BSU 09-11-15

DN FRIDAY, SEPT. 11, 2015

‘The Bearded Biker of Burkhardt’

THE DAILY NEWS

BALLSTATEDAILY.COM

Retiring professor lights up class with rogue personality

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EMILY CUNNINGHAM LONG-FORM REPORTER elcunningham@bsu.edu

It’s 11 a.m. on Wednesday, and Richard Neel is getting his class warmed up for the day’s lecture.

His long, silver hair is split over the tops of his shoulders, just shy of catching up to the tail-end of his beard.

A cellphone rings out — a modern, hip-hop number. Neel dances along to the disruption, toes tapping, arms pumping, concentration plastered across his face. Friendly laughter ripples through the almost-full classroom.

“Good afternoon,” Neel says with a smile.

He’s used to this — engaging students with unconventional antics. He’s been teaching at Ball State on one-year contracts for 30 years running.

This year, the dancing, the keen insights into the human condition — it all comes to a close.

He’s retiring.

All that seems far off today. He removes his black leather Harley Davidson flat cap and sets it on the table next to his bag, signaling that it’s time to get down to business.

The HIST 150 West in the World class has been discussing the rise of civilization, democracy and isolationism.

See NEEL, page 4

DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY

University releases no update on assault

Motivated to More than 50 students march down McKinley to highlight national civil rights movement

Protest

SGA president hopes police send out more information CASEY SMITH CRIME REPORTER | casmith11@bsu.edu After a campus-wide email was sent out Wednesday informing students of a sexual assault that occurred in a university residence hall, the University Police Department has not released any more information.

UPD said they would have more information Thursday on the reported sexual assault, but ended up not releasing it.

SGA President Jack Hesser said more information reported from the university would have been helpful.

“When we have something like this happen on or around the campus, I think there could be more relevant ways to send out notifications, and maybe more information and updates about the general campus safety in regards to what is happening,” Hesser said.

In the email, the university said only that a sexual assault had occurred that day in a residence hall. No other details — including whether the perpetrator was still at large — were offered.

The university said Thursday that the university spokeswoman was on vacation and unavailable and declined to provide more information. Spokeswoman Joan Todd did, however, return an email query that night, but was unable to offer much further detail.

“Other than the notice that already was sent, there are no updates, further details or arrests,” Todd said.

See ASSAULT, page 3

Learning to be a leader

SEE PAGE 5

DN PHOTO TERENCE LIGHTNING

Students and community members gathered at Shafer Tower before marching down McKinley Avenue in part of the Black Lives Matter movement. The University Police Department escorted protesters from the bell tower to the Quad. At the Quad, they had closing remarks thanking those who participated.

PATRICK CALVERT GENERAL REPORTER

T

|

pcalvert@bsu.edu

he national spotlight on police-involved shootings within the past year has kept members of the Black Lives Matter movement motivated to protest, even here at Ball State.

More than 50 students participated in a Black Lives Matter march Wednesday to spread awareness about the issue.

University Democrats and the Black Student Association organized the demonstration and went from the bell tower to the Quad. University Police Department escorted protesters down McKinley Avenue.

Joe Clabough, a junior and president of University Democrats, said his and the executive board’s main goal for this year is to be more socially involved on campus. Because their numbers are up this year, they figured it would be a good time to host something.

THE PULSE OF BALL STATE

THE PULSE OF BALL STATE

See BLACK LIVES, page 3

DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY

THE PULSE OF BALL STATE

MUNCIE, INDIANA

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6. RAIN

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FORECAST

5. SUNNY

Another cold front moves through today. This will bring us cloudy skies, rain showers and cool temperatures. -Samantha Garrett, WCRD assistant chief weather forecaster

TODAY

Scattered showers

High: 71 Low: 49 9. SCATTERED SHOWERS

10. DRIZZLE

VOL. 95, ISSUE 7

THE PULSE OF BALL STATE

PAGE 2 | FRIDAY, SEPT. 11, 2015 | THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS | BALLSTATEDAILY.COM

THE SKINNY

CORRECTIONS

In Wednesday’s edition of the Daily News, we incorrectly reported 98 people took advantage of the Scheumann Shuttle at the first football game in “Scheumann Shuttle to continue running”. In the debut ride at 5 p.m., 98 people rode it, but more used it through the night.

In Wednesday’s edition of the Daily News we incorrectly reported two SAT scores from 2012 in “Admissions sees record applicants for 2015-16.”

Incoming freshman SAT scores are up 53 points since 2012, not 62.

Apple releases update to iPhone line During a special media event on Wednesday, Apple released the latest lineup of iPhones. In keeping with previous tradition, this update added an “S” to the 6 model. The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus look very much like the standard 6 and 6 Plus, but feature improvements in both design and performance.

Apple has done away with the $199 price point and now offers an “iPhone Upgrade Program,” making the 6S $32.41/month and 6S Plus $36.58/month on most carriers.

Rose gold The new iPhone is available in silver, space gray, gold and rose gold.

Aerospace-grade aluminum Apple’s new iPhones are made from the same 7000 Series aluminum as the Apple Watch. The new material is said to make it harder for the iPhone to bend.

3D Touch The iPhone 6S and 6S Plus are able to identify three levels of touch pressure.

SOURCE: apple.com

DN ILLUSTRATION STACIE KAMMERLING

09 - SCATTERED SHOWERS

SUNDAY Partly sunny High: 66 Low: 51

DN WEATHER ICONS 04 - MOSTLY SUNNY

MONDAY Mostly sunny High: 73 Low: 54

DN WEATHER ICONS

HOW MEGAPIXELS AFFECTS IMAGE QUALITY

A simplified way to think of megapixels is to imagine a camera’s field of view comprised of little evenly-sized squares that each contain their own piece of the picture.

When all of the squares (pixels) come together, they show the entire picture. Thus, a greater density of megapixels allows for greater detail and higher image quality.

1 megapixel = 1,048,576 pixels

DN GRAPHIC RACHEL BRAMMER

Wednesday’s release of new iPads, Apple Pencil, AppleTV and iPhone sparked conversations across all social media platforms. Excitement centered on commentary about the rose gold iPhone and comparisons between live photos and the wizarding world.

