Mars Cafe hosts a charity event to support education and Haiti relief. PAGE 4 FEATURES
THE TIMES-DELPHIC THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER FOR DRAKE UNIVERSITY SINCE 1884
DES MOINES, IOWA • Thursday, March 25, 2010 • VOL. 128, NO. 37 • www.timesdelphic.com
Pharmacy School reverts back to 2008 admissions standards
A GAP IN
Exception is made for current sophomore pre-pharmacy majors by MARY BESS BOLLING Sports Editor tdsports@drake.edu
After reviewing written communications, the Drake University Doctor of Pharmacy program will make an exception for this year’s sophomore pre-pharmacy class, reverting back to admissions criteria outlined in the first acceptance letter students received in 2008. The change back to the old admissions requirements will affect the final decision for the class, allowing admission to any student who meets the GPA requirements and completes the required coursework and interview portion. Sophomore pre-pharmacy student Taylor Wypyszinski, who was initially wait-listed, said that the change is the right decision for the school. “I appreciate what they’re doing,” Wypyszinski said. “My faith is restored in the pharmacy program and the university.” The change back to the original criteria came after a review of all written communications with this year’s sophomore pre-pharmacy class, conducted by Raylene Rospond, dean of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. She then took that information to the admissions committee. The committee decided to revert back to the criteria they thought was clearly stated in the communications to the class. This decision disregarded this year’s newly implemented written assessment and the 120-student cap set on Drake’s program by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.
SEE PHARMACY, PAGE 2
COMMUNICATION illustration by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo/Design Editor
Student Senate discusses decrease in the Board of Student Communication’s funding by 2 percent, cites budget surplus by RACHEL KAUFFOLD
Staff Writer rachel.kauffold@drake.edu
Senate has rarely seen a crowd like the one they saw at their prebreak meeting on March 11. Not only was the gallery full, but four professors, including School of Journalism and Mass Communication Director Kathleen Richardson, were present to hear and voice opinions on the latest major proposal on the Senate table: to transfer 2 percent of student activity fees from the Board of Student Communications (BSC) to the Student Development Fund. The BSC, which funds all Drake publications such as The Times-Delphic, Drake Magazine and the Drake Broadcasting System, currently receives 27 percent of the “baseline,” the
total amount gathered from the payments of student activity fees. The Student Development Fund, which provides one-time funding throughout the school year, currently receives 10 percent of the baseline.
This proposal, to be discussed and voted on tonight, was heavily questioned by senators, students and faculty at the meeting. The numbers that influenced this proposal were presented by auditor Cory Vancura to Senate at the
Drake student selected as a Truman Scholarship finalist
beginning of the meeting. This report stated that the BSC had over $13,000 left in their budget at the end of last year, and their reserve fund was already at its capacity of $30,000. In contrast, the Student Development Fund has been depleted each of the past few years. The SDF sits at approximately $3,500. “The whole purpose of the student activity fees is that, ideally, they are used in the year that students pay them,” said Vancura. Journalism Senator Tyler Boggess reasoned why this change was necessary. “What we’re trying to do is balance the budget,” Boggess explained, “to take what we see as an overage year after year to a fund that never has enough money year
SEE SENATE, PAGE 2
>>BSC BUDGET CHANGE TOWN HALL MEETING >TONIGHT 7–9 p.m. Olmsted 312/313 Student Senate is hosting a town hall meeting open to all students to discuss the proposed Board of Student Communications budget 2 percent budget reduction.
Nussbaum challenges Drake students to discover one’s self by AARON RUGGLES
Staff Writer aaron.ruggles@drake.edu
Noted philosopher and intellectual Martha Nussbaum delivered a free public lecture entitled, “Liberty of Conscience: The Attack on Equal Respect” on Monday at Sheslow Auditorium. President David Maxwell introduced Nussbaum’s lecture as being important to Drake University by honoring the university’s mission statement and presenting students with an Engaged Citizen opportunity. Nussbaum is a former professor at Harvard, Brown and Oxford universities, a research adviser at the World Institute for Development Economics
Research and a published author of 15 books. “These are rare opportunities,” professor Tim Knepper of the philosophy and religion department said. “Nussbaum is routinely recognized among the top living American philosophers. I urged students to take advantage.” Nussbaum’s lecture displayed the complex searching that is involved when finding one’s self, and explored both the religious and nonreligious aspects that play into the difficult process. The cultivation of our conscience is the process of finding our way through life and finding meaning. All human beings need access to
SEE NUSSBAUM, PAGE 2
photo by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo/Design Editor
Junior Brittney Miller was one of 176 selected by CORI CLARK
Staff Writer corinne.clark@drake.edu
On March 10, junior Brittney Miller participated in a final interview for the Harry S. Truman Scholarship. The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation started in 1975 to award scholarships to students who demonstrate leadership potential and plan to pursue a career in public service, according to the scholarship Web site. Drake University originally nominated Miller in October 2009. Miller then went on to complete a lengthy application that included writing a public policy proposal. “It was really hard thinking of a policy you would be able to write extensively about, then argue for and against the proposal and why it is a pressing matter,” Miller said. Miller wrote about after-school programs in Iowa,
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one of which she has worked for in The Boys and Girls Clubs of America. After-school programs are in high demand in Iowa with little funding, Miller says. After-school programs are important to Miller after a shocking experience while volunteering, when she was one of just three volunteers for a group of 60 children. Miller says it was devastating to serve the children hot dogs as their only source of nutrients. Miller’s interest in public service and community involvement started in her hometown of Duluth, Minn. She has always been active in the community, and her work against discrimination and toward a more inclusive environment earned her the city’s Community Peacemaker Award. A few weeks after applications were accepted, Miller received an e-mail from the Truman Foundation and read that she was one of the 176 finalists from 122 differ-
TAND OUT
SEE MILLER, PAGE 2
photo by ABBEY ELMER| Staff Photographer
MARTHA NUSSBAUM, a famous philosopher who taught at Harvard, Brown and Oxford universities, spoke Monday night at Sheslow.
NEWS
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It wasn’t as good as previous seasons or what we hoped to do this year with our team, but I think that we had moments and we had games where we showed we could do a lot and that we were a good team. —KRISTIN TURK, SEE PAGE 7
SECURITY REPORTS SPOILED SWEETS 11:50 p.m. March 21 Security responded to Herriott Residence Hall based on report of a resident who had used marijuana and became ill. An 18-year-old female student reported she had gotten a marijuana brownie from a friend back home during spring break and ate some of it. She then 11:34 a.m. March 2 A security officer observed a female punching and then tackling a male adult near 1213 25th St. He ran and she tackled him again. The male was cooperative, while the female was not. Police were called and
experienced extreme blurred vision and lost feelings in her limbs. She trusted the person who gave her the brownie and doesn’t believe there was any other type of drug in the brownie. Fire/rescue was called and the student was transported to a local hospital.
neither person wanted to file a report or have anything done. She lost her cell phone in the middle of their argument and it was retrieved by bank personnel. The female and bank management got in an argument about the phone and
police were called again.The police arrived, and with their capability and knack to prevent undesirable consequences, the phone was returned to the rightful owner.
3:06 a.m. March 6 The wife of a 31-year-old male student called the security office and reported he had not shown up at his residence, which was not like him. At 6:07 a.m. the mother-in-law called and stated they were looking for him. The student’s vehicle could not be found in any Drake parking lots or adjacent streets. A security officer then found the vehicle in a Drake parking lot at 9 a.m. CCTV was checked and it was determined the vehicle drove into the lot at 8:21 a.m. and the male subject walked to the library. The subject was found in the library. His wife had just arrived and observed his vehicle in the lot and then went to the library where they were reunited. However, they began to argue on the way back to the vehicle. The wife threw a bottle at him and then a textbook. The wife left in her vehicle and
kept the keys to his vehicle. He then walked away.
