The News Source For Webster University
THE JOURNAL September 25-October 1 , 2013
Volume 67 Issue 5
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‘The tipping point’ University, Eden sue the city By Dan Bauman Senior Editor
Webster University and Eden heological Seminary sued the City of Webster Groves last week. he university and seminary allege the city unlawfully denied the university’s request to use property it had purchased from Eden. Webster had hoped to use two buildings on Eden’s property for university activities and demolish a third. An attorney for the university and seminary said his clients believe damages could reach $5 million, around what the university paid Eden for the three buildings and land. “To me, it’s the city saying ‘we know you bought a house on this street, but we’re not going to let you move into it because we don’t like you and we don’t want you to live there,’” Gerard Carmody, the university and seminary’s attorney. he lawsuit is the latest development in a dispute between the institutions and the city. Since the university announced its intentions to expand across Lockwood Avenue in 2009, it has faced resistance from a group of Webster Groves residents and the city council. If a settlement is not reached, a ruling against the city for $5 million would represent nearly a quarter of all the revenue the city predicted it would collect in 2012-2013. For Eden, the sale and lease of its property has allowed the seminary to generate revenue. In September 2012, Eden President David Greenhaw told he Journal the sale or lease of Eden property would allow the seminary to reduce the size of its campus to it its declining student enrollment. Conversely, Webster University’s desire to expand its campus boundaries and create more space for university activities would be hindered if the court ruled in the city’s favor. See Lawsuit Page 3
Inside • University calls suit ‘last resort’ • Residents torn on expansion • Eden students, unheard voices
Page 3
Illustration by Victoria Courtney
How the university and Eden got here Dec. 9, 2009 University announces its intent to purchase property from Eden.
Late 2009, Early 2010 Residents FOR Webster Groves is formed.
Aug. 1, 2010 University inalizes purchase of Eden property.
Feb. 21, 2012 University presents its plan for the Eden property to the city.
Sept. 4, 2012 City council places regulations on owners and lessee of the Eden property.
Aug. 20, 2013 City votes to not approve the university’s application for a conditional use permit.
June 3, 2013 City Plan Commission recommends the city allow the university to use the Eden property.
Sept 18, 2013 Webster University and Eden ile a joint suit against the City of Webster Groves.
NEWS
Page 2 Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 2013
NEWS BRIEFS Employers skeptical of online degrees, study shows A recent survey suggests employers may prefer a traditional degree to an online one. he nonproit organization Public Agenda asked 600 employers if they would hire an applicant with a traditional degree from a typical college, opposed to an online degree from a top institution. Fity-six percent of employers said they preferred applicants with a traditional degree. Only 17 percent expressed a preference for a potential hire with an online degree. According to the Babson Survey Research Group, more than 6.7 million students, or 32 percent of total higher education enrollment, took at least one on-
line course through a university during fall 2011. In an interview with the Chronicle of Higher Education, Carolin Hagelskamp, director of research at Public Agenda, said employers’ skepticism of online degrees results from their own education experience. Hagelskamp said because many employers have never taken an online class, they cannot relate to applicants with a degree based completely on online courses. Webster University ofers 32 online programs, from undergraduate and graduate degrees to certiicates. Reporting by Dan Bauman
City honors Dave Garth at council meeting he city of Webster Groves honored Webster Groves Ice Arena Facility Manager Dave Garth at the Sept 19. city council meeting. Garth, the head coach for the Webster Groves Skatesmen, was inducted into the 2013 St. Louis Amateur Hockey Hall of Fame. Garth has been coaching youth hockey for nearly 40 years, and led the Skatesmen to 14 Mid States Hockey Final
Fours, and two championship appearances. “I never thought 38 years later I never thought I would still be (coaching). I get as much out of it as anything I put in the sport,” Garth said. he city declared Monday Sept 23. as Dave Garth Day. Reporting by Scott Lunte
MISDEMEANORS AND MISHAPS Sept. 19 West Hall Student ingested an undisclosed amount of medication. Transported to hospital. Referred to Student Afairs
Sept. 20 Emerson Library Graiti found on bathroom wall Closed - No suspect/witness
Sept. 20 Community Music School Property was damaged with no criminal intent. Closed.
Sept. 23 Parking Lot 1 Vehicle struck university property, no injuries reported
websterjournal.com
City council postpones moratorium vote By Scott Lunte Staf Writer
Webster Groves City Council postponed their vote on a moratorium which would regulate Webster University from requesting any new conditional use permits (CUPs) from the City of Webster Groves. he temporary suspension would give the city time to restructure their institutional zoning processes. he institutional zoning process is meant to make the process smoother for educational institutions when expanding campuses. “It’s like going down a road and at the end of the road, what we’re hoping is something that will be nice and positive for these institutions,” Webster Groves Mayor Gerry Welch said. he moratorium will not afect any CUPs the university has already proposed to the city. Projects not afected by the moratorium include: the parking garage extension, a substation and the interdisciplinary science building. Webster Groves City attorney Helmut Starr said the moratorium does not mean the university cannot apply for new CUPs. “he moratorium is being proposed so that text amendments could be considered. If
BILLY SUKOSKI/ he Journal Webster Groves’ City Council moved to postpone the moratorium vote due to two out of the seven city council members being absent. he moratorium would put a hold on any new conditional use permit requests.
they are considered, they have to go through a certain process. hey have to start at plan commission level,” Starr said. A new student center, additional housing, an arts building and an athletic/recreational facility would be afected by the moratorium if the university does not introduce the projects to the city by the time the council votes on the resolution.
Webster University is placed in a residential zoning district. Residential zoning districts have limitations to what residents can build on a parcel of land. Speciications for front-yards, backyard and heights for buildings are part of the restrictions the university has to go through. With institutional zoning, the university would go through similar restrictions based of of a campus
master-plan to be reviewed by the city. “he concept is to create a district for larger educational facilities where you have a set of base district regulations like that,” Starr said.
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Navy Yard victim, alumna was dedicated mother By Gabe Burns Managing Editor
Mary Francis Knight, 51, Webster alumna and victim in the Navy Yard shooting in Washington D.C., was a proud Webster University alumna, according to her daughter Nicole Knight. Nicole Knight attends Webster University at the Fort Braggs campus in N.C.. She is pursuing a MA in Human Resources Management. “My mother was very happy that I was going to Webster University and pursuing my education,” said Knight in a statement to Webster University. “She said I was ‘following in her footsteps.’ My mother always promised me
the day I was born that she would give me an education, and she kept her promise.” Mary Francis Knight graduated from Webster University’s former satellite campus at Pope Air Force Base in N.C. in 2004 with a degree in computer resources management and information management. Mary Francis Knight served in the military for 30 years. At her recent assignment at the Naval Sea Systems Command Headquarters she was promoted to an IT Specialist. he shooting at the Yard began at 8:30 a.m. when the shooter, Aaron Alexis, used his security pass to access the Yard and begin his assault. Alexis, a defense con-
SUBMITTED PHOTO/ he Journal Mary Francis Knight (LEFT) with her daughter Nicole Knight (RIGHT.)
tractor employee, was later killed in a shootout with police. Outside of her work with the military Mary Francis Knight was also teaching two classes at North Virginia Community College. his was her irst semester teach-
ing at the college. Mary Francis Knight let behind two daughters, Nicole and Danielle.
