Infant dies in Briggs Avenue apartment >>PAGE 2

AUG. 29, 2007 Vol. 81 No. 1

SUITE
NEW LOOK
Mercy Suites freshman residence
hall renovation is complete >>PAGE 4
OPINION: Gonzalez resignation; PSAC worth a shot >>PAGE 11 & 12

’Hurst athletics
switch from
GLIAC to PSAC
Gamble approves change of conferences >> page 13

FEATURES
Helping What’s Inside

Police log..........2

Text flash hands World news.......3

I HEART Erie......5
Special education The Buzz...........9
Mercyhurst adopts emergency GBU................12
students aid in CA Quick hits........15
cell phone alerts >> page 2 >> page 7
PAGE 2
Homicide shocks Mercyhurst
By Joshua Wilwohl
Editor-in-chief
Erie Police continue to inves-
tigate the death of an infant
found on Aug. 12 in 3810
Briggs Ave., Apt. 6.
Erie County Coroner Lyell
Cook ruled the infant’s death a
homicide two days after police
discovered the body in a plastic
bag.
Cook said the baby was suf-
focated after being alive for
about 10 minutes.
“Her lungs had been used,”
he said at a press conference
on Aug. 14.
Cook said he is not sure
whether the baby was suffo-
cated by the bag or by hand.
The body was found after
police were called to the apart-
ment to investigate a report of
a female student in need of
medical assistance.
According to the probable
cause affidavit attached to the
search warrant filed for the
apartment, Mercyhurst Col-
lege Police and Safety were
first called to the scene after
athletic trainer Brian Bentz
said 18-year-old Teri Rhodes
“…was thought to possibly be
pregnant.”
The war rant states that
Rhodes’ roommate, Julia Butler,
reported finding blood in the
toilet and hearing grunts and
groans coming from Rhodes.
According to the probable
cause affidavit, a Mercyhurst
College Police and Safety offi-
cer, Bentz, volleyball coach
Ryan Patton and Butler went to
the apartment at 4:28 p.m. The
Mercyhurst College Police and
Safety officer then called Erie
Police and Emergycare after
finding “…what he described
as the body of an infant in a
plastic bag in the (bath)tub,”
states the warrant.
Cook said the baby was about
The infant was found by Mercyhurst Police and Safety
in 3810 Briggs Ave.
39½ weeks along.
Vice President for Student
Life Dr. Gerry Tobin said
Rhodes underwent her routine
physical for volleyball on Aug.
10 and was cleared to practice
by a St. Vincent Hospital physi-
cian contracted by Mercyhurst
College.
“It’s not as uncommon as
people might think (to miss a
pregnancy),” said Tobin.
According to a search warrant
obtained by the Erie Times-
News, “Rhodes was first deny-
ing having been pregnant,” read
the warrant. “She did, however,
eventually tell investigators and
hospital staff that she was preg-
nant and had given birth earlier
on this same date.”
Mercyhurst College officials
said they did not know about
the pregnancy until around
noon that Sunday.
According to the search war-
rant, Butler heard slapping
noises, the water turning on
and off, and the toilet con-
stantly flushing around 12:30 or
12:40 p.m.
The war rant also states
Rhodes asked her roommate
to get her Midol from a drug
store.
NEWS
Scoot Williams photo
Once Butler returned with
the medicine, “she went into
(Rhodes’) bedroom (and) saw
blood all over,” states the war-
rant.
Butler then sent an instant
message to women’s volley-
ball coach Sarah King and
described what she had seen,
according to the warrant. King
then contacted Butler via phone
and came to the apartment. At
King’s request, Rhodes came
out of the bathroom and left
for the hospital with King at
1:30 p.m.
According to the Erie Times-
News, Rhodes later sent a text
message from her cell phone to
Butler that said, “Don’t go in
the bathroom. It’s a mess.”
According to the warrant, Lt.
Dan Spizarny then interviewed
Rhodes at St. Vincent Hospital
later that evening at around
7 p.m. where she stated she
gave birth in her apartment
and “…placed the child and the
placenta in plastic bags.”
Erie County District Attor-
ney’s Office is still deciding on
charges against Rhodes.
Mercyhurst College Regis-
trar’s Office said Rhodes has
withdrawn from the college.
Texts to alert students
of campus emergencies
By Amy Zielinski
News editor
A text message alert system is
being introduced to Mercyhurst
College students this year.
This new system will notify
students and faculty when there
is an emergency on campus.
During the first week of
school, students will receive an
e-mail to register for the text
message alert.
When students register for
the system they will receive a
code on their cell phone. Once
students obtain their personal
code, they will have to type
it in the computer to be fully
registered.
Coordinator of Student Life
Joe Howard says, “It’s a system
we hope we never have to use,
but it’s an extra tool we can
use.”
The Emergency Response
Team and others from Resi-
dence Life will have the ability
to take charge and text students
on campus when a situation
takes place.
Police and Safety Log
Terroristic Threats
Lewis Apartments
12 August
Case closed
Larceny/Theft
Bookstore
15 August
Pending investigation
Criminal Mischief
Parking Lot #11
16 August
Case Closed
Aug. 29, 2007
Students who register for
the text message alert system
will be notified about traffic
accidents, cancelled classes,
emergencies and bad weather
conditions.
The text message will tell stu-
dents what to do or where to go
for further information.
The cost of each text mes-
sage will vary depending on the
specific cell phone plan.
“I don’t think people will
mind paying extra money if
they are safe,” says Laura Zirkle,
director of residence life and
student conduct.
“The more students who
have it – the more students
it will reach. It’s not like you
check your e-mail every 20
minutes – when a text goes to
your phone, you will check your
phone instantly,” said Zirkle.
“We’re not using this lightly
– if you get a message from
us, you really need to know
it’s something you need to be
aware of.”
For further information about
the text message alert system,
students can contact Zirkle.
Liquor Law Violation
200 Mercy Suites
23 August
Pending investigation
Liquor Law Violation
Briggs Apartments
25 August
College discipline
Liquor Law Violation
Lewis Apartments
26 August
Case closed
 Aug. 29, 2007 NEWS PAGE 3

Greek fires kill 63 New appointment

By Elena Becatoros
Associated Press
ATHENS, Greece – the amount of burned land
Firefighters rushed helicopters
and buses Monday to evacuate
more than two dozen villages
threatened by towering walls
of flames that had killed 63
people while ravaging swaths
of forest and farmland in
Greece’s worst wildfire disaster
in memory.
Four days of devastating
blazes from the northern
border with Albania to the
southern island of Crete
unnerved and angered Greeks,
drawing strong criticism of
the government’s response
and setting off widespread
suspicions and finger-
pointing.
The government, which
declared a state of emergency,
implied the destruction could
be part of an orchestrated
campaign of arson. But
environmental experts
expressed skepticism.
People used garden hoses,
buckets, tin cans and branches
in desperate – and sometimes
futile – attempts to beat back
flames and save their homes
and livelihoods.
The destruction was so
extensive that authorities said
they had not had time to tally
– or the number of people
injured.
Sixty-three people were
known dead.
Fires engulfed villages,
forests and farms and scorched
woodland around Ancient
Olympia, birthplace of the
Olympic Games.
New fires broke out faster
than others could be brought
under control, leaving behind
a devastated landscape of
blackened tree trunks, gutted
houses and charred animal
carcasses.
The destruction and deaths
infuriated Greeks, who already
had been stunned by deadly
forest fires in June and July,
and the disaster appeared likely
to dominate political debate
before parliamentary elections
Sept. 16.
Many people said the
government did not react
quickly enough.
After declaring a state of
emergency over the weekend,
the government raised the
possibility of arson and said
several people had been
arrested.
On Saturday, Prime
Minister Costas Karamanlis
said it could not be coincidence
that so many fires broke out
simultaneously in so many
areas.
But it was not clear who
– if anyone – was responsible
for these fires.
An official of the WWF
environmental group dismissed
the notion of an orchestrated
arson campaign.
“I think these are very
dangerous assessments,
particularly when the evidence
so far does not seem to back
them,” said Theodota Nantsou,
the group’s conservation
manager for Greece.
Greece’s few remaining
patches of forest were being
rapidly incinerated, and the
environmental consequences
will be dire, experts said.
The government has
budgeted more than $274
million for immediate aid
to families, businesses and
communities. Authorities
also appealed for help from
abroad, and 19 countries
promised planes, helicopters
and firefighters.
will benefit ’Hurst
By Gary Williams
Contributing Writer
Dr. David Livingston
was named associate vice-
president of development
this summer. Many faculty
members are pleased with Dr.
Livingston’s appointment to
the position and expect him to
be a beneficial member of the
Mercyhurst community.
Linda Bennett, vice
president of development, said
that he brings to the position,
“an extensive knowledge
of Mercyhurst College.
He also brings a profound
appreciation for the mission
of the college.”
Dr. Livingston’s new post
will have him working on
funding for multiple academic
opportunities offered by
Mercyhurst.
Through grants, donations
and other means of raising
money, he will work to raise
money for various academic
departments and activities.
Currently, Dr. Livingston
is working Professor Federici,
a member of the Political
Science department. The two
Dr. David Livingston
Studies center at Mercyhurst.
New science labs are also
a focus of Dr. Livingston’s
work, although many other
departments will also benefit
from his employment, as
he continues to meet with
professors and department
chairs to discuss their goals.
Dr. David Livingston was
a former associate professor
in the Religious Studies
department. He has been
working at Mercyhurst for 10
years. He has also served as
president of Faculty Senate.
Livingston commented,
“Knowing the school so well
gives me credibility.” He also
said that it is this credibility

Activist blogs his mind on Web

are working to obtain a grant that allows him to perform his
for an American Constitutional job to the best of his abilities.

