Opinions: Students reflect on North Quad experience.
Sports: Kyler Murry enters the NFL draft.
Sports: Leathernecks to take on first place Fort Wayne.
Friday, January 18, 2019 - Vol. 119 Issue 46
Jimmy person/Production Manager
By Steven Barnum news editor
New economic opportunities may soon be available for residents in the Macomb region. When the plan becomes a reality, the Illinois Innovation Network could offer Illinois residents the chance to create a more diverse and skilled local economy. The network will be a system of connected hubs in cities all across the state. On paper,
the institution will seek to prepare workers in Illinois for an evolving, modern-day economy. That preparation would span from education to training to groom college students for the workforce with internships. Ben Taylor, the assistant director of communications at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, says leaders of the group have approached towns with universities in the initial stages of development. He sees mo-
mentum in a possible hub location in Macomb. “We’ve engaged every public institution in the state,” Taylor says, “and all of those discussions have been encouraging,” Taylor said. “Western is one of them.” As of now, plans are underway to put hubs in Chicago, Champaign and Springfield, all of which include U of I campuses. Places near fouryear institutions are the priority, but Taylor says that the network will act as a vehicle
for everyone, even business owners, to grow the local economy. One of the purposes of the program is to retrain workers in a transitioning workforce. Taylor recalls when a General-Motors plant shut down in Danville, Ill., which left hundreds of people out of work. “There wasn’t a big enough manufacturing sector to absorb that, so in that instance, this network could have retrained workers so that they could find a new job
and didn’t have to leave the area,” Taylor said. The Illinois Innovation Network could benefit the economy of a state in desperate need. Illinois is in the midst of a population decline, where more residents have been fleeing the state in the previous five years than any other state in the country.
Network page 2
365 Nutrition Macomb is open for business By Marc Ramirez edge editor
devon greene/ editor-in-chief
Western graduate Kristin Talley celebrates the opening of his first business 365 Nutrition Macomb.
Kristin Talley a Western Illinois University graduate and her business 365 Nutrition Macomb, were welcomed with open arms by the community after opening on Dec. 10. 365 Nutrition Macomb is located on 1061 W. Jackson St. Suite 101, Macomb, Ill. Talley graduated in 2018 with her bachelor's degree in kinesiology with a minor in nutrition. Since then, she’s used her degree to help better the lives of people within the Western community by providing nutritious drinks and encouraging people to reach their health goals. “Since opening, business has been booming,” Talley said. “We’ve made way more in sales than I ever expected, but even better, the more people we get in here the
more lives and healths we are affecting. When entering the store, all the empty canisters and boxes along the wall symbolize all the help that has gone into helping the Leatherneck community reach their health goals. Talley said that there were even more on display, but they just didn’t make the aesthetic cut. The store opened during finals week, four days before the University closed for break. The company was still able to thrive during a time when students were away from campus. “We were able to survive break with the support received through the Macomb community,” Talley said. “Most companies see a huge dip in their numbers over breaks, we didn’t really see a lot of that which is great.” The store has a variety of
drinks for sale, all of which help fuel the body in a delicious guilt-free way. Aloe shots, teas, boosted teas and shakes are available in a wide-variety of flavors. People can also purchase a full service, a combination of all drinks for new customers to have the full experience. “Something I would tell people who have yet to come in would be to come in and try,” Talley said. “I would strongly recommend trying our full service if it’s your first time coming in.” 365 Nutrition Macomb also introduced a play area for infants and toddlers to play in while their parents stop in for a drink to kick-start their workout.
365 Nutrition page 2
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Friday, January 18, 2019
NEWS
Network
from front page
There may not be a public institution in Peoria, Ill., but being that it is the largest city on the Illinois River, it still has plenty to offer. Taylor envisions the role that Illinois Central College, Bradley University, Caterpillar and OSF Healthcare could play in the network’s success. “I can see lots of people getting involved,” Taylor said. “A number of these hubs have expressed interest in exploring co-working space and agricultural types of startups. In Peoria, I can see health majors at Bradley take interest, start working on a project through OSF and get their foot in the door, which could lead to a full-time job. They may not have had a connection to OSF before that, but maybe this network would give them that connection.” Giving workers the chance to stay in the Land of Lincoln could also potentially entice new businesses to plant their roots in the state, which would give the network a symbiotic appeal. Industry shifts are constant, Taylor
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argues, so these hubs could retrain workers for a field with increasing demand, like high-tech. The future of technology and innovation may be in Illinois. Students at Illinois colleges earn 10 percent of the nation’s computer science degrees, according to Business Journals, and the numbers of students majoring in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), has dramatically spiked in the last several years. “It certainly doesn’t hurt to have that background,” Taylor said. “We can work with an engineer or a computer-science type, but I don’t think it’s going to be limited to STEM students at all.” Before assembling the network, Taylor will first speak with local leaders about the strengths and weaknesses of their region. Each region in the state brings something different to the table, so it’s important to find the strongest industries so that the Illinois Innovation Network can help grow those industries.
