USF College Monthly | December 2014 by The Vessel

Student Senate News: Lauren Nelson Taking Center Stage: First Annual USF Idol @USF_CW /usfcollegeweek USF College Week Photo Courtesy of Dave Eggen, Inertia

Keep It In The Family: USF Football Feature December 2014 Volume 2 Issue 4 | usfcollegeweek.com

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College Week Staff

Miranda Cain Online and Print Editor

Eric Carlson Photographer

Dakota Case Executive Producer

Jeb Cooper Java Talk / Reporter

Dylan Dwyer Reporter / News Anchor

Simon Floss Reporter / News Anchor

Sheri Levaisy College Monthly Adviser

Evan Gentry Executive Director

Paige Petersen Reporter / News Anchor

Kristine Reiner Technical Director

Nick Poppens College Week Adviser

Irene Samaniego Reporter / News Anchor

Emily Stahl Audio Director

Kendra Strasser Producer / Reporter

Gerry Schlenker College Week Adviser

Dreax Thomas Java Talk / Reporter

Advertising / Photographer

Christin VanderPol

Tanner Wangsness Floor Director / Reporter

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Keep It In the Family: USF Football Story by Evan Gentry

This is no normal news story or report. I set out to write a story on a team that had an unbelievable year in their third year as a member of the NCAA Division II. Instead of boasting a record of 10-1, their top tier stats, or even the players who are All- American hopefuls, I decided to tell you the story of a family. In the freezing temperatures of January, a group of 75 young men prepared themselves after a disappointing 2013 season. All of them knew the task ahead. With new goals set in place, coaching changes being made, and the birth of a dream, these men went to work. It started with intense weight lifting sessions involving the infamous “Squat Till U Drop”. After what they called the first quarter, the Cougar Football team headed into their second quarter with their

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heads held high, remembering the goals they set only a month ago. The team battled through morning work outs in the Stewart Center in the wee hours of the morning. Zach Mathers, Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, was pushing the Cougars beyond limits they did not know they could reach. Never allowing themselves to quit, they pushed through the second quarter until the start of spring football. This would be the first time the returning Cougars would play under their new coordinators, Dusty Horovka as Offensive Coordinator and Tremaine Jackson as Defensive Coordinator. The team picked up the new systems with no trouble and was ready to transition in their third quarter. The third quarter of their program was the summer session of work outs. This may seem relaxing to most because there is no school involved but the team realized this was a difficult quarter with exhausting runs including brutal hill work outs and an obstacle course that mentally challenged the majority of the team. This phase would break many teams but the men grow closer and were beginning to bond as a family. The time then arrived to begin the fourth quarter of their program; the 2014 season.

Being a part of this family has woken me up the idea that nothing is stronger than family. I have been blessed to be a part of this and I am excited to have the opportunity to play more final game with them. I love my Coo family, this school, and this town. I am honored to know every one of these gentlemen and be under the coaching staff of USF. -Evan Gentry

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See more about the bond of brother between the USF Cougar Football team by visiting www.usfcollegeweek.com or scanning the code below!

Photo Courtesy of Dave Eggen, Inertia. Pictured to the from left to right: Jesse Springer (#67), Antonio Green (#73), and Trevor Westcott (#77)

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The new freshmen arrived and were ready to go to work. A quick reminder of the goals was given at the beginning of fall camp to keep the team focused. The team then strapped up for the first time as a whole and kicked off an incredible season. As the delightfully cool camp seemed to drag on, the team found ways to keep themselves entertained. One way they did this was by giving Mike Mehling improv scenes to act out. By the end of camp the Cougars were no longer a team, but instead a family. Many rumors spread throughout the community and country that this season was not going to be one to remember. The family then headed into their first game and decided to lay down the foundation of something that would be remembered for ages. The Cougars were off to an unexpected start to many. The men rallied behind one another and kept the fire going, winning game after game. This family grew closer and closer. One could literally see the love that was on this team and the chemistry between players and coaches. Then, USF was to face the highest ranked team in the country in a hostile Minnesota State at Mankato environment. The Cougars shocked the Mavericks in a closer game than what the score showed. The Cougars, at Mankato, received its first taste of the playoffs; knowing

they would get more, they avenged their only loss in the season with two final impressive wins. As Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014 rolled around, this tight knit family was awaiting the announcement of the playoff bracket; the men were ready to see who they would face in the first round. After shocking the nation and putting up stats that competed among the nationâ€™s best, the Cougars were left out of the playoffs, finishing seventh in the region. Their hard work had not paid off the way they expected; leaving them devastated. They deserved a chance at the playoffs. A chance to prove they were among the best teams in country. Jed Stugart, Head Coach, was composed as always, when he then realized, on the following afternoon in a team meeting, that he had 75 sons sitting in front of him not only discouraged but also, motived with a heat that could melt Antarctica. Stugartâ€™s sons are ready to prove a point and show the nation, they are to never be overlooked again. This motivation will lead them into the Mineral Water Bowl on December 6th, 2014 against a Central Oklahoma team that is unaware of the storm headed their way.

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Contestants and MCs anxiously awaiting the results of the viewers’ votes.

