Daily Titan: Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Since 1960 Volume 85, Issue 42

Tuesday December 1, 2009

The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton

INSIDE DT

Stewart’s death still ‘devastating’

By Lauren Felechner

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

FEATURES:

College students are still watching cartoons, Page 3

OPINION:

Dodgers’ owners will hold the team back, Page 5

On April 9 just after midnight, Carrie Stewart-Dixon lost her daughter and only child, Courtney Stewart, in a drunk driving-related car crash.

Seven months after the crash, Stewart-Dixon is just now returning to her workplace and getting back into her normal daily routine.

“I feel like I am getting a little stronger now, but it’s still devastating every day,” Stewart-Dixon said.

Stewart-Dixon explained that Courtney went to an Angels baseball game that night to watch her friend and Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart play. She didn’t plan on going out with him after the game because she had class the next morning. However, she ended up making the decision to go.

Stewart-Dixon and Stewart would talk at least two times a day every day.

“I would talk to her every Tuesday and Thursday mornings before her class, but I didn’t get to talk to her that morning,” Stewart-Dixon said.

Stewart-Dixon said her friend had contacted her around 8 a.m. on April 9 after seeing Courtney’s car wreck on the news. Stewart-Dixon’s friend heard about Adenhart’s death and knew that Courtney was supposed to be with him. After hearing this, she tried calling and texting Courtney for about two hours until 10:25 a.m. when she found out her daughter was dead.

See STEWART, Page 2

SPORTS:

Think Different, Think Simon, Time for Tiger to speak, Page 8

PHOTO BY ANI KELLOGG/ For the Daily Titan Six months after the death of Courtney Stewart, her mother, Carrie Stewart-Dixon feels the devastating loss of the Cal State Fullerton student every day.

LA Times writer and alumnus found dead

Fullerton Friends of Music host rare show

By Simon Liang

Daily Titan Staff Writer

By Portia Bode

news@dailytitan.com

Daily Titan Asst. Sports Editor sports@dailytitan.com

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Tragedy struck during the Thanksgiving break when Cal State Fullerton alumnus and former Daily Titan staff writer Mike Penner allegedly committed suicide and was found dead in his Los Angeles home.

Coroner’s officials have not yet confirmed the cause of his death.

Penner was a 25-year veteran at the LA Times and most recently wrote a column titled, “Totally Random.”

Those who didn’t know Mike personally only knew him as a “transsexual sports writer.”

He attracted attention in 2007 for his infamous column in the Times headlined, “Old Mike, New Christine,” revealing to the world that he was transsexual and had changed his byline to Christine Daniels.

Penner wrote, “It has taken more than 40 years, a million tears and hundreds of hours of soul-wrenching therapy for me to work up the courage to type those words.”

At the time of his confession, he was married to Lisa Dillman, also a Times sportswriter.

“He loved his wife; I really want to make that clear,” said former Daily Titan sports editor Janis Carr.

“I think that it was really a happy period of his life, being married to Lisa.”

Upon this discovery, there was shock not only in the sports writing world but also among friends and colleagues who knew him on a personal level.

See PENNER, Page 6

Photo By Ron FU/Daily Titan Staff Photographer Cal State Fullerton’s dean of students was awarded the Sandra Kuchler Excellence in Mentoring plaque for her decades of service to the students of the university.

Dean of students recognized for years of student service

By Nicole Park

Daily Titan Staff Writer news@dailytitan.com

Dean of Students Kandy Mink Salas celebrated her 20 years at Cal State Fullerton in July. For the past two decades, Mink Salas has held several positions involved with student services. Her dedication to students at CSUF earned her recognition at the annual region-six conference of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.

In an office still decorated with congratulatory banners from her staff, the dean listed previous job titles beginning with her budding Titan career as an activities coordinator in 1989. When she started that position at CSUF, she occupied the same office she does today in the

Titan Student Union, Room 235.

Other positions Mink Salas has held on campus include associate director of Student Life and acting associate vice president for Student Affairs.

“I identified Kandy’s skills and talents from very early on and asked her to be my assistant before she went on to assume greater responsibilities,” said Robert L. Palmer, vice president for Student Affairs.

As her supervisor, Palmer said, “She’s great. Kandy is extremely, extremely intelligent. When you combine her knowledge with such a strong commitment to students, that is a great combo for anyone working in Student Affairs.”

Mink Salas oversees associate deans from each of the eight academic colleges on campus, sits on the Associated Students Inc. Board of Directors as a voting member and is responsible for

a multitude of student services: Student Life, Judicial Affairs, New Student Programs, Leadership and Multicultural Development (Greek Life) and Honors and Scholars Support Services.

On Nov. 3, Mink Salas was recognized for her occupational achievements at NASPA’s 2009 regional conference in San Jose. She accepted a plaque that named her the year’s Sandra Kuchler Excellence in Mentoring award recipient.

The late Sandra Kuchler, dean of students at Cal State San Marcos, was also honored by a group of colleagues after her battle against cancer ended in 1998.

The award was founded through NASPA, a professional association for those involved in college life.

See DEAN, Page 2

The music of a flute and guitar duo will fill the music hall of Sunny Hills High School in Fullerton on Dec. 6 starting at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets for similar concerts usually cost between $75 to $100 because the performers travel from all over the world, said Lynn Rogers, president of Fullerton Friends of Music.

However, Fullerton Friends of Music is able to provide classical chamber music for free because of the support of donors, Rogers said.

Denis Azabagic, who plays guitar, and his wife, Eugenia Moliner, who plays flute, form the Cavatina Duo, which will perform at the second Fullerton Friends of Music concert of the season. According to the Fullerton Friends of Music Web site, the duo will be performing Piano Sonata in A Major, K. 331 by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Sonata in E Minor by Johann Sebastian Bach, which are arranged for a flute and guitar, as well as Fantasia Brillante from “Carmen” by Francois Borne and more.

Azabagic and Moliner won the Young Musicians of the Doelen competition in the Netherlands in 1996 and performed throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

Valerie Bernstein, artistic director of Fullerton Friends of Music, tries to bring in an unusual act once per season. Bernstein said she is looking forward to Cavatina Duo’s performance because a flute and guitar is a unique combo.

See FULLERTON, Page 2

Page Two IN OTHER NEWS 2

INTERNATIONAL

Supertanker seized off coast of Somalia LONDON (MCT) – A supertanker bound from Saudi Arabia to New Orleans with 28 crew members on board was hijacked off the coast of Somalia, the European Union Naval Force said Monday.

