Friday 9/27/13

weekend Michigan State University’s independent voice

statenews.com | 9/27/13 | @thesnews

(Top) Lansing residents Diego Love-Ramirez, left, and his partner Kent Love-Ramirez, right, play with their son Lucas, 2, Thursday in their Lansing home.

Georgina De Moya /The State News

The couple laughs as Lucas falls to the ground while playing with a soccer ball Wednesday.

Danyelle Morrow/The State News

Like fathers, like son

By Katie Abdilla kabdilla@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

I

t was Christmas Eve in 2005.

Kent Love, the communications director for the MSU College of Law, had spent the evening unwrapping gifts with Diego Ramirez, his partner of five years. But unbeknownst to Ramirez, his last gift from Kent would hold a meaning he’d never forget.

acade m ics

From East Lansing to the White House, partners advocate for same-sex parent rights in Michigan

He opened his last present — a box containing the foam outline of a cross-shaped ornament — and was instantly thrown. He looked up to the tree and found the ornament, placed in the middle of the tree and holding two rings.

“I got down on one knee and proposed,” Kent Love-Ramirez said. “I don’t remember exactly what I said, but there was a lot of crying.”

Since their ceremony in the Alumni Memorial Chapel two years later, the couple has remained dedicated to building a family, as well as advocating for the right of others in the LGBT community to

To see a video of the family, visit statenews. com/ multimedia.

See PARENTS on page 2 u

h e a lt h

New specialization gives students Med. students to help coverage in rural north a chance to study LGBT issues

By Celeste Bott

cbott@statenews.com

By April Jones ajones@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Students and faculty members will celebrate another milestone for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community — a new LGBTQ and sexual studies specialization implemented at the

beginning of this semester.

From 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday at Snyder-Phillips Hall, the Center for Gender in Global Context is hosting a series of events celebrating and thanking those who contributed to creating the new LGBTQ and sexuality studies specialization.

The specialization is designed

to provide opportunities for undergraduate students to obtain a comprehensive, global interdisciplinary academic experience, according to the specialization's website.

Lisa Fine, co-director of Center for Gender in Global See LGBT on page 2 u

THE STATE NEWS nn

MSU's College of Human Medicine has launched the Rural Community Health Program, a new program to draw more aspiring doctors to rural communities.

MSU is partnering with Charlevoix Area Hospital, McLaren Northern Michigan in Petoskey and the Alpena Regional Medi-

cal Center. Interested students can commit to one of those communities, where they train in rural hospitals, said program Director Andrea Wendling.

"Students who are accepted to the program spend their clinical years at medical school — their third or fourth years with the College of Human Medicine — working at MSU campuses in one of these locations," Wendling said.

"It's a track for medical students

interested in rural health, in any specialty."

Students also will be working with local medical communities and the public health departments of their chosen city.

"The Rural Community Health Program builds upon the core strengths of our college's history of community-focused programs for underserved popula-

See RURAL on page 2 u

more inside Building a pinball empire, quarter by quarter

Editorial: a chance for an effective student government

34 years later, Pinball Pete’s still a staple in downtown E.L.

Little-known movement points out real problems

Features, page 6

opinion, page 4

Through layoffs and odd jobs, cousins stick together Coming north, pair finds work in MSU steam tunnels campus+city, page 3

Danyelle morrow/The State News

Georgina DeMoya / The State News

statenews.com

living city teaser wit

2 | T he State N e ws | F riday, se p te m be r 27 , 2 01 3 | state n e ws.com

Parents

Despite restrictions, College of Law employee and partner fight to adopt from page one

do so. This past Father's Day, Kent and Diego's work led to an unexpected honor: eating lunch at The White House with President Barack Obama.

Both men are active members of the Family Equality Council, a national organization geared toward gaining equal family rights for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

They also have become advocates for joint adoption for same-sex parents after

State News blog roll Academics The State News can print ads for whatever it wants, but that’s not the case everywhere.

Until recently Virginia had a state law that forbade student newspapers from printing alcohol advertisements. The law was overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals and is part of a seven-year quest by the American Civil Liberties Union, according to an article in Inside Higher Ed. The ban was to prevent alcohol ads in papers that catered to mostly underage people, but the case found that most readers of The Cavalier Daily at the University of Virginia and The Collegiate Times at Virginia Tech University are of age.

Justine McGuire

Three-day forecast

Friday Partly Sunny High: 73° Low: 50°

Saturday Partly Cloudy High: 75° Low: 61°

adopting their son, 2-yearold Lucas, in 2011. They’ve helped set up family-friendly events for Michigan Pride, a Lansing-based ally group meant to show support for the LGBT community.

Kent said their involvement started out when he went to a gay marriage conference in Washington, D.C. "We were starting to advocate for second-parent adoption in Michigan, but there really wasn't much of a concerted effort yet," he said.

All in the family Although the two cannot be husbands under Michigan's same-sex marriage ban, Kent and Diego knew they wanted children early on.

Both grew up in traditional families, and Kent said creating a family of their own remains a top priority.

"We’re both very close with our respective families, and that really spoke volumes to me," Kent said. "There are times in the gay community where people come out and they drift from their family and create families within the community … Although we have great friends, we’re very grounded in our core family to this day."

LGBT

new specialization comes to fruition after seven years in the works from page one

Context, said the specialization was a collaborative effort on the part of the Lyman Briggs College and the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities.

Fine said the idea for the new specialization sparked seven years ago when a student from ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, proposed the program after identifying other universities had similar programs, while MSU did not.

"We definitely did our research and looked around to see what other schools had it," Fine said. "The University of Michigan, for example, has a minor in LGBTQ studies so it wasn't something rare or bizarre. It's a pretty

Currently, Michigan law does not allow same-sex couples to go through with a joint parent adoption, meaning one partner must take on the role of legal adoptive parent. Although the two were frustrated by the process, Kent said they have tried to keep it equal since they initially adopted Lucas. "(The birth parents) chose us as a couple," Kent said. "We were both present in the delivery room, so there was really no delineation in the process that one would be or one wouldn’t be (the adoptive parent) until it was legally done in a courthouse.”

The law also can create issues with insurance and emergency situations for the parents. But to Diego, the hurt goes twofold.

