The Standard's Spring Welcome 2020

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Table of Contents

19 Foster Recreation

4 Dave Steckel

Missouri State looking for a new Steps to getting in shape before head football coach your spring break getaway

6 Greek Life Spring recruitment rolling out

8 Lookback

In case you missed it...

MSU then and now

9 Student discounts 10 Does GPA matter?

11 Scholarships 12-13 Iran protest Community members demonstrate against war

14-15 Local coffee 16-17 “I got dumped” Ten things to do after you become single

18 Healthy food

Joel Grieshaber sales Kyle Rickman sales Kayla Thompson sales Olina Einarsdottir graphic design

Editorial staff

Sarah Teague editor-in-chief Carissa Codel news editor Zoe Brown lifestyle editor Amanda Sullivan sports editor Kaitlyn Stratman photo editor Greta Cross engagement editor Madeline Schatz copy editor Chloe Sierks copy editor Diana Dudenhoeffer copy editor Lindsay Recar assisant copy editor Ashton Garza assisant copy editor

Reporters/Photographers Afton Harper reporter Connor Wilson reporter Tinsley Merriman reporter Kathryn Dolan reporter Andrew Unverferth reporter Lainey Sanders reporter Paige Newton reporter M. Todd Dearing reporter Kelsey Benack reporter Austin Yokum reporter

22 Dorm decoration 23 Basketball recap 24 Baseball 25 Softball 26 Men’s golf 27 Women’s golf 28 Track 29 Tennis 30 Beach volleyball 31 Sports social Check out the sports reporters!

Standard staff Scott Campbell reporter Victoria Scroggins reporter Lauren Johns reporter Caroline Mund reporter Desiree Nixon reporter Claire Niebrugge senior sports reporter Derek Shore senior sports reporter Stephen Terrill sports reporter TJ Scott sports reporter Cole Sutton sports reporter Jay Saxton columnist Annelise Pinjuv columnist Lindsay Farrow columnist Cole Trumble critic David Wheeler critic Kamran Choudhry critic Sinjin Delmore photographer Jaylen Early photographer Brenna Lumley photographer Kate Brown photographer Christian Cuozzo photographer Mackenzie Spain photographer Benjamin Daniels videographer Madison Harper illustrator Jadie Arnett illustrator Alyssa Vandegrift cartoonist

Professional staff

Jack Dimond faculty adviser Sandy King advertising manager

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is published by The Standard, Missouri State University’s student-produced newspaper.

The university has not approved and is not responsible for its content, which is produced and edited by The Standard staff.

Cover design by Olina Einarsdottir

Advertising staff

20 Magers Clinic 21 News over break

The Standard 901 S. National Avenue • Springfield, MO 65897 417-836-5272 • Standard@MissouriState.edu the-standard.org

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Football team late to the party on the hunt for a new head coach AMANDA SULLIVAN Sports Editor @mandajsullivan

Missouri State University had the money to buy out Dave Steckel’s contract after Thanksgiving, but Director of Athletics Kyle Moats said he and University President Clif Smart would continue with their commitment to Steckel.

Smart and Moats explained their change of heart at a press conference Monday afternoon.

Moats met with Steckel after the football season ended on Nov. 26. The Bears finished the season 1-10 — their second one-win season under Steckel. Despite fans calling for Steckel’s firing, Moats said the university would stand

by Steckel and the team.

“Even though there are a number of areas we agree need immediate improvement, we are in agreement that the prudent course of action is to push forward with our commitment to Stec and this team,” Moats said in a release from Nov. 27. “Getting our football program turned in the right direction remains a priority for the university, and we expect our commitment to this staff to be rewarded with results on the field.”

That all changed when the university opened back up before the start of classes. Moats and Steckel met again on Jan. 6 when the university opened up after the winter break. Moats said the meeting was regularly scheduled as a follow-up to the first.

The two began to discuss a course of action for the program and realized they had different ideas of how to move the program forward.

“In that meeting, we both talk about the direction that the program was gonna go, and it started to separate at that particular time,” Moats said. “When he asked questions and I responded — We just weren’t quite aligned as we needed to. And I think both of us felt like, ‘hey, if we’re not in sync’ — it’s a hard enough job if you’re not in sync to make the thing work.”

Now, the search for a new head coach begins. Most college teams that fired their head coaches did it immediately after the season, so the job opening is late to the party.

“I don’t think that’s going to hurt us at all,” Moats said.

Despite that, Moats, who said there was no indication of Steckel’s departure in November, took that delay on himself.

“That’s probably what I learned the most,” Moats said. “There needs to be more of a commitment, I guess if you would, but I take part blame in that because I thought we were moving full steam ahead.”

Steckel signed 30 players during the early

(Above) Missouri State University President Clif Smart, left, gives his statement next to Director of Athletics Kyle Moats to the press at a news conference on Monday, Jan. 13.

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(Left) Dave Steckel runs on to the field before a Bears football game during the fall 2019 season.

File photo by JAYLEN EARLY/THE STANDARD

signing period in December. Moats said almost all of the players and signees are waiting to see who the new hire will be.

It’s a waiting game in the meantime.

“I told Kyle I want the best football coach available. And I want him in the next two weeks if at all possible,” Smart said. “I will be personally involved with the selection, so if you don’t like the selection then I’m to blame. The buck stops with me. I’m the CEO of this $380 million company, and so if you don’t like who is selected, I am the guy that made that decision.”

No one knows what is next for Steckel even though there has been speculation.

Steckel spent five seasons as the head coach of Missouri State. He compiled a 13-42 record with his first and last seasons being one-win seasons. Steckel was announced as the head coach of the Bears on Dec. 14, 2014, after Terry Allen. Before serving as MSU’s head coach, he was Mizzou’s defensive coordinator.

He coached for 37 years including his time at MSU. His 14 years at Mizzou polished his resume for the job in Springfield. Just before his announcement as head coach, Steckel was a Frank Broyles Award finalist. His defense ranked 10th nationally in sacks per game in 2014, and the Tigers’ defense ranked in the top

two of every major statistical category.

“I don’t know a single person who wasn’t excited about that hire and about that potential for Bears football,” Smart said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t win enough football games, and that’s the reality of that.”

Steckel will receive $340,000 in annual payments as part of the separation agreement, depending on Steckel’s employment, according to the Jan. 9 release announcing the agreement.

Smart said the university Board of Governors will approve the agreement during a closed session on Wednesday, Jan. 15. That agreement will be available Thursday morning.

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Rush local or small PAIGE NEWTON Staff Reporter @PagesofPaigeM

As Fall 2019 Fraternity and Sorority Life recruitment has come and gone, some students may have found that FSL-affiliated groups were not a perfect fit.

If that is the case and one still craves a feeling of brotherhood or sisterhood, there are many local or specialized (major-related or personal interest) fraternities and sororities on campus.

Missouri State University boasts many sororities and fraternities not associated with FSL. Many of them still have a formal induction process where current and potential members can get to know each other, but they are typically specialized and unique to each fraternity and sorority.

