The Vessel |Oct. 2017

October 2017

Volume 5 Issue 2

the

vessel SIoux Falls Universities Diapers & Diplomas Halloween Hidden horrors

4

Contents

4 5 Diapers & Diplomas 8 Sioux Falls College Experience 10 10 Halloween Hidden Horrors 11 In The Political Arena 12 Cougar Sports 12 14 Eat Out!

5

Wicked Recipes

Liven-Up your October

The Life of a College Parent

Cougars or Vikings?

8

The Best Classic Horror Films

11

The Right to Take a Knee

USF Fall Athletics Preview

Top Sioux Falls Restaurants

Cover Photo designed by Yuharelly Comparan

Note From The Editor Please pardon our progress; the magazine you are holding is a little different from the one you saw last month. There has been a learning curve as we attempt to re brand The Vessel.

If you are interested in writing for the magazine or would like to submit creative works, including poems, shorts stories, photography or art;, email us at vessel.usiouxfalls@gmail.com.

The Vessel is a historical name and was the name of magazine for several decades until it was changed to College Monthly. We, as a staff, have decided to return to our roots. The magazine is the Vessel because, much like a ship, it is out job to report on campus news and deliver it to the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the University.

The new website site is now live; to stay up-to-date on the latest campus news by going to usfvessel.com and look for the magazine the first Thursday of every month.

Whitney Fryer Print & Website Editor whitney.fryer@usiouxfalls.edu

14

BewareAthe Locals Student Documentary Story by Jacob VanEngen | Photos courtesy of Dempsey Tapley & Jacob VanEngen.

Sioux Falls has become a city alive with art and culture. One night spent downtown surrounded by sculptures and quartzite facades will easily serve to illustrate just how deep the roots of artistry sink into its grassland foundation.

Yet, it can be easy to miss the culture here.

Often times, the vast pockets of artistry can become mundane as one would pass them multiple times a day. The colors of the quartzite walls shift from their natural pinkish-red to a hazy brown, and the sculptures only serve to get in the way of your “six-minute mile”.

USF student, Dempsey Tapley’s created a 40 minute documentary, titled Beware the Locals, to combat this very issue.

Having moved to Sioux Falls as a freshman at USF, Tapley was unaware of what the city had to offer in terms of artistic outlets and creative junctions.

However, it did not take much exploring of the city to find the art scene to be a dominant one. This was his inspiration for his documentary.

“I wanted to create something that showed off what we had here in the city and celebrated those people who were making creative things happen and who keep the creative heartbeat of the city pumping,” Tapley says.

Tapley says the local music scene is what attracted him to the arts in Sioux Falls.

“For a long time [in our music scene] it was twenty one-and over shows, and then it became all-ages when this little record store [Total Drag] opened and how significant that became to our music

population,” Tapley says.

Tapley says the creative process for this project sometimes took a toll on him and he needed to find motivation along the way.

“There are certain parts of the film that I would consider a failure. You just have to say, ‘Okay, this thing is going to be at some level a failure, and I have to be okay with that because there is something else that makes it worth it.’

For me it was celebrating what’s being done in the community and what these people are doing, and it’s worth getting involved in.”

Beware the Locals is not like any other documentary in format. Being someone invested in the fine arts as a theatre major, Tapley created Beware the Locals to be a live show. It premiered on August 13 at Total Drag, a music shop featured in the documentary. With live poetry, the film became much more than just a video, and brought the experience of going to a show back to the foreground.

Tapley wanted to bring communities together with the premiere by making it a much more experiential event.

“It was also pretty cool how [Dempsy] talks about the community; the people that you don’t necessary see or know about and then brought that community to the premiere,” Korff says.

Beware the Locals is a performance focused around informing its audience about the local scene in Sioux Falls and encouraging them to get involved.

Tapley says he encourages other students to broaden their involvement to off-campus.

“If you live on campus, do stuff off campus. College is great, and the fact that you learn how to do stuff is really cool, but just make sure to put yourself into situations where you can apply that knowledge where you can fail in front of actual people,” Tapley says. “It matters more off campus.”