The M/V Maran Centaurus was seized hundreds of miles offshore on Sunday, according to the statement. The ship has altered course and is now headed west toward the Somali ports of Harardheere or Hobyo, the naval force said.

Piracy has become endemic off the Somalia coast and ship seizures have occurred farther and farther offshore in recent months.

Naval forces from Europe and the United States have been patrolling in the region in an attempt to deter the seizures.

It’s managed by Maran Tankers Management Inc., according to the Vessel Response Plan Web site run by the U.S. Coast Guard. The vessel formerly sailed under the name Astro Centaurus.

NATIONAL Obama administration to make mortgage modifications WASHINGTON (MCT) – The Obama administration announced Monday a renewed push to get lenders to convert hundreds of thousands of temporarily restructured mortgages into permanent ones to help keep struggling homeowners from falling into foreclosure.

The mortgages have been altered under the administration’s $75 billion Home Affordable Modification Program, which uses financial incentives to get banks and other mortgage holders to reduce the payments for homeowners who meet certain qualifications.

The program has temporarily modified more than 650,000 mortgages as of Oct. 30, but few of those three-month trials are estimated to have been made permanent. As of Sept. 1, only 1,711 trial modifications had become permanent, according to the oversight panel monitoring the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program. TARP money is used to fund the program.

The administration’s new plan focuses on increasing accountability by lenders and mortgage servicers.

STATE

Sacramento trial for accused cop killer Allen in limbo SACRAMENTO (MCT) – The Sacramento trial of accused cop killer Columbus Allen, Jr. II is in limbo as a state appeals court weighs a challenge by Allen’s defense attorney against the move to the capital city.

The 5th District Court of Appeals in Fresno last week suspended moving Allen’s case from Modesto to Sacramento after attorney John R. Grele of San Francisco filed a petition challenging the trial’s new location.

“We felt that we were unfairly prevented from fully exploring what the proper venue should be,” Grele said Monday.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Alan Cassidy said Sacramento was the prosecution’s top choice because of its proximity to witnesses and the convenience of transportation.

Allen could face the death penalty if he’s convicted of the February 2006 slaying of California Highway Patrol officer Earl Scott.

Allen, 33, of Stockton is charged with shooting and killing Scott about 4:40 a.m. Feb. 17, 2006. The slain officer was found at the edge of northbound Highway 99. Sacramento County Judge Patrick Marlette was picked to preside over the trial, set to begin Jan. 12.

For the Record It is the policy of the Daily Titan to correct any inaccurate information printed in the publication as soon as the error is discovered. Any incorrect information printed on the front page will result in a correction printed on the front page. Any incorrect information printed on any other page will be corrected on page 2. Errors on the Opinion page will be corrected on that page. Corrections also will be noted on the online version of the Daily Titan.

Please contact Executive Editor Skyler Blair at 657-278-5815 or at execeditor@dailytitan.com with issues about this policy or to report any errors.

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Copyright ©2009 Daily Titan

December 1, 2009

Stewart: friends and family share memories From Page 1

The coroner’s office did not contact her until 10 hours after the car crash with the official statement that Courtney had passed away.

“I’ll never be a grandma, and I’ll never have someone call me ‘Mom’ again,” Stewart-Dixon said.

Courtney held special relationships with those close to her, Stewart-Dixon said. Courtney and her step-dad would bond over quad and dirt-bike riding. They would also go to the supercross events together at Angels stadium.

Not only was Courtney a fan of fast bikes but also country music, which was something her roommate and her bonded over.

“Whenever I hear country music, I think of Courtney,” Jerica Stroing said.

Stroing, 22, a graduate from CSUF, shared a room with Courtney, after meeting each other through their sorority Alpha Chi Omega.

Much like Courtney’s mom, Stroing first heard of the car crash from her other roommate, who found it online.

“It’s been really difficult. I still think of her every day, but I like thinking about her,” Stroing said.

Stroing wears Courtney’s bracelet every day and has pictures of her hanging up on her bedroom walls.

She said she misses Courtney’s infectious laugh and that going back to their apartment was extremely difficult to do after her roommate’s passing.

“I moved back home, and I am really not looking forward to moving out again,” Stroing said.

Hannah Gaines, 20, a public relations major and Courtney’s best friend, was informed of the accident

by Courtney’s roommate because she never came home the night before, and they knew something was wrong.

“Me and Courtney had our 10 a.m. class together, and if I had not talked to her roommate beforehand, I would have known something was wrong if Courtney didn’t come to class because she never missed class,” Gaines said.

Knowing Courtney for about a year and a half, Gaines explained the difficulty of coming back to school without Courtney and doing things by herself that the two girls would normally do together, such as their sorority and registering for classes.

Another difficulty that Gaines has had to endure was the passing

photo courtesy of carrie stewart-Dixon Carrie Stewart-Dixon (Right) seen photographed with her late daughter Courtney Stewart.

conversation of strangers that talk about the car crash, not knowing that Gaines knew Courtney. Stewart-Dixon has experienced somewhat the same feeling, but she finds that people are scared to talk to her now.

“It’s almost like I have the plague,” Stewart-Dixon said.

Stroing and Stewart-Dixon go on

lunch dates and spend time together, Stroing said.

“I like spending time with her because it’s a part of Courtney,” Stroing said.

“She was just happy,” Gaines said.

“You don’t meet a lot of people that are happy and content, and she just was. She was one of those people that just got the most out of life.”

dean: Mink salas receives award Fullerton: From Page 1 One woman Kuchler made a deep impact on was Lea Jargin, her former assistant at Cal State San Marcos and the current assistant to Palmer at CSUF. “With the award, I wanted to honor the role Sandy played in my life. She is the reason that I got into the profession. Five months after she suggested it to me, I was in grad school,” Jargin said.

And it was that kind of motivational attitude and mentoring Jargin aimed to appreciate with the memorial award.

Though she helped establish the regional award, Jargin had never entered a nomination for a recipient until this year, when she served as the principle nominator for Mink Salas’ award.

“To honor Kandy is just so natural. She and Sandy have so much in common. They are both strong student advocates who are committed to the profession and want to better their educational institutions,” Jargin said.

