College

could have
off Martin
Luther King,
Jr. Day in
2008-09
NEWS 7 Dr. Seuss-based show opens Jan. 25
and runs until Jan. 27 in the PAC A&E 16
One sheep,
two sheep,
three sheep,
four...Tips on
how to catch
up on sleep
FEATURES 15

Hepfinger is
certainly not
an ‘Average
Joe.’ Read
all about the
’Hurst icon
SPORTS 26

Also inside
OPINION 19
COMIC 20
‘They don’t care...’
Philanthropy vote fails again with MSG NEWS 4
SPORTS 23
Available online:
merciad.mercyhurst.edu Plumbing issues force change in senior gift 2
PAGE 2 NEWS Jan. 23, 2008

Change of plans for senior gift

By Casey Greene
Managing editor

The Mercyhurst College Senior

Gift Steering Committee has had
to decide on a new location for
the senior class gift.
The original idea for the gift
has remained, but the location
has been changed.
“The concept of a 24-hour
lounge has not changed,” said
Director of the Senior Gift,
Cathy Anderson. “Instead of
being on the main floor of the
library, the lounge will now be
located on the lower level.”
Steering Committee member
senior Jeff Allen said the new
location will face the north
lawn, which overlooks East 38th
Street.
The location change was nec-
essary due to issues with the
location of sanitary pipes, said
Anderson.
Shortly after deciding upon the
original location of the lounge,
Mercyhurst College administra-
tors found that the sanitary pipes
needed to create a restroom were
located on the east side of the
building, not the west side, as
proposed in the original plan.
“It’s all about plumbing,” said
Chairman of the Senior Gift
Steering Committee senior Marty
Wallenhorst.
Mercyhurst College Director Contributed photo

of Administration Tom Billing-
sley said when the administration
discussed the original location
on the west side of the building
to include Café Diem, it was
assumed that plumbing lines
were available.
“Together we identified some-
thing we had not contemplated
before,” said Billingsley. “That
was how we were going to get a
bathroom to that section of the
building.”
Mercyhurst College Vice Pres-
ident for Administration Tyrone
Moore said the Steering Com-
Changes were made to the senior gift to accomodtae plumbing and location concerns. The idea and purpose of the gift
remain the same, according to the committee.
mittee “…felt it’d be necessary to Moore said that without major ing, said Billingsley. move the location of the lounge,
have a restroom if the room was construction, it would have been “It would have been very the administration proposed
going to be utilized 24/7.” impossible to create a bathroom expensive,” he said. “Maybe as three new layout options on the
Stuart Henderson, a faculty in the initial location. much as six figures, and it would lower level of the library.
member in the interior design “The sanitary pipes are on the have put a halt to the project.” “When we were deciding
department and head architect east side of the building and the The location change of the between the three options, every-
and designer for the new lounge, original lounge was on the west,” lounge has eliminated this issue, thing revolved around using the
agreed with Moore. said Moore. said the committee. emergency exit (on the lower
“A restroom will be needed in If the administration had “The new site has closer access level of the library),” said Wallen-
a 24-hour lounge,” he said. “The chosen to follow through on to plumbing lines,” said Billing- horst. “The final design chosen
plumbing is located on the wrong the original project, installing a sley. “There are already sanitary utilized the exit best.”
side of the building to create one bathroom would have required lines there that we can access.”
in the original location.” running pipes through the ceil- When the decision was made to Please see Plumbing on Page 3
Jan. 23, 2008
Plumbing issues result in relocation
Plans for the 24-hour lounge changed over the past week due to plumbing issues. The new
lounge is located on the lower level of Hammermill Library.
Continued from Page 2
Although the move was unex-
pected, Billingsley said he thinks
it is for the best.
“This has morphed into a bet-
ter choice,” he said. “From a cost
and construction point of view,
this is the better choice.”
The location change has al-
lowed Henderson to increase the
size of the lounge.
“The new location is actually
larger,” he said. “We have added
around 200 square feet to the
design.”
With the location change,
other modifications will also be
made.
A café will no longer be a part
of the lounge, but the Steering
Committee plans to include
vending machines at its new
location.
The new lounge will line the
wall of windows on the lower
north wall of library, said the
committee.
“The new location is much
better,” said Ashley Gabriel, a
member of the Steering Com-
mittee. “The wall of windows
provides natural light.”
Wallenhorst said Seasonal
Affective Disorder, or SAD, a
winter depression caused by lack
of natural light.
The all-glass wall in the new
NEWS
Contributed photo
lounge could help relieve some
of this depression.
“One of the main arguments
for having a lounge with a wall
of glass is to utilize natural
sunlight due to SAD,” said Wal-
lenhorst. “Having an entire wall
of windows will help with this
problem.”
Anderson said she believes
utilizing the glass wall makes the
lounge in line with the admin-
istration’s vision of a “green”
Mercyhurst.
“Utilizing the wall of windows
and natural light makes the
lounge more energy-efficient,”
said Anderson. “It aligns with the
college’s goals for sustainability
as well as the strategic plan.”
The steering committee said
another benefit of the windows
is security.
“Now, Police and Safety can
drive by and just look in through
the windows to make sure
everything is okay,” said Wal-
lenhorst.
The committee said the only
major change to the project
is the move, and the lounge’s
features will not change.
A fireplace, lounge area and
restroom are still part of the
design, and wireless Internet
access will still be available,
they said.
The benchmarks for dona-
tions will also remain the same:
A $100 donation will receive a
“High Rollers” T-Shirt, a $200
donation will receive a brick en-
graved with the donator’s name,
and a $300 donation or larger
will receive an acid-etched name
engraving on a glass block.
“The etched glass blocks will
still be included in the design,”
said Anderson. “They will be
displayed above the fireplace,
just as in the original plans.”
Currently, the senior class has
donated just over $5,000.
“We are very thankful for
those who have donated,” said
Wallenhorst. “We are a quarter
of the way towards our goal of
$20,000.”
The college will also pitch in
to help with additional costs.
“We are fortunate to have
the college get on board,” said
Wallenhorst. “We want to be
sure the lounge is in line with
their vision for the future of
Mercyhurst.”
The Steering Committee in-
cludes Wallenhorst, Gabriel,
Allen, seniors Deanna Fletcher,
Joshua Wilwohl, Kelly Cofran-
cisco and Katie Zinn.
“We are all excited,” said Al-
len. “Some of us are working
very hard.”
Wallenhorst said the changes
PAGE 3
have not taken away from the
size of the project.
“This is still the most ambi-
tious senior project,” he said.
“With the new move, there will
be less construction but it is
more complex.”
Henderson agrees.
“It is still a complex project,”
said Henderson. “The new loca-
tion is just more logical.”
Moore said the location
change does not mean all hur-
dles have been cleared.
“There are still going to be
challenges,” said Moore. “But
none that are insurmountable.”
Mercyhurst College Vice
President of Academic Affairs
Dr. Barbara Behan said that
members of the administration
will meet Monday afternoon to
discuss the new details of the
project.
Behan said that Ken Stef-
ferson, Mercyhurst College’s
director of the physical plant,
Darci Jones, the college’s interim
library director, Pat Benekos,
head of information technol-
ogy at the college, along with
Henderson, Anderson, Billing-
sley and Moore will attend the
meeting to review Henderson’s
new design for the lounge.
“The location had to be
changed,” said Behan. “But
that new room is going to be
just beautiful.”
Behan said Billingsley has ex-
pressed interest in beginning the
project as soon as possible.
“We will know more after
the meeting on Monday, but
construction may begin during
spring break or even before,”
she said.
Many pre-construction issues
would need to be addressed be-
fore the project officially begins,
said Behan.
“The first thing that will have
to be done is moving the stacks,”
she said. “Then other things can
be worked on until construction
is able to start.”
PAGE 4 CAMPUS/NATIONAL NEWS Jan. 23 2008

Philanthropy vote Florida loses

fails for second time its popularity
By Ashley Pastor
Staff writer
Mercyhurst Student Govern-
ment (MSG) voted Jan. 21 for
the second time this year on
their philanthropy matching
opportunity.
The philanthropy matching
opportunity is a way in which
Recognized Student Clubs and
Organizations (RSCOs) can
raise money for non-profit orga-
nizations and MSG will match
the amount raised and being
donated.
On Jan. 15, the MSG Budget
and Finance Committee heard
two requests from Amnesty
International: Increase the
amount of money available in
the philanthropy line item and
increase the amount of money
individual RSCOs could apply
for during the course of one
academic year.
As it stands, the philanthropy
matching amount is $350 per aca-
demic year per club, an amount
which is already figured into the
MSG budget. This means that
a club can raise up to $115 per
term in which MSG will match.
Prior to this year, however,
only a few specific RSCOs were
able to take advantage of this
opportunity.
By rationing the philanthropy
matching opportunity, an equal
opportunity is now given to clubs
who request matching funds.
Though, to some, more spe-
cifically those in Amnesty Inter-
national, said they feel that this
figure is too low.
Amnesty International wanted
each club to have $160 per term
to match, a figure which would
roll-over if not used from term
to term, giving clubs an oppor-
tunity to raise up to $480 by the
end of an academic year in which
MSG would match.
Senior MSG representative
and member of Amnesty Inter-
national Lauren McDermott
feels that the current figures
for the philanthropy line items
pose severe limitations on the
amounts that RSCOs are able
to raise.
“With these restrictions, MSG
is laying the smack-down on stu-
dents’ abilities to raise and give
money,” said McDermott.
Student Government Presi-
dent senior Marissa Starin said
that the philanthropy line item
was discussed in depth and voted
on in October 2007, using data
and numbers from previous
years.
“Looking at the lack of RSCO
participation we analyzed the
process,” said Starin. “At that
time, we reached the decision
that RSCOs may request up to
$350 to be matched through the
course of one academic year.”
As of Jan. 21, MSG has only
received one request for the phi-
lanthropy from the Fashion Mer-
chandising Club for the amount
of $108.
McDermott, however, says that
in the three years past, the philan-
thropy amounts have exceeded
the yearly budget allowances of
$4,500, reaching $6,000.
McDermott said that these
figures were not mentioned to
the voting body at the hearing on
Monday night.
“The Budget and Finance com-
mittee has three executive board
members on it. That is extremely
unfair. Students voting weren’t
given all of the facts needed, and
simply voted to vote. They voted
totally apathetically without con-
cern for what they were voting
for,” said McDermott.
Junior Chris Ulrich, public
relations chairperson for MSG
and member of the Budget and
Finance Committee, says that the
philanthropy line item amounts
have been evaluated based on
basic financial principles.
“We aren’t supposed to raise
the amount until the proposal
has been made by the RSCO
in pursuit of the funds,” said
Ulrich. “We get audited each year
and need to have some sort of
fiscal stability.”
Ulrich said in previous years,
line items have exceeded the set
amounts, but requests have still
been matched.
T he petition created by
Amnesty International protest-
ing the change of the philan-
thropy figures signed by over
100 students would say no, said
McDermott.
The need to increase amounts
in the budget specifically for
philanthropy is not necessary,
according to Ulrich.
Starin agrees with Ulrich,
saying the line item was not
diminished.
“The philanthropy line item
was not decreased in any way,
nor did any of us believe that it
should be,” she said.
McDermott stands strong,
along with Amnesty Interna-
tional, in the belief that the
figures should be increased.
McDer mott says MSG is
neglecting to listen to students,
and as a result is failing to live
out its mission.
“I have been utterly disap-
pointed by the actions of the stu-
dent government this school year.
I am considering resigning from
my position as a representative
because of the apathy expressed
by the student government as a
whole,” said McDermott. “They
don’t care about anything any-
more and it’s showing.”
By Matt Sedensky
Associated Press
When Eric Feichthaler became
mayor three years ago, this town
was booming.
The city issued 800 permits
that month to build single-family
homes.
Cape Coral still has thousands
of empty lots, but last month, it
issued just nine permits.
A number of factors explain
the downturn, and many of
them are not unique to Florida.
But it is becoming clear the
Sunshine State is losing some
of its luster.
Census figures show that in
2007, the number of people
who moved to warm and sunny
Florida from other states out-
numbered those who left by
just 35,301, down from 268,347
in 2005.
It was just the second year
since 1990, when the Census
Bureau started keeping such
records, that the state saw fewer
than 50,000 net U.S. arrivals.
Experts blame the recent
slowdown on a combination
of circumstances: The national
mortgage crisis and the bursting
of the real estate bubble, hur-
ricanes, Florida’s steep insurance
rates and property taxes, and
rising unemployment.
Feichthaler said he is glad cer-
tain folks have left — “the people
that came in three years ago in
a gold-rush mentality” — even
if that’s causing some upheaval.
The downturn, he said, is lead-
ing to more affordable housing
and the departure of unlicensed
contractors, shady title agents
and other scam artists.
Beth Mann, 27, lived in West
Palm Beach until a year and a
half ago, when her husband,
Michael, was offered a teaching
job in Georgia. He took it — at
a higher salary than he was paid
in Florida — and they moved to
Buford, Ga.
Their house is three times
bigger. Their property taxes are
75 percent less. Their homeown-
er’s insurance bill has been cut
nearly in half.
“We’re like, ‘Why didn’t we
move sooner?’” she said. Eight
other homes on the Manns’ street
are also occupied by former Flo-
ridians.
Stanley Smith, who heads the
Bureau of Economic and Busi-
ness Research at the University
of Florida, blamed hurricanes,
taxes, insurance and housing
prices.
A 2005 report by Smith fore-
casts a decline in people moving
to the state through 2030, but
the overall population is still
expected to increase by more
than 10 percent in each of the
next two decades.
In Cape Coral, where the pop-
ulation has more than doubled
to about 150,000 since 1990,
some welcome the downturn.
Bob Janes, a Lee County com-
missioner whose district includes
Cape Coral, said it may give
officials time to improve mental
health care, roads and other
services.
But Feichthaler, who is chal-
lenging Janes for his commission
seat, said the decrease in property
values and the resulting plunge
in tax revenue will mean the city
must cut $6 million to $7 million
to avoid tax increases. There have
been municipal layoffs, and more
are possible.
Many remain optimistic.
“People still want to follow the
sun,” Janes said. “And as soon as
it gets cold up north, they think
more and more about the sun.”
 Jan. 23, 2008 NEWS PAGE 5

Learning expo successful event for students

“How to Survive on a Lim- found the session “Student
By Julie Hranica
ited Budget,” taught by Art Teaching and Portfolios” to be
Staff writer
Education professor Camille extremely helpful as well.
Nischal and “Science Activi- “It is what is relevant to me
Many Mercyhurst College ties for the Secondary Class- right now,” Keltz said.
students gathered in the Audery room,” taught by Marlene Cross, Sophomore Heather Buech-
Hirt Academic building Saturday another member of the Mercy- ner found this to be one of her
morning, Jan. 19 to participate hurst Faculty. favorite sessions during the day.
in the Kappa Delta Pi Teaching The other sessions addressed “I thought that the ses
and Learning Expo. current issues facing teachers sion about interviewing for a
The expo consisted of three today, such as new technology to job was very informative and it
educational sessions in the use in the classroom, stress and definitely helped me to prepare
morning, a catered lunch and relaxation tips, writing Individ- for future inter views,” she
a panel discussion with seven ual Education Plans’s for Special said.
first or second-year teachers. Education majors, and tips to While some students attended
When students arrived, they aide the processes of student due to the sessions available,
received their individual fold- teaching, interviewing for jobs others wanted to go due to last
ers with a breakdown of their and creating portfolios. year’s successful event.
schedule for the day. The session on maximizing “I came to the expo last year,
Students got to select their your job interview was helpful and I am a member of Kappa
first and second choices for each to senior Justine Keltz who Delta Pi, which is why I at
session upon registering. said that she attended the expo tended again this year,” Buech- uta.edu
Some of the sessions offered because she thought the infor- ner said. The Kappa Delta Pi Teaching and Learning Expo, held on
were “Healthy Classrooms” mation provided would help her Other members of Kappa Jan. 19, benefited Mercyhurst College students.
taught by a representative from to find a job. Delta Pi, including the co-
the Mercyhurst Health Center, Keltz also explained that she President, sophomore Amanda “Each student received an Overall the Teaching and
Byrnes, attended the event as evaluation form in their packet, Learning Expo was an excellent
laker briefs well.
Byrnes said that she came
and we are definitely going to
take them seriously for next
way for students to learn mate-
rial that they might not hear
last year and learned a lot from year,” she said. in the curriculum at Mercy-
Summer Study Abroad Grant Applications the presentations and thought Students were able to discuss hurst.
Interested in applying for a grant to help fund your education that the event was worth it, even any questions or concerns they It provided them with the
beyond the boundaries of Mercyhurst College this summer? though it was on a Saturday had about teaching with seven opportunities to network with
Then apply for a Summer Study Abroad Grant. For more morning. first and second-year teachers in other teachers from the com-
information contact Dr. Michele Crumley at 115 Preston Hall, While some students may have the form of a panel discussion, munity and allowed them to pre-
824-2342, or mcrumley@mercyhurst.edu. Submissions will be had favorite sessions, Byrnes held in Taylor Little Theater. pare for their future careers.
accepted until Feb. 20, 2008. Award announcements will be mentioned the importance of all
made in early April. the sessions.
“I really think that each session
was a piece of the puzzle,” she said. Can’t find any more copies of
Live from New York City “I though they were all helpful
The “Live from NY’s 92nd Street Y” broadcast series is com- in different ways and I learned the Merciad?
ing to Mercyhurst’s Taylor Little Theatre, allowing viewers to everything from how to get
watch events occurring in New York City in real time, including free art materials to keeping
lectures by newsmakers, political figures, opinion-shapers and occupied in creative ways and to Interested in the latest news hap-
authors. best prepare for student teach-
ing.” pening on campus?
Graduate Assistant and coordi-
MCAT, LSAT Prep Courses offered nator of the event Jillian Perfetti
Kaplan classroom prep courses for the Medical College
Admissions Tests (MCAT) and the Law School Admission Test
said that the expo was helpful to
the students.
Go to merciad.mercyhurst.edu for
(LSAT)will be offered at Penn State Behrend this month. The “The expo went really well and up-to-date news.
MCAT course begins Thursday, Jan.17; the LSAT, Wednesday, 110 students came,” she said.
Jan. 30. There will be another expo
next year and Perfetti is already
-lakernet.mercyhurst.edu preparing for it.
PAGE 6 NEWS Jan. 23, 2008