TWEETS NEAR BALL STATE

SATURDAY Partly cloudy; isolated showers High: 62 Low: 44

DN WEATHER ICONS

#APPLEEVENT SPARKS CAMPUS, NATIONAL SOCIAL MEDIA RESPONSE

Alex Kartman @ajkartman “Great, now my iPhone 6+ has the worst camera ever invented! Thanks Apple for updating technology.”

Sarah @saarahzahm “iPhone 6s came out but all I care about is that it comes in pink” Natalie @NatalieWiesinge “I FORGOT ABOUT THE APPLE ANNOUNCEMENT AND MY CLASS IS CANCELLED BEST DAY OF MY LIFE”

POWERED BY WCRD.NET/WEATHER

THE BEST iPHONE CAMERA YET

Apple has a track record of improving the iPhone camera with each model update. The iPhone 6S has a software-based front flash for selfies, takes live photos (a snippet of video one second before and after a picture is taken) and has an improved autofocus and sensor. The front-facing camera has improved from 1.2 megapixels to five; the rear-facing camera has improved from eight to 12 megapixels.

Processor The A9 processor is 70 percent faster in usual tasks, such as opening apps. It will be 90 percent faster with graphic-based tasks, like gaming.

Touch ID The new scanner’s sensor has doubled in speed. The phone is to unlock faster than previous iPhones.

THE FORECAST

TUESDAY Mostly sunny High: 77 Low: 58 04 - MOSTLY SUNNY

SERVICE DIRECTORY

The Ball State Daily News (USPS144-360), the Ball State student newspaper, is published Monday through Thursday during the academic year and Monday and Thursday during summer sessions; zero days on breaks and holidays. The Daily News is supported in part by an allocation from the General Fund of the university and is available free to students at various points on campus.

POSTAL BOX The Daily News offices are in AJ 278, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306-0481. Periodicals postage paid in Muncie, Ind.

Old

New

The Apple logo on the left illustrates a low-megapixel camera. The logo on the right illustrates a high-megapixel camera. The greater the pixel density, the more information and quality contained in an image.

TOP TWEET FROM AROUND THE WORLD Adam Cuffe @adamcuffe “Apple are banging on about their new iPhone 6s being released. Why don’t they just make a charger that lasts longer than 3 weeks?”

Morgan Leigh Davies @MLDavies “does this apple event just go on in perpetuity or do they eventually free you all to actually buy their products” DN GRAPHIC HANNAH DOMINIAK

04 - MOSTLY SUNNY

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BACK ISSUES Stop by AJ 278 between noon and 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and afternoons Friday.

SOURCE: Apple, The Verge

DN GRAPHIC ERIC QUAINTANCE

CORRECTIONS To report an error in print or online, email editor@bsudailynews.com with the following information: the date, if it appeared in print or online, the headline, byline and an explanation of why it is incorrect.

EDITORIAL BOARD EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dakota Crawford MANAGING EDITOR Kaitlin Lange

PRINT EDITOR Christopher Stephens CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ashley Downing

IDESK EDITOR Rachel Podnar SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Alan Hovorka

FORUM EDITOR Anna Bowman NEWS EDITOR Kara Berg

Crossword ACROSS 1 Some UPS deliveries 5 First Homeland Security secretary 10 Help badly?

14 Scott Turow title 15 “I don’t give __” 16 It may be hard to resist 17 One in una escuela primaria 18 Like two Tim Lincecum games 19 Senate garment 20 See 69-Across 23 Country song 24 __ generis 25 Word with band or toy 28 “Peace out” 29 Struggling with a choice 32 Hardly friendly looks 34 See 69-Across 36 Idaho motto word 39 Theater funding gp.

40 “... like __ not” 41 See 69-Across 46 Doctor with an island of Beast Folk 47 Idée source 48 Butcher’s units: Abbr.

51 Progressive __ 52 Gives birth to 54 Enjoy the bistro

ASST. NEWS EDITOR Rose Skelly FEATURES EDITOR Danielle Grady

EDITED BY RICH NORRIS AND JOYCE LEWIS

56 See 69-Across 60 Home to many Indians 62 Indianapolis pros 63 Wrap alternative 64 Staff at sea 65 Food inspector’s concern 66 Showing wear 67 And 68 “Hamlet” prop 69 Clue for four puzzle answers DOWN 1 Informal chat 2 Like some dips 3 Symbolize 4 Critter that sleeps upside down 5 Went berserk 6 Screen VIP 7 “Fantastic Mr. Fox” author 8 Breakfast side 9 Speak with passion 10 Start to focus?

11 Bully 12 Frittata base 13 Leaves in a bag 21 Interim software phase 22 Digital band 26 Great Seal word 27 Strategic European river of 1914 30 Former Quebec premier Lévesque

Sudoku CROSSWORD SOLUTION FOR WEDNESDAY

31 Arms control subj.

33 Land with “her back towards Britain, her face to the West,” in a William Drennan poem 34 Brood 35 Not fancy at all 36 Miss Megley’s charge, in a Salinger story 37 Chocolate-andtoffee bar 38 Layered dessert 42 Waimea Bay locale 43 Easy things to overlook 44 Diner’s need 45 Slowpoke’s place 48 Creator of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy 49 Flat-topped formations 50 Places 53 Seller’s supply 55 Freshen, as a drink 57 Stable diet 58 Giants manager before Bochy 59 “__ be all right” 60 Juice unit 61 ESPN reporter Paolantonio

| BY MICHAEL MEPHAM

SUDOKU SOLUTION FOR WEDNESDAY

SPORTS EDITOR Jake Fox ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Robby General

MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Breanna Daugherty ASST. MULTIMEDIA EDITOR Samantha Brammer

DESIGN EDITOR Krista Sanford GRAPHICS EDITOR Tyson Bird

COPY DIRECTOR Melissa Jones ASST. COPY DIRECTOR Sophie Gordon

FRIDAY, SEPT. 11, 2015 | THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS | BALLSTATEDAILY.COM | PAGE 3

NEWS

SGA funds sexual assault prevention Board gives $500 to residence halls for programming SOPHIE GORDON SGA REPORTER | sgordon@bsu.edu To better educate students about sexual assault prevention, the Student Government Association allocated $500 for residence hall programming.

