The Mirror, Wednesday, April 6, 2011

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the mirror Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Volume 93, Number 77

uncm i r r o r . c o m

Look in The Mirr or Page 9

Secondar y shows promise

News Author speaks at annual summit James Loewen discusses the Civil War and racism during diversity and social justice conference.

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Arts Poetic expression exemplified Joaquin Zihuatanejo, a world-champion slam poet, hosts a poetry workshop.

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Online Career Services to host job fair For more information about the 26th annual Teacher Employment Days, visit uncmirror.com Wed: 60 | 38

Thur: 62 | 38 Fri:

67 | 39

Sat:

62 | 36

MELANIE VASQUEZ | THE MIRROR

John Pherson, a candidate for director of Academic Affairs, gives his initial presentation at the second Student Senate election open forum Tuesday in the UC.

@

Upcoming In Friday’s issue of The Mirror, read about students’ research presentations as part of Academic Excellence Week.

SOURCE: WEATHER.COM

w w w. u n c m i r r o r. c o m C A M P U S N E W S . C O M M U N I T Y N E W S . Y O U R N E W S .

News

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Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Summit teaches methods to embody equality Annual conference smorgasbord of events encouraging diversity DEVON NAPLES news@uncmirror.com

The eighth annual Summit on Social Justice and Diversity, which featured academic presentations, panels and workshops, was hosted Monday at the University Center.

The program included four sessions with a total of 18 presentations, eight workshops and two film screenings.

Every session was designed to promote education, awareness and action concerning social justice topics. Presenters included UNC undergraduate and graduate stu-

Sudoku rules: Fill all empty squares so the numbers 1 to 9 appear once in each row, column and 3x3 box.

Some numbers are provided to give you a head start.

dents, professors, staff and alumni. A Greeley community activist, students from other Colorado universities and Summit Organizing Committee members also spoke.

William Woody, a psychology professor at the University of Northern Colorado, introduced the topic of historical prejudice in the summit’s opening speech.

“Questions about ongoing consequences of historical prejudice are topics I often discuss in class,” Woody said.

One of the workshops offered, “How to Teach About Slavery and Other

For solution, see page 7

Difficult Issues,” was invitation-only and conducted by keynote speaker James Loewen.

Loewen, best-selling author of “Lies My Teacher Told Me,” gave his keynote speech, titled “How History Keeps Us Racist, and What to Do About It” to an audience of about 100 people.

“It’s exciting and intimidating to talk about it with Dr. James Loewen in the audience,” Woody said.

After his presentation, Loewen stayed for a book signing in the University Center Panorama Room.

Other presentations were given throughout the day and covered topics including using Facebook as a tool for discrimination, the implica-

RICHELLE CURRY | THE MIRROR

Rhay Garrett, center, a junior history major, discusses diversity Monday at the Summit on Social Justice and Diversity in the University Center. The summit featured 18 presentations, eight workshops and two film screenings. tions of bisexual binaries and speaking up against racist remarks.

Tobias Guzman and Randall Langston, of UNC’s Enrollment Management and Student

Access Office, collaborated on the presentation “Are We Ready as an Institution?” which discussed whether universities are ready to incorporate total racial equality.

“And I will boldly say to you, UNC is not ready,” Guzman said.

The main film screening featured the documentary, “Race to Nowhere: The Dark Side of Our Culture of Competition.” Hispanic studies professor Don Perl facilitated a discussion with attendees following the film.

The film was made by a mother from California in an effort to expose the negative effects that competitive academic environments have on her school-age children.

“Colleges of education have been thunderous in their silence on this issue: high-stress standardized

tests and the culture of competition embedded in our school system in this country,” Perl said.

The Summit Organizing Committee, which was composed of seven students and led by faculty adviser Hermon George Jr., printed their call to action in the program.

“We must have the courage to engage in the political, cultural, practical, and ethical battles necessary to secure social justice,” it read.

“

Questions about ongoing consequences of historical prejudice are topics I often discuss in class.

— William Woody, a UNC psychology professor

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

News

Fair focuses on teaching style TESSA BYRNS news@uncmiror.com

As part of Academic Excellence Week, the second annual Teaching and Learning Fair was hosted Tuesday in the University Center Panorama Room to provide students and educators ideas on how to make the classroom experience more effective and productive.

