Times-Delphic 03/04/2010

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MADNESS

Men’s basketball travels to St. Louis for the MVC Tournament. PAGE 7 SPORTS

THE TIMES-DELPHIC THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER FOR DRAKE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

DES MOINES, IOWA • Thursday, March 4, 2010 • VOL. 128, NO. 34 • www.timesdelphic.com

Rethinking 27th Street by LIZZIE PINE

Managing Editor tdeditorials@drake.edu

photo by MATT NELSON | Staff Photographer

27TH STREET parking has been troublesome to students this winter.

SLC goes cash free

With ice packed over three inches high and ruts pulling cars into one another, driving and parking on 27th Street hasn’t been very safe this winter. The one-way road that goes through the heart of campus has not been plowed effectively due to the reinstalled parking on both sides of the

street. Students and faculty contested the administration last fall to reverse a parking ban on the east side of the street. Several car scratches and a few side mirror amputations later, students are rethinking this decision. “I was (glad), but now that all this has gone on, I feel that it would have been safer maybe if they’d done it during the winter months,” said Mark Lynes, a sophomore living in Jewett Hall. “I know a lot of people would not have been happy because it cuts

down on parking, but the roads are so dangerous right now that it’s not worth parking on.” Drake University Security Chief Hans Hanson said there have been over a half dozen minor accidents this winter. “Nonetheless, they’re troublesome to people that have to get their cars repaired and turn it into (their) insur-

SEE PARKING, PAGE 2

SPEARS WINS VP

by AARON RUGGLES

Staff Writer aaron.ruggles@drake.edu

As of Monday morning, the Student Life Center (SLC) officially became cash free, meaning students are no longer able to purchase items with cash or check. Previously, students could use money to buy envelopes, paper, binders and other mailing supplies within SLC. With this new decision, any purchases made will be charged to a student’s Drake account. According to Assistant Dean of Students Melissa Sturm-Smith, contributing factors behind this decision were mainly due to SLC’s lack of a cash register or any system like it. All transactions were recorded by hand, which lead to concerns about legitimate record-keeping and the security of the money accumulated. Sturm-Smith and Director of Student Accounts Robert Harlan are part of a wider university effort to streamline all exchanges of cash across the university to a central location. Sturm-Smith says the decision was made with students in mind. “Both students and staff recognize that this will be a change, and the Student Life Center is working hard to address as many of the questions and concerns as possible,” Sturm-Smith said. “Information is available in SLC on where students can find similar services to those that were previously provided, all on campus or within walking distance of campus.” International Student Identification Cards (ISIC) will still be available in SLC, but the cost will now be charged directly to a student’s university account. SLC will now provide a faxing service free of charge to students in an effort to diminish the inconvenience of not offering cash payments. Junior business student Anthony Bertolone would like to see cash payments return to SLC. “It seems like a hassle either way, having money in SLC or the new arrangements,” Bertolone said. “If Drake were to ever have a cash register in SLC, (then) I would much rather see that than no cash at all.” Sturm-Smith says that SLC will continue to work hard to provide resources and information to all students. n

photo by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo/Design Editor

BYRON SPEARS (center) won the vice president of student life position with 59 percent of the vote. He defeated Seejo Valacheril for the position.

Samantha Haas, Greg Larson are also victorious by JACKIE WALLENTIN News Editor tdnews@drake.edu

The ballots have been cast, signaling the end of the election for the executive officers of next year’s Student Senate, with 1,010 students participating in the online voting process. Junior Byron Spears defeated sophomore Seejo Valacheril for the title of vice president of student life, the only contested race in the election. There were 83 absentee ballots, making 927 possible votes. Spears received 543 votes, gaining 59 percent of the vote compared

Staff Writer ashton.weis@drake.edu

THE STUDENT LIFE CENTER no longer accepts cash transactions.

job.” Valacheril said the voter turnout exhibited a large majority of the student body’s opinion. “I try to remind everyone to vote,” Valacheril said. “A good majority of the student body was represented, and that’s great.” Sophomore Greg Larson, who initially ran unopposed, was elected as the vice president of student activities. However, junior Lawrence Crawford created competition with his decision to run as a write-in candidate on the ballot.

SEE ELECTION, PAGE 2

>Student Body President **Samantha Haas – 93% Abstain – 7% >Vice President of Student Life **Byron Spears – 59% Seejo Valacheril – 36% Abstain – 5% >Vice President of Student Activities **Greg Larson – 73% Lawrence Crawford – 25% Abstain – 2% ** WINNER

U.S. House member says Israeli-Palestinian peace can happen by ASHTON WEIS

photo by MATT VASILOGAMBROS | Editor-in-Chief

to Valacheril’s 338 votes, which totaled to 36 percent of the vote. “It’s surprising, I didn’t expect to win, but it’s a good feeling,” Spears said. “This is an exciting opportunity to lead the student body. With so many people voting, it’s pretty flattering.” At this time Valacheril, the Diversity Interest Senator-at-Large, does not know if he will run for the position again next year, but says he has no regrets from this year’s contest. “It was a good race, a tough one. We both campaigned our hardest, and Byron came out on top,” Valacheril said. “I know he’ll do a good

>>THE RESULTS

Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison made his point very clear: peace is possible for Israel. “It can happen,” Ellison said. “There is nothing distinctly unique about this conflict.” Ellison, the first Muslim representative elected to U.S. Congress, spoke on Monday in Bulldog Theatre, sponsored by the Muslim Student Association. According to Ellison, the easiest way to make progress in the ongoing, Palestinian-Israeli conflict is by opening the checkpoints between the Palestine territories and the Israeli settlements, but security should remain. There should be Palestinian, Israeli and international border

patrols. He says that building bridges between the two communities is the best way to end hostilities. This was met with a smattering of applause from the audience of about 75 students and community members. Waddah Akali, a native of the region, said that he agrees with some of what the congressman said, but has a somewhat different perspective. “It has at least two distinct narratives,” Akali said. “There is no way to simply wish the problems away.” Ellison pointed out that there are two very important sides to this issue. He says that we cannot ignore the humanity of either people. Sophomore Emmanuel Adewole

SEE ELLISON, PAGE 2

photo by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo/Design Editor

REP. KEITH ELLISON (D-MINN.) spoke in Bulldog Theatre on Monday, discussing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It was hosted by the MSA.