Election 2008
Listen before
going to the polls
It seems many Americans are already getting stuck in the
political muck of the 2008 Presidential race. Between the in-
party bickering and the across-party mudslinging, it’s no wonder
Americans are getting lost.
Still, I can’t help but be shocked at how many people are
caught up in the issues that absolutely do not matter. Once
again we are allowing ourselves to be blinded be by the subtle
sensationalism of a political race.
I have friends, even relatives, who support a candidate com-
pletely based on the candidate’s
Commentary position on one issue.
“I don’t really know what their
By Casey Greene stance on the War in Iraq is,”
they say. “But he or she shows
emotion and we need someone like that in charge.”
I also have family and friends who vote against candidates vote-usa.org vote-usa.org

based on the same reasoning.
“Oh yes,” they say. “So and so has a wonderful plan for
educational funding, a brilliant foreign relations idea and wants
to bring jobs back to the States, but I can’t vote for them. He
or she believes in more rigid guns laws and I hunt.”
A popular topic of today’s debate is race versus gender. I’ve
overheard countless conversations about the pros and cons
of having a black president versus having a female president.
Wake up, people. Once they’re sitting in the Oval Office, the
color of their skill and their anatomy will not be our biggest
concern. The race and gender of our candidates do not matter;
it is all about the issues.
I encourage you to think a few years ahead, to when we leave
college. It’s not that far down the road. Three months after
graduation we will have to pay for our own insurance. Not
longer after that, taxes. We will be job-hunting, buying homes
and paying mortgages.
During those years, do you think we are going to care more
about if our president shows emotion or if they are bringing
jobs back into the U.S.; if they are for capital punishment or
if they are organizing universal health care? While all issues
matter, some are more relevant.
On Jan. 30 the next Republican Presidential Debate will be
aired from Calif. And the Democratic Presidential Debate will
be broadcast on Jan. 31.
I encourage you to turn on the debate and close your eyes.
Forget what the candidate looks like and what their last name
is. Just listen. Ask yourself, do you like what you hear?
Sen. John Edwards is a 2008
Democratic presidential
candidate.
Health Care: “More than any of the presi-
dential candidates, John Edwards has come
up with a specific and plausible plan that
provides for health care coverage for all
Americans.” - Nicholas Kristof, The New York
Times
War in Iraq: “We don’t need debate; we
don’t need non-binding resolutions; we
need to end this war. In order to get the Iraqi
people to take responsibility for their coun-
try, we must show them that we are serious
about leaving, and the best way to do that is
to actually start leaving.” - Edwards
Immigration: “The administration may
think domestic defense is about changing
the color code from yellow to orange. Let me
tell you something: the colors that will make
America safer are firefighter red, EMT white,
and police officer blue.” - Edwards
johnedwards.com
Dr. Ron Paul is a 2008
Republican presidential
candidate.
Health Care: “(The Government) is more
involved in medicine than many other
areas and you see a skyrocketing of
prices.” - Paul
War in Iraq: “ The only proper way to go
to war, the only legal way to go to war,
the only constitutional way to go to war is
to declare the war, by the congress, not
by the president. The people should be
behind it.” - Paul
Immigration: “We are spread so thin
that we have too few troops defending
America. And now, there are new calls
for a draft of our young men and women.
We can continue to fund and fight no-win
police actions around the globe, or we can
refocus on securing America and bring the
troops home.” - Paul
ronpaul2008.com
Jan. 23, 2008
King Day observed in ’09
By Ashley Pastor
Staff writer
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
has been recognized nationwide
since 1986, except for at Mercy-
hurst College.
Monday marked the 79 birth-
day celebration of the renowned
activist.
While the holiday is recognized
by the closing of federal facilities
and services, Mercyhurst College
remained fully operational.
However there is good news
for all those who have been
forced to miss their classes in
order to partake in the day’s
festivities.
It has been announced that
for the 2008-09 school year,
Mercyhurst will recognize the
holiday by cancelling classes
for the day.
Junior Kara Branby thinks it
is a good idea that the college
has made the decision to cancel
classes.
“Students will be able to take
part in the events around Erie,
and take notice of what a great
person Martin Luther King
Jr. was for our country,” said
Branby. “It’s a national holiday
for a reason.”
Petrina Marrero of the Marion
Shane Multicultural Center is also
happy that the college is going to
live up to its mission.
“Following the mission means
recognizing a day to celebrate
someone such as Dr. King, who
was so passionate in his beliefs,
as the school should be urging
students to be able to do,” said
Marrero.
Despite classes being held
and the college up and running,
the Marion Shane Multicultural
Center and Student Activities
Committee have hosted an array
of events commemorating Dr.
King.
Marrero assures that just
because classes are not cancelled,
Martin Luther King Day is a national holiday that Mercyhurst
College will observe starting next year.
students still have opportunities
to celebrate the holiday.
“Emails were sent to faculty
members and administration
asking to allow students to
celebrate by partaking in the
events held on that day,” said
Marrero.
Marrero said that permission
slips were also available at each
event for students to have proof
of attendance.
Senior Tor rie Car uso is
pumped to hear about the col-
lege’s decision to not hold classes
for next year’s MLK day.
“If I had off class, I would
definitely take advantage of
the events the school offers for
Dr. King’s remembrance,” said
Caruso.
On Tuesday, Jan. 15, the multi-
cultural center hosted a birthday
celebration in honor of the late
Dr. King.
The 15 is the date of King’s
actual birthday, while the holiday
is recognized every third Monday
in the month of January.
Special liturgies recognizing
NEWS
nobelprize.org
Dr. King were offered, includ-
ing the Protestant Liturgy for
the Celebration of Life at 7
p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, in Prince
of Peace Chapel in the student
union and the noon Mass in
Christ the King Chapel on
Monday, Jan. 21.
On Monday, the school hosted
a breakfast, transportation to
the march that took place down-
town, and the MLK Reflection
Reception in the Student Union
Great Room, made possible
through the college’s Diversity
Enrichment Grant program.
On Thursday, Jan. 24, a Unity
Night Dance will be held in the
Student Union Great Room
from 10 p.m. to midnight. Par-
ticipants are urged to wear white
and come together in the spirit
of peace and unity.
MLK day is just the lead into
the celebration of Black His-
tory Month which begins in
February.
Keep your eyes and ears open
for festivities the college will
likely be hosting for the month.
Erie ‘stuffed
the bus’ full
By Amy Zielinski
News editor
Gannon University student
Jarett Beavers shrugged his
shoulders as he tossed his money
into the donation bin.
He didn’t even look back; all
he said was, “It doesn’t hurt to
give.”
Almost 40 college students
from Mercyhurst’s North East
and Erie Campuses volunteered
their time to help raise donations
for 80 local nonprofit agencies
on Jan. 19 at the second annual
“Stuff the Bus” at Wal-Mart,
1900 Keystone Drive.
Customers at Wal-Mart do-
nated nearly 300 goods including
school supplies, hygiene items
and paper towels, and $327.86
was raised in money donations.
Volunteers worked in two-
hour intervals starting at 8 a.m.
until 8 p.m., handing out flyers
to customers as they entered
Wal-Mart.
The flyers had various supplies
that the patrons could donate to
the non-profit agencies.
Freshmen Jill Leaness and
Jessica Carley were two students
who offered their time by col-
lecting money from customers
as they entered Wal-Mart.
“It’s a good opportunity to
get involved in the community,”
said Carley.
AmeriCorps Volunteer in
Service to America (VISTA)
member Colin Hurley said
the day was freezing and
was ver y thankful for all
of the volunteers and dona-
tions.
“Shivering in the cold and
asking for donations for local
non-profit agencies is not easy,
especially if you can’t stand
PAGE 7
rejection,” said Hurley. “Overall,
shoppers were very coopera-
tive.”
Bo Sutton, an AmeriCorps
VISTA member of Gannon,
said it went really well despite
the weather.
“Our volunteer turnout was
exciting,” he said. “It’s nice to
see students out on a Saturday
giving their time to help someone
in need.”
Erie’s 103.7 radio station,
STAR 104, broadcasted live from
4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the Stuff the
Bus event.
“This gave us a boost with
publicity and provided music
on-site,” said Hurley. “The
donations started coming more
steadily at that point.”
“Volunteers have stepped up
to make it all happen,” he said.
“We can always dream of the
day when we need a second bus,
but today was very successful
and I am proud of that,” said
Hurley.
Commitment
to accuracy
To report corrections
and clarifications,
contact managing
editor Casey Greene
at mgeditormerciad@
mercyhurst.edu or
(814) 824-2376.
Corrections from
Jan. 16 issue
A paragraph was repeated
on the political page under
Hillary Clinton’s section.
PAGE 8
‘Focus the Nation’ addresses global warming
By Tim Hucko
Contributing writer
Mercyhurst College will join
forces with over 1,100 schools,
students, scientists and other
professionals to participate
in Focus the Nation on Jan. 30
and 31.
Focus the Nation is a national
educational initiative on global
warming solutions for America.
The Mercyhurst programming
is being facilitated by Dr. James
Snyder, Dr. David Hyland and
Dr. Chris Magoc, with support
from president of the Student
Green Team, Angela Phillips.
This multi-media event is
expected to reach close to one
million students nationwide to
help raise awareness of these
issues.
Through collaboration with
students, faculty and profes-
sionals Focus the Nation hopes
to perhaps devise a solution for
our nation’s future in the coming
years.
Students like Ryan Heise are
Literacy fair benefits ’Hurst, Erie community
By Amy Zielinski
News editor
Mercyhurst College will host
its very first literacy fair in the
Student Union on Wednesday,
Jan. 30 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30
p.m.
The fair is designed to expose
children, from kindergarden
to third grade, to literature and
activities to build their interest
in reading.
The literacy fair is part of
the Mercyhurst Diversity grant
entitled “Skills and Interest for
College.”
Over 50 children from dif-
ferent non-profit agencies are
really intrigued by the idea and
hope that students will take a
personal interest in their future.
Fresh on the heels of its
environmental speaker series,
“Good People Gather,” and the
installation of energy-saving
solar panels on its main campus,
planners here hope that Mercy-
hurst is moving toward a tipping
point in awareness and ecological
change.
Sophomore Patrick Barrett
said, “I heard all of the speak-
ers and would like to see more
changes on campus to promote
a cleaner environment right here
in Erie.”
Mercyhurst President Dr.
Tom Gamble said, “Mercyhurst
College believes it is incumbent
upon all of us in academia to
address the critical issue of
global warming by educating the
leaders of tomorrow who stand
to inherit this global challenge.
“Mercyhurst has long been
a frontr unner in the green
movement among higher edca-
tion institutions in Pennsylvania,
as proven by our purchase of
expected to attend the event.
Colin Hurley, AmeriCorps
Volunteer in Service to America
(VISTA) member, is coordinat-
ing the event along with edu-
cation majors enrolled in the
children’s literature course.
“Our goal is to have children
think positively about books and
learning,” said Dr. Tim Frawley,
assistant professor of eduction
at Mercyhurst College, who
teaches the children’s literature
class.
“We are looking for the child’s
reading response,” he said. “We
want to plan activities that engage
the students.”
Nearly 30 students from Fraw-
ley’s class will be selecting their
NEWS
wind power, and our recently
developed green landscape master
plan,” Gamble said. “We’ve also
taken many other steps towards
establishing the college as
a model of sustainability
like creating a sustainability
minor as part of our science
cur ricula and incor porat-
ing the use of geothermal energy
in some building construction.”
Kicking off the two-day
awareness campaign on Jan.
30 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., will
be the Guelcher Film Series
documentary, The 11 th Hour,
about the state of the global
environment, including vision-
ar y and practical solutions
for restoring the planet’s eco-
systems.
Senior Anne Sobol said, “I saw
the posters around campus and
thought these films and presenta-
tions could be interesting.”
Later that evening, a live, inter-
active webcast, The 2% Solution,
produced by the National Wildlife
Federation will be streamed across
the entire Mercyhurst network.
During that webcast, cli-
own literature piece to read to
the children.
“Taking the time to make a
child feel important by engaging
his or her literacy skills and cre-
ativity can open the child’s eyes,”
Hurley said.
“My hope is that Mercyhurst
students will encounter that one
child who surprises him or her
by making some impression,”
he added.
There is work currently being
done to create “passports” for
the children as incentives. Stu-
dents will be able to choose at
least three tables to which they
would like to go. When students
are finished listening to the story
and completed the activity, they
mate scientists will present five
strategies designed to reduce
carbon emissions 80 percent by
2050 and will ask participants
nationwide to text their opin-
ions and votes for a collective
solution.
On Thursday, Jan. 31, a Politi-
cal Roundtable and Reception
in the Mercy Heritage Room
with Congressman Phil English
state representatives Patrick Har-
kins and Curt Sonney; County
Council Chairman Joseph Giles;
County Councilman David
Mitchell; Millcreek Township
Supervisor Lawrence Curtis and
Erie Mayor Joseph Sennott’s rep-
resentative Sarah Galloway will
be held to discuss local issues and
solutions to the daunting subject
of global warming.
To close out the proceedings,
a slide show presentation titled
“An Inconvenient Truth for
the Erie Region and Beyond,”
adapted from the Academy
Award-winning documentary
film, “An Inconvenient Truth,”
will be shown in the Walker
Recital Hall.
will be given a stamp for their
“passport.”
Michele Garvey, a post bac-
calaureate student at Mercyhurst
College, says it’s a keepsake for
the students and a way to show
accomplishment.
“It will be great to have hands-
on experience with the children,”
said Garvey.
Junior Nathan Ratkovsky
agreed.
“Since we’re all going to be
teachers, it’s great that we are
getting this experience now,” he
said. “It exposes us to work with
students and to become more
comfortable with them.”
Senior Sandy Newell is glad
to see Mercyhurst education
Jan. 23, 2008
The presentation, delivered by
global warming outreach coor-
dinator of PennFuture, Sharon
Pillar, will address the effects of
global warming on the Northeast
U.S., the Great Lakes, Pennsylva-
nia and the Erie Region.
Green Team Chair Snyder is
very pleased with the scheduled
events and hopes to see more in
the future.
“Although it has always been
an uphill battle for us to gen-
erate awareness,” said Snyder,
“I sense that perhaps there is
a change in the tide now, not
just for the Green Team, but for
the bigger issues the Green Team
is engaged in.”
Fellow event leader and Biol-
ogy Chair Dr. David Hyland
hopes students respond with
great interest and attend as many
events as they can.
Is global war ming real?
Here’s a great opportunity
for you to learn more and decide
for yourself.
Fo r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n ,
please visit www.focusthenation.
org.
students participating in the
literacy fair.
“I definitely wish that an event
such as the literacy fair would
have been done in the past
when I took children’s literature,
but hopefully it will be a huge
success and continue into the
future,” Newell said. “This event
shows that Mercyhurst is a college
committed not only to educat-
ing its own students about the
broader world around them, but
is also committed to reaching
out to the Erie community in
positive and effective ways.”
Frawley would like to see the
event continue in the future.
“It gives an added dimension to
the students,” he said.
Jan. 23, 2008 NEWS PAGE 9

