February 6, 2002
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We got our Nickel's worth
By Chris Miller
Editor in Chief
During 1996, Nickelback bass guitarist Mike Kroeger was working in a coffee shop in Alberta, Canada. According to Kroeger, every time someone purchased an item in the shop, he would dish out the change.
“It seemed like a lot of times I was giving out change to people that included a nickel. For instance, $3.95, $1.95, etc. etc.,” Kroeger said. “When I gave the customers their change, I would often say ‘Here’s your nickel back.’ The name Nickelback just sort of stuck with us.”
This past Thursday, Nickelback, along with guest Default, played at Ferris State University in the third annual January Jams concert to a crowd of over 3,000 people.
Delta Chi Fraternity, Music Industry Management Association (MIMA), Student Activities and Leadership and many others were in charge of the event this year.
“We felt that we were very lucky bringing Nickelback to FSU,” Jason Johnson, president of EU, said.
“Nickelback was a good choice, and it is going to be an exciting show,” freshman Tom Steimel, member of MIMA and guitarist for local favorite Exit 139, said.
Steimel was right, Nickelback had been the perfect choice for Ferris. The four members of Nickelback are lead vocalist and guitarist Chad Kroeger, Ryan Vikedel on drums, Ryan Peake as lead guitarist and Mike Kroeger playing the bass guitar.
According to the band members, the reason why they chose Ferris was because it was available to play, and it gave them a chance to take a break from their current Canadian tour.
“This was only 25 hours away from the next gig in Canada,” Mike Kroeger said.
“Besides, we love playing in Michigan.”
“The fans in Michigan have their own style,” Vikedel said before the show. “We played a crowd of 5,000 in Flint awhile back, and it got crazy.”
Before the first ever sold-out concert at FSU’s Wink Arena started, crew members of both bands and some of the band members themselves got a chance to get a workout in at Ewigleben Ice Arena.
“Hockey is our favorite sport. We grew up in Canada and follow NHL teams like the Red Wings and Oilers (Edmonton) all the time,” Vikedel said. After asked about who the band’s influences are, Vikedel answered with hockey legend Wayne Gretzky.
Nickelback’s actual influences are shown through their latest album Silver Side Up, which features the band’s biggest hit “How You Remind Me” and their latest single “Too Bad.”
Both songs, along with 12 others were featured on Thursday’s concert. Before Nickelback played, another Canadian group, Default, took stage.
Default played a total of 10 songs, including their smash hit “Wasting My Time.” Nickelback then took the stage and stole the show.
According to Default members, the band might be teaming up with Bush for MTV’s Campus Invasion after the tour with Nickelback.
“It’s possibly in the cards for us,” Danny Craig, Default’s drummer, said. “It’s always fun, though, playing with friends like Nickelback. This whole tour reminds me like we are all on a long-term camping trip. If the crowd does not get up for us, we might just go back and start riding Nickelback’s motorcycles around, terrorizing the place.”
“Nickelback is going to have a rockin’ killer performance,” Shannon Goodwin, member of MIMA, said before the show.
The famous Waylan Jennings hit “Good ole’ Boys,” from the television show Dukes of Hazard, brought the group on stage. “Too Bad,” the second song played, got the crowed pumped up.
“Too Bad is one of our more challenging songs to play live,” Vikedel said. “Every night we change it up, and it is getting better.”
More of Nickelback’s hits were played throughout the concert. Hits, such as “Breathe,” “Old Enough,” “Leader of Men” and the band’s next single release “Never Again” sent the crowd screaming for more when it came time for an encore.
“We want our fans to get that we are a better live band than studio album band,” Vikedel said. “It was great playing for a smaller crowd. We like both bigger and smaller venues, but when you play for a smaller crowd, it seems more personal.”
“Before every show, we get together with the entire Nickelback crew and band members. We all thought of a word to yell out before going on stage,” Mike Kroeger said.
“This allows the entire Nickelback family to become one and equal. It also helps when we know that we have to give our 100 percent effort to our fans.,” Vikedel added.
For an encore, Chad Kroeger and Peake took center stage, playing an acoustic song called “Mistake.” The song was reminiscing of what Staind’s Aaron Lewis did with Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst during the Family Value Tour’s live performance of “Outside.”
“Mistake” was a very emotional-type song that provided the fans with many opportunities to fire up their lighters.
The final song of the night was Nickelback’s breakthrough song “How You Remind Me.”
“This song really put us on the charts,” Mike Kroeger said. “We expect all of our fans to participate during this song.”
The two acoustic band mates stayed on stage and started the introduction to the song. After the first verse was over, Vikedel and Mike Kroeger joined the other two and re-started the song.
“Now that everyone has a little bit of practice with this one,” Chad Kroeger said, “let’s all do it better this time.”
Nickelback left the stage leaving the 3,000 plus crowd in awe.
“This was a good opportunity for Ferris students,” Marlee Grabiel, member of MIMA, said. “The guys in Nickelback were really nice.”
Nickelback will finish their Canadian tour this coming Saturday, then the band will travel oversees for a while before returning to play in the United States.
“We are always working on new material as well,” Mike Kroeger said. “Most of our new material comes from sound checks before concerts. We hear something that we like and go with it.”
Ferris and the Big Rapids Community got what they wanted: an easy to work with, top-notch band with Nickelback and an upcoming promising act with Default.
Job fair offered only one day
By Jessica Wortley
Ferris State Torch
The Ferris Winter Job Fair has taken on a new look this semester and promises to be more accommodating to both students and companies.
Career Services, which coordinates the event, has made two major changes which will hopefully entice more students to attend and interact with the over 100 businesses who will be represented.
The first change is the event will be held one day only, on Tuesday, February 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. In the past, the college of technology was on a separate day, but this time every college will have employers there at the same time.
The second major change is the job fair will be held at Ewigleben Sports Complex. The event was moved from the Holiday Inn to allow for all of the companies to attend on the same day and to give everyone more space to set up their displays.
Barb Renne, event coordinator, invites and encourages all students to attend the job fair. Regardless of whether a student is currently searching for a job or an internship, the job fair will be helpful in the future to better understand the job search process.
“Take advantage and get out and meet people,” Renne advises.
She said companies prefer for students to physically hand them resumes and hold a conversation with the representatives. It’s beneficial for companies to be able to put a name with a face later on when reviewing resumes back at the office.
Students attending the job fair need to dress and act professionally. This means dressing conservatively and paying attention to details. Girls should avoid short skirts and wear a small amount of makeup. Remembering details such as trimmed fingernails, straight ties and minimal jewelry is important also.
Renne also reminds students to take a portfolio or briefcase to store their resumes in and to hold brochures or pamphlets collected at the event. She also recommends students take business cards to hand out. These can be made at the Copy Center with the student’s name, address, phone number and the Ferris logo.
Another recommendation is to check out the companies’ websites ahead of time.
Students can access each site through Ferris’ Career Services page.
Shuttle service will run continuously to transport students to the job fair. Pick-up sites will be at the Rankin Student Center, the old Timme library, the Pharmacy Building and the West Campus Community Center.
For more information please visit the Career Services webpage, or call 591-2685.
Good neighbors stumped without student input
By Laura Chene
News Editor
At last Monday’s two-hour meeting, the Good Neighbors Association of Big Rapids spent a large part of its time brainstorming ways to build better relations with Ferris students in order to reach a common ground.
The group’s discussion included parking concerns, lack of student voices and representation, publicity, student housing and deterioration within the city.
One Ferris student attended, as well as other city members including Mayor Ed Burch, Director of Neighborhood Services Daryl Poprave and Big Rapids DPS Officer Jim Taylor.
“See, I grew up on this same block that I live in now,” Good Neighbors Association Member Kathy Hooley said a few days after the meeting. Hooley left the town 18 years ago and returned to the city in May. Living with students is nothing new to her.