Jargin was able to attend the conference along with a handful of colleagues and graduate students from CSUF. “Some graduate students from our new Student Affairs master’s program were able to be there, and it was nice to have the new generation see one of our foundational leaders be honored,” Jargin said.

As the leader of the nomination, Jargin gathered supporting letters of nomination from three other CSUF colleagues.

One letter came from Associate Dean Juanita Razo. Razo met Mink Salas 12 years ago when she was a graduate student.

In her two-page letter, Razo detailed how Mink Salas mentored others throughout her professional career, beginning in college, and continuing today.

Razo now has an office just a few doors down the hall from Mink Salas, the woman who inspired her.

Always striving to help young

adults become successful, Mink Salas is valued by students for her wise guidance.

Joseph Lopez, executive vice president of ASI said Mink Salas, “Has always been a great source for good advice.”

“Kandy is very helpful. (ASI President) Juli (Santos) and I can go to her for advice on anything,” Lopez said. “We’ve had a lot of challenging issues to face this year, and she’s always let us drop in on her.”

Mink Salas says this is simply a part of her job that she is happy to do.

“My job is to work for Cal State Fullerton students and the main part of that is making sure they are successful when they get here,” Mink Salas said.

The best advice Mink Salas has to offer students is this: “Make sure to, every so often, find a quiet, peaceful time to have an honest conversation with yourself about your goals and dreams. Be clear and focused on what those are.

As you get older, you realize time is precious. Be passionate about everything you do instead of just doing something because it’s the easier path or what someone else wants of you.”

Duo brings music to friends From Page 1 The company is supported mostly by individual donations, Bernstein said. Other donations come from companies, she added.

Bernstein believes chamber music is important for the soul and feels honored to be a part of Fullerton Friends of Music.

“I believe it can change the way people look at the world and how they feel,” she said.

She encourages audience members to bring their children and grandchildren to the concerts because she thinks it is rare for children to hear classical music.

Chamber music is typically performed by a small group of musicians, said Rosehen Gates, a member of Fullerton Friends of Music.

Generally, people rarely listen to live chamber music for free since the performers are with well-known chamber music organizations, said Ann Ross, board member of Fullerton Friends of Music.

“It’s important to have a small intimate city community that supports each city having its own chamber sequence,” Ross said.

Beulah Strickler, the founder of Fullerton Friends of Music, held the company’s first concert in her living room in 1958.

Strickler graduated from Juilliard and has played all over the world.

Fullerton Friends of Music’s concert series is the oldest chamber music community concert in Orange County, Rogers said.

There are four more opportunities to hear a Fullerton Friends of Music concert this season: Dec. 6, Jan. 17, Feb. 28 and April 25 at 3:30 p.m. at Sunny Hills High School Performing Arts Center.

FEATURES

December 1, 2009

Cartoons hold ground in college anyone with a reliable Web connection.

Daily Titan Staff Writer “I watch a lot of cartoons. Pretty features@dailytitan.com much if I studied as much as I watch When you hear the words ‘Sat- cartoons, I’d have straight A’s right urday’ and ‘morning’ together you now,” said Angelo Andrada, a commay think of the joys of sleeping puter science major. in, the relief of a non-school day or While Jocelyn Aragon, 19, a the dreaded nausea of Friday night’s radio-TV-film major, recalls fond good times. memories of older cartoons featurBut do you remember what Satur- ing Tom and Jerry, Wile E. Coyote day mornings used to mean? and the Roadrunner and Pinky and Think back to when you were a The Brain, she is also a fan of modern child, to the one day a week you cartoons. Aragon is also the current woke up before president of the the grown-ups TV Film Socidid. ety at Cal State Saturday Fullerton. mornings were “I still watch once synonycartoons, mostmous with one ly ‘Batman’ and thing: cartoons.

‘X-men’ online.

Although favorite – Alex Plefka, My sleep patterns newer cartoons TV-Film Society member and time prioriare ‘Family ties may have Guy’ and ‘South changed many Park’ because classic cartoon lovers’ viewing pat- they are so satirical. I love how they terns, the animation has exploded poke fun at what’s really going on in and branched off into many sub- the world,” Aragon said. “They are genres, widening cartoon program- just much more ‘college.’ All of my ming. friends watch them, too.”

Now there is no need to set your When asked about the difference alarm to tune/“toon” in; cartoons between her old favorites and her even have their own channel, Car- new ones, Aragon acknowledged toon Network. violence in both, but said that the It plays new spins on old classics classic cartoons aimed at children like “Scooby Doo,” “Transformers” had lessons to be learned in the epiand “Hot Wheels,” but is also home sodes. to Adult Swim, a nighttime block of “Now that I’m older, cartoons with adult humor. when I watch carNot only toons, I usually do cartoons look at the probhave their own cable network, but the Internet also lends a helping hand to

By Nicole Park

“

All the children’s programming now sucks, like ‘Spongebob’ and all that stuff.

lems and how they relate to society,” Aragon said.

The innocence of cartoons may be gone with age, but the popularity isn’t.

In some instances, the popularity of new cartoons is dependent on the popularity of the classics. The satire Aragon likes so well mixed perfectly with two of her aforementioned favorites.

In one episode of “Family Guy,” Wile E. Coyote finally kills his elusive nemesis, Roadrunner, and at last eats his cooked remains at the dinner table amongst company.

To add to the humor, Coyote soon becomes depressed and suffers from having no direction in life without Roadrunner. After serving at a fast food joint, Coyote contemplates suicide but instead turns to evangelism and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Shows that incorporate satire, like “South Park” and “Family Guy,” feature the likenesses of many celebrities and, in most cases, mock them. In some cases, the celebrities are killed.

“You’re always going to have violence. There’s really no way to stop it in the world, and it can be really good in a storyline,” Aragon said.

Alex Plefka, a TVFilm Society member, said that a group called the Parents TV Council, whom he called “a bunch of idiots,” makes sure to do its part in ending such humor by making hundreds of thousands of complaints annually to the FedPHOTO COURTESY MCT eral Communications

3

Photo Illustration By Shruti Patel/Daily Titan Photo Editor

Commission, better known as the FCC. Among the television shows on the PTC’s “worst” shows list are three cartoons: “Family Guy,” “American Dad” and “The Cleveland Show.”

All three the brainchildren of Seth MacFarlane.

Outside of the cartoons aimed at adults, Plefka said, “Cartoons now are shit.”

