Times-Delphic

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER FOR DRAKE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

THE TIMES-DELPHIC WHAT’S

INSIDE

DES MOINES, IOWA • Thursday, November 12, 2009 • VOL. 128, NO. 16 • www.timesdelphic.com

BINGE DRINKING

OUTSPOKEN

GOODBYE

MEN’S SOCCER

The affects and consequences of this dangerous college trend.

What do you think is drinking’s role in Drake social culture?

Peter Zemansky reflects on his time as the TD’s sports editor.

A preview to Friday’s MVC tournament game against Creighton.

PAGE 4 FEATURES

PAGE 3 OPINIONS

PAGE 6 SPORTS

PAGE 7 SPORTS

Police charge two students with hazing Charges linked to first-year fraternity pledge suffering alcohol poisoning

by MATT VASILOGAMBROS Editor-in-Chief times.delphic@drake.edu

Police announced Tuesday that two Drake students have been charged with hazing – a serious misdemeanor in Iowa – in connection with the hospitalization of first-year Nate Erickson for alcohol poisoning

Sunday.

Junior Skylar Otto and sophomore Joseph Hatchett, both members of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity, were charged with the crime and have been released.

Sgt. Lori Lavorato, public information officer for the Des Moines Police Department, said they were issued citations and released on their

own recognizance.

The two students will go in front of a Polk County judge within a week.

Lavorato said that if the two students are indicted, punishment could range from a substantial fine or over one year of imprisonment, since Erickson’s injury is considered serious and he could have died.

Tim Coonan, local alumni representative, said Tuesday that three Phi Delta Theta fraternity members were suspended for their involvement in last weekend’s events, pending a further investigation. Coonan did not release the names of the

students.

“As a result of the first steps of the investigation, the national fraternity determined that the role they played in whatever happened this weekend rose to the level of a suspension,” Coonan said.

Coonan said that the three students have sought legal council.

Bob Biggs, executive vice president of Phi Delta Theta International, said the membership suspension came from his office. He said, pending further investigation, the

SEE HAZING, PAGE 2

photo by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo Editor

“THE CARTER” is an unofficial annex of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

THREE FREE for the

The Times-Delphic honors three Drake University students who will be deployed to Afghanistan in the fall of next year

by MATT VASILOGAMBROS Editor-in-Chief times.delphic@drake.edu

As America celebrates Veterans Day, the dedication and sacrifice of the armed forces is called to the minds and hearts of many. The holiday commemorates men and women who have risked their lives for the lives of their fellow Americans.

For most Drake students, the realities of war seem distant and difficult to understand. Only when those who are close to us are called to duty can we truly know the sacrifice given from the men and women behind the war.

On Oct. 20, military officials announced that around 3,500 Iowa National Guard soldiers will be sent to Afghanistan in the

fall of 2010. The deployment of the entire 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 34th Infantry Division will not only affect the families, loved ones and employers of those men and women, but it will also affect the Drake community.

Three Drake seniors – cadets Patrick Hendrickson, Zach Polka and Joel Sage – were notified that they would join 48,000 troops currently stationed in Afghanistan. They were then faced with the daunting task of telling their parents, wives and children of their call to duty.

The Times-Delphic spoke to all three men and their families to better understand the faces underneath the helmets.

SEE AFGHANISTAN, PAGE 8

Sexual orientation support group returns

by ANDREA KELZENBERG

Staff Writer andrea.kelzenberg@drake.edu

photo by TYLER O’NEIL | Relays Editor

THE DRAKE COUNSELING CENTER now offers a sexual orientation support group for students.

Drake students seeking a forum to discuss their concerns or questions about their sexual orientation should look no further than the Drake University Counseling Center.

A support group at the center is returning from a yearlong hiatus. It will give students an opportunity to share their daily struggles and experiences and listen to one another.

“I am looking forward to it,” said Kirk Bragg, the group’s facilitator. “I enjoyed the group in the past and was sorry that it kind of waned last year.”

Bragg has been a therapist at the university’s Counseling Center for 10

years and is a licensed independent social worker.

“The way we had phrased it before, it was a coming-out group, and when people were done coming out, they didn’t feel they had much of a reason to come,” Bragg said.

Bragg said he wants the new group to be open to all issues, not just those associated with coming out.

“We are open to talking about personal issues, talking about the political issues of the day and could be discussing a particular reading for the day,” Bragg said. “I’m open to anything.”

Bragg emphasized that the group is not a therapy group.

“It is more of a discussion/support group,” Bragg said. “It is quite different than a therapy group.”

Bragg said he realizes that this is a complex issue.

He also said the target audience is students questioning their sexuality, not “well-meaning straight people.”

He said there were other groups to fulfill that need.

“What’s the difference between gay and straight and lesbian and gay and bisexual?” Bragg said. “They’re just labels and not always very descriptive. I’m happy to work with people with any label.”

The goal of the discussion is to guide students in introspective reflection.

SEE COUNSELING, PAGE 2

NEWS

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

QUOTE of the

PAGETWO

DAY

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009

“

PAGE 2

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Frankly, if I had the formula that would solve the binge drinking on the nation’s campuses, I’d patent it and retire.

- HANS HANSON, chief of Drake Security

SECURITY REPORTS time span of the burglary.

LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH? 10:34 a.m. November 3 Security was asked to meet with the hall director of Morehouse Residence Hall about someone smoking on the third floor. Cigarettes and butts were found in the room and the odor of the room was of cigarette smoke. The student advised that she had quit smoking and the odor was old. She was advised and a meeting will be set up by residence hall staff concerning the matter.

9 a.m. Nov. 3 A male student reported a computer was stolen from his room in Carpenter Residence Hall between

8:50 p.m., Nov. 1, and 8 a.m., Nov. 3. It is believed that his room was unlocked and unattended at different periods of time during the

4:15 p.m. Nov. 4 It was determined someone had used a fraudulent Drake ID card of a female student to acquire food products from Spike’s. The matter is under investigation by residence life staff and a photo of the perpetrator has been obtained.

1:46 a.m. Nov. 5 Security received a call that a very intoxicated male was wailing between Herriott Residence Hall and Harvey Ingham Hall and that he had fallen hard to the ground but had gotten back up.

No one was located in the immediate area, but security observed (on CCTV) a male staggering on Greek Path. The underage-fordrinking male student was

stopped and observed that he had received a laceration on his chin. Asked how he had cut his chin, the student had no idea as to what the officer was talking about.

Asked where he had been drinking, the student stated the bar in the 2300 block of University Avenue. Fire/ rescue was called and the student was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The dean of students has been advised.

9:24 a.m. Nov. 7 Security responded to the Fieldhouse based on report of a female student employee who was having chest pains and trouble breathing. Fire/rescue was called and she signed a release form. She stated she would have a friend take her to the hospital. The friend arrived and they left the area. They were unsure as to which hospital they would go.

8:26 p.m. Nov. 5 Security responded to Cowles Library based on report of a man complaining that he was sick. It was determined a 92-year-old man was at a lecture and became sick to his stomach.

Fire/rescue was called and he was transported to a local hospital.

4:06 p.m. Nov. 7 Security responded to Crawford Residence Hall based on report of a person who was very ill, possibly with H1N1. The female student was breathing but not responsive. Fire/ rescue was called. The student came around somewhat, and stated she

was diagnosed with H1N1 and her physician had told her to remain in her room at her residence hall for seven days. The student was transported to a local hospital.

7:45 a.m. Nov. 8 A male staff member caught his finger in a door at 1227 25th St. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

4:29 p.m. Nov. 8 A complaint was made about a male adult in a dumpster near GoodwinKirk Residence Hall.

The male was found and advised on trespass for the Drake campus.

