THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MERCYHURST COLLEGE SINCE 1929
Ecodemia inside
Page 8
MERCIAD
Vol. 80 No. 8
THE
Campus community concerned about growth
Students, faculty, administration, and staff are all concerned with the
expansion of residence halls for the future of Mercyhurst College.
With change comes victory
By Merissa Frank
Contributing writer
This year, Mercyhurst has a new
president, a new logo and a new title
to claim: Mercyhurst reigns in this
year’s WQLN Fundraiser.
WQLN, the public broadcast station
of Erie, held its fifth annual Collegiate
Challenge. The Collegiate Challenges
pits local colleges against each other
to help raise money for WQLN.
The competitors, in addition to
Clockwise: Junior Deanna Kramer, professor Randall Howarth, sophomore Caleb Gange, and senior
Chelsea Boothe star in Ancient Rome’s movie production. The film will air during winter term.
When in Rome...
By Chelsea Boothe
Campus Living editor
Ten weeks ago, Dr. Randall Howarth’s
Ancient Rome class began a project to
write and produce a movie about the
Roman gladiators.
Each Thursday the class studied the
gladiators specifically. They gained an
understanding of where they originated,
why they were fighting for so long, their
meaning in Roman culture and their
dress and practices.
After gaining a basic understanding,
A&E
“Borat” is a
must-see scream
Mercyhurst College 501 E. 38th St. Erie Pa. 16546
Mercyhurst, were Gannon University,
Edinboro University, Penn State Beh-
rend and Allegheny College. Which-
ever school raises the most money
based on its pledges from last year is
the winner.
Mercyhurst showed its competition
that with change comes victory. We
raised $6,963 in 2005.
In fall 2006, we increased that by
55 percent, bringing in a total of
$10,782.
While Edinboro and Allegheny also
the 12 students began writing their
scripts and plotting out how their scenes
would take place.
The basic premise of the story is
Caratacus, a diplomat from the isle of
Britannia, came to Rome and acciden-
tally offended the emperor. In anger,
the emperor accuses Caratacus of
treason, and he must pay his debt by
competing in gladiatorial combat.
The idea behind the movie was for
it to be both amusing and educational.
Some artistic license was used, and the
budget was under $20; however, it does
give a fairly accurate description of the
Page 12
By Jessica Kocent
News editor
When focus groups from several parts
of the Mercyhurst College community
gave their thoughts about the college’s
future, one recurring theme was the
college’s growth.
That is one of the points made in a
recent summary provided to college
administrators by Strategy Solutions,
the company that ran the focus group
sessions.
The consulting company conducted
eight focus groups in the Tullio Room
at the library on Oct. 11-12.
Many constituencies were considered,
had a positive increase, Gannon and
Penn State Behrend did not.
WQLN broadcast the radio show
live from the college from 6 a.m. to
6 p.m.
A host of Mercyhurst personnel
represent us during the day, from Dr.
Thomas Gamble himself, to faculty
from both other Mercyhurst campus,
a wide variety of all of the depart-
ments.
Please see MC on page 3
games and their meaning.
One of the primary lessons the class
learned was that gladiatorial combat was
not really just about killing and blood,
but held a deeper meaning about what
it meant to have honor, and the role
death played in the Roman society. This
was the message the group is hoping to
portray, along with getting a few cheap
laughs.
While the movie is not quite up to the
standards of a Monty Python produc-
tion, they were the groups inspiration.
Please see Rome on page 5
SPORTS
Women’s hockey
ranked No. 2
November 8, 2006
including faculty with varying degrees
of experience, students of varying
experiences, staff, administrators, and
friends of the college.
They were asked a variety of ques-
tions about teaching, learning, aesthet-
ics, diversity, campus life, and academic
programs.
Responses from all groups included
a friendly campus, with nice people,
a sense of belonging, and a beautiful
campus.
The groups were all asked to name
general strengths and weaknesses, as
well as potential opportunities and
threats. The positive aspects include a
“no closed door” policy, the Intelligence
program, the trimester system and the
A sign is on the bookstore’s bookshelves to inform students to ask
for assistance if they cannot find a particular magazine.
Magazines out of view
By Joshua Wilwohl
Editor-in-chief
Students who are looking for “Cos-
mopolitan” or “FHM” magazines no
longer will find them on the shelves of
the Mercyhurst Bookstore.
According to assistant manager of the
bookstore Haley Coletta, the magazines
have been removed from view due to a
parent complaint.
“They are off the shelves because
parents consider them potentially offen-
sive,” said Coletta.
She noted that the magazines can still
be purchased by asking for them.
“There is a sign that informs students
Campus news briefs
Compiled by editorial staff/from mercyhurst.edu
Mercyhurst hosts
Geography Challenge
The Mercyhurst College Institute
of Geography Education will host
its third annual Geography Challenge
for eighth grade students enrolled
in Erie County schools on Saturday,
Nov. 11.
Students honored
Junior Evan Waidley of Erie and
second-year graduate student Kevin
Amundsen of Willoughby, Ohio, each
received special letters of commenda-
tion signed by Admiral John Crowley
Jr., commander of the U.S. Coast
Guard Great Lakes 9th District, and
a copy of the “Commanders Coin”
for their “outstanding contribution to
the Coast Guard’s mission.”
NE nursing lab dedication
The nursing arts lab at Mercyhurst
nursing program at North East.
Most faculty and staff said they
were given a lot of opportunities at
Mercyhurst as far as qualified co-work-
ers, sustainability, service learning and
academic development. Students were
happy with the look of the college and
the quality of the faculty.
One major concern of administrators
was maintaining high standards, as well
as unifying departments, and communi-
cation. The major concerns of most of
the faculty and staff were financial, such
as where the endowment was going and
if it was being used efficiently.
Please see Most on page 3
that if they do not see a magazine
they are looking for, they can ask,”
she said.
Bookstore General Manager Dan
Cullen said that the reasoning for pull-
ing the magazines from the shelf was
because the magazines go against the
values of the school.
“Being the Catholic school that we
are, it doesn’t go well with what we are
all about,” said Cullen.
According to Cullen, “Cosmopolitan”
and “FHM” are not the only magazines
affected. Cullen said any magazine will
be pulled from the shelf when the cover
is offensive.
Please see Students on page 3
North East will be dedicated to the
late Sister Joseph Mary Kosarsky,
RSM ’47 at a ceremony on Nov.
14, at 6 p.m. in the Great Room of
the Michele and Tom Ridge Health
and Safety Building on the MNE
campus.
Kelly leads Pennsylvania
college dems
Senior political science major Maeve
Kelly is making Mercyhurst College
a force among young Democrats
statewide as new president of the
Pennsylvania Federation of College
Democrats.
Food for finals
SAC will host “Food 4 Finals” this
Sunday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m. in the
Student Union. The event is free and
open to all students.
PAGE 2 THE MERCIAD November 8, 2006

NEWS To contact: newsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu

Police and Safety Log

World Briefs October 30 November 3
International news Larceny/Theft
Student Union
Harassment
Mercy Suites
Compiled by Poll points to Ortega Open Open
Jessica Kocent Pending Investigation Pending Investigation
From BBC News Nicaragua’s former leader,
Daniel Ortega, is heading for vic- November 1 November 5
tory in the country’s presidential Liquor Law Violation Liquor Law Violation
polls, having won about 40% of Baldwin Hall Mercy 100
votes counted so far. Closed Closed
The one-time Marxist revolu- College Discipline College Discipline
tionary is leading his conservative
rival Eduardo Montealegre by
seven points, results from 40%
of polling stations show.
Washington has warned that File photo

Nicaragua could lose American This year the scrimmage is in Geneva, Switzerland.
aid if Ortega - a US foe in the

1980s - is elected.
If the current results hold,
Ortega would be returned to
power without the need for a
second round of voting.
Ortega says he has changed
from the leader who seized prop-
Former Nicaragan leader, erty from the wealthy during a
Daniel Ortega 1979 revolution.
New bid to oust Taiwan’s leader Chen after crisis
Taiwan’s main opposition party has launched a third bid to oust
troubled President Chen Shui-bian from office.
The Kuomintang party is planning to table a motion in parliament
which, if successful, will force a public vote on whether to recall the
president.
Model UN wins
2 scrimmages
By Sarah Sheehan
Contributing writer
Something that many students
might not know is that Mercy-
hurst has a Model UN team.
The team was started by Brian
Ripley, who acts as adviser along
are judges who rate people
throughout the day based on
each team’s involvement within
the discussion and their ability
to amend a resolution.
Each country has to prepare a
two-minute opening statement
so everyone understands their
country’s positions. The judges Photo by Camille Nischal

Chen has faced crises before, but after prosecutors said on Friday iwth fellow political science pro- pick the best team and award Amanda Kaiser hung birds to decorate for the event.
they had evidence to charge him with graft, he faces his toughest fessor, Dr. Michele Crumley. individual prizes.

challenge yet.
Mixi is the Japanese ver-
sion of Myspace now.
Sri Lankan inquiries
The Sri Lankan government
has announced that it will for-
mally investigate alleged human
rights abuses by the army and
Tamil Tiger rebels.
A Supreme Court judge will
head the inquiry, which will be
supervised by a panel of foreign
countries.
The inquiry will examine 15
major incidents since August
2005, including major bomb
blasts and killings.
Meanwhile Sri Lankan fighter
jets have again bombed what
the military says are Tamil Tiger
bases in the island’s east.
The military says that the tar-
get of the air strike was a naval
base operated by the rebels just
north of the eastern town of
Batticaloa.
Japan gets MySpace
A version of social networking
site MySpace is to launch in Japan
- perhaps as soon as this week
- reports say.
The $8.5 million venture will
be jointly run by News Corp and
Japanese internet company Soft-
bank, Japanese media says.
Social networking sites in Japan
- including Softbank subsidiary
Yahoo Japan - have about 10
million users.
The most popular, Mixi, has
seen its number of members in-
crease five-fold in the past year.
News Corp bought MySpace.
com, which is particularly popu-
lar with teenagers, last year for an
estimated $580 million.
Sri Lankan fighter jets have
Within the team, there are two
head delegates, James Kelly and
Lindsey Kole. Together with the
advisors, they are in charge of
preparing for scrimmages.
Scrimmages involve several
schools within the Mid-Atlantic
region including Lakeland, Indi-
ana University of Pennsylvania
and Saint Bonaventure.
The advisors of the team cre-
ate a resolution usually based
one that has been discussed and
resolved by the actual United Na-
tions. People on the team repre-
sent a country and their position
on the particular topic.
Kole said, “It is difficult be-
cause you have to put your own
views aside and you have to be
that country and have a different
perspective.”
This year the team has par-
ticipated in three scrimmages.
The scrimmages covered topics
such the issues in Sudan, the U.S.
policy in Iraq and the issues in
Myanmar.
During the scrimmages, there
Amnesty International
petitioning George Bush
By Jessica Kocent
Contributing writer
International law and the Unit-
ed States Constitution state that
every human has the right to a
fair trail and the right not to be
subjected to arbitrary detention,
torture or other ill-treatment.
Yet since 2002, 750 men from
over 35 countries have been un-
lawfully detained at the U.S. naval
base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The team, which has won two
scrimmages, consists of about
20 freshmen and seniors, and
already this year has won two of
the three scrimmages.
Each year the team participates
in about six to seven regional
scrimmages and one worldwide
scrimmage.
Last year, the team went to
Montreal and participated with
international schools. This year
the world Model UN scrimmage
is being held in Geneva, Switzer-
land. Fifteen hundred students
are expected to attend from 35
countries.
Kole looks forward to this
event, exclaiming, “It is a good
experience to meet a lot of dif-
ferent people.”
The team is hopes that every-
one will be able to attend the
world meeting. However if there
are not enough funds students
will be chosen based on their
merit awards and contribution
to the team.
student body on the inhumane
treatment of the detainees in
Guantanamo.
They will ask students to sign a
petition that encourages the clos-
ing of the naval base along with
a pre-written letter to George
W. Bush, that asks him person-
ally to end the torture going on
in Cuba.
Amnesty International urges all
students to consider this cause.
Many of these detainees have
been there for over five years,
Art students
go to PAEC
By Jessica Kocent
Contributing writer
About every six years the
Pennsylvania Art Education
Association Conference comes
to Erie.
This year a number of Mer-
cyhurst students, alumni and
faculty were among the 200
people who presented their work
at the Avalon Hotel on Oct. 27
and 28.
Camille Nischal, assistant pro-
fessor of art education, and a
member of the Pennsylvania Art
Education committee, said that
this conference is important for
anyone who is looking into art
and art education.
She said that there are a num-
ber of workshops offered, and
“it’s a great opportunity to get
together and think of new in-
novative things.”
Nischal’s session, titled, “Ex-
ploring Socially Relevant Issues
through Found Materials,” fea-
tured the temporary installa-
tion work her Art Appreciation
students have created around
campus.
Several students and alumni
also presented at the conference.
Their sessions included, “Estab-
lishing a National Art Education
Association Student Chapter on
Campus: Lessons Learned in the
First Year” with students Megan
Jell, Brianne Ferry and alumna
Kelley Majewski, and “Future
Art Teachers in the Field: Collab-
orations Between Co-Op Teach-
ers and Student Teachers,”which
included Harding Elementary
School art teacher Maura Jobes
and student Beth Kenniston.
Other Art Education students
who presented at the Pennsylva-
nia Art Education Association
conference included Amanda
Kaiser and Jell who presented,
“Pop-up Cards and Books,” and
Rachel Staley, Katherine Ball and
Beth Kenniston who presented,
“Surviving Student Teaching.”
Mercyhurst students were even
involved in the preparation of
the conference. Katelyn McAn-
drew and Denny Porter with the
help of students Sarah Ross,
Ricki Proper, Patrick Maloney,
Jell, and Kaiser created 18 wire
tree sculptures for the Warner
Theatre Gala Awards Ceremony
of the PAEA conference.
Hannah Timm worked with
Professor Dan Burke to create
90 painted wood bird designs
for the sculptures. Jell also cre-
ated a very large tree painting for
the Erie Art Museum’s PAEA
celebration evening, Friday Oct.
28.
Nischal said that the confer-
ence was a success and most
importantly, “it promoted pro-
fessionalism and camaraderie
among art educators.”

bombed the rebels.
This week Amnesty Interna-
Top Ethiopian judge seeks asylum in the U.K. tional will have a table set up
in the student union as a civil
Ethiopia’s most senior judge, Teshale Aberra, has left the country
following threats and “continued harassment” from the government,
demonstration to urge the clos-
ing of the Guantanamo Bay
he has told the BBC. naval base.
Unlimited
and report ill-treatment not only
from fellow detainees, but from
U.S. official investigators.
For those interested in support-
ing the cause, stop by the union,
Tanning
29
or contact Amnesty International

39
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The Supreme Court president accused the government of Prime Their goal is to enlighten the for more information.

