2009-10 issue21

the review washburn university

See if baseball will ever play again...thanks to the snow.

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volume 136, Issue 21 • wednesday, March 24, 2010

Drawing blanks Proposed concealed carry bill raises

Paige Anderson WASHBURN REVIEW

Washburn University could soon be faced with the decision on whether to spend millions of dollars on metal detectors or allow those with proper weapon licenses to tote their guns to class.

Forrest Knox, a House Republican from Altoona, has presented a bill that aims to make it possible for those with proper state issued gun licenses to carry and conceal in previously restricted locations.

In 2006, the Kansas Legislature passed the Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act enabling those meeting specific criterian the ability to carry and conceal their weapon.

The statute, however, contains an article that prohibits carrying a weapon into state or local government buildings including police departments, state departments, schools and universities. Public places are also given the ability to ban weapons by posting an approved sign.

Knox’s bill is attempting to amend the statute and allow guns to be carried in public places that do not have adequate security measures, such as metal detectors, electronic detection or security personnel.

In 2008, the Kansas Board of Regents adhered to the Kansas Personal and Family Protection Act and made Kansas’s six state universities and 19 community colleges weapon free. If Knox’s bill passes through legislation these campuses will have to look at ways to alter current security policies.

Dean Forester, director of Washburn Police, said what security actions Washburn chooses to take if the amendment passes will be up to the Board of Regents.

Betsy Baker, senior, is concerned about how the proposed changes to the carry and conceal statute could affect Washburn.

“The proposed changes make me nervous for the safety of current students as well as the potential negative financial impact it could have on the university,” said Baker.

Kendra Fritz, junior, said she believes that if special security details have to be put in place it would raise the cost of tuition, something that would be a problem with a lot of students.

questions about students’ safety

Photo by Tesa DeForest, Washburn Review

Adam Furneaux, sophomore, said he believes that those with the proper licenses should be able to carry and conceal weapons if they choose.

“I don’t think carrying a weapon on campus is any different than going to Wal-Mart with a concealed weapon, there’s a lot of people either way,” said Furneaux.

Baker said if the Board of Regents accepts the changes to the conceal and carry she is concerned about how it will impact the educational environment at Washburn.

“When I’m at Washburn I feel

like I’m in a safe place, if I knew there was a possibility someone was carrying a weapon I’d be more reserved and less likely to openly express my opinion,” said Baker.

Knox’s bill was heard in the House Federal and State Affairs Committee Feb. 25.At this time no decision has been made about the future of this statute.

Paige Anderson is a member of the advanced news writing class. Reach her at paige.anderson@washburn.edu.

University brings in outside tech support Lauren Eckert WASHBURN REVIEW

to make sure that we are focusing on what’s most important,” Haugen said. “It’s not about the technology itself, but how it can help students, The struggles within the Informa- faculty, staff and administrators.” tion Systems and Services department The purpose of the IT assessat Washburn University have been the ment project is to evaluate the protopic of many discussions this past cedures already in place and work to year. These technology issues have make the necessary improvements. not gone unnoticed and change is rap“We need to improve things that idly approaching as outside resources make sense,” Haugen said, acknowlhave been brought in to get the ball edging that the focus of the assessrolling on some necessary changes. ment is to provide the Washburn In February 2009, Washburn is- community with the technology that sued a request for proposals for an they need to function and succeed. external review of the institution’s Haugen also acknowledges the information technology. Kaludis Con- importance of talking to the people disulting was selected in May 2009, but rectly effected in order to find out how the project did not immediately begin technology can best serve Washburn. because of de“We want to veloping issues “ have the greatest within the ISS impact,” HauWe need to improve gen said. “The department.

Elliott Hauonly way to do things that make gen, senior vice that is to lissense. president at Katen to people.” ludis Consulting, Beg in ning first responded the week of to the request April 5, Hau- Elliot Haugen for interim CIO/ gen and his colISS director in league Gwenn Interim Director, ISS January 2010, will be ” Weaver and was selected holding meetto integrate his ings and forums duties as interim director of ISS with students, faculty and staff with the IT assessment project. to discuss the existing and fuHaugen began exploring IT and ture IT resources and services.

ISS issues during the last two weeks The IT assessment will be comof February and continues to main- pleted by the end of April and improvetain a bi-weekly presence on campus ments will be implemented soon after. to learn about ISS and meet with fac- With Haugen playing both the role of ulty, students and staff in group and evaluator and implementer, he will not individual sessions to gain insight only recommend necessary improveand expectations about what technol- ments, but will be responsible for ogy at Washburn should look like. implementing these changes and esThough Haugen depends largely on tablishing a road map of sorts that will assistant directors to handle day-to- allow the future director a basic underday operations, he remains acces- standing of the changes that are needed. sible through e-mail and telephone Though Haugen will remain when he is absent from campus. in the interim director position In an effort to gain feedback about throughout the semester, the univerthe needs of technology at Washburn, sity will be seeking a new director Haugen has sought out approximate- to permanently fulfill the position. ly 150 members of the Washburn “There are lessons to be learned in community, including members of how ISS has not met the expectations Washburn Student Government As- of faculty and others,” Haugen said. sociation and Faculty Senate in order “We are trying to look ahead to find to develop a system that will bet- ways to better serve this community.” ter serve the needs of the university. Lauren Eckert is a junior mass media “Technology challenges at a major. Reach her at lauren.eckert@ university are endless, but we want washburn.edu.

Google, Kansas Day promotes, informs WU

Discover what the Washburn Endowment Association does and how its actions affect you.

speed and instantaneous downloads.

In a mass e-mail sent later Tuesday afternoon, university president Jerry Farley voiced “his support for this wonderful chance for Washburn faculty, staff and students to ‘Think BIG’ and become involved to make Topeka a technology hot spot.”

The afternoon wrapped up with Google buttons, cookies and opportunities to nominate Topeka to host the project at one of many laptops stationed around the union.

Lauren Eckert is a junior mass media major. Reach her at lauren.eckert@ washburn.edu.

Photo by Matt Wilper, Washburn Review

Google-y Eyed: Josh Maples, executive director of CAB, opens the festivities of Google, Kansas Day at an informational press conference. The event was held to gain support for Think Big Topeka in its efforts to bring the Google Fiber Experiment to Topeka.

The Cavatina Duo visited Washburn over Spring Break.

Find out what keeps Nicole Perkuhn busy in her spare time.

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news & opinion

A parade of primary colors accompanied the triangular Google sign floating about the Memorial Union Tuesday, March 23 as Washburn celebrated Google, Kansas Day. The event was sponsored by the Campus Activities Board and Think Big Topeka.

The celebration kicked off with an informational press conference that shared information about the Google Fiber Project to the public.

Jared Starkey, a representative from Think Big Topeka, explained how the project could bring booming business to the Topeka area.

“All the companies who want to build and test new-age technology will come here,” Starkey said, believing that this advanced technology will eventually be a resource that everyone will use.

Starkey also said that the project will provide more jobs to Washburn graduates, both long and short term.

“This would be a huge shot in the arm for Topeka’s economy,” said Starkey.

Josh Maples, executive director of CAB, said that this opportunity could be “a way for us to be creative, collaborative and productive.”

Maples said that bringing the Google Fiber Project to Topeka would allow Washburn to be the leading developer of Web 3.0, with the fiber optics bringing amazing

sports

Lauren Eckert WASHBURN REVIEW

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News • Wednesday, March 24, 2010

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The Bod Beat

Washburn students alendar become storytellers

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Wednesday, March 24 Brown Bag International Lecture International House 12 p.m.

“The Waiting Room” Presentation Stoffer Science Hall 6 p.m.

Presentation, “Other Stories: Story Telling with Washburn Students” Mabee Library 7 p.m.

Thursday, March 25 Graduation Fair Washburn Room 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

OPEN Meeting Crane Room 5 p.m.

Friday, March 26 Ichabod Junior Day 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Stations of the Cross and Lenten Meal Catholic Campus Center 5 p.m.