Career services’ monitors inform students

By Jen Helbig
Staff writer
Newly installed monitors on
campus may increase students’
exposure to information from
the Career Services office.
The monitors are locat-
ed in the basement of the
student union near the Sub-
Connection and near 204
Old Main, the location of
the Career Services office.
Associate Director of Career
Services Frank Rizzone and
Director of the Office of
Career Services Robert Hvezda
were part of a team that chose
to install the new monitors.
“We were doing some re-
search online last summer and
came across some information
that this new company was out
there,” Rizzone said.
“Robert [Hvezda] and I did
some investigating and found
that some other top colleges
and universities had signed on
and were very pleased with
what they received.”
“We contacted them and they
sent a representative to visit
Mercyhurst, and we scouted
some locations. The monitors
cyhurst-specific material will
appear on the monitors in the
coming weeks.
“We submitted to the com-
pany a whole CD of photo-
graphs of Mercyhurst. We
have the ability to put more
information on there; all that
we have to do is email them
the information, and the turn-
around time is almost immedi-
ate,” he said.
Senior Nicole Ruffo has not
seen the monitors but said that
she thinks they will be a valu-
able service to students.
“Because I’m a senior, it
would be nice to see reminders
applying to graduate school
deadlines. I guess the normal
deadlines for graduate school
are around January, and if
students were reminded in Scoot Williams photo
the fall it might keep them on New monitors will help inform students about Mercyhurst College’s Career Services Office.
track because they would be The monitors are set up in the Laker and in Old Main.
reminded about their applica-
tions,” she said. lar location (in Old Main) dors club. The monitors will ing up an internship. The
“One of the challenging because we have many offer different information secretary and Kyle Faust were
things we have encountered in recruiters that will be visiting and reminders that other helpful resources. Students
communicating messages and Mercyhurst,” Rizzone said. sources might not touch on,” should visit the Career Servic-
information out to the student “We envision that the moni- she said. es office because it’s something
body,” Rizzone said. tors will be used for putting up “I have been up to Career very helpful that Mercyhurst
“We have such a diverse announcements about recruit- Services before for help look- offers.”
population with students that ers that will be coming in.”
live on campus and those Recruiters pay to advertise
on the monitors, which is ben-

were installed just after New
Year’s,” Rizzone said.
The monitors feature infor-
that are commuting daily.
We can now reach students
from numerous majors and
Want to write
eficial to them because word
spreads to students who might
apply for positions at their

mation for students that can
help them gain an internship,
a job, improve interviewing
classes, with the latest cutting
edge career information that
ability is literally at our fin-
for the
companies so there is no cost
to the students.
The monitors went online

skills and more.
Junior Katie Wootton, has
seen the monitors around cam-
pus and was interested in some
of the tips they featured.
“The interviewing techniques
are helpful. “They’re tips you
don’t really think about but
they’re good to know,” Woot-
ton said. “I think if they put
deadlines and dates for im-
portant paperwork or events
on the monitors it would be
helpful to students.”
Rizzone said that more Mer-
gertips.”
“In addition, trying to get to all
of those age brackets is tough.
We use posters, e-mail, word
of mouth and announcements
from faculty already, so any
new method of getting mes
sages across is something we
are proud to offer students,”
he said.
Rizzone said that the moni-
tors were placed in high traffic
areas for visibility to students
and recruiters.
“We chose this particu-
Merciad?
only two weeks ago and Riz-
zone said that more informa-
tion will be added on career
tips, resources and employers
advertising for full time em-
ployees and interns.
Wootton has heard publicity Contact
about Career Services prior to
the monitors. Casey Greene at
“One of my psychology
professors talked to us about mgeditormerciad
the services that the Career
Services office offers. I also @mercyhurst.edu.
heard about it in Ambassa-
PAGE 10 NATIONAL NEWS Jan. 23, 2008

NYC fast-food outlets required to post calories

By Karen Matthers
Associated Press
NEW YORK - Want 300-calorie
fries with that?
The city Board of Health
voted Tuesday to approve a
new version of a law requiring
fast-food outlets to display
calorie counts on their menus,
hoping the fat-filled truth will
shock New Yorkers into eating
healthier.
The regulation, which takes
effect March 31, was altered
slightly after a judge rejected the
city’s first attempt last year.
The new regulation applies
to any chain that operates at least
15 separate outlets, including
those that don’t currently
provide any information on
calories. Major fast-food chains
make up about 10 percent of
the city’s restaurants.
Several chains, such as
McDonald’s and Burger King,
have the information available
but don’t list it on their menu
boards.
“It’s going to get a lot easier to
make informed choices at New
York City’s chain restaurants this
spring,” said Margo Wootan,
nutrition policy director for
the Center for Science in the
Public Interest. “We expect that
many more cities, counties and
states will require menu labeling
once they see how easy it is for
these chains to list calories on
menus.”
But J. Justin Wilson, senior
research analyst at the Center for
Consumer Freedom, called the
new law an example of “nanny-
state public health policies.”
“It doesn’t take a Ph.D. in
nutrition, let alone a high school
diploma, to tell the difference
between a 12-piece bucket of
chicken and a salad,” he said.
The regulation affects
fast-food chains because their
standardized menus make it
feasible to determine calorie
counts.
The restaurants will be
required to display calorie
counts “in close proximity” to
items on their menus or menu
boards in letters and numbers at
least as big as the name of the
item or the price.
Health Commissioner Dr.
Thomas Frieden said the law
would strike a blow against
obesity by helping consumers
make informed choices.
“Today in New York
City, two-thirds of adults are
overweight or obese, and half
of children are overweight or
obese,” he said. “It’s a serious
epidemic.”
Some New Yorkers said those that had not.
they would ignore the calorie Chuck Hunt, a
information if it were posted. spokesman for
“I think it’s a foolish idea,” the New York
said Patricia Conboy, who Restaurant
was eating a hamburger at a Association,
McDonald’s in Manhattan. said the
At a Burger King, where group had
the calories were posted in a not decided
separate area away from the whether to
menu board, Eloisa Malhurin challenge
said she had not noticed the the latest
calorie counts although she tries version of
to watch what she eats. the law.
“I’m having this burger now Hunt said
but that’s it for the day,” she the regulation
said. “Maybe some tea.” would not stop
New York City, which people from
banned trans-fat-laden cooking eating fattening
oils from all restaurants last year, foods.
is believed to be the first U.S. city He pointed
to enact a regulation requiring to the nutritional
calories on menus. Since then, information
California lawmakers and those that is already
in King County in Washington, required on
which includes Seattle, have packaged items
considered similar bills. sold in stores.
The earlier version of New “It’s been done
York City’s law was struck down in supermarkets
in September by U.S. District for 13 years,”
Judge Richard Holwell, who Hunt said. “Has
said it conflicted with federal it worked? Has
food labeling laws. obesity declined?”
But he indicated that the
rule would not seem to conflict Photo credit:
if it were mandatory both for h t t p : / / w e b l o g s. s u n -
restaurants that had posted sentinel.com/features/
health/theskinny/blog/
nutritional information and for applefrieslowres.jpg

Study: False statements issued before Iraq invasion

By Douglass Daniel
Associated Press
A study by two nonprofit
journalism organizations found
that President Bush and top
administration officials issued
hundreds of false statements about
the national security threat from
Iraq in the two years following the
2001 terrorist attacks.
The study concluded that
the statements “were part of
an orchestrated campaign that
effectively galvanized public
opinion and, in the process,
led the nation to war under
decidedly false pretenses.”
The study was posted
Tuesday on the Web site of
the Center for Public Integrity,
which worked with the Fund for
Independence in Journalism.
White House spokesman Scott
Stanzel did not comment on the
merits of the study Tuesday night
but reiterated the administration’s
position that the world community
viewed Iraq’s leader, Saddam
Hussein, as a threat.
The study counted 935
false statements in the two-year
period. It found that in speeches,
briefings, interviews and other
venues, Bush and administration
officials stated unequivocally
on at least 532 occasions that
Iraq had weapons of mass
destruction or was trying to
produce or obtain them or had
links to al-Qaida or both.
Named in the study along
with Bush were top officials of
the administration during the
period studied: Vice President
Dick Cheney, national security
adviser Condoleezza Rice,
Defense Secretary Donald H.
Rumsfeld, Secretary of State
Colin Powell, Deputy Defense
Secretary Paul Wolfowitz and
White House press secretaries Ari
Fleischer and Scott McClellan.
Bush led with 259 false
statements, 231 about weapons
of mass destruction in Iraq
and 28 about Iraq’s links to al-
Qaida, the study found. That
was second only to Powell’s 244
false statements about weapons
of mass destruction in Iraq and
10 about Iraq and al-Qaida.
The center said the study was
based on a database created with
public statements over the two
years beginning on Sept. 11, 2001,
and information from more than
25 government reports, books,
articles, speeches and interviews.
Jan. 23, 2008 FEATURES/NEWS PAGE 11

Actor Heath Ledger found dead

By Tom Hays
Associated Press
Heath Ledger was found dead
Tuesday, Jan. 22 at a downtown
Manhattan apartment, and
police said drugs may have been
a factor. The Australian-born
actor was 28.
Ledger had an appointment
for a massage at the residence
in the tiny SoHo neighbor-
hood, NYPD spokesman Paul
Browne said. A housekeeper
who went to let him know the
massage therapist had arrived
http://www.indiewire.com/ipop/HeathLedgerMichelleWilliams.JPG
found him dead at 3:26 p.m.
Ledger has a two-year-old daughter with former girlfriend, A large crowd of paparazzi
actress Michelle Williams.
and gawkers began gathering
Tuesday evening outside the
building on an upscale block,
where several police officers
guarded the door.
Ledger was to appear as the
Joker this year in “The Dark
Night,” a sequel to 2005’s
“Batman Begins.” He’s had
starring roles in “A Knight’s
Tale,” “The Patriot,” and played
the suicidal son of Billy Bob
Thornton in “Monster’s Ball.”
Mercyhurst College students
had similar reactions to the
shocking news.
“Oh my God, really?” said
sophomore Trevor Sones.
“I guess I’m not surprised
that another young, hot actor
is using drugs,” said senior
Amanda Kaiser. “It’s sad
because he has a kid and he was
a good actor. I guess he just got
ahold of the wrong stuff.”
Other students expressed the
same response.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it
was Britney Spears, but Heath
Ledger is shocking,” said junior
Laura Drathman. “I would
never have expected that.”
More than anything, however,
was sadness for the loss of a
talented actor.
“His death is traumatic
because he was a good actor,”
said freshman Mike Cirbus.

Students see difference in clothing choices

By Sandy Watro
Staff writer
Europe has long served as the
catalyst and muse for fashion
across the globe.
Out of Paris, Milan, London,
Tokyo, New York, Los Ange-
les and other fashion capitals
worldwide, America seems to
always have the slowest uptake
on new trends in the fashion
industry.
This can also apply to the
technology industry.
For example, in Asia your
new phone you got for Christ-
mas is the equivalent of some-
thing Zack Morris would have
owned.
Has our culture become so
casual that we have become
dismissed in the broad picture
of massive industries in the
worldwide market?
There are a number of Euro-
pean students here at Mercy-
hurst College who feel dra-
matic differences in the way
Americans and international
students dress.
Senior Roland Andris from
Dieselstrasse, Germany, empha-
sized the diversity seen in men’s
clothing and how it is drastically
different over seas.
He said that “street style”
is commonly seen along with
the prevalence of what is
commonly referred to as the
“metro” look, which is more
streamlined to the body and
styled with modern details.
“I grew up with a fusion of
the hip-hop culture and high
fashion,” Andris said. “To
me, both are acceptable, and
overall I think Europeans have
less hesitation than Americans
to wear something unusual or
out-of-the-box.”
This fashion opinion is the
case with the female popula-
tion, as well.
Freshman Kinga Krolikowska
of Chelm, Poland also agrees
with Andris on the issue.
“American students tend
to dress in Victoria’s Secret,
whereas international students,
especially Europeans, tend
to dress in H&M, C&A and
Cubus,” she said.
Cubus is a company based
out of Norway and is similar
to H&M.
Cubus offers men’s and wom-
en’s sportswear at affordable
prices.
For instance, a well-made ski
jacket costs $54.90 and match-
ing ski pants sells for $36.40.
Krolikowska also divulged
that she is not fond of the fact
that she finds a vast number
of the female population at
Mercyhurst wearing the color
pink.
Lately, the trend of wearing
pink, particularly light pink, has
crossed into the male market,
perhaps never to return.
Perhaps our light-hearted http://www.kuyichi.com/kuyichi/wp-content/uploads/2007/03/hm-smiles.jpg
and casual attitude has been Stores like H&M and Cubus strive to offer unique, fashion-
translated in American ways able clothing for a variety of nationalities.
of dressing and also into an
industry that lacks substance might hold some truth. revolution.
in contrast with the world Protestors of the Vietnam Overall, European designers
market. War served as the individuals to may serve as the inspiration via
Anna Wintour, editor-in- attribute to the rise of popular- the trickle-down theory.
chief of Vogue, the nation’s ity in wearing denim. But, one can clearly dis-
most prestigious fashion maga- This casual, laid back style cern the connection between
zine, would probably argue oth- seems to highlight and hall- a country’s cultural norms and
erwise, but from a grassroots mark the cultural and societal its impact on how its people
perspective this conviction attitudes during this time of choose to dress.
PAGE 12 FEATURES Jan. 23, 2008

Technology rises, DVD sales slip

By Chris James
Staff writer
It is a Saturday night, and you
are hanging out in your apart-
ment with some friends.
With nothing better to do,
you decide that a movie will
help pass the time.
Where the movies are com-
ing from is changing recently
as sales slip, thanks to both
online subscription and illegal
downloading.
Ever since DVDs were re-
leased to the public, they have
risen in popularity with the
passing of each year.
However this year, sales
slowed and left the market
with millions of dollars less
compared to sales in 2006.
The rental market has re-
that she still visits video stores
to rent and purchase DVDs,
but the other options are ap-
pealing.
“It is pretty convenient to
order a movie online and not
leave the house,” she said.
Sophomore Angela Fortuna-
to tends to make the purchases
from the Internet.
“Usually, I can get them at
Amazon,” she said. “They are
cheaper and I know that they
will have a good quality when
I get them. Sometimes though,
I do buy them at stores while
I’m shopping.”
Many factors could be blamed
for the decline in sales.
The ease of movie download-
ing, both legally and illegally,
brings a movie to you nearly
instantly without forcing you
to leave your home. Scoot Williams photo

mained level with previous
years, and lately, the option
to download movies from the
Internet is becoming far more
popular.
People find the DVDs that
they buy in a wide variety of
places, including online, in the
store or through the mail.
Senior Megan Shoup says
The bigger chains such as
Netflix and Blockbuster deliver
movies of your choice directly
to your home for a monthly fee,
and even ordinary rental stores
are cheaper if you only want to
see the movie once.
These online subscriptions
fequently offer a faster turn-
around in movie deliveries
Video stores like Family Video may suffer sales due to increased online subscriptions.
compared to how often con- a rented movie will be in when bring success back to DVD
sumers will frequent a video you get it home. Slipping sales sales, this year they have made
retail location. could also have a lot to do with up only about one percent of
“I almost never rent,” said Blu-Ray and HD-capable TV’s the market.
Fortunato. “I like to have the coming out.” However if this percentage
movies on hand, and I know While it is true that the new does not rise, sales could con-
that I can take care of them. technology such as Blu-Ray tinue to decline while the online
You don’t know the condition and HD DVDs could perhaps market continues to grow.

NEED MATH
The Merciad is looking for editors for the HELP??
2008-09 school year! Come to the
Math Lab
Located in the
Current positions are Opinion, Features, Sports, Library 304 A & B
A&E, and Advertising editors.
Sunday-Thursday
For Exact
If you’re interested, contact mgeditormerciad@mercyhurst.edu. Hours Call
Ext: 2078
Jan. 23, 2008 FEATURES PAGE 13

THE LAKER Fun Web sites

Winter Term
Galley Grill to bust the
Lunch:
M-Ham and Cheese on
Croissant
Dinner:
S-Laker Burger
M- Steak Salad
boredom blues
Microsoft Publisher doesn’t
T- Soft Tacos T- Open Face Turkey Sandwich By Allie Miniri
always work,” said senior Kyle
W- Potato Bowl W-Slice Of Pizza, 5 Wings Staff writer
Craig. “With bighugelabs.com,
Th- Turkey Reuben Th- Swedish Meatballs w/ Noodles we can make some cool things
F- Sizzle Salad F- Chicken and Biscuits Ever find yourself sitting in quickly and for free.”
S- Southwest Burger S - Cup of Chili w/ Cheese, Side of front of the computer with Feeling out of the loop?
Nacho Chips endless possibilities at your Get hooked up with the slang
Board Specials fingertips, yet you can think of of today at urbandictionary.
Hours of Operation: absolutely nothing better than com and get some instant
Lunch $4.75
e-mail or Facebook? street cred.
Dinner $5.50 Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-1:00 a.m. Fear not, for here is a list of Senior Kelly Cofrancisco is a
Saturday 1:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. boredom busters on the web. fan of this site.
Sunday 5:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. Sick of YouTube? “Urban Dictionary is off the
Check out animoto.com, a hook,” she said. “I have the
Look for New Menu Items! Web application that turns your book and the Web site is just
Mac & Cheese Bites Black Bean Burger digital photos and music into a funny.”
New Salads: professional-looking video. With the increase in technol-
Chicken BLT-Veggie(no cheese)-Spinach-Asian Chicken- Users sign up for free and can ogy in music, online sites are
Greek-Caesar make an unlimited number of catering to music fans’ tastes.
30-second videos to share with Musicovery.com is an inter-
Subconnection friends over the Internet.
Users can also pay just three
active online radio, similar to
Pandora.com, that lets the user
6” Sub $3.75 Combo $4.75 Special Features dollars for a full-length video to choose the mood and type of
download to a computer. music to play, then creates a
12”Sub $5.75 Combo $6.75 Wrap combo-Veggie $5.59 Mercyhurst College Intelli- mind map and custom playl-
other wraps $5.79 gence Studies students received ist.
‘Wrap It Yourself’- Veggie $3.99 a link to this Web site from And for those surfers who
Baja and Buffalo Chicken Subs:
Professor Wheaton. are more interested in fashion,
6” Sub $4.00 Combo $5.25 other wraps $ 4.19 “Animoto is a much better Web sites are popping up all
12” Sub $6.00 Combo $ 7.00 Hours of Operation: way to make slideshows that over the place.
Monday-Friday 11:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m. are more interesting than Pow- Etsy.com is one of the cool-
erPoints,” said sophomore est place to shop for hand-
Saturday 1:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Cerissa Lynch. made items on the Web from
Sunday 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Another site that is worth small businesses all around the
checking out is bighugelabs. world.
com. It has the feeling of thou-
Laker Express This is an awesome photo
editing resource.
sands of chic boutiques all on
one site.
Board Equivalency Available: Look for Laker Express Anyone can make really neat Users can find what they are
projects that look like they were looking for by keyword, or pick
11:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. Minute Meals! made by graphic designers. a color and see what products
For most projects all you have come up.
Board Specials Hours of Operation: to do is upload a digital photo “I don’t like to buy things
Lunch $4.75 Mon.-Thurs. 11:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. and click “go.” that I know everyone else will
For some projects, students already have,” said junior Vicky
Dinner $5.50 Friday 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. may be required to sign in, but Fleisner. “That’s why I think
Saturday & Sunday Closed it is free to sign up. this Web site is awesome.”
“For SAC we often have to All products are unique and
do a lot of image work and often eco-friendly.
PAGE 14 FEATURES Jan. 23, 2008

