No. 21 Mar 3

The University News A Student Voice of Saint Louis University Since 1921

unewsonline.com

Vol. XC No. 21

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Paging doctor eckerle

Cast and crew of Much Ado About Nothing provide entertainment for SLU community >> ARTS

Senior wraps up basketball career, swaps sneakers for scrubs >>SPORTS

Grand demolition start date finalized

Encore!

Students back ‘bridges,’ fee Basketball referendum a slam dunk

City will close viaduct March 14

By ERIKA MILLER Enterprise Editor

After months of speculation and delay, the City of St. Louis has set March 14 at 5 a.m. as the official date for the closure of the Grand Bridge. City officials held a press conference March 1 to announce the closure. When students at the University return to campus from spring break, they must adjust to the closing by using alternative routes. Grand Bridge carries around 30,000 vehicles a day and serves as the main link between the Saint Louis University Frost campus and the Health Sciences campus.

Changes in previously announced closure dates were largely due to construction on Compton Avenue and Vandeventer Avenue, which the city is encouraging motorists to use as alternative routes. The Compton Bridge that runs over I-64 had been closed for renovation to ensure the road could meet the demands of displaced motorists, and was reopened March 1.

The existing bridge will be closed for traffic from Chouteau to just south of the I-64 ramps and the project may take up to two years to complete, but Kara Bowlin, press secretary to St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, said the city hopes to reopen some traffic lanes in 14 months.

According to Paaige Turner, associate provost of the Frost Campus, the University is as prepared as it’s going to be for the bridge reconstruction project. Turner is a member of a Grand Bridge Closure ad-hoc committee, which is a group of faculty, staff, administrators and students planning for the closure.

The goal of the committee and of the University is to minimize disruptions from the

bridge’s closure, Turner said.

Part of this planning included working with academic units and student schedules.

“I think the students’ voice is most honest,” Kripa Sreepada, SGA Senator for the Doisy College of Health Sciences, said. Sreepada was asked to serve on the committee since the beginning of the fall semester.

“When it comes to things like classes, the committee needs student input in what classes are being offered.

They just really need our opinion on what’s working.”

Sreepada said.

All students received an e-mail last fall prior to class registration to help them plan their courses with the bridge closure in mind. Turner said the University has worked to relocate several classes for the 2011-2012 academic year and worked with students during the advising and registration period to ensure students allowed sufficient time to travel to their classes.

The University also faced a challenge with testing and rerouting the University shuttle system that carries students between the Frost Campus and Medical Center. Tom West, director of Mail, Distribution and Transportation Services, said new shuttle routes have been identified and a schedule will soon go into effect. The department will be replacing the signage of the affected stops to notify students of any changes.

One major change to the Grand route, which starts at the Busch Student Center, is that the shuttle will not stop at Reinert Hall on its way to the Medical Center. Joe Stumpf, coordinator of Transportation Services, said this stop will be discontinued due to high See”Grand” on Page 3

Allison Smith / Photographer

(Above) Demolition of the viaduct spanning the gap between SLU’s Frost Shuttle campus and Routes Health Sciences campus is slated to and Express begin March 14. (Below) SLU Transportation Services has altered routes to holidays the medical campus to utilize the am -6pm M-Fshuttle excluding Compton viaduct during construction.

LEGEND Blue: Grand Shuttle Red: Express Shuttle

Map submitted by SLU Transportation Services

By SEAN WORLEY News Editor

Ryan Giacomino / Photographer

Members of the Building Bridges ticket celebrate after being elected to all seven SGA Executive Board positions on Monday, Feb. 28 in the Marguerite Hall lobby.

‘Building Bridges’ ticket comes out on top—big time

By SEAN WORLEY News Editor

The students have spoken. The students were heard. The Student Government Association executive board for the 2011-2012 academic year will be colored orange.

On Monday, Feb. 28, all seven members of the Building Bridges ticket were elected to serve their peers after a historic 2,807 students voted in the SGA elections. With three tickets vying for the available positions, election campaigns were more dynamic and incorporated many more outlets than the conventional poster and button campaigns seen in years past.

Yet now that the video series on YouTube and Facebook has stopped, and the yellow hard hats are stored away, the reactions of students and current executive board members are the final step in the 2011 SGA election season.

Building Bridges ran a campaign that resonated with students, and this can be found in the words of the voters themselves.

“I really like Building Bridges because they went out to the students to get voters,” Kristin Evans, sophomore in the John Cook School of Business, said. “The videos helped because it allowed them to reach their main audience.”

Junior Sean Book of the College of Arts and Sciences also took note of the videos and their effects on the election.

“I don’t know if they impacted the vote, but it definitely left an impression,” Book said.

“They left us asking more questions of the candidates.”

Now that the Building Bridges campaign has gathered the attention of students and has successfully had their entire ticket elected to office, the executive board-to-be must cross their first bridge before building their own. A bridge of transition between the current executive board weighs in on their elected successors.

Though no current executive board member expressed disappointment in the newly elected officials, some board members have their concerns.

“Well to be honest, I think [Scott Hessel] is going to have a hard road ahead of him without ever having been in SGA,” Murphy Vandenberg, vice president of internal affairs, said. “I think he’s fully qualified and will do a great job, but even I forgot things with my two years of experience. That was really the only aspect that concerned me.”

Financial vice president Tim Janczewski also had his concerns of Jonathan Serpas, financial vice president elect.

“One thing the financial vice president has to have, above everything else, is a commitment to the student organizations,” Janczewski said. “I think one thing he needs to work on is his commitment to that now that he is elected.”

Janczewski said Serpas has room for improvement, and he is willing to make sure See “Election” on Page 3

With a vote of 1,599 to 978, the Athletic Fee Referendum has passed. Students voted on the fee in the Student Government Association elections on Monday, Feb. 28, and the undergraduate student body will now pay $15 per semester in order to receive 1,000 free tickets to all home men’s basketball games.

SGA president Courtney Anvender, who was a member of the Student Season Ticket Task Force which researched the feasibility of the fee and created the referendum,said she is happy with the outcome.

“I honestly went into it with an open mind,” Anvender said. “I thought it was interesting that I really only saw campaigns supporting it.

I expected there would be a campaign for and a campaign against because I hear some students opposed to it.”

Anvender said the fee passage is exciting for the students and will improve the student experience.

“It takes down a barrier and gives you one more option as a student to get invested in the community,” Anvender said.

The one factor that needs to be finalized is distribution of the free tickets, which will present a new set of challenges.

“My first thought is that [the vote] was the easy part,” Derrick Neuner, co-chair of the task force, said. “There is a lot left to work on in terms of distribution.”

Anvender said she has already been in discussion with Vice President of Student Development Kent Porterfield in order to make sure students have an equal opportunity at receiving one of the free tickets.Though the distribution of tickets remains unsettled, Neuner said he is also excited the fee passed and was surprised by the wide margin of the vote. Neuner said he heard a lot more negative feedback about the fee after it was officially placed on the ballot but, as Anvender mentioned, no anti-fee campaign formulated on a large scale.

Anvender said the distribution method will be determined by the end of the semester.

Derrick Neuner is the associate sports editor at The University News.

Hotel Ignacio: Building rooms with a view, of SLU

By ERIKA MILLER Enterprise Editor

Beginning April 7, visitors to Saint Louis University will have a new accommodation choice that is within walking distance of the Frost campus and Chaifetz Arena. Construction on Hotel Ignacio, a new “boutique” hotel located on Olive Boulevard adjacent to Triumph Grill, is set to wrap up by the end of the month.

Though construction is still ongoing on the exterior of the building and on the street in front of the hotel, interior work is nearly complete. SLU partnered with the Lawrence Group, a private development company, on the design direction for the hotel. The hotel was first brought to the attention of the University community by SLU President Lawrence Biondi, S.J. last year in a press release.

According to Steve Smith, CEO of the Lawrence Group, a few stages of construction remain before the first guests arrive for check-in. Interior work is nearly complete and furniture and electronics are being installed over the next two weeks. Weather permitting, work on the exterior of the building will wrap up

mid-March, with landscaping and planting to begin shortly after.

Smith said the interior of the building remained completely on-schedule, but two weeks of construction were lost on the exterior due to weather. Exterior construction was also slowed down by a modification to the streets in front of the hotel.

Prior to construction, Lindell Boulevard and Olive met at a Y-intersection in front of the hotel property. Smith said this was a dangerous intersection to cross with the way the roads came together, but the

Lawrence Group found a way to make it a better and safer vehicle interchange.

The intersection will morph from a Y-intersection to a normal 90-degree intersection. Olive will come down to Triumph Grill and hit a right angle at Lindell, which will “make it much safer to cross the street to get from the hotel over to the campus and arena,” Smith said.

Construction is also still taking place on a Spanishstyle café to be included in the first floor of the hotel called “Pintxos,” inspired by tapas from the Basque region

of Spain. This element was incorporated into the design since the hotel is named for the founder of the Jesuits, St. Ignatius of Loyola, who hailed from the Basque region. The café will be open to hotel guests and the general public and construction should be completed by March 15.

The interior of the hotel features 49 guest rooms and two suites. Janice Crawford, assistant vice president of Business Services at SLU, See “Hotel” on Page 3

Dreaming of better days

Allison Smith / Photographer

Contruction on Hotel Ignacio will wrap up by the end of March. Final touches include furnishings and electronics.

Read and Recycle The University News prints on partially recycled paper.

News

2

unewsonline.com

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Let Us Introduce You Morris Kalliny SLU professor credits education and televison for cultural awareness

By NOAH BERMAN Photo Editor

There is a Stephen King novel called “Cell,” in which a signal, transmitted via cell phone, turns almost everyone into crazed zombies.

Saint Louis University professor Morris Kalliny studies a different kind of signal, one broadcast to satellite dishes and from wifi routers-- a signal that, instead of zombifying those it affects, is changing forever the politics of the Middle East.

A professor of international business and marketing, Kalliny looks at “why people do what they do in an international context.” He focuses on the Middle East, trying to figure out how various media outlets are changing that region’s society.

Kalliny was born in Egypt, where he lived until he was 18, when he went to study in Lebanon. He earned a bachelor degree in Business and Education, eventually moving to the States where discovered a passion for international business, earning a doctorate degree in international business and marketing. He earned tenure at University of Missouri - Rolla, but decided he wanted a change and applied for his current job at SLU. In the midst of the revolutions in the Middle East, Kalliny has been called on by local media organizations to comment on the situation. He credits the upheavals to the increasingly prevalent satellite TV networks in the region, as well as people’s willingness to invest in education.

“When I was growing up, there was one private university in the entirety of Egypt, which was the American University in Cairo. Now they’re everywhere,” Kalliny said.

The combination of more people going to school and the rise of non-political television leads to a population with a greater interest in other cultures than ever before.

“This Egyptian region has been sort of closed-in for a long, long time, and now it’s opening up beyond belief,” Kalliny said.