NEWS

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

QUOTE of the

PAGETWO

DAY

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THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2010

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It’s something all of us are looking forward to conquering. That would be the icing on the cake. It’s win or go home now. We (seniors) don’t get another chance. —JOSH YOUNG, SEE PAGE 7

SECURITY REPORTS GAS LEAK 6:05 p.m. Feb. 24 A student reported that he observed paper towels sticking out of the nozzle of a gas can on the fourth floor of Goodwin-Kirk Residence Hall Complex at around noon on Feb. 24. Another student saw it at 9 a.m. and yet another student saw it in midafternoon. When it was finally reported to security the gas can was gone from the area. 4:30 p.m. Feb. 23 Security and the fire department responded to the Dial Computer Center based on a fire alarm. There was no smoke or fire, and it was determined there was some type of equipment malfunction and

measures will be taken to correct the problem. 9:35 p.m. Feb. 23 Security and the Assistant Director of Residence Life responded to Goodwin-Kirk Residence Hall Complex

based on report of an odor of marijuana. A male student was cited by Des Moines Police for a drug violation to include possession of marijuana and paraphernalia.

9:32 p.m. Feb. 24 Security and the fire department responded to the McCoy Apartments at 1220 31st St. based on a fire alarm. It was determined a radiator had split in the laundry room and was spewing steam and water. Real estate personnel installed parts to repair the damage. 12:42 p.m. Feb. 25 A male staff member reported he observed a city school bus strike a parked vehicle in the 1300 block of 27th St. and left the area. The security officer found the bus near 29th and Clark Streets and advised the male adult driver to return to the scene. Police were called and advised the bus driver to leave his information on the pick-up with Missouri plates that he struck as owner infor-

mation was not available at the time.

31st St. between 8:08 and 8:34 p.m. on Feb. 27.

2:50 a.m. Feb. 27 Security responded to Stalnaker Residence Hall based on report of an intoxicated male. An underage-for-drinking male student was found in a men’s restroom lying in his own vomit. He was not responding and fire/rescue was called. He did state that he had been drinking in Stalnaker, but would not give up the location. He was transported to a local hospital. It was determined where he may have been drinking and the hall director responded to the room.

8:10 p.m. Feb. 27 Security monitored on CCTV a suspicious vehicle in the Drake parking lot located in the 2900 block of Forest Ave. A female student, two male students, a female juvenile and a male juvenile were found in the vehicle. There was a small amount of marijuana in the vehicle that the male student owner of the vehicle stated they were passing around. Police were called. The two juveniles were advised on trespass for the Drake campus. The dean of students was advised of the three student’s participation.

8:08 p.m. Feb. 27 A female student reported her vehicle was struck while parked in the 1200 block of

‘Where You Belong’ series offers volunteer fair with local agencies by STEPHANIE SANYOUR Staff Writer stephanie.sanyour@drake.edu

photo by AFIQ MOHD HODORI | Staff Photographer

CONGRESSMAN KEITH ELLISON (right) talks with audience members after his speech.

FROM ELLISON, PAGE 1 did not feel Ellison was completely objective. “I didn’t feel like he was the type of speaker that could connect with the audience,” Adewole said. “He beat one topic over and over again.” Ellison also spoke briefly on the Afghanistan and Pakistan conflict and said that this region holds extreme importance for the United States.

FROM ELECTION, PAGE 1 Larson received 671 votes, with 73 percent of the votes. Crawford gained 226 write-in votes to gain 25 percent of the 920 votes possible. There were 90 absentee ballots. “The election was obviously different this year than last year with Sam and myself, initially, running unopposed,” Larson said. “I thought Lawrence joining the race was great, and I know a lot of people thought that brought more legitimacy to the election. I congratulate Lawrence on gaining many write-in votes.” Although he did not win the position, Crawford says he believes that the student body made the right decision. “The race was definitely worthwhile,” Crawford said. “I followed the rules and did what I thought I needed to do. The student body did what they needed to do, and I’m confident in their vote. Thank you to all those who voted and voiced their opinion.” Winning 93 percent of the votes, junior Samantha Haas was elected as student body president. Haas ran unopposed for the position, and gained 851 votes out of a total of 915, with 95 absentee ballots cast. “The process went smoothly. The Executive

“Sixty percent don’t read or write in their mother tongue,” Ellison said. “Peace and growth in this area would be valuable to the United States as well as Afghanistan and Pakistan.” When a student asked what they could do about these issues, Ellison said that the best way to help is to get people involved and interested. “You’ve got to talk to both sides,” Ellison said. n Commission set out the rules and information to the candidates very well,” Haas said. “With over 1,000 ballots cast, that’s not everyone, but definitely not something to scoff at. It’s good to see people turning out to vote for positions that are going to affect them.” Senior Election Commission co-chair Xian Zhang delivered the election results Tuesday night at Pomerantz Stage. Xian says the student body turnout was very healthy and credits the slight low turnout to the two unopposed races. “The results are pretty comparable. Usually in the past, there have been around 1,000 to 1,200 voters,” Zhang said. “If there was a decrease in voter turnout, that makes sense because there were less candidates running.” Xian also added that this year marked the first race without any election violations. Haas say she is proud of the student body for participating in the election, and believes next year will provide Senate the chance to prove itself and its commitment to the university. “This is a great opportunity to change the view of Student Senate to the student body, with new people and positions, to show students that Senate can work for them and that we’re here to help,” Haas said. n

Did you know .. . ke mni supported Dra lu a f o nt ce er p .8 10 mni nal average for alu last year. The natio percent. participation is 11 The Drake Fund

SEND YOUR STORY IDEAS TO TDNEWS@DRAKE.EDU

As part of the “Where you Belong” series, 15 local volunteer agencies presented to Drake choral students the meaning of home in Sheslow Auditorium on Tuesday. The agencies each spoke briefly about the services for the community that they provide to give help to immigrants, refugees and those dealing with housing issues, as well as how the students can help. “I think people here have a big heart, and they want to help,” said Aimee Beckmann-Collier, director of choral studies. The agencies answered questions and provided more information about the organizations. Linda Danielson, operations director of Children and Family Urban Ministries, knows about the great need for volunteers. “Our organization gives a sense of home by helping connect people together, but it takes a lot of volunteers,” Danielson said. “We can’t do it alone. It takes a community to support the entire community.”

