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Vol. 79 No. 10 Mercyhurst College 501 E. 38th St. Erie Pa. 16546 January 11, 2006

THE MERCIAD MSG Students smoked out pushes for By Corrie Thearle News editor blue light

As senior Chris Heisler walked into his house on the evening of Monday, special Jan. 2, his fi rst thought was that some- thing did not smell right. By Joshua Wilwohl Editor-in-chief His three roommates were watching football on the television with some friends in the front family room and The Mercyhurst Student Government were surprised when Heisler com- Health and Safety committee proposed mented that it smelled like pickles in to implement a series of 12 emergency the house. posts and six emergency boxes around Immediately following Heisler’s campus. observation the occupants of the house The units will serve as protection inhaled deeply and realized that it was for students and help improve current not the smell of pickles but of some- security measures. thing burning inside the house. In fact According to MSG Vice President the white addition on the brick house at Mike Nichols, the blue light system – as 3906 Pine Ave. was engulfed in fl ames it is called – will consist of “…poles and thick black smoke. An electrical fi re throughout campus that have blue lights had broken out in the back right corner on them and have intercoms as well that of the house around 9:30 p.m. and was go right to police and safety.” spreading rapidly. Police and Safety Chief Ken Sidun Heisler’s other roommates, seniors said the units will send an immediate Chris Williams, Drew Wagner and Justin response to the security offi ce when Waas, went to the back of the house to triggered. “What happens is that if locate the burning smell. Corrie Thearle/News editor someone would trigger a safety pole, When they opened the door to the Joe Mravintz, Justin Waas, Drew Wagner, Chris Williams and Chris Heisler stand in what remains of the then it would go to a board in police back of the house they were met with addition that took the brunt of the scorching, however, their spirits have not been dampened. and safety,” he said. a thick wall of black smoke which “The pole would then act as a two-way obscured their vision into the addition. harmed in the blaze. Despite the radio and we would fi nd out the infor- Waas immediately phoned 911 and the destruction caused by the fi re, Williams mation and send help right away.” rest of the seven occupants left the explained that they are all, “Thankful Nichols said the idea was thought of smoke fi lled house and went outside. that everyone is still alive.” fi ve years ago, but never given consider- They were amazed at the sight that The extent of the damage to the ation until now. “This issue came up in greeted them. Three foot fl ames were house is incredible. The back yellow 1999 and police and safety did research leaping out of the windows and black addition where most of the extreme for it, but MSG pulled out,” he said. smoke was everywhere. fi re damage occurred will be torn down “MSG is now much more for it than it Senior Greg Hoffman, a friend of the in the coming month. The back right was fi ve to six years ago.” tenants, tried to use the garden hose to room was currently used as storage Nichols said Penn State Behrend fi ght some of the fl ames but fi re trucks space. University and Gannon University immediately arrived at 9:43 p.m. Wil- Joe Mravintz, a junior HRIM major already have the emergency posts and liams and Waas directed the fi re fi ghters and close friend of the occupants, Mercyhurst’s proposed plan is to start into the house and towards the fi re in stored many personal belongings such in the summer and fi nish within a year the back addition. as clothes, books and a futon in the or year and a half. The raging fi re was under control by back room. All of these items were According to Nichols, the plan will 9:57 p.m. Erie Fire Inspector Thomas destroyed in the inferno. Corrie Thearle/News editor cost between $100,000 and $120,000. Testrake arrived at 10 p.m. to assess the The room directly across from the Joe Mravintz stands in the room where the fi re started, and where his He also noted the possibilities of receiv- cause of the fi re. Testrake explained storage space housed a couch and tele- personal items were being stored. ing grants to cover the costs. that an electric space heater in the back vision set which were also damaged. Please see Emergency on Page 3 right room was too close to combus- The television set was melted and black be professionally dry-cleaned to eradi- and the Residence Life Staff. Williams tible materials. This is where the fi re smoke has stained the walls. The third cate the smoke smell, along with many commented that he and his roommates started. room in the addition was also used personal items owned by the tenants. were, “Grateful for all the help Resi- Williams commented that all the as another sitting area and contained Currently, Heisler, Williams, Wagner dence Life offered immediately. Laura New grants occupants in the house were, “very a large couch. The walls and couch and Waas are waiting to receive infor- Zirkle personally came to the fi re on calm and cool, everything happened both sustained heavy smoke and fi re mation from their insurance company Monday night to offer us on campus so quickly, I think we handled it very damage. about the costs of the damage. housing.” The students stayed with proposed well.” The fi re spread so rapidly that The brick part of the house has suf- Currently these Mercyhurst seniors friends Monday night and moved into by the time they smelled “burnt plastic fered smoke damage and the basement are living at 3807 Briggs Ave. This their apartment on Tuesday. By Katie Walker Contributing writer and rubber” it was too late. was also fl ooded with water. Most of temporary living arrangement was Fortunately that night no one was the furniture in the house will have to immediately provided by Laura Zirkle Please see Blaze on Page 2 On Tuesday, Jan. 3, Mercyhurst Col- lege President Dr. Michael McQuillen announced a series of grants totaling Geography speaker broadens horizons $36,692 for 30 clubs and organizations on campus. Each grant will benefi t the America is the only place where you college by showing diversity in a series By Stephanie Williams can go from kindergarten to graduate of different ways. Contributing writer school without knowing anything about The largest amount of the grant and geography. Its importance lies in the went to Diversity 101, Residence Life Chelsea Boothe fact that America’s ignorance poses a and Student Conduct and the Student Copy editor threat to national security. Activities Committee for a series of DeBlij wants to stress the importance events regarding the birthday of Martin of Africa because it is where all human- Luther King, Jr. On Jan. 10, Dr. Harm deBlij, geog- ity began. Furthermore, unlike the rest The events will begin on Monday Jan. rapher extraordinaire, graced the Mary of the world, under the sub-Saharan 16, with the third annual Martin Luther D’Angelo Performing Arts Center with part of Africa there is no permeating King, Jr. Day breakfast for students, one of his world renowned speeches on state or religion which currently leaves faculty and staff in the Mercy Heritage “Why Africa Matters.” it susceptible to terrorist antics. Room. There will be two sittings for DeBlij is not only a professor and Knowledge is deBlij’s answer for the breakfast to accommodate different speaker, but used to be the geography America. Due to the fact that he was class and work times. editor for ABC’s “Good Morning born in the Netherlands, lived through The sittings will be from 9 a.m. to 9:45 America,” and won an Emmy award WWII in Europe, moved to Africa a.m. and the other will run from 9:50 for his short series on PBS, “The Power when he was young, went to school in a.m.to 10:30 a.m. During the breakfast of Place.” America, and is constantly teaching on there will be a performance by the Katie McAdams/Photo editor At the beginning of his lecture, deBlij the subject; he seems to be one answer Mercyhurst dancers and also Dr. King’s Dr. Harm deBlij spoke to a full crowd on Tuesday evening in the addressed a prominent crisis within for America’s large knowledge gap. famous “I Have a Dream Speech” will PAC. the educational system: the lack of be recited. emphasis placed on geography. He said Please see Diversity on Page 2 PAGE 2 THE MERCIAD January 11, 2006

NEWS To contact: [email protected] MSG lauches new Website World Briefs An innovative solution for reaching constituencies International news and posting discussion topics for By Carly Wamboldt students to comment on in the Compiled by Contributing writer blog section of the Website.” Corrie Thearle Alito hearing The Website will also offer Senate hearings on President On Jan. 1, Mercyhurst Student students the ability to view who George W. Bush’s nominee for Government (MSG) officially the MSG representatives are. the Supreme Court, Samuel launched its new Website. This There will be pictures available Alito, have begun in the U.S. anticipated launching has re- along with highlights of each Alito, 55, is a conservative who ceived a great amount of support representative. Also, on the is likely to face questioning over from the college. Website there is a letter from the his views on abortion and on the In the past MSG has tried to president along with the MSG reach of presidential powers at a update Lakernet, but encoun- mission statement. time of war. tered many diffi culties. Through Expectations for the Website However, making his open- New Line Creations in Erie their are higher than other past at- ing statement, Mr Alito insisted dream of a more adequate Web- Katie McAdams/Photo editor tempts made by MSG to reach that a good judge is one with no site has been accomplished. Ryam Palm sits of front of the Website he helped create. out to the students and the com- agenda. The hope MSG has for its munity. Other attempts include If approved, he will replace updated Website is that students to get involved in MSG, but also about the importance of the SAC the newsletter provided by MSG. Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, will take more of an interest in contains a section devoted to portion of the Website. Palm believes the new Website who said she was stepping down MSG, and get involved. Ryan the Student Activities Commit- Other interesting things in- will be increasingly successful last year. Palm the MSG treasurer, stated, tee (SAC). cluded on the Website will be because, “the Website is a tool to Judiciary Committee Chairman “fi rstly we [MSG] need to get “It is important for the stu- the blog that will be used by the bring the thoughts and wishes of Arlen Specter began proceedings MSG out there to the students, dents to know what is going to students to discuss different top- the students directly to MSG.” by pointing out that voting for a and demonstrate what exactly be happening around campus,” ics that are issues for MSG. Palm Also, the new site proves to be Supreme Court member was a MSG is all about.” Not only does says freshman representative explains, “MSG will be posting easy to use and very resource- matter of vital importance and the Website encourage students Stephanie Williams when asked the minutes from the meetings, ful. that the committee members should not rush their decision. Grants promote diversity Names in the news Iran resumes nuclear research Continued from Page 1 to faculty. Later in the week on Thursday, in the new year. According By Rob Watson to her mother and manager, European Union leaders say they are very concerned at Iran’s plans Following the breakfast the col- Jan. 19, Diversity 101 will also Knight Ridder Newspapers to resume sensitive nuclear research in the coming hours. Iranian lege’s shuttle will begin transport- present the event “Tabernacle Dina Lohan, Lindsay was offi cials say they will remove seals at nuclear facilities, ending a two- ing those interested to the annual of Praise.” This event will be heading home to New York year suspension of research. Memorial March in downtown held at 7 p.m. in the Union Great Robert De Niro’s new fi lm, to recover after her discharge Western countries fear Iran’s nuclear programme could be used Erie. Students in attendance that Room. “The Good Shepherd,’’ be- Thursday. to make atomic bombs, but Tehran denies such a goal. It says the have discussed missing class with According to Pertrina Williams, gins fi lming in the Dominican No longer content with the project is for the peaceful production of energy only. their professors will be asked to assistant director of residence Republic next week. sugary roles she played in sign in on arrival. life and Diversity 101 director, The fi lm, based on the his- “Herbie: Fully Loaded’’ and Also on Monday from 1-4 p.m. by receiving the grant from Dr. tory of the CIA, stars Ange- “Mean Girls,’’ Lohan is div- Sharon breathes the Student Activities Committee McQuillen we are able to help lina Jolie as the wife of one of ing into deeper waters with and the Student Union staff will students “understand that once the agency’s founders, James Robert Altman’s “A Prairie Ariel Sharon is able to breathe hold a “Refl ection Reception.” upon a time, a man set out to Wilson, who will be played by Home Companion,’’ based independently, say doctors who The reception will feature the change the world and did so in Matt Damon. on Garrison Keillor’s radio have started to bring the Israeli showing of the movie “Eyes on a non-violent manner. Because No word yet on whether show. prime minister slowly out of a the Prize” and refreshments. of his efforts, we are able to Jolie’s “chum” Brad Pitt will Lohan will join the likes coma. Classes are in session on Mon- come together in unity and work be along for the one-week of Woody Harrelson, Kevin As the anaesthetic was reduced, day, Jan. 16. All students and toward a common interest; the shoot. Kline, Tommy Lee Jones and Sharon began responding to employees are encouraged to education of others.” De Niro is stepping into the Keillor himself in the fi lm. pain, but staff at the Hadassah participate in the celebration of This is not the only event that director’s chair for the fi rst Other Lohan projects in- hospital warned the revival pro- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Any Diversity 101 will use the grant time since the acclaimed ``A clude “Bobby,’’ a fi lm about cess would take days. student interested in attending money for; they will also host Bronx Tale.’’ Robert Kennedy that Emilio Sharon has been in an induced the activities must seek approval events to celebrate Black History We can all breathe easier Estevez will direct, and coma since being operated on for from their respective faculty to Month in the month of February. now that pop star Lindsay “Chapter 27,’’ about Mark a major stroke, which he suffered be excused from class. Students There will be a kickoff dance and Lohan has been released David Chapman, who killed on Wednesday. will be required to sign in at the a “Soul Food Dinner.” The days from a Miami hospital after John Lennon 25 years ago. A full assessment of any brain breakfast, march, and afternoon and times for these events will be a bout with asthma. Lohan damage Mr Sharon may have reception so that attendance can announced in the near future. had been in Florida to ring suffered can only be made once be confi rmed and communicated the process of weaning him off the sedation is complete. Damaging blaze disrupts lives Bird fl u spreads

Five new human cases of bird Room where the electrical fl u have been confi rmed in sev- space heater started the fi re. eral Turkish provinces, pushing the number of people infected up to 14, offi cials say. The cases, identified as be- ing of the deadly H5N1 strain, mean the virus is now present Ceiling damage. in the east, north and centre of the country. Three Turks have died, two teenagers and one child, and cor- Where the new addition begins. respondents say fear is spreading rapidly across the country. Health experts say there is no sign the virus is passing from human to human. Kitchen Melted television set. Living Room Stairs down Ex-dictator Pinochet granted bail Where the roommates were watching televi- Ex-Chilean dictator General Augusto Pinochet was granted bail Smoke damage through- sion before they real- on Monday after seven weeks’ house arrest for charges relating to out ized their house was his years in power. Stairs up The motion by Judge Victor Montiglio, who suggested bail of on fi re. $19,000, must be ratifi ed by the court of appeals. It relates to the disappearance and presumed death of three leftists. Dining Room Gen. Pinochet, 90, was Chilean leader from 1973-1990, when an estimated 3,000 people died in political violence. 1st level fl oorplan A fi nal ruling on bail for Gen Pinochet is expected later in the week.

