Short wait

for weights? Vol.84,

No.6/10/
20/10/
Free

College adds $250,000 varsity

training facility to Ice Center

What’s MyMail?

Love it!

Hockey’s Harper
Senior rower vying for
Can’t access it.

finishes lengthy
Rhodes Scholarship journey to crease Online poll results:
What do you think of the
Page 4 Page 8 new MyMail system?
Page 2
Athletes-only weight room added to Ice Center
Trustee donates equipment for $250,000 facility
By Ethan Magoc
Editor-in-chief
Mercyhurst College’s varsity ath-
letes will soon have a new place to
pump iron.
College administrators recently
approved the construction of a
$250,000 weight lifting wing to be
connected to the Ice Center’s east
wall. The 2,970-square foot facility
will be restricted for athletes’ use
only.
Work on the structure began
quickly and without notice to stu-
dents, faculty and staff during the
week of Oct. 4.
But the project’s realization came
slowly.
“About three years ago,” says
Provost Dr. James Adovasio, “a
strength and conditioning coach
visited from Hockey Canada to
speak about training consider-
ations for our world class hockey
players.”
The Hockey Canada official sug-
gested to women’s hockey coach
Michael Sisti that a weight training
facility––similar to the one being
built on the south end of campus–
–should exist at Mercyhurst.
“Mike approached (President Dr.)
Tom Gamble and I about it on sev-
eral occasions, and this year it proved
to be feasible,” Adovasio said.
Steve Gratkowski of StruXures, LLC, cuts a steel beam on
Monday near the Mercyhurst Ice Center.
The weight lifting wing will be connected to the Ice Center’s east wall. Construction is expected to be completed by Christmas.
The $250,000 project is funded
through the college’s capital budget,
which includes all sources of rev-
enue such as charitable gifts, grants
and student tuition.
The structural price tag does not
include the actual equipment to
be housed within the 66’x45’ foot
wing. Owen McCormick, owner of
Joseph McCormick Construction
Company, Inc., donated $117,000
worth of equipment, which has
not yet been delivered to campus.
McCormick has served on the col-
lege’s Board of Trustees since 2002,
and the facility will bear his family’s
name.
The need
Beyond Hockey Canada’s recom-
Ethan Magoc photo
NEWS
mendation, Mercyhurst has had a
demand for a varsity-only weight
training center for quite some time,
according to Director of Athletics
Joe Kimball.
“This was in the works before
I got here (July 2009),” he said.
“When you have 565 athletes on
campus who need to weight train,
they could dominate the Rec Center
almost every day.”
While Recreation Center staff
do not tally student attendance, nor
account for how often varsity athletes
visit, the weight and fitness areas are
crunched during peak hours or when
teams go for group training.
“You’ve seen what happens
when they all roll in,” Adovasio
said, “especially when there’s 20 or
so at the same time.”
But the facility will serve another
need for all sports programs.
Kimball spoke of the gap he sees
between schools that offer mostly
Division I athletics and programs
like Mercyhurst’s, which offers 24
varsity sports, but only hockey at
the Division I level.
Universities that fund large
Division I programs in football,
basketball, hockey and other major
sports furnish more advantages to
student athletes, lending coaches
in every sport a significant arrow
in their quiver during recruiting
battles.
In particular, Kimball noted
lavish facilities at the University
of Minnesota while he was there
for the 2010 NCAA Frozen Four,
where Mercyhurst lost to Cornell
University in the semifinals.
“We’re not Minnesota. We’re
not Wisconsin. We’re not those
schools,” Kimball said. “But things
we can do to close the gap a little
bit is what we want to focus on.”
Adovasio, who also traveled to
Minneapolis in March for the tour-
nament, agreed.
“When you can point out to a
potential recruit and their parents
that you have invested in a dedicated
facility...it goes a long way to show
the college is invested in something
like that,” he said.
The provost also spoke of fulfill-
ing obligations to current athletes.
“They’ve chosen to come here
because they think this is the best
place to succeed, both academically
and athletically,” he said. “We have
a responsibility to make sure that’s
the case.”
Funding
Adovasio addressed student con-
cerns about general tuition dollars
being appropriated to a project
which will directly benefit less than
20 percent of the student body.
“Theoretically, there’s some
(tuition) here and there,” he said.
“You could say that when you go
outside and see maintenance cut-
ting the grass, part of your tuition
paid for the lawnmower.
“In that sense, yes, just like every-
thing else we build, some of your
tuition money is there. All capital
investments represent pieces of all
the revenue sources.”
Other than McCormick, no
donors have yet come forward to
help defray costs of building the
weight room.
Parking plight
The construction phase has
already added another chapter to
Mercyhurst’s aged parking problem.
Tullio Field’s nearest parking lot
is currently short approximately 10
spaces, though most will be restored
after the project’s completion.
October 20, 2010
StruXures, LLC, blueprint
“We’re landlocked,” Kimball
said. “As everybody knows, we have
a parking issue.”
But an initial miscommunication
also hampered campus transit, as
crews immediately cordoned off
the narrow road between Baldwin
Hall and the Ice Center’s entrance
when construction began.
Terry Logan, an employee with
StruXures, LLC, the architectural
firm, cited safety concerns as the
reason to block traffic.
“All of a sudden, there’s this
fence going up,” Kimball said. “I
went up and found out, and we got
the word out to Police and Safety.”
Chief of Police and Safety
Robert Kuhn says he likewise found
out late about the project, past the
point when a campus e-mail notifi-
cation would have been useful.
“But even if you publicize it,”
Kimball said, “someone’s going to
not read the e-mail and not know.
No matter what you do.”
Both Kimball and Kuhn are now
concerned about parking implica-
tions for the remaining four home
football games, beginning Saturday
with perennial Division II power
California (Pa.).
“Where do we put these
people?” Kimball asked rhetori-
cally. “Some people don’t come to
games because there’s not a place to
park. I don’t know what they’ll do
to address that.”
Kuhn mentioned the possibility
of routing fans to the lot behind
the Mercyhurst Athletic Center and
said additional police will be pres-
ent Saturday to help alleviateany
traffic woes.
Construction manager Ernie
Crowther expects construction to
be completed by Christmas.
October 20, 2010 NEWS Page 3