First-year public relations major and choral member Whitney Koester says the fair provided a great opportunity for people to gain knowledge about volunteerism. “There are many people here that want to help but don’t know how,” Koester said. “Volunteering is an opportunity to change lives and it also affects your own life.” The fair was open only to Drake choral students at this time because it is part of a project based around their concert on the concept of home. The fair will be open for everyone starting April 18. “Choral music is good to understand that we are part of something bigger than ourselves,” Beckmann-Collier said. The choir has attended previous speaker series focused on topics around the idea of home to help the students understand more about issues, including immigration, homelessness, being away from home and what exactly home is for different people. “It’s eye-opening for students to think about the magnitude problems,” Beckmann-Collier said. n

Winter ice and snow causes parking problems on 27th Street FROM PARKING, PAGE 1 ance,” Hanson said. Last Sept. 23, Drake banned parking on the east side of 27th Street. However, the Des Moines City Council overturned the ban on Sept. 28 due to frustrations voiced by students, including a petition with over 300 signatures. “There is a total of 27 parking places that would be lost when you don’t park on that side of the street,” General Manager and Director of Facilities Mark Chambers said. “As winter got worse, people started to realize, I think, that facilities actually were right; this is a problem. No one wants to be inconvenienced.” Kevin Bell, a second-year law student and the Student Bar Association president said he didn’t like how the administration went about informing students of the ban. “Really, what they did, they jumped the gun, they pulled the trigger and they didn’t ask the students at all,” Bell said. “When we went to the city council and talked in front of them, the city council had no idea that it went on.” He said the administration handed out parking tickets and towed cars. After the ban was overturned, they refunded parking tickets, but most undergraduates didn’t know, Bell said. “It was kind of a shady situation,” he said. Years ago, parking had only been allowed on one side of the street. However, when the Knapp Center was built, there weren’t enough parking lots for the arena, Hanson said. The city and Drake decided to add parking on the east side of the street until enough parking spaces were created. Also, Hanson said, snowplows have increased blade length from 8 to 11 feet to improve plowing efficiency. Before, the city was able to get snowplows down the street even with parking on both sides. “It hadn’t been that big of a problem for years because we haven’t had snow like we had this year,” Hanson said. “We can hardly get the garbage truck down the street. Secondly, the fire department is extremely concerned about getting through that street with ladder trucks or pumper trucks. We’ve been lucky that we haven’t had any emergencies.” Many agree this is a problem, but the solution is undetermined.

Hanson suggests no parking on one side during the nighttime hours, such as 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. That would give the snowplows time to get through at night, allowing cars to park near the curb again, eliminating the fire and garbage truck problem. He proposed just having commuter parking during the daytime versus allowing Jewett residents to use it as an overnight lot. “The students of Jewett don’t want to park over by West Village because that’s too far, but we don’t have any spot to build another parking lot by Jewett,” Hanson said. Bell said he and the other petitioners had originally suggested there be plow routes on both sides of the street so if the city declares a snow emergency, they could clear the street, plow curb to curb, then allow the cars again. He said he hopes there will be a solution that leaves parking available. “There were three things that that street really offers that none of the others do: it’s free, it’s safe and it’s convenient,” Bell said. “You either have to pay for the parking, and it’s still not close so it’s not convenient, and when it’s late at night and you’re coming out of the law school or dorms, it’s safe to get in your car here. You feel more comfortable.” Bell has notified the city council that law students are interested in coming up with a resolution and feels confident they will. “We’ve been trying to work with Drake officials to come up with some process that could allow parking to be removed or signed for in a way that could allow snow removal,” City Traffic Engineer Gary Fox said. “We just haven’t come up with a final solution; I think we’re looking at perhaps having a meeting to try and discuss it further.” He said he has driven through it several times and finds it intolerable. Fox has also heard from the fire department that they are very concerned. He is looking for a middle-ground solution that can meet some of the parking needs but can still be plowed. Chambers thinks a solution ought to be made as a campus community then brought to the city council. “Right now I don’t think there’s anyone that doesn’t agree that it’s a mess,” Hanson said. n

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OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2010

OPINIONS&EDITORIALS

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

the BUZZ

What’s all this green stuff underneath the snow?

Three weeks, three continents A student abroad experiences Spain and other countries KRISTINA BELL COLUMNIST

W

ow. I have been abroad for over three weeks and have had so many experiences that I don’t know where to start. Here is an outline of what has been going on in Granada, Spain: The first two weeks here—Jan. 17 to Jan. 29—the Central College Abroad program I am here with held an extensive orientation along with a trip to Morocco, Africa. Orientation consisted of classes every day to refresh our Spanish and prepare students for the test to decide which level of Spanish class each would take. I was in the lowest class—yay for me, since I have had no Spanish since high school. My class consisted of six other girls and Jose, our professor (yes, all girls, with Jose). Jose was a great professor and I always had fun in class. He was obsessed with Diana Ross and made many references to her (mainly to show how our mistakes when speaking or writing in Spanish can have a whole different meaning). He is fluent in English, but had trouble with mistaking vowel sounds. A lot of words came out as swear words. For example, “focus”…replace the “o” with a “u”. Got it? Jose also helped out when we needed to know what to tell our Senoras. In Spain, I have a roommate and live in an older lady’s house. She prepares our food, does our laundry and more. She only speaks Spanish and has a very strong personality, but we will get to her later. On the first day with my Senora, I hardly knew how to say anything. It was challenging, to say the least, when trying to communicate. Also, I had to tell her I did not eat meat and Jose helped out with that. Besides having classes with Jose, I was also able to visit the Alhambra and the Albaicín as well as getting to know the whereabouts of the city. At the end of orientation, I was able to go to Morocco through an exchange program that the Central College Abroad works with. Right before starting classes, I spent some time in Africa. No big deal; it’s just Africa. Morocco, for those of you who don’t have a handy dandy map readily available or a link to Google Maps bookmarked, is in Northern Africa along the Atlantic coast and part of the Mediterranean Sea. It is just a bus/ferry ride away from southern Spain. The ferry was the first time I have ever had motion sickness. Luckily I had my Dramamine—thanks, Mom. Going through the border was easy on the way there since we’re American, or at least that is the reason we were told. We started off our visit in Tangier. There, I was able to visit a women’s center that helps those who have had little education and are able to learn a trade skill to work. Morocco is a Muslim country and many of these women have left their husbands or have been abused and need to make do with just themselves or need to support their family. At this women’s center, there were three post-graduate women fluent in English. They talked with us about their lives as Moroccans and what their faith is all about. It was very interesting to hear their viewpoints. I can’t recall them exactly; I should have been a nerd and taken notes, but didn’t start that till later in the trip. They all followed the Quran’s rules of the Islamic faith. Each of them wore headscarves and explained that they chose to do so. The three women had viewpoints that varied from being very traditional to a little bit more modern, like thinking that dating is acceptable.

