March 2, 2017

Sports

Features

Opinions

Seniors lead basketball into conference tournament

Planetarium increases presence on campus and the community

Eboni Miller explains how college weakens health habits

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THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

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The Obama administration publicized federal guidance saying a federal law known as Title IX protects the right of transgender students to use restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identities. The Obama administration said schools who failed to comply with this guidance would be at risk of losing federal funds.

The Trump administration rescinded this federal guidance. The Departments of Justice and Education issued a joint statement encouraging state and local school districts to have more of a role in implementing educational policy. Fifteen states have taken this to heart and now have gender identity and sexual orientation protections in their Safe Schools Non Discrimination laws to protect transgender students. However, the other 35 states, Missouri included, do not. These states are left to interpret federal law and to make their own determination on how to proceed with transgender students’ bathroom rights and regulations.

Sources: NPR.org, PBS.org, and transequality.org

Truman supports transgender students’ bathroom rights

By Rachel Fechter

News Text Editor index.newseditor@gmail.com

Jamie Ball, Truman State University Institutional Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator, sent out an email Feb. 24 explaining despite political and social climates shifting and the recent rescinding of former President Barack Obama’s federal guidance regarding transgender bathrooms by President Donald Trump’s administration, that “there will be no changes to any of the policies which support and protect transgender people in our community, and Truman’s commitment to making the University as safe, respectful and inclusive a place as possible remains unchanged.”

A guidance, unlike actual federal legislation that states must follow, provides information and examples to inform recipients about how different governing bodies, like the U.S Department of Education for example, should evaluate if organizations are complying with their legal obligations, according to the United States Department of Justice.

Ball said information from the Office for Civil Rights indicated schools will not be required by the reversal of this guidance to enact any bathroom policies, but the federal government is not going to be as supportive in fighting against the bathroom policies that some jurisdictions are trying to impose in schools.

“That telegraphs to us that there have been some shifts that are shaping the legal issues related to these questions,” Ball said. “For us, right now, nothing needs to change. We’re the same community we’ve always been. But because some of the stuff coming out of our federal government is a little confusing, it seemed appropriate a time to just remind the

community nothing needs to change here. Pee where you want to pee.”

Ball said the policies at Truman have remained that students can use the bathroom they feel most comfortable using.

“There isn’t a specific policy telling people where to pee,” Ball said. “It’s basically just presumed that you will use the bathroom that you’re most comfortable using” Ball said she believes with the reversal of this guidance the state of Missouri’s focus will not be so much on transgender bathroom regulations in higher education but more so in kindergarten through 12th grade education.

“At this point I don’t see there being a lot of momentum towards limiting the rights and protections of transgender people in the higher ed community,” Ball said. “However, one thing I’m mindful of right now is a senate bill here in Missouri that would relate to bathroom facilities K through 12. That indicates where the law might be leaning. The silver lining of the way that bill has been developed and is being considered is that it’s not as sweeping as the law in North Carolina was. In North Carolina, what they contemplated was any public space you would need to use the bathroom that corresponds to your biological sex. What’s being contemplated here in Missouri is public schools K through 12. The thing about that environment is that we are thinking about children and there’s an extra burden that lawmakers, parents and people in that setting feel to be extra protective of kids. I think the drive to be protective of younger kids is there and will always be there. The fact that our lawmakers are not trying to push beyond the environment of K through 12 maybe telegraphs that we’ll be able to think about our own community standards and have

policies that make sense for us as a community. That’s my hope.”

While Ball said she acknowledges people have different thresholds when it comes to privacy, she said she is frustrated by the misinformation surrounding transgender people which often perpetuates a perceived need for restrictive transgender bathroom bills.

“The one thing I find to be really frustrating is the notion that transgender people are conflated with sexual deviants or sexual predators,” Ball said. “That to me is a harmful lie.

The thing of it is, if someone were to come into a bathroom and try to harm you, that’s already a crime. We don’t need an extra law to protect you from harm in a bathroom. Nobody’s supposed to harm you in a bathroom.

The idea that we need to stigmatize transgender people in the bathroom setting frustrates me a lot because it’s basically saying you can’t exist. These bathroom bills are basically telling transgender people you don’t have a right to exist in public. That is a painful message to be sending to people. I understand people have opinions and needs in terms of their sense of privacy in private spaces like bathrooms, but to me none of the statistics or realities related to the risk of a transgender person using the bathroom of their gender identity bears out any need to limit their need to the bathroom they deem most appropriate for them.”

Junior Mica Smith, transgender student takes comfort in knowing Truman supports the transgender community whether or not they are supported at a state level and said he thinks Truman has made some great strides in transgender inclusivity.

See TRANSGENDER STUDENTS page 4

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Organizations work to raise funds for ACLU

By Spencer Foust Staff Writer

Four cultural and political student groups will be holding a fundraiser on March 7 to raise money for the American Civil Liberties Union and awareness for Middle Eastern culture. The event will take place on The Mall and is coordinated by the Students for Middle East Peace, Students for a Democratic Society, Muslim Students Association and Hillel, the Jewish student group.

SMEP President sophomore Megan Kraus said each group contributes something to the fundraiser, including falafel sales by SMEP, tea and henna art by MSA, challah sales

by Hillel and a symposium by SDS. Kraus said they will move the event to Georgian Room C in the event of bad weather. Kraus said while each of the involved groups had discussed working together in the past, President Donald Trump’s travel ban was what finally moved them to action.

MSA secretary senior Emma Shouse said junior Maha Mohamed was the mutual friend of each of these groups that sparked the idea for a joint fundraiser.

Mohamed, one of Truman’s practicing Muslim students, immigrated from East Sudan when she was a child and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. She came to Truman in 2014 and said she’s found a safe haven in a small town that allows her to immerse herself among other Muslims.

Mohamed said she wouldn’t call herself the founding voice of this movement, but rather it was a collective effort.

Shouse said following Trump’s travel ban in early February, Mohamed spoke with members of MSA and Hillel to try and coordinate a joint meeting between the two groups. Mohamed said she has close connections to both groups and wanted them to combine forces to respond to the ban.

“There was a lot of different messages in a lot of different group chats, so the night MSA decided to crash one of Hillel’s meetings, it kind of came as a surprise to their president,” Shouse said. “I don’t think he expected that many people that night.”

Following the initial meeting between Mohamed, MSA, Hillel and SDS later the group SMEP also joined.

Hillel President junior Devin Gant said while the fundraiser is donating its money to the ACLU, his personal goal is to spread a message of tolerance that he thinks has been lost in the religious community.

“This is seen through all three Abrahamic faiths — be it Islam, Judaism or Christianity — one of the most fundamental tenets of all three faiths is that what truly matters is the love and common good for all people,” Gant said. “We all have different ways of getting there, but our goal is the same. What we want is a better future.”

