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Checklist for a stress-free finals week PAGES 5 | FEATURES THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER FOR DRAKE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

THE TIMES-DELPHIC DES MOINES, IOWA | THURSDAY, DEC. 9, 2010 | VOL. 129, NO. 20 | WWW.TIMESDELPHIC.COM

Adult Literacy Center offers help, solutions

by Katie Minnick

Staff Writer newsdesign@timesdelphic.com

Reading the labels in the grocery store, writing a birthday card to a child, following street signs. These are simple tasks that most people take for granted. But for an adult who can’t read, these types of actions can cause anger, frustration and difficulty in everyday life.

The biggest struggle with illiteracy for 45-year-old Des Moines resident Margit was being understood at work, where she organizes clothes at the local Goodwill store.

“I want to learn English and talk English,” Margit said. “Then people won’t get angry with me.”

Margit suffers from a mental disability. Originally from Hungary, she moved to the United States 17 years ago. She can sound out simple words, write simple sentences and recognize letters. This is the extent of her reading skills.

Margit isn’t a stand-alone case. The United States Department of Education estimated in the 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy that over 93 million Americans have basic or below basic literary skills, meaning they can read only up to a fifth-grade level.

The same study found that over 20,000 adults in Polk County are illiterate or have below basic reading skills.

The Drake University Adult Literacy Center

“

Even if not every case succeeds, there is still an impact. One more person that the center can teach to read has completely changed that person’s life.

”

–Emily Carrico, tutor

is working to decrease these numbers and help people like Margit.

Started in 1976 from a federal grant, the center is helping around 80 students. DUALC matches adults in need of literacy help with a trained tutor. The tutor and student meet twice a week for an hour until the student develops proficient reading skills. Sometimes the pair will meet for years.

Margit and her tutor, Drake sophomore Emily Carrico, started meeting a month ago.

Carrico, a 20-year-old secondary education and English double major, can already see improvements in Margit.

SEE LITERACY, PAGE 2

photo by CONNOR MCCOURTNEY | photo editor

DUALC is housed inside the School of Education, located on University Avenue.

RHA considers cutting movie channel from yearly budget

One of our own

Surveys indicate students want variety of programs

by Ryan Price

Staff Writer ryan.price@drake.edu

photo by CONNOR MCCOURTNEY | photo editor

LOGAN NORTH (right) and SCOT MORRETT (left) collect items to send to Drake alum Harold Dudley who is serving in the National Guard. Students also made cards to place in the care package.

Alum stationed in Afghanistan to receive care package from FYS

by Ann Schnoebelen

Staff Writer ann.schnoebelen@drake.edu

The title of the Facebook page in his honor says it all: “Everything was going wrong. Then I heard Harold singing.”

Harold Dudley can do more than just carry a tune. During his time at Drake, Dudley became known for the way his rich bass voice could be heard drifting through hallways, down stairwells or across Helmick Commons and into the unsuspecting ears of lucky listeners.

The music major is now stationed in Afghanistan with the National Guard, more than 6,000 miles away from the campus that had grown accustomed to his songs. Even though the 19 students of first-year seminar were never able to hear Harold’s music for themselves, they’re doing something for him and for those who have.

Director of Student Leadership and Service Programs, Jan Wise, teaches the class “Finding your place at Drake,” and said they were looking for a community service project to do to finish off the semester.

“I thought of Harold because he’s so known on campus,” Wise said. “And even though they don’t know him because they’re first-years and haven’t heard him sing, I thought that would be a good thing to do to send a package to him and let Harold know that people overseas back in the U.S. are really thinking of him still.”

Her student, Amanda Wagner, said that the class instantly responded when Wise suggested the care package.

“Harold Dudley is apparently a student who really made an impact on campus,” she said. “We immediately were all over the idea and we thought it would be a really good way to give back to the campus.”

The class has spent the last couple of weeks contacting Harold’s friends and arranging for the package to be a universitywide project.

Representatives from the first-year seminar were in the Olmsted Breezeway on Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. They will also be there today during the same times. They’ll be helping people record video messages and providing supplies for making cards, while collecting other items to send overseas to Harold and his friends in

inside

FILE PHOTO

HAROLD DUDLEY, a voice major, frequently sang while walking to class, for the enjoyment of the entire campus.

the service.

“One of the things they don’t see is just little things that you take for granted here,” Wagner said. “Like Halloween candy and Christmas chocolate and that kind of thing.

So we’re just getting a bunch of little knickknacks to put in the box.”

Upperclassmen who do know Harold personally have reacted positively after being contacted about the project.

“I just think it’s fantastic that this group of students who don’t even know him are putting this together,” junior Kelly Kretschmer said. “It’s incredible.”

Kretschmer knows Harold through various vocal music activities like Drake Choir, singing valentines and opera.

“We spent a lot of time in the music department together,” she said. Members of the Drake Choir will be sending a video of themselves singing two songs, and Kretschmer said she’ll also record her own message.

She said she wants Harold to know that “the music department continues to thrive without him here, but we very much miss

SEE HAROLD, PAGE 2

At the Drake University Residence Hall Association executive meeting on Nov. 29, members of the board discussed cutting both the welcome weekend “drive-in movie” and the movie channel from its budget next year.

After passing a funding request for a gingerbread project in Carpenter Hall, members of the board planned the “Drake’s Got Talent” show and then discussed these two high-budget items.

“I talked to my [programming] board before this and they all suggested the movie channel be kept but nix the welcome weekend movie,” Vice President of RHA Michael Porterfield said.

Treasurer Leah Torrison explained that RHA’s budget varies based on the number of students living in the residence halls, saying RHA started this year with $19,656. A good portion of that — $12,473 — was taken right off the top to pay for the Drake movie channel that serves residents.

President of Morehouse Hall Eric Ferring thought more innovation in programming could be implemented with money diverted from the movie channel.

“People want more of a variety of programs all over campus instead of just movies all the time,” he said. “More money, more creativity.”

Campus Communications Coordinator Stephen Slade debated the same thing.

“RHA should be about community building. How many people actually take advantage of [the movie channel] as opposed to attending events?” he asked.

President of the Residence Hall Association Sean Walsh brought feedback on welcome weekend.

“Surveys indicate a lot of comments are positive about the movie, there was a lot of positive response and attendance,” Walsh said.

“Our motto is ‘making halls into homes’ and so people must feel comfortable in their homes and have programming that they can go to and enjoy,” Walsh said, explaining RHA’s purpose.

Torrison said RHA exists to build community and provide alternatives to alcohol on the weekends.

At the RHA meeting on Monday night, the welcome weekend movie was unanimously cut.

While the movie channel was a point of contention, most seemed to agree that the welcome weekend drive-in movie in Helmick Commons should be replaced with a better program.

The movie cost approximately $3,000 to put on and around 100 students showed up, equating to about $30 per ticket.

President of Ross Hall Marti Wolf summed up the board’s conversation well.

“I love the Drake movie channel so much, it makes me so happy, but with the welcome weekend movie, you’re not going to meet anyone there,” Wolf said. “I think they could do other things. I think it’s not worth that much money.”

Publicity Chair Adam Lutz also inquired

SEE RHA, PAGE 2

>>FEEDBACK Students can contact the RHA vice president Michael Porterfield directly at michael.porterfield@drake.edu to voice their opinion on the movie channel.

