The Times-Delphic

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER FOR DRAKE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

THE TIMES DELPHIC DES MOINES, IOWA | THURSDAY, MARCH. 8, 2012 | VOL. 131, NO. 40 | WWW.TIMESDELPHIC.COM

Drake students honored with ADDY awards Advertising students recognized for logos, designs

by Ethan Clevenger News Editor tdnewsed@drake.edu

courtesy of DOROTHY PISARSKI

SOPHOMORE ZACHERY SCHROM (left) and JUNIOR JACLYN INGMAND (right) were awarded scholarships from the American Advertising Federation last month for their work in advertising. Senior Kathleen Moore was also one of the Drake students to be awarded a Gold ADDY Scholarship. Sophomore Monica Worsley was the recipient of a silver ADDY award. Schrom was awarded the Wesley Day Scholarship and Ingmand received the Terry Stoffer Scholarship.

Judges from Philadelphia, Atlanta and Houston gathered in Des Moines to assist the American Advertising Federation of Des Moines last month in determining winners of the annual ADDY Awards. Nearly 300 works were evaluated with only 25 Gold ADDY scholarships being awarded.

Senior Kathleen Moore was awarded one of these awards for her “Branching our Florist” logo.

A silver award was granted to sophomore Monica Worsley. She created a poster called “All the campus in a flower,” modified from a picture she took here on campus.

“It was extremely impressive for our senior Kathleen Moore to be awarded a Gold ADDY,” said Dorothy Pisarski, assistant professor of advertising.

Pisarski also said that the competition was extremely competitive.

“A student campaign that was in Kat’s category was done in a very impressive fashion with a superb design on a special type of eye-catching paper,” Pisarski added. “I would have assumed the judges would have loved it…each of the judges caught the one type on that page. That campaign earned 3 points out of a possible 300,

which of course put it way out of the running for any award.”

In addition to these awards, the AAF also awarded two scholarships over the course of the ceremony, both of which were awarded to Drake students. Junior advertising major Jaclyn Ingmand received the Terry Stoffer Scholarship while sophomore advertising major Zachery Schrom was awarded the Wesley Day Scholarship, both for advertisements depicting their growth as advertising students.

“I chose to create a movie trailer.

I took various home videos that I had captured throughout the years and put them together to form a trailer or my life, basically,” Ingmand said.

The scholarships are presented during the ceremony to grow awareness of the recognized students among the professional community, Pisarski said.

“In previous years, I have seen one of the scholarships go to a Drake student,” she said. “This is the first year that both scholarships were won by Drake students.”

Ingmand said that she will cherish her selection for the award.

“I was very honored to receive the award,” Ingmand said. “Being chosen by a well-known professional in Des Moines…was definitely an honor. I never expected an experience like that.”

Students take break from studies to play tennis

by Kristen Bramhall

Staff Writer kristen.bramhall@drake.edu

Monday and Wednesday evenings at the Bell Center slight popping noises and shouts can be heard coming from the tennis center. These shouts of joy and effort, tennis balls hitting rackets and clay courts, belong to the members of the Drake Tennis Club.

From 7-9 p.m., 30-some students come to play matches. First-year student Matthew McGowan is an avid member of the club.

“For the first hour, we play com-

petitively, and for the second hour you can either play a match or play volleying and groundstroke games,” McGowan said. He has been playing tennis since grade school days. He says he joined tennis club because it has been part of his daily life since high school.

“It would just be weird to stop playing,” McGowan said. “It’s a good study break.”

First-year student Taylor Soule feels much of the same toward the inclusive club.

“After competing at the state tournament during my senior year at Newton High School in Newton,

Iowa, I knew I wanted to continue playing tennis in college, and Drake Tennis Club was the perfect outlet,” Soule said. The club is active throughout the academic year, giving students plenty of opportunity to improve as players, and pick up new skills from other club members.

“It’s mostly first-years, but there are also sophomores to seniors,” McGowan said. “Everyone is willing to help each other out. I think I’m pretty advanced, but I’ve still learned a lot since August. And I’ve helped other people learn new techniques. We all help each other out.” Both McGowan and Soule said they chose Tennis

Club over trying out for Drake’s tennis team because the club is more recreational and less of a time commitment. However, that does not mean the club doesn’t get competitive.

On March 10-11, members of the club who would like to participate will be going to Overland Park, Kan. for a tournament. They’ve also had tournaments on their own court against Iowa State University, Iowa University and several nearby colleges and universities. The Overland Park tournament will be the last tournament of the season.

“I’m planning on going mostly just for fun,” McGowan said. “I like

having new competition. I’m not worried about how I play. It’s just for recreation.”

Soule also plans to attend the tournament.

“I’m a consistent singles player, so I’m hoping to channel that style of play against other universities next weekend, and I hope to avoid doubles play all together,” Soule said.

Photos of the week:

TAYLOR SOULE | photo editor

CARTER OSWOOD | staff photographer WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TOOK ON CREIGHTON last week in their final game of the regular season. They will now play Evansville in the opening round of tournament play tonight.

FIRST-YEARS JAMIE CARPETNER (left), KRISTINA LIBBEY (center) and ASHLEY REESE (right) get out to enjoy the seasonal weather on Tuesday afternoon. The temperature climbed to around 67.

>> CAMPUS CALENDAR >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> WHAT: “Community in Diversity” WHERE: Cowles Library Reading Room WHEN: Thursday, March 8, 7 p.m.

WHAT: “What Were We Doing in the House? Racial Conundrums in ‘White’ Feminist Ethics” WHERE: Medbury Honors Lounge

WHAT: Alyssa McKean Voice Recital

WHAT: African Renaissance Night

WHERE: Sheslow Auditorium

WHERE: Olmsted Parents Hall

WHEN: Saturday, March 10, 4:30 p.m.

WHEN: Saturday, March 10, 6 p.m.

WHEN: Friday, March 9, 3:30 p.m.

inside

OPINIONS

FEATURES

SPORTS

The Hubbell Rebuttal — Be thankful for it

Chicago students migrate for campus visits

Women’s basketball takes off to St. Charles

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THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 | PAGE 2

OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

PAGE 3 | THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

opinions&editorials

THE TIMES-DELPHIC It’s official. Peyton Manning is no longer an Indianapolis Colt. Where will he go now? Wherever it is, the offensive coordinator will be pretty set.

Hubbell rebuttal – complaining about complaining Jane Hoe: Facebook Drake student and Sodexo worker sheds light on Hubbell complaints official As a worker at Sodexo, I have to say much of Jared Netley’s article last week is extremely offensive. I understand we have our own opinions and are allowed to share them, but I thought people at a university such as Drake would have more class than he showed in this article. Yes, I am going to be meta-complaining here by complaining about others’ complaining. Maybe this will shed light on things.

1. The smaller cups allow for less waste. That is Sodexo’s way of becoming socially responsible. Yes, it does save money because many students don’t go back for seconds, but nobody is stopping you from doing so. You can keep the cup with you all day and keep refilling it all day long if you want. Be grateful that you attend a campus that allows students unlimited refills. As a member of the national board for Sodexo, I can tell you we are lucky to have the amenities and benefits we have here at our dining services. Many campuses don’t have a coffee shop, free refills or even a C-Store.