I Food Fix
ERI College kids love pizza!
But sometimes we all need a
little variation, even from our
favorites.
This is a great homemade
www.latinosrb.com
pizza with a little twist.
Julio and Lilia Reyes are the owners of Latinos.
Instead of the traditional
tomato sauce, this recipe gives
With Meg
for a quick meal.
However it does make great
leftovers that can be eaten cold
or hot on the go.
Not only is this a tasty meal
but it is very well-balanced
with all of the necessities on
the pizza, including vegetables,

Classic Mexican at Latinos

By Shelley Turk
Staff writer
Looking for authentic Mexi-
can food in a welcoming en-
vironment that is close to
campus?
Latinos Restaurant Bar is
located at 1315 Parade Street,
near the corner of Parade and
12th Streets.
Open since 1996, Latinos
has been serving up authentic
dishes with family recipes and
fresh ingredients.
Owners Julio Reyes and wife
Lilia say that they serve only
authentic Mexican dishes to
Erieites.
“My cuisine is Mexico City
style: Classic Mexican,” says
Reyes. “My family has been
cooking this kind of food for
generations now.”
Signature dishes include
“Comida Corrida,” a dinner
special that is changed daily
from a selection of over 300
recipes.
Appetizers like guacamole,
ceviche and tamales can help
start your meal off in the right
direction.
Chiles Rellenos, a fresh roast-
ed poblano pepper stuffed with
your choice of beef or cheese
and topped with tomato sauce,
is another signature dish at
Latinos.
Dinner dishes start around
$12 and come with soup or
salad.
Dessert is also on the menu
including flan, a custard served
in a light caramel sauce, which
is a Mexican favorite.
The restaurant is open for
lunch Tuesday through Satur-
day from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
and dinner from 5 p.m. to 10
p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
The bar area is open until 2
a.m. on the weekends.
Traditional hospitality, salsa
music and a fully stocked bar
continue to bring customers
back to Latinos Restaurant.
Visit Latinos for an experi-
ence like no other.
a Mexican taste by adding some chicken and bread.
salsa and chili powder, as well As always, you can add any-
as peppers and onions. thing that you may want to
This is a little more difficult make this dish fit your tastes.
and time consuming, so it
might not be the best choice -Meghan Dolney
Fajita Pizza
Ingredients
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 clove garlic
1-2 tsp. chili powder
1 cup onion, sliced
1 cup red or green pepper, cut into strips
10 oz. pizza crust, in a can
½ cup salsa
2 cups Monterey jack cheese

Get to know... Directions

Name: Anna Hamilton 1.) Heat the oil in a pan and add the chicken.
Year: Senior Cook it for about five minutes.
Major: Studio-Theatre Arts 2.) Add the garlic, chili powder, onions and
Hometown: Manchester, Md. peppers and then cook for another minute.
Favorite thing about Mercyhurst: Warde. It is frankly 3.) Heat the oven to 425 degrees.
the best place to live on campus.
Least favorite thing: The school’s lack of support for 4.) Unroll the dough onto a pizza pan and
student-run theatre. There has been a lot of opposition bake for 8-10 minutes.
to student-directed plays on campus not to mention the 5.) Spoon the chicken mixture over the crust
complications to get space to perform or any kind of and then add salsa on top of that. Sprinkle with
money. cheese.
Anna Hamilton
Campus activities: Kettle Bell, Drama Guild, Seussical 6.) Bake 15-18 minutes in the oven.
the Musical
Jan. 23, 2008
Getting rid of restlessness
By Carla Hart
Staff writer
Being tired is not uncommon
and is a growing epidemic.
The Better Sleep Council
reports that “65 percent of
the people surveyed are losing
sleep due to stress, 32 percent
are losing sleep once a week
and 16 percent experience
stress-induced insomnia.”
Health experts from John
Hopkins Medicine report that
relaxation techniques, limiting
caffeine intake and exercising
are all beneficial natural rem-
edies for overall restful sleep.
Sleeping pills and antidotes
may cure symptoms, but can
also lose potency. Sometimes
dependencies may occur.
According to the Better Sleep
Council, “A melatonin dose of
0.3 mg nightly is recommended
for individuals with biologi-
Grocery shopping offers galore of choices
By Stacey Minchin
Staff writer
Wal-Mart, Wegmans, Giant
Eagle or Tops.
For those of you who do go
grocery shopping on a regular
basis, what store do you find
yourself shopping in most
often?
Wal-Mart tends to offer great
low prices; although, many
people prefer Wegmans’ brand
and are willing to shell out the
extra buck for groceries.
Others head straight toward
Giant Eagle for those great
Advantage Card deals, includ-
ing savings on gas purchases.
Freshman Sarah Heuer does
not have a choice as to which
Many students lay awake at night, suffering from
sleeplessness.
cal rhythm disorders, such as
problems adhering to a sleep
schedule or jet lag.”
Maintaining normal sleep
patterns may require discipline,
grocery store to visit.
“As an underclassman I don’t
have a car, which means I am
forced to take the shuttle,” she
said. “The only grocery store
the shuttle goes to is Giant
Eagle, but I can’t say that I
mind.”
For those of us who do
have our own form of trans-
portation, choosing a grocery
store that is the closest to your
location might be a deciding
factor.
“I prefer to shop at Wal-Mart
because they have everything
I need and it is conveniently
located,” said junior Kara
Eltschlager. “Besides you can’t
beat some of their prices.”
As technology improves in
today’s world, innovations have
FEATURES
Scoot Williams photo
but it can be done.
Mercyhurst College students
maintain their sleep patterns
with healthy lifestyles and cre-
ativity.
reached yet another area of our
daily routines.
Thanks to Microsoft, gro-
cery stores are beginning to
go digital.
Starting in the second half
of 2008, the software maker
will experiment with a grocery
cart-mounted console that
helps shoppers find products
in the store, then scan and pay
for their items without waiting
in any lines.
Customers with a loyalty card
will be able to go online and
digitally type their grocery list.
When they get to the store,
they can swipe their card on
the console and the list will
appear.
As shoppers pick up and scan
their items, the products will be
Senior Rhonda Marable
swims over 14 hours a week,
practicing with Mercyhurst’s
water polo team.
“Early morning practices
wake me up, and I can have
a full day so I’m exhausted at
night, and evening practices just
wear me out,” Marable said.
She admits to being tired
sometimes but won’t com-
plain.
Similarly sophomore Ryan
Kerr is athletic and also main-
tains healthy sleep patterns.
He dances in musical the-
atre, practicing over 14 hours
a week.
“I overlap,” Kerr said, mean-
ing he dances and performs in
one show after the next. “I can’t
see it as work because I enjoy
it so much.”
Although Kerr is athletic
with high energy levels, he still
becomes tired.
“I fall into a cycle each term
checked off the list and a price
will be tallied.
The technology can also be
used to send advertisements
to certain people, offering
coupons to shoppers while they
browse.
It can also keep track of the
purchases people makes and
offer discounts on the products
they are most likely to grab off
the shelves.
Even though this may seem
like the perfect way for adver-
tisers to target consumers, the
console will also help customers
save money in the long run.
Having a console that can
access coupons on the spot
might be exactly what some
shoppers need.
“I always forget my coupons
PAGE 15
with irregular class schedules,”
he said.
Kerr recommends 20-minute
naps and establishing a routine
to help with tiredness.
“I would suggest for students
to try to wake up at the same
time each day even if you don’t
have classes,” said Kerr. “That
way, you will get tired around
the same time each day.”
Likewise, senior Meg Marong
recommends natural reme-
dies and time-management to
ensure adequate sleep.
“What helps me sleep is
making sure that I am drinking
lots of water and green tea,
getting a lot of exercise and
making sure that I have every-
thing done for the next day,”
said Marong.
For more information on
healthy sleep patterns and
stress induced insomnia, go
to http://health.yahoo.com or
http://www.bettersleep.org.
at home and sometimes it would
be nice to have them,” said
sophomore Marissa Petroff.
“I have an Advantage Card for
Giant Eagle, so that’s where I
do most of my shopping.”
Senior Michalle Nedley thinks
this new technology could have
its advantages, but she worries
about the downfalls to having
such an innovated system.
“I can understand the con-
venience of having a console
system, but where is the money
going to come from to imple-
ment this technology? I worry
about prices increasing as a
result,” Nedley said.
The new “MediaCart” is
going to be tested in ShopRite
supermarkets across the East
Coast.
PAGE 16 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Jan. 23, 2008

tHe
BuZz
JAN. 15-27. Musical. “Av-
enue Q.” Palace Theatre,
Cleveland.

JAN. 24. Erie Broadway

Series. “Chicago.” Warner
Theatre, Erie.

FEB. 22. Comedy. Larry

the Cable Guy. Tullio
Arena, Erie.

FEB. 22. Erie Broad-

way Series. “Dirty Rotten
Scoundrels.”

FEB. 23. Buckwheat Sophomores Garrett Evans and Carly Rae Eisenhauer, graduate student Jessica Provenzano, and junior Scoot Williams photo

Zydeco. Reg Lenna Civic Jessica Rudisill will perform in ‘Seussical’ this weekend.
Center, Jamestown. N.Y.

