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The Merciad Vol.84,No.8/11/3/10/Free

e-books to collection
Library adds 47,000
Yes, in the
No, it should Erie region.

Carbon monoxide leak ‘Haunted Hurst’ Jensen brings

be banned.
15%
36%

spurs health event wins NHL ties to Yes, out of state.

17%
concerns, detectors national award Mercyhurst No, I don’t drink.
32%
Page 3 Page 4 Page 8

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Have you consumed Four Loko?
Where did you get it?
Page 2
College analyzes Library rents 47,000 e-book titles
budget strategically
By Kelly Luoma
Managing editor
An important aspect to the deci-
sion making process of the college
is deciding what portion of the
budget an area of the college will
receive.
Vice President of Strategic
Finance Dr. Gary Brown plays an
important role in making these
decisions at Mercyhurst College.
As part of strategic finance,
Brown is in charge of “analyzing
what budgets were, what budgets
are and where the college needs the
budgets to be,” he said.
Strategic finance involves making
future plans. In order to do this,
certain assumptions must be made,
Brown said.
The college’s finances are gener-
ated by enrollment.
Graduate students, adult stu-
dents, traditional students and
associate degree students all gen-
erate money for the college. Each
group of students generates a dif-
ferent amount of money, Brown
said.
Brown plans what the college’s
approximate budgets will be by
calculating what the current rev-
enue is, what it is going to be
based off projected enrollment
and what the expenses of the col-
lege are.
Based on how much money the
college has to spend, administration
decides the budgets for every area
of the college.
Brown explained that academics
receive the most emphasis in terms
of funding.
“We want other things to be
good, but we want academics to be
best,” Brown said.
Since the college cannot increase
the budget of every academic pro-
gram, administration has to decide
which programs receive more
money.
“We can’t be excellent at every-
thing,” Brown said. “We have to
pick and choose what to be excel-
lent at.”
Brown explained how to choose
which programs the college should
increase the budgets of in order to
improve them.
The Intelligence Studies program
is an area that the college should
NEWS November 3, 2010
By Stacy Skiavo
Contributing writer
Library Director Darci Jones was
the main force behind the idea to to
bring e-books to Mercyhurst.
ture costs an annual fee of $12,000
for an initial two-year period,
according to Jones.
“By subscribing to e-book col- “It’s definitely well worth it,”
increase the budget of because lections like ebrary Academic Serials Librarian Penny Wise said.
many students are enrolled in that The inconvenience of going to Complete, the library increases the “The only downside is that we’re
major. the Hammermill Library to check access to the libraries’ virtual front only renting the books online.”
“From a strategic standpoint, out a book and finding that it is not door,” Jones said. “I think it will The books are constantly updat-
we know we need to invest more available can be avoided with the benefit the library tremendously ing, but Mercyhurst must pay the
money in that program,” Brown new e-books Mercyhurst College’s
and (I) wanted to see this happen yearly fee to still occupy them.
said. library now offers. for our school.” “The online books are saving us
The science related programs Instead of physical hardback
Students seem to realize the ben- convenience and time,” Wise said.
and health programs, such as books, e-books are electronic lit- efits of ebooks as well. “With e-books there is no need for
nursing should have more money erature that can be found online.
“I love the idea of having a phys- labeling books with bar codes and
invested into them, Brown said, They can be read page by page, or ical book in hand, but I think the stocking them on the shelves.”
“due to growth in enrollment and specific words and terms can be
convenience of e-books is a good To access the e-books, visit the
strong regional and national repu- searched for if a student is looking idea and will save on paper,” sopho- Hammermill Library homepage at
tations.” for a particular part of the book.
more Cassie Seligman said. library.mercyhurst.edu and click on
While the Intelligence Studies Unlike the library where there Students will be able to highlight ebrary Knowledge Base.
program and science majors are usually isn’t more than one copy
the e-books as they would a normal Training sessions for students
popular now, Brown said that this available, e-books allow many people textbook. and faculty to learn how to use
could change in the future. If this to read the same book at one time.
Sophomore Ben Snedden also ebooks will take place during the
changed, the amount of funding Mercyhurst has received more than thinks the e-books will be conve- upcoming winter and spring terms.
each program receives would also 47,000 e-books during the past few
nient. Jones recommended students
change. weeks, and these are all available on “E-books are a good idea because stay tuned to campus news to find
Other areas of the college the Hammermill Library Web site.
then you would never need to leave out more about the current wave
that should receive more money, These 47,000 e-books cover a your dorm,” Snedden said. of electronic changes happening at
according to Brown, are graduate wide variety of topics.
