Muleskinner Vol. 116 Issue 7

Ongoing Food Shortage at the Campus Cupboard

Shelves

ANNELIA NIXON

Copy Chief

Emptying

According to the University of Central Missouri’s Director of Student Activities

Beth Rutt, UCM’s Campus Cupboard has been in a food shortage for the last six months. Rutt said she is concerned about the lack of food availability, inflation and the effect it has on students, as these factors can determine how a student performs in class.

“Food insecurity on college campuses is real,” Rutt said. “People know what it’s like to be hungry and we don’t want that to be an issue for our students.”

Rutt said the shortage has not been a surprise because she obtained a letter in Nov. 2022 from Harvesters Community Food Network.

“With Harvesters, I would go online and you would order the commodities that you want,” Rutt said. “So, normally you’d have 16 to 17 pages with like 30 items on each page that you can choose from, and just last month when I ordered, there were only four pages.”

for First Time in a Decade

As a member of Feeding America, the group provides Campus Cupboard with some of its food items. The letter provided a warning of what was to come. Rutt said she knew they were going to experience a 43% cut from what they normally received.

Rutt added, protein is the hardest to get and there were no soups to choose from and she’s barely been able to get cereal since Nov. 2022. She has not been able to get rice or pasta.

Campus Cupboard student worker, Maggie Rankin, said she is also concerned about the decline in food items.

“The amount of food that we’ve gotten in now has drastically declined since whenever I first started,” Rankin said.

“It has definitely impacted us. We have our usuals that depend on this food.”

Rutt said she purchases food from Harvesters, while ALDI and Walmart donate food to Campus Cupboard. She added that student organizations conduct food drives for Campus Cupboard often and she will meet with some of the local

grocery stores and purchase food from them directly. Rutt said some UCM staff members have been pitching in.

“When they [UCM staff members] go and do their shopping, they’ll buy an extra roll of paper towels and they’ll

buy two or three cans of soup extra,” Rutt said. “They accumulate so much and then they bring it by and donate it. We have some individuals who are very generous in that way.”

see CUPBOARD page 2

RSOs Move to New Platform

ABRAM TABOR

News Editor

The University of Central Missouri is making its official transition from the student organization platform on MyCentral to Central Connect. The new platform for registered student organizations includes features for recruiting, managing attendance and informing students of upcoming events.

“This has so many opportunities for the students to be more engaged with their members,” Beth Rutt, Director of Student Activities, said. “I think it’s going to be easier for people to look at the 180 student organizations we have.”

According to Rutt, the main reason UCM is moving away from the platform used in MyCentral is that it would no longer have technical support.

The new system is through Modern Campus’s Presence software and includes several new features to increase usability.

“It’s time for us to move forward with technology,” Rutt said. “It’s very intuitive and it’s user-friendly. The other system was not user-friendly.”

According to Deeb Hammoud, graduate assistant for student organizations, changes include the ability for prospective students to browse opportunities, a calendar of events and the ability to measure student event attendance.

“In brief, it’s basically everything involved with student activities on

campus,” Hammoud said. “I’m hoping that this software will help students get more involved with events on campus.” Hammoud provided training for student organizations to transition from the old system.

“Almost everyone has been really enjoying it. I’ve heard so much feedback that they’re excited for it,” Hammoud said. “The MyCentral system, it doesn’t give much value to student organizations. This software allows for much more value.”

Student Government Association President Cade

Tremain said SGA is in complete support of the new software. As president, Tremain is also working on transitioning SGA over to the platform.

“There are so many organizations that are a part of SGA, and so much representation in SGA that people don’t always take perfect advantage of, so that’s why we love the idea,” Tremain said. “It’s like a virtual involvement fair constantly. You can see what kind of organizations are out there, you can see what kind of leadership they have, what

they’re up to. They can put updates on there too. So, you’re always in the know.”

