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• Vol. 114 • Issue 3 • Oct. 23, 2020
Campus Cupboard Provides for the University MEAH COPELAND Reporter The Campus Cupboard feeds students
and faculty who have financial burdens. Beth Rutt, director of student activities
and student recreation and wellness, has
been running the Campus Cupboard since October 2013.
“We help our campus community by
providing food and essentials for day to day living,” Rutt said. “We are here to supplement the individuals’ needs.”
Over the years, it has helped thousands of
students and faculty. This year is different because of the pandemic, but Rutt and
her team made decisions to keep the food
pantry running and incorporated changes.
According to Rutt, they have increased the amount of food they have access to, and
they have added extra freezer space, which allows them to have more food in storage. They were recently able to get about 244 boxes of cereal, five 50 lb boxes of sliced bacon, which they repackaged into 12
strips per bag and cases of salmon, which they repackage as well.
Rutt said the workers at the cupboard
are trying to facilitate a safe environment where people can come and get food,
even during the pandemic. They are no
longer able to have individuals go inside
the pantry and choose their own items, so they changed the set-up of the pantry and needed more volunteers. They currently have 8-10 volunteers each week.
Food distribution is held every Wednesday,
Thursday and Saturday. Most of the items
are repackaged, so people can get smaller amounts, which serves more people. The staff usually repackages during Tuesday evenings, according to Rutt.
“If you are like me, who doesn’t have a
great job and is looking for food, this is a
good place to go,” junior Annie Jones said. “It’s good for students who have financial
problems. When the dining hall closes and
I want food, then I can go to my fridge and get the food that I got today.”
Alumnus Mike Verderaime, who studied
the campus cupboard for his doctoral
research, provided more information about the campus cupboard.
“The campus cupboard is important
because it represents that UCM sees all types of students and understands that
higher education is not just for one type of person,” Verderaime said. “There are
students from multiple backgrounds and
many different forms of financial support.
The campus cupboard is important because they care about every student and know
that not everyone has a meal plan or can afford going out.”
Verderaime conducted his research from
fall 2019 through spring 2020. He said the service has increased in popularity,
and his research showed how the campus
cupboard is being brought to life since not all students have the money to buy food.
He also mentioned education is important,
The number of Campus Cupboard visitors over the past eight years. However, the numbers for 2013 and 2020 only include information for three months, as data is still being collected for 2020, and in 2013, the cupboard started in October and the year ended shortly after. Graphic by Meah Copeland
but expensive, leaving students without money to purchase anything else.
According to Verderaime, the national
trend in college insecurity clarifies a
growing local concern. Over the past
several years, there has been an increase in the use of the food pantry at UCM.
When it started in 2013, the cupboard
served 255 students. In the beginning of
2020, when the cupboard was open before students were sent home, the cupboard
had already served more than twice that
UCM October COVID-19 Cases Decline MATTHEW GOLDSMITH
COVID-19 numbers have decreased in the past month.
As of Oct. 16, UCM has 16 known active
student cases and four faculty/staff cases. The campus numbers are down from
the numbers released on Sept. 18, when UCM had 73 student and three faculty/
staff cases and Oct. 9 when there were 24 student cases and six faculty/staff cases.
Despite UCM’s decline, Johnson County
has seen an increase in cases and had 270
cases as of Oct. 10. The increase prompted the county to reinstate a mask order on Oct. 7.
UCM Interim Health Center Director
Diana Herman expected a post Labor Day
taking the virus more seriously is also a possible reason.
Herman said day-to-day operations at the
University Health Center are finally going
also said he isn’t scared of the virus.
“I never felt scared … or worried,” Marsh
said.
Dr. David Glover has been the team
back to normal, and they feel more caught
physician for the UCM athletic department
COVID-19 has brought challenges to the
athletes with COVID-19. Glover said when
up.
UHC staff. Herman said the nurses worked
every day on Labor Day weekend and have been working overtime on weekends.
Herman also said the staff members have
had role changes, and staff changes have
for over 25 years and has treated studenta student-athlete is quarantined, their
medical history is examined, and they must pass a physical exam before returning to active participation.