NEWS

OPINIONS

FEATURES

SPORTS

The last round of security reports for the semester

One sorority student questions DUiN’s latest issue

Stressing out? Our finals checklist will calm you down

Track and field team heads to the Iowa State Holiday Preview Friday

PAGE 2

PAGE 3

PAGES 5

PAGE 7

NEWS

quote of the

THURSDAY, DEC. 9, 2010 | PAGE 2

“

I relinquish my seat on the sidelines, but will still be actively wishing Drake athletic teams success.

news SECURITY REPORTS day

were found on his person. He was arrested and his vehicle was impounded.

SKETCHY BEHAVIOR 8:48 a.m. Nov. 20

11:45 p.m. Nov. 21 A security officer observed what appeared to be a motor vehicle accident in the 1300 block of 30th street. A female student and male who was not affiliated with the university was involved. There were no injuries reported.

A security officer observed a vehicle in a Drake parking lot located in the 1300 block of 31st Street that seemed suspicious in nature as the windows were fogged over and the vehicle appeared to be moving, but not out of its location. It was determined a female and male were participating in sexual behavior and both were willing parties. They were asked to take their desires elsewhere.

9:06 a.m. Nov. 16 A male student reported money was taken from his wallet in his unlocked room in Herriott Residence Hall between 8:40 and 8:45 a.m. on Nov. 16. His roommate who was not present during the time span left money in plain view on his desk and it was not taken.

10:21 a.m. Nov. 16 Security responded to Meredith Hall based on report of an ill student. It was determined a female student didn’t feel well and she was transported to the American Republic Health Center.

1:30 p.m. Nov. 17 A female student reported someone broke the side-view mirror off her vehicle while it was parked in a Drake parking lot located in the 1300 block of 32nd Street between 11:30 p.m. on Nov. 13 and 5 p.m. on Nov. 14.

6:27 p.m. Nov. 17 Security responded to Stalnaker Residence Hall based on report of a domestic among roommates. A male student has been accused of pouring rubbing alcohol in another male student’s drink, throwing water on him and

writing a threatening letter to him the dean of students has been advised and the accused student has been removed from the particular residence hall and advised on trespass from same.

11:09 p.m. Nov. 18 Security responded to Carpenter Residence Hall based on report of a strange smell. A residence Hall room was entered with five male students occupying same. A quantity of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, throwing star, knife, box cutter, several lighters, two quarter-inch plastic hosing and three bottles of liquor were found. Police were called and all items were confiscated. Residence Hall staff was present.

6:50 p.m. Nov. 20 A security officer found a dark case with a pill bottle, marijuana buds, and rolling papers in a Drake parking lot located in the 1300 block of 31st Street. Police were called and the found property was turned over to their officer.

3:32 a.m. Nov. 21 A security officer observed a male passed out in his vehicle at 31st and University Avenue.

Police were called and drugs

Caring for a Bulldog far away FROM HAROLD, PAGE 1 hearing his voice, not only in the choir, but across campus.”

“We all think about him on a pretty constant basis,” senior Andrew Peters said.

“And I think he knows that, but it’s good to reiterate sometimes.”

Like Kretschmer, Peters said he liked the care package idea.

“I don’t know of anybody who thinks it’s not a good idea; everybody is really excited about it,” he said. “Just because of what he did for the community, I think so many people know who he is and want to help.”

Peters, who also met Harold in Drake Choir, characterized him as outgoing, and genuinely interested in the people he met.

He said that when he first met Harold, he remembered him as “the guy who was always singing around campus.”

He smiled, then added, “Although, I don’t know anybody who doesn’t know Harold as the guy singing around campus.”

Their enthusiasm and participation is good news for FYS 019.

“It was a hard thing because we’re all first-years and our target audience for all this is upperclassmen,” Wagner said.

Wise said she felt like that was a positive part of the experience.

“I do think it takes courage to do something for someone you don’t know in an audience that you really don’t have much interaction with because you’re taking firstyear classes for the most part and you’re in first-year halls,” Wise said. “But you don’t do a lot of community service for people you know, and so it’s fitting that these students do it for Harold and get to appreciate all the things that happen at Drake.”

Both Peters and Kretschmer agreed that Harold would be happy to receive the package.

“He’ll absolutely love it,” Kretschmer said.

“I just imagine him using his big Harold laugh once he gets it,” Peters said. “And everybody knows the big Harold laughs.”

9:35 a.m. Nov. 25 A security officer observed a vehicle passing vehicles at a high rate of speed eastbound on University Avenue from 26th street. At 25th and University the vehicle ran a red light and struck another vehicle and sped off a high rate of speed. The security officer obtained a description of the vehicle as well as a license number (1984 brown Chevrolet Celebrity with Iowa license plates 786SIS). He checked on the victim driver and he stated he was OK. The police were then called to the scene.

4:17 p.m. Nov. 28 A female student was loading her luggage into her residence hall room at the Goodwin and Kirk Complex. She left a bag containing clothing, iPod, camera and laptop computer near the double entrance and exit doors at Kirk while she took other items to her room on the third floor. When she returned the items were gone.

A security officer found the bag in the men’s restroom a short distance away. The clothing was the only items remaining in the bag. Police also took a report.

11:22 p.m. Nov. 29 A male student reported someone struck his vehicle while it was parked in the 2900 block of University Avenue shortly before he called it in to security. Friends observed his vehicle being struck but did not get a license number when the suspect vehicle drove off.

FROM LITERACY, PAGE 1 “She is a more confident reader,” Carrico said. “She can pronounce new letter sounds in English that they don’t have in Hungary.”

According to DUALC’s website, 15 percent of the adults in the program are learning English as a second language, like Margit.

Students come to the center from a variety of places. Many will search for a literacy program at the library or ask people around them, said Anne Murr, coordinator of DUALC. Margit came to DUALC after her community support staff member, Terri Woods, heard about the program through a friend.

“One of my daughter’s friends has been coming to the center for three to four years,” Woods said. “She told me about it and I thought Margit could benefit from it.”

Others in need of a tutor see posters or pamphlets advertising the center. Once a student contacts the center, he or she is interviewed and tested for competency then put on a waiting list for a tutor.

Tutors find out about the center through word-of-mouth or through volunteer websites like the United Way. Murr said the center is always looking for more volunteers.

Tutoring is not the only way DUALC is attempting to fix the problem of illiteracy. It is also involved in lobbying the government to raise awareness of the problem of adult illiteracy and receive grants for research and special projects.

This fall, DUALC launched a new program after receiving a federal grant to help adults with literacy problems earn a GED certificate. The program, which uses text-reading software to highlight words on the screen and read words aloud, is being employed in numerous locations throughout Central Iowa, such as in correctional facilities.

DUALC also promoted International Literacy Day on Sept. 8 by partnering with the Des Moines Public Library to bring awareness to the surrounding community about the problem of illiteracy.

“Right now we are only serving less than one-tenth of one percent that lack literacy skills in the area,” Murr said. “We would like to double or even triple the number we serve in the next five years.”

DUALC is taking steps, however small, to address the overlooked problem of adult illiteracy in America through various programs, grants and tutoring.

“Even if not every case succeeds, there is still an impact,” Carrico said. “One more person that the center can teach to read has completely changed that person’s life.”

