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State News The

Spartan fans

during the NCAA Final Four in Indy. See page 11

TOP: Spartan fans react to a play Saturday during the semifinal game of the NCAA Tournament at Slippery Noodle Inn in Indianapolis. ABOVE LEFT: From top, senior safety Chris Laneaux, East Lansing resident Rashaad Williams. senior linebacker Darien Harris, and senior offensive guard Brandon Clemons hang out Saturday during the semifinal game of the NCAA Tournament at Slippery Noodle Inn in Indianapolis. ABOVE RIGHT: Food industry management senior Erick Rodriguez shows off his Spartan pride Saturday before the semi-final game of the NCAA Tournament outside of Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. PHOTOS: HANNAH LEVY

OPINION

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MSU-required classes are a drag

Take the classes the university requires for your degree as early as possible — PAGE 2 T UE S DAY, A P R IL 7, 2 015

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O B I T UA R Y

Proposed bill would keep first two MIPs off record State Sen. Rick Jones says since MIPs don’t seem to discourage underage drinking, why ruin a student’s future? He proposes heavy fines instead — PAGE 10

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Remembering Michael Rush

The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum director died of cancer at age 65 — PAGES 6-7

CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT SEASON

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TUESDAY, APRI L 7, 2 01 5

Contents INSIDE

Nearly sold out ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ excites audience

Neuroscience sophomore balances academics with lifelong love of ballet

Aerial Powers named honorable mention AllAmerican once again

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PAGE 9

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Studio art senior Sarah Hopkins works on a painting March 31, in Kresge Art Center.

Hopkins’ concentration is painting and she says that she loves this process of working with acrylic paint and pouring water on the canvas.

PHOTO: ALLYSON TELGENHOF

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BREAKING NEWS EDITOR Simon Schuster TRENDS AND ISSUES EDITOR Olivia Dimmer SPORTS EDITOR Geoff Preston FEATURES EDITOR Casey Holland PHOTO EDITOR Erin Hampton COPY CHIEF Elena Cronick OPINION EDITOR Greg Monahan Copyright © 2015 State News Inc., East Lansing, Mich.

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Opinion

Greg Monahan Opinion editor opinion@statenews.com @thesnewsopinion

MSU’s athletic success just part of its ‘golden age’

You know what they say, April showers bring May flowers

DEON HOWARD

BY PATRICK BADE

Required classes pointless and a waste of money I know I can’t be the only student here that hates our required classes. Some of them are difficult for no reason, some have professors that have a hard time speaking clear English and some are just flat out boring. With all these factors, that leaves us as students dreading taking and attending these types of classes.

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I cannot speak for everyone, but it seems a lot of people I know get less motivated to excel in these classes as we get deeper into school and into our majors. We go from learning things we will need in our respective fields to things we won’t even think about a couple of months from now.

It’s unfortunate, but I haven’t had one memorable class that was a requirement. The only thing memorable about them, for me, are usually how boring or irritating the class was. Going into the class with an open mind is a must and it helps, but only for so long.

The closer the semester comes to an end, the more sluggish I feel about the class.

My motivation for doing insane amounts of work and studying for my other classes is usually that I will have to use the information later on in life. I know I can either learn the information now or be in trouble somewhere down the line and make myself look bad.

For me, motivation doesn’t exist for an ISS class. I know

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I won’t use that information anywhere past the test I’m preparing for or the project I’m turning in.

The one good thing about these required classes is sometimes you luck out and get a relatively simple one. An easy required class is the greatest feeling because it won’t take up an inordinate amount of your time and you can focus more of your energy on the classes directly related to what you’re going into.

If I could give anyone advice, I would tell them make sure they take those required classes as soon as possible. You tend to have more motivation to succeed in something unrelated to your majors when you’re not on the tail end of your time at MSU. There’s no point in sitting around and waiting to take them, because the older you get the more you will dread them. Get them out the way — you’ll be more hungry to knock them out and then spend more time working on classes in your field.

TUESDAY, APRI L 7, 2 01 5

Does the warm weather affect your dedication to schoolwork?

77%—Of course! How can you not be distracted by sunshine and nicer temperatures?

23%—Nope. I can hold out until the end of the semester before I get too caught up in the outdoors.

TOTAL VOTES: 30 AS OF 5 P.M. MONDAY

PBADE@STATENEWS.COM

In light of Saturday’s basketball game, let’s take a moment to appreciate the unforeseen success that came with yet another Final Four appearance.