Hooley noted that one of her biggest concerns was deterioration. “. . . Complete and total deterioration of the houses, and that’s the saddest thing,” she said. “. . . And it’s not the students fault with the houses not being taken care of, ya know? It took 25 years for it to get to that point.”
Hooley said that the city’s appearance has changed over the years. “We used to have great stores, but who would want to bring a store in a dilapidated area?”
The members were concerned that students may not care about properly maintaining their houses because they are only here for a small time period. Vice President of Student Affairs Daniel Burcham suggested that students form a group and look at that issue.
Taylor suggested, “Why don’t you give awards to students? Give them a reason to want to keep their houses up.”
“. . . And the college needs to do their part,” Hooley noted. “They need to work with us. It’s all of our problem because we’re getting to a point where the students need to speak up.”
Hooley noted that in many cases students do not speak up when they have a problem. Students need to speak their concerns during their inspections with the fire department. “Let them know what’s wrong,” she said.
Burchman said referring,“I think there have been misunderstandings in the past,” to perceptions between students and city residents. “In a way I think there is a positive relationship between [the two],” Burcham noted.
Burcham mentioned the campus community task force, in which Ferris students report on Ferris updates, such as campus activities and Saferide.
Good Neighbors Association President Mary Ryan said, “Ferris has been doing a very good job educating students.” She referred to the social norming campaign that the group has been involved with.
Tom Hogenson, a Good Neighbors Association member and city commission member, was interested in an idea introduced by Burcham and Vice President of Finance Rick Duffett. Burcham and Duffett asked the group if it would be willing to assist in sending a newsletter out to students as a way to expand communication.
“I think we ought to consider it very seriously,” Hogenson said.
Another member agreed, “The more we communicate, the better off we are.” Without deciding on the specifics, the group did agree to begin expanding its communication to students in newsletter form or another way.
In other discussion, Ryan expressed concern over acquisition problems and losing housing to parking lots. Ryan also expressed this concern at the Jan. 7 city commission meeting.
The next Good Neighbors meeting is scheduled for Feb. 25 at the Mecosta County General Hospital Board Room at 7:00 p.m.
Americans show their colors
By Amy McElmurray
Assistant News Editor
Friends of Ferris, a political action committee, will be celebrating America on Sat., Feb. 16 in honor of Ferris State University. The group is holding a dinner, dance and auction beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center.
The theme of the event is “Celebrate America, Celebrate Freedom, Celebrate Ferris.”
“We are in the greatest era of patriotism since World War II,” Maxine McClelland, event quad-chair, said.
Many veterans have been invited to attend the fundraiser this year, in honor of their service to the country. The entire event has been planned around being an American, in recognition of the events over the past six months.
Attendees will be dressed as patriotic as possible, McClelland explained. The program includes a presentation from the local National Guard unit, patriotic music by a local disc jockey, as well as live singing with accompaniment by the Big Rapids High School band.
The conference center will be decorated in all red, white and blue, with many flags flying high.
Representatives from various government levels will be on hand to show their support for Ferris State University. Senator Joanne Emmons, Representative Rick Johnson and Representative Mead are some familiar faces that should be on hand. A possible guest is Congressman Dave Camp. Many local and county officials will be there as well.
There is a brief program before the dinner, at which the legislators will be recognized for their efforts. The host, and chairman of Friends of Ferris, Bob Horan Jr. will be speaking briefly about what the group has accomplished and what is needed in the upcoming years.
The fundraising portion of the evening starts with a silent auction, in which attendees write bids down on a sheet of paper, each having to out-bid the previous person. The live auction starts off after dinner, and can “get heated up and fun,” according to McClelland.
“We love to see students attend,” McClelland stated.
In the past, representatives of Student Government have attended, as well as members of the Student Alumni Gold Club and various students that have purchased tickets.
“Friends of Ferris impacts Ferris in the aspect that they have lots of influence and they keep us up in the legislators’ minds,” Student Government President Rocky Byington said.
Friends of Ferris holds this annual event each winter to raise funds to support Ferris issues in the legislature. The group has made a tremendous impact towards many things on campus, such as funding for FLITE and the construction of the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration center.
Last year’s event featured a Mardi Gras theme. There were about 330 people at the dinner last year, and others donated money since they could not attend, according to McClelland.
“This event is unique to Ferris. Not every school has a community program like this,” McClelland added.
Tickets for this year’s event are on sale now for $40 and can be purchased through the Government Relations office on campus, 591-3894.
Computers in need of repair?
By Afzal Memon
Ferris State University
Welcome to the world of information, where staying connected with the world is next to staying alive. Ferris State University has a department called Residential Network Support (RNS) to take care of network setups in the on-campus housing facilities.
“We are here to maintain and improve the network components in halls and in campus apartments,” Paul Heidemann, a computer technician of RNS, said. “Our primary goal is to maintain the infrastructure that is spanned over 17 residential halls and 388 apartments.”
“All of the residence halls are connected to the fiber backbone, and rooms are given 10 MBPS connections. Every hall has a computer lab and the use of a laser printer,” Heidemann said.
“West Campus Community Center is also equipped in a similar fashion, having a laser printer for use by apartment residents,” Lori Rendel, a computer technician at RNS, said.
“RNS hires student technicians to solve daily network problems. These jobs are really eventful, and student employees learn a lot from real life troubleshooting.”
“Students can bring their ailing computers to RNS,” Heidemann said. “We will either fix it or direct them to a solution after analyzing the problem.”
“We are responsible for maintaining the front desk computer and printer in each residence hall,” Rendel said. “Our student technicians are in the labs to answer residents’ questions. Their hours are Monday through Thursday, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.”
“Students can call us if they have problems with connections in their rooms,” Heidemann said. “Our technicians will go to the residence hall room to analyze the problem.”
“We also maintain a telephone help desk. Most of the queries are answered on the phone. During last semester we had so many callers seeking guidance with their machines, it often made a long wait on the line,” Rendel said. “We have recently updated our telecommunication system. Hopefully [students] won’t have to wait when they call up.”
“We also provide a network installation service for students’ personal computers to make their machines connect to the FSU network,” Heidemann informed.
“Every year we rewire three residence halls and at least one lab,” Rendel said.
“Rewiring procedure increases the reliability and speed of network connections.
It is, of course, a very expensive process,” Heidemann said. “We are replacing the computers in one of the labs every year.”
“Student accounts are in a new location on the network called a SAN (Storage Area Network),” Heidemann said. “It’s IP (Internet Protocol) based technology and is faster then the original IPX. The network is faster than it was before because of this upgrade.”
“Every student is given 10 MB of storage space on the network,” Heidemann said.
“They can store their documents using this space and then retrieve them from any networked computer on campus.”
“We have laser printers in each of the residence halls,” Rendel said. “Students can connect their personal machines via the network and print to these printers for free.”
“We are the distribution point for free software provided by the university to the students,” Heidemann informed. “Students can pick up this software on CD or download it from our website.”
“We have software like Windows Office 2000, Norton AntiVirus and Microsoft Visual Studio,” Heidemann said. “FSU has a campus license for this software.”
“If a student wants to reinstall the operating system on their machine, we can provide an operating system CD,” Heidemann said. “Students must return these CDs after installing.”
“Students are given an RNS Guide to Computing.” It’s a nice little tool to avoid confusion while using computers on campus,” Rendel said.
“RNS has set up a game server for the students. This server is on the campus network so it is much faster then Internet gaming,” Rendel said. “So students can play all those games that require high speed connections.”
“We are considering 100 MBPS connections in one of the residential halls if there is enough interest,” Heidemann said. “Also, campus pipeline is a service that students should be using.”
“Once campus pipeline is activated, students can access related academic information as well as use e-mail all from one spot with only a single login,” Rendel said. “Students can get their e-mail from the University standard FSU I-Mail as well as three additional accounts of their choice.”
The RNS helpdesk number is 591-5858. The address of the Game Server is FSU Gameserver.