Presenters came from all over the state to share teaching techniques with students and teachers. Presenters included representatives from the Air Force Academy, the University of Denver, the University of Colorado and the Center for Enhancement of Teaching and Learning.

One presentation was about an online dictionary called ReadEase!, which allows students to click on words and be given the definition and YouTube

clips for the word.

“I made this program because I work with ESL students, so this was a way to help them understand terms,” said Bernadette Mendoza Brady, a graduate student with UNC’s Office of Extended Studies Professional Development program.

ReadEase! can be used for any class subject.

Another product created for teachers and students is Made the Stick, a system that helps make typical classroom activities more engaging and helps students retain what they learn.

“It showcases principles of success,” said Tariq Ahmad, a doctoral student studying sport administration. “It takes standard class activities to make them stick in your brain.

Teachers keep students engaged, and students keep it stuck in their brain.”

Made the Stick can be used for any classroom setting and with any lesson plan.

Another presentation focused on the psychology of students and how teachers can help students who are not performing as well as others.

“We focus on teaching teachers instructional activities that they can use to help students in any class — like reading, writing or math — try to understand the material better,” said Jill Snyder, a graduate student. “We’re trying to give teachers another way to look at students problems, like looking at the educational system as a whole.”

The fair was attended mainly by other teachers interested in what they could possibly implement in their lesson plans to get students not only interested in what they were learning, but also retaining some of the information given to them.

Academic Excellence Week Events • Honors Ice Cream Social, 11 a.m. -- 1 p.m. today, UC Bookstore Area • Academic Excellence Reception, 2:30 -- 4:30 p.m. today, UC Panorama Room • Southard Honors Convocation & Recital Arts Information, 4:40 p.m. today, Langworthy Theatre • History Honors Hewit Program Guest Speaker, 7 -- 9 p.m. today, UC Panorama Room • Research Day, 9 a.m. -- 3 p.m. Thursday, April 7 UC • School of Biological Sciences fifth Annual Graduate Student Research Symposium, 9 a.m. -- 5 p.m., Thursday, April 7, Longs Peak Ballroom • History Honors Hewit Program Banquet, 5:30 -- 9 p.m. April 7, UC Panorama Room • College of Natural & Health Sciences Banquet, 5:30 -- 9 p.m. Thursday, April 7, UC Pikes Peak Ballroom • Communication Jubilee, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Candelaria Hall, 2 -- 5 p.m. UC Columbine Suites, Friday, April 8 • Hawaii Club Luau, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9, UC Grand Ballroom • College of Humanities & Social Sciences Honors Convocation, 2 -- 5 p.m. Sunday, April 10, UC Grand Ballroom

The Mirror 3

Editor: Benjamin Welch

4 The Mirror

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

LETTERS The Mirror appreciates your opinions. You can submit your columns or letters to the editor to editor@uncmirror.com. Columns can be no longer than 400 words. Include your name, year and major.

POLL This week’s poll question: Did you participate in last week’s Relay for Life?

Cast your vote at www.uncmirror.com

Mirror Staff 2010-2011

KURT HINKLE | General Manager khinkle@uncmirror.com BENJAMIN WELCH | Editor editor@uncmirror.com SARA VAN CLEVE | News Editor news@uncmirror.com PARKER COTTON | Sports Editor sports@uncmirror.com RUBY WHITE | Arts Editor arts@uncmirror.com MELANIE VASQUEZ | Visual Editor photo@uncmirror.com ERIC HIGGINS | Advertising Manager ads@uncmirror.com RYAN ANDERSON | Ad Production Manager adproduction@uncmirror.com

Contact Us Advertising 970-392-9323 Editor 970-392-9327 Fax 970-392-9025

Military families’ wellbeing at stake over budget deadline The clock is ticking for United States Congress members, as they hurry to reach an agreement regarding the federal budget in order to meet the Friday deadline.

House Speaker John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, and Senate majority leader Harry M. Reid, DNev., have been meeting this week to discuss budget cuts and will continue to do so until a resolution is met. But if a resolution is not reached, either in the form of a new spending plan or in the form of an extension of last year’s budget, the federal government will shut down Saturday and reopen only when the budgetary

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

About us The Mirror is published every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during the academic year by the Student Media Corp. It is printed by the Greeley Tribune. The first copy is free; additional copies are 50 cents each and must be purchased from The Mirror office.

tion of property will still be provided if a shutdown occurs.