City grants Kraft extension

By Spencer Foust Staff Writer

Kirksville’s Kraft Heinz Plant is behind on its agreements with the city and has been given a full year delay on hiring more full-time employees. The $229 million expansion and Kraft’s agreements with the city were set Feb. 29, 2016, and the project has run into delays that Michael Mullen, Kraft Senior Vice President of corporate and government affairs, said these delays are expected for a project of this scale and complexity.

The Kirksville City Council and Kraft set the agreements as part of a deal where the city issued $229 million in chapter 100 bonds, which would allow the city to take control of Kraft’s personal property while also giving them a 10 year tax break. The news came as a surprise to Kirksville after Kraft threatened to downsize a year prior, but the chance for more full-time jobs for Kirksville residents was welcomed. Kraft had until Nov. 1st, 2017 to meet an agreed figure of 479 full-time employees, according to a piece published in the Kirksville Daily Express Feb. 8th.

In early February, Kraft had only 452 full time employees — just 27 positions short of the Nov. 1 agreement according to The Daily Express. Now, just three weeks later, the city reports that Kraft is above the agreed minimum of 479.

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Mullen said by the end of this month they will have hired 200 new employees — a combination of salaried, hourly and temporary agency employees.

“Furthermore, we are proud of our $250 million investment in Kirksville,” Mullen said. “Which will completely renovate the existing factory, bring in state-of-the-art food processing equipment, and nearly triple the square footage of the facility.”

Those seeking job opportunities can seek those employment options with the Kraft plant. Jobs.mo.gov — a website for seeking employment opportunities in Missouri — currently has 11 job listings posted for the Kraft plant. The availabilities were posted as early as Jan. 20 and as recently as Feb. 18. Positions require levels of education ranging from a GED to a bachelor’s degree.

Ashley Young, Assistant City Manager, said because the deadlines have been extended, Kraft will not face any penalties for the delays in construction and employment. Any building materials purchased for the project within the city of Kirksville will not be subject to sales tax through the project completion date, according to Kirksville Finance Director Lacy King’s financial report. It’s difficult to determine the fiscal impact the delays and construction will have on the city, according to King’s report.

The project exemption certificate created by Kirksville City Council which was originally assigned to expire this February, was extended to June 30, 2017.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Adriana La Rosa Ransom and Geoffery Duce perform in guest recital

STUDENT SENATE IN BRIEF

The Senate is meeting with John Gardner to discuss its Suicide Hotline resolution.

The Senate is finalizing its plans for Diversity Week.

The Senate passed an appropriations slate.

The Senate had a first read of a resolution extending the 2016-2017 organizational activities fee review committee deadline.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Photo by Nicolas Telep/TMN

Photo by Nicolas Telep/TMN

Top: Cellist Adriana La Rosa Ransom and pianist Geoffery Duce perform at the Guest Artist Recital. The Music Department hosted the event Friday night in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.

Left: Ransom, a professor at Illinois State University, and Duce, a concerto soloist native of Scotland, perform some of the works of Beethoven, Bach, Bartok and Brahms. Ransom is a Kansas City native who studied music at the University of Missouri where she eventually obtained her bachelor’s degree. Duce studied music at Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester University and Universität der Künste, Berlin.

Bottom: Ransom stands to applause after performing Bach’s Suite in C Minor. The recital was open to the public and was supported by Sigma Alpha Iota and Phi Mu Alpha.

Photo by Nicolas Telep/TMN

Theatre Department puts on “Woman In Black” production On Feb. 22 - 25 the Truman Theatre Department put on a production of “Woman in Black” a play based on a horror novel by Susan Hill. The main plot of the play was about a lawyer who hires an actor to assist him in recounting the tale of a traumatic event that has transpired in his life to his friends in family. The traumatic event, and where the play gets its title, occurs when this lawyer sees a ghost who has been haunting a small town, who appears as a woman in black at the funeral of an elderly woman in the town. Time Out New York described this play as “an uncomfortable lurch in the pit of one’s stomach.”

Quinn leads colloquium about African economics and politics Political science professor John Quinn led this month’s Global Issues Colloquium with his presentation entitled “When Elephants Fight: How Global Geopolitical Changes Impact African Institutions.”

Quinn began the colloquium by stating a popular Swahili proverb — “when elephants fight, the grass suffers” — as a reminder how political and economic turmoil amongst African nations or with other countries consequently impact the people within those countries just as much, if not more than just the governments initiating the conflicts. Quinn then gave a brief history of Africa’s political and economic shifts, demonstrating how Africa today appears to be moving toward more democratic forms of government and more capitalist forms of economy, but that many of the countries are still developing these policies.

CRIME REPORTS DPS & KPD

Serving the University community since 1909

Staff 2/27 Property damage reported at the 2/25 Property damaged reported at the 1800 block of S. First St. 1300 block of S. High St. Editor-in-Chief Austin Hornbostel Managing Editor Johanna Burns News Editor (Text) Rachel Fechter Lifestyle Editor (Text) Austin Hornbostel Lifestyle Editor (Multimedia) Brently Snead Sports Editor (Text) Rachel Steinhoff Sports Editor (Multimedia) Seth Wolfmeyer Opinions Editor Will Chaney Copy Chief Megan Robison Assistant Copy Chief Molly Thal Design Chief Samantha Nielsen Staff Writers Stephanie Hulett, Brooke Bailey, Curt Wichmer, Chris Burk, Lesley Reno, Mercy Tee, Kayla Perkins, Nicolas Telep, Kira Hintz, Spencer Foust, Morgan Alexander, Jeremy Jacob, Jessica Shultz, Maddie McDermott Cartoonist Annie Kintree, August Davis Copy Editors Julianna Foster, Megan Gibbons, Trevor Hamblin, Katie Puryear, Ian Madden, Bethany Spitzmiller, MacKenna Palazza, Sarah deVeer Designers Clarissa Todd, Lawrence Hu, Mariah Radle, Emily Mollet Photo Editor Damian Soane Photographers Athena Geldbach, Austin Dellamano, Hannah Conner, Hudson Taylor Distribution Manager Kain Kneib Distribution Representatives Jessica Rose, Taylor Libbert Adviser Don Krause

2/27 Theft reported at the 1800 block of N. 2/25 Theft reported at the 300 block of S. Baltimore St. Baltimore St. 2/27 Theft reported at the 0 block of Overbrook Dr.

2/25 Theft reported at the 1900 block of Salter Place

2/26 Property damage reported at the 2/25 Theft reported at the 2200 block of N. 2200 block of Normal St. Baltimore St. 2/26 Domestic disturbance reported at 2/24 Theft reported at the 1400 block of N. the 500 block of S. Franklin St. Walnut St. 2/26 Domestic disturbance reported at 2/24 Harassment reported at the 1600 the 800 block of E. Illinois St. block of S. Franklin St.

