September 18th

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Black Student Union Fight
Lifestyles
Sports
PAID
PERMIT NO. 32
St. JOSEPH, MO
Outdoor Semester
Weight Room Renovations
the
Missouri Western State University
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Volume 88 Issue 3
SGA
Western loses battle
confusion
Griffons fail first rivalry
test of the sports season
Lisa Crawford
Asst. News Editor
lcrawford@missouriwestern.edu
Brad Griffin
Sports Writer
An early turnover set the momentum for the game as the
No. 11 Northwest Missouri Bearcats ran up and down the
Griffon defense in a disappointing 44-20 Missouri Western
loss.
After the Griffons received the opening kickoff, there was
still a buzz in the air as quarterback Drew Newhart completed the first pass of the game
to wide-receiver Andrew Mead.
Unfortunately, that was the end
of the excitement as a northwest defender quickly drilled
Mead, jarring the football loose.
Northwest recovered the football, and Missouri Western was
not able to recover the quarter.
“That fumble the very first
play of the game definitely
sparked some momentum from
them. It’s definitely hard to take,
but you’ve got to live and learn,”
Mead said. “But at the same
time, me, I can’t be doing that
as a leader on this team; I can’t
be putting the football on the
ground.”
The Bearcats would go on to
score three consecutive, unanswered touchdowns in the first
quarter alone. The Northwest
offense was led by senior running back Xavier Omon, who
rushed for a total of 120 yards,
and adding another 56 yards
receiving. Junior quarterback Joel
Osborn was also impressive throwing for 287 yards, completing 19 of 26 attempts.
“Everybody was just gellin’. Osborn did a great job. He’s
worked so hard. He deserved this,” Omon said. “We’re a
great team; when we’re playing well, we’re a great team.”
Northwest struck first in the second quarter as well with
a 13 yard touchdown pass from Osborn to tight-end Greg
Applegate to complete their opening 28 unanswered points.
Finally, with only six minutes and thirty-three seconds left
in the half, Missouri Western got on the scoreboard with an
eight yard pass from Newhart to Mead. Newhart finished
the game 15-27 with 152 passing, and Mead led in receiving
with 125 yards.
See Griffons lose page 8
Northwest
44
Western
20
Marty Ayers / Photographer
La’Darrian Page runs the ball for the Griffons in their loss against Northwest Missouri on Saturday.
Paige is one of the two backs used in Westerns offense.
After investigations made by
Academic and Student Affairs administrators, the Student Government
Association was informed that the
current constitution, voted into effect
in April 2006, was invalid due to a
lack of administrative approval.
SGA’s new advisor and Interim
Assistant Provost and Vice President
of Academic and Student Affairs,
Cindy Heider, said she came across
the absence of administrative
approval while familiarizing herself
with the processes of the organization prior to the SGA constitutional
convention scheduled for Sept. 16.
“Some resolutions were still in a
kind of a limbo, and we needed to
make sure they were getting formally approved or that they were
being revised,” Heider said. “But
I couldn’t find anywhere that the
most recent constitution had actually
been approved at the administrative
level.”
She then approached Provost and
Vice President for Academic and
Student Affairs Joseph Bragin with
the issue. Heider said Bragin wanted to make sure the constitution
had the authority and the approval
so that it could operate and there
wouldn’t be any question on what is
and is not allowed.
SGA
Vice
President
Luke
Herrington believes the constitution
was adequately approved because the
current Dean of Student Development
at the time, Paul Shang, had to
have signed it because elements in
the new constitution such as the
existance of the Student Court were
printed in the Student Handbook,
which is published by the dean’s
office. Herrington believes that since
the student body approved the constitution more than a year and a half
ago and no one has raised objections,
then the administration must know
and should recognize without question that these changes have been in
See SGA Confusion page 4
Koenig helps with Presidential search
Margaret Slayton
News Writer
Missouri Western’s Board of Governors has
hired the firm of R. H. Perry & Associates
to aid in the search for the university’s next
president.
Dr. Allen Koenig, senior consulant for R. H.
Perry & Associates, has led over 150 presidential searches and was the president of two
universities.
Koenig met with staff, students, faculty,
administrators, community members and
Western’s Board of Governors Sept. 13 and
Sept. 14 to hear their views on what they are
looking for in the next president.
“I’m the most concerned with getting the per- decision
son best fit for you. This person has
got to be a leader first and foremost,”
Koenig said.
R. H. Perry & Associates estimates
receiving 20-30 solid potential prospects, many of whom they will nominate, during a nationwide search.
The Board of Governors has also
appointed a Presidential Screening
Committee composed of 20 individuals who will help narrow the field of
candidates.
- James Scanlon
President Scanlon will retire on
Western
June 30, 2008 and the Board of
President
Governors expects to have a final
as soon as possible.
Beth Wheeler, vice-chair of the
Presidential Screening Committee
and the Director of External Relations,
anticipates this process will be completed in a timely manner.
“What is most certain is that by
Thanksgiving, we will have narrowed
it to the finalists and from there it
will depend on flight and personal
schedules,” Wheeler said.
Wheeler is pleased that Scanlon
gave the university ample time to
find his replacement.
“President Scanlon was really conscientious in giving the university a
year’s notice. It gives us time to do these things
and do them well. And to find the right person
and to find the right match and make the transition as smooth as possible,” Wheeler said.
Natalie Bailey, student representative on
the Presidential Screening Committee, is looking forward to this process and hopes students
will express their views.
“I think the process is going to go really well.
I hope we get a lot of students involved to get
their input, but so far I think it’s going great,”
Bailey said.
The job application and qualifications will
appear online Sept. 24 in the Oct. 5 issue of
The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Justice Program awarded funding grant
Ryan Heldenbrand
News Writer
The Office of Justice program and
the Bureau of Justice Assistance
have recently awarded a grant to
fund the enhancement and training of law enforcement to Missouri
Western State University and the
Missouri Regional Community
Policing Institute in the amount of
$714,010.
The Missouri-Regional Community
Policing Institute or MO-RCPI, was
established in 1997.
It is one of 27 RCPI’s around
the country that have been founded through the United States
Department of Justice.
Bryan
Courtney,
Missouri
Western’s RCPI Program Director,
plays a main part in getting grants
and funds to further the training of
our policing institute.
“We have ten years of experience
in developing our own curriculum
and training,” Courtney said.
Missouri Western’s RCPI will be
the main one in charge of delivering
and coordinating training to RCPI’s
in other states.
