MLK day on campus

THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MERCYHURST COLLEGE SINCE 1929
CAMPUS LIVING
A&E
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Vote for Spring
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Achoo! Get rid of
that nasty cold
Vol. 80 No. 12
Page 6
Mercyhurst College 501 E. 38th St. Erie Pa. 16546
January 10, 2007
Students to research local water
VP named to keep
with school’s mission
By Jessica Kocent
News editor
“As Mercyhurst looks to achieve our
vision with a simultaneous focus on
keeping tuition costs sensible and stabilizing enrollment growth, it is becoming increasingly imperative to grow the
endowment and to find new sources of
support,” Mercyhurst President Tom
Gamble said.
One of the major initiatives he has
taken to achieve this vision is the creation of a new position, vice president
of development. Gamble has chosen
his fellow Syracuse graduate, Linda
Bennett to head up this position.
Bennett began her work on Jan. 2.
Her main focus will be to build an
alumni advancement infrastructure.
In layman’s terms that means she
will try forge better communication
between the alumni relations and the
annual fund departments, leverage
the knowledge of Mercyhurst College
donors and alumni and secure more
money for scholarships, research and
equipment.
Bennett believes that this new position aligns with Gamble’s vision as a
way to not only increase funds for Mercyhurst College, but it will also enhance
communication between the faculty,
students, staff and administration.
Bennett grew up in Port Allegheny,
Pa., which is just 30 miles south of the
New York state line.
She attended Clarion University for
her undergraduate studies and earned
a master’s degree in Library Science
at Syracuse University. She worked
for both General Electric and Carrier
Corporation, before taking the job as
Manager of Research for Government
and Corporate Relations at Syracuse
University in 1984.
She held many positions at Syracuse
University over 22 years, including vice
president for advancement services, a
position that required her to create an
advancement infrastructure, which is
the same position that was created for
her here at Mercyhurst College.
Bennett said she is very excited to be
on the ground floor of more sophisticated infrastructure, giving her a chance
to improve technology and communication information, which are “two critical
parts to improving organization and
sharing knowledge.
“My personal philosophy is that it
is all about the donor and its all about
the college, bring the two together will
benefit both,” Bennett said.
When asked about her experiences at
Mercyhurst College thus far, Bennett
said she is “very glad to be here!”
She wanted to stress that she is “very
impressed with students and the alumni,
particularly how proud they are of their
school.”
She is also very happy about how
willing everyone is to help her get acclimated to a new position in a new city.
“Everyone has been so friendly, welcoming, and willing to work together,
which will really get this program off
on the right foot,” she said.
Campus news briefs
Compiled by editorial staff/from mercyhurst.edu
Talent show to help pay
medical bills for family
The Mercyhurst College chapter
of Phi Eta Sigma National Honor
Society for freshmen is organizing a
campus-wide talent show to benefit
the family of Pete Geddes, a staff
member in the college’s athletic
department.
The show is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 13, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
in Taylor Little Theatre. Admission
is $3.
SAC schedules indoor
soccer tournament
From 8:30 p.m. to midnight in the
REC on Friday, Jan. 12.
Comedian night
On Saturday, Jan. 13, the Student
Acitivites Council will host comedian Troy Tridgill in the Walker
Recital Hall at 10 p.m.
Mercyhurst, PA CareerLink form partnership
Mercyhurst College and Pennsylvania CareerLink, Erie County, are
joining forces in an effort to better
serve individuals in the community
who seek career advancement and
training.
This recently formed partnership
is the first that PA CareerLink, Erie
County, has formed with a traditional college.
CareerLink is a one-stop system
that provides high quality workforce
development and career services
to employers and job seekers. An
equal employment opportunity
provider, CareerLink supports local
and regional economic development
activities by connecting businesses
with qualified people, and people
with training, jobs and careers.
Photo from VisitPA.com
Presque Isle is about a twenty-minute drive from campus.
By Merissa Frank
Contributing writer
Going to Presque Isle during warm
weather is practically a must in Erie,
despite the myths about the water and
what grows in there.
Lately, it also seems that the majority
of the beaches being closed is a must
as well. Mercyhurst’s Biology department is going to investigate some real
life growth there, starting in the summer
of 2007.
Coastal Zone Management, a government agency, granted the Biology
department two different grants, one
for $39, 000 and one for $18, 000.
According to redorbit.com, state rules
require beaches to close when there are
more than 235 colony forming units [of
bacteria] per 100 milliliters of water.
With these grants, students Cody
Smith, Jayme Dylewski, Jessica Watson,
Denise Thompson, Theresa Mullan and
Tim Wagner will be looking to reduce
the bacterial sampling time and reduce
the bacteria in general.
“The project will take about a year
to complete,” according to Dr. Steve
Mauro, assistant professor of biology.
He said it will take about a year to
finish the project because the actual
processing of the data is what will take
up most of the time.
The students will be using the Donald
and Judith Alstadt Laboratory for
Molecular and Cellular Research, a
state-of-the-art facility on campus, as
well as the Tom Ridge Environmental
Center at Presque Isle.
This project will allow Smith,
Dylewski, Watson, Thompson, Mullan
and Wagner to become better qualified
for graduate school and job opportunities.
Not only will this project give the
students exposure, but the college as
well. It will give Mercyhurst a better
name in the research field and allow
MLK
day on
campus
Tri-State Honors Band
sets concert
The Tri-State Honors Band, which
includes 90 select high school musicians from the surrounding region,
will cap its residency at Mercyhurst
College with a performance under
the baton of Dr. Joseph Parisi.
The concert is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 13, at 1:30 p.m. in the Mary
D’Angelo Performing Arts Center
and is free and open to the public.
Mercyhurst gallery to
showcase landscapes
An exhibit of landscapes by
Thomas Paquette opens at Mercyhurst College’s Cummings Art
Gallery on Thursday, Jan. 18. The
opening reception is from 5:30 p.m.
to 7:30 p.m., and is free and open
to the public.
The book, “Thomas Paquette:
Gouache Paintings” will be introduced during the show and will be
available at the gallery.
Paquette’s exhibit continues
through Feb. 18. The gallery is
located in the lobby of the Mary
D’Angelo Performing Arts Center,
and is open Tuesday to Sunday, 2
p.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday 7 p.m.
to 9 p.m.
Mercyhurst students
to stage Shakespearean
comedy
“Twelfth Night” is scheduled for
Jan. 18-20 at 7:30 p.m. in Taylor
Little Theatre. The cost is $1 for
students and $4.50 for all others.
the Biology department to expand their
research and give the college better
qualifications as well.
Mauro also said that they plan to
publish the findings in a scientific journal. “The grant will allow the biology
department to purchase equipment and
supplies. This project will help beach
goers and the community in the long
run by better protecting them.”
By studying the bacteria that cause the
beach closings, Mauro and his team will
be able to determine whether or not
the bacteria is harmful as well as if it is
human or non-human bacteria.
This study may determine why the
beaches are forced to close so often
during the summer, it will definitely
give the participating students an extra
line on their résumés and it will help
boost the name of the college’s biology department. However, it probably
won’t put an end to the rumors of what
lives in Lake Erie aside from bacteria.
By Cara Nemanic
Contributing writer
Andy Finkel photo
Officer Paul Joslin displays the new Honda Pilot police vehicle.
New look for police and safety
By Merciad staff
Mercyhurst College Police and Safety
has a new look.
The department attained a Honda
Pilot to replace the current Ford
Explorer police cruiser.
According to Police and Safety Chief
Ken Sidun, the reason for replacement
was the Explorer’s lease ended.
The Pilot’s lease, said Sidun, is three
years at $299 a month.
“It’s a good deal compared to leasing a new Explorer,” he said. “And the
reputation of a Honda is another reason
we chose the vehicle.”
The Pilot currently has no detail, but
Sidun said a design is in the works and
will be on the vehicle soon.
AIFS offers opportunities
By Abby Letson
Contributing writer
The American Institute For Foreign
Study (AIFS) is the leading study abroad
program in the U.S.
Many of the different programs
offered through AIFS and other study
abroad institutes are available with
course credits. These programs include:
Australia, Austria, China, Czech Repub-
lic, England, France, Hungary, Ireland,
Italy, Russia, South Africa and Spain.
Whichever programs students choose
to attend, they have a “home” university. This is an institution that serves
as a home base while the student is
abroad.
At each of these “home” universities
there is an On-site Resident Director,
as well as support staff.
Please see Viewing on page 2
In an effort to commemorate Martin
Luther King’s life, the Mercyhurst
community is invited to participate in
several activities that will be held on
Mon. Jan. 15 in remembrance of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Pertrina Williams, Diversity 101 advisor, expects at least 50-75 people for
each of the two breakfast sittings in
Mercy Heritage Hall at 9:00 a.m. and
9:50 a.m.
Following the breakfast, Mercyhurst
will provide transportation to the commemorative march in downtown Erie.
After the march, a reflection reception
will be held in the Student Union at 1
p.m. Also, the documentary “Citizen
King” will be shown in King’s honor.
In addition, the play, “I Remember
1955” will be performed by Sojourner’s
Expressions this Friday at 6 p.m.
Also, Dr. Tom Gamble will be giving
a televised speech on Mr. King at 7:30
on WICU-TV, Channel 12.
For more information, students can
contact Darcey Kemp at x2433 and
Pertrina Williams at x2369 to make
reservations.
