The Mirror—April 24, 2017

THE It’s “dead week” this week. The university is offering a study night at the University Center on 4/25, running from 4-8 p.m. All are invited to attend Doctor Charles Ingold is retiring this year. The School of Communication will be hosting his retirement reception on 4/27 in Candelaria Hall, room 1265. Ingold is the longtime chair and program coordinator of the Journalism and Media studies program.

A UNC student watching a performance at Fauxchella last Saturday at Central Campus’ Garden Theater. Photo By Alex Nunley | The Mirror

Reap What you faux

UNC’s music library has grown.

It now contains past records of UNC students’ past Jazz festivals, thanks to the work of UNC alumni Tom Cunniffe and Eric Sherrow.

Join the conversation:

music to UNC’s campus on

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For the week of APR. 24, 2017

news .

Dazed and confused in politics 2 | April 24, 2017 | TheMirror

News Editor

Jason Keller

4/24:

Short Film Showcase Kress Cinema and Lounge 7-9 p.m.

4/25: Holocaust Remembrance: Reading of the Litany of the Martyrs University Center Ballrooms 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

4/25: Study Night at the UC University Center 4-8 p.m.

4/27: Retirement Reception for Charles Ingold Candelaria 1265 3-4 p.m.

4/27: Holocaust Survivor Presentation: Steen Metz Ballrooms 7:30-9:30 p.m.

By Joshua Alexander news@uncmirror.com

“Some of the things I’m going to tell you tonight will be disturbing for some of you,” said marijuana attorney Merwin “Moe” Spencer. “Some of the things you will not like to hear. But these are facts that I wish I were making up.”

Last week on Wednesday, April 18, the University of Northern Colorado hosted “Smokescreen: Under the Influence of Marijuana Politics and Power,” with Spencer as a guest speaker.

“I have the best job in the world,” Spencer said.

Spencer, a marijuana defense attorney practicing in Washington State, specializing in defending growers and processors, spoke about the history of marijuana growth, its influence in the United States, the political reasons for its criminalization, and the origins of its classification as a schedule one narcotic. His firm has completed over forty trials in both Federal and State courts and takes on numerous cases, including civil rights, protest law, murder cases, sex cases, juvenile and restorative justice law, expungement of past criminal records of marijuana law and contracts.

“My goal tonight is not encouraging people to go out and get high,” Spencer said. “ Instead, I want to educate individuals on the implications of history and why marijuana is illegal in the United States so that they can make up their own minds about policy or regulation.”

The University Program Council and Fraternity and Sorority Life were also responsible for sponsoring this event. Kimberly Molina, a student employee under the University Program Council and a Diversity Events Coordinator, shared her thoughts regarding the purpose of Wednesday night’s event. As the Diversity Events Coordinator, her goal is bringing together diverse backgrounds at UNC into one certain event, and targeting different audiences, which include as many individuals as possible.

“It’s cool to bring someone educated on this topic to our university,” Molina said.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about marijuana with more negative than positive connotations. This presentation will hopefully educate individuals about laws, policies and restrictions regarding marijuana in general.”

Spencer started off the night with the story of Robert Randall. Randall, a former advocate for the use of medical marijuana and founder of the Alliance for Cannabis Therapeutics, became the first legal medical marijuana user in the United States.

The story went something like this: The year is 1973 and Randall was just diagnosed with glaucoma. The doctors told him in a few years time he would go blind, certainly by age thirty. He already suffered from poor eyesight. At the age of 25, Randall left his D.C. apartment late at night for a walk, lit a joint, and began wandering the streets. As he returned home, while waiting to cross a street, Randall stopped at a street lamp and looked directly at the illuminating light being emitted from the lantern.

“That’s when something shocking happened,” Spencer said.

The light began to come into focus. Randall could actually see the lamp clearly.

He looked at the lamp, then the joint, then back at the lamp again. Upon returning home Randall’s vision reverted back to its normal state, but one thought, thanks to this experience, he could not get out of his mind.

“Maybe marijuana had something to do with what I saw earlier,” Randall pondered to himself, according to Spencer.