“All the children’s programming now sucks, like ‘Spongebob’ and all that stuff,” Plefka said, though he also criticized classic cartoons’ intentions.

“The older cartoons were cool, but a lot of them were based off of products that were already toys, like ‘Carebears’ and ‘Transformers’,” he said.

The same is true of the popular cartoons “Rainbow Brite” and “Strawberry Shortcake.”

Plefka says the shows were created after the toy in order to generate sales for the product.

Plefka names “Doug” and “Rocky and Bullwinkle” as old favorites.

Andrado and his girlfriend of seven months, Janine Fernandez, met on campus in the TSU Underground over conversation involving Disney, a staple in the cartoon industry.

“I told her I was just getting back from Disneyland and that I have my annual pass,” Andrado said.

Fernandez, a pre-nursing major, has been the proud owner of her own annual pass for six months now.

The 19-year-old donned a pair of Minnie Mouse ears on a headband in the TSU. “Just as an accessory,” she said.

“We’re actually on our way now to get some Mickey ears with the wizard hat for me,” Andrado beamed.

Of their favorites, the two rattled

off a well-blended list of cartoons ranging from “Lilo and Stitch,” “Doug” and “Cinderella” to “The Simpsons,” “Rocko’s Modern Life” and “Ren and Stimpy.”

Being so close to Anaheim, a kingdom of cartoons is virtually next door to CSUF. Doug Robertson, 24, said it was an unusual experience being an employee at Disneyland.

“You’re a grown-up and you’re hanging out with Sleeping Beauty or Mickey. It’s weird, but cool,” Robertson said.

Robertson works as “show support,” meaning he works backstage during the parades.

“There are always people. There are almost always lines. From being here every day, I can tell you that people still love cartoons, new and old,” Robertson said of the timeless cartoon craze.

“

4

FEATURES

December 1, 2009

Campus pagans talk holidays

By Sarah Smith

For the Daily Titan

features@dailytitan.com

SCREEN CAPTURE By ASHLEIGH JOHNSON/Daily Titan Copy Editor Former Daily Titan Assistant News Editor Urmi Rahman launched her Web site, Minority Dreams, the day before President Obama was elected.

Alumna has big ‘Minority Dreams’ Daily Titan Staff Writer features@dailytitan.com

After graduating from Cal State Fullerton in the spring 2008, former Daily Titan Assistant News Editor Urmi Rahman, 26, found it very difficult to find a job. To fill the void in her life, she focused on her independent news e-magazine, MinorityDreams.com.

The weekly online magazine was launched Nov. 3, 2008, the day before Barack Obama was elected president, and it celebrated its first year of production earlier last month.

Rahman and other members of her family have been waiting for the government to file their documents for citizenship, forcing her to delay her career as a journalist for a newspaper. Rahman was not ready to sit back and do nothing; she still had the need to write.

“I needed to do something to keep positive and productive at the same time,” Rahman said.

It started out with just a simple article about the 2008 presidential election and which direction immigrants would go if they were legally able to vote. Now Minority Dreams is staffed with 10 writers and has an accredited internship program through CSUF. The magazine has attracted a lot of writers from different backgrounds, said Hussein “Ali” Subzwari, 29, co-founder and design manager for Minority Dreams and Rahman’s husband.

Part time CSUF student Jennifer Karmarkar, 50, writes for the e-magazine.

rights, capturing their thoughts and bringing them into the spotlight for Americans to see.

The site could possibly become more of a user-generated magazine, where much of the content would stand alongside the content provided by the reporters.

“There’s a lot of minorities out there that want their voice heard without it being censored,” Subzwari said.

Another idea they may use is to have the writer provide their own perspective about the topic they write about.

CSUF alumnus Abrahim Appel, 31, has a bachelor’s degree in AfroEthnic and American Indian studies and is one of the most dedicated writers of Minority Dreams, Rahman said.

He holds two part-time jobs and has also published a number of sto– Urmi Rahman, ries for the Los Angeles Times and Orange County Register but said that Alumna Minority Dreams is the best publication that he has had the privilege to “Not being able to work in a coun- work for.

“Allowing what we call the minortry where you’ve lived in for so long, after you have graduated and see other ity voice to be respected so equally is people with lesser backgrounds being where journalism has to go for it to be able to progress on with their lives (is everything that it claims to be,” Appel difficult), as far as work is concerned. said. “When your editors talk about This magazine, I think, has helped being objective, being involved, the (Rahman) in that fashion, just to be place that has perfected that the most able to say that I have something to has been Minority Dreams.”

The online magazine looks to rehold onto. She has something that she can call her own,” Subzwari said cruit more writers through their 10about the experience that his wife has week internship program. Interns gained after not being legally allowed will be writing about current events and blogging for the site. For more to work in the U.S. The magazine focuses on issues information, visit the Career Center relating to people who are misrep- and ask about Minority Dreams as a resented or that do not have certain future internship assignment.

“I’ve always enjoyed writing, and when I decided to major in print journalism, I wasn’t exactly sure where it would lead me professionally. But now I’m having so much fun that I’m going to take it as far as I can and see what happens,” Karmarkar said.

Karmarkar commented on Rahman’s efforts with the Web site.

“Urmi is a very talented and hard working individual, and if anybody can make a success of a start-up ezine, she can.”

The magazine doesn’t run on any monetary funds, and none of the writers or contributors are paid.

“

I needed to do something to keep positive and productive at the same time.

“

By Gilbert Gutierrez III

It’s the holiday season and while some people will be out shopping, caroling, burning a Yule log with friends and family or shaking their groove thang at the nearest party, few people actually know why they’re celebrating.

Oh yes, the holiday season and the supposed cheer in the air are wonderful things to celebrate.

Egg nog and good will toward man are superb. Christmas trees are beautiful and Hanukkah menorahs are striking.

But few know that most of these traditions have roots in ancient pagan festivals and activities.

“The devil comes from pagan iconography,” said Kristine Thune, 22, an illustration major. “When early Christianity was trying to convert people, they wanted to scare the pagans into becoming Christian so they made their god into the devil.”

In fact, many common practices are influenced directly by pagan traditions. Most major monotheistic holidays, particularly those followed by the Christian faith, were celebrated on the same days of then-current pagan holidays.

“Easter is really a fertility holiday to the pagans. It had nothing to do with Jesus. It was an ancient fertility holiday. That’s why there’s colored eggs and bunnies,” Thune said.