2. Students have heard too many things through the rumor mill. Sodexo has an allergy station for those who need it. It has nothing to do with the cereal. The cereal was taken away because it was going to waste, as it became stale quite often. Who wants stale cereal? So, as a way to make the cereal fresher, it is only offered at breakfast. Every so often, there is a cereal bar during dinner on the weekends, which offers a large variety of cereal and toppings.

You will survive without cereal at every meal, I promise.

3. People are faking allergies in order to get food from the allergy station? That is sad. Some of the people who need food from the allergy station have severe allergies to other foods offered and are only able to eat a few things. You are going to be selfish and eat someone else’s ONLY food option? I didn’t want this to become a moral talk, but seriously, think about others for a change. You can probably eat ANYTHING offered at Hubbell, and you are

eating from the allergy station?

4. The costs of meal plans are set by Drake. So, if you think it is too expensive to eat on campus, bring that to up to Drake. The prices of the meal plans rise with tuition increases every year. As far as individual item costs go, check the smoothies, coffee and to-go items at Drake. Most of the prices have been the same for some time now. It isn’t like Sodexo is trying to rob students blind of their money — they are just making a profit like any other company.

5. You will find long lines and food running out anywhere at lunchtime. Have you ever been in a mall food court during the lunch rush? How about any type of fast food at 6 p.m.? Or how about the hour-long wait at Olive Garden almost every dinner? There is only so much staffing a food facility can have before the workers get in the way of each other and bring overall productivity down. Take management 120 and you will understand. They make the food fresh so it doesn’t sit there forever and get cold. You are going to have to wait if you want warm food. The lines move faster than one would think. Plan more time for lunch, or if you can’t plan more time, buy something from the CStore or coffee shop to eat. Stop complaining about things that nobody can control.

6. If you think the food is bad, then get over yourself. You may have been raised to be a spoiled brat who only eats the highest of quality in foods, but you were in the wrong mindset to come to college. It doesn’t matter who it is or what college you attend – making food for mass quantities is difficult.

It is hard to keep food warm, to keep it from drying out, to have flavor and to please every student at once. Have you ever been to buffets? One could complain that food isn’t very high quality at a buffet, but people still eat there. Hubbell chefs do the best they can with the many restrictions they have.

Be thankful you even have food to eat. It is just food.

If you constantly complain about the quality, then

you are shallow and have been raised to be ungrateful. Sure, the quality will vary and there will be things you hate. That is fine. Nobody says you have to like everything offered.

I am not defending Sodexo just because I work there, but also because I think it does a great job of catering to as many students as it can. If you ever have specific requests, the managers will do their best to make sure you can get what you want. The extra salad line? That was a student request. How about ice cream at the Olmsted coffee shop and the new mixes at the C-Store? Those were to cater to student wants also.

ERYN SWAIN | COLUMNIST

Swain is a junior marketing and writing double major and can be contacted at eryn.swain@drake.edu

Journey to the ‘middle of nowhere,’ Midwest Congratulations, fellow Drake students! You have all ventured to a place many Americans might consider foreign or might not even consider at all. That’s right, I’m talking about the Midwest. Though we are all proud residents of this gem of a region (I hope anyway), for many others, it tends to go unnoticed.

If you’ll permit me, I’d like to briefly reminisce for a moment. A little over a year ago, I announced my decision to attend Drake to my friends and family. One of my always supportive friends responded with these words of encouragement: “What’s in Iowa? Who would want to go to school there?”

Needless to say, it took quite a bit of tongue biting on my part to move past that comment.

I’m going to take a wild guess here that a few of you have also received similar comments from friends, family or complete strangers maybe. Why is it that cornfields are the only things that come to people’s minds when

a Midwestern state is mentioned, particularly Iowa? Do they honestly think those are the only things out here? Then again, I suppose I should appreciate the fact that these people are even thinking about the Midwest at all.

In many instances, the other regions largely ignore the Midwest.

Most fashion magazines are a prime example of the ignorance related to our region. Whenever I glance at the pages of “Vogue,” “Elle” or even “Seventeen,” I find myself thinking about how ill-suited most of those garments are for Midwest living. We’re still wearing Ugg boots here, so I don’t think your average Midwesterner is going to go out and drop thousands of dollars on designer wear. Where’s the magazine that features entire ensembles we Drake students would and could afford to consider wearing? Fellow magazines majors, we could band together and make this happen.

Once you get past the lack of

Midwestern representation in the fashion industry, there’s that pesky view that the Midwest cannot be a vacation destination. In the words of a former neighbor: “Why are you going to South Dakota? What’s there?”

Yes, those were real questions.

South Dakota natives, I would be happy to supply my neighbor’s address for your hate mail. Needless to say, my family’s trip to South Dakota was quite enjoyable. We got to see Mount Rushmore, the horse from “Dances With Wolves,” Custer State Park and The Flintstones Bedrock City Theme Park. Now, who can scoff at Bedrock City as a worthwhile destination?

When people move beyond the idea that the Midwest is boring, they may just discover that there’s a lot more to it than meets the eye. After all, we’ve got Cedar Point Amusement Park (home of the Millennium Force), House on the Rock, Mall of America and much more. Heck, even

here at Drake, we’ve had a GOP presidential debate.

Next time someone gives you grief about living and learning in the Midwest, I challenge you to politely inform him or her that it’s so much better than they think. We shouldn’t just be children of the corn. We should be proud children of the corn.

EMILY HECKER | COLUMNIST

Hecker is a first-year magazines and writing double major and can be contacted at emily.hecker@drake.edu

Our Two Cents STAFF EDITORIAL •

We’re so close! Spring break is only one week away.

Power through these last few days and then we’ll get to relax.

•

It’s official. ‘90s Pop Pandora station has something for everyone and you’re inevitably in a good mood after listening to it.

•

Be careful when you go out this weekend. Bars have been busted for three weeks straight and back-to-back nights each weekend. Who really wants to pay a ticket for going out?

•

Snookie is pregnant. This should be interesting.

THE TIMES-DELPHIC THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER FOR DRAKE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884 LAUREN HORSCH, Editor-in-Chief

jill.vanwyke@drake.edu

ELIZABETH ROBINSON, Managing Editor

tdfeatsopsed@gmail.com

ETHAN CLEVENGER, News Editor tdnewsed@gmail.com EDUARDO ZAMARRIPA, Sports Editor

tdsportsed@gmail.com

BENNETT HANSEN, Digital Editor

tddigitaled@gmail.com

KATELYN PHILIPP, Multimedia Editor

tdmultimediaed@gmail.com

HILARY DIETZ, Sports Design Editor

tddesigneditor@gmail.com

REBECCA BONESCHANS, Page Designer

rebecca.boneschans@drake.edu

TAYLOR SOULE, Photo Editor tdphotoed@gmail.com

KRISTEN SMITH, Relays Editor tdrelays@gmail.com

MATT MORAN, Copy Editor

SARAH SAGER, Copy Editor

tdcopyed@gmail.com

KAILA SWAIN, Business Manager kaila.swain@drake.edu

JANE HOE | COLUMNIST

Hoe is the TD’s anonymous sex columnist.