$
Minister Meles Zenawi of killing its critics but managing to avoid
international blame. He also said the government was planning to
appoint new, loyalist judges throughout the system.
Teshale is the latest in a series of senior officials - judges, diplomats
and military commanders - to flee the country. He says he plans to A M E RICAN only
Coin Laundry
seek asylum in the UK.
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November 8, 2006
Diversity 101 Democrats and Republicans
making changes worked hard for 2006 primary
By Amy Zielinski
Contributing writer
Students at Mercyhurst College
are becoming aware of diversity
issues.
“Diversity 101 reaches out
to the community surrounding
Mercyhurst College to expose
and enhance the education of
diversity,” President Erik Penn
said.
“This community outreach
includes surrounding colleges
and universities, high schools,
middle schools and elementary
schools in the Erie community,”
he added.
The club offers many pro-
grams throughout the year to
help expose students to differ-
ent ideas, cultures, religions and
languages.
Students upset about
bookstore ban
Continued from page 1
Such magazine issues as this
month’s “Cosmopolitan” where
the cover reads “Guys and Sex,”
“Get a Sexy Bod,” and “Men
Buck Naked,” are what sparked
complaints.
Cullen said he agrees with
the parental complaint and will
continue to monitor all incoming
magazines.
Students, though, see this as an
annoyance.
Senior Ashley Sauiner said
the magazines should be easily
available.
“We are in college...I think we
are old enough to read what we
want,” she said. “If people have
a problem with it, then they
shouldn’t read it.”
Junior Rachel Montgomery
shares Sauiner’s opinion.
“It’s like a parent going to Wal-
Mart and telling them to take
$$$ CASH FOR BOOKS $$$
CORNERSTONE BAR & GRILL
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Tuesday, Nov 14th
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Wednesday, Nov 15th
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*Also buying books from
previous two quarters*
*It pays to compare*
“We are in the process of
coordinating efforts with an-
other organization on campus
to introduce students to Native
American culture,” Advisor
Petrina Williams added.
“This is a great way to meet
new people and get your ideas
and experiences across the cam-
pus and to other students,” Penn
said.
During the meetings, members
will discuss upcoming programs
along with the progress on ideas
and plans.
“Other meeting discussions
include updates on what other
schools are doing in the area of
diverse programming ideas or
suggestions for changing a previ-
ous program,” Williams said.
Students can contact the Diver-
sity Club at diversity@mercyhurst.
edu.
something off of the shelf so
their kid can’t see it.”
Senior Colleen Lanigan said
that students on campus should
have the right to read and view
the magazines.
“It’s almost like being ban-
ished,” said Lanigan. “They
have the magazines in a certain
section where you have to ask
for them.”
Lanigan also said that “…it’s
like walking into a video store
and asking for porn.”
Lanigan noted that such maga-
zines like “Time” talk about
controversial issues as well.
“‘Time’ talks about sex and
abortion,” she said. “Why not
get rid of those?”
Junior William Rottenborn said
that there is more to worry about
than magazines.
“We’re here for an education,”
he said. “I think this school has
bigger issues than hiding maga-
zines.”
@ Debbie Morton, Media Rela-
Kelly actively campaigned for Bob Casey Jr.
By Sarah Caram
Contributing writer
Current president of the Col-
lege Democrats of Mercyhurst
and the College Democrats of
Pennsyvania Maeve Kelly, did
a lot to prepare for election
night.
“The Mercyhurst College
Democrats set up a table in the
student union with literature
on Democratic candidates and
reminder flyers.” Kelly said.
“A few of our members vol-
unteered at a dinner downtown
where they got the opportunity
to meet our Senate candidate Bob
Casey Jr.,” Kelly continued.
“I feel fantastic about where
the Democrats stand right now.
The next few days will show us
negative ad after negative ad, but
as it looks right now we will win
back the United States House.
The Senate is still in question but
if I had to guess I would say we
will still be two seats shy of tak-
ing majority control,” explained
Kelly.
Kelly believes that the College
Democrats of Mercyhurst’s ef-
forts will make a difference in the
results of the elections.
THE MERCIAD
To contact: newsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
MCT Photo
“We are an active presence
on campus and were helpful in
directing students to their polling
locations,” said Kelly.
Kelly believes that the Demo-
cratic candidates will be success-
ful in representing and holding
Bob Casey Jr. has beaten
incumbent Rick Santo-
rum in Pennsylvania, elec-
tion returns Tuesday night
showed.
In Ohio, Sherrod Brown
defeated incumbent Mike
DeWine, and Sheldon
Whitehouse defeated Licoln
Chaffee in Rhode Island to
the values of the Democratic
Party.
“I think that every candidate in
Pennsylvania will adequately rep-
resent the views of the Demo-
cratic Party. Now, more than ever
before, we have seen some very
extraordinary Democrats step up
to the challenge of running for
office,” Kelly said.
MC showcased on WQLN
Continued from page 1
tions Manager, said, “We were
very proactive about getting
the word out. We sent e-mails,
used the Monday Morning and
press releases, among
other forms of media.
It was definitely on
everybody’s radar.”
She said that this was
a way to showcase Mer-
cyhurst College.
Even though the
competition is really
with in the college
Mercyhurst is pitted against other
schools because it is a way for
them to support one another.
Dr. Heidi Hosey, Meghan
Corbin, Rebecca Ryan, Dr. Ruth
Auld and Frank Rizzone were
among those who lent their talent
to the air waves on Oct. 18.
Morton said they all spoke
about the college while solicit-
ing money.
Most groups are positive
Continued from page 1
An important question, brought
up throughout the summary was
that of growth. Does Mercyhurst
really want to grow any more? Of
course, the community always
wants to improve upon itself, but
how much is too much?
Traditional students in particu-
lar expressed concern for the lack
of housing on Main campus in
the future, adult students talked
about the lack of parking now,
and even the staff mentioned
a small fact that if the college
expands much more, they will
have to build a new mailroom,
students are already two or three
to a box.
There was also a concern
expressed by students and fac-
Republicans rooted for incumbant Rick Santorum.
By Sarah Caram
Contributing writer
The Young Republicans, a
student-run political group at
Mercyhurst was very active in
pick up three of the six
seats necessary to win the
Senate.
The Democrats also took
three governorships from
the Republicans.
I n c u m b e n t g ove r n o r
Ed Rendell is also project
to beat Republican Lynn
Swann.
participating with the Republi-
cans’ campaign.
Sophomore and political sci-
ence major, Adam Hammer is
the current president of the
Young Republicans and was
responsible for the campaign
process on campus.
“The Young Republicans
helped out the Republican Party
of Pennsylvania by sending out
absentee ballot information, fly-
ers on Senator Rick Santorum
There were no set agendas, but
the hosts of WQLN talked with
everyone during breaks. On air,
they could not ask a question
to which they did not know the
answer.
This was another way to reach
out to the community in order to
Photo from WQLN
raise money aside from
the alumni base.
The president and general compete externally, but with
manager of WQLN and grad different student and alum num-
student at Mercyhurst, Dwight bers, it was unfair.
Miller, knew of some colleges in
the challenge that used WQLN competition to become internal,
programming.
The challenge not only brought own numbers from the previ-
in funds for WQLN, but it en- ous year.
couraged students to listen to
ulty that the essence of a small,
friendly, open-door campus will
simply not exist if the campus
expands too much. Students
also expressed this concern with
adjunct faculty, “as compensating
for the fact that there are too
many students.”
As far as goals for the college
go, different groups suggested
different ideas. New residence
halls were a popular idea, along
with better technology. Diversity
is still a concern, however, some
disagreed. As can be expected
the quality of academic programs
should be maintained, and the
faculty wants more money to do
that, as well as the continuation
of a positive reputation.
Strategy Solutions even asked
for some advice from these focus
group participants. Administra-
PAGE 3
News
MCT Photo
and they wrote letters to the vot-
ers of Pennsylvania and encour-
aging them to vote Republican,”
Hammer said.
“The Republican Party is in a
good fight to keep their majority
power in the House of Represen-
tatives and in the Senate. Sadly, a
large wave of bad press has oc-
curred recently,” said Hammer.
“The facts do not lie. Employ-
ment is at a remarkable low, 4.6%.
In addition, the stock market has
gone through the roof, in large
measure to the smart, effective
policies of the Republican Party.”
Hammer continued.
While people may hold differ-
ent opinions about the Repub-
lican Party and their potential
success, one thing is for certain,
the Young Republicans of Mer-
cyhurst hope that their partici-
pation and their support of the
Republican Party will stimulate
great support, according to
Hammer.
“The objective of the Young
Republicans’ efforts was to help
motivate the base of the Repub-
lican Party. ” said Hammer.
public broadcasting.
He said, “It is a good way to
encourage students to use our
programming. We surveyed the
younger population and they
weren’t familiar with many of
our programs so this is a great
way to introduce them to things
like NPR.”
Miller went on to
say that it was a great
way to tap in to alumni
associations because
grads have an alle-
giance to support their
schools.
Early on in the chal-
lenge, they tried to
develop a method that
actually allowed the schools to
This exception allowed the
competing against a school’s
tion warned that they be com-
mitted and realistic. The staff
wants them to be sure to consider
everyone. And the students just
want to have their voices heard
and have them “actually use our
input.” So, the Strategic Plan,
at least thus far has been doing
its job.
Dr. Heidi Hosey, Director of
Strategic Planning said she was
very surprised at how incredibly
positive the findings were… and
everyone’s desire for the college
to grow.”
She said that she can feel that
the college is “on its way to
greatness.”
PAGE 4
CAMPUS
LIVING
Caffeine options to help students through finals
New power drink: Cocaine
By Jeff Cagle
Contributing writer
Do you ever feel so tired after
studying days on end for finals
that when it comes time to take
your exams, you simply have no
energy left? Well, you may want
to try an energy drink.
Wikipedia.org says, “Energy
drinks are beverages that are
designed to give the consumer
a burst of energy by using a
combination of methylxanthines,
B vitamins, and exotic herbal
ingredients.”
Basically, you take one of these
drinks and you get wired pretty
fast. However, it is commonly
noted that although energy drinks
will give a pretty big high at first,
you will crash hard.
Commonly, when one thinks of
energy drinks, they usually think
of Red Bull, which supposedly
“gives one wings.”
However, there are several
types of energy drinks that come
in a number of exotic tastes and
flavors, including AMP, Blue Ox,
Enerzen, Monster Assault, SoBe
Sister Phyllis Marie helps education majors in the children’s section of the library.
Dedicated Sister Phyllis Marie
assists students and their pupils
By Amy Zielinski
Contributing writer
Walking, reading and volunteer-
ing at the Mercyhurst Mother
House are just a few of the ac-
tivities that Sister Phyllis Marie, a
graduate of Mercyhurst College,
enjoys.
Sister Phyllis Marie, a nun of
58 years, graduated from Mercy-
hurst in 1960 and received a mas-
ter’s in education at Duquesne
University.
She has taught in Pittsburgh,
Punxsutawney, St. Luke’s and St.
George’s. She was also a mission-
ary for 15 years on the Navajo
Indian Reservation.
Sister Phyllis Marie, director of
Mercyhurst College’s curriculum
library, has been working at Ham-
mermill Library for the past nine
years.
The curriculum section of the
library includes children’s books,
To contact: featuremerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Energy and new to the market:
Cocaine.
As the New York Post reported
in September 2006, Cocaine
“gives you a bigger and better
high without the crash that other
energy drinks cause.”
Elizabeth Wolff of the New
York Post points out that the
makers of Cocaine claim that
the “high hits you within five
minutes, followed by a caffeine
boost 15 minutes later. But hold
on-the ride lasts five hours and
the concoction is ‘350 percent
stronger than Red Bull.’”
If that is the case, then this
drink had better give consumers
more than wings. Interestingly
enough, Wolff reports that part
of Cocaine’s ability to work ef-
fectively is due to psychology.
Cocaine inventor Jamey Kirby
said, “When a person sees the
name of the drink, some psy-
chological effect happens and
the person is already experiencing
the energy buss before they even
open the can.”
Ultimately, as much fun as Co-
caine may sound, it is mainly be-
ing marketed to “partiers instead
The collection of books and
activities is open to any student
who is working with children or
has children of their own.
Materials may be checked out at
the circulation desk with ID.
Sister Phyllis Marie works very
hard re-shelving books and mak-
ing sure everything is in order
in all areas of the curriculum
section.
“It takes a lot of time,” Sister
Phyllis Marie said.
“I love my job and I enjoy the
books. It’s a joy to see students
using the books,” she added.
Lauren Weisser, an elementary
and special education student
says, “Sister Phyllis Marie is a
wonderful resource in the li-
brary.
“When I have a question or
need to find something for a les-
son, she is one of the first people
I ask,” she added.
Sister Phyllis Marie is also in
charge of the Mercy Associate
of health nuts and workaholics,”
so you may re-think taking it
before an exam.
In fact, you may be curious
whether these drinks really are
a good idea to take right before
a test.
When asked, junior Matt Fish
said that he “has tried Red Bull,”
and liked it. He felt that it may
be worth trying an energy drink
before a final, but that in the long
run one should probably not get
too addicted to the drinks.
Another unior, Stephanie Al-
ward, who has also had Red Bull
said that she “didn’t feel that the
drink helped that much.” She
felt that they really “don’t do
much for the person and prob-
ably wouldn’t help much before
a final.”
Junior Kyle Scully pointed out
that he tried Red Bull before a
final, and all it did was “make it
hard for me to concentrate on
the questions since I was so shaky
and wired.”
While it works for some cau-
tion yourself; you don’t want to
end up like Scully, shaking and
unable to concentrate.
Photo by Amy Zielinski
tary and special education major,
says, “Students certainly should
not hesitate to go to Sister Phyl-
lis Marie for any help they need,
whether it be for locating materi-
als within the curriculum library
or for someone to talk to.”
“Sister Phyllis Marie is a very
approachable and pleasant per-
son,” Brant added.
“Sister Phyllis Marie is very
caring and a knowledgeable re-
source. She has teaching experi-
ence which will help students as
well,” Glaser said.
“Once people meet her and
realize what a valuable resource
she is, they will be very thankful,”
she added.
Photo contest
open to all
The second annual “Take Your
Best Shot” photography contest
sponsored by the Marketing and
THE MERCIAD November 8, 2006
Same old coffee, same great taste
up with this,” said Kathleen students,” Crane said. She also
By Courtney Stuempges
Crane, the lead at Mercyhurst’s explained that each year, as more
Contributing writer
coffee bar. Other off-campus freshmen enter, they know the
places include Tim Horton’s, names of the specialty coffees
Along with the freedom that Starbucks and Caribou Coffee, more than anyone else.
comes with college, so do late to name a few. Although coffee keeps us
nights and less sleep, all on Many students get into the awake in times of need, there
a tighter schedule. This also coffee habit because at many are hidden dangers of caffeine
means a greater intake of caf- colleges around the nation the consumption, with the biggest
feine for thousands of students local coffee shop is the place to leading to exhaustion.
all over the globe. hang out, converse and study A coffee buzz usually only lasts
For most, coffee in particular, for tests. a few hours, but when the high
is the quick fix drug most chosen The coffee shop has almost dies down, usually another cup is
to stay awake and alert. become an acceptable daytime drank, which leads to a high/low
Coffee is consumed by college replacement for the bar scene flux for the remainder of the
students to stay awake during said Jennifer Park, co-owner of day. If coffee is consumed early
those late night study sessions, the Diesel Cafe in Somerville. enough in the day, this cycle is
cramming for a large test or Although they are not the Cen- likely to continue.
finishing a paper. tral Perk, the coffee shops on A reason many college stu-
According to the National Mercyhurst’s campus sell by far dents start to consume coffee is
Coffee Association of USA, a more coffee around mid-terms, because when they eventually get
2005 telephone survey taken especially finals. out of school and into the “real
nationwide stated that daily cof- Crane explained that during world,” drinking coffee daily is
fee drinkers among 18-24 year these times, many students will the norm. Starting at a young
olds reached a record high of order a double-shot of espresso age is simply a forerunner for
26 percent. to get that extra caffeine boost. the adult life.
This age group has grown up “We sell our most coffee in the Caffeine intake should be
watching “Friends,” where the daytime around 9 a.m., just after decreased as much as possible.
meeting place for the six friends the first class, until about 4 p.m.,” However, if society continually
was the local coffee shop. said Crane. consumes caffeine, it will be hard
This age, and “the younger “We get more freshmen and to stop the fast pace addiction.
generations are being brought sophomores than the older
Relaxing before finals
and any meetings or clubs first. don’t want to go too far from
By Jen Helbig
When you write out your your fortress of work). Breathe
Contributing writer
schedule in blocks, you can put deep during your walk and elimi-
a two-hour block of rank 1 tasks nate one negative thought from
The library’s walls are bulging followed by lunch, a three-hour your mind. Replace that thought
to contain the hoards of caffein- block for a rank 4 task followed with something positive, such as
ated students frantically trying by the gym, and so on. thinking about one place you will
to engulf 10 weeks’ worth of You will be surprised to see go over Thanksgiving break.
information. how much you can fit into one � Give someone a shoulder
Printers are jamming, comput- day when you write it out. If and scalp massage, rub their
ers are freezing, old notes are there are too many tasks to fit muscles with your fingers and
getting lost and it seems that into one day, try either shifting scratch their scalp gently. Ask
if another ounce of stress is the bedtime to a later time (try to have the favor returned. Give
added, you’re going to drop out. to get some sleep) or skip a club someone a hug; tell them that
This article could help you find meeting if possible. they’ll get through this week.
a few more minutes of sleep or Relax. If you find that you Maybe they’ll return the favor.
lower your blood pressure a few have empty blocks of time, Physical contact and vocal af-
points. great job! Do not allow yourself firmations, however small, can
Take inventor y. Spend a to drag a task into a different comfort you like your mom’s
moment flipping through your time frame than you originally hugs or a coach’s praise.
planner and compile one list of afforded it. Procrastination and � Don’t turn on the televi-
everything that you have left to allowing yourself to become sion. If you need to relax, do
do this week. distracted will only aggravate something quiet by yourself,
Don’t try to rank your tasks, you later. with a friend, roommate or sig-
just make a list. Review the list, � Take a few moments nificant other. When you turn
and write the due date next to between each task to have a on the television, it inevitably
each item. Next to that, rank productive rest period. Walk turns into a longer endeavor
each task with a number that will
designate the amount of time
you need to complete the task.
to the bathroom to brush your
teeth, comb your hair or change
your shirt.
than originally planned, and
your mind could benefit more
by studying, sleeping or getting
Tasks that will take 1-30 min- � Drink a lot of water, things done around the apart-
utes get a 1. Tasks that take 30 because you will feel refreshed ment/dorm.
minutes to 1 hour get a 2. Tasks and lively, whereas coffee will � Stay positive. If you have
that take 1-3 hours get a 3, and only make it more difficult to a good attitude you will be con-
tasks that will take 3 hours or concentrate and will cause you fident for your tests and won’t be
more get a 4. to become dehydrated, which intimidated. If you believe that
Get specific. Highlight all of can make you feel anything from you can handle your schedule,
the 1 with a yellow highlighter, all tired to nauseous. you will keep on top of it and
of the 2 with a pink, etc. When � Eat a vegetable or fruit no surprises will spring up to
you have them all highlighted, for a snack, because eating ruin your day. If you find that
put a star next to the ones due something healthy can boost you forgot something, step back
immediately. your mood instead of eating and look at the big picture before
Go back to your planner and something fat-laden like pizza or losing your composure. Crises
write a schedule that includes chips. Avoid sugar because it will are sure to come up, but if you
each of the tasks, and block out give you a burst of energy and are as prepared as possible, it
time to complete each. Make then leave you wanting more. will lessen the blow and you’ll
sure that you set a wake-up time, � Take a walk to your fa- sail right through.
a bedtime, insert blocks of time vorite part of campus (or your
for meals, exercise, showering favorite part of the library if you
5MLQ]U 5MLQ]U 5MLQ]U
<WXXQVO8QbbI[ <WXXQVO8QbbI[ <WXXQVO8QbbI[
activities and hands on materials Program. This program is geared Public Relations has begun. 2][\-IKP 2][\-IKP 2][\-IKP
that Mercyhurst students can toward people who are interested They are accepting images 7:4IZOM 7:4IZOM 7:4IZOM
use when preparing a lesson for in deepening their personal life. that reflect the values, campus <WXXQVO8QbbI[ <WXXQVO8QbbI[ <WXXQVO8QbbI[
children.
Earleen Glaser, reference li-
brarian and college archivist,
said, “The curriculum library
gives students hands-on experi-
ence with materials they will find
helpful in teaching and working
with students.”
Got a beef? Something on campus not to your liking?
Sound off about it in The Merciad.
“I have a real desire of helping
other people whenever I can,
to the best of my ability,” Sister
Phyllis Marie said.
“As a sister of Mercy that is
what our life is all about,” she
added.
Lauren Brant, junior elemen-
atmosphere and mission of Mer-
cyhurst.
The contest is open to students,
alumni, employees and members
of the community and prizes will
be awarded for first place, $200;
second place, $100; and third
place, $50.
1NaW]ZWZLMZQ[V¼\ZMILaQVUQV]\M[WZTM[[OM\I.:--XQbbI_Q\PaW]ZVM`\WZLMZ
)44A7=+)6-)<*=..-<
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Expires 12/31/06. One coupon per party per visit at partici-
pating units owned and operated by subsidiaries of Pizza
Expires 12/31/06. One coupon per party per visit at partici-
pating units owned and operated by subsidiaries of Pizza
Expires 12/31/06. One coupon per party per visit at partici-
pating units owned and operated by subsidiaries of Pizza
Hut, Inc. Delivery charge may apply. Limited delivery area.
Not valid with any other offer. 1/20¢ cash redemption value.
©2006 Pizza Hut, Inc.
Hut, Inc. Delivery charge may apply. Limited delivery area.
Not valid with any other offer. 1/20¢ cash redemption value.
©2006 Pizza Hut, Inc.
Hut, Inc. Delivery charge may apply. Limited delivery area.
Not valid with any other offer. 1/20¢ cash redemption value.
©2006 Pizza Hut, Inc.
516=<-+)::A7=</=):)6<--
)XXTQM[\WWZLMZ[WNWZTM[[XQbbI[,M\IQT[I\XIZ\QKQXI\QVO8QbbI0]\TWKI\QWV[
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Send a letter to the editor:
opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
-^MZaLIa4]VKP
!!
"IU"XU
 