U.S. reporter abducted Porch Jill Carroll, a freelance journal- ist currently on assignment for The Christian Science Moni- Continued from Page 1 and stored. situation was a joking matter. I met these students and inter- tor, was abducted by unknown There was one particular inci- Unfortunately the only “joke” viewed them for the article, I gunmen in Baghdad Saturday campus housing.” The students dent that did upset the students Monday night was the sad fact was greeted friendly and warmly. morning. stayed with friends Monday night the night of the fi re. Wagner that some Mercyhurst college Thankful that no one was hurt Her Iraqi interpreter was killed and moved into their apartment explained that many people students could be so ignorant and that the entire house was during the kidnapping. Iraqi on Tuesday. They plan to stay showed up from around the and callous towards their fellow not irrevocably damaged, these police say they are searching for on campus for about a month surrounding area to witness the students. students were happy to be simply Ms. Carroll. Several Westerners until they are able to move back blaze. Some of the bystanders Despite this upheaval in their hanging out with one another are currently being held hostage into their house on Pine Avenue. were Mercyhurst students who personal lives, Heisler, Williams, and watching “Caddyshack” on in Iraq. Until that time they will be mov- viewed the event as entertain- Wagner and Waas have resumed their 52-inch HDTV which mi- No group has yet claimed re- ing out the furniture and other ment. Some of these students their daily routines and academic raculously survived the fi re. sponsibility for the kidnapping. items in the house to be cleaned were laughing and thought the schedules at Mercyhurst. When January 11, 2006 THE MERCIAD PAGE 3

To contact: [email protected] News New Webmail causes headaches and I don’t think that it should think it is much more effi cient, By Sarah Sheehan be necessary to download a new but lacks character and per- Contributing writer browser just because Mercyhurst sonality.” The problem of the updated their e-mail program.” e-mail opening at the bottom Recently Mercyhurst Webmail The art department also of the window can be changed has gotten a new look. Many uses Mac computers and Andy immediately in your Preferences of you may believe that they Lapiska, a current art student, as well as other options within changed the program because describes their situation. “The the system. the Information Technology new system is not compatible Lindsey Stefko’s comment (IT) Department just wanted a with MAC browsers, that leaves refl ects the majority of the Mer- new design. the entire art department in the cyhurst student body opinion, However, Pat Benekos, the dark. I would e-mail a complaint “I don’t really understand why director of the IT department, but I can’t.” a new system was necessary. It that the vendor we get our Web- Pat Benekos agrees that this got a little facelift but it does not mail program through upgraded is one of the biggest prob- appear that any of the problems and if we wanted to remain with lems that is occurring with the of the old e-mail have been cor- that vendor we would have to upgrade. It is not possible for rected with this new system.The upgrade as well. Mac computers to use Internet change did not seem necessary If the upgrade had not been Explorer with Webmail but she and many people I know still done, there would have been sup- suggests downloading Mozilla prefer the old e-mail system.” port issues. The IT department Firefox. There is a link on the But the upgrade was not a waited to make sure the system IT department’s webpage for this choice, but a need and, although worked with other companies free download. there may be minor problems before purchasing the program. Other students fi nd it confus- within the system, it is just a new The benefi ts to this new soft- ing, such as Chrissy Biddle who look and design that will take ware is based more “behind the The new Webmail system is causing problems for students. described, “I like that it is a fresh time to adjust to but in the end scenes” such as good on-line new look, but I think that it is it still completes it’s purpose of help and it is smoother running. also minor performance issues not able to be fi xed, then it will the new upgrade. more confusing and harder to sending and receiving e-mails. The software runs in a very but hopefully they will be able be necessary to upgrade the Students disagree. There have read and reply to e-mails. Pat Benekos expressed, “With similar way as Microsoft Outlook to tweak the service. school’s server. been uproars of people com- I think it would be fi ne if they every upgrade of a program, and there have been few reported The IT department’s goal is to Other errors that have occurred plaining about the new system would not open the e-mail at the old problems will be corrected, problems. make the needed adjustments with the upgrade is the problem and how it does not work well bottom of the screen because it however there will always be new There was a brief problem and correct the performance er- of .jpeg and .bitmap fi les not and it is too confusing. is fl ashy and distracting. I mean, issues that need adjusted.” with the transfer of Contacts rors, and they feel that this will transferring over and becoming Liz Lindsey who owns a Mac at least it doesn’t look cryptic She also encourages students to of individual’s e-mail but within not be completed for another corrupted. Besides this problem, expressed her feelings towards anymore!” change their Preferences, which the last week the IT department month. there have been no other major the new system. “As a Mac user, And another student, Steve is beneath the contacts on the left has been able to fi x it. There are However, if these errors are problems that have risen yet with I can’t even access my e-mail Faber expressed his opinion. “I side of the window. MSG proposes emergency posts Students experience the Continued from Page 1 campus.” McNurlen also empha- Senior representative and the sized that female students are history convention Health and Safety chairwoman, always warned about strange Ashley Masi, said the project things happening on campus and By Chelsea Boothe to hearing the results of the would serve as an excellent as- that the blue light system will Copy editor competition, which is based set to campus and needs to be help nullify some anxiety. on the actual paper and the underway soon. “I know I would feel a lot presentation itself. “It is a big project and would safer walking by myself at night Last week, Jan. 4-6, the 2006 Upon refl ecting on the con- be a good investment,” she said. if there was something there,” Biennial Convention was held vention Taylor said, “It was a “Even though we are a safe cam- she said. for the Phi Alpha Theta (PAT) great learning experience, one pus, we do not want to wait until Sophomore Kyle Jackson dis- History Honor Society in Phila- of which I was able to excer- something bad happens.” agrees with the blue light pro- delphia. cise my public speaking and Masi, who is an ambassador, posal. “I think it would be a waste Three Mercyhurst students, historography skills that I have said that she receives questions of money,” he said. “Police and Gregory Stelter, JoEllen Taylor obtained throughout my four about the blue light system, Safety seem to be able to keep and Chelsea Boothe, all pre- morning. years at Mercyhurst.” however, does not see it as a main campus safe enough.” sented papers at the conven- At the PAT convention each recruiting feature. Sophomore Andy Finkle tion. Dr. Randall Howarth from student is put in a room with “As an ambassador, I receive a agreed with Jackson. “I think by the history department and a two other presenters and a lot of questions regarding the is- Dartmouth College installing the blue light poles, the member of the PAT joined the moderator who has previously sue,” Masi said. “But, the motive Dartmouth College uses the school is implementing fear on students as the advisor. read the papers. is not primarily for recruiting.” blue light system. the campus; there is no need for It was a three-day event that Each session is based on a Nichols agrees. “I can’t speak the posts at all,” he said. involved months of prepara- topic, for instance Modern for ambassadors, but this is a been asked on a handful of tours MSG President Dan Schuler tion for the presenters. The Europe or Ancient History, recurrent theme that comes up in whether or not we have it, so it is said the government is very excit- deadline for submission was in and typically the moderator has questions when tours are given,” a slight concern to at least a few ed to lend its support to the blue mid-November and the dead- some form of expertise in the he said. “The admissions offi ce families looking at the school.” light security system project. line for the paper to be turned category. can pitch that we have them, and Sophomore Jessica McNurlen “This endeavor is a result of into the moderator was Dec. 23. Following the presentations I think it will make students feel hopes the school will consider the hard work and vision of our During this period the papers ,questions are asked by both the safer on campus.” constructing the blue light sys- Health and Safety committee, are constantly going through moderator and/or the audience Sophomore ambassador Jessica tem to be in the same safety which has dedicated itself to changes and revisions. concerning the papers. Kocent said the school would be loop as most other colleges. taking a proactive approach to The group from Mercyhurst Stelter, Taylor and Boothe better safe than sorry to place “We might just be the only col- campus safety,” he said. “At this arrived on Jan. 5 and was able to all received positive feedback the poles. lege that doesn’t have them,” point we are still in the project’s tour a little bit of Philadelphia and comments concerning “As a female student I’ve never she said. “Just because we are a initial phases and working on a before presenting the following their papers and look forward feared for my safety on this cam- small school doesn’t mean that formal proposal for the admin- pus,” she said. “However I have bad things cannot happen on istration.” ‘Hurst contributes to blood bank ‘Hurst graduate program ucts,” she said. The Community Blood Bank By Lakyn Bianco Last spring Mercyhurst had the is a local, non-profi t organiza- Contributing writer most donors out of all drives tion whose national affi liate is among Edinboro, Gannon and America’s Blood Centers. All of continues to expand Mercyhurst College Rotaract Penn State Behrend. None of the blood donated with Com- According to Dr. Michael Club and the Community Blood the other campuses in this area munity Blood Bank will stay in grams from which to choose, By Jonelle Davis Lyden, the three Web based Bank are sponsoring a blood have achieved more than 100 the area. It is the only supplier of Contributing writer and most require significant courses are being provided drive Wednesday, Jan. 11 from donors. blood to all patients and hospitals travel – and schedule juggling,” through the Online Consor- noon to 5:30 p.m. in the Baldwin Basic requirements for blood in Erie, Elk, McKean and Warren said Lyden The Mercyhurst College Of- tium of Independent Colleges Hall lobby for faculty, staff and donation are that you must be at counties. The idea of a Web based fi ce of Adult & Graduate pro- and Universities. students. least 17 years old and weigh at “We are very excited to be re- programs was created to reach gram is offering a new graduate The consortium is comprised Everyone who donates will least 110 pounds. Those inter- turning to Mercyhurst. We look more students and provide new certifi cate in Non-Profi t Man- of institutions similar to Mer- receive a red awareness band. ested in giving blood must be in forward to seeing our regular learning opportunities. agement. cyhurst, and include several Donors will also have the chance general good health and eat well donors as well as the chance to “The goal of our distance Students can now receive a Mercy colleges. It was orga- to enter to win a pair of Peek n’ the day of donation. Donors meet some new ones,” Renaud education initiative is to ex- masters of science in organiza- nized by Regis University as a Peak lift passes. There are three must also wait 56 days between said. tend learning opportunities to tion leadership with a concen- way for members to share their pairs of passes available, and donations. The Community Blood Bank adult and graduate populations tration in non-profi t manage- distance education resources. entries will be drawn at the end Blood and blood products like encourages those who are in- that are not currently served ment, or a graduate certifi cate “The online courses provide of the day. red blood cells, plasma and plate- terested but unfamiliar with through our on-campus pro- in non-profit management instruction in such topics as Deanna Renaud, Mobile Drive lets, are used to treat accident donating blood to stop in Bald- gramming.” through a Web based program marketing, finance, and vol- Coordinator of the Community victims, cancer patients and other win this afternoon for more “For example, our graduate that starts March 8. unteer management and can Blood Bank, encourages regular patients undergoing surgeries information. certificate in applied intel- The 12-credit graduate certifi - be accessed 24 hours a day, and new donors to give today. and medical treatment. Despite fl u season and weather ligence is being offered to cate includes three Web-based seven days a week. A program “Mercyhurst College has al- Each year only 5 percent of conditions, Rotaract and the intelligence professionals in courses in non-profi t manage- that offers relevant content in ways responded very well to the eligible donors in the United Community Blood Bank are hop- the Washington, D.C. area,” ment and one classroom based a convenient format should be Community Blood Bank blood States give blood, while every two ing for high turnout today. said Lyden. course in leadership theory and well received. drives. Successful blood drives seconds someone needs a blood “I hope that this drive will New students can apply for practice. “The online format should be in the past have seen nearly 100 donation to survive. Approxi- be as successful as in the past,” the masters of science in or- The Masters program is 30 of particular interest to those donors in one day. When you mately 40,000 units of blood are said Nicole Ruffo on behalf of ganizational leadership with credit hours and includes six working in smaller communi- consider that one pint of blood used in the U.S. each day which is Rotaract Club. a concentration in non-profi t core courses in leadership, ties throughout the tri-state can save three lives, you can see why eligible donators are encour- Rotaract will be sponsoring management for fall, winter or three Web-based courses in region. These individuals often how much the Mercyhurst com- aged to give. another blood drive in March. spring admission. munity is doing to help those in “It’s quick, easy, and it saves non-profit management and have a limited range of pro- need of blood and blood prod- lives,” Renaud said. a thesis. PAGE 4 THE MERCIAD January 11, 2006 FEATURES To contact: [email protected] Undertaking an exhilarating experience Study-abroad program in South Africa provides student with global eye-opening, educational insight