The recruitment week activities and pledging period vary from that of sororities and fraternities in FSL. Sigma Alpha is a professional agricultural sorority that promotes women pursuing careers in agriculture and strengthen the bonds of friendship among them. It focuses on “achievement in scholarship, leadership, service and fellowship,” according to their mission statement on Sigma Alpha’s website.

Abigail Wilson, Sigma Alpha president and junior agricultural business and marketing sales major, feels her involvement in Sigma Alpha will help her in her future career.

“I feel like I have an advantage in this sorority because it is affiliated with my career of choice,” Wilson said. “All the conferences we go to, I get to meet with potential future employers in the career field.”

Gamma Alpha Lambda is a Chrisitian sorority that promotes “serving with a heart like His and spreading love and sharing our faith with others,” according to the mission statement on Campus Link. Gamma Alpha Lambda members focus on growing in their faith and submitting their lives to God. Ericka Youngquist, 2018-2019 vice president of recruitment/rush and junior religious studies major, was drawn to GAL because she felt it was a better fit for her than an FSL sorority.

“I was drawn mainly because of the sisterhood aspect and also being able to be comfortable with my beliefs,” Youngquist said. “It offered just the same love a ‘real’ sorority has.”

Kappa Kappa Psi is a co-ed honorary service fraternity which promotes musicianship, leadership and service. Its purpose is to serve the college university or band program through service projects, fundraisers and social events.

Candi McElveen, brother chair and undergraduate non-degree seeking freshman, said she was drawn to KKPsi because she felt that it was her chance to give back.

“I have a love for band and music, and I wanted to give back because band and music have given me so much.” McElveen said. “By being in KKPsi, one gets to see how we are helping better promote and support the band program at Missouri State!”

Phi Sigma Pi is a gender-inclusive honor fraternity that promotes “scholarship, leadership and fellowship,” according to its mission statement on Campus Link. Their focus is to better themselves academically and offer community service on and off the campus, while bettering their brotherhood.

Katlyn Smith, past recruitment advisor and senior psychology major, was drawn to the fraternity because of the environment it created to push her further towards academic excellence.

“Though I’ve met some of my life-long friends in PSP, that wasn’t the goal,” Smith said.

“The goal was to achieve higher in academic areas.”

To note a few other sororities, Gamma Sigma Sigma is one dedicated to service and Sigma Lambda Gamma is MSU’s first, newly founded multicultural sorority.

More information on these groups can be found on Campus Link. Many will have recruitment during the spring semester.

(Top) Photo submitted by Sigma Alpha.

(Middle) Photo submitted by Kappa Kappa Psi. (Bottom) Photo submitted by Gamma Alpha Lambda.

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M SU : T H E N & N OW

Hill Hall is the home to the education department and the psychology department. The building was constructed in 1924. The building got its name from Missouri State University's second president, Dr. Clyde M. Hill.

Project by Jaylen Early

Fr e u d e n b e r g e r Ho u s e

C a r r i n g ton Ha l l

The lobby of Freudenberger House is spacious and has several places for students to sit and study.

Freudenberger is a co-ed dorm that was built in 1959. It’s named after Norman Freudenberger who was head of the Foreign Language department for 36 years.

Carrington Hall was once surrounded by trees. At this time, MSU was called Southwest Missouri State Teachers College. It was not until 1945 that the university removed “teachers” from its name. Today, Carrington Hall is surrounded by sidewalks and other academic buildings. Built in 1908, Carrington Hall is the oldest building at Missouri State. Photo from Missouri State University Office of Visual Media.

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Springfield businesses offer student discounts Connor Wilson Staff Reporter @Connor4Wilson For college students, one of the more popular forms to save money is student discounts.

Whether it’s a chain or local business, many different locations in Springfield have opportunities to help students save cash.

Many national companies offer discounts to anyone who can provide a student email or proof of being a student. Spotify is one example which offers a $4.99 a month student membership as opposed to the regular $14.99 monthly fee. This deal includes access to Hulu and Showtime for no added charge.

Another discount available to students is Adobe Creative Cloud, which normally costs $52.99 a month but is reduced to $19.99 a month.

“I already am paying way too much for art supplies,” said Emily Smith, former Missouri State student . “It’s still a lot of money, but at least I’m not paying $50 for something I need to have.”

For students interested in movies, AMC Theatre offers student discounts every Thursday to those who show a student ID. Similarly, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema offers a $2 discount every day for anyone with a student ID. There are several apps that expose many student discounts, such as UNiDAYS, which allows students who create an account to see various discounts or special offers from national brands.

Local businesses also offer student discounts. An easy way to find many of these is to visit any campus residence hall front desk to see if they have any coupon books available.

A few examples include Bair’s Sports Grill, which offers 20% off every day between 2 and 6 p.m., or Springfield Brewing Company, which

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Photos by JAYLEN EARLY/THE STANDARD

The Potter’s House, Springfield Brewing Company and Bair’s offer student discounts. Potter’s House has a location on National Avenue and downtown on West College Street. Bair’s is located on South Kimbrough Avenue. Springfield Brewing Company is located downtown on Market Avenue. gives students an extra 10% off when they show their student ID. Steve Proffitt, executive director of Potter’s House, said he views giving student discounts as his main way of advertising.

“I think those discounts we offer, people come in the door and want to come back again,” Proffitt said. “The atmosphere has always been a ‘home away from home.’ It’s created an atmosphere where students want to come back.”

Proffitt said on Senior Night alone, he gave out about 2,000 coupons for a free drink, as well as always including a coupon in Missouri State’s coupon books. Other local businesses, such as Andy’s Frozen Custard and The Coffee Ethic, take a similar aim and frequently have special offers available to incoming students.

For Proffitt, the focus isn’t as much on making money as it is bringing customers in and forming a relationship. Potter’s House is a notfor-profit ministry, so the goal is different than typical businesses. Still, Proffitt said he thinks other small businesses and coffee shops have a similar focus when it comes to appealing to college students.

“It’s not the coffee, it’s the relationship, and it would be with any small business,” Proffitt said. “The relationships are important. It allows us a lot of freedom that a retail corporation like Starbucks that’s more corporate, they don’t really have that freedom.”

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Illustration by MADISON HARPER/THE STANDARD

Does GPA matter in the real world?

TINSLEY MERRIMAN Staff Reporter @merrimantinsley Grade Point Average is a hurdle every college student faces. This standardized total of grades can seem like it determines what sort of employment a student will get. But does the number really matter?

For on-campus employment, the answer is yes.

The Missouri State University Student Employment office requires its student employees to have a minimum 2.0 GPA, as well as having a minimum of six credit hours per semester.

For junior elementary education major Courtney Rasco, her 3.7 GPA has allowed her to maintain an office assistant job for a semester while on campus.

In the graduate program, English major Meg Alexander said graduate assistants are required to have over a 3.0 GPA to even apply.

She also said internships and relationships with professors help students when applying for the program.

But when talking about her experiences outside of academics, she said she felt like GPA takes a backseat to experience.