Mark your calendar World War I era musical performance 7-8 p.m.

March 2.

Ophelia Parrish 1114

Truman contemporary - music group, Uncommon Practice, along with guest musician Jeffrey Seppala will perform original World War I era music at the Great War Exhibition in the University Art Gallery.

Himalayan Night 6-8 p.m.

March 4.

SUB Activities Room

Namaste Nepal is hosting its 13th annual Himalayan Night, a program celebrating Nepalese culture through cultural dance, song and traditional cuisine. For more information about all events happening with this organization, contact namaste@truman.edu.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

[Our View] Visual support must be backed with action At the Feb. 26 Academy Awards ceremony, several celebrities wore blue ribbons in support of the American Civil Liberties Union, which received attention from media outlets including The New York Times, People and The Washington Post. Some of the stars issued public statements about the ribbons, such as Best Original Song nominee Lin-Manuel Miranda, who said “I’m wearing an ACLU ribbon because they’re fighting incredible fights right now for American ideals,” according to the Los Angeles Times. This small group of people used their platform to spread their message to perhaps millions of people, a feat that would be difficult for most people in society who do not share their status of fame.

We, the Truman Media Network Editorial Board, commend these individuals for standing with an important cause and fully utilizing the opportunity to practice free speech at the Oscars. However, after the photo shoots and interviews, a person who commits to supporting a cause must follow through to the best of their abilities. It is unclear whether or not all of those wearing a ribbon at the ceremony regularly support the ACLU through donations, promotions, active membership or other means.

Usually, the non-visual work produces the most progress and is often more important than what is socially visible.

Furthermore, providing only superficial visual support can negatively impact the efforts of those who are involved. A celebrity’s well-publicized reassurance or new profile picture gives the impression that others are handling the issue, which can discourage those who would otherwise lend their support. Claiming solidarity with a cause is a weighty statement that must be backed by effort, time, resources or whatever the circumstances might demand.

Following through is also essential for local issues, including those on our campus. For example, many members of the Truman community support LGBTQ rights movements in a visual way. Many professors and staff display “safe zone” signs on their doors, some students fly the pride flag at their places of residence and others have sympathetic

bumper stickers on their cars. However, displaying these symbols must be accompanied with engaging in these tough conversations, speaking out against hateful actions or spreading awareness to others.

“Safe zone” signs are already connected to broader action, and those who display them are required to attend training that helps them make a difference.

But if you’re going to be an ally, just accepting the label does little to advance the struggle against inequality, just like the ACLU ribbons without action. An individual’s level of involvement with any particular issue is up to them — not everyone has to

acquire a law degree to support civil rights litigation, or join a mass demonstration for gender-neutral housing to be an ally. However, a lone yet public statement of support is rarely in the interests of the cause, and it might only serve different, less commendable ends more concerned with self interest.

Whenever individuals become involved with combatting social problems, they must always prioritize the needs of those who are most affected by the social problem over themselves. If you stand for “ideals” as Lin-Manuel Miranda suggests, you must help to fight the “incredible fights.”

The freshman fifteen turned into a college 38. Going to the gym is super annoying and uneventful.

I have tried to pick it up over time — still slacking though. Meals, over the course of two and a half years at Truman State University, consisted of cereal, fried greasy foods from Sodexo and fast food restaurants, cookies and doughnuts. We all know Sodexo isn’t the healthiest to eat. The fat and carbohydrate content is in no way helping form a healthy diet.

As far as fashion, I know what you wore growing up meant a lot at home and at school. All the schools I attended required uniforms, but when we had dress down days, it was like a competition.

Everyone pulled out their best shoes and outfits. It really brought out the best in people’s self-expression. What made it a little challenging was that I grew up Muslim. Typically Muslim girls dressed modestly, so even our ankles didn’t show. I had to separate Western fashion from Muslim fashion. My fashion and creativity really flourished in middle and high school. Islam made me think outside of the half-naked American trends I saw everyone wearing, and I desired to wear to something more.

When I got to college the fashion that people adopted was something completely different.

Students’ outfits here are very basic and uninspiring — a lot of running gear, sweats and dirty shoes.

Unfortunately, my fashion turned into the exhausted single dad look. I started to look like everyone else. I would only dress up on certain occasions. I am dressing up a lot more now, and growing up my sense of fashion has shifted and evolved into something better. One day I went back to observe how my fashion trends changed. It went from crazy, loud colors and printed pants and glasses, to chic and edgy combinations with scarves, cardigans, mom jeans and hats.

Think of it as a mother who had six children.

The mother finds herself absorbed in keeping up a happy home and working, and she loses what used to be a priority — herself. She gains weight, has more anxiety and higher blood pressure. She hasn’t gone to the nail shop since her first child was born,

hasn’t gotten her hair done in years and she keeps wearing her old maternity clothes from five pregnancies ago. That’s how it feels when we go to college and get wrapped up in rigorous work that piles up in two days. We neglect our hair — and for some people, hygiene overall. We’re all that mother of six that can’t seem to get it together.

From my observations, college can make you become a person you never thought you would.

In high school the only sweats I owned were my senior sweats. I never thought I would actually wear them on a daily basis until college. Because I was never athletic in school, I kind of thought I needed to lose weight, and coming to Truman just amplified things. I’m laughing out loud because in a way it’s both funny and devastating. I know it is definitely easier said than done, but eating healthy is essential. It gives us more energy, clears our skin and cuts down our weight. I am a struggling work in progress, so I start off small, like going to the gym three days a week, drinking at least three bottles of water per day and cutting out Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and Oreo cookies that I eat more than I should. Habits can be reduced little by little.

Then, before you know it, you’ve developed a routine that can be improved and achieved every day and becomes a lifestyle. Same goes for developing your fashion day to day. I was stuck in a rut last semester because I didn’t know where to begin as far as picking up one of the things I loved the most — expanding my own fashion. So I began to ask my friends and looked on Tumblr, looking for several fashion blogs. I finally picked up my habit of styling my own outfits and found my joy in clothes again. Little by little, anyone’s habits can improve with the right motivation and discipline.

College can weaken consistent fashion, healthy diet and other established habits

Eboni Miller In high school, fashion was everything — at least at the high school I attended. Your diet was also somewhat manageable in those days. High school was a lot of people’s glory days — when most of us were in good shape and didn’t have work related stress. Most of us didn’t pay bills — all we had to worry about was getting a job and good grades, which wasn’t hard to achieve. When you get to college, your sense of fashion and decent diet completely deteriorates.