This was just the start to an eye-opening experience of what the Muslim communities in Moroccan cities were like. After this we traveled to Rabat, the capital city southeast of Tangier. This trip was all about seeing what Morocco is like from an insider’s view, not just touring it. While in Rabat, I stayed with a family with two other students on the trip. We were able to see what life was like in the home of a Muslim family as well as try some homemade Moroccan food. One night we had “pizza” and I asked what it was; and the family laughed at us. I am sure they were thinking silly Americans; they don’t even know what pizza is. But this dish was in a small pie-like shell filled with mushrooms and spinach among spices and topped with cheese. It was very good—all the food was. On the trip, similar discussions to that at the women’s center were held with male Moroccans who also went to school for English. It was very common in Morocco for people to know multiple languages, with the most common being Arabic and French. These men held some valid viewpoints on politics and religion—this was when I pulled out my notes. One night, some students took us around town to the markets and out for coffee. It was awesome to be able to discuss their viewpoints about their life in Morocco. I was challenged to a movie quiz. American movies are very popular there, and one of the students thought he may know more than I. Luckily, I won, but not without a challenge. After spending two nights in Rabat, we headed up to the Riff Mountains and hiked to a village. I was able to experience life in rural Morocco. It was an eye-opening experience. These people lived off the land, did not have much, yet were happy, healthy and held good family relations. I feel that in the U.S., these basic things get overlooked. After visiting the family, we went to Chefchaouen to spend the last night. There, we were able to barter at a Moroccan market. That was intense. The prices were marked up and in order to get a good deal, you had to ask down the price. I didn’t really like this too much and it stopped me from buying a lot. It was fine at first, but then after a while it just got annoying. I’d rather wait till things go on sale at stores. However, I am definitely glad I had this experience. I got some great deals on sandals—only 7 euros and made with leather. The hostel in Chefchaouen was freezing—still up in the mountains—and no one had central heating. My sheets were also dirty, so I wore all my warm clothes and wrapped my zebra-print Snuggie around me—if you don’t have one yet, you should get one. Also, in Chefchaouen I was able to get henna, which is a traditional temporary tattoo common during holidays. Morocco was such an experience; I know I didn’t write everything. It was a great experience and most of the time I felt very uncomfortable being foreign, female and young in a maledominated Muslim society. The day after Morocco, I started classes. I am in my second week of classes already and they are going well. I have four hours of Spanish a day. This past weekend I went to the city of Costa del Sur, Malaga. I was able to sit on a beach on the Mediterranean coast and take in some sun. Also, I was able to go to the Picasso Museum and see actual sketching and paintings done by him. It was amazing. Malaga was a nice, clean, palm-tree lined city; perfect for a weekend. Now, I am getting ready for the Carnival in Cadiz.

This trip was all about seeing what Morocco is like from an insider’s view, not just touring it.

Bell is a sophomore marketing and international marketing major and can be contacted at kristina.bell@drake.edu.

FUN FACT In 2004, the Moroccan government adopted landmark changes to the Family Law (Moudawana) aimed at “lifting the inequity imposed on women, protecting children’s rights and safeguarding men’s dignity.” In short, this means this grants unprecedented rights and protections for women concerning marriage, divorce and custody of children. Morocco was the first Muslim country to have such legislation.

THE TIMES-DELPHIC THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER FOR DRAKE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884 MATT VASILOGAMBROS, Editor-in-Chief times.delphic@drake.edu LIZZIE PINE, Managing Editor tdeditorials@drake.edu JACKIE WALLENTIN, News Editor tdnews@drake.edu

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FEATURES

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

FEATURES

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2010

DON’T. MISS. THIS.

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Drake Theatre Talk Radio 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. @ Performing Arts Hall, Harmon Fine Arts Center, March 4-6, $6 for adults, $4 with Drake ID.

Where to find solitude by JARED HANEL

Staff Writer jared.hanel@drake.edu

of practice rooms where you can just practice some vocals or even play a little piano. If you are more of an active body and maybe dancing is more your thing, head downstairs to the basement. The movement studio is a great place to get exercise and just really express who you are through the art of movement. Just bring a CD of your favorite songs and you are set to go. When tired of campus and just looking to get away, the East Village of Des Moines is full of places to just kick back and relax. It is a fun place to sit and people watch or shop. With the warming weather, this location MATT NELSON | Staff photographer is ideal for the college student. COWLES LIBRARY, check out the Maybe you like the hustle and bustle but not the feeling of being surrounded by a bunch of stressed stu- Quiet or Reading Room for reflection dents trying to power through their homework. If so, space. try Java Joes. This coffee shop, located at 214 4th St., is the not only famous for its coffee, but the environment is relaxed. You can sit in the back away from people and just work on some homework with some background noise or you can bring a group of friends for some delicious java and a board game or two. Des Moines is full of locations for expression or just the common chill spot. From coffee to riverside walks, if you explore, you will find that one place that can truly be your little retreat. n

Quiet.

Looking for a place to just sit back and relax? Maybe a place where you can just be who you are by yourself ? If you are looking for that type of environment, you are reading the right article. Tired of the hustle and bustle of the normal study places? The library is often filled with people in those study areas, the residence hall lobbies are usually filled with an abundance of people just hanging out, and the rooms often do not cut it if you are looking for that silence. There are, however, a multitude of places on campus where studying can occur in your own solitude. For example, the Quiet Room of the Library, Upper Olmsted, and many classrooms around campus remain open for most of the day. There are also places such as the Honor’s Lounge in Medbury, the BCMB Room in upper Klein Hall or the lounges in upper Cartwright if you fall into any of those groups. Looking for a place on campus where you can just be you and express who you are? Maybe the Fine Arts Center is the place for SARAH ANDREWS | Photo/Design Editor you. Not only are JAVA JOES, quaint coffee shop, offers food, drinks and study space. there two floors