“When thinking about GPA, I know it matters,” Alexander said. “I haven’t actually had a job outside of grad school, but when I was applying for jobs outside of education it seemed like what they cared more about

was experience.”

Associate Professor and Executive Producer of “Show-Me Chefs,” Deborah Larson agreed that employers look more towards experience than GPA. “Some people will look at a resume and go, ‘Oh, that student’s like a 4.0. Oh, look this student is 3.5. I might take someone with more social skills than a 4.0 person,’ So there’s that to consider,” Larson said. “In the job force, people are there to learn and hopefully have aspirations and contribute.”

Senior Instructor Leonard Horton III said in business, many company heads are “average folks.” They dropped out of school, but when constructing their businesses they figured out systems that worked for them.

While many high-level students excel in academics, they end up working for these “average folks” managing their systems.

“The really smart people tend to do jobs that are in line with their behaviors, like drawing inside the lines,” Horton said. “And they end up working for people that are very average.

Most of the people who own people and are investors, they are average folks.”

Keeping a high GPA means that a student is passing classes with flying colors. And while GPA is important to keep up, students should also focus on social experiences and producing content for the future. This helps them maintain a balanced portfolio to show to any interested employers.

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How to decrease debt with a successful scholarship essay KELSEY BENACK Staff Reporter @kelseybenack College can have students paying off their education for years thanks to its high expenses.

But for the people who are willing to put in the time and the work, student loan debt can decrease drastically.

Every year, $46 billion in scholarship funds is awarded by the U.S. government and by colleges and universities of America, according to Debt.org’s article, “Scholarships and Grants for College Students.”

Applying for scholarships may pose a challenge for students. It can easily become overwhelming to make the decisions of what kind and how many scholarships to apply for.

On top of that, figuring out how to set an application or an essay apart from the multitudes of others are considered. How can a student stand out from the rest when applying for scholarships?

Professor W.D. Blackmon, Missouri State English department head, recommends simply following the prompt and not overthinking it.

“Sometimes I think students feel they have to be very clever in this type of writing,” Blackmon said. “Coming off as ‘cute’ in this situation is generally a big mistake for students.”

Blackmon emphasized that all scholarships have different requirements and advises students to thoroughly explain why they fit the criteria and standards for each given one.

“The universal approach for such writing is to show how your experience — in school, in your interests that apply — has prepared you to take full advantage of the study the scholarship will support, and how that study will prepare you for future schooling — graduate school, for example, if this applies — and for your career,” Blackmon said. “Those providing the scholarships tend to see them as investments in the future, not only for the student applying but for society as a whole.”

Moreover, Tracey Glaessgen, who works in the Center for Academic Success and Transition and First-Year Programs and hosts scholarship workshops each spring, explained that scholarship committees are looking for a sense of who the applicant is.

Glaessgen said students should start off their scholarship essays with an introductory paragraph which includes essential information such as a student’s year, major or program. She goes into detail about what the body of the paragraph should consist of.

“The body of the essay may include why the student is applying for the scholarship, what their academic goals are, what their career plans

are, rationale as to why this money might be particularly useful, what they have learned so far regarding their major, general education, public affairs and other relevant information,” Glaessgen said.

Lastly, Glaessgen suggested students wrap up their essays with a concluding paragraph, making sure to thank the committee for their time and consideration.

MSU offers institutionally funded scholarships for incoming freshmen, transfer students, currently enrolled students and graduate students. Donors including individuals, companies and groups also gift money to students.

Missouri State’s Office of Student Financial Aid’s website lists all of the different scholarship opportunities the university offers. However, it also recommends students search for outside scholarships using online resources.

While it may seem like a hassle or just another thing on a never-ending to-do list, applying for scholarships can save thousands for the students who are truly committed to the process.

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Springfield ‘No War on Iran’ protest

Photos by GRETA CROSS/THE STANDARD

Community members protest along the sidewalk outside of Historic City Hall during the “No War on Iran” demonstration Sunday afternoon. The demonstration began at 3 p.m.

GRETA CROSS Digital Editor @gretacrossphoto Despite freezing temperatures, about 20 individuals gathered in front of Springfield’s Historic City Hall to participate in the ‘No War on Iran’ demonstration Sunday afternoon.

Bundled up in winter coats, stocking caps and mittens, community members held signs that read, “No War or Sanctions in Iran!” and “U.S. Troops Out of Iraq!” high along the sidewalk of Chestnut Expressway.

The demonstration was hosted by the Party of Socialism and Liberation, ANSWER Coalition and Democratic Socialists of the Ozarks to protest the discussion of the United States entering into a war with Iran.

A Facebook event created for the demonstration stated, “For all who believe in peace, for all who are opposed to yet another catastrophic war, now is the time to take action. Join The ANSWER Coalition and The Party for Socialism and Liberation … to demand NO WAR on Iran!

US troops out of the Middle East!”

Earlier this month Iranian Major General Qassem Soleimani was assassinated by an American drone strike. According to President Donald Trump, the strike was taken against Soleimani due to the “planned” attacks on four U.S. embassies, including the American Embassy in Baghdad.

According to Business Insider, five days after the death of Soleimani, Iran fired “ballistic missiles” at two bases holding U.S. and Iraqi military personnel.

With the ongoing violence occurring between the United States and the Middle East, and President Trump’s deployment of 3,000 troops after the assassination of Soleimani, there has been talk about the potential declaration of war between the U.S. and Iran by

Community members gathered outside Springfield’s Historic City Hall for a demonstration. people all across the globe.

U.S. organizations from both political parties are using this time to speak out and take action to educate the public about what is occurring domestically and overseas.

Party for Socialism and Liberation member Ryan Minor led the group of individuals in various chants throughout the demonstration, as PSL member and OTC student Adrian Sprague was available to answer questions about the organization or sign-up interested prospects.

The Party for Socialism and Liberation is “deeply involved in a wide range of struggles, from local battles over affordable housing and racist police brutality, to fight for a higher min-

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held to ‘educate community’ Cardboard signs reading, “No War or Sanctions on Iran! U.S. Out of Mid-East” lay outside of Springfield’s Historic City Hall during the “No War on Iran” demonstration Sunday afternoon. Signs were provided by ANSWER Coalition for those who did not have their own. imum wage and union rights, to the global issues of imperialist war and environmental destruction,” Minor said. “Our jobs as members is to train ourselves to be leaders in these struggles and many more that affect poor and working people by engaging in these struggles together.”

Along with the protest held Sunday afternoon, Minor said Springfield’s PSL plans to hold more events in the future for community members, explaining the importance of staying informed and researching information they may see online before soaking it up on the spot without question.

“A lot of people are wary of conflicts such as the one we may soon face with Iran but are not aware of any organizations in their area who are

organizing along an antiwar basis,” Minor said.

“It’s pivotal to reach as many people as we can and to reach out to other progressive and anti-war organizations to bring more people out.”

Springfield’s PSL will be hosting a second ‘No War on Iran’ demonstration Saturday, Jan. 25 in coordination with the international day of protest for all who oppose the threat of war on the Middle East. “(Demonstrating) shows solidarity with the people of Iran and Iraq,” Sprague said.