For example, leaders in Macomb would argue that the city is in the center of an extremely prominent agricultural region, so a hub in the McDonough County area would focus on how to adapt to changes in modern-day farming and planting trends. The hub that will be assembled in Chicago will be led by Northern Illinois University, which will give them a voice in the future of the local economy. Early plans for that hub indicate that food systems and sustainability will be the primary focus. Specifically, the hub would help connect the use of data and computing power with combating environmental issues or issues in food scarcity and safety. The Illinois Innovation Network is currently in the building phase with a launch date aimed for the fall. Looking down the road, Taylor foresees the institute drawing more interest from local organizing bodies, but that is something they will explore later. Students and faculty from universities like Western could help shape the future alongside the Illinois Innovation Network.
STAFF MEMBERS editor-in-chief Devon Grrene DJ-Greene@wiu.edu news editor Steven Barnum
proofreader Amanda Wandachowicz
SS-Barnum@wiu.edu
A-Wandachowicz@wiu.edu
opinions editor Allison Young
photo editor Becca Langys
AN-Young@wiu.edu
RE-Langys@wiu.edu
sports editor Bradley Piros
assistant photo editor Sara Remar
BJ-Piros@wiu.edu
SE-Remar@wiu.edu
assistant sports editor Chris Bean
production manager Jimmy Pierson
CR-Bean@wiu.edu
JM-Pierson@wiu.edu
edge editor Marc Ramirez
business manager Faith Rucker
MA-Ramirez3@wiu.edu
F-Rucker@wiu.edu
copy editor Brie Coder
advertising manager Jacob Day
B-Coder@wiu.edu
JD-Day@wiu.edu adviser Will Buss WJ-Buss@wiu.edu
WesternCourier.com
365 Nutrition
from front page
Talley explains that customers who are parents and don’t have their kids in school don’t have to worry about bringing their children in the store but if they do, there is an area for children to stay at if parents want to pick up a drink for the day. “Moms want to meet up and talk this is a perfect place to do it,” Talley said. “We are a very family oriented business and by looking at our staff and customers proves it.” 365 Nutrition Macomb also has a convenient study area for students to come in, lounge around and do homework with tables and chairs set up for a study area.
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The Western Courier is published Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays during the regular school year, excluding holidays, finals week and semester breaks. The WC updates the website weekly during the summer. All content reflects the editorial discretion of the students operating the newspaper and must be interpreted as unofficial university communication. While every attempt is made to determine the validity of advertising contained herein, the advertising in the WC is not to be construed as endorsements of any specific products or services. The WC assumes no responsibility or liability resulting from the content of paid advertisements. Subscription price is $36 per year mailed third-class bulk rate from Macomb. The WC is printed by The Galesburg Register-Mail in Galesburg, Ill.
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Talley encourages customers to come in at anytime, however if she’s not in the store to help, she explained that she has a friendly and welcoming staff who are able to answer any questions people have. Workers at 365 Nutrition Macomb are knowledgeable about the products and can explain the nutritional facts to the customers. In addition, Talley also explained that the business will soon begin a result wall, showcasing the staff and frequent customers results as inspiration for new customers to continue coming in and encouraging them to also live a healthy lifestyle. The ambitious 22- year-old hopes to have her second location open up sometime in July.
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Friday, January 18, 2019
@WesternCourier
NEWS 3
Campus Crime Reports
Legend Cannabis
•On Dec. 5 at 10:34 a.m. nonstudent David Crawford, 22, of Chicago, was arrested on North Quad Drive on a McDonough Country warrant for failure to appear. He was transported to McDonough County Jail at 10:46 a.m. where he was lodged pending bond. •On Dec. 7 at 8:54 a.m. a University employee reported someone had damaged a residence hall room door in Tanner Hall. The lock ($150) and door were damaged. The incident is under investigation. •On Dec. 7 at 5:44 p.m. non-student Javon Brown, 19, of Chicago was arrested in Bayliss Hall for possession of cannabis (30-99 grams). He was lodged in the McDonough County Jail at 6:18 p.m. pending bond •On Dec. 8 at 3:52 a.m. OPS and the Macomb Fire Department responded to a fire alarm in Bayliss Hall. No smoke or fire was found and no injuries were reported. •On Dec. 8 at 9:42 p.m.