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Last chance to sign up! Sign up by Monday, September 30 at Noon webster.edu/www Webster Works Worldwide 19 Community Service Day October 2
NEWS
Page 3 Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 2013
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University, Eden look to overturn CUP denial Budget University calls suit ‘last resort’ breakdown By Kavahn Mansouri News Editor
How a $5 million dollar judgement could afect Webster Groves.
Budget for Police Department (General Fund): $4,240,947
Budget for Fire Department (General Fund): $3,713,845
Budget for Parks + Recreation + Aquatic Center + Ice Arena + Fitness Center (General Fund) $2,537,534
he lawsuit Webster University and Eden heological Seminary iled against the City of Webster Groves is made up of two counts: the irst count asks the court to review the City Council’s recent decision to deny Webster University a conditional use permit (CUP) to use university-owned property on Eden’s campus. “his lawsuit was absolutely a last resort. I think we had pursued every other reasonable efort to come to an understanding,” said Webster University and Eden attorney Gerard Carmody. Carmody said the university had a series of discussions with the city predating the CUP application. He said the conversations accomplished nothing, which is why the university iled suit. On Aug. 20, the Webster Groves City Council voted 4-3 against Bill 8804, a bill which would have allowed the university to use properties it purchased across Lockwood on Eden’s campus. he city denied the bill after a vote from the city’s Plan Commission, which had unanimously recommended the CUP be granted to the university. Webster University would like the court to recommend the city overturn its CUP denial. Carmody said if the city refuses to compromise, the second count applies: the university and Eden will sue for damages due to Eden’s alleged inability to use its own property as it sees it. Carmody said damages could exceed $5 million, near what Webster University spent on the properties. If the court ruled in Webster’s favor, the compensation for damages would go to the university. “he main objective for both (Webster University and
Source: Webster Groves Annual Budget FY 2013
Eden) is to have the City Council decision overturned and to have the CUP granted, so we can occupy the space on their campus,” Carmody said. Carmody said Webster University reached its “tipping point” when the city denied the university use of the properties, even ater the university had cooperated with the City Plan Commission’s requests. “hat (Plan Commission’s) vote was ignored, we think, by City Council, which basically said ‘we don’t care, we’re going to deny it anyway, because we don’t want Webster University to use this property,’” Carmody said. Carmody said the Council’s decision made the university feel as if the property was being taken from them. Student Government Association (SGA) President Michael Grosch said he hopes the lawsuit will not afect the relationship between students and the community. Grosch said SGA has made strides in the past months to promote community relations through its Community Engagement Committee. Grosch said the lawsuit itself will not address the underlying problem between the city and the university. “I think there needs to be some real, better and stronger communication between the two parts (university and city) to alleviate some of the issues that are happening. I don’t think that will come out of (the lawsuit),” Grosch said. “Whether the court ruling is negative or positive, I don’t think (a solution) will come out of a court ruling … it will come out of people willing to sit down, discuss things and address issues on a more personalized basis.” Carmody said Webster University and Eden are open to dialogue with the city, but stressed there is still a great sense of frustration from the
lack of “meaningful process” towards a resolution on the expansion issues in City Hall. “he best case scenario is to reach some sort of global understanding that allows for Webster University and Eden to continue their collaborative eforts ... and for this continued animosity to stop,” Carmody said. “he fact of the matter is that these two institutions, Webster and Eden, are institutions that many municipalities would love to have in their communities, and would embrace.” Carmody said he, as a Webster Groves resident, does not feel his fellow residents share the attitude of the City Council. “I don’t think the city’s attitude and the city council’s attitude is shared by the constituents and residents of the city of Webster,” Carmody said. “I’m hopeful that residents would understand and appreciate the fact that the refusal to allow someone to use their property seems unreasonable.” A group of Webster Groves residents have repeatedly expressed concern about the university’s future expansion plans and the efects it will have on the community’s character. Maggie Sowash, of Joy Avenue, was one of several residents who spoke at the Aug. 20 City Council meeting. She said university expansion will negatively afect the community in the long run. “Let’s look at what happened on Garden Avenue and let’s learn from that. I see that’s what’s going to happen at Lockwood and Bompart and Lockwood and Joy,” Sowash said. “hink about how this community will look ive or 10 years from now when Webster University has taken over Eden Seminary CUP by CUP.”
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Facts of the lawsuit: he university and Eden are asking the court to assess the legality of the city’s denial. If the court inds the denial unlawful, then the institutions will ask the city to overturn the decision. If the city does not overturn the decision, the university and Eden will seek to collect damages. he university requested the following uses for property on Eden’s campus: • Use of the Luhr Library for oices and administrative support space, some equipment storage and as a new home for the chess club. • he demolishment of the White House • Use of the Wehrli Center to be used as an oice and meeting room for the university’s alumni and faculty.
Lawsuit FROM PAGE 1
Kim Grifo, executive director of the International Town and Gown Association, said ater the stakeholders get over the initial shock of the lawsuit, they will usually to resolve the issues. “People will listen diferently now (that the university has sued),” Grifo said. “(he stakeholders) have a meter running now. It’s costing them substantial dollars now.” he university and Eden applied for a conditional use permit (CUP) in March 2013, which would have enabled Webster to repurpose two buildings on Eden’s campus for university activities and demolish another. In 2010, the university inalized the purchase and lease of various properties on Eden’s campus for $5.3 million. hese properties are the Wehrli Center, Luhr Library, the White House and 5.3 acres of land. he permit was approved by the Webster Groves Plan Commission and forwarded to City Council. On Aug. 20, City Council voted 4-3 to turn down the university’s application for a conditional use permit. Back-and-Forth Shortly ater it was announced Webster would purchase properties and land from Eden in 2009, a community group called Residents for Webster Groves was formed. he group opposes the university
crossing Lockwood Avenue and has stated its opposition at various City Council meetings. Originally, the university had hoped to build a 10,00015,000 feet addition on the Luhr Library. his addition would have housed the university’s science department. However, the City Plan Commission denied Webster’s request in April 2010. he university released new plans in 2012 for the Eden property as part of its 10-year master plan. he university no longer sought to place the science department in the Luhr Library. Instead, the university said the library would house Information Technology personnel. he Wherli Center would be converted into a meeting place for alumni and faculty. he university also said it would not turn the 4.3 acres of green space it owned at Bompart and Lockwood avenues into a ballield or parking space, but instead use it for passive purposes. On Sept. 4, 2012, City Council passed Ordinance 8753, which allowed Eden to sell or lease 11.8 acres of land to 10 vendors, including Webster University. he ordinance placed restrictions on the sale or lease of Eden property. Vendor space on Eden’s campus is limited to 5,000 square feet and a vendor can not employ more than 15 people at the property. he university and Eden both opposed the ordinance’s approval.
