9 25 17

V THE VIDETTE

NEWS 2

CELEBRATE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WITH SPANISH CLUB VIEWPOINT/EDITORIAL 4

HEALTH CARE SHOULD BE A BASIC RIGHT, SO WHY ISN’T IT?

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017

President prides growth, expansion projects in fourth State of the University address The concert hall in the Center for the Performing Arts was full of faculty, alumni, Redbird friends and students as President Larry Dietz delivered his fourth State of the

REDBIRD FOOTBALL WINS CONFERENCE OPENER AGAINST MISSOURI STATE

videtteonline.com

Dietz: ‘Illinois State continues to plan forward, look forward’ MASON MCCOY News Reporter | @Real_McCoy18

SPORTS 8

University address Thursday.

Susan Kalter, chairman of the Academic Senate and professor in the Department of English, introduced Dietz. Kalter set the tone for the address, keeping it light but forward thinking.

Kalter made sure to establish her Academic

Vol. 130 / No. 11

Senate’s mission early on. “[The Senate] is always working to improve ISU and launch [Redbirds] towards higher and higher academic achievement[s],” Kalter said.

The chairperson went on to underscore the main point of Dietz’s address, which focused on Illinois State University’s resilience in times of political and financial distress.

“Thanks to superb planning and problem solving … we avoided furloughs … the elimination of academic programs President and we kept our enrollment Larry Dietz strong,” Kalter said.

Dietz then took the stage, thanking everyone in attendance, before taking the time to recognize key administrators and members of the Redbird community.

Dietz also addressed the 736 day budget impasse, which he referred to as a “political and economic storm” and the current fiscal

budget of the university.

Although ISU has received an appropriation of only $20.9 million, a budget the university has not seen since the 1960s, ISU weathered the storm much better than other Illinois public universities.

Dietz mentioned some of the cuts the university has made in reaction to this budget crisis, including the delay of certain construction projects, but emphasized the resilience of ISU. “We kept faculty in their classrooms … we managed without layoffs, without furlough days, program eliminations or building closures,” Dietz said.

The Board of Trustees was able to keep tuition rates consistent with last year’s, and a modest raise was afforded to faculty members.

Dietz has also taken steps to invest further in the Redbird community, supplementing state Monetary Award Program scholarship funds with an additional $12 million dollars. see DIETZ page 2

How about this weather we’re having?

Leaves fall while summer heat continues MASON MCCOY | News Reporter | @Real_McCoy18

A

s t he end of S e p t e m b e r approaches and the first day of fall comes and goes, students are still finding themselves cranking up the air conditioning and dealing with backpack sweat.

This past weekend was a hot one, with some unseasonably warm temperatures and uncharacteristic humidity.

Normal residents experienced “humidity and temperatures into the 90s,” National Weather Service General Meteorologist Heather Stanley said.

“With the humidity in place, it [felt] like low- to mid-90s,” she added.

“Honestly, I think it’s pretty nice, I like pretty extreme weather,” Andrew Alexander, freshman chemistry education major, said. “Other people [are] just waiting for fall weather to come out. Not me; I’m just enjoying it.”

Although some students are enjoying the lingering warm weather, for many the summertime weather has overstayed its welcome and has become more of an inconvenience than anything else.

“I step outside and feel gross,” Quinn Flores, senior social work major, said. “[The weather tricks] me into thinking that it is still summer, but I actually have to get out of bed and go to class and stuff.”

Students wanting to enjoy fall weather can look forward to temperatures dropping into the 60s later this week. A chance of more normative weather conditions will return to the Normal area.

“It makes me sad, it’s the first day of fall but it is nearly 90 [degrees],” Annabel Flores, junior bilingual/bicultural education major, said. “This time, years ago, I could wear sweaters and drink cider.”

This abnormal weather, along with the series of hurricanes that have been ravaging Houston and the eastern seaboard, w ill encourage naysayers to reconsider their positions on climate change.

With luck, Illinois State University students will be able to enjoy a brief period of bearable temperatures before the Midwestern locale turns icy and cold, wherein many will wish it was sweltering hot again.

Submitted by Lauren Adams

76 Low 50 Precip 20% High

74 Low 53 Precip 0% High

FRIDAY

88 Low 61 Precip 0% High

THURSDAY

89 Low 66 Precip 0% High

TUESDAY

MONDAY

OUTSIDE LOOK

WEDNESDAY

(Left) Junior middle level education major Mary Houk and senior marketing major Lauren Adams cool down at The Oaks pool Saturday. Temperatures reached a high of 90 degrees over the weekend.

72 Low 47 Precip 20% High

PAGE 2 | NEWS | THE VIDETTE

STAFF LIST 2017-2018 Editor in Chief Ema Sasic News Editors

Kevin Schwaller Stephanie Rodriguez Features Editor

Emily Griffith

Sports Editors

PORCHIA WHITE News Reporter | @porchia_white

Lee Walls

Ad Sales Manager

Jonathon Higgs Ad Production Manager

Monica Mendoza Office Manager Natlie Stuckslager Maddillon Kenney Marketing Team Manager

Brigid Ackerman Brittany Olson Haley Varnes Social Media Manager

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates diversity

Art Director

Michael Marra Evan Morris Nate Head Business Manager Zach Oldenburg Photo Editors

Night Editors

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017

Business Adviser

Madeline Smith Maddy Wierus General Manager John Plevka

DIRECTORY EDITOR NEWS 309.438.8745 309.438.2882 ADVERTISING FEATURES 309.438.8742 309.438.8746 BUSINESS SPORTS 309.438.5929 309.438.3723 CLASSIFIEDS FACSIMILE 309.438.7685 309.438.5211

FOLLOW US Twitter @The_Vidette

Instagram @the_vidette

Facebook @The-Vidette

YouTube @videttevideo

DIETZ continued from page 1

Acknowledging the lacking salaries of associate and full-time professors at ISU — in comparison with others elsewhere in the state — Dietz has asserted that he is trying to “close that gap.”

The blueprint for ISU’s success exists in the Educating Illinois plan, which is in the process of being revised under a new name: Educate, Connect, Elevate. The new plan includes two additional core values, collaboration and respect, which Dietz said the university needs to adopt now more than ever in these politically divisive times.

The vitality of ISU is perhaps best shown through the groundbreaking of the Bone Student Center and the opening of the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning. Dietz took pride in sharing that the revitalization of the Bone will come at no cost to taxpayers or students.

Further growth can be seen here at ISU with the introduction of the new cybersecurity major, a program that is the first of its kind in the state. State Farm has invested $3 million into the program already. Dietz also discussed plans to create engineering programs here at Illinois State, assuring that a

I

llinois State University students are invited to celebrate and learn more about Latin American culture through Oct. 15 in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.