There will be training sessions in
areas such as gangs, counter terrorism and various other topics.
“We’re putting together training
programs that are necessary for
state and local law enforcement,”
Courtney said.
The Bureau of Justice Assistance
had no way to distribute training
and development of law enforcement
until the RCPI’s were created.
Basically, the 27 RCPI’s are
responsible for taking the training
mechanisms that the Bureau has
and putting them into action in the
various areas of the country.
The grant received by Western
and MO-RCPI is part of the Edward
Byrne Memorial Discretionary
Grants Program.
“I made a proposal to BJA through
the Byrne Memorial Discretionary
Grants Program and the guideline
was that it had to further the department mission by assisting state and
local jurisdictions in improving the
criminal justice system,” Courtney
said.
“With our RCPI experience, we
developed an expertise in many of
the things the BJA was already
doing,” said Courtney.
The grant will help Missouri
Western as well as the MO-RCPI
and our sister RCPI’s in training and
developing law enforcement in many
areas and communities.
“It’s cool we got the money, but the
reason we do this is to help communities right down to the individual
level,” Courtney said. “It’s gonna
help police officers and police agencies better serve their community.”
Along with this grant Missouri
Western may also be getting other
ones in the future.
“We still have two other proposals
out to BJA and may be getting more
money soon,” said Courtney.
Opinion
PAGE 2 • Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The Griffon News
STAFF EDITORIAL
New president needs good qualities
Get the job done right. We, as students,
expect nothing less from decision-makers
at Missouri Western.
The firm hired to assist in the search for
Missouri Western State University’s next
president has begun its work and we’d like
to submit some ideas to Dr. Allen E. Koenig,
senior consultant with R.H. Perry & Associates
(RHPA) and to Patt Lilly, vice chair of the
Board of Governors and chair of the search
committee.
Things to keep in mind when searching for a
new president:
-Be open to women and minorities; be accessible to students as well as your staff and
faculty.
We’d like to see you once in awhile and feel
like we know our president.
-Be ready to address the gap between facets
of the student body, like those who live on
campus and those who commute or nontraditional students versus the traditional.
The two groups need to be dealt with in different ways. Get people on and off campus to
enjoy all of the things that this school has to
offer. The more people Missouri Western get
involved in campus activities, the more school
pride each student will have in the university.
-You need to be able to unite the student
body.
-Once that is done, it’s time to move towards
building a bridge between the university population and the population of St. Joseph.
Western may be within the city limits of St.
Joseph, but St. Joseph could not be called a
college town. The community doesn’t support
the school much and the school doesn’t do
enough to get others interested in what happens around the campus.
We as a campus community need to be
part of the community as a whole, and it will
take us reaching out first to succeed in getting the community support that schools like
Northwest enjoy.
I understand that Northwest is smaller than
St. Joseph and there is more to do around this
area, but there is no reason why people in this
community can’t get excited about campus
events in the same way.
It’s a short enough list, but it’s long on the
effort and smarts that will be required to see
that list accomplished. So please find us someone who can do the job that best represents us,
the students and always has ideas of improving what this school has to offer.
This first draft of a presidential search ad featuring President
James “Uncle Jim” Scanlon was rejected.
Matthew Fowler / Graphics Editor
Commentary
Learning and growing on foreign soil
It was not until my second month in London,
England that I realized what an amazing and
exciting city I was living in.
I was walking home from a late night out with
some friends and on our way home we passed
people of all races, sizes and types including:
two Jamaican drug dealers, a couple of Asian
drag queens, some fellow ‘loud Americans” and
Amy Winhouse.
Only in a city like London will you run into
those kinds of characters in a 15 minute walk
home from a bar.
I have traveled to many of the major cities in
Europe including: Paris, Athens, Rome, Berlin,
Madrid and Amsterdam and not one of those
fantastic cities can hold a candle to London in
terms of nightlife, style and culture.
London is known for its fast-paced lifestyle
full of hundreds of free museums, fantastic
plays and musicals, its wide variety of cultures
and nightlife and of course the amazing
into a pub after work you would encounarray of people one meets while there.
ter all kinds of people from all walks
h
et
It’s made up of a melting pot of
of life from Doctors, to actors or brick
y
w
people. Just by walking on any
layers. Like any place, some are
x
a
street in the city, you may find
friendly– some are not. I had nothm
yourself among the very rich
ing but pleasant encounters with
from Mayfair or one of the
the general population, they are
rocker types that you would
wonderful, interesting people
find in Camden.
with a sometimes too wide
You never know what you are
vocabulary.
going to get and that in itself is
The British have a colfantastic.
orful vocabulary that
Growing up in St. Joseph, MO, you
includes a wide variety
always know what you’re going to get,
of cuss and slang words
what kind of people you would meet
that are used frequently.
at school, church or even around town.
Whether it’s yelling at a car
Extremely friendly and nice, but rather
that cut you off or telling a joke to
ordinary. In London there is excitement
your best mate, the language is always
everyday in not knowing who you were going
interesting. For example, if you stubbed
to encounter on a day-to-day basis. Walking your pinky toe, one might say “bloody hell”
“bugger it,” or any variety of indecent vocabulary.
The possibilities are endless. It’s a ‘must see’
city if you’re in Europe. Over the next semester I will be writing about my eight months in
Europe weekly. From the differences in cultures (sports, movie stars, way of life) to some
of the other fascinating cities that I visited
while I was there.
While I am happy to be back in America,
I feel that I have grown as a person going to
Europe and seeing their way of life. Not only
have I learned about the past in my travels,
but I have also learned about many alterative
ways and views on life, love, family and history
that, while different from our ways of life here
in America, are very passionate and exciting.
Commentary
Kansas City v. St. Louis: Who really cares?!!!
I am told that this past week’s fight was
about Kansas City versus St. Louis.
What is that about?
Face it, for people from Paris, London, New
York City, Los Angeles and maybe even Las
Vegas, the whole state of Missouri is lumped
under “Flyover country.” Neither city is the
center of news, fashion, media or food. The
rest of the world is not focused breathlessly on
either place.
Now I love it here, but I have been to a multitude of other places. I lived in Europe for four
years and all over the states. If your pride is all
caught up in your hometown, you need a life. A
city is a silly thing to hang your pride on.
When I was in the military I was sent for
training to Denver for several months.