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Residents torn on expansion Eden students, unheard voices By Sheren Khalel Opinions Editor
Webster University and Eden Seminary iled suit against the City of Webster Groves last Wednesday, Sept. 18. he lawsuit is an objection to the City Council’s refusal of a conditional use permit (CUP) for the use of buildings on Eden’s property by the university. Scott and Renee Petty are part of the community of Webster Groves resident who believe the university should be stopped from expanding onto Eden. he Pettys have lived in Webster Groves their whole life. While they value having Webster University in Webster Groves, they do not want the city to become a college town. “People in Webster (Groves) are here because they like the way it is, and we don’t want Webster (Groves) to be Webster University. We want to be a community of families that share their lives together,” Renee Petty said. Adam Cook, Webster Groves High School Class of 1987, grew up in Webster Groves as well. Cook said he thinks a lawsuit is a “desperate measure,” and the city should allow the university to expand. “Webster (University) is a great asset to the community and I don’t know why they would want to obstruct the university,” Cook said. When the City Council voted to turn down the CUP presented by Webster University and Eden in August, Mayor
Gerry Welch said the issue of Webster University expanding onto the Eden property is part of a bigger issue. Welch said the community is concerned Webster University will continue buying up houses. Renee Petty had much of the same sentiments. She said expansion onto Eden is just another step towards encroachment on her neighborhood, and fears the university will not stop expanding ater Eden. Welch said Webster University would be more likely to be approved for a CUP for use of Eden property if the university would assure the community it would not continue to buy up surrounding residential properties. “All your (Webster University) Board of Trustees would have to do is pass some sort of policy that says you weren’t going to buy any more residential homes, and you would make everybody in this community feel a lot more comfortable,” Welch said at last August’s City Council meeting. “What you are hearing is a lot of people being really upset about the university, because they are heading into residential neighborhoods. You can stop that.” he residential houses the university bought on Big Bend and Catalina have been turned into rental homes, according to documents obtained by he Journal. At a meeting between city council members, the university and Eden’s representatives last year, Webster University Chief Finan-
cial Oicer Greg Gunderson said the university wants those homes to be a bufer between the university and the community. Renee Petty said she has other concerns. “Pretty soon they’re going to need a bufer for their bufer,” Renee said. While the Pettys said they feels the university’s suit is taking the issue too far, Cook said he thinks the university has every right to expand onto Eden. “I feel like the city is being backwards about this,” Cook said. “I mean, they need to let the university expand a little bit, and stop being ridiculous and let them go across the street.” Scott Petty said he thinks Webster University and Eden should respect the decision of the City Council to block the use of property on Eden’s campus by the university. He said this lawsuit is bringing the issue down to who has more money and thinks it is unfortunate for the community. “If they (Webster University and Eden) have higher inances that Webster (Groves) doesn’t have, then that means they’ll probably win, and that’s not going to be good community relations,” Scott Petty said.
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By Gabe Burns Managing Editor
Student Government CoPresident at Eden heological Seminary Brad Gebben believes the Webster Groves City Council’s decision on Aug. 20 to block Webster University from using properties on Eden’s campus is detrimental to both institutions. “hey are stopping the advancement of two academic universities, Eden and Webster, from becoming better and becoming grander than what they are now,” Gebben said. “(hey’re stopping) for a couple of people who don’t want rowdy kids and don’t want advancement in their town.” Webster University purchased properties from Eden heological Seminary for around $5 million in 2010. Since then, the buildings have remained unused. Eden and the university applied for a conditional use permit (CUP) in 2013 to repurpose the buildings for university activities. On Aug. 20 the Webster Groves City Council voted 4-3 against the CUP. Eden and the university’s attorney Gerard Carmody said this is an unnecessary attempt to keep the university from expanding. “I think the message, unfortunately, is ‘we would rather sit vacant and watch them deteriorate rather than let Webster University use them,’” Carmody said. Eden has already received compensation for the properties that
the university now owns. While trying to understand why the City Council and some members of the community opposed the university expansion, Gebben found one common idea. “A term that I’m seeing a lot is ‘Webster University tactics.’ Like this is some overarching metanarrative scheme to control all of Webster Groves, and to push out all the residents, and to basically take over everything so they have all this giant room to become this giant university,” Gebben said. “I could understand a fear like that, if it was based in reality.” Eden President David Greenhaw said in a previous interview with he Journal that he saw the Council’s decision as unwarranted. According to Webster Groves’ zoning code, the Council will look at ive parameters: increase in traic hazards, increase in ire hazards, adverse efect on character of the community, adverse efect on the general welfare of the community and if it is overtaxing public utilities. “To be more restrictive than those ive areas seems, to me, unreasonable and unwarranted,” Greenhaw said. “he city has elected to be more restrictive.” Greenhaw was unable to comment further while the case is in litigation. An ally of the community Gebben said the relationship between Eden and the community of Webster Groves is strong. But issues arise when the City Council becomes involved.
Gebben sees the decision to deny the CUP as unfair and biased. “(Eden students) feel that there’s been an injustice done. We talk about justice from a theological perspective so it’s always on our mind,” Gebben said. When Gebben irst heard about the lawsuit, he wanted Eden students to get more involved in the discussion. As of now, he said he doesn’t know of any students who have attended any City Council meetings or planning and zoning meetings about the CUP. “he irst thought I had when I read the paper was ‘where can the students be involved? Where is the student voice? Where is the student protest or picket lines?’” Gebben said. ”We (Eden students) have not been too huge in that role, but I can guarantee that we will be there.” Gebben said the current plan for Eden students is to focus on their classes, but when the time comes, the students are ready to show up in mass to garner community support. He said he will be working with Greenhaw to see how to best utilize students Gebben believes Eden’s biggest ally is the community that he says the students serve. “We are gonna be there getting our massive community support within our local area churches, and local area congregations and contextual education placements on board with us on this issue,” Gebben said.