PAGE 2
THE MERCIAD
NEWS
January 10, 2007
To contact: newsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Ed. majors learn from student teaching
World Briefs
International news
Compiled by
Jessica Kocent
From BBC News
Morrocan man jailed for
attacks on 9/11.
al-Motassedek jailed
for 9/11 attacks
A Moroccan man convicted in
Germany as an accessory to the
attacks on the United States in
September 2001 has been sentenced to 15 years in jail.
The court in Hamburg handed
the maximum sentence against
Mounir al-Motassadek.
He had acknowledged that he
was close to the 9/11 hijackers
but insisted he knew nothing of
their plans.
But last year Germany’s top
appeals court found him guilty
of abetting the murder of 246
people on the four planes that
crashed on 11 September 2001.
The ruling superseded a sevenyear sentence handed to Motassadek in 2005 for being a member of a terror group.
Mudslides leave many homeless in Brazil
Communities across southeastern Brazil have declared a state of
emergency as torrential rain continues to cause extensive damage
in the region.
At least 50 people are reported to have died, more than half of them
in the state of Rio de Janeiro, since the beginning of the year.
Tens of thousands have been left homeless by floods and landslides.
China angry at Chen
Chen Shui-bian is the president of Taiwan.
China has protested to the
US at plans to allow Taiwanese
President Chen Shui-bian to stop
over in California on his way to
Central America.
President Chen will spend the
night in San Francisco before
travelling on to Nicaragua for the
inauguration of President-elect
Daniel Ortega.
China sees Taiwan as part of its
territory and discourages any diplomatic recognition for Taipei.
The US said Chen’s visit was
simply for transit purposes.
Washington has allowed the
Taiwanese president to stop over
on US soil in the past, but refused
permission last May as he headed
for a presidential inauguration in
Costa Rica.
By Amy Zielinski
Contributing writer
Many education students are
becoming anxious for their first
day of student teaching and
cannot wait to set foot in the
classroom.
Ray Fiorelli, director of student
field placement, has been working extremely hard contacting
various schools in Erie County
that would be willing to accept
students.
During fall and spring term,
Judy Matthews, assistant director
of student field placement, helps
Fiorelli with secretarial work.
“She is a tremendous help
and we work extremely well together,” Fiorelli said. He also has
an assistant, Sarah LaBone, who
helps in his office by working
eight hours a week.
Before students can student
teach, they are required to fill
out a student information sheet.
This is very important because
this is Fiorelli’s first impression
of the student.
It is also the principal’s and
cooperative teacher’s first impression.
One class that students are
required to take before student
teaching is the Pre-Teaching Internship Practicum, also known
as PIPING. This class helps
students gain experience in the
area they will teach.
“Students will be going into
a student teaching assignment
with classroom experience,”
Fiorelli said.
“The students are the most
meaningful thing about student
teaching,” said senior Jim Rudisill, a music education and voice
major.
Kyle Linehan, a math education
major, says, “It is overwhelming
at times, but just take one day at
a time and focus on what needs
to be done.”
Dr. Richard O’Dell, assistant
professor of special education
said, “Mercyhurst students have a
good grasp of their subjects and
pedagogy through their course
work in their majors, education
theory, materials and methods
courses and their core classes.”
After students complete the
PIPING course, students can
student teach. Students are placed
in 12-week assignments.
Each Monday during student
teaching students attend a mandatory seminar.
During these seminars, students and their supervisors discuss procedures and expectations
of students.
“It’s nice because you have a
group of people you can talk
and discuss issues with. They are
in the same situation you are,”
Todd said.
“It is nice to see your supervisor and touch base with them,”
she added.
When students have questions
about student teaching, they
can also talk with their advisor.
“Much of my advising is making sure the student is on track
towards completing their course
work and double checking applications,” O’Dell said.
Dr. Kathleen Bukowski, associate dean of Hafenmaier School
of Education and Behavioral
Sciences says, “Student teaching
is a capstone experience and it
proves to Mercyhurst College
you are capable to be certified.”
When education students reach
their senior year at Mercyhurst
College, they have received lots
of experience through various
practicums.
“Mercyhurst is unique in that
more than half our classes in
education require field experience,” she said.
Mercyhurst does a great job
having students interact with
other students in the classroom
right from the beginning of their
freshman year.
“The amount of field experience our students get at freshman
year is outstanding. Some schools
do what is called a junior field
placement,” Bukowski added.
“We’re increasing the requirements for secondary subject
Continued from page 1
They are there to guide participants through academics, health,
cultural differences, language
and more.
At Mercyhurst, Eric Evans of
the International Student Center,
is the main contact for students
who want to study abroad.
“The most important thing to
do when even considering studying abroad is plan early and plan
well.” Make sure you are a full
time student because then your
financial aid, federal and from
the college will carry over to your
abroad program.”
Once students are finished
student teaching they will either
graduate or continue coursework
to fulfill graduation requirements.
Students will begin to apply
for certification in the areas for
which they are eligible.
Student’s completing the education program at Mercyhurst
find various jobs.
“Our program encourages risk
taking. We provide many opportunities to explore and work
outside of one’s initial comfort
zone,” O’Dell said.
“A good number of our graduates go on to graduate programs
in education, counseling, administration, special education,
speech and language pathology,
just to name a few,” he added.
“I believe our students are as
well prepared as any other college
or university and their chances
of receiving a job are excellent,”
Fiorelli said.
“Sometimes, it’s the small
things that make you fulfilled,”
Bukowski added.
There are a few requirements
for applying. Students must carry
a GPA of 2.0 or higher or else
have letters from the head of
the department chair explaining
how they would benefit from the
program.
There is a bit of time for decisions the actual due date for
applications is March 15. The
programs range in price from
$4,799-$9,639.
Everything is taken care of by
AIFS programs. They do however; give you the time to explore
on your own. This is the most
personal part of the excursion,
when you get to view a country
from your own eyes.
Photo contributed by Amy Zielinski
Hussein was hanged on
Dec. 30.
Coroner prefers joint inquest in Diana case
Any jury at the inquest into the death of Princess Diana will be
drawn from the public, the coroner has said.
Lady Butler-Sloss told a preliminary High Court hearing that she
wanted the inquest in May and did not want the panel drawn from
the Royal Household.
She reserved her decision on whether there would be a jury or
joint inquest.
A Metropolitan Police investigation last month concluded the
1997 Paris car crash in which Diana and Dodi Al Fayed died was a
tragic accident.
Yusuf arrives in
Somali capital
Interim President
Abdullah Yusuf
area this year with a senior level
internship,” O’dell said.
“Our philosophy is that students develop skills over time to
develop a teaching style. We want
students to validate if this is for
them or if it isn’t.” Bukowski
said.
Students who student teach are
required to keep a journal and do
a reflection after each lesson.
“When you read students’, reflections, you really get to know
what the students are getting out
of the experience,” Bukowski
said.
“Student teaching shows you all
of the things that go into teaching that the classes don’t tell you
about. The paperwork, the meetings, the changes in the schedules
and all of those things show you
what goes behind the scenes in
teaching,” Linehan said.
“It has shown me that you have
to choose to be positive everyday. Waking up at 5:30 a.m. is
not always the greatest, but you
have to choose your attitude,
hopefully that is a positive one,”
he added.
Viewing a country
with your own eyes
Iraqis drop charges
The Iraqi High Tribunal has
dropped all charges against
Saddam Hussein, as the genocide trial of six co-defendants
resumed.
They are charged with crimes
against humanity over a campaign against Kurds that left
100,000 dead.
Many Kurds were disappointed
that Hussein was executed before
facing justice for his role in the
Anfal campaign.
Among the six remaining defendants is Saddam Hussein’s
cousin, Ali Hassan al-Majid,
sometimes known as “Chemical
Ali” for his alleged use of chemical weapons against the Kurds.
As the trial resumed he tried to
read a prayer from the Koran, but
the judge ordered him to stop.
Photo contributed by Amy Todd
Mercyhurst education majors breath a sigh of relief when
students leave the classroom for the day.
Somalia’s interim President
Abdullahi Yusuf has arrived in
the capital, Mogadishu, amid
tight security.
He flew in on his first visit
since Islamists fled advancing
Ethiopian forces.
Gunmen fired at Ethiopian
forces in Mogadishu overnight,
after two died in anti-Ethiopian
protests on Saturday.
It is unclear if the violence is
linked to the Islamists.
Students, faculty, and staff raised a total of $405.80.
MSG donates hundreds
to St. Martin Center
By Amy Zielinski
Contributing writer
Children in the Erie community
were thankful this Christmas.
Mercyhurst Student Government conducted a philanthropy
drive to help children have a
better holiday.
The drive started on Nov. 27
and lasted until Dec. 15. a total of
$405.80 was donated by faculty,
staff and students.
The total will be matched by
MSG raising the amount to
$811.60. All of the proceeds
benefited the St. Martin Center
of Erie.
The St. Martin Center is a
United Way affiliate that goes to
great lengths to make sure everyone has a good Christmas.
They also provide counseling
for battered families, supply hot
meals, emergency programs and
provide a low-cost thrift store.
Change jars were placed in 18
different locations around Mercyhurst campus.
“We did it because we had
great potential to give back to the
community,” said MSG Treasurer
Ryan Palm. “Anytime we can, we
want to help Erie because it is
part of our community.”
According to Palm, every
night during the donation time,
MSG representatives collected
money.
“We had 20 to 30 people help
out some way, shape or form,”
said Palm.
This was the first year for the
drive and, according to Palm,
MSG wants to continue it in the
future.
“I think we saw great success
with this inaugural event and I
hope next year’s leadership will
want to continue making a positive impact with fundraising,”
he said.