In fact, let’s take a few moments to recognize this arguably could be the best time ever to be a student at MSU. With an Elite Eight and Final Four appearance in the last two years, a Cotton Bowl and Rose Bowl victory, and, quite possibly, the best football-basketball coaching duo in the nation, there has been a lot to cheer about for Spartan fans.

Of course, a combined 6-1 record since 2008 against U-M in football and three straight wins against them in basketball feels pretty good, too.

Very few schools around the nation can boast the accolades that MSU athletics have achieved within such a short amount of time.

Proof of this statement comes with statistics.

After reaching the Sweet Sixteen again this year, MSU became the first school in history to win four consecutive bowl games and reach the Sweet Sixteen four years in a row.

MSU’s success doesn’t just stop at the major revenue sports either.

The MSU women’s cross country team won the 2014 NCAA championship, and the men’s soccer team made it to the Elite Eight in their NCAA tournament.

If there were any arguments to be made for a more glorious age of Spartan athletics, fingers would point to the ’50s, when MSU football won it all in ’51, ’52, ’53, ’55 and ’57 and made it to its first Final Four in basketball in ’57.

Time will tell if the Spartans of today can rival those accomplishments of the past, but things are definitely looking optimistic.

Obviously though, students don’t attend MSU solely for the sports. The academics haven’t been too shabby either.

It seems like every year the school is doing something bigger and better than the year before, continually advancing and establishing itself as a premiere university.

The rankings and recognitions page on the school’s website has a long, rolling list of achievements, many of them fairly unadvertised.

Whether it’s academic programs achieving high rankings or professors getting involved in cutting-edge research, there continues to be reason for students and alumni to be proud.

The fact is, current MSU students are in the midst of a “golden age,” so to speak. On a weekend we can watch our teams win big games, and when Monday arrives and we’re back in class, we know we’re working toward something special.

There comes a certain responsibility with all this excitement, to realize and appreciate what a great time it is to be immersed in the MSU community.

News

Olivia Dimmer and Simon Schuster Trends and issues editor Breaking news editor campus@statenews.com @thesnews

University pondering sanctions on revelers

BY MICHAEL KRANSZ MKRANSZ@STATENEWS.COM

Although MSU’s basketball season and the gatherings which followed are over, the repercussions for the 20 people arrested are not, with the university considering disciplinary action for students charged, an MSU spokesman said. "(Disciplinar y action) is something that the university, it’s safe to say, would pursue,” MSU spokesman Jason Cody said. “I do think it’s safe to say the university is going to look at student violations (that occurred during the post-game gatherings).”

Whether the university does take punitive measures on students involved in the disturbances will remain unknown to the public, Cody said, as a federal law protects students from having their education records released by the university.

The toolbox of disciplinary actions available to the university includes probation, suspension and expulsion, among others, he said. But there is no standard treatment, as all cases are reviewed and handled individually.

So far five of the 20 people arrested at the gatherings have been arraigned, and charges have not been dropped against the rest, East Lansing police Lt. Steve Gonzalez said.

The charges range from unlawfully remaining within 300 feet of an open fire to wrongfully propelling objects at police and others in the area, according to East Lansing police statements.

The turnout and intensity of the gathering in Cedar Village after MSU’s Final Four loss was significantly lower than cele-

Firefighters extinguish a couch fire on Evergreen Avenue and Abbot Road Saturday after the Spartans fell to Duke in the Final Four round of the NCAA Tournament. STATE NEWS PHOTO STAFF

brations the previous weekend, which saw several fires, flying bagels and crowds nearing 750 people.

Law enforcement in the area stepped up their efforts Saturday, ramping up police pres-

ence throughout East Lansing and positioning floodlights and police in riot gear in Cedar Village before the game’s end.

Comparatively, the night resulted in little excitement

at Cedar Village, with police arresting seven out of a crowd of an estimated 125, according to an East Lansing police statement.

Some of those arrested had thrown fruits and vegeta-

bles. Police quickly intervened after someone pelted a passing news van with a lemon.

Elsewhere in East Lansing, at least 10 fires were set.

“After the Final Four game, we were extremely pleased

that it was overall celebratory in nature,” Gonzalez said. ”(There were) a few individuals that tried to take it in a negative direction, but we were very happy with how things went this weekend.”