Following this, he started growing marijuana in his apartment to treat his glaucoma, before officials raided his residence, confiscating his stash, and arresting him for possession of a controlled substance in 1975. Randall up until this point had tried almost every other treatments available, but nothing besides cannabis worked for him.

“He grew his own marijuana until he was prosecuted. He then underwent exhaustive tests that indicated that no other glaucoma drug halted the deterioration

of his eyesight,” a 2001 Associated Press article stated.

“I have to have this because it is a medical necessity for me to use it,” Randall explained in court.

Eventually, Randall would also stumble on a study conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles, between 1973-74 regarding using marijuana for medical reasons. After 10 days of research, the study concluded that marijuana can in fact help individuals like Randall with glaucoma, for example, but once off, the effects would cease. As a result, Randall, citing this particular study, petitioned the U.S. government to use marijuana medically, which was granted to him in 1976, allowing him to become the first legal medical marijuana user. He never went blind, even up until his death in 2001.

“In November 1976, D.C. Superior Court Judge James A. Washington ruled that Mr. Randall has established a defense of necessity…The evil he sought to avert,-blindness -- is greater than that he performed,” the Washington Post said.

Next on Spencer’s mind was yellow journalism and newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951). Hearst constructed the nation’s largest newspaper chain and media company, Hearst Communications, possessing a monopoly and owning approximately ⅔ of all newspapers in the U.S. Seeing his company losing out to other businesses who produced their papers more cheaply with hemp (Hearst’s company used logs, which were more costly), Hearst launched a full on assault against narcotics, specifically targeting marijuana in order to compete with these other businesses.

“The association of murder, torture and mindless violence with marijuana was not only borne out by evidence or actual events but blossomed thanks to the vivid imaginations of the journalists charged with sensationalizing the tired story of drug use and addiction,” writes the History Departments at Ohio State and Miami Universities.

“Because of Hearst also, people began demagoguing marijuana and associating it with people of color,” Spencer said.

Since society could not distinguish fact from reality, the propaganda strategy worked as planned, helping to establish the first marijuana prohibition act in 1937, setting the stage for the war on drugs, and the events leading up to Nixon’s administration.

“We know a lot of what we know now concerning the criminalization of marijuana because of the Nixon tapes and also from his Chief of Staff, Bob Haldeman, through his biography,” Spencer said.

“Like any other president would probably have in mind, Nixon set his eye on the upcoming next four years in terms of reelection, Spencer added. The problem for him, however, was remembering Lyndon B. Johnson’s term in office, witnessing how the counterculture movement and protests affected his administration.”

“Seeing counterculture as a threat to his reelection, Nixon, along with his Chief of Staff, Haldeman, and White House Counsel, John Ehrlichman, devised a plan in order to keep him in office. They understood that they couldn’t just make it illegal for African-Americans to be poor and young. Instead, they thought it could be possible to criminalize their “common pleasure” and throw them in jail that way.

All of this was said on the Nixon tapes. It’s all right there, literally,” Spencer said.

“Look, we understood we couldn’t make it illegal to be young or poor or black in the United States, but we could criminalize their common pleasure,” Ehrlichman said years later in an interview with Dan Baum. “We understood that drugs were not the health problem we were making them out to be, but it was such a perfect issue for the Nixon White House that we couldn’t resist it.”

Ehrlichman was also a key figure in the events leading up to Nixon’s Watergate scandal, convicted of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and perjury, serving a yearand-a-half in prison.

Story continued on page 3.

Dazed and confused in politics Story continued from page 2.

Nixon’s administration became responsible for transforming marijuana possession from a misdemeanor to a felony offense, preventing those convicted from future voting, and classifying it as a schedule one narcotic, meaning it has no known medical benefits, a high potential for abuse, and an absence of safety for use overall (the scheduling system did not exist before Nixon’s presidency).

According to Spencer, Nixon actually intended to reduce marijuana’s class severity, just before his term in office expired, but he resigned before this could take place. Therefore, marijuana, still to this day, remains classified as a schedule one narcotic under federal law.

“If you can take one thing out of tonight, I want to get across to everyone that our marijuana laws and policies were set in place explicitly to target and discriminate African-Americans. Now it’s devastating our white communities,” Spencer said.