Police and Safety Log
December 14
Larceny/Theft
Hirt Center
Closed
December 16
Liquor Law Violation
3925 Lewis Ave.
Closed
College Discipline
December 16
College Violation/
Disorderly Conduct
611 East 38th St.
Closed
College Discipline
December 23
Criminal Mischief
Lot #7
Closed
January 3
Larceny/Theft
3908 Briggs Ave.
Open
Pending Investigation
1-6-07 Unfounded
January 4
Larceny/Theft
Hammermill Library
Open
Pending Investigation
1-6-07 Unfounded
January 5
Disorderly Conduct
3827 Lewis Ave.
Closed
College Discipline
January 5
Harassment
3829 Briggs Ave.
Closed
College Discipline
January 6
Liquor Law Violation
3829 Lewis Ave.
Closed
College Discipline
PAGE 3
THE MERCIAD
January 10, 2007
CAMPUS
Living
To contact: featuremerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Soul-warming recipes
Easy Resolutions
January is the time of year
when people decide it is time for
a changes in their lives. However,
this is not always easy to do on
your own.
A suppor t system makes
changes in your lifestyle easier
to handle. Such support systems
include dieting with a friend or
exercising in a group environment, such as pilates or spinning,
which are offered at the Rec
Center.
When it comes to food, keep
healthy snacks such as granola
bars and yogurt in your apartment rather than chips and
cookies. For your three meals a
day, make sure to plan a well-balanced one that includes protein,
vegetables and starch. Contrary
to popular belief there is no
dietary enemy; your body needs
carbs, sugars, etc.
Portions need to be the focus
of a healthy diet. As long as you
know what you are eating and
regulate the portions you can
maintain a healthy diet. If losing
weight is your goal, exercise is
essential.
Easy Food Choices
You do not have to sacrifice
taste and give up your favorite
foods to be healthy and lose
weight.
However, there are some small
ways you can change what you
eat to make yourself healthier.
Instead of those deep-fried
chicken nuggets, order a grilled
chicken sandwich or a salad in
lieu of a burger.
Instead of cooking with butter
,use olive oil to add healthy fats to
your diet as a substitute to other
trans fats used in cooking. Do
With Meg
and Kyle
The weekly
crossword
not forget that spices are your
friend; flavor does not have to be
lost to make food healthy.
Any questions or comments
can be emailed to: hurstflavorfiend@yahoo.com.
New Year’s Resolutions
Ingredients
Will power
Determination
Well-rounded diet
Plenty of exercise
Directions
1.
Whether you resolve to lose weight, eat right, quit smoking or
change your lifestyle… You have to want it to change.
2.
The key to a healthy lifestyle is a well-rounded diet, exercise and 8 hours
of sleep a night.
I
ERI
By Adam Hicks
Contributing writer
The average college student’s
life on a Tuesday night usually
consists of eating dinner, doing
some homework (or at least
thinking about it) and usually
watching a favorite TV show.
What if there was an option
to break from the mundane of
the dreary days in the middle
of the week?
What if there was an opportunity to exercise your mind
without having to crack open a
book with a potential prize for
your effort?
You are in luck; there is an alternative to the average pathetic
Tuesday: Trivia Night. Just a
short ride down State Street.
is the Plymouth Tavern, a restaurant and bar, which offers
the perfect solution: Tuesday
Night Trivia from 7 p.m. to
9:30 p.m.
Tuesday Night Trivia, which
started four years ago at the
Plymouth, is run by Tammy
and Alice.
The duo runs the questions,
10 per round with about ten
rounds, which include matching
subjects, identifying pictures
and answering difficult fact
questions based on unique
categories.
Those under 21 are allowed to
attend the trivia; unfortunately,
they must be accompanied by a
parent or guardian.
Each week roughly 15 teams
attend, with names like “Rosemarie’s Babies,” “The Federalists” and Mercyhurst’s own
“New Age All-stars.”
The team was founded by
Love
Trivial
Pursuit? Try
Trivia Night
at the
Plymouth.
alumni Matt Peterson and
Kelly Dombrowski, who said,
“The questions are harder than
expected, which can sometimes
make it more difficult for college age students, but it is still
great entertainment.”
When asked about her team’s
abilities, Dombrowski replied,
“We hold our own.”
In addition to the great entertainment that trivia night
provides, another member of
the team, grad student Michael Mancinelli said, “Trivia
Night is an awesome Tuesday
event because it brings friends
together and it doesn’t last all
night so there is still time to do
homework.”
The Plymouth Tavern and
Restaurant on 1109 State St. is
a unique building with a very
vibrant history.
It was originally built in the
1800s as a medicine and grocery
store, then the Princess Theater
in the 1900s and it later became
a drug store.
In 1973, the building became
the Plymouth and has been run
by General Manager Debbie
Mancini ever since.
According to Mancini, trivia
started as a small idea but, “it
grew each week to the point
that we had to move it into
a larger room and we still do
not have enough seating. It is
unbelievable what a hit it has
become.”
The success of Trivia Night
has grown so big that there is
now a waiting list for teams to
enter, and you have to call to
book a table (814-452-6210).
Fortunately, Debbie advises to
still show up and talk to Alice,
because tables often do open up
Photo by Adam Hicks
The Plymouth is located at
1109 State St.
right before the game starts.
In addition, there are other incentives to attend Trivia Nights.
First, large pizzas are two for $6
and come in pepperoni, cheese
and margarita.
Second, for those that are
21, individual draft pitchers are
$2.50 a piece from 5 p.m. until
9 p.m. Third, and most important, the top three winning
teams receive gift certificates to
local venues each week.
There is also an individual
round at the end of the game
where players are given the
opportunity to answer and win
other prizes like beach glass
necklaces, Plymouth merchandise and gift certificates.
With so much fun available
on a Tuesday night, I encourage
you to stop by the Plymouth
Tavern and Restaurant to exercise your trivia skills.
A new kind of resolution
By Jen Helbig
Contributing writer
Happy New Year! 2007 has
already given us some after-theholidays chubbiness, frigid air
and snow to keep us inside and
next week, not even one month
into the year, we have to face
midterms already.
If you are anything like me,
the current circumstances have
caused you to toss your New
Year’s resolution aside and replace it with the comfortable,
old, easier habits that don’t
require so much sacrifice and
discomfort.
I was talking with two of my
friends on New Year’s Eve about
our resolutions.
One friend vowed to go to the
gym three times per week for
the year, and the other promised
not to eat out of the ice cream
container on impulse anymore.
I went with the predictable and
never attainable goal of promising to lose 10 pounds this year.
I checked up on my friends
when I started to write this
article. Just like them I seem to
have already gone up one pants
size, and to treat my unwanted
symptom I drank some hot
chocolate and ate cookies.
These lofty goals don’t suit me
well when I’m in charge of what
goes in my cupboards.
It’s easy to blame faults on the
outside circumstances though
and give up.
To be honest, even if I was
living at home in my health
food-packed house I probably
would have found a way to
get my hands on a cupcake to
soothe my mind after a long day
at school.
School and all the outside
stressors aside though, I began
to envision what would happen
if I could keep a New Year’s resolution for more than a week.
As I tried to think of a goal
that I truly want to achieve over
the next year, I realized that personally, losing 10 pounds is not
going to make me much happier
or less stressed about school.
Then it hit me – if I am stressed
out at the proposition of weight
loss and I actually am looking to
become less stressed and more
positive, then why don’t I set that
as my New Year’s resolution?
Setting a goal for something
like weight loss that will cause
me such physical discomfort
is a disdainful thing to do to
myself mentally and physically
while I try to get through what
will probably be one of the
most academically challenging
and socially straining years of
my life.
My New Year’s resolution
to lose weight would not have
changed me into a better person;
it would probably have made
me feel even more high-strung
if I couldn’t have my little food
rewards, hungry as I sat through
class sustained solely on celery
and most of all bitter if I had
to drink light beer every time I
went out.
Deciding that I would do
anything to avoid a state of
starvation and carb-deprived depression, I set out to plan some
small and attainable New Year’s
resolutions that would reduce
stress and make me happier.
I made a list of small things
that I can do for free in just a few
minutes. The first will begin tomorrow when I’ll bake muffins
to eat in class while the chocolate
chips are still hot.
If I have time to attend class,
study and participate in extracurricular activities, I can definitely
afford the time for at least one
self-indulgent task per day.
It seems a whole lot less painful than stepping onto the scale,
sweating on the treadmill and
counting calories for the next
355 days.
Not to say I won’t have to
remind myself every day of this
resolution, but it seems like it will
cause a lot more self-improvement than my original goal.
So what about you? What do
you want to give yourself this
year? What can one year of time
give to you? Imagine who you
could be when the ball drops
next year.
Don’t just imagine yourself
with smaller hips or bigger biceps. Set a goal that you truly
think you could see happening
by next year and wake up tomorrow as a new person.
I know that I won’t mind waking up if muffins are waiting
for me.
Tips to void the evil common cold
By Lakyn Bianco
Contributing writer
This time of the year begins
the peak of cold and flu season,
it seems that everyone is sick.
Living in a college environment without the comforts of
home, students may be more
susceptible to contracting infectious diseases.
One of the most common infectious diseases is the cold. The
common cold is caused by a viral
infection in the nose. Colds last
for an average of one week, and
the most frequent symptoms
include a stuffy nose, sore throat
and hacking cough. There may
also be complications of a sinus
congestion or earache.
The Cohen Student Health
Center stresses the best way to
prevent colds is to wash your
hands frequently and to wash
them well. They suggest singing
“Happy Birthday” twice while
washing in order to get them
thoroughly clean.