Adult Literacy Center School of Education 3206 University Avenue

SEND YOUR STORY IDEAS TO NEWS@TIMESDELPHIC.COM

“

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

—FORMER SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR MIKE MAHON | PAGE 6

12:22 a.m. Dec. 1 While at Herriott Residence Hall a security officer smelled the odor of marijuana. Police who were already at scene because of the previously mentioned case and security responded to the room from where the odor was coming.

The students in the room were uncooperative, but admitted to having someone over earlier who was smoking in the room.

The director of residence halls has been notified.

12:25 a.m. Dec. 1 A female student reported she had been receiving creepy harassing text messages. Police were called and the officers verbally chastised a male student who is believed to be the sender of the messages.

1:51 a.m. Dec. 1 A female student reported her wallet and keys were stolen between 1:25 and 1:40 a.m. at a bar located in the 3000 block of Forest Avenue. It was later determined that a purchase of $9.20 was made at 1:43 a.m. at a nearby fast food restaurant.

12:44 p.m. Dec. 2 A female student reported one check was stolen from her unlocked room at 1325 31st street on Nov. 5 while she was moving out. The check was cashed for $375.00. A male suspect in the case has been identified.

12:57 p.m. Dec. 2 Security and police responded to a two-car accident in the 2800 block of University Avenue. A female student and a female not associated with the university were involved.

There were no injuries and the female student was cited.

10:52 p.m. Dec. 2 Security and police responded to the 2800 block of Brattleboro regarding a person looking into windows.

It was determined someone had broken into a residence

and stole a camera and laptop computer that was owned by a female student occupant.

Drake Real Estate Office personnel have been advised.

1:23 a.m. Dec. 4 Security responded to Stalnaker Residence Hall based on report from the hall coordinator about an extremely intoxicated male student. The underage-fordrinking student admitted to have been drinking and according to the coordinator had staggered into the building.

His speech was not slurred and he seemed to understand questions being asked. A female student advised she would look after him for the remainder of the evening. His student friend who did not appear to be intoxicated had also admitted to drinking, but not as much.

7:55 p.m. Dec. 4 Security responded to Crawford Residence Hall based on report fire alarm.

Overcooked macaroni and cheese were found in a barrel in the hallway. There was no fire or smoke.

10:59 p.m. Dec. 4 A fake driver’s license was confiscated at Crawford Residence Hall and it will be turned over to an Iowa Department of Transportation Investigator.

1:11 a.m. Dec. 5 A security officer observed a male stumbling around Jewett Residence Hall. The male identified as underage for drinking stated he had too much to drink. But, he and an underage for drinking female student companion were going to a bar located in the 2300 block of University because according to the female, they rarely check anyone. Police were called as the male was in no shape to walk and he did not have anyone he could call to get a ride to his residence.

The male lied to police about

his age and was arrested for intoxication. The dean of students was advised.

2:34 a.m. Dec. 5 A security officer observed a vehicle being driven over a concrete divider in a Drake parking lot located in the 1300 block of 25th Street. The vehicle was then driven to a Drake parking lot located in the 1400 block of 25th Street where it was parked. All three underage-for-drinking male students (to include the driver) appeared to be intoxicated.

One male student who stated he had not been drinking was advised to drive the car away.

He was seen driving to their apartment that was a few blocks away. The matter has been coordinated with the dean of students.

9:07 a.m. Dec. 5 It was determined that ceiling tile had been removed from a restroom on the third floor, west wing of Jewett Residence Hall. Trash and paper towels had also been strewn about.

9:17 p.m. Dec. 6 Security responded to the Goodwin and Kirk Residence Hall Complex based on report of a suspicious person. It was determined a male was wandering around the hall and was seen going in an apartment and then men’s and women’s restrooms. It turned out the male was a student and was totally disoriented as to where he was and what he was doing.

The student stated he had changed his medication. He was seen back to his residence and the dean of students has been informed.

1:31 p.m. Dec. 7 A security officer observed what appeared to be a gun in a vehicle parked in a Drake parking lot that was located in the 1300 block of 27th Street.

The male owner student was called to scene, The fake gun was later confiscated.

RHA ousts the go? ‘drive-in movie’ On Check out the TD FROM RHA, PAGE 1

on your iPad.

Publicity Chair Adam Lutz also inquired where the Residence Hall Association’s money would go if the programs were cut.

“Right now we have a lot of money, right? I just think that if we cut this stuff, we’re going to have a lot more money and we won’t know what we’ll spend it on,” Lutz said.

Also at the RHA meeting on Monday night, a student vote to remove the movie channel was discussed. The vote will likely be coming up for debate early next semester.

Interested students are asked to voice their opinions to their hall’s executive council or at one of the RHA executive meetings.

Students can also contact the RHA vice president Michael Porterfield directly at michael.porterfield@drake.edu.

>>Accepting Applications for

Spring Semester Times-Delphic Distibutors

Photo Editor

Responsibilities:

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Drop off newspapers at stands Take photos of events around campus twice weekly Manage staff of photographers Should take less than an hour Adjust photographs with Will be paid $12.50 each time Photoshop

For more information:

E-mail editor@timesdelphic.com or photos@timesdelphic.com

To apply: E-mail a resume and cover letter to editor@timesdelphic.com FOR BREAKING DRAKE NEWS, CHECK OUT WWW.TWITTER.COM/TIMESDELPHIC

PAGE 3 | THURSDAY, DEC. 9, 2010

OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

opinions&editorials

A

s a member of the student body, and of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, I’m interested to know what new and challenging perspectives “W.B. Allen” thought she was bringing to the table when she wrote and published her article, “The Whor(ror)es of Rush” in the Dec. 3 issue of Drake’s DUiN magazine. I question this because, according to DUiN’s bylaws, that is what she was supposed to be doing.

“DUiN Magazine purports to serve as the independent magazine dedicated to publishing new and/or challenging perspectives on political-, social- and campus-oriented issues of concern to the Drake student body.”

In the only issue of the semester, DUiN presented readers with articles that chronicled a week of Hubbell dining, enlightened them on how to create a residence hall hot tub and presented the voice of Lady K. and her racial frustrations. The whole issue was intended to be satire of widespread concerns to the campus, and, while the article on how to achieve a “bro-gasm” brought laughter to my lips, it was the only one that made any relevant satirical argument.

After talking to DUiN’s editor-in-chief, Molly Bochanyin, I better understand and respect DUiN’s ultimate goal (to be funny) but this time the magazine fell short. DUiN isn’t bound to typical journalism norms like accuracy of reporting and fact-checking.

With such free reign it should strive to be the most entertaining and outrageous it can be. Funded by student fees distributed by the Board of Student Communications, I’d like my money to be going to something that provides a reprieve from my daily news cycle. If you’re going to call out sororities (or fraternities) then do it well. Don’t call me a whore and forget to back it up.

“It can be assumed that sometimes sorority girls can be associated with whores,” Bochanyin said. “I’m not saying that any of our staff believe this, but I’m just saying that that was what the author was referring to.”

Well W.B. Allen, you know what happens when you assume.

Instead, pinpoint the aspects of our daily lives that are so ridiculous to outsiders (trust me, there should be plenty) and make fun of them until we can’t help but laugh at ourselves. Narrate our Greek Street walks of shame, chant our recruitment songs back to us or try to find something in our wardrobe that doesn’t have

letters on it — true stereotypes are the funniest, even to those of us who fulfill them. False information only serves to provoke the 27 percent of Drake University students who have pledged themselves to their respected and values-based organizations. I don’t live and breathe my sorority, I don’t make monetary dona-

If I’m a

whore, tell me why tions, and I certainly don’t participate in hazing. I do pay dues for activities and events, similar to most non-Greek organizations on campus. I participate in secret ceremonies that are part of a private bond between sisters and I’m a part of something that you’re not. Being a sorority girl doesn’t make me a whore any more than it makes you look like the illustration included on DUiN’s Page 16, it just makes me different than you.

