Merciad Vol.82, No.24/5.13.

09/Free
Don’t walk
alone
Two students assaulted
near campus
Read more on Page 3

We have a donor,
not a dad.

Student’s unconventional family story

travels the world
Read more on Page 7
Page 2 NEWS May 13, 2009

Students splash through Springfest

“Third Eye Blind was the best band choice
since I’ve been here, but it was too hot
to enjoy.”
Chris Duval, senior

“The inflatables were a great way to

spend the day during the halftime of the
spring football game, and the concert was
amazing even though it was extremely hot
and sticky.”
Randy Tucker, senior

“I usually like Third Eye Blind, and I saw

them at Behrend last year and they were
a lot better. They played too many new
songs.”
Jenna Golden, senior
Top: Freshmen Laura Palermo,
Lindsay Hoh and Slippery Rock sopho-
more Meghan McGeary slid down the Slip
‘n Slide.

“I believe Springfest was a great weekend Left: Freshman Erin Beck raced through
of events. Unfortunately on Saturday, the the Pirates Cove Obstacle Course.

bad weather would not hold out on us, but Bottom left: Senior Nick Marcellino made
overall I believe students had a lot of fun.” a splash.
Vicky Fleisner, senior Bottom Right: Freshman Kaitlyn Badger
decorated a pair of pink flip flops.
“It was my first concert experience and Tyler Stauffer photos
was really fun. I was surprised that his
vocals were so good.
Mercyhurst should definitely get similar
bands like Third Eye Blind in the future.”
Liz Zurasky, freshman

“I wanted to go [to Springfest], but my

friends were more content staying in
because it was so cold, but the concert
was awesome.”
Caitlin Roberts, senior

“I didn’t like that they played so much of

their new music. I wish they had played
more of their old music that everyone
knows, but overall, it was a lot of fun.”
Alex Stacey, freshman
May 13, 2009
Moving in or moving on: the
new students, transfers report
By Amanda Valauri
News editor
While many think enrollment
went down, the report to the
college community from the
Board of Trustees Meeting on
Thursday, April 30, said over-
all enrollment actually went up
77 students from the spring of
2008 to the spring of 2009.
Mercyhurst North East is up
125 students from last year in
their enrollment.
Graduate programs are at a
record high with an additional
36 students.
In fact, the only two sectors
of the Mercyhurst student pop-
ulation that are down are Erie
County students (down 79) and
adult students (down 23).
Incoming freshman student’s
enrollment is ahead of sched-
ule. With four months remain-
ing in the admission cycle, con-
firmations are 13 ahead of last
year at this time.
Even so, 129 more freshmen
enrollee’s confirmations are
needed to meet the 665 goal.
The admissions office can still
pull from the other 1,139 appli-
cations in case confirmations
The Merciad is back online!
Read more news, features, arts
and entertainment, opinion and
sports on the Web.
Feel free to comment!
Visit us at merciad.mercyhurst.edu
fall short of 129.
Vice President of Enrollment
Dr. Michael Lyden said this
is a record-breaking year for
students transferring into the
college.
“A few years ago we had
about 90 new transfer students
and this year we may break
that,” he said.
According to Lyden, the bulk
of these students are from Erie
County.
“These are students who
went away to school some-
where, often times a private
school and for whatever rea-
son, they come back to Erie,”
Lyden said.
Students transfer in and out
of college for three main rea-
sons. The number one reason
is for programs. If a student’s
current college doesn’t have a
program or it is stronger some-
where else, they transfer. The
second most popular reason is
financial.
College is expensive and even
the best program can’t keep
some students at their college
of choice. The third is to move
closer to home.
“We find that a lot of our
transfer students are coming
NEWS
from the local Erie area. … For
whatever reason, being closer to
their families is their priority,”
Lyden said.
Beyond those top three rea-
sons, there are “hundreds of
other reasons students transfer,”
Lyden explained.
In order to keep students at
the college Lyden said, “At the
end of the day it’s all about
communication and informa-
tion sharing among all of the
staff.”
Lyden explained how one
person can impact a student’s
experience negatively and posi-
tively.
“The saying, ‘it takes a village
to raise a child’ applies to the
college experience too,” he said.
Everyone from the registrar’s
office down to Police and Safety
contribute to a student’s experi-
ence and Mercyhurst aims to get
a full picture of their students in
order to understand their rea-
sons for leaving.
“We have a representative
from almost every aspect of that
student’s experience and their
exit interview so we can make
sure we don’t repeat the same
mistakes and to anticipate po-
tential problems,” Lyden said.
Erie police responded to seperate assaults that occured at the
Cornerstone and behind CVS on Tuesday, May 12.
Two students
assaulted
By JoEllen Marsh
Managing editor
An unknown man assaulted
two female students from Mer-
cyhurst College during separate
incidents in the early hours of
Tuesday morning, according to
the Erie Bureau of Police.
During the first incident,
which occurred at approxi-
mately 12:10 a.m. Tuesday, the
perpetrator grabbed a woman at
the Cornerstone and was kicked
out of the bar, police said.
After the man left the Cor-
nerstone, he walked west on
38th Street and turned left
after CVS, and assaulted a
second victim on the walkway
between CVS and the blue light
system near the Wayne Street
parking lot, police reported.
She did not suffer any serious
injuries.
Erie police were dispatched at
approximately 12:20 a.m.
Eyewitnesses who saw the
perpetrator described him as a
6’-6’2” tall black man in his early
20s with short hair and a very
dark complexion, police said.
At the time of the assaults,
Page 3
Scoot Williams photo
the man was wearing baggy gray
sweatpants and a gray hooded
sweatshirt, according to wit-
nesses.
Captain Frank Kwitowski
of Erie Police Department’s
Criminal Investigative Unit
said the unknown suspect will
face charges including inde-
cent assault, simple assault and
harassment.
Mercyhurst Police and Safety
assisted police by providing
pictures related to the incident
captured by college camera sys-
tems.
The Cornerstone and
CVS provided video footage,
Kwitowski said.
Mercyhurst Police and Safety
Chief Ken Sidun strongly
advised students to walk in
pairs or groups, stay aware of
their surroundings and report
any suspicious activity to
campus police by calling 824-
2304.
To report any information
regarding the incidents, call Sgt.
John Holmes at 870-1503 or
Kwitowski at 870-1158.
Mercyhurst had not yet
released a Timely Notification
Bulletin as of Tuesday night.
Page 4 NEWS: Year in Review May 13, 2009

Brittani DeVore photo

In October, Mercyhurst College communication students had the opportunity to
volunteer at a local political campaign and meet former New York City Mayor Rudy
Giuliani and former First Lady Laura Bush.
Michelle Spiegel photo
Around Halloween, freshman girls in Egan Hall were spooked by this image
caught on a Web cam. Residents told of their encounters with ghosts.

Due to the country’s

financial situation,
the marriage and
family studies
concentration of the IRELAND
family and consumer
sciences program
will be phased out
over the next four
years at Mercyhurst. Dungarvan
This came as a shock
Tyler Stauffer photo to faculty and
Francis Warde Hall will be the new freshman residence hall for students.
incoming students in fall 2009. The dorm will also house a
convenience store and workout center.
Erie’s sister city
September 2008 was Dungarvan, Ireland,
the last month for is home to a new
the MSG Shuttle. The Mercyhurst campus.
college converted to Mercyhurst students
will arrive for classes
the EMTA to fit more
in spring 2010.
students and run
more routes.