During this month, the history, culture and contributions of ancestors from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America are celebrated.

Sept. 15 marked the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Independence Day of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile’s Independence Days are followed on Sept. 16 and 18, respectively.

What started in 1968 as a week of recognition expanded to a month celebration under President Ronald Reagan in 1988.

ISU’s Spanish Club will begin celebrating the month with Salsa Night which includes a night of food, dancing and other activities.

The Spanish Club will also hold “Who is the Venezuelan Immigrant,” a panel to discuss current issues faced by Venezuelans and why some are being forced to leave the country at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 5 in the Kong Room of Manchester Hall.

“I believe that now is the perfect time to be celebrating Hispanic heritage, especially because of recent events. People are too divided over trivial things and maybe Hispanic heritage can open the minds of some,” Spanish Club Treasurer Brady Sibley said.

Salsa Night will be held in the Bowling and lack of experts in the field will justify the addition.

“This is an instance where duplication of programs, and expansion of programs, will meet state needs,” Dietz said.

Dietz spoke about ISU’s continued dedication to diversity and announced the formation of a Diversity Executive Council, which will unveil its new website sometime this fall. “[The Council] offers a chance for everyone to have a voice, which will lead us to become a stronger university,” Dietz said.

In the hopes of diversifying Illinois State’s campus on a global scale, Dietz was excited to reveal that ISU is planning on partnering with INTO, an organization that offers international study options to students around the world. An official partnership is expected to be signed by the end of the semester, with international students attending ISU by the 2018 fall semester.

“We talk about educating students to join a global society and a global economy,” Dietz said. “We can’t do that if [students] go to a place and never meet anybody from another country.”

The president is also working with the provost’s office to explore possible online course options, in the hopes of extending learning opportunities to

Alex Harrison | Vidette Photographer

Fiesta! An Evening of Latin American and Spanish Music. The show brought in live music and dance for audiances.

Billiards Center at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

“I want everyone to see a culture they may not have experienced before, and grow an understanding for it,” Sibley said. “We are always promoting the use of Spanish language and we always try to put on some kind of event during any Hispanic holiday in order to celebrate the culture.”

Latino Studies faculty member Marinelly

nontraditional students.

Dietz also announced that Redbird athletics will partnering with Learfield, a sports promotional company, which will invest $20 million into ISU athletic teams over the 10 years of the agreement.

At the close of his speech, Dietz mentioned the Redbird Rising campaign, a fundraising campaign publicly revealed last weekend, that aims to raise $150 million.

Dietz says that the fund will provide financial resources to scholarship and academic excellence, educate tomorrow’s leaders and spread creativity and innovation across the entire campus.

Before the public reveal, alumni and private donors gave graciously to the campaign, amounting to over $103 million over the past four years. Dietz encourages students to share their experiences at ISU with relatives and friends, in the hopes of inspiring further generosity in the years to come.

“I urge you to tell your Illinois State story, share how your life has been change by the experience … inspire others to give,” Dietz said. “Today we stand strong, we stand stable, and poised for a bright future,” Dietz said.

“Illinois State continues to plan forward and look forward.”

Kalter asked students to reach out to her or other members of the Academic Senate if they have an issue they

Castillo-Zuniga explained her goal is to have students fall in love with the language and culture.

“My passion is to help students learn Spanish as a second language and to expose them to Hispanic cultures,” Castillo-Zuniga said.

Spanish Club events are open for all students to attend.

would like discussed.

President Dietz also encourages students to review the revised Educating

Illinois plan and offer any comments.

This document can be found on the Educating Illinois website.

THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 3

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017

New law limits police cooperation with immigration authorities Gov. Bruce Rauner signs bill intended to increase safety, connectivity between both entities ANDREW DOUGHERTY News Reporter | @addough

Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner signed into law a new plan which will limit how local and state police can coordinate with federal immigration authorities.

Rauner stated that he believes the measure will increase safety and improve connectivity between immigrants and law enforcement to make the state safer.

Rauner’s support of the legislation Senate Bill 31, also known as the TRUST Act, puts the first-term Republican governor at odds with the party’s stance on immigration.

“I’m glad that the governor stepped up and signed this legislation into law. Asking local police to do the job of the federal government does not lead to safer communities and if fact does the exact opposite,” Jill Blair, democratic candidate for Illinois House’s 88th District, said.

According to the new measure, the law prohibits police from searching, arresting or detaining someone solely based on their immigration status. Local law enforcement authorities will still be able to communicate with immigration agents and hold an individual for immigration authorities if there is a valid criminal warrant.

Rauner has said that it helps Illinois continue to be a welcoming state.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate J.B. Pritzker said the bill will help immigrant families immensely.

“The TRUST Act will go a long way in protecting immigrant families in Illinois from Donald Trump’s deportations. Under Bruce Rauner’s administration, trust between local police and immigrant communities they serve has been devastated by Rauner’s callous disregard for the needs of immigrant families,” Pritzker said.

Seminar to talk African farmers, drones MASON MCCOY News Reporter | @Real_McCoy18

Five presenters will come together from noon until 1 p.m. on Oct. 4, in the Prairie Room of the Bone Student Center.

The presentation is titled “Using Satellites, Drones and Climate Data to Help African

The measure was approved after it was scaled back from an initial proposal that included the creation of safe zones, where immigration agents would not be allowed to make arrests.

Law enforcement officials, many of whom were either neutral or in favor of the bill, have said the plan would allow them focus energy on safety, encourage immigrant victims of crime to come forward and build trust.

“I think that the law is a fair and balanced approach. With Rauner’s support, we were able to work with law enforcement officials and hear their concerns into consideration about this bill,” Richard Greenfield, Illinois State University secretary of governmental relations, said.

“I understand how some folks are tempted to think when discussing undocumented immigrants who break the law. But folks who are victims of crimes, witnesses, living in unsafe home conditions or at work won’t come forward,” Blair said.

“It leads to an unsafe environment.”

“This is too little, too late approach from a governor who has chosen to stand with Donald Trump instead of immigrant families,” Pritzker said.

Illinois Republicans in many downstate districts voiced opposition to the law.

“We are a country founded by immigrants, but those were legal immigrants, and I think the last thing Illinois wants is to see a sanctuary state, and this moves us in that direction,” State Sen. Kyle McCarter (R-Lebanon) said.

Five Republicans voted for the law in the Illinois Senate whilst only one Republican voted for it in the House. The new law takes effect immediately.

Andrew Dougherty is a news reporter for The Vidette. Contact him at addough@ilstu.edu. Follow him on Twitter @addough.

Farmers Better Manage Crop Losses” and is part of the International Seminar Series.

The seminar will bring together five speakers, each one from a different field, in the hopes of illustrating the connection between these fields, and how these connections can impact the greater world around us.