She is a student at Drake and can be reached at janehoe.drake@gmail.com

The Times-Delphic is a student newspaper published semi-weekly during the regular academic year and is produced by undergraduate students at Drake University. The opinions of staff editorials reflect the institutional opinion of the newspaper based on current staff opinions and the newspaper’s traditions. These opinions do not necessarily reflect those of individual employees of the paper, Drake University or members of the student body. All other opinions appearing throughout the paper are those of the author or artist named within the column or cartoon. The newsroom and business office of The Times-Delphic are located in Meredith Hall, Room 124. The TimesDelphic is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press. The editor-in-chief sits on the Board of Student Communications.

LETTERS & SUBMISSION POLICY

tdeditorinchief@gmail.com

JILL VAN WYKE, Faculty Advisor

Hey Jane!

So, I’ve been dating this girl for a month now, and I’d really like to make it Facebook official, but she says we don’t need to be…

Is this something I should worry about?

Does this mean that our relationship is on the rocks? I just don’t even know what to do at this point….

-Officially Confused.

Well, Officially Confused, that’s a doozie of a question. Becoming Facebook Official (FBO) is a big step in any relationship. It sets the tone for how you want to have your relationship viewed in the public sphere.

The thought of going FBO freaks a lot of people out. Once it’s on Facebook, it’s going to be there for a while. Even if you edit your Timeline (or profile if you haven’t made the switch yet), it’s still going to be there for all of your friends to see.

Starting a relationship is stressful enough. How would adding the stress of being FBO make it any better? Being FBO is a big step one can take. Really, though, it’s not that big of a deal in the long run, but it’s also a personal decision.

You have to take into account how long you’ve been dating this person. While a month is commendable, it still might be a little too early to make it FBO. The main reason why people make it FBO is to let the world know that they’re in a relationship. But there are things to consider before going FBO: 1. Have you told your friends yet?

Don’t be that person. You know that person — The one that changes his or her status out of the blue and your friends say, “Man, I didn’t even see that coming.” Yeah, you know why they didn’t see it coming, because you decided not to tell them.

Be open with your friends and avoid those fights. No relationship is worth fighting with your best friends.

2. Are you friends with a majority of your ex’s on Facebook?

This is actually a reason you should be FBO. Show them that you moved on – nothing like proclaiming it from the heights of Facebook.

3. Confirm that you’re actually in a relationship with said person…

Again, duh. Don’t just assume.

Don’t be that idiot. It’ll save you a lot of time and a hurt ego.

4. Do you both want to make it FBO? Your partner might not actually want to be FBO for reasons. Trying to keep some sort of your life private can be a good thing. A little mystery never hurt anyone.

Personally, I see nothing wrong with keeping your relationship off of Facebook. Usually, if you’re dating someone, it’s pretty obvious to most people (annoying couple photos are always a good tip off). If you and your significant other decide to make it FBO, be sure that you’re on the same page and are ready for the intense amount of likes and comments to be on your page.

If your girlfriend still decides that she doesn’t want to be FBO, don’t push the subject. It’s not worth it.

Just keep it on the down low for a bit and then go from there. Keep your head up. Eventually, everything will be figured out, or you’ll break up. At least that won’t be plastered all over your Facebook.

Small wins my brother, small wins.

tdcopyed@gmail.com

MARY HONEYMAN, Ads Manager mary.honeyman@drake.edu

The Times-Delphic strives to represent student views as accurately and honestly as possible. We rely on readers to provide us with criticism, comments and new ideas so that we can continue to serve the interests of the students in the fairest possible way. We encourage interested readers to submit letters to the editor. Letters must include the author’s name and phone number. Unsigned letters will not be published.

Deadlines for guest submissions are noon Tuesday for the Thursday edition and noon Friday for the Monday edition. The Times-Delphic reserves the right to edit letters and submissions for space and in the interest of taste. Letters and submissions reflect only the opinions of the authors and should be limited to 250 words. Emailed letters can be sent to tdeditorinchief@gmail.com.

ADVERTISING POLICY

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FEATURES

features

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 | PAGE 4

don’tmissthis

Clean Cause Concert Mars Café Tonight @ 7 p.m.

Featuring local bands, entertainment and prizes Sponsored by Drake ONE

Music students share talent How Drake became Recitals demonstrate students’ hard work, skills

by Katie Ericson

Staff Writer katie.ericson@drake.edu

Music students are constantly talking about music 21, whether they have enough, whether a certain concert counts for it or who is taking role for music 21 credit. For non-music majors, this can be very confusing.

Though it counts for zero credits, MUS 021 is a required course for majors. In order to pass the course, music students have to go to 15 recitals a semester. They check in before the concert with a member of Sigma Alpha Iota (the professional music sorority here at Drake), and then they check out once the concert is done. If a major misses a concert or two, making only 13 that semester, the missed number is doubled and added on to their 15 recitals for the next semester.

For example, they would have to attend 19 events the next semester.

So, music 21 can be fairly stressful for music students. However, it also provides them with great opportunities. This spring semester, there are over 80 recitals. Some are hosted in the Fred and Patty Turner Jazz Center, some are in the Performing Arts Hall in the Fine Arts Center and many are in Sheslow Auditorium. The artists vary from Drake’s jazz bands to visiting professionals to student performers to our very own teachers. Each concert is unique —

featuring different pieces, genres and instruments each time — and most are free. Some, such as the Synergy Jazz Foundation Concert this Saturday (7:30 p.m. at the Turner Center) do charge admission. The same is true of the Des Moines Symphony’s Concerts downtown in the Civic Center (Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.).

However, most of the concerts are free. Junior and senior students are also required to host recitals (one per year). These concerts do not charge a fee and often have free concessions after. Almost all student recitals are held in Sheslow Auditorium. Marilyn Dean, fine arts facility manager, said that plenty of work goes into finding a location for concerts.

“Booking a space is a collaborative effort,” Dean said.

The halls that musicians play in have to be available during the concerts time, have to be approved by their professor and have to be accepted by their accompanist.

This weekend will feature a variety of performers. Jason Oelmann is on French horn tomorrow at 7:30 p.m., vocalist Alyssa McKean performs Saturday at 4:30 p.m., and fellow singer Anna Gebhardt will perform Saturday at 7:30 p.m. All three concerts will be held in Sheslow Auditorium. These are not just opportunities for students to pass a requirement, but for them to also show

their skills and techniques.

Oelmann described the recitals as “working on your path to excellence.” Also, it is an opportunity for friends and family to come support these musicians and listen to beautiful music.

Yet not all concerts are for music 21 credit.

“It has to do with the level of the music,” Dean said.

Students or professionals usually play in the concerts that are accepted for music 21 credits. However, this does not make the non-music 21 concerts any less enjoyable. Last fall, Dueling Pianos came and played in Sheslow Auditorium. There are also regular coffee nights in the Turner Jazz Center ($1 for a cup or $2 for all you can drink), along with performances such as “Twelfth Night” and “A Little Night Music” in the Performing Arts Hall. Even in Quad Creek Café, we have our very own Bluegrass string group.

Whether a music major or not, there are plenty of opportunities to hear wonderful music at Drake.

“Concerts are a chance to hear new repertoire and open my mind up to new ideas,” Oelmann said.

Between the plays, recitals and concerts, Drake is filled with music.