PHILADELPHIA addresses or photographs of Dunkle said he was not sure if

– Federal prosecutors on
Tuesday filed a civil action
seeking the removal of postings
on an anti-abortion activist’s
Internet site that authorities
said exhorted readers to kill an
abortion provider by shooting
her in the head.
In the filing, U.S. Attorney
Patrick Meehan seeks to force
John Dunkle, 72, of Reading,
to remove the alleged threats
from his Web page and prohibit
him from publishing similar
messages containing names,
health clinic staff members.
One posting, which
featured the provider’s name,
photo and address, stated that
“While it does not sound good
to say go shoot her between
the eyes, it sounds even worse
to say let her alone.”
Dunkle said he did not
write the message on the blog,
but that he did post it. He said
that, if asked, he would take it
down and identify its author.
“If they tell me not to print
it, I won’t print it,” he said.
he agreed with the statement.
Meehan said in a statement Interested in writing for the News
that the postings constitute a
violation of the Freedom of section of the Merciad?
Access to Clinic Entrances Act.
“This type of intimidation Are you up-to-date on world and national
and scare tactic, regardless news?
of one’s beliefs or religious
convictions, simply cannot be
condoned,” Meehan said. Do you pay attention to what’s going on around
“Using a public forum, the Mercyhurst campus?
such as the Internet, to incite
and instruct people to kill Contact Casey Greene or Amy Zielinski at
is tantamount to a form of newseditor@mercyhurst.edu
domestic terrorism.”
PAGE 4
Suites looking sweet SAT scores at
By Jen Helbig
Staff writer
The freshmen are not
the only new addition to
the Mercyhurst campus this
academic year. The Mercy
Suites were newly renovated
this summer.
Laura Zirkle, director of
residence life and student
conduct, feels that the changes
will benefit the needs of the
students as well as parents of
students.
“You probably remember
the old, skinny, small, long
room,” Zirkle said. “I would
talk to students and parents
and they didn’t understand
why two people would be
put in that room when the
other residents were more
comfortable.”
The room was originally
intended to be a single
bedroom explained Zirkle.
The narrow bedrooms and
dark storage closets have been
converted into a fresh living
room and study area.
“We tore down the wall,
created a study where the
closet used to be and created
a living room out of the old
small bedroom,” Zirkle said.
Justin Ross, the associate
New Orleans marks second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina
By Cain Burdeau
Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS - On
the second anniversary of
Hurricane Katrina, anger over
the stalled rebuilding was pal-
pable throughout a city where
the mourning for the dead
and feeling of loss for flooded
homes, schools, snowball
stands, old-time hairstylists
and hardware stores doesn’t
The tearing down of a bedroom wall has created a new
living space in the Mercy Suites.
director of residence life,
is also pleased about the
renovation of the area.
“The living room area
gives students a place for
social activities,” he said. “And
the addition of a study area
demonstrates the importance
that we place on incorporating
studying into the daily
routine.”
In addition closet
organizers have been added to
all of the bedrooms during the
renovation.
The bathrooms and other
parts of the bedrooms remain
structurally the same but each
bedroom now has three beds.
Two beds are bunked and the
third is lofted with dressers
seem to subside.
Hurricane Katrina made
landfall south of New Orleans
at 6:10 a.m. Aug. 29, 2005, as
a strong Category 3 hurricane
that flooded 80 percent of the
city and killed more than 1,600
people in Louisiana and Mis-
sissippi. It was the worst natu-
ral disaster in the history of
the United States.
On Wednesday, protest-
ers planned to march from the
obliterated Lower 9th Ward
NEWS
Scoot Williams photo
beneath it.
The front living room
contains two wooden
wardrobes for additional
storage space. Updated coffee
tables, lamps and couches were
also added to the living room.
“We’d like upperclassmen
to know that we did take their
suggestions seriously and
made the best improvements
we could.,” explained Ross.
Both Ross and Zirkle
commended everyone
involved in the renovation
including Tyrone Moore,
Tom Billingsley and campus
maintenance workers whose
imput contributed greatly
to the overall design of the
renovations.
to Congo Square, a venerable
spot where slaves were able to
celebrate their culture. Accom-
panied by brass bands and
wielding megaphones, they will
again try to spread their mes-
sage that the government has
failed to help people return.
“People are angry and
they want to send a message to
politicians that they want them
to do more and do it faster,”
said the Rev. Marshall Truehill,
a Baptist pastor and commu-
record low
By Justin Pope
Associated Press
The class of 2007 averaged
the lowest math and reading
SAT scores since 1999, the
College Board reported
Tuesday.
Last spring’s high school
seniors scored on average 502,
out of a possible 800 points,
on the critical reading section
of the country’s most popular
college entrance exam, down
from 503 for the class of
2006.
Math scores fell three
points from 518 to 515.
The declines follow a
seven-point drop last year
for the first class to take a
lengthened and redesigned
SAT, which included higher-
level math questions and
eliminated analogies.
The College Board, which
owns the exam, insisted the
new exam wasn’t harder and
attributed last year’s drop
to fewer students taking it a
second time.
Students typically fare
about 30 points better when
they take the exam again.
nity activist. “Nobody’s going
to be partying.”
At Charity Hospital, a
21-story limestone hospi-
tal adorned with allegorical
reliefs, public officials will
attend a somber groundbreak-
ing for a victims’ memorial
and mausoleum that will house
the remains of more than 100
victims who have still not been
identified.
“It’s an emotional time.
You re-live what happened
Aug. 29, 2007
The College Board’s report
Tuesday noted that a record
number of students – just
short of 1.5 million – took the
test.
The cohort of test-takers
also was the most diverse
ever, with minority students
accounting for 39 percent:
There has been a persistent
gap between the scores of
whites and the two largest U.S.
minority groups, Hispanics
and blacks.
“They have taken a very
progressive stand in trying to
get more and more students to
go to college,” College Board
President Gaston Caperton
said of Maine at a news
conference Tuesday morning.
“The larger the population you
get to take an examination, it
obviously knocks down the
scores.”
Average scores also slipped
from 497 to 494 on the writing
portion of the SAT, which
debuted with the class of
2006.
Many colleges are waiting
to see results from the first few
years of data on the writing
exam before determining how
to use it.
and you remember how scat-
tered everyone is now. There
are relationships now that are
completely over,” said Robert
Smallwood, a New Orleans
writer. “The city has been
dying this slow death. In New
Orleans, you can’t escape it.
It’s bad news everyday.”
Churches will hold memo-
rial services, including one at
the historic St. Louis Cathedral
on Jackson Square, and ring
bells in honor of the victims.
 Aug. 29, 2007
Get an early start at Panos
By Shelley Turk
Staff writer
Panos Restaurant offers a
wide selection of breakfast
dishes along with a full menu
from appetizers to salads, en-
trees to desserts. Open all day,
everyday, Panos offers a clean,
smoke-free atmosphere that
has many people coming back
for more.
Located at 1504 West 38th
street across from the Valu Pla-
za, Panos is a short drive away
from the Mercyhurst Campus.
The Panos family has owned
and operated the restaurant
since 1956 making the diner
over 50 years old and a staple
New grad program for the ’Hurst
By Jen Gildea
Features editor
This summer Mercyhurst
announced that it was adding
new programs to the list of
available gratuate studies, which
is in a new location on East
34th Street.
Beginning this fall there will
be offered a Master of Science
degree in secondary education
with a focus on the teaching
of science and math. The
program is designed to fulfill
the void of qualified science
and math teachers, especially
in urban areas.
“We’re aiming for people
with undergraduate degrees in
math and science. However,
the program is also designed
for adults who have been in
the field for a while and want
to make a career change,” said
Dr. Phillip Belfiore, dean of the
Hafenmaier School of Educa-
tion and Behavior Sciences,
who designed the curriculum
in Mercyhurst tradition.
The menu includes personal
omelets, a variety of breakfast
dishes, salads, appetizers, en-
trees, desserts, milkshakes and
fresh brewed coffee.
Portions are big and price is
small at this “greasy spoon”
restaurant, a term used to
classify restaurants catering
primarily to breakfast and lunch
crowds with these establish-
for the new program.
Dr. Karen Evans, who will be
directing the program, agreed.
“A good majority of young
people don’t stay in the same
career,” she said.
She notes that the program