"Lucas is a very healthy child, but he does have two parents," Diego said. "It's just unfortunate that in some lawmakers' eyes, they don't see him as having two parents. That would be devastating to him if somebody went up to him and told him that one of us isn't his real dad.”

But as soon as they held their son Lucas, who was born on New Year's Day in 2011, they knew it was worth the fight.

Except for family, the two

standard part of curriculum, so we had models and examples to work with."

From there, Fine worked with an LBGT faculty and student task force to organize the program. After selecting appropriate courses and gathering faculty to teach, the program was passed through both student and faculty governance and was officially published online during the summer semester.

This semester, seven students began coursework to fulfill the new 12 credit specialization. Women's and gender studies senior Travis Lunsford is one of the seven students enrolled.

"Like a racial or ethnic area of study, it provides people the opportunity to learn about other minorities and provides an excellent platform for discussion of intersectionality," Lunsford said.

Fine said the program is working on additional classes and coursework, so LGBTQ and sexuality studies will be prepared to transform into a minor in 2015.

choose not to reveal who is Lucas' legal adoptive parent.

"We were just like any fathers, sitting in the lobby waiting until you were asked to come into the delivery room," Kent said. "Diego was able to cut the umbilical cord, I was able to hold him right away, and it was just really amazing."

Michigan's ban Although some states have started to change their policies in favor of recognizing gay marriage and joint parent adoption for same-sex couples, Michigan currently places strict laws around same-sex marriage and partnership, as well as employment opportunities for those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

The U.S. District Court in Detroit is scheduled to hear arguments next month in a case challenging Michigan's constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

In a brief included in the case, attorneys representing the state argue the ban is necessary to "regulate sexual relationships" to encourage population growth.

The issues must be looked at realistically in order to conquer them, Michigan American Civ-

Rural

Students look to fill need for medical coverage in northern Michigan from page one

tions in Northern Michigan," MSU College of Human Medicine Dean Marsha Rappley said in a statement.

In the program's first year, third- and fourthyear students began work this past July. Eventually, students will be admitted at the time of normal admission, Wendling said, and students will be able to choose between work in the Upper or Lower Peninsulas of Michigan.

There are six students at three sites right now, with the goal to have two students from each class assigned to each rural site, which offers aspiring doctors a more unique experience.

MSU also has rural part-

VOL. 104 | NO. 120

il Liberties Union Staff Attorney Jay Kaplan said.

"We have to take a cold, sober look at what's going on when it comes to gay marriage in Michigan," Kaplan said. "It takes everything off the table … Any time a state locality recognizes same-sex marriage, they run the risk of going against (an) amendment."

For many same-sex couples, however, there are more pressing issues, MSU's LBGT Resource Center assistant director Deanna Hurlbert said.

"Having relationships recognized as marriage or the legal equivalent of marriage isn’t everyone’s first priority," Hurlbert said. "For a same-sex couple to jointly adopt is not available in Michigan, so there’s many more problems than the issue of marriage."

Despite the odds, Kent said he and Diego are in the process of adopting a second child. He and Diego said they currently are pursuing other avenues to achieve joint parent adoption for themselves and others.

"We're doing our due diligence with all of our legal paperwork to protect ourselves as best we can," Kent said.

"We're exploring some avenues outside of Michigan that might be able to get us the legal recognition, and we're also continuing to advocate here." af

nerships for premedical students in Midland and Traverse City, and the College of Human Medicine has a long history in strengthening rural medicine in the Upper Peninsula — the college has been training medical students in the Upper Peninsula since 1974.

"There is a shortage of physicians in rural areas and it's something we've known about it for more than 80 years," Wendling said. "We're trying to help with the shortage in Michigan. That's our goal."

About 24 students out of a class of 200 are accepted to rural health programs.

Although it seems like a small number, more than 10 percent

of a graduating class involved in rural medicine statewide is a positive number, Wendling said.

"That's one thing that draws students to rural programs.

They have the site to themselves and can gain more experience," she said.

Third-year human medicine student Dan Hanba started the program in Charlevoix this summer, and said growing up in a small town helped influence his decision.

"A lot of people talk about the shortage of physicians in urban areas, but there are actually fewer positions in rural areas," said. "It's hard for people to get health care at times, even just with driving distances."

Crossword

Index

Sunday Partly Sunny High: 64° Low: 45°

Continued City limits East Lansing officials have voiced their desire to bring equal family rights to the city, as well.

In August, Mayor Pro Tem Nathan Triplett proposed a domestic partnership registry.

Although little would change, the registry would provide the symbolic acceptance of samesex couples within the city.

“I nc lu sive com mu n it ie s are able to retain the best and brightest communities,” Triplett said. “To compete for equal civil rights isn’t just the right thing to do, it’s important for our community and the whole state of Michigan.”

The council will put the registry to a vote Oct. 15.

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

Campus+city 3 Opinion 4 Sports 6 Features 5 Classifieds 5

nn

Corrections

editorial staff

In the article “Commission doubtful of proposal on city bar limit” (SN 9/26), vice-chair Julie Jones-Fisk was not present at the meeting.

Level: 1

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(517) 432-3070 Editor in chief Ian Kullgren managing editor Beau Hayhoe DIGITAL managing editor Darcie Moran Design editor Becca Guajardo PHOTO EDITOR Julia Nagy ASSISTANT PHOTO EDITOR Danyelle Morrow Opinion editor Summer Ballentine campus EDITOR Robert Bondy City Editor Lauren Gibbons sports editor Matt Sheehan Features editor Isabella Shaya nn

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If you notice an error, please contact Managing Editor Beau Hayhoe at (517) 432-3070 or by email at feedback@statenews.com. nn

The State News is published by the students of Michigan State University, Monday through Friday during fall, spring and select days during summer semesters. A special Welcome Week edition is published in August.

Across

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SOLUTION TO THURSDAY’S PUZZLE

9/27/13

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk © 2013 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

1 Williams’ partner in paint 8 Vivid 15 Former and current Yankee Alfonso 16 “How sexy!”

17 *Doing more than is necessary 19 Decorates on mischief night, briefly 20 Norwegian saint 21 Bad marks in high school?

22 *Where secrets are kept 26 MD’s “Pronto!”