hand perspective. ber with hundreds of whales in By Jen Helbig “I didn’t really know what to the Indian Ocean, and we at- Contributing writer expect before I left; I truthfully tempted to go shark cage diving didn’t know the current status of right before we left. We weren’t Study abroad is not simply racism and the slow progression able to go, though, because the another tourist experience spent of their new democracy.” day before a surfer had been inside museums and on a tour However, after living in the killed by a shark in those wa- bus. society for a few months, Craft ters.” Imagine surfi ng for a week in was able learn from her own ex- Although bungee-jumping and the surfi ng capital of the world, periences with racism, witnessing shark cage diving might seem un- diving backwards off the Guin- poverty, AIDS education, ram- fathomable risks to many, Craft ness Book of World Records pant crime and safety issues. said that being adventurous is highest bungee jump, learning “I was defi nitely a minority in just part of her personality. to speak Xhosa, a tribal clicking the townships; I was very exotic Even though Craft is safely language, sky diving from 9,000 to them, which was something back in Erie, she said that she feet over the cape, climbing new. There were some places is still adjusting to the different Cederburge Mountain and go- that I couldn’t get into because I culture, and trying to incorpo- ing on safaris, all in addition to was white, and there were other rate her experience into her life studying. Above: places that only allowed whites; here. For senior Karyn Craft, this In order to teach 58 sixth- segregation was one of the big- “I am defi nitely trying to work adventure became a reality during graders in Kayamandi Af- gest challenges we as Americans on a fundraiser,” she said. “I’d a fi ve month trip to South Africa. rica, Karyn Craft learned to faced in S.A. There was a lot like to send some school supplies She stayed at the Afrikaans Uni- speak the native language, of haggling when we were out over for the kids at the school I versity of Stellenbosch, which Xhosa. with blacks and coloreds,” she taught in. It is so devastating that is about 30 minutes outside of added. these kids don’t even have basic Cape Town. Although the problem of rac- things like pencils and crayons.” “I went from July 10 until No- At right: ism could be bothersome, Craft South Africa has made her vember 19,” Craft said. “I met Craft got an adrenaline rush stood up for herself. want to work in an altruistic job 26 other Americans from around from her various adventures “I was one of fi ve white people after graduation. the country in London. We actu- in South Africa. from the University among over “Ideally, I want to establish ally arrived in London the day 500 blacks from the area to myself fi rst, travel the world, and after the Tube bombings, but we Contributed photos march through Stellenbosh for then work for an NGO and do did some sight-seeing for three civil rights and equal opportuni- Humanitarian work,” she said. days and then fl ew to Africa.” and although most people know English along with history and neighborhoods. ties for blacks and coloreds at the “Eventually I want to own a Craft’s major is communica- a bit of English, she needed geography, ” Craft said. “There are over 80,000 families University.” home in South Africa.” tions, but she took a variety of to learn basic Afrikaans to get However, teaching in South living in the Cape Flats, one of Craft was also touched by Although culture shock is in its classes at the university, including around town, and Xhosa so that Africa was very different from the many townships,” Craft said. civil rights issues when she met fi nal stages, Craft realizes that her comparative politics, truth and she could share English with the in the States. “The gap between the rich and Max Depree, a well known and life has drastically changed, and reconciliation commission, wine students in her classroom. Craft said that racism, poverty the poor is atrocious. Over there, infl uential writer and activist on said, “We are so blessed to have tasting and jewelry making. “I learned to speak Xhosa in and AIDS are pressing issues in there are blacks, whites and col- apartheid issues during apart- what we do; it is so easy to take “Our classes were taught in order to teach,” she said. “I took the country. oreds. They are not subtle about heid. Craft also visited Robbin everything for granted. I would English, but the atmosphere was three weeks of intense language Black people are divided into labeling at all. When I got there, Island and stood in Nelson encourage everyone to travel and very different from here. They classes, as well as a full semester townships or informal settle- it made me feel like I had gone Mandela’s cell. get out of the United States; see are laid back there; time is not of Xhosa. I taught in Xhosa to ments, which are blighted with back in time.” While the trip taught Craft a what the rest of the world has really an issue. It’s actually a very 58 sixth-grade students in an all poverty. Most families living in Craft said that her truth and lot about the politics and racial to offer. I guarantee will change relaxing place to be,” Craft said. black school in the township of these townships are living in reconciliation commission class issues of the country, the expe- your life forever.” Craft had to learn another Kayamandi.” scrap sheds, made from metal, was taught by someone who had rience was not all work and no Craft concluded with a quote language, however, to be able to “There was no electricity, cardboard and any other materi- grown up during apartheid and play. “We did so many things from Nelson Mandela: “There is communicate while outside of no running water, not even a als they could gather. experienced the horrifi c events while we were there and made nothing like returning to a place the classroom. door handle on the door; my To make matters worse, the of that time; it was crucial to friends from all over the world,” that remains unchanged to fi nd She explained that South Af- ‘classroom’ refl ected the life my poverty is on a large scale, not learn about the changing society she began. ways in which you yourself have rica has 11 official languages, students were living. I taught just affecting pockets of some and its problems from a first “We went kayaking in Septem- altered.”

Sports Management Department Coping with midterm stress behind the scenes at Olympic events nationwide are sponsoring re- math department at St. Louis By Alexa Aguilar lief activities for students. Knight Ridder Newspapers University. By Michelle Brewer In the past 10 to 15 years, she During midterms week, May Contributing writer said, universities have become increases the number of cook- A massage won’t necessar- more focused on making sure ies he bakes to cover all the stu- ily help college students write students succeed once they ar- Many of us only see people at- dents in the study lounges of that essay on Russian literature, rive on campus. tempting events such as bobsled- Reinert Hall, where he lives. and a pancake breakfast won’t “We as administrators and ding or luging on movies such He hopes the students re- assist them with chemistry staff don’t want to add to their as “Cool Runnings” or on TV frain from the stereotypical equations. stress, but rather, we want to shows reminiscent of “Jackass.” all-nighters. But universities nationwide minimize it,” she said. However, for seven students of “It was a bad idea when I was are turning to such gimmicks For the past fi ve years, the the Sports Management Depart- in school, and it’s a bad idea as college students face tough university’s Office of Stu- ment and two professors, nothing now,” he said. midterm and fi nal exams. dent Activities has sponsored but the World Cup will do. Still, that’s the plan for Universities in the St. Louis, “stress-free zones.” During the first week of many. Mo., metro area now offer ev- This year, students can get Thanksgiving break, Dr. Chris Kyle McFarland, a senior in erything from yoga, backrubs professional (and free) mas- Lachapelle organized a trip to biomedicine and genetic engi- and late-night pancake break- sages, sip on hot chocolate, do Lake Placid, N.Y. enlisting Dr. neering at SIUE, anticipates a fasts to playtime with faculty yoga exercises, watch a movie, Ed Grode as a chaperone to take 14-hour day today in prepara- members’ dogs. play board games, do arts and with them a number of students tion for his population genetics Students can sumo wrestle, crafts, decorate cookies and who would volunteer at the and biomedicine midterm on play midnight games of dodge- play with faculty/staff mem- Olympic qualifying event. Wednesday. He was already at Contributed photo ball and emit “primal screams” bers’ dogs. The students which consisted Starbucks early Saturday morn- out their dorm windows at But all of the fun and food of four boys and three girls, Mercyhurst students gained sports experience at Olympics. ing and was preparing for long designated times. doesn’t necessarily mean stu- were given the opportunity to nights ahead. Nobody’s claiming the stress dents feel calmer. rub elbows not only with men had to get them tested within though she and her fellow mono- He said he’d feel embarrassed relievers help students ace their Though students can chill and women performing the jobs an hour of having them sign the lingual peers didn’t know what by a massage, and that he would exams. out with some pancakes and a they’re preparing for in school, contract. they were saying, they all knew be home studying instead of But universities offering yoga massage, they still tend to pro- but also with Olympic athletes Senior Lisa McAllister de- they were pumping each other up eating pancakes at midnight. and popcorn and cider want to crastinate, offi cials said. such as Vanetta Flowers, the fi rst scribed her experience. and it was pretty remarkable. The way he deals with give them the chance to blow Carnaghi, of Washington African American to win a gold She was asked if the athletes She said it was also astonishing stress? off some steam. University, said students seem medal (in the winter Olympics were fi rst of all, huge and number to see the track from the top of “The thing that gets me Jill Carnaghi, assistant vice to place more pressure on of 2002). two, if they were open and kind the hill that the students hiked. through it is that after Thurs- chancellor for students and themselves than ever before. The event housed about 18 people. She described the track as being day, I’m done,” he said. “I’m director of campus life at “They are under stress and represented countries of men She responded that number perpendicular to the ground and going out after it’s done and Washington University in St. going crazy,” said the Rev. and women’s bobsledding, luging one they were huge and number the speed of the racers so fast then I’m sleeping in.” and skeleton racing. two, they weren’t allowed to en- that they had to learn to snap Louis, said more universities Michael May, chairman of the The girls and guys were as- gage in conversation with them attempted pictures when they signed volunteer responsibili- but that some of them did talk heard the racers as opposed to ties in different areas. The girls to the students and were very seeing them. were given the task of helping pleasant. The students also got to visit the the United States Anti-Doping She said she met a woman who, famous 1980 (recently renamed Agency (USADA) and the guys like herself, was from Canada and Neil Brooks after the coach) of helping security clearance. that it was nice to meet “Ameri- arena in which the Americans The guys were given access to cans, as well as athletes from my beat the Russians in a “Miracle” a private deck area and were told country too.” produced hockey upset. to check everyone’s clearance The students were there from Thanks to Lachapelle and and not to allow anyone without Thursday night through Saturday his previous work with Demi- a proper badge entry. afternoon and though they had try Feld, marketing director of Each girl was responsible for both morning and afternoon bobsledding, the students were locating the first, second and events, they still found some given the opportunity to work third place winner of each event free time to watch some of the alongside men and women of and escort them to a contract races. their chosen fi eld as well as expe- signing, informing the athlete of McAllister described the chants rience something few of us can a necessary drug screening. that each group did to psych say we have. The girls were not to let the themselves up before the race. athlete out of their sight and She said it was amazing because January 11, 2006 THE MERCIAD PAGE 5 FEATURES To contact: [email protected] A healthier column The New Year has begun, so which is not a great place to start because in the morning you With Jen refrigerators are packed with if you are making resolutions to are usually dehydrated. Having absolutely do not like fruit, try skim milk and the gym is fi lled to be a better you. enough water in you will help adding something to it (such as its capacity of new resolutions. To get on track, you fi rst need keep your body balanced and will a tablespoon of peanut butter If you are one of the many to wake up in the morning, and be necessary if you are going to on a banana or apple) or eating a who have resolved to take better waking up early doesn’t mean work out later. fruit salad if you don’t like to eat care of yourself in 2006, then after 10 blows to the snooze but- Third, EAT SOMETHING. a single whole piece of fruit. listen up. I don’t guarantee that ton. Go to bed at a decent time, I’m not talking about a cereal that Follow these simple guidelines you will lose a pound a day, but and attempt to get eight hours of is chopped up cookies or a candy to start your day off, and you will if you take this advice, you will sleep. This might seem diffi cult, bar. There are so many products be full of energy from a healthy be better off than many of your but try rebudgeting some time on the market today for any taste source to power you for the rest peers. during the day (turn off the TV) preferences; you will most likely of the morning. I was watching television the and you might just fi nd an extra be able to fi nd something that The great thing about breakfast other night, and “Real Life, I’m hour or two. you will like. is that it only takes a few minutes on a Diet” came on MTV. I Once you’re up, make the most One of my favorites is oatmeal to prepare and eat, but it is just was disgusted to watch a beauty important decision yet: have (make it with skim milk instead enough time to get ready for the KRT Graphic pageant contestant starve herself breakfast. of water for some extra calcium) day ahead. If you are ready and Many people harbor unhealthy body image conceptions. on cottage cheese. Although her A good breakfast is probably with raisins in it. If you go to the positive, that is all that you need mom knew that crash dieting is one of the best ways to start your store, buy the large container for to get started on your new year’s unhealthy, she did nothing to diet, for a number of reasons. three dollars instead of the boxes resolution. stop her daughter from her dras- First, if you wake up rested, you with six individual packets which Starving yourself or eating the tic weight loss for the pageant. won’t be groggy and cranky. If run you about the same amount same food every day will only Food diagnosis Next, a college athlete dis- you wake up positive, you will of money bring you down and make it Counseling Center offers free cussed his history of bulimia feel better about your body and If the plain oatmeal is not ap- tougher to lose weight. So good and then went on to describe yourself, and you will be more pealing to you, though, go ahead luck with your resolution, every screenings and helpful himself as hungry and tired all inclined to want to stay healthy and buy the packaged, eating the day is a great day the time – but considered him- for the day. packet with its sugar and fl avor- to eat healthy! information on recognizing and self healthy. Next, try to avoid too much ings does beat eating a muffi n American society is so obsessed caffeine and don’t just sit down and grande cappuccino from the fi ghting eating disorders with thin or thick, they will obvi- with a huge glass of orange juice. bookstore on the run to class. ously do anything, even present If you do have juice, make sure Eat a piece of fruit. I am not ment of the college experience is unhealthy behaviors through it is actual juice (not just Sunny always in the mood for some- Mercyhurst Counseling Center overshadowed by calorie count- Contributed article the media and make them seem Delight or another fruit fl avored thing sweet in the morning, ing, compulsive exercising and normal. I think that this distorts beverage). Drink a glass of water so I keep a variety in the worrying about clothing size. reality, and puts many vulnerable with your usual breakfast drink. apartment, and usually can Many people across the United “You CAN free yourself from people in an insecure mindset, This will help to hydrate you, fi nd a piece that I like. If you States battle eating disorders. these worries, and we are here In fact, many of these same to help you learn how,” Brieger people have no idea that they explained. Strawberry Banana Chocolate have an actual diagnosable dis- Counselors emphasize that ease. even those who do not have a The fi rst step in fi ghting any diagnosable eating disorder can type of illness is to fi nd out ex- benefi t from this awareness day. Ingredients actly what you are up against. Food concerns, body dissatis- 2 bananas Here are a couple questions faction and low self-esteem can 1 cup of strawberries that if you answer “yes” to, may keep a student from achieving 1 cup chocolate soy milk (buy lowfat if you feel inclined. Do indicate you have been adopting at school or sports and hinders not use a regular gallon of chocolate milk because it will unhealthy eating patterns or pos- social activities like dating or be- give you more calories for the same fl avor. Trust sibly have an eating disorder. ing with friends. Are you dissatisfi ed with your me, the soy milk is excellent.) Educational materials and a body or have an intense fear of free, anonymous screening test gaining weight? will be available to help students Directions Do you over-exercise, restrict stop unhealthy eating habits be- 1. Peel bananas and freeze overnight. calories or think about food all fore they evolve into full-blown 2. Trim and wash the strawberries. the time? eating disorders. 3. Combine all three ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth. If it is too thin, Do you avoid eating around The prevalence of bulimia ner- other people, or feel that food vosa keep counselors concerned add some ice cubes and blend. If it is too thick, add more milk. For an extra boost has a power over you so that you as studies indicate that incidents of protein (and therefore energy) add a quarter package of silken light tofu and blend. You won’t even can’t stop eating even when you of bulimia may be as high as 15 notice that it is there. are full? percent in college-aged women. Don’t continue these unhealthy Bulimia nervosa is character- Wake up and enjoy! routines. ized by recurrent episodes of If you are concerned about binge eating followed by purging, your eating habits, or those of a dissatisfaction with body shape friend, you may fi nd it helpful to and size, and fear of gaining talk to counselors through the weight. Counseling Center. Other eating disorders include Lifesaving endeavor Mercyhurst College will be anorexia nervosa and binge eat- observing the annual Eating ing disorder. Student takes the time to donate stem cells for needy recipients Disorders Awareness Day on Anorexia nervosa involves an Jan. 31. intense fear of gaining weight Adult stem cells differ from The center will be offering and self-starvation. By Merissa Frank embryonic stem cells. screenings for eating disorders Binge eating disorder is charac- Contributing writer Also on the Website, it de- and information on how to stop terized by recurrent binges when scribes adult stem cells as found letting food, weight and calories the person feels out of control Danny Mudd, a freshman with as undifferentiated cells among control your life. and eats a large amount of food an undecided major, spent two differentiated cells in tissues or The screenings will be held at at one sitting. days in West Penn hospital in organs. Hermann Student Union on Jan. In contrast to bulimia, binge Pittsburgh in November. They remain non-dividing for a 31 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. eaters do not purge their body However he wasn’t ill. number of years until disease or “If the number on the scale of the food. Mudd was making a stem-cell tissue injury activates them. determines whether or not you To learn more, stop by the Stu- donation. Stem cells are found in the have a good day, we can help dent Union on Jan. 31, from 11 Sitting comfortably, he began brain, bone marrow, skin and the you learn how to refocus that a.m. to 4 p.m. and see what the to talk about his experiences. liver as well as other organs. energy onto other things,” said Eating Disorders Awareness Day He fi rst made a blood donation How does donating stem cells Julie Brieger, a member of the may have to offer you. about four years ago. work? Counseling Center staff. He explained that his mom To prepare, Mudd said four KRT photo “It’s a shame when the excite- suggested he donate blood. days before he was to go to West Danny Mudd underwent a three-hour donation process. She said there wasn’t much Penn Hosptial in Pittsburgh, he to it, so why not help those in received a daily injection at the that was straight and still for need. Cohen Student Health Center. those long three and a half He kept donating as often as This shot caused him to pro- hours. was allowed, then began to do- duce an excessive amount of The returning needle in the nate blood marrow. stem cells within his system. other arm was smaller, pump- To donate stem cells, though, Initially, stem cells are created ing a saline solution through his he isn’t sure if the blood types and stored in the bone marrow. veins, which “felt a little weird,” have to match. The injections he received he said. Mudd has been donating made so many stem cells that they The stem cells Mudd donated through an organization in the spilled into the blood stream. were then transported to some- United Kingdom called the Na- He received the fi nal injection one in need of them. tional Blood Center. the day he went into the hospital. He isn’t sure where his stem When he made his stem cell From there, it was fairly smooth cells went after they were re- donation in Novembe, all costs sailing. moved, but last he heard it was were billed to the organization, Mudd said both arms were somewhere in Germany. so there was no cost to him or hooked up to the machine that He is interested in contacting his insurance provider. separates the stem cells from the the person, though privacy laws According to the Website blood for three and a half hours restrict such things. http://stemcells.nih.gov, stem each day. He is allowed to send an anony- cells are able to reproduce into a He explained that the process mous letter to the recipient. variety of cell types in the body. was not overly painful. There were no personal expe- They are like a repair system “It was a bit painful at times, riences that motivated Mudd to for the body and can theoretically but mostly it was just uncomfort- begin donating blood, other than divide without limit to replenish able to hold one arm completely his mom’s suggestion. cells as long as the person, or straight and still that long,” he With a sheepish sort of grin, animal, is still alive. said. Mudd said he sees it as “giving When each stem cell divides, it “There was a TV so I wasn’t up an hour of your time to help can either remain as a stem cell too bored.” someone else, there’s not much or become a specialized cell, like The needle removing the blood to it, so why not?” a blood cell or a muscle cell. was large, inserted into the arm PAGE 6 THE MERCIAD January 11, 2006