allows for people of diverse
backgrounds to re-evalutate
their careers towards teaching,
even if they have no teaching
experience in an undergrad
program.
This new curriculum marks
the only program of its kind in
the area, and the sixth graduate
field offered at Mercyhurst.
As Mercyhurst continues to
expand its graduate programs,
other schools are doing the
same.
Reasonings behind the ex-
pansions point directly to the
fact that more and more col-
lege students are pursuing
advanced degrees than ever
before. Graduate enrollment
figures nationwide keep rising
each year, due largely in part
to the increase in women and
FEATURES PAGE 5
ments often located in low-to-
Food Fix
middle class neighborhoods
and highway exits. Panos plays
along with the title by serving
With Meg
up traditional comfort food
with a healthy approach.
For the first recipe of the These can be really fun to
Often associated with high
year I thought that I would do make because you can easily
fat content, this restaurant
a take on the old college favor- add whatever you would like
serves up their signature dishes
ite: pizza. to make them delicious and
by using soybean oil with no
Ordering pizza can get ex- popular for everyone.
trans fat.
pensive for a college student so I have done this with ham
With its great location, yet
why not just make your own? and cheese on the inside and
sometimes limited parking,
This recipe can be great when just dipped it in the pizza sauce,
Panos caters to a variety of
you are on the run because it or you could make it a taco
people including early morning
makes are more of a sandwich pizza with the appropriate taco
seniors, late night partiers and
than a slice of pizza. fillings.
families in between. It is often
referred to as the “place to go”
after a night out on the town.
And do not forget your One Ingredients
Card for Laker Loot is accepted
at all times.
1 tube Pizza Dough
(unbaked)
½ cup Pizza Sauce
minority applicants. ½ package Pepperoni
One of the major reasons ½ Green Pepper
that students continue on to ½ Onion
grad school is because an in-
creasing number of future em- Flour
ployers are requiring employees Olive Oil
to have higher degrees.
College students are begin-
ning to realize the advantage Directions
a graduate degree holds over
the competition in today’s job Start by spreading some flour on the
market. cutting board so that the dough does not
With the increase in grad
school applications and enroll-
stick to it. Separate your dough into two
ment, it would be adventageous pieces and roll it out flat.
for any college to expand its Put all of the fillings on, but only on one
available programs. Mercyhurst half of the dough.
is expecting a smooth transition
for its new grad program in its
Fold the dough over the fillings and pinch
first year. it tight with your fingers. Make sure that they
There are currently five to are closed or the fillings will ooze out.
eight students enrolled in the Place on a baking sheet and brush a small
program. With final approval
occuring just a month ago,
amount of olive oil over the top. Bake ac-
the department is planning to cording to the directions that were on the
advertise heavily and secure package of dough. Normally, about 35 min-
more students in the upcoming utes at 350 degrees.
terms, as enrollment is available
any time of the year, rather than
just in the fall.
PAGE 6
Fall fashion at
affordable prices
By Laura Pusateri
Contributing writer
Fall fashions are on the rise
again, despite the weather
remaining warm and sunny.
Retailers nationwide are pre-
senting their fall lines, which
are sure to include a few new
trends, as well as timeless clas-
sics.
One of the biggest trends
that will be seen this fall is
designer looks at affordable
prices.
College females in particular
tend to wonder, “Why spend so
much money on a cute outfit
just to wear out on a Friday
night?”
Luckily in today’s world of
fashion, there exist trendy looks
for prices even broke college
kids can afford.
Designer looks can be found
at everyone’s favorite store:
Target.
Following the past success
of other designer collabora-
tions, Alice Temperley, stylist
for celebrities such as Scarlett
Johansson and Mischa Barton,
is the newest designer taking
her turn at the mass merchan-
diser, by creating a line exclu-
sively for Target.
Her collection consists of the
basic pieces women need for
their fall wardrobes.
Everything from ruffle front
and jersey dresses, long wool
sweaters, sailor pants, and
stretch belts are all priced
between $14.99 and $49.99.
“I wanted to take ideas from
the casual pieces and make
them more accessible,” Tem-
perley has said about her trendy
line for Target.
Her collection includes an
array of everything we’re seeing
that are “must haves” for fall,
including twill jackets with
FEATURES Aug. 29, 2007
Laker Fall Term Inn
jewels and belted waist dresses,
jackets, and coats.
With the help of Alice Tem- Galley Grill Dinner:
S-Grilled Chicken Sandwich
perley, women can look trendy
and still have some extra cash M- Mushroom & Swiss Burger
Lunch:
for the weekends. T- Crab Cake Sandwich
M-Pierogies
Look for Temperley’s line in W- Ziti with Red Sauce
Target and target.com starting T- Taco Salad
Th- Steak Sandwich
Sept. 16. W- BBQ Rib Sandwich
F- French Dip Sandwich
Another low priced fashion Th- Chicken Patty Sandwich
outlet to check out is at Steve S - Finger Sub
F- Sizzle Salad
and Barry’s.
S- Southwest Burger
Most often noted as the des-
tination store to find college Hours of Operation:
apparel, the retailer is beginning Board Specials Monday-Friday 8:00am-1:00 a.m.
to completely change its image Lunch $4.75 Saturday 1:00pm-1:00 a.m.
by creating lines by celebrities. Dinner $5.50
One of their most popular Sunday 5:00pm-1:00 a.m.
collections is Bitten by Sarah
Jessica Parker.
Parker created the low priced Laker Express
line that includes everything Sandwiches, Wraps,
from tops and bottoms, shoes,
and accessories, all retailing for Look for Laker Express Salads, Ready Made
under $20. Minute Meals! Dinners
Her catch phrase for the line
sums up her creative image. Board Equivalency Available:
“It is every woman’s inalien-
able right to have a pulled- 11:30a.m.-8:00p.m.
together stylish, confident
wardrobe with money left over
Hours of Operation:
to live,” she declared. Board Specials Mon.-Thurs. 11:30a.m.-8:00 p.m.
With everything under $20, Friday 11:30a.m.-3:30 p.m.
even college students can afford Lunch $4.75
trendy pieces.
Saturday & Sunday Closed
Dinner $5.50
Steve and Barry’s has also
teamed up with teen actress
Amanda Bynes to create a Special Features
slightly less mature line called
Dear by Amanda Bynes.
Subconnection Wrap combo-Veggie $5.59
Geared toward a high school other wraps $5.79
audience, the collection con- 6” Sub $3.75 Combo $4.75 ‘Wrap It Yourself’- Veggie $3.99
sists mostly of graphic T-shirts
and mini skirts. 12”Sub $5.75 Combo $6.75 other wraps $ 4.19
Nonetheless, both of these
retailers have hit the jackpot
with providing trendy styles at Hours of Operation:
affordable prices. Baja and Buffalo Chicken Subs:
Monday-Friday 11:30am-9:00p.m.
Stop by and see the trends 6” Sub $4.00 Combo $5.25 Saturday 1:00pm-9:00 p.m.
that will put wardrobes right on 12” Sub $6.00 Combo $ 7.00
the mark for the fall season. Sunday 5:00pm-9:00 p.m.
Whether young, old, short,
or tall, everyone is guaranteed a
style that will work for them.
 Aug. 29, 2007
MSG president has Education students learn life
big plans for ‘07-‘08 lessons on trip to California
By Shelley Turk
Staff writer
This summer, MSG President
Marissa Starin was prepared for
her first term in office.
Mercyhurst students elected
Starin into office at the end of
Spring term in 2007.
For the past three months,
Starin has replied to emails,
attended her first board meet-
ing, gathered information and
statistics for upcoming proj-
ects.
Starin’s major concern is a
lack of space for RSCO to hold
meetings.
“Walking into the meeting
was intimidating, but everyone
was welcoming and ready to
begin another school year”
she said.
Starin presented important
information to the board so
proposals can be made to
approach the situation. MSG
is committed this year to take
a “more active role” with
RSCO.
At the first MSG meeting,
which will be held Monday
Sept. 10 at 9:00 in the MSG
chambers, each MSG repre-
sentative will be responsible
for a RSCO.
Starin says this is a key step
to help clubs become aware of
the services MSG can provide
to clubs, which include funding
and equipment.
A very strong concern of
Starin and MSG is the Intramu-
ral Sports Program on campus.
Starin is currently working with
administrators to help the pro-
gram reach its full potential.
There are also makings of a
softball program that will take
place this fall term of 2007.
At the end of last year MSG
was approved for adding out-
door balls to the Recreation
Center, including basketballs,
Marissa Starin
softballs, bocce ball and bad-
minton.
There may be some additions
to the Recreation Center.
“Students want TVs in the
rec,” she said. “We’re work-
ing on a cardio theatre for the
upcoming year.”
Important events on this
year’s agenda include Fall Fest,
which will be held the weekend
of Sept. 14, with a feature con-
cert by Money Shot.
The carnival themed event
will have many games and