Courtesy of Erie Times News

Contributed photo
Mercyhurst chose Parkhurst Dining
Scoot Williams photo Services to provide the college’s
Frank Warren, the creator of PostSecret, spoke to an audience of food services beginning in fall 2009.
more than 750 people in December at Mercyhurst. Strangers share Parkhurst was chosen for its food quality
their secrets with Warren, ‘the most-trusted man in America.’ and emphasis on sustainability.
Former Mercyhurst College student
Teri Rhodes was sentenced to nine to
18 years in state prison for the
suffocation death of her newborn
daughter in August 2007. Rhode’s at-
torney requested her sentence to be
reduced, but her appeal was denied.
May 13, 2009
Seniors plan with one foot out the door
End of school has seniors thinking about future
By Carolyn Carlins
Contributing writer
In 12 days, 288 hours, and 17,280
minutes, Mercyhurst College seniors, the
Class of 2009 will graduate.
Although armed with four years of
education, the prospect of the real world
is daunting.
Some embrace this prospect
optimistically while others are more
apprehensive.
Many express sentiments similar to
those of Erik Penn, a social work major,
who said he will “miss the people but am
ready to move forward with my life.”
Commencement is an exciting and
anxious time for those moving into the
real world.
For some students, commencement
means entering the real world and
workforce.
Seniors will go on the hunt for a job
Blood drive driven to success
By Jenna Golden
Contributing writer
Two Mercyhurst College
communication students were part
of a client project for the Strategic
Communication II course, where they
were assigned to work with companies to
address problems they were having.
Seniors Matt Wallenhorst and Grig
Grigoryan were assigned to the Erie
Community Blood Bank to create a
strategic communication plan to help
them increase blood donations.
The project lasted through spring term
with students being evaluated on their
outcomes.
Additionally, they had to do an
evaluation analysis and give a presentation
to the instructor of the class, Meghan
Corbin.
FEATURES
and
good
location to
work.
Many have
scheduled their
interviews, while
others wait to see
what life brings them.
As seniors enter the real
world, they are impacted by the
amount of independence and
responsibility they are about to
take on.
For other students, such as
Luis Sierra, a double major in
Director of the Community Blood
Bank Dan Desrochers compared
Wallenhorst and Grigoryan’s success
and hard work “to that of a professional
marketing department.”
To develop the plan a couple of
different strategies were used.
“When we were developing our
strategies we tried to use things that
worked and eliminate those that didn’t
work,” Grigoryan said.
“Essentially we added few more
communication channels and tweaked the
message to fit students. We designed one
message for students and one for faculty,”
he added.
Wallenhorst said they used many
different media to spread their
message.
“Our strategy was to combine
Facebook messaging, on-campus signs
and posters and personal selling to try
music
a n d
accounting,
commencement
means continuing an
education.
While there are many
options for those who desire
to continue their education,
Sierra intends to continue his
to get people to attend, then out of
the people that came we had them fill
out a survey discussing their donor
experience,” Wallenhorst said.
“We targeted new blood donor
students, recurring blood donor students
and faculty and staff as our key publics,”
he added.
“When I was thinking on how to
promote the event I thought that if we
made more people aware by reaching
them with better messages we should be
successful,” Grigoryan said.
“Our objectives were to get 40
donors, collect e-mails from 90 percent
of participants and survey 40 percent
of donors to understand their perception
of CBB’s customer service,” he added.
The students’ campaign was very
successful.
“I wasn’t sure how much success
we were going to have because the
Page 5
education through Mercyhurst’s graduate
programs.
Whether entering the workforce or
continuing to receive an education,
graduating seniors are unsure of their
futures, but have the opportunity to
become independent as they enter the
world as educated professionals.
As these seniors enter the real world,
many recall the memories they have
made throughout their four years at
Mercyhurst College.
For many, the friends they have made
in the past four years made everything
worthwhile and created unforgettable
experiences.
Penn remembers going on the MSG
trip to Chicago and playing dodgeball in
a league with his friends.
When asked his best memory
from four years at Mercyhurst, Chris
VonVolkenberg, a major in music
education, responded, “My friends would
have to tell you that one.”
American Red Cross had a blood drive
exactly one week before ours, we made
goals that we thought we could reach and
were pleasantly surprised that we easily
achieved them,” Wallenhorst said.
Wallenhorst and Grigoryan said they
were excited that they had far exceeded
their goals.
“We are very pleased with our results.
The number of students that turned
out was phenomenal and we also
gathered some valuable information
from those who attended. I would
like to thank everyone for coming and
making the blood drive a success for
everyone,” Wallenhorst said.
Grigoryan agreed.
“We exceeded all our objectives. Total
68 people attended 59 people gave us
their e-mail address and we surveyed 50
percent of donors. So I think it was a big
success,” he said.
Page 6
Students ready for year’s end
Sun sets on spring term, summer rises on horizon
By Liz Maier
Staff writer
Summer is usually a time
to return home to homemade
cooking, high school friends
and nagging parents.
But for some Mercyhurst
College students, summer is used
for relaxation and vacation.
For others; finding a job,
working and interning are
students’ top priorities.
Whichever route students
venture, summer is always
everyone’s favorite 10 week
Lunch $ 5
Dinner $ 5.50
M Caesar Salad
T Steel City Sandwich
W Chicken Quesadilla
TH Gen. Tso’s Chicken
F Portabella & Red Pepper Wrap
S BBQ Bacon Cheeseurger
S Meatball Sub
M Meat Ravioli
T Two Slices of Pizza
W Home Style Potato Bowl
TH Sizzle Salad
F Chicken Patty
S Chicken Finger Sub
term.
Erie native sophomore Erica
Beidler will be living at home
during the summer.
“I have an athletic training
internship with the Erie
Seawolves,” Beidler said.
“And then, I’m going to
see Dave Matthews Band in
Pittsburgh.”
Not all students have the
option or desire to return
home.
Junior Sara Norris is staying
on campus for the summer and
working on the paint crew.
Sophomore health and fitness
Lunch $ 5
Dinner $ 5.50
6” Sub $4 Combo $5
12” Sub $5.75 Combo $6.75
Wrap Combo- Veggie $5
Other Wraps $4
Make any sub a wrap for
no extra charge!
FEATURES
promotion major, Richeal Forde,
is also working on campus.
“My plans are to work at
the library; hopefully do some
clinical hours for my major,
take in some sun rays since we
don’t get any at home and then
I’m going home to Ireland in
August,” Forde said.
Junior marketing major Cara
Adamus will be fleeing Erie
for an internship at Penn State
University.
“I will be working in marketing
and promotions for Magnum
Broadcasting in State College,
Pa.,” Adamus said.
11:30 a.m. -8 p.m.
Lunch $ 5
Dinner $ 5.50
May 13, 2009
Junior bio-chemistry major Taking a more relaxed
Surafel Mulugeta will also be approach to summer, junior
involved with an internship. Carrina Crow said, “I’ll just
“This summer, I will be in spend time with friends and
Nashville, Tenn., interning family; most likely find a part-
at a pharmacology research time job and spend about 4
institute,” Mulugeta said. weeks [vacation] in Maine.”
Christine Fink, a junior
interior design major, will be
living in a townhouse in Erie and
interning at Legion Wholesale
Supply Co, a kitchen and bath
design supplier.