What partially causes weight gain in college is the fact that your parents aren’t here to tell you what to eat. That’s definitely how it was for me.

For example, cereal — my whole life my parents always told me to only eat cereal during breakfast time. As soon as I got to college, I ate cereal at all times of the day, because I didn’t have anyone to tell me no.

Researchers at Auburn University in Alabama studied 131 students throughout four years of college and found that a whopping 70 percent of them packed on pounds by graduation — with an average of 12 pounds and a maximum of 37 pounds. They blamed late night snacking, unhealthy dorm meals and lack of exercise, according to Health.com. The overall percentage of students found to be overweight increased from 18 percent to 31 percent. The researchers noted gains in body fat composition and waist circumference as well.

In high school, I was 162 pounds. I am now in my junior year of my undergrad, and I am 200 pounds.

Eboni Miller is a junior justice systems major from St. Louis, Mo.

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TRANSGENDER STUDENTS | Jamie Ball and member of transgender community weigh in on current and future bathroom policies at local, state and federal level Continued from page 1 “There’s a lot of good opportunities that we’re afforded that we don’t have at other schools,” Smith said. “Not everything is perfect, but we have a lot to work with. Most professors are pretty cool with names and pronouns. I would say generally, faculty and staff do as much as they can to help within the restrictions they do have. A lot of professors are moving towards not reading off the roster and allowing you to introduce yourself and put your name on a card [giving] you an opportunity to put down your pronouns if you want to.”

However, Smith said there are ways Truman could improve with gender neutral bathrooms as well as other areas of campus.

“With the whole bathroom situation, we technically have gender neutral bathrooms in some spaces but they’re not gender neutral because we accept that there’s people who don’t go to binary bathrooms,” Smith said. “They’re gender neutral because they’re handicap accessible, which is fine, but no one has explicitly acknowledged that LGBT people are welcomed to use the bathrooms as well.”

Smith said he feels it would be helpful if Truman had at least one bathroom specially marked as gender neutral in every building as a starting point to be symbolically more inclusive in this regard.

Smith also said another symbolic way for Truman to show support for the LGBTQ communities

would be for there to be more of an effort moving forward with implementing an LGBTQ resource center and more transparency toward both of those

“I don’t understand restricting rights of humans. We all are human. I can’t conceptualize it.

I am worried that that’s going to become a national thing and it’s going to affect the way we exist in public.”

- Junior Mica Smith communities in how the project is going.

“There’s been talk about a queer resource center, and I know that it’s passed, but nothing has been done about it and it’s kind of frustrating because Prism and Sherri Palmer, advisor for Prism, [are] completely out of the loop,” Smith said. “It kind of feels like they’re pushing us off to the side. There is the international house, there’s the MAC, there’s all these other resources for all these other minority groups but we just don’t get recognized. It’s not a hard fix. We’re not asking for really any money. We just want a safe space that will always exist.”

Smith said he thinks the recent removal of the transgender guidance and Missouri’s proposed transgender bathroom restrictions in kindergarten through 12th grade will make the lives of transgender youth even more difficult in the future.

“Middle school’s already rough, then being trans on top of that, [and] not being able to use the bathroom on top of that just sets up the kids for failure, honestly,” Smith said. “It promotes negative behavior towards people who are different than you. I don’t understand restricting rights of humans. We all are human. I can’t conceptualize it. I am worried that that’s going to become a national thing and it’s going to affect the way we exist in public.”

Missouri Senator Ed Emery proposed Senate Bill 98 referenced above that would require all bathrooms, locker rooms and shower rooms shared by multiple students aged K-12 be used by either only male or only female students and would mandate students must use the room of their biological gender. According to the Associated Press website, Emery said the purpose of this bill is to ensure the safety and privacy of all students in these schools.

Emery told Associated Press “We get in those situations, and you are inviting abuse” referring to the speculated risk having people of different biological genders, even if they may have the same gender identity, sharing facilities like bathrooms and locker rooms.

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THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Planetarium strives to be

Photo by Kira Hintz/ TMN The Del and Norma Robison Planetarium offers a new Saturday show during March, “Dark Matter,” along with a day of free shows March 22 to celebrate Del Robison’s birthday. The planetarium has been open for three years.

BY KIRA HINTZ Staff Writer

The Del and Norma Robison Planetarium, which began its third year open on Truman State University’s campus, continues to offer students and the community a wide variety of new programs and events while also focusing on making itself more known to Kirksville and its residents.

Committee Chair Jared Young said several new events begin during the end of February and the start of March, including the debut of the planetarium’s newest Saturday show “Dark Matter,” which talks about the theory of dark matter as it exists in the universe. The show started Feb. 25, Young said.

The planetarium will celebrate the birthday of one of its patrons, Del Robison, with free shows all day Wednesday, March 22.

Young said the planetarium will also show movies hosted by the Agriculture Science Department and the Multicultural Affairs Center, which plan to show the movie “Hidden Figures” March 21. The planetarium will host various free shows, Young said, through this semester and early next semester as a way to highlight the solar eclipse Aug. 21. For a full list of shows and events, visit planetarium.truman.edu.

“There are lots of reasons for community members to come to Truman, but the planetarium specifically is another way we can reach out to the community and connect.”

-Committee Chair Jared Young

Young said the planetarium is capable of many functions. Young said he likes to reference the BBC show “Doctor Who” because the planetarium is very much like a TARDIS in that it can travel through space and time. Young said the computer software Digistar 4 can also enable travel through most places in the Milky Way Galaxy. Young said guests can view planets, moons, stars, comets and asteroids. Going one step further, Young said the software can also allow people to land on the surface of the objects being viewed, or people can choose any location to go to on planet Earth, like Kirksville, and the sky of that location will appear on the inside of the planetarium.

Construction on the planetarium began in 2005 and was completed in 2014, Young said. He said they’re still looking to establish the planetarium more within the community. “[Because] the structure has existed for a long time, people got used to it being here but not used to it being open,” Young said. “The planetarium being open is still a relatively new thing. We still get people who walk by our door and come in and say, ‘Ah! I didn’t know this place was open!’ And it’s been open for two years. So we’re continuing to work on advertising and outreach to make more people aware. I think a lot of the schools in the surrounding area are aware just because they’ve used it for field trips and things like that.”

Young said the past two years taught the planetarium committee how to run the planetarium more efficiently. By simply asking questions and trying out features in the software, Young said this has helped himself, student workers and the committee learn more about what they can do in the planetarium. Young said the planetarium committee has also recently learned how to run a simulation that displays the future view of the upcoming solar eclipse.

VOLUME 108

ISSUE 18

After seeing what the planetarium could do and hiring student workers, Young said he knew he wanted to create a hub for liberal arts education or liberal arts outreach on campus. Students don’t need a math or physics degree, Young said, to be able to benefit and grow with the planetarium.