According to CNN, federal healthcare providers, air traffic control, national security, hazardous waste employees, food inspectors, border patrol, prison guards, postal service workers and power distribution workers would report to their jobs.

While some aspects of the Pentagon would be affected, the majority of military employees would still be working, including the men and women serving overseas.

However, those serving overseas could see a delay in their pay

due to the budget problems.

In essence, American troops all over the world would be putting their lives on the line everyday and would not immediately reap the monetary benefits of their labor. The troops would be paid for their work eventually, but that provides little help for families depending on those checks while their loved ones are deployed.

If for no other reason, Congress should reach some type of budget decision so the men and women risking their lives for the nation’s safety can be rightly compensated for their sacrifice.

Mirror Reflections are the opinion of The Mirror’s editorial board: Parker Cotton, Sara Van Cleve, Melanie Vasquez, Benjamin Welch and Ruby White. Let us know what you think.

E-mail us at editor@uncmirror.com.

Negligent, Islamophobic actions reinforce need to quell terrorism Josh DIVINE

editor@uncmirror.com

Front Desk 970-392-9270 On Monday, the estimated General Manager death toll from protests and terror 970-392-9286 ist attacks in the Middle East Newsroom reached 22. These actions came as 970-392-9341

Mission Statement

conflict is resolved.

This would not be the first time the government has temporarily closed its doors — the last government shutdown was in 1996.

Contrary to some beliefs, only aspects deemed unnecessary for the wellbeing of the people would be temporarily inactive. During the last shutdown, national parks, monuments and museums were closed, and passport applications and bankruptcy cases were delayed.

While these services are by no means frivolous, it is important to note that services essential to the health of the people and the protec-

a response to Pastor Terry Jones of Florida holding a mock trial for a Qur’an and burning it because of his belief that radical Islam is getting out of control.

Jones also made national headlines last September when he began accumulating Qur’ans— several hundred—with the intention of burning them in protest on Sept. 11. Ultimately, after speaking with the Rev. Patrick Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition,

Jones decided to not burn the Qur’ans. But this time, despite his earlier decision, Jones followed through with the action.

Many are outraged at this renewed decision, which has directly led to the deaths of close to two dozen people. Certainly, many hold Jones culpable for these deaths.

I do not agree with Jones’ decision to burn the Qur’an (or for his plan last September to burn them); Islam is a peaceful religion that has simply been given a bad reputation by radical terrorists.

It is possible Jones’ decision results from Islamophobia, but this occurrence suggests one thing strongly: the world has not dealt with terrorism well enough.

When Jones planned to burn Qur’ans in September, there were widespread threats of violence.

When Jones did not burn the

Qur’ans, the terrorists won because their violent threats helped achieve their goal. This time, violence was enacted, and the goal was clearly to silence dissenting opinion.

I fully agree with Mahoney that Christianity needs to be building bridges to Islam, not burning them, and I wish Jones had never planned on burning Qur’ans in either instance; however, once the declaration is made public, Jones is obligated to follow through, for in not doing so, Jones ensures terrorism’s success.

The past decade has literally seen a war on terrorism. While Jones’ actions may have incited the radicals’ desire to take 22 lives, Jones cannot be held culpable for the actions of those people any more than the elderly woman in Kalispell, Mont., who had a firebomb thrown at her because she

was praying on a sidewalk in front of an abortion clinic. Her prayerful actions may have angered the assailant, but each person is responsible for his or her actions.

What must be garnered from this situation is that terrorism hasn’t gone away, and it will never go away if people bow down to threats of violence. People like Jones should certainly refrain from intentionally inciting destructive desires — without creating some larger good — while marring the names of Christianity and Islam alike, but the world needs to stand up and make it clear that threats of — and engagement in — violence are unacceptable methods for achieving ideals.

— Josh Divine is a junior mathematics major and a weekly columnist for The Mirror.

News

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Keynote speaker discusses racism RYAN LAMBERT news@uncmirror.com

More than a hundred people packed Monday into the University Center Panorama Room to hear a keynote address by sociologist and best-selling author James Loewen during the annual Summit on Social Justice and Diversity.