inflatables to start the year off
right.
MSG also plans to be more
active during homecoming and
is looking forward to going
out and meeting more people
everyday.
Although the summer did
fly by Starin enjoyed it very
much.
“I came to the office, figured
out what needed to be done and
did it,” she said.
Starin encourages students to
come to an MSG meeting or
stop up at the MSG offices in
the Student Union.
And be sure to keep an eye
out for the campus wide sur-
veys sent from the MSG body.
Let your voice be heard on
the changes you want to see.
FEATURES
By Amanda Antenucci
Contributing writer
This summer eight students
from the Special Education
Department accompanied by
Dr. Richard O’Dell traveled
to Santa Cruz, California to
work hands on with children at
Bridge School Institute.
They worked directly with
children with physical and com-
munication disabilities, while
absorbing technolog y and
instruction experience.
The program consisted of 90
hours of pre-instruction for the
students through Mercyhurst
assignments followed by 60
hours of direct training from
the Bridge School.
“The goal of the experience
was to build a stronger con-
nection between the child and
the tools used to communicate
with the child,” noted O’Dell.
The lucky eight students
who got to experience this
educational trip were: Amanda
Sandurak, Lauren Brant, Stacey
Clark, Peter Glumac, Jenna
Kuhn, Maureen Loftus, Megan
Jovanovich, and Janine Pizzo.
After nearly 18 months of
planning and organizing, O’Dell
and his students embarked on
the trip for the first time in the
department’s history.
Arriving for the first day, “It
was not what I expected at all,”
said Janine Pizzo.
“Once the trip was over, I
Interested in writing for the
Features section of the Merciad?
Contact Jen Gildea at featuremerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Dr. O’Dell works with students at the Bridge School.
realized that I learned more
from these children than I ever
could have taught them. It was
a life changing experience.”
Some other life lessons
learned on the trip?
“Not to judge a book by
its cover and to treat people
equally” is what Pizzo took
away from it.
Peter Glumac agreed.
“I learned that my life has had
an effect on the people there no
matter what I think.”
The Bridge School is an inter-
nationally acknowledged leader
in the education of children
with severe speech and physical
impairments.
Its mission is to make sure
these special individuals can
achieve full participation in
their communities through
alternative communication,
technology applications and
innovative life-long strategies.
Their programs are unique
PAGE 7
Contributed photo
to any other schools, highly
trained and skilled profession-
als as assistive instructors.
The trip was an intensive two-
week experience from July 2-
16, and was helped funded by a
number of gracious sponsors.
Truly, the fundraising helped
the students great deal, as they
otherwise would have been
paying for the trip out of their
own pockets otherwise.
“A total of 25 to 30 con-
tributors sponsored money
donations ranging from $18 to
7,000,” said O’Dell.
Next year, O’Dell hopes
to have around eight or nine
students travel with him to
California.
One he can potentially count
on is Pizzo.
“I would definitely recom-
mend the trip to other people.
It was a lot of work and a very
long week but it was worth it. I
may even go again next year.”
PAGE 8
’Hurst welcomes new faculty members
File Photo
Caesar Monteveccio
By Sandy Watro
Contributing writer
Along with a bevy of new
students, Mercyhurst will also
welcome seven new educators
to campus this fall.
These instructors have back-
grounds and expertises in vari-
ous genres of concentration.
Some of which subsequently
coincide with some of Mercy-
hurst’s most popular, renowned
and unique courses of study.
Altogether, the anthropol-
ogy and archaeology, business,
criminal justice, hotel and res-
taurant management, religious
studies, intelligence studies and
music departments will receive
new professors.
The anthropology/archae-
ology department welcomes
Dr. Stephen Ousley, a physical
anthropologist.
Ousley attended the Univer-
sity of Tennessee where he
completed his graduate studies
and earned a Master’s degree in
anthropology.
It was there that he teamed
up with a few collegues to
create the FORDISC project.
FORDISC functions as com-
puter software that identifies
File Photo
Stephen Ousley
and analyzes the components
of human skeletal remains,
specifically for the purpose of
identifying sex and gender.
Most recently he worked
for nine years at the National
Museum of Natural History
and Smithsonian Institution.
There, he served in numerous
departments and the largest
osteological repatriation docu-
mentation program in the U.S.
In the Criminal Justice depart-
ment, Dr. Suzanne Godboldt, a
previous resident of Nebraska,
will join the staff.
Godboldt recently graduated
in 2007 with a Doctorate in
Criminal Justice from the Uni-
versity of Nebrasaka, where
she also taught courses.
Her most recent studies were
concluded in a dissertation, that
focused on domestic violence
and branched off to further
elaborate upon the social disor-
ganization theory and its rela-
tion to the repeated and cyclical
effects of domestic violence on
couples or partners.
Dr. Godboldt also has a
Master’s in criminal justice and
criminology from Sam Hous-
ton State University, which is
located in Texas, as well as a
Bachelor’s degree from Florida
FEATURES
File Photo
Suzanne Godboldt
Southern College in Sociology
and Criminology.
Religious studies department
newcomer Caesar Montevec-
chio enters the staff, recently
from a position at Villa Maria
Academy.
Montevecchio, who is a local
“Erieite,” also taught in Cam-
bridge, Massachusetts at a
Catholic high school.
While living there he assisted
in writing theology curriculum
standards for secondary schools
for the Boston Archdioese.
He also attended the Harvard
Divinity School and received a
Master of Theological Studies
degree, in addition to earn-
ing his B.A. in theology and
psychology from Georgetown
University.
Musically, Mercyhurst will
receive Dr. Rondal Scott Tom-
lison, who taught as a profes-
sor of musical studies at two
colleges, located in Kansas and
Indiana.
He served as the assistant
professor of music, head of
music education, director of
bands, jazz ensemble conduc-
tor, instrumental methods
instructor and more.
He earned a doctorate from
the University of Missouri at
File Photo
Rondal Tomlison
Columbia, a Master’s degree in
music education from Murray
State University and a Bach-
elor’s degree in music educa-
tion from Eastern Kentucky
University.
On a different note, Dawn
Wozneak is a returning member
of the Mercyhurst community.
She is an alumna who will teach
for the intelligence studies
department.
She completed her Master’s
degree in administration of
justice along with a concentra-
tion in applied intelligence at
Mercyhurst.
She also acquired her Bache-
lor’s degree in interdisciplinary
studies and criminal justice at
Fredonia.
Ms. Wozneak also held posi-
tions as an intelligence analyst
for the FBI, police officer posi-
tions at the Chautauqua and
Jamestown police departments
as well as a deputy sheriff posi-
tion in the Chautauqua County
Sheriff ’s Department.
Each with his or her own spe-
cialty, the new faculty members
will be a great addition to the
staff at Mercyhurst.
Overall, the Mercyhurst com-
munity welcomes and embraces
these newcomers as vital, inter-
Aug. 29, 2007
File Photo
Dawn Wozneak
gral and interconnected spokes
that will add to the unique
and ever turning wheel, that
symbolizes the community of
Mercyhurst.
Not-so-funny
Jim Carrey
NEW YORK - Jim Carrey
has made a straight-to-You-
Tube video. And it’s not funny
at all.
The 45-year-old actor-come-
dian - in rare serious mode
- appears in a new public ser-
vice announcement on behalf
of the Human Rights Action
Center and the U.S. Campaign
for Burma.
The goal: To free Nobel
laureate Aung San Suu Kyi,
who has been confined by the
Burmese government for 11 of
the last 17 years.
“People around the world
need to come to her aid.”
Suu Kyi, who is under long-
term house arrest in the city
of Yangon, received the Nobel
Peace Prize in 1991 for her
nonviolent efforts to bring
down the oppressive military
regime that rules over the
Southeast Asian country.
Aug. 29, 2007 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
tHe Opera reviewed in New York Times
BuZz
By Nicole Cerilli
A&E editor
AUG. 29. Aly and A.J.,
In June, the After Dinner
Corbin Bleu, Drake Bell,
Bianca Ryan. Plain Dealer Opera Company was reviewed
Pavilion, Cleveland. in The New York Times for
their performance of the
AUG. 29. The Format. opera “The Sin of Infidelity.”
Agora Theatre, Cleve- The opera was performed on
land. June 11, 2007 at the Leonard
Nimoy Thalia Theater at
AUG. 31, SEPT. 1. Rascal Symphony Space in New York
Flatts, Jason Aldean. City. Most of the singers were
Post-Gazette Pavilion, students or recent graduates
Burgettstown. of Mercyhurst.
Founded in 1950, the After
AUG. 30. The Bangles. Dinner Opera Company
House of Blues, Cleve- started as a showcase for
land. American opera composers.
The company’s original goal
AUG. 30-31. Donny was to keep American opera
Osmond. Avalon Ball-
room Theatre, Fallsview