OPINION To contact: [email protected] Campus Question New Outlook for Webmail problem Microsoft Outlook offers a feasible solution for problems caused by Webmail As a student, do you enjoy the The overstated maxim that “change is good” student was facing, I decided to explore the tanta- does not seem to be the case with Mercyhurst’s lizing ways of Microsoft Outlook. new e-mail system. To start, I could only open the program and click NEW and supposedly improved Over holiday break, the information technology around, but beyond that I was clueless. department opted to upgrade the traditional, easy- To begin setup on the system, I had to perform to-use e-mail numerous Google searches on “Microsoft Outlook Mercyhurst Webmail system? with a more setup.” After perusing seven pages of babble, I complex and found very useful information on the University complicated Joshua of Minnesota’s site. one that is Wilwohl The site, http://www1.umn.edu/adcs/help/ quite frustrat- email/WinOutlook/,guides you through a step-by- ing. step process on transferring your e-mail account to Now, I am a more feasible system that is always accessible. Editor-in-chief not part of The trick, however, is during the process anything the digerati that says to “enter your UMN e-mail,” instead enter and know very little about the wave of advanced your Mercyhurst e-mail. technology; but, what I do know is that with this The only downfall to Microsoft Outlook is upgrade comes annoyance. that it can only be accessed from your personal ‘I don’t really use the new Mercyhurst Webmail

I hear complaints from students and faculty computer. because I’ve always used Microsoft Outlook, alike about the system being “too slow” or “never Nevertheless, once completing the fi ve-minute but I heard that people don’t really like the‘ working.” Nonetheless, with the e-mails’ tortoise process, your e-mail will fl ow smoothly and always pace, there is one solution I found that always be accessible. new setup. seems to work. It will ultimately ease any tensions against Web- Wanting to get past the aggravation every other mail and the new advanced system.

Ashley Gabriel, sophomore, French education The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly

By Allison Moore Opinion editor ‘ I feel the new Webmail system is unfriendly‘ The Good to use and a lot slower. I did not see a need for a change. Green grass in January. In Erie, Pa., this is a phenomenon. The unusually mild weather has brightened spirits and quelled winter blues all over campus. Much to the confusion of students’ eyes, the sun has even graced us with several appearances. I don’t know what Erie did to deserve such special treatment, but we’re not complaining.

MSG has created its own Website to better serve the student body. The site comes in response to concerns raised by students that MSG was out of touch with the Mercyhurst population. The new site, http://msg.mercyhurst.edu, offers current MSG news, general information, as well as Hillary Szyollowski, senior, biology education SAC events.

The Bad

Midterms after the holiday break. Most students can’t remember what they learned yesterday ‘ let alone two weeks ago. The benefi ts of trimesters are often debated, but the winter break falling I loathe the new Webmail system! After ‘ all within the middle of a term is undoubtedly inconvenient. the hype for the new system it seems like it was a down grade! Most students have rejected the new Mercyhurst Webmail system. While the layout is more contemporary, students are having trouble adjusting to the new system. Some students lost their address books during the server switch and other e-mail servers are having trouble sending items. Over time the kinks should be worked out and students should learn the ropes to better operate the system. The Ugly Marty Wallenhorst, sophomore, intel/political science Some students seem to confuse Briggs and Lewis for the Indy 500. These two streets are highly populated with students walking to and from class. Several times cars have been spotted fl ying up and down the street without regard to pedestrians. Not only is it extremely dangerous, it is inconsiderate. For the safety of the student body, please refrain from exercising your lead foot on residential streets. Remember, pedestrians have the right of way!

Parking on Wayne street is now a little more sparce. Students who became accustomed to park- ing on the street now must search the congested campus for a new spot. Residents are entitled ‘ ‘ to their personal space, but prior notice for students would have been thoughtful. Several Wayne I like the opening page but don’t like all residents found early Christmas presents on their cars, and it’s safe to say that parking tickets the windows that open up randomly! weren’t on the top of their gift list.

Families of miners deserve public hearing no excuse. Katya Sussman, junior, dance Editorial from the Lexington Herald- The citations against Sago included persistent Leader problems with build-ups of fl ammable coal dust. Knight Ridder Newspapers The operation had been cited for not providing adequate ventilation to keep the mine clear of Like so many coalfi eld tragedies, the deaths of 12 deadly combustible gases and failing to insulate miners underground in West Virginia now seem to electric wires. Sparks from electrical equipment have been sadly predictable. can ignite coal dust and methane gas, thus causing The federal government knew the mine was underground explosions. ‘ It’s harder to use, but the layout is better. ‘ dangerous. The company knew the mine was dan- It was an explosion early Monday, as the mine gerous. And so did some of the men who worked reopened after a holiday break, that trapped 13 there, according to their families. miners underground. And, like other coalfi eld tragedies that have riv- The cause of the explosion still is undetermined. eted the nation for a few days, this one will probably From what little we know, the miners did what be forgotten all too soon. they could to save themselves. They hung a curtain It was just a little more than four years ago that designed to block the spread of deadly carbon 13 miners died in an explosion in an underground monoxide, and each had a personal rescuer that mine in Brookwood, Ala. Then, as now, Labor can provide oxygen for a short time. Secretary Elaine Chao and offi cials of the U.S. Twelve miners were found together behind the Chris Martin, freshman, business management Mine Safety and Health Administration promised curtain; the one survivor was taken from the mine a thorough investigation. They eventually levied unconscious but moaning, according to The As- $435,000 in fi nes against the mine’s operator, Jim sociated Press. Another miner died elsewhere in Walters Resources. the mine. But in November, the fi nes were reduced to just Our hearts go out to the families, whose suf- $3,000 by an administrative law judge who ruled fering was compounded by a false report by the that MSHA did not prove most of the violations. International Coal Group, that the 12 had been ‘

With that kind of record, it’s little wonder that found alive, until the truth was discovered three mining companies would feel free to fl out safety hours later. I don’t like it as much; it’s harder to use. laws, especially under the Bush administration, With that backdrop, the investigation begins ‘ which has pushed “compliance assistance” over under a cloud of mistrust and suspicion. strict enforcement. That’s a good reason for MSHA to convene a At the Sago Mine where the 12 died, the list of public hearing into the causes of this disaster, as safety violations was long and serious. Since May, mine safety advocate and former state and federal federal inspectors had issued 13 unwarrantable offi cial Tony Oppegard urges. failure orders, the most serious kind. The families of the miners and the public deserve Unwarrantable failures are issued when manage- to hear fi rsthand why their loved ones died, and that ment knows about an unsafe condition and fails to won’t happen without a public hearing. fi x it or when the danger is so obvious that there’s Nick Kaiser, freshman, business advertising January 11, 2006 THE MERCIAD PAGE 7

To contact: [email protected] OPINION

Budget cuts hit students hard Is America really safer?

federal student aid, by $1,000 to keep up with rising With extra time over Christmas break, I was actu- the National Security Agency, which made its way By San Jose Mercury News costs, the grants will remain capped at $4,000. ally able to catch up on current events and read the to the front page of the New York Times. Knight-Ridder News The $22 billion in cuts and restructuring will be newspaper, magazines, journals etc. Upon publication, it was revealed that President partly offset by $3.75 billion in new grants for stu- A lot of attention has been focused on the new- Bush gave the go-ahead for the NSA to eavesdrop Congressional Republicans made a self-satisfi ed dents studying foreign languages, math and science, est addition to the Patriot Act, which is waiting on Americans. gesture of fi scal constraint before heading home plus $2 billion to forgive loans of special-education in Congress In response, I asked for a phone card for Christ- to hornswoggle voters into believing they’re really teachers and students who enlist in to be voting mas since telephone calls from a land line are harder worried about the federal defi cit. the military after college. upon, due to to tap into than those from cellular phones. The $40 billion in spending cuts, spread But the net $13 billion cut a time exten- Ellen A report was later released stating the entire U.S. over fi ve years, was barely a pinprick marks the biggest hit in the his- sion passed in Koenig Intelligence Community was not doing enough about a third of 1 percent of the tory of the program. order to make to combat terrorism and other threats to the federal budget. The House version passed necessary re- country. This year’s budget defi cit narrowly with no Democratic visions. The Federal Bureau of investigation has been alone is $319 billion. support. One con- Contributing writer spying on Greenpeace, Catholic Worker, the Ameri- The spending cuts will It took Vice President troversial sec- can-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, and soon be swamped by $56 Cheney, rushing back from tion of the bill gives the government access to our PETA. So to protect freedom, the government is billion in extended tax cuts the Mideast, to break a public library and college library records. restricting freedom . . . interesting paradox. that Congress is poised 50-50 tie vote in the Harper’s Magazine recently reported a student Even if the government is not checking our to pass early next year, Senate. from New Bedford, Ma., was visited by agents records, it is fair to preach caution. For example, along with $27 billion in Describing the vote from the Department of Homeland Security for be careful what you post on the Internet. additional tax write-offs as the only chance this checking out a copy of “Mao’s Little Red Book.” Some extra time over Christmas break led me for the wealthy that took year to ``actually do The story ended up being a hoax, but it does pose to some ‘exploring’ on Facebook. After a few effect Jan. 1. something about defi cit a scenario which could possibly occur within the clicks I stumbled upon faculty members who have In fact, $40 billion in spending,’’ Senate Bud- near future. Facebook accounts. Then I realized anyone with a cuts would be barely get Committee chair Judd Library records are not the only thing being Mercyhurst e-mail address has access to the online worth mentioning were Gregg of New Hampshire monitored. database. This includes coaches, administrators and it not so irresponsible. told senators, ``This is our respon- The current administration has also ordered even teachers. Bearing the brunt will be the federal sibility to our children.’’ searches on private citizens and currently has a list Instantly, certain pictures were censored and college loan program, which Con- Actually, Congress and the Bush admin- of 80,000 people on terror watch. some material instantly erased. Pictures with under- gress instead should be increasing in light istration have socked it to them. Phone lines are being tapped, postal mail and age students holding bottles or cans of alcohol are of soaring higher education costs and the fact They have piled on a mountain of federal debt e-mails are being screened and above all else, the enough evidence to get you in trouble, along with that American industry is clamoring for a better with an unbudgeted war in Iraq and a drug program president is taking measures that have not been comments from friends, and listing organizations educated workforce. for kids’ grandparents. approved by Congress. that you may be a part of and even the music and Because of the cuts, students will be piling up And now they have compounded this by pinching Does anyone remember the balance of power set books you read are enough to raise suspicions. several thousand dollars of additional debt and on college aid. up by the Constitution? An implied power does not I hate to sound paranoid, but is all of this cen- parents will be paying higher interest on loans up Some high school grads will give up altogether give the president absolute power. The framers are soring and spying really making America safer or to 8.5 percent. on pursuing a degree, to the detriment of the U.S. probably turning in their graves. just more mistrustful? Lenders will no longer be able to subsidize new economy in the future. And of course who could forget about the recent Privacy is a thing of the past, and we are just now loans from the money they make. And, despite The next generation is paying a big price for letter from California State Representative, Nancy being told about it. promises to raise Pell Grants, the foundation of Congress’ lip service to austerity. Pelosi to General Michael V. Hayden, director of Welcome to 2006. Ask the Malarkys Ever since Christmas break, my roommates have not been cleaning our apartment. Without causing any fi ghts, how should I approach this problem?