Glover said Myocarditis, or inflammation
created extra work for the employees.
of the heart muscle, is something he has
we haven’t been able to replace them yet,”
Myocarditis is a potential long-term effect
“We had a few staff members resign …
Herman said.
Freshman pro pilot major Hunter Marsh
taken into account with student-athletes. of COVID-19.
He said he doesn’t believe there have
increase in positive cases that never came.
caught the virus about a month ago, after
been major differences between student-
university stands with COVID-19.
had the virus.
during COVID-19.
She said she is happy with where the
Herman suggested that the reasons cases
being exposed to a student at school who Marsh experienced some congestion,
athletes and the rest of the student body Glover said he is proud of how the
decreased might include social bubbles
achiness in his back and lost his taste and
student body has handled the pandemic.
taking COVID-19 more seriously.
but his sense of smell is still “kind of faint.”
students have really paid attention and
done a good job of handling COVID-19. He
Glover said.
being established and the student body She said student-athletes, many of whom
couldn’t compete because of COVID-19,
service has grown over the years and helps students to get a meal for the day.
Central Courte Opens Taco Bell ANNELIA NIXON Reporter
Taco Bell had a delayed reopening on
Sept. 28 despite having the “least intrusive” renovations of all the fast-food chains
in Central Courte, according to Resident
District Manager of Sodexo Dining Justin Dreslinski. It was first expected to open
mid-September. However, COVID-19 led to
News Editor The University of Central Missouri’s
amount, at 612 students served. The
smell for two weeks. He has regained taste, Marsh said he thinks the university has
“We’re very proud of the kids and the way
have followed the rules and regulations,”
a setback in receiving building materials.
Many students have been looking forward
to Taco Bell’s reopening, including senior Valyssa Caballero.
“My favorite fast food place in the Central
Courte would have to be Taco Bell,”
Caballero said. “I have been to Taco Bell multiple times after it opened.”
Taco Bell’s hours of operation are similar
to last semester. Now that it is open,
Einstein Bros. Bagels in the REC Center,
which had extended their hours in order
to compensate for Central Courte’s closing, has returned to its regular hours.
Chick-Fil-A was next on the list to
complete renovations.
“Barring any unforeseen issues, we are
scheduled to open on Monday, October 19,” Dreslinksi said.
They did meet this deadline as promised. Dreslinski also said the Union Express
will begin renovations after Central Courte is opened. The project is expected to be
completed during winter break. Dreslinski was unable to provide a specific date, but
he said the opening is scheduled for mid or late January.
Illustrations by Estaban Saldaña
Illustrations by Estaban Saldaña
News
2 Muleskinner • Vol. 114 • Issue 3 • Oct. 23, 2020
Presidential Candidate Rundown Donald Trump is the 45th president of the
United States. He is seeking re-election as the Republican candidate for office.
In 2016, Trump won the election against
Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton to be elected president.
He became the first president in history
with no previous political or military
in response to this summer’s social unrest.
more boisterous and less filtered than most
of our founders, desecrated our memorials
his 2016 campaign. He is known for being politicians.
President Trump is against defunding
the police and is in favor of the second amendment and private prisons.
Trump has received criticism for his
actions on climate change, which include
Trump Organization. He was also a
rollback of Obama-era climate regulations.
television personality who hosted “The Apprentice” on NBC from 2003-2015.
News Editor
Trump has been a polarizing figure since
experience. Before entering into politics, Trump was a businessman who led The
MATTHEW GOLDSMITH
pulling out of the Paris Climate Accord and The president has focused on a law and
order approach during the 2020 campaign
“Left-wing mobs have torn down statues
and carried out a campaign of violence and anarchy,” Trump said during a September 2020 speech.
Trump has commended the work he
and his administration have done during COVID-19, in particular banning travel
from China in late January. He recently
gave himself an “A+” for his handling of the pandemic.
“We’ve done a phenomenal job, not just a
good job, a phenomenal job,” Trump said.
President Donald Trump poses for his official portrait at The White House on Friday, October 6, 2017. Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead.
senator in American history.
released a video addressing the “national
served as Vice President from 2009-2017
in favor of invading Iraq in 2002 when he
racism in the United States.