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NEWS
Page 4 Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 2013
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Students present issues at Delegates’Agenda By Kavahn Mansouri News Editor
Students at this semesters Delegates’ Agenda chose ive topics to present to President Elizabeth Stroble and Webster’s administration. TurboVote Junior Casslyn Crain and sophomore Gabrielle Deimeke presented TurboVote; a voting initiative aimed to promote voting at the university through an optional, online program. Colleges across the country use TurboVote to engage student voters, Deimeke said. “TurboVote partners with universities to provide students with all the information and materials they need to vote in every election,” Deimeke said. “It could be implemented through processes in which all students enter during new student registration or online class registration.” TurboVote’s “New Standard for Campus Voter Engagement” aims to “institutionalize” voting in every college in America by fall 2014. Crain said the company’s plan involves keeping students up-to-date on all elections, regardless of size. Deimeke said most students are not aware they can register to vote in the Webster Groves district if they live on campus. She said by making information available to students and using TurboVote’s voting reminders, the university can increase voter participation. “If we get involved in the community, we can learn to better express ourselves and become leaders within the community,” Deineke said. TurboVote would cost the university $1000 for the irst 4000 students and $250 dollars for each additional 100 students, Deimeke said.TurboVote would be implemented at Webster by spring 2014 and eventually nationwide. Additional Housing he second issue addressed
at Delegates’ Agenda was the lack of on-campus housing at Webster. Senior Christopher Whitmore and sophomore Syreel Mishra expressed the need for more housing for students who want to live on campus. Whitmore said the university is housing more students than it ever has. Currently the university houses 732 students, with an additional 10 students being housed in the Chamberlain Apartments through a university lease program. “Currently, Webster University is embarking on an incredible period of expansion and development. However, one key aspect of our expansion has yet to reach its growth spurt; additional on-campus housing,” Whitmore said. Mishra said over 900 students applied for housing in the Spring of 2013, and with enrollment rates increasing, the demand of housing also has risen. “he housing needs of all of these students cannot be met because of the scarcity of housing,” Mishra said. “Almost 138 students are on the waitlist. Ninety eight of those students are freshmen or transfer students.” Students deserve time to adjust to their new environment, Mishra said. “hese students are new to St. Louis, they need time to adjust,” Mishra said. “We know students who live on campus and gain the full college experience obtain excellence in their future careers.” Whitmore said the shortage of housing falls short of student expectations. Dining Issues Sophomores Jonathan Strauser and Jocelyn Cato and junior Ronnie Hampton presented the dining issues; the delegates feel there is a need for a more diverse, healthy and lexible dining menu. “Dining issues has been on the Delegates’ Agenda eight times,” Strauser said. “We know that dining is a slow process, but
SAM MASTERSON/ he Journal Senior Christopher Whitmore addresses President Elizabeth Stroble and other administrators about on-campus housing issues.
with a little more gas we could speed it up.” Cato said a lack of healthy food options, late night dining and diversity of meals has been a problem for students for a long time. She said students with dietary restrictions oten feel helpless when looking for suitable food on campus. “Students don’t know what’s going on, they feel very uninformed,” Cato said. “here is not necessarily an incentive for Sodexo to change because they’re going to receive money anyway.” Cato said Webster should be able to provide a selection of food as diverse as its student population. he group ofered several solutions to dining issues on campus such as better communication with students, use of Sodexo’s Mindful program – which is a meal plan that ofers more nutritional options to students - use of local and organic food and several other plans for healthier, more diverse meals.
Wellness Initiative Junior Stu Macki and sophomore Tia Hewuse presented wellness issues to the administrion. he itness center, which was built in 1992, is out-of-date and in need of renovations, Hewuse said. he presenters said it could be possible to build a new itness center by illing in the university’s pool. Hewuse said the pool is not used by most Webster students and could be better used as a new itness center. Student Government Association’s Student Organization Liason Alex Bonney said illing in the pool could have a negative efect on the university’s relationship with the Webster Groves community. He said the pool is oten used for community activities and is a good tool for reaching out to the community. Other wellness solutions given by the presenters included buying new equipment for the itness center, adding a new graduate assistant position to wellness education and hiring
a full-time employee to run the Gorlok Fitness Club. Fitness Center supervisor and Delegates’ Agenda attendee Zeke Spellazza addressed the administration ater the wellness presentation. He said Webster’s apathy towards the itness center is unacceptable. “It’s bigger than revamping the itness center or getting new equipment. It’s a place for students to interact and get that involvement. If we are satisied with the current facility that we have, that’s what we are telling everyone that comes here that we’re satisied with; not the best, that we are satisied with providing less than quality to the students,” Spellazza said. “We are basically saying as a university, your cares, or your needs are not what we are really trying to provide. If we want that to become our Webster University Persona, then I don’t know if I really want to be a part of that.” Smoking Initiatives Seniors Katie Coats and Katie Rochester presented solu-
tions for smoking on campus to the administration. he presenters said smoking issues on campus brings up problems for smokers and nonsmokers alike. For smokers, Rochester said the college should create a support group for students who are trying to quit smoking. She said the college should also take steps to provide covered smoking areas for smokers to avoid inclement weather. Coats said non-smokers face the issue of avoiding smokers on-campus and students not following the “30-feet rule;” a rule asking students to smoke 30 feet away from entrances to school buildings. he presenters asked for the administration to resolve this issue by enforcing the smoking rules already in place and providing covered smoking areas on-campus.
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Opinions
Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 2013
Letters & Commentaries
Page 5
Paying college athletes: New look at old battle
he Journal welcomes letters to the editors and guest commentaries. Letters to the editor must be fewer than 200 words. Guest commentaries must be between 450 and 750 words, and guest writers must have their photograph taken to run with their commentaries. he Journal will edit all submitted pieces for grammar, style and clarity. If there are any substantial revisions, the writer will be notiied and allowed to edit his or her own writing.
Submit all letters to the editor and guest commentaries to websterjournal@gmail.com by 2 p.m. on Monday.
The Publication Board he Publication Board acts as the publisher of he Journal, a designated public forum for students, faculty, staf and administrators at Webster University. he Board is chaired by Julia Grify, and composed of two students, two members of the Faculty Assembly and the dean of students as an administrative representative. he Publication Board holds monthly meetings, open to the public. Please bring us your comments and concerns.
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Next meeting: Oct. 4 at 9a.m.