29 Habituate 30 New York governor before Spitzer 33 Prefix with tarsal 34 Mean: Abbr.

37 *”The Elements of Style” co-author 39 *”We’re even!”

41 OK hours 42 Hot stuff 44 Toady 45 “Blue Jasmine” director 46 Map speck 47 *Words before a flip 53 Household name in household humor 54 Bologna bone 55 Local center?

58 Celebration suggested by words that end answers to starred clues 63 Frequent park statue visitors 64 “Show Boat” (1936) standout 65 Gives a kick 66 Hanging in the balance

Down

1 Army NCO 2 Earring shape 3 Most massive known dwarf planet 4 Dog star’s first name?

5 It may be covered 6 “__ Chicago”: 1937 Tyrone Power film 7 Exploding stars 8 Brit’s oath 9 Balderdash 10 Contented sigh 11 “Say __” 12 Contrive 13 Actress Massey 14 French royal name of yore 18 Violinist Zimbalist 22 The Colorado runs through it 23 R.E.M.’s “The __ Love” 24 Bonkers 25 Use a Pink Pearl 26 Project detail, briefly 27 They’re run at bars

28 Chem lab abbr.

31 Defeats, as a bill 32 European prefix 34 Green machines?

35 Medical lab vessel 36 Item in a pool 38 “Did you __?!”

40 Surplus store caveat 43 “Three Sisters” playwright Chekhov 45 Bits of advice from gramps, perhaps 47 Jalopies 48 “Sesame Street” striped-shirt wearer 49 Cuban girlfriend 50 Latin stars 51 Enjoys a lucky streak 52 Editor Marshall and singer Lisa 55 Toledo thing 56 “Star Wars” creature 57 Kin of -ess 59 “Woo-__!”

60 Old Opry network 61 1942 FDR creation 62 Asian occasion

Get the solutions at

statenews.com/puzzles

stat e ne ws.co m | T he Stat e N ews | f riday, s ept emb er 27, 2013 |

Campus+city acade m ics

Study abroad fair attracts Thousands to breslin center

By Geoff Preston gpreston@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Breslin Center was packed Thursday, but not for an MSU basketball game.

The MSU Study Abroad Fair took place at the center Thursday and featured 191 booths highlighting various trips and courses available through the nation's number-one ranked study abroad program.

Through the study abroad program, students have the opportunity to travel and study in 60 countries throughout the globe, covering each of the seven continents — including Antarctica.

The study abroad program offers courses in 60 countries and all seven continents At least 3,000 to 4,000 students attend the fair every year, said Cheryl Benner, the communications manager for the Office of Study Abroad. Six months of planning goes into the operation.

Benner said studying abroad can teach students outside of the classroom and give them a new perspective. The experience also can look good on a résumé.

"It really can make you a well-rounded person," she said.

"It's that cultural impact were you learn to work with other people. That's undoubtedly something you will do after graduation."

Emma Ferrera, a kinesiology junior, said she is interested in studying abroad this summer and is considering signing up for a program in Australia.

Ferrera said her major is influencing her decision on where she wants to go, instead of the specific country. She said several of her friends participated in study abroad programs and loved their experiences, so she's interested in seizing the opportunity.

"Michigan State is number one in study abroad programs," she said. "I want to take advantage of that. ... Why not go?"

Peter Glendinning, professor of art history, teaches a photography class that crosses all study abroad programs teaching students how to make the most of the photogenic opportunities study abroad presents.

“Today, students learn about photography on the screen... it’s crazy for us to think that we can send students out to shoot a museum or gallery without ever having seen real artwork.

“That is one the unique aspects of study abroad,” he said. “ Going to places to see things that you can’t experience in this virtual world.”

Daniel Hayes, a professor of fisheries and wildlife, has been the lead professor on the university's Antarctica study abroad trip every year since 2004. He and another faculty member brave the icy chill of the bottom of the world with 15 other students between fall and spring semesters each year.

"When we go, it's their summer," he said. "I tell people, we can only go where the ice isn't."

Hayes said the adventure of visiting a place that so few get to see is an attraction to the university's study abroad programs for some people.

"If you don't understand, it's hard to convey why," he said.

"You'll see things that you won't see anywhere else."

sn

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campus Editor Robert Bondy, campus@statenews.com CITY EDITOR Lauren Gibbons, city@statenews.com Phone (517) 432-3070 Fax (517) 432-3075

Men at work Williamston, Mich., resident Adam Land, left, plays the guitar for his cousin and roommate Kameron Best Sunday at their apartment.

Best and Land enjoy listening to the radio, playing along with the guitar and singing.

Photos by Georgina De Moya / The State News

I

t's a dirty job, but someone has to do it. For cousins Adam Land and Kameron Best, their so-called “dirty job” became a new family affair in a lifelong relationship.

The cousins work in tunnels across campus and with other electrical systems that will power MSU’s National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory.

The two Williamston, Mich., residents moved from Ashford, Ala., after being laid off from a job at the local nuclear power plant.

“It was just like that, you just pack your bags,” Land said. “You just grab your lunchbox, your tools and a suitcase with your work

clothes in it and you just get in your vehicle and go up the road.”

Now the cousins are in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Apprenticeship Program and taking classes at Lansing Community College.

Before Land and Best began their new career, the two lived in different states growing up, but still spent every summer together.

The two would help their grandfather on the farm, but they also liked to hang out together on the side.

"You know the usual stuff kids do, break glass and things like that," Land said.

Best said the two also enjoyed playing sports and video games as kids, which they still like to do today.

—Georgina De Moya, The State News

Williamston, Mich., resident Adam Land looks around on Sept.

17 while working at the electrical tunnels near the Plant and Soil Sciences Building.

More online …

To watch a video about Land and Best’s experiences working and living together, visit statenews.com/multimedia.

living

TOP 10 REASONS TO LIVE ON Now that you are settled in to your new campus home, we hope you are beginning to see that MSU is a pretty special place! We asked around and compiled a list of the Top 10 Reasons To Live On at MSU. Here’s what they said:

Khoa Nguyen/The State News

Education freshman Kendall Clary, top left, criminal justice freshman Elise Plancon, bottom left, and psychology freshman Shelby Krist, right, hang out in their dorm room Thursday at Brian Hall of Brody Complex Neighborhood. The three share the room because of transitional housing.