When someone jokes around, half of their intent to get nasty with one another over the dishes in the Communal living with strangers is one of the sharing the burden of keeping house. is actually serious. When I loudly ask my roommate sink. Girls tend to internalize small problems into most drastic changes students must face while My apartment decided to use a written dish in a laughing manner whether she is going to clean huge raging issues that can result in what men love attending college. schedule that has worked really well thus far. Such up her dishes in the sink because they are currently to call a “girl fi ght.” Dealing with other people’s habits and routines schedules could be used for almost anything if “growing mold” I’m joking and I’m not. However, there is usually a lack of mud and hair while being tolerable at the same time is defi nitely followed. My experience with roommates, especially girl grabbing in these situations. Usually just a lot of a chore in and of itself. Different personalities In my opinion, the most important thing you can roommates, for negative, hurtful comments are directed at one accompany do is hold individuals responsible for their own un- the past four another followed by a door slam and extended differnt liv- cleanliness by calling them out on it and demanding years is not to silence. So instead of all this drama, just confront ing styles. that they clean it up. If a certain roommate is not come across the cleaning issue right away. As most pulling their weight or is responsible for 99 percent Ms. Mr. like a psycho Malarky First of all, make sure that you don’t have any kids our age of messes, say something. Letting it go will only b----. dirty laundry or dishes lying around before you tend to be Malarky encourage such behavior. Take a mo- start calling the kettle black. untidy at best, Don’t be afraid: Uncomfortability should have ment to exam- I would simply divide up the cleaning tasks among relations be- nothing to do with this demand, be a jerk. ine the recent your roommates by being the fi rst to volunteer that tween room- My parents don’t pay room and board so my fel- situation. It’s you will be cleaning the bathroom. This should mates can low roommates can trash the room and infringe on midterm week and everyone’s daily routine has be an indication that normalcy must return to the easily get ugly my space. Thus far I have been the largest culprit been assaulted by school work. apartment. if in fact they care about cleanliness. I personally of this in my room so I really have little argument I’ve seen people sacrifice 10 minutes in the It should be understood that everyone in the am a pretty tidy person and can’t stand a messy here; however, if I were on of my roommates I shower for 15 minutes of last minute cramming apartment should clean up after themselves, espe- room. But what may be disgusting to one person would be mad at me. before a midterm. cially in regards to dishes and keeping their stuff may be comfortable to another. This is an issue of respect so don’t bother re- Right now, the last thing on many students’ minds in order. Since guys are responsible for roughly 110 per- specting someone who doesn’t show you the same is going back to the apartment and scrubbing the When it comes to the weekly cleaning duties, my cent of all of the parties going on at Mercyhurst courtesy you show them. bathroom. roommates and I switch up the jobs every week. College, and we are generally slobs, our dwellings Similarly, it is important that you hold up your Many of us are thinking about collapsing for a Sadly this week it was my turn to clean the bath- tend to get dirtier faster, although I’ve seen some end of the bargain. much needed nap in order to recharge for a night room. However, now I won’t have to reach for the pretty nasty female apartments as well . . . uncleanli- Ultimately, I feel that the cleanliness of your of mind numbing beverage consumption. So for toilet bowl for another three weeks. ness doesn’t always have gender boundaries. apartment should be just about the last thing on this week, I wouldn’t freak out about a temporary If someone is still dragging their feet, don’t hesi- This being the case, it is important that room- your mind during college when there are more slip in the apartment cleaning duties. tate to try some humor. Remark how their dirty mates adopt some kind of system that can be important things to think about like class, Mario However, if at the end of the weekend your apart- laundry makes a lovely decor for the living room. followed for cleaning. Compromise is necessary in Kart and naps. ment still looks and smells like something died in Or how it was a good idea to save on a shower any sticky (no pun intended) situation. So be a buddy and just clean up after your- it, I would take some serious action. stopper when the excess hair has been currently There are several options roommates can un- selves. Specifi cally in a girl’s apartment it’s important not doing a great job of clogging up the drain. dertake to improve their living conditions while TheMERCIAD Joshua Wilwohl Editor-in-chief [email protected] Corrie Thearle News Editor [email protected] Melissa Jack Features Editor [email protected] Allison Moore Opinion Editor [email protected] Ryan Palm Sports Editor [email protected] Melissa Brandt A&E Editor [email protected] Katie McAdams Photo & Production Editor [email protected] Melissa Brandt Advertising Manager [email protected] Chelsea Boothe Copy Editor [email protected] Emily Crofoot Graduate Assistant [email protected]

The Merciad is the student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst College. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of midterms week and fi nals week. Our offi ce is in the Old Main, room 314. Our telephone number is 824-2376.

The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fi t. Letters are due the Thursday before publication and may not be longer than 300 words. Submit KRT letters to box PH 485. PAGE 8 THE MERCIAD January 11, 2006 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT To contact: [email protected]

tHe Cursed classic: ‘Macbeth’ ing their complex characters to By Jessica Ciccone life in a very realistic way. BuZz Contributing writer When asked what his favorite thing about the character of JAN. 10-22. Musical. Love Shakespeare? Love twist- Macbeth is, Zamora replied, “I “Evita.”Palace Theater, ed romances? Want to see people like the end of the play, when Cleveland. skewered on massive daggers? Macbeth has grown more and Then get ready, because Mercy- more villainous. It’s fun to play JAN. 13. 38 Special. Pepsi- hurst is gearing up to present one an evil character.” Cola Roadhouse, Burgett- of Shakespeare’s most widely- When asked if it is fun to play a stown. recognized, highly-praised works completely insane character, Va- ever: the cursed Scottish play lauri responded, “Yeah, totally.” JAN. 15. The Syn with about a weak-minded, but blood- But Mercyhurst students should Chris Squire of Yes. Beach- thirsty Thane and his brutally be prepared for some interesting land Ballroom, Cleveland. manipulative wife: “Macbeth.” twists on the classic. The origi- This classic will be brought to nal version of the play features JAN. 18. Camper Van life under the direction of Dr. mainly roles for male actors. Beethoven. Beachland Ball- Hillary Fogerty on Jan. 26-28 However, in this version, Dr. room, Cleveland. in Taylor Little Theater at 7:30 Fogerty has cast sophomore p.m. Sally Applebee in the traditional JAN. 19. Derek Trucks Countless hours contributed role of Malcolm, son of King Band. Odeon, Cleveland. by many individuals have gone Duncan. towards creating gorgeous cos- The character’s new name will JAN. 19-22. Tyler Perry’s tumes, collecting amazingly de- be ‘Malkia,’ which means ‘queen.’ Madea Goes to Jail. State tailed props and coaching the This casting change serves a Theatre, Cleveland. student actors of Mercyhurst in double purpose in that it further the ways of bringing a Shake- illuminates the dominant infl u- JAN. 20. Almost Queen. spearean tragedy successfully to ence of the female characters in House of Blues, Cleve- the stage. the play. land. Dr. Fogerty claims she is “ex- When Applebee as Malkia is tremely excited” about the play, seen urging MacDuff, played JAN. 20. Bon Jovi. HSBC and exceptionally proud of all by freshman Joe Will, to take Arena, Buffalo. of the actors involved in the revenge, the audience is once production. again shown that, in this par- JAN. 21. Keller Williams. Sophomore Joe Zamora will ticular work, it is the women’s University at Buffalo Cen- perform the lead role of Mac- encouragement that lies behind Melissa Brandt/ A & E Editor ter for the Arts, Buffalo. beth, the twisted Thane who all of the actions performed by Joe Zamora and Amanda Valauri star in the ’Hurst production of Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth.’ is seduced by a prophecy and the men. JAN. 22. Larry the Cable convinced by his scheming wife There are a few more unique been receiving help from people Mercyhurst.” Shakespeare, so there will be Guy. Tullio Arena, Erie. to murder the ruling King and twists in Mercyhurst’s production all over campus in getting this No Mercyhurst student should sword play, blood, and implied assume the throne. of “Macbeth,” including the re- production together. rob themselves of the chance sex.” And indeed, what more JAN. 22. Yellowcard, Mae. Macbeth’s treacherous wife, turn of the prophesying witches She says it has been very “heart- to see this classic play brought could one want from the the- Odeo, Cleveland.. Lady Macbeth, will be played by at the end of the play, and the ening and encouraging to see that to life amid vivid costumes, an ater? Amanda Valauri, who is also a death of Fleance, but as for the so many people are willing to elaborate set, and extremely Tickets go on sale Jan. 10 in JAN. 24. Big Head Todd sophomore. rest, you’ll just have to see the help to bring a great Shakespear- dedicated and talented student the PAC, and will be available and the Monsters, Jackie Both are very enthusiastic play yourself to fi nd out. ean drama to the Mercyhurst actors. throughout the show dates. Greene. House of Blues, about their roles, and will no Dr. Fogerty claims she has stage. We need more theater at As said by Dr. Fogerty: “It’s Cleveland. doubt do a stunning job of bring-