Towards the end of his presentation, Spencer closed with various facts, statistics, and other important information regarding marijuana in the U.S. Roughly 800,000 are arrested each year for marijuana possession. Over $20 billion has been spent by U.S. taxpayers on enforcing these marijuana laws, with some estimates reaching as high as $30 billion. Since 1975, 16.5 million have been arrested on marijuana violations alone. He also discussed the history post-Nixon, discussing Bill Clinton’s crime bill during his presidency, making it virtually impossible for drug violators to receive welfare, former Attorney General Eric Holder’s position during Obama’s administration and other laws and regulations relating to marijuana, such as FAFSA and students.

“The United States by far has the largest prison complex in the world, larger than both China and Russia almost combined. It is time for us to realize, at the very least, that drug related offenses are not criminal issues; this is a public health problem and concern that needs to be addressed through medical rehabilitation, not imprisonment,” Spencer said.

Student Senate says goodbye

By Monique Becker news@uncmirror.com

Many of the Student Senate members looked around the room sadly as they came to the realization that their time as senate members and as UNC students were coming to an end.

After officially calling the meeting to order, Student Senate President Brandon Miller invited senate members and audience members to enjoy the spread of food and drinks that had been brought to celebrate their last meeting of the year.

Once everyone had the chance to get their food and enjoy it for a few moments Evan Welch, Director of Student Life, showed a video to senate and the audience showing what the effects of showing gratitude are.

After the video finished Welch encouraged every student in the room to let those that are important to them know how grateful they are for them.

“Just pick up the phone or find someone you are grateful for and let them know,” Welch said.

After Welch’s announcements news members of Student Senate introduced themselves.

When senate members went back to again review the Academic Affairs Committee bylaw it was decided that it was not possible to change the bylaw to what Senate members

wanted it to be.

Due to conflicting schedules Miller said he was unable to meet with the Deans of the different colleges to discuss possible ways for Senate to be a part of Academic Excellence week.

It was decided that any part of senate’s involvement in Academic Excellence week would be taken out of the bylaw. Suggestions for how to handle changes to the bylaw and the issues the current members of Student Senate have with the bylaw will be written into Miller’s transition manual.

Members of Student Senate also tried to make emergency changes to the Organizational Funding Board bylaw. However, after making it through some of the changes that would be made, Miller discovered that it would not be possible to make an emergency change to the Organizational Funding Board bylaw.

For emergency changes to be made for any bylaw the parliamentarian and the student rights activist must review the possible changes to the bylaw and the current bylaw before the meeting. Since this was not done, the bylaw was not changed.

“I wanted to double check since I’ve never done an emergency bylaw change,” Miller said.

The issues with the Organizational Funding Board bylaw will be written into the transition manual and handled by next year’s Student Senate members.

Student Senate meetings will resume this fall.

TheMirror | April 24, 2017 | 3

Walking towards athletic success at UNC

By Morgan Patton news@uncmirror.com

UNC community members joined together on Saturday to celebrate the 9th Annual Women’s Walk. This 30 minute walk is critical to the women’s athletic community on campus as it supports a large majority of the scholarships that student athletes rely on. As a whole, about one third of the students who attend UNC rely on scholarship support. A large portion of these students are also athletes. While the proceeds of the walk go towards scholarships, this event is also one that brings together the athletic community past and present.

Women’s Athletics are incredibly prevalent at UNC. Women compete in nine sports including basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field and volleyball.

With such a variety of ways to get involved, it is no surprise that the women’s athletic department has left a lasting impact on the alumni that took part in the very same events.

Those who once sported the blue and gold have since turned into the biggest fans. These are the fans that turn into a com-

munity and make women’s athletics possible at UNC. “This walk really helps us see how supportive our fans are of our sports, specifically women’s sports. We couldn’t do it without Them,” an anonymous communications student said.

This statement was made clear as a large crowd gathered on Saturday morning. With such a large support system behind the women’s athletic department, it is no surprise that over $28,000 has been raised through this event in the last five years. This incredible amount of funding has been received through the support of walkers who showed up to Nottingham field on Saturday as well as Cyber Walkers who take part online.