The featured speakers are James Jones, executive director of the Katie Center for Insurance; Askar Choudhury, professor of quantitative methods; John Kostelnick, professor of geography; Aslihan Spaulding, professor of agribusiness; and Raquiba Choudhury, an academic scholar and consultant in climate change.

The seminar will discuss the effects that

Graphic by Lee Walls | Vidette Art Director

climate change is having on farmers in developing countries, and how the damages of these changes might be mitigated through a multidisciplinary strategy. “[The seminar illustrates] how business, technology and science are intersecting to create sustainable services and products to address one of the most significant challenges facing the planet,” Jones said.

With access to satellite images and affordable crop insurance, it is the hope of the speakers that farmers in undeveloped countries will be more prepared to deal with crop losses due to climate change.

“If we can better predict crop losses due to drought, farmers can then receive insurance

payments in a more timely manner,” Kostelnick said. “It may be possible for farmers to capture these images themselves to monitor drought conditions for their own fields.”

The seminar will cover the global aspects of climate change, and the effects that are already taking place. This does not just mean crop loss for rural people in foreign lands.

“Food security in developing countries affects political security, the creation of refugees, immigration and political conflict,” Jones said.

The seminar is free and open to the public.

For more information about the seminar and other seminars visit the International Seminar Series website.

Jill Blair fights for ‘prosperous state’ ISU alumna seeks to bring changes to Springfield by focusing on the people ANDREW DOUGHERTY News Reporter | @addough

In her first foray into the turbulent political atmosphere that is dominating the United States at all levels of government, Democrat Jill Blair says she has high hopes of beating state Rep. Keith Sommer’s (R-Morton) in the November mid-term elections next fall.

Blair officially announced her candidacy for the Illinois House’s 88th district on Sept. 7 in downtown Bloomington. This will be the first contested general election for the district in a decade.

An alumna of Illinois State University, Blair grew in the south suburb city of Hazel Crest for the first 16 years of her life before graduating from Andrew’s High School in Tinley Park.

During her time at ISU, Blair earned her bachelor’s degree in English education with a minor in ESL studies. She went on to earn her Master’s degree in ESL at the University of Chicago.

After college, she returned back to the Twin Cities and began working at Heartland Community College first as a part-time ESL associate professor then worked her way up and became the full-time coordinator of the ESL program at Heartland for a few years, which finally lead her to become the dean of adult education at the local college for 12 years.

“The Dean of Education programs not only included the ESL programs but also the GED program and other employability skill classes,” Blair said. “I mainly served folks who were economically disadvantaged and I really wanted to help them become integrated back into society so they have just as fair a chance as anyone else.”

After over a decade of working in higher education, Blair currently works at Country Financial as a communications analyst.

Photo courtesy of Jill Blair for Illinois

Jill Blair gave a speech at her Washington announcement eariler this month.

“You know it’s kind of funny because there’s more skills in common with the two jobs than you’d think,” Blair said.

Her move to the financial sector was due to an array of factors. Blair’s main concern was her retirement pension, seeing how for decades that the economy and especially pension plans for public-sector workers in Illinois began to look dire.

“Since state employees don’t receive Social Security, I wasn’t sure if my pension would be there when I retired.

If this was taken away it would really impact my quality of life in retirement,” Blair said.

After seeing drastic cuts to funding for social services that affect the disabled, programs for at-risk children, mental health assistance and substance abuse counseling programs, she felt a sense of moral responsibility to help those in need.

“The most vulnerable have been hit the most and the services for them have dried up while our representatives fought on partisan lines. Springfield has been broken, especially since Gov. Bruce Rauner has been in power,” Blair said.

“We need to go back and start talking about human beings with real lives at stake and we have to take on a moral responsibility to make it right by them.”

Blair then began to do thorough research on what office she would run for, who she was running against and her odds of winning. After speaking with her husband, family and close colleagues, she finally declared her candidacy, believing that she could help foster a better future for Illinois.

“I want to connect with the voters out there to find out what they’re afraid of and what their hopes are for the future of Illinois. Now it’s a public effort to get my message out but I want to know what voters would want from me as a representative,” Blair said.

“It’s easy to get complacent when no one has challenged an elected official. My hope is to win this election and to hold our elected officials accountable to the people of Illinois.”

Blair said one of the platform’s she is running on includes a fair and humane approach to budgeting, speaking with the people she represents and to hold their concerns in our hearts and minds.

Her second campaign platform is reforming the tax code, along with the way in which Illinois K-12 schools are funded “I believe that the way we fund our schools is unfair given that depending on your zip code, that’s how your school is funded. I’ve heard a lot of anger from people across the state in regards to property taxes, which is the way that our state funds the education system,” Blair said.

“We’re also one of the very few states in the nation who has a f lat income tax and that doesn’t generate enough revenue to support what our citizens need.”

Blair said by reforming the state’s tax code from a f lat income tax to a graduated income tax, millionaires and billionaires can afford to pay more so that the state can fund social services and schools across Illinois.

“My decision to run is about the people of Illinois. We want a prosperous state, a place we can be proud of. I want to fight for that,” Blair said.

Viewpoint

PAGE 4 | THE VIDETTE

VIDETTE EDITORIAL

Health care for all, not just the rich

E

very generation has political issues that define them, and it seems the issue of health care is one of the issues that will define ours.

We saw the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and though it has its flaws, it was a positive step toward coverage for all citizens in this country, something some folks in Washington do not believe in.

According to the Centers for Budget and Policy (CBO), the newest health care bill proposal from the GOP will cause 32 million people to lose coverage within 10 years.

It also ends the expansion of Medicaid, and among those 32 million lives affected will be nearly 11 million low-income adults.

There are a lot of negative aspects to this bill, and we only have estimates on what the bill does because it has not been given a CBO score yet, as the Republicans are attempting to jam this awful bill down our throats. They believe health care should be privatized, and therefore accessible

to those who can afford it, rather than those who truly need it. This is fundamentally wrong, and it is the main reason the Graham-Cassidy Bill cannot be allowed to pass in Congress.

The debate over health care has raged on since the Franklin Roosevelt administration, and there have been very few steps forward since then. Our lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have decided what kind of nation we want to be.

We are a nation that spends over half our budget on military endeavors in order to unnecessarily flex our muscles on the world’s stage. If we

slashed half of our defense budget and put it toward domestic programs, there would be a chance for some real improvements in our healthcare system, something that most civilized nations in the world have figured out.

It has been said by several Democratic senators, most notably Kamala Harris, that health care is a fundamental right, and she is spot on. As with everything, there are those who oppose what she says for no credible reason.

Those who say affordable care is not a right are incorrect.

They will cite our Constitution and say health care is not

included, but what they do not realize is that rights evolve with time.

