of money to give their children a fun experience. Sometimes there are extra aquatic shows or animal feedings and those can cost up to $25 a person. Let’s not forget about the gift shop that most people have to walk through in order to exit and enter a zoo. Almost

every child is going to ask their parents if they can have some items from that gift shop. Owners of the zoo want to rack up people’s money because they know they can. They are making a profit off of poor innocent animals. I strongly believe that zoos are a sad environment because some of these animals were born in captivity but they are stripped of their natural instincts. And those who are taken from the wild are not aware of how they can handle themselves once they are put into a zoo environment. They can become depressed and possibly overwhelmed. Animals have feelings just like humans do. It is so sad that the society we live in makes zoos a fun and exciting place when in reality they are cruel and harmful to the animals that we are paying a ton of money to see.

PIXABAY

Lions are very common animals that can be found in a zoo.

Imagine yourself in your primest moment. You are full of knowledge, energy and most importantly, you are curious. You are curious about the world, about people and about purpose. You’ve just graduated high school. You are young and inexperienced. You’ve read books about people and places, but everything seems out of reach. All the wonderful things you have explored in your classes are just ideas to you. You are too concerned about college applications, campus tours and scholarships. You don’t have time to explore. College is an amazing privilege to further your knowledge, and some may argue, even narrow it. Common among students within the college community are those studying one specific major. Whether it’s business or journalism, there is usually a set of courses to go along with each specific major and minor. But what if you have no idea what you want to do? What if you change your mind? What if you have had no exposure to anything outside of your high school college counselor and your parents’ encouragement? Many people go through life thinking their curiosity isn’t worth exploring. It’s a sad truth that the majority of people end up not liking the job they have chosen to work for the remainder of their careers. If given the opportunity to expand the thought of their destinies, maybe people would choose differently. Not popular in North America, it is almost expected to take a gap year after high school in Australia, New Zealand and some Asian and African countries, and it is on the rise in many western European countries. Their theories on taking a gap year is to further mature a student before they decide what

to invest time and money into instead of rushing. Taking a gap year can mean a multitude of things. In Africa, most students take a gap year to wait to receive results from an exam they take. While they wait, they learn a trade or hard skill. In Australia and surrounding countries, students often take a year or more overseas to explore and learn about the world and the cultures within it. Some also attend universities outside of the country. In many Asian and European countries, similar to Austrailians, they take a gap year for travel and exploration. Taking a gap year for enjoyment is a much different perspective than what people in Northern America seem to be catching on to. Although few would deny the desire to travel and explore the world, the few that take gap year take them to work and save money in preparation for attending school in the future. Gap years can be beneficial in many ways. For one, student debt is an overwhelming and a very hard thing for an 18 year old to understand. Going into college without the knowledge of how loans work or the potential hardship paying them back could inflict on your life is a dangerous thing. Taking a year to simply understand responsibility and the importance of the next few chapters of your life could be beneficial to the development of your career and the development of maturity within the new adult. Experiences are fast and effective ways to grow. I think gap years should be more accepted and encouraged in newly graduated high schoolers. We should encourage the young and bright to explore their curiosity in whatever way they feel most beneficial to their growth.

OPINIONS 5

Friday, January 31, 2020

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How can we improve the maternal mortality rate?

Maternal mortality rates (MMR), the number of maternal deaths due to birth or pregnancy related complications per 100,000 live births, have been a growing concern for the United States over the past 15 years. Longitudinal studies on the MMR from 2000 to 2014 indicate an increase of deaths by 26.6percent (after adjusting for inconsistencies in recording methods). Currently, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 700 women die from pregnancy related complications each year in the United States. When comparing this rate to those from other developed countries, the U.S. maternal mortality problem becomes even more apparent (almost all other developed nations

had reductions or no-change to their rates). Considering the success of other developed nations to reduce their MMR, the natural questions become why has the U.S. MMR been increasing, and what can we do about it? The answer to the first question requires an in-depth look at the problem. When looking at the issue from a broad perspective, we can see that the leading causes of death for pregnancy-related deaths include hemorrhage, cardiovascular/coronary conditions, infections, and cardiomyopathy (which collectively account for around 50 percent of deaths). Looking closer at the data, it can further be observed that women are being affected across the different phases of pregnancy (31 percent dying

