February 27, 2002
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 Photo by Mike Termini, Photo Editor
Students make it safely across State Street on the way to class last week. Improvements to State Street should help crossing the street be a little safer.
$2.4 million to make streets safer
By Laura Chene
News Editor
At its Feb. 13 meeting student government listened to changes expected to be made to State Street that will cost $2.4 million and include additional lighting, crosswalks, and shrubs to make the area more pedestrian-orientated.
Vice President of Finance Rick Duffett said that the university’s first concern is the students’ safety. Duffett said that although there have been no accidents on State Street, “We’ve had a number of near misses.” Safety for students crossing on that strip from Cedar Street to Knollview Drive has been an issue ever since Duffett began employment at Ferris 25 years ago.
The university began to look at that strip in 1998 and developed a three-phase grant project to make the area safer. “It was clearly expensive in terms of trying to do it ourselves,” Duffett said.
“We have received phase one and phase two of our grant,” Duffett said. The university expects to know if it receives the grant for phase three any time between July and September.
Duffett is hopeful that the grant for phase three is approved since the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) already approved the first two phases, and it normally likes to see a project finished. “There’s a fairly strong chance.”
Phases one and two are anticipated to begin this summer and be completed by October as long as the university gets a good bid date. “So we’re anticipating that will happen,” Duffett said.
Stamping in the pavement (referred to as crosswalks in this article) and upgrades to lighting are two significant changes that are hoped to improve pedestrian safety. The stamping will be a different color from the road.
“So they are very clearly stated as crosswalks,” Duffett said. Eight additional crosswalks to the four that already exist will be implemented. “It’ll provide safe crossing areas for students.”
New lights are to be added on the outside of the street. Right now the lights, located in the middle island of State Street, do not light the safe areas that pedestrians use. The lights, similar to those located in the campus quad, will illuminate the areas where pedestrians are waiting to cross, making the individuals more visible.
“You would lighten that up quite a bit,” Duffett said. “So you would see that as evidence where people are crossing.”
New trees, signs and pillars will also be added.
Since State Street belongs to MDOT, Ferris is limited to the changes it can make. “MDOT has control over the speed,” Duffett commented. “We had people in the community write letters of support.”
Many city members contributed to the successful grant approvals, including Director of Public Works Tim Vogel, City Manager Steve Stillwell and Township Supervisor Maxine Mc-Clelland. The physical plant also made contributions, and Ferris State University President Sederburg’s hard work and understanding of the grant process was very beneficial.
At the meeting held two weeks ago, student government voiced concerns regarding the plan’s absence of overhead passes, which some members believe may be more beneficial in terms of safety.
“That’s been studied a number of times,” Duffett said. Duffett said the study concluded that the majority of students would not use them. “You’ll probably have maybe one or two.” He also said that grant money is unavailable for the overhead passes, which are extremely expensive.
“[The study] was done a number of years ago,” Duffett said. “I didn’t do the studies.” Duffett said” the study was done in the 1980s. “We’d be glad to look at it again if we need to,” he added.
The university believes that implementing as many crosswalks as possible will be more successful instead of trying to force people to funnel to an overhead.
The crosswalks are also hoped to decrease jaywalking. Furthermore, the most overheads able to be implemented would be is one or two.
“I for one am not satisfied with what I see here, safetywise,” Student Government Vice President Justin Kulevicz said at the meeting. “I honestly feel the issue’s being ignored. People are going to go where they’re going to go.”
Student Government Vice President of Public Relations Tony Aloia said that over the past month the body has discussed safety concerns “in terms of crossing the streets and what Ferris could do.” A committee was formed to find long-term solutions.
“Some students wanted to help Dr. Duffett with a new survey,” Aloia said.
In 1992, Ferris attempted to make crossing safer by putting up fences, but that idea failed when the fences were knocked down. “The fences where intended to force students to walk at the cross sections,” Duffett said.
The project, according to Duffett, will not end traffic congestion or stop-and-go traffic. “I don’t think this will change it much,” Duffett admitted. The changes, though, are suspected to slow traffic down. “The more you slow this down, and that’s what our intention is, the more you’re going to have vehicular and pedestrian conflict.”
The project is a 50/50 match for Ferris, meaning about university will fund the same amount that it is granted.
Thus, the university will have approximately half of the project granted. As stated in the meeting, phase one and two will cost approximately $1 million.
Off-campus members visit campus
By Afzal Memon
Ferris State Torch
Student Government at Ferris State University organized the Renter’s Fair, which occurred last Monday and was an informative event for students interested in off-campus housing.
“We are here to let the students know about off-campus housing facilities,” Dan Frusciano, student government vice president of Student Life, said. “We have several landlords and the representatives of the city organizations.”
“We have called representatives from the department of Public Safety, Good Neighbors Association and Neighborhood Services Department,” Frusciano said. “We want the students to know about their rights and regulations when they sign a lease to live in off-campus accommodations.”
The representatives from Neighboring Services Department were present to inform the students about the services provided by various city offices. These offices work in different fields to make things better for the residents.
There were few apartment owners to market their properties. One of the major landlords, Chapman Housing, had 70 percent of its locations already booked for fall 2002.
“The FSU student body is a significant part of the Big Rapids community,” Mary Ryan, the president of Good Neighbors Association, said. “Our efforts are aimed to inform the students about their rights and responsibilities. We want the students to learn vital things like fire regulation.”
According to Ryan, Good Neighbors Association can help the students having problems with the landlords. “Most of the time we have tenants complaining about unsatisfactory maintenance of the property. We direct them to the right procedures they can do to preserve their rights.”