His experience with clash-

THE SLU SCOOP All Information Provided by Department of Public Safety and Security Services

Friday, Feb. 25

12:11 a.m. - DISTURBANCE A female student reported that she had an altercation with an unknown subject after she advised him that he was attempting to exit the Olive garage in the wrong direction. She was struck by the subject’s vehicle at her knee area as she was standing in front of his vehicle. The subject drove out of garage.

Saturday, Feb. 26

Wednesday, March 2

8:43 p.m. - DISTURBANCE Athletics management noticed a ball thrown in Chaifetz Arena that ended up striking the Duquesne coach in the head. Other patrons seated in the area pointed out the subjects that threw the ball. A DPSSS officer responded and ejected both patrons from the game.

3:01 p.m. - TRESSPASSING A subject who entered DuBourg Hall was stopped by a communication officer. He asked the officer a question and then left the building. He was apprehended, and while being questioned he stated he was looking for Harris-Stowe State University and admitted he had an active warrant.

9:32 p.m. - AUTO FIRE DPSSS received a call from a student stating, while he was attempting to jump start another student’s vehicle, he heard a loud pop and then the vehicle burst into flames.

Be a Responsible Billiken STOP. CALL. REPORT. 314-977-3000 witness.slu.edu dps.slu.edu

Tuesday, March 1

President calls senate to action, more respect

By SEAN WORLEY Noah Berman / Photo Editor

ing cultures is not just limited to the current conflict in the Middle East. While working as a tour guide to pay for high school, he spent time with an American missionary couple.

While visiting a market, the Americans wanted to buy just one apple. Due to the way in which stall owners sell their produce (by weight, not numbers) it was impossible for Kalliny to buy that single apple, and he had difficulty explaining the reasons to both parties.

“I tried to explain to them that they could not buy an individual apple, and they said ‘Why?’ Kalliny said, “I said that the guy who is selling the apple does not have any way of being able to equate how much an apple would be worth because he is only [measuring in terms of] a kilo, half a kilo, a quarter of a kilo - a kilo is about 2.2

pounds. They had the hardest time with that,” Kalliny said.

The stall owner could not price a single apple; the Americans could not see why it was so difficult to buy a single unit of produce.

“That is the kind of simple story which illustrates how we get so set in our ways,”he said.

The now-widespread access to foreign television programs, as well as the rapid sharing of cultures through social media, is changing the way the Middle East operates.

“People ... in the past were happy with what they got because they did not see a whole lot of alternatives,” Kalliny said, “They were not aware that there are different kinds of lives out there, and once you have social media,and mass media outlets, then you see a different way of life.”

News Editor

The agenda for the Wednesday, March 2 Student Government Association meeting did not contain any mention of the debates that took place between senators.

With two funding bills, a proposal to change the wording of a committee’s responsibilities and another bill to call for the support of SGA, nothing was unusual. However, when the funding bills presented to senate caused a strong senate reaction, President Courtney Anvender made a statement about handling of such bills.

“You’ve got to look at the arguments on the table and debate cleanly, intelligently with respect,” Anvender said.

“There was not a lot of respect here tonight.”

Anvender was referring to arguments during debate on an amendment to the funding bill for the Saint Louis Univer-

sity Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

The bill would allocate $250 to the organization for costs incurred from items such as promotional materials, programming and other costs.

Commuter senator Andrew Stevens raised an amendment to lower the allocated funds to $130 because $120 of the funds were going to be put toward events that were not yet determined.

Stevens said it was not fiscally responsible to allocate funds to something so vague. This amendment was opposed and Stevens was said to be “out of line” by senator Matt Specter.

Black Student Alliance senator, Kale Kponee voiced her opposition to the amendment.

Kponee said she was worried about the intentions of the senate if the amendment was passed.

Her worries were in reference to the fact the rugby team had been allocated $2,160 in spot funding

moments before. No senators debated the bill’s passage for the funding of the NAACP. The amendment failed with all senators voting in opposition and Stevens abstaining.

Stevens made a satatement at the end of the meeting and said he only raised the amendment because senate needs to be diligent in scrutinizing each bill that comes onto the agenda.

“Rugby asked for money last year and we debated for two hours,” Stevens said.

This year, the bill gives spot funds to the rugby team, and Stevens said the bill was quickly passed by the senate.

Stevens said it was the senate’s responsibility to be critical of every bill.

Anvender said there was too much personal attacking of senators during debate.

“It’s one thing to question someone’s debate point but it’s completely different to question their motives and integrity,” Anvender said.

News

unewsonline.com

Flirting site grows in popularity

By PATRICIA SCHAFER Contributer

From the University of Alaska to Florida State, the new social media site LikeALittle is rapidly growing on college campuses across America.

The site gives college students the ability to anonymously flirt with each other on the web. The site, which was started in October 2010 by three Stanford University students, hit Saint Louis University in early February and has remained one of the top five campuses using the site since its establishment.

“I thought it was a really cool idea for social media,” freshman Olivia White, who started the LikeALittle’s page at the University, said. “It was a new outlet to communicate, but this way it’s anonymous.

You can say what you feel with out other people knowing who you are.”

Students who post a message on LikeALittle are instructed to describe the person whom they are interested and to give a location where they have seen them. If another person comments on the post, they are assigned random names of fruits and vegetables, like “Blackberry” and “Eggplant,” to ensure anonymity.

“Myself and my two friends noticed that it was difficult to communicate with people around them, whether it be a cute person in a café or a student around campus,” said Evan Reas, one of the founders of the website.

Reas said he knows from experience that it can be awkward to make the first move

when meeting people, for he was often too shy to say hello to people on his campus.

“We decided to try to come up with interesting ways to connect people in the world around them, and the rest is history,” Reas said. For SLU, LikeALittle’s history is just beginning.

“I think it’s creepy, but kind of fun,” freshman Anne Marie Fleming said. “You wonder, ‘Is this person talking about me?’”

LikeALittle may even be making an international impact on the University community.

“Some of my friends abroad look at it just to feel connected back home,” sophomore Molly Allen said. “It is a nice way to give a complement, even across the world.”

However, students are encouraged to be careful when posting on the web site.

“In the case of sites like LikeALittle, you have pseudoanonymity,” Amber Hinsley, an assistant professor in the Department of Communications, said. “Something that was once private is now public.”

Hinsley said that because of the short, fragmented posts, there is not enough time to build the foundations of meaningful personal relationships.

“Can you build a meaningful relationship with another person through a series of tweets, status updates and Facebook chats?” Hinsley said.

“It depends on how you personally define ‘meaningful’.”

Hinsley said people take their interaction online to seek approval in relationships

they feel they cannot get in real life.

Hinsley said she wonders if the site is appealing to students because rejection may be less painful through wireless Internet connections.

However, not all students take the site seriously. Freshman, Felix Galvez says that he thinks of LikeALittle as a joke.

“People write things about their friends just to get a laugh out of it,” Galvez said. “Since some people are shy, they use it the way it’s supposed to be used. But that’s hard now that most people don’t take it seriously.”

However, some college students have had romantic success through the networking website. A student at Grand Valley State University wrote on the site, “I saw a post a girl had written that described me to the letter, and it happened to have been in the location she specified hours earlier. I messaged her, and we hung out later that week. I don’t know yet how this will turn out, but thanks Like-a-Little!”

The LikeALittle phenomenon, according to White, should continue for some time at the University.

“If it improves and changes as Facebook has by adding new features, I think LikeALittle could become a major social media outlet,” White said.

The discussion on the consequences of LikeALittle remains at the University as it grows in popularity. “It’s really just another way for people to avoid face to face contact,” Flemming said. “If you like someone, you should just go talk to them.”

Grand: Shuttles routes altered Continued from Page 1

traffic near the I-64 ramps and students will need to walk to the BSC to board the shuttle.

Transportation Services tested several routes and asked for student feedback.

The new routes will begin at the Frost campus, take Forest Park Avenue to Compton, then continue on to the shuttle stops on the Health Sciences campus. The express shuttle will utilize this route to take students directly to the corner of Caroline Street and South Theresa Avenue.

“This [plan] is what we are going with and with that we will see how it works, how much the traffic changes and what the patterns will be,” Stumpf said. “If we need to make adjustments, we will do so.”

When Metro announced the MetroLink stop will be closed for two to three weeks, Sreepada said Turner immediately distributed an e-mail to the University community informing them of the change.

"I think the committee is off to a good start because they've been proactive for months now,” Sreepada said.

“Essentially they are doing the best they can and we have

3

Thursday, March 3, 2011

to just cross our fingers and hope for the best."

The $22 million bridge reconstruction project also includes plans for an additional $7 million renovation of the Grand MetroLink station.

The station was expected to remain open during the entire reconstruction process, but Turner said Tuesday the University learned the station will be closed for certain periods.

“We’re working with transportation services to identify if there’s anything we can do to support people using Metro,” Turner said. “The city is preparing transportation options as well.”

MetroLink train service to the Grand station will be suspended on the weekends of March 19 and 26, when demolition begins. Passengers may be shuttled from the Central West End to Union Station stops on these weekends.

Metro will construct a temporary extension to the current platform so passengers may wait for trains in an area safely away from the overhead bridge work.

Metro is asking passengers to use the Union Station stop during the first three weeks of the reconstruction.

Metro officials said passengers will be notified well in advance of any additional service impacts.

The city will begin placing detour signs this week so the public can begin finding alternative routes.

“It is also extremely important to note that the on and off ramps to I-64 north of the bridge will remain open during the construction of the new bridge,” West said.

Once completed, the new bridge will feature two traffic lanes in each direction and specific turn-out lanes for busses and shuttles to reduce hazards.

The bridge will also have separate bike lanes and a larger walking path, which Turner said will allow students to be able to walk or bike between campuses more easily and safely.

The University is also collaborating with the city on a new streetscape, which will include a landscaped median, new lightning and additional signage.

“It’s going to be a challenge for the next year, but this is a decision the city has put into place that will benefit SLU immensely,” Turner said.

USE YOUR

HEAD , GET AHEAD. SUMMER SESSIONS 2011 Enjoy all that Chicago has to offer this summer while taking a class to lighten your load for the fall.

300+ Courses in Chicago • Online Courses • Study Abroad Derivatives Program • Retreat and Ecology Campus Courses Apply today. For a full list of courses and to learn more about our summer programs, visit LUC.edu/summer.

Election: E-board addresses transition Continued from Page 1

Serpas gains the experience necessary to start off the next semester. Janczewski said he was concerned about Serpas’ understanding of the gravity of the position.

While Vandenberg and Janczewski have their respective concerns, not every outgoing member of the Come Together executive board feels the same.

Both Katie Becherer, current academic vice president, and Oscar Vazquez, current vice president of diversity and social justice, said they expect their successors to do well.

Kripa Sreepada was elected for vice president of diversity and social justice, and Patrick

Grillot will serve as the new academic vice president.

Stephanie Song and Tyler Sondag were voted into the positions of vice president of international affairs and vice president of student organizations, respectively.

Matt Ryan was elected to the role of president, and his predecessor, Courtney Anvender said she anticipates what Ryan has planned.