The new advancement in litera- Hammermill.
programs.
“More graduate programs need
to be developed and supported
to grow this area of the college’s
enrollment,” he said.
Technolgy is another aspect of
the college that should be empha-
sized, Brown said.
“Funds need to be added to IT,
marketing, new program devel-
opment and the website to keep
up with ever changing technolo-
gies and to help grow the college’s
enrollment,” Brown said.
While Brown is a key person at
the college in determining which
programs receive more money,
there is not a single person at the
college who is responsible for
saying “this is what should be cut,”
Brown said.
The same is true for starting a
new program on the campus.
The different departments of the
college are responsible for making
calculations on how much revenue
they will have.
When a new program is started,
the college will have to spend
money on the new program, which
means there will be less money to
spend on something that already
exists. The only other alternative is
to raise tuition.
College administration is involved
in making these strategic financial
decisions.
As a group, “we decide what we
believe is the right decision,” Brown
said.
November 3, 2010
Carbon monoxide leak spurs health concerns, detectors
By Priscilla Chavez
& Ethan Magoc
Merciad Staff
For a half dozen Mercyhurst Col-
lege sophomores, seemingly cold-
like symptoms ended up something
more last month.
In early October, sophomores
Alicia Norton, Stephany Farbizio,
Amanda Balasko, Becki Smith,
Lauren Tambasco and Caitlyn Null
were puzzled by symptoms they
had been experiencing for days.
Farbizio, Norton and Null arrived
at their Warde townhouse Oct. 6
around 5 p.m. They came across a
recognizable smell, one that is asso-
ciated most with exhaust pipes or
even Bunsen burners.
But since they do not have a gas
stove, this seemed peculiar.
When two other roommates
came in and ignored it, the girls
soon did too. But a friend of theirs
eventually set off a trigger.
After being in the girls’ town-
house for about an hour, sophomore
Raaj Chanda started experiencing
unexpected symptoms.
College responds to
alcohol policy rumors
By Jennifer McCurdy
Staff writer
Recently, rumors circulated on
campus claiming that resident assis-
tants had been told to start ignoring
alcohol on campus and not to write
up as many students as in the past
for underage drinking.
Assistant Vice President for Stu-
dent Life Laura Zirkle responded to
these rumors.
Zirkle said the college’s alcohol
policy has not changed.
“We have never told RA’s not to
write someone up for drinking,”
she said.
Student Life offered one possible
explanation for these rumors.
Before fall term, Student Con-
duct met with Police and Safety to
clarify the cases in which students
“All of us were feeling sick,
but after Raaj said he felt sick, we
knew something was wrong,” said
Norton.
At 9 p.m., the girls called Police
and Safety, who later arrived with
Maintenance staff.
Both Police and Safety and Main-
tenance inspected the apartment
but initially found nothing. The
students told them they believed
it dealt with gas, but no one could
detect the source.
Farbizio’s parents, concerned
about the safety of their daughter
and the rest of her roommates,
made another phone call to Police
and Safety. They advised Police and
Safety to send the fire department
to check the townhouse immedi-
ately, which they did.
What they found was remarkable
and has led to increased campus
safety measures.
Firefighters discovered their fur-
nace’s exhaust fixture had become
dislocated, resulting in a carbon
monoxide leak.
Assistant Vice President of Stu-
dent Life Laura Zirkle, said she was
first concerned for the students’
safety, then confused by what she
should be cited.
Last year, there was confusion
between the departments about
when a student should be disci-
plined on campus and when the
students should be taken to the
police station.
The college does not want to
damage the permanent records of
its students based on false circum-
stances.
“There is probably a shift toward
the student conduct (penalties) versus
the criminal system,” Zirkle said.
Even so, this should not encour-
age underage students to drink.
The penalty for a first offense for
underage drinking includes a $50 fine,
10 hours of community service, social
probation and an alcohol education
class. Besides these penalties, there
are the possibilities of extracurricular
restrictions, parental notification, and
arrest and prosecution.
NEWS
The carbon monoxide leak at Mercyhurst took place in one of
the Frances Warde Townhouses.
called a “very flukey incident.”
“We all felt like we were high at
all times of the day,” Norton said.
The girls checked into the hospi-
tal that night. With the exception of
Smith and Tambasco, all had levels
The role of RA’s in managing
underage drinking is to document
situations in which a student breaks
college policy or criminal laws.