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 Courtesy Photo
Kevin Fales, criminal justice graduate student, poses with his little brother Kody Hamilton, 11, of Big Rapids
Shh...not the “V” word around the kids
By Heather Johnson
Ferris State Torch
Have you hugged your kid today? It is a theory that is more than just a feel-good, cheesy PTA bumper sticker. The Muskegon River Valley Big Brothers/Big Sisters currently has a waiting list of over 50 kids from the Mecosta/Osceola county area, who are just looking for someone to hang out with.
The first group of Big Brothers was created in 1904 in New York City, in response to the growing number of delinquent boys coming through the New York Children’s Court.
Many of the young boys were poverty-stricken, and a court worker by the name of Ernest Coulter sought help for them from various municipal leaders and influential businessmen.
After describing one child’s case at a speech to said people, an impassioned Coulter implored his listeners for a “...true man volunteer to be his Big Brother, to look after him, help him to do right, make the little chap feel that there is at least one human being in this great city who takes a personal interest in him.
“Someone who cares whether he lives or dies. I call for a volunteer!” (Coulter’s quote was courtesy of the history of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America.)
Not a single man in the room declined his call, and Big Brothers was conceived.
Similar women’s groups were active in the lives of young girls during the early part of the century, and in 1905 the Catholic Big Sisters was organized, mirroring the efforts of Big Brothers. In 1970, the two organizations merged to collectively assist needy and at-risk children all over the country.
Today, Big Brothers/Big Sisters is a non-profit organization with over 500 offices in the United States. Children ages six to 16 and their families are assisted by case managers in their search for a big sibling. Many of the children in the program today are from single parent families or areas where there is a lack of positive social activities.
Children in the Big Rapids area seeking a Big Brother or Sister are handled by case manager Ame Edstron or youth/family mentor Carey Kailing. Each child is carefully screened to determine need and suitability for the program.
If accepted, the child is then placed on the waiting list until a match is found. Currently in Mecosta/Osceola County, there is a one to two year wait for a Big Brother or Sister.
Prior to acceptance, each volunteer is also screened in accordance with eligibility requirements set by Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. Volunteers are required to be at least 17 years of age, have no criminal record, have their own means of transportation and demonstrate appropriate motivations for volunteering.
In addition, each volunteer is required to commit between six months to one year of friendship with his or her little sibling.
Upon acceptance, a case manager or mentor will determine the best personality fit and match a child with an adult. Most pairs meet once a week, depending on each other’s schedules.
“There are a lot of neat kids in the area that are just waiting for a mentor or a friend to hang out with, especially boys,” Jonathan Bow, executive director of the Muskegon River Valley Big Brothers/Big Sisters, said.
“The organization is desperately in need of male volunteers to fulfill demand on the waiting list.”
If the prospect of committing up to a year of time is a bit daunting, volunteers are also needed for the small group programs called Explore Group for boys 12 and older and Discovery Group for girls 11 and over.
These two programs are available to children waiting to be matched with a big sibling. These groups meet every two to four weeks, with fun activities run by Big Brothers/Big Sisters staff and volunteers.
Group emphasis is focused on getting children outside and active. Camping, skiing, picnics and sports outings get the children involved.
While volunteering may sound like a lot of work, consider the benefits. After fulfilling all of the eligibility requirements, volunteers now have a new friend.
Not only is this friend someone who will look up to you (both literally and figuratively), but this is also an opportunity to make a difference to someone important and possibly change their life.
Jonathan Bow is sending out a call for Ferris students to get involved.
“If it weren’t for the volunteers, this organization wouldn’t exist. The majority of our volunteers are Ferris students, but more are needed to help out these kids.”
Anyone interested in volunteering needs to call (231) 832-0069 for more information.
Kids’ turn for a night out!
By Karen Langolf
Ferris State Torch
In its third year, the Professions Tennis Management Student Association is expected to have anywhere between 40 and 60 kids to watch for the two hours of Kids Night Out on Feb. 8. For the last two years PTM has had 50 and 70 kids.
Three years ago, when PTM was brainstorming for ideas, one of their members came up with the idea to watch kids for awhile so their parents could have some time alone. The focus is not on the adults but rather on the kids at hand.
“We call it their night,” Susan Batten, last year’s coordinator stated. “And each year it gets better.” The person in charge this year is Kyle Lacroix.
These kids are entertained for two hours with options from getting hit and drill lessons in tennis, playing kickball on another tennis court, shoot hoops in basketball, play Wally Ball or they can go upstairs and make crafts for Valentine’s Day.
The kids also have the option of watching movies in the upstairs area. Generally, the movies fall under children’s viewing like Disney or cartoons set for a younger age.
By the end of the night all the kids are gathered together for one big group event, sometimes a Talent Show.
Sorry for all the big kids who think this would be a great time. The age group welcome for this event is between five and fourteen years old.
Even if PTM gets over 60 kids to watch, they can handle the amount. There are around 20 people to help watch the kids; all of them volunteers from PTM. Professional Tennis Manage-ment majors are required to join the organization through some sort of volunteer work.
In order to sign up for the event parents can call the Racquet and Fitness Center at 591-2212. The admission price is five dollars per child.
If there are any questions about how the children are kept entertained or for any information in general, the Racquet and Fitness Center can provide this information. The center is located at 14342 Northland Drive, across from the Save-A-Lot store.
 Photo by Mike Termini, Assistant Photo Editor
Dave Bennedict, the bass player for Default, does a token rock jump during the Januray Jams concert.
January Jams had its flaws
By Chris Miller
Editor in Chief
Last Thursday’s January Jams concert featuring Nickelback and Default was nothing like the Big Rapids community and Ferris State University has ever seen.
The actual concert performances were awesome, but there were some big concerns that I had about what was going on “behind the scenes.”
As the 3,000 plus people waited for doors to open, most of them were cold. The doors were supposed to open at 6:30 p.m., and fans showed up earlier to get a good position near the stage.
Nickelback fans spent most of the time freezing outside Wink Arena. The line to get into Wink was not organized very well. It was a mass of people in what represented a line, complaining that their fingers were going to fall off.
After starting late, the music and surrounding atmosphere was great. However, there was one problem: not enough seating. Two years ago, for the Verve Pipe and Jimmie’s Chicken Shack, bleachers were dropped on all three sides of the stage.
This year, however, the bleachers stage left were kept up. This put several fans out of a seat, and more people were crowded on the floor.
Ever been to a rock concert and experienced the true atmosphere of the concert?
At true rock concerts, fans crowd surf, people are caught in the thick of things and can’t breathe, frothy ones are expensive, females are losing parts of clothing and depending on who is on stage, there is at least an age limit.
This concert was different. I understand the whole non-alcoholic concept. That’s fine, but to kick people out for crowd surfing is ridiculous. At one point, coordinators of this event decided that people crowd surfing should be escorted out.
This is a rock concert. Bands like Nickelback encourage this type of behavior.
You really want to kick someone out for acting like any normal person would at a heavy rock concert? Whats next, kicking people out for firing up lighters during slower songs?
I can see it, “Mr. Miller, put out your lighter.” What, am I threatening to start a forest fire or something? If it was really a true concert, the men would randomly collide together with their bodies in a mosh pit, but this is Ferris.
The final problem, in my mind, was the age of people attending this concert. Since when is it okay to bring little children to a rock concert and put them up front near the stage?
Didn’t parents know that large football players will soon squash their kids because it gets to the point where size helps? It’s easier to push people around and catch a breath of air. For future consideration, Ferris should put an age limit to this concert. Nobody under the age of 16 should have been let into the show.
At least the bands were friendly and easy to work with. Default was found playing video games outside the arena with fans after their performance.
Default wanted the fans to get crazy for the show. They were expecting intoxicated college students and half-naked females.
Rumors suggested that Nickelback spent some time at RiverRock after the show.
Their tour buses had to leave by 1:30 a.m. for Chicago to catch a flight to Toronto.
Both bands were fun to interview. Nickelback was easy to talk to, while Default had great stories of getting banned from playing a club in New York.