The fire department arrived and put the fire out.
8:54 p.m. March 6 Security responded to Jewett Residence Hall based on report from a resident assistant of a loud party he wanted defused. A 21-year-old male not affiliated with the university was advised on trespass. He was attributed with distributing alcohol to minors. A 21-year-old male student stated it was his room and that all the alcohol was his and apologized repeatedly stating he should have been wiser. Six underage-for-drinking female students were advised on trespass for Jewett Residence Hall. The assistant dean of students was advised.
3:51 a.m. March 14 A security officer was near 24th and University Ave. when he heard glass breaking. A subject believed to be a male was seen running south from a business in the 2300 block of University Ave. It was determined that the interior of the building had been gone through and items were strewn about. Also, a cash register had been stolen.
7:56 p.m. March 9 A security officer observed a business sign burning in the 2800 block of University Ave.
Former admissions standards return
Seventh annual Relay for Life to kick off this Friday by AMY HARREN
Staff Writer mary.honeyman@drake.edu
A world with less cancer is a world with more birthdays, says the theme for this year’s Relay for Life. The annual event focuses on celebrating cancer survivors, remembering those who lost their lives to cancer and raising money for the fight against cancer. Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) is hosting the event tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the Drake Fieldhouse. Relay for Life is a 12-hour overnight walk where teams made up of eight to 15 people assemble to raise money for the cause. The event starts with a luminary ceremony spotlighting a cancer survivor who will speak about their experiences, and the Drake Dance Team will also perform. The volunteer team members take turns walking or running around the track with one member walking at all times. The other members keep busy during downtime by participating in games and activities to win prizes sponsored by local shops. This year for entertainment, CAC is bringing in the Kenya Safari
Acrobats. There will also be a cupcake walk, an opportunity to make remembrance bracelets, and music for everyone to enjoy, said sophomore Bailey Olson, co-chair of the food committee. Besides entertainment, Papa John’s, Chipotle, Dahl’s, Bruegger’s Bagels, Fazoli’s, Iowa Bakery Café and Coca-Cola will provide food. “Relay for Life is a blast,” said sophomore Robin Sautter, head of the recruitment team. “We want to outdo ourselves this year.” This is CAC’s sixth year hosting Relay for Life at Drake. Last year, the Drake Dance Team and the Drake a cappella group were included in the overnight entertainment. Events such as games, dances, limbo and themed laps were included, too. Around 600 members signed up last year and many people joined the day of the festivities. They raised more than $30,000 from the teams’ fundraising and local sponsors. “I chose to join for my family,” Olson said. “My family has struggled with cancer in the past. Being a part of this club and having a Relay for Life team, I know I am making a difference.” Currently 47 teams have signed up, totaling 450 participants. These
FROM PHARMACY, PAGE 1
photo by SARAH ANDREWS | Photo/Design Editor
RELAY FOR LIFE began in 1985 in Tacoma, Washington. Since then, the event has grown worldwide, with Drake playing its part Friday. teams have raised $6,939 and are still fundraising. All the donations go to the American Cancer Society. “I think it is awesome to see how many organizations are getting involved and really care,” Sautter said. To register teams, students can visit relayforlife.com and search for events in their local community. Each team has a registration fee of
$150. Teams are encouraged to have each member submit $10 online to cover his or her share. Each team member who raises $100 will receive a T-shirt, and if he or she raises $150 or more, will be invited to the VIP room during Relay for Life. This room will have video games, TV screens and more. n
Noted philosopher and intellectual discusses identity FROM NUSSBAUM, PAGE 1 equality to do so. The problem that Nussbaum pointed out is that society is very unequal when it comes to religion and how individuals and government institutions react to different religions. “People like exclusive clubs, giving them special rights,” Nussbaum said. “Religion is one of those special, exclusive clubs. Just because there is not violence or threats of violence among religions does not mean that everything is going well and everything is fine. When government institutions and individual people fail to realize the tragedy of placing one religion above another or placing importance of one religion over another, there is a fundamental issue at stake: the lack of
respect for another’s conscience. Everyone has a conscience that ought to be respected.” One of the terms that Nussbaum used to describe the issue was the term “soul rape,” which means to deny equal space to other consciences is to intrude on the ultimate inner personal space of others. Nussbaum gave instances where these things have happened, and commented on what institutions and individuals should do in order to prevent this. However, Nussbaum wanted to make very clear that many Americans’ slogan when it comes to equality among religions is “separation of church and state.” Nussbaum wanted to make clear that this is not what she was advocating for.
FROM MILLER, PAGE 1 ent colleges and universities across the United States. “I was ecstatic,” Miller said. “My roommate and I were jumping up and down.” Miller’s family and friends have been extremely supportive through the application and interview process. Her mom met her in Minneapolis at St. Kate’s University for the final interview. They spent the day in the city to help keep her mind off the interview. At the final interview, Miller had the chance to meet the other students participating from North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Miller is one of four competing from Minnesota. “When I interviewed, they weren’t as concerned with what I knew, but more about whether or not I am genuine and will be able to stay dedicated to making a difference,” Miller said. Miller is studying English and political science. She is also a senator for
FROM SENATE, PAGE 1 after year.” Vancura stated that he and Boggess are in the process of obtaining numbers from the past several years but did not have those numbers by meeting time. Matt Vasilogambros, editor-in-chief of The Times-Delphic, said that he would prefer to see more numbers before Senate moved forward with the proposal. “I would like to see these numbers dating back five or six years,” said Vasilogambros. “To
“Nowhere in my argument do I say separation of church and state,” Nussbaum said. Nussbaum says you cannot take religion away from individuals. That would mean that schools practicing religion, like Catholic schools, would no longer receive aid from the police or the fire department, when presented with situations where they are needed. Total separation is not wanted or conceivable, says Nussbaum. “These are issues students could possibly face once out of college, and Nussbaum’s lecture is a preparation for real citizen experiences,” Vice Provost for Academic Affairs John Burney said. “The proper place that religion has in democracy, and the clear value to America while trying to find meaning of life—through balance and fairness among all—is something all students may face.” n
the organizational council and the student coordinator for Feel Good Friday, a weekly community service program. In graduate school, Miller hopes to achieve a dual degree in public policy and law at the University of Minnesota. “I would really like to work with the Legal Aid Advocacy Project,” Miller said. “As a legal advocate, you go to the state capitol and lobby for reforms in state laws. Advocates help fight for people who are underrepresented or do not have access to legal knowledge.” Miller is also focusing on education reform in Washington, D.C. On March 30, the Truman Scholars will be announced. There will be one winner from every state. There will be an award ceremony on May 27 at the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, Mo. The Truman Scholarship awards $30,000 for the student’s senior year and graduate school. “I would tell anyone thinking of applying for the scholarship to go for it,” Miller said. “If you have a passion for public service and see yourself as a ‘change agent’ then this scholarship is perfect for you.” n
decrease the budget because of one year is irresponsible.” “It’s a complex group of organizations that you need to be very aware of how they do their job and why that surplus is necessary before you leap at a chance to take it away,” said professor Lori Blachford, advisor to Drake Magazine. BSC members were also concerned with how suddenly this proposal developed, and with how this possible change was communicated to their board. Boggess told Senate that he first informed the BSC via e-mail on the previous Sunday.
SEND YOUR STORY IDEAS TO TDNEWS@DRAKE.EDU
2:21 a.m. March 23 A security officer observed eight paint splatters on the outside of the Knapp Center believed to have been made by a paintball gun. There was no other visible damage to the building except for the paint.
