Times-Delphic 1/28/2010 by Times-Delphic

THE TIMES-DELPHIC THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER FOR DRAKE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884

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DES MOINES, IOWA • Thursday, January 28, 2010 • VOL. 128, NO. 24 • www.timesdelphic.com

Iowa considers Everclear ban

MEDBURY CHAPEL

OUTSPOKEN

MEN’S BASKETBALL

MEN’S TENNIS

The story behind the creepy cylindrical chapel that graces the side of Medbury.

What do you think about the possible banning of Everclear?

Previewing the MVC matchup against Creighton at 7:05 Saturday.

Despite injuries, the Bulldogs take home two titles in the MVC individuals tourney.

PAGE 5 FEATURES

PAGE 3 OPINIONS

PAGE 6 SPORTS

PAGE 7 SPORTS

HANGING ON TO

HOPE

State commission holds town hall meeting, no decision on a state-wide ban by HEIDI RITT

Staff Writer heidi.ritt@drake.edu

The Iowa Alcoholic Beverage Commission (IABC) met Tuesday night to hear comments and concerns about the future sale of Everclear in the state. The panel of five held a public forum entitled “I Think” at Drake University to hear opinions on highly concentrated alcoholic beverages, such as Everclear, that may be flammable or very intoxicating to those consuming it. The panel’s goal was to let the community weigh in on possible restrictions and regulations of this beverage. Some ideas aimed at preventing the overconsumption of highly concentrated alcohols (HCAs) were education for young adults and tax increases. Also discussed was the possible decrease in size availability, the requirement of lower alcohol content levels and a complete ban of HCAs. Another common opinion was, if the commission bans Everclear, individuals would still abuse other liquors. Several citizens voiced concerns against tax increases. “Taxing regular citizens who use it responsibly will eventually make them unable to afford it,” community member James Snapp said. Snapp uses the pint-sized bottle of Everclear in a recipe for apple pie. The IABC found it appropriate to hold the forum at Drake in light of the students, faculty, staff and administration whom were all affected in November by a student’s consumption of Everclear as part of a fraternity hazing. “We hope that through education and awareness we can prevent this type of incident from occurring again,” said Jeremy Thompson, the representative of Luxco, the company that is responsible for Everclear sales in Iowa. “The incident was a result of extreme irresponsibility. The same outcome would occur with any

SEE EVERCLEAR, PAGE 2

Former student campaign workers reflect on President Obama’s first year in office photos by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo/Design Editor

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA delivered the State of the Union address last night. by MATT VASILOGAMBROS Editor-in-Chief times.delphic@drake.edu

On Jan. 20, 2009, President Barack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th president of the United States after the American people, inspired by hope and ready for change, elected him by an overwhelming majority. However, in a year where polarizing debates over health care and the economy flooded the American political discourse, public support decreased and the momentum seen on Election Day now seems unfamiliar. Pollster, a organization that finds trend estimates from many of the major polling companies in the country, lists Obama’s job approval rating at 48.8 percent, with 46.7 percent in disapproval. Nevertheless, for the Drake students who played a pivotal

role in both the caucus and general elections by interning or volunteering, the hope still remains after the first year of Obama’s presidency. Julia Conte, who graduated in last May and now is a graduate student at the University of Chicago, had a field internship during the Iowa caucuses. She said that by studying in the university that Obama once taught at and working in the neighborhood he had worked in as a community organizer, she has gained a tremendous respect for what he has done professionally. “I think he’s made a positive push toward social policy in terms of education and heath care to a place where there’s more equal access,” she said. “I’m still a fan, obviously.” Among some of the issues President Obama spoke of in the State of the Union address last night, health care stood

out. Junior English major Josie Berg-Hammond, who interned as a volunteer coordinator and precinct captain for the Obama campaign, looks to 2010 as the year a health care bill might finally be signed into law. “I do hope that we keep moving on health care,” she said. “I think it’s scary watching all the debates on health care and watching everybody flip back and forth. I look forward to some sort of settling coming. I hope that people on both sides of the issue can be helped in some way, but I don’t think it’s a completely one-sided thing. I just hope that whatever we finally figure out is something that isn’t going to divide us more.” Steven Bieret, a junior secondary education major, assisted a field worker with voter registration drives during the general

SEE OBAMA, PAGE 2

Drake Facilities might go overbudget on snow, ice removal by TYLER O’NEIL

Relays Editor tyler.oneil@drake.edu

Unrelenting winter weather has eaten away a large chunk of the Drake University Facility Services’ budget. As of Jan. 25, the university had spent $50,168.53 on snow and ice control. Facilities spent $75,426.29 for all of last winter and with six weeks left of ice and snow, Drake Facilities General Manager Mark Chambers says he is concerned he will overshoot his budget. “What can you do?” Chambers said. “You have to keep campus safe and the sidewalks clear.” The 41 inches of snow in Des Moines since November has not been the main problem, Chamber says. A large chunk of expenses have come from the snow sticking around. “Usually the cycle of snow and melting prevents piles from getting too large,” Chambers said. “But it just was not going away.” Low temperatures kept snow from melting, causing it to pile up. Chambers said Facilities then had to pay $4,668.75 for a dump truck service to move the snow from parking lots to “melt away” locations on campus. This is something Facility Ser-

vices has had to do in the past, but Chambers said it is an atypical expense. When the temperature reaches above freezing, another problem arises. The melted snow makes sidewalks wet during the day, but at night the water freezes. Workers then have to constantly add more salt and ice to the paved areas. “Unless you are standing there watching it, you cannot keep up with the ice,” Chambers said. Facility Services have been making efforts to make the budget last. Over break, the plowing contractor did not clear unused lots and snow was left in piles while students were gone, but Chambers said Facilities continued to use the same amount of salt. “We have tried to be conservative, but not stingy,” Chambers said. Chambers says if the winter weather does not let up for the remaining weeks of winter, he will likely be forced to go over budget. If that happens he will work with Vicky Payseur, vice president of business and finance for Drake, to find a solution. “Generally speaking, we can manage a small overage by under-spending in another budget area,” Payseur said in an email. “I am not overly concerned at this point.” n

DRAKE’S ROLE IN OBAMA’S VICTORY Sept. 5, 2008 Former Democratic Chairman Howard Dean visits campus. Sept. 18, 2008 Iowa Gov. Chet Culver campaigns for Obama in Aliber Hall. Sept. 26, 2008 “Superman Returns” actor Brandon Routh visits Drake. Oct. 15, 2008 Early Voting held in the Olmsted Center.