M A RC H 1 . G e o r g e
Strait, Little Big Town.
‘Oh, the places you’ll go!’
director, she has enjoyed watch- the experience has been watch- short amount of time,” she said.
Quicken Loans Arena, By Nicole Cerilli
ing the interaction among all ing everything come together “ I am very proud of the cast and
Cleveland. A&E editor
of the students involved in the so well.” pit for all of the effort they are
production during the rehearsal Simoncelli performed in putting forth.”
MARCH 1. The Chief-
Mercyhurst College presents process. “Bye Bye Birdie” last year, in Trevor Sones, a sophomore
tains. Palace Theatre,
the lively and colorful student- “It’s really nice to see dif- addition to being the assistant dance major, is the show’s stu-
Cleveland.
produced musical “Seussi- ferent-aged people become producer for that production. dent choreographer.
cal” this weekend at the Mary friends with people outside Music Director and Conduc- Sones was asked to be the
MARCH 8. Disney’s
D’Angelo Performing Arts their major who share the tor Melissa Heitzenrater, a choreographer for this year’s
“High School Musical:
Center. same love for music, dance senior music education major musical last year when he was
The Ice Tour.” Mellon
Based on the works of Dr. and acting,” Stadelman said. “It with a concentration in piano, the assistant choreographer as
Arena, Pittsburgh.
Seuss, “Seussical” tells the story really shows that the arts are for is also excited to see everything well as a supporting actor in “Bye
of Horton the Elephant who all people.” come together. Bye Birdie.”
MARCH 14. B.B. King.
hears voices coming off of a Stadelman got involved with “I recently had some cast For Sones the most enjoyable
Warner Theatre, Erie.
speck of dust on a clover. “Grease” during her freshman members come to a pit orches- part of the experience has been
The entire town of Who- year and has been participating tra rehearsal to sing with us, working with the other students
MARCH 15. K.D. Lang.
ville is on the clover, but only in the musicals on campus since and it was so nice to finally get on campus.
Center for the Arts, Uni-
Horton can hear the Whos of then. She hopes that as the a feel for how it is really going “I love working with students
versity of Buffalo.
Whoville. director of “Seussical,” she will to sound when all the pieces are my age. I find it easier to relate
So with the help of a little gain the experience she needs in place for the performance,” with them and make the process
MARCH 18. Erie Broad-
Who boy named JoJo and to direct high school musicals she said. fun and full of energy,” Sones
way Series. Michael
Horton’s neighbor, Gertrude in the future. A production of this scale said.
Flatley’s “Lord of the
the Bird, Horton is able to save Virginia Simoncelli, a senior is typically very challenging to “I also love to see the growth
Dance.”
the Whos. music education major with a piece together. everyone makes in their dancing
This year’s student-produced concentration in voice, is the For Heitzenrater, the biggest abilities from try-outs to show
M A RC H 2 5 . Ro b i n
musical includes 54 cast mem- producer of the show. challenge was teaching all of week,” he said.
Trower. Tralf, Buffalo.
bers. “I am very proud of the show the music. “Seussical” will be performed
Junior Kara Stadelman, a and everyone who has been “We have been working really in the PAC on Jan. 25 at 8 p.m.,
music education voice major, is helping to make it the great hard to learn all of the songs, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. and Jan. 27 at 2
Courtesy of Goerie.com
the director of “Seussical.” show it is,” she said. and have learned a very large p.m. Tickets are $1 with a Mer-
Stadelman said that as the “The most enjoyable part of amount of music in a relatively cyhurst ID.
Jan. 23, 2008
‘Does God Exist?’
By Megan O’Hare
Contributing writer
Located in the heart of New
York City, The 92nd Street Y’s
mission is to enrich the lives
of all races, faiths and back-
grounds.
After more than 130 years of
success within the community,
The 92nd Street Y launched
a groundbreaking program
to help educate communities
across America.
Featuring some of the world’s
most fascinating people, the
program uses satellite technol-
ogy to simultaneously broadcast
the Y’s renowned educational
and cultural programming to
community organizations across
America.
“Though we are over 100
miles away from New York, our
students felt that they were in
attendance at the 92nd Street
Y. We filled a room with almost
150 students and you could
have heard a pin drop during
the lecture,” said the University
of Delaware. “I would recom-
mend live satellite broadcasts
of speakers to any department
or program in order to bring
speakers to a campus that would
otherwise be unavailable.”
The “Live from NY’s 92nd
Street Y” program is a series
comprised of thought-provok-
ing lectures and compelling
interviews, that feature news-
makers, political figures, opin-
ion-shapers and authors who
discuss issues and events that
affect our lives.
Thanks in part to Mercyhurst
College and the Anshe Hesed
Temple, this acclaimed series is
coming to Mercyhurst.
The series will continue with
Christopher Hitchens and Rabbi
Shmuley Boteach in debate
‘Does God Exist? on Jan.30 at
8 p.m.
Join two of today’s most pro-
vocative voices as they debate
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Christian Witkin photo
Christopher Hitchens, above,
and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
will debate God’s existence.
the ultimate religious question:
Is there a God? Bestselling
authors Hitchens and Boteach
pull no punches as they discuss
organized religion and religion’s
place in American life.
Hitchens is a British-Ameri-
can author, journalist and liter-
ary critic.
He has been a columnist at
Vanity Fair, The Atlantic, The
Nation and Slate. His latest
book is “God Is Not Great:
How Religion Poisons Every-
thing.”
Boteach is an American
Orthodox rabbi, who achieved
worldwide recognition from the
publication of his international
bestseller, “Kosher Sex.”
Boteach currently hosts his
own series, Shalom in the Home,
a reality television show where
he facilitates family members to
overcome their problems.
The “Live from NY’s 92nd
Street Y” series will be held at
the Taylor Little Theatre. Tickets
for the lecture are free for Mer-
cyhurst students and faculty.
Only one ticket may be pur-
chased per ID. Students must
show ID at ticket purchase and
event entry.
The band The Devil Wears Prada will perform in the 2008 Warped Tour.
Let’s get warped!
By Greg Summy
Staff writer
Kevin Lyman, the head
of annual punk rock festival,
Warped Tour, announced the
first wave of bands committed
to the 2008 tour.
The list includes a broad
range of talented acts.
“We’re striving to have a
diverse lineup that includes a
little of everything while still
catering to our core fan,” Lyman
said on Warpedtour.com.
The first release of bands
ranges from ska, dance, pop
punk, all the way to metal.
The list also includes peren-
nial favorites, as well as new-
comers to the tour.
After a nationwide tour with
Fall Out Boy in 2006, The
Academy Is… will reunite with
From First to Last on Warped
Tour this summer.
The Academy Is… label
mates Gym Class Heroes will
also joining the tour with The
Color Fred. Heavier acts are
also set to play Warped all
summer, after the overwhelm-
ing success of Blessthefall and
Scary Kids Scaring Kids on last
year’s tour.
The Devil Wears Prada, Every
Time I Die and Norma Jean
will be pounding out the break-
downs all summer for thousands
of fans in every city.
Hip-hop, a genre usually not
associated with Warped Tour,
has steadily make its way to the
stages of the punk rock festival.
This year, The Lordz, a punk
and hip-hop crossover band,
intense hip-hop group 3Oh!3
and Shwayze, a popular indie
hip-hop artist, will all be per-
forming all summer on Warped.
Christian bands have also
been very popular at Warped
Tour in recent years.
The Devil Wears Prada is not
alone so far this year; Relient K
will also be spreading their faith
to the crowds and mosh pits at
Warped Tour.
This first release of bands
also represents classic punk, the
origins of Warped Tour. Irish
style punk band The Briggs, and
traditional political punks The
PAGE 17
Contributed photo
Street Dogs are among those
who will share the stage this
summer.
Ska fans will not be disap-
pointed either. Reel Big Fish
will be on Warped Tour all
summer long.
Fans of something more
upbeat and danceable will
enjoy Warped Tour as well this
summer.
Indie pop-rock singer and
songwriter Katy Perry will be
joining the ranks this year, as
well as pop punk up-and-comers
We The Kings.
As usual with Warped Tour
lineups, bands that incorporate
a mix of the heavy rock with the
lighter are set to play this year.
The first few among a poten-
tially long list of like bands are
The Bronx and Pierce the Veil.
Lyman and the rest of the
Vans Warped Tour will be releas-
ing the names of more bands in
the coming months.
Tour dates have not been
announced for summer 2008.
For more information regarding
the Van’s Warped Tour be sure
to check out warpedtour.com.
PAGE 18
Before you kick the bucket: Review of ‘The Bucket List’
By Sarah Mastrocola
Staff writer
What would you do if you
found out that you had a year or
less left to live?
“The Bucket List,” a film
directed by Rob Reiner, which
stars Jack Nicholson and Morgan
Freeman, answers this question
for two characters while the story
follows the lives of two termi-
nally ill cancer patients.
Crude and demanding bil-
lionaire Edward Cole, played by
Nicholson, finds himself in an
unusual and unfortunate situa-
tion when he is diagnosed with
cancer and is forced to reside in
the hospital that he owns.
It is during his hospital stay
that Nicholson meets Carter
‘Manon Lescaut’ comes to PAC
By Jordan Zangaro
Contributing writer
Don’t miss the thrilling,
world-class opera and its
groundbreaking series of live,
high-definition performance
transmissions to movie theaters
around the world.
Come and observe the beauty
and power of the Metropolitan
Opera at the Mary D’Angelo
Performing Arts Center with the
next production of the remark-
able and unforgettable “Manon
Lescaut.”
The Mary D’Angelo Perform-
ing Arts Center at Mercyhurst
College, is one of four college
campuses in the nation to join
over 600 venues in 13 countries
across the world in broadcasting
the spectacle and intense pas-
sion of the Metropolitan Opera
House and its astonishing per-
formers.
A dozen strategically placed
cameras offer brilliant close-ups,
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Chambers, a more humble and
wise character, played by Free-
man, who also suffers from
cancer.
Because of Nicholson’s “two-
to-a-room” stance he placed
on his hospital, he is forced to
share a room rather than having
his own private suite, and so it
is as roommates that these two
meet.
During his hospital stay, Free-
man begins to develop a list of
things he wants to do before he
“kicks the bucket.”
He says that the idea came
from making such a list in one
of his high school classes long
ago.
After receiving the news of his
limited time to live, Freeman is
ready to discard the list, seeing it
as pointless. However Nicholson
which reveal the details of cos-
tumes and facial gestures, and
capture sweeping wide angles
of dance and panoramic specta-
cle, which provides an intimate
advantage to those actually sit-
ting in the audience at the Met.
The story of “Manon Les-
caut” is based on the 1731 novel
“L’histoire du chevalier des
Grieux et de Manon Lescaut”
by the Abbé Prévost and is writ-
ten and composed by Giacomo
Puccini.
On the heels of her triumph,
phenomenon Karita Mattila
adds another landmark role to
her Met repertory, the free-spir-
ited beauty “Manon Lescaut.”
The story of the magnetic
attraction between two young
lovers is the perfect vehicle for
the soprano’s exhilarating cha-
risma, especially when matched
by the ardent tenor of Marcello
Giordani.
Music Director James Levine
conducts his first Met perfor-
mances of the work since 1981.
discovers the list and insists that
they must both go do everything
on it before time runs out.
Thus, the adventures begin.
In spite of opposition from
Freeman’s wife, Nicholson and
Freeman run off to complete
the list.
With exploits ranging from
skydiving and racecar driving to
getting a tattoo, the two quickly
become pals through their es-
capades. They travel across the
world, hitting such sites as the
pyramids in Egypt, the Taj Mahal
and the Himalayas.
Through these travels, the
viewer also learns much more
about these two characters as
people, discovering their history,
triumphs and failures.
Nicholson, who has had four
divorces and found satisfaction
The remarkable love story
begins with Lescaut, Geront
and Manon arriving in a dili-
gence.
Lescaut is taking his sister to
a convent to complete her edu-
cation, but finding her to be
greatly admired by the wealthy
Geronte, is quite willing to play
a negative part and let the old
plot with the landlord to abduct
Manon.
Des Grieux, however, has
seen her. “Donna non vidi mai
simile a questa” (Never did I
behold so fair a maiden), he
sings in praise of her beauty.
The story unfolds into one of
love, corruption, money, arrests,
escapes, banishment and death
all the while accompanied by
extraordinary music.
For information or tickets,
call the Mary D’Angelo Per-
forming Arts Center box office
at 824-3000.
Tickets will be sold to stu-
dents for $15, and the perfor-
mance is open to the public.
mostly from his success as a busi-
nessman, is unhappily estranged
from his only daughter.
Freeman labored as a me-
chanic for more than forty years
so he could support his family, in
spite of his desire to go to college
and work as a teacher, now feels
some separation from his wife.
These two, through their bicker-
ing and friendship, faults and life
struggles, become real people.
Freshman Bethany Brun said
of “The Bucket List,” “It was
‘American Idol’ returns
By Jackie Koehler
Contributing writer
There are some who watch
“American Idol” purely for the
entertainment value, some to
hear how cruel Simon Cowell can
truly be, some for the inspiration
of hearing raw musical talent
put to the test and others who
root for the William Hungs of
the show.
“American Idol” started its
seventh season last Tuesday
night, resulting in 33.4 million
viewers tuning to Fox. Among
those viewers were Mercyhurst
College students.
Junior Cassie Powers watches-
for the ridiculous singers who
attempt to make their way to
“American Idol” stardom.
“I identify with them because I
myself am tone-deaf,” she said.
She also said she was surprised
that “American Idol” is still up
and running after six seasons.
Junior Mike Temple was also
surprised that the show is still
being aired. In his opinion, “It’s
no longer about talent, because
it’s clearly scripted.”
As one of the shows not af-
fected by the on-going writer’s
strike, it is expected to do very
well.
Advertisers pay more than
Jan. 23, 2008
very funny, and it had a great
message. It really made me pon-
der what kind of things I want
to do before I die. This movie,
which is the first film in which
I actually liked Nicholson, really
made me think and relook at my
priorities.”
Although “The Bucket List”
has received negative reviews
from some critics, it’s story is
touching, and it is a refreshing
break from the usual movies
released by Hollywood.
usual, over a million dollars, in
order to get a single commercial
to play during its broadcast.
Producer Nigel Lithgowe told
Reality TV World, “Hopefully it’s
going to be a good year because
we’ve got good talent.”
Junior Caitlin Cummings
agrees.
“It looks like there is a lot of
potential so far this season. I’m
excited to see how it turns out,”
she said.
However she disagrees with
some of the decisions made by
the judges in whom they keep
and who they eliminate.
Many viewers had stronger
opinions about the judges and
host than they did about the
show.
Some viewers commented on
judge Randy Jackson’s newfound
sideburns and Ryan Seacrest’s
hosting skills.
Senior Joey Jablonski wishes
he had been asked to help judge
the show.
Nevertheless, it will be inter-
esting to see if “American Idol”
is able to produce another sing-
ing sensation as they have in past
seasons.
If you are bummed out by the
writer’s strike and need to watch
something other than re-runs,
tune in to Fox Tuesdays and
Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
 Jan. 23, 2008
Sincerely, Anonymous Obama and Clinton show their teeth
By Michelle
LaSlavic
Staff writer
As I was leaving my apart-
ment last week, I found a note
taped to my door with words of
encouragement and it got me
thinking; why are we so much
more confident and open with
our opinions when our identity
is hidden or we are separated
from a person by an IM or a text
message?
I have noticed over the years
that people our age are straying
away from face-to-face inter-
action and replacing it with e-
mails, text messages and other
forms of digital communica-
tion.
People seem to find it much
easier to point out a problem
or solve relationship issues with
someone over the computer or
on the phone.
I think it is because it’s less
painful to tell someone some-
thing when you do not have to
see their reaction or see how
much what you’re saying hurts
the person.
I personally have said things
through instant messenger that
I would never have had the guts
to say to the person’s face.
I don’t know the reason, the
A world with name tags for forgotten friends
By Bill
Swafford
Staff writer
Since a young age, I have
struggled to remember names.
To make the situation worse, I
usually do not remember names
of individuals to whom I am an
acquaintance.
Forgetting a name can be an
embarrassing situation for both
parties. Forgetting a name at the
end of the night can really put a
damper on your love life. Noth-
words are still coming from me,
but it is just so much easier to
express my feelings when I don’t
have to see the person’s face.
I’ve also noticed that people
find it easier to vent about some-
one to another person than to
approach the person they actu-
ally have a problem with and tell
them to his or her face.
Of course if the person finds
out, though, it’s always, “I never
said that,” or, “That’s not what
I meant.”
Why are we so afraid of
people actually knowing how we
feel? Should we be so ashamed
of our feelings?
It’s easier to have opinions
about someone or something
when no one else knows, or the
specific person doesn’t know
that you feel a certain way about
them.
This makes me think; what’s
the point of even expressing our
feelings if we are too ashamed
to put a face with the words?
I think that if we are going
to be so opinionated, we should
start standing behind our
words.
It’s okay to have thoughts and
feelings about people or issues,
but if we are actually going to
say them or put them out there,
don’t be anonymous or afraid to
go face-to-face.
ing is worse than calling a girl by
the wrong name.
You can always play the risk
game with what you perceive to
be his or her name. However
this is often risky and can have
severe consequences.
The easiest way to rectify this
situation is to call them such
names as buddy, killer, big guy,
sweetie, etc.
You can only hope that when
he or she walks away that your
friend to the left or right of you
knows his or her name. This
dilemma is all too common
OPINION
By Keith
Nemeth
Staff writer &
political analyst
Only a few days before the
South Carolina Primary, Clin-
ton and Obama are sniping each
other.
Clinton recently stated that
Obama has become frustrated at
his recent losses in New Hamp-
shire and Nevada, while also
Thirty-five years of women’s freedom
By Ellen
Koenig
Staff writer
If you missed the celebra-
tion, Tuesday, Jan. 22, was the
35th anniversary of Roe v.
Wade. That means 35 years of
added privacy and freedom for
women in the U.S. I never wit-
nessed a person lose composure
so quickly as when the pro-life
stance was challenged.
People are afraid to discuss
it with fears of being politically
incorrect. Still other individu-
als become so hostile over the
issue that there often is no point
in continuing the conversation.
Why is abortion such a hot
topic that is difficult for oppos-
within the college environ-
ment. Memorization of over
100 names makes it impossible
to remember everyone. Truth-
fully there is no common solu-
tion to this dilemma other than
producing name tags.
In areas of public service,
a name tag is sewn on to the
left upper pocket to ensure
that those they encounter can
remember his or her name.
This is the case especially
when you get your car fixed;
you can always remember that
Kenny fixed your car.
stating he is not able to back up
his words with action.
Obama retaliated against
Clinton by saying she is willing
to “fudge the truth” in her quest
for the Democratic presidential
nomination.
South Carolina is the last pri-
mary before “Super Tuesday”
during which voters will cast
ballots in 24 states.
With the delegation votes
split nearly even among Obama,
ing opinions to sit down and
hold a civil conversation? Cases
such as Griswold v. Connecti-
cut or Doe v. Bolton both were
instrumental in the promotion
of women’s freedom of body
and choice.
Doe v. Bolton was decided
the same day as Roe v. Wade and
allows a health exception for
abortion. It eliminated the tri-
mester limitation created by Roe,
which allows for abortions past
the first trimester. Parts of this
decision were weakened when
Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act
was signed in 2003. A forerun-
ner to Roe is Griswold v. Con-
necticut, which criminalized the
use of contraceptives. However
it violated the right to marital
privacy and was overturned by
How convenient would it
be when you walked into the
Cornerstone, ran into someone
and could look to the upper
left breast and notice that their
name is P.J.
It eliminates the introduc-
tion period and allows you to
call him or her by his or her real
name, not killer or buddy.
In the scheme of things,
this will most definitely never
happen.
However it would be a great
world if we lived in one with
name tags.
PAGE 19
Clinton and Edwards the candi-
dates are willing to do anything
to sully the reputation of their
opponents or try to appear as
the “good guy.”
This is currently Edwards’
strategy by staying out of the
bickering.
With a race this close the con-
vention is where the next Dem-
ocratic candidate is going to be
chosen, and the primaries are
mainly for show at this point.
the U.S. Supreme Court in 1965.
The issue runs much deeper
into beliefs on contraception,
women’s health, when a fetus is
considered a human and family
planning. It is difficult to sway
people’s perception of abortion
unless they are put into a situa-
tion of unexpected pregnancy.
With recent technology, doc-
tors are able to detect “defec-
tive” fetuses, which are more
often subject to extermination.
If the choice to have an abor-
tion lies on such a decision then
it is encouraged that the fetus’
mother examine her so-called
moral conscience.
Everyone is entitled to their
own opinion. In the meantime
please keep your laws off our
bodies.
Johnson &
Johnson
Properties
2 - Houses
for rent
Mercyhurst
Area
6/1/08 -
5/29/09
860-8817
 PAGE 20
‘In my eyes we will seek peace and faith’ The Good,
By Engel Vargas
Contributing writer
The world, in a blink of an
eye/ Turns pink and dark/ The
eyes run like rivers/ Puddles of
rain/ And fear to rave./ Colors
of all nations fear one./ The
clouds close and the light opens
the eyes/ That were shun from
right.
In the 21st century humans
have been challenged due to reli-
gion, color, ethnicity and beliefs.
We have killed thousands of
innocent humans and will con-
tinue until the end of time.
The U.S. government has
Americans blind-folded with the
belief that other countries are
invading and trying to destroy
America, when we have invaded
a country of the Holy Land and
no human power will overcome
the power of God.
We are fighting over ele-
ments with which we have been
blessed. One religion is trying
to tell the other the truth. We
King’s influence lives on
By Jerrod
Markle
Staff writer
In case you missed the celebra-
tion of Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. on Monday, do not fret.
MLK has been one of the
most influential people in Amer-
ican history, inspiring the hearts
of millions.
Seeing the cyclical effects that
carried over to Dr. King from
Gandhi originating in Hindu phi-
losophy, it is hard to ignore the
importance of being awake to
such wisdom. As Dr. King said,
“Nothing in the entire world is
more dangerous than sincere
ignorance and conscientious stu-
pidity.”
More than just a bumper
unite when problems occur but
we are blind to see the truth in
front of us.
We choose leaders who are
blind and will lead more blind-
ness into the abyss.
Scientists create future prob-
lems and forget how they
evolve.
Who is to blame for starv-
ing children and the war that is
being fought against hunger?
The war is drying the most
powerful country. Humans are
losing their lives, families are
being destroyed, kids are being
left without parents and money
is being spent to create prob-
lems to destroy humanity.
As I blink, another family is
being destroyed. Another soul is
being buried over greed and we
are happy to see that it will not
be me.
Preachers are pilfering God’s
innocents. Where do we stop?
We celebrate, but we also cel-
ebrate the harm that we cause
others. Miles are traveled for a
better life, but exile those that
sticker or button quote, this
saying puts to words the medi-
tations of the beloved MLK.
These words carry a personal
connection for me, as it seems
many people consciously choose
ignorance and avoid deep mental
explorations.
This type of chosen blindness
creates a lifestyle focused on
maintaining the hedonistic ritu-
als that allows ignorance to take
on the illusion of bliss. In reality,
this bliss may also be interpreted
as a latent fear.
This will coincide with the
awareness that the means and the
end are inseparable. Setting up a
more educated population that
is not propelled by latent fear
but vision realized through daily
action would be a true testament
to the teachings of Dr. King.
OPINION
do not suit our taste.
We speak of a melting pot,
but love to degrade and shame
those that bring happiness. I
see terror, destruction, hate and
death!
My eyes bleed, human souls
turn to darkness and my eyes
continue to suffer. Society
changes people; ask Him for
solutions.
Let Him guide you to salva-
tion. In my eyes the world turns
counter-clockwise.
I notice that all we read in our
American education was that
the Americans died.
We have been brainwashed
and are told that Americans
should live longer and should
dominate others.
Are others not human? In
my eyes, we all said, “I had a
dream.”
In my eyes, there is a distant
pass of memories to the past I
have seen; distant memories for
the future in me. In my eyes,
God brought us to earth naked.
God brought us pure and with-
out sin. In my eyes, I must watch
creators of life be abominated.
Why must we believe that cre-
ators of life should be hidden
from nature? In my eyes, we live
in hell, and when death arrives
we will be free. Free from life
problems and in a land of para-
dise that my eyes could bear. In
my eyes, we will seek peace and
faith, to solve the hatred among
us.
Jan. 23, 2008
the Bad &
the Ugly
The Good
Spring break is less than
a month away. Pack your
bags and don’t forget the
sunblock.
You may never have to
call the Registrar again if
you lost your registration
time because it is right
online.
The Bad
M o s t s ch o o l s h a d
Monday off to celebrate
the life of Martin Luther
King, Jr. We did not.
Whatever happened to
that sign on Lewis Ave.
that said “Do not park on
grass?” There are just two
posts there now.
The Ugly
The weather this past
weekend was tough going.
Both Saturday and Sunday
I-90 and I-79 were shut
down at one point.
When did Britney Spears
acquire a British accent
and pink hair? Perhaps that
is what sparked a writer
to submit her obituary
despite the fact that she is
still alive.
Please e-mail any suggetions to
opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
The GB&U is a compilation of
student opinions.
 Jan. 23, 2008 OPINION PAGE 21