The email was met with numerous, surprised responses from both faculty and students. “This was not gone about in the right way, and I will take full blame for that,” Boggess said. Professor Jill Van Wyke, adviser for The Times Delphic, expressed to Senate her concern that the BSC was not brought into the conversation much sooner. “This could be really great idea, but I can’t digest all this information and the procedure in the time that you feel you need to make a decision,” Van Wyke said. Boggess stated that the reason for serving the
Operating under the U.S. Department of Education, the ACPE has the power to strip accreditation from any school that doesn’t comply with its standards, which would render pharmacy students unable to practice. To ensure that this didn’t happen to any of Drake’s pharmacy students, Rospond contacted the ACPE and explained the situation. The accrediting body decided that this year’s possible breach of the cap would not jeopardize the status of the Drake PharmD program’s accreditation, Rospond said in an e-mail to all sophomore pre-pharmacy majors. Future class communications pharmacy administrators said that communications with this year’s freshman prepharmacy class were clearer. “The admissions letter and the information from the dean were different from what the sophomores received because a year had passed, so the faculty had given us more definitive information that we could share with the students,” said Renea Chesnut, CPHS associate dean for academic and student affairs. Though the written communications improved, the freshman class is not yet fully clear on next year’s admissions process. “Right now my class is kind of in the dark,” freshman pre-pharmacy student Alex Hendzel said. “Dean Rospond said at the sophomore meeting that there would be a first-year meeting later this month or next month so I’m am definitely looking forward to that and getting some answers.” Chesnut said an informational session for the freshman class was already planned, as it was for last year’s freshmen. “Darcy (Doty, admissions liaison for CPHS) went in and talked to the current sophomores last year, but that was outside the CAPS class; this year we’re doing it in a class session,” Chesnut said. “That way we know that students won’t have a conflict.” The session will outline a basic timeline for the admissions process next year. It will also provide information on the PharmCAS, which is the national application every student applying to pharmacy school in the United States must complete, in addition to information on a written assessment and interview. As for prospective students, Chesnut said that college administrators met with admissions counselors the week before Spring Break to make sure the program criteria were clear. Also, in order to reach out to alumni about the changes in the program, the college is working with the marketing and communications departments to develop a communications plan. n
proposal at this time was to allow for Senate to pass it in a timely manner if the proposal was considered acceptable. If this proposal passes, it will have an effect on SFAC’s budgeting process, which is already underway. Last year’s budget took four weeks to be approved. “I would not be doing this if I thought it wasn’t a good idea, if I thought the publications on the BSC would suffer, if I thought that they were going to have to take a hit,” Boggess said. “If that, for some reason, changes as we gather this information, then we’ll yank it from the table and we’re not going to pass it.” n
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OPINIONS & EDITORIALS
THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2010
OPINIONS&EDITORIALS DIVERSE IDENTITIES
Balancing Hindi and American One girl’s story of relating to two cultures
I
watched a movie the other day that made me think; I guess independent films have a way of doing that. It was called “Shades of Ray” and starred Zachary Levi playing a half-Pakistani, half-Caucasian twenty-something struggling to find his identity and decide whether he did the right thing proposing to his Caucasian girlfriend after he meets a half-Pakistani, half-Caucasian girl. Being Indian-American, I’ve often thought about my identity. I guess I don’t have to worry about picking if I’m brown or white; it’s pretty obvious I’m brown. But growing up in the middle of Iowa, I struggled to figure out a way that I could be like everyone else, while still being Indian. I grew up speaking both Hindi and English at home, and went to Indian cultural events, piano lessons and played tag with my friends every day after school. When I was younger, I just figured I was like everyone else, but it wasn’t until high school when I really realized that I was stuck in a sort of limbo balancing two aspects of my life. This past weekend I went to an inter-
ANKITA DHUSSA COLUMNIST collegiate South Asian dance competition called Nachte Raho in Iowa City with Drake’s South Asian Students Association (SASA). We went to check it out and get some ideas for next year when Drake starts a team, and it truly amazed me how large the South Asian populations are at some of the bigger universities like Iowa and pretty much all of the Illinois schools. There weren’t many Indian kids in my high school, and hearing how diverse the other schools with SASA are blows my mind. Yeah, sometimes I really wanted people I could talk with about something Indian, but if I had went to a school with
a larger South Asian population, it would have been very difficult for me to adjust to Drake’s South Asian population (which is actually a lot more than I was expecting). It was an uplifting experience hearing an auditorium filled with kids about my age from a more or less similar ethnic background laugh out loud to a joke my non-Indian friends wouldn’t understand. But after a weekend filled with a lot of South Asian people, I’ve come to appreciate my balance in life. Those that know me know that being Indian pretty much defines who I am, but I worry that they forget that being American defines me as well. So even though people may see me as being “Indian,” don’t forget—I’m actually an IndianAmerican. Dhussa is a first-year radio/TV and international relations major and can be contacted at ankita.dhussa@drake.edu.
How to
HOW TO bing. My suggestion: have a friend or acquaintance nearby ready to wake you if the teacher is calling on people for questions, handing out materials, etc. 3. Read a good book: You can hide a book under a desk or behind a computer screen or behind a tall person. Just be sure to look up every so often so you don’t look suspicious. You may also be able to place it inside a textbook for the class. 4. Doodle: Most classes should just be renamed “Doodling 101.” Doodling is a great way to pass time! From just scribbling to designing epic scenes, it will take your mind off the boring lecture. Doodling also doesn’t require complete concentration so you still get a bit of what the professor is saying. Try having doodling contests with your friends! 5. Paper Airplanes: Spend the class period crafting paper airplanes! Try some of the classic designs until you master some of those and then experiment. Try your own airplanes! If you want to test them out, you’ll need to sit in the back of class. Otherwise, you can wait until class is over to test them out. 6. That’s What She Said: turn your professor’s lecture into sexual innuendos! Keep a list of phrases of “she/he says” that make good innuendos. 7. During a professor’s lecture, stand up and shout, “Yo Imma let you finish! But [insert someone else’s name] had one of the best [insert something else] of all time!” For example, if the teacher is talking about the book “The Great Gatsby,” then say “Yo Imma let you finish, but Charles Dickens had one of the greatest books of all time!” 8. Play pranks on your classmates and teachers. Wear ridiculous clothing. Break out into song and dance. All these are quite entertaining for you and your classmates. Win, win! Now you are equipped with some brilliant ideas to keep you from bashing your head against your desk. Go forth and be entertained!