Briana Holmes WASHBURN REVIEW

Diversity does matter. Washburn students do come from different backgrounds and some are willing to share their stories.

On March 24, “Other Stories: An Evening of Storytelling with Washburn Students” will come to Mabee Library at 7 p.m.

The storytelling session will include stories from students with many experiences different from the status quo at WU. These students will tell their stories of being homosexual, homeless, atheist, Asian American, African American, Latino and ArabMuslim. The students are both traditional and non-traditional students as well as a mixture of male and female.

This is a storytelling event and there has been a recent movement for stories to be told public in a public setting with a theme attached to the event, said Sarah Smarsh, assistant English professor and chair of the Diversity Initiative Coordinating Committee.

“Obviously, the theme is diversity.

Students will tell stories of their life so we can get perspective. It’s not theatrical, it’s not memorizing pieces or lines, but it’s like telling a story to friends. It will be a rare experience,” said Smarsh.

Smarsh said that the event is part of a venture from the committee. She said that when people talk about diversity, they typically talk in an abstract manner, like diversity is something they should strive for. This event should show that diversity is something that people already have, but may not be aware of.

The Diversity Initiative Coordinating Committee put together the group of seven students who will be telling their stories to the community.

For most of the students, it is their first time telling their stories in public. They don’t have a lot of experience in public speaking, said Smarsh.

Cameron Wrightsman, senior, was nominated by his English professor to be one of the story tellers. Wrightsman will tell the story of what it is like to be an atheist.

“Atheists are often left out of the discussion of diversity,” said Wrightsman.

This is the second year the committee has put on a seminar, but this is the first year that they have ever done a storytelling event.

“I think it will be a good experience to get to know who’s on campus and the different minorities in general,” said Wrightsman.

Briana Holmes is a member of the advanced news writing class. Reach her at briana.holmes@washburn.edu.

Saturday, March 27 Flutes Day

Sunday, March 28

Faculty Recital White Concert Hall 3 p.m.

Monday, March 29 Artist Lecture, Robin Lasser Mulvane Art Museum 6 p.m.

Tuesday, March 30 Baseball Falley Field 2 p.m.

Wednesday, March 31 Film, “A Walk To Remember” Henderson Learning Center Room 112 4 p.m.

Social Justice League Henderson Learning Center Room 203 4 p.m.

Comedian Benji Brown Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 1 OPEN Meeting Crane Room, Memorial Union 5 p.m.

Author Reading by Honor Moore Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center 7 p.m.

Friday, April 2 Softball Softball Complex 3 p.m.

Don’t see your event in the calendar? Call the Review newsroom at 670-2506 to have your event included in an upcoming edition. It’s FREE. For upcoming Washburn athletic events, go to www.wusports.com.

-paid for by WSGA-

Hello Washburn!!

I hope you had a terrific Spring Break! A week of rest was definitely needed, and I hope you are all recharged and ready to finish the semester strong!

To begin, I would like to personally thank each and every one of you for helping to make our university awesome. I have enjoyed serving as your Vice President this past year and I cannot wait to serve you again in the coming year! I know that I have learned so much about myself and my own leadership ability through getting involved at Washburn, and I would like to encourage you to do the same.

It will help you to not only meet new people, but also provide once in a lifetime opportunities you wouldn’t have had otherwise.

We have so many great organizations on campus, and if we don’t have something you like, then you can even create your own student organization! Washburn is so rad! :)

I would like to remind you that Friday is the last day to nominate Topeka (excuse me- “Google, KS”) for Google’s fiber experiment, so check out www.ThinkBIGTopeka.com and see how much our city has come together to seek out Google’s attention and how we at Washburn could benefit from this new technology.

Enjoy the rest of your week and as always, GO BODS! :) Caley Onek WSGA Vice President

Protecting yourself and your valuables Emily Scott WASHBURN REVIEW

Open Gym Dance Studio, Petro Allied Health Center 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday Mass and Theology of the Body Class Catholic Campus Center 6 p.m.

Vice President’s Press

Photo by Tesa DeForest, Washburn Review

A Night of Stories: The Mabee Library will host the next Diversity Matters seminar, “Other Stories: An Evening of Storytelling with Washburn Students.” The event will feature seven students covering many topics, including sexuality, religion and race.

WTE Aftermath University officials clear up confusion over who is required to complete WTE, future of WTE Luke Schuckman WASHBURN REVIEW

WTE optional. The groups looked at everything from surveys completed by Washburn students to talking to stuMost Washburn students have dents and getting their view on WTE. Lucas Mullin, WSGA vice presiheard about the ruling on the Washburn Transformational Experience, but many dent is completing a WTE, but voted are still wondering what it means for to make it optional. Mullin said he unthe WTE space on their degree audits. derstands many students do not have The Washburn University Board the time to complete a transformationof Regents voted to remove the WTE al experience, but feels Washburn can as a university requirement, making it make some additions to the program to an elective program. Even though it make it more successful in the future. is no longer a university requirement, “Maybe in a few years the WTE certain departments may have comple- committee can find better ways to retion of WTE as a degree requirement. vamp the program and make it more Travis Hubbel, a junior business appealing to athletes, Greeks, people major at Washburn will not have to in the military and other WU students,” Mullin said. complete the Menzie beWTE. He is WASHBURN lieves that stuscheduled to graduate next fall who are TRANSFORMATIONAL dents and is pleased in leadership EXPERIENCE with the decision. and honors pro“It takes grams should quite a bit of stress off of me that I still be required to complete a WTE. do not have to complete the WTE,” Other graduate programs at WashHubbel said. “I wasn’t sure if I burn are considering making it a rewould have enough time in the sum- quirement, but Washburn is still in mer to complete the project, so the process of figuring out what pronow I don’t have to worry about it.” grams will make WTE a requirement.

Kathy Menzie, chair of academic Traveling abroad is something Menzie affairs at Washburn, said that stu- wishes she could make a requirement dents who are currently involved in as she feels it truly can transform a a WTE, who feel they have extenu- student, but the proper funding is just ating circumstances and wish to dis- not realistic. Overall, Menzie believes continue their involvement in WTE making WTE optional is best for WU. can contact their mentor to request a “I don’t think you can mandate waiver. The mentors can get the ap- transformation,” Menzie said. “You proval from Nancy Tate, associate don’t choose when you transform so vice president of academic affairs. even though I believe the program has Menzie said the main reason the its advantages, making optional was university voted to make the WTE the best decision for the university.” optional was because so many students and faculty were complaining Luke Schuckman is a member of the adabout having to complete the proj- vanced news writing class. Reach him at ect. Both groups favored making the luke.schuckman@washburn.edu.

That would be a big help,” said Dean Forester, chief of police.

Students may also register their vehicle with the Washburn Police The world can be a dangerous place. Department, which helps the officers It is important to know how to protect if something happens. Registration yourself and your vehicle from harm. forms are available at the department This is the main message campus office, in Morgan Hall, room 156. administrators are trying to get stuAnother good resource with tips dents to understand. Safety is a pri- about protecting vehicles is the Safe ority. Students need to know that just Streets Coalition which was founded because this is a small university, they in 1995 to help make Topeka a safer are not necessarily immune to crime. city to live in. Safe Streets has a proWashburn Police offer many educa- gram called “Lock it of Lose it” that tional programs each month, ranging is designed to help people remember from sexual assault, the dangers of to remove valuables from their vedrug usage, to how to prohicles. It also offers a list tect oneself against idenof auto safety tips that SAFE tity theft said Sheri Jackcan be found at www.safKEEPING son, Washburn University estreets.org/coalition.html.

Police Department officer.