More than old ladies and knots

Eagle Scout brings lessons from troop to college by CAITLIN BERENS

Staff Writer caitlin.berens@drake.edu

“It’s one of those things I know I’ve done,” said Daniel Van Sant, a junior at Drake. We’re talking about helping old ladies cross the street—had he ever done it? Being from smalltown Malvern, Iowa, Van Sant admits there wasn’t a lot of traffic to navigate people through; nevertheless, he’s sure he’s done the deed. “The whole time I was probably thinking ‘I’m such a stereotype,’” he said with a smile. “Do a good turn daily” is the slogan of the Boy Scouts of America, one that Van Sant, through his past and present involvements, has been carrying out for many years. Being involved in Boy Scouts for 12 years, Van Sant has been through a little bit of everything: earning numerous merit badges, going on adventure-filled camping trips and building camaraderie with the rest of the men in his troop. His experiences have helped shape who he is as a person, as well as his perspective on the world. “They really enforce this giving back to the community thing that sticks with you,” he said. “Just that sort of civic responsibility really made an impression on me. To some extent, that’s probably why I got interested in political science as a major; I got to see the difference that one could make.” Now a politics and international relations doublemajor, Van Sant stays involved on campus with service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega and Mock Trial, though he’s leaving to study abroad in Japan in less than a photo by SARAH ANDREWS month. | Photo/Design Editor “APO used to be a scouting fraternity, so for me it DANIEL VAN SANT, applies the Boy was a great way to continue on what I’ve been doing all Scout motto to “Be Prepared!” these years,” he said. Van Sant has been involved in scouting for the majority of his life. He started off as a Tiger Cub in first grade and worked his way up the many Scout ranks all the way to his senior year in high school, when he earned the highest ranking of Eagle Scout. In order to become an Eagle Scout, Van Sant had to fulfill several thorough requirements prior to turning 18, including earning 20 merit badges (though his sash has over 30). With every badge comes a memory, with every camping trip comes a story and with every weekly meeting another useful skill is learned. Looking back on his years in scouting, Van Sant misses the camaraderie and camping the most. But whether his recollections are about earning a difficult emergency preparedness badge or going to the Klondike campout and working as a team, his memories of Scouts remain fond. Some of his best are about camping. “You don’t know what you’re going to find, but it always ends up being the most fun that you’ve ever had,” he said. “You feel like you’re a big explorer—it’s a lot harder to recapture—feeling like you’re just dropped off in the middle of the woods and you’re this team.” Although he’s now at Drake, Van Sant still finds ways to fit Scouts into his life. Since his younger brother is still involved, Van Sant drives him to his meetings when he’s home “just as an excuse to go and have fun again,” he said. He also was able to teach a public speaking class (for Scouts to earn public speaking merit badges) after his first year at Drake. Through APO he has helped other Scouts via Merit Badge University. Van Sant’s involvement in the Boy Scout program has had a large impact in his life, and although he’s earned the highest rank he still wants to be involved with the organization in the future. “I would love to teach merit badges,” he said. “I definitely would like to be involved in Scouting

in the future in some capacity.” And, as it seems, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. “If I had sons I would obviously want them to be in Scouting,” he adds. A father-son bond sparked Van Sant’s passion for Scouts, when his dad first signed Van Sant up to participate. As the years passed the team would go to meetings and campouts together. “My dad was involved in Scouts when he was younger, but never got his Eagle; he stopped right before that,” Van Sant said. “He always said it was one of his biggest regrets. He enjoyed it so much.” Although Van Sant acknowledges that Scouting isn’t something often brought up in conversation “unless there’s a flat tire,” he still has found some other Eagle Scouts here at Drake, and maintains friendships with some of his Scouting friends from back home. Since the topic isn’t always on the minds of college students juggling political science classes and macroeconomics, Van Sant said it might be a year or more before he finds out about the Scouting background of a Drake friend. “It’s kind of like a bond that is immediately made right there; like, you guys were Eagle Scouts together,” he said. “It’s kind of like a shared experience you have together.” The Boy Scouts of America celebrated their 100th birthday in early February and Van Sant didn’t miss a beat, using his Facebook page to reach out to other Scouts: “(Daniel Van Sant) wishes the Boy Scouts of America a happy 100th birthday! He is calling on all current and past scouts to help him finish this statement: A Scout is Trustworthy...” Can you finish the sentence? n

>>What’s going on?

campus calendar TODAY BAND

FRIDAY FUNDRAISER

A Sunny Day in Glasgow, with Wolves in the Attic and Asteroid Marian

Run for Chuck 5K race, Registration in Breezeway March 4 or at the race

WHERE Vaudeville Mews 212 Fourth St. WHEN 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.

WHERE Knapp Center Track

LECUTURE

“The Moral Underground: How Ordinary Americans Subvert an Unfair Economy” WHERE Olmsted Bulldog Auditorium WHEN 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

WHEN 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

DANCE

Salsa lessons, sponsored by La Fuerza Latina. WHERE Olmsted Parents Hall WHEN 8 p.m. - 12 p.m.

SATURDAY RECITAL

Christopher Davis guitar WHERE Sheslow Auditorium WHEN: 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

COMEDIAN

Michael Dean Ester on college and life afterward, sponsored by SAB WHERE Olmsted Pomerantz Stage WHEN: 8 p.m. - 9 p.m.

The Times-Delphic Editor The Times-Delphic Business Manager Drake Magazine Editor Drake Broadcasting System President Periphery Editor Duin Editor

PAGE 5

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2010

FEATURES

Rockthe ROADTRIP by SKYLAR BERGL

Staff Writer Skylar.bergl@drake.edu

Warm weather is going to emerge out of this frigid and endless winter eventually and when that time does come, audiophiles will be looking forward to the upcoming music festivals. Spring and summer offer an abundance of opportunities to get outside, enjoy the weather and jam out to some of your favorite musical acts. Festival after festival brags about the artists that they reel in; and, well, who actually has the best deal and line up? Beginning in March, the festivals will be madly rolling out. And with renowned acts at many of them, it’s hard to make a decision where to spend your money and where you’ll get the best bang for your buck. That’s why I’m here.

South By Southwest

With eight days of bands playing all around the Austin area, SXSW is a lot to take in. Acts will be playing is so many different concert venues that it’s almost impossible to keep track of who is playing where. However, SXSW does boast the highest number of acts a staggering 200 artists. To name a few that will be making appearances: The Crystal Method, Deerhunter, Fanfarlo, Flying Lotus, Japandroids, Miike Snow, Titus Andronicus and Spoon. It’s going to set your wallet back a pretty penny if you want to attend, though, not to mention that you’ll have to fly down to Austin. With tickets for the music festival weighing in at a hefty $595, you may want to sit this one out.

