April 10, 2018

TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2018

VOLUME 82, ISSUE 7

Museum exhibits Saginaw’s identity

NEWS PG 2-4 Public safety reacts to alleged threat on campus

COLLEGIATE LIFE PG 6-9 SPECIAL COVERAGE Is Midland really ‘bottom of the barrel’ for boring cities?

A&E PG 10-12 This is Art - Repeat after me

OPINION PG13-15 Our View - Surviving an unfortunate reality

SPORTS PG 16-17

Read on page 11 The Saginaw Art Museum showcases their most recent exhibition, “Who We Are” telling the stories of individuals in Saginaw’s community.

March 29, 2018. Saginaw, Mich. (Delta Collegiate/Jaylie Dice)

Delta College softball brings wins to the plate

NEWS

2

Michigan attorney general Bill Schuette comes to Bay City MICHAEL PIWOWARSKI BAY CITY – The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce gave a warm welcome to Bill Schuette – Michigan’s attorney general and a Republican candidate for governor – on Thursday, April 3 for its “Leading the Way” speaker series.

Lunch was served at the Bay Valley Resort and Conference Center, with the Midland native giving a speech about his record in politics after offering coffee to the attendants.

“Everyone’s been very kind; it doesn’t always happen that way in my line of work,” remarked Schuette, upon beginning his speech after being introduced by Dominic Monastiere, executive in residence at Saginaw Valley State University and former Chemical Bank executive.

Schuette touted several of his accomplishments as Michigan attorney general, including Michigan v. EPA and his handling of the opioid crisis, the Flint water crisis and human trafficking.

“My job is to defend the Constitution, my job is to enforce the law and I’ve got a record of accomplishment that is important to this state,” said Schuette.

While in office, Schuette started the Opioid Trafficking and Interdiction

Unit, which assists local authorities with enforcing the supply of prescription drugs and doctors’ over-prescriptions of patients.

“Opioids know no boundaries,” said Schuette. “They impact people, no matter their race, no matter their gender, no matter whether they’re rich or poor.”

During his speech, Schuette talked about his run for governor Bill Schuette - attorney general of Michigan and Republican candidate for governor - speaks at the Bay Valley Resort and Conference Center at an event and discussed some of hosted by the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce. April 5, 2018. Bay City, Mich. (Delta Collegiate/Michael Piwowarski) his top political issues, including education, jobs expensive state in the U.S. for auto down on insurance fraud, rebuild schools, and population growth, and his desire to insurance, Michigan’s population decrease create jobs and ultimately help increase be America’s “jobs governor.” due to job loss – as made evident by the Michigan’s population.

“America is supposed to be a place decrease in congressional districts from “The next governor is going to have 2 described as a shining city on a hill,” said 19 to 14 over the years – and Michigan’s years to either increase this capital or see Schuette. “If you can’t read the directions low proficiency rate of children finishing it erode,” said Schuette. “We need to have to get to the shining city on the hill, then third grade. bold aspirations. We need to have big there’s no opportunity.”

Schuette promised to improve on these hopes and dreams.”

Schuette cited various statistics, issues as governor, working to crack including Michigan being the most

EXPLORE THE SCHOOL WITH STATE RECOGNITION FOR

HOUSING, VALUE AND JOB PLACEMENT RATES.

EnroII today to guarantee your future success.

SVSU Transfer Center Iocated in D102 |

SVSU representatives avaiIabIe weekIy. Check with DeIta CoIIege Advising Office for times and Iocations.

svsu.edu/opportunity

NEWS

3

You can sign up for emergency notifications by using your mobile phone, text DELTAMG to 888777

Cornelius Phelps - “I told my best friend in the car to record what was happening because I actually thought I might die,” says Cornelius Phelps as he describes being assaulted by police officers. April 5, 2018. Saginaw, Mich. (Delta Collegiate/Jack Rechsteiner)

Community fundraises for young, black and beaten JACK RECHSTEINER “I told my best friend in the car to record what was happening because I actually thought I might die.”

These are words most people never have to say throughout their life. For some, it’s nearly impossible to think of a situation where they would have to say something like that. They were Cornelius Phelps pained words as he described what happened to him when he was wrongfully assaulted by the police in March.

Phelps is a well-known community figure in Saginaw and a friend to many.

He is an organizer for the Ezekiel Project as well as being involved with the Saginaw Bay Land Conservancy. Phelps is also a 7-foottall black man who was pulled over for speeding by police officers who dragged him from his car, tased him, stepped on him, beat him and then charged him with assaulting the cops who had assaulted him.

“I was driving through a county that’s a ‘sundown county.’ What I mean by that is that it’s a county where you don’t want to be out and about with a certain amount of melanin after the sun goes down,” says Phelps.

After this terrible incident friends of Phelps set up an online donation to help Phelps cover attorney fees. Support was so overwhelming that the decision was quickly made to set up a fundraiser event to raise money in Phelps’ name for a Civil Defense Fund that would be saved to help people facing similar trials in the area.

“We would like to stay on the friendly side of litigation and we hope that justice prevails and that the courts find what is right,” says Benjamin Champagne, one of the Civil Defense Fund organizers.

On April 5, the night of the fundraiser, Saginaw showed how strong and supportive it’s community is. More than 60 people came out to Counter Culture in support of Phelps and what his experience represented.

“This is about standing up as a community and saying we won’t allow this. The answer, resoundingly from everyone here, is that it is not tolerated. We as a community, condemn the use of excessive force, especially against the young black men in our community to which this happens all too often,” says Champagne.

“This night is a revolution in itself because of what it means and what we’re all standing for tonight.”

- Cornelius Phelps The main focus of the fundraiser was a silent art auction to raise money for the Civil Defense Fund, with art that been donated by local community members. The fundraiser also featured a night of entertainment with a variety show that included music from Scott McCloud, comedy from Cbxtn Alexander, poetry readings from Imani Clark, Phelps telling the story of what happened to him in a lighthearted, Eric Andre style interview and rapper Patch Milo performing a few songs.

Dawn of a New Day Cafe, Bancroft Wine & Martini Bar and Bradley’s surprised the fundraiser organizers as well by providing

food and refreshments for the entire night.

“This night is a revolution in itself because of what it means and what we’re all standing for tonight. I’m happy to play a part in helping Neil and raising awareness of what happened to him through donating my art,” says Amanda Thomas, one of the artists whose art was auctioned.

The house was packed for the event and everyone had a hug or a kind word for Phelps. The energy of the night was one of compassion, heartache and, ultimately, of hope. Those in attendance that night at Counter Culture left knowing that they had made a real, palpable impact on what Saginaw represents and what it will do when it needs to take action for it’s community members.

“The thing I keep finding myself saying, because it’s the closest I’ve been able to express all these feelings, is that this is the most love I’ve felt pretty much ever. And that has been extremely humbling. Because of all this support, I feel it’s made me a better person and has made me believe in the good in people,” says Phelps.

The original goal had been to raise $2,500 to help Phelps. By the end of the night, the art auction fundraiser had raised over $1,700.

The money from the fundraiser combined with the online donations means that nearly $8,000 has been raised for the Civil Defense Fund in a month. If you’d like to bring that number even higher, you can donate and find more information on the fund at youcaring.com/corneliusphelps-1115605.

March 19, 2018 Delta College Public Safety is investigating a malicious extortion message received on a Delta College computer.

The message falsely states that the computer has been compromised with a virus and the sender holds defamatory information. The sender demands money or they will release the information. No money was provided to the sender.