Poets perform prose to benefit food bank

by ANN SCHNOEBELEN

Staff Writer ann.schnoebelen@drake.edu

The second annual Drake Writers’ Harvest Festival Nov. 6 raised money for the Food Bank of Iowa. The Writers and Critics Series event included a silent auction sponsored by Sigma Tau Delta, an English honors organization just approved by Student Senate last week.

Books, gift certificates to area businesses, photographs and handmade arm warmers were some of the items auctioned off. Guests were also encouraged to donate money or non-perishable food items.

2009 Periphery Award winners senior Brandon Courtney and graduate Julie Van Dike read selections of their work. Van Dike also read second-place finisher senior Brigitte Haugen’s piece.

Courtney had won first place with his poem, “Trazodone and Lodestone,” and Van Dike was awarded third place for “Spike Punch.”

The students were joined by nationally recognized poet Joanne Diaz, an assistant professor of English at Illinois Wesleyan University. Diaz served as a juror for the Periphery Awards last year, and read several of her own poems.

Sigma Tau Delta President junior Karissa Morton said the event was a

good way for her organization to jump into campus life after its reactivation this year.

“This is the first year we’ve been involved with it, and it’s turning out to be a lot of fun,” she said. “It’s something we think is really going to help out both the Writers and Critics program and Sigma Tau Delta, along with the Food Bank of Iowa.”

Several campus groups helped with the event, said Jennifer Perrine, the faculty advisor for Sigma Tau Delta and assistant professor of English at Drake.

“I really like that it’s bringing together different kinds of organizations and the students are getting more involved,” Perrine said.

Participants said they were unsure if they would get a good turnout.

“It’s really hit or miss with the Writers and Critics,” Courtney said. “But, I think that the lineup that we have deserves the attention that it’s going to get with Joanne Diaz.”

Before several of her poems, Diaz explained her research and what inspired her to write.

Sophomore Jessica Kinkade, who is in an English class taught by Perrine, said she was glad that she had attended the event.

Kinkade said her favorite poem was Diaz’s “On My Father’s Loss Of Hear-

FROM HAZING, PAGE 1 students could either be reinstated or lose their membership permanently.

Biggs also said that all social events of the Drake chapter fraternity have been suspended indefinitely. Phi Delta Theta has a strict antihazing policy that, when broken, can also potentially lead to closing the chapter.

“We certainly do not condone their conduct and actions that were involved with Nate Erickson,” Biggs said.

Phi Delta Theta was already on social probation for a calendar semester due to fall Rush violations, a Drake Interfraternity Council member told The Times-Delphic.

Early Sunday morning, Nate Erickson was

ing.” Before reading it, Diaz said that she had tried to capture her father’s deafness not as a disability, but as a gift.

“Being hearing-impaired myself, I was hanging on her words from the second she said that, because no one looks at it that way,” Kinkade said. “For her to, through her writing, try and put herself in her father’s shoes and see things from his perspective was just amazing to me.

That inspired me as a writer to really try and accomplish and explore different ideas and new concepts through my writing.”

After the reading concluded, Kinkade even got to talk to Diaz about her work.

“She would be a great professor to have,” she said. “She was giving me writing pointers and she is as genuine as her poetry comes off.”

Kinkade said she prefers hearing poems read aloud by authors rather than reading them in a book.

“You can hear and sense the emotion in that poem, even if it’s unintended, and that says and shows a lot about the journeys taken by the poet to write the poem they’re reading,” Kinkade said. n

NEXT EVENT: Drake Writers’ Night Dec. 3 at 7 p.m.

Medbury Honors Lounge

rushed to Iowa Methodist Medical Center for alcohol poisoning. Police reports indicate his blood alcohol content was nearly .500.

Medics were sent to 1311 33rd St. to find Erickson unresponsive and “nearly unable to breathe by himself,” according to the Des Moines police report. The location is a house commonly known as “The Carter” – an unofficial annex of Phi Delta Theta. However, it is not legally linked to the fraternity.

“He was not physically forced to consume the alcohol,” Lavorato said. “It was more of a case of peer pressure, where he thought that, in order to become a member, he felt it was a necessity to do so. And in the hazing code, the elements fit the crime.”

Erickson’s mother, Jacqueline Nickerson, told police that Erickson sent out text messages

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JOANNE DIAZ read several poems about her life’s journey at last weekend’s Drake Writers’ Harvest Festival to raise money for the Food Bank of Iowa.

“stating that ‘they’ were making me do full cups of Everclear and that he had already done five beer can shots,” the police report states. “He even stated that ‘I’m gonna die.’”

Lavorato said that Otto and Hatchett were cooperative with police and helpful to the investigation.

“They were very forthcoming and came in and spoke with us,” she said.

Biggs said Erickson wants to resume classes as soon as possible. The Times-Delphic has learned that Erickson was, in fact, on campus Tuesday with his parents.

Nickerson, Erickson’s mother, issued a statement Tuesday evening saying she hoped coverage of the alcohol poisoning would be “a catalyst that allows students to become more educated about the power and destructiveness

of alcohol,” according to the release.

“If we can prevent even one case of alcohol poisoning, then it will be worth all of this pain and struggle to see some good come out of this situation,” Nickerson said.

The mother said that she did not believe there was any intent to harm her son.

“We believe the other young men had no malicious intent,” Nickerson said. “They just made bad choices. Nate acknowledges that he also made bad choices. That doesn’t mean they’re bad people.”

Drake spokeswoman Tory Olson said that the university is aware of the recent charges filed, but did not comment any further. n

FROM COUNSELING, PAGE 1 “I hope to achieve a high degree of insight and comfort,” Bragg said. “Whatever students need to be, they should be that. It is a safe environment to discuss and better understand themselves.”

Bragg also said that this group is not intended to take the place of Rainbow Union.

Rainbow Union Vice President and Diversity Interest Senator La’Cee Groetken called the group a great idea.

“It is a bridge to Rainbow Union, not a supplement,” Groetken said.

The two groups have made plans to collaborate on events and discussions. However, Groetken said the groups are very different, mainly in confidentiality.

“Rainbow Union is an open forum, not a discussion group, “ Groetken said.

Bragg said the discussions in the group will be kept private.

“Confidentiality will be a big issue to the people that attend this,” Bragg said.

“Whatever is said in the group stays in the group. Students need to be respectful of who else is attending because there may be some people who aren’t even out yet.”

Rainbow Union is more focused on hosting events for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer students on campus, and focuses on broader topics than the dis-

cussion group, Groetken said.

Bragg said that the counseling center typically focuses on one-on-one sessions with students, but that he is excited to work with a group.

“Groups are an efficient way of helping a lot of people,” Bragg said. “Groups give people a chance to learn from each other.”

Groetken agreed that communication was helpful for individuals.

“Just talking it out and talking with other people who are similar to you can be very helpful,” Groetken said.

Bragg said there is already interest in the discussion group from students who participated in the past and new students. He said he is hoping for a group of four to 10 students to have productive conversations.

Groetken and other members of the Rainbow Union executive board are already encouraging all students to participate in the discussion group, including their own members.

“I thoroughly encourage our members to go to this group,” Groetken said. “Students with any issues with sexuality should really engage in discussion. It is a wonderful idea.”

The group will meet weekly on either Monday or Wednesday nights. Bragg said he is hoping to get a base of students that are interested in attending sessions every week.

“There is plenty to be talked about, that’s for sure,” Bragg said. n

FOR BREAKING DRAKE NEWS, CHECK OUT WWW.TWITTER.COM/TDBREAKINGNEWS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009

OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

OPINIONS&EDITORIALS

BUZZ the BUZZ

STAFF EDITORIAL

A little too close to home Good lessons can come from a few bad choices

A

s the university continues the investigation of the alleged hazing event last weekend, The Times-Delphic would like to take this opportunity to remind students that only a few of the 52 members of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity were involved in the misconduct.