during pregnancy, 36 percent at delivery or week after, and 33 percent one week to one year post-delivery), with each of the leading causes of death being different for each of the stages. Additionally, maternal mortality occurs at higher rates for certain populations, with Non-Hispanic Blacks and American Indian/Alaskan Natives being three times more likely to die from a pregnancyrelated cause. Other factors that influence maternal mortality outcomes, like age and demographics, further add to the complexity of the issue. Having a general idea of the scope of the issue, we can begin to look at root causes. In a report generated by nine maternal mortality review committees with support from the CDC, the most common factors contributing to pregnancy-related deaths included patient/ family factors, provider factors, and systems of care factors. Patient factors included having a lack of knowledge of warning signs, having pre-existing

chronic conditions and having a lack of knowledge of when to seek care. Provider factors included assessment, misdiagnosis, delay in diagnosis and ineffective treatments. Systems of care factors included inadequate training and availability of personnel, current policies and procedures and inadequate care coordination. Despite the complex nature of the U.S MMR problem, there is still hope that we can turn these trends around. In fact, it is believed that around 60percent of the investigated deaths could have been prevented. So, what can we do to prevent these deaths in the future? One thing we can do is to support policies and initiatives that improve the access to quality prenatal care for all women. This will ensure that women are being properly screened for complications beforehand, and are properly educated to look for warning signs. We also need to be encouraging and supportive of pregnant women to seek these services as the norm. The same

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access and level of care should also be done with postpartum women. Another key area that we need to improve upon is the current system of care for pregnant women. Ensuring that the whole staff is adequately trained, and that sound policies and procedures are in place for care delivery will be key to addressing this issue. On a final note, it is critical that we place additional emphasis and resources into addressing the present disparities impacting certain groups of women. By alleviating these disparities, we will move a large step further to achieving our MMR goals. If the U.S. truly desires to be considered a great country, then it has to be able to support and protect its most vulnerable citizens. Therefore, we need to step up to the challenge and support initiatives that will help lower the U.S. maternal mortality rate. Because ultimately, knowing that 420 mothers/wives/ daughters/women die every year from preventable causes is simply unacceptable.

Contact Allison Young

AN-Young@wiu.edu

Friday, January 31, 2020

SPORTS

WIU basketball closes in on home schedule If you’ve been busy following both the Western Illinois men’s (5-13, 2-6) and women’s (11-10, 5-3) basketball seasons this year, it may be hard to believe that we’ve already reached the final month of regular season basketball. After this weekend’s series for both teams, only two home dates remain for both teams. Not only do these become the last couple of chances you can catch the teams in Macomb this season, but it’s also the home stretch in terms of solidifying the final place in The Summit League standings. As of the deadline, the women’s team is in third, while the men’s team is in eighth. The women took on

second-place South Dakota State on Thursday and will play a solid North Dakota State team on Saturday. South Dakota State is (222) in Summit League play between both this season and last, with both losses being a road game against No. 21 South Dakota. Fans may recall that the North Dakota State game in Fargo awhile back was a classic, with Sam Pryor coming up clutch to both force overtime and eventually ice the game in double overtime. Take what you will from that game, as the Bison have struggled away from the Scheels Center, going (1-7) in true road games. That lone road win came at New Hampshire back on Dec. 1, 67-61. The men’s team may be

becca langys / photo editor

Ben Pyle goes up for a rebound.

WesternCourier.com

(5-13) as of deadline, but four of those five wins have come inside Western Hall. They faced a North Dakota State team that had beaten them by 20 earlier in the season. The Bison men, like their women’s team, also struggle away from home. The NDSU men are (9-1) inside the Scheels Center, but (4-5) in true road games. A tough matchup looms for the men’s team on Saturday, as they’ll take on South Dakota State, who beat them by 35 in Brookings on Jan. 4. Interestingly enough, the SDSU men have the same problem as the NDSU men: they seemingly can’t piece together true road wins. They currently have a spotless (120) home record but are a mere (4-8) on the road. It will be interesting to see how this weekend turns out, but there aren’t many opportunities left after that, so make sure to come out and see the men’s and women’s basketball teams before the regular season is through.

becca langys / photo editor

Sam Pryor looks to make a pass.