November 8, 2006 THE MERCIAD PAGE 5

CAMPUS
To contact: featuremerciad@mercyhurst.edu
LIVING
Soul-warming recipes ‘Campus Cops’ premieres
By Lakyn Bianco
Thanksgiving is a time of the
year that is focused mostly on
food and family, so why not have
each one of your friends to bring
a dish that is traditional in their
own families. This will complete
stomachs.
An unusual Thanksgiving
tradition in my family are home-
With Meg Contributing writer

Students experiencing a con-

your own Thanksgiving with
your Mercyhurst family?
This recipe is for the traditional
roasted Thanksgiving turkey, but
it has many variations.
All you need is the accompani-
ments, such as mashed potatoes,
cranberry sauce and pumpkin
pie.
To make this dinner diverse, ask
the meal and provide everyone
with a healthy pre-Thanksgiving
dinner, as well as a needed break
from the stress of finals.
Other dishes you can have
your guests bring could include
stuffing, green bean casserole,
rolls and apple pie. This would
complete the meal and offer
healthy side dishes, as well as full
made noodles cooked in chicken
broth.
If you want to go for an ex-
otic or varied way of cooking
the turkey I would recommend
that you look for recipes online;
there is everything from Cajun to
Asian style turkeys.
Thanksgiving is a great time to
showcase your cooking talents or
and Kyle frontation with Police and Safety
may now end up on local TV
- sort of.
try new ideas. Communication Major Nadine
Zinram and Criminal Justice
Major James Webb have cre-
Any questions or comments
ated a new show for Hurst TV
can be emailed to: hurstflavor-
based on the national television
fiend@yahoo.com.
program “Cops.” Zinram taping for the show.
The Mercyhurst “Campus
Cops” crew follows Police and Safety actually do on campus.
Safety around on weekends film- Mercyhurst Campus Police do

Thanksgiving Turkey ing their work among students.

Several clips of “Campus
Cops” were recently filmed over
Halloween weekend. Zinram
Ingredients Equipment stated that while filming student
and police interaction she fo-
1 Whole turkey (10-12 lbs.), thawed Roasting pan, with a rack cuses the cameras on the police,
Salt Meat thermometer not the students.
Pepper “We are filming the cops and
Poultry seasoning the work they do, not the stu-
dents,” she said.
Any other seasonings or She also stressed that students
Vegetables that you would like to add will not be recognized on cam-
Stuffing (optional) era. Students’ faces and clothing
will be blurred and their voices
Directions will be changed before airing.
To students afraid of being
1. Remove the giblets from the inside of the turkey and wash it inside and out. caught on “Campus Cops”
2. Season the inside and outside of the turkey with the salt, pepper, and poultry seasonings. Zinram said, “First of all, don’t
Then pack the cavity with stuffing if you choose. get in trouble. Secondly, no one
3. Place into the roasting pan on the rack. Most turkeys will have a thermometer in them so in will recognize you.”
most cases another meat thermometer is not necessary. Zinram thought students
4. Place into the preheated oven at 325 degrees. Cooking time will vary depending on the would be interested in a show
whether you stuff the turkey or not. The turkey is done when the temperature reaches 180 produced outside of the studio
degrees. and one that brings the idea of
“Cops” closer to home.
Stuffed (8-12 lbs.): 3.5 - 4.5 hours She formulated the idea for
Not stuffed (8-12 lbs.): 3 - 4 hours “Campus Cops” in collabora-
tion with Chief Sidun of Police
Recipe found in The Boston Globe Cookbook, 4th Edition and Safety.
Zinram wanted to show stu-
dents more of what Police and
not carry guns, but they are
regular police officers.
“Police and Safety don’t always
get the same respect from stu-
dents that a normal cop would,
and this show will recognize
the work that they do,” Zinram
said.
With approval from Police and
Safety, Residence Life and Dr.
Gamble, Zinram and Webb have
worked to create a new kind of
show that Mercyhurst has never
before seen on campus before.
Zinram worked in TV for six
years in Germany, including
coverage of the World Cup this
past summer. She explained that
working in TV is her passion.
“I am putting a lot of work
into this show and I hope it be-
comes popular among students.
I like being able to do something
new outside of the studio, and
maybe “Campus Cops” will help
Police and Safety be well known
to students in a positive way in
showing they are not out looking
for trouble,” she said.
“Campus Cops” will air next
term on Hurst TV, Channel 19.

I
Howarth’s class produces a
Need a near gladitorial movie that is to die for
by Italian
delight?