First, second MIP wouldn’t go on record under new bill

BY SERGIO MARTÍNEZ-BELTRÁN SMARTINEZ@STATENEWS.COM

Minors in possession of alcohol could have the opportunity to be caught twice before getting a misdemeanor on their records, if new legislation becomes law.

State Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, is drafting a bill that could potentially decriminalize underage drinkers. The bill would move the current law from a misdemeanor to a civil infraction.

“The problem with this being a misdemeanor is that it follows you for the rest of your life.

You have a criminal record,” Jones said. “It has kept some young people out of college. It has kept some young people from getting scholar-

ships. It has kept some people from getting the job that they wanted.”

Jones’ idea of implementing a strike-like system would not encourage students to drink recklessly, he said.

“I know that currently this misdemeanor is not a deterrent, so I think … (to) not tie somebody’s life with a criminal record is the best direction to go in,” Jones said.

Jones said a minor in possession charge can be given to anyone 17 years of age or older for as little as possessing or consuming one beer.

“Make the fine high enough that people would not want to get caught doing it, but not something that will ruin somebody’s life,” Jones said.

Agribusiness management sophomore Ryan Block said the current system of giving mis-

demeanor charges to underage individuals is exaggerated.

“I think that it is blown out of proportion,” Block said. “I think it’s not something that the legal system needs to manage, but it’s something that needs to have more of a social code.”

Human development and family studies freshman Claudia Cabrera-Rodríguez said the idea of giving an opportunity to fellow underage students is a good idea.

“Obviously you make mistakes when you are younger,” Cabrera-Rodríguez said. “I think it’s a good thing in a sense because you still have responsibility for your actions but it shouldn’t be something held against you when you are 30 and you have your established career.”

The soon-to-be-proposed system will be benT U E S DAY, AP RI L 7, 2 01 5

eficial to students, Cabrera-Rodríguez said.

“I think that now that they know there are strikes, it might be a little bit better,” Cabrera-Rodríguez said. “It gives them more chances to test the waters of what they are trying to do.”

If applied to MSU, many underage students would benefit from the proposed bill.

According to the MSU Clery log, 87 individuals have been charged with minor in possession from January to March this year.

Another reason to introduce the bill is to help improve the flow of the court system, Jones said.

“According to two different prosecutors, they say that in their counties a lot of minor in possession cases … pleading not guilty, (are) going into court and clogging up the courts,” Jones said.

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Spotlight In memory of Michael Rush, founding director of the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum

BY AJ MOSER AMOSER@STATENEWS.COM

Michael Rush, director of the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, poses on July 8, 2011. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ELI AND EDYTHE BROAD ART MUSEUM

Director. Priest. Husband. Brother. Artist.

These are just a few words family and colleagues would use to describe the late Michael Rush, founding director of the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, who passed away last week after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

“He was truly a man of the arts,” said Maryann Rush Hertig, Rush’s sister, in an email. “Michael approached all his endeavors with intellect, determination, imagination. He had vision and was able to share this with great enthusiasm and a keen sense of humor.”

Rush Hertig notes that her brother had an appreciation for art he shared with his whole family as well as a magnificent singing voice, something few knew.

“As a family member, he was fun, always interesting and always there when needed,” she said. “A true testament to his life is the many people who are impacted by his death.

He leaves a space that can never be filled.”

Since it opened its doors in November 2012, the Broad Art Museum has become an international landmark on MSU’s

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campus. Students affectionately identify it for its design and prominence along Grand River Avenue, and visitors from around the world flock to experience contemporary art in a wholly unique form.

Under Rush’s direction, the museum highlighted exhibitions and art from around the world, reflecting MSU’s place in an international community.

“In the short time we were fortunate enough to call Michael a colleague, he had a profound impact on the university through his work with the Broad Museum and in the art community,” MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon wrote in an official statement.

A MAN OF THE ARTS Rush had a long and varied career that took him many places and brought him to MSU in 2010 as a visionary leading the completion of a 46,000-square-foot contemporary art museum.

He graduated from Harvard University with a doctorate in psychology and religion and was an ordained Jesuit priest in the late 1970s.

Rush went on to become a successful art critic, and in

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TUESDAY, APRI L 7, 2 01 5

Anya Rath Managing editor arath@statenews.com @thesnews

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the early 2000s he earned a reputation as a passionate visionary and curator.

In 2005 Rush became the director of Brandeis University’s Rose Art Museum, where he received international acclaim for his contributions.