Drake Act. Sci. program gains national recognition by MATT NELSON

Staff Writer matthew.nelson@drake.edu

photo by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo/Design Editor

SNOW REMOVAL has been costly for the university.

The Society of Actuaries, the world’s largest actuarial professional organization, recently honored the Drake Actuarial Science program for being a Center of Actuarial Excellence (CAE). The distinction, given to only 12 universities in the country, will last for five years and make Drake eligible to compete for CAE education and research grants. “First and foremost, this designation as a Center of Actuarial Excellence is a recognition of the accomplishments of our alumni and current students,” said Rahul Parsa in a Drake University press release. Parsa is a professor of actuarial science, as well as coordinator of the program and adviser for the Drake Actuarial Society. Drake’s program has produced

SEE ACT SCI, PAGE 2

NEWS

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

QUOTE of the

PAGETWO

DAY

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2010

PAGE 2

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Everclear overconsumption is certainly a major problem at colleges, but such a ban would be entirely unfair to those of us Iowans who responsibly enjoy a glass of jungle juice with our meals each evening. — JESSIE COLES, The Onion

SECURITY REPORTS the tire. The dean of students has been notified.

SNACK ATTACK 12:33 a.m. Jan. 21 Security responded to GoodwinKirk Residence Hall Complex based on a report from a staff member about a female who had possibly passed out on the fourth floor. The female could not be located, but there was smoke on 3:35 p.m. Dec. 17 A female student called the security office and reported she and a male student friend had seen another male student slice a tire on a vehicle in a Drake

the floor. It was determined a female student burnt her Easy Mac and then placed a dollar bill on top of the container to stop the burning. She then picked up the Easy Mac container with a towel and threw it into the hallway.

parking lot located in the 1200 block of 31st St. She reported they had the student suspect with them. Security arrived and called police. The victim arrived and stated he did not

want to file charges as the suspect was his friend. The suspect and victim agreed that the suspect was upset because the victim owed him money, and that was the reason for slicing

9:30 p.m. Dec. 17 Two female staff members reported a male student exposed himself to them on two separate occasions in a Herriott Residence Hall restroom. They reported that he came in the restroom fully dressed, left, and came back with his robe on. When they made eye contact he dropped the robe. The two staff members advised that they did not wish to file a report with police, but wanted the actions to stop. He was apparently spoken to by a residence hall staff member. Security also advised the dean of students on the matter.

12:28 a.m. Dec. 19 Security and the fire department responded to Morehouse Residence Hall based on a fire alarm. It was determined a male student had been cooking some eggs and noodles and some food had gotten on the stove and caused excessive smoke. The only damage was the eggs being burnt. 12:08 p.m. Dec. 19 Security responded to Ross Residence Hall based on a complaint that two students were arguing about leaving the residence hall by noon. Both were in violation of university policy for not being out on time and also for having a kitten in the room. The male was quite argumentative and aggressive and stated the reason

was because he was awakened by the RAs while in the nude. He was advised on trespass as pertains to Ross Residence Hall. The dean of students has been advised. 11 a.m. Jan. 20 A female student advised that a vehicle being driven by a male adult ran over her foot in the 2900 block of Forest Ave. at about 8:45 a.m. on Jan. 19. The driver stopped to see if she was OK and she advised she was. The driver left and the victim did not get a plate number and only identified the vehicle as a dark-colored SUV. She later began feeling pain and went to the American Republic Health Center for X-rays.

Food service takes a bite out of local hunger by ERIN HOGAN

Staff Writer erin.hogan@drake.edu

photo by STEPHANIE SANYOUR | Staff Photographer

DOOMTREE, from Minnesota, performs songs from their albums, “False Hopes” (2007) and “Doomtree” (2008).

Minneapolis based hiphop group, Doomtree, rocks Pomerantz by STEPHANIE SANYOUR Staff Writer stephanie.sanyour@drake.edu

Drake University students got down to the hip-hop sounds of Doomtree at Pomerantz stage Tuesday night. The event was sponsored by the Student Activities Board. Doomtree is composed of rapper Andrew Sims, from Minneapolis, and music mixer Lazerbeak. Sims writes and releases his own songs and has been performing since childhood. For the past five years, Sims has been touring, but he has been performing as a fulltime musician for three years. “It’s what I love to do so I just keep doing it,” Sims said. This is Sims’ first time at Drake and he said he enjoyed being in Iowa. “I like the Midwest in general,” Sims said. “People have a down-to-earth mentality.” SAB strives to bring a diverse variety of artists to Drake and decided to bring Doomtree to campus to break from their previous coffee-house series with some-

FROM OBAMA, PAGE 1 election campaign. He said that change has already come in some respects. “I still have faith in President Obama,” he said. “It’s gone so fast and not a lot has happened, but if you do pay attention there are some things that have changed.” Some, including Vice President Joe Biden during the primaries, have called Obama’s call for hope and change empty rhetoric. Bieret said that the message of hope was exactly what the world needed. “If you look around the world, what President Obama has meant to

thing different. “We haven’t brought in a hip-hop artist in a while,” said Tisleen Singh, senior and two-term president of SAB. Drake has many students from the Minneapolis area, which also influenced the decision to bring Doomtree to campus. Sophomore Tyler Larson is from Minneapolis and appreciates the content and energy of Doomtree’s music. “I have known about them since 2007 when they released their first album,” Larson said. “Hip-hop from Minneapolis is always intelligent and interesting.” SAB Bands Co-chairperson Whitney Michaels, who helped organize the show, was pleased with the turnout. “There were a lot of people for a Tuesday night show, and we brought a lot of people we don’t normally get,” Michaels said. Junior Yoni Solomon also attended the event and was excited to see a new type of entertainment. “I heard there was a hip-hop show, and wanted to see if it was fun,” Solomon said. “It’s not every day we have a hip-hop show at Drake.” n

not only us, but everywhere,” he said. “The clean slate—looking at America a different way than through eight years of people disliking us—I think the world looks at us differently.” Political pressure still remains as issues like “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,” the war in Afghanistan and the floundering job market fill the president’s plate. Berg-Hammond said that people shouldn’t expect Obama to accomplish all that he set out to do, but to be patient. “I think he’s up against a lot because people expected him to be so perfect because they had so much hope for him, but when anything that isn’t perfect happens, they freak out,”

she said. “It’s impossible to get everything right all the time.” For these students, the campaign was an amazing experience that they will cherish forever. Berg-Hammond said that she will continue to retain the hope from the campaign as Obama continues his tenure of the presidency. “I’m so happy I was in college when it happened and that I was able to put that much time in it and be young and stay up until 4 a.m. stapling packets together and walk around Des Moines talking to people about the campaign,” she said. “It’s awesome to say that I was a part of that.” n