This I believe: Mercy is an essential element of life

Mercyhurst’s Ethical Reflection Committee has initiated “This I Believe” to foster reflection within the entire college community on the values by which we live. We hope that these essays will inspire
further introspection, thoughtful discussion, and innovative ways of integrating holistically some of the ideas and values expressed here into our personal, academic, social, spiritual, professional and com-
munal life.
For example, faculty might introduce appropriate essays into class discussion; students might initiate conversations in class and beyond; administrators and staff might explore these with colleagues.
Responses may be directed to the Merciad at editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu or to committee chair, Rev. Lyta Seddig at lseddig@mercyhurst.edu.
Share how these thoughts have had an impact in your life!
Sr. Pat Whalen was a faculty member in the Department of Education from 1970-1987, served as Assistant Academic Dean from 1996-1999 and has been Registrar since 1999. Her favorite aspect
about the college: “Inspired by the mission, I appreciate the commitment to excellence, mercy, service, as well as the collegial spirit that marks our efforts at Mercyhurst College.”

By Sr. Pat Whalen
Contributing writer
I believe that mercy is an
essential element of life, that
the people of the earth clamor
for mercy. As individuals
respond mercifully in the ordi-
nary circumstances of their
lives, destructive impulses are
resisted and society moves
toward recognizing that the dig-
nity the individual needs to be
reverenced and valued. Each
of us can learn from others the
ways of responding in mercy.
In turn, each of us can become
more capable of interacting in a
merciful way.
As a Sister of Mercy, my per-
spective on mercy is shaped by
the Constitutions of the Sis-
ters of Mercy of the Americas.
Chapters six and eight proclaim
the significance, the beauty, and
the giftedness of mercy.
We strive to witness to mercy
when we reverence the dignity
of each person, create a spirit of
hospitality and pursue integrity
of word and deed in our lives.
Recognizing our own human
weakness, we know that only
through God’s mercy can we be
merciful.
By collaborating with others,
in works of mercy we continu-
ally learn from them how to be
more merciful.
Frequently I recall an experi-
ence of my early teen years. An
elderly woman, Louisa, lived
next door to my family. Since
she lived alone, my mother sat
with her each evening while
Louisa ate her dinner. I still
recall my mother carrying a pot
of freshly brewed coffee to our
neighbor’s home each evening
about 4:30 p.m. By this hour,
my mother had completed the
preparations for our family
dinner. When I arrived home
from school, I watched the food
cooking on the stove making
sure that nothing burned. A
particular experience occurred
when I was 14 years old. My
mother, pregnant with her sixth
child, did not feel well on one
September afternoon.
She asked me to sit and con-
verse with Louisa as she ate her
dinner. I resisted, not wanting to
sit with an elderly woman, and
unhappy with the prospect of
attempting conversation with
an old person. My mother pre-
vailed. Mumbling about the
unfairness of life, the injustice
of my mother’s request, my
displeasure at being required
to sit and converse with an old
woman, I reluctantly walked
next door. As I walked across
our adjacent lawns, a spirit deep
within my being emerged and
I vaguely recognized that my
response was selfish, immature
and mean spirited.
At that moment, I could not
articulate this blessing nor did I
ponder its significance. In fact,
at that time in my life I barely
attended to this revelation.
As I experienced her warm
welcome, her lively interest in
my life and the easy conversa-
tion with Louisa, the genera-
tional gap that I had fabricated
evaporated. From that day on, I
relished my time and conversa-
tion with her as I began to take
comfort in the wisdom Louisa
had accumulated from years
of living and of reflecting on
the human condition. I mar-
veled at the peace of heart that
enveloped her spirit, how she
maneuvered through the times
of joy and sorrow in her life.
She maintained hope in the face
of anguish and grief.
For some reason, this memory
has continued to invite my
reflection over the years. I grad-
ually recognized that the Spirit
of God moved my spirit in this
experience. Seven Septembers
following that particular day,
I entered the candidacy of the
Sisters of Mercy, to join my life
with women who devoted their
lives to the works of mercy.
This seed of responding with
compassion, planted by my
mother, continues to inspire
and challenge me. These two
women, Louisa, my neighbor,
and Genevieve, my mother, by
their loving kindness showed me
mercy. I continue to believe that
such simple and commonplace
acts of compassion that occur
each day throughout our world
maintain society at some level of
equilibrium. In their tender and
compassionate expressions of
mercy, human beings respond
to misery and restore hope. A
merciful response generates
another merciful response.
Mercy has the power to create,
to renew and to heal. Let us
respond to human misery bit by
bit, day by day. Certainly living
in mercy is a manifestation of a
living and loving God, our Cre-
ator, the Holy One.

The little things are big Johnson &

By Merissa
I worked over 40 hours this
past weekend. It sounds crazy-
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Frank
Opinion editor
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On the other hand, I let myself Located @ 146 E. 38th St. 2 - Houses
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Whether you are a fresh-
Looking back at the weekend,
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pace yourself.
I’m telling you, it’s the little Cell: 434-5714 860-8817
Sometimes it just isn’t worth it. things.
 PAGE 22
Global warming: The transcendent challenge of our times
By Dr. James Snyder
Contributing writer
Anyone who has been paying
attention to the presidential race
will surely have heard presiden-
tial hopeful, Sen. John McCain,
say again and again that the tran-
scendent challenge of our times
is Islamo-fascist terrorism. Cer-
tainly in our post 9/11 world
we are haunted by the tragedies
that terrorism has spawned on
our homeland and around the
globe.
Certainly, we still face the
specter of a stateless enemy
that wants to attack us when
and wherever it can, despite a
14-year campaign along the cen-
tral front in the War on Terror.
But is Islamo-fascism really the
transcendent challenge of our
times?
When one compares the sta-
tistics of those affected by ter-
rorism worldwide next to those
who are and will be affected in
the future by increasing eco-
logical degradation and global
climate change, there simply is
no comparison. Sen. McCain is
simply wrong—breathtakingly
wrong. He’s flown the coup, as
it were, embracing a rhetoric
and an ideology that is discon-
nected from reality. That’s not
to say that Sen. McCain is wrong
about the seriousness of terror-
ism with respect to our national
security and international well
being.
Wherever it occurs terrorism
is a horrific crime committed by
sick individuals that we need to
steadfastly defend against and,
perhaps, even continue to wage
a smart and allied war against.
But terrorism—and par-
ticularly Islamic terrorism—is
simply not a challenge that
is transcendent in the literal
sense of the word as something
that exists above and beyond
all individuals, all nations, all
borders, as well as future gen-
erations in such a fashion that
every single human being—and,
indeed, every living being on
Earth—stands to be profoundly
affected.
No, the transcendent chal-
lenge of our times is global
warming. Of all the challenges
we face, it alone is a threat to
all communities and ways of
life on earth, wherever they are
found, whether human or non-
human. It alone has the unsur-
passed ability to lay low the vast
and varied web of life.
Indeed, it is climate chaos,
not Islamic terrorism, that gath-
ers on the horizons of the 21st
century like a civilizational-sized
Katrina.
It promises to dwarf the suf-
fering that we are threatened
with at the hands of terrorism.
It is even reasonable to assume
that as scarce, vital resources
become increasingly stressed
through climate change, con-
flict will erupt along the cultural
fault-lines of our world, accord-
ing to traditional religious-polit-
ical ties.
Indeed, with “natural” disas-
ters such as Katrina, the accel-
erating albedo effect in the
arctic circle, the melting of the
Greenland ice-caps, the thaw of
the Siberian tundra and a thou-
sand other calamities around the
world, we are already in the early
stages of its unfolding.
Yes, global climate change is
the true, transcendent, civili-
zational crisis of our times—a
crisis that will spare no civiliza-
tion if we do not wage a war on
it along every front possible. It is
a scientific-technological crisis,
a political-economic crisis and,
most of all, a moral crisis of the
first degree, of the widest pos-
sible scope, and of the greatest
consequence. And, like the war
on terrorism, it will not be won
militarily.
Nor will it be avoided or even
defeated through massive public
and private investment and
OPINION Jan. 23, 2008
innovation in science, technol- global warming is real, its main Team will sponsor FOCUS
ogy and the economy, although correctible causes are anthropo- THE NATION on our campus,
these will be required. Rather, genic, the consequences of fail- a nationwide teaching at more
like religiously motivated ter- ing to address it are massive and than 1,200 colleges and univer-
rorism, global warming must dire and the solutions to global sities.
be addressed at the roots of warming and climate change are The goal of FOCUS THE
the problem, which in the case within our individual and collec- NATION is to raise awareness
of global warming is the moral tive moral and material reach. about global warming and the
myopia that fuels eco-systemic Additionally the nations of need for timely solutions.
degradation wherever it occurs. the world—particularly the In accordance with the Inter-
Moreover, like in the war on United States of America, and governmental Panel on Cli-
terrorism, global warming will that means her citizens—must mate Change and supported
not be solved by rotating com- acknowledge the threat of cli- worldwide by the Joint Science
mitted individuals into and mate change, study and enact Academies, the Union of Con-
out of isolated frontlines. The targets, identify cost-effective cerned Scientists and numerous
solution to global warming will solutions, mobilize science and other organizations, we advo-
require a global response led technology, work with develop- cate that Americans rise to the
by each and every individual ing nations and show leader- challenge and demand visionary
who has first embraced the fol- ship! and sweeping legislation that
lowing simple facts that have The time has come to focus seeks to reduce CO2 emissions
been established by the Nobe our nation on the true transcen- 80% below 1990 levels by 2050
Prize-winning Intergovernmen- dent challenge of our times. (sometimes referred to as the
tal Panel on Climate Control: On Jan. 30 and 31, the Green 2% Solution).
Joshua Wilwohl Editor-in-Chief editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu
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The Merciad is the student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst College. It is
published throughout the school year, with the exception of finals week. Our
office is in Hirt, Room 120B. Our telephone number is (814) 824-2376.
The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and
names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the letters for
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before publication and may not be longer than
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Jan. 23, 2008
‘Squeeks’ dominates intramural b-ball
By Jeffrey Stoll
Contributing writer
Over the past two weeks
intramural basketball has seen
a spectacular array of events
occur.
There have been breakaway
dunks, come-from-behind
victories and even a 53-point
scoring binge.
On Sunday, the freshmen
baseball men [Denamn’s ] picked
up their first intramural basketball
win, as they defeated Blackburn’s
team to drop their record to
1-4.
Both teams lacked depth, as
the same five men remained on
the court the entire game.
The game was very close
throughout the entire first half,
as the lead seemed to switch
each time down the court.
However within the last
minute, Blackburn’s team made
a surge and jumped ahead by
eight points.
Needing a huge shot, the
freshman squad’s Abe Rak hit
a three-pointer at the buzzer to
cut the lead to 28-23 at the half.
“It was great to give our team
some momentum heading into
the second half by nailing a
three at the buzzer,” said Rak.
The freshman squad was
dealing with some personnel
changes as its offense
Volleyball scheduling takes a back seat
By Brittany Jackett
Sports editor
The first week of intramural
volleyball is under way; however
the turnout was less than spec-
tacular at the opening matches
last Wednesday.
Although much less popular
than flag football and basketball,
INTRAMURAL SPORTS
The first round of playoffs will begin on Feb. 3rd for intra-
mural basketball, and will culminate on Feb. 17th with the
championship.
struggled throughout the
first half.
The freshman offense
volleyball still managed to spark
the interests of eight teams.
Last Wednesday, there were
three matches scheduled to
begin at 9 p.m. inside the Mer-
cyhurst Athletic Center (MAC).
Surprisingly though, only one
of the matches was played as
Travis Jessick’s team beat Cherie
Jackson’s team in just two
matches.
PAGE 23
I
Standings
N 1 Schmidt 5-0
Denman and Adam Gray all hit
T 5 Gaertner 4-1
three-pointers to jump-start the
R
offense. 5 Coaches 4-1
After this there was no looking A
5 D. Johnson 4-1
back, as the final score went on M
to be 58-45 in the freshmen’s U 5 Giallourakis 4-1
favor, giving them their first R 5 Brown 4-1
victory of the season. A 6 Kampman 3-1
In other intramural news, two L
Sunday’s ago on Jan. 13, senior 8 M.Johnson 3-2
Daniel Bertolini, acquired the
B 8 Stokes 3-2
nickname accustomed to the
nickname “Squeeks” had the
A 13 Hubert 1-4
game of a lifetime scoring 53 S 13 Flanagan 1-4
points. K
13 Finn 1-4
“Squeeks” caught the opening E
tip off and took it down the T 13 Blackburn 1-4
court to hit a quick three. B 13 Denman 1-4
This started what may be the A 14 Dillay 1-3
story of intramurals for the L
2007-08 school year, as he went L 16 Patcher 0-4
on to score the next 34 points 16 Elliott 0-4
for his team.
This was a beating like no one
had ever seen; Squeeks could
not miss, and could not be
stopped. Intramural Sports
It’s as if people were
witnessing the Kobe Bryant
rage on the Toronto Raptors,
just in a much duller, miniature,
environment. Scores
Scoot Williams photo I
Squeeks came out gunning in
N
the second half, but the break
must have rusted him just a bit
T Schmidt
as he only put up 19 points, to R defeated Kampman:
76-60
finish with a 53 point game. A
picked it up in the second half, “Home is where you make it,” M M.Johnson
defeated Hubert:
however, and went on a 12-0 said Bertolini, when asked about U 46-33
run to start the half. Rak, Craig his dominance. R
Giallourakis
A defeated Brown:
L 49-32
Gaertner
B defeated D.Johnson:
A 45-39
The other scheduled con- could potentially cause each
S Denamn
tests were ruled forfeits giving week to be filled with forfeits:
K defeated Blackburn:
Josh Schmidt’s team a for- the Wednesday night specials at 58-45
feit victory over Jenelle Rem- the Cornerstone. E
ington’s team, and Marissa Senior Dan Rajokovich com- T Coaches
defeated Finn
Starin’s team a victory over Dan mented, “If they picked another B
Rajakovich’s team. day, I’d show up for the games, A
Despite being only the second but Wednesday night is ’Stone L
week of scheduled play, there night.” L
was a conflict with the night There are four matches sched-
selected for matches, which uled for tonight at the MAC.
 PAGE 24
Can the Giants come up big?
Some believe Eli Manning can carry his team past the Pats
By Kenny Hunt
Contributing writer
The New England Patriots
are looking to become only the
second team in NFL history to
complete a perfect season, going
19-0 with a Super Bowl victory
February 3rd in Glendale, Ariz.
The Patriots capped off a
perfect 16-0 regular season by
defeating the New York Giants
at Giants Stadium in Week 17.
Which begs the question:
They beat them before; why
can’t they beat them again?
One answer would be that
this game is far from home for
the Giants.
After losing to the Cowboys
in Dallas in week one, the Giants
have won an NFL-record 10
straight games on the road,
including their three playoff
victories, which all came against
the three NFC division leaders.
The upcoming Super bowl
game in Glendale, will be
thousands of miles away from
Giants Stadium, unlike week
17.
The Giants have relied on a
strong defensive core, which
led the NFL with 53 sacks this
season.
Centered around Pro Bowl
defensive end Osi Umenyiora
(13 sacks) and seven-time
Pro Bowler Michael Strahan
(nine sacks), the Giants’
front seven have put pressure
on opposing quarterbacks
all season, especially in
the playoffs.
Last week against the
Chargers, Tom Brady was
anything but perfect, throwing
three interceptions and receiving
a terrible QB rating of 66.4.
With recent rumors of Brady
sustaining an injury to his right
ankle against the Chargers,
the Giants’ front seven will
bring pressure on him and
force Brady to move outside
the pocket or force throws to
covered receivers.
The Giants, however, have
been criticized for having a
weak secondary.
However with injuries to
Sam Madison, Aaron Ross and
Kevin Dockery, the Giants
have gotten exceptional play
from Corey Webster and R.W.
McQuarters.
The Giants held leading
receivers Joey Galloway, Terrell
Owens and Donald Driver, to
a combined 10 receptions and
only 199 yards this postseason.
They expect to have the same
success against Pro Bowler
Randy Moss, who set the single-
season touchdown record this
year with 23.
One of the biggest surprises
for the Giants has been the
consistent and efficient play
of quarterback Eli Manning,
which all started in the Week 17
match-up against the Patriots.
In that game, Manning was
22 of 32 and threw for 251
yards, four touchdowns and
one interception.
Since that pivotal 3-point
loss to New England, Manning
hasn’t turned the ball over once,
and has complied passer ratings
that seem more like Tom Brady
than Eli Manning: 117.1 against
Tampa Bay, 132.4 against
Dallas and 72.3 in the third-
coldest football game ever
played against Green Bay.
“I think the Giants have a
legitimate shot,” said sophomore
Chris Cummings.
“Eli has been playing really
well the last couple of weeks
SPORTS
Two Mercyhurst students showing their love for the New
York Giants as they battle the New England Patriots on Feb.
3rd in Arizona for the Super Bowl.
and their defense has been
excellent the entire season.”
The Giants have also put
together a balanced running
Contributing photo
game as of late with their
power running backs Brandon
Jacobs and the lightning-quick
Ahmad Bradshaw.
Jan. 23, 2008
The run game that seemed
destined for failure with the
injury to starting running back
Derrick Ward earlier this season
has emerged as a game-breaking
piece to the Big Blue puzzle,
especially with Bradshaw’s 88-
yard touchdown run in Tampa
and an average of 4.2 yards per
carry in the postseason.
The Giants defeated the
Green Bay Packers to move to 4-
0 all time in NFC Championship
Games.
In their previous three Super
Bowls, the Giants are 2-1 with
their most recent Super Bowl
contest in 2000, resulting in a
loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
When asked about the Giants
chances this time around,
Mercyhurst sophomore Alan
Damiani replied,“Being a
New York Giants fan all my
life, I have witnessed a lot of
let- downs since 2000, but this
team is nothing like I have
ever seen.”
“I feel very confident
that they will beat the
Patriots and become Super
Bowl Champions.”
The Patriots have many
different weapons, find different
ways to win, and still, the last
time these two teams met, the
Giants came close to ending
their perfect season.
This time however, the Giants
can tweak their Week 17 game
plan to apply more pressure
to Brady, and cover Moss
as they have Owens, Driver
and Galloway, continue their
efficient passing game and
slice through the defensive line
with their suddenly dangerous
run game.
This is a different Giants’
team than four weeks ago and
this team could make history.
Jan. 23, 2008 SPORTS PAGE 25