“[Landlords] cut a major part of the deposit money that we have paid in advance,” Sudeep Chandak, a student living in an off-campus apartment, said. “ They know that once we move out we do not have time to stay here and object to their calculations.”
“It is really good to know that somebody can help us with such problems,” Chandak said.
According to Ryan, Good Neighbors Association is involved in many other activities, like the Pride of the Neighborhood Awards and publishing a newsletter twice a year.
The program was aimed to get Big Rapids landlords, city officials and students at one place and overall offered a lot of information regarding off-campus housing.
A dinner with a global menu
By Afzal Memon
Ferris State Torch
The Office of International Affairs organizes an event called International Neighbors to introduce international students to the Big Rapids community.
Residents of the Big Rapids area, international students and Ferris State University’s faculty and staff are invited to the International Neighbors for a potluck dinner.
“The purpose of this event is to provide a venue to the international students to meet more people outside of class,” Manager of International Affairs Jackie Perrin said. “These students come from all around the world.”
“We hold a number of false beliefs about the outside world,” Perrin said. “Most of the time the media plays a role to influence our narrow thinking. Our purpose is to let the Big Rapids community have a chance to know about the people from around the globe.”
According to Perrin, although participants come from diverse backgrounds, they always discover that they are more alike than different.
Such interactions result in life-long friendships.
Ferris has about 300 international students. Mazen Al-Sadat, the president of the international student organization, said, “We have more and more students coming in every semester.”
“I think this is an important event for the international students. Here they can share their experiences with the other students and get to know the American culture, and as a result, they face less transition problems,” Al-Sadat said.
“[The] international student organization is also arranging for a trip to Disney World and Orlando during spring break,” Al-Sadat said. More information on this trip can be acquired by calling 592-4840.
“We always encourage new students to join us in this event. It provides us an opportunity to know the people around us,” Ish Bhatt, an Indian student, said.
“I think we will cook a special dish for the dinner.”
According to Bhatt, the event is very informal. “So we feel very comfortable over there. We are not required to dress up in formal attire for the dinner. We can learn a lot about the American customs at such venues.”
“We encourage students to bring an example of their art or traditions,” Perrin said. “Some students bring musical instruments to share music and dances, and it is really beautiful to watch.”
According to Perrin, the gathering will also work as a warm-up event for the International Festival.
The International festival is an annual and big event scheduled to take place on April 14.
“I was taking feedback from a student after one of the last year’s event, and he said, ‘why don’t you organize this every week?’” Perrin said. “All the invitees and students love the event.”
According to Perrin, the international students who cannot fly back home face accommodation problems because the residence halls are closed during spring break.
This program is intended to introduce the international students to the citizens of Big Rapids, who often give accommodation to the international students.
The event will take place at the Ferris Cafe in the West Commons tonight between 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
There is no charge for this event, and those who decide to attend can bring a dish to pass.
For more information, contact Jackie Perrin at 591-5376.
Henderson Hall becoming home of honors students
By Amy McElmurray
Assistant News Editor
This fall will mark the fifth year of the Honors Program at Ferris State University. With that comes many changes and updates to the program.
The Honors Program started in 1997 with 133 students. The students were given the opportunity to live together in Helen Ferris Hall, as a way to group the students to encourage academic excellence. The residence hall was revamped and made into a “private, deluxe” hall offering single rooms with amenities such as ceiling fans, carpet and new oak furniture.
The program expanded greatly and soon moved into Carlisle Hall, offering more rooms for those with high academic aspirations.
This past fall, about 20 Honors students moved into Henderson Hall to accommodate the growing size of students wanting to get into the program. Henderson already offered private, deluxe rooms, so no renovations were necessary.
“Primarily upper classmen moved into Henderson this past year,” Dean of University College William Potter said. “We’re excited about the possibility of expanding the Honors Program and we’re happy that we’ll be able to do that in two years.”
In a typical year, between 120-130 students are admitted into Honors. This fall, however, Dean Potter is hopeful that between 170-180 students will be admitted.
“At present, over 200 students have applied for next fall,” Dean Potter said.
He noted that the Honors Program would like to see a balance in the number of upper and lower classmen in the three residence halls for the years to come. Currently, there are 331 Honors students living between Helen Ferris Hall, Carlisle Hall, Henderson Hall and off campus.
“Right now, we’re just in Henderson. My suitemate isn’t in Honors,” Jaymie Lutomski, an Honors student in facilities management, said. “Next year, the second and third floors will be for Honors students.”
Lutomski stated that many students currently living in Henderson are upset about the change. Since second and third floor will be Honors, some current residents will not be allowed to have the same suitemate as they do this year.
“I think it’s fair they are keeping first floor not Honors,” Lutomski said.
Honors student Sarah Becker moved this past fall from Helen Ferris to Henderson. Becker is in her first year of the College of Pharmacy and likes having the option to live closer to the Pharmacy Building.
“I liked the change to a different part of campus,” Becker said. “Most of the Honors students who moved over here are pharmacy or optometry majors.”
She does feel that students in Henderson seem to keep to themselves quite a bit and commented that it is very quiet all the time; unlike it was in Helen Ferris Hall.
With the expansion of the Honors Program, students across campus will be able to see the affect these students make on the campus environment and be able to interact with each other more easily. Within two years, it is expected that all of Henderson will be Honors students. For information on the Honors Program, contact the Honors Office at 591-2216.
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  Photo by James Bednarick, Assistant Photo Editor (LEFT)
At the YBBW fashion show Makho Ndlovu poses in her evening wear.
Photo by James Bednarick, Assistant Photo Editor (RIGHT)
YBBW fashion show hosts Kyohn Burton (left) and Lashonda Bracey (right).