Washburn is working Another big focus of campus on a program called Campus Watch safety is vehicle safety. The officers of that focuses on all aspects of keeping the Washburn Police department have students safe. Garrett Love, WSGA many helpful tips on how to limit the president said that they are working opportunities for thieves to steal items with many agencies, including Safe from your vehicle. These tips include Streets, to promote campus safety. locking the vehicle when not inside, “Campus watch is a collaborarolling up the windows upon exiting tive effort between WSGA, Washburn the car, parking in well-lit areas and students and faculty, Washburn Police removing valuables. WUPD also sug- to enrich the well-being and safety gests not leaving a car unattended with of the students,” said Dlany Conny, the engine running, not placing hidden WSGA public relations director. keys in or on the vehicle and installThese prevention techniques ing locking lug nuts to prevent custom can save a major headache down the wheels from being stolen. These tips road. Remember, “Lock it or Lose it!” were found on WUPD’s Web site, however it is currently under construction so finding them may be tricky for a while. Emily Scott is a member of the advanced “Just take valuable things like news writing class. Reach her at emily.

CDs and billfolds out of your car. scott@washburn.edu.

Photo by Tesa DeForest, Washburn Review

Better safe than sorry: Dean Forester, chief of police, offers tips on how to keep your car and valuables safe. Other organizations, such as Campus Watch and the Topeka Safe Streets Coalition, also offer advice on how to safeguard yourself and your possessions.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010 • News

Well endowed Washburn Endowment Association fundraises for university, helps students Kate Fechter WASHBURN REVIEW

When it comes to organizations around campus that affect students at Washburn, the Washburn Endowment Association ranks toward the top of that list..

“We are the fundraising arm of the university,” said JuliAnn Mazachek, Ph.D., President of the WEA. “We also manage the dollar gifts on behalf of the university. We invest them if they are endowed gifts or we create opportunities for the university to spend them through the normal processes on programs, students, scholarships and the other things we raise money for.”

Photo by Tesa DeForest, Washburn Review WEA has many staff members, as Money House: The Washburn Endowment Association is responsible for managing well as a board of trustees and a board monetary gifts made to the university. Some of the funds are put toward scholarships. of directors. The WEA Web site, www.wea.org, describes the board of ensure it goes with university needs.” received almost $90,000 in scholartrustees as “ambassadors.” These peoWEA works one on one to de- ships for single women with children.” ple help encourage contributions and velop relationships between alumni WEA also helps departments recruit new people for involvement and the university. They often travel with fundraisers and contributes with the association. The board of di- around the country to meet with alums to the lecture series that are hostrectors helps to ensure that the mission that live outside of Topeka but are giv- ed by WSGA. Supporting facof the endowment association is being ing back to the university. There are ulty is another thing WEA does. met and help create policies to keep events planned to get alumni involved “We’ve had growing support the organization going. on campus by going to for faculty,” said Mazachek. “What Each year WEA has games, lectures, and/or happens in the classroom is really ongoing efforts to draw in ENDOWMENT meeting with students or what Washburn is about, as well as annual gifts for the differ- ASSOCIATION faculty. Donor recogni- the relationships between students ent programs. Phone calls tion events are planned. and faculty. We want to attract the are made to alumni asking There is one that recog- best and keep the best. Those exfor donations, and alumni receive in- nizes people who are making gifts at tra dollars really make a difference.” formation by mail to keep them in the the end of their lifetime and for anMazachek feels it is imporknow about the goings on at Washburn nual donors of $1,000 and above. tant for students to understand the and to ask for support to keep these “We had a major event at the impact of WEA and that there are programs going. There are major gifts beginning of the year,” said Mazach- people who care about students or planned gift programs for larger gifts ek. “This was because of a major enough to give from their own reto go into scholarships, funds for fac- gift to the school of business for sources to give students the best exulty, and projects within the university. $5 million. It was a two day se- perience while they attend Washburn.

Donations can be given as a one- ries of events to thank the donors.”

“Giving of resources will be time gift, annually, or by donors at Whiting Field House was opened even more important as we move the end of their life. WEA works with this year, revamped with renovations. into the future,” said Mazachek. those who want to donate at the end Half of those funds were raised pri- “Someday current students will take of their life to make sure the money vately by WEA. The Mulvane Mu- the place of current alumni, and goes to an area of interest to them. seum, Art Building and Business will have the opportunity to help fu“Donors today do usually desig- Technology Center in Henderson also ture students have the great experinate an area for their gift to go to,” said came from funds raised by WEA. ence they had as undergraduates.”

Mazachek. “In decades past, it wasn’t “The way most students recog- unusual for them to give money and nize the work we do is scholarships,” say ‘use it how you want to.’ Some- said Mazachek. “Two-thirds of the times they tell us they want it to go to funds made available to the univer- Kate Fechter is a junior mass media/psyfaculty or scholarships or a particular sity go into scholarships. For exam- chology major. Reach her at kate.fechterprogram, but we work with them to ple, the Washburn Women’s Alliance stamper@washburn.edu.

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Boyack selected for admissions position Ben Fitch WASHBURN REVIEW

tive—looking at raising the bar.”

Ultimately, Boyack will be in charge of student recruitment, and After conducting a national search, the retention of quality students the office of admissions had selected will stem from that responsibility. three applicants as prospective directors “New-student enrollment is at the of admissions. Morgan Boyack was one core of what they do,” Liedtke said. of the three and will start this Monday.

Initially, Boyack will be working Richard Liedtke, dean of enroll- to restructure admissions by development management, said Boyack has ing new job descriptions and focusing the background on next year. His and skill set ap- “ recruitment plan propriate for is due this summer Boyack is coming the job since and will be effeche has experitive by the spring in with a fresh ence in the field. semester of 2011. perspective. He’s “He has had “I love talka nice career in ing to prospective looking at raising admissions,” students,” Boyack the bar.

Liedtke said. said. “Making a C u r r e n t l y, decision on which Boyack is the asinstitution to atsociate director tend is one of the - Richard Liedtke of admissions at biggest decisions Dean of Enrollment Management the University of they will make. I Northern Coloall stu” encourage rado, in Greeley. dents to do their Liedtke said the homework when it University of Northern Colorado has comes time to decide which institution had enrollment success with 10,299 is right for them. Come for a campus undergraduate students in the Fall visit, visit with a department or professemester of 2009. Boyack has also sor, talk with a current student and take been a part of the admissions process a campus tour. The more homework at other institutions such as Neumont you do, the better the decision you will University in South Jordan, Utah, make. Enjoy your educational experiand the University of Utah, Salt Lake ence; it is a great time of your life.”

City. He has a bachelor’s degree in There will be a meet and greet mass communications and sociol- from 1 to 3 p.m. on Monday so people ogy and a master’s of public admin- can meet the new admissions director. istration from the University of Utah.

“I don’t think it will be a difficult transition,” said Liedtke, “but we will be putting a system in place Ben Fitch is a senior mass media major. with a seamless process. [Boyack] Reach him at benjamin.fitch@washburn. is coming in with a fresh perspec- edu.

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Opinion • Wednesday, March 24, 2010

School NCAA rankings target Jayhawks violence shoots off the charts Ben Fitch WASHBURN REVIEW

We know the names— Columbine, Virginia Tech, Alabama-Huntsville. We know the statistics—15 people, 33 people, three people. Yet the impossible—the improbable—continues to happen, and only one question remains—why?

Despite the lengthy history of school shootings in the U.S., which dates back more than 40 years, the incidents continue to occur—and more frequently. According to the School Violence Resource Center, 76 school shootings and stabbings took place from 1996 to 2006.

As if that isn’t shocking enough, the most recent statistics are worse. In the last three years alone, 27 incidents have occurred on high school and college campuses throughout the nation. And they don’t just involve students. In fact, two of the most recent occurrences—Alabama-Huntsville and Ohio State—were connected with faculty or staff members.

At this point in the game, I think it’s safe to say this trend could be described as an epidemic—a rapid increase in the spread of school violence.

What I don’t understand is why we haven’t done everything possible to put a stop to this epidemic, or make more of an effort to lessen its effects.

The psychology and reasoning behind school shootings is different for every situation, and I don’t know where one would begin to decipher the logic and rationale that goes through the minds of individuals who choose to create these incidents. With all of the ethical obstacles in the way of obtaining a person’s medical records, it makes it nearly impossible to monitor those who may be FROM THE at risk of performing EDITOR dangerous a c t s .