ERI
By Adam Hicks
Contributing writer
In my continuing search for
the best that Erie has to offer,
I am beginning to receive mul-
tiple suggestions concerning
culinary options.
Based on a suggestion from
Try
Valerio’s
The dining room has a
comfortable atmosphere with
paintings on the walls, hanging
plants, candles on the tables
and classical music playing in
the background.
The food is great and the
prices are even better at
Valerio’s, especially during
lunch time. Photo by Joshua Wilwohl

senior James Webb, I went to
investigate the claims of great
food and extremely reason-
able prices at Valerio’s Italian
Restaurant & Pizzeria on 1803
East 38th St.
Fortunately, not only were
the claims true, but I was
extremely impressed with the
restaurant.
At first glance, Valerio’s
appears to be a simple pizza
shop, but there is much more
to offer.
Upon entering the estab-
lishment, a doorway to the
left opens into the sit-down
restaurant.
Unlike most places in Erie,
the policy here is to seat your-
self in the smoke-free dining
room.
Although this custom may
seem nerve-racking to the
paranoid few who worry if
the waitress knows they have
entered the room, I assure you
that the service is prompt and
friendly.
The restaurant offers a
lunch special menu where
each of the meals is under $5,
offering entrées like a buffalo
chicken sandwich on ciabatta
bread with onion rings, spa-
ghetti and salad and tasty oven
baked meatball subs.
The dinner menu offers
most dishes under $10 with
fare like pizzas, traditional
Italian dishes and calzones.
According to junior Rob
Blackburn, his veal parmesan
submarine sandwich “puts the
‘d’ back into delicious and the
scrumptious back in scrump-
diddily-umptious. I give it two
thumbolis (he claims it is Ital-
ian word for thumbs) up!”
Another patron stated that,
“the meatball subs are the best
in the city.”
In order to stress the rea-
sonable prices, the meal I had
with two other students to
research for the article only
cost $18.
Valerio’s Italian Restaurant
& Pizzeria opened 13 years
ago and is owned by Jamie
Dehaas.
Since the early 1990s it has
continued to serve great Ital-
ian food to the community.
Valerio’s is open Monday
through Thursday from 11
a.m. to midnight, Friday and
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1
a.m., and Sunday from noon
Photo by Chelsea Boothe
Valerio’s is located at
1803 East 38th St.
to midnight.
Chad Washburn, a dedicated
employee, has worked for the
restaurant since its opening
and he proudly declares, “This
is the best Italian restaurant in
Erie and the best pizza place
in town!”
Chad also recommends a
few dishes that are favorites
among the loyal patrons: the
chicken ranch pizza, their cal-
zones in all the flavors and the
Philly cheese steak sub.
Although there are four
different locations in the Erie
area, Chad and the rest of the
staff at Valerio’s declare that
the best location is their East
38th Street eatery.
The restaurant also enjoys
delivering great Italian food
to Mercyhurst and hopes to
continue to in the future.
The next time you are look-
ing for a nice Italian meal,
but only have $10 in your
pocket, I recommend a trip to
Valerio’s which is only a quick
walk down 38th St.
The service is good, the
food is great and the prices
are fantastic.
Caratacus, played by Kramer, has a head land in his lap during the gladitorial games.
It was a long process filled with
revision, because it was such a
daunting experience.
The communications depart-
ment, especially Brian Sheridan,
a communication professor, and
Nadine Zinram, the production
manager, were a huge and un-
deniable reason for the movie’s
success.
Without their advice and guid-
ance the project would not have
been finished.
Alex Bonamo is the communi-
cations major who will complete
editing over the break and into
the next term.
It took three different days
to shoot the movie. All of the
filming was done outside of
class and the communications
department helped after their
work hours.
Senior Deanna Kramer played
the lead role in the production,
Caratacus.
Kramer said, “It was a great
learning opportunity; it ran
smoothly because everyone gave
100 percent and a special thank
you to Hurst T.V. for all of their
great work.”
Not only will there be 13
DVDs made for the students
and Howarth, but the movie
will also show on Hurst T.V., at Photo by Joshua Wilwohl
a date to be decided. The ‘mean’ gladiator seems to be winning; however, he is a pro-
fessional, while Caratacus is a criminal forced to fight.
PAGE 6
OPINION To contact: opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Practice what you preach Man’s mission to Mars
A few weeks ago when the Mark Foley scandal
broke, I made it clear that the one thing I can’t stand
is hypocrisy. Little did I know that in a short time
another scandal would break, although this one
would not take
place on Capi-
tol Hill and the
level of hypoc- Allison
risy would be
taken to, well, a
Moore
cosmic level.
The Rev. Ted
Haggard, Pres-
ident of the
Opinion editor
National Asso-
ciation of Evangelicals and pastor of the 14,000
member New Life Church in Colorado, has been
let go due to allegations of sexual relations with
male prostitute, Mike Jones. Jones claims the pastor
paid him for sex for three years and also purchased
methamphetamines.
Everyone is probably familiar with the term
“evangelical.” The evangelical movement has been
prominent and influential in many areas of Ameri-
can life, most notably politics. It was the voting
power of the Christian Right that put Republicans
Athletes are not above the law
The other day in my journalism class there was
a speaker from the “New York Post” who was
offered a professor position at St. John’s in New
York, but turned it down.
His reasoning for deferment, he said, was be-
cause the dean interviewing him said that “All the
basketball players in your class get ‘As.’”
Colleges across the nation are coming under close
scrutiny on
the way their
athletic de-
partments Josh
are being Wilwohl
run.
Accord-
ing to an ar-
ticle in the Editor-In-Chief
“New York
Times,” the National Collegiate Athletic Associa-
tion has cracked down on colleges after the mention
that federal intervention could take place.
Last month, according to the “Times,” the House
Ways and Means Committee “…fired off a tough-
minded letter demanding that the N.C.A.A. explain
how profit-seeking, win-at-all-cost athletic depart-
ments operate on campus.”
The “Times” reports that Congress has already
taken note of recruiting violations and athletes who
“…sometimes remain eligible without progressing
or by attending bogus classes.”
It is disgusting to see that only when the govern-
ment steps in does the N.C.A.A. act. There seems
to always be this leniency in the way of sports in
colleges. Athletes miss classes, assignments, etc.
and still manage to pull the grades to stay eligible.
Of course, every college and university says it
would never “fix the system” so athletes remain
eligible, but give me a break…that’s just talk.
Most athletes see themselves as above everyone
else.
The common saying is, “Missing classes is irrel-
evant because, what are they going to do? Sit me
Are you wondering…
What is appropriate to do in a particular situation?
How might you act or respond?
How do you decide what is right or best?
???
Do you have tough dilemmas right here on campus?
In your dorm…In a class…On a team…
Or…
Do you have big questions about world events?
Ask the Ethicist!
The purpose of “Ask the Ethicist” is to provide insight and reflection on
everyday ethical dilemmas facing individuals on campus.
The “Mercyhurst Ethicist” is not one person,
but a group of Mercyhurst faculty, administrators, and staff
who will take turns responding to submitted questions.
To submit a question, e-mail lseddig@mercyhurst.edu.
Your e-mail address will be removed to ensure anonymity.
THE MERCIAD
into power, largely over issues such as abortion and
same-sex marriage.
Until this week, Haggard was a respected religious
leader, preaching against the “sins” he himself was
committing behind the scenes. Don’t you just love
it when people spend their life in judgment of your
behavior when they themselves live double lives?
Haggard, a married father of five, stated, “There
is part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that
I’ve been warring against it all of my adult life.”
As Jon Stewart bluntly stated on the Daily Show
after the scandal broke, “You cannot run from
gay. I know that when you feel like gay is chasing
you, all you need to do is run toward straight as
fast as you can and hide behind that wife and kid
fort you’ve been building.”
It troubles me that people can be so hypocriti-
cal. Haggard spent his life preaching to thousands
about the immorality and sin of homosexuality,
all the while being homosexual himself, paying a
man for sex.
Being socially liberal, I have never felt that people
should pass judgments on what happens behind
closed doors. If Rev. Haggard is a homosexual, so
be it. But I resent the fact that he preached closed-
minded doctrine against people just like him.
MCT
Questions regarding the academic practic-
es of athletes are surfacing and are getting
attention all the way to Capitol Hill.
out against our rival? I don’t think so.”
Not only are classes and grades a problem with
athletes, but also discipline. They drink and party
and, ultimately, feel above the law. And the mo-
ment trouble brews, they say to give them a break
because they’re athletes.
Give me a break.
Athletes are subject to the same obligations, rules
and laws as much as those who aren’t on teams.
However, it seems that that is not being upheld.
Ultimately, as the “Times” article says, athletic
departments seem to be undermining colleges’ and
universities’ educational missions by having more
pull in institutional matters than they should.
Colleges and universities should consider put-
ting demanding athletic departments on a leash.
The less say they have, the better the institution
can run as an educational institution rather than
an athletic one.
If not, Congress may soon have the final say.
By Andrei Kislyakov
MCT newspapers
The 1920s are remembered not only for their
political upheavals but also for a new interest in
exploring other planets.
Imaginative authors of all calibers wove intricate
fantasies about exploring the length and breadth of
Mars in their books. The budding movie industry
made its contribution, too.
But it is only a century later, in the 2020s, that
humankind has hope of finally touching down on
the red planet.
That a flight to Mars is a reality is beyond ques-
tion.
Its duration has also been calculated using the
optimum trajectory it will take 350 days there and
350 to get back, plus 20 to 30 days spent on the
planet’s surface.
But the exact date is still only a guess.
Optimists say 2017-2018 is the nearest “ballistic
window” for an Earth-Mars mission, but pessimists
consider it unrealistic, above all for technological
reasons: a spacecraft must be built, engines devel-
oped, and the whole mass weighing hundreds of
tons placed on a path to Mars.
Nevertheless a manned expedition to Mars is
being prepared with such a schedule in mind. In
Russia it is part of the Federal Space Program.
An advanced development project called “A
Manned Expedition to Mars” was drafted in 2005.
Vitaly Semyonov, chief designer at the Keldysh
Center and one of the project developers, said
the research already conducted has revealed one
important feature: the schedule and costs of a
Martian mission depend mainly on the type of
propulsion unit.
Scientists have considered different options,
including liquid rocket engines burning oxygen
and hydrogen; nuclear rocket engines with liquid
hydrogen as working medium; and nuclear and solar
power units to drive electric propulsion engines.
The choice fell on the solar unit with thin film ele-
ments based on amorphous silicon.
The nuclear unit is viewed as a possible alterna-
tive. Initially, it is planned to mount five expeditions
using the same orbital spacecraft.
All expeditions will include a multiple solar-pow-
ered tug. Their aim will be to select and prepare the
“
site for a Martian base.
Scientists believe that the loca-
tion of the site must, above all,
meet the requirements of safe
In a strategy
landing and take-off.
Another important factor is for and the
the terrain on which a habitable
facility will be located to ensure planning of
its anti-radiation protection.
The terrain must also make a manned
easier the monitoring of aster-
oid-cometary impacts and their expedition to
Mars, the human
dangers for base residents.
A further essential requirement
is the presence of liquid water at
factor is the top
shallow depths. Last, an analysis
of geological data from Mars has
pinpointed the most likely spots priority.
with traces of life.
It is not inconceivable that these
areas will be most attractive for
situating the first extra-terrestrial
base.
But before the mission gets off
the ground, scientists will have to solve, in addition
to engineering challenges, a multitude of medical
and biological problems.
In a strategy for and the planning of a manned
expedition to Mars, the human factor is the top
priority.
It is the weakest and most exposed link of the
mission, crucial for the whole project.
Medical and biological aspects of the expedition
therefore pose a new challenge to scientists.
Many of the established principles, methods
and means of space travel are unacceptable for a
manned Mars mission.
What sets it apart is different communications
techniques with the Earth, a variety of gravity
effects, a limited period of adaptation to gravity
before landing on Mars, enhanced radiation, and
the absence of a magnetic field.
The 438-day flight aboard the Mir orbiter by
physician Valery Polyakov at the end of last
century showed that there are no fundamental
medical or biological restrictions to extended space
missions.
Radiation, however, is another matter.
Its effects intensify manifold when the vehicle
leaves the protection of the Earth’s magnetosphere.
This demands a special anti-radiation facility.
It might be a radiation shelter that would absorb
charged particles or an artificial electromagnetic
field built up around the craft.
Presently, the developers are inclined to opt for
structural protection by placing tanks with fuel, wa-
ter and other supplies around the living quarters.
Another problem is food.
It would seem years of practice have taken care
of it, and there is no need to reinvent the wheel.
The crew of a spaceship will use freeze-dried
products that need a little water and heating before
being put on the table.
But, fine and delightful as such dishes may be,
they should be mixed with some normal food.
November 8, 2006
MCT
Scientists feel that a manned mission to
Mars will one day be a reality. Several
countries, including the United States, have
launched experiments in order to work out
the problems associated with such a com-
plex mission into space. Above is a picture
of the Martian landscape.
The idea of keeping caged fowl aboard the ve-
hicle for cosmonauts to eat their eggs, quail eggs
preferably, had to be abandoned.
Experiments showed that newly hatched chicks
never adapted to zero gravity. Fish and shellfish
fared better, but they grow too slowly, and so
cosmonauts are unlikely to eat fresh fish on their
way to Mars.
What is certain is that the interplanetary ship will
have a greenhouse, though a small one.
The optimum choice of crops will be crucial.
It has been calculated that a cosmonaut needs 2.5
liters of water daily, which means the vehicle will
have to have a supply of several tons.
Some of the water will be recirculated. An ideal
arrangement would be a closed-circuit physical and
chemical system to ensure cycles of substances. But
this appears to belong to a distant future.
Other problems are psychological. In an emer-
gency, the Earth will at best provide advice, but all
decision-making will be the re-
sponsibility of the spacecraft.
But before a crewed Martian
expedition lifts off, scientists
will try to solve many of these
problems during the Mars-500
mission.
It will be an imitation, not
a real flight: a crew of six will
spend 520 days in a ground
facility consisting of five her-
metically sealed communicat-
ing modules. One of them will
imitate the Martian surface.
The modules are loaded
”
with devices to register vari-
ous parameters inside and to
monitor the health of the test
subjects.
Scientists need to know how
human beings act in teams and
handle non-standard situa-
tions. All results starting with
the behavior pattern of the
crew and ending with their diet will be examined
by specialists.
This will take care of most likely situations and
ways of dealing with them during the flight.
A crew is currently being recruited for the
“ground interplanetary mission.” Ninety volunteers
from 19 countries have already stepped forward.
They are mainly men, with only eight women and
one married couple.
The explanation appears simple: physiologically
and psychologically women have fewer chances
than men to be among the first to step on Mars.
The experiment will involve six people, although
a real mission to the planet will have a crew of
four.
Remarkably, soon after Russia announced the
Mars-500 experiment, the United States, too,
began inviting volunteers for an imitation flight.
The American experiment is scheduled to begin
on May 1, 2007. Test subjects will spend four
months on it.
The European Space Agency is developing its
own concept of an expedition to Mars, so far
uncrewed.
China has plans to explore and use Mars.
In short, a space race is getting off the start line
again.
The only question is, why should we fly to Mars
at all?
“Most scientific achievements in space are cred-
ited to automatic devices, not manned missions,”
says Lev Zeleny, director of the Russian Academy
of Sciences Space Research Institute.
He believes, however, a human being is bound to
land on Mars, even if the event makes no rational
sense.
The sensations of a person stepping down on
the surface of another planet are so precious as to
have no value scale to appreciate them.
November 8, 2006 THE MERCIAD PAGE 7