In general you should practice
good respiratory hygiene to prevent contracting colds and other
illnesses. Along with washing
your hands, you should avoid
touching your eyes, nose and
mouth. Also, you should sneeze
and cough into your shirtsleeve
or a tissue instead of into your
hands to prevent the spreading
of germs.
It is important to avoid sharing
food, eating utensils, drinking
glasses, towels and other personal items. It is also advised not
to share or to even reuse water
bottles.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
is very important in avoiding illnesses all year long. You should
follow a balanced diet, drink a lot
of water, get a sufficient sleep
and avoid high levels of stress.
If you are not feeling well,
contact The Health Center at
x2431. It is located between the
Bookstore and Briggs Avenue.
January 10, 2007
THE MERCIAD
PAGE 4
OPINION
To contact: opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Give SAC events a chance
If you didn’t see the performance of break dancing at the PAC on Saturday, you truly missed out.
With the opportunity to learn after, it was a great
event to start a Saturday night.
While the entertainers were enthusiastic and the
audience was
receptive of
the energy,
when the
Ellen
house light
Koenig
were raised
I was surprised to see
the lack of
Contributing writer
attendance.
I expected to
see more people, and it makes me wonder what the
turnout has been to other weekend events.
SAC events are great because they often give
you a variety of activities to do on the weekends.
Winter term is one of the better series and they
try very hard to get students to attend. With a
comedian this upcoming weekend, I wonder what
the response will be.
Another example was the New Years Below the
Border event Friday night, with free food and a
live band. This Mexican-inspired event attracted
more upper classmen than freshmen. Maybe it’s my
observation but the last two freshman classes have
been more absent at school sponsored events than
the class of 2008 was in their freshman year.
With varying funds, SAC attempts to host events
that will appeal to a variety of people; however, they
seem to lack in originality from year to year. The
events are often repetitive and the people in attendance are often the same. Perhaps through, different marketing and public relations tactics targeting
a new group of students would be helpful.
Another way to boost attendance is for professors
and teachers to promote the events in class and
even assign extra credit for attendance at an event
that may pertain to a certain subject. If you simply
read bulletin boards or pay attention to the fliers
organizations put out, then you would know what
to attend for that weekend. I don’t see how publicity for events can be missed with the assistance
of refrigerator magnets and posters; word should
easily be spread for student sponsored events.
As a junior, the SAC events have a tendency to be
repetitive year after year. However, you have to give
props to the organizers and the students that set
up such events by simply making a presence, even
if it is for the free food and a quick dance.
The events are a way to get out, socialize, get
a bite to eat and then go on to the next party or
occasion after showing face. The break dancers
from Saturday night were a great show and such
a high energy attraction should be more common
on this campus.
Events where students are exposed to the different performances and genres of entertainment
keep the line up fresh and interesting.
The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly
By Editorial Staff
The Good
Monday, Jan. 15, is Martin Luther King Day and Mercyhurst has several events planned to celebrate
the life of this influential and inspiring leader. A breakfast, book fair and a play are some of the
festivities planned to honor the member and legacy of King.
The Bad
Even though Mercyhurst has wonderful events planned for the celebration of Martin Luther
King’s life and work, students still have class on the holiday. Therefore, students who do wish to
participate in on and off campus events would have to work around, or miss, classes.
The Ugly
Sickness is spreading rapidly throughout campus. It is nearly impossible not to come into contact with a sneezing, coughing or coarse-talking student. Oh, the perils of living in the closed off
community of Mercyworld. Please wash your hands!
Several complaints have surfaced regarding Career Services. While the staff is fantastic, the
demand of students is not adequately met by the number of available personnel. For example,
to get an appointment for a resume, a student often has to wait months and as a result could miss
important deadlines. The administration should consider the possibility of expanding the office
so that Career Services can continue to offer its top notch assistance in a timely fashion to the
ever-growing student body.
Letter to the editor: Admissions numbers are impressive
As I read the December 13, 2006, edition of the Merciad, I was disheartened to read the Merciad editorial staff ’s uninformed statement
about the state of the College’s application pool. While I recognize
this may not appear until after Christmas, I feel compelled to share
my thoughts and provide the Mercyhurst College community factual
insight.
To remind readers, the December 13, 2006 Merciad section “The
Good, the Bad, & the Ugly” referenced admissions applications under
the heading “The Ugly.”
The section specifically stated, “According to the admissions office,
it appears as if Mercyhurst is headed for a banner year for applicants.
So far, the number of applications is up 62% from this time last year.
This normally would be very impressive, but it would be good to
recall that last year was a low spot in applications received; therefore,
the 62% increase is somewhat less impressive.”
After staring at this very popular section of the Merciad in disbelief,
I asked myself four questions.
First, which editorial staff member had enrollment numbers from
last year and this year to compare data and declare such a statement?
Second, if being up 62% is “Ugly” and “less impressive”, what
percentage constitutes impressive? Third, why would our own newspaper feel compelled to write such a statement when numerous Board
members, alumni, faculty, staff, administration and current students
(including the Ambassador Club) work very hard to promote and
advance Mercyhurst’s growing reputation?
Lastly, if applications had only increased minimally and the admissions office had an opportunity to select a more diverse, unique, and
well-credentialed incoming class, wouldn’t the editorial staff view
such a trend as “Good”? After all, wouldn’t such students likely
foster successful Mercyhurst graduates, and in the long run, make
the Mercyhurst degree even more valuable?
As of December 14, 2006, Mercyhurst College had received 2317
applications for the fall of 2007, an increase of 855 (59%) applications
as compared to last year. Many of the applicants may bring unique
interests, talents, and intellectual curiosities to Mercyhurst. In my
opinion, I would consider the number and quality of our applicant
pool very impressive.
To further prove how “impressive” this application surge has been
compare our applications to the fall of 2004, the current Mercyhurst
record year for applications (2756) and confirmed students (718).
On December 14, 2003, Mercyhurst had received 1516 applications
for the fall of 2004.
Now, for the sake of comparison, please consider that, as of
December 14, 2006, we have received 2317 applications for the fall
of 2007, an increase of 801 (53%) applications over 2004’s record
year.
In fact, over the last 3 years on December 14th, Mercyhurst has
averaged 1479 applications, making this year’s 2317 applications 57%
more than the previous three years’ average.
Unless the words “Ugly” and “less impressive” mean highly successful and astounding, I must be missing something.
I realize the Merciad typically provides fair, accurate, and responsible
reporting and opinions. I also recognize the Merciad has evolved into
a very solid publication and has come a long way since I graduated
in 1998.
In the future, all I ask is that the Merciad editorial staff investigates
all the facts and figures prior to formulating an opinion. I pledge
to make myself available for any discussions regarding Mercyhurst’s
enrollment: past, present and future.
I also wish to congratulate and thank the admissions staff, the
Ambassador Club and everyone in the Mercyhurst Community who
has aided admissions in this impressive surge of applications.
Mercyhurst is experiencing unprecedented, positive momentum as
the college moves forward.
Dr. Gamble’s compassion, optimism, and dedication are permeating
throughout the Mercyhurst and Erie communities, and as director
of admissions, and an alum, I ask the Merciad to help sustain this
positive momentum.
J.P. Cooney
Interest in foreign language study positive Unlucky in love? Try hitting the books
Kansas City Star, editorial
MCT newspapers
A new U.S. Census Bureau study analyzing foreign
language speakers within the United States is apt to
cause some unwarranted hand-wringing.
The analysis of 2000 data found that within 14
million U.S. households, people speak a language
other than English. In addition, 21 million people
spoke English less than “very well.”
Such reports often fuel beliefs that Latino and
Asian immigrants today are fundamentally different in their approach to English than the German,
Polish and Italian-speaking immigrants of previous
waves of migration.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The
rates by which immigrant families learn English,
generally abandoning their native tongue by the
third generation, remains constant, other studies
have found.
In the new study, Missouri and Kansas showed
some of the lowest numbers of foreign-language
speakers in the nation. Still, some legislators in
Missouri have discussed measures to make English
the official language of the state. Such unnecessary
projects are often based on the mistaken impression
that immigrants resist learning English or that they
lack loyalty to the United States.
Immigrants are a self-selected, highly motivated
population. It takes drive and courage to leave all
that is familiar: family, home and country. These
immigrants, like those of previous generations,
have generally understood that success is tied to
learning English. American society can help them
by offering adult English classes and funding public
schools so children can become fluent in several
languages.
Imagine the global business advantage of a U.S.
population that is not only proficient in English,
but fluent in a variety of the world’s other languages
as well. Three million households, a fraction of
the nation, are “linguistically isolated,” according
to the Census study. That means everyone in the
home above age 14 has some difficulty speaking
English.
But even within those homes, the process by
which families become English-dominant is occurring. Often younger family members lead the way
for their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.
The children absorb English through watching
television, listening to popular music, playing with
other children in their neighborhood in short, by
simply living in America.
Few things in life are as complicated as love.
I feel as if it’s fair to assume that most of us have
been confused with matters of the heart. Does
he/she have feelings for me? Should I begin a
relationship with this person? Should I end a relationship with
this person?
These questions plague
Allison
most indiMoore
viduals, especially socially
active college
students who
Opinion editor
are constantly
involved in
dealing with romantic situations. Wouldn’t it be
nice if you could learn the ways of the heart like
you learn science, math or English? Well, students
at the University of Sioux Falls will get the chance
this February.