From hungry students to the hungry and homeless of Des Moines, Sodexo dining services is constantly working to fill needs. Next Wednesday, Sodexo is partnering with the Iowa Homeless Youth Centers in the “Feed Your Community” event. They will sell bowls of chili for $2 and donate all proceeds to IHYC. This is not the first philanthropy effort from Sodexo. Last fall they participated in the Helping Hands Across America Champion’s Challenge. The challenge was to see how many cans of food the Drake community could raise. The event ran from mid-October to mid-November. Sodexo raised 2,375 pounds of food, all of which was donated to the Food

photo by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo/Design Editor

JIM CLAYTON discusses the possible negative implications of highly concentrated alcohols, like Everclear.

Forum hears opinions on Everclear FROM EVERCLEAR, PAGE 1 of alcohol.” Dean of Students Sentwali Bakari says the university has taken several steps to educate students about the dangers of alcohol and has started an Alcohol Taskforce to address these issues. In 2009, Story, Johnson and Polk

FROM ACT SCI, PAGE 1

Universities Designated as Centers of Actuarial Excellence •Drake University •University of Iowa •University of Manitoba •Temple University •University of Connecticut •University of Nebraska- Lincoln

•Georgia State University •Universite´ Laval •Illinois State University •St. John’s University •University of Waterloo •University of Wisconsin- Madison

such notable graduates such as Larry Zimpleman, CEO and president of Principal Financial Group in Des Moines. The company was also voted one of the world’s most ethical companies in 2009, according to ethisphere.com. A particular strength of the program lies in its ability to prepare students for five professional actuarial exams, which are a requirement for a career in the actuarial field. “The hardest thing about actuarial science is balancing studying for classes while still having a social life,” Fred Larson, sophomore president of the Drake Actuarial Science Society, said. “Professional exams often require you to study for 300 hours for each exam.” Larson has taken and passed two actuarial science exams. Larson said the program even helped him obtain a summer internship in Connecticut. “We’re at the place now where some schools aren’t getting

SEND YOUR STORY IDEAS TO TDNEWS@DRAKE.EDU

Bank of Iowa. “Every year we come out with new and different programs,” said Rebecca Stamp, district marketing coordinator for Sodexo campus services. “It is hard to pick a favorite because I love community initiatives in general.” Stamp said the district, which includes seven Midwest campuses, always has some sort of outreach program in the works. The international corporation also donated over $144,000 to the World Food Programme to provide food for Haitians affected by the recent earthquakes. While some students may still have their qualms about Sodexo, we should be aware that the company continues to give back to the community, filling the stomachs of some with a much greater need than a midnight snack craving. n

were the top three Everclear selling counties in Iowa. The committee will take the comments and concerns voiced during the forum, as well as those posted on its Web site, into consideration before making a decision at their next meeting. The IABC holds the jurisdiction to decide what alcoholic beverages are carried in Iowa. n

internships until their junior year,” Larson said. “We’re a few semesters ahead of the game, and it really benefits the students and helps open up more opportunities.” Over the last 10 years, Drake has awarded 273 degrees in actuarial science. “We’re very pleased to have Drake’s Actuarial Science program designated as one of the top programs in North America,” Charles Edwards, dean of the College of Business and Public Administration, said in a Drake press release. “This recognition is a tribute to the quality of our faculty, students and alumni, as well as our location in Des Moines, one of the country’s top insurance centers.” Larson felt that a particular strength of the program lies in its professors. “All of the professors have been really open and have helped me,” Larson said. “They are not only your professors, they are there for you and build personal relationships with you.” n

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

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2010

OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

OPINIONS&EDITORIALS STORIES FROM THE DORM

I believe I can fly Making the most of an ice day with music, MLIA and McFlurries

he one thing I remember during Idol reject singing and continued watching a subWelcome Weekend was the Resipar show on TV. Obviously, she was just jealous. dent Assistants telling us that we After we had been so rudely informed that our will likely never experience a singing wasn’t top notch, Katelyn and I had an snow day. I was bummed because, comepic stare down from across the room and deing from a small town in Northwest Iowa, I cided that the only logical solution to our borehad had multiple snow days, early dismissdom would be a trip over to McDonald’s for a als or two-hour late starts each year I forgot delicious Reese’s McFlurry. And that’s when the REBECCA MATALONI that colleges would be less likely to cancel adventure began. class than high schools. However, after the You’d think that walking from Crawford to COLUMNIST horrendous winter weather Iowa has been McDonald’s would only take about three minexperiencing, I have found myself on two utes, including waiting for the “walk” sign. This different occasions waking up to have my journey, however, was going to be much longer. roommate tell me that classes have, indeed, been cancelled. Best We knew the sidewalk would be icy, since we had ventured out days of my life? Definitely. to have lunch at Olmsted earlier that afternoon, but we someThe recent ice storm came just one day into the semester, so how thought going uphill would be less icy. As we approached the hardly any of us had a lot of homework and we soon became halfway point of walking up the steep sidewalk to get to the stopbored (that is, after we had already taken two naps, watched a light, Katelyn brilliantly pointed out that it would be terrible if movie, Facebook stalked, etc.). As I made my daily walk across someone slipped because they would fall all the way to the bottom the hall to “The Triple,” our At the time, I didn’t realize she boredom slowly became inwas foreshadowing my near-death tolerable. My friends and I experience. Needless to say, a few don’t normally find ourselves steps later, my shoes lost traction bored, so this was quite a and I slowly began sliding down weird feeling sitting in “The the sidewalk all hunched over from Triple,” occasionally looking laughing so hard. I looked up to see up from Cosmo, the computKatelyn standing perfectly still on er or the TV and staring at the ice, dying from laughter. A good each other, wondering what 10 to 15 feet later, I finally stopped we should do next. sliding. I then began my climb again, I must admit that my but I walked partway in the snow for friends and I may be considfear that I wouldn’t be able to stop ered strange if you walk by next time I slipped. After about 10 us or happen to sit at a table minutes, we eventually made it to close to us in one of the dinour destination: McDonald’s. Never ing halls. We are constantly have I been so happy to step onto a laughing, making strange tiled floor. noises—well, really that’s only Katelyn—or bursting out in song And so, my friends, that was my epic adventure of the Ice with our wonderful voices. This day was no different. As usual, Day. Please be careful next time there’s freezing rain—I don’t whenever I’m bored, I spend my time reading “Texts From Last want to look out my window and see one of you sliding all the Night” or “My Life Is Average.” I came across this text: “Dude, way down the sidewalk when I sufficiently warned you about the I’m listening to ‘I Believe I Can Fly,’ I’m high and driving. This consequences. is so amazing.” Suddenly Katelyn starts belting out, “I Believe Until next time… I Can Fly,” like she’s part of a gospel choir. I join in with “Uhhuhs” and “Go girls!” like I’m getting paid for it. Mataloni is a sophomore news/internet and music major and can be Soon after, Kate decided she’d had enough of our American contacted at rebecca.mataloni@drake.edu.