This is one of the most fundamental errors in the way government is viewed in the United States. We revere our founders to the point that we will not change laws because those who do not realize what they’re talking about will clamor on about how it is not what was envisioned by those who founded this country.

The fact of the matter is they believed that their work was to be a foundation upon which we could build, and while we have mostly done this in the time since they lived, we still go back and attempt to discern what they would have wanted.

It simply does not matter what any of them would have wanted. They are not here, and the issues facing us are wildly different from the issues facing them. It is high time that we move forward, not backward with our health care system.

Graham-Cassidy sets us back, and those who are affected by it may not recover from it.

Editorial Cartoon by Lee Walls | Vidette Editorial Cartoonist

EDITORIAL POLICY Editorial written by ALEX GOUGH, a member of The Vidette’s Editorial Board. Editorial policy is determined by the student editor, and views expressed in editorials are those of the majority of the Editorial Board. Columns that carry bylines are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Vidette or the university.

Gladly we learn, gladly we teach, gladly we organize MY VIEW ERIK ZDANSKY | Guest Columnist

A

s I near the end of my stay here at Illinois State University as a graduate student, I feel compelled to follow a dictum of higher education and speak truth to power.

I want to talk about the pay and conditions of graduate assistants and the need to organize a graduate student union. To be clear, I want to recognize that I have loved my stay here. In the Department of Sociology and Anthropology (and my surrogate home in the Department of Chemistry), the faculty and fellow cohort members from various years have made me feel welcome. My love for ISU influences my conscience and need to speak. I offer a point of view that reflects my social reality, one among many here at ISU. So what do we know about

graduate assistantships? We receive tuition waivers, some partial and others complete. We receive monthly stipends, which vary from department to department.

Some assistants teach their own courses, others lead lab sessions, grade and in general, assist the faculty with a course. We are socially positioned in that awkward state of being both a student and employee. To put it succinctly: The university works because we do.

If we, graduate assistants, help the university achieve its goals, then what is the deal with pay?

My monthly stipend of $835 (after taxes), with the 20 hours working each week, qualified me for food stamps at about $120 a month.

These are poverty-level wages.

Wages that have work limit caps from the Graduate School for outside employment for those just desperate enough to supplement their pittance.

Please do not misinterpret: the work limit cap should be total in my opinion. However, the pay we receive must increase.

Currently because of departmental differences, some graduate assistants make less than me, and

others more. But why? What kind of message does this send? If pay is any kind of indicator of social status and worth, then I think it’s pretty clear what is being implied about graduate assistants.

One may ask who, or what, is at fault. There are individuals in high places who make budgetary decisions, and may have forgotten their own roots as graduate students, likely having been graduate assistants themselves. But that simplistic, individualistic approach misses the mark entirely.

There is a social structure: statuses, behavioral expectations, rules and exogenous factors beyond the university are all at play. We are often times seemingly trapped in the structures we inherit from previous generations and from those with more power than ourselves.

However, we do have agency and we should exercise that. But first we must recognize that a problem exists; problems do not merely exist ‘out there’ for us to react to.

So I reach out to all graduate assistants: let’s unionize because we are worth it, because we help make ISU great. Join me in advocating for our collective betterment by signing union cards with

ONLINE POLL

Should the Graham-Cassidy health care bill repeal the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare?

Cast your vote at Videtteonline. com or by using The Vidette mobile app

the Service Employees International Union. Unionization is our way to lock in what is good at ISU while having leverage to institute positive changes for us.

This is not asking for opulence. We leave that to the men’s basketball coach whose new contract landed him at a salary that increased from $464,224 to $550,000 for the 2017-18 season.

If the will existed to increase his already exorbitant pay, then there can be a will and money available to increase our lot.

So let’s organize, talk with each other, share our stories, let our voices be heard. We can create a contract that helps current and future graduate assistants. We can make the graduate experience here at ISU amazing. We can make proud the halls of ISU. (Special thanks to senior sociology and English major Caitlyn Hartman for her copy editing skills.)

Erik Zdansky is a graduate student in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. Any questions or comments concerning his column can be sent to ewzdans@ilstu.edu.

MORE OPINIONS ONLINE Visit The Vidette’s website or mobile app for complete details on these web-only opinion pieces by Vidette Editorial Board

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017

Can Illinois follow Colorado’s lead with marijuana?

D

espite being a federally illegal substance that is associated with criminal activity, marijuana has proven to be a vehicle for advancing schools, combating mental health issues, aiding homeless citizens and ending our country’s opioid epidemic.

Colorado, the first state to legalize both medicinal and recreational marijuana, is a prime example of how we can use weed to aid in the positive progression of our society.

The state has made $506 million since retail sales began at the top of the year in 2014. That figure includes taxes and fees from medical marijuana, which was legalized in 2000.

According to Colorado.gov, $105 million in tax revenue from pot sales in the 2016-2017 fiscal year will be allocated to the Marijuana Tax Cash Fund, which will contribute to health programs at local middle schools, aid mental health programs in jails and help create housing programs to address homelessness.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed the state’s budget bill declaring the fund.

An additional fund, the Building Excellent School Today Fund, consists of $40 million in excise tax revenue, which is dedicated to the construction of schools. Educational institutions serve as an integral part of teaching kids to be responsible, productive members of society. Schools play a large role in advancing communities and the state as a whole. Any excise tax revenue that exceeds $40 million each year is deposited in the “Public School Fund,” as stated in an issue brief titled Distribution of Marjuana Tax Revenue.

For the 2017-18 fiscal year, $15.3 million was put toward supplying “permanent supportive housing” and housing assistance for the homeless, as well as those considered at-risk of losing their homes. The state’s Department of Education received $9.7 million in tax dollars to add 150 health professionals at high schools across Colorado. The Department of Human Services got $7.1 million to end “the use of jails for holding people who are experiencing a mental health crisis.”

Hickenlooper also approved a bill that addresses high levels of opioid addiction.

For the 2017-18 and 2018-19 fiscal years, $500,000 of marijuana tax revenue from the cash fund will go toward creating the medication assisted treatment (MAT) pilot program that increases access to addiction treatment. MAT will be administered by the University of Colorado College of Nursing and is focused on opioid-dependent patients in Pueblo and Routt counties.

Colorado is using money made from selling pot “to reduce incarceration, hospitalization and homelessness for many of [the state’s] most vulnerable citizens,” as well as provide better educations and health services to their youth.

With the recent opening of the medical marijuana dispensary right here in Normal, will Illinois be able to follow Colorado’s lead? Recreational marijuana use is still not legally permitted in Illinois, but neither was medical marijuana before 2013.

With Illinois’ current budget issues, it’s hard to imagine our government being able to properly allocate and manage funds from such a large and fast growing industry, but with hard work and dedication, anything is possible. Our state can mimic Colorado’s outstanding effort to reverse the stigma surrounding marijuana and use the industry as a method to address important issues that threaten our society.