Students voice opinions at mocktail forum

By Chelsee Callahan
Staff writer
Mercyhurst College students were invited to enjoy
mocktails, snacks and ask questions or give suggestions
to Mercyhurst Student Government (MSG) senators
and members at the mocktail open forum this past
Tuesday.
Mocktails were served at the event as a way to pro-
mote Alcohol Awareness Week. Students who attended
the forum were encouraged to sign the online alcohol
awareness pledge.
During the event, students were able to visit with
MSG members at different tables to discuss issues.
“Basically we are here to answer questions and
address students’ concerns,” senior Mark Gramza said.
There was a table devoted to technology which
dealt with the Mercyhurst Portal and MyMail.
Students who are experiencing issues with either of
these services are encouraged to call the IT depart-
ment because they are able to help students quickly.
The average wait time to get a return phone call is
Tyler Stauffer photo about 20 minutes.
The EMTA table informed students that an offi-
Students discussed different issues with MSG at the mocktail
cer will occasionally ride the “drunk bus” to help
forum on Tuesday. control some of the problems that occurred last
year. The officer will always be present during holi-
day weekends.
MSG members at the off-campus housing and
campus life table told students about upgrades in the
apartments, such as the new windows in Highland
Square.
MSG is looking into improvements for campus living
which include new ovens and air conditioning.
MSG encourages students to share their opinions
about what aspects of campus housing they would like
improved.
“We hold this open forum three times a year to
exemplify what we already do and are open to all sug-
gestions,” MSG President Santina Sgro said.
For any other questions or concerns, students could
visit the general questions tables.
The students at those tables were there to answer any
questions and address any concerns that may not have
fit into one of the other categories.
Sophomore Molly Beichner discussed issues with
MSG at the forum.
“I expected more students to be there because I feel
this was a good event and that the MSG representa-
tives were knowledgeable and great at addressing my
concerns,” she said.
Students can visit the Mercyhurst Portal for a com-
plete list of Alcohol Awareness Week events and to sign
the alcohol awareness pledge.