JAN. 25. Derek Trucks Band. Center for the Arts, Lucas Ranch revealed on ’Hurst TV University of Buffalo, Buf- falo. By Gary Williams Lucas Ranch and the “Star Wars” tal characters were created to JAN. 26. Pray for the Soul Contributing writer prequel trilogy. supplement real actors and even of Betty with Constantine Part one of the exclusive will shows the interaction the live Maroulis. House of Blues, air Wednesday at 6 p.m. and characters had with their digital “Once upon a time in a galaxy Cleveland. Thursday at 4 p.m. Part two will counterparts. far, far, away...” air Jan. 17 at 3:30 p.m. and Jan. The technological aspect to That phrase has become syn- JAN. 26-28. Gordon Light- 18 at 7:30 p.m. creating the various majestic onymous with the “Star Wars” foot. Avalon Ballroom, The hour-long specials include scenes in the movie is also ex- franchise. Niagara Fallsview Casino, interviews with George Lucas, amined. The before-its-time feature Niagara Falls, Ontario. cast members and some of Additionally, the top fi ve mo- fi lm and the more recent pre- the crew who work behind the ments in the prequel trilogy are quels have transported viewers JAN. 27. Whole Wheat scene. revealed and there is an around into other-worldly dimensions. Bread, Know How. Agora As a special treat, a tour of the the world look at the release of The host of special effects used Theatre, Cleveland. Lucas Ranch and studios will be “Star Wars Episode 3.” by Lucas is certainly one of the shown. If you’re a “Star Wars” fan or main reasons for success. JAN. 27. Lakewood Proj- The behind-the-scenes tour just interested in special effects, Interested in that world of be- ect. House of Blues, Cleve- showcases the technology in do not miss the airing of ’Hurst’ hind-the-scenes movie magic? land. the prequel, mainly how it was TV’s exlusive look into the Star This week, HurstTV will air developed and subsequently used Wars Lucas’ Ranch today at 6 a ZiloTV special (HurstTV is a Photo courtesy of www.starwars.com JAN. 28. David Allan Coe, throughout the fi lm. p.m. on Channel 19. ZiloTV affi liate) on the George Kentucky Headhunters. The special reveals how digi- Fictional world of Polis Massa, created by George Lucas. Agora Theatre, Cleveland. JAN. 28. Low. Grog Shop, ‘Every Time I Die’ releases new CD Cleveland. Keith will probably never be nomenon” have a more solid declaring “We’re gonna party tains one of the most interesting JAN. 29. Lyle Lovett By Eric Haak Acoustic Trio. Center for Contributing writer accredited with the greatest voice structure than the jam style tunes tonight!” at separate points. vocal parts of the CD with an the Arts, University of Buf- in music history, but he sings well on “Hot Damn!” “L’astronaut” is another brutal interesting echo and layer effect falo, Buffalo. enough to provide a contrast to The track that will feel most track with a powerful rhythm used in the end of the song. One of the most incredible JAN. 29. Moe. House of the more aggressive vocals and familiar to “Every Time I Die” section that dares you not to nod Overall, the “Gutter Phenom- things about the Buffalo natives Blues, Cleveland. keep the songs interesting. fans will likely be “Guitared and your head. enon” is a solid album and a “Every Time I Die,” is that they Lyrically, “Gutter Phenom- Feathered,” but even this song is The guitars on the track also good introduction to the band. have apparently made an image JAN. 31. Toasters, Go enon” adds to “Every Time I a step forward from the bands create an enjoyable tension with However, all the band’s albums for themselves based solely on Jimmy Go, Gelatinus Cube Die’s reputation for intelligent standard fare with the normal well placed layering towards the should be listened to in order to not caring about their image. and Jolly Rodgers. Odeon, and extremely sarcastic com- frantic guitar riffs being broken end of the song. judge and fully appreciate their It seems as if every article or Cleveland. mentary. up by Buckley crooning and “Kill the Music” probably con- different styles. review written about the band The opening song, “Apoca- has to put aside as much space JAN. 31. Sevendust, Non- lypse Now and Then” contains a to write about the band perform- Point, Wicked Wisdom. shot at the image oriented goth- ing in pajamas as they do to the House of Blues, Cleve- wannabe bands saturating the band’s music. land. mainstream with the line “We’ve While it is impressive that a applied mascara to the radio, but band can be successful while FEB. 2. Lonestar. Warner that’s just a quick fi x and we need defying the rules of one of the Theatre, Erie. a little more Does it matter to you most oppressive music scenes at all? Are you listening or have out there, the music that “Every FEB. 2. Aimee Mann. Cen- you tuned out?” Time I Die” puts out is the real ter for the Arts, University Like the music, the lyrics awe-inspiring story. of Buffalo, Buffalo. on “Gutter Phenomenon” are “Every Time I Die” is not a bound to upset more than a few band for the timid. While their FEB. 4. Stylistics, Chi- and the CD should probably be newest album, “Gutter Phenom- Lites, Bloodstone, Heat purchased with care by people enon,” is slightly less heavy than Wave, Main Ingredient. who are easily offended by vul- their last album, it’s still loud Palace Theater, Cleveland. garity and adult topics. enough for most. Like the vocals, the instrumen- Unlike previous efforts, vocal- FEB. 7. O.A.R. A.J. Palum- tation shows a bit more apprecia- ist Keith Buckley does a fair bit bo Center, Pittsburgh. tion for melody while still leaving of singing on “Gutter Phenom- the songs heavy. enon.” FEB. 8. Less Than Jake, The songs are much more The majority of vocals prob- Rock & Roll Soldiers. structured than in previous ef- ably still fall somewhere between House of Blues, Cleve- forts. The band has said that yelling and screaming, but it’s land. this was a conscious effort on nice to hear some singing as in their part. Courtesy of GoErie.com Photo courtesy of everytimeidie.com “The New Black.” The songs of “Gutter Phe- Check out the music style of the Buffalo band, ‘Every Time I Die’ on Gutter Phenomenom. January 11, 2006 THE MERCIAD PAGE 9 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT To contact: [email protected] Let’s talk ‘Vagina...Monologues’ that is

By Michelle Brewer Contributing writer

The Roadhouse Theater’s production of “The Vagina Monologues” is making sure no Friday or Saturday night is with- out excitement this month. “The Vagina Monologues” is a collection of accounts by women of every age and nationality, uninhibited or shy, aware or not about their “down there.” It’s a phenomenon that relates the mystery and complexity that comes with being female. Eve Ensler started it in New York in 1996, when she started asking women about their vagi- nas in the basement of a café. By 2001, she was performing their collected monologues in Madison Square Garden with celebrity cameos that included Calista Flockhart, Jane Fonda, Melissa Ethridge, Glenn Close, Oprah Winfrey and more. It has been performed in cit- ies across America and on hun- dreds of college campuses. The monologues have been compiled in a book that has sold and continues to sell in Melissa Brandt/ A&E Editor vast quantities as new releases Local women take on the role of performers on the Roadhouse Theater stage for its production of Eve Ensler’s ‘The Vagina Monologues.’ include even more material. Ensler would ask women The Roadhouse Theatre The women, about 15 to 20 in Although not their own, the few of us sit around and talk She is necessary for life, for various questions and they in showing of “The Vagina Mono- all, each retell a monologue that audience can’t help but be about the unmentionable. yours and for mine and that is turn would reply with descrip- logues” is directed by Mary deals with a different topic. The drawn into the woman’s world Though the show does touch what we take away at the end tions on topics ranging from Stewart and performed by vari- show features women young of pain and pleasure that comes upon some tongue-in-cheek of the show; a new apprecia- their fi rst discovery, hair, forced ous local women. and old, black and white, heart with “down there.” topics, the fi nale ties it all to- tion for life and where it comes mutilation, the ever persistent Staying true to the ideal that wrenching and hysterical. Keep in mind this show isn’t gether with a metaphorical from. cycle, the dreaded gyno, little every woman embodies her They all have something to just for women. Men will gain depiction of how the vagina, Men and women alike will known facts, and of course, own female sexuality and em- tell us. The topics include some further insight into a world that like the heart, holds a singular, walk away from this experience sex. powerment, the performance of the aforementioned and they never thought they’d see unique importance for accep- feeling different about women, When they are performed, cast is composed of everyday- others. (no pun intended). tance and love. their sexuality, their power and Ensler sits on stage and re- phenomenal women who don’t Each woman stands alone on Although women know about Woman and vagina are more their importance as the givers counts the answers she received necessarily have a background stage and performs her mono- these things, part of what makes than just something to be dis- of life. as they were told to her. in theater. logue for the audience. the show so interesting is how cussed and joked about. Sneak peak the new spring fi lms from the PAC

mance. In this fictional film, a 12- brothers who are left to grapple By Christina Ferranti Filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai year-old has to look after his with the confusing and confl icted Contributing writer blends the past, present and three younger siblings when his feelings that arise from the sud- future into an exquisite whole in mother mysteriously disappears. den collapse of their parents’ Here is a sneak preview at this sumptuous sort-of-sequel. Showing Feb. 22. marriage. what the PAC is showing in this Tony Leung returns to play “Brothers” is a Danish drama Despite the scalding honesty spring’s Guelcher Film Series! Chow, a dissolute writer in 1960s about two brothers’ lives that are of the machinations of an ugly All movies are shown at the Hong Kong who funds his night- changed forever when one is sent divorce in which practically no- PAC on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. ly debauchery by writing news- to Afghanistan on a UN mission, body does the right thing, the and 8 p.m. paper articles and bizarre sci-fi leaving his wife and family. film still takes the form of a “Enron: The Smartest Guys stories set in the year 2046. It is a morality play of grief and comedy. in the Room” is a documentary He begins to realize the terrible fi delity that unravels with grati- Baumbach’s adroit dialogue that tells the inside story of one truth that “all memories are trac- fying unpredictability. Showing evenhanded way of presenting of history’s greatest business es of tears.” Showing Feb. 8. March 8. even the worst behavior keeps scandals. “Ladies in Lavender” is a dra- “The Constant Gardner” is a the fi lm from falling into pathos. Top executives of America’s matic comedy about the dull lives drama adapted from the novel by Showing March 29. seventh largest company walked of two elderly spinster sisters on John le Carre. It is a gripping ro- “Paradise Now” is an Arabic away with over $1 billion while the coast of Cornwall that are mantic thriller that sweeps audi- drama about two young Pales- investors and employees lost interrupted by a shipwrecked ences along one man’s emotional tinian men who embark upon http://wip.warnerbros.com/goodnightgoodluck/ everything. Showing Jan. 25. Polish sailor who rekindles old and global journey to uncover the what may be the last 48 hours George Clooney stars in ‘Good Night, and Good Luck.’ “Broken Flowers” is a bit- sibling rivalries, jealousies and truth behind a personal loss and a of their lives. tersweet fi lm staring Bill Mur- unfulfi lled dreams. worldwide conspiracy. Showing The men, Said and Khaled, discovers reveals a tumultuous television producer Fred Friend- ray, who plays Don Johnston, a The movie centers on jealous March 15. form a pact to give their lives outcome. Showing April 12. ly, withstood corporate pressures crumpled lothario who receives rivalries, dark political paranoia “Separate Lies” is a humor- together to the Palestinian cause, “Capote” is a drama about the and took a stand against Senator an anonymous letter telling him and ultimately crushing heart- tinged romantic mystery that is and go out in a redeeming blaze profi le of Truman Capote during Joseph McCarthy’s orchestrated he has a son. break. Showing Feb. 15. not so much a “who done it” as of glory. Showing April 5. the years he researched the story communist-baiting campaign. The search for the mother “Nobody Knows” a docu- an exploration of why people “Junebug” is a dramatic com- that was to become the basis Showing April 26. takes Murray on a road-trip to drama from Japanese director make the mistakes they do-in edy about a British-born dealer for the book “In Cold Blood.” Make sure to check out the rest reconnect with four old fl ames Hirokazu Kore-eda is based life, in marriage and when their in regional art that travels from Showing April 19. of the spring fi lms, at http://pac. (including Sharon Stone and Jes- on a real 1988 event formerly decisions count the very most. Chicago to N. C. to pursue a local “Good Night and Good Luck” mercyhurst.edu/events.php. sica Lange). Showing Feb. 1. known as the “Affair of the Four Showing March 22. painter for her gallery. is the story of Edward R. Murrow “2046” is a Cantonese, Man- Abandoned Children of Nishi- “The Squid and the Whale” is The fi lm confronts the diffi cul- who, with a team led by the CBS darin, and Japanese drama/ro- Sugamo.” a dramatic comedy about two ty of two cultures colliding, and Retro Review: ‘Something Corporate’

some (Metalheads, grunt here titled “Ready…..Break” in 2000 changed in the latter. ous thought behind it, and when By Joe Fidago and crank up your “Slayer” CD – but good luck fi nding a copy of The song talks about how McMahon sings you can tell he Contributing writer a few more notches). that; it’s long been out of print. sometimes you feel like there’s means it. For those who don’t know “Leaving Through the Win- just that one thing missing – or Something Corporate is a band Anyone who is a fan of the anything about “Something dow,” their debut, is more piano- one thing that’s right around the that I recommend everyone Jack’s Mannequin CD “Every- Corporate,” I would make the driven and less of a rock album corner from making everything check out. thing in Transit,” should check comparison that they are the than “North.” just click with someone – and I can’t put a number on how out the side project of frontman “Coldplay” of the Emo genre. “North” has a bit more of even though it’s right within many people I’ve heard say that Andy McMahon, “Something Just like “Coldplay,” the songs a polished sound to it, not to reach the other person is slowly they love every song SoCo has Corporate.” incorporate piano parts very well; say that that the former is a raw falling away. ever made, a statement I don’t “Something Corporate” and they can take a very simple sounding record – it’s just much Everything is right this time, think I’ve heard about any other (“SoCo”) is a band that can eas- concept or lyric and make it more of a “Ben Folds” type and if the situation is looked at band. ily be dismissed as “just another something you can’t get out of record, where a lot of the songs “out of the box,” it might seem one of those emo bands” by your head. center around the piano, but impossible that everything would some. I myself had the same And just for the record, the some others have the prominent come together how it did, but a opinion of them before I heard songs aren’t all about heartbrake; guitar sections as well. “hurricane” of emotions came their songs. many have an air of hope and an My all-time favorite song by along and you both got sucked I mean, how many bands out overall message of moving on “Something Corporate” has to into it. there can sing about how girls and not letting disappointments be “Hurricane.” This may sound like three broke their heart? It’s happened weigh you down. I actually prefer the version on dozen other songs you’ve heard to all of us so we don’t need The band has two major label their “Audioboxer” EP rather in the last week, but the lyr- reminded, right? releases, “Leaving Through the than the one that appears on ics are what make “Something That’s not exactly the entire Window” and “North.” “Leaving Through the Window” Corporate”so great. genre in a nutshell, but it is to They also released a CD en- because some of the words are The song is written with seri- PAGE 10 THE MERCIAD January 11, 2006 LAKER