OPS and the Macomb Fire Department responded to a fire alarm in Bayliss Hall. No smoke or fire was found and no injuries were reported. •On Dec. 8 at 10:02 p.m. a student in Corbin Hall reported she was battered by someone known to her. The incident is under investigation. •On Dec. 8 at 11:29 p.m. Saraya Washington, 20, of 701 Henninger Hall, was issued a notice to appear in court Jan. 15 for possession of less than 10 grams of cannabis and Jacobi Dixon, 19, of 411 Henninger Hall, was issued a notice to appear in court Jan. 15 for possession of drug paraphernalia. Two students were also judicially referred for cannabis use. •On Dec. 9 at 11:20 a.m. OPS and the Macomb Fire Department responded to a fire alarm in Thompson Hall. No smoke or fire was found and no injuries were reported. •On Dec. 9 at 4:48 p.m. OPS and the Macomb Fire Department responded to
Alcohol by a Minor
Burglary/Theft
Fire Alarm
Other Report
a fire alarm in Henninger Hall. No smoke or fire was found and no injuries were reported. •On Dec. 10 at 5:50 a.m. a student reported that a male non-student known to him entered his Tanner Hall residence hall room and allegedly displayed a pocket knife and then stole a gaming system, valued at $600. OPS has identified the suspect, and the incident is under investigation. •On Dec. 10 at 2:03 p.m. non student Gregory Crump, 21, of Chicago, was arrested in Tanner Hall for domestic battery and for two McDonough County warrants for failure to appear (obstructing ID and assault). He was transported to the McDonough County Jail at 2:15 p.m. where he was lodged pending bond. •On Dec. 11 at 9:15 p.m. three students in Bayliss were judicially referred for behavior (fighting). On Dec. 12 at 10:28 a.m. Alexis Dockery, 18, of Tanner Hall 424, was arrested at the corner of Chandler
Boulevard and Elting Street on a McDonough County warrant for aiding a fugitive and theft in connection with the Dec. 10 report of the theft of a gaming system from a Tanner Hall room. She was transported to McDonough County Jail at 11:09 a.m. where she was lodged pending bond. •On Dec. 13 at 6:04 p.m. a student reported the theft of an emission control system, valued at $100, from his Ford Escape parked in L-Lot between noon4 p.m. The incident is under investigation. •On Dec. 17 at 10:10 a.m. a WIU employee reported the theft of $75 from a drawer in Sherman Hall between Dec. 14 and 9:30 a.m. Dec. 17. The incident is under investigation. •On Jan. 3 at 1:19 p.m. a University employee reported the theft of $456 from Western Hall over the holiday break. The incident is under investigation. •On Jan. 3 at 2:20 p.m. OPS and the Macomb Fire Department responded to a fire alarm in Olson
Hall. No smoke or fire was found and no injuries were reported. •On Jan. 10 at 7:49 a.m. non student Blaise Ahokpnou, 26, of Monmouth, was arrested in Olson Hall on a McDonough County warrant for failure to appear for aggravated battery. He was transported to the McDonough County Jail at 8:20 a.m. where he was lodged pending bond. •On Jan. 14 at 6:41 p.m. a student in Thompson Hall reported $1,500 in damage to his vehicle while it was parked in T-Lot. The incident is under investigation. •On Jan. 15 at 1:52 p.m. OPS and the Macomb F i re Department responded to a fire alarm in Currens Hall. No smoke or fire were found and no injuries were reported. •On Jan. 15 at 5:05 p.m. a student came to Mowbray Hall to report she was struck by her roommate. The incident is under investigation.