The only problem that the media folk had, especially 2-members of my Torch, was with Nickelback’s bodyguard/manager. Dressed in ripped jeans and a tank top, sporting a mohawk and yelling at the top of his lungs, this bad dude gave us trouble.
Our photographer, Mike Termini, was only allowed to take photos during the first three songs of each band’s performance. After getting word that our photographer couldn’t use flash, he decided to anyway. It was important to use flash due to the dark atmosphere of the venue.
“Mr. Bad Dude” decided to nearly break Termini’s new camera. He also threatened to beat up the newspaper reporter from the Pioneer, my A&E editor and myself.
Despite all the small problems and concerns, Ferris did do a great job of entertaining a big-named band like Nickelback. They managed to get lucky in bringing in both groups, who put on a great show. We did get our nickel’s worth with this show.
Next year, I expect FSU to bring Kiss to Big Rapids. Either Kiss or Weezer will do. In fact, let’s bring them both.
FSU Theater prepares for winter comedy
By Matt Cherry
Assistant A&E Editor
The Ferris Theater’s winter show is ready to go. This show is a comedy entitled “Bedroom Farce” by Alan Ayckbourn.
This is one of Ayckbourn’s many plays. Having written over 60 plays, one-act plays, adaptations and other types spanning from 1959-2001, Ayckbourn has written about all types of storylines. Ayckbourn wrote “Bedroom Farce” around 1975.
The show runs from Feb. 7-9 with a starting time of 8 p.m., and also as a matinee show on Feb. 10 at 2:30 p.m. All shows are in the Williams Auditorium. Ticket prices are $3 for students and $6 for the general public.
The play primarily centers on a couple that wants nothing to do with the other.
By attaining this goal, they “invade the lives (and bedrooms) of friends and relatives” as said in a press release.
Rob Lawe and Larissa Head act the parts of this estranged couple, Trevor and Susannah. Neither are new to the acting scene, as Lawe performed the part of lawyer Justin Fogg in “Go Back for Murder” last year and Head has been in the featured chorus for last term’s “Chicago” and last year’s “Once Upon a Mattress.”
Performing the parts of Trevor’s parents are Chris Miller (not the Editor in Chief) and Vicky Taylor.
This is the fourth winter production Miller has been a part of, also including “Minor Demons,” “The Shadowbox” and “Earth and Sky” but most people remember his portrayal of Amos Hart in last term’s “Chicago” the best. Taylor, an employee in the Arts and Sciences department here at Ferris, will be performing in her first FSU production.
Next door to Trevor and Susannah live Nick and Jan. Heath Houghton plays Nick.
Houghton has been plagued with back troubles, so his understudy, Chris Rannow, may need to perform the part.
Houghton was in FSU’s production of “Damn Yankees” a while back when he was still in Big Rapids High School.
Anne Allward plays Jan. Jan is happily married to Nick, but she is also Trevor’s ex-girlfriend. Allward last played one of the “Merry Murderesses” in “Chicago.”
Bad luck surrounds Malcolm and Kate, mere acquaintances of Trevor and Susannah, as the latter couple disrupt their lives.
Jared Frank plays the role of Malcolm, the same infamous J. Frank of “Chicago” who performed the part of Mary Sunshine. Frank was also in FSU’s production of “Minor Demons” as well as in Stage-M’s “Gypsy.”
Kate is played by Jennifer Sternemann in her first major role at Ferris. She has worked on the backstage aspect of the theatre many times, and was also in the chorus for “Chicago.”
The understudies for the show include Rannow, Alex Gerrits, Anthony McPherson and Nicki Adams. Katherine LaPietra will once again assume the mantle of the director, and Gretchen Potter is again in charge of set and light design. Kris Rowe, a student here at Ferris, is working as the stage manager.
So if you want to see a funny show, don’t miss “Bedroom Farce” Feb. 7-10. If you need more information, please call Potter at 591-5325.
Tickets can be purchased at the Williams Auditorium ticket office.
 Courtesy Photo A marine torches a Predator with a flame thrower in Aliens vs. Predator II for the P.C.
Stay frosty, Marines!
By Matt Cherry
Assistant A&E Editor
The thump of the motion detector, the hiss of the aliens, the war cry of a predator, distant gunfire and the cries of your comrades. This is what it means to be a one-man army on a bug hunt.
As the sequel to what is one of my favorite games, Aliens Vs. Predator, AvP2 really brings the action home.
It all starts on the planet LV-1201. A longtime hunting ground for the predators, a long time breeding ground for the aliens and just recently, a colony for humans.
This is the basic plot for what is certainly an awesome PC game. This game is certainly not for the weak of heart, and if you’re playing as the marine, you’d better have nerves of steel. It’s really easy to get lost in this game, and even easier for something to sneak up behind you.
The atmosphere for the game really takes after the movies from which it spawned. It’s dark, the game knows it’s dark, and the creatures in the game know it’s dark. That means you should check every nook and cranny in the game, because there might just be an alien waiting for you. And a word of warning: remember that aliens love air ducts and can climb walls.
With two modes of play, both single player and online mutliplayer, there’s a type of play for anyone.
Along the same lines as the first Aliens Vs. Predator game, you have your choice on playing an alien, a predator or a marine. Each have their own advantages and disadvantages, although each is awesome in their own way.
As an alien, you have your head-bite, your fearsome tail and the ability to climb walls, among other things. You also can also live out the entire alien life cycle. You start off as a facehugger, then after you implant, you become a chestburster and then you finally become a mature alien.
If you play as the predator, you have his disc and plasmacaster as well as the wristblades, spear and other weapons. You also get to use the cloaking device and the predator mask with four different vision modes.
My personal favorite character to play is the marine. He’s the freakiest to play, with the motion sensor picking up anything and everything that moves. Is it an alien? Is that a predator? Or is it just a door closing somewhere. The only way to find out is to go explore.
As for weapons, the marine gets his good ol’ pulse rifle, the smartgun and the most indispensable weapon for a bughunt: the flamethrower.
The graphics of AvP2 are absolutely gorgeous, if you have a good enough video card. I played it with a 32MB card, and while the graphics would look better on a 64MB, they were still beautiful, and freaky, on mine.
The backgrounds are rather generic; however, the detail on the alien, predator and marine models is beautiful. While playing the game you don’t really have time to notice, but there are certain features that are different on each model.
AvP2 has great sound quality. The musical score helps set the mood while the sound effects make the game that much more believable. Often, you don’t know that an enemy is next to you until you hear it.
One big improvement that AvP2 has made over AvP is the addition of a real novelty in the first person shooter (or FPS) genre: a story. As the marine, you’re there to find out what happened to the colony on LV-1201 with a lot of side-quests on the way. As the predator, you’re there to hunt. Whether they’re human or alien, it doesn’t matter. And the alien has only one job: protect the queen.
The controls for the game will need some tweaking to get them to the player’s own style. However, once they’re tweaked, controlling your character’s a breeze. This is definitely a game to use a keyboard-mouse combination, as that allows for the most precise aim.
Of course, not everything about the game is great. The loading time takes just long enough to become annoying. Also, there are certain areas of the graphics (primarily smaller objects like bullet holes and alien acid-based holes) that could have been tweaked just a little more in order to make them more realistic.
Aliens Vs. Predator 2 is a great game. The addition of a storyline and a few new weapons gives the game a new feel, and it is definitely not just a sequel to a good game. It can stand by itself and it has its own ideas to give to the FPS genre.
It’s a testiment to its creators, Sierra and Monolith. And Miles Sound System and Bink Video did a great job on their respective parts of the game. This is certainly a game that all parties involved can be proud of.
The couple of graphical errors and the loading time can really take away from the experience to the impatient or critical gameplayer, but the good definitely outweighs the bad. On a scale of one to ten, Aliens Vs. Predator 2 rates in at a 9.4.
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 Photo by Mike Termini, Assistant Photo Editor
Members of Ferris University Sports Supporters (FUSS) take time out from cheering to pose with hockey fan #1 Richard Hillman (second from right).