Christmas was once an ancient fertility festival celebrated by early Germanic people before it was absorbed by Christianity. This is where the tradition of burning a Yule log really comes from.

Even after learning about the roots of these holidays, animation major Marie Prophete, 22, said she’s, “not surprised.”

“Even if I hear that stuff, my

faith keeps me going anyway,” Prophete said.

“Holidays are fun anyway. I like them. I still get presents on Christmas and have fun on Halloween. It doesn’t have to be about Jesus these days,” Thune said.

Spirituality and paganism are growing in America and around the world.

But getting some of today’s spirituallyenlightened to reveal themselves can be quite a challenge, even at the time of year when religious fervor is at its peak.

“There have been a few art exhibits that have tackled religious issues but in an area that is so conservative, people might be scared to really show who they are, through art or otherwise,” said Joanna Roche, 54, an art historian and Cal State Fullerton professor.

In today’s world where entire wars can be started in the name of someone’s god, it’s easy to see why people who follow alternate paths may be a little hesitant to step out into the limelight. Memories of the Salem Witch Trials and even recent protests regarding aspects of popular culture such as “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” linger.

This may be why it is so difficult to find any pagans, even if you are one.

Women’s studies major Annora Borden, 20, has followed a pagan faith since she was in eighth grade. Now a junior in college, Borden recounts that from high school until today it has been hard to find a pagan community.

She said she feels less pagan sometimes because she is so uninvolved, which almost makes her doubt herself and her faith.

“Instead of connecting with the uni-

verse, you’re just some girl standing there in a silly dress. Without that community, you can never develop as full a spiritual awareness as you could,” Borden said.

Most people think of pagans as an obscure, devil-worshiping group that are constantly on the verge of sacrificing a virgin, or as a hodgepodge neo-hippie collective of people relentlessly attending protests and dancing naked under the full moon. For the most part, these assumptions are wrong.

“Paganism is so beautiful. It’s so accepting and doesn’t make you follow one specific doctrine. It doesn’t damn you for being different,” Borden said.

While a pagan is technically anyone who believes in more than a single, all-powerful being, some people believe pagans are anyone who is not a standard Christian, Muslim or Jew. An odd viewpoint considering that many traditions of today’s more popular religions are founded or even directly copied from ancient pagan traditions.

The original Jewish religion worshipped a pantheon. The idea of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit comes from ancient pagan tradition, and even the uplifting of the Virgin Mary is based in paganism. The sacred feminine, and with it much of the thought-tobe-dead pagan tradition, survived in some form or other.

“Man is a part of nature, not separate or above.

A part. A steward. Pagans are simply people who are deeply connected with that idea and understand it,” Borden said.

“I think our society is so confined that it needs those things to help people let loose and reach out, to find themselves. I think paganism is sort of viewed that way: rebellious, even if that’s not really what it is,” Roche said.

OPINION

5

Nerdgasm

Divorce, distress in Dodgertown

By Fred Bloom

Daily Titan Staff Writer opinion@dailytitan.com

“Dear Jamie – This is to inform you that your employment with and positions as Chief Executive Officer and Vice Chairperson of Los Angeles Dodgers LLC, as well as any and all of the positions that you hold ... are hereby terminated effective immediately.”

A day after the Los Angeles Dodgers were eliminated from the postseason, CEO Jamie McCourt received this letter from owner Frank McCourt, her husband.

And so, another installment of “As the Dodgers Turn” is complete.

The once-proud Dodgers franchise is now forced to endure an ugly he-said she-said divorce involving the owners.

In case you have not been tuning in, let me get you up to speed.

Frank McCourt terminated his wife from her position as Dodgers CEO claiming insubordination and saying she had an affair with a Dodgers employee and charged a European trip to the company’s tab. Jamie attempted to get her job back in court but was denied.

There was also a 911 call made by Jamie claiming Frank was threatening her after he saw her in the swimming pool at his home with the man she allegedly had an affair with.

Divorce papers obtained by TMZ outlined the couple’s budget and Jamie is asking for over $480,000

Letters to the Editor:

a month in spousal support if she is not reinstated to her $2 million per year position as CEO. The couple spent more than three-quarters of a million dollars on monthly expenses, including over $55,000 in personal expenses and nearly $7 million on private jets in 2008 and 2009.

That could have paid for a frontend starter like Cliff Lee, someone the team desperately needed.

When the McCourts purchased the franchise in 2004, they vowed to make the team a winner. Since then, they have displayed themselves as a prototype wealthy family, emphasizing charity and even being named the “Power Couple of the Year” by the Los Angeles Business Journal in 2008.

Now they are disregarding their vows to each other and the fans.

Since the Dodgers fell under the ownership of the Fox Entertainment Group and Mike Piazza was traded away, it has been difficult to regain respectability.

With two-straight NL West titles and three trips to the playoffs in the four years under the McCourts, it seemed the respect was back.

But winning is not everything.

The team has not won a championship since 1988, and this could possibly be the worst time to be a Dodgers fan.

The messy divorce is more embarrassing than anything a sub-par team has failed to produce on the field.

The details reveal that the McCourts

merely viewed the franchise as an investment.

While Frank insists that he is the owner of the franchise, Jamie has plans to get enough investors together to buy out her husband. California divorce law could give the two split ownership, which could force a sale of the Dodgers.

Two names have already popped up as potential buyers.

Mark Cuban, Internet billionaire and owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, is interested in acquiring the team. Peter O’Malley, who became owner of the Dodgers when his father passed away in 1979 and owned the team until they were sold in 1998, has plans to form a team of investors in hopes of re-acquiring the franchise.

Either choice would be a welcome change. Although Cuban may spark controversy, he would most likely handle the team as he does the Mavericks, meaning he would expect to win at any cost. O’Malley would bring respect and class back to the franchise.

However, a sale could take years to complete, and the Dodgers have the pieces in place to win now.

The Dodgers are rich in history and should expect the most from the franchise, from the team to the owner’s box.

With Frank McCourt keeping possession of the franchise through the divorce process, it seems the Dodgers will not be able to pay the price to be champions.

Any feedback, positive or negative, is encouraged, as we strive to keep an open dialogue with our readership. The Daily Titan reserves the right to edit letters for length, grammar and spelling. Direct all comments, questions or concerns along with your full name and major to the Daily Titan Opinion Desk at opinion@dailytitan.com.