Ferris State students strut their stuff
By Heather Johnson
Ferris State Torch
The 12th Annual YBBW (You Beautiful Black Women) Fashion Show was held Saturday, Feb. 23, in Williams Auditorium.
This year’s show theme was “One Nation Under A Groove ...Celebrating America” and featured local talent as well as fashions worn by Ferris State University students.
“The reason for the show,” former YBBW President Candice Fortman said, “is that up here at Ferris, we don’t get many opportunities for big performances. This gives people an opportunity to be involved with or watch a local performance.”
Lashonda Bracey and Kyohn Burton were the hosts for the evening, which opened with Anchris Morgan and Carmen Herrell singing an a cappella rendering of the “The Star Spangled Banner.”
No ordinary fashion show, the YBBW Fashion Show highlighted Ferris State students from all walks of life and all types of body structure.
Usually, according to show coordinator Kim Kent, clothing is borrowed from various retail stores to be used by YBBW’s models.However, this year’s models opted to choose and purchase their own clothing to display. Old Navy, Phat Pharm, Victoria’s Secret and the Gap were just some of the labels used in the show.
Fashion and talent were intertwined with each segment of the fashion show followed by various performances. F.I.V.E/M.I.C’s, the New Vibe Dance Team, the FSU Dance Team and a solo performance by Christian, a singer in Harmony AZ One, both entertained the audience and gave models time to change clothes.
Each segment of the fashion show was given a fun theme for models to use in their clothing choices.
Summer wear was highlighted by a family reunion, where models were invited to bring their parents and children to help display clothing.
The children ate up the spotlight as they walked the runway with their parents, and helped make that segment a success.
A romantic cabaret scene showed evening wear, while a mini version of “The Dating Game” had contestants choose their date based upon the crowd response to catwalk antics while displaying sleep wear.
Denezai’s Hair Care and various students showed off contemporary hairstyles, which ended in a Flint vs. Detroit shouting match, brought the show to a close.
“Everyone has said it was the best show they’d ever seen,” Kent commented. “I haven’t heard any negative comments, which is good because I have been working on this since this summer.”
Terry Houston and the Office of Minority Affairs formed YBBW in 1990. Its goal was, and is still, to unite women on college campuses, and is currently the largest RSO on Ferris’ campus.
YBBW’s motto, “Queens By Nature, Keeping The Throne,” reflects the underlying idea behind the organization: “Don’t Use Your Positive Energy For Negative Thought.”
The concept has spread, and there are now YBBW chapters on the campuses of Central Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, Western Michigan University and Eastern Michigan University.
Unlike the name would lead to believe, YBBW is open to women from all races and nationalities.
The group hosts open meetings, where interested parties can meet and socialize with other members of the organization. Prospective members must complete an essay and a short test before they are inducted into the organization.
In addition to the fashion show, YBBW is active in other areas of campus life.
 One or two times per month, YBBW will host a Slow Jams party, where partygoers can enjoy being with their friends against a backdrop of slow music without the typical college party mayhem.
n addition, YBBW has a one-day conference planned for the end of winter semester, with guest speakers, seminars and workshops for women.
YBBW also holds a Phenomenal Woman pageant once a year. Winners of the pageant are judged on personality and talent rather than looks.
YBBW members also stay active in their community by volunteering for WISE (Women’s Information Services, Inc.), taking part in the annual Relay for Life Race sponsored by the American Cancer Society and have worked with Big Brothers/Big Sisters.
Funding for YBBW activities comes from YBBW fund-raisers and the Student Activity Funds Allocation Committee.
Photo by James Bednarick, Assistant Photo Editor
Michelle Dion walks down the runway with her kids during the summer family scene.
C ourtesy Photo
Aaron Charles, rapper in “F.I.V.E./M/.I.C.s,” poses for a CD cover in the Rankin Center. F.I.V.E./M.I.C.s performed at the recent YBBW fashion show.
Rap with a purpose
By Heather Johnson
Ferris State Torch
The 12th Annual YBBW Fashion Show started off with a bang this weekend, thanks to the high-energy styling of F.I.V.E/M.I.C’s.
F.I.V.E/M.I.C’s took the stage after the singing of the Star Spangled Banner to perform their original song, “Global Praise.”
The song began with a slow a cappella introduction by vocalist Kesha Sykes, then burst into high-energy gospel rap that induced the crowd to stand up and dance.
F.I.V.E/M.I.C’s, or Five Inspirational Visions Evolved Miraculously In Christ, is a Hip-Hop Gospel group whose members consist of Aaron Charles, rapper and senior at Ferris State; Qiana McPeak, rapper; Gquari Jamison, rapper and student at Michigan State University; Kesha Sykes, vocalist; and Michael Sears, manager and rapper. Both Sykes and Sears are alumni from Ferris.
F.I.V.E/M.I.Cs two remaining original members, Aaron Charles and Qiana McPeak, have been sharing their love of music and visions for a Christ-oriented rap group since their middle school days. “Our visions complement each other,” McPeak said, “We just continued to add and replace members until we developed this group.”
“Building relationships is what it is all about,” Sykes added.
The group says that their biggest influence is their relationship with God. “Our goal is to win souls for Christ through witnessing.” Charles said.
“Music is a language. Through this language we want to communicate to the youth for Christ,” Jamison added.
And they do what they say. F.I.V.E/M.I.C’s have been playing schools and churches, and recently got an opportunity to perform for Baldwin County Juvenile Correctional Facility.
“We have gotten really warm receptions to our music,” Charles said. “The kids like our music, and they are listening to our message.”
As such, the group is working on some new singles, and plan to have their first album, “Outlast,” available by February 2003.