These funds directly support a variety of scholarships that make attending college possible for so many women athletes. For one woman in particular, the overwhelming support that comes from the UNC Women’s Walk is especially important. Ryleigh Haynes, an elementary education major, said the walk was important to her.

“This walk gives women like me opportunities to further my education. I am so appre-

ciative for events like these that make women’s dreams possible. Thanks to everyone who participates,” she said.

The UNC Women’s Walk is a morning of building community, interacting through various games and activities, and taking thirty-minutes to walk across a beautiful campus. Among the crowd are current athletes, UNC alumni, members of the Greeley community, and the friends and families of all who support this endeavor. During all these exciting festivities, it is hard to imagine that thousands of dollars are being raised to help support the women pursuing a college career in academics and athletics.

The University of Northern Colorado’s motto is “sapientia in aeterum est.” This translates to “wisdom is eternal.”

By demonstrating such a great level of support through the UNC Women’s Walk, we are not only supporting student athletes for their time in college, but rather their time outside of the university. For those who were given the opportunity to excel on the court and in the classroom, the wisdom gained is truly eternal.

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4 | April 24, 2017 | TheMirror

art.

4/24: UNC Film Production Club Short Film Showcase Kress Cinema and Lounge, 7-9 p.m.

4/25: Chamber Music Marathon Milne Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.

4/27: International Film Series: Son of Saul

Arts Erika Editor Siebring

Crucible questions the universe

By Jordan Baca

arts@uncmirror.com

UNC writers, poets and artists gathered Tuesday night to share work that was published in the Crucible’s spring edition.

The spring edition does not have a theme, and the magazine published a blend of dark comedies, slice-of-life, and ponderings about the universe, prompting the student staff to title the edition “And Still…” to represent its broad nature.

During the release party, students who were published were invited to read their work to the audience, and the editors read a few pieces for writers who could not be at the party.

Among the readers was a read-through of a rare piece for the magazine: a short comic called “Carl + Karl” written by Calvin Shepherd and illustrated by Ethan Funk-Breay, both of whom are students at UNC. The duo introduced themselves and explained to the audience that Shepherd would be reading the part of Carl, and Funk-Breay would read lines for Karl. Next to Sarah Killorn’s cannibalistic comedy, “Chasing Corpses,” in which a young man struggles to tell his roommate of his strange dietary habits, the night was frequently punctuated with quips of the like.

Lashanah Tillar and Danielle Rich, who are co-presidents of the Crucible and senior English majors, explained how they were pleased with the turnout of the evening.

“We’ve had more student representation than previous editions,” Rich said, keeping in mind that the magazine decided to begin accepting submissions from outside of UNC in recent semesters.

Most pieces for the spring came from UNC students, despite the open acceptance policy. There were also more people present to celebrate the magazine’s release than usual; the event garnered an audience of about 25 people.

“We definitely had more writer-artist participation than previous editions,” Tillar said.

As a parting gift, published writers and artists were offered small tokens of gratitude from the staff in the form of a decorative message-in-a-bottle, with beach sand and sea shells at the bottom.

Since many members of the staff are graduating this spring, there will be new officers appointed at the upcoming Crucible meeting. Many of the positions require that the newly elected official be a member for at least a semester, however there is still an opening for someone with graphic design skills to put the magazine together.

Anyone who is interested can attend the upcoming election meeting, or any other meeting, on Mondays at 5 p.m. in Ross 1155.

The Crucible co-president Lashanah Tillar

Lindou Auditorium, 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

4/28: Annual Holi Festival Turner Green, 3 p.m.

4/29: Skating Through Time Ice Show Greeley Ice Haus, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Lashanah Tillar and Danielle Rich, co-presidents of The Crucible, welcome all the writers and artists to the release party. Photo by Jordan Baca | The Mirror

TheMirror | April 24 , 2017 | 5

Flower crowns at UNC fauxchella

By Kaila Ward

arts@uncmirror.com

On Saturday, the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and the University Program Council (UPC) put on their annual Fauxchella event. As the title alludes to the popular Coachella festival, there was live music, sweet treats, and a plethora of flower crowns.

Katie Glide, RHA’s social and traditional events coordinator, helped to coordinate the event and establish the Coachella feel in Greeley.