Jack Hesser, SGA president, said they wanted the halls to not have to worry how to finance programs and could improve what they already do to bring more students out.

The organization had originally planned to present at different residence halls and student groups, but a few weeks before the academic year began, the executive board decided it would be more effective to directly supply the residence halls with funding to improve their own programs.

“The fact is, you might visit a hall council and talk about the resources and you might only be reaching out to 10-15 people, maybe 30 people, in each of those residence halls, whereas the RAs and hall councils have more organic relationships with those halls,” Hesser said.

The university requires each hall to host a sexual assault awareness program within the first six weeks of the academic year—also called the Red Zone—when sexual assaults and drinking are most frequent.

Many halls planned their event before finding out about the available money, said Kayla Dalton, Woodworth Complex residence hall director.

Dalton’s residence hall was able to take advantage of the funds. She said

DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY

The Black Student Association and University Democrats organized a march on McKinley Avenue for the Black Lives Matter campaign. Participants were able to make signs before the march; some of the signs said, “#BlackLivesMatter because #AllLivesMatter,” and, “Protect Black Youth.”

BLACK LIVES: | CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

DN PHOTO HEIDI NGUYEN

The Student Government Association distributed $500 for residence hall programming to help educate students about sexual assault prevention. The plan was for the halls to not have to worry about how to finance their programs.

her hall used some of the money to put on its “What You See: Women’s Gala.”

The program focused on breaking stereotypes about sexual assault.

Dalton said in addition to the staff members present, 47 women attended the program, and the funding enabled her to create a better event.

“In general, knowing that there is funding available ... helps greatly so that we can have enough support to put on a quality program,” Dalton said. “What matters is that we make an impact. Numbers aren’t as big of a deal because we want someone to learn from the experience. Even if it changed just one person’s life, we want to make sure that we can change and help.”

Brayton/Clevenger in LaFollette Complex used some of the money SGA set aside to fund sexual assault bystander intervention training.

The SGA funds will still be available through the end of the Red Zone on a first-come, first-serve basis. Woodworth is already planning to use the funds for a future program.

SGA budgeted $1,000 overall for sexual assault awareness, $200 of which went to the Step In. Speak Up. campaign. The remaining $300 is budgeted for Spring Semester.

Hesser said any leftover funds that were set aside for the residence halls this semester will roll over into the Spring Semester, when all residence halls are again required to provide training.

“I’m glad that [SGA is] recognizing that there’s many avenues to help students and that residence halls are a big part of that,” Dalton said. “They do an excellent job in being supportive of events and programs that support education and advocacy.”

Student Government Association Safety Committee Whip Jacob Peterson wrote legislation for a similar app, Rave Guardian, to be implemented at Ball State last year.

The resolution was never placed on the Senate floor, but Peterson said he continues to look for more ways to keep Ball State students safe.

“I will tirelessly [pursue] safety for all Ball State students,” Peterson said. “It is an issue that can always be fixed; it can always be improved ... and whatever I can do to help students feel safe on campus, I’ll do it.”

Peterson said Companion is another app that Ball State could potentially implement.

It would work best as a grassroots movement, with student organizations coming together to promote the use

of Companion in order to get legislation for it on the agenda, he said. From there, the SGA Student Senate would need to vote to send it to the University Governance, where it would need to be voted on or given to a committee to be worked on.

Peterson said there could potentially be costs on the university’s end, depending on whether the creators of the app wanted money for licensing for marketing.

He also said it’s important for the University Police Department to be on board.

“Ball State’s a beautiful place,” Peterson said. “It’s a wonderful place, but we live in a real place. It’s a place where things can go bad, and we want every student to have the power in their pocket to make a difference.”

“Racial injustice was something we all felt strongly about, one thing led to another and we contacted BSA, got ahold of UPD and got the university to sign off on this,” Clabough said. “There’s this large silent majority that kind of sit back and watch all this happen, and you know they feel as if that not saying anything means they aren’t doing anything wrong, but in reality they are taking a voice away from generations and letting racism fill that void.”

Political power became a hot topic as the demonstration halted at the Quad.

James Barham, a 59-yearold student who is also a Black Lives Matter supporter, emphasized the importance of voting.

ASSAULT:

| CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Some of the basics were left unanswered: the location, the degree to which the victim was injured, a description of the suspect and any other details that might help students know if a threat still existed.

Other top schools in Indiana do release details when

“It’s okay to mobilize, it’s okay to organize, it’s okay to protest, but once we become a political force then we are somebody to be reckoned with,” Barham said. ”We cannot legislate hatred, but we can vote hatred out of society, we can vote them out of office.”

During the march, the protesters also highlighted how Black Lives Matter relates to the All Lives Matter trend.

“The movement is being targeted as a kind of hate group by a lot of people on social media,” Clabough said.

He said he saw a post on Facebook that said the Black Lives Matter movement was taking out all non-blacks.

“That’s certainly not true,” he said. “As you saw today, we had a quasi-Black Lives Matter event and definitely half the crowd was white.”

Some people on social media and in protests have gone against using Black

confronted with sexual assaults or other crimes on their campuses. At Purdue University, warnings offer students details on the incident date, time, type, location and suspect information. In a recent sexual assault incident, Indiana University also alerted students about suspect details and updates in the investigation.

Hesser said while Ball State’s emergency alert system is prompt, the uni-

Lives Matter and instead used “all lives,” but saying “all lives don’t matter” isn’t the point of this movement, said Malik Hurt, a member of University Democrats. “[Black Lives Matter] wouldn’t be a huge deal if all lives truly did matter— that’s why we need this,” Hurt said. “Society doesn’t value black lives as much as the lives of those with fairer skin and we can bring that about by recognizing the problem at first, then doing something about it.”

Mary Pat Stemnock, a member of University Democrats, agreed with Hurt—black people have had a disadvantage for most of the century, and even before that, she said.

“We say ‘Black Lives Matter’ because black lives have been systematically destroyed by our society’s police forces, by our social programs, and by political agendas,” Stemnock said.

versity’s public safety notices could be distributed differently.