According to Zirkle, RA’s will
not “go looking” for alcohol infrac-
tions. Often, the noise from a loud
party is what brings the RA to the
apartment, although personnel con-
ducting periodic health inspections
will report alcohol if they find it sit-
ting out in an apartment.
“If we’re aware of underage
drinking, we will address it,” Zirkle
said.
Although statistics for alcohol
penalization has not been released
for the fall term, Zirkle said the cur-
rent freshman class has been espe-
cially well-behaved in this regard.
For more information on the
alcohol policy, students can access
the Student Handbook on the Mer-
cyhurst Portal.
Page 3
until the fire department and Main-
tenance secured the townhouse
from any lingering monoxide.
“It was a hard time going through
this, especially because mid-terms
were coming up,” said Farbizio.
The incident spurred quick
action from the Office of Student
Life, as Zirkle and Dr. Gerry Tobin
worked with Ken Stepherson, the
college’s physical plant manager.
They ordered and have installed
carbon monoxide detectors in most
campus residences with either gas
appliances or a gas furnace.
“Not every apartment has them
installed quite yet,” Zirkle said. “We
got them into Warde pretty quickly,
but the rest will go in during the
next few months.”
She also allayed any student con-
cerns that monoxide leaks could
Ethan Magoc photo become prevalent in Mercyhurst
campus housing.
“This was a situation where
there was a very specific problem.
of carbon monoxide. Norton and There’s no reason for us to be
Farbizio’s levels were borderline concerned this may go on in other
dangerous, requiring them to be places,” Zirkle said. “It’s simply a
treated with oxygen masks. precaution because it’s so hard to
Back on campus, the students detect. We’d rather be safe than
slept at a Briggs Avenue apartment sorry.”
News Briefs
College celebrates career week
Events for Mercyhurst’s career week began on Monday, Nov.
1. The webinar, Social Media - the New Way to Network, will
take place on Wednesday in the Herrmann Student Union Great
Room at 3 p.m. Events for career week will conclude with a
presentation on relocation on Thursday from 12:30 to 2 p.m.
Lost items found at Police and Safety
Mercyhurst College’s Police and Safety Department has a lost
and found that is filled with many unclaimed items. Students
who have lost their car keys, winter jackets and other belongings
should check the Police and Safety office.
Warming Center in need of supplies
Erie County’s Emergency Warming Center provides a warm
place for homeless people when the temperature drops to
20 degrees or below. To be able to provide for these people,
the Warming Center is in need of blankets, towels, socks and
personal hygiene items. Donations can be dropped off at the
center, 1101 Peach Street.
Page 4 FEATURES November 3, 2010

‘Haunted Hurst’ wins national award

By Lynn Dula
Staff writer
Mercyhurst College was recently
awarded the Outstanding Social
Program Award from the National
Association for Campus Activities
(NACA).
The program that earned Mercy-
hurst the award was none other than
the popular annual event “Haunted
Hurst.”
The award was presented during
the NACA’s Mid-Atlantic Regional
Conference, held in Lancaster from
Oct. 14-17.
About 110 schools attended the
conference.
The NACA was founded in 1960.
Today, they have more than 1,000
college and university members, as
well as almost 650 associate mem-
bers including artists, lecturers and
performers.
“Haunted Hurst” has been a
tradition at Mercyhurst for many
years. It is run by both Student
Activities Council (SAC), led by
senior SAC chair Char Lichtinger
(under the direction of SAC adviser
Sarah Allen), as well as the Ambas-
sador Club.
Students dressed up as zombies and ghosts to scare those going on “haunted tours.”
“Haunted Hurst” is one of the
most well attended campus events,
and demonstrates creativity and
innovation, while appealing to a
diverse body of students.
As with any major program,
“Haunted Hurst” has obstacles
to overcome in order to run
smoothly.
For instance, each year the pro-
gram can involve upwards of 25
student planners who are respon-
sible for coordinating the event.
Also, there are those student
volunteers responsible for scaring
people during the haunted tour.
Although it can be difficult to
work with so many people to plan
and run one event, it provides the
opportunity for student planners to
learn to work together as a team.
Despite some small difficulties,
the resulting program is always a
success, with an average of 300 stu-
dents attending each year.
According to their mission state-
ment, NACA “advances campus
activities in higher education
Contributed photo
through a business and learning
partnership, creating educational
and business opportunities for its
school and professional members.”