Recycling Returns to Campus

ELLIE WHITESELL, MURITALA AYINLA

Multimedia Manager, Distribution Coordinator

As part of the strategies to conserve resources and protect the campus environment, the University of Central Missouri has returned to the use of recycling bins on campus. Many believe there are gains bringing back recycling on campus. Lalithya Goud Burra, a graduate student in the School of Industrial Science and Technology, described the provision of the recycling bins on campus as a good development.

“Understanding the value of recycling and waste prevention in the current atmosphere is crucial for lowering your environmental impacts,” Burra said. “It is also very important to educate the people on the gains of recycling and how the waste can be sorted while disposing of them.”

Assistant Manager of Custodial Facilities

Shannon Weaver said the university stands to gain a lot from recycling in addition to environmental cleanliness. Weaver said the reintroduction of recycling on campus will help the university’s environment be more litterfree, cleaner and livable to everyone.

see RECYCLE page 2

Volunteers help unload food supplies for UCM’s Campus Cupboard. The Cupboard has been in a food shortage over the last six months. Photo by Annelia Nixon

Graphic by Rachel Becker

CUPBOARD continued

Graduate Assistant for the Campus Cupboard Kaylee Bohle wants to be sure that students and Warrensburg citizens know how to help get more food on Campus Cupboard’s shelves.

“People can donate,” Bohle said. “We are accepting all donations. Some student organizations on campus donate by setting up activities where student orgs [organizations] can donate to us.”

According to Rutt, when Campus Cupboard cannot provide, there are other resources students can look to.

They can go to Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Monday through

RECYCLE continued

“I coordinate with students, faculty and staff and make sure that they are aware of what can be recycled in the large containers and what cannot,” Weaver said. “I

also make sure that they are aware of the pro-shred bins we have. It’s a good opportunity for everyone to jump in and help our environment and make sure we have a clean

Friday at 5 p.m. and get a free dinner,” Rutt said. “A lot of our church student organizaations offer a free lunch once a week or a free dinner once a week. A student can have a hot meal every day at no expense.”

Earth to give to our next generation.”

On where the recycling bins are located on the campus, Weaver said the large recycle bins are located behind the Wood

Building, there is another one at Fitzgerald Hall and there is another at Ellis Hall.

Weaver, who reiterated the long-term goals that UCM plans to achieve by bringing back the bins in the university environment, said currently there are no plans to add any more bins around campus.

“At this time, we want to see how these work before we proceed any further. Just to keep our environment as litter free as possible and to sustain a good environment,” Weaver said. “We want to make sure future generations have a clean place to come to school and live.”

The assistant manager added she could not ascertain the cost of recycling because it depends on the usage. “I know it [usage] depends

on how often the recycle bins are emptied and at this time it is only the second month they’ve been in place so I can’t tell you what the cost is.”

Weaver said when the bins are emptied, they go to Harrisonville. “They bring a container with them, that way they can place the empty container and take the full one back and it is sorted in Harrisonville. The benefit of course, is to keep our environment clean, keeping it sustainable.”

She said that the major task is to make people know what can go into recycling to make the recycling culture easy to implement.

“We go through a lot of paper and it makes me feel good to be able to recycle that instead of it going to a landfill,” Weaver said. “The only drawback is making sure people are

aware of what can go in the recycling dumpsters. Otherwise, it would be a waste of time if they are putting the wrong stuff in the dumpsters because they would have to be taken to a landfill instead.”

UCM student

Mackenzie Rademacher said that the change will make recycling easier for her and other students she knows.

“I feel like people will use it, instead of just throwing everything away,” Rademacher said.

“I know the past couple of years a lot of people have been complaining about not having recycling. It makes you feel like you’re doing something instead of just being passive.”

Graphic by Rachel Becker

Talking Mules Learn Around the World

Speech and Debate Team Compete in 25th Montgomery Cup

STEPHANIE ROGERS

Contributing Reporter

The University of Central Missouri’s Talking Mules Speech and Debate team traveled overseas to Ireland and the United Kingdom to compete in the Montgomery Cup. This was the 25th Montgomery Cup, established and led by UCM Forensics Director Jack Rogers.