“I think campus safety could be more prominent in future notices that could cause students to say, ‘Oh my gosh, what’s happening?’” Hesser said. “Without compromising information or safety for the survivor, maybe notices in the future can give other students a better idea about the overall safety of the campus.”

App helps make students feel safer on walk home

SGA promoted similar software during 2014-15 SOPHIE GORDON SGA REPORTER | sgordon@bsu.edu A new app, similar to one SGA tried to implement last year, is aiming to help college students feel safer on their walk home.

Companion, created by five students at the University of Michigan, is a free app that tracks a user’s movement and allows their friends or family, called “companions,” to follow their route using GPS. It also has the option for users to track where on campus they feel unsafe, and notifies campus police of the results.

NO MORE CAMPING OUT FOR AIR JAM

People who had lined up outside of John R. Emens Auditorium to sign up for Air Jam spots were sent home early with vouchers Tuesday.

Air Jam, a lip-syncing competition put on during Homecoming Week, is a popular program for campus groups to participate in.

The competition is limited to 20 groups, so people have traditionally camped out in front AIR JAM of Emens to snag a spot for WHEN their organizations.

9 p.m. Oct. 1 Registration forms were due WHERE at 9 a.m. Wednesday, but peo- John R. Emens Auditorium ple started lining up as early as TICKETS 8 p.m. Monday. This year, the $10, go on sale Sept. 21 Homecoming Committee decided to step in and modify the rules because of how early the line formed.

The Homecoming Committee sent everyone home Tuesday but kept track of the order in which they were lined up. The groups that had a spot were given the chance to come back the next day at 9 a.m. to turn in their paperwork.

“This was just something that had to happen this year,” Air Jam Chair Kirsten Davenport said. “Since all 20 spots were filled yesterday, we gave vouchers out so people could go home.”

Davenport said the Homecoming Committee did not prompt the groups to line up as early as they did.

“We don’t even advise them to camp out; all we do is tell them when forms are due,” Davenport said. “Seeing as so many people were excited to get signed up for Air Jam prior to the time slot, we can expect to have great entertainment for a big crowd that night.”

– MORGAN KING

According to Apple App Store’s description of Companion, the app will check on its users if they start running, have their headphones yanked out, drop their phone or don’t make it to their destination on time. If there is no response within 15 seconds, the app will notify their companions, who aren’t required to have installed the app. It will also give users the option to call the police.

Lisa Nelson, a senior speech pathology major, said she uses the app and encourages her friends to download it. She said the app could be very effective at Ball State.

“Even sometimes if you think you’re safe on campus, you’re not always in the safest place,” Nelson said.

“Unfortunately, we are in a world where even other students can be dangerous.

It’s just an extra safety precaution that doesn’t take you much extra effort or time that would give everyone a peace of mind.”

Other students may be more wary of trusting their safety to an app. Renee Jiles, a sophomore hospitality and food management major, said she will not be using Companion because she believes there is too much room for error.

“I just feel like it would be annoying and keep asking me questions,” Jiles said. “And if I accidentally pressed the wrong button or something and turned off the questions, and I really was in trouble, then it wouldn’t notify anyone.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF COMPANION

Five students at the University of Michigan created a free app, Companion, to help people feel safer while walking home. Companion allows you to notify a friend and call 911 if you feel nervous.

APP INCREASES RETENTION, GPAS Program designed to help Pell Grant students succeed

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RAYMOND GARCIA ACADEMIC REPORTER ragarcia@bsu.edu

After successfully increasing retention rates and student GPAs its first year, the Ball State Achievements app will continue its trial run this year.

The app is designed to keep Pell Grant students academically and socially involved during their first couple years at Ball State.

Kay Bales, vice president for student affairs, said the app has had a successful year. It helped students to be more engaged in events and activities around campus.

“They earned higher grade point averages, higher number of credit hours than students who did not

PHOTO PROVIDED BY SCOTT REINKE

Ball State Achievements is an app for freshman and sophomore Ball State students that have the Pell Grant. The app helps students with being involved in activities and events on campus.

use the app,” Bales said.

Results on return rates are also being evaluated, and while some of the results are preliminary, the

app has assisted students with staying in school, Bales said.

The university gets extra money from the state when students complete their degree on time, so it has an added incentive to keep this app going.

“At this point, it certainly looks like app users have a higher retention rate than students who are not app users,” she said.

When the app launched last fall, it was available only to freshmen receiving a Pell Grant.

For now, the app is available for freshman and sophomore students on the grant.

Students who use the app can accumulate points by completing tasks and going to different events on campus.

Students can then redeem their points for rewards such as concert tickets or coupons for textbooks.

Scott Reinke, coordina-

tor for Ball State Achievements, said some new updates on the app will include an expansion on available rewards.

“We are going to have a lot more Career Center-based achievements, and also the achievements will be situated in a way that will guide students to completing larger tasks and programs such as the Intern-Ready program,” he said.

Student Voluntary Services will soon be integrated into the app, Reinke said.

The app will keep track of how often students volunteer through SVS, and they will get rewarded for their efforts.

Reinke said currently more than 900 students have downloaded the app.

About 5,500 Ball State students received Pell Grants in 2014, according to Rob Wirt, associate director of financial aid and scholarships.

PAGE 4 | FRIDAY, SEPT. 11, 2015 | THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS | BALLSTATEDAILY.COM

FEATURES FEATURES@BSUDAILYNEWS.COM

NEEL:

| CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Neel compares it to the college experience: man moves forward toward a better life in a larger and more structured community, yet finds it fully possible to feel completely alone and wholly disconnected.

“When you start thinking about yourself as a world member, you start to feel rather insignificant,” he says, followed by a reference to Monty Python’s “The Meaning of Life.”

He peppers the lecture with humor and sarcasm.

His body is animated—arms stretch in and out, shoulders shrug and his hands toggle up and down. The light catches his silver, blackfaced watch every so often.

All throughout, he retains and reminds the class that, simply put, things happen, however terrible or gruesome or great they may be.

To put it in his own words: “‘What if,’ in history, doesn’t mean a damn thing.”

THE COLLEGIATE RIDE

Before Neel was Dr. Neel, he was Richard, a small kid growing up in the streets of Muncie, Ind. He had a slight speech impediment and did well in school because he stayed out of trouble.

