Hyek clashes after classes view it as barbaric and all sorts of negative things,” Hyek said. By Nick Glasier Hyek takes this criticism and relative negligence of his Sports editor career in stride and knows it will change if current trends in the fighting world continue. When most Mercyhurst students are partying or studying “The fact is, people may not konw much about MMA now, Friday night, George Hyek will step into a ring at the Avalon but we are slowly but surely overtaking boxing, and many Hotel, hoping to knock out the fighter standing across from people in the fighting industry are really starting to embrace him. this fact,” Hyek said. At 7 p.m. Hyek will square off against Jeremiah Gurley at Despite opinions of his classmates, Hyek has made it to a the 165-pound-weight class, looking to notch another profes- very high level in his career as he looks toward his first profes- sional win in mixed martial arts. sional bout. The pressure is apparent, but a sense of hope is Mixed martial arts (MMA) matches are some of the most more evident. intense, entertaining and brutal fights you will ever watch. “All I am looking to do is go out there and knock this guy Fighters pummel each other with fists, legs, knees and elbows, out. There is no feeling like knocking someone out, and it and that is just when they aren’t on the ground wrestling or does pay extra,” Hyek said. being put into submissions. Hyek has it harder than most fighters in his quest for a The other factor that makes being an MMA fighter tough, knockout. other than the physical punishment, is hte perception of the Most of the fighters only have to fight one opponent at a sport, especially on campus. time. Hyek, on the other hand, combats two opponents for “The culture around here about MMA is normally very neg- every fight. ative. People have told me how it disgusts them and how they Read more on Page 7 Page 2 NEWS September 16, 2009 Wecksell brings College comes humor to ’Hurst together for Mass By Jennifer McCurdy Contributing writer Following his show in Taylor Little Theatre on Friday, Sept. 11, comedian Evan Wecksell tweeted, “I heart Mercyhurst.” Apparently, Mercyhurst “hearts” Evan Wecksell, too. Tyler Stauffer photo “I’m a big fan of comedians The Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Smith walked into Christ the King with guitars,” junior Amber Kiss- Chapel for the Mass of the Holy Spirit on Thursday, Sept. 10. man said after the show. She thor- oughly enjoyed the act, which combined elements of comedy and improvisation with music. “He was very original,” junior John Veltre said. Wecksell, a native of Great Neck, N.Y., created an act inspired by the performances of some of New York’s most Tyler Stauffer photo renowned comedians. After the mass, the Mercyhurst College community enjoyed Wecksell has appeared on a picnic lunch in front of Old Main. VH1’s “I Love the 80s 3D,” “I Love the 70s II” and “I Love Toys.” He has also released his comedy songs to radio outlets Campus minister including the Dr. Demento Contributed photo Radio Show, Sirius and XM. Comedian Evan Wecksell performed in Taylor Little Theatre position restructured Along with taping the fourth on Friday, Sept. 11. He combined elements of comedy and season of “America’s Got improvisation with music. According to Baker, the fi rst By Kelly Luoma Talent” and working on his priority of the restructuring News editor fi rst feature fi lm, “Columbus libbed a fair portion of the titled “For The Mortgage.” was to fi nd someone who was Circle,” Wecksell continues to show, the comedian had obvi- After the show, Wecksell sold more accessible to students by tour college campuses across ously done his homework. these CDs to raise money for The Protestant campus min- being available both mornings the nation. Wecksell visited the campus, the New York City Marathon ister position, formerly held by and evenings. Wecksell’s comedy highlights and after touring the new resi- for Fight for Kids, a charity the Rev. Lyta Seddig, has been The Rev. Christine Brother- the college experience. dence hall Friday afternoon, he which attempts to prevent abu- restructured. son was chosen as the full-time In a new song which debuted joked, “When I say Warde, you sive psychiatric treatment and Director of Campus Min- Protestant minister. at Mercyhurst College, Wecksell say hotel.” over-drugging of children. istry Greg Baker said, “The The departure of Seddig did pokes fun at the college experi- He also topped his list of For any new Wecksell fans, or model of a part-time campus sadden Baker, he said. ence of drinking: “Staggering “Top Ten Things about Mercy- any of those who did not attend minister was not as effective “It was not an easy transi- drunk