entertain yourself in a boring class
Everyone has them: the class you can’t ever stay awake in. Find out how to make the most of it
LAURA WITTREN COLUMNIST
W
e all know how it feels to be in a boring class. No matter how carefully you plan your schedule, it seems you still get stuck with at least one stinker. Unfortunately, skipping class can be detrimental to your grade. Even though attendance is not always required, chew on this: you are paying for tuition, books, living arrangements and many other ridiculous fees. This being said, wouldn’t it make sense to go to the classes? So you’re in class…now what? Of course, paying attention is always the best idea, especially if the tests and quizzes are largely based on lectures. But sometimes, the class is just too boring, or you already took the same class in high school or are well-versed on the subject. Maybe in addition to those, your teacher hands out a carbon copy of his or her notes; word-forword, diagram-for-diagram. In that case, you’ve got the tools to succeed. Now how do you stay entertained? 1. Laptops: Laptops are such great
tools! N o t only can you take fast notes, you can go to Google and copy a diagram the teacher draws directly into your notes! If you still take notes in your boring class, have something else open that doesn’t take too much focus but is a pleasant distraction when the lecture lags. A game of solitaire or the “My Life is Average” Web site are good examples of small distractions that don’t take your undivided attention. If you are intent on still taking notes, then avoid Facebook. Facebook is the black hole of distractions. If you aren’t planning on taking notes in class (which isn’t advisable unless you are very good at the subject or the teacher e-mails the notes out), then you can go to sites like Facebook. A good idea is to have a few online games to shuffle through in classes. Make sure to look up from the computer once in awhile to lure the professor into thinking you are engaged in the lecture. 2. Nap time: Catch up on some sleep! Easier said than done, right? In a large lecture class, this isn’t too impossible. You can sit in the back, somewhere in the middle, perhaps behind a taller person. Voila! Your professor probably won’t notice. You don’t want to lie down or slump in an obvious way. I do not suggest lying on the floor to nap. Instead, lean forward slightly, propping your head on your hand. Have a notebook open on your desk and a pen or pencil in your hand (the one that’s not supporting your head). Wearing sunglasses is not advised, as they are attention-grab-
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 JACKIE WALLENTIN, News Editor tdnews@drake.edu
JILL VAN WYKE, Faculty Advisor jill.vanwyke@drake.edu HOLLY WORTHY, Copy Editor holly.worthy@drake.edu
KENSIE SMITH, Features Editor tdfeatures@drake.edu
MATT MORAN, Copy Editor matthew.moran@drake.edu
MARY BESS BOLLING, Sports Editor tdsports@drake.edu
KYLE GLASER, Digital Editor tdweb@drake.edu
SARAH ANDREWS, Photo/Design Editor TYLER O’NEIL, Relays Editor tdphotos@drake.edu tyler.oneil@drake.edu PHIL KREZNOR, Business Manager tdbusiness@drake.edu
CALEB BAILEY, Ads Manager tdads@drake.edu
So you’re in class … now what? Of course, paying attention is always the best idea … how do you stay entertained?
Wittren is a first-year magazine journalism major and can be contacted at laura.wittren@drake.edu.
THE TIMES-DELPHIC
the BUZZ
OUTSPOKEN
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Des Moines’ skirt season starts at 52 degrees. Enjoy — just not with Uggs.
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What did you do … … for Spring Break?
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ALYSSE GEAR
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Sophomore I went with four of my friends to L.A. We saw Chelsea Lately and got her autograph and had our claim to fame: about half a second at the end of the show you can see us. We also encountered Miley Cyrus.
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First-Year
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Junior
TIMOTHY RUGGLES
I worked at Burger King in Indianola.
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KAILI RANTA
Me and one of my friends drove to Virginia, 21 hours there. We left right on Thursday night, pulled an all-nighter. We both had friends there.
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BEN KERTZMAN
Sophomore I went home to Chaska, Minn. It’s right by the Twin Cities.
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ANDREA STOOS Senior
I went to Chicago, Ill., with my best friend. We did all the touristy stuff — we went to Navy Pier, the aquarium, and the planetarium and the field museum and Michigan Avenue.
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Share your views on columns and editorials online.
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FEATURES
THE TIMES-DELPHIC
FEATURES
THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2010
DON’T. MISS. THIS.
Whether or not you understand social media or believe in its efficacy, go ahead and buy in now: some people around the world—and here in Des Moines—are using Twitter for good. by HOLLY WORTHY
Copy Editor holly.worthy@drake.com
What is Twestival?
Twestival (Twitter + festival) is an event for people to come together offline to raise awareness and money for a common goal. If it’s offline, why is Twitter part of name? All of the events in various cities are organized separately and by volunteers. Twestival is a grassroots campaign that couldn’t happen without the use of social media like Twitter. The first Twestival was held last February in 202 cities around the world, according to the organization’s Web site. It was held to support Charity Water, an international nonprofit that builds wells and provides clean drinking water for people who wouldn’t otherwise get it. Twestival produced tangible results. According to the Web site, “over 1,000 volunteers and 10,000 donors fundraised $250,000+, which resulted in more than 55 wells in Uganda, Ethiopia and India, having a direct impact for over 17,000 people.” This year, Twestival is focusing its efforts toward a different area of need: education. The creators of Twestival chose Concern Worldwide as the organization to support at events, held around the globe on March 25. A portion of proceeds will go toward relief in Haiti—an area of focus for Concern both before and after the January earthquake.
What is Concern Worldwide?
The nongovernmental organization, founded in 1968, is working to eliminate global poverty. According to Concern’s Web site, their work focuses on five key areas: education, emergencies, health, HIV/AIDS and livelihoods. Their mission is to aid those in poverty by helping them achieve sustainable improvements in their lives—with education being one of those sustainable improvements. This “teach a man to fish” methodology is part of what attracted those at Twestival to the organization. Concern was chosen largely because of its “comprehensive and well respected approach to education” that includes addressing hunger, water, school construction and the training of teachers, says the Web site. In 2008, 90.3 percent ($165,057,212.34) of their expenditures were spent on charitable activities—the highest yet achieved in its 40-year history, according to their annual report.
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Drake Secret postcards available in SLC and outside the SAB office from March 22 - March 31. Secrets posted April 1.
In addition to Concern’s track record of putting donations back into doing global good, it guarantees that 100 percent of Twestival funds will go to educational project costs, which range from school supplies and books to funds for clean water and sanitation within schools. “All of us at Concern Worldwide are very excited to be involved with the second annual Twestival and would like to thank everyone involved across the world for helping to raise vital funds and awareness for our education programmes,” blogged Karen Gallagher on Concern.net, head of Concern Northern Ireland. “Twestival is such a fantastic example of the difference that can be made when individuals join together to volunteer and take action.”
Bringing a global movement home
Des Moines is one of the cities across the world using “social media for social good.” Mars Café, together with Tribe Effect, Lava Row, Olde Main Brewing Company, Most Wicked Domain and Doll Distributing, is hosting the Des Moines Twestival tonight from 7 to 10 p.m. This will be Mars Café’s second time hosting the “tweetup”-style fundraiser, said co-owner Larry James. This year’s event will feature performances by bands Thankful Dirt and Shame Train, and both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drink specials will be offered throughout the evening. “We thought it was a great opportunity to involve our use of Twitter as well as do something that would promote a really good cause,” James said. Mars, which has used MySpace, Facebook and Twitter to promote its business in past years, has recently added another social medium to its arsenal: foursquare. The foursquare SWARM badge will be offered to users if more than 50 users check-in at Twestival. James says that although it’s just a game, it’s another way to get people to attend. James has been working with Lava Row and Tribe Effect to promote the event in recent weeks. “Between the three of us, I think we’re going to have a presence on the local scene—hopefully people will respond.” Christine Stineman is the founder of Tribe Effect, a social media strategy company out of Des Moines. Stineman signed on as soon as she found out a Twestival event was happening locally. “I’m always looking for different things we can do to help others outside our community, and that seemed like such a great way to be able to help people in the places that have the greatest need,” she said. “What Twestival does is help the countries that have the greatest need and, this year especially, help those who are at the lowest poverty level.” Stineman says the use of social media has been steadily increasing in Des Moines among businesses and retailers, but the possibilities are endless when it comes to putting it to use for grassroots movements and fundraisers like Twestival. “There’s this great hyper-local way to connect to people through social media through the ability to communicate with a large number of people without having to do so through expensive mail or phone campaigns,” she said. “We haven’t begun to tap the possibilities.” Twestival is open to the public (whether you use Twitter or not). Donations of $3 are requested.
@TwestivalDSM- focus on edu 4 the poor @Marscafe, Thursday, 7-10 pm. Catch Thankful Dirt & Shame Train ($3 donation @ door) 4 min ago via web
ARTS. LIVING. MOVIES. MUSIC. WEEKEND.