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Spacious 2-5 bedroom homes for rent. 10 month lease available. Great locations, close to bus stops, plenty off street parking, all new windows, AC, energy efficient furnace, hardwood and ceramic tile floors, free washer/dryer. Well maintained (24 hrs.) by local landlord. Call 309-255-1233.

LARGE STUDENT RENTALS 5 and 6 Bedroom Homes are still available!! Ask for our $1000.00 Discount program! First come first serve for the last large homes that are open for the fall.

Westen Investments has only two 4-Bedroom brich houses available. Call our office at 309-833-5995 to schedule a showing! We will show to 2-3 person groups as well!

Small 1BR apt near campus and downtown. All utilities included. (Electric, Water, DISH, Garbage) $500/month, $300 deposit. Available immediately. Also have 2BR, you pay electric. $600/month, $350 deposit available September 1st. Please contact 309-255-4367 for a showing.

STC Investments now leasing for the 18/19 school year. We have 1-6 bedroom apartments/houses ready for you to call home! Check out our selection at www.stcinvestments.com. You can also find us on Facebook to see daily posts!

Westen Investments has just one 3-Bedroom ALL UTILITIES INCLUDED (Water, Sewer, Trash, Gas, Electric, and Internet) Apartment left! That’s right you just pay for rent, and the rest of it is on us! Call our office at 309-833-5995 to check it out.

Employment Opportunites For Early Childhood, Teaching and Education Majors - Part-Time or Full-Time Work. Monday though Friday 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Have your weekends and evenings free. Gain valuable experience with children 0-12 years for your resume. We are open year round. We are looking for mature, dependable adults that enjoy working with children between the ages of 0-12 years old. Must pass a physchical exam and an extensive background check. Preference given to those submitting transcript with 60 study hours of college education and 6 study hours of child development. Applications can be found on our website at www.CatchAStarLearningCenter.com

For Rent: Little Swan Lake, 30 min from campus. 2br, 2bth, heated double car garage with work area. $600 per mo. (309) 335-2206 after 6:00 pm, may leave message anytime.

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For Rent Available now: Close to campus, clean studio apartments, excellent condition, reasonable rent, and partly furnished. Ceiling fans and a/c. Professionally maintained. No pets. Semester leases offered. Call 309 837 4369 and leave your phone number if not there. Email: MandKhousing@gmail.com ALL APARTMENTS - ALL INCLUSIVE Get control of your budget. Know exactly what you are spending each month. Each apartment includes free a/c, free heat, free electricity, free water, free cable tv, free hi speed internet, and free off street parking. Laundry on site. No noise policy. Bus stop across the street. Close to campus. Well maintained. Studios are $460/mo, One bedrooms are $620/mo. Call Doug at 309-255-8179 for an appointment.

Friday, January 31, 2020

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Sports 7

WIU cheerleading to host inaugural event Sebastian gamboa courier staff

Big changes have been coming this year under new head coach and Western Illinois University alumni Denise Cremer. After cheering for and graduating from Western, Cremer began work in law enforcement, where she is now a school resource officer. One of the new changes she is bringing to cheer is the Western Illinois Leatherneck Cheerleading Clinic. This event is designed to give back to the community by giving young cheerleaders a true taste of what it’s like to be an NCAA Division I cheerleader. This Valentine’s Day weekend on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 9:30 a.m. to noon, Western cheer will open the doors of Brophy Hall to young cheerleaders aged preschool to high school. The Western cheer

squad will then show the youth of Macomb what it means to be a Leatherneck cheerleader. Not only will the young cheerleaders be able to see what a strong cohesive team looks like, but they will get the experience of a real game. Also on the 15th, the Western Illinois Fighting Leathernecks will be taking on the North Dakota Fighting Hawks in Men’s Basketball. With both teams sitting below .500, it promises to be a good contentious matchup with a very high energy level, perfect for the young cheerleaders to get a real feel for college-level cheer. Senior Leatherneck cheerleader, Gicelle Camacho, echoed that sentiment. In an interview with Camacho, she stated that having the young cheerleaders experience

the game is important because “they will be able to get a sense of the energy and get familiar with the vibes and atmosphere of a college basketball game.” Camacho also said, “It will be good for them [the young cheerleaders] to get to see our team interact. We are very close and that will be clear and set a good example for the young kids.” She further remarked, “It will be an overall good experience for them to see how a D1 NCAA cheer team works. Cheer has been one of my favorite parts of college and I hope to be able to show this local next generation why.” Finally, Camacho expressed her desire for the first class of Leatherneck Cheer Clinic attendees to pursue their passion for cheer to the next level whether it be to junior high, high school and hopefully, eventually college. In addition to giving back to the community, the cheerleaders also will get something out of the experience. In regards to what the team hoped to get out of the experience,