P hoto by Mike Termini, Photo Editor
Bill Colleran (left) and Elizabeth Lenard (right) discuss old relics in the Antique Mall located on Michigan Avenue in downtown Big Rapids
Shopping for relics in the right part of town
By Karen Langolf
Ferris State Torch
With the first steps into the store it already feels like home. There is the faint scent of incense and the lights are dimmed just a little for that cozy, relaxed feeling.
This is the feeling customers get when they’ve first walked into the Big Rapids Antique Mall downtown. Once they have stepped inside, they know it is going to be a fun and interesting shopping experience.
Owned and run by Charles Briggs, the Antique Mall is located at 107 South Michigan Avenue. The store has been in business for six years now.
Briggs has always been a collector of various antiques. From lamps to silverware, the Antique Mall is covered with the items Briggs has collected over the last couple of years.
Generally, an object is an antique when it has special value because of its age, artistry, beauty or origin, especially common household items like pieces of furniture or handicrafts.
What makes this antique store unique is that it also allows collectors to rent booths in the store to sell their merchandise. Tim Terry runs one such booth, selling jewelry in the store.
R. J. Seeds, a coin dealer, rents one of the more popular booths. Seeds buys and sells silver and gold as well as paper currency.
When asked what sort of antiques the store has to sell Mary Gulick, a store clerk, said, “That’s it, everything.” And everything is what the store offers: from books to furniture to clothes, this store carries quite a lot. “We try to retain a very high quality,” said Gulick.
Some of the main items that circulate through the store are guns, jewelry and stamps. War memorabilia is also very popular in the store.
A few years ago they had old German uniforms for sale. Most people interested in the Antique Mall are those people who are collectors of various items, although some people will stop in to see what items they offer and find something they had as a kid or their grandparents had.
“People come in and look for their Christmas gifts: Christmas is our busiest time,” Gulick said.
The Antique Mall is open on Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and sometimes on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. They are closed on Mondays.
When it comes to buying items, the Antique Mall is not a consignment store. Generally, they will purchase items from various estates or they will find items on the Internet at eBay. They also put their items on eBay.
Big Rapids Antique Mall is a good way to find items for the general collection or to shop for a knick-knack gift during the wintery months.
Rice novel recently hit movie theaters
By Karen Langolf
Ferris State Torch
With the opening, fans could tell that this latest installment of the Anne Rice classics was going to be nothing like the first movie, which became a Blockbuster hit.
“Queen of the Damned” opened Friday, Feb. 22 in theaters across the country. Since very little advertising was done on television, it is amazing that the film actually sold out.
Starring Stuart Townsend playing Lestat, Vincent Perez playing Marius and the late R&B star Aaliyah as Akasha, Queen of the Damned, this is an odd crew of actors: not as well known as Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt.
The film starts with what would seem like the beginning of the book The Vampire Lestat. Awakened from a century long sleep, Lestat finds himself lost in the world of rock music. Finding a small-time band, he joins them to form the group called “The Vampire Lestat.”
This movie takes the audience back through Lestat’s creation and introduces, briefly, the life of a vampire and the rule of solitude. It is here that we find out about Lestat’s thrill for music and his ability to play.
In his attempts to reduce his loneliness, he begins telling the secrets of vampires through his music. This angers all other vampires and they try to kill Lestat to keep their secrets safe.
Also because of this ability, he awakens Akasha, who had been sleeping as a statue for hundreds of years along with her former king. Lestat’s music inspires Akasha to make Lestat her king and begin her bloodlust.
Since Akasha is the queen of all vampires, she is very powerful and all the other vampires join together in an attempt to kill her before she destroys the whole world.
There is one woman in London, a librarian with great knowledge of Lestat from reading his journal, who becomes fascinated with him. Jessi, played by Marguerite Moreau, follows him everywhere to try to learn what it is like to be a vampire.
Unfortunately for the fans of Anne Rice’s books, the movie does not focus on Akasha but on Lestat and so Akasha is hardly seen in this movie. She does not truly appear until it is halfway through, and then doesn’t have many interesting aspects. It doesn’t create any suspense. All she creates is the death of many vampires and mortals.
“Queen of the Damned” does not follow the book’s ending, either. The movie suggests that whoever kills Akasha shall also die, whereas the book involves an entirely different story line.
In the book, there are twin witches created during Akasha’s reign while she was still human, who are punished for their rituals. These twins are Mekare and Maharet. Maharet has a part in this movie, but it is insignificant from the book.
An angry spirit enters Akasha’s body to make her a vampire and she feeds her blood to her king Enkil. Basically, she is the first vampire, and therefore the mother/queen of all vampires.
In order to survive all the centuries the twins become vampires. Mekare wanted to kill Akasha for punishing them.
Akasha’s goal in the book is to destroy nearly all of the male population so that women will rule peacefully, yet in the movie Akasha just wants vampires to be dominant and live out in the open. To do this, she pretty much wants to destroy everyone.
The ending in the book is a pleasant one but in the movie is rather sad. There are also characters in the book who are not mentioned in the movie, such as the infamous Armand introduced during Interview with a Vampire.
Comparing this movie to the 1994 classic is almost outrageous. “Queen of the Damned” and “Interview with a Vampire” are two entirely different approaches to the feelings of various vampires.
Louis, in “Interview with a Vampire,” created the sad and horrible side of the vampire life, whereas “Queen of the Damned” is more of a continued tale on the lives of Lestat, Marius and Akasha.
Overall, the movie has a good plot without much suspense and some awesome pieces produced and performed by Korn front man Jonathan Davis. It is Davis’s voice heard during the movie that creates an amazingly dark effect.