You’d think that walking from Crawford to McDonald’s would only take about three minutes, including waiting for the “walk” sign. This journey, however, was going to be much longer.

YOUR MONEY

Education costs hit home

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the BUZZ

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Get your volunteer hours turned in to the 10,000 Hours Show—Cold War Kids is performing this year!

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What do you think … … about the possible banning of Everclear?

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ROBBY PATTERSON

Senior I would value life over however many people having a good time. My question is, where then do we draw the line? I’d be in favor of the ban if it means one more person is safe.

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Junior

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Sophomore

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Sophomore

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Sophomore

BRIANA BERKOWITZ

If someone chooses to drink that, that’s their choice. People who drink that should be held accountable.

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SETH KAUFFMANN

Limiting Everclear wouldn’t eliminate the problem, because there are so many drinks with the same proof that will still be legal.

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Appreciate your education before funding gets cut Where are you from? I hail from a tiny Iowa’s $565 million across-the-board budget town in eastern Iowa called Andrew—you can cut is coming from the Department of EduGoogle Map it later. Population: 440. cation. Funding for K-12 education will see Andrew has a gas station, tavern, bank, cuts totaling $265 million. To Andrew, this post office and the Andrew Café (my high means losing nearly $150,000 for the upcomschool place of employment), which is about ing school year with barely $30,000 in our reit. But the tie that binds Andrew together is serves. Andrew Community School. Furthermore, Andrew is being forced to LAUREN EHRLER It’s a K-12 operation in one building, use our School Infrastructure Local Option which means that kindergarten through sixth Sales Tax to build a new gym entrance, which COLUMNIST graders are downstairs and in seventh grade will be useless if the school closes. Tax payers you make the trek upstairs where you remain are getting frustrated seeing their money go until you graduate. toward a unnecessary luxury instead of conAndrew is a tight-knit community. Many of the kids in my tributing to our general fund to keep the school afloat. graduating class of 30—yes, 30, and we were a big class—were While state legislation eases into session, some potential help second and third generation Andrew students. Teachers not may be on the way in the future. But Andrew has to deal with the only accidentally called some of my friends by their older sisters’ budget problems now. names, but by their moms’ names, too. We do have options. We can run our programs until we run Over fall break, I went back to visit the school. I promised out of money, cut all extra-curricular programs, become a posmyself I would never be one of those college kids who came back sible K-six school and essentially “sell” our upperclassmen to the to roam the halls. But, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I encourage each highest bidding neighboring district. and every one of you do this because you never know if you will It seems kind of outrageous that a school like Andrew may be ever get the chance to do it again. forced to close when we repeatedly produce some of the highest A few weeks after returning back to Drake I learned that my test scores in the state and even received a bronze award from sister, a junior at Andrew, may very well be the last class to gradu- U.S. News & World Reports in their 2009 survey of the Best High ate. Upon hearing this, my eyes welled up with tears. Schools in the Nation. As a small school, Andrew has been on the edge for many Consider that these budget cuts are affecting you, too. Iowa’s years now. But when our school threatened to cut extracurricu- College Aid Commission had their budget reduced by $6.3 millars, we re-established our Booster Club and started raising the lion, meaning less funding for your education. I feel that educarequired $10,000 a year to keep all facets of Andrew running. We tion should be of utmost importance to our government and that have fought hard to keep Andrew alive for future students. they should look for alternatives before cutting it so drastically. Andrew is at minimum faculty, with some teachers teaching However, speaking from my recent experience, I urge you to up to 5 different subjects a day. The home economics teacher appreciate what you have while it’s still here. Make a trip back to doubles as the band instructor. Despite the struggles, Andrew still your high school and be grateful for the education you received offers advanced level classes as well as sports, fine arts and other there. Although I will always call Andrew home, it just won’t be extra-curricular activities. the same without ol’ ACS. But even with our sacrifices, Gov. Culver’s state budget cuts are making it nearly impossible for Andrew and other small Ehrler is a first-year broadcast major and can be contacted at schools in Iowa to keep their doors open. Iowa has a record of supporting education, yet 58 percent of lauren.ehrler@drake.edu.

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JARED DAMMANN

Banning won’t prevent kids from binge drinking, but the power of Everclear is pretty extreme and the case we saw on campus helped in a big way to add a severity to the case.

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TORAL SONI

I don’t think it would make a difference. Everclear’s not the only alcohol available. I think it’s a good step, but it’s going to take a lot more.

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Share your views on columns and editorials online.

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THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2010

DON’T. MISS. THIS.

PAGE 4

Puppy chow on sale for $1 to aid Haiti relief, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, in the Olmsted Breezeway Feb. 1-2. See picture below.

Belly dancing shakes up fitness classes by HEATHER HALL

Staff Writer heather.hall@drake.edu

by HOLLY WORTHY Copy Editor

Belly dancing has been around for thousands of years, but only recently has it appeared at Drake University. On Monday, women from all over campus trudged through the snow to the Bell Center for the first-ever belly dancing class. Makha Mthembu, a junior theatre student, is the instructor of the class. When Mthembu was younger, she had a friend that was an active dancer, but she didn’t take an interest in the art until just over a year ago. “It became a self-study for me because I realized it was such a shame that I never got into it when I was younger,” she said. Mthembu practices the art for at least 45 minutes each day. She also reads all literature on the topic she can find. Traditionally, belly dancing classes are not taught; rather, the art is ingrained into cultures by children emulating their mothers. Mthembu, however, brought the idea of belly dancing classes to the Bell Center. “Belly dancing is the complete opposite of regular a exercise class,” she said. “No matter what happens to your body, no matter how the shape looks, the more you do, you learn to appreciate that shape.”