During his tenure, the museum was faced with an imposed crisis when the university planned to sell the entire collection. Rush fiercely fought this plan and his leadership attracted major art gifts for the collection, but cost him his job.

Rush’s ferocious energy was one of his most notable qualities, said Dominique Nahas, an art curator in New York City who frequently worked with him.

“Michael Rush was known for his intense concentration and his extraordinary creative capabilities in terms of selecting art, writing about art and interpreting art for both a wide and a specialized public,” Nahas said.

Rush came to MSU in 2010, selected by Eli and Edythe Broad as the director of the Broad Art Museum.

The Broads donated $33 million for the development of the museum and admired Rush’s dedication to “set a high bar for innovative exhibitions and programming.”

“We are immensely appreciative of the dedication and commitment he demonstrated during the past two and a half years to making the museum an integral part of the East Lansing community and a world-class destination,” Eli Broad wrote in a statement following Rush’s death.

ly the digital medium, made the Broad Art Museum a relevant institution on an international scale.

“I think Michael’s crowning achievement was the exhibition from China, ‘Future Returns,’” Deputy Director of Operations and Administration Bill Matt said. “Artists from China were able to come over and produce work here that never would have legally been allowed to exist in their home country.”

“Future Returns: Contemporary Art from China” ran through March 8 and presented an insider’s view of the rapid geographical changes taking place in China’s urban landscapes. The selection featured paintings, photographs, digital installations and videos from modern Chinese communities and imagined a transformation in the society.

“Michael was very emotional when that exhibition opened,” Matt continued.“He truly believed that it could have been displayed in any museum in the world.”

ENGAGING EAST LANSING The museum’s focus on contemporary art extended beyond simply pulling and displaying paintings and sculptures from old collections. The emphasis on artists coming directly to East Lansing to create and present their art to the community reflected Rush’s desires to engage an international community through expression and creativity.

“Michael viewed the museum as the cultural arm of a global institution,” said assistant curator Yesomi Umolu. “As a new institution with a global focus, it provided a lot more freedom and opporTHE BROAD FOUNDATION Zaha Hadid, a notable British architect, was tunity for collaboration between artists and stubrought on to design the building. Its silver dents in an academic setting.”

The education and public programming aspects sheen and sharp shapes make the Eli and Edythe of the museum also came about Broad Art Museum known to as products of Rush’s intense MSU students who may have desire to share creations that never even set foot inside the “He was truly critically examine the changing building. a man of the human condition. Each exhibiWhen the museum opened its arts. Michael tion in the museum featured doors in 2012, the response was approached all free artist talks, panel discusmuch greater than anticipated. sions, community tours and live Nearly 6,000 people visithis endeavors performances. ed the museum during its first with intellect, The level to which Rush weekend, double the anticidetermination, desired to engage with both pated amount. Rush took this local and international comas a sign that the community imagination. munities drew a large number was fully invested in the museHe had vision of artists to East Lansing. um and continued to bring in and was able to “His reputation and proa notable selection of contemshare this ...” file on a global scale attracted porary works. many artists and members of During his time at the musethe staff,” said Whitney Stoeum, he kept the staff updatMaryann Rush Hertig, Michael Rush’s sister pel, the museum’s director of ed on his vision for the art on public relations. “I even came display. here from Chicago myself for a Rush was recently awarded the International Award for Public Diplomacy cel- chance to work with him.”

The staff of the Broad Art Museum said that ebrating his work at the Broad Art Museum and Rush was often reserved about his personal life, his international reach.

In the two years of his tenure, the museum but deeply engaged with the small number of staff brought more than 176,000 artists and visitors to members about the content of the museum itself.

“We knew he was sick,” Matt said. “But it was still East Lansing from places such as China, Africa, a shock when he passed away. And a lot of us felt Istanbul and several others.

Rush’s admiration for contemporary art, especial- like we didn’t get a proper chance to say goodbye.”

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Crossword

L.A. Times Daily Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

Features “The Phantom of the Opera” brings nostalgia to students

ACROSS

1 Peru’s __ Picchu 6 Angle iron 10 Highest point 14 Kindle download 15 SeaWorld performer 16 Ellington’s “Take __ Train” 17 Older name for a passenger bus 19 Glass darkener 20 Responded in court 21 Cape NNW of Cod 22 Saguaros, e.g.