News Briefs
Flu shots available on campus
The Cohen Health Center is giving flu shots on Wednesday, Oct. 27,
from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling ext. 3650.
Students and staff can go to the flu clinic to get their seasonal flu shot
as well. The clinic will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 2, from 3 to 6 p.m. at
the Cohen Health Center. Appointments are not needed for the flu clinic.
Vaccines are free for students and employees.

Events promote alcohol awareness

Mercyhurst College is recognizing National Collegiate Alcohol
Awareness Week this week with a different event planned each day.
Reality Check: Jeopardy will take place on Wednesday at 8:15 p.m. in the
Herrmann Student Union. The movie “Haze” will be shown on Thursday
at 8:15 p.m. in Taylor Little Theatre. Students can eat pub food and listen
to a live band at Oktoberfest at the Laker Inn on Friday from 7 to 10 p.m.
Saturday’s Haunted ’Hurst event begins at 8 p.m. in the Student Union.

Parade, ceremony to honor veterans

The annual Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony will take place on
Saturday, Nov. 6. The parade starts at 9:30 a.m. at 26th Street and State
Street. The parade route goes south toward Erie Veterans Affairs Medi-
cal Center. Local organizations wanting to participate in the event can
contact Karen O’Neal at 814-860-2454 or Ken Sawdey at 814-866-9565.
After the parade, there will be a ceremony for veterans and their families
at 11 a.m. in the Armed Forces Reserve Center Drill Hall at East 39th
and Old French Road.
Page 4
Senior Brun
nominated to be
Rhodes Scholar
By Lynn Dula
Staff writer
Senior Bethany Brun has been
nominated as a Rhodes Scholar for
the 2011 to 2013 session. This is
exciting not only for Brun, but also
for Mercyhurst College.
Mercyhurst has never had a stu-
dent win the Rhodes Scholarship,
although there have been other
nominations in the past.
The last nominee was Stephanie
Roddy in 2004. Roddy, a Sports
Medicine major, was the col-
lege’s first nominee in almost two
decades.
Now, not a decade later, Mercy-
hurst has its next nominee. Perhaps
this will be the year a Laker wins the
coveted scholarship.
The Rhodes Scholarship was cre-
ated in 1902 in accordance with the
will of Cecil Rhodes, a British phi-
lanthropist and founder of the De
Beers diamond company.
The scholarship is an “interna-
tional fellowship program,” and
provides two to three years of grad-
uate study at Oxford University in
England to students from all over
the world. Each year, 32 American
students are chosen.
According to Rhodes’ will, there
are four criteria by which schol-
ars are selected: first, “literary and
scholastic attainments;” second,
“energy to use one’s talents to the
full, as exemplified by fondness
for and success in sports;” third,
“truth, courage, devotion to duty,
sympathy for and protection of the
weak, kindliness, unselfishness and
fellowship;” finally, “moral force of
character and instincts to lead, and
to take an interest in one’s fellow
beings.”
It is clear by looking at Brun’s list
of achievements that she fits the bill
for a Rhodes Scholar.
A sociology and religious stud-
ies major, she is also pursuing
a minor in marriage and family
studies. She is a member of three
honor societies: Sigma Alpha Pi,
Phi Eta Sigma and the National
College Athlete Honor Society:
Chi Alpha Sigma.
Brun also participates in numer-
FEATURES October 20, 2010
’Hurst thinks pink
By Elizabeth Zurasky
Breast self-examinations are an
important part in the early diagno-
breast cancer survivors. These can
be purchased on their website,
Contributing writer
Have you noticed a lot of pink
sis and treatment of breast cancer,
along with receiving clinical breast
exams (CBE) at least every three
years from a certified health profes-
www.linkedbypink.com.
Along with the rest of the coun-
try, Mercyhurst is also doing it’s part
to raise awareness and funds for
around campus lately? Usually sional. breast cancer research.
around sports teams and other There has been an overwhelming Head football coach Marty