Loewen’s presentation was titled, “How History Keeps Us Racist, and What to Do About It,” and focused on the Civil War and the reconstruction that followed.

Loewen has written several critically acclaimed books, but his two most famous works are, “Lies My Teacher Told Me” and, “Lies Across America.”

Hermon George Jr., a professor of Africana studies and the faculty adviser for the Summit Organizing Committee,

“

This is B.S. history.

My gosh, what does it do to your soul to think that your people screwed up when they were the center of history?

History can be a weapon. It can be used against you.

— James Loewen, author and keynote speaker at the Summit of Social Justice and Diversity

said he was inspired to bring Loewen to the university after some of his students directed him to Speakout.com, a website that advertises speakers who give lectures on social and political issues.

“I think Dr. Loewen has a unique message embedded in ‘Lies My Teacher Told Me’ that challenges us to be more vigilant as teachers and students,” George said.

“He is well suited to address a summit on social justice.”

Brittani Alford, a junior elementary education major, read some of Loewen’s work in her introductory Africana studies class.

“I enjoyed (‘Lies My Teacher Told Me’) because I learned about See Loewen, Page 6

The Mirror 5

Quote of the day “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers, who can cut through argument, debate and doubt, to offer a solution everybody can understand.”

-- Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State

MELANIE VASQUEZ | THE MIRROR

James Loewen, a sociologist and critically acclaimed author, discusses racism in history during his keynote address at the Summit on Social Justice and Diversity Monday in the UC.

News

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Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Author addresses Civil War’s place in history Loewen from Page 5 ethnic groups I did not know about,” Alford said.

“It’s a book about the truth.”

In a short survey, Loewen asked the audience what they believe caused the Civil War. The most popular response

was states’ rights, with slavery coming in second.

The goal of his lecture was to prove that the real cause of the Civil War was slavery.

“It all goes back to slavery,” Loewen said.

Loewen first became interested in history when he taught a freshman

seminar at Tougaloo University, a traditionally black college. Most of his students did not understand the Reconstruction Period of American history. Many thought whites gave up power to blacks, but blacks were not capable of governing.

“This is B.S. history,”

Loewen said. “My gosh, what does it do to your soul to think that your people screwed up when they were the center of history? History can be a weapon. It can be used against you.”

The sociologist concluded his lecture with a

discussion of a period from 1890-1940 called the Nadir of Race Relations.

Loewen said the Nadir of Race Relations was exemplified by the early Democratic Party’s racist propaganda and confederate monuments and showed an increase in Ku

Klux Klan membership.

This period also gave birth to sundown towns, where blacks could not be outside after dark.

“If you had a teacher who told you B.S. history, you can correct it,” Loewen said.

James W. Loewen • Born Feb. 6, 1942 • Received doctorate in sociology from Harvard University • Author of “The Confederate and Neo-Confederate Reader,” “Teaching What Really Happened,” “Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism,” “Lies My Teacher Told Me,” “Lies Across America” and “The Mississippi Chinese: Between Black and White” • Distinguished lecturer for the Organization of American Historians • Visiting professor of sociology at Catholic University, Washington D.C., visiting professor of African-American studies at University of Illinois

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

News

The Mirror 7

Student Senate candidates discuss array of issues at forum KATIE OWSTON news@uncmirror.com

The second and final open forum for the upcoming UNC Student Senate elections was hosted Tuesday in the University Center Aspen Suites, and featured speeches from both candidates on the ballot and write-ins.

Write-in candidates Samantha Brescia, Jasmine Poythress, Angela Milano and Eric Chavez are running for director of Diverse Relations and discussed the platforms of their campaigns.

Tuesday’s open forum was the first for write-in candidates seeking the director of Diverse Relations position.

Each candidate proposed a different plan that may be implemented on campus if they are elected to the position.

Brescia said she hopes to build the connection between Diverse Relations and the Center for International Education, Veteran Services, Disability Support Services and the non-traditional campus community.

“If elected, I want to improve upon and expand the range of diverse topics discussed in Speak Truth, Not Ignorance,” Brescia said.

“I also hope to foster diversity through the freshman population.”

Poythress said she hopes to build one-onone connections with students and with student organizations, along with building a productive

relationship with residential education “I would take the time to get to know each student on an individual basis and take time to help them develop themselves and their organizations,” Poythress said.