1973-2009.
served in Iraq, has since admitted his vote
Joe Biden is the current Democratic
candidate for president. He previously
and was a senator from Delaware from If elected, Biden would be the oldest
inaugurated president in American history,
Biden has received criticism for his vote
was a senator. Biden, whose son, Beau, was a mistake.
Biden has run for president twice before
as he would be 78 on Inauguration Day.
in 1988 and 2008. His 1988 campaign was
is his opponent Donald Trump, who was 70
a speech, nearly verbatim, from a British
Currently, the oldest inaugurated president when inaugurated in 2017.
The former vice president made history
in 1973 when he was elected as a senator at age 30, becoming the sixth-youngest
derailed when he admitted to plagiarizing
crisis” of police brutality and the history of “The original sin of the country still stains
our nation today,” Biden said. “We need justice for George Floyd.”
Biden has been very critical of Trump’s
handling of COVID-19, saying he
downplayed the impact of the virus.
“The virus was too big for him,” Biden
politician.
said.
for healing and unity amid social unrest.
listen to scientists and, if elected president,
The former vice president has called
Shortly after the death of George Floyd, he
The Democratic candidate has said he will
will shut down the economy again if that is what scientists advise.
Official portrait of Vice President Joe Biden at the White House, Jan. 10, 2013. Official White House Photo by David Lienemann.
Custodial Staff Focus on Safety ANNELIA NIXON Reporter With classes being face-to-face during
a global pandemic, Facilities Planning and Operations and the university
custodial staff have had to take on more responsibilities.
Enhanced cleaning protocols are being
used, especially in the case that someone tests positive for the coronavirus. Debora Williams, manager of custodial services,
said she and her staff follow the Center for Disease Control’s instructions.
Williams said the custodial staff is
worried about contracting the coronavirus. However, the custodial staff has been equipped with the proper personal
protective equipment and tools to aid in their safety.
“If we were cleaning a space where a
person infected with COVID has been
present, we wait 24 hours or as long as possible before we go in with a device called the Clorox 360, which is an
electrostatic sprayer that fogs a room with disinfectant and clings to all surfaces,” Williams said. “Later the same day, we
go back in [and] spray and wipe with a disinfectant on all surfaces.”
Williams also said classes are set up
in a way that allows for more cleaning
between meetings. Disinfecting kits are
available and placed in some classrooms. She explained UCM has purchased new
tools and disinfectants that aid in cleaning between classes.
Williams explained there is no new
cleaning schedule to combat COVID-19. However, the custodial staff is focusing
on disinfecting commonly touched points around campus and housing facilities.
She said these areas are cleaned twice
daily. One of the biggest changes to the custodial staff’s duties is cleaning and
disinfecting more often than usual. While the custodial staff is doing their part,
Williams encourages students and other staff members to do theirs.
“Our cleaning protocols are based
on applicable guidance and have been
developed to optimally protect the health and safety of students, faculty and staff,
with minimal disruption to their schooling and work,” she said. “However, it is
everyone’s responsibility to minimize the spread of COVID-19 by practicing social
distancing and following CDC guidelines.” Associate Professor of Communication
Studies Nicole Freeman said, “I think the custodial staff are truly amazing.
Talk about a huge job and one that goes
primarily unnoticed. I hope they know how much we appreciate all they are doing.”
Junior Gretchen Prelinger said she thinks
the custodial staff should be thanked for their work.
“I feel as though the custodial staff has
the same role they always have, keeping us safe and the campus clean,” Prelinger said. “However, with all the extra cleaning they are doing, I think it would be awesome if
more students would be sure to thank our custodial staff for all the hard work they are doing whenever they see them.”