SPORTS To contact: [email protected] Kobe shoots to top

By Matt Jackson Co-Sports editor

About a month ago I seriously considered writing an article on overrated athletes. Looking back now it’s probably a good idea I never went through with the idea, because near the top of my list would have been Kobe Bryant. I was ready to put him right up there with the likes of Michael Vick in the NFL, Nomar Garciaparra in baseball, and Michelle Wie in, well actually Wie might be the most overrated player in any organization ever at this point, KRT photo but that’s another story for another time. The BCS system put Penn State in the Orange Bowl. My argument against Kobe is that he is an awful team player, who almost every game tries to do too much which in the end has a negative effect on the outcome of the game BCS system gets for his team. He shoots when he has a teammate with a better shot, he shoots when he’s double a makeover covered, and if the game comes down to after the 2010 New Year’s games, the last shot, I’m pretty sure he would shoot By Alan Schmadtke it would have to cope with an Knight Ridder Newspapers even if all fi ve defenders converged on him eight-year contract that the Big at once. Ten, Pac-10 and Rose Bowl put Lately, however, all Kobe has done is shoot One system ends, another in place starting next season. his way to four straight games of scoring 45 stands ready to take its place. But Slive said the double-host- points or more, a feat accomplished only two The Bowl Championship Series ing model_next year the Fiesta other times in NBA history. dives headfi rst into its next stage Bowl will be played and then the Michael Jordan is not on that list. of life, and some “exploring” is Fiesta folks will host a title game This accomplishment combined with the order. a week later_opens the door for 62-point game Kobe put up against the Mav- Southeastern Conference Com- a Plus One model. ericks on Dec. 20 of this season, a gamne in missioner Mike Slive, incoming The Plus One format is es- which Bryant could have scored more if he BCS coordinator, said Wednes- sentially a three-game playoff, had even stepped on the court for the fourth day he wanted to used the next something college presidents are quarter, is enough to prove my overrated couple seasons to seek out other wary of embracing. Two teams theory right there. possible formats for future post- would advance from two BCS Bryant now leads the NBA in scoring at season play. bowls into a title game, allowing 34.1 points per game and has led the Lak- In 2006, the BCS begins a four- the BCS to handle as many as ers to an 18-16 record to this point in the year rotation of a new double- four unbeaten teams to fi nd its season. hosting model among the Fiesta, champion. Two games over .500 doesn’t sound too Sugar, Orange and Rose bowls. Slive’s goal is to investigate impressive, but it’s pretty good when you The model adds a fi fth game to anything and everything about consider the fact that Bryant has no one the upper tier bowls, providing the bowl system: this year’s BCS around him. more access to conferences that format; next year’s format; the Lamar Odom has played way under his abil- have had trouble getting teams Plus One; and others that “we ity since joing the Lakers and their center is KRT photo into the high-paying games. haven’t thought of yet.” Kwame Brown, a known underachiever. Kobe Bryant has scored over 45 points in each of his last four games. The fi fth game _ the title game Regardless, next season will be Their third leading scorer is Smush Park- _ is to be played Jan. 8 most years, different. Commissioners and er. Mutombo was standing on a step ladder in streak to fi ve games when the Lakers travel to a week after the traditional New bowls are curious to see how Smush? front of the hoop, rather than have him pass Protland for a 10 p.m. tip-off tonight. Year’s Day games. many non-BCS conference teams Come to think of it I retract my statements it to a man called Smush. The Trailblazers are 18th in the NBA in In Slive’s mind, the format is qualify for BCS games like Utah about Kobe not being a good team player. If Kobe can continue to have the MVP type ppg allowed, letting up an average of 95.6 not locked in beyond the next did last year. If I was a coach and a game came down season he is having now, the Lakers could be ppg this season. four seasons. to the last shot I would probably put the ball the prime candidate for an upset special in If the BCS format changes in Kobe’s hands even if he had a hand in the early rounds of the playoffs. his face, his hair being pulled and Dikembe Kobe will get a chance to extend his scoring Stripping away reputation Stanford football recruits lured by visit to strip clubs

outing using the NCAA-approved nor the NCAA governed how By Jon Wilner $30 given to them as recruiting host players could entertain re- Knight Ridder Newspapers hosts. The players then gave cruits. the receipts to football program That changed when the NCAA Stanford football players took administrators, who submitted clamped down in August 2004, af- recruits to a strip club on two the receipts and reimbursement ter the sex-and-alcohol recruiting occasions three years ago using forms. scandal that rocked the Colorado money provided by the athletic It is not known if the adminis- football program. department, activities that did trators knew that the New Cen- “What happened after Colorado not violate NCAA rules but may tury Theater was a strip club when was that an NCAA task force seem surprising given the school’s they submitted the receipts. required individual institutions to squeaky-clean reputation. Buddy Teevens, the Cardinal’s set up policies,” Matthews said. Late Tuesday, after details of head coach at the time, said “And among the policies...is that the situation were published on Tuesday that he learned of the they can’t use sex, drugs or alcohol the San Jose Mercury News’ Web incidents after the fact. in the recruiting process.” site, Stanford released a prepared The New Century Theater is a Stanford now requires athletes statement: “Stanford regrets the fully nude club that doesn’t serve to sign a “host entertainment actions of student athletes who alcohol and requires patrons to money form,” which outlines per- accompanied recruits in 2003 to be 18. missible uses of host money. adult entertainment venues. Dunkley said he didn’t know if “Now there are rules about what Although such actions did not football players had taken recruits the host money can be spent on,” violate NCAA regulations, we to strip clubs before the outings Dunkley said, “and strip clubs are believe our students should abide mentioned in the lawsuit. But a off limits.” by strict standards of conduct that former university employee said Dunkley said that the receipts obviously preclude such entertain- such activities went on before were switched to conform with ment as any part of recruitment Teevens’ arrival in January 2002. Stanford’s accounting practices. activity.” “It happens everywhere,” the “The players came back and The incidents came to light in source added. didn’t have real receipts from the a lawsuit fi led against the school Stanford reported the incident New Century Theater, so they by an employee claiming mistreat- to the Pacifi c-10 Conference and wrote something out,” he said. ment by senior associate athletic the NCAA, but with an interest- “That’s not part of the proper director Debra Gore-Mann, a pre- ing twist: It did so not because of accounting procedure. So when sumed candidate to be the next the strip club, but because of an it came to light that there were athletic director. accounting mistake. improper, handwritten receipts, According to the lawsuit, plain- Dunkley said three players spent they,” meaning Ching and Gore- tiff Sheryl Kanzaki, who worked more than the $30 allowed for Mann, “took a step back. The in the athletic department’s ac- entertaining recruits by $3.70, policy requires you to submit a counting offi ce in the winter of $6.01 and $6.86. lost receipt form. 2002-03, received handwritten Because these expenditures con- They said, `Let’s not submit im- receipts for $20 for expenditures stituted minor NCAA violations, proper forms,’ so they submitted at the New Century Theater in Stanford informed the Pac-10 a lost-receipt form.” San Francisco and for alcohol and NCAA. The strip-club incident is only purchases by minors. There were no penalties, ac- a small part of Kanzaki’s 35-page The lawsuit states that “Stan- cording to Mike Matthews, the lawsuit, much of which accuses ford players and coaches were Pac-10’s assistant commissioner Stanford and Gore-Mann, the seeking reimbursement.” for compliance. only individual named as a defen- But Stanford counsel Patrick “Schools report minor viola- dant of harassment, discrimina- Dunkley said coaches were not tions like that all the time,” he tion and retaliation. involved. said. He said the players funded the At the time, neither Stanford January 11, 2006 THE MERCIAD Page 11 LAKER

To contact: [email protected] SPORTS Zanetta, Schafer win titles in Classic weekend. By Matt Jackson The Lakers are coming off a Co-Sports editor fi fth place fi nish in the Midwest Classic this past weekend, led by The Mercyhurst wrestling team fi rst place fi nished from juniors will travel to Cedar Falls, Iowa Zach Schafer and J.J. Zanetta. ,Saturday and Sunday for the Schafer, the top-seed, won his Cliff Keen/NWCA National second straight Midwest Clas- Duals held at the University of sic championship with a 3-1 Illinois’ UNI-Dome. overtime victory over Eric Lakia This year’s event will feature of Ashland in the 165 pound 80 teams from every collegiate fi nals. division, including 16 Division II Zanetta won his fi rst tourna- teams in the Lakers’ bracket, 15 ment title as a Laker and did it of which are ranked nationally. as the fi fth seed. “It’s obviously a showcase After a 7-5 decision over top- event,” said Mercyhurst coach seeded Kyle Burkle of Upper Tony Cipollone, “and it’s going Iowa, Zanetta dominated his op- to be real tough especially with ponent in the 141-pound fi nals such a young team.” by a tally of 9-3. Last year Mercyhurst entered “He (Zanetta) did what he the National Duals as one of the does best,” said Cipollone. “He top teams in the country, fresh ground it out and wore his op- off a win over rival Pitt-John- ponents down. He has probably stown, but Cipollone says things been our most consistent wres- are different this year. tler all year.” “Last season we got seeded Payne Lint (125), Will Tedder high.” said Cipollone, “This year (157), and Rich Froats (197) all we will probably have to open fi nished sixth while Frank Zatta Katie McAdams/Photo editor with one of the top fi ve teams took seventh at 184 to round out Will Tedder (top) suffered a close loss in the Midwest Classic semifi nals and fi nished sixth. in the country, which is fi ne. You the Mercyhurst placers. Tedder held a three-point lead Tedder had locked up a point for Ashland and Upper Iowa tied Coach Cipollone’s squad was like to see where you stack up Tedder was just seconds from late in the third period before riding time. for the team title with 130.5 without the services of returning with everyone else.” reaching the fi nals at 157 pounds, yielding an escape. Tedder gave up a fi nal take- points apiece. All-American Don Cummings Nebraska-Omaha, ranked No. but fell to third seed Pete Carna- At the same time Carnabucci down which forced the match The Lakers fi nished 18 points and former national qualifi er Paul 1, won the event last year, and bucci of Ashland 11-9 in over- was awarded a stalling point to overtime where Carnabucci behind the fourth place team at Bergman. Cipollone is uncertain should be the top-seed this time. so the lead was cut to one, but prevailed. 90 points. of when the two will return. Men’s hockey loses twice at West Point

with Mercyhurst holding the Gotkin feels his team could use By Chris Van Horn momentum. a little more of. Contributing writer However, just 64 seconds into “It wouldn’t hurt for us to the extra session, Army’s Chris have a little more ‘puck luck’,” The men’s hockey team did not Bilec appeared as though he was Gotkin said. start out the New Year with the dumping the puck into the Lak- “It’d be nice to have a few bang they were looking for. ers end when it ricocheted off of those unlucky bounces go The Lakers dropped a pair of Laker defensemen Dennis our way, but that’s how it goes of games over the weekend at Kirstein’s skate and shot past sometimes.” Army. goalie Tyler Small along the The Lakers have a tough month Mercyhurst was shut out on top-shelf. ahead and with every game criti- Friday night by a score of 5-0 and Needless to say it was a heart- cal it is important that the Lakers then fell again on a garbage goal breaking way to end the week- keep improving, especially on in overtime the following night end, but the team has to move fi nishing those scoring chances. by a score of 3-2. forward from there. “This isn’t a month that will Friday night the Lakers were Coach Rick Gotkin still feels make or break us, but it will cer- able to outshoot the Black his team has the potential to be a tainly help us to see what kind Knights, 36-32, but were unable great team down the stretch and of team we’re going to be come to put any pucks past goalie Brad on into the post season. season’s end,” Gotkin stated. Roberts, who made save after “Despite the scores and the Mercyhurst will enjoy some save all weekend. fact that we lost, I still feel that home ice advantage to close the Mercyhurst looked as though File Photo we did a lot of things very well season as nine of their fi nal 16 they were going to be trailing 2-0 Junior Jamie Hunt leads all defenders in points-per-game scoring average. over the weekend. Our defensive games are at the Ice Center. heading into the third period, but zone coverage was very good and The Lakers take on the Univer- gave up a penalty shot goal with ers looking for a weekend split, just two minutes into the game. lead. we created scoring chances for sity of Connecticut next week- 40 seconds left to go, swinging was a back-and-forth game all They held the lead until Scott Jamie Hunt tied the game again ourselves in both games, we just end on the road before returning all the momentum Army’s way the way. Champagne’s goal early in the two minutes after Army took have to keep getting better on home the following week to take going into the third. Army jumped out to a 1-0 fi rst third period, before scoring again back the lead. fi nishing,” Gotkin said. on American International. Saturday night, with the Lak- period lead on a power play goal just a minute later to retake the The teams headed to overtime There’s also something else that First week of NFL playoffs brings Bruckheimer’s ‘Glory Road’ takes excitement and disappointment viewers back to 1966 college hoops