“They are literally changed people,” Rogers said. “Their eyes are open to a great big broad world out there.”

The Talking Mules often debate world issues, with one of their topics during The Cup being, ‘This house believes that all news outlets should be forced to operate as nonprofits.’ The students learn to compete in the British Parliamentary style debate and each team has to argue for their side of the table, either in favor or against.

“The trip is very handson,” said Graduate Student Manuel Reyes. “I get to see different cultures and learn different debating styles and I get to learn about the history of the places we visit.”

The team competed against three different universities overseas, Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, Cardiff University in Cardiff, Wales and Imperial College in London, England.

“I am very excited about Trinity,” said Speech and Debate Assistant Coach Sydney Crank. “It’s a prestigious college. To have these kids debate against a school like Trinity is life-changing.”

Competing at a school like Trinity College in Dublin,

Ireland, is comparable to UCM debating an Ivy League collegiatelevel competitor, such as Harvard University.

For example, according to UCM’s Alumni Foundation, UCM’s endowment is $40 million, while Trinity College’s is $1.4 billion, according to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute.

“It’s kind of like David vs. Goliath,” said Crank.

“It’s a well-known university, and they’re

respected for their debate society. It feels cool to say, ‘Oh, we’re going to debate one of the top debate teams in the world.’ What a cool opportunity and experience.”

The Cup was initially designed to give students an outside-the-classroom immersive experience into another culture, teach them about British-style debate and open their eyes to different worldviews.

“I’ve had several students who all they had

wanted to do was graduate college and go back to their hometown,” Rogers said. “Now all of a sudden, they’re thinking about, ‘oh my gosh, there’s a big bright world out there, I want to travel, I want to see if there is a job in the big city,’ and suddenly they begin to believe that the world is full of possibilities for them.”

The Talking Mules took a tour of Deal Castle, as well as other locations along the way. Deal Castle is a Tudor artillery castle located in Walmer, England.

Manuel Reyes, graduate student, works alongside teammates at Trinity College in Dublin. Trinity College is considered a US equal to an Ivy League collegiate competitor.

The seal of the College Historical Society of Dublin, the team traveled throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom. The seal refers to the debating society at Trinity College Dublin, established in the 1770s. Photos by Stephanie Rogers

The Talking Mules were accompanied by students who documented their experince through photos and videos. The Montgomery Cup enters its 25th year in 2023, and UCM has competed in the tournament 23 times, emerging with 16 overall wins.

Speaker Series Brings Rev. Barber II to UCM

ABRAM TABOR

News Editor

The Rev. William J. Barber II delivered a speech, “America’s Heart Problem” to an audience of University of Central Missouri students and Warrensburg community members. The speaking event was a part of Unity Week at UCM, a time for celebrating diversity in the campus community.

Esosa Akele, graduate assistant with the Center for Multiculturalism and Inclusivity, helped organize Unity Week. She was pleasantly surprised by the turnout and student response.

“It was an amazing presentation, a lot of students participated in it,” Akele said. “The purpose of Unity Week was to celebrate unity, diversity and inclusivity within the UCM campus community. The series of events and activities aimed to bring people from different backgrounds, cultures and identities together to create a sense of belonging and mutual respect on campus.”

Barber is credited as an architect of the Moral Movement and for reviving the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign, originally led

by

Martin Luther King Jr., among others.

According to the MacArthur Foundation, Barber is a notable advocate for expanding voting rights, the living wage, healthcare, public education and LGBTQ rights.

“I came to tell you that every generation in America needs a movement that refuses to give up on America,” Barber said.

“Don’t just study the history of the people before you, become history. Because in order for a nation to change, when a nation has a heart problem, it takes people with good hearts that won’t give up on that nation to become the moral defibrillator of that nation.”

Throughout the speech, Barber made reference to “America’s heart problem,” an issue of morality in modern society. Barber said he sees this as an important issue to address at the government level.