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Friday, January 18, 2019
OPINIONS
WesternCourier.com
JIMMY PIERSON/PRODUCTION MANAGER
JIMMY PIERSON/PRODUCTION MANAGER
As many seniors near graduation this upcoming spring, I can’t help but to reminisce about my previous years here at Western, and think about how things won’t ever be the same. Since I’ve been at Western for all four years of my college career, I have been able to witness the many changes and challenges that this institution has experienced. Looking back at my first year at Western, I can honestly say that I had the time of my life. There were so many events and gatherings to enjoy. Staying up until four in the morning only to have to wake up for an 8 a.m. class the next day wasn’t as much of a hassle as it is now. Parties were frequent and enjoyable, and we as students didn’t have a care in the world. However, as the years have passed, the experiences have died down, and I find myself undergoing the same routine every day of the week. The thrill of college is what made the experience most memorable, and now all I find myself having are those memories to think back to, because Western has definitely changed. Hearing that North Quad would be closing was unfortunate, but not surprising to say the least. Aside from losing funding, Western has lost its wit. We’re not as influential and enticing to the eye and mind as we used to be. Students may consider the educational opportunities when choosing a college to attend to, however a positive and worthwhile student life should also
be something offered on the campus of their choosing, but it seems that Western doesn’t have that anymore. Yes, we’re trying to make the most of the cards we’re dealt, but we can only do so much. The student population used to be high enough to not question hard times to come. Yet, here we are at hard times and students are either not returning or not wanting to come to Western at all which is causing a decline in the population each semester. Yes, change is a constant thing, but to see this once flourishing and lively campus become so dull is honestly sad to see when you know the potential it once had. I will always appreciate the experiences and the connections that I’ve been given here at Western, but that spark that I once had about college is no longer there. College is indeed what you make it, but what happens when there are no tools or resources to make anything with? We’re still standing as a community which is commendable, but things won’t ever be the same if we don’t make the necessary changes to give students the desire to be here anymore. We need the unforgettable experiences back and I’m not just talking about free chicken sandwiches at Chick-fil-a every Friday before class, although that wouldn’t hurt. What I’m saying is that we need to find that spark that Western once had. I miss the old days and it would be nice to have them back.
Contact
AN-Young@wiu.edu
Greek life is essential to American universities. The stereotypical university experience is rarely missing the notorious tales of late-night partying and next day cleaning. For incoming freshmen students, the freedom that university and Greek life afford are in themselves intoxicating. For example, to go from a rigid-rule oriented household with a curfew and chores cannot begin to compare to the complete opposite in college life. Students go from being told what to do, what they can and cannot wear, what to think and how to feel, to being completely free and independent from their parents for the first time in their lives. It is the lack of guardian oversight that lures a large portion of 18 and 19-year olds to continue their education (besides the obvious economic advantage of a higher education). Yet, there are differences in policies that regulate how fraternities and sororities are treated by the university administration. For example, it has always been university policy to allow and in some cases (albeit not publicly) encourage fraternities to socialize and party. It is permissible for university fraternities to host/ throw their own parties without university oversight. These are the parties we have all attended, the parties that are infamously portrayed in mainstream movies and the media. How one may feel about this, whether they are good (in order to socialize and relieve stress), or if they are bad (sexual assault and alcoholism/ drug abuse) and whether or not
fraternities should be allowed to throw parties is up for debate, what is not up for debate is the obvious gender bias. For example, it is current university policy to not allow and outright discourage sororities from hosting parties, even small ones like birthday parties. It is also university policy to forbid alcohol in any capacity within sororities. This is based on gender biases. It is permissible for men to drink, smoke and party but women are not allowed to do the same. This is in my view point, openly sexist to both male and female university students. It is openly sexist towards women for the obvious reasons mentioned above, because according to the university policies and their inherent intent, women cannot govern themselves and are apparently incapable of enjoying their freedoms in a civilized manner. These university policies are also sexist towards men because they are held to a lower standard than women. Men are not expected to behave, follow the rules and refrain from alcohol and drugs. According to these current university policies, women are held to a higher standard of behavior than their male counterparts, and men are expected to not be capable of self-restraint. These policies are enforcing century old gender roles and should be removed. Today, men and women are equal and ought to be treated as such in all aspects of life, including university Greek life. In other words, let women enjoy themselves for once.
Wednesday, January 18, 2019
@WesternCourier
OPINIONS 5
Changes need to be made to the WIU cheer team
 Western Illinois University has several different sports teams that students can be a part of. Most of these sports have the ability to give out scholarships; whether it's for books, tuition or gear, most students that are recruited for a sport receive some sort of payment in return. As a Western cheerleader for the last two years, I have noticed that there has not been much money provided to the cheer program. Because there are some obvious differences seen throughout each sports pro-
gram, I am starting to get frustrated with the treatment of the cheerleading program. I tried out for the Western Illinois cheerleading team in April of 2017. After the tryouts, there were 25 men and women on the team. There were a few who could not continue after the semester ended because they did not meet the GPA requirements. However, we had a second tryout to fill those spots and still ended up having 25 people total. At this time, we got the experience of going to camp as a team to learn how to
better ourselves for gameday. Having a team that large was absolutely amazing because we had so many different stunts and pyramids. Now, a year later, we started the year off with 19 men and women combined. Although this does not seem like a big drop in numbers, it did do a little damage when it came to options for stunts and such. If you were to take a look at the cheerleading team at a basketball game now, you would notice that there are about nine of us left. Although some have been dropped due to failure to receive proper grades, community service requirements or study hours, there still should not be 10 people missing from where we began. Several people have felt that cheerleaders
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The editoral views of the Western Courier shall be confined to this editorial and are to be separate from news coverage otherwise noted. The editoral presented is based on the ideas and views of the WC editoral board.Columns are the opinions of the columnists alone and should not be construed as the opinions and beliefs of the WC staff as a whole.