“It shows that we are ready to have our voices heard and that we are not going to idly sit by while our government does whatever they want to do.”

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Study or socialize?

Students talk Springfield coffee shops KATHRYN DOLAN Staff Reporter @kathryndolan98

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Classic Rock Coffee is among the most popular coffee shops in Springfield. The rock & roll themed shop is located on Sunset street.

Whether your goal is to sip, study or socialize, Springfield has over 20 different coffee shops to choose from.

Many shops have large tables and a plentiful supply of power outlets so students can easily find a corner to plug in and focus on school work.

Some spots tend to have more foot traffic than others, making for loud, crowded atmospheres which are better suited for social purposes rather than studying.

Alexa Boatright, a junior nursing student, goes to coffee shops three or four times a week.

“I go to coffee shops to study so that I don’t end up napping in my apartment,” Boatright said.

She enjoys the “dirty white boy,” a white chocolate mocha drink at Classic Rock Coffee.

“It’s pretty dark in there so it’s not really the best place to do work,” Boatright said, “But

they play rock music and the coffee is great.”

Classic Rock Coffee has a large menu of not only coffee but shakes, smoothies, salads and sandwiches as well.

When it comes to studying, Boatright said Eurasia is the place to go.

“It’s spacious and they have huge tables,” Boatright said. “It’s always very quiet, they play soft music if any at all.”

Boatright also enjoys studying at Mudhouse but said she can’t always find a place to sit.

“The tables are tiny and it’s really crowded,” Boatright said. “It can be hard to find a spot.”

Alayna Weber, a junior nursing major, said Coffee Ethic’s outdoor seating has a nice view of the square, great for people watching.

While Weber said the environment is pleasant, the coffee does not meet her standards.

“Every time I’ve ordered the house roast it’s been pretty sour,” Weber said.

Weber prefers the coffee at European Cafe and said the environment there is ideal for studying.

“It’s very quiet and I just like the feeling in

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there,” Weber said. “The drinks are a little more expensive but it’s very classy — you’re paying for the environment too.”

Weber said she also enjoys going to Potter’s House for the welcoming atmosphere and great customer service.

“Sam is the best barista there ever was,” Weber said. “He just makes my day better.”

Weber said the majority of drinks at Potter’s House tend to be on the sweet side and she recommends trying any of the blended drinks.

She said Potter’s House isn’t her ideal study place because it can get loud, but it’s a great spot to meet up with friends.

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Brittney Sheppard studies at Potter’s House. The cozy coffee shop is located on National Avenue across from MSU campus.

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10 ways to fill your time if you got dumped over ZOE BROWN Lifestyle Editor @zoe_zoebrown If you, like me, got dumped over the phone at your local shopping mall while buying a Christmas gift for your then-boyfriend and now have a lot of time on your hands going into the spring semester, you might be wondering, “What should I do with my 10-15 extra hours of free time now that it won’t be spent cuddling a significant other through the cold winter months?”

Well I have a few suggestions for you.

1. Read a book.

2. Start journaling.

5. Start a club.

It can be really hard to read for pleasure during the semester when you’re trying to balance class, work and a social life. But hey, you don’t have a relationship anymore, so now you can finally start reading those self-help books you got from your aunts and uncles after high school graduation.

Quit talking the ears off your friends about your ex and start writing those feelings down.

Journaling is super therapeutic and way more intellectual than getting a Finsta for the sole purpose of having a place to publically overshare, even though I totally respect and understand if you did this after ending your relationship — because I did too.

If your very quirky and super niche interests are not represented on Campus Link, start your own club. Start writing the Constitution and Bylaws and get that thing approved by the Office of Student Engagement. Be the change you want to see in the world, queen/king!

To me, there’s nothing like getting lost in a good book, but it can be hard to make time to read when there is so much good content on YouTube, Netflix and TikTok — not to mention all the social media apps begging for your attention. I recommend the app called Flora to focus and get off your phone. You set a timer and it basically punishes you for getting on Now that you are rid of a person who prob- your phone by saying that you killed a tree. It’s ably wasn’t super good for you anyway, you pretty effective for me, I read several books can finally focus on yourself. Think of the re- over break. lationship ending as quitting a part-time job Here are a few of my favorite books: where you were actually losing money and time.

Even if you are still happily in a relationship “Gone Girl,” “Little Women,” “The Picture or were single through winter break, these ac- of Dorian Gray,” “The Little Paris Bookshop,” tivities can be fun for anyone! 2020 is the year “How to Date Men When You Hate Men.” of self-care, and each of these can help you become an even better person than you already are.

6. Join the Standard.

You can write fun articles like this and turn your life into Art™! The Standard is a quirky This does NOT apply if you are in a rela- bunch of editors, reporters, photographers, reviewers and podcasters and you can join us. tionship, geez, that is NOT cool.

Training sessions for the Standard will be on Get on Tinder just so you can hopefully find Thursdays from 3:30-4:20 starting January 15. and swipe right on that one cute guy or girl you never had the courage to ask out when you were single before. (Trevor, if you’re reading this, Sustainability is a trend that is here to stay. do you wanna get coffee?)

Do your part by learning how to stitch up holes, embroider and make your own clothing. Everyone will be jealous of your unique look and Join a fun extracurricular club! Build that may even pay you to sew things for them. If resume, honey! Pursue leadership positions! this does happen, you may develop a successful, self-sufficient career as a seamstress/tailor and that would be a really cool story.

3. Get on Tinder.

7. Learn how to sew.

4. Join a club.

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winter break 8. Finally learn to cook.

I don’t really have any tips for this one, but it’s definitely something I want to try, especially now that I have my weekends free.

9. Sell all the stuff your ex gave you and use the money to invest in stocks.

Again, I’m no expert on this one, so you should probably consult Google or a financial advisor, but it seems like Amazon would be a good company to invest in?

10. Work out.

Get super swole so that whenever you run into your ex, you scare them a little with how huge your biceps have gotten. On the real, exercise is always good for your physical and mental health. I like to listen to feminist podcasts while I’m at the gym because there is no better motivation to get strong than the need to defeat the patriarchy and Men™.

Graphic by ZOE BROWN/THE STANDARD

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Graphic by ALYSSA VANDERGRIFT/ THE STANDARD

Hidden gems in dining halls LAUREN JOHNS Staff Reporter @lje2017 Spring is the time for cleaning, which could include reorganizing your dorm room or sorting through the fast-food wrappers in your car. But what about cleaner eating?

Dining halls like Blair-Shannon and Garst offer an ample amount of healthier options, according to members of the dining hall staff. They said in many cases, these alternatives are often overlooked by students.

“Both Garst and Blair-Shannon consider the amount of fat, salt, carbs and so on at each station [of food offered],” Executive Chef John Hawkins said. “So if we have a pretty high-calorie food at one station, we will try to balance that with offerings on another station that has a lower calorie count.

Wheat and cheese products have a higher caloric value than people might think.”

Dining halls offer specific meals that cater solely to students with unique diets.