The Times-Delphic staff encourages students to recognize that this was an isolated incident that does not represent the actions of all members. Please do not use this event as grounds to insult the men of Phi Delta Theta.

Like most fraternities, Phi Delta The-

Let this be a reminder of the serious consequences of binge drinking and hazing.

ta members participate in philanthropy events and hold leadership positions on campus. The fraternity also consistently reports a GPA higher than the all-campus average.

At this time, we are most concerned with

Nate’s recovery and our thoughts are with him and his family. We are relieved to know that he has been released from the hospital without major damage of any kind.

Let this be a reminder of the serious consequences of binge drinking and hazing. Students must recognize that they need to be responsible when choosing to drink.

This near-death incident proves to us all how imperative a call for help is – it can save a friend’s life.

Please err on the side of caution and, when faced with a possible medical emergency regarding alcohol, do not hesitate to ask for help. Drake’s medical amnesty policy ensures that students will not face punishment from the university if they ask for emergency medical help. n

SENIOR YEAR

Piercing Etiquette Despite a mother’s warnings, lip ring doesn’t limit life

I

could spend the next 723 words lecturnow she actually likes it. I also got the usual ing you on what I think about Senate and speech from people I met that I would probhow I am too “uneducated” to govern ably have to take it out for any job I got. myself, but I’ll spare you the diatribe. I Surprisingly, I was able to get a job with want to talk about the Senior Etiquette Dinthe lip ring. I asked my boss about it after I ner. I, along with about 160 seniors attended have been working a while, and he had fought the event, and I have to say, I liked it quite a with his boss over my lip ring before I was bit. I actually ended up crying at the dinner, hired. In the end, my qualifications won out, ALEX RAJEWSKI not because I was moved – the unintentional and my lip ring became a side note. Here at sexual innuendo in the manners coach’s deDrake, I work two jobs and wear my lip ring at COLUMNIST scription of a good handshake was just too all times. Over the summer, I worked in North much for me. That being said, I walked away Carolina, and my lip ring was there every day feeling a little insulted. Talking about profeswith me. The point of this story is to say that sional appearance, she said that all of us men should get rid of my lip ring, tattoo or whatever other body art that I might have do our shaggy college haircuts and, worst of all, that we can have not affect my intelligence or my job performance any more than absolutely no facial piercings. I took this rather personally. I’ve my socks or my coat. got one of those shaggy college haircuts, and I also have one of I think the manners coach was reasoning that we won’t be those atrocious lip rings. taken seriously with facial piercings, but she also said that we To give you some of my personal wouldn’t be taken seriously behistory, I had wanted a lip ring since cause of our age or, for half of us, I was in high school, but I worked as our gender. I am not a high school a waiter. Had I actually gotten a lip dropout, nor am I lazy, in a gang, My lip ring says nothing ring then, I would have been fired stupid or uninvolved. My lip ring faster than you can say, “Welcome says nothing about me except that to Red Robin.” Throughout my about me except that I think it I think it looks good, and the stereofirst year at Drake, I wrestled with looks good, and the stereotype type against them is one thing our the decision to get pierced or not. generation will have to challenge as On the one hand, I liked the way it against them is one thing we enter the workforce. looked, I wanted the experience it I do appreciate the advice I and I also wanted to shock my fam- our generation will have to was given on the philosophy of etiily and friends. On the other hand, I challenge as we enter the quette. And I suppose it might be wanted to be employed in the future useful to know how to properly hold and taken seriously as an intelligent, workforce. a fork in the continental style or that hard worker. I finally decided on the my tie should just barely touch my last day of my first year that I would belt buckle and my gig line should just get it done and deal with the always be straight. These things are fallout later. traditions, and they won’t go away At the tattoo parlor, the piercer told me all of the possible any time soon, but some traditions need to be re-examined occomplications of the piercing – horrible, horrible things that casionally. On a more philosophical note, quoting Randall Munwould make even Quentin Tarantino cringe. I kept my nerve and roe, “We’re grown-ups now, and it’s our turn to decide what that walked out 10 minutes later with a shiny, new lip ring. In case means.” n you are wondering, it didn’t hurt in the slightest. The reactions of friends and family ranged from, “Jesus, Alex, you would,” to Rajewski is a senior biochemistry, cell and molecular biology major and can utter silence. My mom couldn’t stop staring at it, wondering how be contacted at alex.rajewki@drake.edu.

I would ever be able to eat. She eventually warmed up to it, and

THE TIMES-DELPHIC THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER FOR DRAKE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884 MATT VASILOGAMBROS, Editor-in-Chief times.delphic@drake.edu LIZZIE PINE, Managing Editor tdeditorials@drake.edu JILL VAN WYKE, Faculty Advisor jill.vanwyke@drake.edu ERIN HOGAN, News Editor tdnews@drake.edu MATT NELSON, Features Editor tdfeatures@drake.edu

SARAH ANDREWS, Photo Editor tdphotos@drake.edu MARY BESS BOLLING, Copy Editor mary.bolling@drake.edu KENSIE SMITH, Copy Editor mackensie.smith@drake.edu KYLE GLASER, Web Editor tdweb@drake.edu

PETER ZEMANSKY, Sports Editor tdsports@drake.edu

TYLER O’NEIL, Relays Editor tyler.oneil@drake.edu

PHIL KREZNOR, Business Manager tdbusiness@drake.edu

CALEB BAILEY, Ads Manager tdads@drake.edu

OUTSPOKEN

PAGE 3

THE TIMES-DELPHIC Sorry to take the spotlight off of you, Senate, but don’t worry, we’re still watching.

“

What do you think … … is drinking’s role in Drake’s social culture?

”

“

Sophomore

“

Sophomore

“

Sophomore

“

Sophomore

TIM KOJETIN

I think people should do whatever they like. You’re going to find excitement in your life whether you’re drunk or sober.

”

ASHLEY JOHNSON

I feel like there’s a lot of pressure to go to the bars on the weekends because there’s not a whole lot to do in the dorms other than watching movies, which gets old.

”

ALYSSA FRAKES

I feel like there’s a lot of pressure to go out and drink for first-year students, but after that, you don’t try as hard to fit in.

”

MATT SHIELDS

With a majority of the students, there aren’t as many sober activities as I thought when I got here. The availability of alcohol doesn’t help.

“

”

KATE FOLEY Junior

I think it’s a lot more open here, especially in bar scenes.

The use of fake I.D.s are a lot more lenient here.

”

Share your views on columns and editorials online.

www.timesdelphic.com

The Times-Delphic is a student newspaper published semi-weekly during the regular academic year and is produced by undergraduate students at Drake University. The opinions of staff editorials reflect the institutional opinion of the newspaper based on current staff opinions and the newspaper’s traditions. These opinions do not necessarily reflect those of individual employees of the paper, Drake University or members of the student body. All other opinions appearing throughout the paper are those of the author or artist named within the column or cartoon. The newsroom and business office of The Times-Delphic are located in Meredith Hall, Room 124. The Times-Delphic is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press.

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THE TIMES-DELPHIC

FEATURES

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009

PAGE 4

FEATURES Binge drinking yields deadly consequences DON’T. MISS. THIS.

The John Adams Unbound travelling exhibit is now on display at Cowles Library until Dec. 11.