March 20, 2018 Delta College Public Safety took a complaint regarding an inappropriate drawing of a firearm in a men’s restroom on main campus.

The incident remains under investigation.

March 21, 2018 Delta College Public Safety took a complaint regarding a harassing phone call made to the finance office.

March 26, 2018 Delta College Public Safety took a second complaint regarding a concerning drawing of a firearm in a men’s restroom on main campus. The incident remains under investigation.

March 27, 2018 Delta College Public Safety took a complaint of graffiti in a men’s restroom on main campus.

This was not a drawing of a firearm.

March 28, 2018 Delta College Public Safety took a complaint of a suspicious situation. A student overheard two individuals making threats against a third individual.

None of the participants were identified.

Delta College Public Safety responded to one hit-and-run traffic crash in the parking lot and one car-deer accident on a public roadway. Delta College Public Safety also responded to four medical and injury reports.

NEWS

4

Public safety reacts to alleged threat on campus JESSICA SIEROCKI UNIVERSITY CENTER – Wednesday, March 21, Delta College Public Safety sent out an emergency alert of a concerning drawing that a student found on a bathroom stall door in the E-wing men’s restroom. The drawing of a handgun had what appeared to be numbers spelling out the date March 22 (3/22/18).

The following Monday, March 26, another drawing was found on another men’s restroom stall door with the apparent date March 26 (3/22/18) written beneath.

Director of Public Safety Robert Batinkoff responded to the alleged threat on campus: “I’m unaware of anything specific like this happening on campus before. It’s not particularly unusual in the grand scheme of things to see something like that drawn on a bathroom stall door, but it is unusual for Delta, and that’s a good thing. It’s a different environment at Delta – it’s a clean and quiet campus.

“People are a lot more on edge now about things like this, and understandably so. A lot of high-profile incidents have happened that cause people to be concerned.”

As soon as a student brought the attention of the image to campus police, Batinkoff shared the information with the administration and started to ascertain the drawing’s meaning. Two agencies were contacted, including the Michigan Intelligence Operation Center, which

monitors threats on a constant basis at college’s critical infrastructure.

“We sent the image to MIOC and asked that they take a look and see if there were any pre-event indicators, anything that has happened before that would tell us if the event was coming. They came back and told us that they didn’t see any indication of a credible threat based on the image,” says Batinkoff.

Public Safety also contacted the FBI through the campus liaison agent program, which connects a special field agent with colleges and universities in an area.

“The Federal Bureau of Investigation databases looked at the image, and they came back stating they didn’t see anything that showed a credible threat of violence.

“It’s important to note that while the drawing is concerning, it’s not a direct threat. Nobody has ever said that they were going to commit an act of violence at Delta. It obviously came up on our radar as something to be concerned about, but it wasn’t a credible threat,” says Batinkoff.

Battinkoff was confident in his decision to keep the campuses open and in operation the day after the drawing was found: “In threat assessment, we have to deal with probabilities, not possibilities.

Sometimes when people panic they think of possibilities. We can’t change the way we live our lives based on possibilities because we would be immobilized.

“I think if we closed campus on that level of threat where there’s only a possibility, not probability, of something happening, we’ll never open campus again. I never felt like anyone was in danger coming here.”

Delta’s current policy does not allow dangerous weapons – including legally purchased, concealed weapons – in classrooms or on campus. Battinkoff and his team will continue to monitor all alleged threats facing Delta students.

“I know that this stuff can be scary, but you just have to trust that if there’s a seriously threat to our students, we’re going to address it,” says Batinkoff. “We’re not going to take chances on our students but we have to be able to function.”

There are currently active proposals to increase security and technology around campus including emergency message boards inside and outside the building to alert students on emergency situations. Installing cameras is also an integration to new security measures.

All proposals include the satellite centers as well as main campus. Approval is still needed for the proposals, and there is no set date for installments.

In light of the current events on campus, a secure mode drill will take

place on main campus April 16 around 10:05 a.m. The drill will be an indicator on how security on Delta’s campus may be improved.

“It’s for us to simulate a threat outside of campus. We’re going to secure all of our exterior doors, we’re not going to let anyone in the campus for an hour while continuing normal operations inside the building,” says Batinkoff.

Students also have the option to get emergency alert text messages that will send out information about potential threats on Delta’s campuses as well as school delays and closings. To sign up for the text message alert systems, students can text DELTAMG to 888777.

For any further questions or concerns, contact Delta College Public Safety at 989-686-9113 or contact Batinkoff at robertbatinkoff@delta.edu

Populace named best coffee in Michigan CARTER HOUTMAN

Populace Coffee was named the best place in Michigan to get a cup of coffee.

March 29, 2018. Bay City, Mich. (Delta Collegiate/Jaylie Dice)

BAY CITY – Populace Coffee was recently named best coffee in Michigan by MLive. Populace, being its own roaster, has the ability to hand-select the best coffee that they have imported, making sure that their customers get the best they can offer.

On Thursday, the Collegiate had an opportunity to interview Meg Seifferly. Meg, a barista at Populace, said that she thought one of the main reasons that Populace was chosen best coffee in Michigan was “the fact that Populace is not only a coffee shop but also a roaster made it stand out.”

“We also sell our coffee roasts to a lot of other coffee shops in Michigan and also ship it nationwide. I think [Andrew, the owner,] has been getting our name out there as a roaster for a while, and now that we have our own retail space, a lot of our customers are excited to come in and experience it,” Seifferly says.

One of the interesting things about this coffee shop is that Populace never has the same coffee roasts. Their main supplier, Cafe Imports, has different coffee beans from different areas of the world.

“Our house blend stays relatively the same, but our single origins change a lot. We get all of our coffee beans from all of the main coffee-producing countries, like Colombia, Guatemala, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Indonesia, which is really fun for us, because we get to rotate what we’re serving all the time,” says Seifferly.

In the future, Populace is looking forward to the opening of its second retail space in the Wurlitzer

Building in Detroit. In addition to that, a rumor is surfacing that some of Populace’s baristas, like Seifferly, will be sent abroad to coffee-producing countries to build relationships with their farmers.

Seifferly says: “[Andrew] wants to create a more sustainable system, and showcasing that [to the customers] is something that is important to Populace.”

A Populace Coffee barista prepares caffeinated drinks for customers. March 29, 2018. Bay City, Mich. (Delta Collegiate/Jaylie Dice)

STAFF

5 DELTA COLLEGIATE STAFF Aubrie Smith

Co-Editor-in-Chief aubriesmith@delta.edu

MEET THE STAFF

Jessica Sierocki

Co-Editor-in-Chief jessicasierocki2@delta.edu

Jack Rechsteiner Haley Gray

Haley NAgel

Reporter

Reporter

Haley Gray is a reporter for the Delta Collegiate from Bay City. This is Haley’s third year at Delta and she aspires to work for local news stations after graduating with her associate’s in journalism, eventually moving her career to Grand Rapids.

She is a journalism major and minors in “having a good time all the time.” Haley enjoys taking days off to spend time with her 2-year-old son who, numerous sources confirm, is “the most precious thing to exist in our lifetimes.”

Haley Nagel is a reporter for the Delta Collegiate residing in Bay City. She is in her third semester at Delta and plans to transfer to the University of Michigan where she will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in English. In her free time, Haley loves to cook, look at vegan memes and go on road trips.