Young said the planetarium should be a place where Truman students can come learn. Another focus that is equally important, Young said, is also being able to reach out into the community to schools and groups and provide an opportunity for them to look at the stars, listen to poetry or come and learn something new.

Young said he appreciates the planetarium’s diversity as a venue that’s open to several departments, groups and the surrounding community, which makes it so valuable to campus.

“To Truman students ... the first part is that it’s something else to do,” Young said. “It’s another event, something you can go to. It’s also an educational venue. It’s a venue that can run shows on its own about the star[s], about the universe, about discoveries, get people excited about space, excited about exploration, become curious about the world around them. But it’s also a venue that can be used by almost anyone else that has an event or a guest speaker or something that they wanna do. So there’s great value in having something like that as an asset to Truman. The other big part of it is the community outreach. Community members have a reason to come to Truman. There are lots of reasons for community members to come to Truman, but the planetarium specifically is another way we can reach out to the community and connect.”

Although Truman will experience numerous budget cuts soon, Young said the planetarium shouldn’t be affected because it relies on patron support.

Young said the basic upkeep and maintenance of the building is relatively minimal and the Information Technology Services and Physical Plant can be called to look at things excluding software, hardware and the facility. The planetarium isn’t selfsufficient, Young said, but it won’t accumulate any added costs or losses.

Another member of the planetarium committee is Charles Hunsaker, Truman’s director of development. A good portion of the funding for the planetarium, Hunsaker said, came through his and the Office of Advancement’s work in reaching out to alumni and friends to provide financial resources for the planetarium. Hunsaker said while he doesn’t work on the committee daily, he does function more as a group to help guide the purpose of the planetarium, as well as work on its policies, procedures, funding and upkeep.

In terms of the popularity of the planetarium between students and the community, Hunsaker said the planetarium still has room to grow, which will come down to marketing efforts. Trying to make sure people know about the shows that are happening, Hunsaker said, while ensuring the planetarium is selling the shows in an appealing way is important to bringing people in. Hunsaker said he thinks once people attend and experience a show they will want to return. Hunsaker said the planetarium is also focused on trying to let the general public know its shows are not just for students but for them too, which can be a struggle.

Hunsaker said the level of interaction from audiences can vary, but there is a difference between children and adults.

“A lot of the times we’ve found that you don’t have as near as hard a time getting a third grader to ask questions as you do the adult population,” Hunsaker said. “The adult population feels like, ‘I don’t [want to] ask a question. What if it’s a dumb question?’ And the younger kids, they’ll just throw out

tmn.truman.edu

all the questions they have, so tailoring it to the audience and allowing them to ask the questions and lead you in it is really kind of a cool thing. And one of the benefits of the software that we use, Digistar — which allows us, again, if [people] have a specific question about Orion’s Belt or that constellation, we can go to that constellation and talk about it. So it gives us a lot of flexibility [with what the different groups want].”

The planetarium is also supported on a donor system, Hunsaker said, with the number of donors varying each year. Hunsaker said there’s a donor wall outside the entrance to the planetarium that lists the donors. A lot of that donor money, Hunsaker said, went into supplying seating, the dome and the projector. There is also a group that helps supply programming funds, Hunsaker said. Although the group isn’t large, Hunsaker said they’re looking into creating a “Friends of the Planetarium” program that will allow more people to donate each year.

Junior Veronica Cheney, student worker at the planetarium, said she has only been working at the planetarium since the fall semester. Cheney said she was drawn to the job because she loves astronomy, stars and planets. As a business major, Cheney said she likes that her major is different from her job but the planetarium still does business-orientated things like responding to emails and marketing.

Cheney said the planetarium has brought a special twist to shows. The laser shows done last semester in October and December, Cheney said, included seasonal music and Halloween and holiday themed lasers. On Valentine’s Day, Cheney said people could name a star after their Valentine and then the planetarium staff would display the star with romantic music in the background.

Cheney said she values the planetarium and encourages more people to follow it through Facebook, Twitter and on its website.

“I think it’s very educational,” Cheney said. “I think that’s one of the things I really like — the idea of being well-rounded. And so it’s a great place for anyone to come and learn about the solar system, no matter what your major is.”

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UPCOMING SHOWS •March 2: Film showing hosted by Agriculture Science Department •March 21: “Hidden Figures” movie hosted

by Multicultural Affairs Center •March 22: Free shows all day •March 25: Public shows “Ice Worlds” and “Dark Matter”

@TrumanMediaNet

© 2017

6

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Fort Chariton brings local flair to pub dining

BY MADDIE MCDERMOTT Staff Writer

Fort Chariton is a recently opened bar and grill restaurant in Yarrow, Missouri, about 20 minutes away from campus, off of Highway 11 located on the Chariton River and just west of the Sugar Creek Conservation Area. The restaurant is a destination location in the middle of a campground.

The restaurant is owned by Angela Schultz and Bill “Grizz” Adams who chronicled their adventure remodeling the building, nicknamed “The Fort,” on the restaurant’s website, yarrowpub.com. “[At Fort Chariton] you get a break from your routine and can feel like you’ve left Kirksville without really leaving it,” Schultz said.

Schultz said what makes the restaurant different is its local flair.

With every step into the establishment, the atmosphere is enhanced by the paintings, neon lights and especially the repurposed, HGTV-esque decor and furniture — a wall made of old doors, dining tables constructed out of old chemistry lab countertops from the University of Missouri, window frames and rusty red paint on old tin.

“The restaurant and campground ... became our project that would take a year and a half to open,” according to Schultz and Adams on yarrowpub.com. “The building itself needed a complete renovation due to neglect and past flooding.”

“[At Fort Chariton] you get a break from your routine and can feel like you’ve left Kirksville without really leaving it.”

- Fort Chariton owner Angela Schultz

Schultz said the building had been empty for more than three years, was flooded in 2008, and was in disrepair down to the infrastructure. Because of its location by the Chariton River, Adams and Schultz decided to build a wall around the restaurant to keep out floodwater. From this, the name “Fort Chariton” was born.

“Grizz, my partner in life and in the restaurant, has a background in construction, and we really enjoyed transforming the place,” Schultz said. “We spent 16 months on it.”

Schultz said the original building is more than forty years old and had previously been a mill, convenience store, public hall and bar. She said the restaurant has rich sentimental value to the people of the community.

For example, Schultz said the Weber family, the family responsible for Kirksville’s only school bus system, had owned and operated the mill for a period of time near this location in Yarrow, and the first Weber buses were used to transport students from Yarrow to Kirksville in the 1940s.

Fort Chariton’s menu consists of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and desserts as well as a well-stocked bar, beer on tap, bagged ice and packaged

Photo by Maddie McDermott/ TMN

liquor to go. Schultz said some of her beef is even locally sourced.