23 Covered up 24 Wedding gown follower 27 Place in quarantine 29 Legal thing 30 Came down with 31 Kate, before Petruchio’s “taming” 32 Bit of legislation 33 U2 lead singer 34 Like one resisting innovation 38 Die dots 41 Thumbs-up 42 Best man’s offering 46 Santa __ winds 47 Fellows 48 Stir-fry vegetable 50 Pirate Blackbeard’s real name 53 Rank below cpl.

54 Believer in the Great Pumpkin 55 NYC airport 56 Narrow opening 57 Installed, as carpet 58 Hole-making tool 61 Years, to Nero 62 Wows, and how 63 Stone marker 64 Droops over time 65 Peel in a cocktail 66 Filled with cargo

DOWN

1 Tennessee home of the NBA’s Grizzlies 2 Do away with 3 French department that translates to “golden slope” 4 Robin __ 5 Kiev is its cap.

6 Canadian coin nicknamed for the bird on it 7 Lego or Eggo, for example 8 Duke Univ. conference 9 Stadium shout 10 Rose essence 11 Lake Michigan metropolis 12 Bring up 13 Chip away at 18 Golfer’s ride

22 Dollar divs.

24 Cry out loud 25 Curved foot part 26 “Dallas Buyers Club” actor Jared 28 Some summer babies, astrologically 32 Summer coolers, for short 33 What winds do 35 Like Easter eggs 36 Emailed 37 Texter’s “From a different angle ...”

38 Spanish rice dishes 39 Gary’s home 40 Hocking 43 Answered a helpwanted ad, say 44 Whence Rossini’s barber 45 Spilled the beans 47 Dalloway’s title 48 Most judicious 49 Virg. neighbor 51 German cars 52 Actor Cary 56 Latina lass: Abbr.

58 Peace, in Acapulco 59 Be indebted to 60 High-speed www option

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TUESDAY, APRI L 7, 2 01 5

Chris Mann and Katie Travis perform their roles in “The Phantom Opera” The production will continue at Wharton Center until April 12. PHOTO COURTESY OF MATTHEW MURPHY / WHARTON CENTER

BY LESLIE HEMENWAY LHEMENWAY@STATENEWS.COM

Cobb Great Hall was jam-packed as people filed inside the auditorium while others sat and chatted amongst themselves, everyone eagerly awaiting the show to begin. Soon enough, the lights dimmed and conversations came to a halt.

“The Phantom of the Opera” will continue playing at Wharton Center from now until April 12. Although it is Broadway’s longest running musical, audiences were still completely entranced by the music, sets and especially the special effects.

The stage, with a screen resembling cobwebs in front of it, was decorated with a table and various pieces of 19th century-style furniture.

A group of people, including an auctioneer, entered the stage and began bidding on the furniture. The auctioneer pointed to the covered chandelier hanging above the stage, saying it had been restored after being damaged under mysterious circumstances.

The brown fabric covering the chandelier suddenly fell away as different sets of lights flashed on it, highlighting the glistening crystals. It was an elegant and stunning spectacle. The orchestra began playing dramatically, and it was clear to everyone that the show had begun.

Among those in attendance was Grand Valley State University student Trevor Wuori, who said he was seeing the show with his father.

“It’s been awhile. I was pretty young when I saw it last so I’m excited to see it again,” he said.

At one point midway through the show, the mysterious phantom, angry that the new Paris Opera House owners had denied his requests, suddenly took aim and shot at the chandelier while a performance was happening. The chandelier sparked and began to dramatically plummet, stopping halfway between the ceiling and

the startled audience.

Then, the curtain fell and it was intermission. Audience members began clapping enthusiastically.

During another chaotic moment, the phantom crashes a masquerade party and sets fire to the floor, causing the party-goers to scream and run around in fear.

The walls of the room were composed primarily of mirrors and during this scene the lights danced off the mirrors wildly, making it look like the room was almost spinning. The lights against the mirrors added to the reality of chaos and hecticness of the scene.

Elementary education senior Bethany Kinnan, an usher at Wharton Center, said Friday’s showing of “The Phantom of the Opera” was nearly sold out, with 2,200 people in attendance.

She said she thinks students are drawn to the show because of the reduced ticket prices, convenient location and how big of a Broadway show it is.

Wuori said he was particularly looking forward to seeing the song “Masquerade,” performed, because it’s his favorite song and scene.

Interdisciplinary studies senior Brianna Mykkanen, who works at the Wharton Center as an usher, said she loves “The Phantom of the Opera,” especially the flashy scenes, and has seen it five times.