Graduating senior Matt
Wallenhorst will be looking for a
job and working at his previous
part-time job.
Broccoli & Cheddar Bites
May 13, 2009
Donor 150’s daughter unites with siblings
By Casey Greene
Editor in Chief
Mercyhurst College freshman JoEllen
Marsh has two moms.
“‘You have a donor, not a dad,’ my
moms always told me,” Marsh said. “We
didn’t use the word ‘father’. We always
called him ‘the donor.’”
Marsh said she always knew her family
structure was different.
“When I was little I would play house
with the nuclear family setup – a mom,
dad and baby,” she said. “I understood
early that it wasn’t the norm.”
Marsh was home-schooled until the
seventh grade. When she entered public
school she was worried she might be made
fun of for her non-traditional family.
“I was uncomfortable with a lot of
people knowing I have two moms, but by
ninth grade the nerves were gone,” she
said.
Marsh said she was never ridiculed.
“Everyone was just curious,” she said.
“I never had any problems talking about
it.”
When Marsh’s birth mother, Lucinda,
and her other mother Deneen, or “Neen”
as Marsh refers to her, decided they
wanted children, they turned to artificial
insemination.
They began researching the California
Cryobank (CCB), “a full-service sperm
bank providing a comprehensive
resource for frozen donor semen, private
semen cryopreservation and specialized
reproductive services,” according to their
Web site.
“They were one of the only cryobanks
that shipped directly to the mother,”
Marsh said.
Lucinda and Neen chose Donor 150’
because he was the only individual that
explained himself as being “spiritual,
soulful and creative,” Marsh said.
From an early age Marsh’s parents
shared the information they had about
Donor 150.
“I was always really curious about him,”
she said.
When Marsh was 12, her grandmother
watched an episode of Oprah featuring
a Web site that helped donor children
connect to siblings.
FEATURES
Marsh, with the support of her family,
decided to sign up on the Donor Sibling
Registry, a site that seeks to “assist
individuals conceived as a result of sperm,
egg or embryo donation that are seeking
to make mutually desired contact with
others with whom they share genetic ties,”
the foundation’s Web site says.
“It took two and a half years before I
received a response,” Marsh said.
In August 2005, 14-year-old Marsh
received a letter from her half-sister,
Danielle Pagano, who was 16 at the time.
“I was ecstatic,” Marsh said. “This was
the first real connection to the other half
of my genetic background.”
Marsh said finding Pagano was a relief.
“It was amazing to know I wasn’t alone,
to know someone else went through the
same thing as me,” she said.
The girls began to e-mail regularly.
“It was so strange,” Marsh said. “I think
we felt a connection from the beginning.”
Still, Marsh admitted she was nervous.
“We had no guideline, no idea what we
should do,” Marsh said. “We didn’t know
what the relationship should be like, but
we were excited.”
It took several months before the
sisters felt comfortable enough to call
each other.
Shortly after the call, the sisters were
contacted by the New York Times. The
Times wanted to do a story on the success
using the DSR site.
“The first time (Pagano) and I met was
to do the interview with the New York
Times,” Marsh said. “I can remember
standing in Penn Station looking at my
half sister for the first time.”
Within five days of the New York
Times article, “Hello, I’m Your Sister. Our
Father Is Donor 150,” landing on the front
page of the Sunday edition and over 300
publications around the world, the DSR
site crashed due to high volumes of traffic
and Marsh and Pagano were contacted by
three other siblings.
More half siblings continued to be
found in the following weeks.
“We found out Donor 150 was a really
popular donor,” Marsh said.
Although Marsh explained the
experience of meeting siblings for the first
time as “strange,” she said the excitement
was overwhelming
Marsh met five of her siblings after the New York Times ran an article on them.
“There was no time to think about
it,” she said. “We were so into it that we
wanted to learn everything about each
other.”
Marsh said the initial conversation with
newly-found siblings became easier.
“I got better and better at the ‘Hello,
I’m your sister’ e-mail.”
Marsh said her parents and the parents
of her siblings were very involved.
“Some were suspicious, others just
excited,” she said. “They all understood
how amazing this was.”
Of the siblings Marsh stays in contact
with, two single mothers, three sets of
lesbians and one heterosexual couple
make up their parents.
Marsh has met six siblings and knows
of six more. Some do not want to
come forward, others are too young to
understand, Marsh said.
“It’s normal to have so many donor
recipients come forward,” Marsh said.
“We’re actually a minimal number
compared to others.”
Siblings weren’t the only relatives of
Marsh reading the Times. Jeffery Harrison
read the headline and choked on his
coffee.
“He saw ‘Donor 150’ and ‘California
Cryobank’ and knew we were his
daughters,” Marsh said.
It would take a year and a half for
Harrison to contact the DSR and attempt
to connect with his donor children.
Page 7
Contributed photo
Pagano received a call from the DSR
on Valentine’s Day 2007 explaining that
Donor 150 (Harrison) had come forward.
She immediately called Marsh and the two
decided to conference call Harrison the
next day.
“We didn’t even tell our parents,” Marsh
said. “We were so excited we couldn’t
wait.”
Their parents weren’t happy they made
the call without informing them, but the
conversation went well, Marsh said.
“It went something like this: ‘Hi, we’re
your daughters,’” Marsh said. “‘Holy
moley’ was all he could say.”
Since meeting her first sibling and
speaking with her donor father, Marsh
has stayed in regular contact with six of
her half siblings. She speaks to or e-mails
Harrison regularly and is in the process of
making plans to meet him.
Marsh said Harrison’s more than “my
hippie sperm donor father who lives in an
RV on Venice Beach, Calif. with his two
dogs... He’s family, and I feel like I need
to meet him.”
Marsh said she understands that
some people don’t understand her
non-traditional family, but hopes those
individuals will try to be open-minded.
“We’re happy,” she said. “However
crazy, this new kind of family seems,
it’s meant a lot for us to have these
connections.”
Page 8
Original choreography displays talent
By Alexandra Stacey
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst College
Dance Department held an
impromptu choreography show-
ing in the Dance Space in Zurn
Hall on Thursday, May 7.
The “Close the Door” pro-
gram showcased the talents of
Choreography II students Claire
Hinde, Sarah Mastrocola and
Nicole Lyons.
Each choreographer has
been working hard all term to
put together an original com-
bination so they can show their
dances to the public for the first
time.
“Each piece was very authen-
tic, and each dancer had the
chance to have their individual
talents shown off. They also
showed their strength as a
department as a whole,” fresh-
man Rachel Reszler said.
Jennings explores summer job opportunities
By Hazel Jennings
Staff writer
So, I don’t know if you’ve
heard but… the economy
crashed. Break out Steinbeck’s
“Grapes of Wrath” with your
high school copy of Harper
Lee’s “How to Kill a Mocking-
bird” and start nodding your
head in full sympathetic under-
standing of their plight.
OK, so it is not exactly the
Dust Bowl, but jobs are slim this
summer and tuition is going up
again. You’re going to need to get
work this summer. The awesome
thing about summer for most
people is a break from classes.
Unfortunately, this also means
that you’re going to lose that work
study position where the govern-
ment pays you minimum wage
The event was very well
attended for an informal show-
ing, with most of the members
coming out to support their