“I think he’s going to do a great job,” Anvender said.

“He ran a very creative campaign, and I think that says something about how he’ll assume this position.”

Anvender noted Ryan’s use of videos and social media and credited the “immense” voter turnout to Ryan’s utilization

of various media formats. Anvender hopes the increased voter participation will translate into student enthusiasm and investment in SGA. Anvender said she also realizes the transition of her tenure in SGA to the era of Ryan is “crucial.”

“You have to know not only the job but also the power dynamic and politics behind [the role], and that’s not something you can learn without doing your due diligence,” Anvender said. “Experience only comes with time, so start early.”

Additional reporting by wNews Editor Kristen Miano, Enterprise Editor Erika Miller and Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Ernst.

Kati Cundari / Associate Photo Editor

Ignite ticket members wait for results of the 2011 SGA election on Feb. 28 at Griesedieck Hall.

Hotel: Unique, vibrant experience expected Continued from Page 1

said the hotel is based on four art themes: fine art, performing arts, architecture and music, and will display a rotating University-owned art collection.

Ignacio is labeled a “boutique” hotel, which indicates the hotel is not part of a major hotel chain.

“When you think of a chain hotel, they [all] feel the same,” Smith said. “[Igancio] is boutique because it’s unique.”

To stay consistent with this image, Equis Hospitality Management was given a fiveyear contract to manage the hotel.

“After a competitive review process, Equis was selected based on their proven track record of effectively managing hotels and for offering a more cost-effective business plan for Hotel Ignacio,” Crawford said.

John Dalton, general manager of Hotel Ignacio, said Equis is the right company to manage the hotel because it has a good history of working with different hotel brands. He is currently in the process of hiring hotel employees, some of which will be students from the University.

After construction is completed April 2, both the University and the Lawrence Group will have an ongoing role in the hotel’s operations.

“From a business and art standpoint, I think the University will remain very active,” Smith said.

Smith also owns the

neighboring Moto Museum and Triumph Grill and said the Lawrence Group will provide food services to the hotel through its restaurant subsidiary.

Hotel Ignacio will primarily serve the University community and the Grand Arts Center, a neighborhood Dalton said has been underserved in the hotel scene.

The University also owns the Water Tower Inn, which is located on Grand Boulevard next to the Salus Center on the Health Sciences Campus.

Other than the two Universityowned hotels, there are no other hotel options in walking distance.

Crawford said Hotel Ignacio plans to offer “a great new place to stay for our parents and alumni, prospective students and their families, and guests of the University.”

The University website has a list of nearby hotels recommended by guests, which includes various hotel chains located downtown or near Forest Park. These hotels are listed as either “typically less than $100 per night” or “typically between $100-$150 per night.” At the Water Tower Inn, the rate is $75 per night for anyone visiting the University.

For Hotel Ignacio, the rates will average around $209 per night, according to Dalton.

This rate is dependent upon the time of year, weekends and events going on in Grand Arts Center or at the University.

“Everyone comes to us out of desire. They’re looking for

something unusual. They’re seeking that experience,” Dalton said. “Not everyone is willing to spend two-to-three times more and [we] have to live up to that responsibility.”

Rate information and a booking system will not be available through the hotel’s website until the end of the month. If guests would like to reserve a space, a contact email address is listed. Dalton said the hotel is already more than 50 percent sold for the month of April.

Though the hotel is affiliated with the University, it will not receive the same not-for-profit benefits. “The hotel ownership structure differs from other University endeavors in that it is owned in partnership with another business owner,” Crawford said. “Therefore, it is registered as a for-profit entity and will be managed as such.”

While Hotel Ignacio is priced higher than other hotels in the area, Dalton said it offers a unique and intimate atmosphere for its guests.

The Hotel Ignacio construction represents the University’s commitment to the neighborhood surrounding the campus.

The University does not have any specific plans for other projects of this type in the near future, but according to Crawford, possible projects are always considered.

“We’re always exploring opportunities to help increase the vibrancy and vitality of our neighborhood,” Crawford said.

The University News

Opinion

Talk to us: Priya Sirohi 314.977.2812 oped.unews@gmail.com

Thursday, March 3, 2011

unewsonline.com

Letters

“Freedom of the press—print, online and broadcast—is a basic right in a democratic society and is valuable in promoting the development of students as socially responsible persons ...

The University News is a student voice, not the student voice.

The views of The University News are the expressions of the students involved ... If [The University News] can represent a point of view around which discussion may develop, it serves a legitimate and needed purpose.”

From The University News’ Charter

to the editor The University News reserves the right not to publish any letters that are deemed intentionally and/or inappropriately inflammatory, more than the 300-word limit or unsigned by the original author. The following are letters and/or website comments. Because the identities of website posters cannot be verified, all website comments should be treated as anonymous. Actual letters to the editor may be submitted online at unewsonline. com or e-mailed to oped.unews@gmail.com.

Please include your daytime telephone number.

Contact us:

Newly elected SGA executive board thanks voters and sets goals

Busch Student Center Suite 354 20 N. Grand Blvd.

St. Louis, MO 63103 Newsroom: (314) 977-2812 unews.slu@gmail.com Advertising: (314) 977-2813 ads.unews@gmail.com unewsonline.com facebook.com/theunews twitter.com/theunews editor-in-chief Jonathan Ernst (314) 977-1590 eic.unews@gmail.com general manager JOE Mckeon ads.unews@gmail.com Managing Editor Andrea Royals unewsme@gmail.com News Editors Kristen Miano Sean Worley slunews@gmail.com Enterprise Editor ERIKA MILLER enterprise.unews@gmail.com op/ed editor PRIYA SIROHI Assoc. OP/ED editor DANIELA MONDRAGON oped.unews@gmail.com Arts editor Ashley Jones arts.unews@gmail.com Sports editor BRIAN BOYD Assoc. Sports editor DERRICK NEUNER sports.unews@gmail.com photo editor Noah Berman Assoc. PHOTO editorS SHAH (YUQING XIA) KATI CUNDARI photo.unews@gmail.com Design Director Brianna Radici design.unews@gmail.com Chief copy editor SARAH MAREK copydesk.unews@gmail.com Account executive madalyn guy ads.unews@gmail.com Account executive RACHEL CAMPBELL ads.unews@gmail.com Account executive CONNOR BERRY ads.unews@gmail.com Adviser Jason L. Young jyoung42@slu.edu The Editorial Board of The University News Recognizes Avis Meyer, Ph.D. as the newspaper’s faculty mentor.

The University News is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, the Student Press Law Center, the College Media Advisers and the Missouri College Media Association, a division of the Missouri Press Association.

-First copy, free. Each additional copy, $1.00.

Editorials

Editorials are opinion pieces written by the Editorial Board of The University News.

The editorials printed in this space represent the opinion of The University News.

Commentaries and Letters to the Editor represent the opinions of the signed authors but do not necessarily represent the opinions of The University News.

A word of caution and a call for teamwork to new SGA E-Board The race is over – it’s time to stop and reassess our bearings. The purpose of elections for candidates is to tr y and earn positions of responsibility. This is not about triumph.

Our new Student Government Association Executive Board needs to consider their success in the elections not as a victor y in a race, but as a form of assumed responsibility.

Their responsibilities to the student body need to be their utmost concern – not on the outcome of the campaign, whether bitter or triumphant.

Candidates campaigned on promises, enthusiasm and professionalism. It would be a black mark on the integrity of the senators who ran in the elections if they let this ver ve and passion disappear.

Do not appear out of your shells to simply win the hearts of the student body only to retreat back to the fringes of our attention.

While we do not expect “campaign fever” year-round, we do want to see more active and out-reaching actions by SGA. We expect the president and vice presidents to lead SGA with creativity and dyna-

mism, using ever y available and necessar y avenue.

One of these avenues includes collaborating with fellow senators and incorporating ideas that are beneficial for the student body.

Fellow senators include those individuals who did not succeed in the elections and are still in SGA for the duration of this semester.

Each platform had excellent ideas to contribute, and each platform had intelligent people on them who are great assets to SGA. We need to see these ideas exchanged between these senators before the start of the next academic year.

Work with all of your fellow senators, and work together on a united front to improve SGA. Politics, elections and campaign races can fracture relations between people. We urge the new executive board and former candidates to collaborate.

SGA will be the stronger for it. The campaign is over. We all of us need to move for ward with a vision of reconciliation, productivity and activism.

Midterms Week brings students apocalyptic work-loads not even Finals Week can match While the college experience involves de- study habits, which are encouraged by the veloping our time management skills, there structure of midterms week. is a specific week in all of our schedules that Another problem with the structure of leads to an overflow of students in Pius XII midterms week is that students often do not Memorial Library during overnight hours. have a distinct grade in the class until midStudents leave ghostly chairs in the class- terms week; this makes midterms more imes that they cut to study for exams in other perative than finals. classes, and trash cans barely contain the Students need to stress over this exam number of empty coffee cups that get thrown more than the other one, as it can determine away. the initial grade they receive in certain coursMidterms week is a terrible time for our es. academics and our schedules; it’s worse than Understanding the importance of midfinals week. The structure of the exams is terms puts into perspective the need for redifferent. structuring midFinals week terms week to is free of classbe slightly more es. This extra Midterms week is a terrible time accommodating time to study busy student for our academics and our schedules; to alleviates some schedules. it’s worse than finals week ...Students tension.

With some Midter ms, balance the workload of several b r a i n s t o r m i n g , however, concan create a classes - not one class, as professors we tinue as classsmooth system often forget. es continue, that does not enwhich places courage bad study an immense habits and potenburden on tially lower stutime managedents’ academic ment. performance.

Material is being given to us that will be on We are not advocating that the academic the midterm as the test approaches, so study- integrity of our University be lowered. ing ahead of time is an ineffective strategy.

We don’t expect courses to be easier in any Students balance the workload of several way, or that we have less coursework. Rigor classes - not one class, as professors often is a necessary part of the college educational forget. experience.

With homework assignments due simultaHowever, we do not believe in a policy neously, it becomes impossible to study on a that discourages students from studying in daily, incremental basis, unlike finals week. healthy ways.

Students instead opt to cut classes to study We need only a little bit of rest for the or pull all-nighters. These are unhealthy weary.

“

”

Posted below are the results from our web poll on The University News’ website.

These are the current opinions of what students did during the heat wave.

What did you do during the “heat wave?”

Check out our blogs!

-The Conservative Billiken SLU’s conservative voice -The Progressive Billiken SLU’s liberal voice -Foreign Affairs Students studying abroad -Going into OT On and off the court - 24/7 Blogs, additional commentaries and activities such as our web poll are all available on our website: unewsonline.com.

Peony Lee / Chief Illustrator

0

49%

Studied Outside

34%

Took a stroll to Forest Park

34%

Tanned at the Dolphin Pond/Clocktower

6%

Went swinging in the hammocks

10

20

30

40

50

60

We just wanted to take this moment to thank all those who voted on Monday in the student government election. This campaign showcased 21 students dedicated to improving this University.