Believing is the first step. Now it is time for us to start planning.

Editorial written by TAMIA LITTLE

THE VIDETTE | NEWS | PAGE 5

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017

Nodel Dugbo | Vidette Photographer

ABOVE: The finished product of the theater rennovation.

LEFT: The construction on a theaters undergoing the DreamLounger upgrade.

Sit back and enjoy the show Wehrenberg introduces DreamLounger recliners EMA SASIC Editor-in-Chief | @ema_sasic

Head to the box office, buy some popcorn and experience watching movies in a new stylish — and comfier — way.

Wehrenberg Bloomington Galaxy 14 Cinema, located at 1111 Wylie Drive, is nearly finished installing DreamLounger recliner seats to every auditorium, except one reserved for IMAX showings. The IMAX auditorium is not qualified for the renovation due to occupancy restrictions.

The completion date is Oct. 20.

The project began the middle of July and consists of three phases, each one a month long. For the first two phases, four auditoriums were shut down, and in this final one, five are closed. Each phase consists of taking out the old seats, reworking the electrical system, laying out cement and carpeting and installing the recliners.

With the push of a button, as the name suggests, moviegoers can recline their seat to their

preferred level. The red, leather-like loungers include cup holders and have seven feet of legroom between the rows.

“As far as my experience goes, it’s the best seats that we have in Bloomington-Normal,” Dustin McMullen, general manager, said.

As each phase has taken up a number of auditoriums, it has affected how long films are showing at the theater.

“Right now, you can hold a movie for three to four weeks. We’re turning over some movies after a week depending on how well they perform,” McMullen said. “We also offer Indian films. We devote at least one to two screens to that as well, so that is depending on the demand as well.”

“It comes down to having the right movies at the right spots. The last thing we want is [to] turn people away, but unfortunately it happens,” he added.

Previously, the theater had 2,200 to 2,400 seats. When all the DreamLoungers are installed, the number drops to 1,100. The biggest auditorium will hold 116 seats, with additional ones reserved as handicapped

Watterson residents ‘ring the alarm’ too often SARAH ATEN News Reporter | @sarahmaten

The fire alarm has gone off several times in Watterson since the start of the semester, including Wednesday and, five days before, on Sept. 15.

Students from the north tower of Watterson were left standing on the sidewalk Sept. 15 after the fire alarm went off.

The fire alarm went off and students exited their rooms and filed down the stairs, waiting outside at

approximately 6:45 p.m.

It was not long before three fire trucks pulled up in front of Watterson. Police cornered off a portion of Fell Avenue, right next to the residence hall.

The fire alarm went off due to an issue in Madison house, according to Donald Reed, associate director of the residence halls.

“In that instance, one of the smoke detectors in one of our hallways went faulty, or went bad. So the system that cycles through to constantly

accessible. This is at least a 60 percent decrease in seating, where auditoriums held 293 patrons previously.

However, moviegoers can now reserve their seats prior to a film’s premiere or showing. Although space is limited in auditoriums, McMullen believes “even though you’re filling less, this will drive up the demand to see movies.”

“As a consumer, if you wanted to purchase your tickets in advance, we have tickets for ‘Thor’ right now, you can buy your tickets now knowing you’re going to be sitting in the middle of the auditorium as you want,” he explained.

“As we get closer [to the premiere date], the seats are going to start from the back and fill to the front.

“Part of the shift in the consumer purchasing throughout our company is when we do move to assigned seating and people are purchasing tickets in advance, they’re coming closer and closer to show time because they know they have their seats and they don’t have to worry about getting there so early just to get a decent seat,” he added.

check the building to make sure it’s safe picked up on that and it set the alarm,” Reed said.

Students occupied themselves by chatting, with others sitting or lying in the street. It was over an hour later, after it was dark, that students were allowed back inside.

At one point, a crowd began moving across the street, believing they were able to go back inside, but were quickly stopped.

When given the all-clear, a stream of students began rushing toward the entrance.

“The system is a reliable system and we count on it to make sure that it’s constantly assessing the environment to make sure it’s safe, and anything that pops up to make

us think that it’s not safe — it always errs on the side of caution and evacuates the building so we can have adequate enough time to come and investigate and make sure that the environment is safe,” Reed said.

Students have been disgruntled that the alarms have interrupted their activities.

“I’m thankful I live on the first floor,” freshman resident Amy Jacobson said.

Watterson Towers is well-known for its height and as students need to evacuate down the stairs, students who live on lower floors are at an advantage.

At this point, fire drills have been completed and when students hear an alarm, the situation needs to be

handled as real, Reed said.

“We’re expected by the State of Illinois to conduct fire drills to be in compliance with the State of Illinois fire guidelines,” Reed said.

Cooking or burning popcorn in the microwave has been a continuous issue.

“Just be watchful of those things,” Reed said. “In addition to reporting any and every time that they may see something that may result in an unsafe environment.”

Reed gave some tips for students next time the fire alarm sounds.

“Dress appropriately for the weather,” Reed said.

Full story online.

videtteonline.com/article

MONDAY

Burger Baskets:

$1.50 $2.00 $2.50 $3.00

$2.00 Single Basket $3.50 Double Basket

Coors Lt & Miller Family Bottles 20 OZ Bud Family Draft 20 OZ Micro Drafts Whiskey Monday

TUESDAY

Mon-Fri 5 pm - 9pm Sunday 12pm - 6pm

$1.75 20 OZ Rolling Rock $2.00 Import/Micro Bottles $2.50 Tito’s Tuesday

WEDNESDAY

21 & Over After 6 pm and during Bears Games

102 S. Linden St. Normal, IL 61761 (309) 452-7393

Several theaters throughout the country have installed DreamLounger recliner seats, including those owned by Marcus Theatres and AMC, and while moviegoers do appreciate the comfort, they worry about how they will enjoy a film if they do not get to pick a seat they like.

“I like the seats a lot, but the only problem is that if a theater is sold out, I would rather not see a movie than sit in the front row in a recliner chair because I feel like it is too close to actually be able to enjoy the movie,” Anthony Irsuto, senior mass media communication major, said.

McMullen believes that, although prices are comparably higher at Wehrenberg than other movies theaters in the Bloomington-Normal area, the shift to recliners will justify the dollar amount.

“With the IMAX, you charge more because you’re getting the IMAX experience,” he said.

“Now we want to make sure that we can justify our price points by saying not only are you getting a good product on screen, but with the relaxation that you’re getting with the DreamLoungers, we want to make sure that we’re number one in town with that as well.”