campus organizations? That’s amount of publicity and support Schaetzle has agreed to make a
because October is National Breast for breast cancer lately. In Erie, the donation of $1 per point scored
Cancer Awareness Month. organization Linked by Pink, is a and $5 per takeaway (interception
Breast Cancer is a horrific and not-for-profit group that focuses on and fumble) during this football
potentially deadly disease that kills breast cancer in the younger genera- season, and the football program
1 in 35 women who are diagnosed, tions. The women who founded the has agreed to match his donation.
and is the second leading cause of organization all were diagnosed and There is a form on the football web-
death in women overall (according battled the deadly disease before site to make donations privately.
to the American Cancer Society). age 45. The Cohen Student Health
Although most women believe Linked by Pink is a fantastic sup- Center is also giving out pink rib-
that breast cancer only affects those port group for those who are deal- bons in response to Breast Cancer
in their 40s or older, breast cancer ing with breast cancer, and they Awareness Month and would be
is a risk in to women in their early hold fundraisers for local cancer more than happy to answer any
20s as well. patients and their families. questions about breast cancer, self-
Early detection is the key to pre- They are selling calendars fea- breast examinations or any other
Sports Information photo venting the illness from spreading. turing women from Erie who are cancer related inquiries.
Bethany Brun hopes to study
soon at Oxford University.
ous campus extra-curricular
activities. She is the co-leader of
the Certified Peer Educator Pro-
gram, vice president of the Stu-
dent Athletic Advisory Board, a
Laker Leader, as well as a research
assistant to the chair of the reli-
gious studies department, Dr.
Forsthoefel.
Beth is also the co-captain of the
rowing team, and contributed to the
team’s win at the NCAA Division II
Eights National Championship in
May of this year.
She was an inaugural recipient of
the NCAA Elite 88 Award. Even as
a freshman, Brun was an outstand-
ing member of the team, earning
the award “Rookie of the Year.”
Brun has put in a large number
of volunteer hours at many local
venues, including the Emmaus soup
kitchen and the International Insti-
tute of Erie.
After graduation from Mercy-
hurst, Brun hopes to earn a master’s
degree in women’s studies and the-
ology with a specialization in Chris-
tian ethics.
When asked where she saw her-
self in 10 years Brun said, “I hope
to be working on a Ph.D. that is
inspired by my Rhodes experi-
ence, starting a family, and coach-
ing rowing. My goal is to look back
on my twenties and say that I used
my strengths to help others, learned
from my mistakes, and traveled
abroad to experience firsthand dif-
ferent cultures and traditions that I
have read about.”
October 20, 2010
CorbinDances: a SFJAZZ moves
‘spectacular’ show audience and
By Sarah Mastrocola
Staff writer
On Saturday, Oct. 16, in the
Walker Recital Hall, CorbinDances
presented a concert of great inter-
est and intimacy. Both the size of
the venue and the dancers’ attempt
to foster a sense of community
made for a special art experience.
Led by accomplished dancer and
choreographer Patrick Corbin, who
used to dance in the famous Paul
Taylor Dance Company, Corbin-
Dances has been sharing work with
audiences since 2006. The company
is based in New York City but tours
throughout the country.
The evening featured excerpts
from “Shady,” a choreographic
work by Corbin that will have its full
debut in 2011 at the Joyce Theatre
in New York City. Corbin said that
for now he still views the pieces as
“a work in progress.”
“Shady” gave off a sort of indus-
trial, everyday life feel with casual
clothing as costuming, simple light-
ing, and the bare look of the Walker
stage. The performance mixed
musical genres, placing more clas-
sical works by Haydn and Mahler
right alongside music by Led Zep-
pelin and Bjork.
The movement in “Shady” varied
somewhat throughout, although