Austin, TX March 12-21

Coachella

Indio, CA April 16-18

Coachella tends to be more standard in terms of music festivals. The three-day format is typical, while still allowing a metric ton of tunes. Out in the utopia of California, a tremendously strong ticket is still out there. It isn’t too bad of a bargain if you compare the ratio of bands to dollars spent. The ticket itself is $269, not counting travel and camping costs (it is a festival,

Check and mate by JACKIE WALLENTIN News Editor tdnews@drake.edu

Determined chess players of every level hailing from all over the state gathered on Drake’s campus this weekend for an official United States Chess Federation open tournament. The Drake Chess Festival began competition at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 27 in Parents’ Hall. The event was sponsored by the Iowa State Chess Association (ISCA) and the Drake Minds Sports Organization (DMSO), formerly known as the Drake Chess Club. Saturday marked the first tournament of its kind on Drake’s campus, which has never hosted a chess event like this before. ISCA At-Large Director Bill Broich was the first to approach the university about the possibility of a tournament last semester. “I’ve been playing chess in tournaments for 20 years, and I started directing tournaments four or five years ago,” Broich said. “Some of the players in the tournaments I competed against went to school at Drake. I wanted to get chess started there.” Broich was inspired to begin the competition by the success of the Drake Chess Team in the 1970s, which once placed seventh in the nation. After approval from the university, Broich went to the DMSO to pitch his idea for tournament play. “We’re working the tournament together,” Broich said. “The student organization is sponsoring the tournament and promoting it, and I’m running it according to the United States Chess Federation’s tournament rules.”

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

Upcoming music fests offer top tunes

remember). When considering the lineup, one can’t go too far wrong with Coachella. The three headliners for the festival—Jay-Z, Muse and Gorillaz—bring a variety to the table. But it’s the surrounding lineup that makes things even more entertaining. LCD Soundsystem, Vampire Weekend, Grizzly Bear, MGMT, Dirty Projectors, The xx, Pavement, Thom Yorke, Spoon and Phoenix will all perform. Those are just the most well-known acts, too; the rest of the lineup is stacked all around. A perennial favorite, Coachella stands out.

Bonnaroo

The humid south of Tennessee always welcomes tourists to come down and enjoy probably the most Woodstock-esque music experience of the current day. However, there are some repeat performers from Coachella. The cost of tickets is also remarkably the cheapest of the three as well. At $234.50, or $249.50 after those initial tickets sell out, Bonnaroo is the most affordable option. But don’t forget that you’ll be camping out! The most beneficial part of Bonnaroo, however, is its location. It’s closer than any of the other festivals and more affordable.

Manchester, TN June 10-13

The lineup brings a lot to the party as well. Dave Matthews Band, Kings of Leon, Jay-Z, Weezer, The Flaming Lips, Phoenix, LCD Soundsystem, Rise Against, The xx, Wale, Miike Snow and Neon Indian will all be down south representing their works. For my money, Bonnaroo is the best option at this point. Don’t forget, though, the complete lineups for Midwest festivals—Lollapalooza, Pitchfork Music Festival and 80/35, to name a few—have not been released yet. So don’t take the dive on any of these other festivals just yet. n

Chess club pawns first Drake tournament Vee Ping Voon, a senior actuarial science and finance major and president of DMSO, finalized the details of the tournament with the Student Life Center and then set out to publicize the event, beginning with the club’s name. “Near the end of last semester, we changed from the Drake Chess Club to Drake Minds Sports Organization because we do focus on more than just chess,” Voon said. “We play pool, Chinese checkers, Monopoly; all strategy games. This new name encompasses all that we do and what we play.” The festival featured three rated tournaments based on the United States Chess Federation’s rules. Advanced players could join either the ISCA mini-qualifier or the reserve tournament, while novice players were eligible for the rated beginner open tournament. Players registered for all tournaments starting at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. The ISCA and reserve tournament cost $30 at the door or $20 if the player pre-registered in the Student Life Center. The beginner open costs $15 at the door and was discounted to $10 with pre-registry. “To play in the rated tournament, you have to be a member of the U.S. Chess Federation,” Broich said. “If there are enough students who don’t want to join the federation or pay, we will have an unrated tournament just for the fun.” Voon believes the tournament gained more exposure for the DMSO and increased awareness about chess across campus. “I hope more Drake students know about what we do,” Voon said. “Maybe some students discovered that they have similar interests with our club.” The DMSO meets on Thursday evenings by Pomerantz from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and anyone who is interested is welcome to attend. n

SPORTS

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

SPORTS

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2010

FOR BREAKING SPORTS NEWS WWW.TWITTER.COM/TDSPORTSNEWS

9

PAGE 6

STELLAR STATS Number of hits junior designated hitter has so far this season, leading the Bulldogs.

SOFTBALL

Drake heads south for Razorback Tourney by DAVID JOHNSON

Staff Writer david.e.johnson@drake.edu

Drake didn’t listen to Punxsutawney Phil’s prediction for a long winter and started spring cleaning early in Denton, Texas, during their last tournament. The Bulldogs brought out their brooms for a four-game sweep during the Sleep Inn Classic two weekends ago. The Drake softball team will look to ride that wave of momentum into the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark., this weekend. The team will look to keep the bats hot and the pitchers will try to continue their dominance this weekend. Drake outscored their opponents 21-3 over the course of the past tournament. If that type of performance can be repeated in Fayetteville, the Bulldogs could continue to remove some winter cobwebs and return back to Des Moines with a few victories. “Two weeks of practice has helped to work on some things,� said junior designated hitter Erin Bly. “It has helped us more than hurt us.� Bly has been a key contributor for the Bulldogs offensive attack, leading the team with a .346 batting average and nine hits. The Bulldogs will be facing solid competition over the five-game weekend. During the tournament, Drake will play four teams with winning records. “We will prepare just like we do for any other team,� Head Coach Rich Calvert said. “You play against the game, not against the opponent.� Play will begin against the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, who have an impressive 11-2 record. The Golden Eagles have already won two tournaments this season and are led by right-handed pitcher Courtney Ramos, who has a record of 5-1.

PLAYERS to file photo by SARAH ANDREWS| Photo/Design Editor

DRAKE SOFTBALL PLAYERS will travel to Fayettville, Ark. this weekend and will take on Southern Mississippi in their first game.

UPCOMING TRACK MEETS Iowa State NCAA Qualifier NCAA Indoor Championships Dr. Perpper Invitational Stanford Invitational Missouri Relays Texas Relays Duke Asics Invitational Central Invitational JIM DUNCAN INVITATIONAL

BRYNNE DORDEL

LINDSEY VANDE WALL

Dordel is leading the team with a 1.42 ERA and has a record of 3-1 in four appearances.

Vande Wall went 3-3 in stolen bases and had a crucial grand slam against Colorado State.