Even so, it’s the unlikely events—the people you wouldn’t expect—that surprise us the most.

So what can be done? For starters, students, faculty and staff need to lose the apathetic attitude. It’s those individuals, those schools that believe an incident like that “would never happen to them” that put themselves at risk of not being prepared when disaster strikes. If you’re stubborn and still don’t believe me, I challenge you to enter “school shootings map” into any search engine and see what you find. Trust me, the results will show you—it happens everywhere.

Another step is to take advantage of campus resources. If we can’t control individuals and their actions, we can at least do our best to control the situation. Many schools have employed systems to notify those on campus of any precarious behavior.

For instance, on Washburn’s campus, we have the iAlert system that informs individuals who are signed up of danger in the area through phone calls, text messages and e-mail messages. As long as those on campus let go of their apathy and sign up, the system can fully serve its purpose.

I know I can’t change everyone’s minds with a mere 500 words, and many of you will remain apathetic toward the situation. I can only hope you won’t limit your consideration for supporting efforts like these to just the time you spend in college.

There are those who come after you, including your possible children, who could be affected by the dangers of school violence. Don’t let your apathy put the lives of others at risk.

Nicole Stejskal is a junior mass media major. Reach her at nicole.stejskal@ washburn.edu.

Bod on

“

Ben Fitch is a senior mass media major.

Reach him at benjamin.fitch@washburn. edu.

After the passage of the health care reform bill, the Review decided to ask students how they feel about the historic national event.

Maddisen Rivera Freshman

“I think it would be effective. Everybody would be able to receive health care at a steady rate of pay.”

Zach Morris Junior

“The only people who aren’t opposed are the ones who can afford health insurance anyway.”

“

opposition always shows up to play ball. Jayhawk strategy is probably studied all season, which is evident in the way Collins gets double-teamed like a seesaw. Also, two of the teams that majored in studying and exploiting Kansas’ court presence, Tennessee and Oklahoma State, joined Kansas in the Midwest bracket. They happened to be the only two teams to beat the Jayhawks during the regular season.

At the end of the day, Kansas State University fans AND players celebrated like children when Northern Iowa defeated the Hawks. It was almost as if they had finally beaten the other kids in foursquare during recess. Yet the crimson and blue rocked, chalked, and STILL looked good this year. On the bench, they were deeper than orations at a poetry slam. No, they didn’t deserve the loss, and yes there is always next year.

street What is your opinion

the

Nicole Stejskal WASHBURN REVIEW

during the game was atrocious. It is clear that a foul call is overdue when it rallies a standing ovation from fans.

Furthermore, Northern Iowa happens to be one of the best free-throwSaturday, the Kansas Jayhawks shooting teams in the nation. They are, lost out the first weekend of March in fact, ranked within the top 10 with Madness to Northern Iowa. And a 76.1 percentage along with Duke, St. being that I am an avid KU fan, I Mary’s and Brigham Young. Northern crawled under my crimson and blue Iowa’s rank with a rating percentage blanket and cried over pints of mint- index also happens to be 17. A chocolate chip and chunky monkey. team’s rating percentage index is the As a result of the extensive ranking they receive, considering the heckling from haters and difficulty of their schedule. extinguished dreams of It takes into consideration STAFF championship, I have several complicated EDITORIAL factors. At any rate, the identified the grossly obtrusive acts of the Jayhawks were ranked NCAA as direct conspiracy against No. 1 considering their rating the Jayhawks. After all, President percentage index, which means their Obama picked KU as the champions schedule was entirely too grueling. in his drafted bracket, and last year KU fans are growing weary his intuition was proven right-on of being bullied by the NCAA. when the North Carolina Tar Heels Clearly, everyone is jealous that advanced to win the whole enchilada. the University of Kansas invented This year, Barack’s bracket is ruined. basketball—mad props to Naismith.

But fear not, loathsome KU fans, Oh yeah, and they there are many options for denial also made Collins cry. this year. First of all, the officiating Kansas is always a target, and

”

Jarred Moser Sophomore

“The main problem with health care is that it is a for-profit system.”

Kristen Hearrell Senior “I’m hoping that this provides more individuals with health care, and it’s fiscally responsible.”

”

on health care reform?

Nathan Altic Sophomore

“I don’t agree with it because of the massive flow of people who go to the doctor for nothing.”

Kevin Nincehelser Senior

“If it works as well as social security and medicare, then it will be great.”

Kevin Dreiling Senior

“It’s a fun system.

It could have used a lot more preliminary thought.”

Kelley Grammer Freshman

“Because we are self-employed, we are having to find our own health insurance.”

Interviews and photos by Tesa DeForest and Ben Fitch

MARSHALL ARTS

Chris Marshall is going to get involved in politics and force people into voting for the bills he likes by giving them the Care Bear Stare. Reach him at christopher.marshall@washburn.edu.

The Washburn Review Contact Us

Phone: (785) 670-2506 Fax: (785) 670-1131 www.washburnreview.org Print Editor-in-Chief Nicole Stejskal Online Editor-in-Chief Kevin Mitchell Managing Editor Ben Fitch News Editor Mikki Burcher Sports Editor Josh Rouse A&E Editor Regina Budden Photo Editor Matt Wilper Copy Editor Josh King Senior Writer Lauren Eckert Writers Michelle Boltz Robert Burkett Kate Fechter Bryce Grammer Richard Kelly Ashley Nadeau David Wiens Photographers Tesa DeForest Mike Goehring Mallory Shehi Videographers Brian Dulle Kate Hampson Jordan Shefte Graphic Designers K.J. Thies Cameron Wrightsman Advertising Manager Ashley Shepard Advertising Staff Anna Henry Lauren Journot Business Manager Chuck Stephens Adviser Regina Cassell The Washburn Review is published every Wednesday throughout the academic year, excluding holidays and some other dates. Copies are free for students, faculty and staff, and can be found at numerous locations around the campus of Washburn University. Subscriptions to the Washburn Review are available at the following rates: 13 issues for $20 or 26 issues for $35. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.washburnreview.org or call (785) 670-2506.

The Washburn Review is a member newspaper of the Associated Press (AP), the Kansas Associated Press (KPA) and the Kansas Associated Collegiate Press (KACP). The Review was the 2009 winner of the All-State award, given to the best four-year public university newspaper in the state of Kansas.

The Washburn Review accepts letters to the editor pertaining to articles appearing in the Washburn Review or on issues of importance to the Washburn or Topeka community. We do not accept mass letters to the editor.

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© The Washburn Review Copyright 2010

Your source for all things about WU, Wednesday afternoons.

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wednesday, March 24, 2010

Band rocks to alternative beat

Kate Fechter WASHBURN REVIEW

Hunter Hallman and Juan Saenz are the guitarists. Washburn student Conner Morton is the bassist and Brooke Arnold plays drums. They practice four to five times per week, for about an hour at a time.

All members have jobs outside of Rehearsing for upcoming shows in a storage unit with hanging lights the band. Morton is an environmentalist and posters of their influences on the majoring in psychology and sociology. walls, Sedlec Ossuary is a metal band Saenz said he hangs out as hard as possible when that screams not working and influences of Arnold works at a alternative, “ warehouse when classical and even Our main goal as a not blasting at hip hop.

4,000 beats per Formed in band is to put on a minute. Hallman 2008, Sedlec good show. who comes from Ossuary is Lawrence, likes to working on rehearse barefoot. new songs McGloin plays and a second with the band and album. The band spends a lot of is named after - Juan Saenz time walking his Sedlec Ossuary a Guitarist, Sedlec Ossuary dog.

Roman Catholic “Our main church in the ” goal as a band is Czech Republic. to put on a good The chapel is said to contain more than 50,000 skeletons show,” said Saenz.

They list several bands as having of people. Many of the bones were arranged in an artistic fashion in the late influenced their music. These influences 19th century. Among the skeletal art is include Black Dolly Murder, Diskreet, a chandelier that contains at least one of Origin, Within the Ruins, Easy E, Wu Tang Clan, BT Bam and Faceless. every bone in the human body.