Richard Hillman is in a league of his own
By Shannon Vesper
Ferris State Torch
Cheering on the Ferris State hockey team can be an enormous amount of fun. Seeing fans of all ages at the games makes attending them unique. One special person you can always find cheering his heart out is Richard Hillman.
Hillman can be easily considered the Bulldog’s number one fan. Hardly ever missing a game, he always shows up ready to cheer on the team and support them no matter what.
Diagnosed with Down syndrome, Hillman has come a long way on his own, especially as a hockey fan.
“I took him to a game with my friends about 18 or 20 years ago, and that is all he wanted to do since,” Alida Hillman, Richard’s mother, said.
“He’s been here 17 or 18 years. I can’t think of one game he’s missed. Everybody knows him. They call him the leader of the band,” Michelle Lyons, secretary at Ewigleben Ice Arena, said.
Living in assisted living housing through the Mecosta Osceola Area Rehabilitation Center, (MOARC), Richard continually attends the hockey games. As a member of his support staff, Christi Strong makes sure he arrives on time to each of the games.
Richard attends the games by himself. Ms. Hillman feels that he knows what he has to do at the game without help.
“I used to go to the games with him, and then he wanted me to stop going because I would sit next to him. I would tell him to wipe his nose, to sit down or not to cheer too loud and he would get upset. It doesn’t bother me now because he enjoys the games,” Ms. Hillman said.
When the team is on the road, Richard has two radios and he’ll manage to find the game on either one. He is always rooting for the team both on the road and on home ice.
“On game day, Richard always makes sure he behaves well and takes a nap before the game. Showing up with his trophy the team gave him several years ago, he always wears a shirt and tie with his jersey over it and his Ferris hat,” Strong said.
The trophy that Richard holds was given to him in 1994 by the team. The message on it honors him as the number one fan.
Richard has become a huge part of every game, not only showing his spirit and cheering with the crowd, but always helping the band director with the songs.
“We notice that he is out there. He is always the first one to give us a high five. He encourages us out on the ice. When we see him and the crowd pumped up, it gets us pumped,” junior forward Chris Kunitz said.
The coaches, players and fans really enjoy having Richard around. He has been a great part of the team. Richard has had his picture taken with the team several times after the games.
“I like getting my picture taken,” Richard said.
“Richard feels for the team. When they win he is very happy, and when they lose he is sad, taking the loss to heart,” Ms. Hillman said.
“It doesn’t matter how we play, he is always right by the door. If we lose by one or win by one, he is always screaming and yelling. It’s good to see,” sophomore Trevor Large said.
His influence on the team has been phenomenal. At the age of 44, he keeps on going strong.
“It’s crazy that he been coming to the games for so long. You notice him. He’s the guy you remember at each game. I can remember seeing him from my first game I played, and he is always there,” Large said.
“I think it’s great that he is always there, win or lose. He’s a great fan and an inspiration to the team,” coach Bob Daniels said.
FSU President William Sederburg refers to Richard’s dedication with the fans and helping out FUSS (Ferris University Sports Supporters) as an emotional inspiration.
“Some games you get nervous, but the first thing you see is Richie and it gets you pumped up. You see him cheer and you want to play not only to impress him, but everybody,” Large said.
Richard has not only been a huge hockey fan, but an athlete with the Special Olympics. Playing basketball and bowling are among two of his favorite things to do.
“I like bowling. I won gold medals,” Richard said.
Besides events with the Special Olympics, Richard enjoys playing poly-hockey (indoor hockey with a softer puck), swimming and riding his bike.
“I like swimming a little bit and riding my bike,” Richard said.
All of these accomplishments come as a shock since he was born in 1957, when his doctor had doubts about his condition.
“When the doctor told me had Down syndrome he had wrote on a long piece of paper, ‘Mongolian Idiot,’ and gave it to me. He said that Richard would never be anything, that he’d ruin the family and he should be put away to an institution. The doctor said that I shouldn’t tell anyone about him,” Ms. Hillman said.
After the doctor told her that, she didn’t want to give up. She got a second opinion from another doctor, and he did everything for Richard.
“The medicine is what makes him survive,” Ms. Hillman said.
The doctor was wrong about people accepting him. Being the fourth out of five children, his friends always asked why he looked like that and Ms. Hillman would say he had Down syndrome. They would leave it at that. The friends gladly accepted him.
Living for several years in Farmington, Mich., the Hillmans moved to Big Rapids because of his father Gerald Hillman’s job. It was also a good area to raise Richard.
“Here, people knew him. They were there if something happened to him outside, and everyone knew my number.”
Mr. Hillman also helped get the Big Rapids community together to raise money to open MOARC, which is a school for other children like Richard. By the age of six, Richard was able to attend school.
 Currently Richard shares his house with two good friends, Roger Caudel and Rick Bell. Change is often difficult for people with Down syndrome, but he has learned to make the best of his life.
“I could live with Richard. He’s amazing but stubborn at times. He has his mom to thank. She has gone out of her way. He’s learned so much from her,” Strong said.
“I’ve just taken it day by day for the past 44 years. With God, anything can be done,” Ms Hillman said.
Photo by Mike Termini, Assistant Photo Editor
Richard Hillman is regarded by many, including the FSU hockey team, as FSU’s biggest hockey fan.
Snowy trip far from home for FSU
By Adam Gasper
Ferris State Torch
Problems continued this weekend for the young Bulldog basketball team as their conference record fell to a dismal 0-12 in a season that has yielded only three non-conference victories.
FSU spent the weekend in the Upper Peninsula, playing the likes of Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) rivals Michigan Tech University and Northern Michigan University.
On Thursday, the Bulldogs traveled to Houghton, Mich., to take on the MTU Huskies, currently the 13th ranked team in the nation, in front of a crowd of more than 1,000 people.
It was the 87th meeting between the teams, with the overall series dead even at 43 games apiece. The Huskies (17-2, 9-2 GLIAC) dominated every aspect of the game en route to a 77-53 victory over a Bulldog team that starts just one senior, along with two sophomores and the Epps brothers, Corey and Carlton, who are both in their first year of eligibility.
The team shot a lackluster 32 percent from the field, with Marcus Wallace’s 18 points leading the charge offensively, despite shooting a mere 7-22 from the field. He also picked up a pair of blocks. Nathan Wruble led the team with nine rebounds but was unable to score a point.
Leading the charge for the Huskies, who shot 52 percent from the field was Matt Cameron, who scored 29 points while picking up a half-dozen blocks. J.T. Luginski pulled down a career-high 14 rebounds to go along with his 18 points and a team-leading three blocks.
In Sunday’s game against NMU, the Wildcats were looking for their third straight victory and dominated the first half and continued into the second half, all the way to a 80-63 victory.
The 14-point halftime margin was too much for the Bulldogs (3-17, 0-12 GLIAC), who have come back from only one halftime deficit all season.
FSU improved on its shooting, going 38 percent from the field and hitting 11-12 free throws, but the Wildcats for the most part shut down the Bulldog’s top scoring threat in Wallace, who managed just nine points on 3-14 from the field and 1-7 from behind the three-point arc where he has been effective all season long.
Team captain Matt Miller led the charge with 14 points while pulling down five rebounds. The Epps brothers combined for 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals.
NMU had four players score in double digits, with Damian Matacz and Billy Hill each scoring 22. Matt LePage nearly recorded a double-double, scoring 10 points but fell one rebound short.
The Bulldogs will have two more opportunities to pick up their first conference victory this week with a game at Lake Superior State University on Thursday before they host Northwood at Wink Arena on Saturday at 3 p.m.
Ferris has lost to both teams so far this year.
P hoto by Mike Termini, Assistant Photo Editor
Bulldog right wing Derrick McIver (#7) prepares to check an Alaska Fairbanks Nanook into the boards during action earlier this season.