friends. They were very sup-
portive of the new choreogra-
phers.
“I thought it was very pro-
fessionally done. Mercyhurst
should be proud of its dance
program,” freshman dance
major Megan Dunphy said.
Nicole Lyons presented her
work first, with a piece titled
“Seven.” It was a modern
take on the seven deadly sins.
There was no music for this
piece, and each dancer who
represented a different sin
delivered a coinciding mono-
logue.
Claire Hinde presented her
piece next, which was entitled
“Never a Sure Thing,” and
included music by Dido and
Enya. Claire conveyed the feel-
ing of unreturned love and how
to do your homework. But I’m
all for getting checks for as little
effort as possible. After all, I am
a young American…I am defined
by my ability to slide by on my own
self-righteous philosophies that I
should neither have to struggle nor
suffer for anything in my life.
So, here are my top three jobs
that won’t have you sweating
this summer:
Lifeguard– If you can pass
the swimming and CPR tests,
you can basically get paid to sit
in the sun, rest your eyes behind
your sunglasses and watch bath-
ing suit clad hotties stroll the
pool side. There is a chance that
someone could drown under
your watch because of your
immense irresponsibility but…
life isn’t perfect.
Yard work technician– OK,
so I may have added technician at
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT May 13, 2009
time can be spent wanting it.
She combined quick energetic
movements with slower, more
fluid ones to create a very deep
effect.
Sarah Mastrocola presented
the final piece, which was titled
“To Let You Go—A Work in
Progress,” and included music
by GP~00, Faultline and Cold-
play. She tried to show how she
was working out loss, and that
you have to go on living, while
letting go of the person you lost.
This was an extremely emotional
piece, which was conveyed by
the dancer’s lyrical movements
and facial expressions.
Overall, this was a great
beginning to the careers of Mer-
cyhurst’s young choreographers.
Lyons described it as “a good
beginning that will lead to more
choreographic opportunities.
It was a good way to showcase Rachel Reszler photo
some of Mercyhurst’s talent.” The choreography show displayed not only the dancers’ talent
but also that of the student choreographers.
the end just to make it sound fancy. some digging, there are a lot of three-month employment. As a
But if you can get some people in really rich young mothers that will young woman graduating in the
your neighborhood to pay you to pay you top dollar to watch their worst economy in decades with
do their lawn work… you can set infant sleep in her Burberry onesie. a degree in creative writing…my
your own hours and prices. It may You get to watch reruns of “Sex future plans include serving coffee
sound kind of juvenile and you’ll and the City” while enjoying their and telling people that I’m a poet.
probably get so caught up in those super expensive Pom Juice and But do your best and don’t work
summer parties that you’ll forget to biscotti that you can never jus- too hard—as I’m finding out you
ever go out and make money lead- tify getting yourself at the super- have plenty of time for that.
ing to a lifetime of poverty but… market. You’ll probably have to And don’t worry too much
life isn’t perfect. change disgusting diapers and she about snagging enough cash to
Babysitting– A lot like the last might spit up all over your new make your life perfect—you can
one with risk of juvenile titles, and tank top but…life isn’t perfect. always take out another loan that
it can be a really high-stress and I have to say I have little sympa- you’ll be paying back for the rest
difficult job. However, if you do thy for those of you trying to find of your life.
Tell us about your favorite concert
experiences this summer!
Pass along stories and photos (keep it clean) to
entertainmentMerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
We’ll post the best responses in future issues.
May 13, 2009
‘The Wrestler’ to be screened at PAC
By Kyle King
A&E Editor
As part of its award-winning
Guelcher Film Series, the Mary
D’Angelo Performing Arts
Center will screen the Darren
Aronofsky film “The Wrestler”
on Wednesday, May 13, at 2:15
and 8 p.m.
Written by Robert Siegel, who
also wrote the faux news docu-
mentary “The Onion Movie,”
“The Wrestler” stars Mickey
Rourke as an aging professional
wrestler determined not to give
up grappling despite its dimin-
ishing returns.
Rourke made sense for the
part because of his own lan-
guishing career. Since his star-
ring roles in romantic comedies
such as 1987’s “Barfly” and
1989’s “Wild Orchids,” little
had been made of the hard-
partying, self-destructive actor.
He had given up life on-screen
Composer Farrar holds opera masterclass
By Alexandra Stacey
Staff writer
The D’Angelo Department
of Music recently held a master-
class titled “Fairytales and Fan-
tasies” on Thursday, May 7.
The class featured the Library
Director at St. Bonaventure
University Paul Spaeth and
Jordan Farrar, composer of the
opera “The Day Boy and The
Night Girl.”
The audience was small,
and mainly consisted of
music students who wanted
to learn more about next
year’s opera.
Spaeth opened the class with
a discussion of George McDon-
ald, who wrote the original
novel “The Day Boy and The
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
for some time in the 1990s in
order to train as a boxer, and
the truthfulness and authentic-
ity Rourke puts into the role are
evident.
Newsweek critic David Ansen
wrote that Rourke’s playing of
Randy “The Ram” Robinson
is “as perfect a casting call as
Humphrey Bogart in “Casa-
blanca” and Daniel Day-Lewis
in “There Will Be Blood.”
Entertainment Weekly critic
Owen Gleiberman noted that
Rourke’s acting, coupled with
the movie’s grainy, no-holds-
barred style of filming, tran-
scends the classic Hollywood
myth of “a has-been looking for
redemption.”
Rourke is in part so lovable
because of the people sur-
rounding him. He is consoled
after he has a heart attack by
his stripper girlfriend Cassidy
(Marisa Tomei, “My Cousin
Vinny,” “Before the Devil
Knows You’re Dead”) and
Night Girl.” He discussed how
McDonald is one of the biggest
influences on fantasy writing,
most notably on J.R.R. Tolkein
and C.S. Lewis.
The plot of “The Day Boy
and The Night Girl” is about a
witch who raises two children in
opposite environments, with the
boy only knowing light, and the
girl only knowing the dark. They
eventually meet, and though
their worlds are very different,
they fall in love.
Farrar has taken this classic
piece of Victorian Literature
and created an opera around it.
However, Farrar said, her opera
is a little “darker than the original
story.” She went on to talk about
differences that her opera has
with McDonald’s original story,
and why she chose to make those
Page 9
daughter Stephanie (Evan hurst students, $3 for President’s of the year’s schedule is as fol-
Rachel Wood, “Across the Card holders and free for Mer- lows. “Frozen River” will play
Universe,” “Running With cyhurst students with student May 20. The documentary
Scissors”), neither of whom ID. “Stranded” will screen May 27.
come across as stereotypes, The Guelcher Film Series will Meryll Streep and Philip Sey-
both deeply humanizing and continue to play at 2:15 and 8 mour Hoffman star in June 3’s
sympathizing individuals. p.m. on Wednesdays through “Doubt,” which was nominated
Randy “The Ram” Robin- the end of school and into for five Oscars in 2009. This
son is relegated to the third- summer vacation. year’s series is rounded out with
tier VFW halls that comprise a For those interested, the rest “Moscow, Belgium” on June 10.
down-and-out wrestler’s tour
dates. The movie’s plot turns
when Robinson attempts to set
up an in-ring re-match with his
1980s arch-nemesis, “The Aya-
tollah.”
Tomei and Rourke were both
nominated for Academy Awards
for their roles in “The Wrestler.”