Illustrations by Victoria Cimerman
Features
Muleskinner 3 • Vol. 114 • Issue 3 • Oct. 23, 2020
Italy Study Abroad Experience Halted by COVID-19 ANNELIA NIXON Reporter Some students, like
junior Colleen Wright, who were supposed
to be studying abroad
last semester, ended up
attending zoom meetings at 3:00 a.m. instead. At the start of last
semester, Wright was
studying at the American University of Rome
in Italy, and she was
supposed to be there
COVID-19 hot spots, Wright said she
Junior Colleen Wright stands in front of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. “At that time, we did not have any concerns in southern Italy, and we were assured by everyone — our professors, classmates, and our advisors — that it was not going to affect our semester.” Photo submitted by Colleen Wright
when the virus first hit the country.
the end of her study abroad. We’d spent
from Jan. 20 to May 12. However, it was
early March when she found herself back home in the United States.
Although Italy was one of the first
wasn’t worried about being sent home “About a week and a half before leaving,
the Lombardy region in Italy started seeing a few cases popping up,” Wright said. “At that time, we did not have any concerns
in southern Italy, and we were assured by everyone — our professors, classmates,
and our advisors — that it was not going
not have our planned shared travel at
months planning it together along with
her step-father. It is travel we will probably never be able to do together.”
Leaving Italy so suddenly created a new
United States.
“Overall, and I know this may sound
dramatic, but I am still not over getting
the Study Abroad Program at UCM,
going to study abroad because I met
Matthew Chiesi, after hearing rumors that
international and exchange students would be sent home. She was once again assured everything would be okay. She followed the instructions of her International
Studies Abroad advisor and went about her
sent home,” Wright said. “I do not regret amazing people and got to live in one
of the most beautiful cities in the world.
(660) 262-7580
Wright explained she had already
around and how to communicate with the her best friends.
“When I came home, it seemed like that
mother telling her that her program had
all was taken away from me, literally in a
home. She immediately burst into tears.
On March 3, a few days after returning
day,” Wright said.
Wright then received an email from her
to the states, Wright wanted to visit her
to leave the country and that non-residents
That served as another challenge. She said
host school, alerting her she had four days
would be denied healthcare if they stayed.
The next day, Wright spent time shopping
and visiting landmarks with her friends.
She wanted to make the most of her last day in Italy. Then, on March 1, she was back in the United States.
“Around 5:30 a.m. with an hour of sleep,
I got a taxi to the airport,” Wright said. “I
boyfriend because of her high emotions.
during the first 12 hours of being with him at his school in Indiana, she had to leave telling students who had been in contact
with anyone who had traveled to certain foreign countries, including Italy, within the last 14 days to quarantine.
“I knew it was vital for her to have social
support as she mourned the loss of her
again immediately broke into tears.”
boyfriend, a student at Earlham College,
Wright’s family had planned to meet
her in Rome once her program ended in May. They were going to travel together
experience, so I insisted she visit,” Wright’s Austin Burt, said. “She was grieving over the loss of opportunity.”
Since returning home, she said she has
until June 3. However, those plans were
received an outpour of support from
disappointed.
is extremely grateful for having visited
also canceled, leaving Wright even more “It was hard to be around my family
because all I could think about is how the
next time I was supposed to see them was
when I would be picking them up from the airport in Rome,” Wright said.
Wright’s mother Christine Opatrny-Yazell
said, “I was also very sad that we would
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because his university sent out an email
flew from Rome to London, to Chicago, to KC, where I was greeted by my mom and
Warrensburg Express Care
anticipating it for another 3 months.”
locals. Italy is where she had met some of
been canceled and she needed to return
403 Burkarth Road, Warrensburg, MO 64093
to come home, especially because I was not
midnight, Feb. 29. Wright said she was
was woken up by a phone call from her
Open 24/7
Due to COVID-19 please call before arriving.
adjusted to Italy. She knew how to get
still not worried. Three hours later, she
If you are currently having a medical emergency, please call 9-1-1.
However, it was a really hard adjustment
days as normal.
Italy reached a level 3 advisory at
Emergency Care
challenge of transitioning back to life in the
to affect our semester.”
She also contacted the director of
Western Missouri Medical Center is ready to care for you whether you have a minor ailment or a life threatening situation when you're away from home. Both our Emergency Room and Express Care clinic are located 1.3 miles from UCM and open seven days a week.
the Study Abroad Office at UCM and
Italy even though her trip was cut short.