When he was 14, his dad opened a tool and die shop in Muncie. Neel began working there, manning the drill press in the garage and plugging away at a high school diploma.

He graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1968, although his long hair prevented his senior photo from being printed in the yearbook.

In 1976, Neel graduated

from Ball State University with a bachelor’s degree in history and biology. His GPA was 2.5, but he had forged an alliance with a handful of faculty members. He applied, and was accepted to a master’s program.

“Some let me in, I think, to watch me fail,” he said. “But I didn’t fail. I did real well.”

He graduated two years later with his master’s degree in American history, and there was no turning back. He set his sights on the doctorate program that Ball State offered at the time.

During his collegiate ride at Ball State, Neel took up another type of riding — motorcycles.

Alongside working for his father, he spent his time in school and with the bike club — both were linked by his microbiology professor, Walter.

Walter was the one to place the idea of obtaining a doctorate into Neel’s head. He encouraged Neel when others said he’d never make it through, or that doctorate programs were for elitists and brainiacs.

“I thought, ‘This isn’t for the gods, this is just a lot of determination and taking care of business,’” he said.

“That’s how I went from a 2.5 GPA to a 3.9. But I didn’t get any smarter, you know?”

It took 10 years, a nearly 1,000-page dissertation on the history of baseball in Muncie, not being taken seriously by most and being taken incredibly seriously by just the right few.

“Dr. Burkhardt, Dr. Edmonds, Ray White, Rosenberg. These guys, they all taught me how to teach, and they taught me how to act, and they taught me to be myself, and that’s just what I am. I didn’t end up a talking suit,” Neel said.

In 1988, Neel graduated from Ball State a third time with his doctorate in urban history.

“They told me I couldn’t, and when you tell me I can’t, that’s when I excel,” Neel said.

DOING IT HIS WAY

Neel is one of the few constants in Ball State’s ever-evolving landscape.

He’s seen it all: budget cuts, co-workers being let go or moving on, and new financial and academic plans being implemented.

“The problem that you have today in education, all throughout, is they’re worried about the brand.

They’re worried about themselves,” he said.

“They’re not worrying about the students,” Neel’s 30-year tradition of one-year contracts isn’t something that happens often.

“I’ve watched as everything’s changed. It changed how I have to teach my classes, and I don’t like it any time someone else tells me how I have to teach,” Neel said. “I’m not too [politically correct] at all. I’ll just tell you what I think and let the chips fall where they may. I’ve got more to share with people about my life experiences than I do teaching history, because I’ve lived a pretty unique life.”

He’s never been afraid to do things his own way, and he challenges his students to do the same.

When Neel was a teenager, he protested the Vietnam War. Now, he questions how money is used in higher education and the validity of global warming. He also refuses to let the government tell him how to run his life, or give him money.

Despite co-workers discouraging classroom talk of his libertarian beliefs and being concerned with his degree of political correctness, students found a characteristic in Neel that was rare to find anywhere else. After a round of administrative budget and faculty adjustments, the executive board, at the time, found no reason not to keep Neel on.

“What they discovered were that my evaluations were so much higher than theirs that they couldn’t bother me. So the students have kept me here all this time,” Neel said. “I’ve just stuck it out here and I’m in everybody’s face. I’m still Old Grey Beard and most people don’t want much of me. I like it like that.”

THE SPECIAL THINGS

Richard Neel, a Ball State alumnus, has been a professor at Ball State for 30 years on one-year contracts. When Neel was a graduate student, he studied under professor Burkhardt, who taught him to be himself.

In June of 1980, Neel’s life would change forever. His daughter Leann was born. She and her

DN PHOTOS BREANNA DAUGHERTY

Richard Neel is known for commonly wearing a Rolling Stones polo, a band he firmly “believes in.” Neel says he believes in music because it’s something he has control over, and it is “the driving force” in his life.

19-month-old son Neel—a family namesake—are hailed as Neel’s greatest life accomplishments.

Leann Neel-Romine is now a professor in Ball State’s math department.

She acknowledges the strength of the bond between her and her father and considers it an asset in her life.

“My dad and I are very close,” she said. “I tell him almost everything, and I talk to him every day.”

She’s inherited his love of baseball and music.

They’ve had season tickets to the Reds — five seats behind third base — for most of her life. They’ve attended numerous concerts together, including Billy Idol (when she was only 3 years old), Alice Cooper (when she was only 7 years old), Rob Zombie and The Black Crowes. He took her to see Aerosmith for her 13th birthday.

When she turned 18, they got tattoos together.

When he turned 50, they got two more.

“Don’t worry, they aren’t matching,” she said.

After following The Cure around for a few shows in the Tri-State area, the two of them were noticed by the tour manager and invited backstage to meet the band. Even lead singer Robert Smith recognized their faces from the crowd.

“It’s something I’ll always remember,” she said.

“He loves The Cure and Robert Smith so much. It was funny to actually see him be kind of nervous and speechless. He always has something to say.”

Neel took his daughter to Marilyn Manson’s first show after the Columbine

« I’m still Old Grey

Beard and most people don’t want much of me. I like it like that. » RICHARD NEEL, assistant professor of history Massacre, complete with church protesters lining the facility. He attended one of Janis Joplin’s last shows before her death in 1970. He’s seen the Rolling Stones on every tour since 1968, including this past summer in Ohio.

“I didn’t go to Indy because I thought it might get too crazy and I might get into trouble,” he said with a sly smile. His expression settled and his eyes focused. “But music’s what I believe in.”

In March of 1968, Jimi Hendrix came to town, “right here in Muncie,” Neel recalled. Hendrix played a small show in the barn at the fairgrounds to about 200 people.

“And I was fortunate enough to be one of them,” Neel said. “I saw my first light show, too. It all changed my life.”

TIME TO GO

Neel is retiring this year, but he’s doing it the way he does everything — on his own terms.

“I’ve been very fortunate to be given the gift of being able to work here all these years. And the department’s been very good to me. I’ve had the best of all worlds,” he said. “And so, I decided this year, since I turn 65, it was my time to go.”

Kevin Smith, chairperson

of the history department, acknowledges Neel’s strengths as a professor, despite the things that make him different.

