Western Courier| April 5th, 2019

Sports: Baseball looks to takedown Oral Roberts.

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Opinions: John Oliver voices his thoughts about the WWE.

Friday, April 5, 2019 - Vol. 119 Issue 73

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Student Government Association holds annual SGA Debate

By Marc Ramirez

JOSH PURNELL/ COURIER STAFF

Justin Brown (top left), Colton Markey (top right), Daria Levchenko (bottom left) and Doni Purifoy (bottom right) give speeches at the annual SGA Debate.

edge editor The Student Government Association held their annual SGA Debate Tuesday night in the University Union Capital Room. Students had the opportunity to meet, ask and learn about the candidates platforms during a 30 minute meet and greet session.

Justin Brown, currently Student Member to the Board of Trustees is running for reelection as well as Colton Markey, Daria Levchenko, Doni Purifoy and Kamren Williams, who are all running for SGA President and Vice President.

The evening was moderated by the Dean of the Centennial Honors College, Richard Hardy. Hardy has been a long-standing supporter of SGA and helps us out by moderating the debate every other year.

“The candidate for the Board of Trustees is Justin Brown,” Hardy said. “Justin I might add, is the Board of Trustees student member and is the only member of the Board of Trustees, our largest, most important policy making members that is elected and not appointed.”

Justin gave his opening remarks and began with information about himself. Brown is currently a junior at Western Illinois University majoring in political science and minoring in law enforcement and justice administration.

Brown is currently involved in the University Union Board where he serves as the Vice President of Finance and Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity

where he is currently Treasurer. In addition to this, he has and currently serves on the Council of Admissions, Graduation and Academic Standards, the Council on the Quality of Life for Students, the Student Cost Management Task Force and student representative to The Admission Director and Enrollment Search Committee.

“These have all helped me gain knowledge and insights on how the University operates and has given me the opportunity to work closely with not only faculty and staff, but members of the student body,” Brown said.

In terms of working with students, Brown has also served as an Orientation Leader, a Welcome Week leader, an Experience Western buddy and a Discover Western volunteer. Since July of last year, he has served as the Student Member to the Board of Trustees where he has worked over the past nine months to tackle challenges, many of which we have been facing for years, in addition to other local state institutions.

“With regards to what I have personally done in response to the recent layoffs and proposed program reductions, I have worked with leadership of Student Government Association to host a student forum that President Thomas and various other Vice Presidents and administration attended,” Brown said. “They answered questions and provided information as to why these decisions were made.”

Brown said that he will con-

tinue to meet with students, faculty, staff and administrators to ensure that any decisions that are made have the students’ best interest in mind because as a regional institution of Higher Education administrator, he is here to support students and will continue to do so to the best of his ability.

The next candidate to speak was Levchenko, running for Vice President. Typically she would alternate answering questions with her opponent; however, Williams was not in attendance for the important SGA event. Levchenko bagan by giving context into herself.

“Hi my name is Daria Levchenko and I am a freshman law enforcement major from San Diego,” Levchenko said. “I currently serve as the Director of Student Services on SGA and I am running for Vice President for next year. I also am involved with UUB as a Homecoming CoDirector and am the external affairs chair for my sorority Alpha Sigma Tau.” Levchenko hopes to build on the successes from the former SGA members and wants to bond the Senate and the Cabinet to form a more united and transparent association. She believes that if the two can not work well together then how would they possibly serve the student body, so this is a task she would like to build upon fairly early in her term.

SGA Debate page 3

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NEWS

WesternCourier.com

Friday, April 5, 2019

Official McDonough County Election Results

By Steven Barnum news editor

At Tuesday's time of publication, the Western Courier was not able to indicate all of the official election results.

One of the races that was too close to call as of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday was one of Macomb's two Alderman A t - L a rg e positions.

Currently, Dennis Moon and Don Wynn occupy those seats, but Tammie Leigh Brown-Edwards will take over for Wynn after winning the seat by 29 votes.

Moon's seat was not up for re-election.

"I want to thank Don Wynn for his service to the community and welcome Tammie to the city council," Mayor Mike Inman told the Western Courier after Brown-Edwards' victory.

"We look forward to working with Tammie and adding her to the list of folks ready to do good things for the city."

Inman will serve a third term as Mayor of Macomb after defeating his most prominent challenger, Kristen-Diane Pollock, with more than 94 percent of the vote. As previously reported, Pollok questioned the transparency within the local election process and

believes that the city took steps to prevent her from being on the ballot.

In the other contested aldermanic race Tuesday, Alderman Annette Carper defeated Gregg Huston.

This is Carper's first election since being appointed to the position by Mayor Inman in August 2018.

Carper compiled 227 votes, giving her a victory with almost 66 percent of the vote.