“People can partake in washer, corn hole and shuffleboard tournaments and volleyball, as well as sitting by one of our twelve fire pits,” Schultz said.

Social media has had an especially prominent impact in advertising Fort Chariton, Schultz said. They have a Facebook page and a website, and many of the customers actively take part in reviews. Schultz said she is delighted with Fort Chariton’s success and hopes it will continue to thrive.

Fort Chariton often hosts live musicians, such as local band Busted String Band. Some Truman State University organizations have hosted events at Fort Chariton as well, such as hosting a Truman jazz group and a family day for Sigma Kappa.

“The two owners are very nice and genuine people,” Sigma Kappa senior Sydney Gosik said. “I planned a parents’ weekend event for my sorority with them, and they were so easy to work with and accommodating.”

Freshman Mackenzie Kloth said Fort Chariton was indeed a very enjoyable dining experience and she would recommend it to fellow students.

“Fort Chariton is a gem in the middle of nowhere, with a rustic, at-home feel, great food and great people,” Kloth said.

Fort Chariton is located at 26826 Yarrow Trail in Kirksville. Their kitchen hours are Wednesdays 4-9 p.m. — bar until midnight — Thursday, Friday and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. — bar until midnight or later — and Sundays 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. — bar open until 1 a.m.

Photos by Maddie McDermott/ TMN Top right: Chairs line a wall made of old doors. Fort Chariton was remodeled by new owners Angela Schultz and Bill “Grizz” Adams. Top Left: A smattering of neon signs bring character to the bar and restaurant. The building’s decor is made up of a mix of repurposed decor. Bottom left: Patrons can order the prime rib philly cheesesteak from Fort Chariton’s menu. Bottom right: The hamburger is one popular item from the menu. Schultz said she tries to source as much meat from local vendors as she can.

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7

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

EVENTS How to Adult — Life Hacks for SAB Presents John Rush Coffeehouse College Freshmen

University Swingers Social Dance

7-8 p.m. March 7 SUB Hub

7-11 p.m. March 3 Kirk Gym

The Center for Academic Excellence peer mentors will discuss ways to make the transition to adulthood easier and more successful.

John Rush, also known as the “Human iPod” because he continually takes requests from the audience during his shows, will perform in the Student Union Building.

The University Swingers are hosting a social dance. Join the club for an hour of lessons, no experience needed, followed by a social dance.

TOP

7:30-8:30 p.m. March 2 West Campus Suites, Multipurpose Room 100

1 2

Ways To Give Back To Your Community Give your time. Whether it’s stuffing envelopes, answering phones or manning a desk for a few hours, time is a valuable commodity.

Giving up a few hours of your free time is one of the most thoughtful ways to give back.

Fundraising. This doesn’t mean whipping out your pocketbook to cut a hefty check. Volunteer to help organize or run a fundraising event.

3 4 5

Labor. Sometimes the best thing you can do is be an extra pair of helping hands, even if it’s as simple as raking your neighbor’s leaves. Consider signing up for the Big Event.

Be a mentor. College students can serve as great role models for young children. Volunteer to tutor or serve at one of the local schools. Visit the Truman Serve Center for a list of organizations in need of mentors.

Support local organizations. Donate to food banks and participate in charity runs or walks sponsored by local organizations.

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8

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

Women’s basketball out of tournament CURT WICHMER Staff Writer

At the outset of the GLVC Championship tournament, the Bulldogs faced off against the Maryville University Saints in the GLVC first-round play-in game for the chance to enter the eight-team bracket and earn a trip to Evansville, Indiana. After an intense game riddled with lead changes, Truman State University dropped off 80-78 after a buzzerbeater by Maryville.

The tide of the game moved back and forth, with a total of 17 lead changes during the game’s 40 minutes. At one point during the second quarter, Maryville climbed to an eight-point lead, but the Bulldogs fought back and stayed in striking position thanks to scores by senior center Cassidy Clark and junior forward Ashley Hartwig. Freshman guard Sloane Totta went 4-4 in 3-point attempts and marked 13 points for the Bulldogs. During the fourth quarter, redshirt sophomore guard Brooke Bailey made a 3-point shot to tie the game at 78 with 31 seconds remaining — but Maryville came back and landed an offensive putback at the buzzer for the win.

Hartwig, who led Truman in scoring with a career-high 23 points on Sunday, said the Bulldogs could have used a few key stops against the Saints, especially in 3-point territory. Hartwig said the Saints averaged about seven 3-point shots a game this season, but made 11 in Truman’s loss on Sunday. She said it was a high-scoring game — and the team did a great job fighting back whenever Maryville took the lead — but she stressed the importance of defensive stops.

“I feel like we need to find better ways to move around and get the ball in the basket,” Hartwig said. “We kept up with them and would keep working — even after they took the lead, we’d bounce

Photo submitted by Sonam Wangynal/Truman Athletics Sophomore guard Rachel Edmundson protects the ball in a Maryville University trap. The Truman women’s season came to a close on Sunday, with Maryville downing the ‘Dogs 80-78 on a last-second shot. right back. If they scored, we scored too, but you can’t win games like that. You need to put up stops, and I think that’s kind of where we fell through.”

Head Coach Amy Eagan said the Bulldogs had a tough time dealing with Maryville’s offensive penetration and said the Saints scored more points in Sunday’s game than they had scored in any other match all year. Eagan said one of the Bulldogs, junior forward Jamie Gleeson, was out with a torn ACL. She said the team likely missed her experience handling the post and rebounding, but said it is all part of the game and the team needed to be ready to respond to a setback like this. Eagan said one thing the team can be proud of this season is their ability to overcome adversity.

“When we lost a few games early in the season, I was afraid the kids might take the opposite road,” Eagan said. “But they stepped up to the challenge, and I really think they grew as a team this year. Next year, we’ll take a hit by losing Cass [Clark], but we’re fortunate we have a lot of returning athletes … That’s the challenge of it, you just have to find ways of making it up.”

Freshman guard Eleanor Lueke said the team did a good job hitting shots early but allowed Maryville to grab too many second-chance points on rebounds, and putbacks. Lueke said despite the loss, she is excited for next season. She said the team will have a new slate of freshmen who will make good additions, and she thinks the whole team will be excited to get back to work.

Bulldogs finish indoor season BROOKE BAILEY Staff Writer

The GLVC Indoor Track and Field Championships took place in Indianapolis last weekend. The women took seventh place with 41 points, and the men took ninth with 19 points. Lewis University swept the men’s and women’s sides. Senior Sydney Cornett and sophomore Cassidy Smestad led the way for Truman State University, each taking home second place finishes. Cornett tied her career high jump of 5’6’’, and Smestad threw a new personal record of 46-00.75 in the shotput.