Next month, a course, titled “Finding Dates
Worth Keeping,” will be offered for University
of Sioux Falls students looking to improve their
romantic lives. The course will be taught by a relationship counselor and certified therapist and will
deal issues like infatuation, how to find a compat-
ible mate and when it’s best to break up.
If you think about it, an academic education is
not all students gain in college. We are exposed to
new social situations and with that comes meeting
and dating new people. Often times, our love lives
impact us more than anything else, and the choices
we make aren’t always in our best interest. It would
be nice to have a class devoted to emotional, not
just mental, growth to help us make better life
decisions.
I wonder, though, how much of an impact such a
course would actually have on one’s choices. If you
think about it, when it comes to love, rationality and
reason often take a vacation. People are so driven
by their emotions that they continually make poor
decisions. The old saying “love is blind” is chillingly accurate. I mean how often have you warned
a friend that they were making poor decisions to no
avail? Or, for that matter, how many times have you
been warned yourself and refused to listen?
I wonder how effective a textbook on dating
would reform an impulsive college student who is
prone to making poor choices? Perhaps learning
through experience is the only real way to unlock
the mysteries of love. Perhaps not. Either way,
this class is an innovative concept that deals with
pertinent issues for everyday college students.
MERCIAD
The
Joshua Wilwohl
Jessica Kocent
Chelsea Boothe
Allison Moore
Ryan Palm & Matt Jackson
Melissa Brandt
Andrew Finkel
Katie Diley
Melissa Brandt
Noelle Lelakus
Editor-in-Chief
editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu
News Editor
newsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Campus Life Editor
featuremerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Opinion Editor
opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Sports Editors
sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
A&E Editor
entertainmentmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Photographer
photomerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Production Editor
prodmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Advertising Manager
admerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Copy Editor
copymerciad@mercyhurst.edu
The Merciad is the student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst College. It is
published throughout the school year, with the exception of midterms week
and finals week. Our office is in the Old Main, Room 314. Our telephone
number is 824-2376.
MCT
The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and
names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the letters
for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters are due the
Thursday before publication and may not be longer than 300 words. Submit
letters to box PH 485.
PAGE 5
THE MERCIAD
ARTS &
ENTERTAINMENT
tHe
BuZz
JAN. 14. Frankie Valli and
the Four Seasons. Seneca Events Center, Seneca
Niagara Casino & Hotel,
Niagara Falls, N.Y.
JAN. 15. Andrew Bird.
B e a ch l a n d B a l l r o o m ,
Cleveland.
JAN. 16. The Fray, Mute
Match. State Theatre,
Cleveland.
JAN. 18. Cowboy Junkies.
Tralf, Buffalo.
JAN. 18. Sara Evans. State
Theatre, Cleveland.
JAN. 19. Ron White. State
Theatre, Cleveland.
JAN. 19. The Queers. Icon,
Buffalo.
JAN. 19. Iris Dement &
Band, Jason Wilbur. Beachland Tavern, Cleveland.
JAN. 20. Pat Dailey. House
of Blues, Cleveland.
JAN. 20. Rock Star: Supernova. Shea’s Performing
Arts Center, Buffalo.
JAN. 20. Lyle Lovett, John
Hiatt, Joe Ely, Guy Clark.
State Theatre, Cleveland.
JAN. 20. Comedy. Capitol
Steps. Warner Theatre,
Erie. $25, $30, $42.50. On
sale at Tullio Arena box
office.
JAN. 20. O.A.R. A.J. Palumbo Center, Pittsburgh.
.
JAN. 20. Capitol Steps.
Warner Theatre, Erie. On
sale at Tullio Arena box
office,
JAN. 20. O.A. R., Gomez.
A.J. Palumbo Center, Pittsburgh.
JAN. 26. Ted Riser. House
of Blues, Cleveland.
JAN. 26. Mayhem and
More with Paramore, the
Used, Pennywise. Rock
and Roll Hall of Fame,
Cleveland.
JAN. 27. Freestyle Motocross. Quicken Loans
Arena, Cleveland.
JAN. 28. Big Head Todd
and the Monsters. House
of Blues, Cleveland.
JAN. 29. Augustana. House
of Blues, Cleveland.
JAN. 31. Cradle of Filth,
69 Eyes. House of Blues,
Cleveland.
JAN. 31. Matt Wertz, Alternate Routes. House of
Blues, Cleveland.
FEB. 1. Dark Star Orchestra. House of Blues,
Cleveland.
FEB. 2. Jerry Seinfeld.
State Theatre, Cleveland.
To contact: entertainmentmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Spring films at the PAC
By Megan O’Hare
Contributing writer
This spring, the PAC will present a selection of 16 films that
will take audiences as far as Mongolia and South America.
The first film is “Thank you for
Smoking,” which explores the
Big Tobacco industry and their
defense of the rights of smokers
and cigarette companies.
It will be shown at the PAC
on Jan. 24.
The following week, audiences
will be taken to South Africa to
follow the story of a hero’s journey to freedom in the early 1980s
and today in the film, “Catch a
Fire” (Jan. 31).
“Jim Jones: The Life and Death
of People’s Temple” (February
7) is the documentary that follows the people that traveled
with Jim Jones from Indiana,
to California and to the jungles
of Guyana, South America to
rebuild a society.
The next film presented at the
PAC is “Mongolian Ping Pong,”
(Feb. 14) a film about growing
up on the Mongolian Steppe
and learning about the modern
world.
“Water” (Feb. 21) follows
Chuyia, an 8-year old widow,
who must live a life of solitude
and chastity in a widow’s house
during the time of Matatma
Gandhi’s rise to power.
Photo courtesy of www.catchafiremovie.com
Check out Tim Robbins and Derek Luke in the provocative drama ‘Catch a Fire.’
“The Death of Mr. Lazarescu”
(February 28) begins with the
main character falling ill and
spending his last night being
transported by ambulances to
hospitals that will not admit
him.
This film symbolizes the best
and worst of human behavior.
“Iraq in Fragments” (March
7) focuses on post-war Iraq by
painting a picture of how Iraq
has been divided by religion
and ethnicity and following the
lives of Iraquis to discover their
beliefs and concerns about Iraq
today.
The next film, “The History
Boys,” (March 14) tells the story
of a class of bright, unruly history students who aspire to attend Oxford or Cambridge for
college.
“The Last King of Scotland”
(March 21) explores the events
of the brutal Ugandan dictator
Idi Amin’s regime as seen by his
personal physician during the
1970s.
At a time when America is
fighting for democracy and
freedom in another country,
“Shut up and Sing” (March 28)
raises questions about our right
to freedom of speech and how
that right can sometimes be considered negative.
“The Science of Sleep” (April
By Melissa Brandt
A & E Editor
Be warned: The supposed
conspiracy thriller, “The Good
Sheppherd,” only delivers on
half of what it advertises.
The movie is laced with government conspiracies as it follows the life of Edward Wilson,
(Matt Damon) one of the first
members of the CIA.
The main issue with this film is
audience expectation. Audiences
expect a plot. It’s hard to blame
them, really.
To be fair, “The Good Shepherd” is not without a plot but
it is certainly not the traditional
‘rising action, climax, resolution’
that audiences have become accustomed to expect.
What the film very simply
boils down to (at two hours and
eight minutes) is a mottled and
dragged out picture of one man’s
life: disjointed, tainted and probably eerily realistic. While the film
is not a biography of the CIA,
the characters in the movie are all
based off of real people.
Damon’s character is based
off of the founder of the CIA’s
counterintelligence operations,
James Jesus Angelton. DeNiro,
William Hurt and Billy Crudup’s
characters also have real life
models.
Obviously, what the movie
lacks in traditional plot line, it
makes up in strong characters.
Boasting an elite Hollywood cast,
the film definitely showcases the
talent it hired.
Damon especially carries the
entire story on his ability to communicate emotion through the
tight, cold face of his character.
He smiles twice. You probably
won’t smile at all.
The movie is not without merit,
but if you want excitement, see
“Blood Diamond.”
FEB. 8. Kathy Griffin. Palace Theatre, Cleveland.
Courtesy of Goerie.com.
Conversational Chinese I & II
9 WEEKS OF NON-CREDIT INSTRUCTION PER
SESSION
CLASSES MEET ONE NIGHT A WEEK FROM 6:309:00 PM
NO TESTS OR GRADES
CLASSES START JANUARY 16
FEE IS $149 PER SESSION
--- $275 FOR BOTH I & II--CLASSES ARE FILLING QUICKLY
SIGN UP TODAY!!
MERCYHURST COLLEGE
OFFICE OF ADULT & GRADUATE PROGRAMS
814-824-2270 / adult@mercyhurst.edu
WWW.TOYOTALIVEWEB.COM
2007
,
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FEB. 7. moe. Town Ballroom, Buffalo.
FEB. 7. Rock ‘N Roll
Mardis Gras with Cowboy Mouth, Ivan Neville’s
Dumpstaphunk. House of
Blues, Cleveland.
4) is a romantic fantasy set inside
the brain of an eccentric man
whose dreams begin to become
a reality.
“Half Nelson” (April 11) depicts the story of Dan, an idealistic inner-city junior high teacher
who has a drug habit.
Drey is one of his troubled
students who begins a friendship with his teacher that could
prove to be just what they need
to change their lives around.
In a future where America has
lost the war on drugs, an undercover police officer is ordered
to spy on his friends in the film,
“Scanner Darkly”(April 18).
“Notes on a Scandal,” (April
25) based on Zoe Heller’s novel,
portrays one woman as she has
an affair with her student and
another woman with inappropriate obsessions.