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Her experience has not discouraged her, and she is looking forward to studying
abroad again, hopefully in summer 2021, if allowed. She doesn’t know where
she wants to go yet, but she’s thinking somewhere in Europe.
WMMC.COM | (660) 747-2500
WESTERNMOMED
Features
4 Muleskinner • Vol. 114 • Issue 3 • Oct. 23, 2020
Buckeye Acres Brings Fall Fun to UCM Families KATELYN SCHULER Reporter
Brothers, Remington and Corbin Strohm, show off the pumpkins they picked out to take home. Photo by Lauryn Morrow and illustrations by Victoria Cimerman
Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes lining
to Missouri through the deemed term
shadowing children playing and the smell
with Ohio.
the walkways, corn stalks over 10 feet tall of apple cider wafting through the air is
‘Buckeye,’ a word most closely associated Buckeye Acres is open year round,
what makes Buckeye Acres a special place
producing many different variations
miles outside of Warrensburg, owned by
They grow strawberries, pumpkins and
to visit. It is a small produce market, a few Ohio natives Buck and Heather Counts. Their business brings a piece of Ohio
of produce depending on the season.
blackberries. They’re also known for the
fresh meat they produce. Everything sold
Baby Emberly Shirley plays with a small gourd while taking a break from picking pumpkins. Photo by Lauryn Morrow
on site at Buckeye Acres is produced in Missouri.
“The majority of our produce is grown
on site,” Heather Counts said. “In early
Wheeler said. “All ages, from field trip
aged kids all the way to three years old. Everybody is happy.”
Buckeye Acres hosts many customers all
spring, there are always things growing in
year long. They have things to do for every
crops almost year round, early spring
mazes and photo stations to entice their
the greenhouse. We tend to have vegetable through June also starts the berry season so strawberries, blackberries and other
individual including playgrounds, corn older visitors.
“One of the things we try really hard to
fruits.”
do at this particular patch is photo areas.
outside vendors, like Polly’s Pops, fresh
people and the fact that they’re able to get
The farm also offers products from
breads and jams. Polly’s Pops is a local
soda-producing company in Independence, Missouri.
“We always aim to get things from people
within Missouri,” said Heather Counts.
“We want things that our customers want to buy and ultimately consume, and if it’s local, you know where it’s coming from.” As the season changes to fall, the farm
prepares for pumpkin patch season.
Buckeye Acres employee Teresa Wheeler
has worked at the farm for the past three years because she said she enjoys the excitement on the farm.
“My favorite part of the season is the kids,
everybody who visits here is so excited,”
We get parents, teenagers, all kinds of
multiple different photo ops really adds to their experience” Wheeler said.
Senior UCM nursing major and mother
Eden Oloff visited the patch with her family this season.
“One thing I’ve noticed is all the people
are really friendly,” Oloff said. “They
have fantastic donuts and hot chocolate, and overall, the patch is just very family friendly. There is a lot to do because the
pumpkin patch is nearby so you get to ride to and from, and the corn maze is really neat.”
Buckeye Acres is a hidden gem of
Warrensburg. It has fun for people of all ages and offers a true taste of fall.
Muleskinner 5 • Vol. 114 • Issue 3 • Oct. 23, 2020
6 Muleskinner • Vol. 114 • Issue 3 • Oct. 23, 2020
Skinner on the Street: UCM Student Perspectives Voting Plans
Opinions
The Importance of Tolerance ANNA FURNEY Reporter
MADISON PRESTON
A recently surfaced video of Black Lives
Reporter
Matter protesters cornering a woman in a restaurant has become popular on the internet. The large group of protesters
shouted in the woman’s face, raising their fists to replicate the tell-tale BLM image of the fist of solidarity. Why did these
protesters corner and shout at this woman dining in a restaurant? Because she chose not to raise her fist with them. “I have never voted, but my parents
“I’m registered to vote in Ohio, so I won’t
everyone to understand and employ in
Alex Springer, a freshman cybersecurity
management graduate Benjamin Kirtley
harmony among people. Everyone has the
want me to, so I might do the absentee
decide will do the best for our country,”
adapted physical education major said. “I
major said. “I understand the fact that if
and submit that,” Whitney Jones, a senior feel like my parents are really pushing me to vote this year.”