To contact: opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
OPINION
A new way of looking at a negative word
Recently while giving blood, a Red Cross nurse various parts of the world honor it.
The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly
posed a question to me. “If you sleep with some- While prostitutes sell themselves for sex, could
one, and they then give you an armoire, is it con- the rest of society prostitute themselves when they The Good
sidered prostitution?” donate their blood or hair?
Pondering this question as she drew blood from Perhaps like prostitution, through donation you Thanksgiving break is right on the horizon. Time to see family, enjoy a turkey dinner with all
my arm for a donation, I couldn’t help but realize still give a part of yourself. the trimmings and catch up on much needed sleep.
that myself and everyone else donating blood was I am in no way condoning prostitution, but just
in fact donat- thinking of it differently. The election is over! No more annoying, negative campaign ads bombarding you at every com-
ing a part of If we simply change the use of the term, perhaps mercial break.
them. its connotations would change.
The ter m Ellen The Netherlands have horrible social problems
prostitute is Koenig due to the practices of their society. The Bad
often asso- But I feel if prostitution did not carry such dirty
ciated with connotations then women would not be looked Finals are next week. Be prepared for long nights of studying and high stress levels. Good
men and down upon. luck!
women who Contributing writer If women are expected to sleep with their date
sell them- after a nice evening, this is possibly prostitution
selves to as well.
make money with their bodies, often for sexual If prostitution is selling yourself to someone else,
The Ugly
purposes. In personal reference, I have always I think we are guilty by simply sharing ourselves
Magazines such as Cosmopolitan and FHM have been pulled from the bookstore’s shelves after
thought of prostitution as people using their bodies with other beings through actions as simple as
a parental complaint. These magazines are known for their racy content, but removing them
to earn money in a variety of fields; mostly related lending a helping hand.
from a college bookstore is going a bit too far. We are all adults here and can handle the issues
to sex and medicine. There are many ways we can give ourselves to
addressed in Cosmo and FHM. If you don’t like it, don’t read it. Plain and simple.
While the connotation of ‘prostitute’ is often others, not necessarily in a sexual manner, but by
negative, I believe we need to change the image sharing each others’ company, stories and experi-
this word carries. ences.
Churches condemn it; yet the Netherlands and

‘Borat’ makes fun of Kazakhs rather than bigotry

By Bagila Bukharbayeva
MCT newspapers
Producers of a film starring British comedian
Sacha Baron Cohen say that his alter ego, Borat, a
bigoted TV journalist from Kazakhstan, isn’t about
making fun of Kazakhs.
They say the idea is to make fun of bigotry in
Western society through a character who is out-
rageously open about his racist, anti-Semitic and
sexist convictions. Kazakhstan was chosen because
of its obscurity, they say.
Maybe, then, we Kazakhs should welcome the
movie “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for
Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan’’
because the idea behind it is a noble one.
We, too, are against anti-Semitism, racism and
sexism.
So when Cohen, as Borat, says that one of
Kazakhs’ favorite pastimes is to shoot Jews, that
homosexuals in Kazakhstan until recently were
obliged to wear blue hats, that incest is a norm, and
that Kazakh women are kept in cages we should un-
derstand that he is making it up for his good cause.
Since he is Jewish, it makes even more sense.
And I guess when he makes up something like
Kazakhs’ favorite drink is fermented horse urine,
we should understand that the message is about
respecting foreign cultures and cultural diversity.
Ironically, probably no other post-Soviet coun-
try takes its international image as seriously as
Kazakhstan.
The government hires PR companies to pro-
mote the country, and regularly buys ad time on
CNN and the BBC, and in the largest Western
newspapers.
The image of moving toward democracy that the
government tries to promote isn’t quite accurate the
country has never seen free elections. But there has
been notable economic progress since the Soviet
collapse, thanks to a great extent to the nation’s
huge oil reserves.
So Kazakh government officials have been un-
happy with Cohen, especially after he appeared as
Borat on the MTV music awards last year. They
became unhappier after his insulting remarks about
President Nursultan Nazarbayev.
The Kazakh Foreign Ministry threatened to sue
Cohen and alleged that Borat was a plot aimed to
damage the country’s image.
The Western media jumped on this funny story
about some obscure country’s government with no
sense of humor wrestling with a comedian.
Kazakh officials told me privately later that they
realized the attempt to silence Borat, or pay any at-
tention to his antics, was a mistake. So they decided
to ignore him.
Cohen, to his credit, nevertheless found a way to
engage the Kazakh government, using Nazarbayev’s
visit to Washington in late September.
Borat declared that Nazarbayev was visiting the
States to promote his film, in which Borat, after ar-
riving in the United States, falls in love with Pamela
Anderson and then chases her across the States.
Nazarbayev probably saw his meeting with Presi-
dent Bush as a high point in his efforts to find the
right balance in relations with two powerful regional
neighbors, Russia and China, and at the same time
build a bridge to the West.
Or it could have been a story of this former So-
viet republic’s struggle to embrace the concepts of
human rights and civil and political freedoms.
But for most U.S. media, it was a story of some
unknown developing country being taken on by a
Western comedian.
As Nazarbayev proceeded with his official visit,
Cohen, as Borat, gave a press conference outside
the Kazakh embassy in Washington.
When Cohen is in character, interviewing people,
probing them for their hidden prejudices and pho-
bias, it can be effective.
But when giggling journalists interview his char-
acter, then the noble idea declared by the film’s
producers gets lost.
He is not making fun of bigotry.
He is making fun of Kazakhs.

Students comment on athletes and academics

“Not really. They have to
“No. I’m a student athe- do just as much work, if “In scholarships, yes,
lete and I don’t see me not more.” they get more money and
getting any special treat- free rides.”
ment.” Meghan Mooney ‘07
Mark Fahmey ‘07
Ronnie Williams ‘10

Do you think
athletes “It depends on the

get special
teacher and whether the “To a certain extent, “I think they get more
teacher understands.” I think they do with leeway, especially
assignments and home- when they go away
academic Julia Colizza ‘07 work.” and their deadlines get
pushed back.”

treatment?
Carrie Naccarato ‘07
Phil Grunauer ‘07

The
Joshua Wilwohl
MERCIAD Editor-in-Chief editormerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Jessica Kocent News Editor newsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Chelsea Boothe Campus Life Editor featuremerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Allison Moore Opinion Editor opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Ryan Palm & Matt Jackson Sports Editors sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Melissa Brandt A&E Editor entertainmentmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Andrew Finkel Photographer photomerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Katie Diley Production Editor prodmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Melissa Brandt Advertising Manager admerciad@mercyhurst.edu
Noelle Lelakus Copy Editor copymerciad@mercyhurst.edu

The Merciad is the student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst College. It is

published throughout the school year, with the exception of midterms week
and finals week. Our office is in the Old Main, Room 314. Our telephone
number is 824-2376.
The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed and
names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the letters
for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters are due the
Thursday before publication and may not be longer than 300 words. Submit
MTC newspapers
letters to box PH 485.
PAGE 8 THE MERCIAD November 8, 2006

ARTS &
ENTERTAINMENT To contact: entertainmentmerciad@mercyhurst.edu

tHe
BuZz
NOV. 9. Decemberists.
Agora Theatre, Cleveland.
On sale at Ticketmaster.
NOV. 9. English Beat.
Beachland Tavern, Cleve-
land.
NOV. 9. Wiggles. Wolstein
Center, Cleveland.
NOV. 9. Ryan Star. Cole
Auditorium, Edinboro
University, Edinboro. $10.
NOV. 9. Straylight Run.
Grog Shop, Cleveland. On
sale at Ticketmaster.
NOV. 9. Disco Biscuits.
Town Ballroom, Buffalo.
NOV. 10. Shooter Jen-
nings. Reg Lenna Civic
Center, Jamestown, N.Y.
Rejuvenation via love
By Megan O’Hare
Contributing writer
A group of rich, middle-aged
women who lead dull lives, travel
to the white sand, crystal blue
water paradise of Haiti to pursue
the young Haitian men.
“Heading South” is a movie
about desperation, the desire to
be loved, disillusionment and to
what extremes the women will
go to feel loved.
Their frustration and need to
escape from their everyday lives
at home takes them to distant
places to feel the love they so
desire.
In the movie, two women meet
in the Caribbean where their lives
cross over one man, Legba.
There is a constant battle be-
tween these two women for
Legba’s attention.
Legba is a charismatic, attrac-
This, however, is just the op-
posite of what occurs.
Entertaining women is his oc-
cupation and nothing more to
him. Legba has a new woman this
time, 55-year old Ellen.
Ellen is a literary teacher at
Wesley College and has come
to the resort every year for six
years.
Ellen enjoys the attention she
gets from her new friend, Legba.
She ignores the fact that she is
getting older and continues to
pursue the younger men.
There is a constant battle
throughout the movie because
of the jealously and ultimately
the love triangle between Brenda,
Legba and Ellen.
Brenda and Ellen both have
very dynamic personalities and
are willing to do anything to hold
on to Legba.
Both women fight for atten-
tion and time as Legba attempts Photo courtesy of the PAC

NOV. 10. English Beat.
Rex Theatre, Pittsburgh.
NOV. 10. Joanna New-
som. Beachland Ballroom,
Cleveland.
NOV. 10. Broken Social
Scene, Do May Say Think.
House of Blues, Cleveland.
On sale at Ticketmaster.
NOV. 10. Trans-Siberian
Orchestra. Tullio Arena,
Erie. $46.75, $40.75.
NOV. 10, 11. Olivia New-
ton-John. Avalon Ballroom,
Niagara Casino Resort, Ni-
agara Falls, Ont.
tive young man who knows how
to treat the women who come
here.
His polite and attractive nature
lures women into his life. Brenda
is a dissatisfied woman from Sa-
vannah who returns to the island
to reconnect with Legba, the boy
she had fallen in love with three
years earlier when she was 45 and
Legba was only 15.
Brenda believes that Legba
makes her vacation there pleasur-
able and makes her feel young
again.
Since Legba makes her feel
young again, she expects him to
fall into her arms.
to please both women. Brenda
attempts to win Legba’s attention
by buying him presents such as
new clothes.
Ellen offers Legba the chance
to flee his country and find ref-
uge with her back in Europe.
Legba rejects the offer to leave
the country because he doesn’t
have a desire to leave his home,
unlike Brenda and Ellen.
Legba has a troubled past
with a wealthy and jealous ex-
girlfriend that wants him back.
She orders her chauffeur to
follow Legba, which leads to a
chase scene through the streets
of Haiti.
PAC film “Heading South” will play at the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center Nov 15
Legba finally ends up at his
mother’s house where he has not
been seen for week.
Having not seen Legba for the
day, Brenda and Ellen worry he
may have been killed.
Early the next morning, Albert,
the resort owner finds Legba
dead on the beach.
Ellen and Brenda are both
deeply affected by his sudden
death and deal with their grief
in different ways.
Brenda shows her emotions
and how upset she is. And instead
of outwardly expressing her
emotions, Ellen blames Brenda
for Legba’s death.
As the two women experience
the aftermath of Legba’s death,
Ellen flies back home where she
fears things won’t be any better
than they were before.
As she sits in the airport, her
solemn attitude is evident as she
reflects on her love and admira-
tion toward Legba.
Ellen realizes she ended up
caring for him and mourns the
loss of their relationship.
She has also begun to realize
who she is as a person. On the
other hand, Brenda has not real-
ized who she is and decides to
travel to the Caribbean because
there is nothing at home for
her.
As Brenda remembers Legba,
she expresses that she may not
have loved him, but she loved
the way he looked at her.
“Heading South” will play at
the PAC on Wednesday, Novem-
ber 15, at 2 and 8 p.m.
Tickets are FREE for MCstu-
dents with ID.

NOV. 10, 11. Rober t

‘Borat!’ much good film, soon you watch
Schimmel. Bears Den,
Seneca Niagara Casino &
Hotel, Niagara Falls, N.Y.

NOV. 11. Frank Valli and

the Four Seasons. Palace
Theater, Cleveland.

NOV. 11. “Break: The

Urban Funk Spectacular.”
University of Buffalo Cen-
ter for the Arts, Buffalo.
On sale at Ticketmaster.

NOV. 11. Bob Saget. Allen

Theatre, Cleveland.

NOV. 11. Lecture. Ander-

son Cooper. Alumni Arena,
University of Buffalo. On
sale at tickets.com.