“There are many balanced meal options served every day with our ‘BalancedU’ icon and ‘call-out cards’,” Maryjo Miller, director of resident dining, said. “[The

foods with the cards] are either vegan or vegetarian.”

Blair-Shannon has a specific line called ‘Rooted,’ which is vegan and vegetarian-friendly. Garst has ‘G8’ which is specifically for those with the eight most common food allergies, including peanuts, wheat and soy.

Despite this fact, Grace Patterson, a freshman wildlife biology major, finds the options for vegetarians to be lackluster.

“I’ve lived off the food for a year and usually eat the pizza, pasta and salads,” Patterson said. “I have requested black bean burgers before and I do look at the labels but I would like to see a more consistent schedule of different foods, rather than mainly side dishes.”

However, according to Nicole Young, marketing director and chef, the variety of dishes depends on quality and what is in stock at that particular moment in time.

“Students need to set up meetings with us to make requests and from there we can look at what is available,” Young said. “With the exception of corn, peas and breaded okra, our standard is to cut and cook all of our vegetables from fresh raw ingredients and only use frozen when

fresh is not available, which is rare.”

To add, Young said a national menu resource network is utilized. Through this form of networking, chefs introduce new trends to menus and help provide fresher options.

“At the omelet bars in the mornings, you can get whole eggs cooked to order however you would like and we have halal meat available,” Young said. “There are gluten-free and vegan pizza options in both dining centers upon request and we have coconut-based vegan ice cream available. Not to mention, you can get a chicken breast any time that the grill station is open in either dining center.”

When determining what to eat, various factors go into play for Patterson.

“I do lots of research to find what is healthy and necessary for my body,” Patterson said. “I have iron and potassium deficiencies, so my diet caters to that and to be a vegetarian. What has less calories isn’t always what’s healthiest. It’s important to have a balanced diet.”

In Spring 2020, the ‘Rooted’ line is set to become completely vegan-friendly, with more options available, according to Young.

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The Foster Recreation Center has several treadmills and ellipticals. They are located on the upper level.

Want to get in shape for spring break? Foster Rec has you covered AFTON HARPER Staff Reporter @affie888 The Foster Recreation Center has a lot to offer any student, whether it be a warm relaxing dip in the spa or a productive fitness session with a personal trainer.

Students enrolled at Missouri State University have unlimited access to the rec center throughout the semester. Students can enter through the front doors and swipe their BearPass to get past the turnstile gates.

After passing through the gates, cardio equipment is located on the top floor of the rec center and weights are on the same level as the entrance. The aquatic center, rock climbing area and sauna are on the bottom floor.

With so much to offer, students like physical education major Jade Clubb love the variety of equipment.

Clubb said he found exercising at the Foster Recreation Center convenient while living in Freudenberger House her freshman year.

She still goes to the rec center three to four times per week even though she lives off campus now.

“I travel to campus for it,” Clubb said. “It is so worth it. I love the free weights, the stair master and the sauna.”

The rec center offers programs to help students get in shape throughout the semester.

Assistant Director of Fitness and Wellness

at the Foster Recreation Center Teresa Brandenburg said she hopes to bring back paddleboard fitness yoga classes.

The rec center also offers boot camp courses each semester. Last semester, Brandenburg said boot camp was not successful because not enough students signed up.

“Boot camp is a six-week program, so there’s 10-12 classes depending on how it falls,” Brandenburg said. “We’re going to complete that prior to spring break because everyone wants to get in shape for spring break.”

Boot camp’s registration costs $25 with a pre and post assessment at the beginning and end of the course.

The spring boot camp will be held from 6:30-7:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and Fridays beginning Feb. 3.

This spring, fitness and wellness will be working on a couch to 5K program. By the end of their training, participants will sign up for a 5K. Many of these classes cost a “modest” fee and require some amount of registration, says Associate Director of Campus Recreation Galen Martin.

Multi-activity courts for soccer, dodgeball, basketball and volleyball are open to students as well.

The rec center hosts BearFit classes Monday through Thursday throughout the semester.

Some of the spring classes include yoga, cycling and beginner weight training.

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Photos by JAYLEN EARLY/THE STANDARD

(Far left) The Bill and Lucille Magers Family Health and Wellness Center offers free counseling sessions to Missouri State University Students.

(Left) Bill and Lucille Magers Family Health and Wellness Center offers a variety of services to Missouri State University Students.

Ins and outs of Magers Health and Wellness Center CAROLINE MUND Staff Reporter You’ll find that Magers Health and Wellness center is fully staffed with board certified primary care physicians.

The center is open when the university is in session which includes intersession classes and some holidays.

Students, faculty and staff are able to have consultations with gynecologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, diabetic educators, nutritionists, dietrientions, radiologist, pathologists, support staff such as nurses, pharmacists, pharmacy techs, athletic trainers and even a travel medicine doctor if you are considering traveling abroad.

Magers is a three-story building located next to the bookstore.

The first floor offers quick services like pharmacy and lab tests. The pharmacy includes a drive through for prescriptions and over the counter medicines.

“Our over the counter medications are very inexpensive compared to outside places, so it’s a really good bargain and the prices you see listed includes the tax,” said Dr. Jerilyn Reed director of the Student Wellness Program.

The second floor is the “heart of the clinic,” according to Dr. Dave Muegge, the director of the Health and Wellness Center. The second floor includes privacy pods when meeting with doctors and nurses.

“We can guarantee that if a kid rolls out of bed at nine a.m. and calls us that morning we can get them seen that day,” Muegge said.

Students receive free office visits, free flu shots and free access to testing for strep throat, mono, CBC (complete blood count) and urinalysis.

Finally, the third floor houses the counseling center, the women’s center and administration.

Students can schedule individual, group and couple’s counseling.

Students can also get their free flu shots as the Health and Wellness Center.

As flu season is underway, Magers challenges students to take advantage of their preventative services.

“This year we have given almost 2,400

students their flu vaccines, which is a little up from last year,” said Reed.

Each year there is an annual flu shot challenge with Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Residence Hall Association and the Living Learning Communities.

Students are challenged to get their flu shots, and then post a selfie with the hashtag, #bearthebandaid. The winning organizations and individual students receive prizes such as gift cards or catering services.

“Our last years winners were Alpha Chi Omega, Theta Chi, the residents hall Freddy, and Future Health Care Professionals for the living learning communities,” Reed said.

Students can come in Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. to get flu shots.

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ICYMI: Crime and construction updates from over the break SCOTT CAMPBELL Staff Reporter @ScottCa81380794 Minor setbacks have affected campus construction over break while crime continued at a usual rate.

Crime

University Safety reported 26 thefts over winter break, 14 of which were from vehicles and one of which of a vehicle itself. A rape was also reported on Dec. 29 at the Alpha Sigma Phi House on Elm Street. Other reports included six drug abuse violations, one case of graffiti and one incidence of harassment.

On Dec. 24, police responded to a call from East Lakota Court, south of Sunshine Street and east of Campbell Avenue. Upon arrival, they encountered an armed suspect and a victim of assault. The suspect was shot and killed by the police.