The programs offered by NACA
focus on program planning, risk
management, multicultural edu-
cation, student and professional
leadership development, student
government and more.
The Mid-Atlantic Conference
itself provided a multitude of
events such as educational sessions,
showcases, as well as an opportu-
nity for networking and profes-
sional development.
This year’s educational sessions
included such topics as “Enhanc-
ing Your Resume Through Lead-
ership & Involvement” and
“Bringing Together Program-
ming Board And Residence Life
Events.”
The conference also involved
award ceremonies where awards
in several categories were given.
“Haunted Hurst” won the Out-
standing Social Program award
under the category of program-
ming awards.
NACA’s criteria used during
the judging process include
the “effective use of available
resources (financial, human and
logistical) including co-sponsor-
ship” and the “effectiveness of
programs with relation to their
stated goals.”
It was also a requirement that the
program “must have been admin-
istered and managed by the col-
lege/university activities board or
campus programming office where
students are significantly, if not
completely, involved in the decision
making, planning and presentation
of the programs.”

Police cadets to train with Tasers

By Kristen Ribelli
Contributing writer
Imagine the formal training for
your current job if it included being
Tasered with 50,000 volts of elec-
tricity.
This is what 35 Mercyhurst Col-
lege Municipal Police Training
Academy students have to face as a
part of their training.
Tasers are a non-lethal tool that
are used as an alternative to guns
for stopping suspects. Bill Hale,
director of the Municipal Police
Academy and manager of Law
Enforcement Training, has wit-
nessed many Taserings throughout
his career.
“Less-lethal weapons are becom-
ing more and more accepted by
police departments,” Hale said.
The Taser course allows certifi-
cation for the officers to carry and
use the weapon appropriately in a
safe and effective manner.
“We do not make this train-
ing required, it is voluntary,” said
Hale. “However, in the event that
our cadets are interviewing for a
position as a police officer, this
certification may make them more
marketable.”
Along with the cadets becoming
more marketable, by experiencing
the results of this weapon cadets
have a firsthand view of the effects
of someone being Tasered.
Besides this program taking a
physical toll on cadets, it greatly
affects them mentally and emo-
tionally when watching each other
endure the pain of the Taser.
“It seems to bring the class
together as a group, Hale said. “As
a pre-service candidate for police
employment, these individuals
deserve considerable credit for ded-
icating their time and effort in pre-
paring for a law enforcement career.
To endure the four-plus months of
work, there is no question about
their dedication.”
Also, students of the academy
have to undergo an intense driving
course. This course enables them to
learn defensive driving skills used
during high-speed chases.
They learn strong maneuver-
ability techniques and ways to
avoid crashes. It is significantly
important for cadets to become
skilled with these techniques
for their own and for public
safety.
Cadets undergo nearly 800
hours of physical training. The
program is challenging men-
tally, physically and academically.
Hale says the passions they show
prove they deserve their long-
term goals to be a part of the
police force.
This 16-hour certification
course is being held at the Mer-
cyhurst North East gymnasium.
Mike Schleicher, a recently
retired policeman from the Mill-
creek Police Department trained
by the manufacturer Taser Inter-
national, will be Tasering the
Cadets.
To read the full version of this
article, please visit www.merciad.mer-
cyhurst.edu/features.
November 3, 2010
Stravinsky celebration called ‘fantastic’
By Sarah Mastrocola
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst Dance Depart-
ment successfully presented its fall
concert, “Stravinsky Celebration,”
last weekend in the Mary D’Angelo
Performing Arts Center.
The performance began with
“Pulcinella,” choreographed by
Dance Chair Tauna Hunter. One
of the great strengths of the dance
department is its solid ballet train-
ing, and this shined through in the
choreography.
The piece showcased the techni-
cal prowess of the dancers while
also incorporating clownish fun
into the movement.
“Closing the Glass Door” by
guest artist Randy James, which
‘The Soloist’ gains mixed reviews
By Sarah Price
Contributing writer
A week ago today at the D’Angelo
Performing Arts Center, students
had the opportunity to view “The
Soloist.”
The title should be familiar to
freshmen students, since they read
the novel it is based on as part of
their required reading.
Based on a true story, the film
tells the story of Steve Lopez,
(Robert Downey Jr.), a jaded, dis-
illusioned columnist for the Los
Angeles Times. Recently divorced,
he no longer knows why he writes
what he does.