Matt Korff, a junior at USF attended the premiere.

With the conclusion of Beware the Locals, Tapley says he is not finished in his documentary career.

“[The live aspect] gave it a pretty unique perspective -- a perspective that you would only get if you were there… an even more raw and genuine feel,” Korff says.

“I recently started a documentary about our refugee population, and more than just the stories about our refugee population, it’s going to be about the process [of being] a refugee.”

Tapley says he has no plans to perform the documentary again, however there is a possibility that he could release the extended interview footage in a format that could be uploaded and watched without any performance aspect.

Tapley says he appreciates that his documentary experiences have inspired him to further explore the more artistic side of the city have shown him parts of the Sioux Falls that he had never seen before.

October 2017 | 3

Wicked Recipes Lemon “Slime” Punch Ingredients • • • •

1 cup lemon lime Hawaiian punch 1 cup pineapple juice 1 cup lemon lime soda 2 cups (approx.) lime sherbet

Directions

1. Mix all ingredients together, starting with lime sherbet.

2. If a thicker consistency is desired, place in freezer for approximately 1 hour.

Full Recipe: 1 gal. lemon lime Hawaiian punch, 1qt. pineapple juice, 2 liters of lemon lime soda, and 1.5 qt. lime sherbet. Recipe courtesy of Whitney Fryer | Photo taken by Yuharelly Comparan.

Goblin Dip

[Cheesy Bean Dip]

Ingredients • • • • •

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 8 oz. package cream cheese ½ cup sour cream 1 16 oz. can refried beans 1 10 oz. can Rotel diced tomatoes

& Bone Crackers • • • • •

1 4oz. can diced green chilies ½ tsp. cumin ½ tsp. onion powder Large tortillas ½ cup butter

Directions 1. To make crackers: shape tortillas into bones, melt butter & add ½ tsp. onion powder; spread over bones. Cook for 30 min. at 250 ° or until golden brown.

2. To make dip: place pan over medium heat. Add shredded cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, beans, tomatoes, chilies, and cumin. Heat bean dip until ingredients are blended. Serve.

Recipe & photo courtesy of Whitney Fryer.

Poison Candy Apples Ingredients • • •

12 granny smith apples 12 candy apple sticks or wooden dowels 1 ½ cup sugar

• ½ cup light corn syrup • ½ cup water •

black gel paste food coloring wax paper

Directions

•

1. Wash and dry apples.

5. Remove thermometer and add food coloring; swirl in pan to mix.

2. Place apples on wax paper and poke firmly with dowels.

3. Combine sugar, water, and corn syrup: place over medium heat.

6. Twirl apples through candy mix, shake of excess, and place back onto the wax paper.

4. Use a candy thermometer, let temperature rise without stirring to 310°.

Recipe courtesy of countryliving.com | Photo taken by Yuharelly Comparan.

D i s r e a p D

&

i p l o m a

Story by Joee Taylor | Photos Courtesy of Joee Taylor, Jeff Harmon, & LaShe Tatum.

s

October 2017 | 5

What is the first thing you think of when you think of “college”?

student; adding parenting it gets to be a little more tiring.

Late night study sessions in your dorm room, tailgating at football games, and the raging parties — these activities describe your stereotypical college experience. However, once you start class, you will find college is more about defining yourself both academically and socially.

“I would say my only real difference is that I am always tired. So even if I get a full night of rest I still sit through class tired,” Ceveja Rice, a junior mother-to-be says.

In high school, students get put into a box; in college you get to make the box.

All students end up defining themselves differently.

Many students now are raising a child while attending college. The University of Sioux Falls really gears their campus and academics toward traditional students. However, even some of the traditional-aged students do not have a traditional path. Here at USF, there are plenty of students that fit into these categories as well as being full-time parents.

I can confirm this as well. When I was a junior at USF, I went through my fall semester pregnant. Because you are growing an entire human, it can be exhausting.

Jeff Harman is a senior Media student.

He recently became a father in July.

a full-time job, and then having a parttime job on top of that is a lot for me as is. Then adding a a child would make things feel like it might be impossible, but I think that with the support I could do it and succeed,” Wickberg says.