Camacho voiced that “it will bring the team even closer together. It will be a fun experience for us and I think that it will also be good for us to be able to show the community not only that we care about the community, but are fun, capable and talented.” She later stated that “it will also be able to get to know some of the kids who could be Western cheerleaders in the coming years…It will also be great to have such a wide range of ages there. It was not that long ago where I was in a similar position to them and this experience should prove invaluable.” The sentiments surrounding this event are a win for the community, the basketball team and fans and the cheer team itself. This win for the cheer team is furthered by the funds that will be generated by this event. With a $30 registration fee and a reduced price of $20 for additional siblings, the event will turn out extra funds that the Western cheer team can use for future events like this

one, and their Summer Cheer Camp, in addition to helping the program in general. One final potential positive outcome of this community event is the bolstering of the Western Illinois image in and around the community. It is with events like these that Leatherneck pride will grow which will only draw more students and community members to Macomb. It is from ideas and events like this one from the cheer team that other student organizations and teams can draw inspiration from and show off their own expertise to the community. Overall, this new fundraiser and community event brought about by the new administration of the cheer team led by new head coach Cremer is emblematic of the bright future that this team has ahead of it. It also shows the tradition of building a mutually beneficial relationship with the community and strengthening the Leatherneck spirit and pride on campus.

Previewing the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 matchups The UEFA Champions League returns in a little over two weeks now and the anticipation for some of these Round of 16 matchups is through the roof. Let’s take a look at those matchups and predict who will make it through to the quarterfinals. Of the eight matchups, three of them are pretty easy to predict in my opinion, so let’s start with those. The first, and easiest to predict, is F.C. Barcelona (Spain) vs. S.S.C Napoli (Italy). While Barcelona has had their fair share of embarrassing Champions League exits, this won’t be one of those. Napoli doesn’t have much of an attack. Their leading goal scorer, Arkadiusz Milik, has seven goals this season. Following him are two players with four goals, Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens. Running straight at them will be Barcelona’s new three-headed monster, MSG. The greatest player on earth Lionel Messi has 14 goals, Luis Suarez has 11 and new signee Antoine Griezmann has seven. Napoli will be lucky if they score at all here. Barcelona has the easiest trip to the quarters. The next easiest matchup belongs to Juventus F.C. (Italy). They’ll be taking on Olympique Lyonnais (France). Juventus made it to the final in 2017 and lost 4-1 to Real Madrid C.F. (Spain). Since then, they’ve shown some promising signs of improvement, then they signed Christiano Ronaldo. Mr. Champions League

leads his team with 17 goals, but two of them only came in the tournament. It doesn’t matter, though, because he has plenty of help scoring with the likes of Paulo Dybala, Juan Cuadrado, Miralem Pjanic and Gonzalo Higuain. Oh, and they have one of, if not the best, defenses in the world right now. A bold prediction here maybe, but these guys are going straight to the final, I don’t care who you put them up against next. Next is Valencia CF (Spain) against Atlanta, B.C. (Italy). I don’t have a whole lot to say about this one. On goes Valencia I guess. They’ll be knocked out next round anyway. That brings us to the matchups that actually get difficult to predict. Five of the eight Round of 16 pairings are final worthy matchups, so let’s take a look. Tottenham Hotspur F.C. (England) takes on RB Leipzig (Germany) next, and I have to go with Leipzig here. Tottenham just released Christian Eriksen and Danny Rose recently, and I think that will be enough to throw them off. Their play has been pretty average in the Premier League and they have never really done well on the big stage. Even though they got to the final last year, I think that will be a far cry this time around. Leipzig will get through in one of the closest matchups and probably get eliminated by their next opponent. Alright, now we’re into the really good ones. Let’s kick it off with

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Lionel Messi carries the ball to the penalty spot.

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Christiano Ronaldo looks into the crows before a free kick.