My suitemates were two
ging on that? You could tutor little kids, be
lor
young black men. They and
a Big Brother or be an example in some way.
iba
their friends would get
have found a way to get to college; help
rri You others
together on Saturday
find their way. Hang your pride
ng
nights before they
er on what you have accomplished or
went out and would
done for your community, whether you
talk trash loudly to
chose the Missouri Western community,
each other.
the St Joseph community or the
One of their most
black community. The Greek
persistent arguments was
community seems to get
about who among them had
that giving back matters
given back more to their community.
and they have done some
I was astounded by the insight that this
amazing things.
was so important to them and they became
I can also promise you
my standard for Real Men.
that the water in neither city
Instead of fighting among yourselves, how
has led to a growth or expanabout giving back to the community and brag- sion of
male body parts and being from
Staff
Brad Kester & Rikki Cason
Co-Editors-in-Chief
News Editor
Pat McGuire
Lifestyles Editor
Addison Ford
Sports Editor
Gregor Avey
Opinions Editor
Julie Summa
Matt Fowler Photo/Graphics Editor
Copy Editor
Chris Shove
Ass. News Editor
Lisa Crawford
Dorothy Charles Multimedia Editor
Ad Manager
Taylor Insco
Faculty Advisor
Bob Bergland
Web site: http://www.thegriffonnews.com
Email: griffonnews@missouriwestern.edu
News
Lori Barringer
Charlene Divino
Ellis Cross
Margaret Slayton
Ryan Heldenbrand
NuRechia Washington
Emily Gummelt
Multimedia
Jenna Swyelmeler
Sports
Brad Griffin
Brandon Spencer
Eddie Leaverton
Ryan Richardson
Lifestyles
Ryan Bradley
Dan Donan
Michelle Allen
Melonne Mack
Max Wyeth
Design
Rachel Euchner
Marty Ayers
Cody Hudson
Mandi Nocita
one city or the other has obviously not made
the rivals smarter or more charming.
If this was a ‘mine is bigger than yours’ kind
of thing, turn off the spam filters. You’ll get
lots of emails that will offer you help with that.
In the meantime, we are all Griffons and will
eventually go out into the world as educated
people. There are enough idiots with ignorant
prejudices that will want to fight with us and
treat us unjustly without making up an artificial divide. Verily, said idiots love to see us
divided among ourselves.
And yes, this old lady was implying that the
fighters are hotheads.
The Griffon News is written and published by students of Missouri Western
State University during the fall and spring semesters. The first copy of each
issue is free; additional copies are 50 cents. Content of this paper is developed
independently of the faculty and administration, or other campus organizations or offices. Readers are encouraged to submit story ideas, information
and advertising to The Griffon News office, Eder 221, 4525 Downs Drive, St.
Joseph, Mo. 64507, or by phoning (816) 271-4412 (advertising and news
room). Copy and advertising must be received by noon Wednesday, the week
prior to publication.
Guidelines for letters to the editor:
• All letters to the editor must be typed and double spaced. Letters must be
no longer than 350-400 words and guest columns no longer than 500 words.
Letters and columns will be edited for style.
• All letters must include signature and identity verification information,
such as phone number. The Griffon News reserves the right to edit all letters
for length and Associated Press style.
• The Griffon News will not withhold names under any circumstances.
Anonymously submitted letters will not be published.
• Views expressed on the opinion pages are not necessarily those of The
Griffon News staff or Missouri Western State University.
News
The Griffon News
News
Notes
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 • PAGE 3
Tekes run for Alzheimer’s Disease
Tekes honor
Reagen with
annual run
YWCA
teams with
Western’s
women
The YWCA and the business
department announced the first
Women and Money Conference
will be held on Sept. 29 in the
Fulkerson Center. The singleday conference is designed
to advance financial literacy
among women of all ages,
backgrounds and income levels. The conference will consist of a continental breakfast,
morning and afternoon workshops, lunch with panel discussion, resource and vendor
tables and door prizes. All sessions will be taught by women
and geared toward women.
Olivia Mellan will be the keynote
speaker. Mellan is a groundbreaker in the field of money
psychology, couples communication, stress management
and conflict resolution. She has
written four critically acclaimed
books, including Advisor’s
Guide to Money Psychology
and
Money
Harmony:
Resolving Money Conflicts in
Your Life and Relationships.
Mellan’s monthly column, “The
Psychology of Advice” appears
in Investment Advisor. She
has also appeared on “Oprah,”
NBC’s “Today Show,” ABC’s
“20/20” and other nationwide
media. Mellan speaks all over
the country to businesses,
professional groups, women’s
groups and to the general public.
The cost to attend the conference is $30 for adults and
$15 for students. All workshops are limited to the first
50 registrants. The registration
deadline is Sept. 21. For more
information, call the YWCA at
(816)-232-4481.
Tour of
Missouri
Exceeds
expectations
The first stage of the Pro Bicycle
Race and Rolling Festival
Attracted Tens of Thousands.
Enthusiastic crowds well into
the tens of thousands flooded
Kansas City’s Country Club
Plaza, Ward Parkway, and Main
Street. Citizens in Parkville
and Platte City also ventured
out to line the streets.
Vendors confirmed that crowds
were even larger and more
enthusiastic than anticipated.
An employee with Hincapie
Sportswear, which is selling
Tour-related clothing, reported
“We sold far more today than
we ever have at the Tour de
Georgia.” Crowds over the
six-day Tour de Georgia have
been estimated at over half
a million. Both Hincapie and
Dogfish Sportswear indicated
they had sold nearly a full
week’s allotment of some items
in a single day.
“Stage 1 of the Tour really
brought Kansas City’s bicycling community together,” said
Hugh. “And it has introduced
the sport, fun, and pageantry of
bicycle racing to tens of thousands who have never seen
pro racing live before.”
“It’s more than just a sporting
event. It’s a rolling festival, a
giant block party: the Super
Bowl on Wheels.”
Many spectators spent the
whole afternoon at the Plaza;
others who live or work near
the race route followed the
race via online coverage, coming out to watch the event as it
neared their location.
– Staff Reports
Rikki Cason
Co-Editor-In-Chief
rlc6351@missouriwestern.edu
Matthew fowler / Photographer
Members of the Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity from both campuses gather as the game ball is delivered to the officials. Every year the chapter from the visiting school runs with the game ball from
their stadium to the opponent’s stadium to raise money for charity.
Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity put aside their differences
this weekend, to help raise
money with their rival school,
at the 9th annual “Running
Past the Rivalry” Football run.
This event is held annually to
raise money for the Ronald
Reagan Research Institute for
Alzheimer’s Disease.