“Fauxchella is a mini Coachella, but Greeley-focused,” Glide said. “Fauxchella consists of live music, flower crowns, henna, and snacks.”

At the event, attendees could receive henna tattoos, caricatures, and UNC swag items, while also enjoying music from local bands. Students could also snack on snow cones, popcorn, and other refreshing treats.

UNC freshman Danielle Goering, a nursing major, was especially excited for the musical entertainment.

“My brother told me about the event,” Goering said.

“I decided to come because I love hearing new music.”

The first band to kick off the event was a local old friends, while also having fun altogether,” Goering duo called Nelson, playing their songs “Abraham said.

As the semester comes to end, the remaining Lincoln” and “The Road.” The music continued with another band called Ryan Allen and several other events are a great way to relax, destress, and spend solo artists. Throughout the day, the music ranged time with friends before parting for the summer.

“Fauxchella has been happening for so long that from rhythmic acoustics to upbeat rap and included everything in between. Fauxchella also showcased a it is now a tradition here,” Glide said. “This event is couple of slam poets, giving them a chance to show the last big social event of the year. This is our way of having laid back bonding time while also saying off their work.

Apart from the musical entertainment, attend- goodbye to the year.” ees could also play cornhole, giant jenga and connect four, among several other games.

Other students took advantage of the warm weather, soaking in the sun. UNC sophomore and theatre studies major James Slorf could be seen taking advantage of both the Summer Enrichment Program sun and the outdoor games.

“I came with a friend last year and played ladder ball,” Slorf said. “This year my favorLooking for individuals to work for the UNC 2017 Summer Enrichment Program as dorm counselors for gifted and talented ite game is cornhole.” children in grades 5-10 for 3 weeks. (July 3 - 22). Candidates should While the event provided students with a demonstrate interest and abilities in working with this group of day of entertainment, it also gave the comchildren. For specific job requirements and responsibilities as well munity a chance to bond before the semesas application forms, contact the Summer Enrichment Program ter is over. office at (970) 351-2683 or email at sep@unco.edu. Salary is dependent upon duties and experience.

“This event is a good way to meet new and

‘Dyeing’ for Earth Week

SUMMER JOB

THE MIRROR STAFF 2016-17 Editor-in-Chief Will Costello editor@uncmirror.com Production Manager Logan Garcia adproduction@uncmirror. com News Editor Jason Keller news@uncmirror.com Arts & Culture Editor Erika Siebring arts@uncmirror.com Sports Editor Dylan Sanchez sports@uncmirror.com Photo Editor Breelyn Bowe photo@uncmirror.com Marketing & Social Media Managers Amanda Andrews marketing@uncmirror.com Advertising Manager Naomi Butler ads@uncmirror.com

By Paige Murray

Copy Editor Jordan Baca

Every year during Earth week, the Student LEAF program hosts a tie-dyeing event for students to come and dye T-shirts. The university center patio hosted the event on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Student LEAF stands for the Student Leadership for Environmental Action-Fund. In the club, students strive to bring awareness about the environment and promoting a more sustainable culture on campus.

The club started off the morning with 250 free Student LEAF Tshirts to give away to students, and by 1 p.m., they were down to 50.

Only a few sizes remained.

Costin McQueen, the president of Student LEAF, stood at the tables helping distribute T-shirts to students and answering any questions that they may have had.

“Everyone loves tie-dye, everyone loves free shirts so it is a good deal for students,” McQueen said.

Students were not the only ones to go and enjoy the event.

Though many chose to dye the student LEAF T-shirts, there were some that brought their own items to dye. Chefs from the UC kitchens were there tie-dyeing their aprons and chef ’s coats, and one student brought her white shoes to tie-dye.

“I think that it is kind of nice to see everyone from the university come out and get to know each other, and it is kind of annoying with all the construction, but people are still walking by and making their way just to come tie-dye with us,” McQueen said.

General Manager Matt Lubich mlubich@uncmirror.com

arts@uncmirror.com

Office Address: 823 16th St. Greeley, Colorado 80631 Phone Number: 970-392-9270

MISSION STATEMENT

The Mirror’s mission is to educate, inform and entertain the students, staff and faculty of the UNC community and to train the staff on the business of journalism in a college-newspaper environment.