“The reality is, he’s been retained because he’s an excellent teacher,” Smith said. “The long hair and beard, the leather pants, all of that — it isn’t really a factor. He’s not here because he’s different. He’s here because he’s good.”

Noting both his own and the department’s appreciation for Neel, Smith knows the students are in for a loss as well.

“He connects so well with his students,” Smith said. “He’s very human and very relatable. I don’t know how it is he connects so well with students. I suspect he draws them in and they’re curious, and before they know it, they’re learning.”

The thing is, Neel doesn’t need to make a special effort to “connect” with students. His attitude and perspective toward life resonates with those who have worked under him firsthand. Hayden Shaw, a first-year grad student in the history department, is a former student and teacher assistant of Neel’s.

“There was rarely a week where he was not up to something — a true rolling stone. That attitude always stuck with me,” Shaw said.

“He put most of our college social lives to shame and was one of the best professors that I ever had the pleasure to work with.

Ball State will be a little less awesome without him.

The bearded biker of Burkhardt will be missed.”

Actors explore society’s obsessions, mental illness Dark comedy takes absurd look at life to discuss taboos

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KATHRYN HAMPSHIRE THEATRE REPORTER kmhampshire@bsu.edu

In the first show of the season, Ball State student actors explore the darker side of life in the Department of Theatre and Dance’s “The House of Blue Leaves.”

The play “focuses on society’s obsession with celebrities and our individual push to be rich and famous,” Michael Daehn, the show’s director, said.

Artie Shaugnessey is an aspiring songwriter living in Sunnyside, Queens, in 1965 who dreams of fame and fortune while working a mundane job at a zoo. His wife, Bananas (played by junior acting major Olivia Schaperjohn) suffers from schizophrenia, a disease that has placed a serious toll on their relationship.

“Since she’s schizophrenic, they’ve drifted apart, and now Bananas is trying to save their marriage. ... She wants

the love of her husband back,” Schaperjohn said.

This is challenging because Artie’s love lies with his mistress, Bunny Flingus, who “wants nothing more than for Artie to send Bananas to Bellevue,” said senior musical theatre major Lauren Fivek, who plays Bunny in this production.

One challenge that Schaperjohn faced while working on the production was balancing how to play her character, and not just her character’s disease.

Schaperjohn could relate to her character because she’s seen what mental illness does to people and those who love them—her sister has bipolar disorder.

“I can connect to the way that Bananas wants love. ... What connects to me the most is wanting the love of someone,” she said. “Having that background [with my sister] has helped me too, because I understand how it affects other people.”

In order to prepare for the role, Schaperjohn read the script several times, consulted the show’s dramaturge and did research on how people with schizophrenia were

viewed during the 1960s.

She studied shock treatment and images of “insane asylums.”

A black comedy, “The House of Blue Leaves” “combines moments of tragedy with comedy and hilarious elements of farce to tell a story that is both touching and rip-roaringly funny— just like real life,” Daehn said.

Black comedies—also known as dark comedies— are shows that are characterized by their morbid sense of humor and a tendency to take tragic and taboo topics and make light of them. This means that different audience members are likely to respond to certain jokes in different ways.

“It doesn’t come across as funny unless you get it. ... This is really offensive s–t we don’t laugh at in everyday life, but in this context, it’s hilarious,” Schaperjohn said.

Even though some moments of the humor might be difficult for audience members to get, Fivek emphasized that this show has something for everyone.

“There are tender moments, there are loving

PLAY DETAILS WHAT: The House of Blue Leaves WHEN: Sept. 11-12 and 15-19

at 7:30pm; and September 13 at 2:30pm WHERE: Strother Theatre COST: General Public - $12 and Students - $10

moments, there are disturbing moments and there are moments that will have you rolling with laughter,” she said.

Because the show is more humorous than dramatic, the actors face the challenge of navigating the politics of humor. As a comedic actress, Fivek said that her biggest obstacle has been making sure not to overplay moments of comedy.

“The text itself is so, so funny, so when it is approached from a truthful and honest place, the audience can both laugh and empathize with these characters,” she said.

“There is so much technique involved in pulling off comedy successfully.”

One thing that sets “The House of Blue Leaves” apart from other comedies is that it utilizes direct

PHOTO COURTESY OF BALL STATE

“The House of Blue Leaves” is set around how society is celebrity-obsessed and everyone is striving to have their own money and fame. The opening show is at 7:30 p.m. tonight at Edward S. Strother Theatre.

audience address and encourages audience participation, she said.

“This also allows for a much

more intimate level of storytelling,” Fivek said. “The audience isn’t just watching the play; they are in it with us.”

FRIDAY, SEPT. 11, 2015 | THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS | BALLSTATEDAILY.COM | PAGE 5

FEATURES

Puppy takes baby steps to become leader dog Journalism professor temporarily trains future guide dog

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DEJA STUDDARD GENERAL REPORTER dnstuddard@bsu.edu

Assistant Journalism Professor Robin Blom isn’t just imparting knowledge to students this year, he’s also teaching a yellow Labrador retriever puppy named Charlie.

And yes, the dog attends classes too.

Charlie is a 10-week-old aspiring guide dog from the Leader Dogs for the Blind organization in Rochester Hills, Mich.

The organization gives puppies to volunteers like Blom, who housebreak them and teach them basic commands and “good manners”—all to prepare them for additional guide dog training and, perhaps, a job helping a human who is blind or visually impaired.

Blom heard about Leader Dogs for the Blind from friends while he studied for his doctorate at Michigan State University. At the time, he didn’t feel capable of training a puppy.

One doctorate and three years of work as a Ball State professor later, and Blom reconsidered the possibility.

He has a better idea of the amount of work his job requires, he said.

On Aug. 26, Blom met Charlie for the first time.

Blom will work with him for about a year. He won’t get any compensation for the job, and he’s also expected to cover Charlie’s veterinary

bills and dog food expenses.

The Leader Dog organization did provide him with a leash, toys and a collar.

Blom’s puppy-raiser duties include making Charlie sociable by exposing him to different locations: the supermarket, basketball courts, football fields, airplanes and more.

Charlie needs to be around Blom for the majority of the day so he can soak up as much information as possible, Blom said.