“We look forward to this
event every year,” Western’s
TKE President, Vern Wheeler
said. “It’s a good cause and it
feels good to donate a chunk of
money to help people.”
This year the Missouri
Western and Northwest chapters had a goal of raising a
combined $500 for Alzheimer’s.
Since 1998, local TKE mem-
bers have raised $4,500. Each
year members from the different chapters take turns running the ball from one stadium to the other, delivering the
game ball. This year members
of the Northwest chapter ran
the 43 miles from Rickenbrode
Stadium on the Northwest
Missouri State campus to
Spratt Memorial Stadium on
Western’s campus.
“I think it’s important to look
past rivalry,” Western TKE
member, Jeremy Ackerman
said. “This is a good way to
work past differences for a
good cause.”
The Alzheimer’s Association
is TEKE’s newest philanthropy to commemorate former U.S. President and TKE
alumnus, Ronald Regan, who
passed away from complication with Alzheimer’s in 2004.
“With as much rivalry
between the two organizations,” Western TKE member,
David Williams said. “To do
something in collation together
shows we are all students and
are only 43 miles apart. We
can come together and help a
cause like Alzheimer’s.”
Entire staff left social work program
Introduction level classes cut due to shortage of staff
Lori Barringer
News Writer
In the past six months every professor in the social work department left
Missouri Western State University.
Many students in the social work
department had concerns that the
social work major was going to be
eliminated.
Another cause for student concern was
that there are no introduction to social
work courses offered this semester,
although there are several 300 and
400 level courses offered. Introduction
classes were not offered this semester because the new instructors were
committed to meeting the needs of
the current upperclassmen while
they became acclimated to Missouri
Western.
The program plans to offer the introductory level classes this spring.
Joe Belcher, former social work major,
changed his major to journalism after
his adviser and the other professors
left.
He said he was told after the professors left that he shouldn’t take extra
classes or fail any classes if he wanted
to graduate in 2009.
“It was tough to change, but I wanted to be sure the degree would be
available at the end of the program,”
Belcher said.
When asked if there were any plans to
eliminate the social work major, Pam
Clary, acting social work director was
emphatic.
“No, absolutely not, no,” Clary said,
“Missouri Western is committed to
having a strong social work program.”
While two of the vacancies have been
at least temporarily filled, administration has yet to replace the third
professor. As of last Friday, there
were no human resource advertising
for more staff for the Social Work
department.
“We will be looking for a third faculty
member soon,” Clary said.
Dr. Martin Johnson, dean of Liberal
Arts and Sciences, reiterated Clary’s
definitiveness.
“Rumors that Missouri Western is
eliminating the Social Work major are
absolutely untrue,” Johnson said.
Johnson also stated that they plan to
advertise to fill the third position this
fall.
Departing professors Martha Ellison,
Field Coordinator, Monica Nandan,
Associate Professor, and Patricia
Scott, Associate Professor, all left for
various reasons.
One of the three departing professor
did not leave without giving just cause
and notification.
Nandan left in order to teach at a
graduate level at the University of
Missouri-Kansas City, but she still
believes that Western has a commendable department.
“The program has a solid foundation.
It just needs a strong leader and new
direction,” Nandan said.
The department has hired two instructors with masters of social work
degrees.
Clary and Lynn Frederick, field education director, are now instructors
for the social work department.
When it comes to the foundation of
the program, Clary couldn’t agree
more with Nandan.
“A great foundation has been laid
already,” Clary said. “I want to build
on what is already here, this is my
community and I want the social work
program to continue.” Call 271-4412 to post your events in our calendar
campus crime report
Calendar of events
Tuesday, September 18
• Foreign Film series presents “Mostly Martha.” The
Show begins at 6:30 p.m. in
the Hearnes Center room
102. Program is free and
open to the community.
• Society of Distingushed
Balck Women present the
African American Women
on the Rise Part 2 in the
Blum Junior College room
at 6 p.m.
• Western United Way Rally
in Spratt 101 at 3:30 p.m.
Thursday, September 20
• CBASE Workshop has
test taking Strategies at 3
p.m. in the Hearnes Center
room 213
Friday, September 21
• Matrix Picnic held outsied
of the Agnestine hall from
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Griffon Soccer at
Southwest Baptist, 4
p.m.
• Griffon Volleyball vs.
Central Missouri, MWSU
Fieldhouse, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 22
• Griffon Football
Pittsburg State, 2 p.m.
at
4
2
• Griffon Volleyball at
Southwest Baptist, 1 p.m.
3
• Griffon Soccer at Missouri
Southern, 4 p.m.
Sunday, September 23
• Griffon Golf at UMC Fall
Central Region Invite at
Wildflower Golf Course at
Detroit Lakes, Minn.
1
Monday, September 24
• Griffon Golf at UMC Fall
Central Region Invite at
Wildflower Golf Course at
Detroit Lakes, Minn.
Tuesday, September 25
Burglary
September 7, 2007 LLC
Officer received information from a student regarding items taken from her dorm
room. The officer completed an Offense/Incident report.
1.
• Griffon Volleyball vs.
Northwest Missouri State,
at MWSU Fieldhouse, 7
p.m.
2.
• Griffon Golf at UMC Fall
Central Region Invite at
Wildflower Golf Course at
Detroit Lakes, Minn
3.
Wednesday, September 26
• Grffon Volleyball vs
Missouri Soutehrn at
MWSU Fieldhouse, 7 p.m. Vandalism
September 8, 2007 Beshears Lot 100
Officers observed the gate to the parking lot had been damaged. No suspects at this time.
The officer completed an Offense/Incident report.
Simple Assault
September 9, 2007 Parking Lot J
Officer responded on a report of a large group gathering in the parking lot. One subject was
assaulted. The officer completed an Offense/Incident report.
4.
Disturbance/Fight
September 9, 2007 Looney Complex
Officers responded to a report of a fight in the Looney Complex. The officer completed an
Offense/Incident report.
PAGE 4 • Tuesday, September 18, 2007
News
The Griffon News
Search Continues
Continued from front:
SGA Confusion
Recyling implemented
Emily Gummelt
News Writer
He works for the Griffon News.
He’d like to get to know you better.
He’d like to hear your opinion on
anything.
Please write a letter to the Griffon
News.
We don’t like letting Brad down.
We don’t want him to cry again.