Rourke was beat out by Sean
Penn, who starred in the biopic
“Milk,” which screened in the
PAC earlier this year.
Tickets for “The Wrestler”
can be obtained at the PAC Box
Office before the screenings. pac.mercyhurst.edu
Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for ‘The Wrestler’ will be shown on Wednesday, May 13, at 2:15
senior citizens and non-Mercy- and 8 p.m. in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center.
changes. She said it is really about something new people haven’t it will be a great production,”
paradox and the choices that the seen before. I’m confident that freshman Katie Wagner said.
characters make.
“The Day Boy and The Night
Girl” is being produced by the
After Dinner Opera Company,
which is in residence at Mercy-
Johnson & Johnson
Properties
hurst College. ADO has a his-
tory of producing new Ameri-
can operas. Louisa Jonason,
who is the head of ADO, as
well as the chair of the music
department, said she listened
HOUSES FOR RENT
to many composers, and many
new operas, but Farrar’s music
was very different. She said, “it
doesn’t make any judgments, it
just presents,” and the audience
can take what they want from
it.
Starting June 1, 2009
The students involved in
the world premiere are very
excited. “It will be interesting,
814-860-8817
Page 10
Unknown artists from S to Z showcased
diverse fan base. They are cur-
By Casey Harvilla rently touring in support of
Staff writer
their 2008 full-length debut,
“The World’s Alive.”
S is for…Stealing Summer T is for…Taking Chances
& Sun Domingo. & Tinted Windows.
 Stealing Summer is a  Taking Chances is a
four-piece band made up of pop/rock band made up of
brothers Landon and Grayson Gerard Canonico, who was a
Smith, Brad Hutcheson and cast member of the Broadway
Jon Taylor. Since forming in musical Spring Awakening from
2006, they have been touring 2006 to 2009 and brothers Chris,
and promoting non-stop, in Nick and Joe Salerno. Taking
hopes of releasing a full-length Chances’s music has noticeable
album this year. Their first ska, reggae and acoustic influ-
single, “Between You and Me,” ences and is upbeat garage band
is currently available for down- music. Taking Chances released
load on iTunes and the band’s their self-titled debut in 2008.
MySpace page.  Tinted Windows is an
 Sun Domingo is a pro- alternative rock supergroup
gressive rock trio. Much of and pet project. The four band
the band’s appeal is their lethal members come from such
combination of melodic guitar, diverse acts that it automatically
introspective lyrics and time- stirs curiosity. Tinted Windows
less pop hooks. This combo is features Taylor Hanson from
also responsible for the band’s Hanson on vocals, James Iha
DOWNLOAD
Black Eyed Peas “Boom Boom Pows” HIP HOP
“I got the hit that beat the block / You can get
that bass overload / I got that rock and roll
/ That future flow.” Their single has been on
the charts for weeks now at the number one
spot. This is one of many of Black Eyed Peas’
singles.
The Fray “You Found Me” ROCK
The Fray released their newest album
in late 2008, which has the single “You
Found Me” on it. “Lost and insecure /
you found me, you found me / Lyin’ on
the floor / Surrounded, surrounded / Why’d you have to
wait?” Their succinct lyrics draw listeners
in.
Lady Antebellum “I Run to You” COUNTRY
Lady Antebellum released their debut
self-titled album in 2008. Many singles
have come of the album, including
“Love Don’t Live Here Anymore,”
“Lookin’ for a Good Time” and their
latest single, “I Run to You.” With a male and female
singer, their voices combine for an upbeat sound.
Their music is light and bound to put the listener in a
good mood.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
from Smashing Pumpkins on
guitar, Adam Schlesinger from
Fountains of Wayne on bass
and Bun E. Carlos from Cheap
Trick on drums. Their debut
album was released this past
April.
U is for…Until June &
Ume.
 Brothers Josh and Dan
Ballard started writing songs
together in high school, then
began playing in bands while
in college at Arizona State Uni-
versity. The brothers eventually
moved to Los Angeles, where
they found drummer Daniel
Dempsey in 2005, complet-
ing Until June. After countless
shows and lots of self-promo-
tion, the band declared it make
or break time, stating they had
“until June” to get themselves
recognized by a label. Ironi-
cally, they inked a deal that June
and released an EP on iTunes
a few months later. Their self-
titled full-length debut is avail-
able now.
 Although Ume’s debut
album was released in 2005,
their showcase at this year’s
South By Southwest (SXSW)
festival proved them to be a
real contender in the competi-
tive music industry. Fronted by
an unassuming Lauren Larson,
Ume’s sound straddles the line
between catchy ’90s alt-pop
and dark, psych-infused ballads.
They have been compared to
the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Sonic
Youth, but their “Sunshower”
EP puts them in a class all their
own.
V is for…Van Atta High &
Vedera.
 Van Atta High began
as five friends in New Jersey.
They put out their first EP, “We
are the Captivated,” in 2006.
The band, which is named after
the fictional high school from
the TV show “Full House,”
made its way around the New
Jersey pop/punk circuit before
making their national debut.
Van Atta High was invited to
join the 2007 Vans Warped
Tour solely due to internet traf-
fic and dedicated fans. Their
newest EP is titled “Run Like
Hell” and is available on iTunes
and CDbaby.
 Vedera is an indie rock
quartet originally called Veda.
The band then had to re-release
their debut album, “The Weight
of An Empty Room,” under
their newfound handle. In sup-
port of the album, they toured
with such acts as Mute Math and
Underoath. Their latest release,
“Stages EP,” is available now.
Vedera is currently touring with
the Plain White T’s, All-Ameri-
can Rejects and labelmates The
Fray.
W is for…Wheat.
 Wheat is the epitome of
low-key. Their dreamy, shoegaz-
ing music style is perfect for
lounging around on a sunny
day. Wheat released their debut
album in 1998, a follow-up in
1999 and then took a break.
They also released albums in
2003 and 2007. Even with four
releases, Wheat still remained
under the radar, but maintained
their independent fan base.
This year, the band decided to
re-release their ’90s albums in
anticipation of their new spring
release.
X is for…XO.
 XO is the side project
of Jake and Jeff Turner of Say
Ume is led by Lauren Larson with an alternative pop sound.
May 13, 2009
Anything. Last year, the broth-
ers self-released a six song EP
entitled “Some Day.” The EP
features both brothers taking
turns on vocals, guitar, bass
and keyboard. Jeff Turner
played drums on the record-
ing.
Y is for…You Me At Six.
 You Me At Six started
out like most bands. Made up
of five friends from London,
You Me At Six (YMA6) played
in garages and at house parties
for a few years until MySpace
helped them grow their UK fan
base. Since 2007, the band has
been touring with bands such
as The Audition, Fall Out Boy,
Angels & Airwaves and New
Found Glory. This year, fresh
off their showcase at SXSW,
You Me At Six will play select
Warped Tour dates in support
of their newest release, “Take
Off Your Colours.”
Z is for…Zack Hexum.
 Zack Hexum is a singer/
songwriter from Los Angeles
and the younger brother of
Nick Hexum of 311. Hexum,
who plays both guitar and sax-
ophone, released his debut in
2004. In 2006, his single “How
Many Times” was featured as
an iTunes Single of the Week.
His most recent album, Open
To Close, was released in 2007.
Zack Hexum is currently work-
ing on a few movies and televi-
sion shows, scoring and ghost-
writing music.
mishmashmagazine.com
May 13, 2009 OPINION Page 11
The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst College, the staff of The Merciad
or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be e-mailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.