Is that a political-, social- or campus-oriented issue of concern? That I’m in a sorority? There are over 5,600 students enrolled at Drake University and each of them is different from the next, but they have common factors that link them together like class schedules, student-work jobs and campus organizations.

My sorority links me in sisterly friendship to over 75 wonderful

thebuzz

Good luck on finals next week, and we will be back in January for the first issue of 2011.

women and, while it’s a closer bond than I have with my fellow magazine majors or the guy that sits next to me in my Shakespeare reading class, I’m confused as to how that makes it a “campus issue.”

“Our job as DUiN magazine is to challenge the status quo and kind of say what others aren’t willing to say,” Bochanyin said.

“That’s the point of DUiN magazine, to say ‘Hey, why don’t you think about this,’ and make others think.”

While girls on Greek Street might act a certain way, the status quo is nowhere near what was depicted by W.B. Allen in her account of recruitment, being a potential new member and her recruitment counselor. (Just to let you know, W.B. Allen, “rush,” “rushee” and “Rho Chi” are no longer terms used by Drake sororities anymore.) What she wrote wasn’t anything I hadn’t heard before, nor was she saying “what others aren’t willing to say.”

“The Whor(ror)es of Rush” was a failed attempt to exaggerate stereotypes and while it might have been her opinion, W.B. Allen hasn’t provided readers with any solid evidence of sorority wrongdoings. A dress code is not required during recruitment, only suggested. You can’t be “assured a spot” by houses and your sorority friends could talk to you, they just couldn’t go out drinking at The Dublin with you.

This article won’t make me take a second look at joining a sorority, it won’t make me wear my letters less often and it won’t stop me from being an active member in the Greek community.

What I hope it will do is force the DUiN staff to take a second look at the articles they publish and ask themselves, “Is this really funny enough?”

EMMA COLLINS | COLUMNIST

Collins is a sophomore magazine major and can be contacted at emma.collins@drake.edu

Tolerating band members

F

Letter to the Editor Response to DUIN Magazine As a sorority leader on this campus, I have problems with W.B. Allen’s “The Whor(ror)es of Rush” in the recent DUiN magazine. There will always be members that join for the wrong reasons: To party, have “status” and be the ones that propel stereotypes against us. However, those women are becoming the minority, especially on Drake’s campus.

Drake’s five chapters pride themselves on their values, leadership opportunities, academic excellence and service. Allen’s allegations make me more than a little annoyed. I have worked for four years to help women realize that those stereotypes are not what our founders intended and to negate claims Allen makes.

As the vice president of recruitment on the Pan-Hellenic Council, I apologize that you felt overwhelmed and annoyed with how the women recruited you. The community wants potential members to feel welcome and to try a completely new way of living life. But I suspect that you

did not learn about what makes sororities different. You probably did not learn that we pledge ourselves to sisterhood, loyalty and living a higher moral life. We wear our letters because they mean something to us, we believe in them and they are the promise that we make to our chapter.

I won’t stand by as your ignorance of our lifestyle stereotypes us, but instead charge you to please ask sorority women why they joined. Ask them, and they’ll say it’s more than the “wild parties” or fraternity men; it’s a bond in values we believe in and more.

— Kari Tietjen

or as long as I can remember, few bands can stay together for an extended period of time without killing each other. Mainly band members just can’t tolerate each other once they make it big with a huge hit. I’m going to use two examples of bands that couldn’t stay together, and then two that are anomalies and are still playing to this day.

The Beatles– For seven years, the Liverpool product dominated popular music all over the world, but then in 1970, it was all over. Why? Was it Lennon versus McCartney? Did Yoko Ono have something to do with it? Did George or Ringo do anything to cause it? It’s a combination of the three. John and Paul hated each other near the end, and the other three took offense to Yoko always tagging along in their recording sessions.

And by not taking a side, George and Ringo also facilitated the breakup.

The Supremes– The greatest all-female group of all-time, the Supremes, also met a sticky end. Throughout the 1960s, the trio of Diana Ross, Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard dominated R&B. When Cindy Birdsong replaced the fired Ballard, things started to deteriorate. Mary Wilson in particular was upset over her friend’s dismissal. That coupled with the emergence of Diana Ross as a superstar, led to factions and ultimately, the group’s collapse.

Now for the two success stories of music: Chicago– Ever since the mid 1960s, the Windy City’s favorite group has sold records and performed for just about anyone.

With the original members Robert Lamm, Walt Parazaider, Lee Loughnane and Jim Pankow, Chicago has stuck true to its roots and has been a group of great relationships and friendship. The only blemish was when drummer Danny Seraphine, who was dismissed for sloppiness and bad technique in 1990. Even when others left, they left graciously and without a fuss.

Rush– Since 1968 these Canadian imports have been making abstract, but amazingly talented music, and they have not had a single change in their history. Neil Peart, Alex Lifeson and Geddy Lee have been friends for most of their lives, and you can see it in their live shows. They are a group that has formed the bond that isn’t seen in many bands.

We can see a difference between all these groups. Now, I believe that groups can be friends and can stay together, but they have to be careful and control their egos. If they can’t do that, then they won’t get along, and their group and careers will suffer. None of the Beatles or the Supremes approached their success since their breakup, but groups like Chicago, Rush, The Bee Gees and others continue to have worldwide success because of their ability to share their lives with each other.

Tietjen can be contacted at kari.tietjen@drake.edu

MIKE WENDLANDT | COLUMNIST

Wendlandt is a sophomore broadcast major and can be contacted at michael.wendlandt@drake.edu

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FEATURES

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THURSDAY, DEC. 9, 2010 | PAGE 4

don’tmissthis

Support the December graduates this Sunday as they walk the stage in Levitt Hall, located in Old Main, at 12 p.m.

Global holidays celebrated at Drake Hanukkah: The festival of Christmas: Birth of Jesus lights Every year around this time, Charlie Brown

by Cori Clark

Staff Writer corinne.clark@drake.edu

Kwanzaa: A celebration of family, community and culture Kwanzaa means the first fruits of the harvest in Swahili. It is a celebration honoring the culture of African heritage. The weeklong holiday takes place Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 every year. The holiday is celebrated by lighting the kinara (the candleholder used for the holiday), eating feasts and giving gifts.

Drake University sophomore Hannah Eubanks celebrates both Christmas and Kwanzaa with her family.

“For me, it is just the meaning of remembering African culture and giving back,” she said.

Kwanzaa was created by the African-American political activist, author and professor Ron Karenga. Karenga was an activist during the black movement of the 1960s and ’70s.

Eubanks’ grandmother started celebrating the holiday shortly after it was first observed in 1967.

“My favorite part of the holiday is the feast on Dec. 31,” Eubanks said. “It has dishes such as greens, fruit salad or coconut pie, jollof rice which is the main dish, koki which is a dish made from black-eyed peas, peanut soup and yams.

There’s also green tea with mint; that’s the selected beverage, but we also have regular drinks as well.”

Kwanzaa is all about giving gifts, not receiving them, Eubanks said.