Our Vision To consistently provide the Webster University and Webster Groves communities with the most current and contextual information using both print and multimedia, while serving as a learning platform for our staf and a forum for our readers. Produced by The Journal Editorial Board and Business office, Summer 2013
THE JOURNAL The News Source for Webster University Megan Favignano Editor-in-Chief Gabe Burns Managing Editor Editorial Oice (314) 246-7088 Kavahn Mansouri News Editor Sam Masterson Sports Editor Megan Washausen Lifestyle Editor Sheren Khalel Opinions Editor Brian Pratt Webmaster Mackenzie Wilder Photo Editor Macy Salama Multimedia Editor Section Editors (314) 246-7575 Dan Bauman Senior Editor James Dundon Copy Editor Sierra Hancock Copy Editor Livie Hall Calendar Editor Victoria Courtney Graphic Editor Emily Ratkewicz Graphic Editor Julie Turek Business Manager Abby Steingrubey Ad Manager Olivia Heibeck Marketing Manager Advertising & Business (314) 246-7538
Sam Masterson is the sports editor for he Journal Money surrounds every aspect of Division I college football and basketball. But as a top running back at the University of Tennessee, Arian Foster, could not aford to eat. He had to illegally call his coach to ask for tacos for himself and his teammates. he NCAA is wasting its time trying to stop college players from collecting monetary beneits. Oklahoma State University’s (OSU) football program violated NCAA recruiting, payment and academic rules for almost a decade, according to allegations in a Sports Illustrated investigation. It’s a joke the NCAA didn’t ind out about this before a news source. his is more proof the NCAA has no control over its domain and shouldn’t label itself as a non-proit organization. College football and basketball are not amateur athletics. Coaches are ired midseason when their product — the unpaid players — don’t perform. Forbes estimated the worldwide total of bets on NCAA March Madness at $12 billion. Forbes estimated the 2013 Super Bowl at $10 billion. In 41 states and D.C., the highest paid employee is a college football or basketball coach, according to Deadspin, a sports news website. No college football or basketball players are paid for their contributions to their team. Eight football players from OSU said they and 29 other players received cash payments, according the Sports Illustrated report on OSU. George Dohrmann, senior writer for Sports Illustrated, said he knows of cases where D-I athletes from big schools received cash payments. School boosters spend their money
to help their alma mater achieve success. If they want to try to buy players, let them spend their money as they please. Have a payment system so athletes can have money to keep their refrigerator stocked and have a social life when their sport doesn’t control their schedule. Payment to athletes could come from boosters. If those boosters want to help their favorite team recruit, then that’s how they could do it. Teams with richer boosters will have larger budgets than other teams. One may call this an unfair advantage. If you think having rich teams beating up on poor teams is unfair, then I’d like you to tell me about how many teams at the beginning of the year actually have a chance to win at the BCS National Championship. he University of Alabama won back-to-back BCS National Championships and is ranked No. 1 in the country. he Southeastern Conference has won eight of the last 10 football national championships. Isn’t that already unfair to the rest of the NCAA? In most cases, a free education is a hell-of-a-good beneit for D-I athletes. But class schedules and homework are not what’s keeping players from inding food, money or entertainment. A 2011 report by CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated found seven percent of players on the pre-season top 25 teams have an arrest record. I understand that giving more money to players in some of those situations would make it worse. But Arian Foster said to his Tennessee coach before asking for food, “Either you give us some food, or I’m gonna do something stupid.”
Contact the writer: websterjournal@gmail.com
Scott Lunte is a staf writer for he Journal Paying college athletes for their athletics performance gives other athletes an unfair disadvantage. Schools who properly recruit through scholarships and team spirit, but don’t have the wealthy boosters some schools beneit from would no longer have the same opportunities to attract great players. College players, who already receive scholarships for their athletics, shouldn’t get extra incentives. Personally, I don’t think it’s fair for Division-I football and basketball athletes to get paid by universities for their individual performance. hey have to earn it. According to the NCAA, 0.375 percent of college football players make the NFL yearly. And 0.274 percent of all collegiate basketball athletes make the NBA each year. he odds of making it to a professional level in a sport are low. When colleges give incentives to athletes based on their performance, the other 99 percent of athletes don’t get a fair chance to make it to the professional level. Webster University, a Division-III school, is not allowed to give out athletic scholarships. Because of Webster’s Division-III status, the players who work hard at their sport at Webster have virtually no shot at making the professional level. here are exceptions, but they are few and far between. Paying athletes to play is not fair to the Division-III athletes who work hard just to get considered for the professional level.
College is a place where you learn to ine-tune your profession. Like the rest of the students who go to college, organizations do not give them extra money based on their academic performance. he athletes that make it to the professional level are the athletes that are willing to give 100 percent at every game, and at every practice. But even those who give their 100 percent still may not make it. I, however, am okay with players independently marketing themselves for proit. here’s nothing wrong with that. But organizations shouldn’t pay players like Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel to sign autographs at the BCS Championship game, or give former Tennessee running back Arian Foster money for food. Recruiting players through incentives at the collegiate level is like developing a junior-professional sports league. Recruitment wouldn’t matter if athletes were getting paid additional incentives on top of a full-ride scholarship. If I had the option of choosing a school with a full-ride scholarship, or choosing a school with a full-ride scholarship and additional incentives such as a commitment bonus, I would pick the latter. Athletes who go to Division-I schools are already getting full-ride scholarships and are practically getting paid to play. Why pay them more? What makes them so special in comparison to the rest of us? hey’re like us. Again, they must earn their pay professionally.
Contact the writer: websterjournal@gmail.com
Correction
In the Sept. 11 - Sept. 17 issue, The Journal’s article “Alumnus victim in Navy Yard shooting,” refered to Mary Francis Knight as an Alumnus. Alumus is for male graduates, Knight was an alumna.
Larry Baden Editorial Adviser Robert LaRouche Photography Adviser
StafWriters Olivia Bacott Darra Cunningham Latasha Dean Mary Eveker Romare Haller Scott Lunte Holly Shanks Photographers Megan Favignano Sam Masterson Clair Staples David Broome Billy Sukoski Erika Ruth Holly Swan Gaby Demeke Natalie Martinez
Mike Diliberto graduated from Webster in 2011 with a degree in Animation. His comic, featured in he Journal, placed 2nd in the Scripps Howard National College Cartooning Award in 2010
Carolina Dueñas
470 East Lockwood Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63119 Sverdrup 247 www.websterjournal.com
Residents see a way around court By Marilynne Bradley, a Webster Groves resident.