The assault victim was transSARAH TEAGUE/THE STANDARD ported from the scene for non-life-threatening injuries. (Top) A shot of construction on Holland Avenue

Construction

Holland House Residence Hall (i.e. the parking garage) With the final concrete pours for the parking garage completed in December, construction has moved onto the layout portion of the residence hall.

According to the Missouri State University Office of Planning, Design and Construction, the fifth floor framing is well underway but faces a setback after a safety inspection failed over the break.

Structural engineers are scheduled to work on a solution and move on to the sixth floor framing during the first week of school.

The dining hall portion of the building faced weather delays over the holiday break

from Jan. 13.

(Bottom) File photo/THE STANDARD but the projected due date of July 2020 has not been altered, according to university officials.

The university said the residence hall will be able to house approximately 400 students while the dining hall will seat approximately 200.

Greenwood Laboratory School

Construction on the Greenwood Laboratory School’s multi-purpose addition’s walls continued over winter break and is nearing completion, according to the Missouri State University Office of Planning,

Design and Construction.

The office said they shut down the electricity for a day over the break to tie in the new feeder for the addition.

The installation of the longspan steel roof was finished and the installation of the deck is underway.

The office said the transitway is scheduled to be closed until March to facilitate construction.

Construction reports will continue to be posted by the university’s Office of Planning, Design and Construction. A final report for all crime statistics for 2019 will be released accordant with the Clery Act by Oct. 1 of this year.

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Cheap, easy ways to decorate a dorm room KAYLA CURRY Staff Reporter @kaylalcurry When freshman Katie Chandler walked into her four-person suite in Hammons on move-in day, she took one look at the 18-by-12-foot concrete room and knew creating her own unique space would require some creativity.

Turning a stark, empty space into one with character without permanently changing the room can be a challenge when decorating, but Chandler figured out a way to do exactly that.

By intertwining faux green vines and fairy lights, Chandler created a bright backdrop on her previously blank wall.

“The fake green plant vines hanging on the walls help it feel less like a prison,” said Chandler, a political science major.

Another way to utilize empty wall space without spending lots of money is using removable wallpaper. Living in the dorms means everything has to be temporary so the next students to move in can make it their own. According to HGTV.com, removable wallpaper can be used to decorate small furniture and appliances to add color and character to your

space as well.

Another challenge that comes with decorating a dorm room is the lack of space. Freshman interior design major, Emily Nowe, wanted to create the illusion of more space in her small room, so she purchased low-cost shelves and used Command strips to hold them up on her walls. This allowed her to set picture frames, plants and other items on display in a neat and decorative way.

HGTV suggests using your clothing pieces as decor as another way to overcome limited space. For example, using your favorite bag or a pair of sunglasses as display pieces can fill up empty space in your room and serve as art.

Students who live in a small, shared space all year have to utilize their creativity a little more than others when it comes to making their dorm feel like home. One of the easiest and cheapest ways to do that is bringing a few special items from home and repurposing them as decoration as well as a reminder.

There are various other ways to decorate a dorm room, so consider looking at fellow students’ dorms to discover more decoration hacks.

Distinct styles and layouts can inspire new ideas for your own dorm.

Photos submitted by Katie Chandler

(Above) By using command strips and small shelves, you can create the illusion of a bigger space.

(Left) Freshman Katie Chandler used faux green vines and fairy lights to create a backdrop in her dorm room.

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Basketball over break AMANDA SULLIVAN Sports Editor @mandajsullivan

Winter break was busy for the Missouri State men’s and women’s basketball programs.

Both programs traveled throughout the break and racked up a 8-5 combined record. The women, though, carried that record, going 6-1 from Dec. 13 to Jan. 12.

The Lady Bears continued their reign of dominance over the winter holiday season with only one hiccup. They traveled to No. 17 Gonzaga for an AP Top 25 matchup just before Christmas. Gonzaga won by 12 points, but that was the only loss for the Lady Bears before classes started up again.

The Lady Bears beat in-state opponent Mizzou after losing by four last season. They also showed their dominance over in-state Division II William Jewell to ring in the new year. The Lady Bears won 111-39, ranking it first for largest margin of victory in JQH Arena and one of the top number of points scored in a single game by the Lady Bears.

Since 2020 began, the Lady Bears are 3-0 in Missouri Valley Conference play, beating Valparaiso, Northern Iowa and Drake.

File photo by KENDRA KERNEL/THE STANDARD

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Junior Emily Gartner goes up for a shot.

Junior Gaige Prim shoots.

MSU hosted Drake for a blackout night the Friday before classes started. The two Valley powerhouses had a showdown to the wire. Sophomore Sydney Manning hit a 3-pointer off a falling pass from sophomore Sydney Wilson as the final seconds ticked down to win the game 69-67.

The men struggled over the break. The Bears beat Arkansas State during finals week but lost two road games by 10 points. The losses to

On its way back to Springfield, MSU stopped in Normal, Illinois, to beat Illinois State.

The Bears returned home before the start of the semester to play Northern Iowa, the Valley favorite now that the Bears have shown to struggle. UNI dominated 80-57 for the worst loss under Dana Ford so far.

The men play Bradley at home at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 15, at JQH Arena.

VCU and Oral Roberts were tough ones, but they bounced back to beat Evansville to start Missouri Valley Conference play on Jan. 31.

It was the Bears’ first game at home in 20 days, and they turned the table in their favor, winning 65-52.

The Bears headed up to Chicago to face Loyola. The Bears had a good the second half.

Loyola still won 62-58.

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Baseball looks past 2019, sets sights on 2020 championship DEREK SHORE Senior Sports Reporter @D_Shore23 The Missouri State baseball team has been a perennial power under the tenure of longtime head coach Keith Guttin.

But the Bears reached uncharted territory in 2019 — and not the good kind.

The 2019 season was arguably the most forgettable season in program history. Missouri State lost a program-high 36 games.

“I think you take what you can from it,” Guttin said. “We were able to get a lot of younger players a lot of experience. They grew through that. You certainly don’t dwell on it.

You take what you can. I don’t think it’s indicative of the type of team we’ve had in the past and anticipate having in the future.

“You wear it, and you move on.”

The Bears entered the fall offseason without All-American catcher Drew Millas and left-handed pitcher Davis Schwab, who continued their baseball careers in the Oakland Athletics and Atlanta Braves organizations, File photo by BRENNA LUMLEY/THE STANDARD respectively, this past summer.

Ben Whetstone swings the ball into Missouri State also lost Brooks Zimmerman action on April 27, 2019. and Jake Lochner, who both graduated.

The Bears beat Drury 15-0 and Wichita State in their fall exhibition games on Sept. 21 and Oct. 5, respectively.

“Encouraged” was the word Guttin used to describe what he took away from the team this fall.

“I thought some of the guys over the summer got better,” Guttin said. “I liked what I saw there. I thought we had some contributors upand-down the lineup offensively.

“It’s a very short sample size. We will have more pitching depth if we’re healthy. We are certainly trending that way with the guys we had last year.”