The five songs created by Davis are re-recorded by various artists on the soundtrack including guys from Linkin Park, Disturbed, Marilyn Manson, Static-X and Orgy. Also featured are Earshot, Tricky, Dry Cell, Papa Roach, the Deftones, Godhead and Kidney Thieves.
Star Wars assault
By Matt Cherry
Assistant A&E Editor
With one look at Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron II, it’s easy to believe in digital love at first sight.
Rogue Leader for Gamecube uses stunning graphics, a great musical score and some favorite scenes from the Star Wars universe to bring together a nice package.
The visual effects are simply extraordinary. Every detail is visible, from the gyros of the B-Wing to Darth Vader’s TIE Interceptor prototype.
With the flash of laser blasts coming at you from every direction, there’s little time to enjoy the beauty of the backgrounds, but they are simply gorgeous. From the ice plains of Hoth to the forests of Endor, every aspect of the visuals are spectacular.
Enhancing the effect of the graphics are the sounds. With musical tracks taken right from the movies, John Williams’ score really sets the tone, much as he did for the movies.
The sound effects are also great. Denis Lawson, who played Wedge Antilles in the original Star Wars trilogy, adds his voice for all-new lines in the game.
Factor 5, who developed the game, were also able to find a very good Mark Hamill impersonator, so there’s new lines for Luke as well.
The in-game control is also terrific. It’s easy to lose track of where all your enemies are, and that’s part of what makes this game so good. It really helps to immerse you in the mission, and it almost feels like you really were a part of Rogue Squadron.
The storyline is, simply put, awesome. Each mission is individual and unique; however, they all mesh together to show the Rebellion’s fight against the tyranny of the Empire.
However, the game’s creators went a little overboard with the plot. While I love a game with a good plot, I don’t like a game that interrupts gameplay for a couple of minutes in the middle of an action scene.
Unfortunately, Rogue Leader does that. And, alas, it does that quite frequently. Of course, this is really the game’s only major flaw, and it can easily be forgiven when one looks at the plethora of good parts to the game.
This game can make the player keep coming back for more. With the medal system, you can acquire a medal for each mission, depending on how well you do. There are bronze, silver and gold medals, with which you unlock secrets to the game.
Rogue Leader: Rogue Squadron II is just an awesome game, and it is one of the few redeeming factors for Nintendo’s Gamecube. With its awesome graphics, killer soundtrack and incredible gameplay, I gladly give this game a 9.8 on a ten-point scale.
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 Photo by Mike Termini, Photo Editor
Senior Co-Captain Debbie Killips (#4) attempts a layup against Northern Michigan. Killips has scored 1,025 career points while at FSU.
Women’s basketball moves on to GLIAC tourney
By Jason Nelson
Assistant Sports Editor
In a week the Ferris State women’s basketball team would like to forget, a light at the end of the tunnel appeared. The Bulldogs will head for the light in the tunnel this Thursday.
The lady Bulldogs have qualified for the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament despite having some hard-luck losses dropped on them this past week by teams from up North.
The Bulldogs will face Hillsdale on Thursday in the opening round of the GLIAC tournament. Ferris has already defeated Hillsdale once this year on Hillsdale’s home court.
Last Thursday against Northern Michigan the Bulldogs fell behind early, and they could not recover. A poor first half, enabled NMU to jump out to a 38-27 halftime lead.
Ferris battled back in the second half outscoring Northern 42-34. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the math did not add up to a Ferris State win.
The leading scorer for the game, sophomore Bridget Horwitz, says the Bulldogs have to play a full game if they are going to make any noise in the conference tournament.
“We have to play hard for 40 minutes. If we have any lapses where we drop our intensity in a game, we won’t make it very far,” Horwitz said.
Horwitz scored 19 points for the Bulldogs that day, while senior Debbie Killips added 17 and sophomore Lucy DeMartin scored 16.
Killips and DeMartin were each selected to the Verizon Academic All-America Team, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) announced on Feb. 21. Killips made it to the first team, which consisted entirely of guards, while DeMartin reached the second team.
Killips also reached the 1,000-point mark for her career during the Feb. 16 match-up with Saginaw Valley State University. She now has 1,025 total points and has averaged 9.4 ppg during her four-year career at FSU.
Last Saturday against Michigan Tech, the Bulldogs started fast as they trailed the Huskies by only two at the half, 34-32. Again the Bulldogs could not complete the comeback as the Huskies were able to hold off FSU and post a 70-65 victory.
Luckily for the Bulldogs they had already assured a wild card birth in the tournament with their 10-8 conference mark. The winner of the tournament gets an automatic NCAA bid, something the Bulldogs could achieve.
“Right now we are taking it one game at a time. Hillsdale knocked us out last year in double overtime. We have a little payback on our mind,” Horwitz said.
So late in the year improvement is a moot point. However, according to Horwitz, the Bulldogs have recovered well from the travails that plagued them earlier last month.
“I feel that we have come back a lot from our four-game losing streak. It changed when we beat Saginaw Valley State a few weeks ago. We played as a team and won as a team,” she said.
“The thing about the GLIAC is anyone can beat anybody on any given night. If we play 40 minutes every game we play, I think that we will do well,” Horwitz added.
Horwitz, who gives the Bulldogs a great inside presence for rebounding and scoring, plans on attending some Big 10 camps this summer to improve her game.
“Within the next two years, we should be near or at the top of the league. We are starting to peak,” Horwitz said
Let’s hope the Bulldogs peak this Thursday and ride it all the way to a GLIAC tournament victory.
P hoto by Mike Termini, Photo Editor
Jason Basile (#10) chases the puck into the corner while being chased by a Bronco defender. FSU lost both games by the score of 5-3.