The Griffon News would love to
hear from you. Send any thoughts
or feedback to:
Griffonnews@missouriwestern.edu
Pat McGuire
News Editor
pmcguire1@missouriwestern.edu
The Black Student Union threw a welcome
back party last Saturday night that could be
providing an extended hangover.
The event, which was attended by over 400
people, ended earlier than scheduled after off
duty St. Joseph Police Officers, hired by the
BSU for security purposes, used pepper spray
to control a crowd that they felt was getting too
rowdy.
While the BSU has not been punished specifically for the altercation, administration has
suspended all organized events that begin after
9:30 p.m. for an indefinite amount of time.
Cindy Heider, interim assistant provost and
vice president of academic and student affairs,
felt that suspending the events was the cautious approach.
“We just want to make sure that events are
safe and enjoyable for the students,” Heider
said. “No one did anything wrong, we just need
to make sure we do things a little better.”
The actual events that happened in the gymnasium of the Looney Complex that evening depend on whom you ask. President and founder
of the Black Student Union, Moses D. Fields,
Jr., found himself in the midst of the controversy and claimed that it was not a fight, there
were no punches thrown.
“There was an altercation in the gym. it was
a yelling match. It was not a fist fight,” said
Fields. “Before anybody threw a punch the students broke it up. It was the first time in a long
time that we have had a late night event that
did not have a fist fight.”
According to the incident report filed by Cpl.
Trevor Brown, the altercation included close
to 50 people fighting, using hands and fists as
weapons.
“We observed a large crowd, approximately
50 subjects, gathered at the west side (of the
gym.) The large crowd contained several subjects fighting,” Brown said.
Fields’ point of view was that the majority of
the students in the “fight” were actually keeping the few individuals from fighting.
“Four individuals out of 400 were a bad seed,”
Fields said. “I feel like that’s a good number.
Everything that we try to bestow, as well as
the other minority organizations, is that we
have to be accountable for ourselves, you have
to account for each other and keep each other
in line, and that’s exactly what the crowd did.”
Jon Kelley, Director of Public Safety, said that
due to the darkness of the building he could not
personally tell if there were punches thrown or
not. He was present when the altercation was
resolved.
“The St. Joseph Police Department officers
were closest to the incident in the gymnasium
and warned the large group to break up the
fight and to disperse, more than once, or they
would use pepper spray to disperse the crowd,”
Kelley said. “The crowd failed to disperse and
pepper spray was deployed by the SJPD officers, above the crowd, as a means of dispersing
the crowd and minimizing the potential for further confrontation or injury.”
FSK FM TKE ASA ASF
GRSSK CORNER
• Alpha Gamma Delta welcomes nine new
members to their sorority.
• Phi Mu welcomes 12 new ladies into their
sisterhood.
• Alpha Sigma Alpha welcomes 14 new women to their sorority.
• Tri Sigma welcomes ten new members to
their sisterhood.
E-mail: griffonnews.com to have a greek event published.
D FDQ SSS FSK FM TKE
This is Brad.
Black Student Union fight
AG
As many students might have already noticed,
several blue, plastic recycling bins have been
added to various locations on campus.
The decision to have these bins was inspired
by the recycling efforts carried on by Annette
Wright, library assistant, and Victoria Sample,
who works as a lab coordinator in the Biology
Department.
Beth Wheeler, director of external relations,
said that in 2006 an ad hoc committee presented a campus-wide paper-recycling proposal
to Missouri Western’s President, Dr. James
Scanlon.
Scanlon provided money to purchase supplies needed to start the program.
The SGA supported this proposal and contributed some funds as well, so that containers
could be purchased for gathering areas around
campus.
They also made a request for University
funding to start and expand the program.
“After good work by Craig Darrough and
Lonnie Johnson working with the Fire Marshal
to assure safety and purchasing appropriate
containers, the campus-wide program began in
July 2007,” Wheeler said.
The program is in its infant stages now but
Director of Facilities, Lonnie Johnson, has further plans for the recycling program.
“At this time we are collecting only officetype paper, but we are looking to expand this
program to include newspapers and magazines
in the near future,” Johnson said.
As of right now, items such as white and
colored copier paper, post-it notes, envelopes
without windows, computer paper, stationary,
manila and colored file folders without labels,
notebook paper, forms that use non-carbon,
reply paper, and heavier papers such as card
stock are encouraged to be put in the blue
bins.
Just in case there is any confusion, items such
as hanging file folders, newspapers, shredded
paper, magazines and catalogs, food contaminated paper, candy wrappers, corrugated cardboard, metal, plastic, Styrofoam, photographs,
and other non-paper items are not currently
accepted in the bins.
However, newspapers and shredded paper
may be introduced later.
It is Western’s custodial staff who currently
empties the bins.
“We plan to eventually use work study students to run the collection program after it is
completely established,” Johnson said.
The recycling program is slowly expanding
to ensure the continuation of these efforts, and
it will presumably become larger and more
complete.
Custodial Services will be distributing blue
recycling containers to every department and
computer lab on campus.
Custodial staff will empty the bins every
Thursday into specific dumpsters for the program. Anyone who needs additional containers
can contact their custodian or Physical Plant
at 4417.
Matthew fowler / Photographer
The commitee to elect Western’s next president, met to discuss what qualities and characteristics
they are looking for. The search process began early this semester.
FDQ SS
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say,” Herrington said. “They are not letting us
properly represent the students, which is what
we are supposed to do. We are not supposed to
be a tool of the administration.”
With the fear of the constitution truly being
illegitimate, senators contested that their positions would all be invalid as well.
Under the previous constitution, the Articles
of Association, SGA would be
reduced to 20 senators, the
Student Court would not exist,
and the terms of office of the
executive members would have
expired this past spring after
an election held in April.
Since an election was not
held in April, under the Articles
of Association, the only legitimate member of SGA would
be Student Governor Harold
Callaway because his office
is appointed by the state of
Missouri.
Heider confirmed that SGA is a recognized
organization on our campus and that they have
a constitution.
“We continue to have a smooth operation,”
Heider said. “We didn’t want this to be disruptive in any way at all. We are just asking them
to update their constitution and have it have
re-approved.”
Though some changes were proposed at the
constitutional convention Sunday, SGA plans
to continue with the convention forum in
October.
“The convention is a regular effort by the student body to update their constitution,” Heider
said. “And I think they can reaffirm the parts
they believe are still current and update the
parts that they would prefer to have changed
and then we can move that forward.”