MOVIE: The Bounty Hunter VERDICT:
Butler, Aniston, exes in the same old formula Courtesy of http://media.kino-govno.com
GERAD BUTLER, gets the dream job of arresting his ex-wife Jennifer Aniston in dull, tedious comedy. by MATTHEW H. SMITH
Staff Writer matthew.h.smith@drake.edu
It’s officially spring; the season for really bad romantic comedies. And unfortunately, “The Bounty Hunter” is no exception. The film drags along with lackluster laughs and slapstick humor that makes superstars Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler look like a pair of petulant adolescents. Aniston spends more than three-quarters of the movie running around in heels, awkwardly bumbling along. Butler chases diligently after her, usually after getting punched or kicked in the testicles at every turn—because apparently this can still be played off for laughs. The worst part is
Romantic comedy a cinematic crime
you know they’re going to fall in love again at the end. I only wish they could have done this a hell of a lot sooner and saved me the two hours in the theater. Directed by Andy Tennant, who helmed the successful movie “Hitch” starring Will Smith in 2005, “The Bounty Hunter” follows the same old formulaic structure. Milo Boyd (Butler), an excop-turned-bounty-hunter, has the best job on the planet: He gets to arrest his ex-wife, Nicole Hurly (Aniston), a reporter for the Daily News who’s in hot pursuit of the ultimate story. Nicole’s in over her head and has jumped bail to follow a juicy lead. Milo has to chase her down and bring her in—a task the audience assumes is a dream come true for a guy like him. It’s a predictable
Listen, love and save
Water the World Concert Pomerantz Stage March 25th 7 p.m. Tickets: $1 or a canned good
romp, a clash of the sexes where inevitable romance “unexpectedly” reunites these two formers lovers. All the while, they’re being chased by loan sharks and dirty cops who want to beat them or kill them. It’s not pretty. It’s especially painful for the audience. It begins as a dull, seen-it-before scenario and becomes increasingly tedious as the actors and filmmakers run out of material within the first 30 minutes of the movie. The rest is borrowed, old, used-up and tired. While the chemistry between the actors may cause sparks to fly, it’s not nearly enough to keep “The Bounty Hunter” from becoming just another cliché. n
>>What’s going on?
campus calendar TODAY FILM
“The People Speak,” based on book by Howard Zinn, panel discussion to follow WHERE Olin 206 WHEN 7:15 p.m. - 9:15 p.m.
LECTURE
“Beyond the glamour and glory” Dr. Weidong Zhang on Beijing 2008 Olympic Games WHERE Bulldog Theatre WHEN 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
FRIDAY
LECTURE
“Feminist & Hegelian Perspectives of the Legal Status of Polygamy, Polyamory, Same Sex Marriage” WHERE Medbury Honors Lounge WHEN 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
THEATER
SATURDAY MUSIC
Iowa Flute Festival, performances, competition and masters class WHERE Harmon Fine Arts Center/Sheslow Auditorium WHEN: 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
EVENT
Relay for Life sponsored by Colleges Against Cancer
Malayasia Night, dinner, talent and fashion shows
WHERE Drake Fieldhouse
WHERE Olmsted Parents Hall
WHEN 6 p.m. - 6 a.m.
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. - 11 p.m.
PAGE 5
THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2010
by MATTHEW H. SMITH
Staff Writer matthew.h.smith@drake.edu
The Times-Delphic wouldn’t have been possible without Johannes Gutenberg, the 15th-century inventor of the printing press. “Gutenberg! The Musical,� a comedy featuring drunks, dead babies and anti-Semites opening this Saturday in Studio 55 also probably wouldn’t have been written had the inventor never lived. The high-energy humor fest contains a diverse cast of more than 20 parts, but what makes it interesting is the fact that only two actors portray them all. Dan Haymes, a senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in acting and minors in musical theater and percussion, and Matt Haupert, a freshman, have taken on those roles. “I’ve never done anything like this, where you’re onstage 100 percent of the time, playing all these different roles,� Haupert said. “It’s very new.� Haymes and Haupert were introduced to the play by a friend while Haymes was looking for a focus for his senior capstone. “I wanted to do one big final project, one big hurrah before I graduate,� Haymes said. “It was just the perfect show.� Haupert and Haymes met on the set of Drake’s production of “Cabaret� last fall, and became fast friends. Originally, they wanted to write, direct and star in their own musical, which was to be based off “The Office.� After reading the script for “Gutenberg! The Musical,� however, their plans changed. Haymes quickly took the role of director in addition to actor. Prior to “Gutenberg,� he had never directed a full-length play. “The nature of the show as far as directing is pretty easy,� said Haymes. “Just from the way the show is written it does make my job a little easier.� The actors faced the challenge of differentiating vocally and physically between each of the many characters they play. The transformation is helped with the presence of 24 hats, which each contain a name or function of a character. According to both Haymes and Haupert, the production schedule of “Gutenberg!� has been condensed into the last four weeks. The duo remained at Drake over spring break, spending hours each day perfecting their lines and musical numbers.
FEATURES
Gutenberg! The Musical
Dan Haymes and Matt Haupert never leave the stage during their one and a half hour ordeal of dancing and singing. Here’s how they keep the energy up and their vocal cords from falling out.
>> On energy
Haupert: “It gets really exhausting, but the script helps you stay energized. Staying energized isn’t really a problem, but it’s hard to not get sloppy.�
>> On voice
The first thing that came to my mind about Broken Bells was a hybrid genre that incorporated the alternative feel of The Shins and a hip-hop flow that Danger Mouse is so well known for. It seemed ambitious enough as is, and I figured that some innovation couldn’t hurt anyone. So when their first single, “The High Road,� debuted, the anxiousness I felt was a little disheartening. The tonal intro of a toy organ was confusing enough, and on the first run through of the whole album, I felt like I missed the point. I saw and heard no influence of hip-hop on the record. Straightforward guitar and drum packages made up the majority of the content. Much like The Shins, James Russell Mercer is the one in charge here. He carries tracks with his passive guitar playing and vocals. So where’s Danger Mouse? It seems that the Mouse has taken a more behind-thescenes role with things. He does play the drum parts in their songs, but where Danger Mouse thrives is production. He knows how to assemble things seamlessly and make them flow. Luckily, that’s what this album does well. Each of the tracks winds cautiously along this line of being too much of something else. But there are the occasional times when you’re sure that you’re listening to The Shins’ “Chutes Too Narrow.� When the two musical minds met, they began working in secret on this album in early 2008. The project’s own description is something to bear in mind as well. Danger Mouse calls the duo’s music “melodic, but experimental, too.� I couldn’t disagree more. They really don’t try too hard, honestly. It’s
Haymes: “As far as the voice, vocally it’s incredibly tiring for both of us. My big thing, so far as, I don’t ruin my voice, is water, sleep, a proper vocal warm up in the morning, humming and getting my voice ready before I actually start speaking.�
Saturday - 1 p.m. & 6 p.m. Sunday - 2 p.m. Studio 55—Free admission
Haupert: “I drink a lot of teas.�
photo by MATT NELSON | Staff Photographer
Self-titled, ambitious new album mixes genres
Staff Writer skylar.bergl@drake.edu
The flexible script also incorporates a unique form of improvisation, actually giving Haymes and Haupert the chance to ad-lib in spots. Haymes estimated that 15 percent of the show is ad-libbed. Haymes said this keeps the show “incredibly fresh.� “We make each other laugh, because he doesn’t know what I’m going to say, and I don’t know what he’s going to say; a lot of times we don’t even know what we’re going to say,� Haymes said. “It makes the actors listen to one another, which is incredibly, incredibly important.� Haymes added that the duo has owned their improvisational skills so audiences shouldn’t be able to tell where the script ends and the ad-libbing begins. Both actors have high hopes for the show. “I hope (the audience) think it’s hilarious because it’s just purely comedy,� Haupert said. “There’s no underlying theme, it’s just a funny, funny musical. I think it’s really entertaining for people who don’t really like musicals; it kind of makes fun of musicals. I just hope people are really entertained.� n
>>Keeping up with the actors
Broken Bells by SKYLAR BERGL
THE TIMES-DELPHIC
nothing if not just a little disappointing. Right around “Trap Doors� is the area where we finally find ourselves absorbing the album for what it is. Nothing too serious, but not a joke either. Choruses of simplistic “la’s� and the thinned-out vocal range of Mercer sparks up reminders of The Shins. And “Citizen� continues the trend of the downplayed tracks. Lethargic as it may be, the album doesn’t quite bore either. The record could easily devolve into a snore fest, but rather than fall into a rut on the tail end of the album, Mercer and Mouse switch it up with a heavier track, “October,� to keep what small semblance of momentum they have. The loss of attitude and flair leaves something to be desired. Piano plays its part in creating a thicker and more emotional environment for the album to work through. The back half of this record could’ve so easily turned into a gravel road; slow, inefficient and out of the way. Instead, tracks like “October� and “Mongrel Heart� come to the rescue of the curiously weaker end of the album. With kiddy-like frequency and Gregorian-like chant, we get something a little different; so much so that it eventually evolves into a Wild West shootout ending. The album closer, “The Mall & Misery,� brings about a fitting conclusion. Instead of the differing voices that Mercer chimes in with throughout the duration of the debut record, he doesn’t pull any punches. Pulsating mush splashes while a tin-wrapped guitar riff is the centerpiece of the track. With deft kindness, the duo puts together a pretty solid album. But it’s really nothing more than an effort from them. Rather than harness the energy that both brings to the table separately, they can’t quite seem to put it together as well as we’d hope for. Maybe they can do it on their next album. n
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SPORTS
THE TIMES-DELPHIC
SPORTS
THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2010
FOR BREAKING SPORTS NEWS WWW.TWITTER.COM/TDSPORTSNEWS
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PAGE 6
STELLAR STATS
The final score difference between the first place team and the men’s golf team’s second place finish at the Monterey Invite.