One of the difficulties with having a child in college is that you can end up missing a lot of class if your child is sick or if there is a scheduling conflict. Many times, parents end up taking time off of school to make sure they are providing for their children.

“My daughters just started pre-school.

I had to miss half of my class because pre-school doee not start until 8:50am, and my class started at 8:30am,” LaShe

Dennis Thum, Dean of Chapel, says that there has always been a dynamic at USF for there to be students that are also parents.

They are on the same journey as students without children — defining themselves through academics, sports, and through the social world.

Taylor Wickberg, a student without any children says, “I think it’s incredible that they [student parents] are continuing to strive for their education. They are continuing their plan, but now they have a beautiful child to do it for.”

However, with kids and school it can get a little more difficult. A typical day and semester can get pretty tiring for a

“I think it’s a lot harder for moms to continue in college than dads.”

But fathers do not always have it the easiest either. Harmon’s schedule consists of 21 credit hours and football.

He plans to graduate in December.

Tatum, a senior Media student says.

“So, I have to get them to school first.

I made sure it was okay with Professor Poppens and then got them to school and drove here,” Tatum says.

“My brain is basically split in half because I have two classes at the same time. I have to make sure my assignments are all in order and really communicate with the professors,” Harman says.

Dr. Foster, a theology professor at USF, says that President Dr. Brett Bradfield always says faith and family comes first, before your job. Foster says he believes that the faculty at USF try to have a similar attitude towards student parents.

Parents wake up early, get their children and themselves ready for the day, take their children to daycare or school, go to school themselves, then pick up their kids after.

There are times even when parents bring their children to class with them.

Personally, I did this when Jonah was a newborn, because I did not have a solid care system set up yet.

“If I had a child during college I think it would be a challenge because college is

Dennis Thum says he doesn’t mind this situation.

Harman says what makes it all worth it is seeing his daughter smile.

“She can have me so mad. One day I woke up with her at 4:00 a.m., and she did not go back to sleep until about 6:30 a.m. After she went down, I went to class and then when I came home around 9:00 a.m. she was awake again. Tori [my girlfriend] handed her to me and she smiled, and I forgot she woke me up at 4:00 a.m. and I forgot about everything that was going on,” Harman says.

Where I am doing everything to better both our lives, he pushes me to strive towards excellence for him. If there is anything I want my son to take away, it is that no matter what life throws at you, you can keep going strong. I certainly was not expecting to get pregnant during college, but I kept going, and now I am almost done.

“Before my daughter, I was going to go to Europe and play football for fun after college. Now I plan on moving back to California,” Harman says.

“I’m trying to finish school to give her a better life,” Harman says.

“There has been more than one time when I have held a baby while a student did an assignment. I love it, so long as I don’t have to change diapers,” Thum says.

Harman is going to see what opportunities open for him in California.

He wants to do what he loves, but he wants to also provide and give a better life to his family.

The professors at USF are very understanding when it comes to student parents. They do not hold parent students at a lower academic standard or give them less work.

“When it was just Tori and I, I thought it would be okay and struggle a little bit and do what I love. Now that we have a daughter to think of, we don’t have time for that,” Harman says.

“It’s about being flexible in the way they complete those academic standards,” Foster says.

Christ has a plan for everyone, and this was part of my plan. My walk with God is continuing to grow and strengthen through both the support I have at USF and through my son.

Where it can be difficult, it is also very rewarding for student parents. “If it had not been for them [my children] and I didn’t finish school, I don’t know if I would have had the drive or motivation to get my degree,” Tatum says.

“Moms or dads with kids in school — I think they take school a little more seriously. I hardly ever miss class like I used to before I even had these responsibilities. And now that I do, I’m always here. I always make sure my priorities are straight. When we have kids, I think it really takes us to another level in our mind and were more focused while we’re here,” Tatum says.

Wickberg says she always notices joy, rather than frustration, on the faces of student parents.

“They have to work three times as hard, but I always see a smile on their faces, and their child’s faces as well,” Wickberg says.