he Journal is the oicial student publication of Webster University. Unsigned editorials relect the opinion of the newspaper, not necessarily that of the university or the Publication Board. he opinions expressed by columnists and contributing writers do not necessarily relect those of he Journal. All text, photos, graphics and other content are copyrighted by he Journal and may not be reproduced without permission. Any photograph that has been substantially altered or staged for use as a graphic will be labeled as a photo illustration. he Journal reserves the right to reject advertising, stories, columns or letters to the editor that it deems graphic, obscene or that discriminate on the basis of race, culture, gender or sexual orientation. Single copies of he Journal are free; for additional copies, contact the business oice, located in the Sverdrup building, room 247, on the Webster Groves campus.
hree buildings sit vacant on the Eden Seminary property. At one time, the Luhr Library was crowded with students and was even used jointly by Webster University students until its new library was constructed. he other two buildings were used by administration without complaint, but currently sit vacant since Eden is no longer as active. Vacant areas deteriorate without use and could end up looking like an empty downtown city lot. Why can’t Webster University continue to use the buildings as a learning center? hat
is the university’s plan. Highrise buildings are not going to be constructed and the green space is going to be kept. In fact more green space will be added. he buildings are not going to be used for classrooms, but for technology oices and an alumni center. he proposed plan adhered to the city’s zoning code requirements. he activity would remain the same as when Eden was in its glory. It seems like a waste of money to sue for a simple solution: let Webster use the buildings.
By Dave Buck, a Webster Groves resident. In my opinion, here are three ways to avoid going to court and a potential costly settlement if the City loses: 1. Let’s be honest. What’s really behind this suit is a complete breakdown by the three entities, and their total failure to communicate and work together in mutual trust and respect. So ater three and a half long years, it’s come down to this. his is ridiculous. Does anyone else feel embarrassed, mad or ashamed? Is anybody going to step up and do anything about it? Court is a last resort. It
doesn’t do any good to play the blame game. It’s time for Eden Seminary’s David Greenhaw, Webster University’s Beth Stroble and Mayor of Webster Groves Gerry Welch to act like leaders, lock themselves in a room and inally igure out how they can stop ighting as adversaries and start working together again as allies to reach a win-win-win agreement for the good of our community. It’s not too late! 2. One immediate option is for Webster Groves City Council to simply reconsider their 4-3 vote against Webster University that stopped their use of three buildings on Eden property and sparked the lawsuit. In June 2011, City Council reconsidered
Sullins Gas & Wash’s request to sell beer and wine, and reversed their vote from 4-3 against, to unanimously in favor at 7-0. 3. A big picture option is to recognize that, for the vast majority of our community’s 23,000 residents, the most valued and cherished piece of property at Eden Seminary is the Eden green space. hus, the grand and fair trade would be the residents not contesting Webster University’s crossing into Eden to share the main campus with Eden for educational purposes in exchange for the city owning the Eden green space, to be preserved and protected for the use and enjoyment of the entire community for generations to come.
Lifestyle
Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 2013
Page 6
Webster faculty perform at 13th, annual Jazz & Blues Festival By Mary Eveker Staf Writer
Six Webster University professors took the stage at the 13th annual Old Webster Jazz & Blues Festival. he Festival, on Sept. 21, included: • Paul DeMarinis, saxophone • Randy Holmes, trumpet • Kevin Gianino, drums • Ben Wheeler, bass • Carolbeth True, piano • Debby Lennon, singer DeMarinis, Holmes, Gianino and True have performed with the university ensemble for about ten years. DeMarinis said the ensemble members are talented and passionate about jazz, making it a good group to play with. “Performing with the right people is always a wonderful opportunity, and this particular coniguration is always fun to play with,” DeMarinis said. “All of us have a long history together.” heir energy and talent showed on stage in front of the crowded street in Old Webster Saturday night as they
performed selections from the “Great American Songbook.” Artistic Director of the festival Terry Perkins said it’s an honor to have the university represented. “he Webster University Jazz Ensemble is a real tradition here at the festival and the department of music at Webster University, especially the jazz department, has some amazing players,” Perkins said. DeMarinis said the Jazz and Blues Festival is a fun, promotional venue available for Webster’s jazz program, that has been at Webster for 30 years. Gianino hopes performing at events like this inspire and educate their students. “It’s always great to have (students) come out and see what we do,” Gianino said. “It shows me that they’re interested in learning. It is a good learning experience, not just to hear the faculty, but to hear all the bands out here.”
Contact the writer: websterjournal@gmail.com
MARY EVEKER/ The Journal he Webster University Jazz Ensemble performs at the 13th annual Jazz and Blues Festival. From let to right: Debby Lennon, Carolbeth True, Paul DeMarinis, Kevin Gianino , Randy Holmes and Ben Wheeler.
Webster University faculty preformed at the 13th annual Jazz and Blues Festival. hey enjoy performing together in the hope of motivating their students. Check out their performance on websterjournal.com
Student plans to launch fraternity at Webster
Brittany Larimore Oicial:
History through the frame
By Darra Cunningham Staf Writer
A Webster University student is chartering an international fraternity chapter under Gamma Eta at Webster. Steward Stiles, senior education major, said though other Greek organizations have failed in the past, he thinks his will survive. He is an active member of the international chapter of Phi Beta Sigma, the fraternity he plans to bring to Webster. Stiles said his commitment is what will make his chapter successful. “hose who tried to start an organization weren’t already a member,” Stiles said. “I feel that I’m a foot ahead of them.” Phi Beta Sigma represents men of vision, service, culture, as well as men of leadership and promotes diversity, Stiles said. Phi Beta Sigma solely operates on serving the community. Leaders like former President Bill Clinton, civil rights activist Al Sharpton and actor Blair Underwood are active members. Stiles said dedication and maintaining a 2.5 GPA is required to become a member. He said how someone behaves plays a big role in who he recruits. Phi Beta Sigma fraternity held its irst meeting Monday evening in the East Academic Building. A few long-time fraternity brothers from the international chapter came out to show support and talk about the importance of joining the organization. Missouri State Director of Phi Beta Sigma Roger Hines said he would do anything necessary to support the chapter at Webster. “We’re brothers, and for me this is a lifetime commitment. It’s important to be surrounded by other driven people because it’s easy to take the wrong path while in college,” Hines said. “Young men should choose to be a part of something positive, so hanging with people who are going somewhere in life says you’re on the right path to success.” Phi Beta Sigma has helped Stiles ind a teaching job and obtain a $1,000 scholarship. Stiles enjoys the advantage of networking with his fraternity brothers all over the world who are willing to help him meet success. But more than anything, Stiles just wants to be a positive example for young men. “I want to set the bar at ‘I can do this and you can do
By Brittany Larimore Contributing Writer
Senior Brittany Larimore’s column will appear monthly. It is one of four columns in a blog-inspired series.