That’s where school comes in. Charlie must occasionally attend classes with Blom.

Some of Blom’s students said they don’t mind their furry classmate.

“I feel like it’s a healthy distraction,” said Jala Washington, a junior in one of Blom’s classes. “It never really distracts you from paying attention in class, but it’s a refreshing change in the classroom to have an adorable dog to make you smile every once in a while.”

Washington isn’t the only person who responds well to Charlie.

“I have no problems here [in Muncie] at all,” Blom said. “A lot of people encourage it, because they understand that there is a need [for guide dogs].”

All that attention has a downside however.

No one is allowed to touch Charlie or interact with him while he is being trained— no matter how adorable he may be, Blom said. Charlie needs to understand that he is working when he is being trained and that he is being trained for a purpose.

People attempt to pet Charlie all the time, though, Blom said.

If a potential guide dog gets easily distracted when it is young, it may also get easily distracted as it gets older, and while it is supposed to be helping its human.

Charlie’s training won’t end in Muncie. He must attend guide dog training school for four to six months after he’s done learning from Blom.

Only until Charlie passes all the strict requirements and tests for being a guide dog will he be introduced to someone in need of his services. For now, he’s learning how to master the leash.

DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY

Assistant Journalism Professor Robin Blom is training Charlie, a 10-week-old yellow Labrador, to be a guide dog for the Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester Hills, Mich. Charlie spends much of the day with Blom to better understand everyday life. Part of Blom’s duties include training Charlie, exposing him to different enviroments and teaching him how to act around people.

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Get connected with campus Today’s Birthday (09/11/15) This is your lucky year!

Go for your dream. Personal growth (especially after 9/13) and partnership (which blossoms after 3/8) are key.

Focus on finances for family growth (especially after 9/27), and for new income (after 3/23). Do it for love.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

(c) 2015, by Nancy Black. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. All rights reserved.

Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is a 9. Expect a busy workflow today and tomorrow. Postpone nonessential tasks and financial discussions.

Don’t try new tricks yet ... stick with trusted methods. Strengthen foundations. Make your deadlines by rigorously scheduling. Choose stability over illusion. Add passion.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is an 8. Play by the rules, and practice to grow skills. Find fun games today and tomorrow. Spend time with people you love. Widen your family circle. You can get whatever you need. Soak up the love.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is a 9. Enjoy domestic pleasures over the next few days. Settle into family activities and goals. Cook up something scrumptious with simple ingredients. Don’t strain the budget. Get into home projects, and get the gang to help.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 9. Research projects thrive today and tomorrow. Learn voraciously. Weigh pros and cons before making decisions. Save time and money by thoroughly reviewing first. Don’t let past disappointments limit you. Power into your work, and welcome contributions.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 9. Changes that are good for you may be tough for somebody else.

Begin a potentially quite profitable two-day phase.

Get what you need, with the best quality you can afford. Consider the impact of your choices.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is an 8. Your energy is rising today and tomorrow. Don’t spend it all partying, although new opportunities can arise from socializing. There’s no hurry ... take things slowly and avoid do-overs. As you gain strength, you also gain options.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 7. Peace and quiet suit your mood over the next few days.

Complete old projects, and indulge nostalgic retrospection. Clear space for upcoming new endeavors. There’s potential for conflict with authorities. Listen to someone who doesn’t agree.

Consider.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is an 8. Begin a social phase. Group projects go well today and tomorrow. Friends are your strength. Stifle rebellious tendencies for now and work together.

New options arise in conversation. Align on priorities, and get in action.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 9. Pass up an invitation to party. The next two days bring career changes. Address ancient issues. Postpone travel. Take on more responsibility. Expect increased scrutiny. Ace the test and reward yourself with good food and time outside.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is an 8. Today and tomorrow are great for travel. Make plans and itineraries. Consider farther into the future.

Imagine how you’d like it to be. Don’t fall for a trick.

Buy tickets in advance from reputable sellers. Far horizons beckon.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 9. New opportunities arise. Go for the big prize. Changes necessitate budget revisions. Join forces with another to get the funding. Get into a two-day planning phase. Strategize. Involve your partners and family. Share your vision.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is an 8.

Compromise is required over the next two days.

A partner has a practical plan. What you get isn’t what you expected. Check for errors. Don’t overspend. Think fast under pressure, and remain graceful with romantic changes. Share.

B A L L S T A T E D A I L Y . C O M

PAGE 6 | FRIDAY, SEPT. 11, 2015 | THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS | BALLSTATEDAILY.COM

SPORTS

TODAY Women’s volleyball takes on Utah State at 1 p.m. and Washington State at 10:30 p.m.

SPORTS@BSUDAILYNEWS.COM TWITTER.COM/DN_SPORTS

SATURDAY The football team arrives in College Station, Texas, to take on No. 16 Texas A&M at 7 p.m.

Player follows parents’ lead Redshirt junior continues family tradition in sports

|

ZACH CAINES VOLLEYBALL REPORTER @ZPC1329

Her dad was a national champion and ranked the 21st best basketball player ever at Indiana University.

Her mom was a Division I diver at UNLV. Ball State redshirt junior Mackenzie Kitchel was destined to be a good athlete.

From a young age, Kitchel began challenging her brothers and trying to beat them at their own games. Although she would not find her passion for volleyball until later in life, her exposure to athletics was going with her parents to watch her brothers play basketball and baseball.

“She was always in a sports environment growing up with her brothers,” Ted, her father, said. “That’s where her competitive spirit came from.”

Mackenzie began expanding her sports repertoire as she started grade school.

She tried swimming like her mother and basketball like her father.

It wasn’t until the Kitchel family moved from Ohio to Indiana that a coach saw Mackenzie’s potential in a different sport.

“My wife now plays tennis, I play golf, and her brothers played mostly basketball and baseball,” Ted said. “So volleyball never entered our world.

It wasn’t until the volleyball coach at her high school took interest that she finally

played it.”

Deb McClurg, the volleyball coach at Center Grove High School, noticed Mackenzie right away. She saw her athleticism, competitiveness and rare size. After she convinced her to try volleyball, Mackenzie was hooked.