Nathaniel Anthony Ayers (Jamie
Foxx) is a prodigal cellist, a Julliard
Online
Guelcher Film Series
‘The Red Machine’ is a
thrilling puzzle
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
previously appeared in the Parent’s
Weekend performance, was a duet
that inspired thought and a vari-
ety of interpretations from audi-
ence members and dancers alike.
The meaning of the piece was
rather ambiguous, but the perfor-
mance was striking and emotion-
ally moving, regardless of personal
interpretation.
“Rite of Spring,” choreographed
by Assistant Professor Mark San-
tillano as a twenty-first century
retelling of the original by Vaslav
Nijinsky, portrayed the dangers of
excessive college partying and peer
pressure.
Just as the original centered
on the ritual sacrifice of a young
girl, Santillano’s reinterpretation
depicted the accidental death of a
girl, played by senior Heather Mills.
Mills portrayed a character who
School dropout and a homeless
schizophrenic, who Lopez finds
playing a two stringed violin in the
slums of Los Angeles. The movie
follows Lopez as he writes columns
about Ayers and helps Ayers get
back on his feet.
However, the true hero of the
movie is Ayers, who inspires Lopez
with the power of his passion for
music, especially Beethoven, and
his determination.
The movie is the story of friend-
ship and the power of music, mas-
terfully directed by Joe Wright. In
addition, the film sends a message:
there is a gulf between the wealthy
and the poor, and it is a problem.
However, freshman students
who have read the book tell another
story.
Naomi Wasserman and Elisha
Tyler Stauffer photo
“Pulcinella” showcased the
department’s ballet training.
could not handle the alcohol and
risk taking that she was pressured
Helgen said the movie put too
much emphasis on the book’s
negative aspects. Specifically, it
did not focus on the issue of
Ayer’s mental state.
Additionally, they said the
movie creators damaged the plot
slightly by inserting events not
found in the book.
Others took issue with the
film’s musical ties.
“There definitely was the
power of music,” said student
Carolyn Carlins, “(and an) aware-
ness of homeless with mental ill-
ness.”
But she said she was surprised
the movie didn’t center more on
the music itself.
In addition to the film, stu-
dents had the opportunity to
hear Lopez speak in person
Ukulele
Orchestra of
Great Britain
Thursday, Nov. 3
to take part in during spring break
escapades.
Reactions to this piece were any-
thing but apathetic.
Some viewers loved the work for
its discussion of an important and
sensitive issue, but others were irri-
tated and even offended by its blunt
display.
“All the other dances in the con-
cert fit the music they were set to
very well, but I felt like the mod-
ernization of ‘Rite of Spring’ took
away from that unity,” senior Melia
Stanek said.
The second half of the concert
featured the one-act story ballet
‘Firebird,’ a fairytale complete with
princesses, monsters, and a magical
bird of fire. This ballet was cho-
reographed by adjunct instructor
Michael Gleason with assistance
from Associate Professor C. Noelle
Ethan Magoc photo
Steve Lopez spoke Tuesday
night at the D’Angelo
Performing Arts Center.
The Secret
Garden
Friday, Nov. 4 to
Sunday, Nov. 7
Page 5
Partusch.
One of the great strengths of
this ballet was the impressive set
design, as well as the dynamic con-
trast provided by the dance of the
monsters. The opening dance of
the firebird and the pas de deux
(dance for two) between the fire-
bird and the prince Ivan were also
full of lovely moments.
“I thought the show was fantas-
tic,” said audience member Kate
Mueller. “The staging and lighting
was striking, and the set for ‘Fire-
bird’ was very elaborate. All the
pieces also had very clear story lines
and messages.”
Dance Chair Tauna Hunter also
reflected positively on the entire
performance.
“It’s been a wonderful ride,” she
said. “We had great audiences and
great performances.”
merciad.
mercyhurst.
edu/arts_
entertainment
Page 6
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.
Musical deserves large audience
Hard work needs to be recognized
By Devin
Ruic
Staff writer
Regardless of the results of
the midterm election yesterday,
I am focusing on a topic closer
to home here at Mercyhurst: this
week’s production of “The Secret
Garden.”
For more than a month, nearly
30 Mercyhurst students, rang-
ing from freshmen to seniors,
have sacrificed their time to learn
music and dialogue in an attempt
to entertain the student body and
the rest of the Mercyhurst College
community.