Tolerance is an important concept for
“I plan to go vote for the people that I
you aren’t willing to go out and vote, you can’t really complain about the results.”
be able to vote in person,” recent airport
said. “I’m going to vote with an absentee ballot.”
their lives. Without tolerance, there is no
right to their own opinion, and everyone’s opinions should be respected. You do not have to agree with someone in order to
respect them. Respect and tolerance only
Presidential Characteristics
require you to not mistreat someone for their differing viewpoints.
SKYE MELCHER
University campuses are supposed to be
Features Editor
renowned for their diversity, but too often we see students scared into submission of keeping quiet and following the majority.
If a student is scared to speak about their opinions, there is a problem. Diversity
of thought should be just as welcomed
as diversity of culture. Without our own opinions, we are like mindless robots,
never thinking for ourselves. It is okay to stop and question something you hear. It Junior Rachel Seals Digital Media Production “Definitely to have great leadership
Senior Kathryn McMeen Computer Science Software Development “You need to be intelligent, diplomatic,
Senior Demetrius Hampton Theater and International Studies “The president’s characteristics should
and to just be a good voice to the people
be able to see both sides of an issue, not
include good communication, diplomatic
would need to be able to hear the people
able to see both sides. Well spoken is
way the world works as well as mediation
that they’re representing. Definitely
and see what it is they want and try to
accommodate in the best way possible.”
extremely right or extremely left but be
always nice, to speak intelligently. I think those are the most important things.”
Choosing Halloween Costumes
Victoria Cimerman Head Illustrator
The Muleskinner recently conducted a poll on our Twitter and
Instagram accounts to ask our followers what the comic character should dress up as for Halloween. There were many honorable mentions including a zombie, The Notorious RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsburg) and the mule dressed as a mummy, but with the
substitution of issues of the Muleskinner newspapers instead of the traditional mummy wrapping.
responses, a global understanding of the techniques.”
is okay to ask yourself, “should I support this?” It is okay to vote differently than
your friends. You should never be afraid to
act on your beliefs. If a friend mistreats you for having a different opinion, it’s probably time to look for better friends.
Liberal or conservative, Democrat or
Republican, most of us can agree that
mistreating others is wrong. The next time someone has a differing opinion than you, respect that. Respect others for thinking
for themselves. A little tolerance can go a long way.
Muleskinner 7
Sports
• Vol. 114 • Issue 3 • Oct. 23, 2020
Marching Mules and Color Guard Rock New Uniforms ZAYIN BARNES Reporter The University of Central Missouri marching band and color
guard ordered new uniforms. However, production has been slowed down because of Covid-19, and the factory making them shut down for an extended period of time, delaying their arrival.
The old uniforms were “really worn out and not
donatable,” and the band wanted the new uniforms to be more comfortable and “symbolic,” Director of Athletic Bands Julia Baumanis said.
The new uniforms will have the current UCM
seal on the right shoulder and the old “coffee stain mule” on the left shoulder. The coffee stain mule is left over from the old uniforms, which was originally a portrait of the prize-winning mule of a state fair.
Junior Tim Campbell,
instrumental music education
major, said “I helped design the
uniforms and I feel proud of how they look.”
Juniors Chad Fisher and Allison Quick, both
instrumental music education majors, agree that the new uniforms look great.
“They’re much less complicated to put on, and I
think they will be more comfortable to wear,” Quick
YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE. BE HEARD.
Vote on November 3rd.
Transportation to Warrensburg polls will be provided on 11/3 from Transportation to Warrensburg polls 11am-5pm. will be provided on 11/3 from 11amPickup will be on 5pm. Pickup will be theside south side of the on the south of the Union. Union. BE HEARD. Follow Us On Instagram Vote onFacebook! November 3rd. and
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said.