“Most people give presents of necessity rather than what they want,” she said. “We give things like jackets, shoes, food, etc. The traditional dress of Kwanzaa is African clothing, but you don’t have to wear it.”

So is it Hanukkah or Chanukah? There are at least 16 different ways to spell the Jewish holiday.

Hanukkah is a holiday commemorating the rededication of the temple in Jerusalem after the Maccabean Revolt during the second century BCE. The eight-day holiday starts on the 25th day of Kislev, according to the Hebrew calendar. Part of Hanukkah is to celebrate the miracle of the container of oil that lasted for eight nights Laura Sigal, a sophomore at Drake and the vice president of Hillel, the foundation for Jewish life on campus, has celebrated the family tradition for years.

“My family has four menorahs, but we only light one,” she said. “After we light the candles we say the prayers. When I was little, my brother and I would fight about who would melt the candle into the stands so they won’t fall out.”

The ideal place for a menorah is in a window facing the street as a sign of honor and pride.

Latkes (potato pancakes) and doughnuts are common foods eaten during Hanukkah. It is also tradition to eat foods that are deep-fried to remember the oil that lasted eight days.

“My mother never made latkes in our house because the oil always made the house smell, but she always chaired the latkes dinner at our synagogue,” Sigal said.

Hanukkah is not the most important holiday of Judaism. Many believe it is because it is around the time other religions celebrate major holidays. Yom Kippur is actually considered the holiest day of the year in Judaism.

asks, “Isn’t there anyone out there who can tell me what Christmas is all about?” And every year, many people forget the meaning of Christmas while caught up in the hubbub of shopping, eating and celebrating.

Maggie Sutton, a junior at Drake, celebrates a modern-day Scandinavian Christmas.

“We really don’t have a traditional Scandinavian Christmas, we make all the food on Christmas Eve,” she said. “It consists of lutefisk, which I personally dislike, but it’s a type of pickled herring; boiled potatoes with dill; lefse, which is a flat crepe that’s about 8-10 inches in diameter made out of potatoes that we put sugar and butter in and roll up like a tortilla; and then sausage.”

The Christmas tree originated in Germany from Martin Luther, and it was inspired by the starry heavens one night. Luther expressed his love to his family by bringing a fir tree to his home and attaching lighted candles to the branches.

“We used to have a fake tree when I was younger every year, and then one year when I was around 8 or 9 my family randomly got a real tree, and it was actually kind of a big deal because I had never had one before,” Sutton said.

The exchanging of gifts is to honor the three wise men that brought gifts to baby Jesus.

“I’m the youngest in my family and since I went to college we started doing secret Santa at my house with just my immediate family,” she said. “We draw a name at Thanksgiving when my sister and I are both back home, and then everyone has to make a list so that we can have it when we leave back to school. We open our presents on Christmas eve, still youngest to oldest, just like we’ve always done.”

Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus or Kris Kringle all originated from a Dutch legend said to bring gifts to households of well-behaved children.

EGG demo launch party Friday at Coppa Cavana

by Kensie Smith

Staff Writer mackensie.smith@drake.edu

Little kids, when asked what they want to be when they grow up, will answer with a dream: Princess, pirate or president. These dreams are usually replaced with the practical, and suddenly a salary and stability are more important than adventure. A group of guys by the name of EGG never gave up their dreams–musicians.

They’re not set vying for rockstar status. No skinny jeans, entourage or silly groupies. Instead they’re equipped with an arsenal of real rhythms.

With its brand new, shiny, self-titled demo, the budding band is ready to take the Des Moines music scene. The band wants to share it with everyone at the Demo Release Party Friday Dec. 10 at 9 p.m., at the sultry new Latininspired venue Coppa Cavana (3711 Ingersoll Ave., Des Moines). The venue is located a few blocks away from Drake’s campus, and for just $5, students can join the music critics and influencers of the metro. The show will be followed with an in-demand DJ laying tracks.

EGG is a fantasy band team with each aspect of the five-song demo set infused with character. Sam Mogerman, Luke Dawson, Ben Chappell, Ben Mogerman and Nick Rueckert joined forces to create a sound unlike anything else—completely unique, funk-driven pop rock.

This year Kyle Glavanovits joined the team, adding creative chords on the saxophone. He is also a regular artist jamming out smooth jazz at The Lift weekly on Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m.

Each song on the new demo is unique, meaningful and wrought with lyrical meaning.

Top-played song “Alibi,” breaks the soft piano intro into hard-hitting guitar chords. Mix it with Dawson’s lyrics “Goodbye alibi, I’m sorry that I lied,” the words resonate. “Hello apathy, you never meant that much to me.”

The lead singer speaks the thoughts of the rest of the guys when he says they’re more than ready to produce a full CD. “We are so excited to finally have a demo in our hands,” Dawson said. He would like to encourage everyone to come out for the “epic” launch on Friday. The show was also posted as a “pick-of-the-week” on the Des Moines Metromix site.

“It’s really a great venue,” Dawson said after seeing Coppa Cavana for the first time. “There’s a VIP balcony where you can look down on the stage.”

Plan on getting into the show and prep for the concert in full demo style. “EGG” the album can be purchased on iTunes for only $4.95 and ignore the 1970s bio—it’s currently being updated.

The Iowa State VEISHA 2010 Battle of the Bands champions have garnered a following of music influencers from surrounding universities.

With their certain success, EGG is a band to stay with. Stick upcoming EGG events on the calendar. The band will be playing at the local Mars Café, Saturday, Dec. 11, and at People’s Court Saturday, Dec. 18.

“The show with Mr. Roster McCabe at People’s Court is going to be awesome,” Dawson said with a smile.

They also earned coveted stage space at All Play and will help ring in the new year.

Another reason to get to the show on Friday?

If you leave a message on the EGG Facebook wall or tweet to @EGGtheband telling your favorite song off the demo, you have the chance to win some coveted EGG swag. All entry names will be put in a drawing and winners will be picked at the show.

Want to help with promotions, get specialty show invites and free swag? The band is always looking for those select special people to be “EGG-Heads.” Join the band. E-mail lucas. dawson@drake.edu.

“Cuts for Cancer” supports first-year student

by Laura Sigal

Staff Writer laura.sigal@drake.edu

When a friend or loved one is diagnosed with cancer, it’s hard to watch them go through all the pain. When Herriott Hall learned that their friend was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a type of blood cancer, they wanted to help.

Thus, Cuts for Cancer was created.

Cuts for Cancer will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight on Pomerantz stage in Olmsted. It will feature students cutting their hair in support of their classmate, and all people with cancer.

When patients go through chemotherapy, a side effect is losing their hair.

Students are going to cut off their hair to show support and to raise money and awareness.

While the students originally wanted to give the money raised to their classmate directly, it was later decided that he would choose the foundation to receive the money. He chose for the money to be donated to the national Leuke-

mia and Lymphoma Society.

This gives the hall a chance to not only support their friend, but also to raise everyone’s awareness about different types of cancer.

At last count, eight students were signed up to cut their hair, seven boys and one girl. Cups were placed in the Olmsted Breezeway all of last week for people to donate. The person with the most money will get their hair cut first.

Tonight, these students will take the stage and have their hair cut. Students and teachers at the local Aveda Institute volunteered their time and services to help this event.

Until tonight, the students’ cups will be in their dorm rooms, so you can still find them to donate. You can even sign up to participate right up until the haircuts.