ASA ASF AGD FDQ SSS FSK
place. Herrington assumes the constitution
was lost on its way to the Vice President
because of transitions made between former
Vice President David Arnold, Interim Vice
President Jeanie Daffron and eventually
Bragin.
Herrington also believes that regardless of
where the constitution was lost, it would have
been made valid by the dean
of student development’s
signature alone. Every
previous constitution was
approved after a student
body vote, a signature by
the SGA president and a
signature from the dean of
student development. None
of the previous constitutions
has required signatures
from the provost and president. In addition, there is
nothing in The Handbook or
the Missouri Western Policy
Guide that mandates the additional two signatures. Still, Heider and Bragin both argue
that the constitution is illegitimate because it
is lacking two additional signatures from the
provost and university president.
“I think a lot of this is tied up with the SGA
fee that’s been instituted, and the SGA really
has to be sensitive to the fact that since they
have the ability to recommend allocations of
money and things like that that there is going
to be more scrutiny over what they do and how
they do it,” Heider said.
The SGA fee was implemented in fall 2003
and gave SGA the opportunity to spend over
$400,000 on the students. Herrington feels the
students should have the right to spend their
money as they wish.
“They are trying to treat us like one of their
departments…which has to do whatever they
(advertise)
join us and exploit our power over the
unwitting masses. We can spread the
word of your glory.
271-4412
Lifestyles
The Griffon News
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 • PAGE 5
Idol Contestants to perform
for Make-A-Wish
Max Wyeth
News Writer
50 Cent vs. Kanye West:
Who will prevail?
Brandon Spencer
News Writer
If you are a music fan like me, you probably have heard about the competition
between rappers Kanye West and 50 Cent.
Last week, Kanye West’s Graduation and
50 Cent’s Curtis squared off in record stores
everywhere. 50 Cent recently challenged
Kanye to a sell-off. Whoever could sell the
most records in the first week wins. Both
albums were released on Sept. 11, and both
claim that they’re the greatest rapper today.
But there’s only room for one at the top.
Kanye said he wouldn’t be upset if he came
in second to 50 Cent. However, 50 Cent
claimed that he would call it quits if Mr.
West topped him in the first week of sales.
“If Kanye West sells more records than 50
Cent on Sept. 11, I’ll no longer write music.
I’ll write music and work with my other
artists, but I won’t put out anymore solo
albums,” 50 Cent said.
I have all six records between the two artists. I am an unbiased listener so let me give
it to you straight. 50 Cent is a bigger artist
and has sold more records to date. Kanye
West however, is a better artist and musician by far. Both 50 Cent and Kanye have
huge fan bases, but I believe Kanye’s work
this time is just better. I believe Kanye wins
the fight and deserves the hip-hop crown
hands down.
I really like both of these CDs, and I’m
not even a huge hip-hop fan. I’m just a fan
of music, any genre, and really this is good
music. Even better, it is good for music.
Selling records in today’s era of digital
downloads is no easy task, that’s why it is so
refreshing to see competition such as this.
Experts predicted Mr. West to sell between
575,000 and 700,000 copies. The same
experts say 50 Cent will end up with around
550,000 sold. Which album is better though?
Although 50 Cent has some good songs on
Curtis, Kanye’s Graduation is my favorite
of the two. Graduation is a good album that
runs smoothly and has great songs from
start to finish. Both CDs are in heavy rotation on my stereo though.
COLLEGE STUDENT DISCOUNT!
Four former America Idol contestants will be
performing on Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. in St. Joseph,
MO to benefit The Make-A-Wish Foundation.
The show, which will be held at The Missouri
Theater will feature Kimberly
Caldwell, Mikalah Gordon,
Brandon Rogers and
Justin
Guarini,
who
appeared
throughout the
various seasons
on the hit Fox
program and will
sing along with
three top finalists from “St.
Joe Idol”, one of
which will be chosen as a winner
in the St. Joe Idol
competition, as part of A
NIGHT FOR MAKE-A-WISH.
The St. Joe Idol competition is separated
into three rounds with round one consisting of
choosing six semi-finalists from six different
locations that are holding auditions. Each location will run its own competition individually
and submit a semi-finalist to St. Joe Idol.
These three contestants have already been
chosen and will be in competition for the top
three slots at the semi-final competition which
In Walden, Thoreau wrote,
“I went to the woods because I
wished to live deliberately, to
front only the essential facts of
life, and see if I could not learn
what it had to teach, and not,
when I came to die, discover
that I had not lived.” The
Outdoor Semester Program,
first established in 1998 to
explore the student and faculty interest in Native American
culture, exemplifies Thoreau’s
philosophy. Expanded from its
original inspiration, and headed by Western’s Dr. Elizabeth
Latosi-Sawin, the program
now allows students to explore
the majority of the Lewis and
Clark trails that head into
South Dakota.
“In a way we’re reenacting
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Students prepare for Outdoor Semester 2007
Ryan Bradley
News Writer
ONE WEEK OF
will take place at Terrible’s Casino on Sept.
15. Three finalists will be selected and will
perform at A NIGHT FOR MAKE-A-WISH and
the judges will choose one winner who will be
awarded the title of “St. Joe Idol.”
Lynne Stover, a Missouri Western student,
plans on attending the festivities with her
children.
“It will be fun to have some
of the contestants from
American Idol here
in St. Joseph
performing with
our own “St. Joe
Idol” contestants
and it’s for a
good cause,” said
Stover.
The “St. Joe
Idol”
charity
event strives to
raise corporate and
general awareness about
the needs of local non-profit
organizations focusing on one
organization per “season,” with the mission
to connect corporations, small businesses and
individuals to directly aid a worthy cause. This
season’s chosen recipient is the Make-A-Wish
Foundation® of Missouri.
it,” Sawin said, “and we’re
taking what we need to get
along out there.” The program
will have students reading the
original Lewis and Clark diaries, collecting information in
journals, and essentially living a frontier-lifestyle as they
camp in the wilderness along
the way.
“You actually get to enter
into the landscape of a novel,”
Sawin said, “You start to listen to nature, to talk to each
other over campfires, to find
peace.” Those enrolled in the
program will partially travel
by canoe and raft to reach a
landscape far from modernity.
They’ll make notations of their
first impressions of the physical geography and will forage
for supplies while guided by a
daily itinerary and Sawin.
"(It's) a chance to go and
explore just like Lewis and
Clark did. To touch base and
get a better and more clear
understanding of what the
Indian nation went through,”
student Tawnya Lee said.
Some have even enrolled in
the class because of personal
ties to the trip’s history.