Chelsea F.C. taking on FC Bayern Munich. Chelsea is led by Tammy Abraham with his 13 goals in the Premier League and they have an all around good squad, but I think Bayern is just slightly better through and through. They’re led by one of the most prolific goal scoring machines in the world right now, Robert Lewandowksi. His 21-goal campaign thus far is impressive, and I’m just not so sure Chelsea’s defense will be able to shut him down. I think Bayern will struggle a little in their own back field, but they should see it through. Some people might think this one is pretty one-sided, but I don’t. Athletico Madrid (Spain) takes on Liverpool F.C. (England). Liverpool are the reigning champs and are pretty much expected to do it again, but Athletico could give them a shock upset. Their problem is goalscoring, but they make up for that with their stellar defense and arguably the best goalkeeper in the world right now in Jan Oblak. In the end, Liverpool’s attacking three of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino have combined for 28 goals in all competitions and I just don’t see Athletico being able to weather the storm long enough to pick up a shocking upset. On goes Liverpool all the way to the final for the third year in a row, most likely. Next up is the matchup that I am most anticipating, Borussia Dortmund (Germany) up against Paris Saint-Germain F.C. (France). It’s just something about the youth of these teams and the overall quick pace of play they both share that will make this one exciting to watch. PSG is co-led by Kylian Mbappe and Neymar with 13 goals each. They’re followed up by Mauro Icardi with nine and Angel Di Maria with six.

Scoring isn’t a problem for this club, and neither is their defense in particular. They just have a tendency of choking on the biggest stage. Dortmund is led by Jadon Sancho with 11 goals and Marco Reus with 10. They are one of the youngest clubs in the tournament still and I think that is their biggest downfall. Most of PSG has at least some experience on the big stage, and that’s why I think they’ll head on to the next round. The last matchup is between two of the world’s richest clubs, Real Madrid C.F. (Spain) and Manchester City F.C. (England). I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Real Madrid has not been the same since Ronaldo left. The main problem without him is scoring. They are led by Karim Benzema with 12 goals in the Spanish Primera Division and are followed by Casemiro with an underwhelming three. While their defense remains rock solid with Sergio Ramos, Marcelo and Raphael Varane, they just can’t seem to score, even with the insertion of Eden Hazard. City, on the other hand, has had no problem scoring. They’re led by the legendary Sergio Aguero with 16 goals, followed by Raheem Sterling with 11 and Gabriel Jesus with nine. Not to mention the two best midfielders in the world (Kevin De Bruyne for City and Luka Modoric for Madrid) will be on the same pitch at the same time and this one is really tough to call. My mind says City, but Madrid always seem to figure it out somehow. The Round of 16 starts on Feb. 18 with Atletico Madrid vs. Liverpool and Dortmund vs. PSG. These should all be some pretty exciting games. Only time will tell if my predictions are anywhere near right.

Women's basketball shutdown at home against SDSU By Bradley Piros sports editor MACOMB, Ill. — The Western Illinois University women’s basketball team kicked off a two-game home stand last night with a 89-48 loss to the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits, bringing them down to an even 11-11 record on the season (5-4 in conference). “That was just like a frustrating game. I feel for our players and that’s what I told them after the game. A lot of teams have been there, you know where the game was just over in the first quarter and you got to sit out there and battle,” head coach JD Gravina said after the 41-point loss at home. The Jackrabbits started out hot right from the first whistle, going on a 14-0 run, forcing Gravina to call a time out. “Yeah, I mean that’s just so tough because you know it’s hard not to feel like you just lost the game in the first four minutes,” Gravina said. That was the message after the first few minutes of this very one-sided game and his thoughts during that first time out of the game. Coming out of the timeout, Western still couldn’t figure out how to break through the Jackrabbits’ defense and were forced to take a shot clock violation. It was that kind of night for the Leathernecks. Scoring wise, SDSU had five players score in the double digits, but just two for Western. Trying to climb back into the game, junior guard Elizabeth Lutz led the way for the Leathernecks. She had 12 points on the night, all coming from