When to call 911 Symptoms of alcohol poisoning 1. Person is unconscious or semiconscious and cannot be awakened even when shaken; cannot stay awake for more than three minutes 2. Cold, clammy, pale or bluish skin 3. Check to see if breathing is slow, less than eight times per minute or irregular, with 10 or more seconds between breaths 4. Weak pulse or extremely rapid pulse or seizing 5.Vomiting while “sleeping” or passed out, and not waking up after vomiting

–Information provided from David Kaptain of Powell Chemical Dependency Treatment Center and the Drake Emergency Contact Card

photo illustration by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo Editor

by PETER ZEMANSKY Sports Editor tdsports@drake.edu

by LIZZIE PINE

Managing Editor tdeditorials@drake.edu

The Drake security reports are published each week, and for many readers, they are a favorite section of The Times-Delphic. Thirtyfour percent of the TD–published security reports this semester involved the consumption of alcohol.

Binge drinking is a pervasive problem on college campuses nationwide. Drake is no exception to this phenomenon. Although 34 percent may not seem like an alarming proportion of security citations, it is unclear the amount of reports (theft, vandalism, etc.) that may have been committed under the influence of alcohol.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines binge drinking as a pattern of alcohol consumption in which a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level is 0.08 percent or higher. It also states that this pattern of drinking generally involves five or more drinks in one sitting for men and four or more

for women.

This behavior is not limited to a select few students at each university. About 44 percent of students attending four-year colleges drink alcohol at the binge level or beyond, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest.

Binge drinking causes brain damage and organ failure, said David Kaptain, manager of Powell Chemical Dependency Treatment Center. Alcohol begins affecting the system by slowing coordination and speech. After those effects, it begins to inhibit other important functions of the body.

“The brain forgets to tell you how to breathe or your heart to beat,” Kaptain said. “It basically starts putting more and more automatic functions to sleep.”

Kaptain said that binge drinking damages the brain – in part by damaging the organ’s white matter that is responsible for relaying information between brain cells.

This can have severe repercussions for students’ learning capabilities.

“Anybody who is drinking a lot, even once or twice a week, it could be affecting school – brain development is still occurring up to age 21,” Kaptain said.

Recent research has shown that incoming

college students are more likely to binge drink for a number of psychological and social reasons.

“College freshmen are particularly vulnerable to binge drinking,” said a 2008 article from the Journal of American College Health.

There are no clear-cut solutions to this problem.

“Frankly, if I had the formula that would solve the binge drinking on the nation’s campuses, I’d patent it and retire,” said Hans Hanson, chief of Drake Security.

Binge drinking has been an issue on the forefront for some Drake students as they have adjusted to college life.

“I’ve had friends drink and get really sick from it, so it’s affected me that way,” first-year student Megan Stein said. “People just have to be really careful how much they drink because it can affect you more than you think.”

However, Drake’s culture may not be as alcohol-centric as other universities.

“In visiting with my colleagues from other universities, I feel Drake has a very small bingedrinking problem as compared to some other schools, particularly the big public institutions,” Hanson said.

For some students, their classmates’ binge

drinking has shown them what not to do.

“I don’t think (binge drinking) has really affected my life personally, but I have seen it affect the lives of others, and it has made me more cautious about drinking habits,” first-year student Drew Albinson said.

Drake administration has increasingly addressed the topic of drinking. At the Nov. 5 Student Senate meeting, Dean of Students Sentwali Bakari announced that his office formed a focus group examining alcohol culture on Drake’s campus.

“The dean of students has played an active role in prevention, from fining students to supporting organizations on campus interested in reducing alcohol consumption,” Hanson said.

Many people believe that education about the effects of alcohol is crucial to affecting students’ decisions.

“From the experiences I’ve had, I wouldn’t say it’s an overwhelming problem, but I have seen instances that are too frequent on our campus,” sophomore resident assistant Joshua Poindexter said. “We can do a better job of educating first-year students immediately, and structuring the culture of the residence halls so that they are aware of the consequences of binge drinking.” n

>>What’s going on?

campus calendar

photo by MATT NELSON | Features Editor

Charming and delicious coffee Friedrich’s World Coffee has aromatic attitude

by MACKENSIE SMITH

Staff Writer mackensie.smith@drake.edu

Leave the rest of the morning open, because after sinking into the comfortable chairs at Friedrich’s Coffee, it’s hard to leave. The soothing, warm-colored walls envelop guests in a warm embrace as the soft whir of the coffee grinder sings in the background. Quality coffee is the name of the game and clients are surrounded with reminders, such as the bar table covered in the dark hues of coffee beans.

It’s the little details of the café that separate it from other popular coffee chains. The Des Moines-established coffee shop has five retail locations. The café in the Uptown Shopping Center on University Avenue is the closest shop to Drake.

Outdoor patio tables and wraparound windows mark the corner shop – perfect for people–watching. About a mile away, the shop offers an alternative study spot that is well worth the short DART bus ride.

A hanging sign depicts a mustached man and reads “Friedrich’s World Coffee Since 1903.”

History of the shop stems from tradition. The president and founder, Gary Meyer, named the enterprise after his great grandfather’s coffee shop that was located right next to King Friedrich’s German castle. Destroyed in World War II, the shop left a legacy that Meyer reinstituted in 1991.

“Our passion has been to bring to the marketplace the finest coffees the world has to offer, such that our coffee reaches the palates of the ever-growing coffee crowd,” Meyer writes on the company’s Web site. “We reach out to the impoverished people of the equatorial, coffeeproducing countries, so as to provide evangelistic hope and humanitarian relief.”

Fredrich garnered the title of Des Moines’s first true coffee house by having the first working espresso machine in the area. Since then, the coffee business decisions have supported the company’s philosophy, particularly with the 2002 wholesale coffee distribution upstart.

The company sells whole bean and grounded

blends, like the appropriately titled, brightly flavored “Sir Friedrich” blend and smooth “French Vanilla Crème.”

Through the haze of steam from patrons’s coffee, one thing is clear – the company’s dedication to proper purchasing practices.

Engaged citizens will be happy to know that the business works to protect the environment and support farmers in countries producing a coffee crop. This global commitment is also clearly seen at the local level through the friendly workers and quality of products sold.

“I would say the employees here are all nicer and the customer service is better than some other coffee shops,” barista Leslie Foshe said as she poured a latte. “Also, the quality of our espresso is thicker and richer.”

Freidrich’s customers show the company’s emphasis on quality is clearly important to this coffee shop of choice. Reading newspapers, working on laptops and writing in journals, the clientele is eclectic.

Foshe shared that the business is neighborhood-based and made-up of loyal customers. During a specific transaction, employees not only knew a regular’s order, they gave her two children cups full of whipped crème drizzled in chocolate.

Upon first glance, the menu is intimidating for such a small venue. The wide selection of hot and cold coffees ranges from basic brews, to scrumptious-sounding snickerdoodle lattes to campfire mochas. The café also offers seasonal flavors – Vermont, maple nut and pumpkin blends.

Customers who are not so keen on caffeine can order from a selection of exotic teas of all flavors.

Guests who try one drink and get hooked can join the Bean Counter Club. As a member of the club, customers receive a punch card that awards a free drink after the 10th purchase and 10 percent off coffee beans and merchandise.

For all coffee drinkers who appreciate a good cup of “Coffee with a little more character,” Friedrich’s is the local cafe to slow down, study and soothe the caffeine-craved soul. n

TODAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

INFO SESSION Learn about the seminar taking place next summer in Uganda, Africa.

MUSIC The Civil Music Association presents the Vienna Boys Choir at Drake.

MUSIC Soprano Melissa Judge presents her senior recital.

WHERE Room 108 Aliber Hall

WHERE Sheslow Auditorium

WHERE Sheslow Auditorium

WHEN 4:30 p.m.

WHEN 7:30 p.m.

WHEN: 8 p.m.