Aldermen Mike Wayland and Tom Koch both secured another term to serve on the city council after facing no challengers. City Clerk Melanie Falk and City Treasurer

Ron Ward also retained their seats in races that had no opposition.

Elsewhere, for the Macomb School Board, Emily Sutton will join the board after receiving more votes than any of her competitors.

There were eight candidates and voters had the option to vote for up to three.

With 673 votes out of a total of 3,710 amongst the field of competitors, Sutton will take over for Matthew Duncan, a current member who did not retain his seat. Steve Gray and Scott Torrance, also current members, will remain on the board.

Others who did not make the cutoff to be elected to a

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Located on the third floor of the Heating Plant Annex on the south end of campus across from Sherman Hall.

Mail: 1 University Circle, WIU, Macomb, IL 61455 Phone: 309-298-1876 Fax: 309-298-2309 Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays E-mail: micour@wiu.edu Member: Illinois College Press Association, National Association College Press

courtesy of Tammie leigh brown-edwards

Tammie Leigh Brown-Edwards (above) will join the Macomb City Council.

Mayor Mike Inman (above) will continue serving Macomb for another four years.

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seat are listed as followed from most votes to least: Sarah Oster, Kishor Kapale, Byron Oden-Shabazz and Julie Campbell.

Regions throughout rural Illinois experienced a low voter turnout on Tuesday. Roughly 11 percent of reigstered voters showed up to the polls in McDonough County.

According to the Chicago Tribune, it's common for voter turnout in spring elections to be lower than in elections that take place in November. This is the case because spring elections rarely include largerscale or nationally-known candidates.

STAFF MEMBERS editor-in-chief Devon Greene DJ-Greene@wiu.edu news editor Steven Barnum

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opinions editor Allison Young

photo editor Becca Langys

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sports editor Bradley Piros

assistant photo editor Sara Remar

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assistant sports editor Chris Bean

production manager Jimmy Pierson

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edge editor Marc Ramirez

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Friday, April 5, 2019

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NEWS 3

jimmy pierson/production manager

By Karla Foster courier staff

The beauty that is art is just only one of the many things that Western Illinois University has to offer.

Some students, whether they are incoming freshmen, a sophomore or junior who changed their major or even an outgoing senior, have taken a chance on this wonderful opportunity.

Recently, students have had the chance to have their artwork featured in the University Art Gallery, the neighbor to the Heating

SGA from page 1

Over the course of her speech and questions, Levchenko continuously discussed how she’d like to assemble a group of students to work with admissions and marketing to help promote Western in a way that would attract potentially new students.

“Current students who help bring in the new students have a better perspective of their peers,” Levchenko said.

One last thing that Levchenko hopes to build upon immediately if elected to office would be to create a meet and greet for students to get a better understanding on what SGA is and who they can voice questions, concerns and feedback to. This would only help Senators get new ideas for legislation, but show students that they do have a voice on

Planex and Garwood Hall.

Student’s were able to submit recent art projects and have them judged by Executive Director and Curator of the Quincy Art Center, Jennifer Teter Tyler Hennings, the director of the University Art Gallery wanted to vote on his favorite pieces, but he decided not to due to personal reasons.

“I try not to pick my favorites, I like them all for different reasons,” Hennings said.

It’s a good way to remind students that this is not just for popularity and that everyone who tried and made it deserves the same amount of this campus.

Following the question and answer panel for Vice President, both presidential candidates stood at the podium and prepared their opening remarks.

“Hello and good evening, thank you all for being here on a Tuesday night, my name is Colton Markey and I am a speech pathology and audiology major with a minor in psychology,” Markey said.

“I am running for Student Government Association because I believe students should play a vital role in their own college experience.

I want to help bring a voice to the students, hear their concerns and help make their voices heard.”

Markey has two years of experience in the Student Government Association as he has served as the Director of Public Relations and the Director of Academic Affairs.

recognition.

While it can be said that many students have tried to have their submissions chosen for this event, only 37 were chosen. Like many contests there were prizes and awards. “Best of show” was awarded to Brittany Howe for her watercolor of her piece “Abandoned Toy.” Second place was awarded to Keosha Westphal for their stoneware piece “Teeth and Eyelashes.”

Third place was awarded to Kelly Brown for her silkscreen and watercolor piece “Flooding.” The “Sanders Purchase Award” was awarded to Abbigale Matlick for One of his priorities if elected president would be to make sure that students understand the intricacies of the University which would allow them to take their college experience and make of it what they want.

“I have seen the impact that students have had on this University and it would be my honor to lead that charge as your next SGA President,” Markey said.

Next to speak at the podium was Purifoy, a sophomore majoring in political science with a emphasis in pre-law with a double minor in military science and African American studies.

“My partner and I, Kamren Williams, are running on the platform of institutional growth and exposure as well as sustaining and increasing the satisfaction of student life,” Purifoy said.