When:

TRY IT OUT!

Monday at 4 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

“

”

The change starts inside of you first and then you see it on your actual body.

– MAKAH MTHEMBU, junior

W h i l e the 45-minute class is a physical workout that will result in external toning, Mthembu is quick to point out other benefits. “Mystically, the way you feel about yourself changes. It has really helped me deal with some of my own body issues.” She also notes that some women have had changes in PMS; their cramps and bloating are reduced or simply go away. Belly dancing has been used in different cultures for thousands of years to aid crop growth and celebrate births and weddings, which all symbolize growth and renewal. Mondays from 4 to 4:45 p.m. at the Bell Center. The Bell Center offers 25 different classes per week, including step, yoga, Pilates and swimming. For more information, schedule and open recreation times, visit the Bell Center's website on http://www.godrakebulldogs.com. n

photo by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo/Design Editor

MAKAH MTHEMBU is the new belly dancing instructor at the Bell Center.

Where:

Bell Center, multi-purpose room

ARTS. LIVING. GAMING. MOVIES. MUSIC. WEEKEND.

GAME: Bayonetta | VERDICT:

Hell

Fight Angels,

Save

Bayonetta brings best dark warfare by JAMES VANECHAUTE

Staff Writer james.vanechaute@drake.edu

photo coutesty of PLAYSTATIONLIFESTYLE.NET

BAYONETTA is the witch heroine of the newest XBOX 360, PS3 game.

If you like non stop, over the top, ridiculously manic video gaming, Bayonetta is for you. Directed by Hideki Kamiya, Devil May Cry creator, Bayonetta stays on familiar ground while blowing away all precedents in the action genre. Our heroine, Bayonetta, is the last of an ancient cult known as the Umbra Witches. She emerges from a 500-year sleep to discover she is the last survivor of the witch-hunts that erased the clan from Earth. Gifted with magical abilities, martial art acrobatics and pairs of guns for her hands and feet, there is little she cannot do. She is also able to use her hair (which comprises her outfit) to summon demons to vanquish enemies. She has to put these skills to use as heavenly hosts descend to kill her for reasons that are not well-explained. As mobs of angels are put down, an underlying agenda to resurrect the “Creator” is uncovered, leaving Bayonetta to stop it. The plot is confusing but you can just ignore it and go along for the ride. The combat is easy to begin but difficult to master.

While it slightly deviates from the typical button-masher, you’ll most likely find yourself using the same two or three combinations constantly. Different weapons, including a few that angels drop, unlock bizarre special attacks. Your average angel is pretty easy to overcome, but other enemies may be impossible to stop without using the combat system’s focal point--Witch Time. Activated by dodging an attack at the last possible second, Witch Time grants you a few seconds of Matrix-esque bullet time to hurt the now-nearly motionless aggressors. Collecting halos, the preferred currency in Hell, Bayonetta can buy new techniques, weapons, special health lollipops and power boosts. Unless you are really good at avoiding damage, you will be forced to spend all of the wealth on the lollipops, which Bayonetta is seen with in the cutscenes. Bayonetta, in my opinion, is nearly flawless. The plot is complicated and does a poor job of explaining itself. Some of the secondary characters are just plain annoying and unnecessary. There are a few arcade racing missions that are so poorly put together that they look like another game altogether. Other than these nit-picky elements, Bayonetta is a guaranteed good time. n

>>What’s going on?

campus calendar TODAY DISCUSSION

Cultural diversity roundtable sponsored by SASA WHERE Drake Room

FRIDAY LECTURE

Prof. Timothy Knepper: “Is There a Future to the Philosophy of Religion?” WHERE Medbury Honors Lounge

WEEKEND CONFERENCE

Spring leadership conference-preregistration required WHERE Olmsted Parents Hall WHEN:

WHEN 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

WHEN 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.

MUSIC James Kennedy singer/songwriter performs

Welcome back party with free food, music and games sponsored by ISA

Black history month theme unveiling sponsored by Coalition of Black Students

WHERE Mars Cafe

WHERE Morehouse Ballroom

WHEN 8 p.m.

WHEN 8 p.m. - Midnight

WHERE Olmsted Pomerantz Stage WHEN: 4 p.m. – 6 p.m

PARTY

Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

EVENT

photo by MATT NELSON | Staff Photographer

MATT SHIELDS AND PIERCE BERTSCHY, members of the Knights of Columbus, make puppy chow for a Haiti relief fundraiser in the Olmsted Breezeway on February 1 and 2 11-4 p.m.

PAGE 5

FEATURES

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2010

Keeping by LAURA JOHNSON

FAITH

the

Staff Writer laura.johnson@drake.edu

Jagged icicles hang off the edge of the chapel outside Medbury Hall, like translucent imitations of medieval torture devices. A mist embraces the round, brick exterior in the early morning silence. Inside the chapel, darkness floods the eyes until they adjust to reveal 20 wooden, high-backed chairs circling a marble altar slab. A lone shaft of light illuminates the altar from the skylight above. “I was surprised the first time I went in,” said junior religion major Aimee Synowicki. “It was different than chapels I’d been in before. It was really dark, plain and kind of creepy.” “Creepy” is the word religion professor James Laurenzo hears most when he takes students inside the Oreon E. Scott Chapel. “Partly because of movies and partly imagination, people think of human sacrifice when they see the altar,” Laurenzo said. Charlene Skidmore, assistant director of the honors and FYS programs who oversees the chapel, has also heard students tell of sacrificial first-impressions upon entering the chapel. She connects these impressions to the absence of the chapel’s cross, which used to reflect down onto the altar. When the cross was damaged during a storm in the mid-1960s, Drake decided to remove it. This decision reflected Drake’s continued advancement down the path of secularization. Drake officially broke its ties with its founder the Disciples of Christ in 1907. The Divinity School closed in 1968. Just 13 years prior to the closing of the school, the chapel was constructed and dedicated to both ministerial and non-ministerial Drake students. The chapel, named after one of the leading laymen in the Divinity School, was one of many buildings designed by the Saarinen firm to bring modern, linear architecture to Drake. It also accommodated the growing enrollment after World War II. Communion was a recurring theme in the Saarinen designs, including the layout of the chapel. The chapel’s small size maintains a feel of intimacy and its circular shape symbolizes equality and unity. A lack of pulpit and head chair fosters a degree of egalitarianism. “When you sit down across from each other, there’s not a better place for dialogue,” Skidmore said. “All are equal, not one person is in power over

photo by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo/Design Editor

MEDBURY CHAPEL, officially named the Oreon E. Scott Chapel, is located outside Medbury Hall. For years, the mysterious building has created curiosity among students and faculty alike.