On a downward spiral into ninth place
By Chris Miller
Editor in Chief
Losing four straight games against conference foes Ohio State University and Western Michigan University was not what the FSU Bulldog hockey team wanted going into its last weekend of play against Michigan State, who is tied for first in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA).
This past weekend, Western Michigan (19-11-4 overall, 13-10-3 CCHA) defeated Ferris (14-17-1, 11-14-1 CCHA) in Kalamazoo 5-3 on Friday and again 5-3 the next day in Big Rapids.
“It has been pretty rough for our guys,” senior Chris Kunitz said. “Losing the two games against Ohio State and again against Western didn’t help us confidence-wise.”
The Bulldogs, now ranked ninth in the CCHA, started freshman goalie John DeCaro on Friday.
Head coach Bob Daniels feels the team needs to get consistent goaltending before the start of the CCHA playoffs on March 8.
“We need to get that feeling in goal that we had earlier in the season. Both freshman goaltenders were playing like seasoned veterans. Our goaltending needs to improve,” Daniels said.
DeCaro got the start again on Saturday because the official starting freshman goalie, Mike Brown, has been injured with a bruised knee.
“Brown got hurt in the Friday game against Ohio State. We are hoping that he will be ready for the final weekend against Michigan State,” Daniels said.
Going into Friday’s game, Western was ranked 15th nationally by U.S. College Hockey Online’s poll. WMU also dominates in the all-time series with FSU with a record of 55-28-6.
“We knew going in that these games were important to us,” Kunitz said. “We just didn’t pull through.”
Freshman Jeff Legue scored just 32 seconds into the game Friday, sending his sixth goal of the season past WMU senior Jeff Reynaert, who saved 15 shots during the game. Legue’s goal was assisted by sophomore Derrick McIver and freshman Derek Nesbitt.
After Legue’s goal, Western stuck three straight goals past DeCaro, who stopped 21 shots on the night.
“DeCaro was put into a tough position. He played well for the most part, but we didn’t give him the right situations to walk away with wins,” Kunitz said. “Our defense wasn’t strong enough, and we left him one-on-one with guys.”
The Bulldogs scored their other two goals during the second period, tying the game at three. Scoring for Ferris was junior Phil Meyer and senior, CCHA overall scoring leader, Rob Collins.
Collins has a total of 40 points on the season. Kunitz, who is not far behind with 33 points, is tied for second in the CCHA.
“Scoring more this year, I have felt responsible as a team leader to put points on the board. I feel like a go-to guy,” Kunitz said. “The points are grateful if we win, but when we don’t, points don’t really matter to me.”
DeCaro gave up the winning goal late in the second period to WMU sophomore Dana Lattery. The final goal was an empty-netter in the third period.
“Both teams played an even game,” Daniels said. “The puck just didn’t go our way. Saturday’s game was different. We felt like we deserved to win the game or at least a better fate than not winning.”
Western jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Ferris climbed back into the game, scoring three straight goals in the second period. Kunitz dropped his 27th of the season on a power-play past Reynaert. Sophomore Trevor Large and Collins assisted Kunitz’s goal.
Freshman Matt York added his fourth goal of the season with assists from senior Kristian Schroder and junior Phil Lewandowski.
“This coming game against Michigan State will be the last for our seniors. Collins, Schroder, (Chad) McIver and Jason Basile will all be emotionally ready for MSU,” Kunitz said.
Kunitz scored his second goal of the game on another FSU power-play opportunity with another assist from Collins and junior Troy Milam.
The three second period goals were all that FSU could manage. Western won the game after junior defenseman Dave Cousineau dropped his goal past DeCaro early in the third period, pulling the Broncos ahead 4-3.
“Overall, we have to start working on our defense. It would help if we were not giving up as many shots on goal and start breaking the puck out together,” Kunitz said. “We need to give our goalies the confidence to make their jobs easier.”
The Bulldogs have moved out of home-ice contention. According to Kunitz, two possibilities for the first round of the CCHA playoffs is a match-up against either the University of Alaska Fairbanks or Northern Michigan University.
The last home game against MSU takes place this Friday. Gametime at Ewigleben Ice Arena is at 7:35 p.m. FSU travels to East Lansing the next day to take on the Spartans in the last game of the regular season.
P hoto by Mike Termini, Photo Editor
Senior Matt Miller (#54) slams the ball home against Northern Michigan on Feb. 21 in the Wink Arena.
GLIAC powerhouse too much for Bulldogs
By Adam Gasper
Ferris State Torch
GLIAC powerhouse too Head coach Edgar Wilson can finally look forward to next year and put a dismal 4-22 season behind him after a pair of games this week that failed to yield a single victory.
Matt Miller, the only senior dressed for all the games, picked up 22 points and 11 rebounds in his final two games. Senior Adam Anderson, who has scored over 1,000 career points, did not play in either contest, but will be back next season.
With four starters returning, including Marcus Wallace, the team’s leading scorer, and freshmen Corey and Carlton Epps, who have been consistent contributors all season long, coach Wilson can look forward to a bright future with the Bulldogs.
FSU hasn’t had a winning record since the 1997-98 season when coach Wilson led them to a Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) Tournament Championship and a birth in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Northern Michigan University traveled to Big Rapids on Thursday and pulled off a 72-65 victory after a 24-24 halftime tie. Matt LePage came off the bench to lead the Wildcats in scoring with 21 points.
Wallace led the Bulldogs with 21 points. He averaged just over 20 points on the season. Miller and Carlton Epps each pulled down seven rebounds.
Saturday’s season finale basically summed up the season for the Bulldogs. Michigan Tech shot 50 percent from the field en route to a 91-61 blowout in Miller’s final home game.