Parents aim to give their children a better life. I know that personally, everything I do is to better my son. My goal is to graduate in the spring of 2018 with my bachelor’s degree in Theology and media. Hoping to get back into KSFY-TV with my degree as an on airpersonality, Jonah pushes me to do my best to make this possible.

The Sioux Falls College Experience

COUGARS & VIKINGS Story by LaShe Tatum Photos Courtesy of Usiouxfalls.edu & Augie.edu

With two respected, faith-based universities here in Sioux Falls, students who choose to attend school in the city have some opportunities that are not available at state schools.

their careers right here in South Dakota.”

Weins points to three major things that separate USF from other colleges: outcome, academics and affordability.

While the University of Sioux Falls and Augustana University differ in many ways, both offer experiences for students to engage in their faith during college, and that well-rounded experience is something that keeps many students coming to Sioux Falls to further their education.

Ben Weins, the Director of Enrollment Management and Instructor of Mathematics at USF, says that the school has seen a steady number of about 270 incoming freshmen over the past five years.

“We have a smaller community experience here, and if that’s what you’re looking for, USF is the place for you.

People just love it here in Sioux Falls,” Weins says.

“It’s a great place to live, with an abundance of career opportunities. I mean, 82 percent of our graduates start

Sophomore Elijah Zoucha is a football player at Augustana University. He wears his school pride on his sleeve, and says that he believes Augustana was the best choice for him.

“There’s plenty of energy. A better education, better faculty — just all around better,” Zoucha says.

In addition, USF has a higher population of male students than many small schools — a 40 percent male to 60 percent female ratio. Weins says that the school has an advantage of recruiting male students because unlike many small, Christian colleges, USF has a successful football team.

But male-dominated sports in Sioux Falls do not exist just at USF. Just down the street, Augustana University, which is has Lutheran roots, also boasts a strong athletic program.

Zoucha says that going to a Lutheran school was an added plus, but it was not his main reason for his choice of university.

Reasons for choosing Christian colleges are different for everyone, according to Nancy Davidson, Vice President for Enrollment at Augustana.

“A lot of our students aren’t even Christian, let alone Lutheran,” Davidson says. “Our students have plenty of opportunities to practice their faith in our chapel sessions every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and our congressional meetings every Sunday.

However, we do not pressure those who are not interested — but it is available,” Augustana University brought in 481 fulltime freshmen with a 3:2 female to male ratio this year.

While the faith-based aspect of USF and Augustana may be secondary to some students — athletes and non-athletes alike, some say that their faith is exactly what led them to college.

USF alumnus Rachel Wuertz studied Elementary Education in 2012 and says faith played a large role in her campus decision.

“I was never big into moving far from home after high school. I really liked the location of campus, and how my family was only 15 minutes away,” Wuertz says.

“Most importantly, the faith you see on campus is unparalleled. To have your class start in a moment of prayer or time with God really encourages us to not forgot the core quality of our school.”

“That sounds so bad to say, but personally I just like a little bit more freedom. I feel like I’m getting that here at Augie,” Mischke says.

In comparison to the other colleges nearby, Sarah says the thought of attending schools like SDSU was terrifying to her because of the campus and class sizes.

“I really feel that your professor knows you not only as a student, but as a hardworking professional and a real human being,” Sarah says.

“USF is such a positive, loving atmosphere that I feel made a lasting impact on my life.”

Having the choice of whether or not to participate in faith-based activities such as chapel is what makes the Christian college experience a good one, according to Cassidy Mischke, a sophomore at Augustana.

“My sister, Rachel, had such a great four years, and I wanted to experience it for myself, Sarah says.

“Continuing a walk with God as a young adult is incredibly hard, and USF showed me that I can live a full and happy spiritual life surrounded by people who want the same thing for me.”

She says that she particularly loved that chapel is blocked into everyone’s schedule and that Bible studies can be found all over campus.

Of the students who graduate from USF, 98% of them find employment in their major within six months of graduation.

Students can search for jobs through USF resources, such as Cougar Careers, where 3,500 positions are posted each year. There are also 200 employers who visit the school and host job fairs on campus.