“I have Indian ancestors
and it intrigued me,” Mickey
Lindsey said. “My family has
gone camping and we did
reenactments, so this sort of
thing is very exciting to me,”
said Bonnie Seaboldt.
An example of applied, active
learning, those enrolled in the
Outdoor Semester will do more
than face the elements; they’ll
get in touch with the landscape of a removed culture
and will find facts in nature
and themselves. Thoreau
would approve.
PAGE 6 • Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Lifestyles
The Griffon News
Travel to the Middle Ages...
The Kansas City Renaissance Festival lets the past come to life for a new generation
Lori Barringer
News Writer
If you like visiting exotic places, the Kansas City Renaissance
Festival is just the ticket for you.
Enjoy all the romance and fun of the the Renaissance Festival
without the reality of the rats, fleas and the plague.
In Bonner Springs, Kan. for the past three decades, there has
been a village built in the midst of trees and creeks.
There are shops, shows, food vendors, parades and fantasy
all through out and hidden down interesting nooks and crannies.
Characters wander throughout the village, and there are
many venues with shows. Check the schedule they give you at
the entry point and plan your day.
Want to fight barbarians?
Part of the forest has an area just for that.
Try not to whack the pint sized barbarians!
You chose to turn your hand at archery at targets or watch a
multitude of players or musicians.
We thoroughly enjoyed the Tartanic Scottish Highland musical show which is very lively and features bagpipes.
Andrew Allee, Missouri Western education major, has been
a part of the Renaissance Festival for six years. He was part
of the court which requires very expensive costumes and
spent three years as a character in the Enchanted Forest and
on the streets. He is now a blacksmith for the historical tours
given by the Institute of Historical Education and Art. He
makes armor and explains the function of chain mail to the
guests.
Many visitors come here in their own costumes, and a good
part of the fun is seeing what they come up with and how they
interact with the characters.
Tiny toddler fairies, purple sheltie dogs, barbarians and
lords of the land drop in for their annual visit and were there
for our enjoyment.
They say 90,000 pounds of their famous turkey legs will be
served this year at the festival as well as other treats found
only at the Renaissance Festival.
Cheesecake on a stick, meatball grinders and crepes with
strawberries are treats that we sampled and they were all
wonderful.
It’s impossible to beat temptation when you’re at the Festival,”
The staff said “It’s a day to indulge all your senses!”
That excuse works for us.
Brynna Whitley, daughter of non-traditional Missouri
Western student Kathy Whitley, has also been working at the
Renaissance Festival for six years.
“I started out as an orphan,” Whitley said. “Then was a fairy
for two years. I’ve been working as a character for the vendors
for the last three. It is a great part time job.”
Brynna is working at Creatures Features selling elf, fairy,
troll and mermaid ears.
There are a multitude of shops available with a lot of opportunity for finding the perfect high quality Christmas present.
Ceramic dragons, pottery, costumes, jewelry, swords, stained
glass and items of every description are available.
Part of the fun is wandering around, discovering the nooks
and crannies and exploring the options that are available
The Kansas City Renaissance Festival is running this season now until Oct. 14, 2007 Weekends, including Mondays on
Columbus Day.
It is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., rain or shine in Kansas.
Tickets are $16.95 for adults, $7.95 for kids. You can buy
tickets at the Festival gates. You can call 800-373-0357 for
group ticket prices. Discount tickets can be purchased at
Kansas City Hy Vee’s, regional Dillon’s, Baker’s and Gerbe’s
and online at www.kcrenfest.com and checkout the coupon
specials on the site.
The festival can be found just north of I-70 and K-7 Highways
in Bonner Springs. Take the K-7 exit and follow the signs.
Tickets are $16.95 for adults, $7.95 for kids.
The website www.kcrenfest.com has complete details or you
can call 800-373-0357 for more information.
lORI BARRINGER / Photographer
RIGHT: Brynna Whitley models elf
ears for the customers. LEFT: Faires
frolic in the enchanted forest. ABOVE:
members of Tartanic Scottish Highland perform during their musical
show.
graphics by Tim k.c. Canton and Matthew fowler
Sports
The Griffon News
PAGE 7 • Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Mandi nocita / Photographer
This is some of the new equipment in the weight room at Missouri Western. These new items replaced the old machines that had been a part of Missouri Western for a long time.
Gym gets much needed face lift
Brandon Spencer
News Writer
The wait on an upgraded weight room is over.
Throughout the summer, some nice additions were made
to the Baker Family Fitness Center. All of the new embellishments have been made to create a more enjoyable,
efficient and effective workout experience for everyone.
When students came back to Western, many were excited
to get back into the habit of routine workouts at the Baker
Family Fitness Center. Many were even more excited
when they arrived to find 18 brand-new fitness machines
waiting for them. The workout equipment was accompanied by a fresh, big screen television. The TV made some
pretty sweet icing on an already delicious cake.
Thanks to capital funding from grants, $50,000 worth
of new weight machines now call Missouri Western State
University home. The equipment will give Griffon athletes
and gym rats alike, a better all-around workout. Many of
the machines feature multiple uses and target areas.
Baker Fitness Center Coordinator Amy Foley said that
they have been pushing to get the new equipment for
quite some time. The old machines needed to be replaced
due to the fact that the parts for the previous gear were
discontinued.
“The old equipment we had has been there since 1994,”
Foley said.
She expects Western to make more additions by May of
next year.
As you walk past all the modern workout machines in
Baker, you might find something even more interesting on
the wall. The new décor isn’t your average weight room
poster of inspiration, but rather a brand new flat screen
television. The gigantic HD LCD television mounted on
the wall, is the work of a new PUN program that the fitness center is a part of. Thanks to this advertising program, the deal included the television for free.
If you have time, you should definitely check out the
new equipment, maybe even work up a sweat while you
are there.
“The new machines are really nice and the new TV is
awesome,” said MWSU sophomore Brady Crawford. The
additions made to the Baker Fitness Center will certainly
make it easier for Western students to hit the weights
while taking a break from hitting the books. Maybe it
can even help the new freshman class avoid the dreaded
“Freshman 15.”
WesternWeeklySportsSchedule
Football
Volleyball
Soccer
@ Pitt State -- Sat. 2 p.m.
UCM -- Fri. 7 p.m.
@ Southwest Baptist -- Sat. 1 p.m.
@ Southwest Baptist -- Fri. 4 p.m.
@ Missouri Southern -- Sat. 4 p.m.