Casino Resort, Niagara
Falls, Ont.
‘Deathly Hallows’ worth the anticipation
SEPT. 1. Hilary Duff.
Darien Performing Arts By Nora Beckenstein
Photo courtesy of www.mugglenet.com
Center, Darien Lake Contributing writer
Theme Park, Darien
Center, N.Y.
There was something
strange and different about the
SEPT. 2. Donny Osmond.
Tower City Amphitheater, summer of 2007.
Cleveland. On the weekend of July 21,
kids were not playing in the
sun or escaping to the dark,
SEPT. 6. Romantics, Ste-
cool caves of movie theaters.
phen Kellogg and the
Sixers. Thursday at the They were reading a book.
Square, Lafayette Square, To millions of fans this past
Buffalo. Free. summer was a Harry Potter
enthusiast’s dream.
SEPT. 6. Taylor Hicks. The fifth movie, “Harry
Seneca Events Center, Potter and the Order of the
Seneca Niagara Casino, Phoenix,” blasted into theatres
Niagara Falls, N.Y. around the world and most
excitingly, the final and most
SEPT. 7. The Killers. anticipated installment of the
Wolstein Center, Cleve- seven-part Harry Potter series
land.
arrived.
The books that had changed
the face of literacy finally came
to an end.
Courtesy of Goerie.com
At midnight on Friday, July
20, millions of people with
composers in the limelight.
The company is now in
residence at Mercyhurst under
the direction of Assistant
Chair of the music department
Louisa Jonason.
During the year voice
performance students make
up the company’s membership,
but in the summer the members
are typically education students
and Mercyhurst alumni.
In the summer members
had an intense two-week long
rehearsal schedule that served
as their only preparation for
the New York performance.
Based on their review in the
New York Times, two weeks
worth of preparation and
artistic dedication was long
enough.
lightning
bolts on their
foreheads and scarves of
scarlet and gold around their
necks waited anxiously to be
the first to purchase a copy.
J.K. Rowling’s seventh book,
“Harry Potter and the Deathly
Hallows,” was fast-paced and
incredibly addicting from the
beginning.
There were seven little but
violent pieces of one’s soul to
destroy, romances to rekindle.
In addition there was
vengeance to be claimed and a
maniacally evil dark lord, that
mades Darth Vader look like a
pussy cat to defeat.
According to the review,
the best performances were
by Jaqueline Edford, Dennis
TeCulver, Kata Amatuzzo and
Mark Donlin.
The review also said that
Matthew Makay, Nicole Marie
Gasse, Rachel Myers, and
Scott Spinnato made strong
contributions.
Jonason said that it is
virtually unheard of for a
college to be reviewed in New
York City, and that the review
of the Mercyhurst singers is a
very big deal, especially in the
music world.
“Some professional singers
only get five or six reviews
in their entire career,” said
Jonason.
Jonason’s best guess is that
There were few breathers
between the chapters to catch
one’s bearings before the next
life-altering event took place.
Harry Potter, or more so
J.K. Rowling, was swamped.
Even though the book was
close to 800 pages, there did
not seem to be a novel long
enough to quench the readers’
thirst for the last glimpse of
Harry Potter’s world.
J.K. Rowling has a gift for
plot and the ability to keep a
reader enthralled for 800 pages
and then beg for more.
All the nagging questions
and bizarre theories fans
have accumulated for nearly a
decade were answered.
Readers have undergone
the same journey as Harry
Potter throughout the entire
series and in the final book
the readers matured alongside
him.
The beauty of J.K. Rowling’s
stories wass that the reader gets
PAGE 9
the provocative title of the
opera, “The Sin of Infidelity,”
is what drew attention to the
singers.
The performance was a
collection of several one-act
operas and short operatic
scenes written by Seymour
Barab.
The New York Times
wrote, “Nothing gets an opera
moving like one of the seven
deadly sins, and if you can
make the sin comic rather than
deadly, so much the better.”
Mercyhurst audiences can
look forward to an on-campus
performance by the After
Dinner Opera Company on
Halloween when they perform
“The Medium” on the PAC
stage.
to grow up with Harry Potter
and vicariously experiences
the weight and importance of
doing what is right as opposed
to what is easy.
For those concerned about
the ending of the book, do not
go reaching for antidepressants
just yet. Although a large box
of tissues would probably be a
smart investment.
Rowling does not sugarcoat
the magnitude of Harry
Potter’s struggle, but she is not
cruel.
Truthfully the most
depressing aspect of the book
is that it is the last book in a
cherished series.
Therefore a final warning
goes out to parents, teachers
and therapists around the
world.
Beware, because an outbreak
of post-Potter depression is
sweeping the nation and, if
you are lucky, you could be
next.
 PAGE 10
PAC announces a stellar season
By Nicole Cerilli
A&E editor
The Mary D’Angelo
Performing Arts Center
celebrates its tenth year with a
new season.
It’s here. Everything from
Mexican folk dancing to jazz
concerts will be performed on
the PAC stage this year.
While some artists will
make their first appearance
at Mercyhurst, others will be
performing for a second time.
Ballet Folklorico de Mexico
performed at Mercyhurst in
1997. Now, ten years later,
they will be back to dazzle
Erie audiences with their folk
dancing, lavish costumes and
lively music once again.
With the purchase of
a ticket for the dance
performance, complimentary
Mexican food will be provided
by the Mercyhurst Hotel
and Restaurant Institutional
Management Program.
Ballet Folklorico de Mexico
will perform Wednesday, Sept.
26.
YAMATO, the popular
Japanese Drummers, will
make their encore appearance
in November.
Superhuman feats, rhythm,
coordination and Japanese
culture will combine to convey
the drummers’ belief that the
drum is the pulse of life.
YAMATO will perform
Nov. 3 and 4.
In addition Pink Martini, a
small retro orchestra, will make
a return to the PAC stage.
Pink Martini will bring their
jazzy instrumentals, sultry
vocals and world rhythms to
the PAC stage March 2, 2008
when they perform “Rumbas
and French Café Music.”
Aside from the returning
artists, there are several other
exciting performances planned
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
for 2007-08.
Mark your calendars for
April 4, 2008, when Eric Bibb
and the Campbell Brothers
Blues and Gospel group is
scheduled to perform.
This unique group grew up
playing for services conducted
by their father, Bishop Charles
Campbell.
Over the years the group
evolved and their music began
to attract the attention of
international audiences.
Now, the group’s
African-American Holiness-
Pentecostal repertoire consists
of a blend of funk, blues, R&B
and Jazz.
The highlight of this
performance is Grammy
nominee Eric Bibb who will
open the show.
The Paul Taylor Dance
Comapany, which is based in
New York City, will dance at
Mercyhurst Saturday, March
29, 2008.
The dance company has
been around for over 53
years, and has performed in
more than 500 cities and 52
countries.
The San Francisco Chronicle
& Examiner said that “Paul
Taylor is without question
the greatest living American
choreographer.”
Another highlight of the
season is something entirely
new and different to the PAC.
This year six operas will be
broadcasted live to theaters
around the world from the
Metropolitan Opera House.
“Metropolitan Opera: Live
in HD” is made possible by
ten high-definition cameras
placed throughout the MET
in New York City.
Now, Mercyhurst will be
able to view these broadcasts
along with 325,000 other
viewers around the world.
Other than Mercyhurst,
five additional colleges around
Aug. 29, 2007
the country will be able to
experience the live MET
performances, and most of
those colleges are Ivy League.
This year six live operas will
be transmitted to Mercyhurst.
They operas are “Romeo et
Juliette,” “Manon Lescaut,”
“Peter Grimes,” “Tristan und
Isolde,” La Boheme” and “La
Fille Du Regiment.”
In addition to these featured
peformances, a multitude of
other artists are scheduled to
appear on stage.
The peformances in
September will be by Lester
Lynch and Ballet Folklorico de
Mexico.
The Oberlin Fortepiano
Trio and the Hugo Wolf
String Quartet will perform in Photo courtesy of www.yamato.jp
October.
YAMATO, the Japanese
Drummers will be here early
in the month of November. Spring Break 2008
In December Mercyhurst
students can look forward to
the Dave Stevens Big Band
Sell Trips, Earn Cash,
Christmas Concert before the
holiday break.
The first concert in 2008
Go Free!
will be the Vienna in Erie New
Year’s Day Concert. Best Prices
Guaranteed to
In February the Avishai
Cohen Jazz Trio and Rebel
Classical Baroque will both
have concerts.
Do not miss Pink Martini, Jamaica, Mexico,
Tommy Flemming or the Paul
Taylor Dance Company in
March.
Bahamas,
In the last stretch of the
season in April, Eric Bibb and
the Campbell Brothers will be
S Padre and Florida.
at Mercyhurst.
Overall it looks as though Call for group
discounts.
the Performing Arts Center
has a spectacular array of
shows in store for the tenth
season.
Tickets for these shows 1-800-648-4849
can be purchased throughout
the year at the Mercyhurst
Performing Arts Center box
www.ststravel.com
office.
 Aug. 29, 2007 OPINION PAGE 11