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2018 Fall Semester Editorial Board
Edge Editor - Marc Ramirez Editor-in-Chief - Devon Greene Opinions Editor - Allison Young
do not get the respect or recognition they deserve. As a cheerleader, you are expected to go to every home football game, every home men/women's basketball game and practice twice a week. This can become a huge commitment considering I receive no money towards anything as a cheerleader. It saddens me to see the program go so downhill because cheer used to be a passion of mine, but it has almost become an inconvenience. Now, I am not asking for the University or Athletics to pay for everything like other athletes receive because I know that is not a feasible request. I think that getting some sort of payment towards equipment that is required would be the most beneficial in my eyes. The
only other payment that might be helpful would be support when it comes to buying books. I understand that funding in several places is always tight, I just do not find it fair that other sports teams get so many things for free, when the cheerleading team receives close to nothing. I would love to see these changes implemented soon, but I know that it will be hard because there are already budgets set. I just do not know how much longer members of the cheer team are going to want to pay out of pocket for so many things. I saw the decrease in numbers in the program happen within less than a year, and I cannot imagine that they will grow anytime soon if there are not any changes made soon.
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Friday, January 18, 2019
Sports
Women's from back page
Higginbotham on the other hand, has been very productive from beyond the arc this season. Draining 40 three pointers this season has not only placed her fourth on the Summit League leaderboards, but the senior has also broken the three-point record for the Leatherneck basketball program. After Sunday afternoon’s game against Omaha, Higgenbotham sits atop the Leatherneck record books with 222 career three pointers made, edging out alum Michelle Maher who totaled 221 in her career at Western. Higgenbotham currently sits with 226 and continues to show why she’s one of the most dangerous shooters in the Summit League. The two seniors have also showed they can not only dominate on offense but can be
just as dangerous on defense. Kaufmann and Higgenbotham lead the Summit League in steals with 54 and 36 respectively. Higgenbotham has also proven herself as a dominant rebounder, recording 7.6 rebounds per game (fourth in the Summit) and 144 total boards this season (second in the Summit). While Kaufmann and Higgenbotham are dominant on offense for the Leathernecks, there is a Mastodon who stands in the way of the scorers. Fort Wayne sophomore center Jaelencia Williams has placed herself on the leaderboards with her 22 blocks. Higgenbotham and Kaufmann along with the Leathernecks hope to keep their winning streak alive against Williams and the Mastodons this Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in Western Hall. Twitter: thefluffy66
Kyra Washington looks to inbound the ball.
Men's from back page
The keys of the game for Western on defense is to shut down Konchar. There is no doubt he is in conversation for Player of the Year in the Summit League. In the Mastodons’ four out of eight losses, Konchar was held under his season average. The Necks also must be aggressive on the glass. The Mastodons have four of the top 23 offensive rebounders in the Summit, and no surprise Konchar leads the league with 2.8 a game. For offense there’s only one key to the game, give Gilbeck the ball. He is fourth in the Summit in field goal percentage averaging 61.1 percent, but only averages 9.3 points a game. If the Necks start feeding Gilbeck and have another scorer in double figures, it will open the offense up so much more. Twitter: cre_bean
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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. Houses for Rent 2016/2017: A&D Real Estate has several 3, 4 and 5 bedroom houses for rent, all with at least 2 bathrooms, recently rennovated and located close to campus. Call for a tour or visit our website at www.wiucollegerentals.com. Local landlord with a focus on clean and updated housing with personal service for your college housing needs. 309-313-1122. FALL INTO SAVINGS with Charleston Boulevard Apartments! Now offering SPECIAL RATES through Dec. 2017! Call for specific details 309-833-4545!. NICE, CLEAN, WELL MAINTAINED 1 TO 6 BEDROOM HOUSES FOR 2016-2017 Our houses have hard wood floors, ceramic tile, central air, washer and dryer and are close to campus with plenty of parking. We offer a ten month lease so you don’t pay for the months you aren’t here. Please call 309-255-1959 for a showing. Now showing for 2017 & 2018 year 2, 3, and 5 bedrooms homes all close to campus. Call 309-331-4565. Westen Investments: Leasing season has officailly begun, and we’re showing properties now! 1-5 bedroom houses close to campus are ready to be leased for this upcoming school year! Call our office at 309-833-5995 to schedule an appointment! Stay updated with us on Twitter @Western_Invest 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!