MEN’S TENNIS
Bulldogs prep for conference opener
photo by MATT NELSON| Staff Photographer
THE MEN’S TENNIS TEAM returned from Spring Break with two wins against Samford and New Orleans. The Bulldogs will face Creighton in their first conference match next Thursday. by DOMINIC JOHNSON Staff Writer dominic.johnson@drake.edu
Last week the Drake men’s tennis team trekked east to North Carolina for their first outdoor matches of the spring season. Winning two
of their three matches, the Bulldogs came back to Des Moines with more than a few more W’s to add to the resumé; they came back prepped and ready for the beginning of the Missouri Valley Conference season. The first team Drake faced on its Spring Break trip was Samford University. Samford
came into the contest with the same record as the Bulldogs at 8-5. Drake, however, lost to five teams in the national rankings, while Samford fell to teams with less firepower—and it showed as they took the court. Drake was able to grab the momentum early on and never relinquish it. Having been playing indoors at the Roger Knapp Tennis Center since late October, the Samford match marked the first time Drake would have to battle the elements in over four months. Sweeping the doubles point with scores of 8-2, 8-4 and 8-4, the Bulldogs were able to prove their adaptability on the windy outdoor courts. Transitioning to singles, the Bulldogs remained strong, winning five of their six singles matches. Head coach Jimmy Borendame and freshman and Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week Jean Erasmus believe that the win against Samford was the perfect way to start the trip in North Carolina. “It was a great match to get our confidence going and to get us used to outdoors again,” said Erasmus. The next day Drake faced off against the host team, University of North Carolina-Wilmington. UNC-Wilmington came into the match ranked No. 75 in the nation with a record of 8-4 and with key victories over nationally ranked San Diego State and Elon. Due to questionable weather, both coaches agreed to finalize the doubles matches once two out of the three matches were finished. After dropping the second and third doubles positions and losing the doubles point, the Bulldogs prepared for singles. In a complete role reversal from the Samford match, the Bulldogs were only able to gain one win against UNC-Wilmington, with Erasmus routing his opponent in straight sets at the No. 6 singles slot. “The match was very intense because we had beaten them the last few times and it was easy to see they really wanted it this time,” Erasmus said. “All the matches were a grind and were definitely closer than what the score showed.”
The UNC-Wilmington match was characterized by tight calls, with many of the calls being overruled in favor of the hometown Seahawks. Borendame believes this match was a tremendous learning experience for his young squad and that they will be able to capitalize and find a way to win if a similar situation arises. “When you play away there are always going to be variables against you,” he said. “The surface will be different, the crowd will be against you and the close calls usually don’t go your way, but you have to learn to fight through that adversity.” Listening to what Borendame said, the Bulldogs came out the next day with something to prove against New Orleans. The young squad came out running on all cylinders, sweeping the doubles point with scores of 8-3, 8-2 and 8-1. The intensity carried on to the singles matches where Drake took five of the six matches. The only loss came at the No. 2 slot for freshman James McKie, but Borendame believes the young Scotsman will use this experience to come into conference play stronger than ever. “Playing at No. 2, James is always playing really good players and last week he faced a lot of tough matches,” Borendame said. “Against Samford he played a speedy little lefty, against Wilmington he played an extremely unorthodox player with a completely different style and against New Orleans he played a guy with a style similar to his, but this guy was a very experienced and more matured upperclassman; but James will bounce back for conference.” As a team, Borendame believes his players can do well in the Valley. “I think we are ready for conference,” said Borendame. “This week we are going to practice hard on some basics like working the point and getting the ball in play, but we are also going to make sure we get enough rest and practice outside, too.” Drake will play its first conference match against Creighton on April 1 at 3 p.m. on the outdoor courts behind the Roger Knapp Tennis Center. n
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Drake closes season with close final contest Bluejays halt Bulldogs’ season, Stephens focuses on year’s growth by TIM WEIDEMAN
Staff Writer tim.weideman@drake.edu
photo by SARAH ANDREWS| Photo/Design Editor
FRESHMAN FORWARD LIZZI NAUMANN guards the ball against a Southern Illinois defender in an early season game. The team finished the season with 67.2 points per game.
Did you know .. . er given to Drake ev ift g le ng si t es The larg made in 1997 by s a w — n io ill m 0 — $5 Dwight Opperman. The Drake Fund
SEND YOUR STORY IDEAS TO TDSPORTS@DRAKE.EDU
Junior Kristin Turk said sadness was the “overpowering emotion” in the locker room after the Drake Bulldogs women’s basketball team ended its season with a 65-62 loss to Creighton in the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament quarterfinals. “It’s just sad that you worked so hard,” Turk said. “For us, we worked really hard this season and had a mediocre season, which is a little disappointing to everybody.” Drake advanced to its second game of the tournament after defeating Evansville 73-62 in a play-in game but fell just shy against the Bluejays. The Bulldogs’ season came to an end when senior Jordann Plummer missed a 3-point attempt that would have tied the game at the last second. Plummer took the ball the length of the floor after sophomore Rachael Hackbarth hauled in a rebound off Creighton senior Megan Neuvirth’s missed free throw that would have sealed the victory for the Bluejays. Plummer finished the contest with six points and six assists. Hackbarth recorded her second career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds. Turk led the way for Drake, scoring a teamhigh 16 points with the help of 3-of-4 shooting from 3-point range. Drake finished the season 15-15 overall and 7-11 in conference play. Turk said the season was disappointing but the team had its moments. “Obviously, it wasn’t as good as previous seasons or what we hoped to do this year with our team, but I think that we had moments and we had games where we showed we could do a lot and that we were a good team,” Turk said. “I think it should give us a lot of confidence going into next season having wins over teams like Arkansas-Little Rock, getting a win in the tournament and (against) teams like Iowa State.” Head coach Amy Stephens said the season was one of highs and lows.