If you are interested in attending some of these events, go to Drake’s calendar and view all of its scheduled activities.

music recitals this weekend Friday

Saturday

Jason Oelmann on French horn 7:30 p.m.

Vocalist Alyssa McKean, 4:30 p.m.

Vocalist Anna Gebhardt, 7:30 p.m.

the Bulldogs

FILE PHOTO

by Hali Ortega

Staff Writer hali.ortega@drake.edu

Upon hearing the name Drake University, most would assume the mascot for the university would be a duck. Drake is the scientific term for a male duck. Instead, Drake’s mascot is a bulldog, but this hasn’t always been the case.

From 1893 to 1909, Drake’s athletes were known as the Drakes.

Then, in 1909, the bulldog became the university’s mascot. John L. Griffith was the head coach of the football team for Drake that year.

He owned two English bulldogs, and students would walk them around during the football games. People began to love these animals and began to see them as a symbol of tradition.

Art Gordon, The Des Moines Register’s sports editor at the time, noted the bulldogs’ increasing status and Drake’s pride in them. Eventually, he began calling Drake teams the Bulldogs in the game reports he wrote. The new title stuck.

The “D” Song is also a classic part to games at Drake. Before gaining a bulldog mascot, this fight song had one slight difference. In the line we now use “Fights like a bulldog for victory,” the word “bulldog”

was actually tiger. Drake sports team members were called the Tigers often because of this, even though our official mascot was the Drake. Once the bulldog became the mascot, that word was switched accordingly.

With the arrival of the mascot and matching fight song, this brought traditions such as the Beautiful Bulldog Contest. The event happens every year before the Drake Relays. Bulldogs are judged to become the official mascot of the Relays that year, plus they receive a key to Des Moines.

This past year, a bulldog named Lucy won. The winner is also the official bulldog mascot of Drake University for the next year, until the next Beautiful Bulldog is crowned.

Dolph Pulliam, director of community outreach and development at Drake and the main organizer for the Beautiful Bulldog Contest, said that the bulldog is a meaningful mascot.

“The Bulldog represents the infectious spirit of our campus community,” Pulliam said. “Not just in athletics, but in every student group, organization, club, faculty and staff in the Drake campus community.”

Now in its 33rd year, the next Beautiful Bulldog Contest is April 23 at the Drake Fieldhouse. As part of the kickoff to Relays, judging begins at 10:45 a.m. and the pageant starts at 12 p.m.

FEATURES

PAGE 5 THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

Prospective students from Chicago area visit campus Drake’s annual Chicago bus trip bring students to campus, other city visits a possibility

by Kelly Tafoya

Staff Writer kelly.tafoya@drake.edu

This past weekend, Drake University hosted over 50 students for the annual Chicago bus trip, which brings admitted prospective seniors to experience a day as a Drake student.

“I think it’s awesome that Chicago area kids are able to meet one another and take a trip to visit the school together,” first-year Leah Walters said.

“Getting to spend the night with real college students is an entirely different experience than visiting campus for the day with parents.”

Walters not only hosted a prospective student this year, but was also a participant on the trip last year.

“One of the most important things I took away from the bus trip was the emphasis on academics here, which was really important to me,” Walters said. “I got to meet with journalism faculty one-on-one because I was the only prospective journalism major on the entire trip. That opportunity made me realize that Drake journalism programs are really unique, and they’re doing amazing, cutting-edge things. I knew I wanted to a part of it. The students were also easy to get along with. I got a great Midwestern vibe from everybody that made me feel right at home.”

Kelly Meyers, a high school senior on the Chicago bus trip this year, said that Drake felt like home. Meyers committed to being a freshman Bulldog for the fall of 2012 back in December.

“I committed to Drake because it had that small school feeling that I wanted,” Meyers said. “The bus trip has been a great follow-up because it confirms that this is the place I want to be.”

The program for the bus trip has changed even in the past year in order to better accommodate and show off Drake in the best light.

“We are still trying to perfect our schedule and the process of how we choose hosts,” said admission counselor Tisleen Singh. “Improvements can always be made. However, sometimes certain things will have to stay the same for logistical reasons.

“The comedian is new this year and went really well. We also took the students to Americana for dinner this year in downtown Des Moines instead of in Jordan Creek. We also changed our morning program from a speech to a student panel. We’ve added micro tours of Greek street, athletics and West Village. We are improving every year and are open to suggestions.”

Chicago is the only city that has its own bus trip that has come annually

with prospective students.

“Any territory can have a bus trip, and there are talks that we might start them for other cities,” Singh said.

“The Chicago bus trip has been happening at least since the ‘80s. I met an alumnus from ‘86 that said she went on it, so I’m taking her word. I believe it started with Chicago because we get so many students from there, and it’s a bit further away than the other cities that are represented at Drake.”

The main focus of the bus trip is to highlight not only the campus but also the people at Drake.

“The best part about the Chicago bus trip was getting to interact with Drake students,” Walters said.

“The only other time I’d visited campus was over winter break, so there weren’t any students here. The vibe is definitely completely different when there are kids around campus and in classes, so it was fun to see Drake in action. It was also cool to meet other future Bulldogs.”

Singh agrees that it’s the students and faculty members that make Drake what it is.

“I hope they see the same message from students that aren’t scripted that they see in our office,” she said.

“I hope they realize how amazing our students and community are, and it’s the people the make Drake so amazing.” illustration by ELIZABETH ROBINSON | managing editor

Review: Cartoon heavy on adult content, Latin jazz and love affairs Oscar nominee a romantic roller coaster

by Casey Erixon

Staff Writer william.erixon@drake.edu

“Chico and Rita” is one of the finest animated films to come out in the last decade and the first Spanish-language animated film to be nominated for the for Best Animated Picture at The Oscars in the history of the award. Unlike most animated pictures that were nominated this year, “Chico and Rita” is most definitely aimed at adults and features the sometimestragic story of two lovers inextricably tied together through the power of music.

The film begins with an aged shoeshiner named Chico walking through the dusty streets of modern day Havana, but we are quickly transported into the past as he strolls down memory lane. His flashbacks begin in Havana in the late 1940s, where he is a skilled and ambitious jazz pianist. At a nightclub, he happens to meet Rita, a voluptuous and dynamic singer, and they soon begin a passionate but seemingly doomed love affair that takes us from Havana to New York, to Hollywood, to Las Vegas and to Paris.

As compelling as this roller coaster romance is, it is the music and the history that really make this film stand out. As these starcrossed lovers travel the globe, we are treated to a front row seat to the development of postwar jazz music, particularly the contributions of Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Chano Pozo. From the airy courtyards of Havana to the dark basement clubs of New York and to the glitzy hotels of Las Vegas, the music seems to be a central character that drives the film’s narrative and binds the characters together.

The film employs an uncomplicated but incredibly evocative animation style that makes heavy use of color blocks and thick fluid lines, which complement the free-flowing nature of the film’s soundtrack. Unlike so many of the animated films that Hollywood churns out every year, “Chico and Rita” is animated using almost exclusively hand-drawn animation techniques, and that adds to the personal nature of the film. From the busy and bustling cityscapes to the most intimate moments of Chico and Rita’s love affair, the understated animation style paints us a picture that is both vibrant and nostalgic.