behind the three-point line. She made half of Western’s three-point attempts throughout the game. As a team, they shot a mere 21.2 percent from downtown and 24.6 percent from the rest of the field. Senior guard Olivia Kaufmann scored 11 points and had two rebounds while redshirt sophomore guard Danni Nichols dropped eight points but led the team with her six rebounds. The usual rebound machine, sophomore forward Evan Zars, had four on the night. It’s a tough game that they’ll have to put behind them, because it doesn’t get any easier. “I think we just keep pressing forward,” Lutz said after the game. “We have a lot more games and a lot more opportunities. We have another game on Saturday so we don’t really have the time to get down on ourselves, we just got to keep pressing forward.” Western will finish the weekend tomorrow night (Feb. 1) at home against the North Dakota State University Bison. NDSU is coming off a 58-44 win to the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons on Thursday. They sit at 6-14 on the season and 3-5 in conference. On top of that they are 2-7 on the road, but are heading into this matchup on a two-game winning streak. The last time Western and NDSU squared off was back on Jan. 2 in Fargo, N.D. and it saw the Leathernecks come out on top in a 79-78 doubleovertime thriller. Based on that game, this matchup won’t be one to miss. Tip off is set for 4:30 p.m. tomorrow inside Western Hall.

becca langys / photo editor

Olivia Kaufmann dribbles the ball up court. inside Western Hall.

becca langys / photo editor

Danni Nichols dribbles the ball around the three-point line.

becca langys / photo editor

Elizabeth Lutz looks up court and waits for a play call.

becca langys / photo editor

Evan Zars sets up shop undearneath the basket.

Men's hoops kick off second half of schedule against SDSU Jackrabbits By Jacob VanZuiden courier staff

becca langys / photo editor

Kobe Webster looks up for a rebound attempt.

When the Western Illinois men’s basketball team tips off Saturday evening at 7 p.m., the second half of their schedule, and season, will officially be in full-swing. Coming into this one, the Leathernecks sit at a record of 5-13 with a 2-6 in-conference mark, placing them in eighth in the overall Summit League standings. While this may not seem ideal, the win-loss column doesn’t tell the entire story. The Purple and Gold haven’t gone down easy this season, with three of their last four losses coming at less than an eight-point margin. However, their opponent for Saturday night, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits, pose a tough test - one that proved to be too much for the Leathernecks the last time these two teams met. In their previous matchup back on Jan. 4, the Jackrabbits proved why they’re one of, if not the best, team in The Summit League this season, downing Western by a score of 56-91. Defeating South Dakota State in their second go-around will undoubtedly be a tall task for Leathernecks, but there’s one

key aspect that may work in their favor: home court advantage. They’ve performed considerably better at Western Hall this season, notching four wins at home compared to just one on the road. Of their six home losses, only two have come by more than eight points. As it currently stands, South Dakota State possesses the best record of all Summit League programs at 16-8 with a 7-2 in-conference record. They’ve been automatic while playing at home this season, earning themselves a flawless 12-0 record. However, this is a squad that hasn’t traveled particularly well. Road games have appeared to be SDSU’s Achilles heel, holding a current away record of just 4-8. After Western stunned the top-seeded Jackrabbits last season in The Summit League tournament, they’ll look to get the best of this team once again. As it appears, the Leathernecks possess the perfect recipe for an upset if they can come out of the gates hot. To do so, they’ll need the continued scoring contribution of junior guard Kobe Webster. Webster, who eclipsed the 1,000-point mark for his collegiate career earlier this season, has been the main source of offense for the Purple and

Gold all season, averaging a lofty 15.9 points per game. Not far behind him is sophomore guard Zion Young, who has managed a 14.1-point-per-game clip of his own. Defending the wing will be the Leathernecks’ primary focus in order to limit South Dakota State’s leading scorer and top playmaker, junior forward Douglas Wilson. Wilson, a twotime NJCAA All-American at Kirkwood Community College, has led the Jackrabbits in scoring this year by a wide margin, pouring in 17.8 points per game. In his first game versus Western Illinois, he led all scorers with 19 points, shooting 9-13 from the field. Western Illinois redshirt senior forward James Claar will likely be tasked with containing him on defense. While a victory here may seem like a far-fetched outcome for Western, it can be argued that they hold the cards for an upset. However, win or lose to wrap up their two-game home stretch, the Leathernecks will have just a few days to shift their focus to the road as they’ll take on Purdue Fort Wayne next Wednesday in Fort Wayne, Ind. for the first of two away games.