“The Cave of the Yellow Dog”
(May 9) follows a nomad child
set in the grasslands of Mongolia who gives a home to a stray
dog.
“Pan’s Labyrinth” (May 16)
takes place at the end of the
Spanish civil war where a young
girl meets the god, Pan and must
accept the three challenges he
lays before her.
“Babel” (May 23) involves a
random gun accident caused by
two Moroccan boys that sets the
lives of four groups of strangers
on three different continents.
Set in Southern Minnesota’s
farm country, “Sweet Land”
(May 30) is a poignant celebration of land, love and the American immigration experience.
“Children of Men” (June 6)
is set in London in the year
2027 when, the last human child
born turns 18-years old and
humankind’s survival depends
on protecting a woman who has
become miraculously pregnant.
“Volver” (June 13) depicts a
mother who had recently died
and has returned to lend a ghostly helping hand to her family.
All films at the PAC are shown
at 2 and 8 p.m. and are free for
Mercyhurst College students
with ID (one ticket per ID).
Judging merits of
Welcome to the global village.
De Niro’s ‘Good
Conversational Arabic I & II
Shepherd’
FEB. 3. Justin Timberlake, Pink. Quicken Loans
Arena, Cleveland.
FEB. 7. Asylum Street
Spankers. Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland.
January 10, 2007
2007
FJ
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January 10, 2007
THE MERCIAD
PAGE 6
ARTS &
To contact: entertainmentmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
ENTERTAINMENT
Choose the Springfest band
By Joe Fidago
Contributing writer
Seeing as how most people did not get the memo about going online
to vote for the Springfest 2007 genre (come on people every once
in awhile the Tuesday Afternoon actually does tell you something
useful) the winning genre was Alternative.
I’m not going to add Brand New to this list, because by now I’m
sure you have heard about the guerilla campaigning to get them to
play here.
So without further rambling, after a little research, here are our
best options for Springfest bands.
Right off the bat Jack’s Mannequin, Mae, Muse, The Plain White
T’s and The Starting Line were ruled out because they are playing a
festival the weekend of May 5 & 6 (thanks a lot Bamboozle Fest).
As you will notice there are links to PureVolume.com (or somewhere else you can get a sample) for each of these bands…I didn’t
put those there for my health, go listen to the songs, give feedback to
SAC or myself on the bands, or shut up when a band that you don’t
like comes to play in May; because you have had ample opportunity
to let your voice be heard.
Photo courtesy of www.benfoldsfive.com
For more info, check out the site www.benfoldsfive.com.
Ben Folds – Piano driven rock, but don’t read that the wrong way;
it’s definitely good stuff.
Unfortunately there is no good site to stream his music that I have
found, but between his solo career and Ben Folds Five, someone you
know has to have something of his that you can sample.
Photo courtesy of www.theacademyis.com
For more info, check out the site www.theacademyis.com
The Academy Is… - They sound good on record, but I’m not sure
how they are live…someone reading this has probably seen them in
concert and has got to know.
Recommended Tracks: The Phrase That Pays and Slow Down.
www.purevolume.com/theacademyis.
Photo courtesy of www.anberlin.com
For more info, check out the site www.anberlin.com.
Anberlin – Obviously the hardest part of choosing a band for
3,000 plus students is getting one that the majority will want to hear.
Anberlin is definitely a band that could draw a big crowd despite
being a small name.
Their extremely modest price tag would also allow them to play
with another big act, should the cards fall that way. Recommended
Tracks: A Day Late, Never Take Friendship Personal, Time and
Confusion and Ready Fuels.
HYPERLINK “www.purevolume.com/anberlin/blog” www.
purevolume.com/anberlin/blog.
Photo courtesy of www.cartelrocks.com
For more info, check out the site www.cartelrocks.com.
Cartel – These guys are amazing, if you have heard them you already know this. They have a poppy sound to them, but in this case
that isn’t a bad thing.
Recommended Tracks: Say Anything (Else), Luckie St., The Ransom, and The City Never Sleeps. HYPERLINK: www.purevolume.
com/cartel.
Photo courtesy of www.virginacoalition.com
For more info, check out www.virginiacoalition.com.
Virginia Coalition – If you like Guster, you will like these guys.
Their PureVolume site is pretty bare bones, even though they have
three or four albums under their belt now. The three songs on there
will still give you an idea of what their sound is like though.
DMB lovers should be in favor of these guys being our band.
Recommended Tracks: Listen to all three of them. www.purevolume.com/virginiacoalition.
If there is a band that really sticks out to you, LET SOMEONE
KNOW! Contact the Student Activities Council at sac@mercyhurst.
edu or myself at jfidag40@mercyhurst.edu.
MATH LAB
OPEN:
Sundays through Thursdays
Photo courtesy of www.aqualung.net
Library
304 A & B
For more info, check out the site www.aqualung.net.
Aqualung –Very mellow, I want to compare him to Ben Folds at his
most chilled out point. The stuff you can stream from his site is a little
more upbeat than what is on the album “Strange and Beautiful.”
Recommended Tracks: Just click through them all. HYPERLINK
“http://aqualung.net/audio.php” http://aqualung.net/audio.php.
Photo courtesy of www.guster.com
For more info, check out the site www.guster.com.
Guster – Similar to John Mayer in the idea that while their music is
mellow, it’s upbeat enough that you aren’t going to be falling asleep or
getting bored while listening. I’ve seen these guys in concert before,
and they were awesome.
Recommended Tracks: Amsterdam and Keep It Together. www.
guster.com Go to ‘Media’, scroll down to the bottom left corner under
‘Audio.’ Check out the videos from Conan O’Brien too.
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PAGE 7
THE MERCIAD
January 10, 2007
LAKER
SPORTS
To contact: sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Mathis’ 24 points lead
Lakers over Ashland
Andy Finkel photo
T.J. Mathis scored a career-high 24 points in a win over
Ashland. Mathis is third on the team with 11.9 ppg.
By Finella Annand
Contributing writer
The Mercyhurst men’s basketball team has proven that their
win over No.10 Grand Valley on
Dec. 9 was no fluke by going on
to win four of their following
five games.
The first port of call for the
Lakers after defeating Grand
Valley was the Mercyhurst tournament.
With confidence running high
Mercyhurst convincingly swept
aside Columbia Union and
Northwood to win the championship in style.
Mercyhurst defeated Columbia
Union 89-60 in the semi-finals
of the Mercyhurst tournament
with eight Lakers scoring more
than five points. Five players got
into double digits with Shelby
Chaney’s 19 leading the pack.
The championship game saw
an even more inspired performance by the Lakers as they
crushed Northwood 72-43. The
win was largely due to a 32-5 run
in the first half.
T.J Mathis, Mitch Brennan,
Richard Field and Avi Fogel
all finished the game in double
figures. After the game Mathis
and Field were named to the alltournament team, and Field was
selected as the MVP.
Mercyhurst followed up their
tournament triumph with wins
over IUP, Concordia and Slippery Rock.
Shelby Chaney went over the
1,000-point mark for his career,
which includes three years at
Gannon and the current season
as a Laker.
They say all good things must
come to an end and it did for
Mercyhurst when they faced No.
7 Findlay at the MAC on Jan. 4.
Findlay snapped the Lakers’ sixgame winning streak with a score
of 59-47.
The year 2007 got off to a
miserable start for the Lakers as
they found themselves unable
to recreate the magic that lifted
them above No.10 Grand Valley
earlier in the season.
Mercyhurst trailed 33-24 at
the break and were unable to
do enough in the second half to
come out on top.
After the disappointment of
the GLIAC loss, the Lakers
bounced back two days later to
defeat rival Ashland 79-71 in a
closely contested game at the
MAC. The Lakers fought hard
and battled their way to an entertaining victory in front of a
receptive crowd.
Mathis and Fogel stood out
on the night, both racking up 24
points. Fogel also grabbed seven
rebounds and dished out four
assists, while not committing a
single turnover in the contest.
Mathis’ 24 points eclipsed
a career-high 22-point effort
,when the junior guard played at
Morgan State. His previous high
as a Laker was 19. Mathis hit 10of-16 field goals, including 3-of-5
from long distance and also had
three steals.
The win was particularly sweet
for the Lakers as Ashland had
won five straight in the series
with three wins over Mercyhurst
last season.
The Lakers finished their eightgame homestand with a 7-1 mark
and next travel to Northwood on
Thursday, January 11 for an 8:00
p.m. tip-off in GLIAC action.
Northwood is 5-8 overall and
1-4 in the GLIAC and is led by
Aaron Simpson with 16.8 points
per game.
The Lakers will then play at
Saginaw Valley State Saturday.
The Cardinals are 5-7 overall and
2-3 in the GLIAC.
Men’s volleyball hopes
depth is key to success
in upcoming season
By Chris Davis
Contributing writer
The third-year head coach
of Mercyhurst men’s volleyball
team, Ryan Patton, looks to show
improvement this season with
his squad.
Last season one of the most
noticeable aspects of the team
was its youth.
This season Patton has continued to recruit and has brought in
six new freshmen and a sophomore transfer to join the already
young squad.
Patton’s main goal for the team
is a winning record.
“Everyone makes the playoffs,
so I care more about how they
finish at the end of the season.
Advancing in the playoffs in this
experienced conference is one
of our goals, but I believe to win
more games than we lose would
be a major achievement for us,”
Patton said.
One of the team’s strengths
should be its depth.
“I see a lot of potential for a
lot of people playing significant
minutes,” said Patton.