Scoring comes easy
By Chris Miller
Editor in Chief
There is one thing that the Ferris State University hockey team has going for them as of late: the ability to score plenty of goals.
“(Chris) Kunitz and (Rob) Collins are finally back on track and had a wonderful weekend against Northern Michigan, dominating the ice,” head coach Bob Daniels said. “We have a really healthy team right now that have a lot of players starting to step up and score more.”
After splitting two games against Bemidji State two weeks ago and scoring a total of 12 goals, the Bulldogs added another eight more goals this past weekend against Northern Michigan University (18-8-2 overall, 11-7-2 in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association).
In Friday night’s game, FSU (12-13-1 overall, 9-10-1 CCHA) was defeated by the Wildcats 6-4, but the Bulldogs rebounded in time for Saturday’s victory over NMU 4-1.
For the first time this season, freshman goalie Mike Brown got the start in both games over the weekend. FSU’s goaltending has not been up to par, but Brown has given the Bulldogs the chance to win in every game he has played in.
“I had a gut feeling about Brown for Saturday’s game. He played really well for us on Friday, giving us that chance to win, but our defense needs some work,” Daniels said. Brown saved a total of 26 shots Friday night.
The Bulldogs started sluggish in Friday’s game, giving up two quick goals to NMU six minutes into the game. Scoring for the Wildcats were senior center Chad Theuer and sophomore left wing Matt Hunter.
Ferris came right back, scoring two goals to tie the game going into the second period. Sophomore Derrick McIver scored the first goal for the Bulldogs with help of freshman Jeff Legue and senior Kristian Schroder.
“The play of McIver, Legue and another freshman, Derrick Nesbitt, have really been great as of late. All three of these guys play on the Kunitz/Collins line together,” Daniels said. “That line has really impressed me as of late.”
According to Daniels, another player that has stepped up has been junior Phil Lewandowski, who scored FSU’s second goal Friday night.
After Collins put in his 12th goal of the season toward the beginning of the second period, the Wildcats netted the next two goals of the game, setting the score at 4-3.
“Friday was a tough, hard fought game. It got really physical,” Daniels said.
Kunitz, leading the CCHA in total points, dropped his 23rd goal of the season past NMU sophomore goalie Craig Kowalski, who stopped 21 shots on the night. Kunitz’s goal was the last goal scored by Ferris on Friday night.
The Bulldogs surrendered to the Wildcats in the end after an empty-netter.
“I was a bit worried about our defense breaking down Friday night, but I figured that they would get it right going into Saturday’s game,” Daniels said. “Our kids played well on Saturday. Again, it was a very hard fought, physical game.”
After starting slow on Friday, the Bulldogs made up for it on Saturday, putting the first three goals of the game past Kowalski.
Kunitz added to his goal total with two more goals giving him 25 for the season. Collins also came up big assisting on three goals. The other two goals were scored by Nesbitt and freshman Matt York.
Brown (7-9-0) once again came up strong, saving a total of 31 shots.
“Brown will start this coming Friday against Bowling Green State University, but I haven’t made a decision about Saturday’s game yet,” Daniels said.
Ferris is currently tied for seventh in the CCHA with Western Michigan University at 19 points. The Bulldogs face Bowling Green next weekend at Ewigleben Ice Arena. Game time for Friday is at 7:35 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. the next evening.
“Our last eight games are against CCHA opponents. The league is really tight right now,” Daniels said. “I am glad that we have a healthy team that seems to be improving in every category. It would help if we get more consistent with our power-play and our penalty kills.”
 Photo by Mike Termini, Assistant Photo Editor
Sophomore guard Lucy DeMartin (#23) drives past LSSU’s Jennie Doyle (#31) in home action on Jan. 26. The Bulldogs travel to Sault Ste. Marie tomorrow for a 5:30 p.m. tipoff
Harsh conditions in U.P.
By Chris Miller
Editor in Chief
It took an amazing shooting night by Northern Michigan University to put the Ferris State University women’s basketball team away last Sunday, in a devastating 95-75 loss.
“We didn’t play tough enough against Northern Michigan,” sophomore guard Lucy DeMartin said. “We need to improve on our offensive rebounding and keep the turnovers to a minimum.”
The Bulldogs (11-8 overall, 7-5 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) also lost to Michigan Tech University by two points in last Thursday’s 69-67 game.
“Our goal for the next couple of games is to break out of this skid we are in,” DeMartin said.
In last Thursday’s loss, leading the way for the Bulldogs was junior forward Jennifer Brogger with 27 points, shooting 10-16 from the floor.
Helping out Brogger in scoring was sophomore Stephanie Benear with 11 points and senior guard Debbie Killips added another 11 points. Killips also had six rebounds, but gave the ball up a team-high nine times.
However, it was enough because NMU’s Andrea Novak scored a career-high 27 points to help Michigan Tech to the victory.
In the game, the Bulldogs shot a high 46.2 percent from three point land. FSU even out-shot Tech from the floor at 40 percent.
Northern Michigan (13-6 overall, 13-6 GLIAC) is ranked above Ferris in second place in the North Division of the GLIAC. It was a must win for the Bulldogs, who played NMU for the 45th time.
Northern holds the all-time record against the Bulldogs at 33-12, and the Wildcats have defeated Ferris in four out of the last six contests.
“We are really disappointed with the way we played against NMU. We are going to have to step it up when both NMU and Tech come to Ferris in a couple of weeks,” DeMartin said.
The key for Northern was their ability to shoot the ball. NMU fired a high 52.4 percent for the entire game and 55 percent from three point range.
Sophomore center Bridget Horwitz led the Bulldogs with 22 points and eight rebounds. DeMartin chipped in 15 points, and Killips added 14 points, five assists and three steals.
Leading the way for Northern was center Kelly Simcik with 28 points, six rebounds and two steals. Also scoring high for the Wildcats was Leigh Ann Dalton with 22 points.
“My game has improved overall thanks to head coach Tracey Fisk,” DeMartin said.
“I really like coach Fisk. She cares about the players and is very positive.”
The Bulldogs travel to Sault Ste. Marie to take on the Lakers of Lake Superior State on Thursday, then they host Northwood University on Saturday Feb. 9 in Wink Arena. Game time is at 1 p.m. After Northwood, Ferris is back on the road against Grand Valley State University on Feb. 11 and Saginaw Valley State University on Feb. 16.
Super Bowl?
By Mike Potter
Sports Editor
Super Bowl XXXVI (36, for those who only know Roman numerals up to V via the Rocky movies) was played on Sunday, but not just the game is involved in Super Bowl week. Most of the action occurs during the week leading up to the actual game.
Pregame shows can be seen with analysis from anyone the producers can grab off of the street with some knowledge of football. Even those players starving for attention, who couldn’t make it to the Bowl, show up on any and all shows just to be near or associated with the action.
Commercials and halftime shows also add to the experience and keep viewers from getting bored with the game and actually keep them watching, but some announcers can do that too.
One significant fact about this past week’s activities involved announcers John Madden and Pat Summerall. The duo ended their run as longtime (21 years) broadcasting partners. All I have to say is: It’s about time!
They continually repeat names and facts, sometimes even the wrong ones, during the course of their games.
Once people learn the basic rules of football, they no longer need the obvious comments from the old geezers in the booth. I appreciate the fact that these two men are geniuses, or at least were geniuses in their own time, and therefore I respect them.
However, I do get sick when they point out that a team should have run the ball in the other direction, seconds after the play had ended and the run, as it was, gained no yardage. Hindsight is 20/20, and Madden and Summerall use it to the fullest extent. I’ve been waiting for this time to come.
I don’t mind if they slaughter a few player’s names, such as the Steelers’ Chris Fuamatu-Ma’afala, but when they constantly identify the wrong players or get names wrong of players like Mike Jones, that should be the point when they realize that they are not at the top of their games anymore.
After numerous Thanksgiving games of sitting through rant upon rant of Madden’s opinions of his six-legged turkey, sometimes speaking even more about food than Dennis Miller talks on his entire show, I give thanks for there only being one tandem like them and hope that Mr. Madden and Mr. Summerall retire now, because now is the time.