“Miley Cyrus is a huge influence Mike McGloin is the vocalist.

too,” said Morton jokingly.

Songs from the band include “World Breaker,” “The Harsh Barge,” “Burn After Rolling,” and “Creatures.”

They describe their sound as most similar to Black Dolly Murder and BT Bam. Their three upcoming shows this spring are scheduled for April and May. April 6, they will play in Lawrence at the Jackpot with the band Osiris. April 14, they will play in Topeka at the Boobie Trap Bar and on May 9, they’ll head to El Torreon with Hester Prynne and Impending Doom.

The band is pre-selling tickets for the April 6 and May 9 shows. The tickets are $12 and $10 for the show respectively. Anyone interested can e-mail Morton at conner.morton@ washburn.edu.

“We want to get people to come back and see us again,” said Hallman.

“We are really hyped on the upcoming shows.”

Photo by Mike Goehring, Washburn Review

Kate Fechter is a junior psychology/ mass media major. Reach her at kate. fechter-stamper@washburn.edu.

No country here: Mike McGloin belts into the microphone as Sedlec Ossuary performs.

Their name may have a dark history, but the future looks bright for this five-person band since they have three shows lined up for the end of the semester.

Duo’s harmonies captivate audience

Photo by Heather Ramsdell, Washburn Review

Dynamic duo: Denis Azabagic and Eugenia Moliner duet their way into the hearts of audience members Wednesday evening. This husband and wife team was brought to Washburn by the Topeka Community Concert Association.

Ashley Nadeau WASHBURN REVIEW

While St. Patrick’s day festivities were in full force last Wednesday, the sounds of the Cavatina Duo echoed

through a packed White Concert Hall.

The Cavatina Duo consists of the husband and wife combination Denis Azabagic, guitarist from Bosnia, and Eugenia Moliner, flautist from Spain.

Their unique approach to music inspired members of the diverse audience in attendance.

“It was awesome, I really like Bach so I loved that they included it,” said Michael Packard a local drummer who was in the audience. “I liked the time signatures, I was very impressed.”

Even before they played, the duo had the room engaged with applause and laughter as they joked about their marriage and accents. Azabagic’s solid black suit complimented Moliner’s white and black dress, as his slow yet complex rhythm guitar complimented her fast paced flute music.

Both musicians appeared to really feel the emotion in the music. Moliner swayed, almost as if dancing along to the music creating both an auditory and visual performance. Moliner and Azabagic played to each other as if having a musical conversation.

Sometimes playful and sometimes dramatic, the couple’s physical and musical interaction was a show in itself. Varying tempo and intensity

‘Repo Men’ unpossessing, messy David Wiens WASHBURN REVIEW “Repo Men,” whether due to overinformative teasers or the obviousness of the storyline, seemed to have thoroughly explained itself before it was even released.

Remy, played by Jude Law, works for The Union, which sells artificial organs, as a repo man, retrieving organs from people who have not been making their scheduled payments. When an accident puts Remy on the other side of the situation, he is to rely on the MOVIE forced people he used to hunt REVIEW while he runs from his former coworkers.

Unfortunately, what was probably supposed to be cogent hyperbole about the problems with our current system of credit payment and society’s value on property above humanity, was turned into a high stakes sci-fi thriller that all but enforces the exact opposite of its original message. Once Remy switches sides one might expect him to discover people who have been unfairly victimized by the system, if not learn so firsthand. Instead he finds Beth (Alice Braga) a woman so full of illegally obtained parts that she is a borderline cyborg. And while his own situation does render him psychologically incapable of repossessing organs, neither that nor the fact that he has a highly effective nonlethal firearm stops him from killing people altogether.

If anything, Remy seems like one of the few people who deserves to have his organs repossessed. On the day he lost his organic heart he let his best friend and coworker, Jake (Forest Whitaker) take a man’s kidney in his front yard while having a barbecue out in the backyard. When his wife and young son witness this, she promptly leaves him and Remy is so torn up that he and Jake have to go massacre a boat full of people with unpaid organs. After the accident, when Remy finds himself unable to slice open a living being and go fishing, he is graciously given a job in sales that he sabotages so badly it gets him fired. Despite Jake’s continuous attempts to get him working again, Remy just mopes around until he passes the deadline for payment. Apparently all the money from the commissions he received for all of the organs he cut out of folks just disappeared.

Now I cannot speak to the minor controversy regarding the similarity of premise between “Repo Men” and “Repo! The Genetic Opera,” as I have not seen the latter, nor do I know whether novelist and co-screenwriter Eric Garcia had the idea before “Repo!” was released and simply did not finish it until a year after the fact, but it does seem questionable at best.

Overall, especially given that Whitaker seems to change the emotional core of Jake on a scene-to-scene basis from sociopathic to sympathetic, I have got to go with the obvious and say that “Repo Men” is a bloody mess.

gave the performance a vivid sense of drama and emotion. As their eyes met while playing, the couple’s musical and romantic chemistry was palpable.

The duo deviated from the program greatly providing an exclusive performance for the eager audience.

Transitioning between songs, the couple discussed the piece and engaged the full concert hall with background information and comedic banter between each other.

During the second piece of the evening, Moliner illustrated the concept behind it by moving from three music stands which were to represent the three villages conceptualized in the composition. As she moved between stands the mood and intensity of the music moved with her, creating a real distinction between them.

Members of the audience were nodding their heads and tapping their feet to the guitar rhythms and flute

melodies. When Azabagic began beating on his instrument like a drum intermittently between cords, people could be heard muttering words such as “wow,” and “amazing.”

“They are very well trained, great performance,” said Margaret Worrell.

The Cavatina Duo’s avant-garde approach to musical performance was impressive and entertaining.

The distinctive combination of flute and guitar played with self-described “irregular rhythms,” provided the audience with a truly rare experience.

“I think it was a very delightful performance, very excellent,” said Doris Hurtig. “To me the combination is very pleasing,”

Ashley Nadeau is a junior mass media major. Reach her at ashley.nadeau@ washburn.edu.

YouTube Pick of the Week: Twisted version of Romeo and Juliet

Photos courtesy of youtube.com

David Wiens is a junior English major. Reach him at david.wiens@ washburn.edu.

Photo courtesy of repomenarecoming.com

Matt Wilper WASHBURN REVIEW This week’s YouTube pick is a little sassy. The Pick comes from The Second City Network. It is called Sassy Gay Friend: Romeo & Juliet.

This video takes the tragic love story Romeo & Juliet and tells how it would end if Juliet had a gay friend.

They depict that the gay friend would have talked her out of killing herself.

In this video, the gay friens is very honest with Juliet. This made me wonder, are gay men this honest with the girls they are friends with? I asked around and found out that, yes some gay men can be that honest.

This video gives us a good sneak peak at the relationship between girls and gay men. We might need to start

thanking gay men because suicide rates might go up without them. Let’s be honest, us straight men can be jerks.

Sometimes all a girl needs is someone to be honest with her and tell her she is being stupid and that men are stupid.

One of the best parts of this video is where the gay friend tells Juliet that her life is a wreck. She is about to kill herself over a man she has only known for a week. Along with that, she took ruffies from a priest. Her life choices are a little questionable.

If you find this video to be funny, then look up the Hamlet version. It’s just as funny and is also a twist on a classic.

Watch this video, I found it funny. Til’ next week, stay classy, Washburn.

Matt Wilper is a junior sociology major. Reach her at matt.wilper@ washburn.edu.

Arts & Entertainment • Wednesday, March 24, 2010

A6

Fantasy adventure never ‘Final’ Ashley Nadeau WASHBURN REVIEW

role arc. While Final Fantasy XIII has integrated new abilities, most of the same classic abilities fans know and love can still be learned. New abilities Game: Final Fantasy XIII and attributes for each role are Publisher: Square Enix unlocked as the story progresses and are learned by System: Xbox 360, Playstation 3 spending Release date: March 9, 2010 points earned in battle.