BAR & GRILL

$1.25 Domestic Bottles $2.50 Vegas Bombs $3.00 Top Shelf

Features

PAGE 6 | THE VIDETTE

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017

Photo Submitted

by Isaiah Roberts

Isaiah Roberts graduated from ISU in 2013 with a marketing degree at the age of 19, making him the youngest graduate in ISU history. Roberts now uses lessons learned at ISU to succeed at court reporting in the Bloomington Law and Justice Center.

Classrooms to courtrooms Youngest ISU graduate Isaiah Roberts succeeds in life

STUART STALTER Senior Features Reporter | @VidetteStuS

A

t 15, hormones and uncertainty dance in the construction site known as the teenage brain, but not for Isaiah Roberts. While his peers studied the rules of the road, Roberts — hailing from Magnolia — merged on the highway to higher education.

Roberts became the youngest graduate in Illinois State University history at age 19 in 2013, earning a bachelor's degree in marketing. Now an Illinois court reporter, Roberts wears a permanent smile when remembering ISU. “I loved my classes, the mock sales calls that we performed in the sales lab and I loved the consistent challenge that there was always an incentive to work harder and another goal to reach,” Roberts said. “As a huge extrovert who loves talking and pushing, I truly think being in ISU's sales program was a choice I will never regret.”

Memories are not the only aspect of ISU Roberts cherishes. Through many extracurriculars, Roberts realized the value of being surrounded by motivated individuals with similar interests.

That lesson is the most important takeaway Roberts received.

“I met some of the most successful, self-challenging and hard-working people in my life,” Roberts said. “Illinois State truly facilitated an environment of working hard and pushing the limit of what I thought I could accomplish.”

Now proud of her son's accomplishments, Sue Dykstra, court reporter for 37 years, was surprised when Isaiah wanted to start college at 15.

REVIEW

Russell Vitale breaks mainstream with four singles release

JONATHAN BARLAS Features and Sports Reporter | @janvesleybarlas

Music is forever evolving. Exceptional and constant releases from culture-beloved artists such as Gucci Mane and Migos is what keeps the evolution of music moving forward.

Because of their leadership, it gives way for the shadowed hip-hop musicians a chance to soak up the limelight.

Whether it be over a number of years or a course of days, it is safe to say people will always find new and innovative ways to create music, even if it is all on their own.

Grounded, diligent and a jack-ofall-trades, the all-talented Russell Vitale utterly emanates self-success

“Isaiah has always been very hard working and determined since a very young age, but he was never academically minded like his older siblings [Laura and Noah],” Dykstra said. “As a young teenager, it was truly like a light bulb went off and he knew what he wanted to do.”

Laura and Noah attending college sparked the curiosity to see if Isaiah could join the family affair of academics. Being homeschooled, Roberts gained permission to take the ACT at age 15.

Earning a composite score of 24 on his second try, Roberts enrolled in 15 credit hours at Illinois Valley Community College.

Roberts feels that growing up with older siblings and their friends assimilated him to mature environments.

Still, Roberts felt intimidated at first and did not tell people his age. He felt that others might consider Roberts unworthy of attending college if they knew.

“Homeschooling had prepared me very well in some areas, such as formatting a paper with MLA format (Which for the first semester I mistakenly thought was ‘Emily’ format),” Roberts said. “Still, many areas were brand new to me while traditional students had long established these seemingly easy principles.”

Regardless, Roberts tried to prove age is just a number. In a different context, numbers caused what Roberts considers the most pivotal moment of his college experience. Precalculus during his first semester completely overwhelmed the then-teenager.

“I felt like I had been on an adrenaline rush all week; I was excited to have started college and started to gain confidence,” Roberts said.

with every breath he takes. As a singer, songwriter, rapper, producer, mix-master and engineer, trying to find something he cannot do is harder than finding a needle in a haystack.

Russ exemplifies the one key quality of a successful entertainer: consistency. Virtually without any help from the mainstream press, he has amassed a loyal fan base as fast as he could build it.

With the drop of his debut album “There’s Really a Wolf” on May 5, Russ had already established himself as one of the front runners of the underground rap genre. It is entirely written, produced and mastered by himself.

Russ’ sound not only showcases his astounding versatility, but also strengthens his ties to his fans. His personal yet outspoken demeanor connects his fans to his music emotionally. On this 20-track album, Russ cornerstones this with hits such as “Me You” and “Family and Friends.”

“When I walked into my pre-calculus class at 15, the teacher [Cynthia Schultz] — a particularly challenging, though excellent, teacher — went through 10 problems on the very first day of class that she said we should be able to know how to do, but I only knew how to do two.”

Already behind the curriculum, Roberts panicked in the library. He felt like his college career ended before it began.

As he has always done, Roberts turned trepidation into motivation. Countless hours of studying gave Roberts an "A" and his most valuable life lesson.

“I think pre-calculus helped solidify that, although I wasn't anything special in terms of academics of intelligence, if I put in the work, I can do it,” Roberts said.

Roberts then transferred to ISU to participate in a top-ranked sales program.

Upon graduating college, Roberts’ work just began. He always planned to attend law school to work in trial advocacy. However, as graduation approached, Roberts reconsidered due to the high costs of law school and an overabundance of new lawyers.

Inheriting appreciation for court reporting from his mother, Roberts contemplated following in her footsteps his last ISU semester.

The allure of high pay and job opportunities, as well as international travel options, led to Roberts attending court reporting school in Houston. He passed state board exams in March 2016.

In passing the exams, Roberts once again defied the odds. Dykstra knows that from

personal experience.

“Knowing that only 8 percent of students succeed in passing the strict testing required to be a court reporter scared me,” she said.

“Now that Isaiah has finished court reporting school and is working in the field, I see firsthand how the career is always providing new challenges and obstacles to overcome, but sky is the limit.”

Though court reporting is not an easy paycheck, Roberts, now 23 years old, loves his job.

Every day, he combines the legal knowledge gained as a member of ISU's mock trial team with communication skills ISU sales majors learn.

“Each day, I get to sit in the courtroom and produce the only official record of everything that takes place,” Roberts said. “My business skills have proven invaluable when working with major law firms ordering and selling transcripts.”

Roberts' dream job is working in Washington D.C. as an official Congressional stenographer for the United States House of Representatives or Senate.

For now, Roberts positively impacts the life of fellow Illinois court reporters. Close friend and coworker in the McLean County Law and Justice Center Diane Newcomer feels blessed to work with him.

“It is a breath of fresh air to have an enthusiastic young person come into a profession that is struggling,” Newcomer said. “Isaiah is going places, and I'm so excited to have a front row seat to see where he will go!”

Wherever Roberts goes, he carries his passion for ISU with him.

Months after the release of “There’s Really a Wolf,” Russ has teamed up with the legendary producer Scott Storch in order to surprise his devoted fans with four new original tracks.