The halftime show was much better than last year’s utter destruction of a former Aerosmith classic ‘Walk this way.’ Pop/rock super group U2 livened the crowd even more than last year’s conglomeration of every type of ‘music’ imaginable.
With no Britney Spears or Nsync, or even rappers Nelly and Mary J. Blige (if you don’t remember them, don’t worry, no one else does either), the focus was on the quality group that was actually playing their own music. Last year’s show played up to the pop-culture phenomenon that was sweeping the nation.
NBC showed that they could compete with the halftime shown on FOX; they aired the only thing that could grab the attention of millions of football-loving American males, change the channel from U2 and keep them watching for the entire halftime show: Playmates performing crazy stunts for money. It looks like the networks have followed the path of cable and gone for the easy buck.
As for the game itself, it was rather boring until the final five minutes of action in the fourth quarter. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was named the MVP for his less-than -stellar performance, throwing for 145 yards and one touchdown. The most important statistic for Brady though was the big ‘0’ in the turnover column.
Boring plays opened the game, probably to get most of the players acclimated to the game and to get the nerves out, but they continued throughout as most of the audience was probably waiting for the “greatest show on turf” to open their playbook and show off a little.
This year’s Super Bowl lived up to my expectations, although my hopes for it had been lowered by the fact that the Pats had beaten the only team from the final four that I wanted to see win, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
So, I say thank you to Kurt Warner for turning the ball over twice and then making a comeback at the end to make the game exciting, if not for the entire game then at least for the final few minutes.
Big games equals good drinks
By Jason Nelson
Assitant Sports Editor
As if college students needed another reason to get loaded. With the Super Bowl last Sunday many students, including myself took it upon themselves to celebrate Saint Super Bowl Day. The Super Bowl is the ultimate man’s holiday.
Sure the ladies have Valentine’s Day, and Sweetest Day, and for the most part Christmas. The Super Bowl gives us the chance to celebrate some of the dearest moments of our lives. Sports and alcohol seem to be made for each other.
Like a kid on Christmas morning, I awake with a sense of excitement. Instead of running to the Christmas tree, I run to the fridge to start the annual binge.
After a few drinks it is off to the bar for some pre-game rituals.
Besides getting to the bar two hours before the game starts, I always find it essential to find a Golden Tee game. For those of you who have never played Golden Tee it is a must for any male, or sports driven female.
After a few more drinks, it is time for the Super Bowl to start. Businesses are smart, knowing that most of their clientele will be three sheets to the wind by the second quarter so they usually supply some kind of free food.
Even the die-hard student can not resist free wings and half off pitchers. Before you know it the bar is packed with people.
There is even a better amount of females than you would expect. Of course half of them don’t even know who is in the Super Bowl or even that it is football, but what bar setting is complete without the opposite sex.
Some day I hope the Lions will make it to the Super Bowl because then maybe some of the people that attend the bars on Super Sunday will actually watch it after halftime.
To be brutally honest, most of my friends are either:
A.) Staring at the pitcher ready to pass out, only coming out of their daze for the occasional Britney Spears commercial;
B.) Playing pool or video games and tuning in only for the Britney Spears commercials;
C.) Failing miserably hitting on chicks because they end conversations by turning to see the Britney Spears commercials;
D.) Eating enough chicken wings and hot dogs to feed a small rhinoceros and are sure the table is their comfy bed.
What other day can you get buckets of beer for a cheap price? Surely it is not possible on Valentine’s Day, they may have a special on Vanilla Stoli and Coke for $5 instead of seven whoopty-doo. For my college money I would much rather have a 34 oz. bucket of Pabst Blue Ribbon for $3.
Luckily I decided to watch what I drank and watched perhaps the best Super Bowl that I will ever see. A great game, a great atmosphere and great deals are all part of Super Sunday and will continue to be for generations.
Oh yeah, Britney Spears commercials should be a constant as well for man’s greatest holiday.
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He who took America for granted
By Mircea-Joan Cotosman
Ferris State Torch
“America -the land of the free,” “America, what a blessed nation!” and similar sentiments are heard not just in the US, but are echoed all over the world. Nothing could be closer to the truth! The U.S. is indeed a blessed land and the American people are truly lucky to live in such a country.
However, when people are surrounded with so much wealth and wellness for so many generations, some may start taking things for granted. Once one has everything one can dream of, one can often forget that not all is a given and that it could all be lost.
I grew up in a country where milk, bread and eggs were rationed. I did not taste bananas or ham until I was ten. The TV program was two hours long each day, freedom of speech was nonexistent and the party dictated the decisions in the courts of law. People were not even allowed to travel abroad. Coming from this background, I dreamt of America for a long time. It was like getting a ticket to Heaven when I received my visa to come to the U.S. Ever since I arrived here, I have been able to fully enjoy all the liberties and opportunities that American citizens have. I could never take anything I am offered here for granted because I know how it is to have to do without.
The war on terror has brought forward a most interesting character: John Walker, the American Taliban. The circumstances of his capture and his loyalties are very clear: he was caught fighting against the U.S., along the enemy’s side. He is the worst kind of traitor. I had no doubt that his fate was sealed, and there would be no discussion about the punishment he deserves for his treason.
I could not believe my ears when I heard on TV that there is actually a debate about his rights and trial procedures. WHAT RIGHTS?!?! Mr. Walker was fighting against America!! He gave up all his rights as soon as he joined the enemy. Apparently he was not satisfied with the rights he was guaranteed here. He cannot be forced to have rights he does not wish to have.
The foundation of this country is free enterprise. The citizens have the freedom to determine the course of their actions, but they have to face the consequences. Mr. Walker willingly gave away the rights he has as an American citizen, by joining an obviously opposing group.
It is also very easy to slip into the trick of the due-process laws and the fair and speedy trial amendments. The only reason those provisions are in the U.S. Constitution and have been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court is to protect the citizen against a powerful Government during a criminal trial. Many of those provisions are not present in the civil case procedure (i.e. no burden of proof or hung jury).
Mr. Walker needs no protection against the government! He betrayed America and the American people; as a traitor he is not answering just to the government, but to the American people as a whole. This time the prosecutor will not just represent the U.S. government, but every one of the 250 million people in America that Mr. Walker has betrayed. In such a situation, rights and procedures are not an issue.
He had the privilege of being born, raised and educated in the U.S. while millions of people his age were starving as orphans in other parts of the world. He had it all, but took everything for granted, including his rights. Now, it is too late to start appreciating what he once took for granted.
Torch is life
By Chris Miller
Editor in Chief
My usual Sunday consists of work in the Rankin Center (my second home) from noon until 11 p.m. After attending classes on Monday, I proceed to work until the Ferris State Torch is finished, which can last until 2 a.m. or even longer.
After saving all of the sections to individual disks, I proceed to lock up the empty offices, leave a quiet and empty building and walk home alone, thinking whether or not the readers are going to appreciate what will be out on racks across campus every Wednesday.
Lonely, isn’t it? That is what the job of editor in chief of the Torch can be like.
The Torch has taken up almost two years of my life.
I first started working for FSU’s student-run publication two years ago as the sports editor, and then took a year off after deciding that I wanted to establish a personality of myself beyond the newspaper realm.
This has been my first year as head cheese, and it has been an exciting one.
The job of the editor in chief of the Torch is one of the highest paid student jobs at FSU. It has a lot of benefits to it, but the demands exceed nearly double what the pay is.
Journalism is not a field to go into if one is looking for good pay.
The editor in chief has a limit of 26 hours per week, but realistically what I work can easily exceed 40 hours a week. The editor in chief is in charge of the entire production of the newspaper and a staff of nearly 40 people.
There are two types of college newspapers. The first one is part of the college’s curriculum. Students take classes that tie in with the newspaper and the instructor has greater control over the paper’s daily decision making.