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her ceramic piece “Duo.” The “Mixed Media Award” was awarded to Andie Majdic for her graphite, watercolor and ink piece “The Magic Paintbrush.”

Even though some artists went away empty handed, Hennings says to not give up and to try again if your piece doesn’t make it or win any awards.

“Just try to submit your best work! Most jurors are looking for projects that look like they have a little indepence to them,” Hennings said.

This competition is not just for art majors and minors.

Any student whether they

are in law enforcement, chemistry or even broadcasting can hop on the train and have their artwork featured in the gallery as well. It’s more meaningful because it adds different perspectives and variety to the art gallery.

If you want to check some of the art out for yourself or to hopefully get inspired for your future projects, the Student Exhibition is still ongoing in the second floor of the University Art Gallery but hurry because the Exhibition closes this Friday, so don’t miss out on this wonderful experience.

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OPINIONS

Friday, April 5, 2019

WesternCourier.com

JIMMY PIERSON/PRODUCTION MANAGER

Earlier this week, on comedian John Oliver's HBO program “Last Week Tonight,” Oliver devoted an entire 23 minutes talking about the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and in particular, criticizing the organization for the way it has treated its wrestlers by not guarenteeing basic health and retirement benefits. Full disclosure, I‘m a huge wrestling fan and love professional wrestling or sports entertainment, as the WWE likes to call it. But after watching this detailed and well explained segment from Oliver, I have to admit he makes very valid points on why WWE has been flawed and still continues to be flawed.

In the beginning of the segment, Oliver expresses his admiration for pro-wrestling and the WWE, and how entertaining and astonishing it is to watch.

Oliver talks about wrestler’s he grew up watching like Jake “The Snake” Roberts and Stone Cold Steve Austin and the most outlandish moments that took place in the ring and outside the ring. But as Oliver started to reminisce, the segment started to become more serious. Oliver showed wrestlers who had died prematurely and didn't even live past their 30s and 40s. According to FiveThirtyEight, prowrestling death rates outrate the NFL and even the general

public. But most particular, Oliver casted skepticism over the man who has profited the most from these wrestlers throughout the years, WWE CEO, Vince McMahon.

During the 1970s and early 1980s, pro-wrestling was split into territories throughout the U.S., like Mid-South Wrestling and Georgia Championship Wrestling; that was until McMahon bought out or crushed his competition, and after the acquisition of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 2001, WWE has been the most profitable wrestling organization in the world. But Oliver’s main concern with WWE and McMahon is the way wrestlers are being treated. McMahon has signed all of his wrestlers as independent contractors, which means they’re not required to receive health benefits, retirement benefits or even paid family leave;

yet, Oliver rebuffs such a claim since the wrestlers are practically treated as employees by the company.

The wrestlers are prohibited from wrestling for other promotions, have to abide by the WWE’s requests and signed to exclusive contracts- everything that contradicts what an independent contractor is. Even former WWE wrestlers criticized the WWE and McMahon for its practices like Bret “The Hitman” Hart and former Minnesota Governor Jesse “The Body” Ventura, who actually tried to form a union in the 1980s but was quickly prohibited by McMahon himself.

McMahon has been called out by wrestlers who have worked for him who have prematurely died in the past, but has not casted himself as partly responsible. It’s even gotten so bad that wrestler’s like Roberts have had

to use funding websites, like GoFundMe and Indiegogo in order to pay for their medical expenses. These wrestlers are treated as employees but are simply signed as independent contractors in efforts to maximize costs as much as possible and that's wrong.

So why is Oliver going after the WWE now? Well this Sunday is WrestleMania, the company and quite frankly pro-wrestling's biggest payper-view of the year. Oliver hopes wrestling fans who he believes hold a tremendous amount of power, will bring signs to the event or start chants that will demand that the wrestlers will be signed as employers and be given basic benefits like any employee should. A lot of these wrestlers have sacrificed so much for the business, it's unfair to have them fend for themselves and unfortunately die prematurely.

Each degree is the same at the end STEM majors have it hard.

They have to take so many core classes that are heavily based on math and science. A lot of people may think that STEM majors have it the hardest. RPTA and fashion majors have a lot of hands-on work.

They have to work on various tasks throughout the semester and do a lot of hands-on projects. Some people say that these majors have it the hardest. Law enforcement agents

don’t have a lot of homework, but they have a lot of quizzes, tests, projects, internships and many hands-on projects, and many people can say that this major is hard. This list can go on and on and be endless, but at the end of the day, the results are all the same.

At the end of their undergrad degree, everyone will get the same degree in that field. Everyone will get the same degree at the end of the day. It

doesn’t matter what degree one may end up with, what matters is getting that degree.