“I saw it the first time when I was three so I didn’t really remember it, but my brother, who was two years older than me, absolutely loved it and he eventually wanted to be the phantom on Broadway, so I kind of grew up loving it that way,” she said.

For Mykkanen, “The Phantom of the Opera” is more than a show.

“It just reminds me of my comfort zone, just of home and everything,” she said. “Broadway shows were such a big thing in my family, so coming back to see a show like this, especially at the Wharton Center, is just like going home to family.”

Casey Holland Features editor features@statenews.com @sn_features

MSU student balances her neuroscience major with practicing ballet Sophomore Lana Grasser has been practicing ballet since she was 2 years old. Now in college and after an injury, she shares how she balances working toward her degree with her ballet classes on the side

BY LESLIE HEMENWAY LHEMENWAY@STATENEWS.COM

Everyone has a passion. Some people love to sing, others have a talent for photography. For neuroscience sophomore Lana Grasser, the passion she’s had for dancing has been prevalent in her life since she could stand on her own two feet.

Grasser said she’s been dancing since she was just 2 years old and her love for it has only become magnified since then.

“I was very hyper and (my parents) figured that (ballet) would be something that I could do to release all that energy, so I started really young and grew up with it,” she said. “It really stuck with me and I’ve just always loved it.”

Grasser said she’s practiced all kinds of dance, including jazz and tap, but her favorite is ballet.

She said she finds it to be graceful, aesthetically pleasing and compatible with any style of music.

The tricky part, though, is the human body wasn’t necessarily meant to move in the ways ballet requires. If a dancer isn’t extra careful, an injury can easily happen.

This is a reality Grasser said she knows all too well. She said she’s suffered from a hip problem, a torn liga-

ment in her ankle and issues with her metatarsals on the side of her foot, the latter of which forced her to take a break from ballet for a couple of months.

She said she did the best she could getting to class despite her injury, but it was a struggle.

Once the side of her foot was healed, though, she said she was determined to make up for lost time.

Being at college has given Grasser less time to practice, but she said her dedication remains strong.

She stretches every day and tries to do barre in her room by holding onto her bed as though it were a ballet studio barre.

She may be a neuroscience major, but Grasser said she plans on incorporating dance into her career. She’s interested in the crossover between neuroscience and arts, particularly in studying how dance can be used as a therapy for children with mental illnesses.

Grasser said ballet has changed not only her life, but herself as a whole.

“I learned to have a lot of respect, especially for … adults … and respect for people in general who are trying to teach you things,” she said. “I think (ballet) was a really good thing for me.

I think it gave me something to do to keep busy, and without that, I think I … would’ve been just a little lost.”

ONLINE To watch a video of Grasser practicing, visit statenews. com/ multimedia Neuroscience sophomore Lana Grasser ties her pointe shoes March 26 at IM-Sports Circle. Grasser is currently working on a dance project. PHOTO: KENNEDY THATCH

QUIZ

What event should you attend based on your academic life?

BY ZOË SCHUBOT ZSCHUBOT@STATENEWS.COM

Take this quiz to find out what upcoming event you should make time for based on your academic life.

1. What is something you pride yourself on?

A. I can rise up to any academic challenge B. I can listen to music while I’m studying C. I never miss a class D. I’m always studying and ready to try something new 2. What is your ideal study atmosphere?

A. Small and cozy, a place where I can easily talk to my friends B. A loud, vibrant atmosphere with upbeat music C. A sports bar with lots of TVs D. A hip, trendy spot where everyone is dressed to the nines 3. What high school extracurricular were you involved in?

A. Film club

B. Choir C. Varsity sports D. Does shopping count?

4. Can you handle a highenergy event based on your class load?

A. After all the stress I’m dealing with from school, I’d prefer something low-key B. I want something loud and crazy C. I want to be engaged, but I’m not looking to go wild D. I want an event where I can sit back and appreciate something I find interesting 5. Which statement applies to what you want from your break from the books?

A. I want to be entertained, but also shocked and maybe a little terrified B. I want to dance and have a great time C. I want to enjoy the weather and have fun too D. I want to be exposed to something new and benefit a cause

MOSTLY A’S You got: Advanced screening of “Unfriended” You have a thrill-seeking and fearless attitude, so on April 9 head over to B115 Wells Hall to see an advanced screening of Universal Pictures’ “Unfriended.”