Gonzales resigns, good for Americans in 2008

By Ellen Koenig
Staff writer
Monday morning Inter-
net feeds and news channels
were buzzing with the news
of Attorney General Alberto
Gonzales’ resignation from
the Justice Department.
His resignation from the
Department of Justice comes
at a time when Congress is out
of session and Gonzales can
claim he was not forced out of
office by political pressure.
Throughout his tenure
in the Cabinet, and more
recently, his credibility has
been questionable and he has
been known for his partisan-
ship in the hiring and firing of
Judicial Prosecutors in 2006.
As the frontrunner for Civil
Liberties in a country where
they are ensured, the Attorney
General did much to develop
legal tactics in the White
House’s War on Terror, includ-
ing allowing the treatment of
terror suspects to the warrant
less wire tapping surveillance
program.
Gonzales had openly
reminded the U.S. Attorneys
that they worked for President
Bush.
In truth members of the
DOJ work for the American
people by upholding the laws
of the federal government.
By choosing a career of
public service, you ultimately
choose to serve the public that
pays your salary through taxes
and elected the officials that
put you in that position.
By pursuing his various
political policies Gonzales
has helped to strengthen the
power of the executive branch
by giving the President added
power over the Congress and
the Supreme Court.
The President has gained
power by bypassing various
congressional processes and
international treaties to imple-
ment policy and power.
In 2002 Gonzales dismissed
the Geneva Conventions and
deemed prisoners taken in
Afghanistan were not deemed
prisoners of war.
As recently as January 2007
he petitioned for the limita-
tion of habeus corpus, which
allowed for the indefinite
detention of U.S. citizens as
enemy combatants.
While it is important to
implement and seek out people
who are threats to America,
the government must estab-
lish regulations that ensure
civil liberties to private citizens
and maintain the privacy that
people expect.
In recent testimonies about
the firing of U.S. Attorneys,
we have witnessed an actual
conflict of branches, where
the Executive branch is flexing
its power and the Congressio-
nal has called their bluff.
In his appearances before
Congress, Gonzales has been
suspected of lying under oath
in various testimonies to the
extent that his credibility is
questioned.
Often when a person reaches
the extent of questionable
credibility, a person’s charac-
ter is degraded and essentially
devalued.
While it is important to
be loyal to the person who
employed you, in this case
President Bush, sometimes an
individual should be sure what
work they are doing and its
effects on themselves.
Overall Gonzales’s resigna-
tion signifies the power the
executive branch has gained
and the extensive route they
have taken to reach aims on
the infamous War on Terror.
Ultimately, the replacement
of Alberto Gonzales will have
to weigh the low morale of the
DOJ and hopefully resurrect
the image of the U.S. govern-
ment prior to 2008.
If the recent administration
and its secretaries are unable to
reverse the role, the winner in
2008 will appear as a godsend
to the American people.

Mendel’s clothes as
elegant as his furs
NEW YORK - Gilles
Mendel didn’t know he was at
the right place at the right time
when, 25 years ago, he was
eating gefilte fish and a pas-
trami sandwich in Manhattan’s
garment district.
In fact, Mendel was feel-
ing a little sorry for himself:
He had come to the U.S. on a
tourist visa with a dream that
he would be the next featured
French designer on Madison
Avenue, envisioning his name
up there with Hermes and
Chanel.
But no takers.
Just days before he was to
return home to Paris and the
successful family fur business,
he met one of his father’s
business associates for lunch
in an old Jewish restaurant and
it changed his life.
Joshua Wilwohl Editor-in-Chief editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Amy Zielinski & Casey Greene News Editors newsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Jen Gildea Features Editor featuremerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Merissa Frank Opinion Editor opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Chris Davis & Brittany Jackett Sports Editors sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Nicole Cerilli A&E entertainmentmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Scoot Williams Photographer photomerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Katie Diley & Tiffany Cook Production Editor prodmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Leslie Ruchala Advertising Manager admerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Noelle Lelakus Copy Editor copymerciad@mercyhurst.edu

Interested in writing as The Merciad is the student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst College.