Managing Editor jacobrechsteiner@delta.edu

Kellen MacGregor

Page Editor kellenmacgregor@delta.edu

Cody Wiedenbein

Page Designer codywiedenbein@delta.edu

Jaylie Dice

Photographer jayliedice@delta.edu

Michael Pieper

Videographer michaelpieper@delta.edu

Haley Nagel

Reporter haleynagel@delta.edu

Haley Gray

Reporter haleygray@delta.edu

Michael Piwowarski

Photojournalist michaelpiwowarski@delta.edu

TO READ MORE STORIES FROM STAFF AND STUDENTS OF DELTA COLLEGE, VISIT WWW.DELTACOLLEGIATE.COM

COLLEGIATE DISCLAIMER Since 1961, the Delta Collegiate has been written and produced

by Delta students for students without any input or oversight by administration. The paper does not represent the views of Delta College, its faculty, staff or administration. Stories are selected by the student staff members to bring reliable information and entertainment to our readers.

For any comments about specific articles or to voice other concerns, please contact us at deltacollegiate@gmail.com.

Carter Houtman

Reporter carterhoutman@delta.edu

Finn Bilodeau

Reporter finnbilodeau@delta.edu

Robynn Verhaeghe Did you want a special event featured in the paper? Do you have questions or comments for the Collegiate staff? Let us know by sending us an email at deltacollegiate@gmail.com

Want to read stories on the go?

Page Designer robynnverhaeghe@delta.edu

LaBrandon Randal

Page Designer labrandonrandal@delta.edu

Kelly Winters

Videographer kellywinters@delta.edu

Crystal McMorris

Adviser crystalmcmorris@delta.edu

FOLLOW US @DeltaCollegiate

deltacollegiate@gmail.com | 989-686-9337 | Office: A-220

6

COLLEGIATE LIFE

Delta Collegiate takes home 11 awards COLLEGIATE STAFF

The Delta Collegiate staff was honored with 11 combined awards on Saturday, April 7 for work that its reporters, photographers and videographers have done over the past year.

Since 2013, the Michigan Community College Press Association has been bringing together community college journalism members from across the state to celebrate their achievements. Holding an annual conference to recognize student journalists with awards for their work, this year the MCCPA conference was held at Central Michigan University on April 7.

The Delta Collegiate has been a regular attendee at the conference since first winning two awards from the MCCPA in 2014 and has since gone on to win over 75 awards recognizing Delta College’s journalism and media accomplishments, including first place awards for online newspaper and general excellence.

This year the Delta Collegiate brought home a number of awards for work they’ve done over the last year as well as having the opportunity to see

and talk with members of a number of different newspapers.

Journalism programs from community colleges in Grand Rapids, Lansing, Monroe County, Traverse City, Washtenaw and Metro Detroit were represented at the 2018 MCCPA conference.

“It’s a cliché, but all of you here today really are the future of journalism,” says Tim Boudreau, associate professor of journalism at CMU.

Award Winners News Story - First Place “Faculty furious about president’s policy change” by Jessica Sierocki In-Depth Enterprise Reporting Third Place “FOIA reveals more information on false rape case” by Aubrie Smith

scrimmage” by Allie Keenan Sports Column - First Place “Should coaches make more than your governor?” by Ethan Moore Feature Photo - Second Place “Casey Robertson” by Tylla Hahn Sports New Photo - Second Place “Delta Pioneers women’s soccer”

by Tylla Hahn Multimedia Reporting - First Place “Snowfest brings business to Frankenmuth” by Joe Thornton Photos by Jaylie Dice Video by Kevin Lazzaro Multimedia Reporting - Second Place (Tie) “Delta student takes top 10 in statewide barrel racing” by Jessica Sierocki Photos by Tylla Hahn

First Amendment Reporting First Place “Kneeling can only last so long”

by Joe Thornton

Multimedia Reporting - Second Place (Tie) “Lady Pioneers gain momentum near playoffs” by Joe Thornton Video by Kevin Lazzaro

Sports Feature Story - Honorable Mention “Chemical City Derby Girls host

News Website - First Place Delta Collegiate

Jack Reichsteiner, managing editor at the Delta Collegiate, accepts an honorable mention award on behalf of the Collegiate staff for General Excellence at the 2018 MCCPA conference at Central Michigan University.

April 7, 2018. Mount Pleasant, Mich. (Delta Collegiate/Michael Piwowarski)

On the other side of the desk with Jeff Vande Zande KEVIN LAZZARO

Jeff Vande Zande, professor of English, reviews some of his work on Adobe Premiere in his downtime on campus. March 29, 2018.

University Center, Mich. (Delta Collegiate/Kevin Lazzaro)

In the fall semester of 2017, Jeff Vande Zande found himself on the opposite side of the teacher’s desk. While on sabbatical, he was enrolled in two graduate-level courses at Tiffin University and an independent study at Central Michigan University.

Vande Zande is a professor of English at Delta College. He is one of the creators of the two-year film degree, a track of the electronic media associate’s degree, that is now offered at Delta College.

“The goal of [the sabbatical] was to come out on the other side… fully understanding the filmmaking process,” says Vande Zande.

Before his leave of absence, he primarily had knowledge in the field of screenwriting. Vande Zande wanted to learn more to benefit both his students and his own work.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been on that side of the desk,” says

Vande Zande.

Vande Zande’s graduate instructor at CMU said that he needed to have basic understanding of camera operation and editing video in the classroom but ended up having to learn it on his own by watching YouTube videos and experimenting.

“It was interesting, because I took the sabbatical to learn about camera operation and editing, and I thought that would happen in the classroom,” explains Vande Zande As a result, Vande Zande made two short films on his own time between May and August to practice his technique. In his independent study, he was also required to make a short film for credit. He also made one more, totaling four short films. He submitted these films to several film festivals, 17 of which have accepted the films so far.

Given his interest in filmmaking, these probably will not be the last films that he makes. Vande Zande intends to apply his new skills while teaching Digital Cinematography for Film.

Vande Zande started his sabbatical in May, not re-entering the halls of Delta to teach until the current semester. The 8 months away from teaching made him worried of the transition back; though he was relieved to find that teaching came back to him easily.

Vande Zande described his time as being “eye-opening and affirming.” His knowledge of the film industry has grown from this experience, and will be reflected in his future teaching. He has already started by adding a new book to his Introduction to Screenwriting Course.

COLLEGIATE LIFE

7

“

Live Oak baristas serve their signature drinks to happy customers. March 31, 2018. Midland, Mich. (Delta Collegiate/Kelly Winters)

Live Oak Coffeehouse

Mark Willey, 19, Bay City “Starbucks. I like the inclusivity, they’re nice to everyone who comes there and they remember your order.”

What is your favorite Tri-City coffee shop?

Justin Fabin, 24, Saginaw

“The Coffee Emporium. I like the environment and the atmosphere.

They know what I want, for the most part. I don’t go too often, and it may be months in between trips, but they still recognize me and treat me like family.”

Rowan Cooper, 23, Bay City “I’d have to go with Populace in downtown Bay City. I love their coffee – it’s fantastic. The staff is amazing, and it’s a great environment.”

CARTER HOUTMAN MIDLAND – Since its opening in January of 2017, Live Oak Coffeehouse’s parking lot has always been packed and the baristas have been working nonstop to make the coffee shop a place that is as welcoming as it is exciting. At 711 Ashman St. in Midland, Live Oak is in a prime location.