girl, a lightweight in every hurst College” with, “You’re not the show but wish they had, this [as it could be].” tion for me, personally,” Baker sense, thinks the world revolves Gannon!” fall the comedian will continue Seddig, who came to Mercy- said. around her, but that’s only diz- The comedian supplemented to tour colleges not only as a hurst College in 2001, worked However, Baker is pleased ziness.” However, he warns of his act by pulling volunteers single act but also as a part of 15 to 16 hours a week. with how the transition has the dangers of drinking halfway onto the stage and holding a “College The Musical: A Musi- “Several people, including gone so far. through his song, cautioning that contest inspired by fmylife.com, cal About College,” an original myself, tried to look at the “I’m extremely optimistic “you do have to be responsible.” which ended in one student musical comedy set to debut in effectiveness of the position,” about our future and our min- Although Wecksell ad- winning one of Wecksell’s CDs, October. Baker said. istries,” Baker said. Page 2 NEWS September 16, 2009 September 16, 2009 NEWS Page 3 College comes Service Fair highlights local volunteer opportunities These nonprofi t organiza- for 24-hour service events. Wecksell brings By Kelly Dempsey tions include large, national “The service fair went well, Contributing writer together for Mass organizations such as Habitat although we had less traffi c this for Humanity and the Booker T. year,” Hamorsky said. The annual Service Fair makes Washington Center. Hamorsky believes attendance humor to ’Hurst Mercyhurst College students Organizations such as the was lower this year because of more aware of volunteer and Ophelia Project and CHAMPS, the changes in the Laker Inn. By Jennifer McCurdy service opportunities available which emphasize mentoring, are Students are no longer able to Contributing writer throughout the school year. included as well. use board plans at the Laker Inn, Whether students are inter- Colin Hurley, director of and this has caused a decline in Following his show in Taylor ested in volunteering simply to Service Learning, said the Ser- student traffi c throughout the Little Theatre on Friday, Sept. help out or need service hours vice Fair is important because Student Union. 11, comedian Evan Wecksell for classes or major require- it helps students to know “how Alicia Cagle, one of the stu- tweeted, “I heart Mercyhurst.” ments, the Service Learning and where to serve for service dents who did make it to the ser- Apparently, Mercyhurst “hearts” Department dedicates one day learning classes, and how they vice fair this year, said the Service Evan Wecksell, too. Tyler Stauffer photo at the beginning of each aca- can make great connections for Fair was a “great opportunity to “I’m a big fan of comedians The Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Smith walked into Christ the King demic year to educate students future careers.” fi nd out how to get involved in with guitars,” junior Amber Kiss- Chapel for the Mass of the Holy Spirit on Thursday, Sept. 10. on the different service organi- Another service emphasized the Erie community.” man said after the show. She thor- zations available. at the fair was Americorps Students who are inter- oughly enjoyed the act, which Mercyhurst’s annual Service VISTA, headed at Mercyhurst ested in serving others Tyler Stauffer photo combined elements of comedy Fair, which hosts 26 local non- by Amanda Hamorsky. Ameri- are encouraged to contact Freshmen Emily Salone and Andrea Lisowski spoke to and improvisation with music. profi t organizations, took place corps VISTA provides such Colin Hurley in the Service Britney Cerrie from Habitat for Humanity at the Service Fair on “He was very original,” junior Wednesday, Sept. 9, in the Her- services as transportation to Learning offi ce on the fi rst fl oor Wednesday, Sept. 9. The annual Service Fair informs John Veltre said. rmann Student Union. service sites and opportunities of Egan. Mercyhurst students about volunteer opportunities in Erie. Wecksell, a native of Great Neck, N.Y., created an act inspired by the performances of some of New York’s most Tyler Stauffer photo Liquor Law Violation 3926 Briggs Avenue Ways to help renowned comedians. Police arrest suspect After the mass, the Mercyhurst College community enjoyed Saturday, Sept. 5 College discipline protect yourself: Wecksell has appeared on a picnic lunch in front of Old Main. VH1’s “I Love the 80s 3D,” “I in armed robbery • Keep your vehicle Love the 70s II” and “I Love Liquor Law Violation Warde Hall locked at all times. Toys.” He has also released his By Kelly Luoma comedy songs to radio outlets Campus minister Sunday, Sept.