Cornett, Smestad and senior Laura Tarantino have the team’s provisional marks, and Smestad added personal accolades to the list with a personal record in weight throw as well. Smestad said she performed well at this meet, but said she wishes she would have finished first and hit a mark high enough to get to the NCAA Div. II Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Smestad said although she didn’t make it to Nationals, she can’t complain when she tried her best and set personal bests in each of her events.

“I am pretty content with how I performed at this meet, but I am looking for even bigger things as I turn my focus to the three events [shot put, discus, and hammer throw] I do outdoor,” Smestad said.

“I’m looking to build off these performances and continue improving in the outdoor season.”

Junior Heather Hughes competed in the 4x400 meter relay team that finished sixth, earning three points for the team. Hughes said the next few weeks are all about maintaining the shape they’re in.

Upon returning from Spring Break, practices will once again get intense by focusing on strength, speed and endurance. The first outdoor meet is March 31 at the Washington University Invitational in St. Louis. Hughes said the Kansas University relays and the GLVC outdoor championships is where they will see their toughest competition and must bring their “A” game. Hughes said she most looks forward to the Jim Duncan Invitational at Drake University because there will be a good mix of competition levels, and she said she thinks Drake has one of the best tracks in the nation.

On the men’s side, senior Brice Pavey earned points in the mile and 800 meter run, with a personal mile record of 4:18.63 — earning fifth place — and a seventh place finish in the 800 meter run.

Sophomore Elijah Farrales finished fourth in the 400, and freshman Brandon Hackamack finished sixth in triple jump. The men’s first outdoor meet will also be March 31 at Washington University in St. Louis.

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9

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

SENIORS | The Truman men’s basketball team will graduate five seniors with the class of 2017.

This class has led the way for the success that has come to be recognized with Truman basketball.

Continued from page 10 Sistrunk transferred from William Jewell College and was ineligible for a year because of the transfer process. He is relatively new to the class, only playing for a year and a half, but he chose Truman because of the connection he had with the men already here.

“When I first landed at Truman, at the time, the point guard Reed Mells and I went to middle school [together] so I knew him for forever, and the [Myers] twins and I have known [each other] since sixth grade,” Sistrunk said. “We are all from the Des Moines area, so it was the perfect feel.”

The ‘Dogs are currently 21-8 and headed to the GLVC tournament to face University of Southern Indiana on March 2 in Evansville, Indiana.

GTRUMAN L V C R E M A T C H STATE UNIVERSITY OF UNIVERSITY SOUTHERN INDIANA v

s

last time around...

Score:

3-point %

TSU 89 USI 111

SENIOR

37.9% 68.4%

Rebounds 35 42

Impact Players:

Jeril Taylor Jake Velky

35 points 13/15 shooting 28 points 9/17 shooting

SENIOR

kyle kanaskie

billy daniel

He played in all 27 games as a freshman and started in 19 of those games.

As a freshman, Daniel played in 25 games, starting eight times. His sopho-

He finished in double figures six times offensively and had a season high

more year, he saw 29 of the 30 games that year and averaged 3.4 points

of 15 points. He played through injuries his sophomore year, but still man-

during an average of 15 minutes per game.His junior year, he played in all

aged to play in 14 games and rack up some stats for the ‘Dogs. Junior year,

30 games, averaging 8.2 points and was second on the team with 4.5 re-

he was second on the team in points per game with 12.1. He has played

bounds per game. He had 23 blocks that year, one of two players to have

and started in all 30 games of the season. During his senior year, he is

20 or more blocks that season. Daniel has seen the court in every game

averaging 5.9 points per game, but average 17 points per game last week.

this year. He averages 5.7 points and 3.3 rebounds.

REDSHIRT SENIOR

CORY MYERS

As a freshman, he started 25 games and played in all 27. He had a team high of 119 assists and averaged 4.9 points per game. His sophomore year, he suffered a season-ending lower body injury after the first four games, where he averaged 6.8 points. After coming back from a medical redshirt, he was named to first-team All-GLVC and GLVC all-defense team as a redshirt sophomore. He was the only Bulldog to play in all 30 games averaging 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists. During his redshirt junior season he joined Kanaskie as the only players to start all 30 games. He was one of five Bulldogs to average in double figures at 11.3 points per game. He was second on the team with 3.8 assists per game. This season, Myers is averaging 14.5 points per game and 4.7 rebounds.

redshirt senior

REDSHIRT SENIOR

connor erickson

DWIGHT SISTRUNK JR

As a redshirt freshman, he saw 15 games averaging 2.2 points and 1.7 rebounds. He played in 29 of his 30 games as a redshirt sophomore averaging 6 points and 3.3 rebounds a game. He led the team with 44 offensive rebounds. As a redshirt junior, he started 22 games, averaging 11.4 points and was one of two players to get 20 or more blocked shots at 21. Erickson has started every game this year and is averaging 12.6 points. He had a season high of six blocks against University of

He spent a semester at Adams State University. He then transferred to William Jewell College, where he spent two seasons. He came to Truman and had to sit a year until he could become eligible. He played in 21 games as a redshirt junior, averaging 8.8 points per game and 4.2 assists per game, which was first on the team. As a redshirt senior, he is averaging 9.2 points per game and has started in every game this season.

Wisconsin-Parkside.

BASEBALL | The Truman baseball team welcomes seniors Nick Agliolo and Trevor Bell back to the field for the home opener this Friday. Agliolo returns from a broken hand while Bell is making the comeback from hip surgery on a torn labrum.

Senior Trevor Bell

Senior Nick Agliolo

Continued from page 10 “It’ll be fun to play with them again,” Agliolo said.

Utility player Trevor Bell has been injured since a collision with Agliolo in March last year. Bell said he felt pain the rest of the season in his right hip from what he initially thought was a hurt hip flexor. After an X-ray, Bell was informed he had torn his labrum in his hip.

Bell said he was given three options — to not have surgery and play his last year of baseball ever, to have surgery or to stop playing sports altogether. Bell said he had many emo-

tions and thoughts rushing through his head, but he knew for certain he wanted to play baseball again. He ultimately chose to operate and embark on the journey of recovery.

Bell said he had confidence he could return because of the expertise of the surgeon that operated on his hip. Dr. Marc J. Philippon invented the hip operation necessary to repair Bell’s labrum and gave it a 95 percent success rate based on previous operations. Philippon had performed the same hip operation on members of the U.S. Olympic team.

30

Bell said the first month after surgery was especially demanding because he couldn’t sit upright for more than an hour per day the first two weeks, leaving him bedridden. He wasn’t allowed to put any weight on his right leg the first three and a half weeks and used a wheelchair for the first week and a half.