The integrity and passion throughout the campaign, from all three tickets, brought out the core of student government: the idea that we can substantially improve lives on this campus.

A historically high amount of 2,807 students believed that their voices would be heard. This energy must be taken to cohesively move forward.

To begin, we want to thank our opponents. Each opponent illustrated a genuine hope to improve this University. We must all take pride in this. Saint Louis University needs leaders of change. Without a doubt, all 21 candidates illustrated these capabilities. Most importantly, we wish to work with all of you moving forward.

The ideas that were offered on other platforms must be enacted regardless of who is sitting as the executive board next year. This election was not about personal pride or personal agenda; it was about improving the University.

To the entire campus, although our campaign was fun and silly at times, understand that we know we have much work to do.

We know that making a student government for and with the students does not happen overnight. We look forward to this challenge, but we cannot do it alone. Regardless of whom you voted for or if you voted, understand that this is your student government. Your concerns, fears and wishes are just as valued as ours. Please engage yourself with the issues and look to see where you can improve this campus.

We do not take office until May, but know that we look forward to serving you. If specific goals or concerns arise for next year, feel free to contact us at sgatransition2011@gmail.com. We will begin handling those e-mails immediately.

- Student Government Association Executive Board of 2011-2012.

Proud community member expresses gratitude On Feb. 25, my husband and I attended The “SLU Monologues.” We were very impressed by the performances and were touched by the vulnerability and passion of the performers.

When we left, I inadvertently left my purse near where I was sitting. I didn’t realize this until the next morning when I attempted to run some errands.

My husband contacted a friend, SLU security guard, Peter Garvin. Peter made a few calls and let us know that, indeed, my purse had been turned into the Department of Public Safety and Security Services.

When I left my purse at SLU it had over $100 in cash, my debit and credit cards, and several forms of ID. When I arrived at DPSSS, the officer had me check my purse, and I was astonished to find that nothing was missing! Someone had returned my purse intact!

Thank you to the SLU community for restoring my faith in the kindness of others.

I am pleased to be a member of this community.

- Kristin L. Rathje is the Curriculum Coordinator at Lutheran High Sschool North.

Quotes of the week

“

We try to do events that are creative and fun. We try to think out of the box for high risk weekends.

-Janelle Densberger is the Program Coordinator for Student Involvement.

“

” ”

See Page 3.

[BAR has] come a long way since the beginning and have come a long way as a group. We’re very excited about this CD. - Emily Frankosi is a senior in the College of Arts and Sciences.

See Page 7.

Opinion

unewsonline.com

5

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Foreign breezes waft gently over American graves, bringing peace Australian I think of my grandfather. He used to tell stories all the time.

I think of black and white pictures, of Uncle Sam pointing, of Commentary those obnoxious posters.

I think of those movies, those really cool movies – Saving Private Ryan, Sands of Iwo Jima, Tora, Tora, Tora.

Chris Ackels When I think of World War II, the greatest generation, and what it meant to America, I think about my grandfathers who fought.

I envision the veterans sitting at memorial services, sporting their hats and their medals, reminiscing about old times.

Until this past weekend. For the first time in my life, I made the trip to the American Cemetery at Omaha Beach in Normandy.

Studying abroad in London has brought me all kinds of opportunities – none more moving and thought provoking than this one.

The beach is a spectacle itself.

German bunkers still remain.

Pieces of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall sit in the sand. The water is rough and the cliffs are steep – how our boys pulled this one off I’ll never understand.

The museum at the sight is the best war museum I’ve ever seen.

Granted, I’m not a connoisseur of WWII museums, but it puts the entire scenario in context and in a new light. It helps to understand what our boys were fighting for.

But the cemetery – that is breathtaking. Ten thousand white crosses span literally farther than the eye can see. Two giant memorials stand in the cemetery, but nothing says it more than the crosses themselves.

“Donald Keller. PVT 398 Infantry Div. New Jersey. July 13, 1944.”

“John L. Wittbecker. PVT 116 Infantry Div. Michigan. June 6,

beaches and surf perfect for hanging ten

Rarely has Major League Baseball seen a player continue Pujolslevel success into their late 30s without the help of steroids.

Charity-starting, controversyavoiding, all-around-good-guy Pujols would be hurting his reputation and losing the greater portion of his fan following if this is what it ever came to, a fact that he may be overlooking in asking for such an inflated contract.

Statistics aside, sentimentality has to play some sort of role in Pujols’ decision. On numerous occasions, Pujols has noted his love for the city of St. Louis as well as the value of being a part of one of the most successful baseball franchises of all time.

Leaving St. Louis in favor of a city like New York or Chicago would not only uproot Pujols from a town that has become home for him but also take him away from the headquarters of his charity, the Pujols Family Foundation, which has been raising awareness for Down syndrome since his daughter was diagnosed with the condition.

In accepting a shorter or less costly contract, Pujols could also end his career in ranks with Stan Musial, Bob Gibson and Lou Brock, immortalizing him as a Cardinal great.

His already admirable statistics have lent room to predictions of Hall of Fame status, a fact that could only be enhanced by a consistent uniform.

It’s a tempting offer for a baseball legend, especially considering the fact that the Cardinal fanbase is arguably the best in all of baseball.

While a change of uniform wouldn’t be a kiss of death, the most memorable players are often single-team players and end their careers just as they started.

I have long been a Pujols fan and will support him wherever he goes, even if it is a result of a selfish agenda. Except for the Cubs, of course; that would be unforgiveable.

As the hot pink bus pulled into the Bond University parking lot, a young guy jumped off yelling, “Who’s ready to get crazy?”

Commentary This was the start to my weekend ... a four hour bus trip to Byron Bay and Spot X, where our tour guide, Linton, would get us excited Wilson Fulk by sharing Australian hiphop, lame jokes and Australian swearing and slang with us.

After driving the first hour and a half to Byron Bay, New South Wales, we switched drivers, and an even funnier mate named Al took the wheel.

To get us pumped up for our surf weekend, we watched an inspirational surfing movie about “hot surfer girls that totally rock!”

You guessed it, we watched “Blue Crush” on the way to Mojo Surf Camp, where all the real fun began.

When we arrived at Mojo Surf Camp at 10 p.m., we unloaded the bus and found a quaint little campground with an outdoor dining hall, a movie room, a stripper pole and a fire pit.

We were then given a brief tour of the rest of the camp before being taken to our cabins.

Now, these were not your average cabins.

These were old trailer homes that had been gutted and filled with sets of bunk beds— about five to a trailer.

With a sign warning us not to soil our accommodations at the risk of a $100 fine, we called it a night and went to bed in anticipation of our first surf lesson.

At 8 a.m., we had a quick breakfast, got our surf boards (softtop long boards) and headed down to the beach.

We did the typical surf lesson warm up, which consisted of stretching and then laying on the ground pretending to paddle and jumping up on our boards, just like you see in the movies.

We were all laughing as we had to practice this motion about 10 times, which made it feel like we were in boot camp.

After feeling confident that we knew what we were doing, our instructors sent us out into the water to catch some waves.

Let me tell you— this was not easy! In the movies, you always see surfers aimlessly paddling and then jumping up on their boards and doing that awesome ride where the wave is curling over them, and they are surrounded by water.

No— that is not real-life surfing.

That is dangerous, can-possibly-killyou surfing.

They make it look easy because they are professionals.

As the wave starts to approach me, I paddled my little heart out until it finally hit the back of my surf board.

As it was pushing me along, I forgot everything my instructor just taught me and tried to stand up normally. I’m sure you can guess where I ended up.

I found my bearings and headed back out into the ocean. With some instructor assistance, I remounted my board, caught another wave and focused on what I was doing. Next thing I knew, I was surfing!

The rush I felt as I got closer and closer to the shore line was incredible, and I was so overwhelmed that I danced on my board.

I fell off, and continued this process over and over again until our lesson ended.

Though I had some major and minor wipe outs, I became more confident and attempted to throw some tricks like a “Switch Foot.”

This is where you change directions on your board, and I taught myself how to steer away from other capsized “wannabes.”

I am content with my first surfing attempts.

We got another go that afternoon and then had the night to kick back, relax and swap our surfing stories with our new mates.

I met new people, got roped into competing in Limbo. I won by the way, beating out very short and slender girls.

Who knew a 6’ 3” American could take on these Aussies in Limbo?

Then we went down to the beach for a late night swim, as an end my first day of surf camp.

We had another lesson the next morning, and then started our trek home soon after.

The weekend was well worth the cost, for the experience and the bruises and soreness to brag about it.

I, Wilson Fulk, learned how to surf, and still have the chafed nipples to prove my newly found expertise.

Stephanie Mueller is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Wilson Fulk is a sophomore in the School of Nursing.

Mauriel Blakeley / Illustrator

1944.”

“Herbert Kaufman. PFC 116 Infantry Div. Indiana. June 7, 1944.”

“Francis M. Rice. FVT 119 Infantry Div. Texas. July 31, 1944.”

As I walk, I become completely lost in the crosses. There’s irony in the fact that this was the piece of land they were fighting for.

That before they got here, this exact plot of dirt was occupied by Germans. But they won it. And now, this plot of dirt is their final resting place.

The voice of my grandfather comes into my head. But it’s not the tired, old voice of his that I remember.

Then it hits me. These guys were my age. They were 19, 20, 21 year olds who came here representing the United States of America. They didn’t have a college experience, they had the army.

They graduated from high school and left home – not for a beautiful campus in the middle of the country, but for a battlefield on the other side of the world.

They didn’t have their college dorm buddies. They had their army camp buddies. They were my age. They were baseball fans, they had girlfriends and they were homesick. They were my age.

As I look out again, it all comes together. The crosses are endless.

I’m surrounded.

The breeze comes in off the ocean – off Omaha Beach, where many of these men died. Men? I don’t know what to call them, other than what my grandfather always called them: “Our boys.”

That breeze only complicates the chills down my spine. I keep walking, and more crosses keep popping up just out of sight.

More names keep jumping off

the marble. More lives. Our boys.

Now I see why they called it “the greatest generation.”

When they were my age, they left home to fight not just for their country, but for a cause that spanned the entire human race.

Now I’m 20. And what did I do? I went back and uploaded the pictures of their graves onto Facebook.

So in our world of social networking and college exams and modern technology— what can we do? I’m asking myself these questions as I walk out of the cemetery.

That’s where I see, engraved in the memorial, the answer.

“To these we owe the high resolve that the cause for which they died shall live.”

Our boys.

Chris Ackels is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Fannee Doolee supports unions, not Scott Walker Reader, did you watch the incredibly excellent PBS show called “ZOOM?” Do you remember a feature called “FanCommentary nee Doolee”? If not - I’m sorry for your childhood - but it’s a word game that goes like this: Fannee Doolee likes sleeping, but doesn’t like resting.

Fannee DoolNoah Berman ee likes luggage, but doesn’t like suitcases.

Fannee Doolee likes soccer, but doesn’t like hockey.