For the record Articles written for the Daily Titan by columnists, other Cal State Fullerton students or guests do not necessarily reflect the view of the Daily Titan or Daily Titan Editorial Board.

Only the editorials are representative of the views of the Daily Titan Editorial Board.

“Exploring the highs and lows of nerd culture”

Aquaman: A love story by ashleigh johnson

Daily Titan Copy Editor opinion@dailytitan.com

Once, long before I achieved the rampant fame and glory that comes with being a college newspaper columnist (I’m sexing up a supermodel and eating a baby California condor sandwich right now!), I was a child. Like most children, I loved cartoons.

However, I also had a father who loved cartoons more than my younger brother and I. Since he actually had money and was capable of performing bribes, my brother and I usually watched whatever my dad wanted to watch.

And so my TVwatching days were spent with the likes of “Looney Tunes,” “Batman,” “Green Hornet” (technically not a cartoon but shut up, it was awesome), “Get Smart” (again, not a cartoon, but whatever) and of course “Super Friends.”

Some background for those of you who were not hardcore enough to watch Super Friends: The show was a Hanna-Barbera cartoon that ran from the early ’70s to the mid ’80s. It was about the various hijinks of several superheroes (including Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman) who were also friends. No one knows how they got the name for the show.

Anyway, my favorite character on the show was by far Aquaman. Oh yes, that Aquaman. The dude who

talks to fish. I relish your scorn.

Aquaman has sort of a bad reputation in popular culture. It has been said that he effectively is useless as a superhero, that his costume is lame, that he is worse than Robin in terms of being useful. Lies, I say! Lies and slander! … Except for maybe the costume thing. You have a point there.

Allow me to get one thing straight: Aquaman is one of the straight-up old school superheroes. He was a part of the original Justice League lineup and a total badass.

“

cal properties, including the ability to kill someone with a touch and the ability to function if severed from Aquaman’s body.

Not as badass as a harpoon hand, but hey, I’m old fashioned like that.

As far as powers go, Aquaman can do far more than communicate with fish. He’s resistant to heat, has super strength, super speed, super endurance (for the ladies!), enhanced senses and can do magic.

He’s also one of the few superheroes who has resigned from the Justice League. Sure, he still helps out every once and awhile, but only if there’s something in it for him because he is too old for the Justice League’s proverbial shit.

Did I mention that he’s the king of Atlantis?

He also almost got his own live-action show once, which would have been a spin-off of the popular “Smallville” franchise. The show is now in production limbo due to the WB and UPN merger, but the pilot episode is available for purchase on iTunes (watch it; it’s awesome).

Ladies and gentlemen, I propose that we start a movement to ensure that this often-misunderstood superhero gets the recognition he deserves.

It’s time to rise up, my brethren, to take down “The Man” (he hates Aquaman – and puppies), for together we are strong.

The Wonder Twins still suck ass, though.

Ladies and gentlemen, I propose that we start a movement to ensure that this often-misunderstood superhero gets the recognition he deserves.

“

December 1, 2009

Whereas most superheroes were relatively tame, Aquaman’s stories ranged from dark (baby murder via asphyxiation) to downright bizarre (Aquaman goes to Hollywood to stalk an actress).

More recent incarnations of Aquaman depict him losing his hand to piranhas and subsequently replacing it with a retractable harpoon hand.

Holy. Crap. (Insert the hardcore death metal song of your choice here). It doesn’t get much more awesome than a hook that shoots from his stump.

The harpoon hand has since been replaced with something called the Waterbearer hand, which has magi-

6

Sports

December 1, 2009

Penner was a beloved writer and friend IN OTHER NEWS From Page 1 “People respected what he had gone through and thought he was very brave,” said Rick Pullen, dean of the College of Communications.

In a 2007 interview with the Daily Titan, Penner (under the name Christine Daniels) said, “It got to a point where I exaggerated it – what it meant to be male or masculine. If I’m a feminine person, I don’t want to give that away.”

He added that if society were more accepting in the past, he would have been more comfortable transitioning earlier.

Those who knew Penner recalled not only an excellent writer but also a great person with a heart of gold.

“There was something different about Mike. You immediately liked him – you couldn’t help it,” said Scott French, a friend of Penner’s and a former Daily Titan editor. “So many of the qualities that I would come to love about the man were right there, right at the start.”

Penner covered the football beat for the Daily Titan in the fall of 1977.

Dennis did it.”

Peck, a forW h i l e mer execuattending tive editor CSUF, he for the Daily worked at Titan and the Anaheim who worked Bulletin as a alongside sports writer Penner, saw and then a him as a sports editor. friendly and P e n n e r ’s easy-going sheer talent guy. and work “(Penner) ethic showed was coverin his writing, ing Cal State which many Fullerton praised. football at a “When it time when came to writthe paper ing, Mike had had advojust a perfect cated droptouch, and ping football he was an as a sport,” photo courtesy la times/associated press even better Peck said. Mike Penner graduated from Cal State Fullerton human be“The football in 1980. ing,” French coach at the said. “He was time said he refused to ever talk to one of the gentlest, kindest people I the Daily Titan again, but Mike still have ever met.” found a way to get him to talk to us.

Jim Alexander, who was a sports I don’t know how he did it, but he writer with Penner at the Daily Ti-

tan, said that everyone knew that he was something special, and from day one, his talent was evident.

However, Penner was dealing with some personal struggles.

After he came out as Christine Daniels, French said that he had never seen Mike so happy.

“Deep inside it was still the person that I loved, that really, really kind and really generous person,” French said.

After about a year and a half, Penner went back to his given name and Christine Daniels was shelved.

Many concerned friends reached out to him, but they got no response, French said.

“I should’ve been more forceful; I should’ve made sure I tracked down Mike,” French said.

In this time of sorrow, many of his friends have nothing but the utmost respect for the man, the legend and always unpredictable, Mike Penner.

“If you knew him, you loved him.

He could’ve been the worst writer in the world, and we’d still love him,” French said. “It’s about the person, and we’re really going to miss him.”

Charlie Weis fired by Notre Dame after five years (MCT) – In a widely expected move, Charlie Weis is out as Notre Dame’s football coach, athletic director Jack Swarbrick announced Monday.

Swarbrick cut ties with Weis following a disappointing 6-6 season that ended Saturday with a 45-38 loss at Stanford.