ABOUT US

The Mirror produces a print newspaper every Monday during the academic year as well as maintains a current web page. The student-operated newspaper is advised by the non-profit Student Media Corporation and is printed by Signature Offset.

sports.

6 | April 24, 2017 | TheMirror

At Home 4/28: Baseball vs Utah Valley Jackson Field 3 p.m.

4/29: Baseball vs Utah Valley Jackson Field 2 p.m.

4/30: Baseball vs Utah Valley Jackson Field 2 p.m.

On the Road 4/25: Baseball at Air Force Academy Colorado Springs 3 p.m.

4/27: Women’s Tennis at Idaho State Phoenix, Arizona TBA

4/27: Men’s Tennis at Big Sky Championships Phoenix, Arizona All Day

Softball sweeps North Dakota Staff Report

sports@uncmirror.com

The weather may have changed overnight in Greeley, bringing warm temperatures to Gloria Rodriguez Field, but Northern Colorado’s play never wavered, producing their third win in as many games against North Dakota, 1-0.

After pitching 10 innings without giving up a run Friday against the Fighting Hawks, Jayme Reddacliff was focused to close out the series with another complete performance.

The the game stood, 0-0 through the first five innngs, until Northern Colorado’s new clutch batter, Rachel Johnson stepped to the plate. This time, on a 1-1 count, Johnson sent North Dakota’s Kaylin VanDomelen’s pitch back to the parking lot and suddenly coach Easley and the Bears had the lead they were looking for.

“Honestly, I have been seeing the ball very well this weekend,” said Johnson.

“When I was at the plate, I knew she wasn’t going to beat me.”

VanDomelen looked to get it right

Senior pitcher Jayme Reddacliff (No. 19) and junior infielder Rachel Johnson (No. 22) celebrate following their 1-0 win over the University of North Dakota.

back with a double to lead-off the sixth.

She even made it to third off UNC’s third error of the game, but two straight groundouts to third base and shortstop axed the Fighting Hawk attack.

In the final frame, Reddacliff gave up just a single hit, and trusting her defense like she has all season long, three groundouts gave Northern Colorado their sweep, 1-0.

“In our conference, it’s anybody’s game on any given day,” said head coach Shana Easley. “It’s been awesome to play in front of a home crowd and get three huge wins in the conference.”

UNC’s defense stood tall once again leaving eight North Dakota’s runner on base.

The win also gave Jayme Reddacliff her 11th win, making her the all-time wins leader. It was aslo her third shutout of the year.

“We didn’t give up a single earned run this entire series. That’s a great accomplishment for our Jayme and our pitchers.” Easley said.

Johnson’s hit in the bottom of the fifth was her seond gaming winning hit, her first coming on Friday afternoon also against North Dakota.

“Last season, they beat us pretty handily, it was nice to return the favor this year.” Johnson said.

Northern Colorado heads on the road to face Sacramento State next weekend. They’ll return home to Gloria Rodriguez Field for senior weekend against Idaho State on Friday, May 5.

Who should be the NBA’s MVP? Opinion by Jordan Clark sports@uncmirror.com

With the NBA playoffs in full swing, it’s that time again to decide who the NBA Most Valuable Player is. This year four players are battling for the top prize.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, Houston Rockets James Harden, San Antonio Spurs Kawhi Leonard and Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James.

Each of the stars had remarkable season, but each player has their case of the matter, but none more than Westbrook and Harden.

Westbrook had one of the most remarkable seasons that has only happened once, 55-years ago. The legendary Oscar Robertson was the first player to average a triple-double in a season, making it a feat that seemed almost unbreakable, until the OKC star began his campaign as the Thunder’s lone superstar. On a comeback victory against the Denver Nuggets, Westbrook record his 42 triple-double, which broke Robertson’s record. Russ nailed a buzzer-beating threepointer.

Make no mistake, the triple-double flurry this season certainly helped Russell Westbrook’s MVP cause with plenty of voters, but he’d already built a compelling case regardless. The averages of the potential MVP are 31.9 points per game, 10.4 assists per game and 10.7 rebounds per game.