Building a ‘platform for success’

The conflict between our
expectations of life, and the
actual consequences of it, can
make any person depressed.
Sometimes this conflict is due
to our over-expectation; other
times, it’s forgetting the reality of
life that troubles us, crossing the
limits of possibility. I think this
is not only the case for an indi-
vidual person but for all humans
around the world, because we
are created by God (as most
religions dictate).
The conflict between the
dream and the reality came
“ I have heard and
from Adam’s and Eve’s lives,
like me to have dreams—
dreams to achieve some-
thing innovative and
extraordinary, so as to
contribute to society on
a global scale and not
merely to develop my
career. Unsurprisingly,
most people strive to
pursue higher education
with full dedication and
discipline.
I too, believe with-
out knowledge, making
dreams come true is like build-
ing castles in the air. Many
people call me childish; I how-
ever, don’t feel intimidated by
their judgment.
I think it is probably because
every activity I engage myself
in, I do with excessive zeal and
great interest. And it is because
of the way I was raised, I act
this way. I believe, all my “child-
I believe life is an
extended journey,
also an ultimate source of inspi-
ration, to continue in the track
of humanity, not overlooking
my education, my intimate and
inborn faith and beliefs.
Now, I am at Mercyhurst to
complete my education with
excellent achievements. I am
enthusiastically looking for-
ward to creating my own plat-
form of success here and in my
future career.
I have heard and I believe
life is an extended journey, like
an odyssey. Every journey is
a new experience, a knowing
experience, a learning experi-
ence. Learning itself is an end-
less process. It cannot be mea-
sured through grades or class
rank. These appear trivial in
the long run.
Learning is an ongoing pro-
cess of gaining knowledge
through diverse experiences.
Thus, every human being can
engage in this process because
every human being has expe-
riences of their own.
What I have achieved has
of the core values and mission bonds inspire students to realize the
statement for life. human and spiritual values embedded
in everyday realities and to exercise
Narayan Prasad Dhakal, is a leadership in service toward a just
sophomore International Business world… the environment promotes
Major from Nepal. balance of mind, body and spirit, and
He wants to “do something great ultimately offers the opportunity to
in International Business and make a develop a moral compass for authen-
difference, being a role model to others tic living. I believe it’s really one of
who try to work hard in their lives, not the best places with opportunities to
overlooking my sense of responsibility grow as a person, to make amazing
towards my family, society, nation and friends, and to forge my own career
humanity as a whole.” and community.”
His favorite aspects about Mer-
cyhurst: “Strong student-faculty
If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen.
Editors Positions @mercyhurst.edu
Casey Greene Editor-in-Chief editormerciad
JoEllen Marsh Managing Editor mgeditormerciad
Amanda Valauri
Javi Cubillos
Heather Donovan
News Editor
Features Editor
Opinion Editor
newsmerciad
featuremerciad
opinionmerciad
Brad Moehringer Sports Editor sportsmerciad