Holly Swan/ he Journal Steward Stiles gives the oicial hand sign for Phi Beta Sigma, the fraternity he plans to bring to Webster University.
what I do better’,” Stiles said. Fraternities at Webster launched in the past have failed due to a lack of connection with their members. he process of starting a fraternity begins with an interest group. An interest group consists of no less than
“
semester.” Lewis said he did everything in his power to make the fraternity successful, but that it was hard when only two people were serious. Webster’s only sorority, Delta Phi Epsilon has been
I want to set the bar at ‘I can do this and you can do what I do better.’ Steward Stiles
”
Webster University student chartering Phi Beta Sigma
20 people who want to be a part of an organization. he group then decides which fraternity they want to charter. Junior public relations major Darren Lewis attempted to start a fraternity at Webster last year, but it failed because there weren’t enough dedicated members. “We had only 12 to 13 men as part of our interest group,” Lewis said. “hey all transferred or graduated by the next
successful so far. Katie Maxwell, senior sociology major and a member of the sorority, said the reason the sorority is successful is because of its structure. Maxwell said Delta Phi Epsilon divides their sorority into groups with an assigned vice president for each responsibility. Stiles plans to transfer the leadership he learned as the music director and founder of Webster’s First Gospel Choir to the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity,
“When I start something, it gets started,” Stiles said. “When I think of something, it gets done.” Contact the writer: websterjournal@gmail.com
The members of Gamma Eta of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. will host Sigma Cinema on Sept. 26 at 7:14 p.m. in the Webster University Emerson Library Conference Room.
Cinema is both a time capsule and a document. It analyzes not only the material objects of a time prior to the present, but it analyzes the mentality and moral status of individuals during certain events; or at least it attempts to. When storytelling was founded on relating a series of occurrences around a campire for others to hear, it was to provide an understanding of one's history or of one's sense of the world. Having knowledge about where we came from and why we are here has become an essential tool in building a framework for art and culture. However, you must take such spoken words and critically think about their logic. Is what someone says about the past true, even if they were not there to witness it themselves? Can you make a story true? hat is diicult to say with ilm. A movie is meant to be art or an expression of art. Humans understand there is a diference between what appears on the screen and what reality is, and we know that there is a structure and a set of laws to follow when you are creating a story. However, we also acknowledge that there is development within a character and that a story does not exactly apply to the real world. Yet, we are fascinated by the stories of extraordinary people, and we love to glorify the good human beings or manipulate events to bring a greater issue to play. During the past decade, Hollywood has seen an emergence of ilms that not only focus on historical events, but also fo-
cus on contemporary issues. For example, “Zero Dark hirty”, the Oscar-winning ilm directed by Kathryn Bigelow, follows the ten-year search for Osama Bin Laden through the eyes of a young female CIA operative. he ilm itself was announced a few weeks ater the international incident involving the largest manhunt in the world, and many critics questioned the timing of the ilm's creation. However, there were many facts and details completely unknown to the public, whether it was deliberate or not. And many people did not understand how or why such events could happen. his is where cinema comes in: when watching a decent movie, the viewer enters a realm of belief where they accept the information given to them. By placing said information in a story structure and constructing three acts, it becomes a comprehensive, visual story. Of course, liberties had to be taken in order to make the ilm interesting and have its own signature. One of the greatest aspects of cinema is its ability to compress time. A director can create a movie that spans a few days or a few lifetimes, but in reality, the main theme is expressed in about two hours. However, is it ethical to condense information just to make it entertaining? he truth is that Hollywood is not the irst to do this. Ancient mythology is theoretically based on actual people and events to provide set standards and morals for future generations, and thus spun to make the content more accessible. herefore, ilm is just a tool to promote our history or rather our comprehension of history. It may be purely factual, or it may be falsiied to push an agenda. But the two aspects, ilm and history, will always collaborate because we are the stories that live in the tales we tell ourselves.
Contact the writer: websterjournal@gmail.com
Page 7 Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 2013
LIFESTYLE
websterjournal.com
Zombies turn three remaining humans, take victory Participants in this year’s Humans vs. Zombies competition took a trip to the moon where they attended space camp. When an infection broke out, humans began turning into zombies. he number of zombies quickly multiplied until the surviving humans had a horde on their hands. Humans relied on nerf guns and socks to defend themselves. A hit from either would stun the zombie attacker for 15 minutes. he inal Humans vs. Zombies mission took place at 3 p.m. Sunday. During this mission, the zombies could chase the humans anywhere they went. he humans were backed up in the library for 15 minutes before they made a break for it. By the time they got to the next check point, only three humans remained. Ater a desperate attempt to escape, all of the humans were turned into zombies and the game ended with a zombie victory.
To view more photos from this year’s Humans vs. Zombies competition visit websterjournal.com
Gaby Deimeke / he Journal he “Human Rogue Squad” prepares for their last mission against the zombies Sunday aternoon, Sept. 22. Dylan Schnitker (bottom let) runs to the safety zone at the library from West Hall, while the rest of the humans wait outside the library.
Gaby Deimeke/ he Journal Zombies gather outside the library on Sunday aternoon, Sept. 22, waiting for the humans. Scott Pinkston (above) protected the zombie group with the magic shield, allowing him to block socks and darts for the group.
AN EROTIC COMEDY WHIRLWIND.” “
–Peter Travers,
STARTS FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 27TH IN THEATERS EVERYWHERE! 21056 DON JON COLLEGE NEWSPAPERS
BW
Sports
Sept. 25-Oct. 1, 2013
Page 8
Stieb shines in overtime By Scott Lunte Staf Writer
Junior defender Jacob Stieb joined the Webster University men’s soccer team in 2013. Head coach Michael Siener expected him to emerge as a team leader. “(hat’s) what coach (Siener) told me when I was coming here and what I prepared for all of-season,” Stieb said. “He still wanted me to be an important part and I didn’t want to disappoint. I came in prepared and worked all of-season to make that role.” Stieb scored the game-winning goal against Coe College (Iowa) in a 1-0 double overtime victory on Sept. 22. Stieb was fouled while carrying the ball down the sideline near the Coe goal. He decided to make himself a part of the free kick, when usually, as a center defender, he would stay back. “I was being lazy and it just happened to work out,” Stieb said. “I started on the let side and was slowly making my (way) to the right and I noticed Mike Wells (junior forward) was ready to play the ball in.” Stieb volleyed the ball inside the six-yard box and scored his irst goal as a Gorlok. Junior defender Tyler homas was at midield and saw the play unfold. “here was just a big mess of people and I see Jacob appears out of everyone and started running back with his arms raised and we just kind of tackled him,” homas said. Stieb has played defense since high school and said his position has kept him from scoring goals. He called his celebration a classic defender reaction to scoring an important goal. “It was awesome I had never had that before,” Stieb said. “I turned around and Kris Brown (junior midielder) was the irst face I saw and he just looked super happy so I kind of ran to him. He thinks I broke his sternum cause I just jumped into him too hard.” Stieb said he was disappointed in his celebration because he just ran and didn’t take advantage of the rare chance he had. Rivals turned Gorloks Stieb and homas played soccer for rival high schools.