Barber made a point that he was not speaking about race, political parties or other agendas, but rather the needs of poor and low income families in the United States.

“I am here with a medical report,” Barber said. “A medical report to your

generation and mine, since I’m still alive, we have to hear and we have to face because if we don’t there’s no hope for a cure.”

The social activist’s Unity Week speech challenged current economic issues and how the U.S., including Missouri, is not giving proper care to its large lowincome population.

“We have not raised the minimum wage in America since 2009. 14 years somebody has said $7.25 is enough,” Barber said. “I know what some of you are saying, ‘but that’s not in Missouri.’ 39% of all people in Missouri are poor and low income, that’s 2.3 million residents.”

Barber cited a report by the RAND Corporation to emphasize the current economic disparities, saying over $50 trillion were redistributed from the bottom 90% of people in the U.S. to the top 1%.

Meanwhile, Barber said the issues of low income households are whether or not a family will be able to afford the basic necessities, including housing, utilities and food.

Barber said the problems facing poor and low income households supersede racial

lines that have long existed in the U.S..

“What I know is whether you are Black or White or Brown or Asian or whatever you are, if you are poor and can’t pay the light bill, we’re all Black in the dark,” Barber said. “If a child can’t eat, they don’t cry Black. They cry hunger, they cry hurt, they cry pain.”

According to UCM President Roger Best, speakers like Barber are important to UCM, to challenge our beliefs and encourage thought about social issues.

“Regardless of where we’re from, regardless of our belief system, it’s always important that we hear from others who agree or disagree so we can reinforce our belief systems or challenge our belief systems,” Best said.

According to Best, bringing in speakers to help students hear what others are thinking is the goal of the UCM Speaker Series.

“Sometimes we agree with them, sometimes we don’t, but really it’s about helping us think more deeply about our own belief systems, the challenges we face as a society, the challenges we face as a country.”

Social advocate Rev. William J. Barber II gives a speech from the podium in Hendricks Hall. The presentation on Feb. 27 was sponsored by UCM’s Center for Multiculturalism and Inclusivity.

Photo by Mingzhu Zhu

Oscars Snubs and Dubs

MEGAN WEAVER Staff Reporter

The 2023 Oscar season is officially over until next year, which means that film buffs will be arguing relentlessly for the next three weeks over the winners and losers.

I was really interested this year because I watched several of the movies that were nominated. I was also invested because I’ve actually started watching movies as they come out and not two years later, so I was up to date this time around.

You might have noticed that “Everything Everywhere All at Once” won a lot. I am super happy with how this movie did at the Academy Awards. Winning seven out of its 12 nominations, I’m glad that this movie is getting the accolades it deserves.

“Everything Everywhere All at Once” explores the idea of nihilism vs absurdism in such a beautiful and heartbreaking way. It also has an incredibly unique and original take on the idea of multiple dimensions and alternate universes. The relationships between the characters display some of the best writing and characterization I’ve ever seen. This movie has changed my entire outlook on life.

Also, Michelle Yeoh was the first Asian woman ever to be nominated for Best Actress and I’m super glad she won because she is the heart of “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Yeoh delivered such a great performance. She had a way of making her character, Evelyn, so raw and real. “Everything Everywhere All at Once” wouldn’t be half the movie it is without her.

Yeoh has also been acting since the 80s so this award was a long time coming. I also watched “All Quiet on the Western Front”(2022), which won four Oscars, and all of them were well deserved, especially Best Original Score. I loved the score in this movie, there’s one song that’s prominent throughout the movie. It has a very haunting, loud rattle that is used oftentimes to signify upcoming danger and it puts you on the edge of your seat. The song I’m talking about is called “Remains” and I recommend looking it up. The rest of the film was excellent, though it could’ve probably been a little shorter. The cinematography and acting portrays the horrors of war so well. There’s also a lot of symbolism within the movie that I noticed and as someone who’s not a big fan of war movies, this one almost made me cry.