Live Oak not only has the main coffee shop to draw in customers, but also has several events every week for all kinds of people and personalities. The Maker’s Room, just off the main coffee shop area, is a space that is exclusive for productivity, in any endeavor.

College students can rent the Maker’s Room for large study groups, while it can also be used as a party room. For the artsy folk, Live Oak puts on art classes multiple times a week.

Trivia nights on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. are a fun way to hang out with friends. For those interested, tickets are available

on their Facebook.

In addition to the Maker’s Room, Live Oak has a large upstairs room where swing dancing classes are held on Tuesdays. For those who are looking to start their own small business, Ideation sessions are held next door on Wednesdays to help entrepreneurs brainstorm ideas.

In the summertime, Live Oak has an outdoor patio with live music on Fridays, and will be partnered with various food trucks like Pizza Baker and Midland Burger Company that are at the shop 4 days a week, beginning mid- to late-April.

Little Midland, a playscape created for young families, is available upstairs 5 days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The playscape features a miniaturized town where kids can play on the street without worrying about cars. This is an ideal option for young families and single parents looking for something to do with

their children during the colder months when going to a park isn’t an option.

Live Oak is without a doubt one of the busiest small businesses in the Tri-Cities, and it isn’t hard to see why. Even on the off chance that there isn’t anything on the long list of happenings that suits your fancy, there is one thing that everyone can get on board with: An exceptional menu and coffee flavors with homemade syrups are at the ready to make any visit worth your while.

Live Oak Coffeehouse is definitely the place to visit when you’re looking for somewhere new to go. The coffee is excellent, the atmosphere is to die for and there couldn’t be more activities for you and your friends to take part in.

Alyssa Lawrence, 21, Caro “I go to McDonald’s a lot.”

”

Ryleigh Beyersdorf, 18, Hemlock “The Red Eye in Saginaw. It’s very good, the atmosphere is weird and you get to play boardgames.”

Is Midland really ‘bottom of barrel’ for boring cities?

FINN BILODEAU On Feb. 16, Business Insider released an article highlighting the most interesting and boring cities in each state. According to the article, Midland is our most boring city, whereas the greater Detroit area is the most interesting.

Midland, Michigan has gained a majority of its success through the Dow Chemical Company, which was founded

by Herbert Henry Dow in 1897. Dow started the company while experimenting with electrolysis as a way to separate chemicals from other compounds. Using brine found abundantly in Midland’s groundwater, Dow was able to perfect his processes and grow his company.

121 years later, Dow Chemical is the second-largest chemical company in the world with operations in over 160 countries with its headquarters in the center of Midland. To shine some light on Midland, we interviewed local businesses and folks to see what they had to say about the city in which they are building their lives.

Midland Center for the Arts Midland Center for the Arts is one of Midland’s cultural landmarks. The Center sits adjacent to Dow Gardens and across the street from the library and Whiting Forest, making it a central feature on Eastman Avenue. The staff works in conjunction with the other businesses in the area to bring in visitors from all around Michigan.

Mackenzie Hopkins is the school and public programs coordinator at the Center for the Arts. Her position allows her to work with the community to bring in learners young and old.

Midland Center for the Arts is currently hosting Giant Dinosaurs until May 20. March 20, 2018. Midland, Mich. (Delta Collegiate/Jessica Sierocki)

“If it has to do with children’s activities and it has to do with learning, then that’s me. If it’s related to the museum, science, art, history, then that’s also my forte,” says Hopkins.

Hopkins and her colleagues work in and outside of the Center for the Arts to connect to and educate community members.

“One of the things we do as far as outreaching to the communities is, we started a girls-only STEM night, which

is pretty neat,” says Hopkins. “We have different ladies in STEM fields from around the area who come in and speak to these girls. It’s pretty fun.”

The Center for the Arts has events year round and is currently adding more to its schedule. There are a variety of upcoming events that relate to the dinosaur exhibit, including an adult-oriented “Dino-mite Party” that will include a DJ and drinks on April 20.

Hopkins is also volunteering to talk to kids who wouldn’t normally be able to attend their programs, such as Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Saginaw.

The Center for the Arts is working with Dow Gardens to make it more feasible for schools to bring their students to experience a day of learning in a hands-on way.

“Right now with the butterfly exhibit over at Dow Gardens, we get a lot of people who will pay to bring their bus once, so we coordinate with Dow Gardens as far as the time, which is really nice because busing isn’t cheap. We do have a bus grant though that people can apply to online,” says Hopkins.

The work they are putting into the

community is showing in numbers.

“Right now we average about 1,500 people (In the dinosaur exhibit) on the weekends. And that ebbs and flows, obviously but everybody loves dinosaurs.

We reach a wide area, not just Midland, but the surrounding counties as well up into Clare and Gladwin,” says Hopkins.

Whiting Forest Hopkins also mentioned that Whiting Forest and Dow Gardens are working with the Center for the Arts to create a new skywalk.

According to Kyle Bagnall, Whiting Forest’s program manager, the skywalk is expected to be completed in the spring of 2019. The bridge they are creating is going to be the largest of its kind in the nation, connecting Whiting Forest to the rest of Dow Gardens by an elevated footpath.

“A new canopy walk at Whiting Forest of Dow Gardens offers a 1,400-feet walk through the woods, up to four stories above the ground. The walkway overlooks 54 acres of forest, ponds and an apple orchard,” says Bagnall.

in is worth a lot more in the future,” says Adame.

“Every time I want to go out and eat, there’s nothing to do. Anytime you want to be out past 10 p.m., you’re very limited because there’s really not much to do. I really do think it has the potential to be something awesome, but it’s going to take a lot of local businesses, and it’s going have to inspire more entrepreneurs to open up.”

Loch Coffee Company’s barista Jim Adame serves up fresh, home-brewed lattes while putting smiling faces on happy customers’ faces. March 31, 2018. Midland, Mich. (Delta Collegiate/Kelly Winters)

Loch Coffee House Jim Adame opened the Loch Coffee Company, at 309 Dartmouth Dr. in Midland, a little over a year-and-a-half ago.

Adame says he wanted to create something in Midland that was new to the area. While there are several coffee shops in Midland, Adame says that this one stands out.

“When I opened up the shop, there weren’t any shops like this around. There were a few coffee houses but none that really took the plunge to make a shop that looks more modern, more like a Chicago or a big-city shop. One that really dives into the initial quality, the espressos, the milk, making sure those basics are as good as you can get them. And not focusing so much on speed,” says Adame.

“We’re taking our time, making sure that everything is executed accurately and not as concerned with getting things out in 30 seconds,” says Adame.

Adame says that there was doubt about Midland’s potential to support a new coffeehouse like his.

“When I was about to open, I had a lot of other mentors and other business owners talk to me and say, ‘Hey, you’re not gonna make a lot of money the first 2 years. Your clientele is gonna be pretty low, and it’s gonna be after the 2-year mark that you’re gonna have a firm, regular basis that’s constantly bringing in cash flow.’ But we had a good regular base right off the bat,” says Adame.

“Day one, I saw about seven people who have been in here every day since then. It’s a really good feeling to have an average of seven to 12 new people a day come in, and you’ll see them again the next day and the next one,” says Adame.

According to Adame, there is a need for new businesses in Midland, and the

clientele to support them is here.

“I figured if I wanted to open up a shop like a coffee shop at any point in my life, I thought right here and right now would be the best opportunity. We have a lot of students here from Delta and SVSU and a lot of people live in Midland who are attending other schools. CMU students live here, and of course, Northwood students. We’ve got this giant clientele of people craving good, quality coffee,” says Adame.