With empty spots in the lineup and pitching staff, Guttin will look at returners and newcomers to decide who should fill the roles.

Sophomore Dakota Kotowski returns after earning Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year honors last year. He finished the year batting .288 with 12 home runs and 29 RBIs. The Bears will build around his bat for the next two to three seasons.

“He works very hard on his game,” Guttin said. “We see him continuing to grow as a player.”

Missouri State also brings back key experience in seniors Jack Duffy, Ben Whetstone, John Privitera and Logan Geha.

Duffy and Whetstone are the notable names from that group. Duffy led the team in hitting with a .305 batting average last spring. Whetstone hit just .240, but slugged seven homers, and drove in a team-high 32 runs as a run-producer in the middle of the order.

On the mound, the Bears will once again have senior Logan Wiley, who anchored the rotation last spring. He had a 3.67 ERA over 15 starts for Missouri State in 2019.

Guttin looks for Wiley to be a stabilizing presence in the rotation once again this spring.

“The same thing we have always seen,” Guttin said. “He gives you consistency. You know what you are getting with him. He throws a lot of strikes. He has quality pitches. He is going to keep you in every game.”

Sophomore Hayden Juenger also returns after posting a 4.58 ERA over 26 games as a freshman.

The Bears open the season on the road at Central Arkansas on Feb. 14.

“Expectations are to play hard all the time,” Guttin said. “We want to play as close as we can as well as we can everyday. I’m looking for consistency and effort. I think we are going to get that. I think we will have some player leadership.

“Our expectation is always to try to compete for championships.”

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File photo by BRENNA LUMLEY/THE STANDARD

Head coach Holly Hesse talks with the softball team before a game on April 27, 2019 at Killian Stadium.

Softball Bears going for third straight 30-win season STEPHEN TERRILL Sports Reporter @Stevethe2nd As head coach Holly Hesse begins her 32nd season at the helm of the Missouri State softball team. The team has experience and youth on its side.

The softball Bears won at least 31 games in their past two seasons and a combined 31 conference games in the same timeframe.

The Bears’ schedule is not an easy one — 11 opponents played in the NCAA tournament last season. Hesse said she thinks it is going to be a good opportunity for the team to know what they need to work on.

“It always helps to play a highly competitive schedule,” Hesse said. “Hopefully we’ll win some of those games. We will have multiple opportunities to see what the best of the best looks like.”

The Bears open their season on Feb. 7 in Florida at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Lead-Off Classic against Mississippi State. The next day they will play Minnesota and Notre Dame. Notre Dame went 38-17 last season and made a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Hesse said she believes the Missouri Valley Conference is wide open this year.

“Traditionally the conference has a lot of parity in it, and it’s a challenge and a grind every year,” Hesse said. “Top to bottom, I think

every team can compete.”

The fall semester is focused on preparation, and Hesse said it went well.

“We were outside a lot with good weather — really like what we see out of the team,” Hesse said.

Hesse said the pitching staff is going to be a strength this season.

Junior Steffany Dickerson won 20 games last season and posted an ERA of 2.37, senior Erin Greisbauer, who had a 3.60 ERA, and junior Madison Hunsaker, who had an ERA of 4.04, will be carrying the bulk of the load this season.

Hesse said Dickerson will be the staff ace. “(Dickerson) is our hardest thrower, she has the power to compete,” Hesse said. “Twenty-game winner as a sophomore — she gets better and better. It’s going to be amazing what she can accomplish before she exhausts her eligibility here. She’s going to be one that ‘as she goes so are season goes.’”

Hesse has high expectations for the team, including postseason aspirations.

“I really think this team can compete for a regular season championship, and compete in the NCAA Tournament,” Hesse said. “Last year we had a lot of injuries, so a lot of young players had opportunities to get a lot of experience.

That’s really going to pay off for us this year.”

The Bears play their home games at Killian Softball Complex. Their first home game is March 11 against Southern Illinois.

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File photo/The Standard

A men’s golfer lines up his shot in a home tournament in 2017.

Strong fall previews spring season for men’s golf team TJ SCOTT Sports Reporter @iamtjs_ The Missouri State men’s golf team is set to start their spring slate this semester with tournaments starting in February.

The Bears performed well in their fall schedule, placing outside the top 10 in only one tournament, along with three top-six finishes.

Despite those three top-six finishes, the Bears ended the season somewhat on a skid, placing ninth and 14th in two of their last three tournaments to end the year.

“We had some good team and individual performances this fall but also had a couple weeks that were not ideal,” Bears head coach Neal Stafford said. “I was impressed with how the team responded to each of those scenarios so I anticipate becoming more consistent as the spring season moves along.”

Improvement and consistency are what Stafford expects from the Bears heading into the spring.

“My expectations for this group are to get better at something each day,” Stafford said.

“If we do these things, there is no reason we can’t be in contention for a conference title in April.”

Stafford also noted that the team is young and exciting this year. Pairing the anticipated progression with it’s youth could lead to great success for the Bears.

Some of the young standouts on the bears roster are true freshmen Max Kreikemeier and junior transfer from Western Kentucky Crimson Callahan. Stafford had high praises for both and expects that they make some noise in the Missouri Valley Conference and possibly even break some records along the way.

“Max Kreikemeier and Crimson Callahan both had solid falls,” Stafford said. “Max is on pace for one of the best freshman single seasons in the history of the program. Both are in the race for MVC Newcomer of the Year honors at the midway point of the season.”

The youth and fresh faces are an important part of this team, but the senior leadership can’t be lost in the excitement surrounding the young players.

“We have had tremendous leadership from Lukas McCalla and Chris Obert,” Stafford said.

Obert, redshirt junior, and McCalla, senior, join Callahan as the only upperclassmen on the roster.

The Bears will host the Twin Oaks Intercollegiate tournament in the spring. The tournament will start on Friday, March 22, and end on Sunday, March 24.

“It’s always exciting to host our tournament in Springfield,” Stafford said. “We have the largest and strongest field since the inception of this event 5 years ago.”

Stafford also encourages that people attend the event, not only to see MSU golfers but to witness the talent of the other college golfers as well.

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Sophomore Abby Cavaiani squats down to line up a shot at the Bears’ Twin Oaks Invitational on Sept. 10, 2019.

Women’s golfers aim to build off last year’s success TJ SCOTT Sports Reporter @iamtjs_ The Missouri State women’s golf team is heading into its spring portion of the season with tournaments spanning from February to May with the possibility of an NCAA Regional appearance.

The expectations for this team remained lofty over the course of the season, but head coach Kevin Kane believes his golfers can meet those expectations.

“Our expectations are high,” Kane said.

“We’ve got a tough schedule that will definitely challenge us.”

The Bears started out the season with a bang, placing second in their first two tournaments.

They carried on this hot streak, only placing outside the top 10 once during the fall season.

Along with experiencing team success, some Bears also stood out and achieved individual success. Sophomore Abby Cavaiani and freshman Johanna Wollenhaupt produced a great fall season for the Bears, and Kane said they can keep it rolling in the spring.