First-year student Sam Meyers heard about the event and thought it would be a good opportunity to show his support.

“It’s a great cause. Why not?” Meyers said. “It seems like it will be fun.”

While Sam wasn’t sure if they were

going to shave all his hair or give him a buzz cut, he didn’t even care.

“It will be interesting though, never done anything like this before,” Meyers said.

Getting your hair cut is not the only way to show your support and raise awareness. Anyone can attend the event and donate. You don’t have to donate to anyone’s cup; you can donate just to the cause. Donations are being taken up until the event and will continue to be collected at the event.

So far the response has been great.

Herriott Hall plans for this to be a yearly event. If you still want to contribute after the event, and don’t want to wait until next year, there is information on the national Leukemia and Lymphoma Society website: www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/hm_lls.

Everyone should make sure to stop

by Pomerantz stage tonight to support friends and classmates. It will be a great finals study break and a great way to show support and band together as a Drake community. photo by CONNOR MCCOURTNEY | photo editor

PAGE 5 | THURSDAY, DEC. 9, 2010

FEATURES

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

Stress-free success photo by CONNOR MCCOURTNEY | photo editor

Survive finals week by following a few easy steps to turn college stress into success.

by Laura Wittren

Staff Writer laura.wittren@drake.edu

Over the past few weeks, there has been a dramatic increase of students in the library. They sit with books and notes sprawled across the tables. They spend hours there in preparation for the two words that can fill a college student with dread: finals week.

We all know it’s coming from day one of classes, and yet it somehow always seems to sneak up on us. We have to spend countless hours studying, cramming and trying to make some sense of what our professors have been saying in lectures all year long. We pull all-nighters with the aid of coffee or energy drinks.

The good news is once the week is over, we have a month of no classes, no homework and no tests. The bad news is, first we have to survive final exams.

Finals week is here, like it or not, but are you ready for it? Use this checklist to calculate your readiness:

Start studying right away.

Find a private study place free of distractions. Hidden nooks in the library or study rooms in residence halls are just two of the many good study spots on campus.

Go to all review sessions. Professors will answer questions and sometimes go over the material that will appear on the test.

Create a study schedule. Block out times for studying and for breaks this weekend and next week.

Stick to your schedule.

Review past assignments and the professor’s feedback.

Ask your professors for help if you don’t understand the material—better late than never.

Don’t study too much at one time: Thirty minutes is the most one subject should be studied in one sitting.

For classes such as math or chemistry, practice solving the problems from the textbook or previous assignments.

Form study groups with people in your classes. The more people, the more likely information won’t get missed. This will be especially useful if you’ve missed a few classes throughout the semester.

Eliminate distractions like Facebook, Twitter and cell phones. Ask a friend to change your password until finals are over.

Read your textbooks again—or maybe for a first time.

Have a friend orally quiz you over the material. If you can repeat the information aloud, you can repeat it again during the exam.

Go through your notes and highlight information that will likely appear on the exam. Re-copy important concepts to reinforce them in your memory.

Get a full night’s sleep–seven to eight hours– before tests.

Create flashcards for important terms, vocabulary or concepts that may be on the test.

Have multiple pencils and good erasers for the exams.

Bring scratch paper if needed.

If you have an upcoming essay test, ask for sample questions from the professor; list the information you might use and outline an essay; and practice writing it.

Get to your exams a bit early to ask any lastminute questions.

Review old tests if your final is cumulative—professors often use questions directly from previous exams.

If you have an early morning exam, ask a parent, friend or roommate to call you in the morning to make sure you’re awake.

Prioritize study time based on the difficulty of each class and the time of each test.

Take your time reading questions thoroughly and double-check your answers before turning in the test.

THURSDAY, DEC. 9, 2010 | PAGE 6

SPORTS

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

sports

SHOUT OUT TO:

Two Drake women’s basketball players, senior Kristin Turk and freshman Angela Christianson, became the first Bulldog duo to sweep the Missouri Valley Conference’s weekly awards since 2006. Turk was named MVC Player of the Week for Nov. 29 through Dec. 5, while Christianson garnered MVC Newcomer of the Week honors. Drake won both games it played last week.

BASKETBALL

winter WATCH Women

As cold weather arrives, the gym heats up as Drake teams prepare for Valley season

Men

by Tim Weideman

Staff Writer tim.weideman@drake.edu

Angela Christianson is on a roll for the Drake women’s basketball team, which has found its own momentum by winning its last four games.

Christianson continued a great start to her freshman year last week. She recorded 14 points, two assists and a career-high nine rebounds in a Nov. 30 win over North Texas and scored a career-high 17 points in a win against North Dakota last Saturday. Christianson was named Missouri Valley Conference Newcomer of the Week on Monday. Her average of 9.9 points per game leads all MVC freshmen.

“I have to give lots of credit to my teammates,” Christianson said. “They’ve just been really supportive. They’re really passing well to me when I was open. We have good chemistry right now.”

Drake (5-2) is counting on its young roster to help supplement the duo of senior guard Kristin Turk and junior forward Rachael Hackbarth.

“As a freshman, I have no pressure on me; I can just go out and play,” Christianson said.

“It’s fun getting this great opportunity as a freshman, getting to go out and help my team right now.”

Turk has been a major contributor in the Bulldogs’ winning streak. Turk was named MVC Player of the Week on Monday for the

FILE PHOTO

SENIOR KRISTIN TURK blazes past a defender to get to the rim. Turk has been on a tear lately, with 24 points and seven steals in a win against North Texas, and then 21 points and six assists in a road win versus North Dakota.

second consecutive week, the first time that has happened for a Drake player since Jill Martin accomplished the feat in 2006.

Turk set a season-high of 24 points, posted a career-high seven steals and tied a careerhigh with six assists against North Texas. The seven steals tied for the sixth-most in a game in Drake history. Against North Dakota, Turk scored 21 points and tallied six assists again.

Turk leads the MVC in scoring with 19.9 points per game and 2.9 steals per game.

Hackbarth has been Drake’s presence in the post, averaging seven rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game.

Drake head coach Amy Stephens said that it’s been a team effort building around the two leaders, Turk and Hackbarth. Stephens said players like Turk help the younger players improve.

“Kristin brings so much passion and so much energy to our team, and is such a great teammate and role model with how she plays, her work ethic everyday,” Stephens said. “You know, it’s neat when you see freshmen try to emulate that.”

Stephens has noticed a change in Christianson’s play since the start of the season.

“Angela has improved every week,” Stephens said. She said Christianson has been improving offensively, defensively and has become mentally tougher.

Christianson credits some of her improvement to Turk and Hackbarth.

“They’re super helpful,” Christianson said.

“They’re such great leaders on the court and off the court. They’re great role models, great examples.”

Stephens has noticed improvement all around for the Bulldogs.

“Our team chemistry has really come together,” Stephens said. “Our practice environment is really good this year, and we have a lot of coachable players who come in every day and work hard to improve.”

Drake will know how much it has improved after tonight. The Bulldogs face a Wisconsin team that is much better than its 2-7 record suggests. The Badgers own the nation’s 18th toughest schedule and have played most of it without at least one of its better players. Tipoff is at 7:05 p.m at the Knapp Center.

The Bulldogs host Tennessee Tech (5-1) this Saturday before welcoming No. 19 Iowa (8-1) to Des Moines on Dec. 20.