The Loch has also been working with local artists of all fields to make a bond with the community.

“When we first opened, we did open mic nights more on the musical side every week, and that really brought the community together. As that became more popular, it became harder to organize, so now we’re kind of doing it every once in a while, and we’re still going to be doing poetry nights in the future,” says Adame.

“What I’ve been putting my full attention into recently is house shows, so we’ve been doing ticketed events and bringing in artists from all over Michigan.

I’m even getting contacted by artists out of Chicago, Ohio and Indiana. Immediate surrounding states sending artists my way to do house shows is pretty cool. We’ve had three of them so far, and each one has sold out. It’s gone really well,” says Adame.

Loch is part of Midland’s new and growing culture. Adame still believes Midland has a ways to go before it is as interesting as it could be, but he wants to use Loch as an example for new businesses in the hopes of making Midland a more diverse and interesting place.

“Midland really is boring, but I think it has potential, and that’s why I wanted to open up here. It’s kind of like stocks: You hop in while it’s down, and then it builds up later on, and what you have invested

Northwood University Northwood University lies along the Tittabawasse River between Main Street and Saginaw Road in Midland.

The campus is a hidden gem, somewhat secluded from the rest of the city, giving students who grew up in Midland the atmosphere of the average four-year university.

Lance Johnson, a student currently enrolled at Northwood, graduated from Midland Dow High School in 2017, less than a mile away from the university – Johnson picked the university in part for this reason.

“I love it here. A lot of people write off Northwood because it is in Midland, but if you live on campus, you kind of forget you’re in Midland. I chose to live on campus to still get the traditional college experience and to get out of the house,” says Johnson.

The college is well known for its business programs, which also attracted Johnson.

“The professors are great. All the professors here were industry professionals before they were professors.

You have no teacher assistants, compared to larger universities. They really care about how well you do. They’re here for you when you need them,” says Johnson.

Johnson is a Midland native and knows the city well. He doesn’t consider Midland as boring as it’s made out to be.

“I would not consider Midland boring but I see how other people can think that. Sure, there might not be too much variety in Midland, but there is still stuff to do,” says Johnson. “You can go to Dow Gardens, you can go to the golf course, Midland Center for the Arts, the movies and the rail trail goes all throughout the state. You kinda have to make the most of what you’ve got.”

Johnson is currently pursuing a major in marketing with a minor in business analytics.

Ray’s Bike Shop Brad Alvesteffer, a resident of Midland for 14 years, manages Ray’s Bike Shop, a small business located in the heart of downtown Midland.

“I would say it’s just boring enough,” says Alvesteffer, referring to Midland’s liveliness (or lack thereof.) “I like the fact that there isn’t a lot of crime in the city and there isn’t enough going on that you feel like it’s a dangerous place, but I think we’ve found that the downtown area, the events, the parks offer a lot to do.”

There is a great variety of businesses in Midland from scuba diving equipment sales to coffee shops. Ray’s is just one of the many contributors to Midland’s culture.

Ray’s very own Brad Alvesteffer serving up a smile while happily working on a customer’s tire. March 31, 2018.

Midland, Mich. (Delta Collegiate/Kelly Winters)

With small businesses like Ray’s sticking around and growing, Midland’s culture is still developing. (use this as the last quote part) end strong and tie the final quote into the subject of the next article) “Midland’s kind of an interesting town.

You do have a lot of those progressiveminded people. They want better bicycle infrastructure, they want a walkable downtown, they want to live somewhere where they can maybe get by without a car,” says Alvesteffer.

“We’re seeing a lot for that interest, and people are moving back to the core of the city a little bit because of that. But, at the same time, I think it’s a generational thing.

You still have a lot of conservative-minded people in Midland too, which gives it a nice balance. I think that the meeting of those two minds creates a great place to raise a family. There’s a lot going on in Midland that makes it a desirable place for me to want to raise my family.”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

10

Museum exhibits Saginaw’s identity JACK RECHSTEINER The Saginaw Art Museum is a nationally accredited institution that provides educational programs, featured exhibitions, a permanent collection of art and community outreach. With its latest special exhibition, the Saginaw Art Museum aims to highlight the people who give Saginaw the thriving community that it has.

The museum stayed open late for the opening of its most recent exhibition, “Who We Are.” The exhibition is a diverse collection of photos of those who call Saginaw home that aims to tell the story of Saginaw’s shared community. The exhibition began as the wish to do a Saginaw photography project and draws upon the experiences of the staff of the Saginaw Art Museum, such as a similar project that Lauren Grotkowski, the outreach manager of the museum, did while working at the Galicia Jewish Museum in Kraków, Poland.

“We wanted to focus on the the concept of community identity and explore the identity of Saginaw by showcasing photos of different community members.

We went out to community events in the area and asked people who were participating if they would want to be a part of our portrait project,” says Grotkowski.

“Who We Are” ties in with the other special exhibition at the Saginaw Art Museum, “Portraits of Opposition” by Jac Lahav. This exhibit featured 51 works by Lahav that look into the nature of identity and biography. Many of Lahav’s works are portraits that serve to question basic assumptions of historical memory and collective identity, such as George Washington in a jean jacket or a portrait

of Harriet Tubman in an Andy Warhol-esque style.

“My hope is that this exhibition will provide a space to spark dialogs about community, societal growth and difference,” says Sarah Trew, former curator for the Saginaw Art Museum.

The photostory that “Who We Are” showcases hopes to build on the ideas in Lahav’s exhibition by highlighting the importance of the individual and showcasing Saginaw’s shared history. The photos were joined together around words that the museum felt captured the essence of Saginaw, such as “culture,” “community,” “pride,” “roots” and “opportunity,” to list a few.

“Saginaw is my home. I take a lot of pride in this community and I started getting emotional and tearing up when we started putting this exhibit up because I love this community so much. Saginaw is alive because of its community and the people who are working so hard to make a difference,” says Grotkowski.

Both “Who We Are” and “Portraits of Opposition” will be on display at the Saginaw Art Museum until June 9. For more information about the exhibits or other upcoming events, you can find them online at www. saginawartmuseum.org or on Facebook at Saginaw Art Museum.

The Saginaw Art Museum features a new exhibit called, “Portraits of Opposition” by Jac Lahav. March 29, 2018.

Saginaw, Mich. (Delta Collegiate/Jaylie Dice)

Butterflies in Bloom at Dow Gardens

Dow Gardens is hosting the Butterflies in Bloom exhibit until April 15.

March 31, 2018. Midland, Mich. (Delta Collegiate/Jaylie Dice)

Open until April 15, 2018 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

10 :00 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays Admission: Adults - $ 5.00 Children (6-17) - $ 1.00 Children (5 and under) - Free Students (with i.d.) - $ 1.00 Admission Card - $10 (admission to Gardens all year) For more information, visit www.dowgardens.org

Dental Assisting and Hygiene students get hands on experience with patients at Delta’s on campus Dental Clinic. Feb. 22, 2018. University Center, Mich. (Delta Collegiate/Jaylie Dice)

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

11

This Is Art: Repeat after me JACK RECHSTEINER

What is an artist supposed to be?

I feel like this is the question on the forefront of the minds of people who are coming into their own as artists. Even long-established artists can be plagued with thoughts of whether or not they’re doing it “right,” but in the early stages of developing yourself as an artist, it’s easy to doubt yourself as being a, quote-unquote, artist. And there always seems to be this all-encompassing pressure to create something original. The fear that there is nothing worse than being a “rip-off ” of your influences.