This film also shines when it comes to its uncompromising and surprisingly accurate approach to the history of discrimination, racism and corruption that pervaded post-war show business. Towards the end of the film, we also see the challenges that the Cuban revolution posed for musicians and artists and the toll it took on our main characters.

Directed by Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal, this film heavily features the music of 93-year-old Cuban pianist and composer Bebo Valdés, who, much like the character of Chico, was living in relative obscurity in Europe before he was rediscovered and reintroduced to a modern audience by Trueba in his documentary, “Calle 54.” Valdés performs most of the original songs for the film, but it also features the music of some of the most talented performers of the era, such as Thelonious Monk, Cole Porter and Gillespie. From beginning to end, “Chico and Rita” is a real audience-pleaser that will make you fall in love with Latin jazz just as much as its title characters fell for each other.

Competition at the Oscars Chico and Rita is the first Spanish-language animated film to be nominated for Best Animated Picture at this year’s Academy Awards. Check out the other nominees and winner of this year’s Best Animated Picture.

• A Cat in Paris • Chico and Rita • Kung Fu Panda 2 • Rango* • Puss in Boots *Rango won the award

this weekend in DSM X Rapper Tyga in Concert Val Air Ballroom Tonight @ 7 p.m.

Admission: $30

X Dance 2 the Max Dance Competition Des Moines Marriot Downtown Saturday – Sunday (all day) Admission: free for spectators

X DSM Buccaneers vs. Fargo Force X Gateway Market Wine Tasting Buccaneer Arena Saturday @ 7:05 p.m. $14 or $16 (center ice)

Gateway Market and Café Friday, 5 – 7 p.m.

Admission: free

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 | PAGE 6

SPORTS

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Bulldogs face-off against Evansville in opening round >> Drake swept Purple Aces in regular season, will take on Illinois State with a victory

by Taylor Soule

Photo Editor tdphoto@gmail.com

The State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Championship opens tonight in St. Charles, Mo., and the Drake women’s basketball team is ready to make a statement against Evansville — and perhaps, against future NIT, or possibly NCAA tournament, foes.

Despite a seventh seed, the Bulldogs are optimistic entering tonight’s showdown in Family Arena.

The MVC Championship is uncharted territory for freshman Kyndal Clark, and earning another victory over the Purple Aces is forefront.

“We’ve just got to stick to the game plan against them (Evansville) and

come out and beat them and hopefully spiral upwards from there,” she said.

The Bulldogs defeated Evansville at the Knapp Center on Jan. 14, 6753. Four weeks later, Drake toppled the Purple Aces 55-51 at the Ford Center in Evansville, Ind. If the Bulldogs beat Evansville again tonight, they will face No. 2 seed Illinois State tomorrow in the quarterfinals at 6:05 p.m.

Even with powerhouses Missouri State and Illinois State atop the MVC regular season rankings, Clark anticipates a competitive tournament.

“I think it’s really open,” she said.

“Wichita State started out really well, and now they’re kind of in a slump here, but, I mean, it’s up for grabs.

Whichever team shows up is going to win.”

With the possibility of four games in just four days, Drake head coach Amy Stephens expects a demanding week.

“Four games in four days — you know it’s going to be a tall task,” she said. “Three games in three days is challenging.”

The Bulldogs hit their offensive stride to conclude regular-season play, and Stephens looked to her young players for continued scoring contribution.

“The last three games, our ball movement has been amazing,” Stephens said. “We’re playing really unselfish basketball. What’s happening now is Carly (Grenfell) is scoring, Kyndal (Clark) is scoring. They’re taking the pressure off Rachael (Hackbarth). Before, Rachael was having to get 24 or 32 (points), so when players like Carly and Kyndal and Amber (Wollschlager)

get to double figures, it really takes the pressure off Rachael.”

Offensively, the Bulldogs average 60.6 points per game, ranking ninth in the MVC. Hackbarth leads the Valley in scoring and rebounding with 19.3 points per game and 11.7 rebounds.

Clark is shooting 38.2 percent from 3-point land, good enough for sixth in the MVC. On the defensive front, Drake is third place in conference play, allowing just 60.9 points per game.

NIT selection begins on Monday, and Stephens is hopeful entering the conference tournament. If the Bulldogs win the tournament, they earn an automatic bid to the Big Dance.

“If we could get to the semifinal game, it’s certainly in our realm of

possibility,” she said. “You’ve just got to have a winning record. We played a tough enough conference schedule.”

Before the Bulldogs book tickets to Madison Square Garden, though, they look to surprise the MVC faithful in St. Charles, Grenfell said.

“I’m pretty sure that earlier in the season, we had a similar thing with so many games back to back,” she said.

“I think it will be tough playing four games in four days, but nothing is impossible at this point. I think we’re all very hungry. We’re ready to go. We’re ready to make a statement. Anything can happen. That has been proven in our league, as far as who has beaten whom. So, hopefully we’ll be the one to come out on top.”

SENIORS RACHAEL HACKBARTH and Amber Wollschlager try to get a rebound in the Bulldogs’ match against Creighton on Saturday. Drake won 54-50.

Drake hopes strange campaign ends in surprising fashion No matter what happens in St. Charles for the Bulldogs this weekend, Drake has already exceeded expectations.

It’s been a strange campaign for Drake. Injuries to starting forward Stephanie Running and freshman Symone Daniels really hurt their depth in the frontcourt. Along with that, the Bulldogs have undergone heavily unpublicized locker room issues.

Back in December, junior guard Kayla Person quit the team. Just two weeks ago, redshirt junior guard Brittnye McSparron also hung up her sneakers.

There’s something brewing in the women’s locker room but it would be unfair to guess what exactly.

Whatever it is, it has left the Bulldogs undermanned. Drake now features a nine-man squad and from those nine players, only seven of them are getting playing time.

Head Coach Amy Stephens has opted to not play senior Alex Montgomery and sophomore Alyssa Marschner. Montgomery has never seen much playing time, but she is certainly more than capable of filling in for valuable minutes at the three-spot.

The second decision is more confounding, considering that Marschner is a proven three-point shooter and could possibly play both guard positions because of her size.

So this is where Drake is at. For the last two to three weeks, they have been playing a seven-man rotation that features THREE freshman. That’s amazing. Now, what’s even more surprising about that, is that the team has not fallen apart.

The Bulldogs finished a respectable 9-9 in the MVC this season, good enough to tie for fifth in the conference.

A series of tiebreakers pushed them back to the seventh slot of the conference tournament.

Drake has gotten it done on the defensive end all year, allowing just 60.6 points per game. On the other end, the

Bulldogs are the second worst offensive team in the conference, averaging just 60.3 points per game.

This should not come as a surprise.

Drake has no one who can create their own shot consistently and rely on senior Rachael Hackabrth on opening up the perimeter for shooters like freshman Kyndal Clark, redshirt freshman Carly Grenfell and senior Amber Wollschlager.

Hackbarth is having one of the best seasons in Valley history. She’s averaging 19.3 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. She makes everything go and opens up the perimeter.

Despite everything, somehow the Bulldogs have managed to have a decent campaign. Don’t forget this team played a tough non-conference schedule and took out squads such as Wisconsin and Saint Louis.