Why do you think that is? I won’t spoil the answer for you, but I do have a sort of Fannee Doolee of my own. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker likes business, but doesn’t like workers. Why do you think that is?

I’ll explain. Walker recently proposed legislation that, amongst a variety of harmful-to-the-workers policy changes, would effectively kill or seriously injure collective bargaining rights for public employees who happened to be union members.

Should this legislation pass, it would limit or remove the ability of these workers to negotiate with their employer - the state. Workers employed by Wisconsin would no longer be able to go to their union, if necessary, to fight for a fair workweek, training, better pay, overtime, and so forth.

These changes were allegedly proposed due to state budget deficits, and so from some media sources, the story has been “state fights back against greedy workers.” I believe this cannot be true.

These employees are not on strike because they just want more money to line their mansions in suburban Madison. They are on strike because they want to protect their right to occasionally talk to the people employing them and maintain fair and livable working conditions.

An individual is easy to replace and so has little bargaining power - all of the workers bargaining together are much more difficult to replace, so the employer has more reason to negotiate and make concessions.

Eliminating this right has nothing to do with repairing the budget.

You don’t save money by making it impossible for workers to negotiate with management.

The unions have been willing to concede the financial elements of this budget bill, so long as they retain bargaining rights. That said, Walker is clearly willing to ruin his state to “save” it, recently unveiling the full horror of his budget proposal in which state aid to schools is reduced by 843 MILLION DOLLARS. He promises 250,000 private sector jobs over the next four years, but

I’d be willing to bet he’s not counting on Wisconsin schoolchildren to apply for any of them.

That same budget reduction also prevents local officials from raising property taxes to deal with that shortfall. So, I guess it never rains, but it pours down anti-education, anti-union (anti-working class) budget bills.

The media has had a bit of fun drawing parallels between protests here in America and protests in the Middle East. Fannee Doolee likes the freedom of democracy but isn’t so much a fan of unions, I suppose.

The scary thing, though, is that in terms of, well, terms - there’s a bit of a connection. Mubarak ruled his country by declaring a 30-year-long “state of emergency,” which basically gave him carte blanche to run roughshod over his people. Walker declared a budget crisis, which gives him the excuse to smash state unions. You can get people to agree to crazy things by claiming to be in a state of crisis. Our own news media has been making it seem as though protestors on both sides of the issue have been turning out in equal numbers. Well, another friend, Maia Perez, who hails from the chilly state informs me that, according to the Madison Police, a recent protest drew 70,000-100,000 people demonstrating against the bill and roughly 2,000-4,000 for it.

“Having been there,” she wrote, “I think even that [2000-4000] is overly generous.” Egyptian state media suggested similar things before everything fell apart.

I’m not suggesting that Wisconsinites overthrow Scott Walker, but I am suggesting that it is vital for not only those in Wisconsin but workers across the nation that this bill is shut down. I applaud those currently occupying the state capitol and the Democratic state politicians who are trying to hold up the vote by leaving the state.

We cannot allow bargaining rights to fall in one state, or else we might see them disappear piece by piece across the country. We cannot allow a governor - in the name of smaller, cheaper government - to cut down on the rights of the workers.

Those of us not in Wisconsin need to be sure that we are getting the story from reliable sources, and if a similar bill comes to our own state, we must urge our politicians to vote it down.

For if we lose bargaining rights in one state, it will signal grave danger for unions - and workers - nationwide. Should workers nationwide lose these bargaining rights, our collective welfare - all Americans - will be at risk. If Fannee Doolee has her priorities in order, she’ll like collective bargaining rights but not union busters.

Noah Berman is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Leda Riley / Illustrator

Selfish agenda will end Pujols’ career early Did you hear that? That was the collective sigh of the city of St. Louis as negotiations for a contract extension with Cardinals’ first Commentary baseman Albert Pujols ended last Friday.

After seemingly endless talks about Pujols’ fate upon the expiration of his contract at the end of Stephanie Mueller this season, an agreement could not be reached and discussion was postponed for the season.

Reports that Pujols asked for $300 million and 10 years, ending his baseball career at 41 years old, have surfaced.

Fans worr y that the National League MVP winner, Gold Glove recipient and World Series champion will be taken from St. Louis to a competing city. Rumors say the Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees are the most likely to be interested and financially endowed for a comparable offer after the World Series.

The remedy? A big slice of humble pie ser ved on a Cardinal-emblazoned platter for Mr. Pujols.

Offering $300 million, potentially the largest contract in Major League Baseball histor y, to a player who will likely not mirror his previous success in the coming decade is simply a poor choice for the Cardinals franchise that should focus on creating a stronger lineup, as a whole, particularly following the news about Wainwright’s elbow injur y.

While some say that the Cardinals are not acknowledging Pujols’ worth, it’s Pujols who needs to reevaluate his demands.

Pujols should lay his pride down and stay with the Cardinals. He needs to come to terms with the fact that, while the next 10 years could be just as successful as his first 10, the odds are against him.

Games

The University News Advertise with us ads.unews@gmail.com (314)-977-2813

Thursday, March 3, 2011

unewsonline.com

Comics/Student Art

Last Week’s Solutions:

By NOAH BERMAN

Sudoku

Figger It

Crossword

Word Search

The University News

Arts OUT on the

Thursday, March 3, 2011

unewsonline.com

Spring spotlights musical groups

TOWN Arts Editor’s Picks

By RYAN BELMONTE Staff Writer

MUSIC Friday, March 4 8:30 p.m.

So Many Dynamos with US English, Bo And The Locomotive Firebird Tickets are $8 with a $2 minor surcharge at the door Saturday, March 5 9 p.m.

Speakeasy with Stone Sugar Shakedown The Gramophone Tickets are $7 plus a $3 minor surcharge Sunday, March 6 2 p.m.

The 2nd Annual Showdown Historically Black College and University Drumline Show Chaifetz Arena Tickets are $15

THEATER Friday, March 4 8 p.m.

Much Ado About Nothing Saint Louis University Theatre Tickets are $10, $9 for senior citizens, $9 for SLU faculty and staff, and $7 for all students Saturday, March 5 8 p.m.

Much Ado About Nothing Saint Louis University Theatre Tickets are $10, $9 for senior citizens, $9 for SLU faculty and staff, and $7 for all students Sunday, March 6 2 p.m.

Much Ado About Nothing Saint Louis University Theatre Tickets are $10, $9 for senior citizens, $9 for SLU faculty and staff, and $7 for all students

MOVIES Monday, March 7 8 p.m.

Monday Movie Madness: Leap Year Cafe Ventana Admission is free

Talk to us: Ashley Jones 314.977.2812 arts.unews@gmail.com

The recent popularity of television shows like “Glee” and “The Sing-Off” has put a cappella singing, in the spotlight. Saint Louis University has four a cappella groups: The Bare Naked Statues, Beyond All Reason, Astha and the newest one, Decadence. Each of these groups has something different to offer through their music styles and talents. All of the groups are busy working on their projects for the semester and the following is what students can look forward to from each of these groups in the coming months.

Beyond All Reason to release first album in fall Since 2002, Beyond All Reason (BAR) has been the only all-female a cappella group on campus. They have brought their own sense of a cappella musical style to the SLU community.

The group has worked hard to make their name known, and as a result they have grown tremendously.

BAR currently consists of 13 members, and its most recent effort has been creating their first CD. “We’ve come a long way since the beginning and have come a long way as a group, and we’re very excited about this CD,” president Emily Frankoski said.

The CD will have 10 songs from different parts of their repertoire.

This includes a medley of songs from television shows like “Friends” and “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.” It will also feature songs from artists such as No Doubt and Evanescence.

“This album really shows off our range,” Frankoski said.

The group has been working on this album for about two years and hopes to release it next fall.

BAR was recently featured on local news station HECTV, along with Bare Naked Statues, where the groups discussed being part of an a cappella group at SLU. Both groups also performed at an a cappella concert at

Kati Cundari / Associate Photo Editor

Members a cappella group Beyond All Reason practice for their Fall 2010 concert. The group is currently preparing for their Spring 2011 concert as well as recording their first CD. Washington University at the end of February.

BAR will perform at Relay for Life on April 16. They are also getting ready for their spring concert on Saturday, May 7 in the Busch Student Center ballrooms.

“It’s all a cappella all the time for us,” Frankoski said.

“Beyond All Reason has become a very big part of all of our members’ lives. Everyone is involved in different organizations on campus, but it’s great to see how the music brings us all together.”

According to Frankoski, the group have become pretty close over the years.

“All of us bond over our love of music and creating music.”

They have the same group members as they did last year, so Frankoski said they have more energy and organization.

For more information visit beyondallreason.org.

Bare Naked Statues preps for spring concert If you have seen some male students around campus wearing SLU maintenance crew shirts, you may have been looking at members of the all-male a cappella group, the Bare Naked Statues.

“I don’t really know where that tradition started,” the group’s president Gregory Judice said with a laugh.

The group will be performing their spring concert on Thursday, April 28 and Friday, April 29 in Cook Hall.

The oldest existing a cappella group on campus, BNS have grown through the years to have a loyal following among students at SLU and in the St. Louis area.

The group, whose name was inspired by a combination of the singing group the Barenaked Ladies and all of the unclothed statues scattered around campus, has been bringing a cappella music to SLU for the past 11 years. They released their third CD “All Expenses Paid” this past fall.

The group recently took

part in the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella competition at Washington University in St. Louis.

Each of the 10 competing a cappella groups had to sing their sets in 12 minutes.

BNS also visited Loyola Academy this past month and gave a presentation to get the students more involved in and excited about music.

The group’s music director, Mark Ofreneo, tries to search for music that is unique.

“I go on YouTube to see if other groups have sung a certain song, and I try to arrange it in a way to make it even better,” Ofreneo said.

The group is made up of men that are from many different majors and organizations on campus;.

However, none of them are music majors.

“Everyone just has a bunch of different talents, and it’s cool how they all come together,” Judice said.

For more information on their upcoming events visit barenakedstatues.com.

Kati Cundari / Associate Photo Editor

Bare Naked Statues prepare for their Fall 2010 concert. Their Spring 2011 concert will take place on April 28 and 29.

Astha to deliver colorful Decadence showcases new set of student voices benefit performance Astha President Sakshi Mathur said this year’s spring concert will be full of color.

This is a fitting representation for the diversity of the group.

“Our spring concert theme this year will be ‘Colors’ because, like all of the colors, we are a very culturally diverse group of people.

Our members have different musical backgrounds that are very different from each other. Some of our members are chorally trained, while others have been trained in Eastern music. Our different styles of training mean that we have to work to come to an agreement on everything.

It can be a challenge for everyone,” Mathur said.

The group’s diversity and various styles is what sets it apart from other a cappella groups on campus,” Mathur said.

The co-ed group, formed in 2006, began performing Hindu songs. Since their formation, the group has branched out musically.

They now perform songs from other Indian languages

like Tamil and Telegu, and also popular American pop, jazz and hip-hop songs.