Matt Cameron, J.T. Luginski, Jeremy Resmer and Josh Buettner all scored double-digits for the 24-2 Huskies. MTU dominated the GLIAC North Division and will play for the GLIAC Championship next weekend in Grand Rapids.
They are currently ranked 10th in the nation.
Wallace once again led the team with 28 points on 9-21 from the field. Miller played his final game as a Bulldog in front of 662 people and scored nine points. The team’s shooting woes continued as they made only 36 percent of their shots.
Wallace hit 66 three-pointers this season, falling just six short of the school record. Wallace led the team in many other statistical categories this season, including points, points per game average, field goals, field goal attempts, free throws attempted, free throws made, rebounds and minutes played. He is well on pace to break the school record of 166 career three-pointers.
Brian Monahan, the team’s biggest contributor off the bench, led the team in assists while the Epps brothers were credited with creating the most turnovers. Carlton’s 58 steals were the most by a Bulldog since 1997.
Miller blocked a team high 11 shots. His next challenge will be earning a degree in business education. Anderson is pursuing a degree in heavy equipment technology.
Gold Diggin’
By Mike Potter
Sports Editor
Controversy and upsets have made this year’s Olympics exciting, yet at the same time have blown them a little out of proportion.
The idea that two figure skaters, neither named Nancy or Tonya, could make the covers of both Time and Newsweek magazines in the same week is a little scary when it comes time to remember what happened just a little under six months ago.
Pairs skaters Jamie Sale and David Pelletier of Canada were the hot topic for most of these games because they didn’t win the gold medal when everyone else thought they should have. So what? There are worse things in the world.
Many times, people don’t win when they are favored. Take the 1980 Russian hockey team for example. They were professionals playing against college kids, but they ended up losing. I don’t think there was a big uproar from their fans as to a recount, but then again, I wasn’t alive yet so I could be wrong.
It appears to be just another ploy to get more viewers, kind of like what the sport of boxing is doing, having fights break out during press conferences and junctions.
Olympics are important for national pride, and those Canadian skaters skated to the best of their abilities, so they should be proud of what they did along with their nation. There wasn’t that much of a difference between the Canadian pair and the Russian pair to cause that much of an uproar.
The results were made by the judges, and judges have been deciding winners for a long time in that sport, so the results should have stuck.
The media put both pairs of skaters into some awkward situations by asking how they felt, either way, on what happened.
International Olympic Committee chairman Jacques Rogge felt the need to change the verdict immediately, so the Canadian pair was granted a co-gold with the Russians.
In other controversial news, short-track speedskater Apolo Anton Ohno was on his way to winning his first of a possible four gold medals on Saturday in the 1,000-meter race when he was knocked down by another skater, which led to a chain-reaction of everyone falling, except for the Australian skater, Steven Bradbury, who was so far back that he was spared and ended up with the gold medal.
That’s when you know it is a quality sport ... when the slowest guy wins.
Ohno ended up getting the silver in the 1,000-meter by crawling across the finish-line before the other skaters who fell could do the same.
He ended up getting his first gold in another controversial race, the 1,500-meter, this time involving a South Korean skater blocking Ohno’s path on the final lap. The officials disqualified Kim Dong-Sung to his disappointment and his coach’s, as both believed that Kim had won.
Ohno himself got disqualified from the 500-meter race while the 5,000-meter relay team, of which he was the anchor, placed in fourth.
Singles figure skating caused even more scandalous news as American Sarah Hughes jumped all the way from fourth place after the short program to the top platform of the medal stand to ‘steal’ the gold.
The favorite going into the Olympics and into the long program was another American, Michelle Kwan, who won silver in the 1998 Games in Nagano, Japan. She had been waiting four years to redeem herself after losing to Tara Lipinski, but it was a waste of those four years.
Kwan got the bronze medal after falling to the ice on one jump in the long program, but not much attention was paid to her. Russian Irina Slutskaya made one small mistake that cost her the gold, even as she had been in the second position following the first night of competition.
I even watched the final round of skating to see if Kwan could actually get her gold, or if she would screw it up again; she did. I kind of wanted her to mess up because the media had been hyping her up as a lock for the gold for the past four years, and it started to annoy me.
The entire Russian federation, following the results of the judging for that event, the pairs skating, and a few other events which put them in some bad positions, threatened to pull their entire team out of the Olympics in protest to the judging.
I don’t think they were getting screwed, just that they were getting really unlucky in the events that happened to be close.
One event that wasn’t argued over was the clean U.S. sweep of the men’s snowboarding halfpipe. The recently established event was won by Ross Powers. Danny Kass got the silver medal and J.J. Thomas got the bronze.
It must have been weird during the flag raising ceremony, having to decide which of three U.S. flags to look at while listening to the national anthem.
Men’s and women’s hockey were my favorites to watch and of course they were on NBC the least amount, or so it seemed.
With the international rules applying to these games, the scores were up and the pace was much faster, making the games so much more fun to watch. Gary Bettman and the NHL should adapt to these rules as soon as possible to gain more fans for the entire league, instead of just for the Red Wings and Avalanche.
I found it funny how the Canadians and Americans are used to playing a certain way, with a red line, a smaller rink and touching-up on icing, and they had to change their traditional strategies while the Europeans and the rest of the world play with similar rules to what the Olympics use so they are always pretty much set on how to play.
Both the U.S. and Canada made it into the finals of the men’s and women’s events. The U.S. women lost for the first time in nearly 40 games, while the men lost for the first time in 70 years on American ice.
There were a lot of other cool events too. Third-generation olympian Jim Shea won the skeleton gold medal while the women’s bobsled was won by the unexpected second-string American pair of Jill Bakken and Vonetta Flowers.