The color guard has already received their new
uniforms. They assumed that with COVID-19, their
season would most likely be cut short, so they saved money and are using tank tops and jerseys. The
jerseys are football jerseys with the UCM logo on
the front, a number on the back and the students’
last names above the number on the back shoulders. “They’re super cute and really sporty,” sophomore
early childhood education major Paige Bockes said. “They will work really well with football games to
match the level of school spirit. The glitter also adds an extra little pop. Color Guard loves everything to sparkle.”
The numbers on the shoulders were chosen by the
color guard members and each number has a special meaning for that student.
“I chose 19 because it’s the year I started with UCM color
guard, and my best friend chose 23 because it is the year she’s graduating,” Bockes said.
Color guard director Allegra Wolff said, “Everyone really
likes them. Our plan is to keep them as an option for apparel next year, and since we are going to Ireland in 2022 next fall, we’ll get really nice uniforms for that trip.” Illustration by Aria Steffan
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8 Muleskinner • Vol. 114 • Issue 3 • Oct. 23, 2020
Mule Senior Spotlight: Ubong Udom
MEAH COPELAND
lives there, and he wants to be closer to
Reporter
him. In his free time, he likes to work out and play at a softball tournament on the weekends.
Udom was upset when the season was
postponed. However, he said this will give the team a chance to train together to
be a better team. If there is not a spring
season, Udom said he will still continue to train.
His favorite memory during his career
was winning the 2019 MIAA conference
championship. His dream is to play at the
next level, but that depends on the season. With the fall season canceled, Udom will
Senior Ubong Udom practicing for the upcoming football season. Photo by Caroline Smith
Ubong Udom has been a special football
player since he arrived at the University of Central Missouri. He has shown up
to all practices, conditioning and team meetings and helps contribute to the
team. Ubong wants to excel on the field
and he makes sure that the underclassman pay attention. Teammates and coaches see what he can do, and he likes to help the younger players.
Udom is majoring in physical education
because he said he’s good with kids,
and after he graduates, he wants to get a teaching job and coaching position.
Specifically, in Colorado because his dad
miss the tight bond that he has with the
team and coaches. He will also miss being out on the field with his teammates and traveling for road games.
“We put in a lot of work in this off
season and it sucks that we won’t be
able to play,” Udom said. “We have as good chance as anybody else for the championship.”
Kyle Bradley has been close friends
with Udom since their recruitment day visit. Bradley’s favorite memory with Udom was when he blocked the field
goal and helped his team win the game
against Nebraska Kearney in 2019. The way he worked so hard during the off
season helped him win the game against Nebraska.
Sports
“I know he wants to play at the next
level,” Bradley said. “His work ethic and drive to be the best defensive linemen
shows his work on every rep and drill.
mentioned that he is a great pass rusher
whether it’s to play this fall, next spring or
in the run game. Udom is a mismatch for
With whatever the future might hold,
next fall, he has a good chance as anybody to be drafted.”
When Coach Svoboda saw Udom’s high
school statistics, he thought that he had
and is athletic enough to make some plays opponents. Svoboda said that Udom is a
young man who is committed to his craft in terms of being the best player.
“We are grateful for finding him and saw
tremendous athleticism for his size, and
something special in him,” Svoboda said.
and training year-round, then he would
players for not getting a senior year that
if he was in a consistent weight program be a special player. On the field, Svoboda
“It is frustrating for him and other senior they deserve.”
Illustration by Victoria Cimerman
MIAA Updates Fall Sports Plans MEAH COPELAND Reporter
Volleyball, golf, football and cross country
have started practicing to prepare for next spring. The MIAA CEO Council met on
Sept. 30 to discuss plans for the upcoming season. The council is responsible for
setting policies, making schedules for the athletic conferences, establishing athlete eligibility and planning for the future.
Football will not have a formal schedule
for the 2020 season and cross country
will not have a champion crowned. The football programs are allowed to have
four joint practices, scrimmages or games with outside competition. As a result, a
few MIAA schools have decided to follow
limited independent schedules for the fall season. These include non-conference
contests, as NCAA regulations permitted, and it will not go against the four permitted activities.
The association’s Athletics Administrators
Committee is considering having a
formal schedule for the spring season
for volleyball and women’s soccer. It all depends if the teams can stay healthy.
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