Now, they’ll head to the conference tournament to take on Evansville in the opening round. The Bulldogs should win that match and after that, Illinois State will be a battle. They beat Drake twice this year, although the Bulldogs lost in overtime at ISU in their first meeting of the year.

It’s been a strange year. Two players have quit, Stephens has relied heavily on freshmen and the Bulldogs can’t really score. But here they are at 9-9 in conference play.

Could Stephens make this her oddest and best coaching job yet?

CARTER OSWOOD | staff photographer REDSHIRT FRESHMAN CARLY GRENFELL shoots a free throw in the Bulldogs’ match against Creighton on Saturday. Grenfell finished the game with 15 points. Drake will need her scoring when it takes on Evansville today in the opening round.

Five players to watch

by Eduardo Zamarripa

Sports Editor eduardo.tamazzamarripa@drake.edu

RACHAEL HACKBARTH, Drake

Make sure to fill out your bracket 1 Missouri State Fri. 3/9 | 12:05 pm

8 Bradley Thurs. 3/8 | 4:05 pm

9 Southern Illinois

Sat. 3/10 | 1:35 pm

Fri. 3/9 | 2:35 pm

5 Northern Iowa CHAMPION Sun. 3/11 | 2:05 pm

2 Illinois State Fri. 3/9 | 6:05 pm

Thurs. 3/8 | 7:05 pm

10 Evansville

Sat. 3/10 | 4:05 pm

3 Wichita State EDUARDO ZAMARRIPA | COLUMNIST Zamarripa is a junior news-Internet and English double major and can be contacted at eduardo.tamezzamarripa@drake.edu

&

CASEY GARRISON, Missouri State As Garrison goes, so do the Bears. Garrison has been filling up the stat sheet, averaging 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game en route to a regular-season MVC title for MSU. All eyes will be on her to lead the Bears.

4 Creighton

7 Drake

WHO’S HOT

No one has dominated the MVC like Hackbarth this season. The do-it-all center leads the conference in points (19.3) and rebounds (11.7). She also tops the NCAA in double-doubles with 22. Watch out if she takes over the paint.

Fri. 3/9 | 8:35 pm

JAMIE RUSSELL, Illinois State Russell has been instrumental in the Redbirds’ second-place finish in the MVC. Not only has Russell been an efficient scorer for ISU (she’s shooting 80 percent from the charity stripe and 44.7 percent from the field), but she’s been their best ball-handler and playmaker.

6 Indiana State

K.K. ARMSTRONG, Northern Iowa Armstrong is the ultimate floor general for the Panthers. Armstrong is third in the conference with 3.9 assists per game and gets it done on the glass, cleaning up 5.3 boards per contest. She also averages 12.9 points per game.

WHO’S NOT

Missouri State The Bears went on a sizzling 11-game winning streak to claim the MVC’s regular-season title. The Bears did lose their regular-season finale in ugly fashion, falling 86-69 at home to lowly Bradley. But Missouri State had clinched the title and had little to play for. Don’t expect a letdown performance like that in St. Charles, Mo.

Wichita State Despite finishing 12-6 and third in the Valley, the Shockers stumbled to the finish line, losing three of their last four games.

They easily beat UNI in their regular-season finale, but after a 7-0 start to conference play, the Shockers went 5-6 the rest of the way.

Illinois State The Redbirds consistently lingered around the top of the MVC standings all season. After a solid 6-3 start in conference play, the Redbirds followed that with a 7-2 mark in their second slate of conference games to finish second in the Valley at 13-5. The Redbirds have won four of five heading into the tourney.

Evansville It’s been a long year for the Purple Aces.

Evansville finished dead last in the Valley with a dismal 2-16 conference record. They will take on Drake in the opening round of the tournament, riding a six-game losing streak. The Bulldogs have defeated them twice already this season.

>> Bold Prediction It won’t be Illinois State or Wichita State taking on the Bears in the championship game. Either Creighton, UNI or even Drake will make a run to the final.

>> Predicted champ Missouri State

SARAH NELSON, Creighton Carli Tritz might lead the team in scoring, but it’s the big center that sets the tempo for the Bluejays. For a team that likes to shoot the 3-point ball and use dribble-drive penetration, it needs Nelson (12.8 ppg and 7.7 rpg) to command the middle.

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

PAGE 7 | THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012

SPORTS

sports

Amber Wollschlager of the women’s basketball squad and redshirt junior PLAYERS Senior Jordan Clarke of the men’s basketball squad, both earned scholar athlete awards the MVC. Wollschlager was named to the MVC Honorable Mention ScholarOF THE WEEK from Athlete team and Clarke was named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete Second-Team.

MEN’S TENNIS

Win streak reaches 12 as Bulldogs travel to Rochester

by Dominic Johnson

Staff Writer dominic.johnson@drake.edu

No. 39 Drake moved to 13-1 on the season last Sunday afternoon after it beat the Marquette Golden Eagles 4-3 in Milwaukee.

The Bulldogs kicked off the match by taking the doubles point off the strength of wins at the second and third spots.

The first duo to post a win was sophomore Robin Goodman and junior Jean Erasmus at the third doubles slot. The two made quick work of their opponents with an 8-2 win. The second doubles team, consisting of juniors James McKie and Anis Ghorbel, soon followed an 8-3 win. With the doubles point already secured, the No. 31 doubles team in the country, senior Cesar Bracho and freshman Alen Salibasic, fell 7-9 to Marquette’s Cameron Tehrani and Logon Collins.

The Bulldogs entered singles play with momentum and were expecting to dominate their Big East foes. But things weren’t so easy for Drake, as Marquette was looking to keep its undefeated home record intact.

The Golden Eagles struck first in singles, as Drake’s Erasmus lost to Dan Mamalat of Marquette 6-4, 6-3.

Before Marquette could take the lead, Goodman earned a hard fought 7-6, 6-1 victory over Vukasin Teofanovic to give the Bulldogs a lead they

would not relinquish.

Salibasic required three sets in his match at the fifth singles spot to take down Jonathan Schwerin of Marquette. The Drake freshman overcame a lull in the second set to win 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

It was McKie, who was recently named Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week, who clinched the victory for the Bulldogs. After dropping the first set 6-2, McKie took control of the match to win 2-6, 6-1, 6-4.

“Marquette is a good team, and I think we underestimated them,” McKie said. “It was definitely a major wake up call.”

With the match already won, freshman Ben Mullis retired from his match at the sixth position when the match was tied 7-6, 1-6.

Ghorbel was the last match on court, and his match didn’t end favorably for the Bulldogs. Marquette’s Jose Crowley took the first set in a tiebreaker, but Ghorbel rallied back to win the second set 6-4. With the match already decided in the Bulldogs’ favor, the match at the first position was decided in a 10-set super tiebreaker in lieu of a complete third set. Marquette’s Crowley upset No. 82 Ghorbel 14-12 in the breaker.

Despite returning to Des Moines with the victory, this was the closest match of the season for the Bulldogs and served as a major wake up call for the rest of the season.

“This was a good learning lesson for us that regardless of whether or not a team is ranked, when you go on the road, teams compete very hard and you can’t just expect them to give it to you,” head coach Evan Austin said.

“Marquette played extremely well at all spots.”