Isaac Johnson dribbles the ball up court.
Brandon Gilbeck goes up for an easy layup.
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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. NICE, CLEAN, WELL MAINTAINED 1 TO 6 BEDROOM HOUSES FOR 2017-2018 Our houses have wood floors, ceramic tile, W/D, central air, and are close to campus with plentry of parking. We offer low rent and a 10 month lease to save you money! Call 309-255-1959 for a showing. 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. Timbercrest Apartments 1587 Riverview Drive Now showing 1 & 2 Bedroom Units. Very clean, close to WIU campus with bus stop in front of building. Washer/dryer available in most units, all other appliances included, FREE INTERNET, ceiling fans in every room, pet friendly. All units have off street parking and private decks overlooking campus. Both 10- and 12-month leases are available. Openings for Summer 2017 and school year 2017/2018. Deposit required. Phone (309)833-3192 and leave message. Westen Investments: Are you looking for an apartment? We are now showing our beautiful 1-3 bedroom apartments for this upcoming school year! Don’t like paying for utilities? Ask about our ALL UTILITIES options, and be sure to check out our website (westerninvest.com) to see our listings! Schedule an appointment with us today at 309-833-5995. The nicer apartments are going fast, excellent service- 24 hour emergency maintenance. Reasonable prices. Studio, 1-3 bedrooms, locations on/off campus available ‘18-’19 school year. Check us out at rentcollegepads.com. If interested, please call F & H Rentals 309/837-1705.
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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. 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. Spacious 3 Bedroom Upper in Duplex close to campus and Jackson St. All utilities furnished and appliances Includes cable and internet 18/19 school year $375.00 per Br Ph 309 255 8086 Please leave message Still have some nice large locations available at reasonable prices. Excellent service- 24 hour emergency maintenance. 1-8 bedrooms, locations on/off campus available ‘18-’19 school year. Pets at some locations. Check us out at rentcollegepads.com. If interested, please call F & H Rentals 309/837-1705. Looking for 2 roommates to share a 3-bedroom furnished house beginning in August for 2018-19. 10- to 12-month contract. New carpet, air, garage w/ storage, laundry. $300 each per month, plus utilities. Call Sharon at 309-338-3888.
@WesternCourier
Friday, January 18, 2019
Sports 7
Kyler Murray declares for the NFL By now you’ve heard the name Kyler Murray. Currently one of the hottest names in all of sports, the budding phenom quarterback took the college football world by storm this season, shattering multiple records on his way to becoming the University of Oklahoma’s second Heisman Trophy winner since Baker Mayfield in 2017. The redshirt senior netted the second-most total yards of all time in a season with 4,945 yards altogether. This past Monday at 2:23 p.m. via his own personal Twitter account, it became official that Murray is heading to the 2019 NFL Draft. However, he will be faced with an extremely tough decision. Murray, a standout athlete in baseball at OU as well, was drafted with the No. 9 overall pick of the 2018 MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics as a left fielder. At just 21-yearsold, Murray has a bright future in whichever sport he ultimately decides to pursue. Nonetheless, it will be the biggest decision he has to make in upcoming months. Murray has a long family his-
tory of athletic success. His father, Kevin Murray, was a standout quarterback at Texas A&M where he was a two-time second-team all-American and led the Aggies to a Cotton Bowl title, along with two conference championships in the 1980s. Coincidentally, Kevin also spent time in the Milwaukee Brewers’ minor league system before attending A&M. Kyler’s uncle also excelled in baseball, spending time in the MLB with three different teams: the San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs. No impediment on Murray’s talent, it seems as if he were destined to become a professional athlete. In fact, assuming he is selected in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft, Murray will become the only player in the history of sports to be drafted in the first round of both the MLB and NFL Draft. Instead of choosing one sport over the other, some analysts have suggested that Murray could choose the route that would make him a modernday Bo Jackson. While the comparison of the two is interesting