The Lakers will count on many
freshmen and sophomores to
step up.
According to Patton, David
Hatten is the favorite to emerge
as the starter at the setter posi-
tion. Freshman Pete Swauger and
Ian Michalski will battle for playing time at the position as well.
At the libero position, a group
of young players have competed
for the starting job.
“Currently, sophomore Jordan
Pierson is closest to earning the
starting spot, while Eric Schmalzried, Pete Swauger and Travis
Jessick are also battling for the
spot,” Patton said.
The middle blockers may be the
most experienced on the team.
From last year’s team, the squad
returns two of its starters in Dave
Newman and Mike Palaschak.
The opposite has also been a
good competition battle for the
Lakers.
“Tim Wagner returns as the
starter after starting last season
and will be pushed by freshman
Joe Montroy, which will be a
benefit for each of them,” Patton said.
The outside hitter position is
an open battle.
There are four sophomores
competing to fill the spots vacated from last year, Missouri
Valley transfer Marcus Santos,
Jeff Hartman, Gary Coad and
Bryan Ritter.
Patton believes his freshmen
are going to be a major part of
the team, and will be counted on
to step up and play against some
tough competition.
This year’s team has several
strengths and weaknesses.
In addition to the team being
extremely young, he sees the
team needing to improve upon
several aspects of the game.
“Our team weaknesses include
blocking, not being physically
strong and, lastly, serving, which
all need to get better,” Patton
said.
Some of the strengths of the
team have to do with the way he
has built this team.
“Our strengths are that we have
the right guys with the right commitment to make these steps in
the gym. We have the right character, right attitude and mindset,”
Patton said.
One of his goals is for the team
to get better everyday and to
someday win a championship.
“We want to go where Mercyhurst volleyball teams have
never gone before. I want to win
a championship someday and to
keep having the team get better
and better,” Patton said.
The Lakers play an exhibition
match on Jan. 9th before opening
their first home game on Wed.
Jan. 10th against Nazareth in the
Mercyhurst Athletic Center.
The Lakers will try to improve
upon last season’s 3-21 record,
including a 1-11 MIVA record.
Andy Finkel photo
Goalie Jordan Wakefield has made at least 45 saves in four of his last five games.
Wakefield sets Mercyhurst
single-game saves record
By Andy Tait
Contributing writer
The Mercyhurst men’s hockey
team saw their wretched run of
form continue this past weekend as Air Force swept a pair
of games at the Mercyhurst Ice
Center.
The Lakers have now gone
seven games without recording
a win. Their last victory came on
Dec. 2 on the road at American
International.
Mercyhurst Head Coach Rick
Gotkin is determined to keep
his players on task. Gotkin says
the key to the team coming out
of this winless streak is, “staying
positive, continuing to work hard
and getting healthy.”
The Lakers were cruelly beaten
5-3 this past Friday night, despite
leading for most of the game.
The Falcons scored three goals
in the third period, including two
goals in the final 90 seconds of
the game from the nation’s leader
in points, Eric Ehn.
Goals from Chris Trafford,
Kyle Gourgon and Cody Collins
had given the Lakers 1-0, 2-1 and
3-2 leads until the Falcons turned
up the heat in the third period to
snatch victory.
On Saturday, the Lakers struggled with disciplinary problems
as penalties hindered their momentum all evening.
Mercyhurst conceded three
second period goals and despite a
Cullen Eddy goal in the third they
could not find a way back.
The fact that the Falcons were
restricted to just three goals was
due to some superb goaltending
from senior net minder Jordan
Wakefield. He turned aside 52
attempts on goal from the Falcons.
Wakefield recently set a new
one-game record for the school
with 54 saves against Brown. The
record had previously been held
by sophomore goaltender Tyler
Small, who made 53 saves last
year against Bentley.
Wakefield’s performances of
late have been one of just a few
positives during this barren spell
for the Lakers.
Despite the fact his eight starts
have only wielded one win and a
tie, his performances between the
pipes have been stellar.
The Lakers finished up 2006
with a few tightly contested
games on the road. The Lakers
traveled to No. 3 Maine on Dec.
16 and managed to hold the perennial powerhouse to a 1-1 tie in
front of over 6,500 fans.
The Lakers turned in a battling
display to frustrate the Black
Bears. Wakefield made 45 saves
and that, coupled with an early
first period goal from junior Ben
Cottreau, was enough to give the
Lakers a shocking result away
from home.
The Lakers coaching staff,
players and fans are all scratching
their heads as to how the team
can go toe-to-toe with a team as
good as Maine and get a good
result, yet struggle to reproduce
that form consistently.
The Lakers current record
stands at 4-14-4 and 4-10-2 in
conference play. Mercyhurst
travel to West Point, N.Y. next
weekend to take on Army for a
pair of games.
The Black Knights won three
of four meetings last season
and will be looking to inflict yet
more misery on the Lakers this
season.
Laker Winter Term I n n
Galley Grill
New weekly specials:
1/8 - 1/12
Chicken Alfredo Pizza
Bottle of soda
1/15 - 1/19
Cuban Style burger combo
1/22 - 1/26
Turkey-Cranberry club wrap
combo
Laker Express
Look for Laker Express
Minute Meals!
1/29 - 2/2
Smoke House Pulled-Pork combo
2/5 - 2/9
Honey Mustard Chicken BLT
combo
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 8:00am-1:00 a.m.
Saturday
1:00pm-1:00 a.m.
Sunday
5:00pm-1:00 a.m.
Wraps
Buffalo Chicken
Barbeque Chicken
Veggie and humus
Bacon, Lettuce and
Tomato
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Thursday 11:30-8:00 p.m.
Board Equivalency Available:
Friday
11:30-3:30 p.m.
11:30-8:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday Closed
Subconnection
6” Sub
$3.50
12” Sub $5.50
FEATURES:
This Week: Buffalo Chicken
Meatball Sub
Italian Sub
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 11:30 -9:00 p.m.
Saturday
1:00pm-9:00 p.m.
Sunday
5:00pm-9:00 p.m.
S
AKER
PORTS
Laker Sports “Quick Hits”
This weeks results...
Women’s hockey..............................................Jan. 5, W 2-1, Cornell
Jan. 6, W 6-2, Cornell
Men’s hockey..................................................Jan. 5, L 4-3, Air Force
Jan. 6, L 3-1, Air Force
Women’s basketball..................................Jan. 4, W 75-59, Findlay
Jan. 6, L 94-82, Ashland
Men’s basketball..........................................Jan. 4, L 59-47, Findlay
Jan. 6, W 79-71, Ashland
In the news...
Athletes of the Week
A pair of basketball players earned recognition as Athletes of
the Week from the College. T.J. Mathis of the men’s team and
Julie Anderson of the women’s team were honored for their play
against Findlay and Ashland last weekend.
Mathis set a new career-high 24 points on Saturday against
Ashland in a 79-71 victory. The junior transfer had a red-hot
hand, hitting 10 of 16 from the field and pouring in 17 points
in the second half. He also added 10 points against Findlay,
grabbing five boards as well.
Anderson continued her stellar play of late, also setting a
new career high with 29 points against Ashland in the week’s
closing game. She tallied her fourth double-double of the
season in that game as well, grabbing 12 boards to go with her
best scoring night of her illustrious Mercyhurst career. Earlier
in the week she scored 24 points and grabbed nine rebounds
against Findlay.
Wrestling ranked regionally
The wrestling team is ranked fourth in the NCAA Division II
East Regional rankings that were released this past week. The
team has been idle for several weeks, yet continued to receive
recognition from its peers. Ahead of the Lakers reside PittJohnstown, Newberry and West Liberty State.
In addition to being ranked as a team, eight individuals are
ranked in their weight-class, including Andy Lamancusa, who
is first at 157, and Don Cummings and Zack Schafer, who are
second at 149 and 174 respectively.
Dianoski CHA Player of Week
College Hockey America (CHA) recognized Mercyhurst skater
Melissa Dianoski on Monday as its Offensive Player of the
Week. Dianoski, a sophomore who came to Mercyhurst just
four weeks ago, made an immediate contribution in her first
series with the Lakers. She scored a pair of goals and added
an assist on Saturday against Cornell. Dianoski played the
2004-05 season at North Dakota before sitting out the 2005-06
season entirely.
Mercyhurst remains No.1
Mercyhurst women’s hockey retained their unanimous No.
1 ranking in the USCHO.com and USA Today polls released
Monday and Tuesday respectively. The Lakers were shorthanded for this past weekend’s series against Cornell, yet
notched a pair of wins with scores of 2-1 and 6-2. Five players
from Mercyhurst were overseas playing in a U-22 tournament
in Germany, which left the Lakers here in the States shorthanded. The handicap didn’t stop them, as they were again the
unanimous choice for the top spot:
Page 8
January 10, 2007
Women’s hockey sweeps
By Ryan Palm
Sports editor
Sometimes a little heart can go
a long way in the absence of a
little talent.
Such was the case this past
weekend at the Mercyhurst Ice
Center, when a short-handed
Mercyhurst women’s hockey
team pulled out two tough wins
against the Big Red from Cornell.
With five of the team’s top
players playing in a world tournament in Germany, both players and coaches knew this past
weekend’s test was going to be
a challenge.
“We knew going in that it was
going to be tough playing shorthanded,” said team captain senior
Julia Colizza. “We’ve known
since the start of the season
that this was going to be a tough
weekend for us with so many
players missing.”
“Having those players missing
wasn’t ideal, but it helped our
team take another step forward.