A Tournament of Champions:
Students and teammates show their support during SAC event
By Kyle Craig
Staff writer

Some people say that charity

is what makes the heart grow
larger and happiness spread like
a wildfire.
Giving not only makes those
receiving the gift feel better
but also leaves a wonderful
feeling with those who give.
I’ve heard that the giving is even
more fulfilling when its helping
someone about whom you care.
Early in the fall term I
reported on a sophomore
football player Garrett Kensy,
who was diagnosed with a form
of cancer and was honored
by football players who
shaved “#4” on the backs of
their heads.
While I cannot report on his
progress since the last article,
I am pleased to announce
that SAC and Tri-Beta held a
“Tournament of Champions”
benefit in his honor.
There were a total of eight
teams in the tournament and Contributing photo

each team tried to raise money
in order to gain points on the
other teams.
In addition there was a silent
auction, which saw memorabilia
such as two autographed
Cleveland Indians baseballs,
tickets to the Otters, Sabres
and Penguins and a signed
hockey stick from the women’s
hockey team.
Everyone at the event had
the opportunity to bid on the
memorabilia, as the proceeds
from the silent auction went
toward the cause.
“We were able to raise about
$1,000 and are looking to have
an extra $350 donated from
MSG,” stated sophomore SAC
member Alexandra Miniri. “We
wanted to donate to Garrett
During the benefit for Garrett Kensy, called the “Tournament of Champions” held by the Mercyhurst Student Activities
Committee, students and teammates came together to offer their support.
and LiveSTRONG in honor
of Garrett because we wanted
to keep the money close to
campus and he is a part of the
Mercyhurst family. “
Half of the proceeds on
the night will be donated to
Kensy and his family to cover
the cost of travel and medical
treatments.
The other half of the
proceeds will be donated to the
LiveSTRONG foundation in
honor of Kensy.
The LiveSTRONG
foundation strives to raise
money and awareness for
testicular cancer research.
The football team played
a large part in the success of
the night, as they were able to
put together three teams in the
tournament.
“We took money out of our
budget to send to his [Garrett’s]
family and also each team in the
‘Tournament of Champions’
from football was to raise
money and/or bring a donation
in for the silent auction part of
the night,” said senior Stephen
Kindler.
“We try to send Garrett text
messages and emails just to help
him keep his spirits up and to
let him know that he is deeply
missed.”
“Whenever a group or
individual goes out of their way
to do a charity event as SAC
and Tri-Beta did, it benefits
the cause. I know it brought
awareness to our students and
college, both for support and
realizing life is so precious,”
stated head football coach Marty
Schaetzle.
“As soon as we found out
about the fundraiser our players
quickly made plans to put three
teams together and each player
made their own contributions
to the cause through the
silent auction.”
Two of the football teams
took first and third place with
the Mercyhurst cross country
team coming in second place.
The real winners on the night
were Kensy, LiveSTRONG and
all those who made donations.
SAC and Tri-Beta did a
wonderful job raising money
and awareness for both
Kensy and the LiveSTRONG
organization.
If anyone is interested in
making donations on behalf
of Garrett Kensy and
LiveSTRONG they can contact
Allie Miniri at aminir76@
mercyhurst.edu.
 PAGE 26
Hepfinger leads by example
By Chris Davis
Sports editor
When thinking of a marvel,
what type of person comes to
mind?
For the most part it is usually
someone that has both experi-
ence and is well-known to a par-
ticular community.
Many people may know Joe
Hepfinger, but many may not
know that he retired in the
fall of 2004, after working 23
years for Mercyhurst College
in its maintenance/athletic
department.
Hepfinger currently lives in
Erie with his sister and brother-
in-law, who have helped care for
him since the death of his par-
ents over 20 years ago.
Many people have described
Hepfinger as the “the big man
on campus,” as he is always
supporting the various athletic
teams each week.
The amazing part is that the
school continues to get encour-
agement from him, even after
his retirement, as he vigorously
attends all the Mercyhurst Ath-
letic events, and volunteers at
some of them.
Before Hepfinger started
volunteering, he worked on the
Mercyhurst campus for several
years.
Some of his duties included
getting the mail each and every
day, making sure the basket-
ball courts were kept clean,
constantly taking out the trash
and even lending a hand with
the appearance of the locker
rooms.
Other duties included helping
with watching over the locker
rooms and getting referees food
during football games.
More recently, Hepfinger has
been collecting tickets at many
of the Lakers men’s and wom-
en’s hockey games.
Joe Hepfinger continues to volunteer his time serving at Mercyhurst and around the
Erie community.
“Joe is the epitome of what
the Sisters of Mercy stand for,”
said Mercyhurst Associate Vice-
President of Administration
Tyrone Moore.
“I look at Joe as a male version
of Sister Damien [late Sister M.
Damien Mlechick, switchboard
operator/greeter/face of Mer-
cyhurst], and that is the high-
est praise I can give to anyone;
Sister Damien is tops.”
Hepfinger demonstrates a
strong work ethic, just as the
Mercyhurst mission statement
advocates.
“Joe’s a great guy,” said soph-
omore football player Andrew
Schuler. “He’s really been an
integral part of the campus both
with working and volunteering.
“Joe doesn’t get paid, he vol-
SPORTS
unteers his time,” he said.
“He’s always out their sup-
porting all of the athletic teams,”
he said. “Joe always knows what
is going on. He always brings
a smile to your face and is a
person you could talk to.”
Hepfinger is a good exam-
ple to the community, as he is
actively involved with the col-
lege and the local church.
“It says a lot about not only
Joe, but for the community as
well, because they care about
the school,” Schuler said. “He
puts a lot of time and effort into
getting to know everyone.”
Hepfinger has also spent time
volunteering as an usher at St.
Luke’s Catholic Church for over
25 years and as the Sergeant at
Arms for over 10 years for the
Scoot Williams photo
Mercyhurst Student Govern-
ment (MSG).
“Joe is one of the faces of
Erie,” said MSG president
Marissa Starin. “You can find
him anywhere. His heart is
always in the right place.”
In Hepfinger’s free time he
enjoys watching sports, listen-
ing to generic bluegrass music,
putting together puzzles, and
making things.
Some of his projects include
making latch hooks and cushion
covers over the years and inad-
dition he loves putting together
puzzles, including the 300 piece
puzzle, which he currently is
working on.
During the summer, Hepfin-
ger has enjoyed serving as the
assistant commissioner of the
Jan. 23, 2008
local youth baseball league in
Erie.
His favorite teams include the
Cleveland Indians, Browns and
Cavaliers.
He enjoys baseball most, as
he has been to a few Indians’
and Buffalo Bisons, the Triple-
A farm team for the Indians,
games during his days.
Although Hepfinger said that
he has never attended a Cava-
liers or Browns game though.
He annually attends the St.
Luke’s appreciation dinners,
MSG Banquets and the Mer-
cyhurst College community’s
Annual Christmas party.
When Hepfinger was asked
what his greatest gift or honor he
ever received was, he responded
by recognizing his family.
“Living with my family, my
sister and brother-in-law,” Hep-
finger responded.
“And visiting my brother and
seeing my nephews and nieces
grow up,” he added.
“Joe comes from a wonder-
ful family and has represented
his family name quite well,” said
Moore. “He is a person that
could engage anyone and you
would leave with a smile.”
“Joe is a wonderful friend to
talk to,” said junior MSG Spirit
Club committee chair Haylie
Starin. “He’s always there to
lend a helping hand.
“He has a wonderful sense
of humor,” Starin commented.
“He always makes me laugh.”
“I met Joe through my
older brothers Jim and Dan,”
said Schuler.
As long as the 77-year-old
Hepfinger can, one might expect
to find him volunteering some-
where around the city of Erie, if
not at the MIC or the MAC.
So, the next time you run
into him, thank him for all his
service he has given to the
’Hurst community over
the years.
Jan. 23, 2008
The New England Patriots seek the perfect ending
By Kirk Campbell
Staff writer
As the New England Patriots
(18-0) defeated the San Diego
Chargers 21-12 at Gillette
Stadium in Foxborough, Mass.
they continued their perfect
season entering Super Bowl
XLII on Feb 3.
Their quest for the first
perfect season since 1972 will
be challenged by the New York
Giants, who defeated the Green
Bay Packers in overtime 23-
20 at Lambeau Field in Green
Bay, Wisc.
Even with a shaky
performance, Tom Brady and
the Patriots recorded their 18th
win of the season but looked
vulnerable, as the banged-up
Chargers held them to a season
low of 21 points. The AFC
Men’s lacrosse hopes to build on successful 2007 campaign
By Chris Davis
Sports editor
The Mercyhurst men’s
lacrosse team made it to the
Division II National Champion-
ship game and fell to Le Moyne
College in May of 2007.
Since then the team has
worked hard with an effort to
improve and build on last year’s
success.
“The kids made a great deal
Championship victory marks
New England’s fourth in the
past seven seasons.
By reaching the Super
Bowl Patriots linebacker
Teddy Bruschi said through
CBSSportsline.com, “There’s
history on the line, we recognize
it, and we acknowledge it.”
The high-powered pass
offense of the Patriots was a
non-factor, as they relied heavily
on running back Lawrence
Maroney to carry the load.
Maroney responded with 122
yards on 25 carries.
His touchdown in the second
quarter gave the Patriots a 7-
3 advantage; a lead they never
lost.
However Brady put the game
out of reach when connected
with Wes Welker late in the
fourth quarter extending the
Patriots’ lead to 21-12. The
of progress in the last two
weeks of the fall season,” said
head coach Chris Ryan. “We
gave everyone a pretty good
amount of playing time. Fall is
for development; the spring is
for winning games.”
Mercyhurst received a large
influx of newcomers after the
run it made in 2007.
“After the national champi-
onship game we ended up with
a number of transfers coming
in here; five transfers and one
SPORTS
touchdown pass was Brady’s
second of the game, as he threw
for 209 yards and a season-high
three interceptions.
Brady’s other touchdown was
a 12-yard connection to Jabar
Gaffney in the second quarter.
The Patriots’ defense
supported their lackluster
offensive by limiting Phillip
Rivers and the Chargers’ offense
to only four field goals.
After the win Patriots’ head
coach Bill Belichick said, “I
think there will be a time to sit
back and reflect; we’ll certainly
enjoy this for a few days.”
The NFC Championship was
a different story as the Cinderella
playoff run of the New York
Giants (13-6) continued
when kicker Lawrence Tynes
connected on a 47-yard field
goal in overtime.
Tynes, who was 3-of-5 on the
more true freshman,” said Ryan.
“Added exposure brought in
great players late in the [recruit-
ing] process.
“It has allowed us to recruit
kids without having to sell the
program,” he said. “Fifteen kids
have been brought into this
year’s class.”
Ryan has confirmed the four
captains of this year’s team
are seniors Joe Konnecke and
Scott “Sulli” Sullivan, as well
as juniors Jason Lashomb and
day, was able to overcome two
missed fields’ goals in the fourth
quarter, one of which coming as
time expired.
“It feels good because this
is what you work for. We stuck
with it, we believed in ourselves
and we got to the Super Bowl,”
said Eli Manning
Green Bay (14-4) took a 10-6
lead into halftime as Brett Favre
and Donald Driver hooked up
on a 90-yard touchdown pass
midway through the second
quarter and Mason Crosby
made a 36-yard field goal.
The Giants responded in the
third quarter with a 12-play, 69-
yard drive when Brandon Jacobs
plunged into the end zone on a
one-yard run to give the Giants
a 13-10 lead, but a Favre 12-yard
touchdown pass to Donald Lee
gave the Packers a 17-13 lead.
At the end of regulation, the
Philip “Mike” Bartlett.
“All four of the captains
complement each other,” said
Ryan. “Jason leads by example,
Mike is a little more local, Sulli is
the thinker of the group and is
the consensus guy and Joe is the
hustler and the organizer.”
The Mercyhurst men’s
lacrosse team will again be play-
ing one of the toughest Divi-
sion II schedules, as it plays
eight of the top 10 preseason
ranked teams.
PAGE 27
ESPN.com photo
score was knotted up at 20-20
as Ahmad Bradshaw scored on
a four-yard touchdown run for
the Giants and Crosby booted
a 37-yard field goal for the
Packers.
A Corey Webster interception
of Favre on the second play of
overtime allowed the Giants to
start their possession in Green
Bay territory and score the
games final points, ending the
Packers season.
“We haven’t been given a
shot, but we’re here and I think
we’re deserving of it,” Manning
said.
“Right now I’m excited as I
can be.”
On Feb. 3 the Giants play
the heavily favored Patriots in
Super Bowl XLII in a rematch
of Week 17 when New England
won 38-35.
“We always like playing a good
schedule,” said Ryan. “People
come here knowing the kind of
schedule they are going to play
will be challenging.”
Ryan has led the Mercyhurst
men’s lacrosse program to its
most successful reign ever.
“That’s the nature of the job
and you do enjoy this, the pride
and pressure,” said Ryan.
This year the men will open
their regular season traveling to
Charlotte, N.C., to play Queens.
 PAGE 28 SPORTS Jan. 23, 2008

Volleyball still searching for first win

Lakers drop two matches to Nazareth and IUP to fall to 0-4 on the season
By Samantha Sellinger
Staff writer