as well as Abraham’s and
Moses’. Virtually all charac-
ters in the Old Testament
receive specific tests from
God, but most do not succeed.
This emphasizes the difference
between God and humanity and
their power in terms of knowl-
edge and happiness beginning at
the time of Adam and Eve.
This quote by Louisa May
Alcott, “Far away there in the
sunshine are my highest aspi-
rations. I may not reach them,
but I can look up and see
their beauty, believe in them
and follow where they lead,”
portrays my purpose in life.
Alcott’s quote means much to
me, because it inspires me to
achieve my ambitions.
It’s not unnatural for a student
”
like an odyssey.
Narayan Prasad Dhakal
ish” activities, or as I see it, my
devotion to my tasks, has helped
me to realize the responsibili-
ties of family, society, nation
and humanity.
I have involved myself in
community service since I was
young. I did not gain any spe-
cial treatment for my work
except great pleasure and
self-satisfaction.
I don’t mean my faith has
been changed or my venture
for humanity has been accom-
plished but it taught me to trust,
to have faith and to sacrifice my
needs for the needs of others. It
may be just an initiation but it’s
its own value in my life. My Sam Sellinger Sports Editor sportsmerciad
desire to become a critically- Kyle King A&E entertainmentmerciad
thinking individual and my Scoot Williams Photographer photomerciad
facing of life’s challenges with Tyler Stauffer Photographer photomerciad
zeal and enthusiasm, helps me Caitlin Bly Advertising Manager admerciad
develop into a broad-minded, Gretchen Yori Copy Editor copymerciad
innovative person. Ashley Pastor General Assignment apasto22
And I wish my dedication, Bill Welch Adviser wwelch
motivation and innovative atti- Brian Sheridan Adviser bsheridan
tude, as well as my experiences
in my life, will continue to boost
The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst
my academic and extracurricular
College. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of
achievements at Mercyhurst.
This college, consistent with
finals weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B. Our telephone number is (814)
its Catholic identity and Mercy 824-2376.
heritage is an institution where
every man and women can share The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed
faith respectfully. and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the
Consequently, it will also letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters
equip me in my march ahead,
are due Mondays. by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit
namely in my future career, for
I will have a deep understanding letters to box PH 485 or via e-mail at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
Page 12
Thanking those who
made you who you are Appreciating new ‘roommates’
barely knew. These people have
By Jordan
Zangaro
Staff writer
My dad has just walked at his
third graduation. He received
his teaching certificate and
graduated with a 4.0 G.P.A.
When I spoke to him I joked,
“Get ready world… here
comes Gary.”
I started to think about how
my best friends would soon be
experiencing the same situation
and how they are finally going
to be entering the real world.
Conversations of fear and
uncertainty partnered with
excitement and reminiscing
of the past years here have
been the recent obsession at
3907 Lewis.
I know it is extremely cliché
to write a graduation article
but the difference is, I am not
graduating. I don’t know the
fears and anxiety my roommates
are experiencing as their college
careers come to an end.
The past three years with
these people has made me grow
as a person. I have been forced
to grow up and trust people I
Keeping with Mercyhurst values
Graduates consider future choice repercussions
By Gretchen Beth Yori
Copy editor
I have heard many students
throughout my college career
say, “Can I really make
a difference?”
As a senior, I know the fear
of stepping into the unknown;
I was at this point in my life two
years ago when I graduated with
my Associates of Arts degree. It
is a time in our lives when we
look at who we are and can re-
evaluate. I think we can all make
Moving back home
and a hug when you felt your
become my family and have
taught me more than I ever
have in a classroom. They have
taught me to let loose and have
fun while we can. I have learned
to accept myself and laugh
at my mistakes. I have finally
learned to relax and no matter
what happens, things will always
end up OK. They’ve taught me I
will survive whatever life throws
at me, because I don’t have any
other choice.
I have memories that will
stay with me the rest of my life
and undoubtedly, will make me
laugh forever.
So, as the year finally winds
down, I want to thank my
friends for being themselves,
for sticking by my side
through everything.
I want to use this opportunity
to let them know they are going
to be great and successful. I
want them to know they have
made my first three years at this
school amazing and much easier
to endure.
I want to wish all of the
graduating seniors all of the
luck in the world. It is your time
to shine.
a difference, especially the soon-
to-be graduates.
Why? Because, it is a brand
new slate, a new page in each
of our lives. I joined the 2009
Graduation Pledge Committee,
because I care about how my
future job will affect the world
around me.
Will the company I work
for be one that is socially and
environmentally aware? I worry
about this question. I want to
graduate with the knowledge
I need to get a job, but also
with the lesson of “change”
OPINION
By Caitlin Bly
Ad manager
It’s spring.
You’re in your car, windows
down, the radio playing faintly in
the background and a sly smile
creeps across your face. You
realize you no longer have to
sit in another college classroom
again. You’ve pulled into your
driveway – you are finally home.
Your parents greet you with
open arms and Scout, the family
dog, is licking your face; you
take your suitcase upstairs and
into your childhood bedroom.
Reality sets in; you’re jobless
and have moved in with your
family. This is the reality many
college seniors face. Getting
rid of the “college” mentality
and living at home for the first
time in four years puts you in a
temporary coma.
It can be a scary time, but
a time to appreciate what the
word “family” means. They are
your rock; the one thing that
has kept you sane. Your dad was
there to pick you up after you
fell off your bike. Your mom
was there for helpful tips on life
Mercyhurst College has taught
each student.
We all, possibly without
knowing it, have been instilled by
Mercyhurst with the knowledge
we need to change the world.
Mercyhurst, in my opinion,
leaves the challenge to us. We
all must take an ethics class
before leaving the gates of the
college, not to be completely
driven nuts over whether there
is a right answer to some of the
most complex problems of our
world, but instead to open our
eyes to issues we will face.
September
world was falling apart. You
may think your siblings were
there to torment you, but as you
grow older, they’ve become your
best friends.
We all take our families for
granted, but appreciation sets
in during college when you
realize your family is too far
away to help out with the little
things. Every late night phone
call when you fought with a
roommate, trips to see you on
the weekends, care packages
before midterms and a helping
hand moving in and out of your
apartment are all moments we
have had.
So, stepping into your house
after the graduation hats have
fallen, you need to be thankful
your family is welcoming you
home. Welcoming you back into
a life unfamiliar yet refreshing.
Times may be tough and the
job search at a standstill, but
one thing is for certain, your
family will always be there. They
will even support you while you
sack out and become a couch
potato for a few months while
the classified ads become your
daily read.
To my fellow seniors who
once asked yourselves during a
social ethics class, “Can I really
make a difference?” Or to the
student who heard about the
social injustices of Darfur in a
random class discussion who
asked the same question, I think
you can, by thinking about the
choices you make in your career
and in your future endeavors.
You may not be able to save
the world by yourself, but you
can possibly save the world
by joining efforts with others
who care.
May3,13,2008
2009
Springfest was a hit this
year, attracting hundreds
to free food and fun on
campus. For those who
didn’t make an appearance,
you may have paid for your
Spring Fest in keg fees and
Aspirin, but fun was no-
doubt had by all.
Seniors, it’s over. House
parties, pizza for dinner
three plus days a week,
Sunday Fundays leaving you
in bed by 8 p.m., using rock-
paper-scissor to decide on
class attendance and seri-
ously considering careers in
keg tapping... It’s over.
Walks home from The
Cornerstone and late night
trips to CVS have recently
become dangerous. It feels
as though predators are
lurking around every cor-
ner. Watch out for those
tipsy tip-toers.
Please e-mail any suggestions to
opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
The GB&U is a compilation of
student opinions.
Baseball.......................................................May 6, W 14-13 Mansfield
May 7, W 9-2 Kulztown, L 16-2 West Chester
Women’s Lacrosse................................May 9, L 17-11 Lock Haven