I have been in several produc-
tions here on campus, starting my
freshman year with the musical
“Seussical.” I followed that quickly
with “A Streetcar Named Desire,”
Partisanship seems problematic
The system should be abolished
By Kathleen
Vogtle
A&E editor
As I thought about what to
write about this week, I found
myself remembering a conver-
sation I had with a friend a few
weeks back.
Oddly enough, it relates to yes-
terday’s election remarkably well.
We were considering the idea of
partisanship and how it ties into
an election situation.
I tend to have no stomach for
partisanship. It can be seen over
and over again in our nation’s
history as having an incredible
impact on the outcome of elec-
tions. The problem, I feel, is that
of dualism – issues are forced into
categories of black and white, for
or against.
In this day and age, though,
directed by David Matthews.
Since then, I have also been in
“Our Town,” “Sweeney Todd” and
now “The Secret Garden.” Each
time, the turnout from friends and
family of the cast has been won-
derful and encouraging.
The one show I did not partici-
pate in, “Sweet Charity,” was just
as amazing.
Starting tomorrow night, you
will be able to join the cast of “The
Secret Garden” in early twentieth-
century England and wander the
haunted halls of Misselthwaite
Manor and its gardens.
As always, everyone is encour-
aged to attend the musical.
Particularly, I would like to invite
the administration of Mercyhurst
College to attend, in the same way
as they have graciously attended
the exciting football games this
year.
Even with reserved box seats for
both our nation and our world are
faced with so many questions that
are situated in the grey, and the
two-party system falls short of
dealing with them.
In many cases, it can be
observed that people who iden-
tify as a Democrat or Republican
often feel compelled to vote with
their party. To do otherwise would
present a threat to their reelection.
They might not be able to vote for
their own personal convictions if
they happen to go against those
of the party at large.
For example, an elected repre-
sentative might be anti-abortion
yet pro-gay marriage, issues which
fall distinctly on opposite sides
of the aisle. Say this representa-
tive is a Republican – will that
person vote the way he or she
feels about gay marriage, or will
that person stay with their party’s
beliefs? As can be seen, a decision
one way or the other could have
OPINION November
September 3, 2010
3, 2008
More Online...
Animal abuse causes distress
Mary Nolte expresses her concern about
every event in the Performing Arts
the wanton abuse of animals.
Center, it seems as though many in
the administration have been too
The Good
busy during the past four years to The spirit of Halloween extended into the week for the
attend a single performance. staff of The Merciad. They wore costumes Tuesday
Tomorrow night’s performance while working on this week’s issue.
will be in Taylor Little Theatre, and
the work put into this production The Bad
deserves the recognition of Mer- We have entered the month of November,
cyhurst College. meaning that finals are approaching quickly.
Consider this an imploring invi-
tation, and let every reader realize The Ugly
that I sent physical, personal invi- On Saturday, the driver of the “drunk bus” was
tations as well. reported for taking more than 55 people on a single
I look forward to seeing mem- run. That meant he had to leave people at the bars so he
bers from every demographic of wouldn’t exceed the limit again.
the Mercyhurst College community
come and enjoy the beautiful pro-
duction of “The Secret Garden”
more than a month in the making.
I have been waiting four years to
entertain Doctor Thomas Gamble
and Gerry Tobin – hopefully this
time I will get the opportunity to
do so.
If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen.
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November 3, 2010
Men’s hockey move to CCHA not expected
By Spencer Hunt
Staff writer
About a year ago, a story in the
Erie Times-News detailed the pos-
sibility that the Mercyhurst men’s
hockey team might try to switch
conferences.
The Lakers wanted to investi-
gate leaving their current Atlantic
Hockey Association to join the
Central Collegiate Hockey Associa-
tion.
Since its establishment in 1971,
the CCHA has become one of the
NCAA’s elite conferences.
Its current 11 teams boast nine
of the past 27 national champion-
ships.
And unlike the AHA, where
teams are limited to distributing
12 scholarships, CCHA teams can
fund the Division I limit of 18
scholarships.
These scholarships can provide
programs with a major boost in
recruiting ability.
A year ago, the CCHA stood as
a 12-team league, but went to 11
after the 2009-2010 season when
the University of Nebraska-Omaha
departed for the Western Collegiate
Hockey Association.
The application for CCHA mem-
Mercyhurst football strives to make history
By Steve Bukowski
Columnist
Think for a second, if you will,
to a truly momentous and historic
sports event that you’ve personally
witnessed.
In the setting of Ralph Wilson
Stadium (home of the NFL’s Buf-
falo Bills), it’s something I’ll never
forget.