Stephens said the matchup against the Badgers will help prepare the team for the Hawkeyes. Stephens added that both games will show the team how to play against a true, physical opponent.

Missouri Valley Conference play begins for the Bulldogs on Dec. 31 in Omaha, Neb., against rival Creighton.

“We will definitely be ready by Dec. 31,” Stephens said. “I’m definitely glad we have four more games before we open up. I think that experience will be good for our team.”

If Christianson and the rest of the team continue to improve, those extra weeks could be just what the Bulldogs need.

FILE PHOTO

JUNIOR POINT GUARD FRANK WISELER is second on the team in assists, but averages just 2.3 per game, a telling statistic of how the Drake offense has struggled this season. The Bulldogs have had less than 45 points in two of the team’s four losses.

by Eduardo Zamarripa

Staff Writer eduardo.tamezzamarripa@drake.edu

For the young Bulldogs, returning home to the Knapp Center might just be what the team needs to dust off its early season slump. After all, Drake has undergone a school-record, sixgame road swing while facing some sturdy competition.

“We must make sure we are not affected by the slow start and continue to work hard,” senior guard Ryan Wedel said. “We must continue to work hard every day in practice, and make sure we stay positive and continue to gain confidence as the season progresses.”

With a 2-4 record, the Bulldogs certainly have learned some tough lessons on the road. A 48-point drubbing against Iowa State overshadowed what had been an encouraging debut win against Texas Southern.

After Drake rebounded nicely with a win over Southern Utah at the Great Alaska Shootout, it suffered a 43-point loss against St. John’s.

Close losses against Weber State and Colorado State roundout the Bulldogs’ record.

“Obviously we are disappointed by the rough start, but if we keep working hard, we will get where we want to be,” sophomore center Seth VanDeest said.

Growing pains were to be expected for the inexperienced Bulldog squad.

“With a young team like we have, every game of experience is important for us,” VanDeest said. “We will get better with every game that

we play.”

There is still room for improvement for Drake because players have played together for only six games, and with all the new faces it’s tough to get into a rhythm, especially on defense.

“We need to rebound better and get stops on the defensive end,” VanDeest said. “Those are two areas that we have really struggled with through the first six games.”

The Bulldogs will now get the opportunity to gain some confidence and improve their winning record. After they squared off against Eastern Michigan on the road Wednesday night, Drake will play its next five games at home.

The first four of those games will round out the Bulldogs’ non-conference schedule before they begin play in the tough Missouri Valley Conference.

Drake will face off against Boise State, Iowa, Dartmouth and Chicago State at the Knapp Center. The Bulldogs will try to avoid going 0-2 against Iowa and Iowa State for the second consecutive season.

On Dec. 29, the Bulldogs will host their first conference game of the season against Southern Illinois. Last season, Drake went 3-0 against the Salukis, the only team they were able to sweep throughout its MVC campaign.

“The Valley is always a really tough league, year in and year out, so we know it is going to be tough,” VanDeest said. “There are really good teams that you face every night, so it will be a challenge, but I think we will be ready to handle it.”

>>Bulldog Basketball Winter Break Schedules Men

Women Location

Time

Date

Team

Location

Time

Mon., Dec 20 IOWA

KNAPP CENTER

7:05 p.m.

Sat., Dec 18

IOWA

KNAPP CENTER

7:07 p.m.

Wed., Dec 22 AIR FORCE

KNAPP CENTER

5:05 p.m.

Tue., Dec 21

DARTMOUTH

KNAPP CENTER

7:05 p.m.

Fri., Dec 31

at Creighton*

Omaha, Neb.

3:05 p.m.

Thu., Dec 23

CHICAGO STATE

KNAPP CENTER

2:05 p.m.

Thu., Jan 6

at Southern Illinois* Carbondale, Ill.

7:05 p.m.

Wed., Dec 29 SOUTHERN ILLINOIS* KNAPP CENTER

7:05 p.m.

Sun., Jan 9

at Evansville*

Evansville, Ind.

1:05 p.m.

Sat., Jan 1

at Creighton*

Omaha, Neb.

TBA

Thu., Jan 13

BRADLEY*

KNAPP CENTER

7:05 p.m.

Tue., Jan 4

at Wichita State*

Wichita, Kan.

7:05 p.m.

Sat., Jan. 15

NORTHERN IOWA* KNAPP CENTER

2:05 p.m.

Fri., Jan 7

BRADLEY*

KNAPP CENTER

7:05 p.m.

Sun., Jan 9

INDIANA STATE*

KNAPP CENTER

5:05 p.m.

Wed., Jan 12

at Evansville*

Evansville, Ind.

7:05 p.m.

Sat., Jan 15

WICHITA STATE*

KNAPP CENTER

7:05 p.m.

Date

Team

* denotes Missouri Valley Conference game compiled by Matt Moran | Sports Editor sports@timesdelphic.com

Drake sports information director Mahon resigns after 23 years

by Matt Moran

Sports Editor sports@timesdelphic.com

Mike Mahon, Drake University’s sports information director for the last 23 years, resigned last week.

“I leave Drake with countless memories and will miss the close associations that I’ve developed over the years with student-athletes, administrators, coaches and the media,” Mahon said in a Drake athletics press release. “I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to have served as media coordinator for the many national

events that Drake has hosted, like the NCAA Championships and the Drake Relays, which have enhanced my career.”

Mahon began his career as a sports information director at the University of South Dakota in 1977, after graduating from the school in 1976. He has been at Drake since 1988.

“I relinquish my seat on the sidelines, but will still be actively wishing Drake athletic teams success,” Mahon said. “I’ve been contemplating a career move recently and I look forward to the challenges of the future.”

Drake Athletic Director Sandy Hatfield Clubb expressed her gratitude to Mahon for his

service to the school and the athletic program.

“Mike has been an integral part of the Drake family for many years,” Hatfield Clubb said in the same press release. “His contributions as the sports information director, and in particular his leadership with the Drake Relays, are appreciated. Mike will be missed by the department, and particularly by me. We wish him the very best.”

A sports information director’s main job is to document and publicize the accomplishments of athletes or teams for a particular school or league. He or she usually acts as a liaison between the athletes and the media.

Sports information directors have one of the busiest jobs in college sports. The department is in charge of compiling statistics, collecting information on each athlete, providing media guides for each sport, writing press releases and setting up interviews for players and coaches with members of the media.

Mahon has been involved with the U.S. Olympic Committee, serving as a press officer at the 1992, ’96 and 2004 Summer Olympics.

He has also worked at numerous NCAA men’s basketball tournaments, including the 2001 and 2005 NCAA Final Four.

PAGE 7 | THURSDAY, DEC. 9, 2010

SPORTS

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

FOOTBALL

Are you ready for some football?

TD writers discuss college football’s odd team out and forecast a wild finish in NFL

by David Johnson | Staff Writer david.e.johnson@drake.edu

by Mike Wendlandt | Staff Writer michael.wendlandt@drake.edu

photo illustration by Connor McCourtney Photo Editor photos@timesdelphic.com

2.Are the Chicago Bears for real?

DJ: The Chicago Bears are what we thought they were. Well, maybe they are even better. All nine wins this season may not have been pretty, but a person can’t argue with the 9-3 record.

They have the No. 3 defense in the league. The defense is held down by three players who have been regulars at the Pro Bowl over the past five

As the semester winds down, some of us look back on the fall and wonder what went right (or wrong) with our favorite football teams.