Chavez has worked with the cultural centers on campus as well as with Native American Student Services. He said his daily interactions with these organizations make him a qualified candidate for the position.

“As Director of Diverse Relations, I hope to utilize the cultural centers more,” Chavez said. “In doing so, students can become more aware of the diversity we do have on campus and

expand their horizons throughout the process.”

Milano was the last write-in candidate to speak. She said the platform for her campaign is to inform the uninformed by educating herself and others about the various cultures and people living in Greeley.

“Everything is about people,” Milano said. “By speaking about race, religion, sexual orientation and gender, students will stay open-minded and interested in learning about cultures in surrounding communities.”

Only one person is running for Student Trustee, Lauren Zdanowitz, who said she hopes to inform students of university issues at the

trustee level. Those issues include topics such as tuition spikes, campus marketing, the addition of majors, and, as many of the other candidates mentioned, a positive change in the lack of current community involvement.

Director of Legislative Affairs candidates Andrew Ransom and Jamie Britt debated the effectiveness of a community concert on Constitution Day. Christopher Pezza, a director of University Relations candidate, John Pherson and Josh Divine, director of Academic Affairs candidates, suggested technology updates for students on financial reports.

All candidates addressed the current lack of commu-

MELANIE VASQUEZ | THE MIRROR

Eric Chavez, a write-in candidate for director of Diversity Relations, speaks to students during the final candidate open forum Tuesday at the University Center. There are four write-in candidates campaigning for the director of Diverse Relations position.

nication between University of Northern Colorado faculty, students and the Greeley community.

This year’s candidates have identified what they believe to be UNC’s biggest problems. It is now up to the students to

vote for the candidates they believe have the capabilities to perform these tasks.

Voting for new Student Senate members will take place April 12-14 in the University Center Computer Commons.

INTERNATIONAL FILM SERIES

UNDERTOW 7:00 PM WED AND 7:00 & 9:15 THURS

$3 FOR STUDENTS, $5 FOR NON-STUDENTS SHOWN IN THE LINDOU AUDITORIUM IN MICHENER LIBRARY

Editor: Ruby White

8 The Mirror

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Latino culture celebrated at arts festival Attendees view showcased artwork, listen to slam poetry, dine on Mexican cuisine RUBY WHITE arts@uncmirror.com

To celebrate Latino/a culture and accomplishments, the Cesar Chavez Cultural Center hosted a week of events devoted to the achievements and appreciation of Latinos and Latinas who have made and continue to make a difference in American society.

During the plethora of weeklong events, the CCCC and members of the UNC Mexican American Studies Club hosted their third annual Festival Chicana/o de Artes to showcase the artistic skills of Latinos, be it through paintings, poetry, food or dance.

The event took place last Wednesday, March 30, in the University Center Panorama Room.

While guests settled in, artwork was admired and CDs from slam poet Joaquin Zihuatanejo, who hosted a slam poetry workshop earlier

in the day, were sold. stomping, clapping and Drawings and paintings were chanting. The women are plastered on the walls inside known for hosting their annual Latina and outside Y o u t h the Panorama Leadership Room, and Conference pottery was each spring. present, as “ W e well. always enjoy As the properforming gram began, on campus G e n i e and take Canales, a advantage of professor of g e t t i n g Hispanic involved,” Studies at the said Daisy University of Sierra, a senNorthern ior criminal Colorado, said justice major she was excit— Weston and member ed about the Kolokoff, a of LTN. “We turnout and dancer with the feel it’s imporhoped everytant to attend one was CDC this event appreciating because it’s a great way to the artwork.

With excitement, mem- support a club that expresses bers of Lambda Theta Nu, a its passion for the Hispanic Latina-based sorority, gave a culture. We see a lot of hard step performance, a routine work and organization going that included a series of into this event and feel it was a

“ The fact that I could come be a part of this festival has been great. I love looking at all of the great artwork and am happy to be surrounded by Latino culture.

successful third annual event.”

After the step routine, a group of original slam poets tore onto the scene, giving audience members a taste of the difficulties and triumphs faced as a fifth-grade student at Dos Rios Elementary School. Veronica Simpkins, a fifth-grade teacher at Dos Rios, headed the group of five students. Simpkins started a slam poetry program in her class three years ago to encourage creativity with poetry, rather than doing it the standard, textbook way.