Bell said the hardest part of recovery was sleeping in a continuous passive motion machine the first four weeks that constantly moved his leg up and down to stimulate circulation and prevent clotting. He said he was lucky if he got two hours of sleep any given night.

“Everyone looks forward to being able to go to bed,” Bell said. “I didn’t, because I knew I had to go back into the machine.”

Bell said he can now look forward to playing baseball because he is now cleared for all baseball activities. He credits his teammates and coaches for keeping him in the loop with practice updates and his work in the weight room with assistant athletic trainer Adam Cline.

Bell said he will also have to work on his timing and restoring strength in his right leg because strong legs are a solid foundation for good hitting. He said he isn’t as worried about returning to the field because he has served in a utility role for years.

“I didn’t lose the ability to play,” Bell said. “I just have to get the strength back.”

Head Coach Dan Davis said he likes being able to write Agliolo’s name back in the lineup card and to use Bell off the bench for defensive purposes. Davis said being able to plug Agliolo’s teamleading 34 RBIs and his speed back into the order will help the team score runs more effortlessly and sustain rallies more frequently.

Davis said the primary effect these additions will have on the team is the calming effect on their infield. Agliolo’s experience at the shortstop position will shift junior Brendan Trimble back to the outfield and freshman Evan Kayser back to second base. Davis said he noticed that Kayser seemed overwhelmed after Davis neglected to give the young shortstop sufficient time in practice at the key position, because he expected Agliolo to be available for opening day.

Davis said Kayser can now relax and slow the game down which, in turn, will improve their defense. He also said the availability of Agliolo and Bell will only make the team better even though the team didn’t focus on how they would replace them their first eight games.

“We compete with what we have and never worry about what we don’t have,” Davis said.

SPORTS

THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017

@trumanathletics

tmn.truman.edu

10

Photo submitted by Sonam Wangyal/Truman Athletics The Truman seniors pose with their families and coaches on senior day last weekend. The five seniors from left to right are forward Billy Daniel, guard Kyle Kanaskie, forward Connor Erikson, point guard Dwight Sistrunk, Jr. and guard Cory Myers. This graduating class has been recognized as a huge part in the successful turnaround of the program.

Seniors pave winning tradition

BY STEPHANIE HULETT Staff Writer

The 2017 graduating class of Truman State University men’s basketball has seen the program turn around from when it first arrived. In 2013, the season ended with an overall record of 10-17, then improved in 2014 and its first season in the GLVC to end with a 20-7 record. This senior class is made up of Kyle Kanaskie, Billy Daniel and redshirt seniors Dwight Sistrunk Jr., Cory Myers and Connor Erickson.

Head Coach Chris Foster said the turnaround speaks for itself, but the work ethic, leadership and selflessness has been there even when they might not have been getting the results they wanted. Foster said it’s tough to hold these qualities when wins are hard to come by, but his seniors have proven persistent and believed in every step of the process.

This year’s graduating class also has the rare characteristic of filling every position on the court. From point guard, to shooters, to post players, they have it all. Foster said this versatility from a skills standpoint was what the program needed to make that jump to compete with the best teams in a great league.

“It’s great — it’s kind of depressing to think about all those guys leaving,” Foster said. “Really,

their development during their time here and you look at how much better they’ve all got and how much they have grown as players through their hard work — that’s why we are able to take this program to new heights.”

Foster was also a new addition to this class and started as head coach for the Bulldogs in 2014. Before this, he spent one year as the assistant head coach.

Senior forward Billy Daniel said the team really pushed for Foster to be promoted to head coach even though he was a younger candidate. The previous head coach, Matt Woodley, left a little late, and Daniel said they knew the administration would have trouble finding someone to fill that role.

“We felt like that year Foster knew us, he knew how we played, and that way we could hit the ground running and not have to get adjusted to a new coach,” Daniel said. “We had a ton of faith in him, and we were really pleased with how the administration decided to stick with that.”

Daniel said even though the record saw major improvement with their class, there were many great teams and players before them that sparked this turnaround. He said he has seen leaders all throughout his career and said alumni forward Mike Carlson, an AllAmerican player for the program, guard Seth Jackson and guard Andrew Vander Zwagg were great players who paved the way for the program to start a winning tradition. During his time here, Daniel said these great individual players showed the team what it takes to win, but Foster will always preach a team focus. He said Foster tells them they have one year for each team — it’s not the previous year’s team or a future year’s team — it’s your team. The program embraces this mindset and focuses on what needs to be done for each year, each game and each individual to excel to their potential while representing the Truman name.

See SENIORS, page 9

“... You look at how much better they’ve all got and how much they have grown as players through their hard work — that’s why we are able to take this program to new heights.”

- Head Coach Chris Foster

Baseball awaits return of injured seniors

BY JEREMY JACOB Staff Writer

Injuries are just a part of the game. Truman State University senior infielders Nick Agliolo and Trevor Bell found that out the hard way when they both had offseason surgery and missed opening day of their final year as college baseball players.

After months of rehabilitation, they will make their season debut this Friday in the home opener against the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. Reigning first-team all-GLVC shortstop Agliolo will be able to slide back into the field and lineup for the Bulldogs’ conference opener. It is a day Agliolo said he has anticipated since the fall exhibition

game last September when he hurt his hand during an at-bat.

“I know I’m not going to get that time back, but you learn to appreciate the game more,” Agliolo said.

Agliolo discovered he had broken bones in his hand and sprained his wrist at a doctor’s visit over winter break. Agliolo said he was relieved he finally

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Photo submitted by Tim Barcus/Truman Athletics Senior Connor Erikson slices to the basket in Truman’s match against the University of Southern Indiana on Jan. 12. The ‘Dogs play USI tonight in the GLVC championship tournament. knew what was wrong, but he then realized he wouldn’t be ready in time for the season.

Before surgery, Agliolo said he was limited to cardiovascular and lower body strength exercises to avoid putting stress on his injury. When he had the surgery, he received the green light to continue his upper body regimen and apply stress on the hand. This was accomplished by exercises that tested his grip strength and flexibility in his wrist.

Agliolo said he was tested during his daily routine. Tasks such as writing and tying shoes became a struggle because he still lacked strength in his hand.

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Agliolo said all he could do was let the hand heal on its own terms. During his time as a spectator, he said he noticed the little aspects of baseball, like pitchers’ tendencies and defensive positioning for certain opposing hitters. He said this information could help him as he immerses himself back into baseball when it comes to timing pitches at the plate and reactivity in the field.

While Agliolo was restoring the strength in his hand, he said his teammates and coaches were encouraging during his recovery process. He said his teammates have played admirably in the first eight games without him.

See BASEBALL, page 9

of the

WEEK

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