What is this thing we celebrate called “originality” and why is “copying” one

of the most scathing insults to throw at an artist? There is nothing dripping with more malice in the art world than calling a piece “derivative.” But why?

Our speech, our music, our clothes and art are all incorporating different influences: what we hear, say and write is nearly always some type of repetition or variation. Try to write a paragraph with no influences or inspirations from something else. Try having a conversation without words that you’ve used before.

Try to listen to a song or look at a picture that remind you of nothing you’ve previously heard or seen. Could you do any of those? Probably not. And that is because of how much our experience of life is based in imitation.

Everything is interlinked and has some resonance with ourselves. Each person’s identity is a collage of what they’ve experienced. We are creatures made into concepts of “identity” and “self ” thanks to the memories and experiences we hold onto. As individuals, each of us are made up of echoes of association.

We spend a large amount of our time as copycats when we’re developing our true selves. Or maybe a little more graciously

we could call ourselves disciples. We model our actions, style, opinions and speech on those we look up to in the hopes that we can make it our own. From those motions of imitation, we find what works for us and what doesn’t and begin to carve out our own integral identities.

We overhear bits of conservation and repeat them later, or we find an expression that impacts us and we borrow it for use.

There’s nothing shameful – and actually a lot to be admired – in paying tribute to those who influence us or rehearsing what has happened before.

In his short story “Pierre Menard, Author of the Quixote,” Jorge Luis Borges suggests that Pierre Menard, far from being derivative, is in fact superior to Miguel de Cervantes because in knowing what that author knew, he can expand upon the knowledge of the work. Menard writes with an enlarged voice, echoing what Cervantes said and in effect making it resonate more with the audience for whom he is writing. This blending of past with present is something essential to creating art.

There’s a great phrase that sums up all this: “Good artists borrow, great artists

steal.” I’m now implicated in a long line of people who have co-opted that phrase for my own reasons, but I’ve seen it and heard it said more times than I could count.

There are claims that the phrase came from T.S. Eliot saying, “Immature poets borrow, mature poets steal,” but still the origin of the phrase has been lost to time only to be stolen by great artists time and time again.

This fear of repetition is something that all artists face, whether it’s repeating themselves or someone else. No matter how we strive for change, we copy and repeat. This is by no means a bad thing.

Imitation has more to do with quantity instead of quality; it’s simply simpler and more comfortable. No matter how we strive for change, we will copy and repeat.

But every once in a while, out of that cyclic circle of stealing comes a proverbial flash of lightning, that signature of originality that we all prize so much. No matter much how we strive for change, we will copy and repeat and eventually we will get it right.

OPINION

12

PERSPECTIVES What did our readers have to say?

A hot dog isn’t a sandwich and never will be JACK RECHSTEINER Once every couple of years, people gather together around an issue to raise their voices, lock eyes and debate each other over passionate, high stakes issues.

The largest and most pressing of these issues is obviously this one: Is a hot dog a sandwich?

You can argue it both ways, which is what makes the debate so enticing and delectable. But I am here to settle this beef, once and for all. A hot dog is not a sandwich, has never been a sandwich, and never will be a sandwich.

Firstly, there is the broad fact that no one ever calls hot dogs sandwiches. Have you ever heard someone order a hot dog sandwich? If you have, you may want to get them some help. It seems as though people only consider hot dogs sandwiches when someone tries to say otherwise. It’s a reactionary argument without any substance or grounding.

If the logical fallacy of that

argument wasn’t enough, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council ruled on November 5, 2015 that the hot dog is not a sandwich. The authority of all things hot dog and hot dogrelated said, definitively, that they do not consider the hot dog a sandwich. To go even further than that, though, the United States Department of Agriculture defines a sandwich as “two slices of bread or the top and bottom sections of a sliced bun that enclose meat or vegetables.”

So, I propose that we set some parameters for a Sandwich Benchmark Test: A sandwich must structurally consist of two pieces of bread that hold another food type.

A sandwich must be a fundamentally portable finger food.

A sandwich must be eaten horizontally.

Under these conditions we can determine that a burger is a sandwich, as well as an ice

cream sandwich, an Oreo and a grilled cheese. Things that would not be sandwiches, though, are wraps and burritos because they fail the first benchmark, openfaced “sandwiches” and bread bowl soups because they fail the second benchmark, and tacos and hot dogs because they fail the third benchmark.

On a closing note I’d like to leave all of you, whether you are a sandwich purist or a hot dog heathen, with a quote from one of the most respected television personalities when it comes to food: “The fact that it’s in between bread – the bread is just a delivery system, a ballistic delivery system. It is not a classic sandwich, in my view. I mean, if you were to walk into any vendor of fine hot dogs and ask for a hot dog sandwich, they would probably report you to the FBI. As they should,” says Anthony Bourdain.

The Collegiate took to Facebook and Twitter to see how our readers reacted to whether or not a hotdog is a sandwich. Here are the results: Twitter 21 Votes Yes

24% No

76% Facebook 77 Votes Yes

19% No

Hot dogs are absolutely sandwiches

81%

HALEY NAGEL The word “hot dog” paints a vivid, uniform picture in the mind. It is often composed of dark red, highly processed sausage placed between a long roll of bread split in the middle, connected on the bottom, with various toppings.

The word “sandwich” also poses a clear visual. Most people think of two thin, square pieces of bread with sliced meat, cheese and a condiment or two. We can all agree hot dogs and sandwiches look slightly different, but we don’t all agree they are the same. By definition and logical reasoning, hot dogs are sandwiches.

The argument that hot dogs are not sandwiches is not subjective and avoids proven evidence. It’s time we settle this ongoing hot dog controversy

with the factual evidence nonbelievers have avoided for much too long.

Though “hot dog” is used more often, it is simply another word for sandwich. By definition, a sandwich is an item of food consisting of two pieces of bread with meat, cheese or other filling between them, eaten as a light meal, according to MerriamWebster. Hot dogs perfectly fit the definition of a sandwich, so there should be no confusion.

Two pieces of bread: yes. Meat in between: yes. Eaten as a light meal: yes.

There are a multitude of these instances in the English language; this one is no different.

When first arrived on American shores from Europe in the late 1800s, it was often referred to as a “Coney Island Sandwich”

or “Frankfurter sandwich,” according to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council. Much like an “ice cream sundae” is often referred to as a sundae, terminology changes.

Hot dogs even fall under USDA regulatory guidelines for a sandwich for inspection.

Therefore, technically and legally speaking, hot dogs are sandwiches.

Just because most people do not explicitly say, “I’ll have the hot dog sandwich” doesn’t make a hot dog any less of a sandwich than a submarine. It’s simply an implied statement. Hot dogs shouldn’t be segregated from the sandwich family due to socially accepted terminology.

End the stigma. Hot dogs are sandwiches, too.

Illustration by Cody Wiedenbein

Surviving an unfortunate reality Every day it seems you turn on the news with another breaking story about innocent lives being lost due to an individual’s heartless action. It is an all too common tragedy in an unfortunate reality that should not be part of our American society.

In these tragedies the question that commonly arises is: How can we protect our children?

Where there are questions, there are also opinions as to properly handle the problem.

One of those possible solutions is transparent backpacks. In theory, clear backpacks sound like a good idea. You can see inside a student’s backpack without any obstructions, thus allowing anything seemingly concealed to be shown.