Transitional housing down from start of school year

By Justine McGuire jmcguire@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

“Space. Definitely the space,” three MSU freshman girls said in unison when asked what’s most challenging about transitional housing.

Education freshman Kendall Clary, psychology freshman Shelby Krist and criminal justice freshman Elise Plancon live in one of the remaining 181 transitional housing rooms across campus, affecting 545 students.

There were 439 rooms at the beginning of the school year, according Residential and Hospitality Services, or RHS. According to 2012 statistics, there were 262 transitional housing rooms remaining in mid-September of last year.

“It kind of just is what it is, we just have to live with it. It’s not really that big of a deal,” Plancon said. “The world isn’t ending.”

Transitional housing is when there are one too many students

living in a dorm room.

RHS does receive complaints about it and they usually relate to space, but most students are patient, said Ashley Chaney, assistant director of communications for Residence Education and Housing Services, a division of RHS. “We are working hard this year to ensure that students who may be placed in transitional housing have a positive experience,” Chaney said.

Students who live in transitional housing are compensated for the inconvenience — students who live in a two-person room with three people get $606 or $364 for five people in a fourperson room for the semester.

If they remain in there for the whole semester, the amount is reduced for shorter stays.

So far, 172 students have opted to make their transitional housing permanent, Chaney said, because student develop friendships and enjoy the rebate.

Krist said the rebate is nice,

but she’s still looking forward to having more space once she gets a permanent living assignment.

Clary, Krist and Plancon found out they would be in transitional housing in August and all were worried.

Clary and Plancon had signed up to live together and both are on the MSU women’s ice hockey team.

Krist planned on going in blind, but got more than she bargained for.

“I was worried that I would be the third wheel since they already knew each other,” Krist said.

All three said they get along, but will be happy when Krist finds a permanent housing arrangement. However, that won’t happen until something opens up in Brody, since that’s where she requested to live.

1.

The proven track record for academic success — You came to MSU for a worldclass education, so take advantage of it! Studies have shown that Spartans who live on campus are more academically successful and graduate sooner.

2.

Resources brought to you — Spartans who live on campus do not have to search high and low for resources. You can find tutoring, a health clinic or fitness classes right in your neighborhood’s engagement center.

3.

Your on-campus space is all-inclusive — All utilities are included in room-andboard fees, so there is no need to budget for bill payments. We also take care of your grocery list by providing unlimited meals in the dining halls to satisfy your cravings.

4.

No more towering piles of laundry — Gone are the days of saving quarters to wear clean clothes! Spartans living in the residence halls have access to free and unlimited laundry in our facilities. Use those quarters elsewhere!

5.

BIG competition in your backyard — Just steps away from your on-campus home, legendary Big Ten sports teams face-off for bragging rights and championships. There is nothing like hearing the fight song spread from the stadium across campus.

6.

For a sense of community — Neighborhoods at MSU divide the large campus into smaller communities, each with their own unique character. Spartans Live On because it feels more like home.

7.

To be more involved on campus — Spartans who live on campus are more engaged in all that MSU has to offer. From breakdancing clubs to student business organizations, Spartans are more likely to find their place when they live on.

8.

Extra money to spend how YOU choose — Spartans who live on never have to leave campus to find budget-friendly fun. There are many options to keep your pockets happy, including bowling at the MSU Union and free movies at Campus Center Cinemas.

9.

You can spend a semester away, no hassle — Whether it is a cool internship you landed on the West coast or a once-in-a-lifetime study abroad opportunity, there is no searching for someone to sublease your place when you Live On. Enjoy your semester away; we will take care of the rest.

10.

While you practice cooking, we cook for you — Most Spartans are not gourmet chefs, and that is okay. There are a variety of dining options to choose from. As for cooking skills, community kitchens in each neighborhood are perfect for practice.

We want to hear from you! What are your favorite reasons to Live On at MSU? Share your list with us by following “MSU Live On” on social media and using #SpartansLiveOn.

More online …

To watch a video about transitional housing, visit statenews.com/multimedia 12200501_Top10_LiveOn_SN.indd 1

9/3/13 9:59 AM

4 | Th e Stat e N e ws | f ri day, se pt e m be r 27, 201 3 | state n e ws.com

Opinion

Featured blog Wiretapping applies to Google

Ou r voice | E ditorial

under asmsu, student voice achilles’ heel EDITORIAL BOARD Ian Kullgren editor in chief Summer Ballentine opinion editor Celeste Bott staff representative Anya Rath minority representative Cayden Royce staff reporter

M

SU's undergraduate student government, ASMSU, is devoted to "advocacy by dedication to the needs and interests of students."

But a group of at least 25 students are seeking to push things even further. A new independent union called MSU Students United is advocating on the behalf of student demands to organize petitions and contest policies. Is it possible that this student group will be the new face of our student government in the future?

It's definitely possible. But right now, its mis-

sion should be to serve as the voice of the students, not step on ASMSU's toes.

MSU Students United has been working toward getting a say in university matters. Members have begun petitioning to stop increasing tuition rates — an issue that ASMSU isn’t fighting for hard enough.

This might not be ASMSU’s fault, since MSU has threatened to withdraw funding in the past if the organization didn’t agree to move funds to on-campus accounts. Either way, many students are unhappy with the short list of accomplishments by the student government and want to see if needs of the students could be met in a different way.

Only a small fraction of students are involved with Students United so far, and it may be too early to tell if it can survive without proper funding and additional support. Ultimately, more supporters are needed for the group to last. Without that, they won't have the influence or clout needed to stick around.

Having two student government groups is one too many. Every student already pays a tax to ASMSU, and it's highly unlikely that paying

“If National Security Agency surveillance wasn’t enough to shake any expectation of online privacy from you, then a federal judge’s ruling on Thursday deeming Google’s interception of email is subject to federal and state wiretapping laws should do the trick.”

— Summer Ballentine, State News opinion editor

for another group Read the rest online at would sit well with statenews.com/blog. the majority. Competing groups almost goes as far as to undermine the purpose of representing students' interests. We don't want our student body confused as to who is speaking for us to the higher authorities within the university.