Baseball Earns First NCAA Berth Since 2000

The Mercyhurst College baseball team will continue its season as
the 28 nationally ranked Laker will continue on to the NCAA II

Golden weekend for rowers

Atlantic Region Tournament. This is the first time since 2000 that
the Lakers have been in the NCAA tournament. The Lakers are the
fourth-seed in the Atlantic region which will take place on May 14-
18 at Kulztown University.
By Anne Sobol
Staff writer
Rowing Wins Three Golds At Dad Vail Regatta
The Mercyhurst College rowing team won three gold medals at the
Dad Vail Regatta. This is the best performance at this regatta. The Three gold medals came
golds were won by the women’s eight, the men’s lightweight four home with the Mercyhurst
won the second gold and the third gold went to the mens pair. College men’s and women’s
rowing teams from Dad Vails
this weekend, the most ever
claimed by Mercyhurst crews in
the history of the program.
The regatta was the men’s
equivalent to a championship,
because they are not included in
the NCAA.
“It’s one of those days where
you want everything to slow
down, because you don’t get too
many of these in your life,” head Photo by Sports Information
coach Adrain Spracklen said. The Mercyhurst College rowing women’s eight looks to con-
Due to weather conditions, tinue its dominance in the NCAA championship.
the order of events was reversed, when they caught third in the as well and will likely continue
Jeff Stoll-Baseball causing the Mercyhurst victories semis. on to compete overseas at the
Mercyhurst College’s senior baseball player Jeff Stoll batted .461 to begin when the women’s Next came the men’s Henley Royal Regatta in July.
with a home run and eight RBIs in three games against West Ches- varsity eight avenged last week’s lightweight four, which defended In the pair event, Stanislov
ter University of Pennsylvania, Mansfield University of Pennsyl- loss to Grand Valley State their unbeaten status when they Kostic and Michael Orzolek
vania and Kutztown University. His performance helped to power University (GVSU). snatched gold in the event for claimed the third and final gold
the Lakers to a second place performance in the Pennsylvania State They entered Saturday’s final the second straight year. of the day.
Athletic Conference Playoffs. in first after an inspiring time They had a decisive five- Kostic, who was the fourth
trial and repeated the results second lead over Berkley at member of last year’s light four,
Kriste Jennings-Women’s Lacrosse when junior Leah Niecgorski 6:45.004 and crushed Brock and Orzolek, who took silver in
Mercyhurst College junior attack-man Kriste Jennings scored three set the rate to nudge ahead of University, Drexel University, this event last year, synchronized
goals and chipped in one assist in the Lakers first NCAA appear- GVSU by just three seconds Emory University and Saint their skills to finish at 7:21.320
ance for women’s lacrosse. The Lakers unfortunately lost in this first with a time of 6:50.200. Joseph University along the Now the women will
appearance 17-11 to Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. Jen- The women’s four barely way. await their bid to the NCAA
nings finished the year with 41 goals, 22 assist and 63 points. missed out on a spot in the Three of this crew’s members championship, held in Camden,
finals by less than one second were in last year’s winning four N.J. from May 30-June 1.
Page 14
Eagles fly past Lakers 17-11
By Katie Waldin
Staff writer
Anxiously awaiting for the
NCAA bids to the Division II
Women’s Lacrosse Champion-
ship to be announced, fifth-
ranked Mercyhurst College
knew they had a good shot at
getting one of the few trips to
the playoffs that would take
place at various sites around the
country the following week.
With great anticipation the
team finally was greeted with
great news from Coach Cecil
Pilson that they would, in fact,
be the first group of women
to take Mercyhurst College to
the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse
Championships in the history
of the program.
As the excitement and joyful
cheers died down, each girl came
to the realization that the many
hours of hard work they had put
in over the course of the season
were really paying off in the end.
With only one week to prepare
for the battle in the first round
against Lock Haven University
of Pennsylvania, the women
The heartbreaks, joys of being a fan during the playoffs
By Devon Swanson
Sports columnist
I’m not manic depressive, but
I know exactly how it feels. On
Monday night, I was screaming
at my TV in a fit of jubilation.
Half an hour later, I was staring
at the screen in silence, words
unable to express my immediate
condition.
My team lost, the night was
ruined. Tonight is the last chance
to make up for it. At around
10 p.m., I’ll be exploding with
joy at the prospect of another
The Mercyhurst College women’s lacrosse team made their first NCAA tournament appearance
in school history, but were defeated by Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania losing 17-11.
started the mental and physical
preparations right away.
“It was a really big deal to
all of us because our program
had never been to the NCAA’s
before,” senior Katy Miller said.
“Our coach really emphasized
that no other team had done
this before in the school’s his-
tory, and it really was an exciting
moment for all of us to focus
on.”
series, another chance to see my
team play. Or, the option I don’t
enjoy considering, I’ll be quieted
into a painfully long summer of
loss, an offseason without the
35 pound., 116-year-old tower
of names, also known as the
Stanley Cup, belonging to my
team.
Such is life for a fan in the
NHL playoffs. Watching a team
for 82 games is a rite of passage
that allows one to call the players
on that roster and the logo on
that jersey their own.
After that, what makes one a
fan is the perseverance to come
SPORTS
The Lakers did not change
what they were doing each day
in practice, but simply focused
more on utilizing every moment
they had on the field to work on
their game.
“After we found out we were
going to the tournament, there
was a switch that went off with
everyone,” senior Alicia Guzzo
said. “At first we didn’t know if
we were going to be going or
back.
Come back after a 6-0 rout
that made your team look like
a pile of teenagers in a pick-up
game.
Come back after the
December and January that
knocked your team down to
10th in the conference and
made you almost turn off the
TV during every game.
Come back after the season
ends in defeat, whether in the
regular season or, arguably
more difficult to deal with, in
the playoffs.
Let’s face it. Every team, every
Jim Cooper photo
not and everyone was waiting to
hear, but after we heard, every-
one was really dedicated to prac-
ticing and using every moment
we had to help us in preparing
to win.”
The women prepared for one
week at home on the Laker’s
turf before traveling across the
state to play Lock Haven this
past weekend.
With the team ready to play
fanbase except one goes into the
middle of June as losers. You
don’t have to be Dr. Redmond
to know those statistics just
aren’t so good for you to end
up happy come season’s end.
So why come back? Sometimes,
I honestly could not have an
answer.
Today, I’ll say that when your
season depends on the bounce
of a 6 ounce. vulcanized rubber
circle, you want to be there to
watch it.
Win or lose, in the end it’s
better than not being there at all.
Your red badge of courage is that
May 13, 2009
and a great day for a lacrosse
match, the women were ready
to take on Lock Haven by
storm. “We were shooting over
70 percent in the first half of
play,” Guzzo said, “But we were
down by three in the first half,
and we brought it back up to a
tie before half time.”
Each moment was taken in
as the women pushed through
every sprint up and down the
field, each defensive block, and
each shot taken to prove that
Mercyhurst deserved to win the
game.
Unfortunately, despite the
tough effort given by each
player on the team, the Lakers
were defeated 17-11.
Many of the players said the
score does not reflect the effort
that was put out on the field in
the last game of the year for the
Lakers. “We never once put our
heads down,” said Guzzo.
With a well-deserved NCAA
bid to end the season this
year, the women can only look
forward to preparing for next
year as they hopefully carry on
the tradition of post-season
play.
loss that was so heartbreakingly
brutal, so unbelievably hard to
bear that the only thing that
makes it better is winning later.
It sucks sometimes to be a fan.
However, there is no feeling like
seeing a game-winning goal in
overtime. None.
That’s why I come back. So,
if you live in the first Wayne
building, I apologize in advance
for what you may witness. If
you have nothing better to do
tonight, turn on your TV and go
to FSN Pittsburgh, Channel 24.
Pick a team, and root for them.
Witness your fanhood begin.
May 13, 2009
Trio leading Lakers into NCAA tourney
By Nick Glasier
Staff writer
The 2008 season for the Mer-
cyhurst College baseball team
ended with a 27-25 record, and
the team failed to make the con-
ference playoffs.
It was also the eighth season
in a row that the Lakers had
failed to make it to the NCAA
tournament.
The Lakers season posted a
team batting average of .292,
hit 19 home runs and were out-
scored 243 to 233 by their oppo-
nents in total runs scored.
It was obvious the Lakers were
in desperate need of an offensive
boost to break their eight-year
drought without a NCAA tour-
nament appearance.
The Lakers of 2009 found
this offensive boost, and the
key to this recent jump has been
the offensive play of freshman
Ethan Santora and seniors Jeff
Stoll and Jamie Walczak.
“Those guys have been unbe-
lievable all year. They have
brought us the production and
leadership all year and that’s what
makes them invaluable players,”
When all else fails, avoid watching your team
By John Baronowski
Sports columnist
Last issue picks time! Chicago
has already moved on to the
next round. Detroit will join
them soon. Detroit simply has
too much going their way and
will stifle the young talent in six
games.
Pittsburgh is going to win this
series. Even if they don’t, I’ll be
in denial with all the Hartford
fans waiting through this long
off-season.
From righ to left Senior Jamie Walczak, freshman Ethan Santora and senior Jeff Stoll the trio
combined for a .374 batting average, 35 home runs and 150 RBIs.
head coach Joe Spano said.
Santora brought a noticeable
offensive presence in the Laker’s
lineup batting .373 with a Mercy-
hurst record-tying 16 home runs
and 51 RBIs.
“He is offensively a juggernaut.
I knew he was going to be good,
but he has definitely exceeded
The Pens beat the Hurricanes
or the Bruins in 7. Then the
Penguins pour on the offense,
besting Detroit in 6 games.
Why am I so sure? I have
a prediction. Not just any
prediction, this one has been
going for the past 8 years, when
the lockout was first looming.
I predicted the lockout would
take most of a season, resulting
in a salary cap and plenty of
free agency. The Penguins,
having a tiny salary, would pick
up some big names, let them gel
and then have success. Before
SPORTS
our expectations,” Spano said.
Stoll, who last year only
appeared in five games due to
injury, was tremendous, batting
.533 and hitting two home runs
in only 15 at-bats.
Starting 48 games this year,
Stoll has hit .370 with 13 home
runs and has batted in a team
Crosby, Malkin or Fleury were
on the radar, I said, and I quote,
“I’m calling it now, Pittsburgh
Penguins, 2009 Stanley Cup
Champions. We go deep in ’08
and win it in ’09.”
In hindsight, I wish I would
have printed up the T-shirts just
for effect…not that I’d ever
wear them. It appears that the
hockey gods do not look kindly
upon this prediction.
It seems that when I watch, the
Penguins lose. Game 6 against
the Flyers, I turn on the radio,
the Flyers score three times in
Tyler Stauffer photo
leading 65 runs.
Walczak has been a tremen-
dous offensive boost for the
Lakers batting .379 with six
home runs and 34 RBIs.
Walczak’s 74 hits this season
ties him for the most hits in a
single season for the Lakers, and
he is currently third all-time on
five minutes. I turn it off. We
win. Game 2, I’m at Buffalo
Wild Wings watching the game,
and when I covered my face
and said “I can’t watch,” we
scored. Game 3, I just refused
to watch. I accepted the reality
that I was bad luck. I chose to
sleep instead. This plan worked
perfectly as we won.
Game 4 went the same ways
with another Penguins win.
Game 5, I was sick and didn’t
watch and what do you know we
won. Game 6, I have troubles
falling asleep, the Penguins fall
Page 15
hits with 213 in his career.
He is also a key reliever for the
Lakers as he has a 1.06 ERA with
his 93 mph fastball.
“Jamie has been a game
changer since he came here, he
has the ability to change the game
at any moment with his bat, arm
or legs. He has by far been our
MVP,” Spano said.
These seniors are happy to
be able to break the drought of
NCAA tournament appearances
and leave their mark on the pro-
gram.
“It feels great for our class to
be playing like we are, especially
as tight knit of a team as we are
and it has been great for me to
be able to come back from injury
and perform like I have,” Stoll
said.
Consequently, the Laker’s
offensive numbers have jumped
considerably from last year’s
totals with the team batting aver-
age at .325 with 49 home runs.
Lakers have outscored oppo-
nents 390 to 241, compiling a
35-15 record for the season and
made the NCAA tournament
for the first time in eight years
at Kutztown University on May
14-16.
in overtime. I guarantee you; I’ll
be napping Wednesday evening
for Game 7.
My latest hypothesis is that I
can have my prediction, or I can
watch the games, but I cannot
see my prediction come true.
But all fans are superstitious,
hockey fans especially. Ask any
goalie. We need to be. It’s all
part of what the game is about.
So I conclude the year with:
keep cheering, keep loving and
keep hockey near to your heart.
I’m off to sacrifice some nachos
in hopes to change my fortune.
Sports: Year in Review

Scoot Williams photo Scoot Williams photo

Top left: Junior Elliot Englemann (50) goes up for a

basket in Mercyhurst’s 59-57 loss to cross-town rival
Gannon, Wednesday, Feb. 4, at the Mercyhurst Athletic
Center.

Top right: Junior Steve Grife (14) delivers a pitch during

his no-hit performance in a 6-0 victory over Lake Erie Col-
lege at Mercyhurst College on April 4.

Bottom: Sophomore Justine Smith, left, and senior Jenna

Matson, right, go up for a block against California Univer-
sity on Sept. 9 in the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.

For more highlights from Year in Review, check

us out at the Web site:
www.merciad.mercyhurst.edu

Tyler Stauffer photo