homas played for Triad High School (Ill.) but never realized Stieb played for Highland High School (Ill.). homas said Triad always got the best of Highland when the two played against each other. “My team owned his high school,” homas said. “I look back at my (high school games), but (Stieb) doesn’t really like to talk about it.” Stieb and homas met at Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC) where they became roommates and then defensive partners. “I went up against him a couple times and he stuck me a couple times. He got the better of me,” homas said. Greenville College (Ill.), where they both intended to play in 2013, is only 10 minutes from their high schools. Siener contacted the pair and gave them a campus tour in late May. Stieb and homas decided on Webster ater that trip. Columbia College (Mo.) and Blackburn College (Ill.) were among the other schools Stieb and homas visited before deciding on Webster. Living together has helped the two develop chemistry in the backield for the Gorloks. “At irst it was diicult to play with each other (at SWIC),” homas said. “But towards the second year we started to mesh a little better.” Stieb has started every game for the Gorloks at center back. hree other players have started next to him this year, but he said he is most comfortable playing with homas. “I like him back there, I really know his voice,” Stieb said. “I feel like I always know where he is.” Siener said the chemistry between Stieb and homas helps the team get on the same page. “(Stieb has) been more than expected,” Siener said. “I knew recruiting him, and Tyler homas that they were going to be players that can come in and start for us, and play a lot for us.” homas said he believes he will start with Stieb the rest of the season. -Sam Masterson contributed to this article.
Contact the writer: websterjournal@gmail.com
CLAIR STAPLES / he Journal Jacob Stieb, junior defender, stretches with the Webster University men’s soccer team on Sept. 3. He has started all ten games for the Gorloks this season.
MCL sprain hampers Howard Siener’s stance By Sam Masterson Sports Editor
For the third straight season, junior outside hitter Jenny Howard will miss at least two weeks of volleyball due to a right knee injury. She led the Webster University volleyball team in kills as a freshman in 2011 and she was the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2012. Howard earned her sixth kill of the match against Principia College (Ill.) on Sept. 14. As her body turned, her right foot remained straight and she said she felt a pop. Junior setter Allie O’Toole said Howard’s reaction to the injury was diferent than past years. “We could all tell by the look on her face that something was wrong,” O’Toole said. “She looked shocked. In the past when she had hurt her knee, she would always reassure us that she was ine, but this time that didn’t happen.” Howard sprained her medial collateral ligament (MCL), but she said she expects to be back for the next home game against Spalding University (Ky.) on Oct. 3. Webster was swept by Greenville College (Ill.) during Howard’s irst absence this season on Sept. 18. O’Toole said without Howard the team was thrown of their game. Howard could only coach from the sideline during time outs, and she actively pointed out Greenville’s weaknesses. “It was a feeling of complete helplessness,” Howard said. “My team is out there struggling and there is nothing I could do. It was just hard because I’m watch-
Webster University men’s head soccer coach talks with staf writer Scott Lunte
ing us fall apart at points and I just wanted to get out there and do something.” Volleyball coach Merry Graf said she expected to lose Howard at some point this year due to a knee injury. “here are teams that when their top players goes out they aren’t going to win any games.” Graf said. “We are fortunate to have depth where even if someone is hurt we are still able to compete.” Recurring knee injury In 2012, when Howard returned from her knee injury, she played wearing a nearly two-inch thick white brace from her calf to her middle thigh. She will be wearing it again this season. “I hate wearing that thing cause I can’t move in it,” Howard said. “It reinforces everything and literally makes sure nothing can move side to side.” Howard said her quickness and ability to jump is lowered by about 15 percent when she wears the brace. She irst “blew out” her knee as a senior in high school when she collided with a teammate. She said doctors have told her that since she continues to play volleyball and run track and ield, she should expect to have knee replacement surgery by age 30. “It’s depressing to hear that news,” Howard said. “But I love the sport and I love playing at this school at this level. Even though it may afect me down the road, I want to live in the present.” O’Toole said the team notices when Howard plays through her injury with a brace that limits her movement, and they can see how hard she wants to get
Head soccer coach Michael Siener
MACKENZIE WILDER / he Journal Webster University junior Allie O’Toole (let) takes advice from junior Jenny Howard (right) in a game against Greenville College on Sept. 18.
back to the court. “I’ve always been the person who has the mentality to just bite my lip and keep going,” Howard said. “But I’ve learned I have to listen to my body, otherwise it is going to break down and I’ll miss an entire season.” Howard said doctors might tell her to not continue to play
next season if the cartilage in her knee is deteriorated too much. Howard said she will start to be more aware of when to sit out when they have already won games, rather than risking more injury.
Contact the writer: websterjournal@gmail.com
Lunte: What do you think about the Webster University men’s soccer team this season? Siener: I think it has gone well so far. I didn’t know exactly how well things would go with so many new guys this year. I thought it was going to take some time to gell, and it’s still a working process but to not have lost to any other DIII teams at this point says a lot about the guys coming together as a group. I think we still have a long way to go, but in trying to igure things out about who to play and where to play certain guys, they have come together and tried to get a good result each game. hey are working really hard. he focus is there, so it’s been really good, really positive. Lunte: What’s it been like coaching a young team? Siener: It’s been an interesting year just because of that and sometimes you’ll get freshmen or new players that will
take some time to transition from either high school or the junior college they were at. I saw Fontbonne (University) and they have nine seniors that have been playing together for four years. hey are comfortable with each other, they communicate well. So those kinds of areas that we need to improve upon part of it is just the new faces and new names, so that’s been a barrier that we are continuing to try to knock down. Lunte: Can you talk about the adjustment going from associate head coach to head coach because I know you’ve been associate for a while? Siener: Sure, you have to do a little more stuf on decision making: what to play and who to play, those types of things. I think our staf, as a whole, and working under Marty (Todt) I was a big part of that anyways, so we collectively, as a group make those decisions anyways. It’s not something that all the sudden just falls on my shoulders. We, as a staf, make all the decisions together. So it hasn’t been this diicult decision. I’ve been recruiting in other sports like basketball so that part of it I’m already familiar with, and organizing and running practice, I’ve already done that through tennis, so that has helped me a great deal. Listen to this week’s Journal Sports Podcast to ind out how many second half goals the woman’s soccer team scored on Sunday.