With more than one million sold W h a t in North America within its first five really sets this days, Final Fantasy XIII has become game apart from past the fastest-selling game in franchise Final Fantasy titles, history and for good reason. or any other RPG for that matter, is Moments into the first cinematic the gameplay. While maintaining its cut scene you are blown away by menu-based roots, the battle system smooth, detailed graphics, gorgeous feels much faster and more intuitive artwork and an amazing soundtrack. than its predecessors.

The momentum never ceases in 40 The goal of any encounter is to plus hours of gameplay and story in stagger the enemy by unleashing the three-disc role-playing fantasy chain combos to fill its stagger bar adventure. to maximum. Once an enemy is The dramatic and touching story staggered, high amounts of damage revolves around a cast of six unique can be inflicted along with the and memorable characters (seven potential for air-juggling. if you count the chocobo living in a To be successful in battle it’s best main character’s afro) whose fates to take advantage of the paradigm have been intertwined to reach an system. Up to three characters elusive and sometimes unknown can be in your battle party at goal. These characters all have any given time, each with distinct and likable personalities its own role specializations. and their own personal By adjusting Paradigms motivations. you can set up different role Each character combinations and switch can eventually learn between them mid-battle, abilities from any creating a new level

of strategy and intensity to every encounter.

Much like previous Final Fantasy titles, summons play a major role in the storyline and gameplay. The summons in Final Fantasy XIII are

FFXIII Reviewer’s Opinion

95 %/100.00

Photo by Heather Ramsdell, Washburn Review

Musical marriage: Professors Ann Marie and Lee Snook teach vocal music performance at Washburn University. This Sunday, they will demonstrate their own talents for Washburn students and other Topeka community members. The performance will be in White Concert Hall and is open to the public free of charge.

NOW LEASING FOR FALL 2010!

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known as Eidolons, and include some series staples and introduce some new faces. Each character possesses one Eidolon which can be summoned during battle. The Eidolon fights alongside the character and can also transform with Gestalt mode. During this mode the Eidolon morphs into a different form and the summoner can ride the Eidolon, combining attacks in real time dealing high damage to the target.

Incorporating new and classic elements, Final Fantasy XIII is the most impressive game in the series yet.

Striking visuals, a thrilling storyline, detailed customization and addictive gameplay make Final Fantasy XIII a must have for any fan of the series or anyone who enjoys RPGs. Ashley Nadeau is a junior mass media major. Reach her at ashley.nadeau@ washburn.edu.

Drawbacks:

Improvements:

· Linear exploration · Dull character progression

· Breathtaking graphics · Revamped intuitive combat system · Engaging story line · Diverse characters

Photo courtesy of finalfantasyxiii.com

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review sports washburn university

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Yeager enjoys senior success for golf team Sam Sayler WASHBURN REVIEW

Topeka thinks big about RoadRunners Richard Kelly WASHBURN REVIEW The first-place playoff seed in the North American Hockey League’s South Division is within sight for the Topeka Roadrunners.

After two games this past week in Wichita Falls, Texas, Topeka (42-9-5) now returns home for games tonight and tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. versus the Springfield Jr. Blues. If both games are victorious for the RoadRunners, they clinch the South Division’s first place seed for the NAHL playoffs.

This past weekend, the RoadRunners picked up 7-4 and 8-5 victories over the Wildcats of Wichita Falls. In both games, before even two minutes had passed, Topeka had already scored. In Saturday’s match, Michael Hill nearly scored off the opening faceoff, as Topeka took the lead only five seconds into the first period.

Leading 2-1 after the first period in Friday’s contest, the RoadRunners exploded for four second-period goals with just one for Wichita Falls as they led 6-2 after two periods. The Wildcats would claw back with two unanswered goals in the third period before Cole Schneider put away an empty netter to seal Friday’s contest. Schneider, along with Martin Sunstedt and Patrick Kirtland had two points on the night respectively. Topeka outshot Wichita Falls in Friday’s contest 56-26. Erik Rohrkemper earned the THINK BIG victory with 22 TOPEKA saves.

Saturday night, as said, gave Topeka an early 1-0 lead before Wichita Falls would answer just a minute later to tie the game. In a back and forth first period, Topeka led 4-2 when it ended. The second period cut the Topeka lead to 5-4 when it ended which led to a 3-1 outscoring by Topeka in the third period to pick up the victory.

Evan Karembelas made 24 saves on 29 shots in the win. The ‘Runners had two hat tricks with Hill and Schneider both scoring three goals in the contest. Hill had five points on the night overall.

Erik Higby also had four points in the game, which gave him a total of 78 on the season, first in the NAHL. With tonight and Thursday’s games, Topeka assistant coach R.J. Enga knows Topeka will have to be more defense-oriented after giving up nine goals on the trip.

“We’ll really need to tighten up defensively,” said Enga. “We’ve been working on that in practice this week.

Our forecheck has caused a problem and that can really have an effect on our line-rush defense as a whole.”

Being aware of Jared Rickord and Nick Curry of Springfield has also been a key focus for the team this week. They have 65 and 49 points on the season respectively.

The St. Louis Bandits, who are currently two points behind the RoadRunners, play this Friday and Saturday, but if Topeka is victorious tonight and tomorrow, it will have sealed first place in the South Division.

But Enga won’t look that far ahead right now.

“We just want to take care of things game-by-game,” said Enga. “We want to be playing the kind of hockey that’s going to keep making us successful.”

For Thursday’s game, the RoadRunners have partnered with Think Big Topeka and WIBW for “Google” RoadRunners’ Think Big Topeka night.

Please see TOPEKA page A8

Photo courtesy of Washburn SID

Tough loss: The Lady Blues lost 56-51 to Northeastern State in the second round of the NCAA Tournament during spring break. The Blues finished the season as MIAA champions with a 27-4 record and also beat Central Missouri four times.

Second round letdown at 47-45 with 5:44 to play. With 23 seconds left on the clock, the Blues cut the lead to three points but were unable to overcome. The three Washburn stars, Brette Ulsaker, Hope Gregory and Dayna Rodriguez owned the floor— Ulsaker with 16 points, Gregory with Ben Fitch 14 and Rodriguez with 13. Gregory WASHBURN REVIEW and Rodriguez each recorded their fifth double-double of the season with 12 and 11 rebounds respectively.

The Lady Blues lost to Northeastern “I thought we played well—not State, Feb. 13, in the South Central well enough. No matter how well you Regional semifinals—effectively play, you will always look back and ending their season. They boast a 27-4 say ‘it wasn’t good enough,’” Gregory final record for the season. said.

The regional semifinal game that Unfortunately, the Lady Blues were ended the Blues’ season came out to 56- 18-of-54 from the field and made only 51—a five-point 5-of-26 threedrag that was well “ point attempts accommodated for with 1-of-13 in in the first half. the second half.

I haven’t even gone The team looked “Obviously, back and looked at well, initially, adjustments while it was needed to be our basketball home leading 15-5, six made. I felt like page since we lost. and a half minutes we were in a into the game. position to win,” They managed to Gregory said. bring the spread “Our defense to as much as once again came - Hope Gregory 12 at 22-10 two through but we Junior guard minutes later, but didn’t have much lost the heat when an offensive ” of Northeastern State game.” went on a 15-6 run Before its to close the half. downfall, however, the team faced “We started out the game pretty Central Missouri for the fourth time well. They slowly started coming back this season, and beat them for the fourth point for point and we couldn’t turn the time as well. The Jennies took a lead game around,” said junior guard Hope right off the jump with five points and Gregory. took the lead to 7-3. But Washburn In the second half, the lead answered with a 15-0 run and led 33-19 switched back and forth three times at the half. In two instances, the Blues before the Riverhawks took it for good led by 21. Somewhere between that lead

Lady Blues exit NCAA tournament after second round loss to NE State

and leading by eight is where the game remained. Rodriguez held majority by score with 20 points and 10 rebounds.

Ulsaker scored 18 in addition to four assists. Gregory added 11.

“Knowing that we were going to have to play them again, we weren’t very excited about it, but we had to go into the game focused,” said Gregory.