It also does not matter how you got that degree whether ifrom a four year university, a community college or even online, it is still the same degree. People go through different battles. People figure out what is best for them and it may take longer than others. The great thing about getting a college degree is that it doesn’t matter when you achieve that success. Some people go to community college for two years and then transfer to a four-year university and then they are done.

Some people go to a four year

university and then they have to end up staying an extra semester or two. Some people even finish online and that is completely okay because it’s not about how fast you get to the finish line, it is about crossing the finish line.

Sometimes a lot of people get crap for what they choose to do with their lives and what major they pursue. Not everyone who pursues a major in one thing will continue to do the same thing later on. It is okay not to end up where you originally planned because no one knows the future. Just having a bachelor ’s degree is something that is great because that opens the

door to many opportunities that someone might not have without a college degree.

Sometimes there are jobs where you just need a college degree in order to work there and it doesn’t always matter what your degree is in. Getting the degree is what is important, not how, why or what degree you have. The thing that is cool about college degrees is that it opens doors to new experiences and things that wouldn’t be possible for those that don’t have a degree. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how you get your degree, it doesn’t matter what degree you have, it only matters that you got it.

OPINIONS 5

Friday, April 5, 2019

@WesternCourier

Seniors, what will you do post graduation?

With graduation vastly approaching, a plan of action needs to be made for us seniors as some of us depart from our college careers for good.

Now, I say “for good” to those who have no desire to participate in a graduate program.

However, if you are someone with a desire to attend a graduate program, then by all means go for it. Although, I will say that the decision to further your education should be a decision from the heart in hopes to accomplish a

goal and not a decision to be a “people pleaser,” as I’ve mentioned before. This is indeed your life, so make every day count in your own way for your own future.

Now, back to the college students whose desires are not to further their education, at least not right after graduation, time waits for no one.

So, it’s time to start packing up our belongings little by little each day, send in those applications if you haven’t already started, start saving those coins and start making

those connections. There’s a real world out there outside of our small town of Macomb, and it’s time to start preparing ourselves.

So, here’s the reality. Some of us will graduate with a job already lined up after graduation and that’s great. Some of us will graduate and secure a job sometime after graduation which is also commendable.

And then, there are some of us who will graduate and find ourselves struggling to find a job after graduation which is still honorable. Why? Because no pace is the right pace postgraduation. Life is no easy ride, therefore, we have to figure out what works best for each of us. If finding an affordable apartment and working after graduation is suitable

for you then make it happen, and if going back home and staying with family to work and save enough money to venture out on your own later is the best option at the moment for you, then snaps and claps for you as well. Just like hair, no one product is good for all hair textures and types, and similarly speaking, no one plan is recommended for post-graduates, because not everyone’s situation is the same. With time winding down, now is the time to take the moment to find a common ground to better ensure your future plans.

Yes, this is a scary time for us seniors as no plan is ever guaranteed, but this is also a time for optimism, positive energy and confidence as well. Don’t

allow this to be an anxious and depressing halting point.

This is where we really start buckling down and getting our affairs in order showing ourselves the true potential that we have as young adults.

It can be nerve-wracking and seem almost impossible to get excited for graduation when those 15 minutes of fame slowly fade after walking across that stage and into the gates of reality we go, but I can assure you it is possible. Sure, you’re going to fall down a couple of times accumulating a couple of scrapes and bruises along the way, but if your determination continuously drives you to get back up each time, then this world better watch out for you.

Letter to the Editor General Education is Fundamental This is in response to the opinion article published on March 22 by Peyton Finnegan titled, “General Education Courses are a Waste of Time and Money.”

The fact that many college students have a negative attitude about general education requirements is not surprising or new, which is precisely why a greater emphasis and support of the liberal arts is needed so badly on college campuses.

The difference between college graduates and college students is that college graduates understand and value the essential communication skills, critical thinking and problem solving skills that general education coursework provides. This is often difficult for college students to recognize and understand.

The problem driving the misunderstanding about general education among many college stu-

dents is that most students have been nurtured by a culture of anti-intellectualism and educated in an era of Neoliberal economic policies that have corporatized higher education and reduced education to job training. This is ultimately a negation of both economic and political freedom, as it turns the vast majority of people into passive citizens and complacent workers who can only perform a trained profession until the job becomes obsolete. This strips citizens of political agency and leaves workers vulnerable to economic exploitation.

A quick review of the research will show that employers are desperate for employees who know how to communicate effectively and write grammatically correct emails and reports, have the problem solving skills to deal with problems that arise and who possess good critical thinking skills to foresee problems and improve current practices.

Job training alone cannot provide these skills. These skills must be cultivated by a broad-based exposure and mastery of the basic skills of composition, communication, literacy, problem solving, history and critical thinking that general education coursework provides.