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THE TIMES-DELPHIC

Students find their place in Medbury Chapel another. Each voice is meaningful.” This communion element and the chapel’s architectural and spiritual qualities affected many, said John McCaw, a 1939 Drake graduate and dean of the Divinity School from 1950 to 1965. He recalled finding emotionally distressed students in the chapel, drawn by its meditative appeal. “Many visitors were spiritually moved by the chapel—monks, nuns, Italian visitors,” McCaw said. “Even Rockefeller had tears in his eyes when he came out.” The chapel has been the site of a Native American wedding, memorial services, vow renewals and even a student make out session, the latter of which McCaw stumbled upon during his time as dean. “One day I entered the chapel and smelled perfume,” McCaw said. “I told the couple, ‘You go out this way, while I enter the other way.’ I never saw them.” Whether the chapel’s emphasis on communion has been between individuals and a higher power, fellow students or lovers, the chapel has been a site of intimacy for years. Once the eyes adjust to the darkness of the chapel, one can see the warmth of the setting. Against the dark wood paneling, dust sparkles as it passes through the beam of light descending from above. The pink Italian marble altar, dedicated by Eero Saarinen himself, displays soft natural gouges and defects; it’s warm to the touch. Even the chairs, paired slightly, encourage communion between chapel-goers. This intimacy is what draws groups like Spirit International. Spirit International, a nondenominational Christian organization on campus, holds weekly prayer meetings on Friday evenings. “It’s a good place to seclude yourself, to meditate and spend time in prayer with others,” said Spirit International member Samuel Nkrumah-Agyeefi. “I must admit that my first time in there I found it a bit creepy, but now I love the place. It’s very peaceful and serene.” Skidmore hopes more students will adopt such sentiments towards the chapel. In the future she would like to see more lighting added and soft, meditative music played during the day. These changes might draw in more people, she said, and do away with the “creepiness” factor that some hold. McCaw has similar hopes for the chapel. He would like to see the chapel get more use. “Each student generation needs to possess it,” he said. n

Check out the Chapel Open weekdays 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. for respectful use. Other times can be scheduled by contacting Charlene Skidmore at Charlene.skidmore@drake.edu.

DRAKE UNIVERSITY PRESENTS

The Age of Lincoln

CALLING ALL WRITERS Want to build your portfolio, have your stories published and gain experience?

JOIN THE T-D TEAM TODAY! times.delphic@drake.edu

Thursday, Feb. 4, 7 p.m.

Cowles Library Reading Room, Drake University The lecture is free and open to the public. Call 271-3776 for more information. ORVILLE VERNON BURTON, a Civil War historian, serves as the Burroughs distinguished professor of southern history and culture at Coastal Carolina University. He is the author or editor of eight books, including “The Age of Lincoln” and “Slavery and America.” His research and teaching interests include the American South, especially race relations, family, community, politics, religion and the intersection of humanities and social sciences. The lecture is part of Cowles Library’s Citizens Arise! initiative, which includes a national traveling exhibit about Lincoln on display at the library through Feb. 8. “Abraham Lincoln: A Man for His Time, a Man for All Times,” features the president’s written and spoken messages, enhanced by Civil War-era photographs, letters and images.

Did you know .. .

s on the popular nu Li n e B f o r e ct ra The cha yed by Michael la p is ” st o “L s e ri ABC se in on won an Emmy rs e Em . 6 ’7 FA , n Emerso on the series. 2009 for his work

The Drake Fund

The exhibit, which is open during regular library hours, was organized by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History in New York City and made possible by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Supported by a Prairie Meadows Community Betterment Grant

For more information, visit http://citizensarise.drake.edu

SPORTS

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

SPORTS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2010

FOR BREAKING SPORTS NEWS WWW.TWITTER.COM/TDSPORTSNEWS

PAGE 6

STELLAR STATS Free throws senior guard Jordann Plummer made in one game to tie for this season’s free throw record.

AROUND

the

VALLEY

Northern Iowa

The panthers earned the No. 25 ranking in an ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll this week. The team has proven its MVC dominance thus far this season. Drake will have another chance at them Feb. 1 at the Knapp Center.

Wichita State

The Shockers remain unbeaten on their home court this season. The team fell to Creighton by only one point in Omaha, where the Bluejays are 11-1 so far. Shocker senior guard Clevin Hannah made a WSU record 42 straight free throws this season, which puts him in seventh place in MVC history.

Bradley Bradley recorded a win over No. 20 Illinois Nov. 28, but has since fallen to fourth in the MVC. Junior guard Sam Maniscalo earned MVC player of the week honors while senior guard Andrew Warren remains the fourth leading conference scorer, averaging 14.8 points per game.

Creighton While Bulldog rival Creighton’s performances in previous years earned the team a preseason ranking second in the MVC, the Bluejays have since fallen to fifth place in conference standings. The team has seen six NCAA appearances in the past decade.

Drake Drake began the season with a second-to-last ranking and has climbed to sixth in MVC standings. Sophomore guard Frank Wiseler was named MVC newcomer of the week. The Bulldogs hold the top spot in the conference for their 3-point field goal percentage at 38.6.

photo by EMILY TOZER | Staff Photographer

SENIOR GUARD JOSH YOUNG focuses on offense en route to his team-leading scoring average for the season. Drake will look to Young for points in Saturday’s game against MVC rival Creighton.

Drake shoots to separate from pack by MATT MORAN

Copy Editor matthew.moran@drake.edu

The hottest team in the Missouri Valley Conference will host the Creighton Bluejays Saturday at 7:05 p.m. in the Knapp Center. Drake is riding a five-game win streak before Wednesday’s game at Northern Iowa, who is ranked No. 25 in the USA Today/ ESPN coaches’ poll. The Bulldogs dropped four straight to open play in the Valley, including a 73-69 loss at Creighton on Jan. 6. But since the 0-4 start, the Bulldogs have hit their stride and stormed back into the conference race. Second place Wichita State was the latest victim Saturday, suffering a 7864 loss at the Knapp Center. Head Coach Mark Phelps said he is satisfied with his team’s play as of late, but understands there is a long road ahead. “You can’t say enough about our guys,” he said. “We just continue to encourage them to play team ball, and they’re playing well right now.” Drake is averaging 74.3 points in its last six games after scoring only 47.7 points in its first three MVC games. Senior Josh Young said that improved teamwork and chemistry has been a factor.