REMEMBER Watch Anthony Rapp, original cast member of ‘Rent,’ give a Q & A live online at 2 p.m. today @ timesdelphic.com/live

PAGE 5

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009

FEATURES

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

STUDENT ORGANIZATION HIGHLIGHT| STUDENTS FOR WOMEN’S ISSUES

Love your body

photo by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo Editor

Students for Women’s Issues hosts a week of festivities devoted to self-esteem

by KRISTA PETERSON

Staff Writer krista.peterson@drake.edu

Stretching and Spanglish can do wonders for your self-esteem.

The Drake student organization Students for Women’s Issues (SWI) is tackling poor selfimage in a creative and engaging way. The organization’s second annual Body Image Week, happening through Friday encourages students to think positively about themselves and to become aware of what triggers poor body image.

“Many people have problems with their bodies,” said junior co-president Jen Henry. Henry was concerned that few seek help because of the normalcy of low self-esteem.

This year’s theme is “The Personal Is Political: Institutional Influence on the Body.” The

activities are free for all to attend and focus on different social factors that affect self-esteem.

Monday night, students viewed a short film called “Killing Us Softly: Advertising’s Image of Women.” Afterwards, students discussed the film.

“This negative mentality drags others down,” said senior Amanda Krafft, former president of the group who now serves on SWI’s executive council.

Krafft said that women can often perpetuate the acceptability of self-hatred.

Tuesday evening brought a group of people to Firehouse Yoga for a free stretching session designed to relax women and remind them of their beauty. Krafft hoped that Yoga participants felt more positive following the class.

Women had the chance Wednesday to pamper themselves with free goodie bags from SWI.

SWI acknowledges the collective self-esteem of women is low. They also know the cause of low self-esteem is complicated, as is the cure.

Thursday, SWI will host a student discussion about the impact relationships can have on body image Thursday at 8 p.m. at the CAYA House, across from Campus Cleaners. The topic doesn’t just focus on the impact of relationships with a significant others, but also includes relationships with parents and friends.

Finally, on Friday night, SWI will show the movie “Spanglish” in Bulldog Theater, with free popcorn available.

Henry indicated that women are not the only sex susceptible to self-criticism.

“Men increasingly have problems with their bodies,” Henry said. “There is a lot of pressure on men looking a certain way.”

Henry said that men were encouraged to at-

tend Body Image Week events.

“It is good for men to understand the body image issues women have,” Henry said.

Eventually, SWI wants to stop men and women from relying on their bodies as a barometer for self-esteem. The group hopes that students can come away from get Body Image Week with this message: “We are not our bodies,” Krafft said. n

“Body Image” week events: Thursday: Student discussion focusing on the impact of relationships on body image.

Friday: The movie “Spanglish” in Bulldog Theater.

ARTS. LIVING. MOVIES. MUSIC. WEEKEND.

Drake Theatre musical ‘Cabaret’ opens tonight Production conveys powerful messages

by JAMES VAN ECHAUTE

Staff Writer james.vanechaute@drake.edu

Nazis, strippers and love.

Drake University Theatre presents the musical “Cabaret,” a raunchy depiction of Nazi Germany. The show debuts tonight at 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Hall in the Fine Arts Center.

The musical is set in 1931, before the Nazis assumed power. The story’s protagonist is an American author, Cliff Bradshaw, who is looking for inspiration for his next novel. During his trip to Germany, he discovers the seedy Kit Kat Klub and the provocative English performer Sally Bowles. As the couple’s relationship develops, the growing Nazi presence threatens to undo the feigned jovial attitude of the club. Despite its light-hearted nature, there are powerful messages to take home.

Sophomore Carrie Gabbert, who plays the headstrong landlord of Bradshaw’s flat, said the musical is one of the most intense she’s ever been in.

“Cabaret is not your typical musical,” she said. “It questions what is right and whether to follow your head or your heart.”

Though sinister overtones permeate the production, actors bring energy to the plot.

From the moment the lights go up, the audience is pulled into a toe-tapping extravaganza. There is no shortage of songs and dance numbers. The cast’s enthusiasm is contagious as everyone, no matter how large the role, has an apparent blast on stage.

Sophomore Lauren Knutson, who plays

IF YOU’RE GOING: When: 8 p.m. Nov. 12 – 14 2 p.m. Nov. 15 Where: Performing Arts Hall, Harmon Fine Art Center Cost: Adults – $6 Students with Drake ID – $4 one of the Kit Kat Klub regulars, said the entertaining, yet deep, production is worth watching.

“Cabaret is a very powerful musical,” says Knutson. “It has a serious message, but at the same time, is a lot of fun to watch.”

Senior Jonas Davidow, who plays Bobby, a colorful Kit Kat dancer, said Cabaret is a message for the masses.

“Cabaret is about changing times and how hatred can bring out the worst fears in us all,” Davidow said.

Director Karla Kash said she hopes that the audience finds something to think about and discuss with family and friends after the show.

“This musical is a warning that we need to look to history in order to not get complacent and allow genocide to continue to happen,” she said. “It will continue to happen as long as people are complacent and live in fear.” n

BLOOD DRIVE TOMORROW

photo courtesy of ABRAHAM SWEE

(LEFT TO RIGHT) TONY DI MEGLIO, SARAH HOCH, ALEXIS VAN VLEET, SEAN BUHR AND JONAS DAVIDOW star in Drake Theatre’s production of the musical “Cabaret.”

Give Blood, Give Life.

Did you know more than 2,000 units of blood are needed each week in the local community? The Blood Center of Iowa non-profit organization supplies donations to 49 different hospitals. Each donated unit can serve up to three different patients. Drake Panhellenic Council is sponsoring a blood drive on Friday from Nov. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m in the Morehouse Ballroom. Participants must register and weigh above 120 pounds.

Schedule an appointment by calling 515-288-3319.

Or register online at: http://www.membersforlife.org/iowa/mobilesch/bdc_company.php (type in organization “Drake”)

SPORTS

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

SPORTS KEYS TO THE GAME CAPITALIZE IN THE RED ZONE

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009 PAGE 6

FOR BREAKING SPORTS NEWS WWW.TWITTER.COM/TDSPORTSNEWS

2,000

STELLAR STATS Meters this Saturday’s NCAA regional race is longer than normal men’s cross country races.

Dogpound Showdown

1

Whoever leads the Drake offense onto the field – Piatkowski or Badovinac – the Bulldogs must take advantage of any trips to the red zone. They are going up against the stingiest defense in the PFL in Dayton, who leads the league in scoring and total defense.

PLAY WITH PASSION Winning this game is key for the Bulldogs because a win would set up a showdown with Butler in the season finale – a game which would determine the PFL regular season title. If the conference championship is not enough motivation, the team should aim to win for the 16 seniors who will suit up for a regular season game at Drake Stadium for the last time Saturday. Drake has no excuse to come out flat against the Flyers. If the Bulldogs play emotionally charged football in the first quarter, they can put the Flyers away early.

2

RUN WITH THE HOTTEST LEGS The Bulldogs have gotten contributions from a number of different running backs throughout the season and it is important that the team finds the on-form runner early in the game, so that Drake can pound away at the staunch Dayton defense.

3

photo by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo Editor

SOPHOMORE QUARTERBACK MIKE PIATKOWSKI evades a Valparaiso defender during the Bulldogs’ 34-14 win on Oct. 3.

DRAKE VS. DAYTON SATURDAY 3 P.M. | DRAKE STADIUM

by MATT MORAN

Staff Writer matthew.moran@drake.edu

Drake’s first-place football team will look to improve its Pioneer Football League record to 7-0, with a win on Senior Saturday against the Dayton Flyers.

The Bulldogs, 8-1, are tied atop the PFL standings with Butler, who barely captured victory over Dayton last week.

The 31-28 win for Butler was Dayton’s first conference loss of the season. The game could have easily ended differently, as receiver JMichael Jonard was tackled inside the one-yard line after a 40-yard pass from quarterback Steve Valentino on the game’s last play.