“I just remember looking at my mom and saying, ‘I love this,’” Mackenzie said.

Mackenzie received four varsity letters playing volleyball. She was named to the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association First Team All-State and earned ICGSA All-State honors both junior and senior year.

She was offered a chance to play at Indiana University — and to follow in her dad’s footsteps. Keeping this in mind, Mackenzie decided to take her talents elsewhere.

“It was a great place and was fun to see, but it wasn’t for me,” Mackenzie said. “I also wanted to make my own name, so I felt I needed to go somewhere else to do that.”

She agreed to play for Cincinnati under Reed Sunahara. But before she joined the program, Molly Alvey took over as the Bearcats’ new head coach.

Mackenzie didn’t play her freshman year and began looking to play for another school for the rest of her career.

At one point, Ball State coach Steve Shondell came to watch Kitchel play. He liked what he saw and offered her a chance to come play for the Cardinals.

Shondell’s passion rubbed off on Mackenzie right away.

“Coach Shondell has such a passion for this sport, and I could tell that right away

DN PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY

Ball State has been playing crowd noises to prepare for the game against No. 16 Texas A&M on Saturday. In the game against Virginia Military Institute, the offensive line racked up a total of 567 yards.

Team facing Texas after 48-36 victory Cardinals prepare for uphill battle at No. 16 Texas A&M CHASE AKINS | FOOTBALL REPORTER @akins27_akins

DN FILE PHOTO BREANNA DAUGHERTY

Mackenzie Kitchel, a redshirt outside hitter, is following in the steps of her parents, both college athletes. Head coach Steve Shondell’s passion helped Kitchel feel at home when she came to Ball State.

when I met him,” Mackenzie said. “It was so refreshing, and I immediately felt at home at Ball State following such a passionate coach like him.”

This is Mackenzie’s third season as an outside hitter for Ball State. Her parents love to come and watch their daughter play the game she loves in Worthen Arena.

“Shondell is such a nice man and great coach for Mackenzie,” Ted said. “He helped her get more into the sport after the debacle at Cincinnati, and I have nothing but love for the school and the volleyball program.”

Mackenzie has been injured this season, just like her fa-

ther was as a freshman at Indiana. She said her dad has been giving her advice on staying focused and getting back on the court.

With a season left at Ball State, Mackenzie is sure to have plenty of time on the court. When she does, she will continue to carry on her family’s athletic history and make her parents proud.

“They’ve always been there when I need help and it definitely has been great to see them in the crowd,” Mackenzie said. “My team is my second family but I don’t know what I’d do without my family being behind me to get to this point.”

DEFENSE STRONG DESPITE LOSS Coach impressed with performance after tournament DAN HAUGHN | SOCCER REPORTER @lieutenantDan11

In its first-ever match against a Southeastern Conference team, Ball State tied Louisiana State University 1-1 and impressed head coach Craig Roberts in the process.

“I thought we were outstanding,” Roberts said.

“Playing a quality SEC team like LSU is always a good challenge, but our girls stood up there in the heat and produced well.”

The Cardinals finished LSU’s Stomp in the Swamp with a 0-1-1 record.

In a high-humidity atmosphere, LSU (4-0-2) challenged first by striking a header off a free kick at the 34th minute, the only goal

of the first half. This came after a foul call on Ball State in the midfield.

The Cardinals weren’t used to being down at half, but it didn’t seem to add any extra pressure. Senior Elaina Musleh scored off a Leah Mattingly corner kick in the 50th minute.

“It’s about believing in themselves offensively,” Roberts said. “We knew we could get at least one on them with our numerous amount of threats on offense.”

The teams tied at the end of regulation, and played another 20 minutes of overtime before settling on a draw. Both teams recorded two shots in the extra time.

Ball State’s two shots came in the second overtime. One was blocked and the other flew wide. Although Roberts would’ve rather came away with the win, he was happy with the effort.

Defensively, Ball State

In preparation for a road matchup with No. 16 Texas A&M at 7 p.m. Saturday, the Ball State football coaches have been blasting crowd noise at practice all week.

In a 2014 survey on ESPN.com among 99 FBS coaches, the Aggies’ Kyle Field finished second behind LSU as the toughest place in the country to play.

Both teams enter the game at 1-0 on the season. In what looks like an uphill battle for the Cardinals, they are focused on doing their thing against some of the best players in the nation.

“Anytime you’re a competitor you want to play against the best,” offensive coordinator Joey Lynch said. “There’s no question

[Texas A&M] can match up with anybody. We want to go operate and do what we’re coached to do.”

The Cardinals opened the season with a 48-36 victory at home over the Virginia Military Institute Keydets.

The offense exploded for 567 total yards against VMI. Quarterback Jack Milas, running back Darian Green and wide receiver Jordan Williams all captured statistical achievements in the game.

One intriguing matchup will be the Cardinals’ seasoned offensive line against the Aggies’ defensive push. Ball State ranked No. 12 in the country in sacks allowed last season and didn’t give up any in week one.

Texas A&M garnered nine sacks in its opening 38-17 win over No. 15 Arizona State. Its front is led by Myles Garrett, a top prospect who set the Southeastern Conference records for sacks last season.

For more, go to bsudaily.com

DN FILE PHOTO PATRICK MURPHY

The Ball State soccer team participated in the Lousiana State University’s Stomp in the Swamp with a 0-1-1 record. At the end of regulation and 20 minutes of overtime, Ball State and LSU tied 1-1.

gave up eight shots against LSU and only two on goal.

“Our defensive back line was the best tonight,” Roberts said. “We limited them and gave ourselves a chance to win.”

The defense stood up again in the second match of the weekend, but Middle Tennessee scored in the 70th minute and earned a

1-0 victory.

The offense had its chances, Roberts said, but could not convert. He said his team proved it could play with anyone over the weekend.

The Cardinals (3-2-1) will return to action at 5:30 p.m. Sunday as they travel to Bloomington to take on the Indiana Hoosiers.

Flock to a new nest.

Meet with representatives from some of Muncie’s finest housing communities.

UNIFIED MEDIA'S HOUSING EXPO

Wednesday, Sept. 16 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

In the Atrium

Don’t forget about the Housing Guide either! BallStateDaily.com/Housing