Harden had a remarkable season as well. Averaging 29.3 points per game, 11.3 assists per game and 8.1 rebounds per game.

Despite the differences in stats, Harden believes he should win the award.

Harden feels that it shouldn’t just be stats that are factored into the MVP voting, but wins should count as well.

If adding wins into the voting, and not just stats, Harden would be your winner of the MVP award.

Houston finished the regular season with 55 wins compared to OKC’s 47. In my opinion, Harden brings up a good point. Although with the stats being onesided, wins should be taken into account as well.

During this 82-game season, I’ve noticed during some of OKC’s games, that some centers and powerforwards of the Thunder would move out of the way

for Westbrook to pad his stats.

Harden and the Rockets worked together as a team to reach the number three seed in the Western Conference playoffs compared to the Thunder’s sixth seed placing. Ironically enough as well, these two teams are playing in the first round of the playoffs. I see Harden and the Rockets taking it in five games due to the strength that Houston has compared to OKC. I feel that instead of solely voting on offensive performance, vote on overall performance of the entire team as well.

Look at it this way. On one hand, you have Westbrook, who brought the NBA world a Robertson, triple-double sequel. But then look at the whole team in general, you have 47 wins, the 17th-ranked offense in the NBA and in my opinion, zero chance of winning the NBA title. And then look at Harden, yes his stats, as stated already aren’t as good as Westbrook’s, but look at the overall situation, 55 wins, second-ranked offense and a puncher’s chance of winning the title.

Now I’m no professional sports reporter, but I think that despite the difference in stats, Harden should be awarded the NBA MVP.

TheMirror | April 24, 2017 | 7

Staff Report

Northern Colorado Football hosted its annual Blue vs. Gold Spring Game on Saturday. After the defense put on a show in

in wide out, Frank Stephens throwing an interception.

as they came out on top with a 68-52 victory.

-

junior running back, Anthony Davis bolted

yards and a TD.

lone rushing TD of the game.

Davis had a productive stat line in a pass-

THE WHITE JERSEYS

(269 passing, 151 rush), four touchdowns

attempts and a touchdown. The other back to get the bulk of the carries was Zachary Lindsay. Lindsay ended the game with 55 yards on 14 rushing attempts.

The surprise of the game came from transfer QB, Conor Regan. Regan had a day, going 11-of-19 for 186 yards and three touchdown passes.

The newcomer put together drives of

goals in an afternoon that gave the newcomers the majority of the snaps.

Quarterback, Jacob Knipp was handed just two series out of the 18 on the day, but

out, F. Stephens and tight end, Theron Verna. Stephens hauled in just two receptions from Regan, but that was more than

tackles, along with a PBU and a TFL.

THE BLUE JERSEYS

way.

For the second scrimmage in a row, the defensive line was a problem for the offense all afternoon. The d-line accounted

“

and two touchdowns.

Verna had the best showing out of the tight ends, hauling in four passes for 51

the charge.

Newcomer and defensive end, Dominik Romero was the surprise player of the game for the defense. He racked up three tackles on the day with a sack and a TFL. Punter and safety, Keifer Glau also stood -

punts and one turnover on downs.

Linebacker, James Riddle seemed like he was everywhere throughout the scrim-

for a loss.

The lone turnover for the D came from

totaled three tackles, along with a sack and a PBU.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker Marques Combs continued his

used much in the second spring scrimmage had his work cut out for him on Saturday.

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8 | April 24, 2017 | TheMirror

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DID YOU KNOW? Disposing of medication by

*The following items cannot be accepted: needles & sharps, Mercury (thermometers), Oxygen containers, Chemotherapy/radioactive substances, pressurized canisters, illicit drugs

Save Water. Win A Toyota Prius.

For more information:

2017

MyWaterPledge.com April 1 - 30 Take the National Mayor’s Challenge Take the Pledge for Greeley for Water Conservation 1.

Greeley is joining cities across the country in asking residents to make a commitment to save water and cut pollution by taking part in a national contest. Residents can earn a chance to win prizes – including a Toyota Prius.

How to Participate Go to mywaterpledge.com.

2.

Take a conservation pledge on behalf of Greeley.

3.

Encourage your friends to take part.

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