Overall, these Olympics were really an enjoyment to watch, especially since the U.S. more than doubled its previous highest medal total of 13 and ended up placing second in the overall country standings. Germany totalled 35 medals followed by the U.S. with 34.
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Coming to your aid
Mike Domerese
Ferris State Torch
Ah yes, it’s that time of year. The cute little tweety birds are starting to sing and the days are slowly getting longer. The sun is starting to make its presence felt once again after being bullied by old man winter. That’s right boys and girls, spring time is on the way.
Spring holds many great traditions, but most importantly SPRING BREAK!!! With ideas of frolicking in the sun and sand and finding that all-important bathing suit in student’s minds, attentions begin to wander. How much longer is this class going to be, what about midterms and when can I get to the tanner? These are all important questions on the minds of college students in the north and Midwest. However, they are forgetting two major things.
First of all, you can’t forget that all important little form one must fill out to be sent off to dear old Uncle Sam, the tax return. Second, and most important of all, a vast number of college students are getting their financial aid forms filled out.
Now I know many students have mommy and daddy funding their way and don’t have to worry about where their college money comes from, but for those of us who don’t fall under that category, it’s time to get started.
Far too often I hear moans and groans about college tuition. What students don’t realize is that this is not the end of the world. Granted the cost of college today may be expensive, but you can get most, if not all of it, paid for.
The fact is, there are more monies in loans, scholarships and grants available than ever! If you don’t believe me, just ask one of your professors how easy it was to get money for college even as little as 10 years ago.
The fact that students drop out of college or simply just don’t go because they can’t afford it is ridiculous. Students being unfamiliar with aid programs, not caring about them or just plain laziness are a few reasons why this is true.
How many of you reading this right now know where the financial aid office is located here on campus? I would guess probably somewhere between 70-80 percent answered, “I don’t know.”
Another 25 percent probably said, “In the business office somewhere.” I’m not shocked if you don’t know where it is, and if you said “in the business office somewhere” you were close, but no cigar. The financial aid office is located in room 102 in the Prakken Building.
The Business Office is just down the hall. I know where it is because I’ve been there and will go back. That’s right, I’m filing for financial aid once again.
Financial aid is nothing to be afraid or ashamed of. If anything, you should be happy that it’s there for you to get and/or apply for.
As I stated earlier, there are all types of financial aid available under all different types of qualifications and criteria. Best of all, there are grants, which don’t have to be repaid.
There are also a couple of different types of loans you can get, subsidized and unsubsidized. There is one distinguishing factor between the two; the government pays the interest on the subsidized loans.
I could spend all day writing and talking about financial aid, the only problem is some of you will not have listened anyway when fall semester comes.
The cry will go out about not having the money and they will simply be lost souls. It’s only a little paperwork to do, or you can do it online.
The time is now, don’t let it get away!
For more information on financial aid stop by Prakken 102 or check out some of these sites on the web:
www.fafsa.ed.gov
www.finaid.org
www.ed.gov/studentaid
There are tons and tons of financial aid options out there, you just may need a little help finding it. Good luck, and don’t worry about paying for college, it’s easy!
Exposing the international weakest link
Mircea-Ion Cotosman
Ferris State Torch
Since I have arrived in the United States I have come to understand the meaning of the words partnership and teamwork. Everything in the United States seems to be successful if it involves teamwork.
Companies in “the real world” look hard for those prospective employees who show that they will be able to work well in teams.
Employers value those who have the ability to get along with their colleagues as well as those who will make working relationships strong and successful partnerships.
Now, let us use this “culture” of partnership and teamwork as a background for current world events. For almost a century, the United States has gone out of its way to defend and help its allies in their times of need.
Whether it was either World War, the Cold War or many others, the United States didn’t choose to watch from a safe distance when evil took over Europe, or anywhere else.
The United States did not have to get involved as the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans provide safe borders to the States.
Moreover, after WWII, the Marshall Plan rebuilt western Europe from ruins. American dollars rebuilt France, Germany, Spain, Italy, etc.
The help was extended to the U.S.S.R and countries in central and eastern Europe, but Stalin did not want any American dollars floating around in his backyard. Consequently, the satellite countries refused Senator Marshall’s help just to please their “great father” in the U.S.S.R.
One would think these countries would be, if not eternally grateful, at least willing to jump when something happens to their friend the U.S. Well, not quite so.
More and more, one government after another steps back from their promises made to support the United States in their hot pursuit of terrorists across the planet.
These attitudes not only lack diplomacy, but are truly rude. Capitals including London, Paris, Rome and Berlin keep going back on their word and are not strong in supporting President Bush.
Let us think for one moment what could have happened if the U.S. had not offered crucial information and logistics to help dismantle terrorist cells already operating in France and Germany in the months following Sept. 11.
During the first week of February, the only military police presence in Kabul, Afghanistan was a group of Romanian police officers.
That was most unusual: where were all the rich countries that could afford to send people?
Where were all of America’s allies?
Why is it that it’s the small countries that stick with America all the way?
A logical question arises from this situation: should America close an eye when something goes wrong anywhere across the world? I think not! But the foreign governments must make sure they follow up their talk with actions!! They should give 100 percent backup to the United States.
If they have any doubts about the level of support they should offer, maybe those governments can have a look in their own garden and remember the citizens of their countries in September 2001: they went out on the streets in tens of millions all over Europe and Asia.
The citizens of the world did not offer 10 percent support, they committed to full partnership with the U.S., all the way!
As a Romanian, I am very proud that my country, while not as financially resourceful as other allies, stuck to their original deal.
Sometimes the “little guys” have more commons sense the “big fellows.” It’s just too bad those “fellows” are now the weakest link!
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