“Playing any team four times with the last two back-to-back is very difficult,” In contrast to the match up with Northeastern State, Washburn shot 26-of-57 and out-rebounded Central Missouri 40-31. The Blues made four three-point field goals and were 16-of24 from the foul line.

The Blues maneuvered through their season as a noticeable force with attendance at home games reaching a total 26,401. Scoring was 2,199, total, with an opposing 1,714—giving Washburn an average of 70.9 points per game. The Blues also managed a .419 field goal percentage, .350 three-point percentage, .689 free-throw percentage, 41.6 rebounds per game and 15.8 assists per game.

Despite good looking numbers, Gregory said she would have liked a championship.

“I haven’t even gone back and looked at our basketball home page since we lost,” she said.

But credit still goes to the fans.

“We have a great fan base and we always have,” Gregory said. “It’s important for our program to be able to sell, on average, 3,000 tickets, so that’s awesome. It ended too quick.”

Ben Fitch is a senior mass media major. Reach him at benjamin.fitch@ washburn.edu.

Hailing from Chemainus, British Columbia, Canada, senior Dustin Yeager has become a fixture of the Washburn Ichabods golf team. Yeager began his golf career at a young age in quite an unusual manner.

“I started playing golf because my dad got me into it,” said Yeager. “He had to do meetings out on the golf course and babysit. So I was out on the course, running around, and I fell in love with it.”

With only a short time left with the Washburn Ichabods, Yeager has been enjoying every moment of the remainder of his stay with the team.

“My senior year has been my best year so far,” said Yeager. “I had a really good first semester here. I haven’t had a good start to this semester, but you know, I’m trying to turn that around.

Our team’s had a rough year, but we’ve got a lot of tournaments left, and we can turn it around.”

Yeager looks beyond the rough and the green when he thinks of his future, but still keeps it open as an option.

“After this, I’m probably SENIOR going to go FEATURE into financial planning,” said Yeager. “Golf-wise, if I can play professional golf or have that opportunity, I’ll probably go there, because it’s a life-long dream for me.

I’ll go where golf takes me.”

Yeager has also helped to influence the younger members of the team.

“What I think about Dustin is that he’s a good senior leader, he’s a good player,” said sophomore golfer Riley Piles. “He’s real consistent. He’s a real good person to have on the team.”

Coach Doug Hamilton shares his pride of Dustin and how Yeager struggled when he first came to the Sunflower State from British Columbia.

“When he first got here, he wasn’t used to the length of courses we play,” says Hamilton. “He’s done a very good job of developing his game.

“He works very hard, and he has turned himself into one of the better players on our team, and he’s been a great contributor to our program over particularly the last two years in terms of playing in our top five and providing us with scores at tournaments that we can use.”

Hamilton said Yeager has been extremely important to the success of the Bods this season, having won two tournaments this year.

“I’m sure he’s looking forward to a successful spring season here in his senior year,” said Hamilton, “and I think he’ll do an excellent job because he’s a hard worker and very competitive.”

Sam Sayler is an undecided freshman.

Reach him at samuel.sayler@ washburn.edu.

Tennis teams set for conference play Richard Kelly WASHBURN REVIEW

As they returned from their slew of matches, it wasn’t that Dave Alden was necessarily disappointed in his teams’ performances, but a Spring Break full of tennis sure gave them all they could handle.

After a long, enduring trip that gave both Washburn men’s and women’s tennis some tough matches, they now return to begin their conference schedule.

The tough road of matches began at home for the men’s team the Thursday prior to spring break, as they took on Cameron University losing that match 3-5. The men and women then both played that Friday in Topeka versus Ferris State, where the men decisively picked up a 5-0 victory and the women fell 3-5.

Following those matches, Alden and his teams traveled to play four matches in the next five days, all of which took place in Texas.

Alden knew the matches were going to be against tough opponents even before the trip began.

“I think that the level of competition

we see down there pretty consistently is as good if not better than what we’ll see in our own conference,” said Alden.

Traveling to Wichita Falls, Texas, Midwestern State gave the men’s team a fight before Washburn pulled off a 5-4 victory, while the women came just short of a victory in a 5-4 loss.

After a day off and now playing in Dallas against Dallas Baptist, the matches were tough for the women’s team as they fell 5-2, but the men were able to come up with a 9-0 victory.

The following two days, it was to San Antonio, where the women won 5-1 over St. Mary’s University (Texas), a feat equalled by the men. The last match of the trip, which was scheduled to be second to last before the last match was canceled, saw the University of the Incarnate Word pulling off a 5-4 victory over the men and an 8-1 win over the women.

After returning from the trip, Alden felt like the women had the opportunity to win a few matches they didn’t, but was overall pleased with their effort.

“There were a couple matches we lost that were tough ones, which were 5-4. We didn’t play good doubles.

But I think for as tough as the doubles

matches were, we came back and we fought to give ourselves an opportunity to win,” said Alden.

Senior Trang Le Nguyen led the way for the women’s side, going undefeated over the matches beginning with Ferris State while senior Branden Joost won all matches but one beginning with Cameron University and fellow senior Adam Rens won all of his singles matches.

Alden knew his men’s team was close to victory on a couple matches as well that they couldn’t pull off.

“The men’s matches, I think both of those losses were well-played matches. We had opportunities to win both.”

But Alden got what he wanted out of the trip and knows this was big before the conference matches began.

“Now we got out of the trip what I wanted, which was a lot of high-level, good tennis. It

really sets the stage for us to go in and be ready for our conference schedule for sure,” he said.

The conference schedule begins for Washburn with matches against Southwest Baptist at Kossover today.

Richard Kelly is a sophomore mass media major. Reach him at richard. kelly@washburn. edu.

Sports • Wednesday, March 24, 2010

A8

Tourney expansion: Just the 64 of us, UNI

TOPEKA: Tentative ticket count at 7,100

Chris Marshall WASHBURN REVIEW

Continued from page A7 Tiffany Logue, an account executive with the team, said the organizations contacted the RoadRunners to partner up and they couldn’t think of a better way to end for an already fantastic regular season.

“I think this just shows the amazing progress our team has had.

This is one last big bang for the season.

It’s amazing they wanted to sponsor with us and how prevalent we have become,” said Logue. “I think this just shows that we’re being recognized for our devotion to the community and that this owner (Don Stone) is serious.”

The RoadRunners will also offer $1 tickets to the game as well as free parking and $1 hotdogs. Special jerseys will also be worn that night and THINK BIG video will be shot TOPEKA during the game and intermission to be sent to Google. Tentative attendance is said to be near 7,100 at this point and tickets can be purchased at the Kansas Expocentre box office.

Logue thinks there could be a sellout by Thursday and the team is preparing for it. As far as attendance over the year, Logue said this is just a capstone.

“I think all we need to do is look up at this point,” she said. “I can’t see our attendance going down from where we were at the beginning of the season at this point. This is only going to get better.

Enga said it’s exciting for the players, as well.

“In a perfect world, we’d be playing in front of this kind of crowd every night. The guys know about the attendance expected and want to play in front of it,” he said. “They feed off the energy the crowd gives them.”

After the game, the “Human Google Project” will also be done. Fans will have a chance to sign up during the game for a 500 person spelling out of the word Google to be sent in with the other video.

Richard Kelly is a sophomore mass media major. Reach him at richard. kelly@washburn.edu.

Photo by Tesa DeForest, Washburn Review

Keeping busy: Senior pitcher Nicole Perkuhn, who doubles as a pinch hitter, has quite the workload outside of the softball diamond.

She is also participating in her second term as a senator in WSGA and is chair of the Spirit Committee.

Senior senator hits in a pinch be pinch hitting for the Blues against the MIAA standards such as Missouri Western, Truman, Northwest Missouri, Nebraska-Omaha, Pittsburg State and Missouri Southern.

“She has added depth to our pitching,” said coach Lisa Carey. “She’s Ben Fitch an all-around great kid—a leader in the WASHBURN REVIEW dugout and on the field. She is always positive.”