“We’re starting to look for each other more,” he said. To be victorious on Saturday, Drake will need another strong performance from sophomore point guard Frank Wiseler. Wiseler has seen increased minutes since senior Craig Stanley suffered an injury. Wiseler dazzled the crowd against the Shockers with a Knapp Center record 12 assists during the game. “Frank (Wiseler) plays the game the right way,” Phelps said. “He is very poised and has great composure.” It is no surprise to most basketball fans that Drake’s leading scorer up to this point is Young. He, however, is leading the team averaging only 13.2 points per game, due in large part to contributions from the entire team. The Bulldogs have nine players averaging double-digit minutes per game. Young is continuing his climb to become Drake’s all-time leading scorer. Young moved into fourth place in the game against Wichita State with 1,574 career points. He needs 66 points to pass current leader Red Murrell, who played from 1955 to 1958. Another key will be Drake’s ability to get to the free throw line. The Bulldogs are 13th nationally, shooting 75.1 percent from the charity stripe. Creighton is shooting only 69 percent from the line.

Junior Ryan Wedel is second in scoring, averaging 11.7 points per game. Senior Adam Templeton is the leading rebounder with 7.0 per game. Creighton is led by junior center Kenny Lawson Jr., who is averaging team-highs 12.5 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Junior point guard P’Allen Stinnett is a dynamic veteran player that averages 9.2 points per game. Lawson had 17 points in Creighton’s win over Drake earlier this season. Senior forward Justin Carter also had 17 for the Bluejays. Stanley had 15 points and six assists for the Bulldogs. Young added 14. The Bluejays are also 5-4 in the Valley and 10-10 overall coming off another successful season in which they made an appearance in the National Invitational Tournament. Creighton was regarded as one of the top teams in the conference before the season, but have underachieved thus far. Now, both teams will look to separate themselves from the pack on Saturday. Despite the hot streak, Phelps said he does not want to see any over-confidence from his young team. “We understand that we’re not talented enough to just show up and expect a win,” he said. “We have some nice momentum going and we have to keep improving.” n

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Braves down Bulldogs with last-second basket Drake will face Creighton Friday after Bradley’s Harris sinks heartbreaker by TIM WEIDEMAN

Staff Writer tim.weideman@drake.edu

Bradley’s Sonya Harris drained a 30-foot prayer as time expired to push the Braves past the Drake women’s basketball team 61-58 Sunday in the Knapp Center. After a Drake turnover, Bradley guard Brooke Bisping launched a pass three-quarters of the court to Harris, whose shot bounced hard off the backboard and into the basket. Drake Head Coach Amy Stephens said the buzzer-beater wasn’t the deciding factor in the Bulldogs’ loss. “It didn’t come to that last basket,” Stephens said. “To me, the difference was six turnovers in the first half and then 14 turnovers in the second half.” Drake held the lead throughout much of the second half. The Bulldogs held their greatest lead when sophomore Amber Wollschlager hit two free throws to go up 47-39 at the 13:29 mark in the second half. The Bulldogs kept the door open for Bradley, going scoreless over the next 5:54. In that same span, the Bulldogs turned the ball over seven straight possessions. Bradley would seize the opportunity, going on a 9-0 run and taking the lead. Stephens said the team’s carelessness was a key factor in determining the game. “We get up and we lose our focus,” Stephens said. “We get lackadaisical.” The lead changed for the final time when Bradley guard Renee Frerircks snuck an inbounds pass off the back of Drake sophomore Brittnye McSparron, grabbed the ball and recorded an easy layup with 1:41 remaining to put the Braves up 58-56. Bradley entered the contest as one of the confer-

ence’s best defensive teams, ranking first in opponent field goal percentage, blocks and rebounds. While Drake matched the Braves’ physicality and intensity, Bradley showed they could also score on the fly, which brought them the win. “When they came back on us, they were running on us,” Wollschlager said. “They’re a transition team.” Wollschlager went 4-of-7 from beyond the 3-point arc and 2-of-2 from the charity stripe. Her 14 points was a team high along with sophomore Rachael Hackbarth. Hackbarth would even the score at 58 on a layup with 1:14 still to play. An errant pass by senior Jordann Plummer intended for senior Monique’ Jones gave the Braves the final chance they would need with 1.3 seconds remaining. The defeat was the Bulldogs’ second tough loss over the weekend. It was the fifth straight victory for the Braves, who are heating up at the right time and are now 9-8 overall and 5-2 in Missouri Valley Conference action. Drake dropped to 11-7 and 4-4 in conference. Stephens saw improvement over the team’s previous game against Northern Iowa; however, the loss was no easier. “It’s harder to lose on a last-second shot when you’ve invested and competed,” Stephens said. “I feel like we did a lot better job competing today. We’re making progress and we just have to work to get better.” Junior Kristin Turk came off the bench to tally eight points for the Bulldogs in her second game back from ankle injury. Turk said the loss wasn’t completely negative for Drake. “It is positive in a way to see the things we have to improve on,” Turk said. “We have a lot of things to improve on.” With a .500 record in conference games, the Bulldogs now find themselves in a hole. The loss sets them in sixth place in the MVC, now 2.5 games out of first. “We kind of hit a funk,” Turk said. “It’s something we’ll be able to get out of.” Drake travels to Omaha Friday to face rival Creighton in a pivotal matchup. The Bluejays are second in the MVC standings. n

SEND YOUR STORY IDEAS TO TDSPORTS@DRAKE.EDU

photo by EMILY TOZER | Staff Photographer

SENIOR GUARD JORDANN PLUMMER lifts off the floor for a shot against Bradley Sunday. Drake lead the Braves for the majority of the game and will look to repeat the strong performance Friday in Omaha.