Drake’s next match is this Friday against the No. 48 Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Gophers, who were ranked No. 66 last week, are coming off of a 4-3 win over then-No. 40 Virginia Tech. This puts the Gophers on a four-match winning streak heading into Friday’s matchup in Rochester, Minn. “(Minnesota) will be a top 40 team when it’s all said and done,” Austin said.

“It’s going to be a battle up there in the top 40.”

The Bulldogs haven’t beaten the Gophers since the 2007-08 season, when Drake went undefeated on the season and garnered a program-high national ranking of No. 33. This year’s Drake squad is 2-0 against Big Ten Conference foes so far this season and is looking to make it a clean sweep against Minnesota.

The Gophers’ greatest strength is quite possibly their superb doubles play, as they have swept all three doubles matches in each of their last four victories. They have lost the doubles point only twice this season, against No. 25 LSU and No. 31 San Diego. Austin said that his squad’s doubles performance has improved from last year, and

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Drake ready to take on Cyclones in breast cancer awareness match

by Blake Miller

Staff Writer blake.miller@drake.edu

After a terrific start to the season, the Bulldogs will have to do something they rarely have had to do this season: bounce back from a loss.

The Bulldogs had a week off following their 6-1 loss to Kansas in their latest match on Feb. 25. Coming into that match, Drake had won seven straight.

The loss put them at 13-2 on the season.

“Overall, the season has been going great, and our team gets along very well, and we won seven matches in a row which was very exciting,” said freshman Nell Boyd. ”Kansas was a really hard team, and I think we played really well against them, and every match was close even though they beat us 6-1.”

Despite falling by a lopsided 6-1 margin, head coach Paul Thomson also said that Drake played the Jayhawks a lot tougher than the final margin indicated.

“Emotions were mixed,” Thomson said. “Everyone knew that we had more than our share of chances and opportunities to win that match. We lost on five singles courts but had chances on every one of them. I think they knew we played hard but did not play our best tennis.”

The Bulldogs will have to play their best tennis against Iowa State in their annual breast cancer awareness match tomorrow at 6 p.m. in the Roger Knapp Tennis Center. Historically, the Cyclones have dominated the rivalry over the Bulldogs. Senior Gabby Demos is confident that Drake has a shot this season.

“Friday night we are playing Iowa State, which will be a tough match, and it is also our breast cancer awareness pink match, so there will be food, door prizes and activities for fans to partake in, which will be really fun,” Demos said. “ISU is a really strong team and have always beaten us pretty easily, but I think if we all go in confident and focused, we could take them by surprise.”

With the Bulldogs hitting the mid-point of their schedule, Thomson said that the team will have to be motivated to continue its success.

“There is not really any motivation on my part right now,” Thomson said. “It is up to them. They have the ability and skills to win every match left on our schedule. It is up to them at this point to motivate themselves and to do what needs to be done.”

The Bulldogs will try to follow that path against ISU on Friday before taking on Gustavus Adolphus on Saturday at 10 a.m. and then Nebraska-Omaha at 5 p.m.

Drake will try to take advantage of its upcoming home slate of games.

“They feel comfortable at home and like playing at the Knapp Center,” Thomson said. “Our team leaders are doing OK, but they are going to play a big role in the motivation down the stretch. We’re still following the process and trying to stay true to it.”

Despite having a 13-2 start to the year, the Bulldogs are trying to take things one match at a time.

“I am honestly only looking at ISU right now,” Thomson said. “But it’s the same as every weekend. Doing the right things and small things equal big results. We have a long way to go before the MVC tournament. There are still 14 matches on the schedule. Day-to-day, we are looking for steady, consistent improvement.””

TAYLOR SOULE | photo editor FRESHMAN NELL BOYD executes her serve in the Bulldogs’ match against Kansas on Feb. 25.

that they can start out strong against the Gophers.

“We just need to come out loose and aggressive in the doubles, and I think we have a good chance of winning it,” said Austin.

The Times-Delphic will have full coverage of Drake’s match against Minnesota in next Monday’s issue.

“I’m confident we’ll be ready for the challenge on Friday night,” Austin said.

TAYLOR SOULE | photo editor FRESHMAN ALEN SALIBASIC gets ready to serve in the Bulldogs’ match against Iowa last Wednesday.

>> SPORTS BLURB Junior James McKie was named the Missouri Valley Conference Men's Tennis Player of the Week on Tuesday. This is the sixth consecutive week that a Drake men's tennis player has earned the award and the first time in McKie’s career that he earned the distinction.

McKie went 6-0 in his singles/doubles ledger to help the Bulldogs extend their winning streak to 12 matches.

In Drake's 7-0 win over Iowa on Feb. 29, McKie snagged a 6-1, 6-2 victory at No. 2 singles, and he also paired with junior Anis Ghorbel for a 8-6 decision at No. 2 doubles.

In the Bulldogs' 6-1 victory over Saint Louis last Friday, McKie garnered the deciding tallies in both singles and doubles.

He again teamed with Ghorbel to notch an 8-2 win, this time at No. 1 doubles, before defeating Bobby Kidera in singles, 6-0, 6-1 at the No. 2 position.

In Drake's 4-3 road win at Marquette on Sunday, McKie claimed clinching points for the Bulldogs in both singles and doubles.

On the season, McKie is now a combined 30-13 in his singles/doubles ledger, including a 9-1 record in singles. He has won his last eight singles matches.

Are there any real loyalties in pro sports anymore?

St. Louis Cardinals baseball great Stan Musial once said, “The first principle of contract negotiations is don’t remind them of what you did in the past – tell them what you’re going to do in the future.”

This quote came from a man who played for the Cardinals for 22 years, was a two-time World Series champion, was a first-ballot Hall of Famer and was the poster-boy for the Cards franchise for years. Today, money and the pursuit of championships govern the team affiliations of athletes. Fans and journalists create and give life to feelings of “player-to-team allegiances,” and these feelings can be immediately replaced with hatred and remorse as one’s team is whisked away by free agency, or one’s favorite player takes his talents to “championshipville.” Is there any loyalty to your hometown team? Is any star player safe in a city? Can we prevent them being ripped from our cold dead fans’ fingers?

The first issue to tackle is the legacy of the “all-time great.” Early in prospective pro sports, even up until the ‘80s and ‘90s, sticking with your team was just the end-all-be-all. You had no reason to move across the country to play with other people you either A) didn’t know or B) maybe didn’t like. People were the faces of their team. Bill Russell WAS the Celtics; Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Lou Gehrig WERE the Yankees; Bart Starr and Paul Hornung WERE the Packers, just to name a few. They stayed and played for the hometown team, putting their city on their back in search of a championship. The players were rooted in their communities and were not able to just up and go. But why are they going now?

There are many reasons, but let’s focus on the most prominent ones: money, championships and overall break down of the ultimate reasons of lack of loyalty.

Lebron James, in search of the perfect championship team, left the city of Cleveland at the altar, spitting in their faces with an ESPN special that culminated with him over-publicizing his departure. He was in pursuit of a championship. But for what cost? His home state’s love and becoming the most hated athlete of the next however many years? He was touted as the next MJ and felt the need his legacy was much more important than his town. In this hyper-sensitized nation of fans, we cannot get too caught up in

talks of loyalty and expect that loyalty from the “old days.” Lebron wanted a championship to cement his legacy. He came in so highly touted that without a championship or multiple championships, he won’t have it, but in turn further crumbled a maddeningly pitiful sports city in general. But now we come full circle to St. Louis, and the curious case of Albert Pujols.