Essentially, the duo’s goal of “a new day, a new song” has paid off, with each song accumulating over 2 million plays on SoundCloud in a little over a week. The singles “Wife You Up,” “Prosper,” “Think Twice” and “Maybe” add an extraordinary yet soulful element to Russ’ vast repertoire.

This ‘separated’ EP is something different but also similar to Russ’ original method of distribution: singles. Keeping the vibe of “There’s Really a Wolf,” this collection of tracks not only complements the album, but extends it further by a melodic wave of ocean synths and stabbed organ Scott Legato | Getty Images plucks oddly matched with crisp Rapper Russ performs during day two of Music and precise trap rhythm.

Midtown at Piedmont Park on Sept. 17, 2017, The general message of these in Atlanta, Ga. four singles are prosperity in life

and self-made individualism.

On tracks like “Prosper” and “Think Twice,” Russ conveys his own life choices concerning music, while looking back on what it took for him to get where he is today.

On the lesser popular, “Maybe,” he discusses the risk and reward of taking chances, especially those chances that influence the entire landscape of someone’s life. Although less popular, this track argues the most important point within the compilation: risk equals reward and without risk there can be nothing to strive for.

“Wife You Up,” however, features an unexpected addition by love song guru John Mayer, bringing forth the lighter element of his guitar expertise to accompany Storch’s celebrated musical imagination.

Treated as an extension of his debut album, this disproportioned EP is a 9/10. Picking up where he left off, he hits every corner of his heart leaving no room for lies. Deep and profound, Russ tackles love, fate and triumph in the best way he knows how.

THE VIDETTE | SPORTS | PAGE 7

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017

Alex Harrison | Vidette Photographer

Freshman Stef Jankiewicz (9) sets up junior Ali Line (1) on the backside during the Redbirds’ three-set sweep of Missouri Valley Conference foe Southern Illinois on Saturday at Redbird Arena.

Redbirds split weekend matches Illinois State drops Friday’s MVC opener to Missouri State, bounces back Saturday versus Southern Illinois NICK DAMIANI Sports Reporter | @nGdamiani

Illinois State volleyball opened Missouri Valley Conference play this weekend with a loss to Missouri State before bouncing back against Southern Illinois Saturday.

It was a back-and-forth contest that took the full five sets for Missouri State to put away the Redbirds.

Despite the loss, ISU out Leah hit the Bears 68-62.

Johnson For their efforts against the Valley’s pre-season favorites, coach Leah Johnson was pleased with her squad’s play.

“When you look at the end and we win

five statistical categories, we are a darn good volleyball team,” Johnson said. “I hate losing, but I love how we are playing and I see a few key things that we are going to get better at as we keep working, when that gets ironed out it’ll be advantage Redbirds.”

ISU jumped on the Bears early with a 25-17 win behind six kills apiece from Lexi Wallen and Jaelyn Keene.

Coming off a weekend where she was named MVP of the Wildcat Classic, Wallen led the Redbirds with 17 kills, while Keene chipped in 15 of her own.

Missouri State battled back taking sets two and three behind the play of two-time MVC Player of the Year Lily Johnson.

Johnson had a match-high 20 kills, while also breaking the MVC career kills record in set one. She came into the match three shy of the record, which was 1,945.

CLASSIFIEDS FOR SALE Mattress: Sealy Posturepedic “Airdale” luxury firm, twin XL. Like new condition.

Includes mattress protector and pad. $500. Call 309-454-3935.

Sportcraft Model #35083HG. Nice quality Foosball Table in very good condition, just a few minor blemishes. $150.

3092617031

HELP WANTED- FOOD & DRINK GARCIA’S PIZZA in a PAN now hiring delivery drivers. $8.50 an hour, plus tips and, gas reimbursement. Apply in person to Clay at 608 N Main St. Bloomington. 309-585-0775.

Ozark House Restaurant now hiring p/t servers and busers Tues. - Sat. evenings.

Apply in person or at ozarkhouse.com/ apply.

Bartender needed. Flexible hours. 8.25 plus tip. Apply in person at 801 S Main, Bloomington

FOR RENT: FALL/SPR 17-18 Newly remodeled 3 BR, 2 BA, plus den.

The Redbirds controlled the fourth set with a 25-14 win to force set five.

The fifth set looked to be all Bears until ISU cut a four-point lead down to one at 10-9.

However, MSU’s Johnson proved to be too much for the Redbirds, as she added on two more kills late to put away the game.

Saturday proved much different for the Redbirds as they took care of Southern Illinois in three sets.

Coach Johnson was pleased with the way her team bounced back from Friday’s loss.

“I like that in the head space of being fatigued from last night’s match we were still able to play smart and efficient, that was the key,” said Johnson.

It was namely the Jaelyn Keene show for the Redbirds as she smashed home a match high 19 kills, while also adding two of the

team’s eight aces.

ISU out-killed the Salukis 43-21, while holding Southern Illinois to a .009 hitting percentage.

Saturday’s win was one Keene thought showed their team’s identity.

“I felt great, I think everyone was really excited to come out again tonight and there was a pretty big crowd and I think we really showed them who we are coming back winning 3-0 Jaelyn after a tough match last Keene night.”

Next up for the Redbirds is a matchup with Evansville Monday.

Last season, ISU knocked off the Purple Aces, 3-0, in both meetings.

Phone 309 438 7685 • Fax 309 438 5211 Corner of Locust & University, Normal, IL Monday – Friday. 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

206 W Walnut, Bloomington. $1200/mo Call 309-826-8536.

FOR RENT: SPRING 2017 Various 1, 2, 3 and 4 Bedrooms and some single rooms available. $240 $570. Class Act Realty. 454-2960

HELP WANTED- GENERAL Technique Tumbling & Cheer Prep is looking for Tumbling and Cheer Instructors for a new facility opening close to ISU in Normal this Fall! We have openings for Tumbling Instructors as well as instructors for Cheer Skills and Stunting.

We are looking for mature, dependable, high-energy individuals willing to work with children of all ability levels.

Experience is preferred but not required as we will train the right individuals.

Background check and references are required. Email us with your interest and experience or a resume to info@techniquetumbling.com and we will contact you!

FOR RENT: SPRING 18

Spring 1 & 2 bedroom units available www.sami.com (309) 888-4600

FOR RENT: FALL/SPRING 17-18 Subleases available! www.sami.com (309) 888-4600 Various 1, 2, 3 and 4 Bedrooms and some single rooms available. $270 $670. Class Act Realty. 454-2960 Need an apartment for immediate move-in?

1 and 2 bedrooms and roommate matching available! www.sami.com (309) 888-4600 305 Vernon Apt. 8 2 bed/1 bath, immediate move-in All utilities included, washer/dryer SAMI, www.sami.com (309) 888-4600 Spacious 2 BR, 1BA apt in 4-unit bldg avail. immediately. No pets, no smoking.