Mr. and Mrs. Malarky? It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of finals
week. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B.
Do you have a new opinion Our telephone number is 824-2376.
every week? The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed
and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the
Just interested in letting others know
what you think? letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters are
due the Thursday before publication and may not be longer than
Contact Merissa Frank at opinioneditor@mercyhurst.edu 300 words. Submit letters to box PH 485.
 PAGE 12
UFC know-it-alls
By Sean O’Reilly
Contributing writer
It’s Saturday night. The Ulti-
mate Fighting Championship
74 is on Pay-Per-View. I’m sit-
ting at the bar enjoying myself
watching the under-card
fights at Buffalo Wild Wings,
just waiting for the marquee
bouts.
And then the worst thing
that could happen to an MMA
fan happened. Hometown
favorite Josh Koscheck, an
Edinboro University graduate,
entered the cage.
Every person in the bar who
had ever seen one minute of
mixed martial arts fighting
became an expert.
A slew of drunken com-
ments on how he was going to
pummel his opponent as his
career heads to the top began.
In reality if they knew any-
thing about his opponent
Georges St. Pierre (GSP),
former welterweight cham-
pion, they would have had the
PSAC better off in the long run for ’Hurst
By Chris Davis
Sports Editor
In almost anything that one
does, there is one solution that
turns out better than another.
A small, Catholic college in
Erie, Pa., is looking to make
changes for the finest college
athletes in town.
Mercyhurst College will be
moving a large majority of its
athletic teams to a new confer-
ence in Fall 2008.
This new conference, Penn-
sylvania State Athletic Con-
ference (PSAC) just like any
other, has major advantages
and disadvantages.
Of the research I have done,
same doubts about Koscheck
as I did.
Needless to say GSP took
Koscheck down repeatedly,
beating the former wrestler at
his own game of ground and
pound.
Coupled with St. Pierre’s
several submission attempts,
he earned an unanimous win.
Among the boos and jeers
from the crowd, I couldn’t
help but laugh. To exist in the
MMA world, fighters like Kos-
check can only go so far. His
skill set is not suited for the
full contact arena.
Koscheck was undefeated
until that Saturday, but if you
look at his previous fights,
most have been won in the
same way.
He is an expert at taking
people to the mat and control-
ling them there.
Yet his skill set lacks one
vital component that any
mixed martial artist must have:
the ability to fight on his back.
It’s made or broken many
fighters’ careers.
I came to the conclusion that
many student athletes believe
that it will be the better con-
ference.
Almost 63 percent of the
Mercyhurst athletes surveyed
believe that moving to the
PSAC would be a better fit for
Mercyhurst. Twenty-six per-
cent believe that the move will
be a downgrade because of
the weaker teams that make up
the PSAC.
The remaining members
surveyed did not know enough
about either conference to
make a decision.
The downside of negatives
moving to the PSAC includes
moving many of the teams
into a weaker conference.
OPINION
The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
The Good
The football team won its first game of the season against Kentucky State.
The Bad
The homicide in 3810 Briggs, apt. 6, that happened over two weeks ago.
The Ugly
The monstrous green barricade called a fence that is surrounding the new recreation center
between Lewis and Briggs avenues.
St. Pierre and Koscheck fight at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas
Beside the fact that there is
no pin in MMA, competitions
hold a wealth of techniques.`
Playing in the Great Lakes
Intercollegiate Athletic Con-
ference (GLIAC) matched
many of the Lakers’ teams up
against the best competition in
Division II.
Moving this conference will
mean we will not play these
teams unless we meet them
in a tournament or playoff
game.
Another negative about
switching conferences may
mean less out-of-state athletes.
A major reason why some of
the athletes decided to come
here from out-of-state is that
they would have the oppor-
tunity to return to their home
state.
Some advantages will include
Photo courtesy of ufc.com
It was apparent by Koscheck’s
inability to make separation in
the guard and his wild flailing
less time on buses; some long
drives are brutally tiring.
From my own experience,
being on a bus for more than
eight hours can make any
person exhausted.
Athletes will not have to
miss as many classes, making
professors happier. In the past
students have missed three
class days in a given week
because of these long trips.
When you only have 11
weeks of class, the more
classes a student misses, the
more behind he or she falls.
Another advantage is that
the team may get an opportu-
nity to win more conference
championships.
I feel the PSAC will give
Aug. 29, 2007
punches that he has spent little
time on his back.
Wrestling is a great tool for
mixed martial artists. It teaches
the ability to successfully take
down an opponent and gain a
dominant position.
Relying solely on wrestling
ability with some striking can
only take one so far when it
comes to the big show.
The ability to adapt your
training is the key that Kos-
check needs to excel.
He learned this the hard way
as he stared up at the lights
while a well-versed fighter
beat him at his own game and
handed him his first loss.
teams a better chance to win
because they won’t be playing
big schools.
Another reason the confer-
ence will be much improved
is because the team will be
moving into a different region
and playing more schools from
this area.
One final reason that
this new conference will be
extremely successful for Laker
athletics is that we will still
continue to defeat Gannon in
every sport.
We must wait till next
season for all these conference
changes to happen and though
I will probably no longer be
here to see them, as I will
hopefully graduate.
 Aug. 29, 2007
GLIAC to PSAC
By Kirk Campbell
Contributing writer
On June 27, Mercyhurst
College President Dr. Thomas
Gamble announced the
school’s acceptance to the
Pennsylvania State Athletic
Conference (PSAC).
Mercyhurst will be a full-
time member of the PSAC
beginning in the 2008-09
season. This season marks
the 13th and final year the
Lakers will be member of
the Michigan-based Great
Lakes Interscholastic Athletic
Conference (GLIAC).
“This move provides
benefits for our student-
athletes, coaches and
administration,” Gamble said.
“We already have developed
great rivalries with some of
the PSAC members, such as
Edinboro and IUP, and we
anticipate this move to enhance
that across the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania.”
Seventeen of the 25 varsity
sports are affected by the
switch of conference.
The teams making the
move for the GLIAC to the
PSAC are baseball, men’s and
women’s basketball, men’s
and women’s cross country,
football, men’s golf, men’s
and women’s soccer, softball,
men’s and women’s tennis and
women’s volleyball.
Men’s and women’s hockey,
lacrosse, men’s and women’s
rowing, men’s and women’s
water polo and men’s volleyball
will remain in their same
conferences.
“Being able to play games
closer to home allows us to
have larger crowds and shorter
away trips,” said Matt McCall, a
member of the Laker football
team.
“The switch will bring new
excitement to all of our athletic
programs.”
The average trip to a GLIAC
school is 427 miles, whereas
the switch to the PSAC
shortens trips to an average of
246 miles.
Mercyhurst’s Sports
Information Department
estimates the college will save
$250,000 a year on travel
expenses by switching to the
PSAC.
The distance of travel
not only saves money for
Mercyhurst but it also prevents
student-athletes from missing
as many classes from being a
member of the GLIAC.
Mercyhurst is not the only
school making the change.
Gannon will join the PSAC
for 2008-09, which brings the
PSAC total to 16 full-time
members.
The PSAC has made several
changes toward offering
scholarships. Previously the
PSAC had restrictions on
how many scholarships were
allowed per school but with the
addition of Mercyhurst and
Gannon, two private schools,
the restrictions will be lifted.
The PSAC will now offer
125 athletic scholarships
instead of the previous 70.
“Joining the PSAC is not
only great for the college but
great for the student-athletes,”
said Zac Wild a member of
the Laker football team.
“Being from Pennsylvania I
now will be able to play against
some of my high school
friends, while being a member
of the GLIAC I have not had
that chance.”
The PSAC, now with 16 full-
time members, is tied for the
second largest conference in
Division II athletics; the Gulf
South Conference has 17.
SPORTS
Junior Haley Brochu prepares a shot against a Mansfield defender during the
team’s overtime loss at Tullio Field.
Field hockey suffers sudden-death loss
By Chris Davis
Sports editor
There is an old saying that
great teams know how to win
big games.
In field hockey it is no
different, as No. 8 Mansfield
found a way to defeat
Mercyhurst as it scored the
sudden death goal in overtime
to defeat the Lakers 2-1 on
Saturday in the home opener
at Tullio Field.
Although the game
deciding goal came in the
final seconds of the contest,
Mercyhurst head Coach Stacey
Gaudette believed the team
enhanced its play during the
course of the game.
“Our young team showed
fight against one of the top
teams in the country,” she
said.
“We started off a little on
the sloppy side, but improved
considerably throughout, and
even though we didn’t get the
big W, I am very proud with
the progress that was made as
the game went on.”
After Mercyhurst fell
behind 1-0 the team continued
to fight and tied the score 1-1
with 2:21 showing on the clock
in the first half.
Freshman Sara
Wowkowych, who has already
received the nickname ‘Wow’
from her coach and teammates,
wowed the crowed as she
slipped a pass across the center
of the goal to Brittany Jeffords.
Jeffords finished strong to
tie the score which silenced
the Mansfield spectators after
gaining an early lead.
It was the first goal for
Jeffords as a Laker and the first
assist Wowkowych has had.
Gaudette announced that
senior Erin Kelleher, who has
been a starter the past three
seasons, has been named the
PAGE 13
Jason Knavel/Sports Information photo
captain. “I feel because of her
hard work she deserves to be
the team captain,” she said.
In the first half Mansfield
controlled the ball for a large
portion of the period, as they
attempted nine shots and
seven penalty corners.
Mercyhurst on the other
hand only was able to take
three shots.
As the weather started to
heat up Mercyhurst picked up
their game. The Lakers not
only controlled ball possession
during the second half, but
also outshot the Mountaineers
7-6 in the second half.
In goal Jennifer Coleman
was solid for Mercyhurst. In
making her first career start,
she kept the game tied by
making save after save.
Mercyhurst travels to North
Carolina this weekend where
they will take on Catawba
on Saturday and Division I
Davidson on Sunday.
 PAGE 14
Women’s soccer starts season with victory
By Stephen Duggan
Contributing writer
The Mercyhurst women’s
soccer team finished the 2006
season with an astounding
16-4-0 record, earning a spot
in the NCAA playoffs.
With the loss of only four
players through graduation,