Occupations aside, the most important aspect of general education coursework has to do with citizenship. Without a strong commitment to the Liberal Arts, we run the risk of tearing at the fabric of a democracy that is already suffering the consequences of an uninformed and misinformed populace who increasingly lack the necessary tools by which to make informed decisions about policies and political candidates. Education is first and foremost about ensuring that we have a population who possess the skills of citizenship and who understand the personal and social responsibility of being a citizen in a democracy.

Decisions that undermine a Liberal Arts curriculum appear to be the predominant method for dealing with politicians who find it prudent to cut state funding for universities and student financial aid, driving up the cost of education, which then exacerbates the student debt crisis. The solution is not to corporatize our universities and abandon Liberal Arts general education for skills based education but to embrace the Liberal Arts and educate the public about the necessity of properly funding education as a public investment in our future and our country.

In an era of disinformation, this nation needs educated citizens who understand and take seriously the science of global warming and the looming threat of technological unemployment. We cannot afford a population that is divorced from an understanding of the basic structure of govern-

ment, nor can we afford historical illiteracy that fuels xenocentrism, racism, sexism, homophobia, classism and economic injustice. To pursue an education based solely on job training is to be willfully ignorant of the historical context in which we live and the cultural legacy we’ve inherited. General education is about memory, and without memory we are devoid of hope and vulnerable to those who exploit our ignorance and manipulate fear to justify hatred, prejudice, and discrimination.

We cannot be fully free without the Liberal Arts and the general education curriculum. General education courses help us understand that we are more than consumers and workers and that we are first and foremost citizens in a democracy.

Michael Maher WIU Alumnus BA 1995 MA 1997

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The editoral views of the Western Courier shall be confined to this editorial and are to be separate from news coverage otherwise noted. The editoral presented is based on the ideas and views of the WC editoral board.Columns are the opinions of the columnists alone and should not be construed as the opinions and beliefs of the WC staff as a whole.

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Friday, April 5, 2019

SPORTS

WesternCourier.com

Western Illinois track and field teams suit up for Mizzou Open

By Kejuan Rucker courier staff

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Western Illinois University men and women’s track and field teams will continue their traveling adventures as they head down to participate in the Mizzou Open.

The event begins at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.

This is the third meeting of the Leathernecks outdoor season and head coach Diane Wholey has been extremely proud of her team’s accomplishments in their first two meets. With a tremendous coaching background, Wholey understands that there are some areas of the sport where teams are stronger than the Leathernecks; however, she knows that the only thing that can disturb her athletes are the weather conditions.

“It was very cold and windy. Some athletes rose to the occasion…Others let that affect them adversity…

It was a good opportunity for me to see how people respond to adversity and how I can work with those that did not respond as well to help make them better,” Wholey said.

Because of the weather, it was not safe for some athletes to compete in their primary events. Despite that, the Leathernecks were able to earn a fifth place spot out of eight teams in the Joey Haines Invitational last weekend. The Leathernecks were most dominant in the

men and women’s long jump competitions, as freshman Gabe Cheeks and junior Bo Brasseur led the charge, earning first place victories, again. Seniors Isaiah LeSure and Khaliya Lawson were right behind their teammates, finishing in second place. Wholey acknowledges her long jumpers’ strong work ethic as they continue to improve in their respective area.

“They really work hard to make adjustments, listening to feedback and applying it right away… I am really pleased about how both genders are going in the horizontal jumps,” Wholey said.

These athletes have been improving their personal records within two outdoor meets so far, especially Cheeks. Because he is a freshman, one would believe that Cheeks has a long way to go before achieving such success, but he is shining as a long jump competitor, making the statement that he can compete with the best of them. Wholey expressed that track and field is a sport where one must relax and focus on the objective, leading to great execution marks.

Cheeks’ goes by this oath and Wholey is very impressed with his dedication, seeing that he wants to be the best version of himself as a long jumper.

“He does a really, really good job of thinking of the big picture and executing…

This is a really good almon for his future,” Wholey said.

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As Cheeks represents the men, Brasseur has held it down for the Western Illinois women’s long jumpers. She also has back-to-back first place finishes in this season, picking up where she left off from the indoor season a month ago. Belgium's very own came to Western with an unbelievable résumé in track and field, but had an injury that set her back for a few seasons. She rose to full strength during the outdoor season of 2018, coming back with her sights set on being the best. Wholey knows that Brasseur works really hard on keeping her body in tiptop shape, so Wholey does not want to overload her with workouts that can cause another injury.

“She does enough hard work and strength work to keep her body in good condition, but mindful of her body… She is a very attention-to-detail kind of person, so it will help her be successful and stay healthy,” Wholey said.

Furthermore, Wholey understands that coaching is about spending quite some time on building relationships and her wisdom helps her develop connections with everyone, despite some players being on the team prior to her joining the Leatherneck teams. She encourages everyone that they should be on the same page and have the same goals in order to make the track and field teams more successful, especially during this season.