There are 94 academic programs at USF, 14 study abroad opportunities, free tutoring and a 14:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

Rachel’s younger sister Sarah is a more recent graduate from USF. She graduated in 2015 with a degree in Social Work.

She says that whether or not to attend USF was never even a question for her.

Just for being a sibling of a USF student, Sarah received a $10,000 Cougar scholarship.

Smaller Christian schools like USF and Augustana don’t only boast faith opportunities and strong sports programs. Perhaps most importantly, both schools offer strong academic programs that prepare their students for life in the workforce after college.

While private schools are often more expensive than their public counterparts, Weins says that USF makes tuition affordable for everyone.

“It’s nice that there’s always an option to go to chapel and not a requirement, Mischke says.

She says she also considered USF, but Augustana won her over.

She says that the small and friendly community she experienced during her visit at USF was nice, but she says she felt like Christianity was being thrown at her.

“I just liked Augie better. I think USF puts a lot of pressure on their students to be Christians when they’re undecided,” Mischke says.

“The reason we’re able to meet the needs of all of our students is because 100% of our first-time, full-time freshmen receive financial aid, with $24 million awarded each year,” Weins says. “That’s in addition to the 680-plus academic scholarships awarded each year.”

While every university strives to offer a dynamic experience for all students, USF and Augustana offer opportunities to nurture students in every aspect of their lives, and that’s a reason both schools continue to strive and make their mark on Sioux Falls.

And whether you’re a Cougar or a Viking, that’s something we can all be proud of.

Halloween Hidden Horrors Story by Casey Kelderman.

Photos courtesy of IMBD.com

Many of us hold holiday traditions — carving turkey on Thanksgiving, opening presents on Christmas, watching fireworks on the 4th of July. With the Halloween season upon us, we will soon enjoy one of the biggest traditions that come along with it, like watching scary movies about monsters and things that go bump in the night.

This Halloween, consider visiting some of the underrated and under watched classics of the genre. Here are eight films that will fill your need for spooky sensations, while also showing appreciation for some under watched horror films.

8. Rosemary’s Baby (1968) Though many would consider this film a classic on its own, I have found that many people of the younger generation have not seen or may not have even heard of this film. Roman Polanski’s artistic directing style and ability to create truly unnerving situations for the main character of Rosemary make this one of the most talked about horror films for nearly 50 years. The story of a young couple moving into a new neighborhood is something that has been reciprocated in the genre for years, but the level of dramatic tense Polanski creates has yet to be matched. A story that contains no ghosts, monsters, or maniac killers manages to create one of the most visceral endings to a horror film that you will never forget.

7. The Craft (1996)

A story of high school girls who deal with typical high school drama, boys, homework, and parents. Did I mention that they practice witchcraft? Set in the mid-90’s when horror was on its deathbed, The Craft, along with a few other films, added new energy to the stagnant genre. The Craft is not your traditional jump/scare filled horror film; rather it looks at the transformation

we all go through from adolescent to adult, only this time using one’s manifestation of supernatural powers as a metaphor for maturing. Although this film might not keep you up at night, the story and characters will keep you invested in the action on screen.

6. It Follows (2014) Director David Robert Mitchell’s love letter to classic slasher films of the 1980’s creates one of the most unsettling atmospheres in any films you will watch this Halloween season. After a sexual encounter with her boyfriend, Jay (Maika Monroe) is now stalked by a figure that manifests itself in many forms.

A film that in many ways can be seen as an arthouse film, it manages to break that mold and become a film that will forever have viewers looking over their shoulders making sure they are not being followed.

5. Re-Animator (1985) Based on the short story by H.P. Lovecraft, Re-Animator is filled with off-kiltered comedy, insane special effects, and visuals that will forever be engraved inside your mind. After being dismissed from his studies, college student Dan gets involved with fellow student Herbert’s unusual experiments trying to revitalize dead tissue. A film that is not for everyone, but those who love the use bizarre imagery will find nothing but enjoyment in this film.