“We like to keep a good combination of music styles,” Mathur said. “We have a lot of different voice types in our group, so we like to show off our members’ amazing talents in the different song styles.”

They enjoy performing fusion songs, which are a mix of two different songs with a common theme or with similar beats.

The set the group is working on now includes a few fusion songs, one Hindi song and a couple of American songs.

“We are glad that our audience comes to enjoy our music at events even if they know that they will not be able to understand half of it,” Mathur said.

They are currently preparing for their spring benefit concert, “Colors,” which will take place on Saturday, April 9.

The proceeds from the concert will go to charity.

For more information visit astha.slu.edu.

Being the new kid at school is never easy.

However, Decadence, the newest co-ed a cappella group on campus, is taking on the challenge with enthusiasm.

“It takes a lot of time since we are starting from scratch, but it’s a cool process,” one of the four founders of the group, Emily Frankoski, said.

“The other groups have a presence already, so we have to network, advertise and slip our name in conversation whenever possible.”

The group was founded by four members of the other three a cappella groups, Emily Frankoski, Kristine Gage, Julia Gilbert and Kristin McGuire.

They were inspired by the number of talented people that had tried out for the other three groups but did not make the cut because their voices did not fit the needs of the groups at that time.

This prompted them to create a new a cappella group at SLU to facilitate these talents and expand the a cappella options on campus.

The group originally

started by trying to recruit 10 members (hence the deca- in Decadence, while cadence is a musical term), but it has already expanded itself to 14 members.

“Everyone was so dedicated and excited about the group, and that is what made us so successful,” Frankoski said.

Like the other groups on campus, Decadence has a huge love for music and performing.

The music that they choose to sing so far has been a mix of contemporary music and some oldies.

The group has done many performances since their formation, but their first concert will take place on Friday, April 15 at 7 p.m. in Tegeler auditorium.

“Tegler will be great for the sound because of the shape of the auditorium, but it will be interesting to see how we are going to build a stage there, especially with the unmovable podium right in the center,” Frankoski said.

For more information on the group, visit sludecadence. com

Academy fails to acknowledge craft of filmmaking I have never really cared for awards. This isn’t out of bitterness or a personal surplus, rather, I just Commentary honestly don’t care.

I would m u c h rather be out creating than winning awards for things I’ve Noah Berman created before. The recognition is cool, don’t get me wrong, but most awards serve little to no practical purpose.

I do distinguish between “awards” like as scholarships, grants, etc. and “awards” that are given for having done something everybody liked.

One is more of a demonstration of belief in one’s ability to do great things in the future, and the other is a way to make you feel good. What makes me feel good is making new work - pictures, movies and even this column.

It is with this attitude that I turn towards the Oscars.

Most of them, frankly, go to the wrong people or movies, and the ones that are given out properly (usually in the Shorts section) tend to go unnoticed. It isn’t that I thought “The King’s Speech” was a bad movie– I quite liked it– but best movie of the year?

It’s a ridiculous category, anyway, because so many movies come out in a year that crowning one as lord over the others is flat out pointless.

So, then, what can we say about the Oscars? They happened, I guess. Some people won some awards. James Franco seemed to be on a different planet, leaving Anne Hathaway to do her best to entertain. The funniest part of the show was the holographic reappearance of the late, great Bob Hope– that either says more about the eternal nature of a great comedian or the way in which maybe the Academy should hire some new scriptwriters.

Post-Oscar-win, a movie that everybody had already gone to see, people might go see again. Which is great, and I encourage theatre attendance, but in a world jam-packed with non-studio filmmakers, or even studio-produced films that get no recognition, the Academy does not seem to go very far afield in its hunt for award-worthy cinema.

I’ll grant that some sections, like Best Foreign Film or the short film categories, do tend to feature unusual or unknown movies, but that does not excuse a ceremony of blockbusters. It felt as though they threw in “127 Hours” in an attempt to disarm us, but that too (while being a topquality production) received massive amounts of publicity.

What do we get from the Oscars, then? We get to see fancy people in fancy clothes, lots of money being thrown around, Hollywood patting itself on the back. What we do not see is the acknowledgement of the craft of filmmaking, the politics of filmmaking or the struggle to go from day one of script writing to the final day of post-production.

We also forget the political nature of the Oscars– in the face of Wisconsin’s unionbusting-budget-bill, it is important to remember that all of these pretty people up on stage are dues-paying members of unions. How could the Oscars change this? I think it’s pretty simple: Stop giving out awards.

I want to make movies, but I don’t care about winning little gold statues. The recognition and increased money to make more movies would be nice, of course, but that night in February could be spent location scouting or writing or– God forbid– shooting.

So instead of spending all that money on a ceremony, maybe the Academy should start a fund for filmmakers (like myself, I admit); one that pays for us to go study obscure steel factories in Russia or puts us up in small apartments while we finish the last part of the script. The Academy could be a real Academy, teaching and funding filmmakers, young and old. We would be able to make better movies.

That’s all we really want, right?

8 Bands bring unrivaled beats to Billiken Club The Billiken Club welcomed another show to campus on Monday, Feb. 28, consisting Concert Review of Akron/ Family and Delicate Steve.

B o t h b a n d s formed on the east coast and brought Stephanie Mueller their unrivaled beats to the city of St. Louis to promote new albums, “Akron/Family II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT” and “Wondervisions,” respectively.

The music of Delicate Steve transcends the English language. In fact, it seems to transcend any language with its almost nonexistent lyrics.

With an almost blues-y feel, the band utilizes their instruments in such a way that compensates for the lack of words.

The composition of such a variety of sounds is nothing less than exciting. The beats combine the upbeat rhythm of a Disney soundtrack with the drama of which only a full orchestra is capable.

The nearly complete absence of words works for the band’s benefit to draw the focus to the complete individuality of each song and to the harmonic detail that is sometimes void when cluttered with complex vocals.

The only lyricism that Delicate Steve offered was reminiscent of a stereotypical tribal song, a style that did not fully match up with the electronically enhanced instrumentals.

While every song was noticeably unlike the next-- each seeming to emphasize a different instrument-- they all seemed to retain the common factor of a histrionic decrescendo, which proved to be astoundingly pleasant for listeners.

Delicate Steve’s fan-base reared its head when the announcement was made that the band would play two more songs before Akron/Family took the stage, only to be met with the emphatic request for four more songs.

To the cynics who do not think that instrumental music holds the potential for enjoyment, Delicate Steve might just change your mind.

This band may not explicitly use lyrics to their advantage, but it does not mean that their songs are not worth a thousand words.

Perplexing the audience with instructions for a sort of hypnotic dance, Akron/Family graced the stage next with an attempt to evoke an out-ofbody experience from their fans.

The heartbeat percussion continued throughout the song to keep listeners on the imagined beach embarking on an odyssey of the imagination.

Best described as psychedelic, the kaleidoscopic sound electrified into a lessthan-pleasant cacophony of digitized melodies that shifted back into a soft-spoken, lullaby-ish beat.

From that point, the cycle seemed to continue. Akron/ Family would lull its listeners into a satisfied contentedness, only to jar them into a harsh reality of consciousness.

The shifts provided a sense of suspense, but the resulting auditory roller coaster was a colossal sacrifice to pay.

During these hiatuses of debilitating instrumental onslaughts, the band resembled the Arctic Monkeys or the Strokes with their simplistic tranquility.

The performance itself should be commended, as Akron/Family was able to involve their audience like a seasoned entertainer, a skill that has obviously contributed to their fan base.

Overall, the band has the potential to excite and soothe, though the execution of the two together lacked necessary fluidity.

The University News

Arts Thursday, March 3, 2011

‘Much Ado About Nothing’ unewsonline.com mix of laughter and suspense Thursday, March 3, 2011

Saint Louis University Theatre’s 2011 spring session opened on Feb. 25 with a charmPlay Review ing interpretation of Shakespeare’s “ M u c h Ado About Nothing,” guest-directed by Tim Ocel.

Str ong Patricia Schafer casting, including senior Katie McGee in the lead role of Beatrice and junior Gregory Cuellar in the lead role of Benedick, combined to make a troupe that commanded the stage.

In addition, Mark Holzum stood out in his role of Claudio; Peter Hasser as Don Pedro; Carl Schneider as villain Don John, who is the bastard brother of Don Pedro; and Sam Moyer as Hero, the love interest of Claudio.

In a twist on the usual set of 16th century Messina, Italy, the University Theatre’s play takes place in the 1930s and received its inspiration from serious comedies of that decade.

Ocel has been visible in the St. Louis theatre world with his position as stage director at the Opera Theatre St. Louis and Union Avenue Opera in recent years.

In addition, Ocel has worked across the nation.

He has previously directed shows, Shakespeare and others, for many theatre companies nationally, including the Sacramento Theatre Company, the Indiana Repertory Theatre and Georgia Shakespeare.

Deception and stubbornness intertwine with true love and purity as “Much Ado About Nothing” progresses.

When Benedick and Claudio return from the Italian invasion of Ethiopia in 1936, Claudio immediately falls in love with Hero. Benedick, swearing that he will never marry, thrives on a contentious relationship with his seeming enemy Beatrice;.

They constantly pester each other with biting jabs.

When Don Pedro and

unewsonline.com

Talk to us: Ashley Jones 314.977.2812 Country star serenadesarts.unews@gmail.com Chaifetz Arena

Noah Berman / Photo Editor

Mark Holzum (left) and Gregory Cuellar play Claudio and Benedick in director Tim Ocel’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado About Nothing.”

Claudio determine to trick Benedick into love, Beatrice is drawn into the scheme as his new love interest. Benedick and Beatrice have no hope of avoiding it, as their friends attempt impress the benefits of the other on them constantly.

As their relationship develops, Claudio and Hero prepare to wed.

However, the sinister force of Don John seeks to foil their love, culminating in a spellbinding scene at the church.

The tables are turned, lovers are separated, and outwardly stubborn enemies are inwardly united by true love.

The audience will find that the characters are not static.

Love and deception have changed them already.

As the story continues, laughingly foolish characters like Dogberry, played by senior Chris Lyons, keep the play light.

Themes of love, initial perceptions and deception carry throughout the comedy. With his interpretation of “Much Ado About Nothing” as an averted tragedy, Ocel shows the audience that initial perceptions of people change throughout the play, leading the audience to analyze the

value of first judgment of characters. The cast triumphantly achieves Ocel’s goal to tread a fine line between comedy and tragedy with serious and comic parts spread throughout the performance.

Costuming and set creation was masterful. The costumes, designed by Lou Bird, added poise, historical context and personality to characters. In addition, the set designed

by Jim Burwinkel was both structured and light, reflecting the attitude of the play.

A tremendous mix of laughter and suspense, “Much Ado About Nothing” considers the intricacies of deception and hidden love.

The play examines the rashness of believing too much in the appearance of truth and not finding the reality of truth and challenges audiences to do likewise.