Bo Brasseur. warms up during practice.

Khaliya Lawson jogs out during practice.

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NICE, CLEAN, WELL MAINTAINED 1 TO 6 BEDROOM HOUSES FOR 2017-2018 Our houses have wood floors, ceramic tile, W/D, central air, and are close to campus with plentry of parking. We offer low rent and a 10 month lease to save you money! Call 309-255-1959 for a showing.

Small 1BR apt near campus and downtown. All utilities included. (Electric, Water, DISH, Garbage) $500/month, $300 deposit. Available immediately. Also have 2BR, you pay electric. $600/month, $350 deposit available September 1st. Please contact 309-255-4367 for a showing.

Timbercrest Apartments 1587 Riverview Drive Now showing 1 & 2 Bedroom Units. Very clean, close to WIU campus with bus stop in front of building. Washer/dryer available in most units, all other appliances included, FREE INTERNET, ceiling fans in every room, pet friendly. All units have off street parking and private decks overlooking campus. Both 10- and 12-month leases are available. Openings for Summer 2017 and school year 2017/2018. Deposit required. Phone (309)833-3192 and leave message.

Westen Investments: Are you looking for an apartment? We are now showing our beautiful 1-3 bedroom apartments for this upcoming school year! Don’t like paying for utilities? Ask about our ALL UTILITIES options, and be sure to check out our website (westerninvest.com) to see our listings! Schedule an appointment with us today at 309-833-5995.

The nicer apartments are going fast, excellent service- 24 hour emergency maintenance. Reasonable prices. Studio, 1-3 bedrooms, locations on/off campus available ‘18-’19 school year. Check us out at rentcollegepads.com. If interested, please call F & H Rentals 309/837-1705.

BECCA LANGYS / PHOTO EDITOR

BECCA LANGYS / PHOTO EDITOR

RATES $5.50 per issue (open rate) $4.00 per issue (campus rate)

For Rent Available now: Close to campus, clean studio apartments, excellent condition, reasonable rent, and partly furnished.

Ceiling fans and a/c. Professionally maintained. No pets.

Semester leases offered. Call 309 837 4369 and leave your phone number if not there. Email: MandKhousing@gmail.com ALL APARTMENTS - ALL INCLUSIVE Get control of your budget. Know exactly what you are spending each month. Each apartment includes free a/c, free heat, free electricity, free water, free cable tv, free hi speed internet, and free off street parking. Laundry on site.

No noise policy. Bus stop across the street. Close to campus. Well maintained. Studios are $460/mo, One bedrooms are $620/mo. Call Doug at 309-255-8179 for an appointment.

For Rent: Little Swan Lake, 30 min from campus. 2br, 2bth, heated double car garage with work area. $600 per mo.

(309) 335-2206 after 6:00 pm, may leave message anytime.

Spacious 3 Bedroom Upper in Duplex close to campus and Jackson St. All utilities furnished and appliances Includes cable and internet 18/19 school year $375.00 per Br Ph 309 255 8086 Please leave message Still have some nice large locations available at reasonable prices. Excellent service- 24 hour emergency maintenance. 1-8 bedrooms, locations on/off campus available ‘18-’19 school year. Pets at some locations. Check us out at rentcollegepads.com. If interested, please call F & H Rentals 309/837-1705.

Looking for 2 roommates to share a 3-bedroom furnished house beginning in August for 2018-19. 10- to 12-month contract. New carpet, air, garage w/ storage, laundry. $300 each per month, plus utilities. Call Sharon at 309-338-3888.

Friday, April 5, 2019

@WesternCourier

Sports 7

Ranking the 10 best current NBA players

The NBA playoffs are less than two weeks away, and for the first time since the 20042005 season LeBron James will not be participating.

This has sparked a massive debate all over sports shows and between sports writers.

Since, James has missed the playoffs, is he still the unquestioned king of the NBA? I have tried to stay away from this argument because many times people dislike players out of pure hate and will never respect the player for what they do on the court. It makes it tough to argue for a player when the person you are talking to hates his guts and will never agree with you anyway, even after providing the necessary facts. Therefore, writing about this topic makes it a little easier to get my point across, who is really the top player in the NBA today, and who is on the outside looking in, ready to take the throne.

Here are my 10 best players in the NBA. Number one at least until the playoffs conclude is James.

He’s the most proven player in the NBA from a statistical and competitive standpoint.

A lot of people will argue he played in the weaker Eastern Conference and had an easy path to the championship, but who else has pulled off a streak like James did? If it was so easy to win in the Eastern Conference, why hasn't anybody else been able to do it.