But the source of Students United efforts is will stay loyal to student interests or if it will genuine. To be effective, people need to know avoid rocking the boat in fear of losing funding. about them. Raising awareness for our student Unsatisfied students are taking a stance, and for the group takes time, but it also takes time rightfully so. A group that is less concerned with to enact changes at our institution. public appearance and more geared towards Fear that the new student group won't be tak- advocacy for the students could be just what en seriously is a legitimate concern. It's new, students need. has less than 70 likes on its Facebook page as People who are searching to better the of Thursday evening and only about 100 signa- interests of our student population should be tures on the petition. On the contrary, ASMSU welcomed. has years of experience. But the fact that this Students United's inception goes to show that independent student union was created speaks our student voice is our Achilles' heel. volumes about how other students view their We need strong advocates so that we will undergraduate student government. know our administration can hear us out on It's reasonable to question whether ASMSU matters that are most important to us.

opinion column

editorial cartoonist

Lonely on campus?

You’re not alone.

T

Michael Holloway mholloway@ statenews.com

thursday’s poll results JUST SO YOU KNOW

Today’s state news poll

How do you get to class every day?

By bike 18% One 23% On foot 45%

Does ASMSU represent your interests? To vote, visit

By car 11%

statenews.com.

By bus 26% 0

10

20 30 PERCENT

Total votes: 54 as of 5 p.m. Thursday

40

50

Comments from readers nn

“Congested sidewalks demand courtesy” If students didn’t walk like drunk sailors swerving from side to side trying to snap chat and stayed on the right side (just like driving) this wouldn’t be such a problem. mike, Sept. 26

Please remember that you are all part of a community and that you will only become better by working together and not pointing fingers. There are many distraction and responsibility issues at all levels of this discussion. It would be ideal to develop a task group or community to have positive open discussion to set forward a plan that will aid those you will be leaving campus to after graduation. Do this so others do not have to live through your mistakes.

AFS, Sept. 26

To share your thoughts on this story or any other stories, visit statenews.com.

We want to hear your thoughts.

The State News welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must include your year and major, email address and telephone number. Phone numbers will not be published. Letters should be fewer than 500 words and are subject to editing.

How to reach us Questions? Contact Opinion Editor Summer Ballentine at (517) 432-3070 By email opinion@statenews.com By fax (517) 432-3075 By mail Letters to the Editor, The State News, 435 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823

become gateways to new friendhere are so many clichés ships. I have only made a couple about college being a "big close friends outside of my dorm adventure" or a "new chapin the short time I’ve lived on ter in your life." I will campus, but it’s easier than you think to make a connection. admit that to some extent those cliOnce, I was waiting in line chés are very true. I mean, who for a fire safety assembly with doesn’t love a new adventure? But no the rest of my hall a few days after everyone moved in. adventure would be any fun withI had only been talking to my suitout someone to share it with. That’s emates and knew I should branch why having friends is important. out, so I turned to the woman behind me intending to say "helIn my case, I came from a small lo" and instead I said, “I like your town in West Michigan called Kent tattoo.” Since then, she and I have City. It was my dream to go to MSU, become good friends and because but it wasn’t a dream I shared with she introduced me to her friends, I any close friends. I moved in and developed even more friendships. started living alone on campus.

Taking the time to Like any new stuguest columnist notice someone and dent, I was despergive him or her a sinate to have a few comcere compliment is a panions to endure great start. People like freshman year with. It to feel noticed. Things was pretty clear right like holding a door for away that my roommate and I were not someone, moving your going to be the kind backpack so another of roommates that student can sit next to Sierra Lay become best friends you in class, making laysierr@msu.edu for the next 10 years, small talk in an elevathough we get along just fine. tor, or even a genuine smile to people My next option was to befriend on the street can be just the gesture the students I’d be sharing a bathsomeone needed to approach you. room with. My suitemates and I Still not conattended most of the Welcome Week vinced that your activities together, but I still didn’t attitude has that feel like I belonged. I ate alone much to do with it? in my dining hall sometimes. To Think about this. me, it seemed like everyone else While studying for already had so many friends. one of my anthropolFor those of you who have ever felt ogy classes, I read “Luckily, this way, you might be surprised to that people will act learn that a lot of other students feel the way you expect the the same. It might be hard to believe, them to. That means numbers especially when it looks like you are that if you are talkthe only one who didn’t bring half ing to someone sitare on your their graduating class with them to ting next to you in college. However, what you might not class and you expect side at MSU. There have realized is that even people who them to act rude arrived on campus with several prees- and unfriendly, your are about tablished friendships came to college attitude will reflect 48,000 with the hope of making new friends. that. Since humans Your attitude and activiare pretty good at possible ty make a huge difference in reading how anothhow you meet people. From my er person feels, your friends meandering own experience, you cannot simclassmate will pick ply wait in your room for potenup on that feeling through tial friends to knock on your door. and act unfriendly campus.

Luckily, the numbers are on because that’s what your side at MSU. There are about your body language You just 48,000 possible friendships meanwas showing them. have to dering through campus. You On the other leave your just have to leave your room. hand, as you might Imagine this: you get into an elehave guessed, if you room.” vator in your hall and there is someexpect someone one you don’t know inside of it to act friendly and already. We’ve all been there. You’re kind, they will usually act that way. trapped in an elevator with a strangNeed more motivation? er and a torturous awkward silence I’m sure your professors have for however long it takes to get to mentioned that networking is kind your floor. Although you may be of important, and unfortunateridiculously relieved once the elevaly they’re right. Making friends is tor doors finally pull apart, you just like the entry level to networking. missed an opportunity. That strangIf friends aren’t your higher could have been your future best est priority and you’re thinking friend, or even just someone who that none of this was relevant to you could count on to eat a few you, remember that friends also meals with you now and then. make excellent study partners.

When you’re out in the real world Sierra Lay is a journalism fresh— and we are — the littlest things man. Reach her at laysierr@msu.edu.

“

5 | Th e Stat e N e ws | F RIDAY, sep t em be r 27, 201 3

state ne ws.com

Features

Features editor Isabella Shaya, features@statenews.com Phone (517) 432-3070 Fax (517) 432-3075

h e a lt h

Faces of East Lansing

Students help fight diseases with Be The Match group

By Ariel Ellis aellis@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Be The Match Foundation is partnering with students this fall to fight life-threatening diseases such as leukemia, lymphoma and sickle cell disease.