Career Development Announces:
21 stAnnual
Greater Kansas City
Employer Fair
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
University of Missouri – Kansas City
Swinney Recreation Center
Meet with potential employers!
Bring Resumes
Dress Professionally
Free admission to student and alumni from
MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY
For more information, please call
MWSU Career Development
271.4205
Visit UMKC Career Services Center online at:
www.career.umkc.edu
for a list of participating employers and directions
Sponsored in part by Missouri Western State University Career
Development Center
Sports
PAGE 8 • Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The Griffon News
Marty Ayers / Photographer
Thomas Hodges tries to avoid a Bearcat defender in Saturday night’s game. Hodges was a key player for the Griffons in the game as he led the team in rushing with
56 yards and also had a touchdown in the game.
Missouri Western struggles against Bearcats
Continued from front:
Griffons lose
However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the dominating performance of the Northwest Bearcats’
physical offense.
“I thought we got out-physicalled a little bit, and
at this stage, where we’re stopping the run, we’ve
got to score points more often than what we’re
doing,” coach Jerry Partridge said. “We just didn’t
handle the early flurry of punches and momentum.
But I thought the second half we competed well,
hung in there and battled and we put a respectable showing.”
The Griffons began to mount a comeback in the
third quarter by forcing Northwest into a quick
three and out. The teams traded possessions for
a while until Missouri Western pounded the ball
into the end-zone with a run by freshman running back Thomas Hodges. Hodges finished with
a team leading 56 yards rushing and one touchdown.
In the end, the Griffons just weren’t able to
respond to the blazingly fast Northwest start. The
early turnovers are what put the Griffons in a
deep hole early. The Bearcats add another tally in
the win column of this historical rivalry with the
Griffons, which Northwest now leads 16-11.
The Griffons go to Pittsburg State University,
one of the hardest places to play in Division II
football, next Saturday. Pittsburg State is always
one of the best teams in the conference. This will
be another tough game for the young Griffons.
Western soccer gets first conference victory
Griffons use a combination of
offense and defense to get home win
Ryan Richardson
Sports Writer
Matthew Fowler / Photographer
Kendra Stirn attempts to stop an Emporia State player. Defense played a big role for the Griffons in the
game, as they shut out the Hornets 3-0.
shot 8-6 in the first period,
Western had better opportunities to score due to constant
After two overtime losses, pressure from their strikers.
the Missouri Western wom- Emporia State did not put
en’s soccer team desperately a shot on goal from inside
needed a win to push their the 18 yard box until midway
season in the right direction. through the second half.
The Emporia State Hornets
Western
goalkeeper,
presented that opportunity Shaylynn Milbourn, recorded
and the Lady Griffons took
her first clean sheet of the
the opening at home,
year. She praised
winning 3-0 for their
the abilities of the
first MIAA win in
young Griffon’s
almost two years.
defense in preMWSU (2-5,
venting more
1-1 MIAA) domishots.
nated an Emporia
“These freshState (0-6, 0-2 MIAA)
men (defendteam that could not deal
ers)
play
with any of the Griffons’
like
seniors,”
newfound
attack
Milbourn Said.
schemes.
Emporia WESTERN 3
“We were comonly managed to stifle
municating,
the Griffons’ midfield EMPORIA 0
putting preswho moved the ball
sure on. We
at will during the first half. work well together.”
Several times they dropped
It was not until midway
nine players down to deal with through the second half that
the Griffons’ attack. Even Missouri Western broke
though the Griffons were out- Emporia’s defense. Megan
Sinclair came off the bench for
the Griffons to launch a deep
cross from Desi Swanson into
the upper right of the goal for
her first score of the season.
After that, it was like the
flood gates had opened and
Western would not stop
scoring. Jessica Martin and
Heather Schmiemeier both put
in their own goals to solidify
the victory. Martin believed
that the passing and playing
off of each other were the keys
to victory.
“I think this will help our
confidence a ton,” the firstyear Martin said. “This kind
of win will help change the
way we have been playing.”
Western begins a long road
trip this weekend with stops
at Southern Baptist and
Missouri Southern which will
prove pivotal for the table
standings. The Lady Griffons
return home on Oct. 7 when
they play St. Mary’s at Spratt
Stadium.
Project three for Max Experience ready to begin
Brandon Spencer
Sports Writer
The Missouri Western baseball program is very excited about
their home games in the future. They will finally be playing at
home.
A new baseball stadium is planned to be built on the Missouri
Western campus. The Griffons are thrilled about the opportunity to finally play baseball in front of a home crowd here on
campus.
“It’s always exciting to play in front of a home crowd,”
Missouri Western baseball coach Buzz Verduzco said. “We don’t
know much about it, other than we are enthusiastic and excited
that it is going to happen.”
The Griffon baseball squad finished last year with a 28-23
record, and boasted a 21-14 conference record. They currently
share a stadium with the minor league St. Joseph Blacksnakes
at Phil Welch Stadium.
With a successful season and a playoff appearance under
their belts, Coach Verduzco and the team are looking forward
for what’s to come.
“A lot of players from the past, present, as well as future will
have put a lot of hard work and dedication into this program,”
Verduzco said.
As the Max Experience recently finished phase two with
the completion of the new basketball floor, the Missouri
Western athletics program looks toward phase three. The Max
Experience has already brought us admission to Western athletics, free food and drinks at athletic events, a new turf playing surface at Spratt Stadium and a new basketball gym floor.
Phase three will bring a new baseball stadium to Missouri
Western.
Most of the baseball players are in the dark when it comes to
the new stadium. Sophomore pitcher Jon Bond thinks having
a new stadium on campus would be a great idea and help the
baseball team become more popular.
“We have heard about it, but haven’t found out any details
yet,”Bond said. “That would be awesome though.”
The timeframe for the building of the stadium is relatively
unknown as well.
“We would like to get it going as soon as possible,” Verduzco
said. “We’re very excited that we are at this point. Hopefully it
will happen soon.”
It seems that the process will be on hold until we find a new
athletic director. Mark Linder, former athletic director was a
huge part of the Max Experience.
“It will become clearer after a new athletic director is hired
as far as the timeline goes,” Verduzco said. Missouri Western
hopes to have a new one in place by the beginning of October.
Phase four will involve upgrades to press boxes and student
sections at the stadium. Phase four will also bring the addition
of student success suites, an auxiliary fitness center, additional
office space and a Griffon Zone (similar to ESPN Zone) in the
Looney Complex.