The Cleveland Cavaliers continued to win year in and out for one reason: they had the best player in the game. Last year James probably had the worst roster in the playoffs from a talent standpoint and still made the championship.

He was sweept by the Golden State Warriors but getting there showed how good he was.

I believe James would have defeated any other team in the finals had the Warriors not made it, however, it’s tough to compete with a team with four all-stars when you are the only one on your team playing at a high level. This year he didn’t make the playoffs, and everybody is blaming it on the tougher competition of the Western Conference, when it is injuries that really took the Los Angeles Lakers season.

They were sitting in the fourth spot and were looking good when James got injured in the Christmas Day game against the Warriors, a game they won. When James got back, his team was on the outside of the playoffs and had suffered more injuries to other key players. I did see James take a step back this year, though, he could not take over games like he could in the past. Even with that he was able to average 27 points, eight rebounds

and eight assists. Those are unbelievable numbers. Had anybody else achieved them ,they would be getting praised; however, James is getting the cold shoulder. He may not be the greatest teammate and if we are being honest no NBA superstar is, but he is still the best player in the world because no one in the NBA has a presence that affects the game like he’s does.

When I said the playoffs can change who the best player in the league is, I was specifically talking about James Harden. What he has done in this regular season should have flung him on top of the rankings as the league's best.

However, the best does not just do it in the regular season, but they also do it when the games count the most.

Harden’s lack of playoffs success is astonishing for such a talented player. Two years ago, he lost a series in embarrassing fashion against the San Antonio Spurs, a series he was expected to win. Last year’s seven-game series loss to the Warriors was tough as well, starting point guard Chris Paul was out for the seventh game due to injury.

Warriors had the upper hand coming into the match-up, but the least you would have expected out of Harden is to play great, this didn’t happen. Therefore, I hesitate to put Harden over James. James can get his teams over the hump; Harden hasn’t shown that yet. He always has the presence of the best player on the floor during the regular season, but this changes in the playoffs. Still you can’t deny his resume, the league’s most valuable player last year and a top two candidate this year Harden has averaged 36 points, seven assists and six rebounds and when his best two teammates were out this season, Harden stepped up and played his best basketball, saving the Houston Rockets season.

My third rated player is Kevin Durant. He’s probably the most skilled player at his size to ever enter the NBA. If he wasn’t playing for the Warriors, I would bet good money that he would likely be my best player. However, he has not proved to me he can win without the help of three other all-stars. When he played with the Oklahoma City Thunder, they reached just one championship. With a team that stacked they likely should have won one, but youth got in their way.

He failed to put away the Warriors the year before he joined them despite leading 3-1 in the series, if you want to be the NBA’s best player you can’t allow a team to

beat you three straight times when your teams are evenly matched talent wise. Next season will be interesting for Durant, if he can prove he still has the energy to put up great nightly numbers and still win despite being on a new team with less stars he will likely shoot to number one in my rankings. I have him behind Harden because I don’t know if he has that same ability, he shown in OKC. Yes, he dominates with the Warriors but when you have four other all-stars around you, there is more room to operate and less time for opponents to scheme for you like many teams do for Harden. Next year when Durant is expected to change teams and step back into a leadership role, we will be able to see if he can still show off those abilities and win like he has with the Warriors.

The fourth spot on my rankings is going to Stephen Curry. Yes, his numbers are not as crazy as others, but remember who he plays with and what he has done by himself. Before Durant arrived, Curry led the Warriors to, two straight NBA finals. He was dangerous from anywhere on the court, and his presence took defenders away from teammates. Fans seem confused why Klay Thompson is open so often or why NBA teams elect to give Draymond Green so much room to score it’s because of the presence of Curry. His shooting and dribble abilities are unmatched in the league today. He has the stats to back up this claim and has the playoff success with and without Durant.

Twenty-seven points, 12 rebounds and six assists are the numbers for Milwaukee Bucks star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo. He might be the NBA’s MVP this year if the heroics of Harden have gotten old to the voters. “The Greek Freak” has dominated the last few seasons in the NBA, but this year he has hit new heights. The only thing he is missing from his game now is a jump shot but that hasn't stopped him at all. There are four very good players in front of him in my rankings, but Antetokounmpo has the most potential to grow amongst this group. Durant, Harden, Curry and James have reached their full potential and are in their primes, I think "The Greek Freak" has yet to enter his playoff success is holding him back from moving up. Reaching the Eastern Conference finals is not enough for him either; they have the best record in the NBA and should be in the finals competing for a championship.

Players aside my top five in order includes: Anthony Davis, Kwahi Leonard, Joel Embiid, Russell Westbrook and Paul George. I also strongly consider Kyrie Irving and Nikola Jokic for the 10th spot in my rankings.