Times-Delphic writers Mike Wendlandt and David Johnson shed some light over the winter football picture.

1.Does TCU deserve a shot at the BCS national championship?

DJ: TCU deserves a chance to play for the national title, but due to the bowl system and the BCS rankings, the world will never know if it could compete with Auburn or Oregon, who will play for the national title on Jan. 10, 2011. Try to name one other college sport where a team can go all season without suffering a loss and still not have the opportunity to prove it belongs on the top of the rankings.

Just because TCU doesn’t have the opportunity to play in a conference like the Pac-10 or SEC doesn’t mean it can’t win. The Horned Frogs beat a Big 12 team and a Pac-10 team in nonconference play and have the top-ranked defense in the nation.

MW: TCU does not deserve to be in the title game. There is no way that they are more deserving than Auburn or Oregon, teams from tougher conferences, or possibly even Wisconsin, who tied for the Big Ten title. The Horned Frogs have been good, but not good enough. Coming from the Mountain West is not the greatest pedigree, and this entire debate will bring up memories of HawaiiGeorgia in the 2007 Sugar Bowl, when Hawaii went undefeated and then got hammered by a solid Georgia team. Good luck, TCU, against Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.

TRACK & FIELD

Bulldogs dust off shoes for Iowa State Holiday Preview

FILE PHOTO

by Dominic Johnson

Staff Writer dominic.johnson@drake.edu

The Drake track and field team heads to Ames, Iowa, this Friday for the Iowa State Holiday Preview. This is the first meet of the track and field season, and after a six-month offseason the athletes are anxious to get back on the track for competition.

The holiday preview originated as a dual meet between the Bulldogs and the Cyclones to have both squads check their development during the offseason. More teams now participate in the meet, but the purpose remains the same. Drake Head Coach Natasha Brown will take her sprinters, jumpers, hurdlers and a handful of distance runners to the Cyclone track.

“We have had three months of conditioning and just began to focus on event-specific training,” Brown said. “This meet gives us an indication of where the student-athletes are.”

Brown said that the team’s training has been on target, but once the actual competition hits, anything can happen. Many of her freshmen athletes are experiencing a 300-meter indoor track for the first time, or an indoor track at all for that matter. Therefore, the coaching staff is not only using this meet to gauge the progress of its returning upperclassmen, but also to help the new athletes adjust to the Division I level in time for the more prestigious Drake Relays and State Farm MVC Championship meets.

Two top hurdlers from last season will be returning to the track this year for the Bulldogs. Junior Jon DeGrave, winner of the 400-meter hurdles at the State Farm MVC Outdoor Track and Field Championship

meet last season, will return for the men’s squad while senior Ari Curtis, a qualifier in the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships last season, will return for the women. Both athletes have been training hard in the offseason to build up their endurance to compete in their events on a weekly basis.

Like the rest of the team, the two hurdlers are just getting into training for their specific events.

“No matter how long or short the event you do is, it’s important to be able to have a general base of athleticism,” Curtis said.

Last year at the Iowa State Holiday Preview, Curtis placed sixth in the 60-meter hurdles, but arguably the slow start at the beginning of the season led to huge success at the end of it. The most impressive performer at last season’s meet was then-junior Tyse Samani, who placed first in the high jump. Samani will return to the Lied Recreation Center to defend her title. Then-junior Clarissa LaFlora won the 600-yard run last year, and also looks to defend her title.

No returning male athletes won any events at last year’s Iowa State Holiday Preview, but three then-underclassmen, including DeGrave, led Drake to a third-place finish in the 4-by-300 relay.

Curtis believes that last year was a good start to a promising season, but she believes that this year’s team will be even more dangerous.

“Last year’s freshmen class was huge, and now they have a year under their belts and are ready to make an even larger impact,” she said. “We have another big freshmen class this year with a lot of potential to help us out as well.”

years: Julius Peppers, Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs. Their offense is not the best, but it can explode to score points quickly with the speed of Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett. Over the past few weeks, the running game has developed an impressive one-two punch with Matt Forte and Chester Taylor. The Bears’ entire season could depend on Jay Cutler’s head. Nobody questions the fact that his right arm is a cannon. Nobody can question the ability of Devin Hester. Who else has been given a 100-speed rating in Madden? Nobody.

MW:As a Packers fan, this will come off as a homer pick, but I say no. With possibly the toughest schedule remaining in the league, the Bears will be hard-pressed to keep up this success. The New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers will all be hard games, and I only see them winning maybe one.

The team’s main priority has to be protecting Jay Cutler, and all four teams left on the schedule are great pass rushing teams. Also, Cutler has to keep playing like he has the past couple of weeks, as in mistakefree. If he makes mistakes, the team loses, plain and simple.

The Bears are not good enough to overcome multiple mistakes by their high-paid quarterback.

3.Does a team from the NFC West deserve a playoff birth?

DJ: The NFC West appears to be a division full of teams battling for the right to next year’s first overall draft pick and not one of the teams is looking to make the playoffs. If the playoffs started today, the St. Louis Rams (66) would host the New Orleans Saints (9-3) in the first round.

The Rams’ six wins is equal to the teams’ win total in the last three seasons combined. The San Francisco 49ers haven’t had a good team since the

days of Steve Young, the Arizona Cardinals don’t have a quarterback and Seattle is, well, Seattle.

MW: If it wins the division, a team with a sub-.500 record deserves to go to the playoffs.

If not, then why are there divisions? The playoffs are a reward for being the best in your division, no matter how bad your team is. If you’re 7-9, that’s fine as long as you won your division.

We’ve seen it in the NFC West this year, with Seattle and St. Louis vying for the division lead.

Neither of the teams is remotely threatening, but the division winner will get a home playoff game, even though the Saints are on pace to be a 13-3 wild card team. We had this same conversation when Arizona went to the Super Bowl two seasons ago. It was a mediocre division winner at 9-7, and almost became world champions.

4.Who will play in Super Bowl XLV? DJ: Super Bowl XLV will be between the Pittsburg Steelers and the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints have hit their stride after some earlyseason hiccups. They have marched their way to a five-game winning streak. They have the No. 3 offense and the No. 9 defense. This has been with their top three running backs suffering injuries this season. Reggie Bush is back and both Pierre Thomas and Ladell Betts are expected back for the playoffs. The Steelers almost always have one of the top defenses in the league, and this year is no different. They rank No. 5 overall and own the top run defense in the game. Ben Roethlisberger and Troy Polamalu will make the big plays at the end of close games and could lead the Steelers to their seventh Super Bowl win.

MW: Again, a homer pick, but there will be a rematch of Super Bowl XXXI between the Packers and the Patriots.

Green Bay – I picked the Packers because of their trend to be a second-half team. The NFC championship game will be between Green Bay and Atlanta. Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan are the two best young quarterbacks in the game, but I think that the Pack pull it out by less than seven.

New England – This is no contest. The Patriots at this point look unstoppable. With their 45-3 drubbing of the Jets on Monday night, they are by far the class of the league.

FINAL: Packers 27, Patriots 24. This was my pick in the preseason, and I’ll stick with it.

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

STAFF EDITORIAL

THURSDAY, DEC. 9, 2010 | PAGE 8

Happy Holidays Just one more week and fall semester is done.

Study hard and finish strong, then take this month off to sleep, relax and eat plenty of home-cooked meals.

FILE PHOTO