editor in the country wept when as an exploiter. Forty years later, late 1940s when both he and By Brady Hunter he went down for the season, By Drew Sharp barriers still need smashing. Carr needed a drink of water. Contributing writer COMMENTARY fearing that they would have no Knight Ridder Newspapers The Southeastern Conference There were two fountains _ one more quarterbacks to show be- is only two years removed from for the whites and another for So what did we learn this end, when it was most needed. ing completely annihilated. The magnitude of the move welcoming its fi rst black head the blacks. weekend during the wild card The Tampa Bay/Washington True, his bum ankle visibly didn’t register with Texas West- football coach. “That left a lasting mark on playoff round? battle proved that Greg William’s hindered him (David Garrard ern coach Don Haskins until The NFL must legislate an me,” Haskins said. “Here was a Eli Manning shouldn’t throw recent contract extension was eventually came in to fi nish the weeks after his Miners’ seminal open interview process because person who bled the same color off of his back foot, Panthers well-deserved. game), but there he was, just how 1966 national championship. it cannot wholly trust the color- as I did, yet he was treated dif- running backs are tough as nails, Rather than letting some other we remembered him from his Never before had five black blindness of its owners. ferently. That’s why it was very, the Washington defense is for team snatch Williams up for one days at Marshall. players taken the fl oor together in The fi lm “Glory Road” uses very easy for me to treat all of my real, and backup quarterbacks of the nine head coaching op- He could’ve used a couple a national basketball title game. the signifi cance of that single players the exact same regardless should never be asked to carry portunities, the ‘Skins got down of his old lineman buddies to If that wasn’t audacious enough, basketball game as a backdrop for of what they looked like.” a team by throwing the ball 40 to business and locked him up carry him up and down the fi eld they had the unmitigated gall to the political and racial upheaval “Glory Road” is the latest times against the Steelers. long-term. Saturday. actually win. of the 1960s. cinematic confection from Hol- What didn’t we learn? New His defense validated that deci- The Steelers also showed their Thousands of hateful letters The movie has all the elements lywood uber-producer Jerry England is good, especially in sion, holding the Bucs to just ten toughness this weekend, romp- flooded Haskins’ office in El of a big money-maker, heroes Bruckheimer, the same man who the postseason, Byron Leftwich points while causing three turn- ing Cincinnati in the fi nal wild Paso, Texas, the vast majority and villains, good and evil and, of brought “Remember the Titans” is tough, and Jerome Bettis can overs and scoring six points. card game. venting their bile with the same course, the happy ending that, in to the screen. score on the ground. And of course there is New Palmer completed his only pejorative racist preamble. this instance, wasn’t the fruit of a “Titans” was the true story of We knew all those things al- England. God help the man (or pass for 66 yards, and spent the He set to fl ames a documented scriptwriter’s imagination. an unlikely football state champi- ready. team) that stands between the rest of the day in an MRI with archive to a tumultuous social But if the movie accomplishes onship bonding a newly desegre- The playoffs and their sud- Brady/Belichik monster and a two torn ligaments. climate that Texas Western fur- nothing else, it should inspire a gated Southern high school. den death atmosphere amp up championship. Big Ben tied his career-high ther shook up on March 19, respectful thank you from the Haskins’ relationship with Carr the already intense Lombardian Every analyst you heard was with three touchdowns, and 1966, when it defeated all-white youthful descendants of a once- didn’t make the movie’s final ethic: winning isn’t everything, right: the Patriots are the most once again the Steelers are con- Kentucky, 72-65, at College Park, segregated sport and culture, cut. And there are some creative it’s the only thing. dangerous team in the playoffs. tenders in the AFC. Md. both black and white. The Min- liberties taken for the sake for Couldn’t help but notice the The reasons are myriad, but Finally, here’s a call to any Haskins recalled during a tele- ers’ tale still resonates today. drama. grit of the halfbacks in the Pan- here’s one: all they do is win. Pittsburgh fans out there: re- phone interview Monday, “I had Their victory helped shoot A scene in which the team fi nds thers/Giants game. Nick Go- True, their 4-4 start was under- member how Plax always blew gotten about 35,000 to 40,000 of down the myth that blacks were its hotel rooms ransacked with ings and DeShaun Foster both whelming, but we all know what it in the big games? them. And they were all pretty incapable of mastering what racial epithets on the walls never fought through injuries to come happened next, and now, all of Well, not even the great city of much the same. I burned them. were considered the more cere- happened. up big in this game. a sudden, they’ve got Denver in New York could cure him, as he I had no use for them.” bral positions in sports, like point But the tale of Texas Western The Panthers running game their sights. caught exactly zero passes for Haskins even became a target guard and quarterback. really didn’t require any altera- was certainly lethargic in the fi rst But wouldya lookit Byron the Giants on Sunday. of the rising black militancy Segregation stared Haskins tions. The unfi ltered truth proved half, but came through in the Leftwich? Every highlight reel movement of the time, branded fl ush in the face one day in the dramatic enough. PAGE 12 THE MERCIAD January 11, 2006 LAKER

SPORTS To contact: [email protected] Laker Sports “Quick Hits” Women’s hockey at No. 5 This Weeks Results... By Andy Tait Contributing writer Women’s hockey...... Jan. 7, W 4-0, UConn Jan. 8, W 5-2, Providence Following four consecutive Men’s hockey...... Jan. 6, L 5-0 Army wins before the Christmas break, Jan. 7 L 3-2 (OT), Army the Lakers returned to action in Women’s basketball...... Jan. 2, W 63-52, Edinboro impressive form this past week- end are are now ranked No. 5 in Jan. 5, W 74-54, Findlay Division I. Jan. 7, L 83-42, Ashland The women’s hockey team has Men’s basketball...... Jan 5., L 73-43, Findlay now stretched their winning run Jan. 7, L 79-68, Ashland to six consecutive games. Despite having a depleted Wrestling...... Jan. 7, 5 of 20, Midwest Classic squad for a variety of different reasons, the Lakers still got the ______year off to a bang showing tre- mendous character. The strength of the squad

head coach Michael Sisti has In the news... assembled was evident as the

Lakers shutout against UConn File Photo FREE OTTERS TICKETS! last Saturday and then scored Freshman goalie Courtney Drennan stopped all 20 shots against UConn. fi ve to breeze past Providence Be the fi rst to answer these two questions by e-mailing on Sunday. Drennen made 20 saves, record- Friars a year ago. sparkling form this weekend, al- [email protected] and win two free tickets to “I was extremely proud of the ing her fi rst career shutout. Freshman forward Courtney lowing only 37 shots in total. Friday’s Erie Otters game! pride and passion our players Drennen is a prime example of Unruh opened the scoring early “I think that each member of 1. Who was the MVP of the Rose Bowl? played with this weekend.” said the strength of this year’s team. in the second period, netting her our team did an amazing job 2. What was his career record at his school? Sisti. The Lakers’ easily disposed She provides competition to second of the season. stepping up as individual players of UConn. 4-0. sophomore fi rst choice net mind- Colizza then added another as well as leaders,” said Colizza. er Laura Hosier, along with fel- two goals midway through the This past weekend’s games Women’s hockey recognized Junior forward Stefanie Bour- beau registered her eighth goal low freshman Nicole Nelson. period before the Friars cut the could be a sign of just how of the season and fi rst game-win- “Courtney did a great job es- lead back to two. strong this year’s team is. In the USCHO.com poll released on Monday the Mercyhurst ning goal to seal the team’s fi rst pecially considering the fact she Bourbeau finished off any “I am very proud of how we women’s hockey program moved up one spot to No. 5. win of 2006. only learned she was starting the hopes the Friars had when she performed and of Steph and Val Besides netting the game-win- game moments before the warm- doubled the Lakers lead to four, who played great oversees for With a pair of non-conference wins this weekend, Mercyhurst ning goal, Bourbeau also had a ups,” said Sisti. making it 5-1. team Canada and represented moved a step ahead of the Golden Gophers of Minnesota. hand in two of the three other The Lakers were also missing Bourbeau and Colizza both themselves, their family, Mercy- goals. three talented forwards in Sarah took their goal tally into double hurst College and their country They shutout UConn 4-0 on Saturday and edged Providence 5-2 Forwards Robyn Law and Les- Kurth, Stephanie Jones and Val- fi gures with 10 and 11 respec- extremely well,” said Sisti. on Sunday. Both wins were with a short squad. ley McArthur fi nished off the erie Chouinard, the latter pair tively. Lakers fans will have the chance games with McArthur scoring are away with Canada’s under-22 “Coach challenged Stef (Bour- to support the team this Friday Additionally, the team was named the Mercyhurst Team of the once in each of the fi nal two pe- team in Germany, while Kurth beau) to play the best two games and Saturday as they face Wayne Week for their performance. riods to secure a huge victory. did not travel due to a minor of the season and she did just State at the Mercyhurst Ice McArthur’s goals on Saturday ailment. that,” said Colizza. Center. The Lakers will be back in conference action this weekend took her tally to three for this On Sunday afternoon the Lak- Providence rounded out the The contests mark the Lak- when they host Wayne State on Friday night and Saturday season. ers blasted fi ve past Providence, games by scoring on a power ers return to College Hockey afternoon. However, prior to this year she skating out 5-2. play late in the game, despite be- America action. Bourbeau and Colizza scored ing held to just two shots in the Friday’s game begins at 7:05 More for women’s failed to register a goal in her fi rst 66 contests. two goals each in helping the third period. and on Saturday the contest will hockey Freshmen net minder Courtney team avenge a 3-2 defeat to the The Lakers defense was in start at 2:05. The fantastic week the women’s hockey had last week just got a bit better, Men’s basketball drops pair in Ohio receiving numerous awards from College Hockey America On Saturday, Mercyhurst trav- (CHA). The conference By Brady Hunter eled to Ashland for another Ohio awarded three Lakers Contributing writer showdown. with Player of the Week This one was a bit closer, but awards for their play last File Photo This week provided a few set- the result was still a 79-68 loss. weekend against UConn and Junior Stefanie Borbeau backs to what has been a stellar he Lakers stayed with the Eagles Providence. season thus far for the men’s initially, with a 36-30 defi cit at Junior forward Stefanie Bourbeau scored fi ve points over the basketball team. the half. weekend, including the game-winner against UConn. She also Men’s hoops has been hot all Soon the game was nearly out tallied two goals on Sunday against a good Providence team. year, amassing an 11-4 overall of hand, however, driving the record thus far, but its 1-4 record Lakers to force some shots in the Senior defender Danielle Lansing was named the conference’s in the GLIAC South is discon- second half. Defensive Player of the Week, heading up a defense that only certing. After converting four of their allowed two goals on 37 shots over the weekend. Lansing also Both losses this week came 11 three-point attempts of the tallied an assist on Sunday on the fi nal goal of the contest. to GLIAC teams, and each was fi rst half, the Lakers shot just one against a formidable opponent. of 11 in the second from down- She also helped pick up slack for the defense as a whole, First up on the week’s tough town as they tried to rally. which was short on bodies with Ashley Pendelton playing on schedule was Findlay. Fogel had a remarkable night, the offense and Danielle Ayearst seeing limited action due to On Thursday Jan. 5, the Lakers leading all players with 26 injury. traveled to Ohio to match up points. with the 10-2 (3-1 in the GLIAC) File photo His four assists were a team- Goalie Courtney Drennan was given the goaltender of the week squad knowing that they were in Senior Andy Kubinski tallied four steals against Findlay. high, and he drained all six of his for her performance against UConn on Saturday. She shut out for a fi ght. free-throw attempts. the Huskies even though she found out about the start less After the game, Findlay was Senior Jeff Daisley also put than an hour before game-time. Drennan made 20 saves and 11-2 overall and 4-1 in the con- with Findlay riding a 15-0 run to The Lakers fi nished the game forth a commendable effort, is now 4-0 with a 1.13 goals-against-average. ference. The 73-43 walloping was a 40-15 lead at halftime. shooting a meager 38 percent fi nishing with 12 points, 10 re- Athletes of the Week a fairly thorough defeat, although The fi nal 30-point differential from the fl oor and dropped just bounds, and two blocks. Sopho- the No. 25 ranked Oilers had a came in no small part as a result three free throws in their six at- more Terry Smith contributed few moments of anxiety. of a 59 percent shooting rate tempts. 13 points. Two Mercyhurst wrestlers made the Athlete of the Week Junior Avi Fogel was the only from Findlay. They were just two of 15 from The win brought Ashland’s selection process so diffi cult that the Athletic Department Laker to reach double digits, with The Oilers also owned the three-point land, but did create record to 12-3 overall, and their couldn’t pick just one! just 11 points. glass, grabbing 38 boards while 20 turnovers to the Oiler’s 16. mark in the GLIAC South to On defense, junior Richard Mercyhurst managed just 17. The win was business as usual 4-1. Juniors Zack Schafer and J.J. Zanetta were named the Male Fields with six rebounds and In fact, Findlay ended up with for the Oilers, who extended On Thursday, Jan. 12, the Athletes of the Week for their performance at the Midwest senior Andy Kubinski tallying more offensive rebounds (12) their streaks to seven straight Lakers battle Northwood (6-8 Classic in Indianapolis, Ind. four steals led the way. than Mercyhurst did defensively victories and 38 straight home overall, 1-4 in the GLIAC) at It was ugly from the beginning, (10). triumphs. 8:00 p.m. It was the second time in as many years that Schafer won his class, 165, while Zanetta was a fi rst-year winner. As a team the Lakers fi nished fi fth of 20 teams. Longhorn Vince Young to enter NFL draft Hunt recognized nationally Coaches Association conven- have the fi rst pick, will pick up an is best for him will be best for By Chip Brown tion. $8 million roster bonus to keep the University of Texas. Some- Contributing writer Men’s hockey defender Jamie Hunt was recognized by CSTV as Levine said it was important quarterback David Carr and will body asked me, `If you win the an Honorable Mention Player of the Month for December. to Young to return to campus draft USC tailback Reggie Bush. national championship and Vince Texas junior quarterback Vince to meet with Brown with all the Published reports have also leaves, what will you do?’ I said, The junior leads all Division I defensemen in the points-per- Young will forego his fi nal year same people who were on his said the New Orleans Saints are `I’ll kiss him.’” game category, averaging 1.80 points per contest. Hunt had of eligibility and make himself recruiting visit: his mother, the interested in USC quarterback Young set the UT single-sea- a fi ve-game scoring streak going into last weekend, and also eligible for the NFL Draft. family’s attorney, Major Adams Matt Leinart with the second son total offense record (4,086 tallied a point in 14 of the team’s last 15 games. He made the announcement at and his uncle, Keith Young. pick. yards) in 2005 and became the a news conference Monday Young scored twice in the fi nal The Tennessee Titans, who only player in NCAA history to He now has fi ve goals on the season while contributing a team- “I’ve decided to enter the 4:30, including an 8-yard, game- have quarterback Steve McNair, rush for 1,000 yards (1,050) and high 22 assists. (NFL) draft this year,” Young winning touchdown run with a mentor to and close friend of pass for 3,000 yards (3,036) in a said. “I know everyone’s behind 19 seconds left, to beat USC, Young’s, have the third pick. single season. The Lakers also own the top scoring offense in hockey, me. I will not let y’all down.” 41-38, for the national title on Brown said on Thursday that He was honored with the Dav- averaging 4.65 goals per game. Their power-play is also Young said he also planned Wednesday. he wants whatever is best for ey O’Brien National Quarterback nationally recognized, with a 24 percent effi ciency. to get his degree and said his Young’s NFL draft stock Young. Award and the Maxwell Award, mother told him that it was his seemed to soar after accounting “If he’s back and unhappy, given to the nation’s best college decision. for a Rose Bowl record 467 yards that’s the worst thing you can football player. Quick hits are compiled by sports editor Ryan Palm. Any- Brown did not attend the news of total offense in the game. possibly have,” Brown said. thing worthy of being a “quick hit” should be e-mailed to conference as he is in Dallas at But published reports have “What we want in rewards for [email protected]. the annual American Football said the Houston Texans, who Vince is what is in his heart. What