Secured entry with central air, off street parking, laundry room in unit (washer/ dryer available), new windows and flooring. $615/mo. $615 deposit, 1 yr lease.

Owner pays water. 1010 N. School St., Normal. Call/text 309-310-9266

712 E. Taylor. 2 bdrm apt. Close to Wesleyan and ISU. $800 per month + utilities. Washer/dryer included.

309-660-1089 1214 Fell. 2 blocks from Wesleyan.

3 bdrm, 1 bath, ceramic, hardwood, washer/dryer.$1200/mo. + utilities.

3096601089 For Rent: Su/Fall/Spr 18-19 808 S Linden: Large 1,2,3 and 4 person units. All Utilities Included. Next to the trail. Start at $355. Class Act Realty.

454-2960 Nice furnished house for group of 8.

Very close to ISU. 8 bdrms, 3 baths, A/C, private parking, utilities included.

Owner managed. $560/person. Call/text 309-830-1873.

TOWNHOMES: 2, 3 & 4 Bedrooms.

Include Washer-dryer, central air, dishwasher, parking, patio and/or balcony, yard. ONLY $265 - $455 per bedroom.

Class Act Realty. 454-2960 Houses 3+ BR great locations. W/D, AC. Pets Okay. $415+ per BR. Call Sean 3092611302. AGT.INT 2018-2019 School year now renting 1,2,3, and 4 Bedrooms close to campus and affordable living. Call

309-454-4888 Flora Way: Large Furnished 1,2,3 and 4 Bedrooms. Start at ONLY $315. Class Act Realty. 454-2960 Fell: Spacious 1, 2 & 4 Bedrooms. 1 block from campus. Laundry. Start at $375. Class Act Realty. 454-2960 Houses: 2 to 6 Bedrooms. Start at $325 per person. Walk to Campus.

401 N. Linden. 5 people to share 5 BR house. Porch, laundry. $400/person/ mth + utilities. 12 mth lease. Call 309-530-7772 301 S. WALNUT: Furnished 2 Bedrooms. Balcony, Covered parking, Laundry. Quiet Building. Start at ONLY $290. Class Act Realty. 454-2960 LINDEN TRAILS: BRAND NEW CONSTRUCTION. 4 bedroom 4.5 Bath Units with Washer/Dryer. Next to the Trail. Utilities Included. Start at $620 per person. Class Act Realty.

309-454-2960

PAGE 8 | THE VIDETTE

Sports

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2017

REDBIRD RE PORT ISU soccer drops first MVC match The Redbirds opened conference play Saturday afternoon against Northern Iowa and dropped the contest 0-1 in overtime.

“

Coach says “Doing absolutely everything right until we get into our finishing phase.

And, for some reason, there is a disconnect right now within our ability to put the ball in the back of the net.”

ISU soccer head coach Brad Silvey

Tennis singles finds success Illinois State was led by senior Christoffer Greve and junior Igor Kolaric.

The duo dominated the day winning both rounds of their respective singles, and one round of doubles.

BY THE NUMBERS

464

Total yards created by the ISU offense, including a careerhigh 312 yards from quarterback Jake Kolbe and 81 rushing yards from James Robinson.

4

Successful redzone opportunities for Illinois State, including three touchdowns and a 28-yard field goal from kicker Sean Slattery.

MVFC SCORES Photos courtesy Megan Burke | The Standard

TOP: Anthony Fowler (19) eludes defenders Saturday at Plaster Stadium in Springfield, Mo. ABOVE LEFT: Andy Mills (84) shakes hands with Matt Rush (4) after Saturday’s conference opener.

ABOVE RIGHT: Illinois State cornerback Davontae Harris tackles Malik Earl in ISU’s 34-9 victory at Plaster Stadium.

’Birds bury Bears Illinois State blasts Missouri State, 34-9, in MVFC opener NATE HEAD Sports Editor | @NateHead51

The Illinois State football team steamrolled its first two opponents of the 2017 season by an average of 38 points.

ISU made a statement yet again Saturday, burying Missouri State, 34-9, in Springfield, Mo., to improve to 3-0 on the young season.

The Redbirds scored touchdowns on each of their first four drives of the second half to erase any doubt of the outcome, as the teams were tied 6-6 at halftime.

ISU head coach Brock Brock Spack was pleased with the Spack way his team responded after the halftime break.

“Same calls, different results,” Spack told The Pantagraph. “It (third quarter) was more about attitude and toughness and execution and discipline. They slapped

themselves into shape, set their jaw, buckled their chin strap and fixed it.”

Although the dynamic Redbird running game has stolen the spotlight in the first month of the season, quarterback Jake Kolbe reminded the league of his throwing ability, finishing the contest 24-32 with two touchdowns (one rushing) and a careerhigh 312 passing yards.

“We missed some stuff early on, but we kept fighting, kept hammering away and eventually we made some plays,” Kolbe told The Pantagraph.

“We had to come out and get after it and finish drives.”

Missouri State (1-3) struck first with a f lashy, threeJake play drive that resulted in Kolbe a 53-yard Deion Holliman rushing score — the lone touchdown of the game for the Bears. The subsequent PAT attempt was blocked.

Entering Saturday, ISU had only allowed 14 total yards on the ground this season.

While Missouri State ended the contest with 154 rushing yards, just 19 came in the second half.

ISU running back Markel Smith scored the first Redbird touchdown of the day with a 6-yard rushing score on the first drive of the third quarter.

James Robinson led ISU in rushing with 81 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Receiver Spencer Schnell nabbed nine receptions for a career-high 135 yards.

“We came out the second half and definitely pushed the tempo,” Schnell told The Pantagraph. “We connected really well in the middle of the field and were able to open things up.”

Illinois State finished with 468 total offensive yards, while Missouri State netted 311. Kolbe outgained his counterpart, Peyton Husling, through the air 312 to 157.

The Redbirds will return at 6:30 p.m. Saturday to Hancock Stadium for the first time in three weeks to host Indiana State.

Illinois St 34, Missouri State 9 North Dakota St 56, Robert Morris 0 Western Ill. 52, Coastal Carolina 10 Memphis 44, Southern Ill. 31

MVFC STANDINGS Conf Ovrl

Illinois St. South Dakota North Dakota St. South Dakota St. Western Illinois Southern Illinois Youngstown St. Northern Iowa Indiana St. Missouri St.

1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1

3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 2-1 2-1 1-2 0-3 1-3

UPCOMING Volleyball ISU will travel to Evansville at 7 p.m. Monday and visit Drake and Northern Iowa Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Soccer ISU hosts UMKC at 7 p.m. Friday and travels to Western Illinois 2 p.m.

Sunday.

Golf Both the men and women will finish intercollegiate tournaments Monday.

COMPLIED BY NATE HEAD VIDETTE SPORTS