MSU is one of 30 Be The Match college and university chapters across the country.

"Transplant centers that are treating these patients have told us that what they are looking for are the youngest, healthiest donors," said Eric Trosko, Be The Match Michigan representative.

Since 1986, Be The Match has been partnering unrelated marrow donors with patients in need of bone marrow transplants. Trosko said finding a donor can be challenging.

Patients who need a bone marrow transplant look for one within the family, which is successful about 30 percent of the time, Trosko said.

Those who cannot find a donor in the family go to the registry.

Be the Match’s registry is one of the largest and most diverse listings of potential bone marrow donors.

Danielle Louissia, Be The Match MSU chapter president, said after hearing about the organization from a friend at Oakland University, she decided to join the mission and start an MSU chapter.

Pinball pete’s: one quarter led to another

By Anya Rath

The MSU chapter has about 40 student members and has been operating for about two years.

"Since MSU's campus is so large and diverse, I knew the university would be perfect for it," she said. "We also look for a lot of diversity when getting students involved so that we have varying nationalities and ethnicities."

Those who wish to sign up must fill out a registration and consent form and have the inside of their cheek swabbed.

Donating marrow is a non-surgical blood draw procedure.

Taylor Young, Be The Match MSU chapter secretary, said, although signing up can make some leery, it is immensely important to do so, and some might not even be contacted to donate.

"For most of the people who need these bone marrow transplants, it's their last shot because they've tried everything else and exhausted every other avenue and resource available to them to find a way to cure themselves," Young said.

Louissia said Be T he Match MSU is planning on having its next drive in November, where potential donors can sign up for the registry.

For more information, visit bethematch.org.

THE STATE NEWS nn

Pinball Pete's began in Ted Arnold's parents' basement in 1974 with three machines — pinball, candy and soda.

Since then, it has become an East Lansing icon, serving the entertainment needs of students and community members for 34 years.

"We're not making a lot of money but we're not losing money," owner Arnold said.

"It's something that we enjoy, so we keep doing it."

When Arnold, an East Lansing native, was an 11-yearold middle schooler, he and his brothers enjoyed playing pinball to the point that they decided to save money and buy their own machine.

Soon, the brothers' friends began coming to play on the machine.

"We all of a sudden realized we made money," Arnold said, adding that they used the extra money to buy a candy machine and a soda machine.

"Next thing you know, we had a small neighborhood store in our garage," Arnold said.

"After school, the kids would come over and play with their spare change. It wasn't unusual to see 20 to 25 … bicycles sitting in my parents' driveway."

The city of East Lansing shut the garage arcade down for violating zoning laws and told the brothers to cease and desist within 90 days.

"We never really thought of it as a business," Arnold said. "As luck would have it, one quarter led to another and we just wanted to continue to grow."

The brothers decided to open an arcade in Mason, Mich. in 1976.

However, the town was too small to support an arcade, Arnold said.

The brothers then purchased

Weekend Events Friday Izzone Campout 3 p.m. to 7 a.m.

Munn Field Free for season ticket holders to camp out

Symphony Orchestra

Hoop for Hope celebrity basketball game 6 p.m.

IM Sports-West Tickets are $15, VIP tickets are $40

Desmond Jones, band

8 p.m.

Wharton Center’s Cobb Great Hall Free for students, $10 for adults

10 p.m.

Lower level of Harper’s Restaurant & Brewpub $5 at the door, ages 21 and up

Saturday

Sunday

Coalition of Indian Undergraduate Students Gandhi Day community service

1 p.m.

Auditorium $20

Lansing resident and owner of Pinball Pete’s Ted Arnold sorts change to redistribute to machines Tuesday at the arcade.

arath@statenews.com

Danyelle Morrow/The State News

an existing arcade next to Coral Gables Restaurant on Grand River Avenue.

It was at this arcade that they got the idea to mount a life-size fiberglass elephant on the building, an icon of Pinball Pete's.

As a way to attract customers to the arcade, they painted the elephant pink and planned to put a papier-mache cowboy named Pete on top of it.

Although the cowboy never made it to the logo, the name Pinball Pete's officially was born.

In the late '70s, electronic video games were invented and filled many arcades.

"Those seemed to be very profitable and do well for us," Arnold said. "We took all the money we made and reinvested it into buying more equipment."

His brothers later decided to leave the arcade business, but Arnold stayed and took charge of Pinball Pete's directly after high school.

In 1979, Pinball Pete's arrived at its current location. Arnold said the space used to be divided into rooms that contained

specific types of games.

However, they tore down the walls to make it a better environment for parties, which have included a bar mitzvah and wedding reception.

The amusement facility currently has 64 arcade games plus air hockey and pool tables.

The machines run on quarters and yield tickets for prizes in the basement-level arcade.

Pinball Pete's also has another location in Ann Arbor.

Arnold said the business sees a strong student traffic flow from 8 p.m. to midnight during the week and families typically come in on weekends.

The arcade business has fluctuated over the years, Arnold said, and many arcades shut down because of the economic recession.

"When the economy went south (around) 2008, that was a real shake out time," Arnold said.

"It's come back a little bit.

For us, it's a matter of survival and pride."

Arnold said he wants the arcade to be a place for students to have one-on-one interaction — something he believes has been cut short by today's rapid advancement in technology.

"I've had people come up to me and say 'I met my wife there' or 'I got my first kiss there," Arnold said.

"It's been a lifetime. I know we're one of t he longest surviving businesses in East Lansing. I don't know if that's good or bad."

Arnold plans to stay with Pinball Pete's and keep it running as long as possible.

More online …

To watch a video about Pinball Pete’s owner, visit statenews.com/multimedia.

Road to Broad 5k

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ANIMAL SCIENCE, pre vet students seeking work on dairy farm. Start immediately. Afternoons, some mornings and some weekends. Will train. Must have own transportation. Call 517294-2778.

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COOKS, ALL shifts available. Apply at Paul Revere’s Tavern. 3326960.

CULINARY SERVICES Seeks student emps.

10/15 hrs/wk. Flexible shifts starting ASAP. Build your resume.

Apply at eatatstate.com/ employment.

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IMMEDIATE OPENINGS $13.50 base-appt, flex sched around classes call 333-1700 or at workforstudents.com P/T DOOR men. Apply @ Green Door, 2005 E Michigan, after 4 p.m.