With true Laker spirit, the

Mercyhurst College men’s vol-
leyball team played hard this
past week in matches at home
against Nazareth College and
Indiana University-Purdue Uni-
versity, but could not come up
with any wins.
The guys lost to Nazareth in
a tight, frustrating match last
Thursday 3-2, after a 90-minute
delay when Nazareth’s bus
broke down on the way.
“The outcome was quite dis-
appointing, as I want to win
and expect to win,” said head
coach Ryan Patton.
“We had won two gritty
games and I think we were
better conditioned than Naza-
reth.”
The first two games were
pretty unremarkable, with the
Lakers losing each. However at
the end of the third game, the
team did all it could to avoid
a sweep.
They took control at the last
point of the game with a kill
by junior Dave Newman. A
kill from junior David Hatten
tied the game at 29-29. Scoot Williams photo
The teams continued to Mercyhurst men’s volleyball team, despite taking Nazareth to five games, still stands at 0-4 on the year and is searching for
trade points back and forth its first win of the season.
until they were tied again at
38-38. a 34-32 win. kills, freshman Jonathan Gurr “We played at a level that ishing with nine kills.
A kill by junior Joe Montroy With the match tied up 2-2, had 16 and Wagner had 12. would have won our previous Although the Lakers are deal-
followed by a joint block by the teams entered a fifth game. Injured finger and all, Hatten four matches,” Patton said. ing with last week’s losses, they
Montroy and junior Jeff Hart- Nazareth took the lead and led the team in its match Sat- “The guys played a great match, are gearing up both mentally and
man won the game for Mercy- the Lakers struggled to catch urday night against IPFW, as the score just wasn’t a good rep- physically for this week’s games,
hurst, 40-38. up. Nazareth won the last game the Lakers opened Midwestern resentation.” which they expect to go well.
In game four, the Lakers took 15-9, and the match. Intercollegiate Volleyball Asso- “We knew that we were play- “If we clean up a few weak
an early lead and managed to “Obviously the outcome ciation play. ing a tough team but we also points, we will be capable of
stay in front. of game five was not what The Lakers played valiantly, knew we could compete with making things happen,” said
During this game, Hatten was we wanted and it was a tough but suffered a devastating them and we showed that for Wagner.
forced to leave the match with loss,” said team captain junior shutout, losing all three games. short spurts in the match,” said The Lakers hit the road this
a broken finger, but backup Tim Wagner. IPFW boasts a great roster, so Wagner. week for their next two matches
junior Pete Swauger was able to In terms of statistics, this loss needs to be kept in per- Wagner was the team’s most against Juniata College and
take over and guide the team to Newman led the team with 24 spective, according to Patton. effective player this match, fin- St. Francis.
Jan. 23, 2008
Basketball teams fall to GVSU, FSU
Women showing improvement despite losses
By Rhonda Marable
Staff writer
After a two-game road trip,
the women’s basketball team
came back empty-handed, drop-
ping two contests, one to Grand
Valley State University (GVSU)
70-54 on Thursday and the
other to Ferris State University
81-70 Saturday.
Despite the two losses, the
Lakers turned the ball over just
20 times and came away feeling
rather optimistic about the next
away games.
Against the GVSU Lakers on
Thursday, the women had only
nine turnovers, but poor shoot-
ing doomed any hopes they had
of pulling an upset.
The Lakers stayed close in the
first half, not letting GVSU get
more than a 10-point lead.
Grand Valley started quickly
and took an early lead at the
four-minute mark but a steal
followed by a layup from junior
guard Stephanie Prischak kept
the team within reach.
Men drop third straight GLIAC conference game on weekend
By Christine Mersch
Staff writer
After a seven-game home-
stand, the men’s basketball team
began its four-straight confer-
ence-game road trip this past
weekend.
Mercyhurst (8-10, 2-6
GLIAC), looking to display the
same intensity that produced an
overtime win against Ashland
University last week, started off
the weekend with a matchup
against GLIAC opponent and
No. 2 ranked Grand Valley State
Sophomore guard Stevie Spetosky scored 26 points despite
the Lakers falling to Grand Valley and Ferris State this week.
A good three-pointer by
Prischak and a jumper by
sophomore guard Mara Drei-
ser brought the Lakers within
four points, and at the end of
the half Mercyhurst trailed by
just five. The second half was
not as strong for Mercyhurst,
University (19-0, 7-0 GLIAC).
GVSU, entering the game
ranked No. 1 in the conference
in defense, held the Lakers to
under 50 points and won the
contest 67-48, but it was not
easy as Mercyhurst used its own
defensive strength to stay with
the home team for the first 25
minutes.
With 17:28 remaining in the
second half, the Lakers were
within four points of GVSU.
Grand Valley showed why it is at
the top of the GLIAC standings
by going on an 18-5 run in the
next six minutes to pull away.
SPORTS
Sports Information photo
with the women shooting only
28 percent from the field, includ-
ing a mere eight percent on
three-pointers.
“It’s hard to say if we played
a full 40 minutes,” said sopho-
more guard Stevie Spetosky.
“Our shots didn’t fall in the
Mercyhurst was down by as
many as 11 points in the first
period, but managed to get
within six of GVSU towards the
end of the half and headed into
the locker room down 29-21.
After the break, senior Terry
Smith hit a jumper to cut the lead
to 32-28. But from there on out,
GVSU’s offense produced an
18-5 run that overpowered the
Lakers.Fellow teammate junior
Brian McTear led the Lakers
with 12 points.
GVSU was led by Callistus
Eziukwu, who finished with
12 points and 11 rebounds.
second half and they got more
second chances on rebounds.”
Prischak led the Lakers with
18 points and five rebounds,
with freshman guard Samantha
Loadman helping out with 11
points and four rebounds.
Spetosky contributed nine
points and seven rebounds.
Saturday’s game was much
closer, with the Lakers, led by
charges from Spetosky and Pri-
schak, putting up a good fight
against the tough Ferris State
Bulldogs.
Mercyhurst set the pace with
a strong start and led until the
Bulldogs took their first lead
on a jumper by GLIAC pre-
season player of the year Rachel
Folcik.
After the Lakers vaulted
ahead, the Bulldogs managed to
tie the score before the Lakers
took the lead and kept it at the
end of the first half, 40-35.
The Lakers kept the lead until
two-and-a-half minutes into the
half, when Folcik turned up the
heat with back-to-back layups
that gave Ferris State a five-
Following the loss to GVSU, the
Lakers looked to bounce back
against another GLIAC oppo-
nent, Ferris State on Saturday.
Despite the offensive fire pro-
vided by McTear and senior T.J.
Mathis, who each finished with
20 points, Mercyhurst lost the
contest 63-58.
The Lakers began the game
strong, hitting 12-of-27 from the
field, including four 3-ointers. As
a result, they led FSU 31-19 at
halftime.
“We didn’t play well in the
second half of either game,” said
coach Gary Manchel. “We will
PAGE 29
point lead.
Prischak and Spetosky
answered back, each sinking
three pointers to eventually tie
the game.
After a shot-for-shot battle,
Folcik tied the game and then
gave Ferris State the lead for
good with two jumpers. The
Lakers never recovered, largely
due to their failure to con-
nect on a high percentage of
their shots.
Spetosky and Achesinski lead
the team with 17 points each.
Sophomore Paris Pugliese tal-
lied 13 points with five assists.
Even with two defeats, the
Lakers were optimistic about
the games to come.
“We battled both those teams
and stuck around, especially
with Ferris. It shows we can play
any team in the GLIAC,” said
Pugliese. “We are optimistic and
we are going to come back with
two road wins.”
With that confidence, the
Lakers hit the road to face Hill-
sdale College on Thursday and
Wayne State on Saturday.
need to keep working harder in
practice with rebounding and
taking better quality shots.”
As soon as the second half
began, the Lakers went cold and
the home team answered with
the first 16 points of the half,
taking a 35-31 lead 4:49 into the
half.
After FSU went up by six with
12:29 remaining, Mercyhurst
got back on track as Smith and
Mathis stepped up their offense.
Tied at 43, FSU began to pull
away, leaving the Lakers in a hole
they couldn’t overcome despite a
5-0 run in the final minutes.
 PAGE 30 SPORTS Jan. 23, 2008

Laker Sports ‘Quick Hits’

Last week’s results...

Men fall to UConn
Men’s basketball………………................……Jan. 17, L 67-48, Grand Valley State
Jan. 19, L 63-58, Ferris State
Hockey ends five-game win streak
Women’s basketball…….............…………...Jan. 17, L 70-54, Grand Valley State
Jan. 19, L 81-70, Ferris State By Chris Davis
Men’s hockey………….................................……………..Jan. 18, T 3-3, Connecticut
Jan. 19, L 3-2, Connecticut
Sports editor
Women’s hockey………………...........................................…….Jan. 18, W 5-3, Yale
Jan. 19, W 4-2, Brown
Men’s volleyball…………………….......................................Jan. 17, L 3-2, Nazareth
Boxing and soccer are not
Jan. 19, L 3-0, IPFW the only sports that feature split
Jan. 22, L 3-2, Medaille decisions. The same situation
can occur in college hockey.
The Mercyhurst College
Agosta/Cottreau athletes of the week men’s hockey team battled to a
Women’s hockey sophomore Meghan Agosta and men’s hockey senior Ben
3-3 overtime tie with Atlantic
Cottreau have earned athlete of the week honors. Agosta tallied six goals Hockey Association (AH) oppo-
along with an assist this weekend in wins over Yale and Brown in and led the nent Connecticut on Friday and
Lakers to two victories. She also established a school record with scoring at fell to the Huskies on Saturday
least one point in 18 consecutive games. Agosta currently leads Division I
scorers with 31 goals and the team with 50 points.
3-2 to finish the weekend with a
Cottreau extended his scoring streak to nine consecutive games with a goal record of 0-1-1.
and two assists this weekend in games against Connecticut. He currently The Lakers now stand with an
leads the Lakers in goals , assists and points. Cottreau also moved into the overall record of 7-14-3 overall
top 10 in career points this past week.
and 7-6-3 in AH, as they still are
Women’s hockey team of the week
six points behind leading RIT. Jim Cooper photo
Connecticut, with the win and Junior Kirk Medernach clears the puck during an earlier
Women’s hockey came from behind in victories over Yale and Brown this tie this past weekend, improved game this year.
weekend to earn team of the week honors. After Mercyhurst fell behind 2- its record to 7-13-2 overall (6-8-
0 against Yale, they rebounded to score five of the final six goals in a 5-3 2 AH). 2-1 lead heading into the second cut the lead in half, 2-1, at the
win. Against Brown, the Lakers fired 70 shots in earning a 4-2 victory on
Saturday. The tie on Friday marked only intermission. second intermission.
the second in the 30-game series Mercyhurst sophomore Matt Lakers’ senior Ben Cottreau
Women’s hockey stays at No. 6 in USCHO.com poll between the two teams, which Fennell would answer 2:44 into tied it up with 9:49 remaining
the Lakers lead 21-8-2. the third period with his third in the third, extending his con-
Team (First Place) Record Pts Last Week Despite their efforts to pick goal in the past two games to tie secutive scoring streak to nine
1. New Hampshire (6) 20-3-1 138 1
up a victory this weekend, the contest up at two. straight games.
2. Harvard (5) 16-1-0 136 2
2. Minnesota Duluth (4) 20-3-1 131 2 including outshooting the Hus- After the Huskies regained the Connecticut junior Chris
4. Minnesota 17-4-3 101 4 kies in both games, the Lakers lead once more, Lakers’ fresh- Myhro’s second goal of the
5. Wisconsin 16-6-2 88 5 ended their six-game confer- man Scott Pitt, who assisted on game with 7:06 left in the third
6. Mercyhurst 17-5-2 71 6
ence unbeaten streak. Fennell’s goal, would knot it up proved to be crucial, as it gave
7. St. Lawrence 17-7-0 64 7
8. Connecticut 16-4-3 35 8 The Lakers opened Friday’s at 3-3. the Huskies a 3-2 lead and the
9. St. Cloud State 15-5-4 34 9 game outshooting the Huskies That turned out to be the win.
10. Dartmouth 11-6-3 10 10 9-5 in the opening 20 minutes, final score, as neither team had Erickson proved to be the
but fell behind 1-0 when Jeff an answer throughout the rest difference-maker, coming up
Agosta Named USCHO.com offensive player of the week of regulation and overtime.
Sapiera connected on a power- with 41 saves in goal for Con-
Sophomore Meghan Agosta continues to wrap up awards, as she has earned play goal less than three minutes Lakers’ goalkeeper Matt necticut.
the USCHO.com offensive player of the week for the third time this year. into the game. Lundin managed to make 16 Lundin made 26 saves, as
Agosta scored 66 percent of the Lakers’ goals and assisted on another to Mercyhurst answered back saves during the game, while he played all but the final 1:22
lead the Lakers to two victories over Brown and Yale over the weekend. She early in the second period on a Connecticut’s Beau Erickson of the game, when the Lakers
currently leads the nation in goals (31), goals-per-game (1.29) and short-
handed goals (6). goal by junior Brett Robinson. came up with 29 saves. pulled him for a sixth attacker.
Senior Ben Cottreau and Connecticut came out play- “Its going to be a battle in a
Wrestling remains No. 4 in East Region poll freshman Brandon Coccimiglio ing well on Saturday, building an really competitive conference,”
picked up the assists. early 2-0 first period lead. said Lakers head coach Rick
The wrestling team remained No. 4 in the latest East Region poll, but indi- Connecticut responded with The Lakers fought back to tie Gotkin about the close separa-
vidually, junior Brian Pogel and Andy Lamancusa are currently No. 1 in
7:46 remaining in the second the game 2-2, with a goal apiece tion for first place in AH. “It’s
their individual weight classes. Pogel remained No. 1 at 149 after posting
a 3-0 record at national duals and defeating No. 1-ranked Todd Meneely of period on a goal by Andrew in the second and third periods. hard to watch the scoreboard.
Nebraska-Omaha. Lamancusa, who started the season ranked No. 1 in the Olson, which was assisted by Coccimiglio put the Lakers Everything is always changing.
nation before falling to No. 3, has moved back to the top spot after winning Justin Hernandez and Nick on the scoring board with his We’re just going to take it game
his lone match at 157 at the national duals.
Schneider, to give the Huskies a seventh goal of the season to by game.”
Jan. 23, 2008
Women’s hockey picks up two wins
Lakers defeat Yale, Brown on weekend
By Kyle Craig
Staff writer
With the season on the line
and almost everything to lose,
the Mercyhurst women’s hockey
team hosted Yale University
and Brown University this past
weekend.
In a confident, dominating
fashion, the girls were able to
steamroll Yale 5-3 on Friday and
slip past Brown 4-2 Saturday.
With the wins the girls were
able to remain in a solid sixth
place, with sophomore forward
Meghan Agosta and freshman
winger Jesse Scanzano receiving
College Hockey America (CHA)
awards.
Agosta earned the Offensive
Player of the Week honors, as
she scored six goals and one
assist in two games this week-
end, giving her 31 goals and 19
assists with 50 points total on
the season.
In addition Agosta extended
her points scored streak to 18
games.
Teammate Scanzano received
the Rookie of the Week honors,
as she had one goal and two
assists on the weekend.
Scanzano now has seven
goals and sixteen assists on the
season.
The Lakers played a solid
game on Friday against Yale, as
they saw themselves down 2-0
after giving up two power play
goals to the Bulldogs during the
first period.
The Lakers were unable to
sneak it past the Yale goal-
keeper, Shivon Zilis, despite
outshooting the Bulldogs 15-7
with four powerplay opportuni-
ties of their own during the first
period.
Mercyhurst was able to tie
Mercyhurst senior Kristen Erickson (2) goes for a loose puck during Saturday’s 4-2 win
over Brown.
the game halfway through the
second period with Agosta and
freshman Geena Prough scor-
ing back-to-back goals just 13
minutes apart.
Junior Valerie Chouinard and
senior Stephaine Jones assisted
on Agosta’s goal, while senior
Danielle Ayearst assisted on
Prough’s game-tying goal.
The tie was carried into the
third period when Chouinard
scored her tenth goal of the
SPORTS
season to put the Lakers up
3-2 with an assist from junior
Melissa Dianoski.
Mercyhurst never looked
back as Agosta and Scanzano
were able to find the back of
the net two more times against
the Bulldogs.
Agosta was credited with the
assist on Scanzano’s game win-
ning goal.
Agosta’s final goal came on a
2-on-1 created by junior Natalie
Scoot Williams photo
Payne, which found the back of
an empty net.
Saturday fared just as well for
the Lakers, as they were able to
down Brown.
All four goals for the Lakers
came from Agosta, as she
extended her scoring streak
to 18 straight games on the
season.
Students threw hats onto the
ice after Agosta scored her third
goal of the night in a “tradi-
PAGE 31
tional” hat-trick celebration.
The comic part of the night
came, however when Agosta
put her fourth goal into the
back of the net as students were
seen taking of their shoes and
tossing them onto the ice.
Sports information quoted it
as being a “shoe-trick.”
The win also pushed senior
goalie Laura Hosier to her 66th
career win.
“I am grateful to be a part
of such a great program,” said
Hosier. “I’ve seen the team
grow and change each year I
have been here and what we’ve
accomplished each year has
been amazing.
“I am just happy that I can
leave my mark on a program
that has helped me grow so
much over my four years here.”
Brown netminder Nicole
Stock set a school record making
66 saves during the game, along
with breaking a school record
of 27 stops in a period, made
during the first.
Every win from this point on
pushes the girls closer to making
the NCAA playoffs.
The Lakers will look to con-
tinue their winning streak as
they challenge former CHA
team Quinnipiac University on
Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday
at 2 p.m. in the Mercyhurst Ice
Center.
“As a team we will have to
work on consistency and mental
toughness, which have been our
weaknesses so far in the first
half,” said Hosier. “We must be
able to play great two nights in a
row as a team.”
“We are running out of
chances and at this point we
can’t afford to have any lapses
in our play if we want to make
a run at the Final Eight and
Frozen Four,” she said.
PAGE 32 SPORTS Jan. 23, 2008

Laker sports

Lakers comeback against

Ivy League opponents
>> Page 31
Scoot Williams photo