TRACK AND FIELD

March 6 March 12-13 March 20 March 26-27 March 26-27 April 1-3 April 2-3 April 3 April 9-10

LOVE THE

JIMMY! ((

WATCH

Drake will then play the Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns, who are No. 18 in the latest national softball rankings. Louisiana Lafayette (10-5) has faced tough competition already this season with games against ranked teams Texas, Michigan, Missouri, UMass and Georgia Tech. Their lineup is full of power hitters and the team can put up large run totals. The Ragin’ Cajuns have scored 100 runs already this season. The matchup will be an example of an unstoppable force crashing into an immovable object. The Louisiana Lafayette offense will have to take on the stingy Drake pitching staff and defense. The Bulldogs are only giving up 1.22 runs per game. “We have looked at some strategy for certain matchups,� Calvert said. “But it comes down to us pitching the ball and they try to hit it.� On Saturday, Drake will have an opportunity to avenge an early season 5-2 loss to Iowa State in the Metrodome Tournament. The Cyclones are coming off a rough four-loss tournament in Georgia this past weekend. “A loss to an in-state rival doesn’t sit well,� Bly said. “We are looking forward to another chance just like any other game.� Calvert says that some players may get excited for different games, but it is just another game on the schedule. The Bulldogs will play against Arkansas, which they beat earlier in the season 2-1, and Eastern Illinois to conclude the weekend. Hopefully the team is well-rested following these past two weeks without games, because they will not have the luxury of sleeping in during this weekend’s tournament. The Bulldogs will be leaving campus on Thursday and are scheduled to take the field on Friday at 9:30 a.m. against Southern Mississippi to begin tournament play. n

((

DES MOINES ~ 2416 UNIVERSITY AVE. ~ 515.271.5566 DES MOINES ~ 3839 MERLE HAY RD. ~ 515.251.7827 DES MOINES ~ 422 E. LOCUST AVE. ~ 515.244.3252 WEST DES MOINES ~ 1551 VALLEY WEST DR. ~ 515.222.9119 WEST DES MOINES ~ 5465 MILLS CIVIC PKWY. ~ 515.440.6666 ANKENY ~ 1802 SE DELAWARE AVE. ~ 515.965.0987 ALTOONA ~ 301 CENTER AVE. PL. ~ 515.967.6464

FREAKY FAST DELIVERY! 3?2.8F 3.@A 1296C2?F • % 76::F 7<5;´@ 3?.;056@2 990 .99 ?645A@ ?2@2?C21

SEND YOUR STORY IDEAS TO TDSPORTS@DRAKE.EDU

file photo by SARAH ANDREWS| Photo/Design Editor

DRAKE TRACK ATHLETES who competed in the MVC Championships brought back strong preformances.

Bulldogs head into qualifier by JACK THUMSER

Staff Writer john.thumser@drake.edu

Junior Tyse Samani’s victory in the women’s high jump highlighted the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championships for the Drake track and field teams last weekend at the UNI-Dome. Samani’s leap of 5 feet, 7 inches tied her for highest of the season. Winning the event helped the women’s team surpass Northern Iowa to grab sixth place overall in the meet. “The score does not reflect the effort my team put forth,� Head Coach Natasha Brown said. “Beating UNI was huge but we really competed well and fought for our points.� Junior Michelle Mitchell also impressed in the high jump, finishing ninth with a jump of 5 feet, 5 inches. The other standout performance on the women’s side was junior Ari Curtis’ second place finish in the pentathlon. Curtis totaled 3,739 points in the event and won the final two events—the long jump and 800-meter run—to clinch second place. Her performance also means that she provisionally qualifies for the NCAA National Indoor Championships. First-year athlete Briana Isom-Brummer finished seventh in the pentathlon, which Brown found impressive for a freshman. “It is difficult to score in the pent(athlon) that young,� Brown said. The women’s team also had some stellar performances on the track. Senior Nicole Braunsdorf finished fourth in the mile with a time of 4:56.82 seconds, while junior Casey McDermott finished fifth in 4:57.74. Brausdorf and McDermott also finished back-to-back in the 5000-meter run. Braunsdorf ’s 17:35.06 was good enough for third and McDermott grabbed fourth with a time of 17:44.13. Drake’s 4x400 relay team—composed of freshman Sarah Yeager, Curtis and seniors Caitlin Able and Clarissa LaFlora—finished sixth with a season-best time 3:53.08. “It was by far the best conference meet for the women,�

Brown said. “It was incredible. In every event the Drake team competed well and made it tough for others to score.â€? The men placed sixth out of the six competing teams, but it was not due to a lack of impressive performances. Once again sophomore Jon DeGrave proved to be the most valuable athlete on the men’s side, finishing third in the 400-meter dash—including a dive at the finish line— and anchoring the men’s 4x400 relay team, which finished fourth. Seniors Kevin Earl, Brandon Lewis and Anthony Pettaway joined DeGrave to finish with a time of 3:20.73. Senior Jeff Grassmeyer finished seventh in the mile with a time of 4:19.49, tenth in the 5,000-meter run in 14:51.97 and sixth in the 3,000-meter run with a time of 8:43.37, but said he was a little disappointed with his performance. “I can't really fault my effort,â€? Grassmeyer said. “I thought I competed well and put myself in position to succeed, it just didn't happen that way.â€? Grassmeyer said that despite his disappointment, however, the meet does not take away from what he has already accomplished. “It's over with and it's time to focus on the outdoor season, which is just around the corner.â€? Perhaps the most interesting story of the meet was senior Josh Bangert’s improbable second-place finish in the long jump. Despite struggling with a hamstring injury, Bangert unleashed an impressive 23-foot-10-inch jump that made him the only competitor in the top five who was not from Wichita State. Other impressive finishes for the men’s team included sophomore Shaun James’ seventh-place finish in the 200-meter dash and freshman Charlie Lapham’s sixth-place finish in the 800-meter run. Brown said that both James and Lapham are examples of why Drake track and field has an exciting future ahead. “I thought the team competed very well this weekend,â€? Grassmeyer said. “We had some awesome performances and very few setbacks, which is all you can hope for at conference.â€? The Bulldogs start the outdoor season on March 20 at the Dr. Pepper Invitational in Waco, Texas. ď Ž

FOR BREAKING DRAKE SPORTS NEWS, CHECK OUT WWW.TWITTER.COM/TDSPORTSNEWS

PAGE 7

SPORTS

THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2010

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

ARCHMADNESS Drake opens tournament play against Southern Illinois

I

t’s now or never. Do or the die. Win or go home. It doesn’t matter what cliché you use, because this is reality for Drake basketball as they head to St. Louis, Mo. for the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament. The Bulldogs take on Southern Illinois in the opening round game on Thursday at 6 p.m. The reward for the winner of the 10-team tournament is a treasured birth to the NCAA Tournament for a shot at the national championship. For Drake to do that, they must win four games in four days. “It’s a new season for everyone,” said Head Coach Mark Phelps. “We’re going in thinking we have the capability to win four games. It’s possible and we have to have confidence.” The Bulldogs’ monumental task starts with a team they have beaten twice this season in Southern Illinois. Phelps said even though he knows it’s hard to beat a team three times in the same season, all Drake has to do is stay focused. “There is a confidence element on our part having beaten SIU twice,” he said. “But they are a completely different team now because they have a legitimate low-

TOP THREE

in

VALLEY

1. 2.