“Much Ado About Nothing” plays on Friday and Saturday, March 4 and 5 at 8 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on March 6 in Xavier Hall. Tickets are $10 for general admission, $9 for senior citizens, $9 for faculty and staff and $7 for students. Additional information is available through the box office at 314-977-3327.

Allison Smith / Photographer

Country singer Miranda Lambert performed at Chaifetz on Feb. 24. Her most recent CD, “Revolution,” was released in 2009. She recently won the award for female country vocal performance for “The House That Built Me” at the 2011 Grammy Awards.

need lunch in a pinch? call jimmy, it’s a cinch!

Deandra N. - Washington, IL

jimmyjohns.com TO FIND THE LOCATION NEAREST YOU VISIT JIMMYJOHNS.COM

AMERICA’S FAVorite sandwich delivery guys! ©2011 jimmy john’s franchise, llc all rights reserved.

™

The University News

Sports Billiken Briefs

unewsonline.com

Club hockey claims conference championship

Swimming & Diving Freshman Christiana Eltiste won the 3-meter diving event at the Atlantic 10 women’s swimming and diving championships on Feb. 25. She also finished second in the 1-meter diving event.

On the men’s side, junior Brian Brasser was the top performer, swimming the fastest 50-breaststroke split in conference history.

Brasser also finished third in the 100 breaststroke.

Overall, the team broke 13 school records at the championships.

Softball The Billiken softball squad has been on a tear as of late, winning six games in a row.

Their last loss came on Feb. 19 against Georgetown. During the win streak, the Bills have outscored their opponents 26-7.

In their most recent contest on Feb. 27, the Billikens downed Lipscomb 3-1. Pitcher Hannah Huebbe improved her record to a perfect 5-0 on the season, allowing only four hits in her complete game effort.

The Bills take on Missouri State on March 4.

BILLIKEN SCOREBOARD

R

Men’s Basketball

W 62-51 vs. Duquesne

W 69-51 @ Dayton Women’s Basketball

L 68-57 @ Richmond Men’s Tennis

L

5-1

vs. Northern Illinois Baseball

W

13-0

vs. Fontbonne

W

5-4

W

11-0

Softball

5-1

vs. Stephen F. Austin

W

8-0

vs. Eastern Kentucky

W

1-0

vs. Radford

W vs. Lipscomb

Staff Writer

Submitted by Katherine Jacoby

The club hockey team had a successful season, winning two conference titles.

3-1

The Saint Louis University club hockey team ended the most successful season in program history against their rival Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville on Saturday, Feb. 26. The Billikens went on a great run in the beginning of February, which catapulted them to the top of the league standings and eventually their first conference championship.

From Nov. 19 until their game against SIUE, the Billikens were 14-1 overall. Their only loss during that streak came against a strong Illinois State team at the Pepsi Ice Center on Jan. 29 by a tally of 4-2.

On Feb. 5, the Billikens took on the in-state rival Missouri Tigers at Washington Park Ice Arena at Mizzou.

The game ended in a 9-2 win for the Billikens. SLU dominated the entire game, especially in the third, when the team scored four unanswered goals and ran away with the victory.

That next day, the Bills played the Tigers again, this time on their home ice in St. Louis, the Webster Groves Ice Arena.

“That was the toughest turnaround for us all season.

We arrived back on campus around 1 a.m., got six or seven hours of sleep, then had to be back at our arena at 10 a.m. to prepare for game two,” sophomore Johnny Moore said.

That quick turnaround might explain why the rematch was a little closer than the Bills might have liked. The game ended in a 6-5 victory for the Billikens and a sweep of the archrival Tigers. Freshman forward Brent Wingerter netted two goals for the Billikens in the victory.

On Feb. 12 and 13, SLU hosted the University of Kansas Jayhawks in their final home contest of the season.

In the first game, the Billikens locked up their third victory in a row with a 4-2 win.

The Billikens were happy to play in front of a raucous hometown crowd, but did not play their best hockey See ”Hockey” on Page 10

‘The epitome of a student-athlete’ Eckerle leaves basketball after three years of fighting the odds

By DERRICK NEUNER Associate Sports Editor

It is an unusual occasion when the head coach of a Division 1 basketball team becomes a media pitchman.

Yet there was Rick Majerus, coach of the Saint Louis University men’s basketball team, emphatically selling the story of his only upperclassman.

For nearly five minutes following his team’s 62-51 thumping of Duquesne on Feb. 26, Majerus raved about Paul Eckerle.

“I don’t like Paul. I love Paul,” he said. “To me, Paul is the epitome of a student-athlete. He could be Academic All-American … He plays on heart. He’s inspirational. I told the team we want to give a Paul Eckerle effort.”

The Paul Eckerle story has a unique beginning. A graduate from St. Francis Borgia in Washington, Mo., he was a valedictorian, a two-time All-State selection and Class 3 state champion.

Eckerle came to SLU as a biology/ pre-medical major, while Brad Soderberg was still head coach of the men’s basketball team.

Soderberg did not offer Eckerle a scholarship; instead he asked Eckerle if he would consider walking on the team as a practice player.

It seemed Eckerle’s dream of playing collegiate ball was a bust.

He was wrong.

On April 17, 2007, the University fired Soderberg after what it saw as a disappointing five-year tenure. Majerus was hired two weeks later.

After talking to people around the St. Louis prep-basketball community, he decided to offer Eckerle a place on his team.

The dream was alive once more.

Admittingly, Eckerle did not expect much. And who would? With a head coach that did not recruit him and returning, and proven, players like Kevin Lisch, Tommie Liddell III, Barry Eberhardt and Luke Meyer, there were not many minutes to be had on the floor.

But instead of sulking as some freshmen do, Eckerle embraced his new role.

“I bought into coach’s style of play and was able to execute what he had in mind,” he said. “I definitely was not the athletic of the other two freshmen. They were much more athletic. But I played much more than I expected, honestly.”

Eckerle would play in all 31 games and make one start, collecting 119 points and averaging just over 18 minutes per game.

Though the transition was “different,” the 6-foot-1 guard quickly found out that tough defense and smart shooting was his ticket to the floor.

He says he was surprised at the level of commitment necessary to succeed in D-1 basketball.

“It was a learning experience for me,

Ryan Giacomino / Photographer

Paul Eckerle will forego his final year of eligibility to attend medical school. He is currently mulling his options: SLU and Washington University in St. Louis. my first year,” Eckerle said. “Obviously it was much different than high school, the way practices are conducted to the level of involvement that the program demands. The hours, the summers, it wasn’t something I was afraid of, but something different.”

It was after this successful first year that the setbacks began.

It was after the first year that Eckerle would show the heart he has become admired for.

The summer between his freshman and sophomore years, Eckerle injured his back, limiting his pre-season involvement with the team.

It is an injury that he still suffers from today.

Though cleared to play for the season, with the addition of Kwamain Mitchell and Kyle Cassity, Eckerle again saw his opportunity to shine evaporate.

“There was a lot of turnover that year,” he said.

“I’m very well aware that [there were better players]. We all have our own abilities. I think that’s something that has helped me. I give what I can, and I think that’s why I’ve done as well as I have.”

He did manage to bucket 47 points over 30 games, making 10 of 34 three-point attempts and snagging 13 See ”Eckerle” on Page 10

Billikens stun Flyers, grab road victory

By DERRICK NEUNER Associate Sports Editor

The Saint Louis University men’s basketball team stunned the University of Dayton 69-51 on Senior Night at the University of Dayton Arena. SLU dominated the Flyers in the first half, holding Dayton to just 19 points.

The Billikens (12-17, 6-9) have now won four in a row.

This is the second year in a row that SLU has spoiled senior night celebrations for Dayton; last season, the Bills brought home a five-point victory.

The victory marks the largest margin of victory over a conference opponent this season – 18 – for the Billikens.

“We came in, and we wanted to play, and we did,” head coach Rick Majerus said. “We blocked out, we got back in transition, and we got hands up on the shots. The attitude and effort and energy [of the team] are really good.”

“We like playing here, it seems like,” Kyle Cassity said. “We shoot well here. We come in here, and it’s a great atmosphere, and we’re always pumped up to play.”

Mike McCall led three Billikens in double figures with 17 points. Rob Loe added 14 points, while Christian Salecich poured in a season-best 11 points.

The Billikens trailed 4-3 early, but scored nine straight and were not threatened the rest of the way.

Eleven points in three minutes, including three 3-point shots, opened a margin of 20-9 with 11:12 to play in the first half. SLU continued to run up the score, going on a 9-0 run to end the half, book-ended by layups by Jordair Jett.

The Billikens hit a blistering 58 percent from the floor in the opening half and nailed 6-of-10 of their long-range shots, while Dayton was held without a 3-pointer in four tries.

“At half time, they were really excited, and they should have been,” Majerus said. “I told them, ‘I want to win the second half.’ We tied the second half, and that’s good for us. Dayton tried to come out and make a run ... but I called the timeout, and our defense held. The guys are responding well to each other.”

Dayton opened the second half on a 5-2 spurt to draw within 13 at 37-24, but that is as close to the lead as the Flyers would get as the Billikens stretched their lead into the 20s.

SLU expanded its lead to 26 points on Loe’s jumper with 5:47 to play.

For the game, SLU downed 10 three-pointers compared to just one for the Flyers.

With No. 25 Xavier visiting Chaifetz Arena on Saturday, March 5, it is a perfect time for the young Bills to find their swagger.

“We’re playing great right now; we’re hitting shots, and we’re defending. Any time we shoot that well from the outside, and the guys on the inside are going to grab those boards, you know, that opens up the floor for us to hit our shots,” a jubilant Cassity said.

“You put that together, and we’re going to be a tough team to beat.”

Robinson known for passionate play and tough defense Sports Editor

vs. SIUE

W

By TYLER VACHIO

By BRIAN BOYD

vs. Wash U

Talk to us: Brian Boyd 314.977.2812 sports.unews@gmail.com

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Ayriell Robinson’s journey to Saint Louis University had many twists and turns along the way. On Saturday, Feb. 26, the journey as a Billiken concluded.

Robinson, the 5-foot-9 guard for the SLU women’s basketball team, began to develop her love of the game at a young age. While her father would coach her brother’s youth basketball team, Robinson would not sit idly in the bleachers, like most four- or five-year-old girls would. Despite the fact that the boys were two years older than she was, Robinson practiced with her brother’s squad, planting the seeds for a fruitful career.

Robinson began her high school career in Louisiana, playing a year each at St. Mary’s Academy and Xavier Prep in New Orleans. Success followed, with Robinson earning All-District honors as a freshman.

Then natural disaster struck.

Like so many New Orleans citizens, the Robinsons were forced to relocate after Hurricane Katrina. The family ended up in Texas, and Robinson began her junior year of high school at Spring High School, playing AAU ball for the Texas Blazers. Although any move is difficult for a high school student, it did provide a platform for Robinson to showcase her talents to college coaches.

“It was not all great, but it did provide me with more opportunities to be seen as a college athlete,” Robinson said.