Drake will control its own destiny in the PFL, as the team needs victories over Dayton and Butler in the final two weeks to secure its first conference championship since

2004. The Bulldogs are riding a six-game winning streak.

“Our approach will be the same as it has been all season long,” Head Coach Chris Creighton said.

“We will follow our same routine all week and we will be ready to go mentally, physically and emotionally on Saturday.”

Drake will once again rely on its strong defense to lead the team to victory. The Bulldog defense has garnered national attention in the past week, ranking in the top 10 in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision in four categories.

Drake ranks fourth in tackles for loss, averaging 8.33 per game.

Senior defensive end Dain Taylor led the Bulldogs in this area, averaging 1.72 tackles for loss per game, good for fifth in the country.

Drake ranks eighth in sacks with an average of 3.11 per game. The Bulldogs are also eighth in rushing defense – allowing only 84 rushing

yards per game – and seventh total defense, conceding 260.4 yards to opponents.

“Our defense has a bunch of veteran starters who are talented and driven,” Creighton said.

“They are well-organized and play with passion.”

Sophomore quarterback Mike Piatkowski has led Drake’s strong offense. He has thrown for 1,885 yards, 12 touchdowns and only five interceptions.

Piatkowski’s top target, and Drake’s best offensive weapon, has been senior Stephen Platek.

Platek has 40 receptions for 507 yards and three touchdown receptions on the season. He also has 28 carries for 141 yards and a team-high six rushing touchdowns.

The running back by committee approach has helped Drake keep fresh legs in the backfield throughout the season. Junior Tom Kostek leads the rushing attack

with 75 carries for 332 yards.

Special teams have also been strong for the Bulldogs this season.

“Outside of blocking and tackling, the biggest keys will be winning the battle of special teams and turnovers,” Creighton said.

Senior place-kicker and punter Brandon Wubs has been paramount to Drake, going 12-14 on field goals this season. Wubs was named the PFL special teams player of the week three times this season. He has also put 18 punts inside opponents’ 20-yard line, and kicked five punts over 50 yards.

Saturday will mark the final home game for the Drake seniors.

The 25 seniors on the roster could finish the season unbeaten in Des Moines. A win would give Drake a do-or-die scenario next week at Butler where they would battle for victory to earn the PFL Championship. n

VOLLEYBALL

Building a head of steam

by MATT MORAN

Staff Writer matthew.moran@drake.edu

Drake volleyball has tallied a record-setting 19 wins this season and will return home tomorrow to face Evansville at 7 p.m at the Knapp Center.

Attracting record crowds, Drake players said they look forward to playing the next two matches on their home court.

“The crowd provides extra energy that we feed off of,” defensive specialist junior Alana Wittenburg said. “I expect another big crowd (this weekend) that is anticipating a good game with some great plays.”

Playing back-to-back home games, the Bulldogs will face Southern Illinois Saturday at 7 p.m.

The outcomes of both games will affect the team’s Missouri Valley Conference rankings.

Head Coach Phil McDaniel said the team’s goal at the start of the season was to make the MVC tournament, and they have a shot at doing so in the final two weeks. Even though the Bulldogs are the hottest team in the conference right now, he knows that his team is in for a challenge against Evansville.

Drake defeated the Purple Aces in three games earlier this season.

“We know that we need to play solid defense to beat Evansville,” McDaniel said. “All of these conference teams are fighting for the same thing we’re fighting for. These final two weeks will be intense.”

Sophomore setter Caitlin Johnson also says that the offensive attack will be vital to another Drake win.

“Hopefully I can get my hitters some oneon-one opportunities so they have room to hit and make plays,” Johnson said.

Southern Illinois is another tough opponent, and Drake battled on the road to defeat the

Salukis in their last matchup. Southern Illinois took the second game to even the match at one game apiece, but the Bulldogs responded with two thunderous victories to take the match.

“Southern Illinois blocks well and they have some accomplished attackers,” McDaniel said.

“We will need to play solid defense and we will need to limit our errors.”

And with the home crowd, Drake will already have an advantage against their two conference rivals.

“The team always looks forward to coming home and playing in the Knapp Center,” McDaniel said. “The fans have been very supportive, and we look forward to seeing them one last time this weekend.”

A variety of players have led Drake statistically this season. Junior Angela Bys leads the team with 262 kills. Seniors Chelsea Laursdorf and Johnson are the primary setters, leading Drake with 805 and 220 assists, respectively.

Sophomore Michelle Reidy leads the team with 98 blocks and Laursdorf leads with 27 service aces.

McDaniel says that the biggest difference between this team and teams in the past is the confidence the athletes have.

“Volleyball is a game of momentum,” he said. “Sometimes we have it and sometimes we lose it. This team knows we have the ability to take over a match at any point and we focus on controlling the momentum of the match.”

With all of the talk of the conference tournament looming, the Bulldogs have got to stay focused on the games at hand. Wittenburg said they are excited about the upcoming games, but still focused on making it into the conference tournament. McDaniel echoed his player’s words.

“We can only control the matches we play in; we don’t talk about what other teams are doing,” he said. “We take every match one at a time. The Missouri Valley is too tough of a conference to look down the road.” n

SEND YOUR STORY IDEAS TO TDSPORTS@DRAKE.EDU

photo by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo Editor

JUNIOR OUTSIDE HITTER ALISA DEBERG ROTH attempts to spike the ball past two Missouri State blockers in the Bulldogs’ three-set loss to the Bears on Oct. 2.

FOR BREAKING DRAKE SPORTS NEWS, CHECK OUT WWW.TWITTER.COM/TDSPORTSNEWS

PAGE 7

SPORTS

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009

OCT. 23 OCT. 28 AT

VS.

EVANSVILLE

BRADLEY

W, 2-1

L, 1-0

NOV. 1 AT

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

NOV. 4 AT

MISSOURI STATE EASTERN ILLINOIS

L, 2-3 (OT)

W, 4-1

NOV. 7

NOV. 1

VS.

VS.

CREIGHTON

CREIGHTON

T, 3-3 (2OT)

MVC TOURNAMENT

6 P.M.

Winner takesALL

photo by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo Editor

SOPHOMORE FORWARD HUNTER KENNEDY takes possession of the ball and heads toward the Creighton goal during the Bulldogs’ 3-3 double-overtime draw with the Bluejays on Nov. 7. Drake will play host to the Bluejays for the second time in a week tomorrow at 6 p.m. at Cownie Soccer Complex, this time in the Missouri Valley Conference tournament.

Drake looks to live up to preseason expectations in MVC tournament

by SKYLAR BERGL

Staff Writer skylar.bergl@drake.edu

Familiar is an understatement for the Bulldogs and the Bluejays.

After a 3-3 double-overtime thriller with Creighton last Saturday, the Bulldogs will face the Bluejays for the third time this season Friday night at 6 p.m. in the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.

The top four teams from the conference will battle for an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament Friday at Cownie Soccer Complex, with Missouri State and Evansville facing off at 3:30 p.m. on Friday.

Last year, the Bulldogs earned their first NCAA Tournament bid without even winning the MVC Tournament.

This year, the Bulldogs upped their schedule’s toughness and played some strong programs, looking to improve their team and prepare for the tough challenge of the season.

“I think even if we don’t end up winning the conference tournament, we’ll reach the NCAA Tournament,” Head Coach Sean Holmes said.

“We’ve stepped up our schedule, gone on the road and shown our body of work. I think the NCAA Committee will see that and reward us with a bid even if we don’t win this tournament.”

While the Bulldogs fought to a 3-3 draw with Creighton this past weekend, they will be facing the Bluejays once again this Friday in the semifinals. the Bulldogs take the field at 6:30 p.m. after the No. 1 and No. 4 seeds, Missouri State and Evansville, face off at 3:30 p.m. Friday afternoon.