Weis has six years left on his contract.

“We have great expectations for our football program, and we have not been able to meet those expectations,” Swarbrick said. “As an alumnus, Charlie understands those goals and expectations better than most, and he’s as disappointed as anyone that we have not achieved the desired results.”

Assistant coach Rob Ianello will assume responsibility for football

operations until a new coach is hired, Swarbrick said. Ianello has spent the past five seasons on the Notre Dame staff.

Swarbrick recommended the expected dismissal Sunday night to Notre Dame’s president, Rev. John Jenkins.

“We have established an evaluation process for all of our athletic programs that, in the end, results in a recommendation from Jack to me,” Father Jenkins said. “I accepted Jack’s decision and look forward to working with him on selecting a new head football coach who is the very best choice possible for the University and especially for our studentathletes.”

The search for Weis’ replacement officially begins now—but the rumor mill has churned for nearly a

month.

It has spit out potential successors ranging from big names such as Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops and exNFL coach Jon Gruden to a list of perhaps more attainable candidates such as Cincinnati’s Brian Kelly and TCU’s Gary Patterson.

The dismissal caps a tumultuous five-year run, with Notre Dame football now on the hunt for its fourth head coach since the end of the 2000 season.

In the last three years, Weis’ teams went 16-21 with zero victories against ranked opponents. The continued failures against elite teams coupled with inexplicable, eviscerating defeats (two straight home losses to Navy, two straight Senior Day losses to sub-.500 teams) simply became too much to bear.

photo courtesy mct During five seasons, Weis was unable to win marquee games for Notre Dame.

Women’s basketball signs high school quartet for 2010-11 First-year Head Coach Marcia Foster signed four players to compete for the Titans next season

Cal State Fullerton head women’s basketball coach Marcia Foster announced the signing of four high school standouts to National Letters of Intent to pursue and continue their academic and playing careers with the Titans.

“We are so very fortunate to have signed such an outstanding class; each recruit comes from highly successful high school programs and has the ability to contribute right away,” Foster said. “Our tradition of signing tough guards is intact; although each one is unique, they all possess toughness, the ability to knock down the jumper and a competitive spirit that blends well with our philosophy.”

Yvonte Neal (Spring Valley, CA/ Mt. Miguel HS), Alex Thomas (Mission Viejo, CA/Mater Dei HS), Briana Martinez (Chula Vista, CA/The Bishop’s School), and Jasmine Grayson (Los Angeles, CA/Fairfax HS) will join the Titans beginning with the 2010-11 season.

Neal, a 5-7 guard who will play her senior season at Mt. Miguel HS, was an All-Mesa League second-teamer as a junior last season after averaging 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game for Eastlake HS, while also earning All-CIF SecondTeam honors and helping the Titans to a semifinal appearance in the CIF San Diego Section Divison I playoffs. She was also an all-league second team selection as a sophomore, averaging 10 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per contest.

“Yvonte is very talented,” Foster said. “She is a tough penetrator with the ability to knock down the deep three. She is a super defender who has the game, ability and swagger to play with the best.”

Thomas, a 5-9 guard who was a teammate of current Titan Mya Olivier last season with the Monarchs,

was named Mater Dei’s Defensive Player of the Year as both a freshman and junior as well as the team’s “Sixth Woman of the Year” in all three of her prep seasons.

“Alex is one of the toughest defenders I have seen in a long time and her ability to drain the three as well as get to the basket is solid,” Foster said. “Being a role player on an exceptional team, Alex is going to surprise a lot of people. Expect her to shine at Cal State Fullerton.”

Martinez, a 5-11 guard, averaged six points and five rebounds last season for the Knights, helping her squad to a 30-2 overall record, a Coastal League title, and the CIF San Diego Section Division IV title in 2009. The Knights also finished as the state regional tournament runner-up.

“Briana is a scorer, defender and rebounder in the mold of the tough, competitive guards we have now,” Foster said. “Her upside is huge. We expect big things from Briana.”

The lone forward in the class, Grayson, a 6-2 post player from Los Angeles, is a CIF All-City Section Second-Team selection for the Lions who averaged 11.6 points and 8.4 rebounds for Fairfax HS as a junior, helping the team to a 25-9 overall record and a 12-0 mark in the Western League as well as a semifinal appearance in the CIF playoffs.

“Jasmine adds a level of athleticism we have yet to experience during my time at Cal State Fullerton,” Foster said. “A strong rebounder and scorer, Jasmine has the ability to go inside and out. As she continues to develop her skill set, she will be a very difficult player to match up with. Could very well be an immediate impact player in the Big West.”

Story courtesy titan media relations

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SPORTS

Think Different. Think Simon.

December 1, 2009

World’s number one golfer must face media and address last week’s situation

By Simon liang

Daily Titan Asst. Sports Editor sports@dailytitan.com

Tiger Woods talks to reporters during a press conference during the PGA Championship in Chaska, Minn.

photo courtesy mct

Time to bring out a magnifying glass on the life of Tiger Woods.

Throughout his 13-year professional golf career, he has been a rare hybrid of superstar athlete and squeaky clean citizen.

There are no sexual assaults (i.e.

Mike Tyson), illegal activities (i.e.

Michael Vick) or illegitimate children with women he met on the road (i.e. Shawn Kemp, Calvin Murphy and Travis Henry).

So when word broke out about him being involved in a one-car accident when he struck a fire hydrant and hit a neighbor’s tree, it made headlines.

Curiosity ran through the minds of many, but there were no sides of the story, just the facts.

When I first heard about the incident, I was in shock because you never hear any breaking news about Tiger unless it’s on the golf course.

My first reaction to the developing story was that it was either alcohol-related or he was sneaking out of the house at 2:25 a.m. to go see his mistress.

Pretty reasonable assumptions I must say. But until I heard all the facts, I was not going to make any assumptions.

Finally, days later, Tiger gave his side of the story.

My assumptions were wrong, but there was still a trail of mystery that left much more to be desired.

According to a statement on his Web site, Woods said, “This situation is my fault, and it’s obviously embarrassing to my family and me.

I’m human, and I’m not perfect. I will certainly make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

Perhaps we have all been blindsighted by Tiger’s supernatural abilities on the golf course that we forgot that he is indeed, human.

Woods goes on to say, “The only person responsible for the accident is me. My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false.”