to think about, it’s a bit farfetched considering the difference of the two’s physical build and frame. Standing at just 5-foot-10 and 194 pounds, it’s hard to believe that Murray’s body could endure the physical stress of both sports and remain both durable and effective in his respective careers. Jackson was one-of-a-kind and at 230 pounds, he was built like a brick wall from head to toe. Ultimately, the comparison of the two is unrealistic. Not many decisions can impact a decorated athlete as much as the one staring Murray in the face. In February, he’s going to have to determine where he sees more future success and income. If you ask Deion Sanders, a 14-year NFL veteran who won two Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers, he’ll tell you that Murray should choose baseball and not think twice about it. Earlier this week, in a sit-down interview with Champion, Sanders reflected on his decision to play professional football over baseball and is seemingly trying to help Murray avoid the same mistake he made. “If I was in his shoes, I’m picking up the bat, and I’m not looking back,” Sanders said. “That’s just for me. Sometimes, I still have regret that I didn’t
give it [baseball] more, but you know, I’ve got a gold jacket in the closet. I’m straight. But I wish I would have given it more.” Going the baseball route could give Murray an extended career in the long run as compared to football, but the NFL offers him something the MLB cannot: a guaranteed roster spot and ample opportunity right from the get-go. There’s no question that Murray can make a lot of money in baseball long-term, but star quarterbacks, which Murray just so happens to be, are generally seen as diamonds in the rough and NFL teams have no problem paying the premium for them. He would net a gaudy salary if he is, in fact taken in the first round and would be able to forego several seasons of baseball in the minor leagues where an injury or freak incident could occur on his track to the big leagues. In this day and age, nothing is for certain. Taking the guaranteed money in front of him to play in the NFL should be a huge factor in his decision. Critics have been skeptical about Murray’s lack of size at the quarterback position and how his game translates to the NFL. While that’s a fair point to address, the same said-to-be knocks on his game resemble Seahawk quarterback Russell
Wilson’s in the draft process back in 2012, and it’s evident to know how that turned out. For Murray, his football IQ and situational intelligence are superb. He also does a great job of limiting turnovers, a key quality that NFL draft scouts look for. This could largely correlate with his ability to escape the pocket and make his presence felt as a runner instead of forcing throws downfield when under pressure. As a ball carrier, Murray possesses good vision and elusiveness that forces the defense to key-in on him each and every play. This will open things up for him on offense in the pros and make his life easier compared to other immobile quarterbacks. Rumblings around the league show multiple scenarios where Murray would wind up as a top-10 pick. Two quarterbackneedy teams in the Giants and Jaguars pick back-to-back at picks No. 6 and 7. Imagining the trio of Murray, Saquon Barkley and Odell Beckham Jr. in the Big Apple is exciting and could end up a very real possibility come April. At the end of the day, however, it’ll be up to Murray to decide which sports career he wants to pursue, but the money that will be thrown at him by the NFL right from day one will be hard for the emerging star to pass up.
Tennis takes on Mizzou Tigers By Bradley Piros sports editor
MACOMB, Ill. – The Western Illinois University women’s tennis team was supposed to kick off their spring season this Saturday against the University of Missouri Tigers, but it has been postponed due to incoming inclimate weather. A date and time for reschedule has not been released yet. The Leathernecks are coming off one of their best fall seasons in recent memory as they made the Summit League tournament for the first time in three years. Western only has three players returning from last year’s team: junior Laura Ballesteros and sophomore sisters Ana and Mary Bjelica, daughters of head coach Mirko Bjelica. These three are the backbone of the team, boasting a 7-3 conference record and a 31-11 overall. These three have been dominant in singles matches as well as doubles where all three of them are pretty much interchangeable.