“I think we played well against Creighton this season,” Head Coach Sean Holmes said.

“Soccer is bizarre in the way that the results don’t always correlate to how you perform. But in both games, there were key mistakes on each side, and if we make less mistakes, we’ll win.”

This season, Drake has had Creighton’s number. With a win at Creighton on Oct.14 and a tie this last Saturday, the Bulldogs’ ledger against the Bluejays sways in their favor.

If the Bulldogs manage to get by Creighton, they will face off against the winner of the Missouri State against Evansville match. While the Bulldogs fell to the Bears of Missouri State in both matches against them this season, they played them close in a 2-1 loss on Oct. 17 and a 3-2 overtime loss on Nov. 1.

“In both of our games against Missouri State, I think we should’ve won,” said Holmes.

CROSS COUNTRY

Bulldogs set to recover after discouraging weekend at MVC

Drake expecting improvements in conditions and results at NCAA regional meet

by DOMINIC JOHNSON

Staff Writer dominic.johnson@drake.edu

The Drake men’s and women’s cross country teams will seek redemption at the NCAA Regional Meet this weekend after a disappointing finish at the Missouri Valley Conference meet on Oct. 31.

The Bulldog men finished sixth place on the sloppy Bradley course.

“At some points the guys practically had to run through mini lakes,” freshman runner Mike Rodriguez said. “The next race will certainly be a better meet. I think this will prove to motivate them and end the season on a good note.”

Although Rodriguez won’t be running in the race, he said he thinks that Head Coach Dan Hostager made a good decision having his experienced runners run Saturday.

“Seniors Jeff Grassmeyer and Zac Bales-Henry want to end their careers with great races, so I think the team will be ready to run its best race of the year,” Rodriguez said.

The men’s squad for NCAA regionals will consist of Grassmeyer, Bales-Henry,

sophomore Colin Hagan, sophomore Der- ing extremely hard,” freshman runner ek Campbell, junior Mike Bumgarner and Cammy Dole said. “They do every single sophomore Ben Jaskowiak. meet, and I’m sure that they will be push“Seven guys will be running on Satur- ing themselves even harder since it is their day and, right now, Coach Hostager is hav- last collegiate meet. All the girls are really ing a difficult time choosing who the sev- dedicated.” enth man will be,” Rodriguez said.

Along with McDermott and Heinz, the Despite the disappointing MVC meet, squad will consist of juniors Katie Coomer, the men still retain the confidence they built Meredith Bell, Lindsay Smith and Tara up all season due to Hostager’s training.

Scieszinski. Much like the men, Hostager “Discipline and consistency are the hasn’t decided the final lineup for meet day name of the game,” Rodriguez said. “Run- due to the depth on the women’s squad. ning constant mileage and staying injuryDole said she believes that, no matter free is the key to improvement.” who runs, all her upperclassmen teammates Drake will are experireturn to the enced enough course fresh afto represent ter a week off, Drake well at and the team the meet. will look to take “Every sinadvantage of gle one of the the rest against older girls have the more fabeen a leader; tigued teams at each one has regionals. unique leaderThe Drake ship skills,” she – MIKE RODRIGUEZ, freshman cross women’s squad said. country runner will also look Dole said to prove itself she believes after an eighth that leadership place finish at like this will the MVC meet. have each runner put forth her best effort Like the men’s squad, the women’s for the team this weekend. side will rely on its upperclassmen to run The teams will run the regional meet in a strong race. Junior Casey McDermott re- Springfield, Mo. The course will be longer ceived all-conference honors at the MVC than those in previous meets. The men will meet, and the team will look to her to set run a course 2,000 meters longer than most a strong pace for the team. The Bulldogs MVC courses while the women will run are also looking to senior Courtney Heinz 1,000 meters longer. The men will race at to put forth a great effort this weekend. noon and the women hit the track after the “I’m sure every senior will be work- men’s race, at 1:15 p.m. n

“ ”

I think the team will be ready to run its best race of the year.

“I would personally rather face them rather than Evansville. Their RPI is nearly 40 points higher, which would help us if we don’t win the conference tournament. Either way, I think we could beat whatever team we end up facing.”

It will take a big effort for the Purple Aces of Evansville push past Missouri State, a team they went 0-2 against in the regular season. The only way that Evansville can make the NCAA Tournament is by winning the MVC Tournament, so the effort on their side will probably be higher than usual. If the Bulldogs face the Purple Aces in the championship, Evansville will be fighting for its life.

While the Bulldogs have a spot in the NCAA Tournament essentially locked up, barring any tragic loss, they will try to improve their NCAA seeding, which will be announced Nov. 16 – the day after the MVC championship game. n

Farewell PETER ZEMANSKY SPORTS EDITOR

T

o the readers, I am writing this column to inform you that it is my last issue as sports editor of The TimesDelphic. I am stepping down, as of Sunday, in order to pursue opportunities in TV broadcasting.

I have enjoyed my time as sports editor very much and am thankful for the opportunity I have had to get to be so close to Drake Athletics.

This position has helped me appreciate Drake Athletics to a new degree, as I have witnessed the football team contend for a PFL crown, the preseason-ranked men’s soccer team challenging for the MVC title and talented athletes in all of the other Drake fall sports.

I am taking a newfound appreciation in all that the Drake athletes do and how well they represent all of us and the university as a whole.

The one thing concerning Drake Athletics that I think needs to change has to do with us, the student body. I wrote a column about this last week, but we should be supporting our athletic teams better than we have been.

The athletes are our peers – they aren’t stuck up, arrogant athletes who are too good for us. I think that we owe it to them to care about what they do – invest their lives into their sports. I know that I, for one, will be at Drake Stadium, Saturday at 3 p.m., to watch Drake football take on Dayton. n

NEWS

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2009

PAGE 8

FROM AFGHANISTAN, PAGE 1

Three students to be deployed to Afghanistan >>PATRICK HENDRICKSON, 27

W

ar is not an unfamiliar experience for senior biology major Patrick Hendrickson. At 19 years old, he was deployed to Iraq as a combat medic, enduring experiences that forced him to grow up fast.

Now, just seven years later, he faces his second tour of duty in the Middle East, serving as an infantry leader with 30 men under his command.

When fellow Drake student Joel Sage notified Hendrickson that their brigade was called up, he said he understood that this was real and he had become mentally prepared for it.

“I felt I had enough time off,” he said. “After a while you feel a sense of guilt … like it’s time for me to step up again.”

In January, 2003, his unit was mobilized for Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was deployed in March and served for a year and a half as a medic. He was stationed in Mosul, Iraq, for four months and then sent to Abu Ghraib military prison to treat soldiers and prisoners.

In Afghanistan, he will be an infantry platoon leader. He said the responsibility has definitely gone up, as he will go out on patrol with his 30 men and women.

“Those are the best kind of leaders,” he said.

“The ones who go out there and face the elements with your men.”

Hendrickson said the biggest difference between his first deployment and this one is his mindset. In 2003, he said he would volunteer to go on the dangerous missions. But now, as a husband and father of two, he has other priorities.

“There were a lot of events that happened in Iraq, that when I went back home, I wasn’t a regular 20-year-old kid,” he said. “There were a lot of events that made me grow up. I can’t really explain it. I saw the world in a different light than most 20-year-olds do.”

When he fights in Afghanistan, he said his motivation will derive from his own family and helping other families in the Middle East.

“You see these kids, and you see the things they have to deal with,” he said. “I couldn’t even imagine living in those conditions. I really look forward to life back home. When you’re there living it, you really see the difference you’re making.”

When he got back to Iowa in 2004, he said it took him a while to feel at home again.