“There were days we were being the team we wanted to be and then there were days (we weren’t),” Stephens said. “It was a 50-50 season and it’s reflected in our record.” Stephens said the team played its best basketball during nonconference play early in the year. Drake entered the conference schedule with a record of 7-3, including the wins against Iowa State and Arkansas-Little Rock. Both those teams advanced to the second round of the women’s NCAA tournament last weekend. “We did some good things in the nonconference season and then about six games into the conference season, you know, we had a really disappointing January and February,” Stephens said. Drake suffered from a five-game losing streak spanning from Jan. 22 to Feb. 7 and lost four of its last five games leading up to the conference tournament. “There were definitely some positives from how we played and the type of team we were,” Stephens said. “There was some growth in the conference tournament, so it was kind of a positive-negative-positive type of season for our team.” Stephens said injuries had an effect on the outcome of Drake’s season. Midway through the year, the Bulldogs lost Turk and junior Ellie Ritscher, who provided valuable relief off the bench, and that put a lot of pressure on other members of the team. “I think from that point on, we were never the same team,” Stephens said. “We struggled defending; we didn’t guard as well.” Stephens said the loss of Turk disrupted the flow for the team and it never regained the previous momentum. Turk said it’s hard to regain rhythm after returning from injury and credited her trainer for getting her back to full strength. “I think that that made all the difference in getting me back to the end of the season, which I was almost 100 percent,” Turk said. n
SEASON STAT LEADERS 1. Jordann Plummer with 408 season points 2. Kristin Turk with 349 season points 3. Rachael Hackbarth with 368 career points 4. Monique’ Jones with 302 season points 5. Amber Wollschlager with 205 season points
FOR BREAKING DRAKE SPORTS NEWS, CHECK OUT WWW.TWITTER.COM/TDSPORTSNEWS
PAGE 7
THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2010
SPORTS
THE TIMES-DELPHIC
SOFTBALL
Leon breaks Drake home run record by MATT MORAN
Copy Editor matthew.moran@drake.edu
While Drake students were relaxing on spring break, Elena Leon was busy breaking another school record in the Florida sun. The senior infielder launched a fifth-inning, two-run homer against Boston College on March 13 to start an eight-game road trip for her 26th career round-tripper to become Drake’s all-time career home run leader. The shot lifted Drake to a 4-0 win. Earlier this season, Leon set the school record for career walks. “It was an inside pitch and I usually stay away from those,” Leon said. “It wasn’t what I was expecting. I hit it to left field and usually most of my home runs are to center or right (field).” Over the week, the Bulldogs were red-hot winning seven out of eight in the sunshine state. The week started with the win over Boston College in the opener of the University of South Florida Under Armour Tournament in Clearwater. Drake dropped a 6-5 decision to Pittsburgh later that night, but recovered to defeat New Mexico State and Long Island the next day by scores of 6-1 and 4-0, respectively. Junior pitchers Jenna DeLong and Brynne Dordel stymied both teams’ offenses by allowing a combined eight hits on the day and only one unearned run. Freshman Lindsey Vande Wall drove in four runs on the day, including a three-run shot against New Mexico State. Junior Erin Mollohan had four hits including a two-run blast against Long Island. After the tournament, Drake traveled to Tampa to take on South Florida in a doubleheader on March 16. The Bulldogs drew five straight walks in a four-run third inning in game one. DeLong held off a rally in the seventh as the Bulls cut the lead to one, but the Bulldogs held on for a 4-3 victory. Dordel threw a two-hit shutout in game two and Leon connected for two more homers as
Drake rolled to a sweep on the day with a 4-0 win. Dordel ended five of the seven innings on strikeouts, finishing with 10 on the game. DeLong bounced back with a better effort in Orlando the next day with a complete game, three-hit shutout in a 5-0 victory over Central Florida. Senior Carrie Hatfield rocked a tworun double in the third inning and junior Molly McClelland hit a solo shot in the seventh to lead the Bulldog offense. It was DeLong’s eighth win on the year. Drake won their sixth straight last Thursday in Ft. Myers with a 4-1 triumph over Florida Gulf Coast. Dordel struck out a career-high 14 batters en route to her eighth victory of the season and the Bulldog offense collected 12 hits on the day. Leon led off the game with her sixth homer of the season. Hatfield had an RBI single later in the inning to give the Bulldogs an early 2-0 lead. The Eagles cut the lead in half in the bottom of the frame on a Vande Wall error. Dordel responded by throwing six shutout innings and Drake scratched across two more to secure the win. Five Bulldogs had at least two hits on the day. Drake was scheduled to finish the week with a three-game set at Illinois State, but weather postponed the series. A makeup date has not been announced. The Bulldogs hold a record of 16-6 heading into Missouri Valley play. Leon said that even though the team spent the entire weekend together, they still opted to spend more time with each other when they returned Sunday. “When we came back we all went out for an optional (team) lunch,” she said. “We all went and we were not tired of each other.” Drake will open conference play this weekend with a doubleheader at home against Bradley. The Bulldogs will play a finale to the threegame set on Sunday. Drake is tops in the Valley with a team batting average of .277 and a team-earned run average of 1.16. “Our defense has been great, our offense has
file photo by SARAH ANDREWS| Photo/Design Editor
BULLDOG SOFTBALL PLAYERS won seven of eight games over spring break. With wins over Central Florida, Boston College and New Mexico State the team now has a record of 15-6. been solid and we’re hitting the ball really well,” Dordel has not allowed an earned run in her Leon said. “Everyone is contributing, not just a last five starts. few people.” “We’re just concentrating on one game at The Bulldogs have outscored opponents a time,” Leon said. “We’re not looking too far 27-4 during their six-game win streak, and down the road.” n
TRACK AND FIELD
GOLF BREIFS by EDUARDO ZAMARRIPA
Staff Writer eduardo.tamezzamarripa@drake.edu
Drake brings home mediocre finishes The Bulldogs continued their 2010 spring season as they ventured into Nevada for the Jackrabbit Invitational. However, the men’s squad came back with mixed results. Drake finished eighth out of 17 teams in the invitational held at the Primm Valley Golf Club on March 15 and 16. The Bulldogs finished with a final score of 909 in 54 holes. Junior Ben Freeman posted Drake’s best individual score with a solid 226. Nebraska took home first place honors with a final score of 860. “Our guys struggled,” Assistant Coach Leanne Smith said. “But we are excited to be able to get some practice outside now that the weather has turned.” On Saturday, the Bulldogs were able to bounce back and won a triangular match against Creighton and North Dakota State. Senior Luke Joy led the way with a 233 score, as Drake finished with a combined 954 score that gave them the victory. The triangular was held on three courses—the Bayonet and Black Horse Golf Courses in Seaside, Calif., and the final round at the Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach, Calif. Coming up for the golf squad is the Wichita State Invitational, which will be held in Wichita, Kan., on April 5 and 6. After that the Bulldogs will travel to the Iowa Invitational in Iowa City on April 17 and 18. The final event of the season will be the State Farm MVC Championship in Hutchinson, Kan., on April 26 and 27. “We have to improve every round we play,” Smith said. “If we win the conference championship we can get to regionals.” n
photo by SARAH ANDREWS| Photo/Design Editor
THE TRACK TEAM will begin it’s spring season this weekend. The s quad will split up between the Missouri Relays in Columbia, Mo., and the Stanford Invite in Palo Alto, Calif.