MOSTLY B’S You got: Battle of the Bands Looking to dance around to some new tunes brought to you by your fellow students? Look no further than the UAB Battle of the Bands, taking place this Friday.

MOSTLY C’S You got: Crosstown Showdown: Lansing Lugnuts Baseball vs. MSU As their season begins, the Spartans will take on the Lansing Lugnuts in a thrilling game of baseball. Come out to Cooley Law School Stadium to cheer on the team.

MOSTLY D’S You got: Fashion for the Fire This avant-garde fundraising fashion show is taking place from 7-9 p.m. April 11 at The Runway in downtown Lansing.

ONLINE

To see where you can get tickets for the events, visit statenews.com

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Sports Aerial Powers has been named an honorable mention All-American

BY ZACH LIBBY ZLIBBY@STATENEWS.COM

For the first time in head coach Suzy Merchant’s tenure with MSU, the women’s basketball team did not play in any postseason tournament, because of a decision to not risk further injuries.

But the veteran sideline general and former Central Michigan guard received more outstanding news on her sophomore forward Aerial Powers on Saturday, who earned another honorable mention All-American honor by another renowned coalition.

22 Points per game by Aerial Powers

It’s been four years since the program carried a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) honorable mention All-American recipient since former standout Kalisha Keane.

Now, following a season filled with record-breaking accomplishments, Powers earned WCBA All-American honors to complete her collection of awards. She also earned the Associated Press honorable mention All-America award this past Wednesday.

Becoming the first Spartan to earn First-Team All-Big Ten

Sophomore guard Aerial Powers looks to the basket as she dribbes the ball down the court past Nebraska guard Tear’a Laudermill Jan. 8 during the game against Nebraska at Breslin Center. PHOTO: ERIN HAMPTON

honors in her first two seasons, Powers broke the single-season points (678), rebounds (375) and double-doubles (24) records this season, despite finishing ninth

in the Big Ten standings as a team with a 16-15 record.

Powers’ 21.9 points per game was the highest scoring average of any player in the program’s

history. Her 12.1 rebounds per game was the second highest in the conference this year, behind Minnesota’s Amanda Zahui.

Powers joins fellow Big Ten

players, Lexie Brown of Maryland and Ohio State’s Kelsey Mitchell on the WCBA honorable mention list.

Powers will return next sea-

son for her junior year, hoping to build on a career that has been one of the most decorated in MSU women’s basketball history.

Maurice Ager gives back to youth through his hoop school Stepping off the hardwood and into the music booth, former MSU basketball player Maurice Ager has gone from leading the Spartans to a Final Four, to being a Grammy nominated recording artist and producer.

Playing in four seasons with four different teams in the NBA, while also earning a spot on the All-Big Ten second team his junior and senior years, the game of basketball is still lodged into the heart of the 31-year-old, despite not having played professionally since the end of the 2010-11 season.

Residing in the Greater Los Angeles area, Ager wanted a way to have basketball continue to be a major part of his life, as well as giving back to

a new generation of future stars, which resulted in the creation of the Moe Ager Hoop School, founded over a year ago.

“I wanted to figure out a way to give back to the youth with some of the skills and talent that I’ve been able to accomplish in my life,” Ager said. “So I created this enrichment program geared toward three and up to increase their basketball skills and life skills.”

The former Dallas Mavericks first round draft pick credits his former mentors for giving him the inspiration for his project. That includes MSU head coach Tom Izzo, who appeared in his seventh Final Four on Saturday since arriving in East Lansing back in 1995.

“I had some great teachers and coaches when I was younger that have helped me take myself to the next level,” Ager said. “And I wanted to

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BY ZACH LIBBY ZLIBBY@STATENEWS.COM

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do the same for the up and comers.”

The hoops school first took off when Ager completed a one-day basketball workshop at the Long Beach Boys and Girls Club. According to his GoFundMe home page, there were 200 attendees who were eager to learn the necessary skills from someone who’s made a career as a professional.

The GoFundMe was created in order to provide 20 scholarships to interested kids to participate in a three-day basketball camp at the same location in Long Beach during the summer of 2015. In 20 days, Ager has raised 340 dollars.

“Some kids can’t afford it so we’re going to try to get it funded for them to come and learn from one of the best,” Ager said. “Long Beach is a low income area so we never want to deter anyone from getting an experience.”