Watch this story online!

USF Idol Takes Center Stage Story by Jeb Cooper | Photos by Christin VanderPol

The first ever ‘USF Idol’ brought about much excitement to the campus over the past few weeks—from ‘90s hits and love songs, to the final night where contestants sang whatever song they pleased. Eight students made up the show’s contenders for the $150 cash prize, but at the end of the day only one was crowned victorious. The three judges had a smaller role in the final night of the show because at the end, the crowd was able to send in their votes via text message to decide who they think should win.

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Contestant Zach Dresch singing Creed and Michael Buble

The doors opened for the final night to a swarm of students eager to get great seating. Z -hall was packed within 5 minutes of opening, and this made some contestants a tad nervous to perform. At 9 p.m. the lights came down, the judges were in their seats and the crowd was more than ready for the first contender to go on. After each contestant finished his or her song the crowd applauded, whooped, and yelled, and the attention was turned over to the judges for their critique on the song. Some critiques were harder on the contestant than others, but overall they were mostly positive and constructive criticism. After the final contestant performed it was up to Resident Assistant Bryce Wildenauer and Assistant Director of Activities Nathan Hofer to quickly crunch the numbers from judge votes and crowd text in votes. The anticipation was unbearable while the crowd waited; however, it did help that the crowd was able to watch old “American Idol” bloopers while the numbers were being crunched. Finally the screen went blank, the spotlights led right to the center stage, and it was finally time to see who the winner of the first annual USF Idol would be. Out of the eight contestants, three were eliminated right away. The crowd cheered them off the stage to await the next three contestants who wouldn’t be making it. Finally, we were down to two contestants: Simon Floss and Aureile Cremers. The crowd went silent for the drum roll announcement. USF Idol’s first place winner for 2014 is Simon Floss. Z-hall erupted into cheers while everyone jumped to their feet for a standing ovation. Each contestant showed great courage and skill for being a part of this event, and in turn were all praised highly for their valiant effort at the $150 cash prize. This event seemed to have brought about much excitement to the campus and will more than likely continue to be held yearly for students to enjoy.

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Senior Spotlight Henry Ojeda USF Football Team Boot Scootin’ Boogie

Story by Simon Floss | Photos Courtesy of Dave Eggen, Inertia

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Keep following your dreams, you’ll get there one day.

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Hometown: San Diego, Calif. USF Alumni Sing Band Covers Residents of Sullivan Hall Preforming to 70’s Decade Sport: Baseball. Ojeda shown pitching during USF baseball games. Highlight of Fall Season: A lot of sunshine. Hopes for Spring Season: More sunshine and winning! Major: Criminal Justice Plans after USF: Play baseball after college somewhere or get into law school. Favorite thing about USF: The community aspect of USF. Favorite Homemade Meal: Enchiladas.

Home Cookin’ Crescent Roll Philly Sandwiches By Shae Hoskins | Photos by Miranda Cain

Crescent Roll Philly Sandwiches

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Ingredients: • 1 packet of au jus • Sliced Swiss cheese • 1 roll of crescent rolls • 1/2 pound of roast beef

In a lightly greased pan, roll together cheese and roast beef into the center of the crescent rolls. Bake 9-12 minutes or until golden brown.

Preheat the oven at 375o

Boil au jus packet with 2 cups water for dipping sauce and enjoy!

Student Senate News By Lauren Nelson | ‘14 - ‘15 Student Senate President

Hey – Student Senate President Lauren Nelson here. Exciting things have been happening in Student Senate this fall!

In early November, after multiple meetings of the Senate Organizational group, a preliminary model of what Student Government could look like in future years was presented to the Senate. The Senate has since been At the beginning of the fall the Senate spent time debating, critiquing, and editing a future model of what discussing service opportunities that it could participate Student Government will look like at USF. The goal of a in, activities that the Senate would like to do this year, and new structure of Student Government would be to include student concerns that the Senate could address. The more a broader representation of students in Student we talked about all of the things that we as a Senate want- Government. ed to accomplish this year, the more it became clear that the Senate needed a clear view of what exactly its job and While the nuances of a new Student Government model roles at USF should be. are still being discussed among the Senate and those associated, it is widely agreed among the Senate that a Led by Dean of Students Corey Ross, a discussion among change in Student Government would be a positive thing Corey Ross, the Senate executives, and a number of Senate for USF’s campus, because it would allow for more peovolunteers began at the beginning of October about what ple to be involved in Student Government and to channel exactly the roles of Student Senate are. This group, called their efforts specifically toward things that they are pasfor the time being the Senate Organizational group, met sionate about. In USF’s situation, we believe that bigger multiple times to evaluate the performance of Senate in government may not be that bad of an idea! ;) This recent years and to obtain a clear definition of what Senate discussion is far from over, so keep your eyes and ears should focus its time on, and this led to a larger discussion peeled, folks; big changes are on the horizon! of the possibility of a new format of Student Government.

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More stories online Intramural Volleyball

is kicking off on campus and students are loving the chance to get out of the cold and looking for some fierce competition. To the left, Zach Dejong spikes during an intramural volleyball match against Sede and Megan Jacob