Drake opens outdoor campaign opens with two weekend meets by TAD UNRUH
Staff Writer tad.unruh@drake.edu
Running, jumping and hurdling their way out of the winter season, the Drake track and field team is ready to start the spring season and feel the heat of the sun on the big blue track. Surprising Missouri Valley Conference competition in the indoor season, the Bulldogs look to have a strong outdoor showing. Head Coach Natasha Brown is excited about the upcoming outdoor season and the exuberance that her team shows. “We are a fairly young team, but with a lot of potential for success in the Missouri Valley and NCAA (meets),” Brown said. Helping ease the transition from fluorescent light to sunlight, Brown scheduled a trip to the Dr. Pepper Invitational in Waco, Texas, during the spring break week. While the rest of the Drake community was either lounging at home watching March Madness or soaking up some rays in Florida, the track team was preparing in the Texas heat. “We went down to Texas to get away from the snow and actually start training in the warmth, but on Saturday the meet got canceled on account of the snow rolling in from the west,” said Brown.
The lack of actual times and competition in Waco also leaves a sort of gray area for Drake coaches. “We weren’t really able to gauge how our team matches up individually, just a rough outline,” Brown said. Weather permitting, the team will have to find out its true potential this weekend as they split up and head to both the Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto, Calif. and the Missouri Relays in Columbia, Mo. “It will be nice to get out and start getting in the zone for the rest of the season,” said sophomore distance runner Derek Campbell. “It will be a lot nicer than having four walls around you at all times.” Many of the athletes have been looking forward to this weekend to test out their prospects. Although the team was set to participate in the Missouri Relays last year, the event was rained out. It is a new experience for the young team. “Jeff Grassmeyer, Nicole Braunsdorf, Josh Bangert, Jon DeGrave, Ari Curtis and a few others (will go) to the Stanford meet to test their luck against other top Division I athletes,” Brown said. She likes how the team is looking at this point in time but only down the line will the team see the benefits of the Waco trip. Gearing up for the Drake Relays and constantly improving for the NCAA championships is the biggest goal for the team as they get off to the running start of the spring track season. n
Lansing takes first, leads Drake to top-two finish With a couple of top-five finishes this past week, the women’s golf squad is gaining momentum. The Bulldogs completed the 54-hole Jackrabbit Invitational with a total score of 896, good enough to earn the team an impressive third-place finish at the event held in Primm, Nev. “We played really well, making dramatic improvement from our previous outing,” Head Coach Scott Bohlender said. “Everybody had at least one good round.” Oral Roberts finished with a combined score of 892, leading all 16 teams and taking home first place. Senior Olivia Lansing had a career day, finishing with the best individual score in the invitational. Lansing posted a 213, translating into a 3-underpar final score. This performance served to catapult Lansing into being named the Missouri Valley Conference Co-Women’s Golfer of the Week. Lansing shared the award with Indiana State’s Breanne Smith. The women’s team continued their recent success as they finished in second place at the Monterey Invitational, held March 18 through March 20. The invitational featured nine teams and was hosted by Drake in Monterey, Calif. Despite holding the lead for most of the 54-hole invitational, Lamar was able to squeeze out the victory. Lamar finished with a total score of 930, just two strokes ahead of Drake’s 932 total score finish. “We definitely were able to put some good scores together,” Smith said. Once again, it was Lansing leading the Bulldogs in individual scoring with a solid score of 223, which earned her second place in the individual standings. Now the women’s squad must turn their attention to the Southern Illinois Invitational, which will be held in Carbondale, Ill., March 28 and 29. Following the event will be the Bradley Invitational in Peoria, Ill., on April 5 and 6. Finally, the women’s team will close out their spring campaign with the State Farm MVC Championship that will be held in Evansville, Ind., on April 19 and 20. The Bulldogs look to build on their recent success as they head toward the end of the season. “We are not satisfied,” Smith said. “We are striving to do better and we are moving in the right direction.” n
SPORTS
THE TIMES-DELPHIC
THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2010
PAGE 8
MARCHMADNESS
GETTY IMAGES
ALI FAROKHMANESH, of Northern Iowa, celebrates after beating heavily favored Kansas to advance to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament.
Underdog wins have shown NCAA basketball at its finest by MATT MORAN
Copy Editor matthew.moran@drake.edu
Thursday, March 18, 2010. A day which will live in infamy. For college basketball fans, that is. Experts are referring to this day as the most entertaining opening day in NCAA tournament history. It featured four overtime games, seven games decided by three points or less and four games decided in the last five seconds. The madness continued all the way through the weekend, as brackets were destroyed throughout the nation before you could say Farokhmanesh. As in Ali Farokhmanesh, the senior guard from Northern Iowa who made himself a national celebrity by
making a shot that arguably took the most ‘cajones’ in any basketball game ever played. With the Panthers reeling to a much more talented Kansas team, a team that was ranked No. 1 overall in the country and was picked by many to win the national championship, Farokhmanesh pulled up on a fast break and launched a trey with 35 seconds on the clock and Northern Iowa clinging to a one point lead. If he misses, Kansas probably rides the momentum from the previous two minutes into a close victory, and the Panthers are left to wonder what could have been. But Farokhmanesh swooshed the shot to go up four, and shocked Jayhawk fans beyond disbelief while sending title hopes to teams through-
out the country, with a classic “no, no, no…YESSSSSSS!” shot. “I thought that was the best shot we were going to get,” Farokhmanesh said in a story by ESPN. “In the last seconds of a game with a chance to beat the No. 1 team in the country, you’d better take it.” Of course, his heroics are nothing new to Drake fans. Farokhmanesh drained two 3-pointers at the end of the shot clock in the Knapp Center to prevent an upset bid for the Bulldogs earlier this season. Northern Iowa wasn’t the only surprise in the first weekend. No. 10 seed Saint Mary’s knocked off No. 2 seed Villanova in the South region to reach the school’s first-ever Sweet 16. No. 11 Washington in the East has hit its stride and has a chance to stay on fire with a win over No. 2 West Virginia. And maybe the biggest underdog story of all is Ivy League champion Cornell. A school that does not even offer full athletic scholarships dis-
mantled Temple and Wisconsin and is now the lowest seed remaining in the field at No. 12 in the East. It is the first Ivy League school to make the Sweet 16 since 1979 and face its toughest test of the season against top-seed Kentucky. The field also has its familiar faces with legendary coaches Tom Izzo of Michigan State, Jim Boeheim of Syracuse and Mike Krzyzewski of Duke, as well as perennial contenders Kentucky, Xavier and Butler. Here are my predictions for the remainder of the tournament: Northern Iowa’s run does not end with Kansas. This is a tough, experienced and focused team facing an ailing Michigan State squad playing with two injured starters and without star point guard Kalin Lucas. I think the Panthers handle the Spartans, but fall to Evan Turner and Ohio State in the Elite Eight. In the West region, I think Syracuse takes care of business against Butler and Xavier advances in a close
9 UNI
one over Kansas State. Wes Johnson leads the Orange to the Final Four over Xavier. In a game that I believe will be decided in the final minutes, Kentucky outlasts Cornell. Originally I had them facing West Virginia in what would be the most anticipated Elite Eight game of the tournament, but I think the red-hot Washington Huskies will pull out one more win behind senior Quincy Pondexter. Kentucky defeats Washington in the regional final to head to Indianapolis. In the South, Duke defeats Purdue and Baylor ends Saint Mary’s dream. No. 3 Baylor’s talent is hard to overlook, but their lack of experience scares experts. I believe that talent wins out and the close proximity to Houston will benefit Baylor as the Bears reach the Final Four. The championship will pin Syracuse against Kentucky, with the Orange cutting down the nets in Indy to give Boeheim his second national title. n
1 UK
5 MSU
12 COR
MIDWEST
EAST
6 TENN
11 WASH
2 OSU
2 WVU
1 SYR
1 DUKE
5 BUT
4 PUR
WEST
SOUTH
6 XAV
3 BAY
2 KSU
10 SMC