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$200 in Free rent! 2 and 3 bdrm apt homes still available for fall move in. Clean, spacious, pet friendly homes with tons of living space. Garages and carports available.

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Houses/Rent 1-12 PERSON Houses plus apts. Across from MSU. Visit us soon at housesforrent.com to tour our top quality houses through photos and videos and see their great locations. 332-8600. No pets. Signing leases now.

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517.896.2247.

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Horoscope By Linda C. Black 10 IS ThE EASIEST DAY — 0 ThE MOST ChALLENGING

Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is a 7 — Your colleagues have answers.

Discover a pleasant surprise. There’s more work coming in, so pay back a debt. Plan a luxurious evening at home, where your heart is. Decorate, and use the good china.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 6 — It’s easier to finish old projects and commitments. Review your priorities, and get a lucky break. Get serious about your strategy without getting arrogant or bossy. You are looking good, though.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 7 — You have more business than expected. You’re especially good at marketing.

Friends help you make a connection. Get into the reading, and study new developments. Eat well, exercise and rest deeply.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 6 — Improve your process to increase your yield. Celebrate! The next two days are good for travel and fun. Friends are glad to go along for the ride. They contribute excellent ideas. Playtime advances work effortlessly.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 7 — There’s another change to your assignment. Accept an offer of assistance or a windfall. Stash away the surplus. Let a strong leader take charge. Be receptive.

You’re making an excellent impression by being nice.

Study with a partner.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is a 7 — Gather up the harvest. Make romantic plans. Money’s coming in; use it to create a beautiful moment. Take care.

Avoid excess, and keep it simple. Plot your financial course. Follow a friend’s recommendations.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is a 6 — Anticipate changes. This could bring valuables your way. Expect more responsibility. A generous offer requires more thought. Practice great service, and get much stronger. Keep or change your promises.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 7 — Your workload is getting more intense, and the excellent work you’ve been doing reflects well on you. Reaffirm goals together with a partner. Share a dream you’d love to see realized.

Think big.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 6 — Personal matters demand attention, and you’re stronger for it. Find a great deal on a luxurious item for your home. Create the perfect ambiance for a lovely moment. Share it with someone special.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 6 — An opportunity presents itself enticingly. Trust a woman’s advice. News affects your decision. Set long-range goals. You’re very popular now. Conditions look good for travel and romance.

Share a feast!

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 6 — You’re developing a new perspective. Say so. Others are pleased with your work. You are lucky in love.

Your fame travels far and wide. Work on creative arts or crafts. Provide well for family.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 6 — Review your budget. Take control of the details, and handle a financial matter. There’s a choice to make, and more money coming your way.

Learning from friends and siblings can be fun.

state n e ws.com | The State N ews | fr iday, s ept emb er 27, 2013 |

Sports

6

#snDailynumber

7

sports editor Matt Sheehan, sports@statenews.com Phone (517) 432-3070 Fax (517) 432-3075

volleyball

football

Number of sets volleyball has lost this season.

They have won 33.

Cook fine tuning skills in bye week MSU Volleyball hits road for No. 1 PSU, No. 13 OSU

By Stephen Brooks sbrooks@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS

By Omari Sankofa II

nn

During MSU’s bye week, quarterbacks coach Brad Salem told his players to focus on improving one aspect of their game following the loss to Notre Dame. Sophomore quarterback Connor Cook chose two: footwork and accuracy.

Given the extended break between games, Cook said he is not clinging to any ill feelings from last Saturday, where he was benched on the final drive in favor of senior Andrew Maxwell.

Cook openly aired his disappointment in the coaching staff’s decision to replace him after the game, but head coach Mark Dantonio has since clarified that he remains the starting quarterback.

“It’s all gone, you know, I put that aside days ago,” Cook said.

“I put that aside on Sunday, the day after the game. So I really haven’t been thinking about that at all. Everything’s on Iowa — we’re all working together to beat Iowa, so that’s our main focus right now.”

Dantonio and Cook met earlier this week and had a “good talk,” according to the coach, who did not offer additional details.

It is Cook’s show for now, and practice performances this week and next week will determine whether Maxwell or redshirt freshman Tyler O’Connor will be his backup, Dantonio said.

“It makes me feel good that they believe in me and have confidence in me, but I’ve just got to continue to get better and not be satisfied where I’m at,” Cook said. “Because I really wasn’t satisfied, I know I’m

osankofa@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

Julia Nagy/The State News

Sophomore quarterback Connor Cook motions to his team during the game against Notre Dame Sept. 21, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame defeated MSU, 17-13.

capable of a lot better than what I showed Saturday.”

To help overcome some of his passing flaws, Cook said he is simply slowing down and thinking about the proper steps and technique — fundamentals that easily can get lost in the heat of a play. Jittery feet and throwing too high for receivers have been two of his most notable flaws.

With Cook settling into the role, it appears more and more likely that freshman quarterback Damion Terry is headed for a redshirt season.

“We make redshirt decisions as we go,” Dantonio said.

“We’re not making a decision right now. As of right now, (Terry will) be our scout team quarterback and he’s not gonna get the reps with the ones or twos,

but you never know how things shake out.”

Tightening up The extra week before opening Big Ten play at Iowa on Oct. 5 gives MSU opportunities to get healthy, and additional time for players such as redshirt freshman tight end Jamal Lyles to get better acquainted to new positions.

The 6-foot-3, 246-pound player was recruited as a linebacker and converted to defensive end before making the switch to offense this season. He said coaches approached him about the switch after the Western Michigan game.

“I think (the bye) gives Jamal a chance to settle in a little bit at tight end,” Dantonio said.

“There’s a huge learning curve because he missed all spring, and really all of fall camp at tight end. So he’s coming.”

Lyles said he still is capable of playing defense, but currently is practicing full-time with the offense and is looking forward to more opportunities as the season moves forward. His athleticism and background as a wide receiver in high school give the position a much-needed boost in the passing game.

He has three catches for 35 yards so far, highlighted by an impressive 16-yard grab against Notre Dame.

“I’m just trying to go out there and make plays, really,” Lyles said. “It’s feeling real natural, so I’ll probably be here at tight end for a long time.”