The remaining five players joined the team in the fall and really rounded out the team. Anouk Maajong, Natalie Malone, Mia Melnizki, Camryn Rossa and Megan Tagaloa. These five all earned their first collegiate victory back in the fall season and are ready for more. The Tigers, on the other hand, are in a little better shape. They have six players returning with three incoming freshman. They finished 13-16 last fall and fell out in the first round of the SEC (Southeastern Conference) tournament. Mizzou plays in a much more competitive conference, having to play the likes of Florida, Ole Miss, LSU, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt. Their final four meets are by far their toughest in Tennessee, Georgia, Auburn and Alabama. So, last season’s 13-16 record isn’t bad at all for them. The Tigers have a total of eight players, half of them being recruited from other countries. Of these recruits is
freshman Lisa Fukutoku from Tokyo, Japan. She went 6-1 in singles action in the fall and 1-0 against ranked opponents. She was able to take down No. 46 Lauryn John-Baptist from Arizona State. These stats rank her at No. 60 in the latest Oracle ITA (Intercollegiate Tennis Association) singles rankings. Mizzou also has freshman Vivien Abraham from Budapest, Hungary. She is a U18 Hungarian national champion in doubles and has been ranked among the top-10 Hungarian juniors for several years now as well. The point being, Mizzou is going to be a great and tough opponent for Western to kick off the spring season against. At the moment of typing this, the meet has still been postponed and is unsure if it will be made up. If these matches aren’t made up, the Leathernecks will kick off their season next weekend with a double-header against the Southern Illinois UniversityEdwardsville Cougars and the University of Green Bay. Twitter: bradjp08
JOSH PURNELL/COURIER STAFF
Junior Laura Ballesteros ready to serve the ace.
Women's basketball seeks winning streak By David Koier courier staff
FILE PHOTO
Taylor Higginbotham lines up for a free throw.
The 2018-19 basketball season hasn’t been an easy one for head coach JD Gravina and the Western Illinois Leathernecks women’s basketball team. After graduating six seniors, including star guard Emily Clemens, the Leathernecks were looking at a young team for the 2018-19 campaign. The young team hasn’t been able to gain much momentum in the wins column or the Summit League standings. Sitting at a 7-12 overall record and a 3-3 conference record, the Purple and Gold are seated sixth in the nineteam Summit League. Things have been looking up, however, for the team winning back-to-back games against Summit League competitors North Dakota and Omaha. This past Wednesday’s win over the Mavericks of Omaha saw senior guard Taylor Higgenbotham lead the Leathernecks in scoring with 20 points, going 4-9 beyond the three-point line. Defensively, Higgenbotham and junior forward Kyra Washington led the Leathernecks with seven
rebounds apiece while junior guard Olivia Kaufmann recorded five steals on the night, leading both teams in that category. The Leathernecks are looking to keep their winning streak alive this Saturday when they face off against the Mastodons of Purdue Fort Wayne at Western Hall. The Mastodons are currently sitting at the bottom of the Summit League with an overall 4-13 record, while not winning a single game in their five conference matchups. Leading the Leatherneck offense this season is the strong veteran leadership of Kaufmann and Higginbotham. Kaufmann has been a point scoring machine this season, not only leading her team in the category, but also placing herself in the top five in the Summit. Kaufmann ranks fifth when it comes to points per game, posting a dominating 15.5. She also ranks fourth in both total points and field goals scoring 294 points off of 99 made field goals.
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Leathernecks host first place Mastodons By Christopher Bean assistant sports editor Macomb, Ill. — The Western Illinois University men’s basketball team is set to take the Purdue Fort Wayne University Mastodons. The Mastodons come into the game with a 12-8 record and 4-1 in Summit League play, which is tied for first with South Dakota State. They defeated the Jackrabbits 104-88 back on Jan. 3. That was the fifth time they have scored over the century mark. Their season high is 112 points against the Earlham Quakers. The Mastodons have scored over 90 points, and are 7-0. It is no surprise that this high-powered offense is 20th in college basketball in scoring, averaging 84.3 points a game. It is no shocker this offense has been so dominant. They are led by senior guard John Konchar. They also have a nice spark plug off the bench in sophomore guard Matt Weir, who is third in the Summit in 3-point field goal percentage, averaging 47.3 percent beyond the arc. However, with all the weapons the Mastodons have on offense, it has not translated to the other side of the ball. Fort Wayne gives up 77.6 points a game, which is tied for 300th
in college basketball. Their poor defense is the reason they have eight loses, giving up more than 85 points in seven of those losses. The Leathernecks are finally come back home after suffering a three-game losing streak on the road to Oral Roberts, North Dakota State and North Dakota. The Necks are an impressive 5-2 at home this year, but not so much on the road where they are 1-10. Lately, the Leathernecks have gotten great production from their two sophomore’s Isaac Johnson and Kobe Webster. In the last three games, Johnson has scored 15, 15 and 16. In the five conference games, Webster has average 16.6 points a game and is fourth in the Summit averaging 17.7 points overall. On the other end, it is no surprise that senior center Brandon Gilbeck is leading the Summit in blocks, averaging 3.9 blocks a game, but even more impressively, he is second in the nation in blocks. Gilbeck is also fourth in the Summit with 8.3 rebounds a game.
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Kobe Webster defends a player inside Western Hall.
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