The second is what the Torch is: an independent newspaper entirely run by students. The advisor of the paper is a Ferris instructor, but has little control. Our advisor answers any questions we may have and informs us about anything that may be libelous or a violation of the copyright laws.
The editor in chief of the Torch hires and reprimands staff members for any disciplinary needs. Besides these petty tasks, my biggest responsibility is to make sure the paper gets completed and that the contents of the paper are in the best interest of our readers.
Sounds pretty easy, right?
Now that you know a little bit about this job, let me tell you a bit about what it takes to handle this amount of responsibility.
Hard work, dedication, leadership, journalism skills, public relations skills, communications skills, some page layout knowledge and many sleepless hours over any problems that arise are just a few of the ingredients required to produce a successful edition of the Torch.
The most difficult aspect of this job is dealing with problems that arise. Plagiarism, getting people to come in on time, having two sections of the paper not able to open on our computer because the files are corrupt and many other issues have occurred that I have dealt with to the best of my ability.
I am not asking for any pity party hoopla. I am just stating that this job is not easy.
So with all that said, this position is available for anyone who wants it in the spring. I suggest that you prepare yourself if you are really thinking about going for it.
If you are really considering taking over this position, you might want to check into both the qualifications it requires and the responsibilities that come with it.
So you think you want my position? Fat chance. If you think that I don’t love this job, you are wrong. It’s a power trip, and I have all the power! I know that when I walk into classes in the Business building and I see people reading the paper, they are interested in what we have to say. It’s an amazing feeling.
Working for the paper has been the biggest learning experience that I have ever gone through. It has also allowed me to understand a little bit more about myself and what I will be able to handle when I leave Ferris.
Finding hidden treasures
By Brian VanSteenkiste
Opinions Editor
Last night I was having a conversation with a doctor who teaches here at Ferris. As it was winding down, she made a profound statement that I’d like to paraphrase for the Torch readers: “Big Rapids is no Ann Arbor.”
While your immediate reaction may be a “No sh*t Sherlock,” let’s step back and look at this articulation. It’s true, Big Rapids is not a cultural center.
What diversity we have here is segregated, in part by the different groups’ own choices. There isn’t an abundance of cultural activities to participate in here (besides the county fair, and most of us aren’t around for that). The list of discrepancies goes on and on.
The town of Big Rapids, and the institution that resides here both have a number of issues to address. Still water grows stagnant, and both parties realize they need to formally decide on the future direction in which they wish to see their entity move.
Ferris isn’t sure what it wants to do (this subject is more than open to debate in our Voices forum), and from what I’ve seen the town doesn’t know either.
The chamber of commerce would like to see a greater retention of students (and their money) on the weekends, but where are all of these people supposed to eat? Dining choices are severely limited, so before anyone can begin to offer entertainment options and activities that would preserve student numbers on the weekends, they should concentrate on creature comforts first.
There are a lot of challenges that the city and the school have to conquer, and students are left in the middle. If Ferris ever decided to require students to have laptops, there wouldn’t be too much they could do about it. If Big Rapids decides to continue to limit the number of liquor licenses and muscle out new bars and clubs, the students will have to keep dealing with it.
But, there are some things about attending Ferris in Big Rapids that are harder to take away. The first, and most significant, thing that comes to mind is our geographic location. It’s far to common for lethargic students to simply chant their mantra of “Ferris sucks. I hate Big Rapids. There’s nothing to do.” Other Torch articles have addressed this student attitude, but not from my perspective.
Any successful veteran student of FSU will tell you that one of the secrets to having a good time in this town is to make your own fun. If you’re still relying on others to help you “make your day,” you’re going to be severely disappointed.
So what are you supposed to do?
Try taking a walk and discovering the things nature has to offer in this part of Michigan. We’ve been having a mild winter (anything above zero is mild) and the recent snows have blanketed the surrounding area with a beautiful white snow cover. My suggestion to anyone who is bored with their redundant daily schedule is that they take a break and go for a walk. If you think it’s too cold, bring a hat and some mittens.
There’s more to the outdoors in Big Rapids than tubing down the river in the summer.
There are numerous trails waiting out there for anyone who wants to see where they lead and what they hold. The trails behind the community pool (west of State St. down Woodward Ave., look for the blue sign) are pretty extensive and have been a favorite of mine since I first discovered them for myself.
A little closer to campus (since this town is so big), the river behind St. Paul’s Catholic Parish also holds numerous trails, and I doubt many students have explored them ALL.
I could keep going, but there are to many local trails to mention in this one article, let alone all of them south of town in nearby Rogers Heights, and all the stops along the White Pine.
I’ve talked about this in the past in the Torch, but I felt the need to say it again. One of the best things about going to school here is the local landscape. If you think Big Rapids is no good, I doubt you’ve ventured very far off the well traveled paths to see the natural beauty waiting just outside your door.
You have no idea how beautiful this area is until you stand on a nearby cliff and watch the wind blow through the fall-colored leaves or see mallards floating down an icy creek past snow covered banks.
Ferris may have drawn you to this town with its excellent programs, technical education or good job placement rate, but that doesn’t mean Big Rapids has nothing to offer you.
Even if you’re a freshman with no plans on returning to this town after the current semester, you’re missing out on a lot if you never explore the surrounding area.
It’s not like it can offer you that much culture.
No good intramural rip-offs
By Mike Domerese
Ferris State Torch
More often than not, there is a statement heard all through campus that people hate to say, “I can’t, I don’t have any money.”
Hearing this phrase often invokes heart felt emotions by those uttering the statement and for all who hear it. The fact is college kids never seem to have enough cold, hard cash.
Greenbacks, moolah, dead presidents or whatever you want to call them just aren’t in the wallets of college students. Students can barely afford to catch a bite to eat at one of the local fast food establishments to take a break from the dreaded campus food. Even on a Thursday night when you want to head out to the bar to enjoy a few frothy ones to wind down from a long week, you’re probably strapped for cash.
The cost of college is on the rise. Ferris raised the cost of tuition and books have always been outrageously priced. I persoanlly know of at least a few students who spent in excess of $500! The great thing is, you might only see $100 of that when you sell your books back, and that’s if you’re lucky.
You don’t even want to get me started on Ferris raising parking violation fines and the so-called renovations to the old library.
Granted there is a lot of financial aid available, but the burning question on my mind is “how much is enough?” We (Ferris students) are paying an ungodly, astronomical amount of money that is being given to the Holiday Inn. For what, God only knows.
The next subject I would like to attack is the whole intramural system, which appears to be in financial disarray. OK, maybe that’s a little harsh, but I have been hearing complaints from the spring softball league’s participants and now the broomball season has fallen into disarray.
The cost is $65 per broomball team, which normally wouldn’t be a problem. Last year we got seven games plus playoffs, generally played at 9 and 10 p.m.
This year, the cost is still the same, but now we only get three games plus playoffs. The times are 10 and mostly 11 p.m. To add to this problem, playoffs are slated for a Monday night at 12 and 1 a.m.!!!! OK, so that makes a lot of sense for people who have 8 a.m. classes, doesn’t it?
For something that is supposed to be fun and bring together students, I feel this is a grave injustice. If we are only going to play three games, why not whack the cost in half?
As for the whole playoff situation, why not make it on the weekend or slightly earlier than midnight? Which brings me back to my original point/gripe/complaint. The costs for college students areconstantly on the rise and we seem to be getting less and less bang for our bucks. OK, so maybe we have this great state-of-the-art library that cost three trillion dollars. So what?
Even with a job, you are still only making minimum wage which pales in comparison to what everything seems to cost and prices will continue to rise.
The fact is college students can barely afford anything now. If you think that’s bad, just wait until you hit the “Real World” when you have to start paying back all those student loans, plus monthly bills and no more pocket money from Mommy and Daddy.
How could I forget - before you know it, this pristine learning institution will be calling wanting donations. Just remember boys and girls, these are the best years of our lives. Isn’t life grand?
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