NOV. 12. Jurassic 5. Town

Ballroom, Buffalo.
NOV. 12. Disco Biscuits.
House of Blues, Cleve-
land.
NOV. 12.Robyn Hitchcock
and Venus 3. Beachland
Ballroom, Cleveland.
NOV. 13. Robyn Hitch-
cock. Rex Theatre, Pitts-
burgh.
NOV. 13. Hinder, 18 Vi-
sions. Ag ora Theatre,
Cleveland.
NOV. 14. Queensryche.
House of Blues, Cleve-
land.
NOV. 15. Gary Allan.
House of Blues, Cleve-
land.
NOV. 15. Lloyd Cole. Club
Cafe, Pittsburgh.
NOV. 16. Kansas .Warner
Theatre, Erie. $34.
NOV. 16. Gary Allan.
House of Blues, Cleve-
land.
NOV. 17. Larry the Ca-
ble Guy. Wolstein Center,
Cleveland State University,
Cleveland.
NOV. 17. Brother’s Past.
Grog Shop, Cleveland.
Courtesy of Goerie.com
Sacha Baron Cohen will give you side stitches as Borat in his hilarious new movie of the same title. Multiple viewings are highly reccommended.
By Mel Brandt
A&E Editor
Arrive at movie theater. Eighty-
four minutes later, leave theater
with stomach ache, doubled over
from laughing.
It’s hard to pinpoint what makes
this movie so great, but for a
start, Sacha Baron Cohen does
the completely unexpected and
sometimes terrifying–again and
again.
Cohen plays Borat Sagdiyev, a
reporter for Kazakhstan. “Borat”
follows Cohen as he travels from
his home town in Khazakhstan
to the U.S., making a documen-
tary for the “cultural learnings of
America for make benefit glorious
nation of Kazakhstan.”
His quest for knowledge quickly
becomes a quest for former
“Baywatch” actress, Pamela An-
derson.
Borat’s pursuit of his destined
bride-to-be brings him face to
face with such delicacies of
American culture as hotel room
chairs, digital cable and indoor
plumbing.
How successful Borat is at using
these amenities, however, works
on a sliding scale. He is able to
use the chair immediately.
Digital cable channel surfing
is achieved with a little help, and
the magical porcelain waste dis-
penser--well....dinner will never
be the same.
It’s hard to tell what parts of
Photo Courtesy of www.boratmovie.com
“Borat” are staged and which
are just raw human responses to
cultural differences.
In one scene, Borat effectively
turns an entire rodeo against him
with anti-American sentiment.
In-between laughing about
Borat’s support of America’s
“War of Terror,” the film il-
lustrates the dark underbelly of
prejudice through Borat’s social
interactions.
Or at least you can advertise
that to skeptical friends when
they ask for the merit in this type
of movie.
Honestly, there is a lot of social
commentary from this movie.
If that kind of thing makes you
nervous; Don’t worry, you’ll prob-
ably be laughing too hard to tell.
Cohen never breaks character,
and the result is hilarious realism
over and over again.
The scenes that are real you’ll
probably wish were staged and
those that seem staged you’ll
want to be real. I won’t go into
more detail for fear of ruining the
movie’s great surprises.
I would recommend watching
this movie several times, espe-
cially if you see it in the theater.
It is a necessity, as people will
laugh so hard you miss some of
the dialogue.
BEST: Cohen’s accent. “It’s
nice.”
WORST: The President of Ka-
zakhstan flew to the U.S. in order
to complain to President Bush Add some leadership & excitement to your Mercyhurst schedule. For details, contact MAJ
about this film. Lamborn, Gannon University Army ROTC, 814-868-7524 or lamborn002@gannon.edu
 November 8, 2006 THE MERCIAD PAGE 9

ARTS &
ENTERTAINMENT To contact: entertainmentmerciad@mercyhurst.edu

PAC performers bring West African vibe

By Christina Ferranti
Contributing writer
From the west coast of Africa
comes the cutting edge quartet,
Ba Cissoko.
This group combines the tra-
ditional Kora sound with the
influence of rock, reggae and
the blues.
The Kora instrument sounds
like a harp and is played in the
style of flamenco guitar.
The kora is an unusual guitar
made from a large calabash, or
vine, cut in half and covered with
cow skin to make a resonator,
with a notched bridge similar to
a guitar.
The player uses only thumb
and index finger of both hands
to pluck the 21 strings to create
polyrhythmic patterns.
The tradition of playing the
kora is passed down through
generations of griot families.
Griots are West African poets,
praise singers and wandering
musicians, most well known for
their oral traditions.
Ba Cissoko takes this dance-
able groove music and works to
incorporate into their songs the
Guinean languages of Malinke,
Susu and Peuhl, which has al-
lowed them to create a distinct
sound that is entirely their own.
Ba started his musical career
early in his life as his uncle taught
him how to play the kora harp.
Ba decided to add an amplified
effect to this guitar to bring the
sound to an entirely different
level.
Eventually, he toured with en-
sembles and attended a school in
Senegal in hopes of furthering
his talent and career in the music
industry.
In 1999, Cissoko joined forc-
es with his cousins, Kourou
Kouyaté, a bass player, and Sekou
Kouyaté, an electric kora player,
and they began to play under the
name Ba Cissoko.
In 2000, Ibrahim Bah, a percus-
sionist, was added to the group
to provide a central beat.
They collaborated and recorded
two demos and a series of tracks
with French artists that included
Ivy Slam, a DJ in Marseilles.
The harmonizing quartet has
appeared in several world music
festivals that include WOM-
AD, World of Music, Arts, and
Dance, WOMEX, World Music
Ba Cissoko members pictured playing the kora, a 21 stringed instrument of West Africa.
Expo and the Musiques metisses
festival in France.
In December of 2004, Ba
Cissoko was one of three final-
ists at the RFI World Music
Awards and was invited to play
at the French Cultural Centre in
Bamako, Mali.
Photo Courtesy of PAC
Ba Cissoko has produced two
albums as of late titled “Sabo-
lan,” which was released to the
public in 2003 and Electric
Griot Land, (their most recent
venture).
The reason for the title, Elec-
tric Griot Land, is significant in
that it is a tribute to the vision
and versatility of the late Jimi
Hendrix who Ba Cissoko himself
exemplifies.
Reviews have compared Cis-
soko’s playing to that of Eric
Clapton and the Toronto Star
declared they are “the hottest
young African group touring
the USA-an enthusiastic quartet
at once rigorously trained in,
and determined to update, the
luxurious musical traditions of
the West African country of
Guinea.”
Don’t miss the exciting upbeat
sounds of Ba Cissoko.
Ba Cissoko performs at the
Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts
Center on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at
7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available in the Box
Office.
Prices include: Gold Circle:$25;
Adult: $17.50; Senior/Student/
PC: $15; Youth: $7.50; and tu-
dent w/ ID: $7.50.

Psuedo-Blink 182 band Plus 44 releases ‘When Your Heart Stops Beating’
By Joe Fidago
Contributing writer
The members of now defunct
Blink-182 have had a busy past
few years since the band decided
to call it quits.
While there were only three
members (Mark Hoppus, Tom
DeLonge and Travis Barker),
if you include Plus 44 this is
the fourth band besides Blink-
182 in which they have been
involved in.
Tom’s second side project
(his first being Boxcar Racer)
is a band familiar to many now,
Angels and Airwaves.
Mark and Travis are back to-
gether again in Plus 44, who will
release their new CD, “When
Your Heart Stops Beating,” on
Tuesday.
The band gets their name from
the international dialing code
in the UK, which is where the
project was first discussed.
Along with the two pop-punk
legends, the band also includes
Shane Gallagher of The Ner-
vous Return and Craig Fair-
baugh of The Mercy Killers.
Know that from the first track,
“Lycanthrope,” you may get a
Blink-182 meets alternative-rock
vibe. However, this is anything
but, especially once you get to
the latter part of the album.
That’s not to say that if you
like Blink-182 you will be disap-
pointed.
I think the Blink-182 fans are
most of the reason why this
album has so much hype sur-
rounding it.
Apparently the preliminary
idea was to make an electronic
album, and according to Barker,
some of the drums played are
still electronic.
The overall vibe changed once
they got in the studio and they
strayed away from the original.
However, some of the elec-
tronic vibe is still evident on
“155.”
“Cliff Diving” and especially
“Make You Smile” are both big
departures from the Blink-182
sound.
The first is still an upbeat song
but is a total 180 from what lis-
teners would expect. “Make You
Smile” is an acoustic/electronic
track.
One of the most surprising
things about this album is that
out of 12 tracks, a good six to
eight of them have potential
to be singles, which is pretty
impressive.
The first five in a row all
could be released and become
big hits.
This includes the first single,
“When Your Heart Stops Beat-
ing.”
Overall this is definitely an
album and worth checking out,
especially if you might have
found Blink-182 to be a little too
poppy for your tastes.
Another fun fact is the total
album time.
It amounts to – you guessed
it – 44:00.

WE PAY THE MOST FOR YOUR BOOKS!

CASH FOR BOOKS

Sell them back at the
MERCYHURST COLLEGE
BOOKSTORE

Nov. 13th thru Nov. 15th

(Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday)
8:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 16th

8:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
 PAGE 10
LAKER
SPORTS
Cullen Eddy (right) and the Mercyhurst Lakers are trying to get back on their feet after a
stunning overtime loss to Sacred Heart Saturday. The Lakers are now 2-6 overall.
Men’s hockey blows four
goal lead at Sacred Heart
The Mercyhurst men’s hockey
By Matt Jackson
Co-Sports editor
team may be a victim of its own
tradition of success this season.
The season is just eight games
old and the buzz seems to be that
this is going to be an off year for
the Lakers.
The problem is that fans’ ex-
pectations of the Lakers are so
high because of their ability to
compete at the top of their con-
ference year after year.
The expectations and hopes of
the fans reached an even higher
level with the team’s appearance
in the NCAA tournament two
seasons ago, where they showed
a gutsy performance against
national powerhouse Boston
College in a nationally televised
game.
Now, as the team struggles,
many believe they have no shot
of returning to the national tour-
nament this season.
It’s not that the thoughts are
unwarranted, as Mercyhurst is
2-6 overall and 2-4 in the Atlantic
Hockey (AH) conference.
The overtime loss to Con-
Mercyhurst to host National
Catholic Invitational Saturday
By Matt Jackson
Co-Sports editor
Mercyhurst will host the Na-
tional Catholic Invitational wres-
tling tournament Saturday in the
Mercyhurst Athletic Center.
The event, which begins at 9
a.m., will feature six other teams
besides the Lakers, including
Division I Duquesne, region rival
Gannon, John Carroll, Mercy-
hurst North East, Sacred Heart
and Notre Dame of Ohio.
The Lakers enter the event with
an 0-3 dual record after compet-
ing in the Avalon Duals, possibly
the toughest competition the
Lakers will see all year.
Paterno still taking part in Penn
State game plan despite injury
By Frank Fitzpatrick
MCT newspaper
PHILADELPHIA- Joe Pa-
terno’s broken leg might be
bothering him, but there’s noth-
ing wrong with his fingers or his
throat.
Penn State’s coach, recuperat-
ing restlessly at Mount Nittany
Medical Center after surgery
on his left leg, has been on the
phone constantly with his assis-
tants as they prepare the Nittany
Lions for Saturday’s game with
Temple.
“He’s been driving us crazy
with calls and different things
To contact: sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
necticut, a team the Lakers beat
seven of eight times the previous
two seasons, didn’t help matters
either.
With that said, by no means
should the Lakers be written off
at this point.
It all starts at the top and Rick
Gotkin, in his 19th year at Mercy-
hurst, is not a losing coach.
In those 19 years of service,
the most of any Mercyhurst
head coach in school history,
Gotkin has had just two losing
seasons, one of which was in his
first year.
The last time Gotkin suffered
through a losing season was over
a decade ago in 1994.
It should also be noted that six
of Mercyhurst’s eight games were
played on the road. The Lakers
are 1-5 in those six games with
the only win coming against last
year’s conference champion Holy
Cross by a score of 7-5.
A lot can happen in the 26
games that remain in the Lakers’
season and as long as they can
qualify for the conference tour-
nament they have as much of a
chance as any other team.
The Lakers appeared as if they
were going to take a step in the
right direction Saturday in the
Edinboro, Maryland and Stan-
ford all handed Mercyhurst
losses.
Leonard Calhoun was the
only Laker wrestler able to get a
win against Edinboro in a 36-3
loss. Calhoun, wrestling at 141
pounds, defeated the Fighting
Scots’ Darryl Cocozzo 6-4 in
O.T.
Junior Hudson Harrison nearly
had the surprise of the day when
he just missed getting a pin over
nationally ranked Deonte Penn
at 165 pounds.
The Lakers had a bit more
success against Maryland and
Stanford losing 22-12 and 28-19
respectively.
Don Cummings picked up wins
for practice. . . . He’s champing
at the bit to get back,” defensive
coordinator Tom Bradley said
on Tuesday.
“He’s in constant touch with
all of us,” offensive coordinator
Galen Hall said. “He’s carrying
on, except it’s from a hospital
bed.”
Paterno suffered a fractured leg
and torn knee ligaments when
two players struck him along the
sideline at Wisconsin Saturday.
He underwent surgery Sunday.
His top two assistants said they
weren’t yet sure whether the 79-
year-old planned to coach from
the press box on Saturday or
from some sort of mobilized cart
THE MERCIAD
Andy Finkel/Photo editor
second game of the weekend
against Sacred Heart, but a mon-
umental third period collapse has
the team looking for answers
heading into a two-week break
from competition.
Senior Scott Champagne scored
his second goal of the game to
give Mercyhurst a seemingly in-
surmountable 4-0 lead with just
6:30 left in regulation.
Pierre-Luc O’Brien finally got
the Pioneers on the board with
a goal at the 15:57 mark of the
third period.
Sacred Heart then scored three
goals in 1:47 seconds, including
two by O’Brien to give him the
hat trick. The third goal, which
tied the game, came with just 13
seconds left in regulation.
The comeback was completed
by Alexandre Parent 3:44 into the
first overtime.
Ryan Toomey and Chris Traf-
ford also had goals for Mercy-
hurst in the losing effort, while
goalie Jordan Wakefield made
34 saves.
The Lakers will not compete
again until Nov. 17, when they
play Canisius in the first of four
consecutive Mercyhurst home
games.
in both matches to finish the day
2-1, the only Laker to do so.
Cummings wrestling at 149, de-
feated the Terrapins’ Alex Krom
8-7 and pinned Stanford’s Steven
Frehn in 2:32.
Braxdon Scaletta and Andy
Lamancusa both picked up their
first wins for Mercyhurst in the
loss to Maryland.
Scaletta won 8-2 while La-
mancusa, a freshman, beat Eric
Grida 8-7.
Trevor Gallo also won for the
Lakers in the Maryland match.
Seniors J.J. Zanetta and Zack
Schafer had wins against Stan-
ford as did heavyweight Kenny
Bluska.
on the sideline.
“We don’t know yet,” Bradley
said. “But he’ll let us know.”
In other Penn State news, line-
backer Paul Posluszny has been
selected as one of four finalists
for the Lombardi Award.
The other finalists for the
honor, presented annually to the
nation’s top lineman or lineback-
er, are Texas guard Justin Blalock,
Ohio State defensive tackle Quinn
Pitcock, and Michigan defensive
end LaMarr Woodley.
The winner will be revealed
Dec. 6 at a ceremony in Hous-
ton.
Mourey and Warren
set school records
By Chris Davis
Contributing writer
The Mercyhurst Lakers field
hockey team ended their season
on a positive note as they de-
feated Houghton College 9-2 at
Tullio Field on Nov. 1.
The Lakers finished their sea-
son with a record of 7-8 while
Houghton fell to 8-8 with the
loss.
During the contest the Lakers
broke two single game records
and tied a third.
Senior Vanessa Mourey broke
the school record with her four
assists during the game while the
team broke the record for 27 to-
tal points during the event.
Freshman Emily Warren scored
four goals during the game,
which tied the school record.
Her first goal came two min-
utes into the game, which gave
the Lakers the lead for good.
She scored the hat trick during
the final minute of the first half
before tying the record in the
second half.
“I was just trying my best and I
happened to break a record while
doing it,” Warren said. “It’s a
honor to tie the school record
and get my first hat trick.”
“I just wanted to leave every-
thing on the field considering
it was the last game and the last
time I would be playing with the
seniors who have taught me so
much throughout the year.”
Warren, sophomore Haley Bro-
chu and Mourey tied for the team
lead in goals with seven. Mourey
led the team with 21 points and
seven assists.
Senior goalkeeper Julie Smith
finished her career with 518
saves, a new school record,
breaking the previous mark of
488 by Lindsay Christopher.
Smith also has broken the
school record for most career
Laker
Galley Grill
Galley specials after fall
break:
Pizza Stuffed Pretzels
Jalapeno Stuffed Pretzels
Funnel cake
Broccoli Cheddar bites
Lunch:
M-Southwest Burger
T- Portabello Mushroom
Sandwich
Wednesday Wraps!
Th- Taco Salad
F-Chicken Patty
S- Cheeseburger
Laker Express
Look for Laker Express
Minute Meals!
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Thursday 11:30 - 8 p.m.
Board Equivalency Available: Friday
11:30-8:00pm
Saturday & Sunday Closed
Coffee Bar
NEW ADDITIONS
Oct.: Hot Caramel
Cider
Nov.: Chai Tea and
flavor shot
Dec.: Peppermint patty
hot chocolate
November 8, 2006
Andy Finkel/Photo editor
Senior Vanessa Mourey set a school record for assists in
a game with four in a 9-2 win over Houghton.
shutouts with 17 during her ca- leave.
reer as a Laker. “The seniors were such good
Smith enjoyed her four years leaders and I will miss how they
at Mercyhurst. “I would not played the game along with
have traded playing Laker Field their positive attitude that they
Hockey for anything in the brought,” said Gaudette. “They
world,” she said. may not have led in statistical
“It’s hard to face the reality that categories, but they helped teach
it’s over, but I’ll never forget any how to play the game.”
of the people that made playing Coach Gaudette added, “The
here possible.” team had the toughest schedule
Smith also added that she will in Division II and they played
miss her teammates and has extremely well.”
many memories that were made Warren explained that her first
within the four walls of the season here at Mercyhurst was an
locker room. amazing experience. “I felt that
“A lot of the girls on the my first season here was a dream
team are definitely the kinds come true,” she said.
of friends that you have for a Warren believes the young
lifetime. My best memories are freshman crew learned a lot dur-
mostly in the locker room before ing their first season.
practices and games with the girls “I think our team will be even
that have come and gone over stronger next year because we
the past four years. There’s just understand our new setup on the
something really special about field and we all know each others
being at your home turf and position and the jobs of them,”
going out there to defend what’s said Warren. “We played a lot of
yours. We get really fired up in good teams that are ranked na-
there.” tionally and we had our chances
Coach Stacey Gaudette will be we just never finished.”
disappointed to see these seniors
Inn
Fall Term
Dinner:
S- Turkey Burger
M- Sloppy Joe
T- Philly Cheesesteak
W- Laker Burger
Th- Barbeque Chicken
F- Sizzlin’ Salad
S - Sausage
Look for Caramel Apples!
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 1 a.m.
Saturday 1 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Sunday 5 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Wraps
Buffalo Chicken
Barbeque Chicken
Veggie and hummus
Bacon, Lettuce and
Tomato
11:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday 2 p.m. - 9 p.m.
November 8, 2006
Women’s soccer falls just short
By Andy Tait
Contributing writer
The Mercyhurst women’s
soccer team fell 2-1 to the
University of Indianapolis in
the semifinals of the NCAA
Division II Great Lakes Re-
gional Tournament on Friday,
Nov. 3.
The Lakers made their first
appearance in the national
tournament since 2001.
Unfortunately, two goals from
Indianapolis forward Amanda
Reese pushed the Greyhounds
into the regional final at the
expense of the Lakers.
Mercyhurst put in a valiant
performance in their final game
of the season but came up
against a team in red hot form,
having won six and tied one of
its last seven games.
Indianapolis opened the scor-
ing in the 20th minute as Reese
fired past Mercyhurst goalkeep-
er Rebecca Heintzman from 12
yards out.
The score would remain 1-0
until Reese added a second in
the 81st minute.
A quick counterattack from
the Greyhounds caught the
Lakers napping and Reese fin-
ished off low to Heintzman’s
right on a breakaway.
The Lakers showed the fight-
ing spirit that has been a staple
of the team this year and pulled
a goal back in the 87th min-
ute through top scorer Sarah
Powell.
Powell blasted home her 18th
maker of the year from a free
kick just outside the box to give
the Lakers a glimmer of hope.
The Greyhounds held on for
their 17th win of the season.
Women’s hockey takes to world stage
By Ryan Palm
Sports editor
The 2006-07 version of the
Mercyhurst women’s hockey
team is very internationally di-
verse, an attribute that will be
displayed this weekend at the
annual Four Nations Cup.
The event consists of a week-
long tournament that features
the four highest ranked countries
in women’s hockey: Canada,
Finland, Sweden and the United
States.
Mercyhurst will send four
freshmen to the tournament, as
they represent three of the four
teams.
The event will be held in Kitch-
ener, Ontario at the Kitchener
Memorial Auditorium Complex,
and runs from Nov. 7 to Nov.
11.
Playing for Team Canada will
be Meghan Agosta, who also
played for the Canadian Olym-
pic team in 2006 that won gold
Men’s soccer loses 6-1 in NCAA Regional
By Finella Annand
Contributing writer
It was heartbreak for the Mer-
cyhurst men’s soccer team this
weekend as they fell at the first
hurdle of the NCAA playoff
tournament.
They lost 6-1 on Thursday
night to an on-form SIU Ed-
wardsville team, who went into
the game ranked sixth in the na-
tion and first in the region.
It was a particularly difficult
score line to stomach, consider-
ing Mercyhurst’s stellar defensive
form this season.
It was the first loss of the sea-
son by more than a goal for the
Lakers and it was the first time
that they had conceded more
than two goals in a game.
The loss ends the men’s season
Midfielder Finella Annand (7) is one of several key seniors who played their final game last week.
The Lakers had their chances
in the game but they were un-
able to capitalize.
“It was a tough game and we
played well, but it just wasn’t
meant to be,” said senior cap-
tain Finella Annand.
The Lakers were outshot 22-
18 in the contest.
The Greyhounds also held
a 13-8 advantage in shots on
goal.
Heintzman turned in a big
performance in goal for the
Lakers as she made a career-
high 11 saves.
Mercyhurst concludes the
2006 season with a 16-4 record,
which ties the second most
Freshman Meghan Agosta is one of four participating in the
Four Nations Cup Nov. 7-11 in Kitchener, Ontario.
medal in Torino, Italy.
“It seems like the Olympics
just ended, but to get back with
my teammates is awesome,” said
Agosta in an interview on the
Mercyhurst Athletic Web site.
“I miss them and I am excited
to play with them again. I’m
honored and excited to be able
File Photo
Senior Andy Tait
and closes the curtains for some
integral senior players.
The men went in at half time
with only a one-goal deficit to
overcome.
SIU drew first blood and hit
the Lakers with two goals in the
middle of the first half.
THE MERCIAD
wins in the team’s history.
The Lakers also shared the
GLIAC title with Grand Valley
State. Both teams were 7-1 in
the conference. The Lakers had
defeated GVSU by three goals
to nil earlier in the season but
unfortunately head-to-head is
not taken into consideration in
the GLIAC.
“I have loved every minute of
this season and it has been by
far my favorite of my four years
here,” said Annand, reflecting
on a very successful year for
the Lakers.
Mercyhurst can boast the
scalp of Grand Valley State
University, who managed to
Andy Finkel photo
to wear the maple leaf again,”
she said.
Canada is likely to be consid-
ered the favorite in the 2006
version of the cup, as they are
the defending champions and
have won eight of the last ten
events.
The team features a number of
It was the Mercyhurst defense
who answered back just before
the break as senior captain Andy
Tait took a pass from junior
Marty Powell and buried it past
the Cougar goalkeeper for his
third goal of the year.
The Mercyhurst men came out
in the second half knowing that
the next goal would determine
the course of the game.
Unfortunately for them it was
SIU who gained the upper hand
as Kevin Bielicki scored past
Danny Mudd at 56:12.
The Lakers fought hard, know-
ing that they still had time for a
dramatic comeback. However,
it was not to be for Mercyhurst
this year.
The men suffered a tough
blow when midfielder Nicholas
Thompson was ejected from the
field in the 65th minute for a late
To contact: sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
progress to the NCAA quar-
terfinals on Sunday by defeating
Indianapolis 2-1.
GVSU was No.3 in the coun-
try at the time and the Lakers
played them off the park in
front of over 500 home fans.
A few weeks later the Lakers
pulled off a remarkable come-
from-behind win against Slip-
pery Rock University.
The Lakers trailed 2-0 until
the final five minutes of the
game and goals from Powell
and Karla Vogt dramatically
forced the game into over-
time.
Senior forward Lisa Casement
smashed home a sudden death
players from teams Mercyhurst
played against over the last year,
including two from Dartmouth
and one each from St. Lawrence,
Wisconsin and Harvard.
Suiting up for the Finland team
will be defender Katariina Soik-
kanen, who is also excited to see
old friends.
“Getting a chance to play for
Team Finland in the Four Na-
tions’ Cup is a great honor. It’s
a big challenge to play against the
best players and best teams in the
world. It’s also nice to see all my
friends and teammates whom I
haven’t seen in a long time,” said
Soikkanen.
The Finnish team also features
some Division I talent, including
a trio of players from power-
house Minnesota Duluth as well
as one from Providence College,
a team Mercyhurst defeated twice
last month.
Two Lakers will represent
Sweden in forward Angelica
Lorsell and defender Johanna
Malmstrom. The Cup will be
challenge.
The supposed red card offense
seemed to warrant little more
than a yellow but the referee
stuck by his decision and sent
Thompson packing.
“The referee’s decision to send
Nick off was very harsh,” said
Tait. “It really killed off any
hopes we had of getting back in
the game because it gave them
so much space and time to move
the ball. It ended the game as a
spectacle.”
To add to the men’s misery
Tait had to leave the field twice
to receive treatment for an open
wound on his face.
SIU Edwardsville capitalized
on their two-man advantage and
hit the stretched Mercyhurst side
with three late goals to end the
game at 6-1
Despite the disappointment
Andy Finkel photo
overtime winner for the Lakers
as they stunned the Slippery
Rock fans.
The final game of the regular
season saw the Lakers square
up against cross-town rival
Gannon.
Gannon had never beaten
the Lakers in the history of the
two teams’ encounters and the
Golden Knights had the op-
portunity to crush the Lakers’
playoff hopes.
However, despite trailing by
two goals at half time and with
their season hanging by a thread
the Lakers smashed in four
goals to seal a memorable 4-3
victory on Gannon’s field.
the second for Malmstrom, who
is excited to return.
“It will be really nice to meet
all the Swedish players, and I’m
looking forward to see how much
these two months of practice
with this great team have devel-
oped me,” said Malmstrom.
Sweden features two other
players from American college
hockey from Minnesota Du-
luth.
“As we try to attract the best
student athletes around the
world, we are competing with
programs and schools that are
known worldwide for their aca-
demics or hockey progams,” said
Laker Coach Mike Sisti.
“We are doing pretty well in
bringing in some of the world’s
best players into a small school
when compared with traditional
powerhouses.”
The four players in the tourna-
ment are sure to provide some
international coverage for the
small school from Erie.
“It gives Mercyhurst College
of the loss it was a great season
for the Mercyhurst men’s soccer
team.
They finished the regular sea-
son 17-3, which tied the school
record for most wins in a sea-
son.
“The 6-1 score line was not a
fair reflection of the game,” said
Tait. “I was proud of the lads’ ef-
forts against SIU and throughout
the year”
Tait is one of the senior players
who will not pull on the green of
Mercyhurst again.
Along with him the team loses
more international experience
in the shape of Canadian born
Jason Pedra, Norwegian Bjorn
Alnaes and Shotaro Itaya, a na-
tive of Japan.
The Lakers also let go of some
home grown talent in the form
of Zach Hiltner, Matt Richards
Page 11
LAKER
SPORTS
The win gave Mercyhurst a
share of GLIAC title and guar-
anteed them a playoff berth.
The team’s goal at the be-
ginning of the year was to
make the NCAA tournament
and that is exactly what they
achieved.
“It is a shame we couldn’t go
further but we have had a fan-
tastic season,” said Annand.
The Lakers will need to re-
place four key players next
season.
Influential midfielder Finella
Annand, prolific goalscorer
Lisa Casement, tireless mid-
fielder Maria Amicone and
three-year starting goalkeeper
Karen Eade will all graduate
this year.
“We are really going to miss
the seniors, particularly Fin and
Lisa who have contributed mas-
sively to the success of the team
over the past few years,” said
junior defender Jacque Sluga.
Sluga has been a stalwart at
the back for the Lakers this year
and she believes the future for
Mercyhurst women’s soccer is
bright despite the loss of big
players.
The Lakers will return nine
starters from this year’s team
next season. With a few new
additions there is no reason
why the team cannot go from
strength to strength.
“The team will be very strong
next year and I am excited to see
how they do,” said Annand.
The 2006 season has been
a great success and there is a
great belief within the program
that the team is back where
it belongs as a major force in
Division II.
some great worldwide publicity,
not only for hockey but for its
academics too,” said Sisti.
Sisti noted that two of the
tournament’s games will be car-
ried on Canada’s TSN, which is
equivalent to ESPN in the U.S.
That means that at least one
player from Mercyhurst in both
games will play in front of an
audience from all over Canada.
Action gets started Tuesday
when Finland and Sweden play
followed by USA vs. Canada as
the nightcap. On Wednesday it
will be Finland vs. USA followed
by Sweden vs. Canada.
Thursday is an off-day for all
four teams, but will be back in ac-
tion Friday with Sweden vs. USA
and Canada vs. Finland.
Saturday is the conclusion of
the tournament, as the top two
teams compete for the gold and
silver medals, with a consolation
game being played for bronze.
and Dan Young.
Tait, Pedra and Hiltner have
carried the distinction of being
named to the All-GLIAC teams
during their college career.
Tait and Pedra have also held
the honor of being picked for the
Regional teams in the past.
The fulltime whistle at SIU, in
some ways, marked the end of
an era for the Mercyhurst men’s
soccer team.
Head coach Keith Cammidge
loses his inaugural recruiting
class of players as his seven se-
niors hang up their boots.
Cammidge knows that he will
have to scout hard in order to
replace the mix of talent that
he is losing, as the men look to
improve next year and build on
the continuing success of the
program.
 PAGE 12 THE MERCIAD November 8, 2006