More artists presented their work that included collages, photography and poetry. The Colorado Dance Collective performed a hiphop routine that included UNC alumnus and artist, Armando Silva.

“The fact that I could come be a part of this festival has been great,” said Weston Kolokoff, a dancer with the CDC. “I love looking at all of

MELANIE VASQUEZ | THE MIRROR

World Champion Slam Poet Joaquin Zihuatanejo, performs several pieces of his poetry, during the Chicana/o Festival de Artes March 30 in the UC. the great artwork and am happy to be surrounded by Latino culture.”

The closing act was Zihuatanejo, who performed several poems.

His pieces included topics

such as racism, love, family and heritage. Near the end of the event, Zihuatanejo encouraged young people to keep expressing themselves through art.

Gay comedian to come to University Center

STAFF REPORT arts@uncmirror.com

Standup comic Guy Branum should have students laughing Tuesday, April 12, when he arrives at UNC to perform.

The University Program Council and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies

Resource Office will host the openly gay comic at 6:30 p.m. in the University Center Ballrooms. The performance is free.

The 32-year-old Branum, who was born in India, began his professional career as a law student at the University of Minnesota Law School, where he is said

to have discovered his ability to make people laugh. He also has a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from the University of California at Berkeley, located in his hometown.

Most people, however, will be most familiar with Branum’s work on Chelsea Lately’s late-night

talk show on Bravo, where he is a writer. More recently, Branum has appeared as Guy in the Rrated film, “No Strings Attached,” the Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman comedy about two friends who attempt to have an exclusively sexual relationship.

In addition to acting,

writing and visiting college campuses, he also does public service work.

For example, he was a part of YouTube’s “It Gets Better” campaign, an online collection of videos wherein celebrities dissuade gay teenagers from ending their lives because of bullying.

This event in particular is notable because it includes the University Program Council’s endof-the year giveaways, which include an iPad and iPod. For more information on the show and the University Program Council, contact Ria Vigil at ria.vigil@unco.edu.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Editor: Parker Cotton

The Mirror 9

Coach keeps watchful eye on secondary MICHAEL NOWELS sports@uncmirror.com

New UNC head football coach Earnest Collins Jr. knows a thing or two about being in the defensive backfield.

He was a standout defensive back at the University of Northern Colorado from 1991-94, and can be found standing with the team’s safeties and cornerbacks in practice instead of pacing the sidelines the way many coaches would.

“They need to have quick and precise feet and be looking for their keys, not at the quarterback,” Collins said of the defensive backs. Those techniques in sight and footwork will likely be the most important factors in who gets the nod to fill out the secondary.

Junior cornerback Brandon Owens is in the run-

ning for a spot but said he is being careful not to play outside of himself.

“We can’t replace the players we had,” Owens said.

UNC lost safety Max Hewitt and corner Korey Askew to graduation last semester. Last season, Hewitt and Askew were named to the Big Sky Conference Honorable Mention and First Teams, respectively.

Collins tabbed five players — Owens, junior safety Chuks Nweke, sophomore safety Marcel Gibbons and junior cornerbacks Elliott Dorsey and Colby Riggins — as potential starters who could fill the slots of departed seniors.

Owens said the coaches are trying to impart a good work ethic in the players this spring.

“A lot more intense; a lot of back-to-backs,” Owens

said, when comparing this spring to last year’s.

Owens also said the players “eat and sleep football” in the fall, which Nweke said has a drastically different feel. “(In) spring ball, you’re not getting ready to play a team,” Nweke said. “You scrimmage the same guys every day.”

Collins said his coaching style was opposite that of a coach he respects, former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, who tended to be stoic. He said he wants a high-energy style of play, so he uses a lot of fervor in his coaching.

“You want to display the energy you want the kids to display,” he said.

Collins said he is sure to be running the sidelines and chest-bumping his young defensive backs this season, which just may be the energy this corps needs.

CASSIE NUCKOLS | THE MIRROR

UNC sophomore wide receiver Dominic Gunn (10) is pursued by junior cornerback Brandon Owens (9), junior linebacker Anthony Harrison (15) and sophomore safety Marcel Gibbons (32) in the team’s practice Tuesday at the Butler-Hancock Practice Fields.