However, being mandated to have a clear backpack can be seen as an invasion of privacy – everything you have in it is revealed. There is a fine line between safety and a person’s right as an American citizen to privacy. Backpacks also allow students to make a statement about their personality. As an individual, it can make you stand out and can allow you to add some flare to the mundanity of classes.

The other possible solution being tossed around in several school districts is the idea that teachers should be allowed to carry guns while on school property. Essentially, teachers would be used as a line of defense instead of schools having armed security guards .

One side will argue that the teachers are the best means to protect children, especially if they go through the proper training of owning and maintaining a firearm in a learning environment. This view will argue that it is more cost effective than hiring extra security.

On the other side, people will argue that while the teachers may have gone through the proper training, it is not up to them to teach the students and have guns to protect them. This view argues that teachers are only humans

OPINION

and with the stress of their work, they can become complacent with their firearm.

If the teachers become complacent, it becomes easier for students to get ahold of the firearm. While it may be less cost effective, they feel it may be safer to have a designated security guard than to have the teacher be both security guard and instructor.

In addition to instructors becoming absent minded, they are currently not getting paid enough to take on any extra duties. Instructors’ pay is already abysmal and adding extra responsibilities without fair compensation for those responsibilities is wrong.

The solution is simple: Increase security presence in schools and colleges across the nation.

With having an increase in security, students will feel more secure than without them. Parents will also feel more confident about sending their kids to school and college, knowing that there is more security.

Having a security presence roaming around the school during the day will decrease the likelihood of a person attempting anything violent. The simple fact of knowing there will be security can be perceived as a potential obstacle, which is enough to deter potential criminals.

If a potential criminal made their way into the school, then having that security would stop them. Having several security guards would increase the odds of the potential criminal being apprehended quicker. In addition, having security there to stop it right away compared to waiting several vital minutes for law enforcement to show up and defuse the situation. It would save several innocent lives.

A simple solution to an unfortunate reality: If we want to save the lives of our children and family members while away at school, we should hire security to protect them.

13

Public office positions need term limits and age limits CARTER HOUTMAN

There are currently 25 sitting US Senators over the age of 70 sitting in office. That number rises to 39 sitting Senators if you take everyone who is 66 years old and up. 66, coincidentally, is the current retirement age to begin collecting social security checks in the United States (Social Security Administration).

The whole reason why we have a retirement age in the US is because after a certain age, the productivity and mental abilities of people deteriorates and becomes more detrimental to companies than productive.

Why, then, are we not applying the same basic guidelines to our public office. A position that arguably is one of the most important in the world being held by a senile old man or woman is not going to be useful

when it comes to trade deals, treaties, and US domestic policy.

In order to be able to be a nation making the best decisions for ourselves and for our allies, there should be a limit where people of a certain age should not be allowed to run for office.

Younger people should have more of an opportunity to get into office, and limiting the age would make it so that younger people are voting for their constituents and bringing a more modern way of thinking to congress and the senate.

Term limits are also an important thing to consider.

Diane Feinstein, the oldest person in the US Senate, has been in office for the longest amount of time at 24 years.

According to the US Senate website, Senators are up for

re-election every six years. Diane Feinstein has won 4 times in a row for her senate seat from California.

Chuck Grassley from Iowa has been in the Senate for 35 years.

Orrin Hatch from Utah has been in office for 39 years. Thad Cochran from Mississippi has been in office for 37 years.

Patrick Leahy from Vermont has been in office for 41 years.

If we never limit people with the amount of terms they can serve and the age that they can be when running for office, then we will never get any fresh perspective in the house or senate, and we won’t move forward as a nation. If we continue to allow people from the 1930’s run our country, we won’t get much past the 1930’s in terms of laws.

Communication: How much is too much?

AUBRIE SMITH Each week as I sit and think of my latest Honest Monogamist topic, I always seem to come back to the same ending point: strengthen the communication. Everything seems fixable if you’re open to honest discussion, change and constructive criticism.

I saw a quote dwindling online that said: “Remember, it’s not you versus him, it’s you two versus the problem.”

Though the original author is probably lost in the depths of the interwebs, the words have resonated with me. Through problems, fights and tested limits, we as humans need to stop our defensive behavior and learn how to come together to work through a problem and find a compromising solution.

Never had it ever dawned on me that it was possible to talk too much until someone brought it up, and now everything I thought I knew has shattered.

Now, I’m not saying that I was down for dwelling on problems. I’m more of a “talk about it once, find a solution and then drop it unless the problem gets worse” kind of gal, but is talking the problem? Have our technological advances and constant need for communication created these problems in the first place?

We all know what social media has done for jealousy. I wish there were credible statistics on how many breakups occured over the liking of a risque Instagram photo, but alas they don’t yet exist. We live in times of anxiety without our phones, we carry chargers in our back pockets and we make sure we sit next to an outlet if we’re under 50 percent for battery – all so we can talk to our significant other. When does it become too much?

Can we go back to snail mail? Do you think we would have fewer problems? it’s an interesting thought. Maybe it would take us longer to get to know each other, rather than rushing into things.

But today, could we even be bothered to handwrite something of length? To buy a stamp? To wait until they respond via snail mail before hooking up with someone else? I’m not so sure. I think we would fail.

The next time you’re at work and you feel the need to grab your phone, risk the wrath of your boss just to ask your S.O. how their day has been, don’t. Call them later and actually have something to talk about. Let’s use our words for purpose and not for convenience. We need to re-evaluate what communication is: connection.

Be better than instant gratification. Disconnect to reconnect.

SPORTS

14

NFL owners reform their definition of a catch JOE THORNTON

When you think back on those fond memories of football at recess or your annual Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl between the family, it was pretty simple to know when someone had made a catch. If a pass ended up in your hands at the end of a throw, you got yourself a catch.

If not, you must have dropped the ball or some other variable made the pass incomplete. What simple times those were.

Regardless of how simple the idea of a catch should be, there has been vast speculation on how a catch should be determined in the NFL and has left fans, coaches and referees all grasping for straws.

Under the amendment to the NFL catch rule, an NFL receiver must complete the following, per NFL official rulebook: Secure control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands; and maintains control of the ball after (a) and (b) have been fulfilled, until he has the ball long enough to clearly become a runner.

This eliminates the controversial aspect that was implemented in past years of a player having to “survive the ground.” This means that if players make a diving catch, which leads to their body coming in contact with the ground and forcing movement or bobbling of the football, it would be ruled

a catch. You wouldn’t think this minor provision of a rule would make such a difference, but any Dallas Cowboys fan would be quick to hostility.

No NFL viewer can forget the controversial Dez Bryant play in the 2014 Divisional Playoff game against the Packers. With one team going home and the other heading deeper into the playoffs, the score sat at 21-26, with the Cowboys down five. It was amazing, it was unlike anything we’d ever seen, and that was the exact problem with it. With this play being unprecedented, it was up to the referees to decide, and I believe they made the wrong decision. Apparently, the NFL felt the same day, amending the rule with a unanimous vote of 32-0 this offseason.

Although this is a step in the right direction, all viewers, players and coaches have to understand that the NFL rulebook will always offer a certain degree of subjectivity.

Even with the new rule, referees have to determine when a catcher becomes a runner. If it were entirely objective, the NFL would have no reason for referees and could simply use instant replay technology to make review decisions.