“Abby Cavaiani was our best player in the fall,” Kane said. “She finished in the top 10 in every tournament — remarkably consistent.

Freshman Johanna Wollenhaupt made a great

contribution in her first semester. She’s just figuring out how good she is.”

Based on her success in her first two seasons at MSU, Kane said he thinks Cavaiani will build off of her early-season success and repeat as a conference medalist.

Cavaiani and Wollenhaupt were the standout golfers in the fall for the Bears, but Kane expects every golfer to make meaningful contributions.

“Those two — Cavaiani and Wollenhaupt — should be leading the way in the spring along with Allison Bray, Faith Belmear, Brooke Newell and Bridget Schulte,” Kane said.

The Bears’ ultimate goal is to win the conference and make an appearance in the NCAA Regionals, a feat they fell short of last year but one they accomplished in the two seasons prior.

Kane said his team is in the right space to not only compete in but to win the conference and reach the NCAA Regional.

“We’ve won the conference tournament two of the last three years and want to get back into the winner’s circle this year,” Kane said. “I think we’re certainly one of the favorites.”

The Bears’ first tournament of the spring is the Rio Verde Invitational, hosted by Western Michigan University. The Invitational will span from Feb. 21-23.

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Bears running into the season with a roster of fresh feet CLAIRE NIEBRUGGE Senior Sports Reporter @claireniebrugge The Missouri State track and field team begins its 2020 season under the direction of new official head coach, Jordan Fife.

Fife, who served as interim head coach last season, said he’s excited for the large group of newcomers and their varying abilities, including 21 freshmen.

“The most exciting thing will be starting the competition phase of the season and seeing what these individuals are made of and how that can collectively form to a team by the conference meet in February,” Fife said.

Following last year’s sixth-place finish at the indoor championships, Fife said he just didn’t have enough athletes to compete with schools with large numbers.

Up 10 athletes from last year, Fife said he’s excited to build depth and branch out into different event areas to try and overcome the conference’s usual contenders — Illinois State, Indiana State, Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa. The Missouri Valley indoor preseason “Not only do we now have representation, poll placed Missouri State fifth with the Red- but we have quality representation,” Fife said. birds leading the pack.

“If we can stay healthy, come along at a nice

File photos by JAYLEN EARLY/THE STANDARD

rate and show up when it counts, there’s no reason we shouldn’t be able to break into the top four.”

The Bears are without consistent point-scorer Taryn Smiley since she graduated last May. Smiley recorded two top-eight finishes at last year’s indoor conference meet in both the 60 and 200-meter dashes.

Missouri State returns several other athletes who contributed to last season’s championships — Edna Dar, Madeline Saville, Grace Breiten, Erica Wollmering, Chicago Bains and Jamilah James.

The running Bears will kick off their 2020 indoor campaign on Jan. 17 at the Arkansas Invitational. They’ll make a few visits to Pittsburg State, a run at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational and a trip to Kansas State before ending the indoor season at the conference championship meet.

“There’s a lot of unknown,” Fife said.

“We’re just excited to get that first meet in and see what’s realistic from here. We have goals for each individual and the team, but until we start competing, we can’t really know how feasible those goals are.”

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Tennis Bears ready for spring STEPHEN TERRILL Sports Reporter @Stevethe2nd The Missouri State tennis team is entering the spring with a deep roster that was successful in the fall semester.

The fall season is somewhat of a less competitive time that focuses on player development — especially for freshmen.

The team did come away from the Missouri Valley Conference meet in October with two flight championships.

The pair of sophomores Anna Alons and freshman Alyson Piskulic won a doubles bracket, and junior Ellie Burger won a singles bracket.

“I was really happy with what I saw in the fall,” head coach Mallory Weber said.

“Sometimes that season can show some red flags, but I think we did a lot of things really well and are in a good place heading into the spring.”

The Tennis Bears have 21 regular season meets, 10 of which are at Cooper Tennis Complex on Pythian Street, which the Bears call home.

“Ten home matches is a lot, and that’s a great thing for us,” Weber said. “We are really looking forward to that conference season in April.”

After the conference season concludes, the Bears get to host the Missouri Valley Conference championship meet that runs from April 24 to April 26.

The last time Missouri State hosted the MVC championship meet was in 2018, which the Bears won.

“The conference, at least in tennis, is very even — has been that way for the last few years,” Weber said. “I think we’ll have a chance to contend for the title if we play well.”

Weber said the team is built to compete both against other teams and themselves.

“We have a lot of depth, and we have a really good mix of upperclassmen and underclassmen,” Weber said. “We are not really heavy either direction, and I think anyone can step in

File photos by JAYLEN EARLY/THE STANDARD

at any given time, which is a good thing. We have eight or nine people for six spots.”

One player that has the potential to stand out this season is Burger. The junior went 17-5 last season combined between singles and doubles matches.

That included a perfect 6-0 mark at the MVC tournament.

Another potential stand-out is Piskulic. The freshman from Mehlville High School in St. Louis is a former 3-star recruit and was ranked No. 209 nationally in her senior class.

The season begins on Jan. 24 at North Dakota. The first home game is Feb. 7 against Murray State.

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Beach volleyball joins Coastal Collegiate Sports CLAIRE NIEBRUGGE Senior Sports Reporter @claireniebrugge Missouri State’s beach volleyball team is set for its third season of action with a new conference and a new roster.

MSU joins Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) for the 2020 season, the fourteenth school affiliated with beach volleyball in the conference.

They accompany current members UAB, College of Charleston, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Florida State, Georgia State, LSU, South Carolina, Southern Miss, TCU, Tulane and UNCW. “The most exciting thing about joining a conference is the national recognition,” head coach Terri Del Conte said.

Though the schedule isn’t finalized quite yet, Del Conte said they have several matchups against top-20 and top-10 nationally ranked teams.

“This is the strongest schedule we’ve ever had,” Del Conte said. “It will be fun to rise to the challenge of playing at the highest level.”

The Bears own a 20-21 all-time record with

current CCSA members and will have the chance to play in the 2020 CCSA Championship on April 17-19 in Huntsville, Alabama.

Missouri State is coming off a 13-11 2019 season, with a perfect 4-0 record at home.

The team travels nationally for its matchups, but Del Conte confirmed there will be a home tournament on March 27-28.

While most coaches would say it’s better for their athletes to get a good night’s sleep in their own bed, Del Conte said she believes her team thrives off traveling and adapting to different environments.

“It’s part of the beauty of the sport,” Del Conte said.

The roster overhaul could create challenges for the team, however. The Bears are equipped with ten underclassmen and just seven upperclassmen.

Missouri State welcomed five transfers out of Drury, New Mexico, UAB, Evansville and Florida Atlantic. Only one athlete out of 16 has been File photo by KAITLYN STRATMAN/THE STANDARD with the Bears since its inaugural season in 2018. A player on the 2018 beach volleyball team dives to save the ball. In 2020, “We have more new than veteran players,” Del Conte said. “We hope we can continue to Missouri State’s beach volleyball team joined the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association. evolve and make strides this season.”

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