So whether your favorites won or were robbed, we can all agree that 2022 was a great year for movies. Some 2023 movies I am looking forward to are “Barbie,” “The Hunger Games: A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.”

DILLON SECKINGTON Features and Opinions Editor

When HBO announced a television adaptation of Naughty Dog’s “The Last of Us” in November 2020, many were unsure how to feel. While the game certainly had a narrative appeal and pleasing cinematic qualities, there are always those creeping thoughts that another version could ruin the spark initially created in the game.

However, as the show released each episode, fans and critics were blown away by the refined storytelling and contemporary thematic value that HBO’s adaptation brought to the table. From the first episode to the finalé, viewers witnessed an adaptation that stayed true to its roots within “The Last of Us” video game, while also building upon the tone, theme and ideas that made the video game a hit in the first place.

“The Last of Us” series features nine episodes of gut-wrenching action, heartwarming storytelling and deeply

enjoyable acting. We see Joel Miller, played by Pedro Pascal, and Ellie, played by Bella Ramsey, on a journey across an apocalyptic United States in hopes of saving humanity.

These actors are certainly based on the video game’s original characters; however, the actors have also clearly taken their own ideas and thoughts into their characters.

Overall, the casting in this series is incredible. On one hand, Joel’s daughter, Sarah, played by Nico Parker, makes a lasting impression in a short time to let the audience know that her character is a major theme throughout the show.

On the other hand, you have actors like Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett who show viewers their range once again. This, along with other production aspects of HBO’s “The Last of Us” series are what made fans fall in love with the series.

In the first episode of the series, titled, “When You’re Lost in the Darkness”, viewers

initially see a scientist on a talk show, essentially warning the show’s viewers of the cordyceps fungi and what it is capable of. This dramatic and, frankly, frightening introduction creates a slow burn of sorts for the series.

“The Last of Us” also does a lot to comment on gender and sexual norms.

From the portrayal of strong female characters in both the game and the series to the series’ gripping third episode, “Long, Long Time”, “The Last of Us” combats female video game character clichés and shines a glimmering light on queerness. “Long, Long Time” is a major highlight of the series. With another season confirmed by HBO on the way, fans have a lot to look forward to. Now that we know the series stacks up to the legacy of the original PlayStation-exclusive game, fans are left to wonder what steps, risks and accomplishments the creators of “The Last of Us” will see in the second series.

“The Last of Us” is Just What Television Needed Finding resilience and the passion of journalism

RACHEL BECKER Editor-in-Chief

Over Spring Break 2023, The Muleskinner student news outlet was represented at the College Media Association’s spring Conference in New York City to compete, present and soak in all things Journalism.

At the conference we got to work with our national colleagues on solving the big issues that face us all today, the idea that “print is dying” and the need for more innovative recruitment efforts.

Right before we headed to the airport, Muleskinner Faculty Adviser Julie Lewis co-presented with me on a session entitled “Putting first things first: Editorial Leadership and Time Management” where we shared best practices with student editors and faculty advisers from all over the nation about prioritizing what is important and urgent in a working newsroom.

The presentation, and the following discussion with our colleagues really opened my eyes to how we are not alone with the challenges we face in our newsroom. It seemed like all our attendees were editors that were burned out, a feeling I am often left with when running a newsroom of 75 students, and editors faced issues of a lack of new recruits that cared passionately about the craft of journalism.

We have found ourselves between a rock and a hard place, we have burned out leadership and a lack of people to delegate tasks out to, a true recipe for disaster. One thing really did unite us in that room, the passion for the continuation of journalism.

Another workshop I attended was all about innovating the way student newsrooms recruit, as university enrollments have been decreasing across the nation. We are seeing newsrooms with staff in the single digits, we are seeing whole journalism programs shut down and as students invested in storytelling, we cannot let these programs fail. We talked about how to grab new generations, how to market newspaper jobs to those outside journalism majors, and how to incorporate social media into your strategies.