And thanks to our own Mercy-
hurst football team, 2010 is a year
that will be forever etched into the
memories and countless people—
players, fans, coaches supporters of
any kind.
Two games ago, Mercyhurst
defeated heavily-favored California
bership would cost Mercyhurst a
non-refundable $10,000 fee, which
is deducted from the $250,000 that
all new conference entrants must
pay.
This may seem an exorbitant
amount of money, but there were
very valid reasons to examine join-
ing the CCHA.
The farthest distance the team
would travel would be a bi-annual
trip to Alaska. However, the next
farthest is Northern Michigan.
The Lakers would travel consid-
erably less distance than they cur-
rently do.
Their AHA schedule now
involves trips to seven out of 11
schools more than 350 miles away.
The next perk would be the six
additional scholarships available for
the team.
They would also gain far more
national attention being in a con-
ference with the University of
Michigan, Ohio State University,
the University of Notre Dame and,
a growing hockey power, Miami of
Ohio.
“There is nothing concrete about
moving conferences,” said Director
of Athletics Joe Kimball, who made
clear no paper was involved during
the school’s inquisition. “Just some
phone calls looking into it.”
While the positive aspects of
The Mercyhurst College football team is poised to host the
PSAC title game with a win over Clarion University.
(Pa.) 31-21, and pushed the Lakers
into the biggest victory in the pro-
gram’s history.
The Mercyhurst College men’s hockey team appears to be
staying put in the AHA for the foreseeable future.
switching conferences remain, a
considerable amount has changed
in college hockey that points to
Mercyhurst staying put for now.
This season, Penn State
announced its intention to join the
ranks of men’s and women’s Divi-
sion I hockey in 2012-2013.
This single school’s move threw a
wrench into Mercyhurst’s potential
conference jump.
Penn State is a part of the Big
Ethan Magoc photo
It was an especially momentous
win for a Lakers team that was
picked to finish near the bottom
Ethan Magoc photo
Ten Conference, initiating a rumor
regarding the inception of a Big
Ten Conference for hockey.
If there were to be a Big Ten
conference, it would mean other
schools with Division I hockey such
as Ohio State, Wisconsin, Minne-
sota, Michigan and Michigan State
would likely follow.
With these changes accounted
for, the CCHA would then be down
to eight teams left from its current
of the PSAC West in the preseason
poll.
Instead, our Lakers are tied with
the California Vulcans for the top
spot in the conference, and made
history in several polls across the
country.
For the first time in program his-
tory, Mercyhurst cracked the Top
25 rankings for Division II schools
nationwide.
After this past week’s win over
Slippery Rock, Mercyhurst climbed
to the No. 21 spot.
It seems too good to be true:
Mercyhurst boasting one of the
best D II football teams in the
country.
The Lakers are hoping to follow
up this performance with one final
Page 7
list, leaving Mercyhurst at a cross-
roads.
Why bother jumping confer-
ences at a steep price, when three
of the higher profile teams may
leave within the next few years?
Thus, there has been no move-
ment in switching conferences this
season, according to coach Rich
Gotkin.
“The big issue is the college
hockey landscape is changing in a
big way,” Gotkin said.
Gotkin also mentioned how
there are teams in the league who
would also seemingly join the same
conferences eventually.
It makes no sense that the only
two universities with Division I
hockey in Alaska-Fairbanks and
Anchorage, should be in different
conferences.
It seems that these changes are
certainly in the works, and make
sense for all involved.
If the three Big Ten schools
leave the CCHA, who is to say Mer-
cyhurst wouldn’t be offered a spot
for a much smaller price?
Gotkin added his current stance
is to “wait until the smoke clears.”
Kimball agreed.
“We are in the AHA, we are
happy there,” he says, “and we are
going to stay there.”
regular season tilt against Clarion,
and then hopefully hosting the
PSAC Championship game on
Nov. 13.
If Mercyhurst makes it to the
championship game, they will square
off against the winner of the PSAC
East regular-season showdown this
coming weekend between Kutz-
town and Bloomsburg.
The football program, and the
campus as a whole, has found that
confidence in themselves is sure to
bring good things.
At the very least, it brings a his-
toric season with great memories.
I’d be a bad columnist if I didn’t
encourage you to get out and sup-
port the school in quite possibly the
best year for the Lakers.