Although that idea may someday become a reality, for now, we can all take solace in the fact that football will be a little less complicated come fall and we can spend more time watching the game instead of those annoying slow-motion replays.

We want to know what sports features you would like to see!

Tweet us your story ideas @DeltaCollegiate

Disc golf growing rapidly

Illustration by David Taylor

RYAN BAUER Disc golf is becoming popular are usually under $20. There is and eventually working my among people of all ages across really no reason not to try it at way into the pro division,” the world, with the Tri-Cities least once.” says Masters. “I love the game; seeing increases in disc golf Getting out and enjoying the I would love to make money activity and courses being built. outdoors is another benefit to playing it.”

Local shops are also starting playing disc golf.

The number of events is to sell discs to supply this large “I have always loved being growing as fast as the players demand. outside hiking or biking. Now participating in them. There were In the game, discs are thrown I can be outside, get some almost 2,400 PDGA-sanctioned across fairways in an attempt exercise and have a great time events held in 2017. According to reach a target with the least playing a game with friends,” to PDGA.com, this does not amount of throws possible. include the thousands of Players start from tee non-sanctioned events that boxes, which are usually were held all over the world. a piece of cement pointed Michigan is one of the “I am still an amateur toward the target: a basket biggest states for disc golf with chains hanging down with over 250 courses and player, but I plan on that catch discs. Courses 156 events held, and plenty practicing more and usually contain 18 holes of courses in the Tri-City eventually working my way but can contain more or area alone. Within a 20-mile fewer, with some courses radius of Delta College, there into the pro containing only nine. are seven courses. As the division.”

Disc golf is playable sport continues to grow in by people of all ages, and popularity, more places may the number of interested continue to construct more Jayce Masters players is growing rapidly. courses.

The Professional Disc Golf Players hope to one day Association currently has make disc golf as mainstream just over 100 thousand as baseball or football. members, a 200 percent increase says local player Jayce Masters.

Considering the speed at which over the last 10 years.

“I started out just to get outside the sport is growing, this may “Disc golf is extremely and now I play competitively in not be too far off. easy to pick up and play,” saya tournaments and leagues.”

“I would love to turn on the Trevor Proux, local disc golfer.

Tournaments are played all TV and be able to watch the pros “Anybody can go out with one over the world, with amateur and crushing discs down the fairway,” disc and play an entire round. professional players traversing says Proux. “For now, I’ll just It is much cheaper and much the globe to play this sport while catch the action on YouTube.” easier to learn how to play than making a living. [traditional] golf. Almost all “I am still an amateur player, courses are free to play, and discs but I plan on practicing more

SPORTS

15

Delta College softball brings offense to plate JOE THORNTON “I knew that ball was going over the fence the instant it left her bat. If it didn’t go over, it would have burst right through the back fence,” remarked Delta College softball coach Randy Mullard, as Kayla Gauthier ran the bases following her home run to leftfield.

This powerful batting isn’t a rare commodity for the Lady Pioneers this season, averaging over nine runs per game in their last four games. This offense has been firing on all cylinders recently, and they didn’t slow down in their first home game of the season. While working to overcome the early season growing pains, they managed to come away with the sweep in their double-header against the St. Clair Skippers on Friday, March 30.

This series, which marked the beginning of conference play

for the Lady Pioneers, showed that this team is ready to make a name for themselves. Even after an impressive performance, Mullard understands the room for improvement on his team and is hoping they can maximize their talent in future games.

“We have to improve our consistency. Right now we’re a really talented team, but we’re inconsistent. On the offensive side, we should have been able to produce more runs, but a win is a win,” states Mullard.

While understanding the improvements his team can make moving forward, Mullard credits his players for their stout defensive play, especially recently.

“This was a mistake-free game on the defensive side.

Kaylee Cypher had an amazing performance as pitcher and managed a shutout. We’ve taken

great strides recently on the defensive side which has been critical for our recent success,” explains Mullard.

The Lady Pioneers won their first matchup of the two with a score of 3-0 and won again later in a nail-biter with the final score of 7-6. This brings the Delta College softball team to an overall record of 8-8, but gives them a strong 2-0 start for their conference record. The Delta College softball team looks to stay focused with a long road ahead of them and 24 games remaining in the month of April alone.

The Lady Pioneers look to keep this winning streak alive and protect their home turf again as they face off against Oakland on Tuesday, April 10 at 3 p.m.

The Delta College women’s softball team faced off against St. Clair Community College. March 30, 2018. University Center, Mich. (Delta Collegiate/Michael Piwowarski)

Pioneers baseball left out in the cold JOE THORNTON With multiple games in the books for the Delta College baseball team, it seems that they are in a struggle to find their identity. This team made their way to the NCJAA World Series last year, but with most of last year’s starting lineup departing, this is an entirely different group of players.

As a result, it seems this team is fervently attempting to find their identity.

Can they be a slugging powerhouse?

Through the season so far, they haven’t shown symptoms of being quick or strong with their bats with only four home runs on the season and a team batting avg. of .283 this offense is nothing to boast over thus far.

The pitching staff for the Pioneers has been hit or miss it seems, having either a stellar performance or falling entirely off the tracks, giving up an unruly amount of runs. With multiple cracks in their foundation, this is a team that needs to find their glue and put themselves together quickly.

As coach Dan Smith noted about this team in the past, they are inexperienced.

The only way to get that experience is trial by fire, and that is what we’re witnessing through their early season games. The team as a whole is making mistakes that are uncommon among more experienced teams and need to focus on the barebones

The Delta College baseball team practiced their batting and catching skills on March 22, 2018 at the baseball field in Harvey Randall Wickes Park. Saginaw, MI. (Delta Collegiate/ Michael Piwowarski)

fundamentals before focusing on anything else.

Regardless of boasting a largely unfamiliar roster, this team has managed to remain only slightly below the .500 mark with their overall record being 8-9 and a conference record of 2-2 after splitting series with both Schoolcraft and St. Clair.

This team has been able to keep themselves on the edge of .500, but one thing that has definitely not been in their favor is the Michigan weather we all know and love. With snow showers coming down in April, Smith and his team have to deal with games being rescheduled.

Many times this leads to overloaded schedules involving six or eight games

within the span of a single week and has immense strain on the players physically, emotionally and psychologically.

This is a team that needs its player to take charge, regardless of the elements, and step up as leaders if this team is going to succeed moving forward. These wins early in the season are important, but what really matters is how the players and coaches are able to progress and pick themselves up as the season goes on.

Overall, if this team is able to unite and understand what it takes to be like the past Delta College baseball teams under Smith, they can become a successful team. This won’t happen if any players are carrying the mentality of trying to make their own stat line look perfect.

Sometimes it’s the plays like laying down a bunt or a sac fly that lead to winning a game, and if the entire team is getting recognition, all of the players are also.

The Pioneers baseball team hope to improve upon their record in their next game at Schoolcraft on Tuesday, April 10 at 1 p.m. The Delta College baseball team won’t have another home game until Friday, April 13 at 2 p.m. against Henry Ford College. All Delta College baseball home games are played at the baseball fields at Wickes Park in Saginaw, 7431 McCarty Rd.

MIDLAND/BAY/SAGINAW

WE’RE IN THE GREAT LAKES BAY REGION

Earn your Ferris degree at Delta College.

TRANSFER UP TO 98 CREDITS.

FERRIS.EDU/MIDLANDBAYSAGINAW

Ferris State University is an equal opportunity institution. For information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit ferris.edu/non-discrimination.

112117