4. Drag Me to Hell (2009) After the success of The Evil Dead trilogy in the 80’s and 90’s, director Sam Raimi makes his return to the horror genre. Once again using his unique style of horror and comedy, Raimi once again creates a fan favorite film. A loan officer is cursed by a gypsy woman who seeks revenge after being evicted from

her home. Raimi changed the game with Evil Dead and has not missed a beat since then.

3. Hush (2016) The follow up to his surprise hit Oculus, director Mike Flanagan once again delivers a film full of twist and turns, as well as a lead character that audiences immediately identify with. Maddie, a deaf writer, secludes to the woods to live a life of solace, that is until a masked killer shows up in her kitchen window. Flanagan’s use of the main character’s disability not only creates an instantly sympathetic character, it also allows for many unique scares.

2. The Babadook (2014) “Babadook. Dook.

Dook.” A small phrase that will forever haunt you in the middle of the night. The Babadook not only combines genuine scares that will be forever ingrained in viewers minds, it has one of the most heartfelt stories in any horror film in recent memory.

Essie Davis delivers one of the most honest portrayals of a single mother, a role in which many believe she deserved an Oscar for. Director Jennifer Kent showcases the hardships of life including death, regret, and longing for those lost, creating a modern horror classic.

1. Trick ‘r Treat (2007) Five interwoven stories including werewolves, vampires, ghosts, serial killers, and a lollipop wielding killer child. Not since Michael Myers has there been a more iconic figure for Samhain than Sam from Trick ‘r Treat. The seemingly innocent figure unleashes his evil upon those who have become “grinches” to the Halloween season. The closer we come to Halloween the more satisfying this film becomes for viewers.

In the Political Arena: The Right to Take a Knee

Written by Whitney Fryer.

NFL players across the nation have been demonstrating during the national anthem; some have chosen to stand and lock arms with teammates, others have chosen to kneel, and some teams have opted out of anthem all together by remaining in the locker room.

National anthem protests started during the 2016 season when Colin Kaepernick, 49ers backup quarterback, choose to sit during the anthem and later began kneeling. Kaepernick stated multiple times that he was doing so to bring attention to the police brutality against African Americans.

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” Kaepernick told NFL Media in 2016. He has not addressed the news media since last season.

Recently, a series of Tweets from President Donald Trump regarding the topic have since sparked further protest.

Trump’s first wave of comments included the following statement: “if a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL, or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect...our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem. If not, YOU’RE FIRED. Find something else to do!”

When it comes to the First Amendment, what are your rights?

The First Amendment to the Constitution prevents the government from establishing a state religion or from blocking the practice of a religion.

It also establishes the right to free speech, free press, as well as the right to protest peacefully and to petition the government. The First Amendment states the following:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting

the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Mainly focusing on the right to free speech and the right to peacefully assemble, those who choose to protest are protected by the Constitution.

According the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), groups have the right to protest on public property. Protesters must have permission to gather on private property.

mentioned in the 2017 rulebook and is therefore obsolete.

After the initial game-day protests, veterans have taken to Twitter, using the hashtags #VeternasForKaepernick and #TakeaKnee. In a Tweet, army veteran Jason Arkinen stated “I took an oath to defend the Constitution, not the flag.”

The Constitution lays out the rights of a United States’ citizen; it is the foundation of this country. The American flag is a symbol of American pride and freedom, however, it does not grant us our freedoms.

When marching on sidewalks, individuals must obey traffic laws and not restrict the right of way of pedestrians. However, if a protest begins to get violent, police forces may be called in to disperse the situation.

Do note, “the street is not the place to challenge police misconduct,” per the ACLU website. If the right to protest has been violated, right down the offices badge and/or patrol car number and file a formal complaint. Assistance can also be sought from the ACLU through their website.

As it is clearly stated in the Constitution, it is your right to peacefully protest.

However, those in opposition to the national anthem protests argue that they are disrespecting the United States flag and dishonoring military personnel.

When Kaepernick first began kneeling in 2016, the NFL issued the following statement: “Players are encouraged, but not required to stand, during the playing of the National Anthem.”