Sports programs honored by Greeley City Council

DAVID WILSON sports@uncmirror.com

It is often said in sports that it’s “just a game,” but this year in Greeley, three UNC sports programs provided much more than wins. They produced a sense of pride.

The University of Northern Colorado’s men and women’s basketball teams and the volleyball team were honored Tuesday by the Greeley City Council for their accomplishments,

both on and off the floor.

“It’s extraordinary that we had so many teams from UNC be Big Sky Conference champions and co-champions this season,” Greeley mayor Tom Norton said. “We couldn’t be any prouder of our student-athletes for representing this city so well.”

Players and coaches from all three teams were in attendance and were greeted upon arrival by a fire truck hoisting a UNC banner, as well as applause

from council and community members and fans.

Norton made a brief statement about each team and their achievements, then handed men’s basketball head coach B.J. Hill, women’s basketball head coach Jaime White and volleyball head coach Lyndsey Benson each a glass plaque to be displayed in the Hall of Fame room inside ButlerHancock Sports Pavilion.

“All sports at UNC are now competing at a different

level — a championship level — and it’s a joy to watch and be a part of,” Hill said. “I think everybody saw in the run that we made this year, in hosting the Big Sky tournament, that it’s fun to be a part of that success.”

The men’s basketball team’s historic 2010-11 run landed them in its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, but not to be lost on the day was the success of the other Bear programs.

Volleyball is just a year

removed from its first NCAA appearance and this past year were co-champions of the Big Sky for the first time in school history.

Women’s basketball was also a co-champion of the Big Sky for the first time in its existence and fell just short of making the big dance with a loss to Montana in the Big Sky Conference Championship semifinals.

The recent success deserved the fans’ attention, and now looking forward, the

three Bears coaches said they believe fan support and community support will only continue to grow.

“I do believe we have reached a new level at UNC where we are competing for championships ever year, and I’m speaking for volleyball — we expect to win when we go out,” Benson said. “I think there are great things to come for our football team as well, and I think soon every team at UNC will be playing at a high level.”

Sports

10 The Mirror

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Softball faces Adams State for twin bill SAMANTHA FOX sports@uncmirror.com

After losing all three games in the Utah Valley Invitational Friday and Saturday in Salt Lake City, the UNC softball team is suiting up for a home doubleheader against in-state rival Adams State (19-16) Thursday.

The first pitch of game one is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Butler-Hancock Softball Field and game two follows at 7:30 p.m., making it a rare night game for the University of

Northern Colorado (3-26).

“I love playing underneath the lights and having a home game,” junior centerfielder Erin Geddis said.

“That’s your advantage. I don’t think in the three years I’ve been here we’ve had a night game, and I’ve always wanted it, so it should be really good.”

In the Bear’s last home stand against Colorado State March 26, a new collaboration with Texas Roadhouse and UNC was announced: for every strikeout a UNC pitcher

Montgomery said the recorded, peanuts were given starting pitchers out to fans. of the double“Anytime you header will be get a pretty rowdy seniors Jamie home crowd, I Juelfs and Kelli think it makes Henderson, with things a lot more freshman Megan fun, more lively,” Wilkinson to be head coach Mark used as needed.

Montgomery said. Kelli Henderson Thursday will be “I think it keeps will start in the first Wilkinson’s everybody ener- game of the doufourth game at gized, and it cer- bleheader against home. tainly did, and it Adams State.

“It’s just helped us pull out that game against Colorado exciting since it’s my first year,” Wilkinson said. “It’s State.”

always exciting to play at home, and this is the field we practice on. We’re used to it and they’re not.”

Montgomery has previously said the team has had trouble getting hitting, defense and pitching to all come together. In Salt Lake City, Geddis said the team had a strong mindset that it wants to continue.

“We never let down,” Geddis said. “We never had that inning where we struggled. Coach always puts it like, ‘The wheel falls off the

wagon, we stop and put it back on.’ We didn’t just keep dragging the wagon, and I think that’s just going to help us win — help us do anything if we put that wheel back on.”

Adams State is on a fourgame losing streak, the most recent loss coming Sunday in a 21-12 loss to Regis. The streak won’t be the only driving factor for Adams State senior catcher Jaycee Lovato, who played for the Bears her freshman year and part of her sophomore season before transferring.