More people were asked to do
more things and the team rallied
to the occasion and played really
well,” said Coach Michael Sisti.
Overseas for Mercyhurst were
forwards Meghan Agosta, Valerie
Chouinard and Stephanie Jones,
defender Katariina Soikkanen
and starting goaltender Laura
Hosier.
The three forwards have accounted for nearly half of the
Lakers’ scoring this year, and
Hosier has posted a 15-1-0 record on the season.
Cornell came to Erie anxious to
better their dismal record, making a statement early on Friday.
The Big Red defense kept the
high-power Laker offense scoreless for nearly 30 minutes until
senior Lesley McArthur scored
her second goal of the season at
11:38 of the second period.
Mercyhurst got what at the
time was an insurance goal at 7:22
of the third from sophomore
defender Natalie Payne.
That very goal proved to be the
game-winner when Cornell lit the
Ryan Palm photo
Melissa Dianoski (33) seeks to score with teammate Julia Colizza (10) closeby.
lamp just 10 seconds later.
Mercyhurst held out the Big
Red for the final minutes, and
picked up a hard-earned 2-1
win.
Sophomore Courtney Drennan
made her third start of the season
in goal in absence of Hosier. She
allowed one goal in nine shots on
goal to pick up the win.
Saturday’s first period proved
to be an even bigger scare for
Mercyhurst and the 775 fans at
the Ice Center.
The Big Red posted a pair of
goals in the opening session
to take a 2-0 lead into the first
intermission.
Whatever Coach Michael Sisti
said in the lockerroom between
periods must have been effective,
because the Lakers came out and
scored four goals in the second
period alone to blow away the
visitors.
Freshman Angelica Lorsell
got the scoring started at 4:44
and was followed by goals from
Jackie Jarrell, Melissa Dianoski
and Ashley Pendleton.
Dianoski added her second
goal of the game in the third
period along with the team’s sixth
goal from Colizza at 14:34.
Drennan made 18 saves and
picked up her third win of the
season, stopping all 14 shots she
faced in the final two periods.
Mercyhurst was able to shut
down the Big Red in the third
period despite being whistled six
times in 20 minutes, all of which
came in the first 13 minutes of
play, meaning they played nearly
the entire first half of the period
short-handed.
Those who have followed the
Lakers closely noticed a new
face on the ice this weekend in
Dianoski, a welcome addition
to a roster which can always use
additional depth.
“She did an amazing job over
the last four weeks to get in game
shape and play very well. I think
she’s managed well, jumping into
a team like ours that has good
team chemistry, and she has done
a great job blending in with our
team and was a big contributor
this weekend when we needed
her,” said Sisti.
Dianoski played the 2004-05
season for North Dakota and sat
out the 2005-06 season before
coming to Mercyhurst midway
through this season.
She seemed to fit in well on
Saturday, picking up two goals
with an assist in the win.
Although the team will be back
to full-strength numbers-wise
next weekend, there will still be
a significant challenge awaiting
the Lakers.
On Thursday Mercyhurst
leaves for Detroit, Mich., where
they will square off against
the Warriors from Wayne State
University.
The Warriors are annually the
toughest foe in College Hockey
America (CHA), and there is an
added difficulty with the fatigue
that Mercyhurst will be contending with.
The five players who were
overseas this past weekend do
not return until late Monday,
which leaves only Tuesday and
Wednesday for practice with their
teammates.
Additionally there is the jet-lag
factor, something Sisti describes
as a serious condition to deal.
Nonetheless, the fab-five represented Mercyhurst well on a
worldwide stage.
“We told them go play great
and represent yourself, your
country and your school well.
Their teammates made them
aware they would handle the
situation when they were gone.
They got great exposure for
themselves and for the program,
and they’re continuing to make a
case for the 2010 Olympic teams
and at the same help out our team
here as well,” said Sisti.
A split at home for women’s basketball
By Chris Davis
Contributing writer
The Mercyhurst women’s basketball team continues to show
Team (First Place) Record
Pts
Last Poll
improvement as the season pro1. Mercyhurst (15) 18-1-1
150
1
gresses, exploding on a 34-point
2. Wisconsin
18-1-3
130
2
swing which gave them their
2. New Hampshire 15-2-3
121
2
biggest comeback of the season
4. Dartmouth
14-3-1
106
4
by defeating Findlay 75-59 at
5. Harvard
14-3-1
78
7
the Mercyhurst Athletic Center
5. Minnesota
14-5-1
78
5
(MAC).
7. St. Lawrence
15-5-2
71
6
During the game they trailed by
8. Boston College
12-5-2
36
NR
as many as 18 points. The contest
9. Minnesota-Duluth 11-7-2
28
8
gave the Lakers their first Great
10. Princeton
10-8-2
13
10
Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference (GLIAC) win on
Women’s hockey represented well overseas
the season.
On Saturday the Lakers then
The five Mercyhurst Lakers playing in the Air Canada Cup this
fell
to another division rival,
past weekend represented their school (and their countries)
Ashland,
94-82, at the MAC, in
very well. Four Lakers suited up for Team Canada in juniors
a
game
that
was a lot closer than
Stephanie Jones and Laura Hosier, sophomore Valerie
the
final
score
indicated.
Chouinard and freshman Meghan Agosta.
During the game, senior capAll four factored in the championship trophy that the Canadians tain Julie Anderson recorded a
career-high, scoring 29 points.
took home, both on the scoreboard and on the ice as well.
With the weekend split, MerOverall the team went 4-0 in the tournament, outscoring
cyhurst
improved to 5-10 overall
opponents 32-1 for the tournament. Hosier factored in the
and
1-4
in the GLIAC. Findlay
goaltending, picking up a pair of wins by stopping 17 and
fell to 4-11 overall and 0-5 in the
11 shots respectively without surrendering a goal. Agosta
GLIAC, while Ashland improved
and Chouinard filled the scoring sheets for Canada, with the
freshman tallying four goals and six assists while her teammate their record to 8-7 overall (2-4
GLIAC).
scored three goals and notched three assists. Jones also
The game Thursday consisted
contributed one goal and one assist for Team Canada.
of an amazing comeback for the
Lakers. When Findlay’s Nanette
Freshman defender Katariina Soikkanen played for Team
Cox knocked down a threeFinland, with complete results from their games unavailable at
pointer to give Findlay a 14-1
press time.
scoring run, along with an 18Quick hits are compiled by sports editor Ryan Palm. Any- point lead with 8:24 to play in
thing worthy of being a “quick hit” should be emailed to the first half, Mercyhurst looked
to be down and out.
sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
File Photo
Senior Julie Anderson
Scoring runs turned out to
be the big theme of the game
as Mercyhurst then went on a
12-1 scoring run to cut the lead
to seven with 3:52 to play in the
half.
Anderson started the run as
she made a jumper to sway the
Lakers’ momentum. Also, during
the run, Katlyn Petit made a big
three-pointer to help the team
gain confidence.
After the Oilers went on a scoring run, Anderson and Petit again
came up big, both making threepoint field goals to close the half,
which gave Findlay only a single
digit lead 38-29 at halftime.
Mercyhurst then went on an
impressive second half run to
give them their first tie at 40-40
since the opening minutes of the
game when it was 2-2.
Stephanie Prischak started the
half and scored the first eight
points, before Anderson’s backto-back threes tied the game and
then gave them their first lead of
the game at 43-42.
After Anderson connected on
another three pointer to break
a 47-47 tie, Mercyhurst never
trailed the rest of the game.
The Lakers outscored Findlay
46-21 during the second half.
Mercyhurst closed the game
outscoring Findlay 22-7 during
the final nine and a half minutes
of action.
Senior Priscila Nascimento
thought the team showed a lot
of improvement throughout the
game. Nascimento said
“We showed a lot of fight, and
the team is continuing to improve
a lot,” she said.
During the Ashland game,
Mercyhurst again started off
slow, as the Eagles scored the
first eight points of the game.
Mercyhurst never led in the
game, but had many opportunities where they came close to
taking control of the game.
During the first half, the closest
the Lakers came was three points
from tying the game when the
score was 11-8.
Mercyhurst would soon get behind by double-digit points just
like the previous game against
Findlay. Mercyhurst trailed by
16 points at one point, but
continued to battle back in the
second half.
Mercyhurst pulled to within
one point of Ashland with 11:24
to play in the game on a lay-up by
Lindsay Whipkey, but the Eagles
refused to surrender the lead.
Ashland then started another
big run by getting back up by
double digits. Mercyhurst continued to show fight, coming within
five points with 5:55 to play.
After Anderson missed a threepoint attempt, she picked up her
fourth foul with 5:19 to play,
which forced her to come out for
a few possessions. This kept the
Lakers from getting any closer. It
also shows how important it is to
have Anderson on the basketball
court, especially in crunch time.
Prischak, who finished as the
Lakers’ second leading scorer
with 16 points and was one of
four Mercyhurst players in double-figures, Petit 15 and Whipkey
10, believed that Anderson picking up her fourth foul was the
turning point of the game.
Prischak commented, “Julie’s
awesome. We have to have her
on the court; when she goes out
we lose our biggest threat.”
Another area that has affected
the team all season long has
been with turnovers, which hurt
the team again against Ashland.
They surrendered 27 turnovers
to compare to the Eagles’ 21.
The Lakers did shoot impressively from the floor and
rebounded extremely well. Mercyhurst shot 44 percent for the
game. They also out rebounded
Ashland 39-34.
The team hopes to continue
to show promise as they travel
to Northwood and Saginaw
Valley State this Thursday and
Saturday.