Pitcher Nicole Perkuhn, before the Perkuhn said pitching spurred her start of her senior year, had made 32 love for the game, which she referred to career appearances with 13 starts. And as “pitcher stress.” she loves to hit.

“Every pitch determines what is “You have to have offense in order going to happen,” said Perkuhn. to win a game,” But Perkuhn said Perkuhn. “I hasn’t seen the love it when it’s “ mound for a like—this hit is while, and she is She’s an all-around going to win or okay with that. great kid—a leader lose the game.”

“I’m a And she has coach’s player,” in the dugout and loved it since she said, “if the on the field. She is she played for coach wants Washburn Rural me to be a always positive. where she was cheerleader, then named the Junior that’s what I will - Lisa Carey Blues’ most do.”

Head softball coach valuable player as W h i l e ” pitching a junior and best revealed offensive player Perkuhn’s as a senior. Her freshman year, the team affection for softball, she said she owes made it to state and went undefeated her introduction to the sport to her her senior year. Currently, Perkuhn is father, who recognized her skill early a double major in physical therapy and on. marketing.

“I have been playing since I was a Eager to face her high school little girl,” she said, “I played outfield, teammates, Perkuhn is looking forward first base, then my dad told me if I to the matchup with Emporia State could hit, a coach would find a place April 18. Until then, however, she will for me.”

Perkuhn involved with softball, WSGA and Spirit Committee as a senior

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Ben Fitch is a senior mass media major. Reach him at benjamin.fitch@ washburn.edu.

Bods tied for fourth in MIAA Chris Marshall WASHBURN REVIEW

“It’s nice starting with some of the lower-tier teams since we didn’t get as much of a non-conference schedule The WU baseball squad had its with the weather and everything,” Joy travel plans to MWSU altered over said. “We got a chance to get our feet Spring Break. Rain and snow continues wet and pick up some good conference to shake up the Ichabods’ schedule and wins.” a pair of weekend double headers were After sweeping a double header pushed to Tuesday and today. against the Bulldogs on March 14 with Provided the weather, which has 8-7 and 7-1 wins, the Bods dropped cancelled nine of WU’s games this game one 10-2 on March 15. In the season, stays baseball-friendly, the fourth game, WU bounced back with Bods will play the second of two double an 11-4 win and extended its seasonheaders against the Griffons (9-8, 4-8 long streak of not getting swept by an MIAA) at 4 p.m. today. opponent. With 3-1 series victories Although unexpected snow in against TSU and SBU, and a 2-2 split March has left WU with an off-and-on with PSU, the Bods like where they’re schedule, when the Bods (9sitting, but aren’t satisfied yet.

5, 6-4) were able to take the “We’d like to get up in the WU field over Spring Break, they top two spots of the conference BASEBALL standings, but being in the top performed to expectations.

“We’re playing better four is big for us,” Joy said. offensively and defensively,” said “The top six make the postseason so senior Wes Joy. “We’ve been able to we’d like to stay about where we are put up a lot of runs by coming out and and make sure we get in this year.” just putting it on people and I think our WU wrapped up a 10-game pitching’s gotten better also.” homestand March 16 against Rockhurst The Bods climbed into a tie for and split the nonconference match up fourth in the MIAA with a schedule with a 15-8 game one win and an 11-5 consisting of Truman State, Southwest loss in game two. The Bods haven’t lost Baptist and Pittsburg State, teams that back-to-back games all year, another were picked in the preseason to finish streak they hope to continue with this in the last three spots of the conference week’s games against Mo. Western. standings.

The schedule gets progressively WU won three of four home harder as the season goes on, beginning games against TSU on March 14 and with the Griffons, who sit eighth in the 15 to move above-.500 in the standings. MIAA standings.

The Bulldogs are the MIAA’s last-place team, but the wins give WU confidence Chris Marshall is a graduate student. heading into a tougher stretch of the Reach him at christopher.marshall@ conference schedule. washburn.edu.

Entries Due: Wednesday, March 31 at 4:00pm Tournament will be self scheduled by participants Single elimination tournament will begin April 5 Minimum of 4 entries required before tournament will be held.

Providing awareness, education, opportunities, and support resulting in endearing healthy lifestyle habits

And Perkuhn has a 50 percent batting average. Also, she is a senator in student government. She serves as chair of the Spirit Committee and said her main job is to engage students. Her committee works to get students at athletic events, speaker events and so on. Perkuhn said the main strategy is to get the committee involved, which then leads as an example. This is her second semester as a senator and next year she plans to hold an executive position with WSGA. As of now, her participation in student government accounts for 20 hours a week; that coupled with softball keeps Perkuhn busy.

“I love being a senator,” she said.

“I’m actually one of least political people out there, but Garrett and Caley encouraged me. Now I really feel like I’m a part of Washburn.”

After she graduates, Perkuhn plans to keep softball in her life—possibly coaching.

“I can see me coaching my old high school team, or helping the team out here at Washburn,” she said.

And she loves her team.

“I just want to say thank you to each and every one of them,” she said.

“Each of them has had a different part in my college career. They are a great group of girls, and we will be together through thick and thin. They have made me into who I am. You’re a team now and a team forever.”

March Madness is my Christmas.

Aside from going back in time, having KU beat Northern Iowa by 15 and saving 99 percent of the nation’s brackets, there isn’t a single thing I would change about the NCAA Tournament.

The format, time frame and number of teams allowed in make it the best postseason in sports. However, all three of those things are in danger of being ruined because of expansion talks.

It sounds increasingly likely that the field of 64 is about to be the continent of 96. So many people watch every game of March Madness that adding to the tournament’s length might seem like a good thing. Supporters of expansion argue, “you can’t have too much of a good thing.”

But this is like taking a Viagra and experiencing an erection for longer than four hours. Someone call the doctor because the NCAA Tournament is about to be too big for its own good.

Sure, there would be an entire extra weekend of postseason basketball, which isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s the quality of teams that creates the problem. This year’s bubble was already considered the weakest in years.

SPORTS North Carolina, COLUMN Connecticut and Arizona were all denied tourney bids and none of them even argued because they knew, if anything, they were NIT-worthy.

Expanding to 96 teams wouldn’t just allow teams from the NIT to join the Big Dance. The selection committee would be pulling from the pool of teams in the CBI, CIT, LOL and Zzzzz tournaments as well.

Advocates for expansion argue that any upset is possible in March. Murray State, Cornell and the hateable UNI Panthers are all evidence of this. But for all the craziness we saw last weekend, more than 50 percent of those who filled out brackets would have fared better had they not picked a single upset in the first round.

If someone had picked every team seeded one through eight, their record after the first round would have been 22-10. I watched more basketball than is healthy during the regular season, picked the upsets that were sure to happen and went 21-12. Thanks Siena.

Ohio’s shocking upset of thirdseeded Georgetown might be what sticks out in our minds, but the odds of a lower seed winning aren’t high enough to add to the field. A No. 16 seed has never beaten a No. 1. So is there really a chance that a No. 32 seed could pull off the feat?

Above everything else, the biggest reason for adding teams is the money.

Twice as many teams means twice as much money for the NCAA, but look how that’s worked out for college football. There are too many teams, too many games and the majority of the audience doesn’t tune in until the end of bowl season, when the games actually matter.

People are still likely to watch an extra weekend of March Madness if it were added, but even the smallest details that made the NCAA Tournament perfect would be thrown out of whack: the first two rounds no longer fall on Spring Break, the bracket no longer fits on an 8.5x11 sheet of paper and announcers like Gus Johnson are twice as likely to have their head explode by the end of day one.

Maybe when dealing with something as perfect as college basketball, you can’t have too much of a good thing. But why take the risk of finding out? If the bracket’s not broken, don’t fix it. Northern Iowa’s already reeked enough havoc as it is.

Chris Marshall is a graduate student.

Reach him at christopher.marshall@ washburn.edu.

Tennis Singles Tournament Entries Due: Wednesday, March 24 at 4:00pm Tournament will be self scheduled by participants Single elimination tournament will begin March 29 Minimum of 4 entries required before tournament will be held