While there will only be one designated location for Ager’s hoops school this year, he aspires to expand his project to select areas of the country and the world soon, that includes the city of Detroit.

“We want to take to different parts of the world,” Ager said. “We want to have a hoops school in Africa, a hoops school in Detroit, a hoops school in Dallas and potentially some other cities that may be receptive to the idea.”

As a junior with the Spartans back in 2005, Ager took the program to their first Final Four since the 2000 National Championship, playing tough in one of the most memorable tournament games in Spartan history, knocking off the Kentucky Wildcats in the Elite Eight in double overtime to advance to St. Louis. Ager finished his collegiate career with 1,554 total points scored.

Geoff Preston Sports editor sports@statenews.com @thesnews_sports

Spartan fans flock to Indianapolis for Final Four

BY RYAN SQUANDA RSQUANDA@STATENEWS.COM

As thousands of MSU basketball fans cheered the Spartans on in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium Saturday night, about a five minute walk down the street in downtown Indianapolis sat hundreds of other Spartan fans in the oldest bar in Indiana — ­ the Slippery Noodle Inn. “It started with Jud Heathcote,” said Slippery Noodle Inn general manager Marty Bacon, referring to the coach’s parties the former MSU head basketball coach used to throw at the bar in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

To this day, the Slippery Noodle Inn continues to be a hotbed for Spartan fans to congregate when a big time MSU sporting event is taking place.

But to look for a man who spurs it on today, look no further than 1989 alumna Paul Quirke, president of the Indy Spartans, an MSU alumni association based in the greater Indianapolis area.

Quirke first started organizing official Indy Spartans events at the Slippery Noodle Inn when the MSU football team was in town for the 2011 Big Ten Championship football game and has continued to do it ever since.

As for Saturday’s turnout at the Slippery Noodle when the No. 7 seed Spartans took on the No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils in the first of two national semi-final games, Quirke said the amount of green and white he saw at the Slippery Noodle Inn was incredible.

“It was like the whole town of East Lansing had invaded Indianapolis,” Quirke said. “It was great to see all Spartans joining us to celebrate the season the Spartans had.”

Several alumni around the area came out in support of the team Saturday night, like 2013

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alumnae Leslie Rochefort, who moved to Indianapolis in January and said she began seeking out Indy Spartans when March Madness began.

But in addition to the alumni around the Indianapolis area who always make their way to the Slippery Noodle Inn, the Final Four also saw many current MSU students who made the trip down to Indianapolis flocking to the bar.

“It was actually recommended by many Michigan State alum to come to (the Slippery Noodle) because they knew it was going to be a high Michigan State turnout,” said advertising senior Julia Raymond, who made the trip with her friends but didn’t have any tickets. “Everyone here is a Michigan State alum or a current Michigan State student so it’s a great place to be for this type of event.”

Many current and former members of the MSU sports teams also made an appearance at Slippery Noodle Saturday evening, from former MSU basketball players Drew Neitzel and Chris Hill, to the majority of the current MSU women’s basketball team.

“I knew from some other people who had been down here for the Big Ten championships ... that they came down (to the Slippery Noodle) and so we decided to come down and watch the game here, since we didn’t get tickets,” senior forward Becca Mills said. “It’s been really fun, especially here with everyone from Michigan State. There’s a lot of people from school that I know so it’s been really cool.”

And for Darien Harris, a senior linebacker on the MSU football team, who came to Indianapolis with some of his teammates for the weekend, he came to the Slippery Noodle after perusing Twitter and finding out it was the place to be for Spartans.

“We saw that Slippery Noodle was kind of going to be the MSU headquarters for the game,

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so we came straight here, and ended up coming in,” Harris said. “It’s been a great experience so far ... being here and seeing the Spartan faithful here is fantastic. We really get a chance to interact with the fans and see how they are.”

And in the end, even though Bacon himself is a Boilermaker, he loves having the kind of turn-

out the Slippery Noodle Inn had on Saturday.

“It’s wonderful,” Bacon said of all the MSU fans who showed up on Saturday. “We’ve made such great relationships over the years with the Spartans ... There’s a lot of them in the area ...

I would say yesterday, with all the people that were in here, we probably broke all records.”

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Spartan fans play games Saturday before the semi-final game of the NCAA Tournament in the Final Four round at Slippery Noodle Inn in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Slippery Noodle Inn is Indiana’s oldest bar and welcomes Spartans. PHOTO: HANNAH LEVY

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