He met his wife, Jessica, when he got back from serving in Iraq. They now have two children – 2-year-old Eva and six-week-old Jacob.

Life as a father and student is difficult, Hendrickson said.

“I tell you what, it keeps me busy,” he said.

“There’s always something for me to do.”

He said he loves being a father, as his children are the pride of his life.

“They are my best friends,” he said. “My daughter is at the perfect age. When I come home, it’s like I have a fan club. I love nothing more than to sit and play with her and watch her learn.”

When he has to say goodbye, he said it will be the hardest thing he’ll ever do.

“Between her and my wife, those two will be the hardest saying goodbye to,” he said. “Just like before, it was the hardest thing saying goodbye to Mom. And it will still be hard saying goodbye to Mom and Dad.” Hendrickson will also miss his time at Drake.

He said professors have been very understanding as he has balanced different roles in his life.

“I am appreciative of every professor here at Drake,” he said. “Being a father and soldier at the same time, there are a lot of things that are asked of me, and all of the professors have been really good about being flexible with me.”

Following his time in Afghanistan, Hendrickson said he will study for the MCATs and pursue a medical degree, so he can become a civilian doctor.

>>ZACH POLKA, 25

T

he soldiers deployed overseas are not just serving in the infantry, but fill other jobs necessary for the war effort. Senior Zach Polka – a news/ internet and broadcast news double major – is in the 3654 Maintenance Company, that focuses on repairing damaged vehicles from the front line.

When he received notification that his company was called up, he said one thought crossed his mind, “Am I going to finish school on time?”

Along with his degree, Polka also has to graduate from officer training. Once he’s finished with his training, he will gain the rank of second lieutenant.

“I’m going to school to not only get a degree, but also learn the roles and responsibilities of an officer,” he said. “So, an opportunity like this straight out of the barrel is great because I can not only serve my country, but also prove to myself that I have what it takes to lead other men and women.”

Although Polka’s job is not technically on the front line, he said he still fears for his safety in the dangerous Afghan terrain.

“With the war the way it is, there is no front line,” he said. “Anywhere you look, you could be penetrated by the enemy.”

He said that although he might work on machinery, when he’s under fire, his gun will be his primary tool.

“No matter what your specific job is in the military, everybody, when it comes down to it, is a front-line soldier,” he said. “The entire time you’re over there, your main equipment is a water canteen and a rifle. The tools you use for your job is just extra.”

Polka has been in the Army National Guard for six years, serving 10 months at Camp Roberts in California. Upon returning to Iowa, he earned an Associate’s degree in Fine Arts from DMACC. Telling his fiancé of his deployment was a challenge for Polka. He came home after a drill weekend, asked her how her day was and then told her to sit down. Knowing that what he was going to say involved the military, she refused to

sit. Then, he told her.

“Are you serious?” she said. “We’re going to have to get married.”

Misty Waltz and Polka have been together for five years. Since they are both full-time students, their income poses obstacles to getting married. Polka said that, with their tax return next year, they should be in good shape to make their legal union a reality.

Waltz found it difficult to describe what life will be like when Polka leaves next fall. She said he mows the lawn, pays the bills, cleans dishes and takes care of their 3-year-old daughter, Kiley. When he leaves, she could only describe it as though somebody in her family were dying.

“You have so much to do and so little time,” she said. “You no longer are going to have that person there 24/7 when you need them. It’s hard.”

She said Polka is great with their daughter, adopting a hands-on approach in her life.

Telling their daughter will be the toughest part of this process. He said that, when the time is right, he and his fiancé will sit her down and say, “Daddy’s going to leave, but he’ll be back soon.”

Although Waltz is sad to see him go, she is proud of Polka, saying he is doing what is necessary for his country.

“He’s fighting for our freedoms and fighting for what we have,” she said. “And in order for us to keep that,” pausing as she started crying once more, “people have to do some work.”

After Afghanistan, Polka plans on finishing his 20 years of military service by working in the Public Affairs Detachment at Camp Dodge in Johnston, Iowa.

>>JOEL SAGE, 27

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lready having served four years at Arlington National Cemetery, economics major Joel Sage said he is ready to deploy to Afghanistan.

He said he started hearing rumors about the deployment over a year ago, but was told that the decision would come in August. As August and September came and went, all Sage could do was wait. When it was officially announced, Sage was commissioned to tell the 40 men under his command they would, in fact, be deployed to the front line in one year.

Sage will finish school in December, giving him ample time to get his affairs in order and complete his training.

As an infantry platoon leader of the 1st Battalion of the 168th Infantry Regiment, Sage will work closely with the Afghan National Army and lead his men on missions. He will also lead medical professionals, especially dentists, to places where their services are needed most and provide security for engineering teams.

Previously working on Iowa flood relief in 2008 and the 2009 presidential inauguration, he said this is a huge responsibility. The closer the date gets, the more he realizes the work ahead of him.

“I’m not excited to go; I’m not excited to leave my family,” he said. “I’m glad to have the

opportunity to serve, but it’s not like I’m overjoyed.”

In 2003, while attending Iowa State University, Sage made a deal with his roommate that if the U.S. went to war against Iraq, they would enlist. When the time came, he enlisted and was sent to Virginia.

After he finished his active duty service, he said he still hadn’t fulfilled his personal goals of service. He joined the National Guard so he could finish his degree at Drake University, knowing that he would eventually be called back to active duty.

“We knew that it wasn’t a likelihood, but more or less guaranteed,” he said. “It was just a matter of time.”

Sage has several family members who have served in the armed forces, including his twin brother, who served in the Marines. He said that this history of service inspires him to fight for his country.

“I felt fortunate to live here, and since I was able to enlist at that time, it was something I could do to serve my country,” he said.

Sage has his reasons for serving in the military, and said that although his wife may be unhappy about the deployment, she is familiar with his driven nature.

“I don’t think she understands the way I feel about it, but I think she understands,” he said.

Sage also has an older brother who served two tours of duty in Iraq and was hit by a roadside bomb. The explosion left his brother shaken, and left questions on Sage’s mind. He said, however, with 40 men under his command, he can’t let those thoughts cloud his focus.

“Honestly, I think more about my guys,” he said. “I always know that death is a possibility, but I never think about it personally.”

Jessica said she is prepared for tasks around the house, but emotionally, she’ll be caught off guard.

“God hasn’t given us anything that we can’t handle,” she said. “There are lots of other families that do this multiple times, and we’re just one of them.”

Jessica worries about their 3-year-old son, Bradley, the most, since Joel is very close to him.

She said he is an amazing father.

“With being in the army, working and being in school, he hardly has any time,” she said.

“But what time he has, he’s right there playing with his son. He’s really quick to give him lots of encouragement and attention. He’s great.”

Joel went to Washington, D.C., over the summer for training, and Bradley was shaken up by his father’s departure.

“He cried,” she said. “Every once in a while, he would cry for (Joel) and say he missed him and wanted him. I’m anticipating it’s going to be like that for a while.”

Jessica said Joel is dedicated in every role of his life.

After this tour in Afghanistan, he has eight years of service left.

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n a place where worries may range from what party to attend this weekend or what grade you’ll receive on the next economics test, it’s hard to understand how to cope in a world 7,000 miles away. With the daunting feeling that can accompany realizing your life can end at any second, what sane person would feel comfort in this deployment? These three men don’t want to be referred to as heroes or someone special. To them, this is their job – a duty to their country.

As 3,500 of our fellow Iowans prepare to leave us next year, it’s important that we hear their stories. Hendrickson, Polka and Sage are students who worry about their grades like anyone else does. But, in one short year, their priorities will shift, and the thought of coming home to those people who love them unconditionally will be inspiration enough to survive much greater threats. n

all photos by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo Editor