“It was hard because I lost a lot of friends, and we had to go our separate ways, but in the end, it was something that helped me in the long run.”

Robinson’s high school accomplishments, including an all-region selection, garnered attention on the national recruiting scene. Allured by the coaching staff, Robinson decided to attend Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn.

However, she began to look at transfer options after her freshman year due to coaching changes.

Per NCAA rules, Robinson would have had to taken a redshirt if she were to transfer from Division I school to Division I school. Not wanting to lose any edge off of her game, Robinson decided to enroll at Labette Community College in Parsons, Kan. At the junior college level, she averaged 13.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, earning second-team All-Conference accolades. Despite the success, Robinson knew that she had D-I talent and was hungry to face off against top competition.

“It was very different. Of course, the talent level is not the same, and the schools are not the same. It was a reality check, letting me know where I wanted to get again. It provided me with another goal to get See ”Robinson” on Page 10

Shah (Yuqing Xia) / Associate Photo Editor

Ayriell Robinson (3) has been a defensive stalwart for the Billikens throughout her two years at SLU, and her scoring nearly doubled from her junior to senior year.

The University News

Sports

unewsonline.com 10 Eckerle: A true team leader Robinson: Found a home at SLU Thursday, March 3, 2011

Continued from Page 9

better than I was at Fairfield,” Robinson said.

While searching for schools to transfer to, Robinson’s junior college coach ran into SLU assistant Stephanie Rich.

Coach Rich, along with coach Shimmy Gray-Miller, heeded the words of Robinson’s coach and took a trip to Kansas to watch her play.

Robinson took a visit to SLU shortly thereafter, and it was a done deal.

“I loved the campus, the coaches, the city, how the coaches interact with the athletes, everything. I just knew this was where I wanted to be.

Other schools did not matter; it was SLU,” Robinson said.

Settling into SLU posed no problems for Robinson either.

“When you transfer, or come into a new environment, you do not know how you are going to fit in. The girls were so nice, so cool, and I wanted to ease my way into everything slowly, and they made it so easy,” Robinson said.

Robinson first suited up for SLU during her junior campaign in 2009-2010. She

played in all 30 of the Billikens’ contests, leading the team in 3-point field goal percentage at 39 percent.

This past season, Robinson provided steady guard play for the Billikens, averaging 6.6 points per game and distributing 47 assists.

What Robinson prides herself on most is something that hardly shows up in the box score but can make or break a team: Defense. Her tenacity without the ball has paid dividends for the Billikens throughout her career.

“I always wanted to get a stop or make something happen,” she said, “I was probably more focused defensively than offensively. We have a lot of people who contribute offensively.

Defense is something that is heart, toughness and something to be proud of.”

Robinson has had many proud moments as a Billiken on the court, but none stands above the team’s win against Xavier University her junior season.

After struggling throughout conference play, the Billikens finally clicked against the 49ers and earned a muchneeded victory against a

tough conference foe.

“We went crazy in the locker room, dancing, having a good time. We know we worked so hard at that point and to get over the hump was great,” Robinson said about that victory.

Off the court, Robinson has been fortunate enough to meet people who have not only made her a better basketball player, but people who have become friends and mentors.

“I definitely take something from every person I have ever met or any person who has coached me. The best part [of being a college athlete] was meeting teammates and coaches, people who are around day in and day out. We do so much together,” Robinson said.

Although her career as a Billiken has ended, Robinson’s love of the game, which has been a part of her life since she could walk, is something that will not fade away.

After college, she has plans to go to graduate school for athletic training. Beyond that?

“I just know I always want to be around the game,” Robinson said.

Hockey: Season ends at regionals Continued from Page 9

Ryan Giacomino / Photographer

While injured his junior year, Ecklerle became an “assistant coach,” mentoring the sophomores and freshmen during practice and helping head coach Rick Majerus make in-game changes.

Continued from Page 9

defensive rebounds.

Fate was not done with Paul Eckerle, however.

During a summer pick-up game in 2009, Eckerle blew out both his ACL and MCL. His junior year was over before it even began. For the first time in six years, Eckerle was relegated to the bench.

He had to watch as his team surged to a fourth place finish in the Atlantic 10 Conference and reached the championship of the CBI Tournament.

But Eckerle, always the optimist, once again embraced the hardship.

“Being almost an assistant coach, that was my role,” he said. “I knew the other team’s plays and how they executed those plays and called them out. My input during the games was minimal, but I had my moments. I went to practice every day, which is where I contributed most and went on the road trips.”

Eckerle received a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA and kept his year of eligibility.

But the knee injury and its significance on his career was not lost on him.

“The best way I can describe it is it gave me perspective. I felt a strong sense of camaraderie with the guys even though I couldn’t share the field of battle with them.

I think I learned a lot about the game that year. I learned about other positions. But it was tough not being on the court.”

Now, with what is essentially his senior year at SLU (he will opt to leave with one year of eligibility left to attend medical school), Eckerle finally has time to reflect on what has been a unique experience.

“I had a lot of fun along the way. I got to do things I never imagined myself doing: Scoring a bucket in Cameron Indoor [Duke was his favorite

team growing up], playing against NBA players, incredible athletes, lots of stories to look back on and will enjoy telling forever. It’s been great.”

Eckerle said he has been admitted to SLU’s medical school but is waiting to hear from Washington University in St. Louis before making a final decision, a process he describes as “tormenting.”

It is an unusual occurrence when a D-1 athlete both plays a demanding sport and decides to leave for medical school.

Yet here is Paul Eckerle, and this is his story.

He would rather you talk about someone else, but his story is a reminder that life is what you make of it.

“My SLU experience, in many ways, prepared me to be a successful person in society.

I didn’t know what to expect from it. There may be some things you have to sacrifice, but … it’s been so worth it.”

on Saturday afternoon. Senior Phil Blackwood had a strong showing with one goal and two assists.

The next day, the Billikens came ready to play once again and marched on to a dominating victory against the Jayhawks. Graduate student Andrew Wiltz had a fantastic game for the Billikens with two goals and two assists.

Sophomore Eric Wendt also had two goals in the Billikens’ 8-3 victory.With this victory, the Billikens locked up their first ever Mid-American College Hockey Association (MACHA) regular season championship.

The skating Bills headed into the MACHA tournament playoffs with a lot of confidence both on and off the ice.

In their first playoff game, the Billikens matched up against the Missouri State Bears, a team that they previously beat twice during the regular season, at the Owens Center in Peoria, Ill. The Billikens were down early in the third period, 5-4.

With time running short, SLU’s third leading scorer Moore took it upon himself to motivate his teammates and propelled the team towards a Billiken victory.

Moore scored a hat trick in the third period alone, a remarkable feat. He tied the game with a one-time slap shot from Blackwood. Moore put the Billikens ahead on the power play as he shoved in a loose puck on the short side of the goalie. The last goal

of Moore’s hat trick came thanks to a lot of hard work by junior Charlie Garavaglia.

Garavaglia was up against the boards with two defenders and squeaked a pass through the defenders to get the puck to Moore in the slot, who put it in the back of the net.

The next step of the journey was a match up with another big-time rival of the Billikens, the SIUE Cougars.

This was the third matchup between these two rivals, and the Cougars have come out on top for both of the previous meetings.

The rivalry is played at a fast pace, with both sides giving 100 percent. There is a lot at stake, most notably pride, and the players understand that.” Everyone is giving 110 percent every single shift, and when you hit someone, you want to put them through the boards,” Moore said.

Three periods was not enough time to find a winner in this rivalry. The Billikens brought extreme pressure in the overtime period, putting 20 shots on goal in just a single overtime period.

It was just a matter of time before the Billikens put one in given their offensive opportunities. Junior Paul Goodwin put the puck in the back of the net two minutes into the overtime period, securing a No. 5 seed in the regional playoffs for the Billikens.

That goal also captured the Billikens first ever MACHA Playoff Championship.Blackwood was named the tournament MVP to go along with the Billikens league championship. In the regional play-

offs, on Feb. 26, the Billikens met the Cougars again, but this time on different ice. The regional playoffs are held in Chicago, Ill., at the Northbrook Ice Rink. The bitter rivals squared off with the Billikens as the No. 5 seed and SIUE as No. 8. Things were not looking good for the Bills heading into the final frame, with a 3-2 score in favor of the Cougars at the end of the second period.

In the third, the Billikens fell victim to the whistle, earning multiple penalties and giving the Cougars even more offensive chances via the power play.

With the man advantages, SIUE poured it on. The game ended in a 7-2 loss for the Billikens, their first since Jan. 9.

“It was an uncharacteristic loss for us, we just didnít have our best game; it was unfortunate it had to happen there at regionals,” Wendt said. The next step for the 2011-2012 Billikens’ club hockey team this season is a minicamp in April. Recruits from all over the country will come to Webster Groves Ice Arena to try to prove why they deserve to be on next year’s Billikens hockey team.

This minicamp gives head coach Todd Ewen a chance to see what next year’s team will look like.In 2011-2012, the Billikens will return four of their top five scores from this season’s team. In addition, they will look for younger players to step into leadership opportunities. The sky is the limit for the Billikens hockey team, and the 2011-2012 season looks very promising.

Submitted by Curtis Wang / SLU TV

The Billikens club hockey team huddles together during a practice. This year’s squad won not only the regular season MACHA championship, but claimed the tournament championship as well. A loss against Southern Illinois- Edwardsville eliminated the team from regionals.

unewsonline.com

Advertisement Thursday, March 3, 2011

11

Advertisements from Student Development

12

unewsonline.com

Thursday, March 3, 2011

WE ARE ALL BILLIKENS

Friday at 8PM

Commuter Lounge

WE ARE ALL BILLIKENS

Commuter Lounge

saturday at 3:30PM saturday at 6PM Commuter Lounge

Commuter Lounge

Deathly Hallows Premier saturday at 9pm the billiken club prizes for f the best harry potter character costume! free popcorn!!!

AtTeNtIoN sTuDeNtS Both

MEN and WOMEN

Join us for an Wednesday, March 9 important 6-8 pm conversation BSC Rm 173

WE ARE ALL BILLIKENS

WE ARE ALL BILLIKENS

Saturday at 10am

WE ARE ALL BILLIKENS

WE ARE ALL BILLIKENS

WE ARE ALL BILLIKENS

Commuter Lounge

Commuter Lounge

WE ARE ALL BILLIKENS

saturday at 1PM

Friday at 10:30PM

WE ARE ALL BILLIKENS

WE ARE ALL BILLIKENS

Harry Potter Marathon

"A Candid Discussion About Sexual Assault" Panelists Lt. John Harper

Sex Crimes, St. Louis Metropolitan Police

Kathleen Hanrahan Director, St. Louis Regional Sexual Assault Center, YWCA Claudia Charles, MSW Social Worker, Student Health Center Cosponsored by DPSSS, Student Health & Counseling, Student Conduct, and the Office of Diversity and Affirmative Action.

WE ARE ALL BILLIKENS

WE ARE ALL BILLIKENS

WE ARE ALL BILLIKENS