The previous NFL League Rulebook stated: “The National Anthem must be played prior to every game, and all players must be on the sideline for the National Anthem.” However, this is not

John Middlemas, a 97-year-old World War II veteran and Missouri farmer, has also been trending on social media after his grandson, Brennan Gilmore, shared a photo of his grandfather taking a knee in solidarity (pictured above). Accompanying the photo, Middlemas wrote, “those kids have every right to protest.”

Just as President Trump has the right to post as he pleases on Twitter, according to the Constitution, it is also the right of NFL players to peacefully protest those words.

October 2017 | 11

COUGAR Story by Jeff Harman Photos Courtesy of Dave Eggen

With a new school year, comes fall sports an opportunity or students to get their mind off school work for a minute and show their school spirit. This fall, Cougars have a lot to be excited about.

The fall season is dominated by sports, such as cross country, football, golf, soccer, and volleyball. Each sport has a different goal and are in different places as far as program history and success.

Cougar sports started off with a bang to begin the new school year, winning seven out of eight contests from August 31 to September 3.

The football team started strong when they defeatied Minnesota Duluth 26-7 in their first game of the season on Thursday, August 31 in Duluth. On Friday, September 1, the volleyball team swept Black Hills State and Fort Hays State by scores of 3-0 in the Country Inn & Suites Invitational; while the soccer team won its first pre-season game of the season by a score of 2-1 over Colorado Christian University. Cross Country wrapped things up with the men’s team winning the Augustana Twilight Invitational. Then on Saturday, September 2, the volleyball girls continued their dominance, beating William Jewell 3-0 and Arkansas-Fort Smith by 3-1 to win the invitational.

These wins set the tone for the semester and let Cougar fans know they would have a lot to look forward to this fall.

Cross Country After the men’s Cross Country team won the Augustana Twilight Invitational, they set their sights for the Roy Griak Invitational in Minneapolis. On September 23, runners from schools across the country met at the Griak to compete. Sophomore Mason Phillips dominated the event and became to first Cougar to ever win the Griak.

Phillips finished with a time of 25:31.

Junior Steven Brown finished just behind Phillips in second place, giving the Cougars the top one-two punch in the Division II race. The men’s team finished the invitational in 5th place while the women’s finished 16th.

Football Cougar football has been subject to a lot of press over the last nine months.

Coming off the school’s first conference championship since switching to Division II, the team has had more questions asked about it then ever. This began with former Head Coach Jed Stugart leaving the program in December to accept a job at Lindenwood University. With Stugarts’ departure, 10 of 12 assistant coaches also left the program. That, along with the graduation of many key players for the Coo, left many to wonder whether or not they could retain their spot at the top.

Head Coach, Jon Anderson arrived the

next day after Stugart announced he was leaving. Anderson asked one thing of his new players -- “Trust me.”

It seems that the players have done just that. The Cougars currently sit ranked 7th in the country after winning their first three games of the season.

After beginning the season being ranked 18th, the Cougars shocked the polls, upsetting 10th ranked Duluth in their home stadium -- their first home loss to a NSIC opponent since 2006.

The Cougars have since won three more games against Northern State, University of Mary, and Minnesota Crookston. They have been able to do this with a dominant defense that returned four all-conference players from 2016: safeties Joshua Butler and Jeffrey Harman, linebacker Kyle Campiotti, and defensive tackle Brian Mayberry.

The defense was bolstered during the off-season with the acquisitions of corner Noah St. Pierre, safety Ayinde Warren, and linebacker Dennis Gardeck, who have all made significant impact thus far.

The offense has fought back from losing standouts such as Josh Angulo, Brady Rose, and Luke Papillion. The arrival of junior college transfers quarterback, Ian Fieber and receiver, Mike Maxwell have teamed up with returners Anthony Holmes and Ty Smith to create a steady passing game.

SPORTS The run game is dominated by AllAmerican Max Mickey and Jason Towns, while the offensive line is anchored by returning all-conference tackles Jesse Springer and Trey Pipkens.

While many doubted the Cougars heading into this season, the team knew what they could do all along.