LAKER
SPORTS To contact: sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu

Laker Sports “Quick Hits” Women’s hockey at No. 2

This Weeks Results...
Lakers sweep Colgate 4-2 and 3-1 to move to 9-0-1 overall
Women’s soccer......................................Nov. 3, L 2-1 Indianapolis By Ryan Palm
Sports editor
Men’s soccer....................................Nov. 2, L 6-1 SIU Edwardsville
Football..............................................Nov. 4, L 45-19, Indianapolis
Although the weekend started
Women’s hockey..........................................Nov. 3, W 4-2, Colgate off on the wrong foot, the Mer-
Nov. 4, W 3-1, Colgate cyhurst women’s hockey team
Men’s hockey........................................Nov. 3, L 6-4, Sacred Heart ended it in style with a pair of
Nov. 4, L 5-4 (OT), Sacred Heart
wins over pesky non-conference
foe Colgate.
Wrestling....................................................Nov. 4, L 36-3, Edinboro The Lakers went into the week-
Nov. 4, L 22-12, Maryland end ranked No. 3, but their two
Nov, 4, L 28-19, Stanford wins, coupled with a New Hamp-
Men’s cross country.................Nov. 4, 21 of 23, NCAA Regionals
shire loss, bumped Mercyhurst
up a notch to the No. 2 ranking.
Women’s cross country...........Nov. 4, 23 of 24, NCAA Regionals The ranking is the highest in
Women’s basketball..................Nov. 4, L 87-47, St. Bonaventure school history, and comes as a
demonstration of the team’s ef-
fort and dedication.
Friday night’s contest started
In the news... with the Lakers in a position they
have not experienced often, be- Ryan Palm/Sports editor
ing on the losing side rather than
Senior Julia Colizza scored a goal and three assists on the weekend against Colgate.
the winning.
Colgate scored six minutes into job of perservering,” said Coach credited with the assists on the vide an excellent test for Sisti’s
the contest, and led 1-0 until Mike Sisti, “We were down twice goal. Lakers. “It’s going to be a tough
freshman Meghan Agosta evened early in the game and battled Chouinard notched her second week for us next week with final
the score with her sixth goal of back to take the lead and get goal of the game, third of the exams and then heading to St.
the year. the win.” weekend, at the 12:17 mark of Lawrence,” said Sisti.
Colgate took back the lead a “Our players did a good job the third period to put the Lakers “It drains the players taking
few minutes later making the of being patient on Friday and ahead 3-1. tests Monday through Wednes-
game 2-1, a score that did not finding a way to win in a choppy Colizza picked up her third as- day and then leaving for the
stand for long. type of game,” he said. sist of the night on the goal. weekend early Thursday. It will
Just 20 seconds after the sec- Saturday’s game was one of Overall the Lakers were three be tough to remain focused and
ond Colgate goal, junior forward steady scoring for Mercyhurst, of six on the power play, and sharp, but we’re going to do our
Stephanie Jones lit the lamp to tie as the Lakers picked up a goal outshot Colgate 29-15. best,” he said.
the game at 2-2. in each of the game’s three Hosier stopped 14 of 15 shots The very next weekend Mer-
Senior captain Julia Colizza periods. she faced to improve her record cyhurst is back on the road for
gave Mercyhurst their first lead Chouinard started the scoring to 9-0-0 on the year. another weekend of top-ten
of the game three minutes later late in the first period when she Mercyhurst rests this weekend matchups.
with her sixth goal of the year. scored on the power play with due to final exams next week, On Nov. 24 Mercyhurst plays
The scoring was finished up by assists credited to Jones and but one of the biggest weekends No. 9 Boston College, and on
sophomore Valerie Chouinard Colizza. on the schedule is rapidly ap- Nov. 25 the Lakers face No. 3
with a goal during the opening Jones then took her turn to proaching. New Hampshire.
Andy Finkel photo minutes of the third period. score, banking home a power On Nov. 17-18 Mercyhurst “These teams are good enough
Mercyhurst defender Andy Tait (5) was honored by the Junior goalie Laura Hosier play goal 30 seconds into the travels to Canton, N.Y. to take to beat anyone at any time, and
NCAA for his play in last week’s playoff game. made 14 saves for the contest. middle period. on No. 6 St. Lawrence. we now have a even bigger bulls-
“In game one we did a good Chouinard and Colizza were The pair of games will pro- eye on our back,” said Sisti.

Tait honored by NCAA

Soccer’s Andy Tait was named to the NCAA Great Lakes
Football falls to Indianapolis in finale
Regional All-Tournament Team last week. Tait was responsible
for the lone goal in the NCAA playoff game that Mercyhurst Richard Stokes scored on a 7-
By Chris Van Horn
lost 6-1 to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on yard touchdown run to account
Contributing writer
Thursday. for the Lakers final points of
the season.
Tait was selected by the four coaches of the regional qualifiers, The Mercyhurst Lakers foot- This was the final game for 16
as each eliminated team received one spot on the All- ball team did not end the season seniors on the team.
Tournament team. Mercyhurst finished 17-4 on the season, the way they had hoped. “They were unique players,
which tied the school record for the most victories in a season. After winning two of their last both on and off the field. They
three games, the Lakers fell at accomplished a lot on the field
Earlier this season Mercyhurst won the GLIAC Championship Indianapolis by a 45-19 score. and in the classroom. These
with a 9-1 record in conference play. Mercyhurst did not give them- guys were exactly what you ex-
selves much of a chance as they pect from a student athlete, and
gave up 24 unanswered points to they carried this team through
GLIAC honors Butler start the game. adversity.”
It was the last second of the After playing solid run defense
The GLIAC named volleyball’s freshman setter Julia Butler to
first half when the Lakers fi- last week, Mercyhurst surren-
their honorable mention team on Nov. 3. Butler totaled 584
nally got on the board with Jeff dered 207 rushing yards on 41
assists on the year, good for eighth in the conference. She Andy Finkel photo
Nowling’s 14-yard touchdown attempts. The Mercyhurst defense struggled against Indianapolis,
also finished third on the team in digs with 169 on the year.
reception that made the score The run defense has plagued surrendering 207 rushing yards in the game.
24-6. the Lakers for most of the past
The young Lakers struggled during the season, finishing
“We had some chances early two seasons. forts were turned in by line- touchdown.
7-18 and 2-15 in the GLIAC. The team consisted of 10
on in the game to make some Three Lakers turnovers didn’t backers Bryan Boyce and Jim Despite graduating 16 play-
underclassmen of the 15 players on its roster.
plays and we just didn’t make help in the effort either. Kokrak. ers this year, the Laker team is
them. The momentum swung On the flip side, the Lakers Kokrak led the team with 13 still young, and there is reason
Women’s hockey up to No. 2 and they were able to make the couldn’t get their own running tackles while Boyce turned in a for optimism heading into next
plays that we couldn’t and we game started, and managed just career high with 12 tackles of season.
The Mercyhurst women’s hockey team found themselves at dug ourselves a big hole,” coach 29 yards on only 11 carries.
the No. 2 position in a shuffled top-ten ranking as published his own. “We have a lot of guys coming
Marty Schaetzle said. Mercyhurst finishes the season It was also a milestone day for back and the recruiting classes
by USCHO.com. The poll is created by votes from 12 Division I The Lakers cut the score to with a mark of 3-7, a one game
programs and three women’s hockey writers. quarterback Mitch Phillis, who have gotten stronger and I feel
24-12 early in the third quarter improvement from last year’s threw for 225 yards. that the competition for play-
on Mark Watson’s 49-yard touch- team. Phillis is now in third place on ing time will benefit this team.
The latest version, published Nov. 6, is down reception. The Lakers could have had a the all-time passing list at Mercy- Next year starts with the weight
However, the comeback at- couple more tallies in the win col- hurst with 3,699 passing yards. room, and that’s our first step,”
Team (First Place) Record Pts Last Poll tempt ended there as Indianapo- umn, as two of their losses came
1. Wisconsin (15) 11-0-1 150 1 Senior Mark Watson led the Schaetzle said.
lis put up 14 unanswered points by a total of just seven points. Lakers receivers with four grabs
2. Mercyhurst 9-0-1 132 3 to take a 38-19 lead. Solid individual defensive ef-
3. New Hampshire 9-1-0 108 2 for 89 yards and his 49-yard
4. Minnesota 6-3-1 90 8
5. Dartmouth
6. St. Lawrence
4-2-0
8-2-0
87
83
7
5
Cross country finishes season at NCAA Regionals
7. Minnesota-Duluth 8-2-0 58 4 It seems that the Grand Valley for next season. won the women’s title, with just
8. Harvard 3-1-0 48 6 By Andy Kavulich
State Lakers are not only good With the men’s season com- a total of 47 points anchored
8. Boston College 7-1-1 35 10 Contributing writer
at football but can dominate the ing to an end, also does the by the individual victor, Laura
10. Princeton 4-0-2 31 9 course as well. women’s season. The women Aderman.
The Mercyhurst men’s cross All five GVSU runners placed finished 23rd out of 24 teams Much like the men, the Lady
Women’s tennis players honored country team took 21st in the 23 in the top 13, giving them only 36 at the NCAA Division II Great Lakers’ best moment came at
team field of the NCAA Division points for the easy victory. Lakes Regional Championships the California (Pa.) Invitational,
Four Mercyhurst tennis players earned GLIAC honors for their II Great Lakes Regional Champi- The Mercyhurst men ended at Wisconsin-Parkside. where the team placed second
play this season. Jennifer Daly was named First Team All- onships at Wisconsin-Parkside. their season with the finish of Victoria Caruso finished as the as a team.
GLIAC. Daly played in both No. 1 doubles and No. 2 singles. Josh Peterson came in 77th Regional. only Laker in the top 100, placing Jarocki was the individual
place, leading the Lakers with a Their biggest moment came in 64th, with a time of 24:05 in the champions in the 5K with a
Freshman Elizabeth Mullane was named to the Second Team. time of 34:51 in the 10K event. their first meet of the season at six K course. time of 20:40.
Mullane finished the season 11-6 in singles play and 8-7 in Teammate Kenneth Foster the California (Pa.) Invitational. Teammates K atie Jarocki The Laker women will also lose
doubles. followed seven seconds later Mercyhurst had five top eight fin- (114th), Carrie Franze (148th), three seniors, but are looking
for an 87th place finish. Matt ishers, including a second place Sara Rex (157th), and Laura forward with their youth gain
Chelsea Downing and Meghan raynor received Honorable Deragon took 119th, Jon Lyons finish overall by Foster. McCarthy placed 158th to trail experience as five freshmen, and
Mention status 131st and Nate Smith 140th for They also went on to destroy Caruso. five sophomores will be ready
the Lakers. rival Gannon at the Gannon Mercyhurst had a total of 641 next season.
Mercyhurst had a total of 554 Invitational, winning 20-42. points, edging Kentucky Weslyan The Lakers are also expected
Quick hits are compiled by sports editor Ryan Palm. Any- points and just edged out St Jo- The Lakers will lose three se- with 752 points. to return two juniors Victoria
thing worthy of being a “quick hit” should be emailed to seph’s (Indiana), with 588 points, niors, and will look for their six Following the men’s victory the Caruso, and Allison Babcock to
sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu. and Gannon with 687 points. sophomores to pick up the slack Lakers of Grand Valley State also help lead the way.