The CMA keynote speaker was Ramon Escobar, Vice President for Talent Acquisition at CNN, he spoke about the challenges he has faced as a first generation immigrant and a gay man making it in broadcast journalism.

His speech ignited me and got me to the edge of my seat as he spilled inspiration and advice to us and the other journalists in the audience. He said journalism teaches students how to critically think, write and express themselves, all

are skills required for today’s workforce.

Escobar spoke about resilience, and being to overcome the hurdles a news cycle can throw at you. “Some days, all you have is a dream,” Escobar said. “It will get tough out there, so have a reason.” I hope to bring all the knowledge and resources

I took from CMA’s Spring 2023 Conference back to our newsroom, but also to newsrooms all over Missouri. As an Editorial Leadership team we have seen how some journalism programs are facing all the same challenges we are, and want to help start conversations about how to solve these issues.

Editor-in-chief Rachel Becker experiences Times Square while in New York City. The College Media Association’s 2023 spring confrenece was held March 9-12. Photo by Muleskinner Staff

Graphic by Rachel Becker Courtesty of Playstation and HBO

Warrensburg Flys by Sedalia Rivals in Season Opener

AARON BAX Staff Reporter

Warrensburg High School’s baseball team bested local rivals Smith-Cotton High School 15-3 in five innings to start their season off with a win. Warrensburg and Smith-Cotton have been rivals for decades and no love was lost in yet another memorable encounter.

The seasonal Silver Tiger game was yet another showdown between the twin Tigers of Warrensburg and Sedalia.

This year’s rivalry has had 13 matchups across all sports and has already seen many memorable moments, from a hard-fought men’s soccer game which went to penalties, to a heartwarming competition to raise the most money for charity before the yearly men’s basketball game.

So far, Warrensburg has won the majority of the games with seven, while Smith-Cotton has won three, with the remaining two results being unknown.

“In every sport, the rivalry with Smith-Cotton is really fun,” said Chris Coombs, head coach for Warrensburg High School boy’s baseball. “It’s a big deal for both communities.”

These communities were clearly on display at a game which despite the cold weather, still managed to attract students and non-students alike.

Of particular note was the appearance of the Warrensburg High School men’s tennis team which came to the game after finishing practice.

A rarity in previous years due to distance between practice locations before the new sports complex was built, this year has seen teams attend each other’s games in increasing frequency both through formal initiatives from the administration and student-led choices to go to games.

Despite the history of the rivalry between the two schools, Coombs spoke proudly about the friendly nature of the rivalry as well.

“You talk tough and you say stuff but really, you have friends in that town too,” Coombs said. “They’re good folks just like we have good folks here. We love our games with SmithCotton. I know coach Zimmerman really well. And so it is a fun and friendly rivalry.”

This friendly element did not however factor into Coomb’s or Warrensburg’s game plan.

After seeing Smith-Cotton go three and out in the top of the first, Warrensburg took the lead in the bottom of the first with Sam Slobaszewski scoring off a ground out by junior second baseman, Josh

Thomas. Warrensburg would go on to score two more runs that inning.

The second proved to be more of the same as Smith-Cotton started to rotate pitchers. In the third, the visitors for Sedalia would finally challenge Warrensburg as they managed to score three against the home team. From there on out Warrensburg would dominate the game ultimately mercy-ruling SmithCotton after scoring eight in the fourth and shutting them out in the top of the fifth.

Junior catcher Aiden McCracken and sophomore center fielder Sam Slobaszewski lead Warrensburg in runs with three each while starting pitcher senior Gauge Claunch threw six

strikeouts over three innings in his first start for the win.

Following the game, senior right fielder and University of Central Missouri dual credit student, William Finnane said, “I think [this game was] a step in the right direction but now we really need to focus on conference and districts.” Coombs said, “Every year, our number one priority is to win our district. Every year, our number two goal is to win our district.”

Graphic by Rachel Becker

Jennies Fall to Minnesota State in Regional First Round

Above: Guard Ali Vigil moves about the court as the defender from MSSU Lions. Vigil played for 10 minutes in the game, not scoring any points.