With the team’s overall strong preseason performance of the Big Ten conference, it’s been questioned just how good the No. 15 Spartans (11-1 overall) actually are.

A clearer picture will come to focus this weekend as the Spartans travel to take on No. 1 Penn State Friday and No. 13 Ohio State Sunday.

“We’re excited to get into this part of the season,” said senior setter Kristen Kelsay.

“We know we have big challenges, not only this weekend, but the whole Big Ten season.

We’re pretty motivated and excited to get going, and see what we’re made of.”

Starting off the Big Ten season against No. 1 Penn State will be MSU’s biggest challenge yet.

The opportunity to start off with a major upset is a motivating factor for the team, according to Kelsay.

“How many times do you get to take down the No. 1 team in the country?” she said. “That’s something that’s motivating, and it’s exciting, and we got our work cut our for us.”

The Spartans saw the season debut of freshman outside hitter Chloe Reinig and sophomore setter Halle Peterson last weekend during the Spartan Invitational.

The timing of their returns couldn’t have come at a better time.

“We saw on the court that we just felt whole again,”

recruiting

men’s soccer

Alashe outstanding stepping in for Cope

By Zach Smith zsmith@statenews.com THE STATE NEWS nn

For a team to be elite, every player needs to be as great as the one in front of them.

For the last three games, junior midfielder Fatai Alashe moved into the spot senior defender Kevin Cope left because of an injury.

In that trio of games, the Spartans have gone 2-0-1 with a win in Wisconsin against then-No. 16 Marquette and a 2-2 draw against No. 3 Creighton in Omaha, Neb., Tuesday night.

“I’ve never really played defense before, but my role usually as a center defensive mid is just about the same thing,” Alashe said. “It’s not easy, but it’s pretty similar to filling in for Cope at center back.”

In the game against Creighton, he scored his first goal of the season.

The shift of Alashe to the center back position forced senior midfielder Cody Henderson into a more important role in midfield.

Head coach Damon Rensing said it was tough to lose a player of Cope’s caliber, but Alashe has the necessary skills to excel in the back line.

“He’s got good instincts, he’s athletic and he’s solid on the ball,” Rensing said. “Fatai’s been in a lot of games, and he’s good on the ball. He just doesn't have the reps seeing the situation as much, but it’s an important position. Fatai’s done a good job filling in.”

Another factor proving to be of value to Alashe and the Spartans is the familiarity between the other members of the defense.

The core group of sophomore goalkeeper Zach Bennett, senior defender Ryan Thelen, junior defender Ryan Keener and freshman midfielder Andrew Herr has done a good job of communicating with Alashe and making him part of the group.

Cope said he’s been aiding in the transition with the help of Keener, his longtime friend and center back partner.

“I helped him a couple times with forward runs, and with Ryan Keener back there, another very experienced center back, he’s been helping him as well,”

Reinig said at practice Wednesday. “It will be key against Big Ten season, definitely.”

Reinig, who initially was listed as a starter at the beginning of the season, will have to earn her spot back as she adjusts to the college game.

Reinig welcomes the challenge, acknowledging the transition into her role will help her become stronger.

For now, she’s glad she’s back playing volleyball. Saturday’s win against Duquesne was her first taste of collegiate volleyball.

“It felt amazing,” she said. “You could see, I was constantly smiling, just enjoying my time out there.”

Freshman middle blocker Allyssah Fitterer said it’ll be an adjustment with two players returning to the lineup. However, with the practice time they’ve gotten in over the past couple weeks, she believes it’ll be an easy transition.

“You can see just from the last game that they made such an impact being on the court,” Fitterer said. "I’m excited to see that.”

The absences of junior outside hitter Taylor Galloway, Reinig and Peterson at times during preseason play forced the team to use creativity in their lineups.

But with a fully healthy team, there will be inevitable adjustments to playing time as the season goes on.

“We have to be ready every week for different lineups, different changes we make based on the teams that we see,” Kelsay said. “I think that’s important, to stay mature with that, and to stay disciplined and stay tough.”

MSU will play at Penn State at 7 p.m. on Friday and at 2 p.m. at Ohio State on Sunday.

Fatai facts 2011 1526 minutes played, fourth most of field players on team Appeared in 19 games and scored one goal Named to Big Ten Conference All-Freshman Team

2012 Started in 22 of the Spartans 23 games, scoring one goal

and having five assists Assisted on the Sean Conerty goal that won MSU the Big Ten Tournament

2013 Started three games at defensive midfielder and two at center back Scored his only goal of the season thus far in the 2-2 draw against No. 3 Creighton SOURCE: msuspartans.com

Julia Nagy/The State News

Cope said. “Communication and letting him know when the play’s dead letting him know what he should or could do.”

Some of the best soccer players at the national and international levels have trouble moving from midfielder to defense or even from central defender to fullback, while others have thrived.

Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Brad Evans was called to the right back position for the U.S. Men’s National Team, and has been a key figure in the team qualifying for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. On the contrary, Liverpool center back Mamadou Sakho was a big reason Liverpool lost to one of the worst teams in the Premier League

Junior midfielder Fatai Alashe and Oregon State defender Bjorn Sandberg battle for possession of the ball on Sept. 6, at DeMartin Stadium at Old College Field.

last week after his shift to right back.

But for Alashe, all it took was a change of mind and some encouragement from his coaches and teammates.

“The fact that in center mid, you can take more chances as far as winning balls, but when

you’re center back, you're the last line of defense so if you take a chance and you mess up, you’re team is pretty much in jeopardy because of it,” he said. “It’s a different mindset, I just have to keep things under control and watch the decisions I make.”

four-star recruit commits to sparty The Spartans have their next young point guard.

Making his announcement Thursday morning at Christian Sunrise Academy in Wichita, Kan., 2014 recruit Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn Jr. said he will be attending MSU next fall.

The four-star point guard, ranked the 61st best player in the nation by Rivals, is the first commitment for head coach Tom Izzo’s 2014 class.

Nairn is heralded as one of the quickest and speediest guards in the nation, and could possibly crack the starting lineup his freshman year. The 5-foot-11 guard would battle junior Travis Trice for minutes throughout the year, or team together to give the backcourt a quick presence.

The Bahamas native turned down Oklahoma, Indiana and Minnesota to become a Spartan.

By Matt Sheehan