“We knew the players we had and had high confidence in them,” senior Max Mickey said. With all the new pieces being put together on the offensive side of the ball, Mickey admits it is nice to have a strong defense to depend on.

“They’re the best defense in the conference and it’s very reassuring for an offense when you have that,” Mickey says.

VolleyBall The volleyball team started the season winning their first five games of the season. After winning the Country Inn & Suites Invitational, the Cougars then hosted Texas A&M Kingsville of September 6th, edging out the Javelinas 3-2.

The girls pre-season was cut short after the Saint Leo Invitational in Tampa, Florida was cancelled due to the suspected damage from Hurricane Irma.

The Cougars finished the 2016 season 13-7 in conference play earning a birth in

the conference tournament with a young team. Returners, Makenna Rockeman, Megan Hamstad, and Bria Barfnecht look to improve on their success from 2016. The girls opened NSIC play losing a 2-3 decision to Wayne State but bounced back by defeating Augustana, the 9th ranked team in the country on September 16. Rockeman played well against the Vikings, posting a career high 27 kills.

A matchup against the #1 team in the country, Southwest Minnesota State, proved to be too much for the Cougars, losing 1-3 in four sets. The girls bounced back by defeating Minnesota Crookston and Bemidji State, both by 3-1 scores.

Soccer Cougar soccer has had a tough time since transitioning to Division II and joining the NSIC in 2012. In fact, the Cougars have not won more than three games in one season since 2011. In 18 games last year, the Cougars only scored 12 goals, winning only two conference games.

Heading into this season, the Cougars are depending on their younger players to step up. Player sophomore Lauren LaFavre are part of a culture change that is happening in the soccer locker room.

“Every girl wants to win and change the expectations of USF soccer,” LaFavre said.

The girls are proving that. The Cougars have won three of the first eight games, scoring nine goals already. Their two wins in conference, also ties their record from a year ago. LaFavre has done her part so far scoring three goals and providing an assist.

LaFarve says that the team has high expectations for themselves.

“Our goal is to make the conference tournament,” LaFarve said; a feat that USF soccer has never achieved. “As long as we continue to play for each other we can continue to be successful.”

Golf Golf began with Tracy Lane Memorial from September 10 to September 12, with the men’s team placing second and the girls placing fourth. The girls continued their season, placing third in both the Golden Bear Classic and the SMSU Mustang Fall Invitational. This is the first time that Women’s Golf has placed in the top four in their first three matches in school history.

Athletics are on to a great start to begin the fall semester here at USF with teams breaking records and making history. Cougar students and fans will have plenty to look forward too as the semester moves forward.

If you have dietary restrictions, finding a great place to eat can be a struggle. Sanaa’s has vegetarian, gluten free, and vegan options that are just as tasty as their dishes that include animal products or gluten. Their menu is full of fresh ingredients and smart flavors, and the restaurant has a commitment to sustainable practices.

The Diner is a classic standby in the Sioux Falls scene, both for its prominent place in the heart of Downtown Sioux Falls, and for its throwback diner menu. You will find sandwiches,

breakfast food, and killer milkshakes. The menu may not be innovative, but if you are looking for comfort food and a nostalgic mood, the Diner hits the spot!

Looking for a great lunch, supper, or even breakfast? Look no further than Breadico, an Italian restaurant and artisan bakery.

Their menu features

artisan bread, wood-fired pizza, handmade pasta and a breakfast menu full of bakery favorites. The restaurant’s atmosphere is clean and cozy, making it the perfect place to bring a couple of friends for an afternoon outing.

Want to eat great Asian food, but want to skip the chain restaurants? Try the Cambodian menu at Phnom Pehn. The family run business has great flavors and offers dine in, takeout and delivery service.

Mama’s Ladas does one thing, and they do it well. It has a tiny storefront and an even tinier menu, serving enchiladas and fresh homemade salsa, and boy, are they good! Generous portion sizes and great flavors will leave you feeling full and satisfied!

Like us on Facebook.

Find us on Instagram.

Follow us on Twitter.

The Vessel_USF

USFVESSEL

@USF_Vessel