the Lakers have most of their
starting line-up returning
from last year.
Most notable of last
year’s seniors included Finella
Annand, named second team
All American, and Lisa Case-
ment, first team All Region
and a consistent source of
goals for the Lakers.
Coach Dale White has
recruited five new players
to an experienced team with
hopes of going to the play-
offs for the second consecu-
tive year.
Men’s soccer looks to build on last season’s success
By Katie Waldin
Contributing writer
The Mercyhurst men’s
soccer team has returned this
year with high hopes for the
2007 season.
After a disappointing
loss in the first round of the
NCAA Tournament last year,
the returning players are eager
to get back on the field and
prove that they have what it
takes to build on their success
from the previous season.
With 12 new additions, the
young team looks to develop
players and utilize the different
talents and strengths brought
to the field by new faces.
“Although there are many
new, young players this year,
we are looking forward to a
The team’s home record in
2006 was perfect, winning all
nine contests on Mercyhurst
soil.
They lost four games on
the road, which is where the
team looks to improve in
2007.
The team began its season
this week with two games on
the road.
The first of these two
games served as a chance for
the Lakers to settle a score
with Indianapolis, the team
that ended their NCAA play-
off run last year.
The Lakers showed just
how much they have improved
since that game last November
and beat the No. 16 ranked
team in the nation 2-1.
Last year’s leading scorer
Sarah Powell, who regis-
tered 18 goals and 10 assists,
showed that she continues to
be a threat to the opposition.
Mercyhurst’s Kurt Young (6) attempts a shot as Tyler
Emerick (9) looks on.
successful season with the
boys,” said asssistant coach
Dale White.
“There is a lot of talent and
ability within the new play-
SPORTS
She had three shots on the
day, two of which found the
back of the net.
Her first goal came early
as Mercyhurst put pressure
on the Greyhounds’ defense
right from the start.
The Lakers were rewarded
as Powell scored an unassisted
goal nine minutes into the
game.
Seven minutes later Mer-
cyhurst had doubled their
advantage and again it was
Powell who scored from an
assist by sophomore Karla
Vogt.
Indianapolis staged a
comeback scoring after 33
minutes but the Mercyhurst
defense tightened up and held
out for the win.
The 1-0 Lakers then con-
tinued their road trip to play
Quincy on Sunday.
This was another oppor-
tunity for the ladies to beat a
Jason Knavel/Sports Information photo
ers but with only one senior
returning this year the younger
players are going have to step
up and work hard.”
Kyle Jackson will finish off
nationally team.
Quincy had defeated the
Lakers 2-1 in last year’s season
opener.
This year’s game looked to
follow suit when Jenna Boyko
put the Hawks 1-0 up after 11
minutes of play.
The lead would not last
too long as Mercyhurst found
the net five minutes later.
Powell took her personal
tally to three goals in the first
two games of the season as
she knocked in a Lindsey
Meyers corner kick to level
the game at one.
This scoreline lasted
until the 73rd minute when
senior Jacque Sluga scored
on a header with assists from
Braedyn Ordway and Jamie
Schroter, which gave the
Lakers momentum.
The lead was cut down 16
seconds later, as the Hawks
sent the game into overtime.
his Mercyhurst soccer career
this year as the only senior on
the team.
His experiences from pre-
vious years and his leadership
on and off the field are impor-
tant to the team this season.
Seven freshmen will join
the Mercyhurst soccer team
this year with fresh outlooks
and great determination to
make an impact on the team.
Along with the seven fresh-
men, four other new faces
from all different corners of
the world (Canada, Ireland
and Honduras) will be joining
the men’s team.
These new players have
meshed well with the team and
helped lead to two ties and one
win during their pre-season.
This past weekend Mer-
cyhurst held the first game
Aug. 29, 2007
Quincy then ended the
contest with a goal scored
by Becky Flaming off a
rebound.
Senior Jacque Sluga
believes the team is coming
together.
“I thought we played really
well together, the new players
gelled well with the returning
players,” she said.
“We’re a little disappointed
not to come out of the week-
end at 2-0 but we can build on
this weekend’s games.”
The Lakers then traveled
to Tiffin on Tuesday and
shutout the Dragons 3-0 to
improve their record to 2-1.
Powell added her team
high fourth goal of the season
to help lead the Lakers to vic-
tory.
The Lakers travel to
Kansas City, Ill. on Sunday
to play against Rockhurst in a
non-conference contest.
of the season at home where
the Lakers suffered a 2-1 loss
in overtime against Southern
Indiana University.
Although the game was
played well for 90 minutes, the
Eagles were able to slip in one
last goal to take the game in
overtime.
After a hard loss to South-
ern Indiana the team came
around and tied Kentucky
Wesleyan on Sunday 1-1.
Despite their first game
loss the Lakers are keeping
their heads up, as they look
forward to entering the rest of
their season as the 25th nation-
ally ranked team in the coun-
try.
Mercyhurst travels to Seton
Hill today and then heads to
Illinois to play Rockhurst on
Sunday at 1:30 p.m..
 Aug. 29, 2007 SPORTS
Laker Sports ‘Quick Hits’
Football wins on the road
By Kyle Craig
This week’s results...
Contributing Writer
Football...................................Aug. 25, W 21-6, Kentucky State Two-and-a-half weeks of
Men’s soccer................Aug. 24, L 2-1 (2OT), Southern Indiana grueling conditioning and
Aug. 26, T 1-1 (2OT), Kentucky Wesleyan blazing Erie heat and humidity
Women’s soccer............................Aug. 24, W 2-1, Indianapolis could not prepare even the
Aug. 26, L 3-2, Quincy toughest NFL players for what
Field hockey........................................ Aug. 25, L 2-1, Mansfield Mercyhurst had to face Friday
Women’s volleyball..........Aug. 24, W 3-0, Alderson- Broaddus in Kentucky.
Aug. 24, W 3-1, Houghton
With the mercury reaching
Aug. 25, L 3-0, Westmont (Calif.)
an unbelievable 92 degrees,
Aug. 25, W 3-0, Point Park
the football team did not only
have to battle Kentucky State
Athletes of the week but also the elements.
Even through the elements,
Junior defensive end Zac Wild was a big reason why the offense was quickly able
Mercyhurst held Kentucky State without an offensive to strike first with a 25-yard
touchdown in a 21-6 win in the team’s season opener. run for a touchdown by Ben
Wild came up huge as he had eight tackles, with four Jennings that capped off an
being for loss, two sacks, three quarterback hurries and a impressive six-minute drive.
forced fumble on the afternoon. His play not only helped The defense was able to stave
Mercyhurst get there first road victory since 2005, but off Kentucky State until the
also he helped them snap a three-year losing streak in offense put the game away
season openers. with a 13-yard touchdown run
by Richard Stokes.
Sarah Powell scored three goals in two games, helping The final dagger was placed
Mercyhurst women’s soccer to a win over No. 16 when Mitch Phillis threw a 32-
Indianapolis in the season opener. Powell had both goals
Volleyball takes second place
as the Lakers beat Indianapolis 2-1 Friday and then
added another goal in the team’s 3-2 overtime loss to No.
22 Quincy Sunday. Powell, an All-GLIAC member in 2006,
has scored 38 goals in 42 games during her career as a
By Christine Mersch
Laker.
Contributing Writer
Football named team of the week The Mercyhurst women’s
volleyball team found
The Laker football team opened its season with a 21- themselves overwhelmed with
6 road victory over the Kentucky State Thorobreds on positive notes at the end of
Saturday. As a team, Mercyhurst forced four turnovers last season when they defeated
and held the Kentucky Wesleyan offense without a score, GLIAC opponent Wayne State
giving up only a punt return touchdown. in their final match.
Led by third-year coach Ryan
Mercyhurst names new directors of athletics Patton, Julie Butler and Jenna
Matson will be leading the
Earlier this summer Pete Russo announced his team as captains.
retirement as Director of Athletics (AD). Craig Barnett, the Patton explained their impact
Associate Director of Athletics, was named the new AD. on this year’s squad.
Tony Cipollone was named Associate Director of Athletics “Jenna and Julia have a lot
and resigned his duties as the head wrestling coach. of wins in their background,
Sarah Headley also added the title of assistant director of going back to their years
athletics. playing high school volleyball.
They use their experience and
yard touchdown pass to Aaron
Haynes with 14:09 left on the
clock in the fourth quarter.
The offense was led by Phillis,
who threw for 170 yards and
one touchdown. Jennings was
able to rush for 75 yards and
one touchdown.
The receiving core stayed
strong as well with Brandon
Hill netting 51 yards and
Aaron Haynes adding one
touchdown reception.
The defense forced four
turnovers from the Kentucky
State offense.
Leading the way on defense
was Zac Wild with eight
tackles, three for a loss and
one forced fumble.
The Lakers are extremely
excited about their season
opening victory as it marks
the first time in three years
that the Lakers have won their
season opener.
Steve Kindler stated, “We
started off slow but picked up
the offense in the second half.
winning history to lead our
team,” he said.
“Our seniors are reliable and
have been since the coaching
change three years ago.
They have provided a steady
influence on our program. As
a coach, it’s rewarding to see
them at their best.”
Already making a valuable
impact on the court is outside
hitter Kendall Ashworth, who,
following her first collegiate
action, was named to the
all-tournament team this
past weekend at the Roberts
Wesleyan Tournament in
Rochester.
Mercyhurst opened the
tournament defeating
Alderson-Broaddus 30-28,
30-28, 30-24 before defeating
PAGE 15
It was our defense who really
stepped up allowing for good
field position for the offense.”
Phillis added, “The offense
was able to control the second
half due to the offense line
opening up holes for the
running game.”
The Lakers hope to carry
their momentum and solid
defense into their Great
Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic
Conference (GLIAC) opener
vs. Northwood on Saturday.
The Lakers were to
accomplish this with a plus
three differential in the
turnover battle.
“As a team we need to remain
focused on our goals, which
are keeping turnovers on
offense down while stepping
up on defense,” added Phillis.
Look for the Lakers to be a
solid contender in this year’s
chase for the GLIAC crown.
The Lakers will try to begin
conference play this Saturday,
as they take on Northwood.
Houghton 33-31, 26-30,
30-19, 30-26. The second
day consisted of the Lakers
defeating Point Park 30-26,
30-28, 30-17 before losing to
Westmont 30-28, 30-20, 30-26
in the finals.
Based on the team’s second
place tournament finish
Patton commented, “Right
now we are a significantly
better team then we were last
spring.”
With all the pieces starting
to fit, this year’s squad will
hopefully see more wins in
the GLIAC and earn much
success.
The Lakers are back in action
tonight in their home opener
against Indiana (PA) beginning
at 7:00 p.m. in the MAC.
PAGE 16 SPORTS Aug. 29, 2007

Kentucky State