Rumors of infidelity swirled around Woods two days before the accident when a National Enquirer story alleged that he had been seeing a New York night club hostess.

Maybe that led to a fight between him and his wife.

However, many questions remain unanswered.

Did she strike him with a golf club?

Why were both rear windows of his vehicle smashed?

Why was he backing out of his driveway so early in the morning?

Where was he going?

Still, many questions linger about the man who has inspired and captivated millions of fans worldwide with his golf abilities.

His statement did not remove the interest of many because there were still questions that needed answers.

While Tiger has lived a relatively private life outside of golf, this is not the time to be in hiding.

The truth will prevail in this situation, whether Elin, Tiger or his fans like it or not.

Woods and his lawyer have already turned down the Florida Highway Patrol three times for a meeting.

He even named his yacht “Privacy.” Wow, talk about being straightforward.

I understand that he likes his privacy, but in cases like this where there is a whole other story to be had, this is not a time to be silent.

Tiger needs to come clean for his friends and family, but most importantly, his fans.

The truth will ultimately set him free.

Like he said, no one is flawless, but it is time for Tiger to be a man and live up to his mistakes.

Will we ever know what exactly happened that night? The world will just have to play the waiting game.

Hopkins out to show boxing still matters despite recent tragedies (MCT) – Mark Twain once observed that reports of his death had been greatly exaggerated.

The same might be said of boxing in 2009, which is enjoying a notable rebirth after years of decline or, at the very least, stagnancy.

Ageless wonder Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins’ first ring appearance in his hometown of Philadelphia in 6 1/2 years might not represent the high point of the sport’s recent upswing, but his light-heavyweight bout in the Liacouras Center against Mexican tough guy Enrique Ornelas on Wednesday could be the first of a series of falling dominoes that would send the longtime former middleweight champion into retirement in a blaze of glory.

Hopkins (49-5-1, 32 KOs), who turns 45 on Jan. 15, has an ambitious three-bout exit strategy that calls for him to not only dispose of Ornelas (29-5-0, 19 KOs), but of fellow forty-something legend Roy Jones Jr. (54-5-0, 40 KOs) on March 13, and then to win the heavyweight championship sometime before the end of 2010.

The 6 foot 1 inch, 175-pound Hopkins, who ruled the middleweight division for 10 years and a division-record 20 defenses, almost certainly wouldn’t try going all the way up to the land of WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko (38-2-0, 37 KOs) and WBO/IBF titlist Wladimir Klitschko (53-3, 47

KOs), the Ukrainian giants who go 6-7 1/2, 250 and 6-6 1/2, 240, respectively.

But newly crowned WBA heavyweight champ David “The Hayemaker” Haye (23-1-0, 21 KOs), of England, is a block of wood that might be more reasonably whittled down. Haye, who won his title on a majority decision over 7-foot, 316-pound Russian Nicolay Valuev on Nov. 7 in Nuremberg, Germany, is 6-3 and weighed 217 pounds for that fight.

A proposed matchup of Hopkins and Haye is feasible, and perhaps even likely, as both are promoted by Golden Boy Promotions.

“I will win (against Ornelas) and I will beat Roy Jones Jr., then I will become heavyweight champion in 2010,” said Hopkins, who ranks with Archie Moore and George Foreman as the finest over-40 fighters ever.

The problem for Hopkins in his most recent Philly fight – an eighthround stoppage of Morrade Hakkar on March 29, 2003, at the Wachovia Spectrum - was that tickets were overpriced ($500 ringside) for this market and Hakkar was an undeserving No. 1 contender who fought scared.

That should not be the case Wednesday, with tickets for the Versus-televised matchup more affordably priced (from $20 to $200) and Ornelas vowing to do all he can to become the first man ever to defeat

B-Hop inside the distance.

“He’s a tough, proud Mexican, and I say that with respect,” Hopkins said of Ornelas. “Everybody knows what a true Mexican fighter brings to the table. They fight with pride, they fight with guts. It’s in their DNA.” But ticket sales for Hopkins-Ornelas could be adversely affected by what happened to Mexican-born, Chicago-based super bantamweight Francisco Rodriguez, who suffered a brain bleed in his Nov. 20 bout with North Philadelphia’s Teon Kennedy at the Blue Horizon. Rodriguez fought valiantly, but he was stopped in 10 rounds in his bid to win the vacant USBA 122-pound championship. He collapsed shortly after the bout and, with no discernible brain activity, was unplugged from the machine that kept him breathing on Nov. 22.

There are always repercussions about the ever-present dangers of boxing whenever there is a ring-related death, and the passing of Rodriguez – father of a five-month-old daughter – is no different. He became the first fighter in 31 years to die as the result of injuries incurred in a bout in Philadelphia, and his death occurred only 10 days and a few blocks away from where Hopkins-Ornelas will take place.

Boxing’s status as a mainstream sport took major hits in 1962, when Emile Griffith bludgeoned Benny

photo courtesy mct Boxers Bernard Hopkins (left) and Enrique Ornelas (right) pose for photographs with boxer Sugar Shane Mosley (center) after the three met with the media at the Sofitel Hotel in Philadelphia, Penn., on Monday.

“Kid” Paret past the point of no return, and in 1982, when Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini put Duk-Koo Kim down and out for a permanent count.

Rodriguez’ death is not nearly so high-profile as those of Paret and Kim, but it does strike much closer to home in this city, and raises familiar questions as to whether boxing still has a place in a civilized society.

It also comes amid a flurry of positive news for the beleaguered fight game, which has withstood past tragedies. In what can only be

described as a very good year, the Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Juan Manuel Marquez bout posted big pay-perview numbers, Manny PacquiaoMiguel Cotto did even better and, recession or not, HBO officials are prepared to break the bank for Pacquiao-Mayweather in 2010.

“The money we are talking about is astronomical,” said HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg. “This fight has to happen. This should be our Super Bowl. It will break records.”

Just this past Saturday night, in

Quebec City, Lucian Bute knocked out Librado Andrade before a raucous, sellout crowd of 16,473. Boxing also is hugely popular in Eastern Europe, and Andre Ward, the only American gold medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics, gave U.S. fans a reason to cheer on Nov. 21 when he upset Denmark’s Mikkel Kessler in theShowtime-orchestrated “Super Six” super middleweight tournament. Ward, who claimed Kessler’s WBA belt, is the first American to win in the opening round of the ambitious round-robin event.