November 3, 2010
Jensen hockey line comes to Mercyhurst
By D.J. Haurin
Staff writer
Every child has a dream, whether
to become a skilled physician or a
professional athlete.
Children dream big. Mercyhurst
College freshman hockey player
Nate Jensen is no different.
Ever since he was a young boy,
hockey has been the centerfold of
his life.
From the beginning, Jensen’s
dream was to follow in his father’s
footsteps by playing hockey at the
professional level.
Those are lofty goals, but Jensen
feels confident he can undertake
the challenge.
His father, Dave Jensen, played
three seasons with the Minne-
sota North Stars of the National
Hockey League and represented the
United States at the 1984 Winter
Olympics.
His uncle Paul also played for
Team USA, participating in the
Soccer sweeps weekend series with Gannon
By Billy Colton
Staff writer
Mercyhurst College men’s and
women’s soccer teams both defeated
rival school Gannon University this
past week.
The women started the trend
on Friday when they humiliated
the Golden Knights 7-1 on Mercy-
hurst’s Senior Day.
The men won 1-0 on Sunday in a
dramatic fashion.
There was just 21 seconds left on
the clock when junior Alex Manea
sent the crowd into a frenzy.
“There’s always something spe-
cial about playing a team that is
only a few blocks away,” said senior
Tommy Lund, who was also cel-
ebrating Senior Day.
Lund has experienced the rivalry
for four years, seeing both victory
and defeat.
“Mentally, you are more focused
Mercyhurst College freshman Nate Jensen looks to continue a
long family line of successful hockey players.
1976 Olympics.
“I have always looked up to my
dad,” Jensen said. “As soon as I
could skate, I was encouraged to
play hockey at a high level.”
Mercyhurst College men’s and women’s soccer teams defeated rival Gannon University. On
their senior days women defeated Gannon 7-1, while the men beat Gannon 1-0.
than ever to win that game. Beat-
ing Gannon can make a bad season
a good one, and a good season a
Sports
Sports Information photo
His father opened his eyes to the
value of the sport and ways to har-
ness this tool throughout life.
“My dad taught me to be a good
hockey player, but also how to be a
great one,” he said.
Graduate student Oliver Gage
agreed that it was extra special, and
good person through hockey. It has
taught me several life lessons: the
value of teamwork, leadership, to
be positive when there is adversity,
but most of all, it taught me to have
fun in whatever you are doing,”
Jensen said.
His family keeps him motivated,
as he strives to surpass his cousins.
Three cousins also play hockey
either at the collegiate or profes-
sional level.
Cousin Joe Jensen plays in the
Italian Serie A Professional League,
cousin Jim Jensen plays at Augsburg
College in Minnesota and brother
Beau Jensen plays club hockey at
Iowa State.
With the four of them, competi-
tion comes naturally.
“My family is all about hockey
when we get together,” Jensen said.
“There is definitely bragging rights
on the line when we play pick-up
games, so they are pretty competi-
tive.”
Growing up with a twin, the
brothers constantly pushed each
other.
Ethan Magoc photo
that it was the perfect way to send
off the seniors who have done a lot
for Mercyhurst soccer.
Page 8
“We would battle in everything
we did,” he said.
Although his family played at
larger schools––his father at the
University of Minnesota and his
uncle at Michigan Tech––Jensen
chose Mercyhurst to be his step-
ping stone to the next level.
“I had some options to play else-
where, but when I came on my visit,
I liked what I saw and felt this would
be a good fit for me,” he said.
Jensen recently started his fresh-
man season at Mercyhurst, where
he plays defense for the Lakers.
“Nate has seen a significant
increase in playing time since the
start of the season,” said Assistant
Sports Information Director Erik
Kaminski.
Prior to Mercyhurst, Jensen
played for the Tri-City Storm of
the United States Hockey League
(USHL).
During his time there, he scored
seven goals and assisted on 20
others.
The Storm recognized him as
Defenseman of the Year.
Gage had been looking forward
to this game for a long time.
“The whole atmosphere was
great. I had heard a lot about the
rivalry but I was yet to experience
it.”
“The week leading up to the
game the whole campus was buzz-
ing with anticipation, you could
see how much it meant to people
with the great support we got,” said
Gage.
The vocal crowd can be a dis-
traction, says Gage, as there is a lot
going on off the field but players
must stay focused.
“It’s important to stick to your
game plan,” Gage said. “We really
showed how mentally tough we
are by staying focused for the full
90 minutes, not only by scoring the
late goal, but also keeping a clean
sheet.”
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