For a man that played for 10 years in a Cardinals uniform, won two World Series titles and, as Stan the Man once did, was the face of the entire organization, Pujols did what Stan couldn’t even think of doing — what ranked as the crossing into Mordor of baseball moves. Albert left for Los Angeles for 10 years and $240 million dollars, for the comfort of being a designated hitter and for the big Hollywood lights of California. He meant everything to St. Louis.

He was the hero of the Gateway to the West, whereas in L.A. he’s just another star among star attractions. But athletes are a different breed nowadays; they are strictly a commodity in a business for the money making of a city, an owner and of the rest of the players. He wanted a 10-year deal, and the Cardinals weren’t able to give him that. So, he bolted like Luke Skywalker getting out of there after blowing up the Death Star.

So what does this tell us? Is loyalty completely gone? Can we expect our athletes to stay playing until their retirement in the same place? We may never know, but one thing is for sure — it isn’t a sure-fire thing anymore. All you can do is hope and pray that your favorite player will retire with your team colors on because your opinion is thrown to the wind. Players like Stan “The Man” Musial just don’t come around anymore.

TAD UNRUH | COLUMNIST Unruh is a junior radio and sociology double major and can be contacted at tad.unruh@drake.edu

Past and upcoming intramurals sports are the most exciting yet Drake intramurals has really been here for us this winter — unconditionally. The program has the ability to offset the depressing blues of seasonal affect disorder and show us the light through moderate exercise. But even as the sun finally begins to shine, intramurals is only picking up more speed.

Several managers and officials meetings have taken place for new sports in the last few weeks, and the rest of the year is filled with action. Here is what’s been happening and what’s to come for the last few months.

Just recently completed was badminton doubles — another unique favorite. Coming away with the win in the co-rec division was The Abusement Park. I tip my hat to them, as they were possibly the only team from the bracket that showed up. Their opponents were hopeful, impromptu players looking for a forfeit. The men’s winner went to Smashers. I believe their strength was

being most knowledgeable of the real rules. The women’s victor was Phi Delta Chi. Perhaps their 10:45 game time wasn’t a factor after multiple late-night studying experiences.

The most recent indulgence for many of our athletes has been indoor soccer. I have boasted about the sport several times before, but this season really seems to be taking off for the best.

The extra wall on the south side of the Bell Center gym has proven to be an incredible addition in this first week of play. Even after a personal rejection of the idea, my co-rec team and I willingly played and enjoyed the new set-up. The game moves as fast as it should and without the normal amount of outof-bounds calls from the past. An outstanding amount of teams signed up for indoor soccer this year, consequently giving officials more hours but sticking one league on Friday nights to play. If you are feeling noble, the Friday night

warriors could probably use a few fans to support their extreme commitment to the sport.

The next fan-favorite league around the corner is softball. Also offering a corec league, softball is the first sport since fall semester to get our athletes back onto the outdoor intramural fields. The managers meeting will take place next Tuesday due to a scheduling conflict with the original date. Any questions, please contact Matt Gasser.

In the past, we have seen seasons filled with nearly all rescheduled games due to inclement weather. Other issues that seem to arise around softball season are the troubles of finding people to play during possible class times and finding people to play during the week of Drake Relays. As a reminder, any presence of drugs or alcohol is completely prohibited during intramurals contests. And any sign of intoxicated play is expelled and laughed at.

In the farther future, we have our annual 3-on-3 volleyball tournament.

The tournament — like badminton, racquetball and any other sport that a discouraging amount of people actually know about — takes place in a week’s time. The leagues are dividing into men’s and women’s and recreational and competitive. The tournament takes place in the last week of April during Relays Week. We are crossing our fingers for at least one team.

As for the sports currently in session, we have seen some great competition.

After inspiring finishes by the basketball leagues, our athletes have grasped onto some kind of tangible motivation propelling them to succeed in what remains for the 2011-12 academic year.

Despite the seemingly unpleasant rule of not allowing floor hockey’s recreational league to play with real hockey sticks, the teams are abundant. Our personal plastic sticks have seen the worst

of it, however, and we are constantly weighing the pros and cons. We would love your opinion on which hurts more: A depletion of your intramural budget after buying new sticks or a giant welt on your shin after being assaulted with a hockey player’s weapon of choice? Stay tuned for upcoming indoor soccer and floor hockey predictions.

Until next time, please play by the rules.

HALEY BOSCO | COLUMNIST Bosco is a senior English and secondary education double major and can be contacted at haley.bosco@drake.edu

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

Inspiration Action

SPECIAL

THURSDAY, MARCH 8, 2012 | PAGE 8

THE COUCH IS ON FIRE? 11:26 a.m. March 6

Security on patrol observed a couch on fire in the 1500 block of 28th Street. Des Moines Fire Department was called and firefighters put out the fire. The only damaged property was the couch.

Become the writer you’ve always wanted to be with author Patricia Prijatel Do you feel you’ve lost your soul to SEO? Are you tired of expressing yourself in bullet points? Let’s have fun with writing again. We’ll find inspiration in the works of awardwinning journalists, then discover electronic and print outlets for essays and long-form articles of your own.

When:

Saturday, March 10 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Where:

Meredith Hall, room 104 Drake University

Cost:

$50 (free for Drake students) Registration required Contact shari.tenney@drake.edu

Patricia Prijatel Pat has more than 25 years of experience coaching writers.

She has published articles in a number of magazines, including Entertainment Weekly, Glamour, and Better Homes and Gardens. Her latest book, A Survivor’s Guide to Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, will be published this fall.

She also writes a blog titled Positives About Negatives.

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2:29 a.m. March 1 While on patrol, security was stopped by a Drake student at a residence hall. The male student wanted to report an incident that occurred on Feb. 18, 2012 at 2 a.m. The student reported that he was leaving a local restaurant in the 3000 block of Forest when a male in his 20s approached him and tapped him on the shoulder. Then the male grabbed him and demanded money.

The Drake student threw the suspect to the ground and left the area. No money was taken and the student was not injured.

1:22 a.m. March 2 Security and police responded to 34th Street and Forest Avenue on a report of a car accident. Officers arrived and found a nonDrake affiliated female sitting in a vehicle that struck the rear of a parked vehicle. She was not injured but was intoxicated. She was arrested for operating while intoxicated.

7:58 a.m. March 2 Security and Des Moines Fire Department responded to Olmsted Center on report of a fire alarm going off. When officers arrived it was determined that the alarm was coming from the basement kitchen. A pull station was hit by an unknown person.

Fire units arrived and the alarm was reset.

3:22 p.m. March 5 Security responded to Meredith Hall on a report that a female student was ill. Des Moines Fire and Rescue was called. The student was transported to a local hospital.

Calling all prospective editors!

The Times-Delphic is hiring new staff members for the 2012-13 school year!

The positions open are: — Features/Opinion Editor — News Editor — Photo Editor — Managing Editor — Page Designers — Business and Ads Managers Contact Editor-in-Chief, Lauren Horsch, at tdeditorinchief@gmail.com for more information or to apply.