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Baseball looks to end four-game skid against Oral Roberts

By Christopher Gibson courier staff

MACOMB Ill. — This past Tuesday the Western Illinois University baseball team (8-18) ended a four game away skid with a 10-run loss to Bradley University (14-10).

After going 0-3 against Nebraska Omaha in conference play, the Leathernecks looked to try and bounce back against the Braves. The game was scoreless through five innings thanks in part to sophomore Alex Dorethy’s pitching, who is now 0-4. Giving up only one run in the fifth inning, Dorethy struck out six and only gave up three runs in his five innings pitched. The Braves added four more runs to their lead in the sixth and another five in the bottom of the eighth inning to win the game 10-0.

Managing to only get two hits against the Braves, the Leathernecks will need to get the bats going again if they want to beat Oral Roberts (14-12) this weekend. Senior CJ Schaeffer Jr. had a double to lead off the second inning for the Leathernecks, but no one else could follow him up. The only other hit in the game came from junior Trenton Bauer in the top of the second, but again, no one else could follow Bauer up in the inning. If the Leathernecks hope to win, they desperately need their hitting to improve. With three players batting below .200 right now, this will give the team a good look at some good pitching.

Hopefully after seeing this, the team can

make the necessary adjustments so that they pick up the slack at the plate coming off the Bradley game. The team will look to senior Bailey Montgomery to lead the charge at the plate, as he leads the team in batting average with a .315.

Oral Roberts are coming into the series against the Leathernecks after upsetting Oklahoma University in 11 innings by a score of four to two. Sitting third in the Summit with a 6-3 conference play record, the Golden Eagles are going to be a tough test for our Leathernecks.

The Golden Eagles have two of the conference’s top batting average leaders as well as the top conference RBI leaders and two of the top home run hitters.

Junior Spencer Henson is one of their players that meets all of those boxes.

Sitting at number two in the conference for batting average at .338, Henson leads the conference in RBIs and is third in the conference with the most home runs (five). WIU will need to do their best to limit Henson’s opportunities at the plate as they look to win.

The games will be the start of a sevengame homestand for the Leathernecks.

Looking to improve their standing in the conference, they will need a couple of wins if they want to move into fourth in the conference, as the North Dakota State Bison are only a game ahead of them. With the season reaching its peak, the Leathernecks will need to start kicking things into high gear in order to get ready come playoff time. The first pitch for Friday’s game is at 3 p.m.

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JOSH PURNELL / COURIER STAFF

JOSH PURNELL / COURIER STAFF

GOLEATHERNECKS.COM

Softball travels to South Dakota State seeking a series win

By Christopher Bean assistant sports editor

BROOKINGS, S.D. — The Western Illinois softball team travels to South Dakota State University to compete in a threegame series. The Leathernecks are 8-17 and tied for fifth in The Summit League with a 1-5 record.

The Jackrabbits are 24-8 and tied for first in The Summit League with a 3-0 record.

Western is looking to bounce back this week after getting swept by the other first place team, North Dakota State University. In the three-game series, the Necks only averaged 3.7 runs a game while giving up 8.0 runs. A big reason for the lack of offensive success for the Necks was because of senior pitcher KK Leddy. Leddy was phenomenal once again, only giving up seven hits and one earned run in 11 2/3 innings, picking up two wins and a save in the series. Ace Emily Ira was not herself, getting rocked in the first game and giving up seven earned runs on nine hits in four innings in the 12-0 loss to start the series. However, it was much better for her in the next game, giving up one run on four hits in 3 1/3 innings. She kept the Necks in the game, but unfortunately their comeback came up short in a 10-7 loss. On Sunday, Abby Carlin started the series finale, going the distance giving up five runs on

seven hits in the loss. Sydney Hollings led Western in hits (four) and RBI’s (three) in the series.

South Dakota State is coming off a 14-3 loss to Nebraska on Tuesday, but in their only Summit League series, they swept Omaha, outscoring them 25-5 in a threegame series. The Jackrabbits have had a great year so far, leading the league in winning percentage with .750 percent. A huge reason is because they’ve scored the most runs (199) and tied for the least amount of runs given up with NDSU (111). Senior infielder Ali Herdliska is cementing her legacy as a Jackrabbit. She is third in the league with her .378 batting average, and second with her 31 RBI’s.

On the mound this year for SDSU they have three really good pitchers in their rotation. Sophomore Kendra Conrad leads the league in earned run average with 1.81.

Teammates Morgan DeMarais is fifth with a 3.25 (ERA) and Taylor Compton is 10th with a 3.92 (ERA). Conrad is tied fourth with eight wins, while DeMarais and Compton are tied for seventh with six wins.

The Leathernecks and Jackrabbits will start their series on Saturday with a doubleheader and the series finale on Sunday.

Western is looking for momentum after starting 1-5 in the conference, and there is no better way to get it by winning the series against the best team in the Summit.