3.

post threat with (freshman) Gene Teague.” Teague had 18 points and 11 rebounds in a 79-72 Bulldog victory on Feb. 16. Tony Freeman also had 18 points in that game while giving senior guard Josh Young very little space offensively. Phelps also said that if Drake were to advance, it would have to be because of an improved defensive performance. “(The question is) can we get a little bit better on defense?” He said. “If we can finish four or five more defensive possessions per game, then anything can happen.” Senior Adam Templeton agreed that defense was a key to Drake’s success. “Defense is something you can control,” he said. “Sometimes on offense shots aren’t falling, but it’s all on you to get a defensive stop.”

It’s win or go home now. We (seniors) don’t get another chance.

Northern Iowa

Wichita State

Illinois State

– JOSH YOUNG If the Bulldogs take care of business against Southern Illinois, then a date with top-seed Northern Iowa looms on Friday. When the Panthers came to the Knapp Center on Feb. 10, Drake led 45-44 with five minutes to go before falling 57-48. Phelps said he is ready to play Northern Iowa as well as any other team. “We want the shot (at Northern Iowa) because it means we’re in the second round,” he said. Phelps said that Drake is on the verge of playing its best basketball of the season and believes his team is prepared to make a run this week. “I do think we are close to playing our best basketball,” he said. “I love how we’re playing on offense and I love how we’re playing together.” Templeton said that the Bulldogs are up to the challenge of winning four straight and that making the NCAA Tournament would be the ultimate reward. “(Making the tournament) is a big motivating factor,” he said. “It’s been one of my goals since I

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was little.” Young said that he is focused on winning the tournament not just to close out his career, but to reward the seniors and the rest of the team for fighting through adversity. “It’s something all of us are looking forward to conquering,” he said. “That would be the icing on the cake.” On the other side of the bracket, either second-place Wichita State or third-place Illinois State is favored to reach the finals. The Redbirds are looking for their third straight trip to the tournament championship. Last year’s tournament most outstanding player Osiris Eldridge brings experience that may prove valuable late in games. The Shockers are led by Clevin Hannah, who was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference First Team along with Young and Eldridge. Dinma Odiakosa of Illinois State and player of the year, Adam Koch of Northern Iowa, were also named to the team. Young said it was an honor to be named to the team, but would prefer team accomplishments to individual accolades. He wants to take advantage of his last MVC tournament as a Bulldog. “It’s win or go home now,” he said. “We (seniors) don’t get another chance.” n

DRAKE vs. SIU

6:05 p.m. | Scottrade Center UNI

DRAKE

Bradley

CHAMPIONSHIP

Southern Illinois Fri 12:05 Tonight 6:05 Creighton Sat 1:35

Fri 2:35

Missouri State Evansville

Tonight 8:35

Wichita State Sun 1:05

Fri 6:05

Illinois State

Indiana State

Sat 4:05

Fri 8:35

photo by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo/Design Editor

THE BULLDOGS will try for their third win this season against the SIU Salukis.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Drake stays focused on effort for final conference contests by TIM WEIDEMAN

Staff Writer tim.weideman@drake.edu

photo by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo/Design Editor

SENIOR FORWARD MONIQUE’ JONES lunges to the basket against a Southern Illinois defender.

The Drake women’s basketball team has had a rough second half of the season, going on a five-game skid in January and February and now losing its last three games. One diamond in the rough for the Bulldogs has been freshman Kayla Person, who scored a career-high 13 points and matched her career high of six rebounds in a loss against Creighton on Feb. 28. Though Person’s performance was dampened by the loss, she said it is progress. “I feel like it’s just one step closer to helping my team improve,” Person said. “I just want to be a great contributor.” In fact, that was one of the goals Person and Head Coach Amy Stephens wrote down at the beginning of the season. Person said that along with contributing, she and Stephens wanted her “to be a presence on the floor.” Person has seen time in every game for the Bulldogs this season, mostly coming off the bench. She has averaged 3.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. The Bulldogs are lucky Person is contributing to them and not another team. Competition for recruiting Person began her junior year of high school at Incarnate Word Academy in St. Louis, Mo. Person said she received a lot of attention from other Missouri Valley Conference schools as well as Xavier, DePaul, Arkansas and Arkansas State, but Drake drew her attention for another reason. Person is majoring in biology and plans to pursue a career in a medical or science-related field. Person checked Drake’s

academic background and said she found “it’s a very sound institution academically.” Person said she didn’t quite expect how difficult it would be to balance athletics and academics in college. “It’s a lot harder than you think it is,” Person said. “I knew it was going to be time-consuming, but I didn’t know all the hard work that would be involved.” But Person said she’s adjusted and picked up important time management skills. “I think I adapted fairly well,” Person said. She added that adapting quickly is also important. “Either you get on board or the ship’s leaving,” Person said. One of the MVC schools that focused some of its recruiting attention on Person was Illinois State, which will take on the Bulldogs Saturday at 2 p.m. in the Knapp Center. While the Redbirds (22-5, 15-1 MVC) have clinched the No. 1 seed for the upcoming MVC tournament, the Bulldogs (13-13, 6-10) are fighting for the No. 7 seed with tonight’s opponent, the Indiana State Sycamores (16-11, 7-9). No matter the outcome of Drake’s final two contests, Person said she just wants to see the Bulldogs play hard. “I would really like to see us be proud of our efforts and actually happy with where we stand,” Person said. “I don’t want us have any regrets and just know we gave it 110 percent.” Though the Bulldogs aren’t where they feel they should be in the conference standings, Person said she sees progress. “Obviously, it’s not going as planned,” Person said. “I honestly think we’ve grown through the adversity.” Drake will know exactly how the adversity has affected them after the weekend. The Bulldogs face the Sycamores tonight in the Knapp Center at 7 p.m. n

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

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