Baseball loses to Air Force STAFF REPORT sports@uncmirror.com

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UNC STUDENT

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HEAR US ON CHANNEL 3 IN THE RESIDENCE HALLS OR WWW.UNCO.EDU/UNCRADIO OR WWW.UNCRADIO.COM

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The UNC baseball team found itself in an early 8-0 deficit and never recovered as it lost, 10-6, to Air Force Tuesday in Colorado Springs.

University of Northern Colorado (3-21) freshman right-handed pitcher Josh Tinnon went two innings and allowed the eight quick runs before being relieved.

The Falcons plated one in the first inning and seven in the second behind seven hits, including an insidethe-park homerun.

UNC got a run back in the fourth inning and scored five runs in the fifth to make the game more interesting with the score 9-6.

Air Force added another run in the sixth for the

final margin. The Bears were held hitless the final three innings.

UNC junior centerfielder Bret Fanning and senior right fielder Marcus Valenzuela led the Bears with two hits each, but junior left fielder Jarod Berggren had two RBI to lead the team.

Both teams used six pitchers, which all combined to hit nine batters, walk six and strike out nine.

UNC had 10 hits to the Falcons’ 12, and both teams committed two errors.

The Bears have a rematch with Air Force April 12 at Jackson Field.

Prior to that, however, the team has a four-game series at the New York Institute of Technology (4-14) starting Friday in New York as UNC opens up play in the Great West Conference.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

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The Mirror 11

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Slam poet gives workshop, inspires kids JORDANE HARTBAUER arts@uncmirror.com

Slam poet Joaquin Zihuatanejo busted out some rhymes Wednesday, March 30, in Kepner Hall as part of the third annual Festival Chicana/o de Artes during Cesar Chavez Week, which was designed to commemorate the Mexican-American civil rights leader and Latino/a culture.

Zihuatanejo told his audience a story about an encounter he had with a person who disliked poets.

“Someone once asked me what I do for a living,and I told him that I am a poet,” Zihuatanejo said. “(This person) then asked me what I was giving to the world by being a poet. I said that I give

poems to the world, but that is not really the big thing for me. The big thing is this: I travel all over the world talking to students … I am in the business of making poets.”

Zihuatanejo said he aimed to inspire young people and help them see the beauty of poetry — even a new form of art like slam poetry.

“I want to inspire young people to write poetry because, as I say in my presentations, I found salvation in it,” he said.

“It saved me, and I know that if it saved me, it can do wondrous things for them.”

Zihuatanejo is a Grand Slam Spoken Word World champion, a national poetry slam finalist and an HBO Def Jam Poetry artist. He grew up in the

MELANIE VASQUEZ | THE MIRROR

Fifth graders from Dos Rios Elementary School wait to get the autograph of Joaquin Zihuatanejo after attending his slam poetry workshop. barrio of east Dallas and taught high school English for seven years.

He uses his experiences in the classroom as an inspiration for both his poetry

and workshops.

In addition to giving people tips on writing slam poems, the poet performed some of his own work.

Veronica Simpkins, the teacher of a fifth-grade class from Dos Rios Elementary that attended the workshop, said she brought her students to the workshop as part of a poetry unit. The students in Simpkins’ class also competed in a class-wide poetry slam. The top five poems were read at the festival.

“I was inspired by Joaquin when I got the chance to see him last year, and I was lucky enough to meet Dr. (Genie) Canales (a UNC Hispanic studies professor),” Simpkins said. “We have been collaborating to try and get our students into a university setting so that they could see someone so incredible who is like them.”

Some students in the

class said Zihuatanejo race was an inspiration.

“The fact that he is Latino is huge for our kids, to be able to see those kinds of role models,” Simpkins said.

Zihuatanejo spoke at the University of Northern Colorado last year during the Cesar Chavez Student Leader Initiative Conference and was asked to return in the future.

Roberto Munoz, a junior accounting major, was one of the UNC students who attended the workshop.

“I thought the presentation was very insightful,” Munoz said. “It showed a lot about how powerful poetry can be. There are lot of things that we don’t notice that can be considered poetry, and these things are very powerful.”

12 The Mirror

The Mirror

Wednesday, April 6, 2011