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

PAGE 7

SPORTS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2010

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

MEN’S TENNIS

Bulldogs earn double the single titles McKie, Marsiglia bring home wins by DOMINIC JOHNSON Staff Writer dominic.johnson@drake.edu

The Roger Knapp Tennis Center becomes dead silent. Fans grip the bleachers, forcing themselves not to breathe, fearing the slightest disturbance could interrupt the match. Freshman James McKie pays no attention to the matches around him as he focuses on one final point. He serves with confidence. McKie plays to his opponent’s weakness, daring him to take a risky shot. He lets loose a vicious “Come on!” that reverberates off the walls before the ball has a chance to hit the cement. McKie won the first title of the day for the Bulldogs. An hour later, senior Guilherme Marsiglia won the other title. The veteran’s third title also marked the 50th overall title for Drake, tying a conference record. The battle cries of McKie and Marsiglia were more than just a celebratory gesture. They served as a message to the rest of the conference: The team may be young, but it has the talent and the drive to fight for every match. Drake entered the final day of the Missouri Valley Conference Individuals Tournament with a chance at seven titles. Although Illinois State and Wichita State left the tournament with more titles, the Bulldogs were the only team forced to battle more than just their opponents. Sophomore Jonathan Hadash, a transfer from the University of Minnesota, spent the entire weekend battling a sprained ankle while sophomore Cesar Bracho, one of the highestranked players in the Midwest, was sidelined due to a back injury on the first day. The effects of Bracho’s injury were felt throughout the tournament. The Bulldogs could not compete for the title at the second singles position and the 39th ranked doubles team in the country could no longer compete together. With only junior Mauricio Ballivian healthy, first-year Head Coach Jimmy Borendame was put to the test, as he had to rearrange his doubles lineup in less than 24 hours. Despite the last-minute changes, all three

Bulldog squads were able to remain competitive due to incredible team chemistry. The addition of three new players a week before the season would be a problem for many DI teams, but the additions of Hadash, sophomore Ryan King, and freshman Jean Erasmus has managed to strengthen the team’s unity. “Although they’re new, they really feel a part of it already,” freshman Ryan Drake said. “I’ve been here for a week and I already feel like I’ve known these guys for my whole life,” said Jean Erasmus, who finished as the runnerup at the sixth singles spot this weekend. Borendame is hoping that the team’s strong camaraderie and talent will help improve their doubles game as the season continues, an aspect that will have to be strong if they are to compete with the highest level teams. Drake will face nine teams in the national rankings throughout the season, with Wichita State and Illinois State being the Bulldogs’ fiercest competitors in the conference. “We need to work on doubles more, but we’ve been improving every day,” Borendame said. Borendame also said he believes that the leadership of Assistant Coach Maor Zirkin will help the young team grow throughout the season and into the conference tournament. “(Zirkin) knows the returning guys better than I do, and he also knows the Missouri Valley players and teams,” he said. The players are confident that Borendame and Zirkin will be able to coach them to a conference championship. “Maor and Jimmy have the same perspective, but a different way of saying things,” Drake said. “Maor’s got a lot of experience and went through exactly the same thing we are going through.” Drake will take on Northern Illinois Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. in the Roger Knapp Tennis Center. n

SINGLES TITLES WON Freshman James McKie defeats

State’s | Illinois Skip Span

Senior Guilherme Illinois State’s | Marsialaga defeats Matej Zlatkovic

photo by SARAH ANDREWS| Photo/Design Editor

JUNIOR MAURICIO BALLIVIAN rears back to hit the ball during a match at the Missouri Valley Conference Individuals Tournament this weekend.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Drake prepares young team for spring season Newcomers must step it up to lead young team to success this season by SKYLAR BERGL

Staff Writer skylar.bergl@drake.edu

by MATT MORAN

Copy Editor matthew.moran@drake.edu

FILE PHOTO

THE DRAKE WOMEN’S TENNIS TEAM kicks off its spring season this weekend with two match ups at home against Kansas and Kansas State.

The Drake women’s tennis team will be back serving up aces this weekend as it hosts Kansas at 10 a.m. Saturday and Kansas State at 11 a.m. Sunday. Head Coach Ur ska Juric says that both opponents will be tough matchups. “We have a pretty young squad so we’re really making sure that we focus on our strengths,” she said. “We’ve been working hard consistently for the past semester and while we had time off.” The Bulldogs struggled against Kansas last season. The Jayhawks won 5-2 in singles and 3-0 in doubles in Lawrence, Kan. At Kansas State last season, Drake fell 6-1 in singles and 3-0 in doubles. “Last year, both of these matches were really tough,” sophomore Gabby Demos said. “We’re just going to play our best and have nothing to lose.” Juric believes that Drake will benefit from the home court advantage that was not there in the matches last year. “This year, it’s their first times coming to our house,” she said. “I think that the home court advantage will help us a lot.” Juric is satisfied with her team’s effort thus far and is

Drake University Career Fair Thursday, February 4, 2010 3 – 6 PM Olmsted Center

Get an Internship Go to Grad School ● Bring copies of your resume ● Access Career bluePrint for registered companies & graduate/professional programs ● Business attire required Professional & Career Development Services

looking forward to this weekend. “We had a solid week of practice,” she said. “We’re looking to continue that leading up to the meets this weekend.” Juric also said that the team is placing more focus on the doubles teams rather than singles. The Bulldogs have had plenty singles in the past, but Juric thinks that the doubles game has suffered. She plans on being aggressive more often in order to improve doubles performance. Drake had a tough end to the fall campaign: They bowed out early in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Central Regional in Norman, Okla. last October. The Bulldogs saw their season fade away as Demos, and sophomore Jessica Aguilera and freshman Manca Krizman fell in the opening round of play. In doubles, freshman Ali Patterson and sophomore Amanda Aragon fell 8-1 in their opening match. Demos and Krizman lost 8-6. Despite the early losses, Juric was pleased with the progress made since the end of last spring. “It seems, based on the scores of the regional, that we struggled,” she said. “But if you see how many players we actually sent to the central regional this season versus other seasons, it really was an improvement.” Drake hopes to avoid another disappointing finish like last season in which the Bulldogs lost 4-0 in the conference championship to Illinois State. Demos said that the loss still stings. “Last year we did really well, but there is still room for improvement,” she said. “We’re going to work hard and be at our best for the conference tournament.” Demos is coming off a sensational freshman campaign where she played most of the year at No. 2 singles, a tall task for a young player. Demos said she expects to be more of a leader this year. “We have a lot of good, young talent,” she said. “I just want to lead my team and help us improve.” n

@ THE ROGER KNAPP TENNIS CENTER

THE TIMES-DELPHIC

THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2010

PAGE 8

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