Left: Guard Olivia Nelson works around the Central Oklahoma Bronchos. Nelson scored 11 points for the Jennies win. Photos by Addison Hammons

Players Reflect on Karleskint’s Leadership

COLE ELLING

Sports Editor

After nine seasons, Doug Karleskint will not be returning as the head men’s basketball coach at the University of Central Missouri next season.

Sophomore Ben Fritz believes the positive leader and person Karleskint was for his players is what will be missed most by himself and his teammate, while they move onto the next chapter of their collegiate careers. Fritz says he is sad to see Karleskint leave the program, but thankful he will always be available to be his mentor.

“He (Karleskint) told us that he will always be here for us and that he will still be around. It speaks to the kind of coach he is.”

Karleskint resigned after nine years at UCM on Feb. 25. Karleskint had an overall record of 135-119 and holds the record for most wins as a first year head coach in program history, with 25 wins. Karleskint went on to lead the Mules to three seasons with 20 or more wins. Karleskint resigned after Mules Basketball ended their season at Northeastern State on Feb. 25.

Many players say they can only compliment the culture that Karleskint took over and grew during his time in Warrensburg.

“We were all very surprised [of Karleskint’s resignation],” said Sophomore Guard and University of Missouri-Kansas City transfer, Jack Chapman. “He was a big reason I chose to transfer to UCM and seeing him leave has been difficult for all of us.”

Though UCM is turning a new page in their basketball program. With only two seniors on the 2022-23 roster, the team is one of the youngest in the MIAA Conference. Many believe losing a coach that spent nearly a decade developing his program is hard for any team, but returning players are set on making a statement for the future.

Freshman Guard, Connor Arment, said, “Though we are all sad to see Coach Karleskint leave, I am still excited for this team and what we have ahead.”

Former University of Central Missouri coach Doug Karleskint resigns after nine seasons with the Mules basketball team. He has impacted many players in their time on and off the court. Submitted photo by UCM Athletics

Bohac to be Next Mules Basketball Head Coach

COLE ELLING

Sports Editor

According to the University of Central Missouri Athletics, Adam Bohac was hired as the new men’s basketball head coach on March 23. Kathey Anderson, interim vice president of UCM Intercollegiate Athletics, will introduce Bohac at 1:30 p.m. March 29, at the UCM Multi-Purpose Building, at the time of press.

Many students await in anticipation of the pivotal change coming to Mules basketball.

“From watching the games, the boys team seems to be really close, kind of like a family,” Brianna Glover, member of the UCM Pep Band said. “Getting a new coach

can always be really intimidating because you don’t really know what to expect. So, if the new head coach comes in and continues to make that a priority, I feel like it will have a good impact overall.”

UCM Athletics believes Bohac can bring his years of experience to UCM.

He spent the last 15 seasons at Southern Nazarene University with an overall record of 312-146 while also compiling four Great American Conference Regular Season Championships and two Conference Tournament Championships since 2014. He ended his last season at SNU with 21 Conference wins, which is the most by any NCAA Division II program this season.

“Whenever you introduce someone new to the team, especially one that has to

lead everybody, you have to be able to build a connection between the player and the coach,” Freshman Christopher Adams said. “I could see it as a way that we could get better or we could get worse. It just depends on how the coach is able to influence his men and how they play.”

Before becoming a coach, Bohac played as a four-year letterman at the University of Nebraska and a Big 12 Commissioner’s honor roll student for five years. Upon his graduation, Bohac spent three more years at Southern Nazarene hired to the coaching staff as an assistant coach.Next, he coached at Army West Point in 2007-2008 before returning to Southern Nazarene as the head men’s basketball coach.

“I’m excited to have him, he seems like a really good coach,” sophomore Ben Fritz said. “So far I’ve only heard good things about it and about him, I’m excited to meet him and excited to hopefully play for him.”

photo by UCM Public Relations

Submitted