the entire concert was very much a
modern dance presentation. Certain
sections looked highly improvisa-
tional. Some movements were very
“Shady” was inspired by the seven stages of consciousness.
Patrick Corbin (left) says most of the material is improvisation.
CorbinDances is unique in its modern style
set to mixed musical genres.
circular and flowing, and others
were more jerky and jumpy.
Arguably the most moving part
of the evening was a pas de trios,
(dance for three), with Corbin and
company dancers Morgan Fogarty
and Meggi Sweeney. The move-
ment was sinuous, and the dynamic
and emotive performance of the
dancers captured the audience’s
attention.
The dancing in the concert was
followed by an artist chat session
with Corbin and his dancers, who
answered audience questions and
discussed the process of creat-
ing “Shady,” as well as the general
experience of being a dancer.
When discussing “Shady,” Corbin
said that the initial inspiration for
the piece was the seven states of
consciousness. He said that from
that point, the piece came to be
Ethan Magoc photo
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Ethan Magoc photo
about human relationships and a
sense of community.
The sense of community,
between dancers and also between
dancers and audience, is what
Corbin said he was aiming for as
the effect of the piece. Audience
members who spoke during the
chat lauded Corbin for achieving
this goal.
Corbin also said that much of
the material for “Shady” was pro-
duced through improvisation and
that certain sections of the piece
are still structured in this manner.
For the official debut of the full
work, Corbin will be crediting the
dancers as well as himself for cho-
reography, since it was such a col-
laborative endeavor.
Junior Kelly Clymer said of
the performance, “I thought their
movement vocabulary was very
unique, and I was especially drawn
in by the second act.
“From a choreographic stand-
point, it was also interesting to
listen to their different improvisa-
tional techniques in the discussion
at the end of the show. What really
inspired me was their sense of
freedom in their movements.”
“He used a unique movement
vocabulary. My favorite part was
the pas de deux,” said junior Anna
Daught.
Freshman Emily Reed said, “I
loved the mix of the classical music
and the classic rock. Their sense of
community was absolutely spec-
tacular as well. The dancers were
amazing and really portrayed emo-
tion. I thought the show was spec-
tacular.”
Page 5
genre’s future
By Claire Hinde
Staff writer
The Mary D’Angelo Perform-
ing Arts Center has provided an
explosive jazz season, featuring
both Wynton Marsalis and the
Jazz Orchestra at Lincoln Center
and more recently The San Fran-
cisco Jazz Collective (SFJAZZ).
The concert, which took place last
Sunday, was an experience not to Contributed photo
be missed. The world-renowned SFJazz
SFJAZZ is an ensemble of eight
Collective
extraordinary artists launched in
2004 by San Francisco Jazz, the
“I really loved it,” said senior
largest nonprofit jazz institution on
Amber Kissman. “I didn’t even
the West Coast.
know I liked jazz. It’s kind of
Possibly even more impressive
an accident that I ended up here
than the Collective itself is their
tonight.”
repertoire, comprised each year
The program had fairly loosely
with brand new pieces composed
defined pieces, not listed by title
by the members of the Collective
in the program but rather by long
itself. This collaborative and inno-
stretches of music meandering
vative approach to jazz ensures that
through the evening.
the genre is continuously moving
“Each bit was like a story you
forward into the future, both draw-
could make up for yourself,” Kiss-
ing on the past and the talents of
man said joyously.
the moment.
Senior Liz Geist agreed, saying,
The collective participates in Bay
“It blew my mind many a time.”
Area community outreach through
SFJAZZ provided an unforgetta-
education programs set up through
ble musical adventure. Additionally,
SFJAZZ.
after the concert, some of the musi-
Taking place during an annual
cians came out to speak with young
eight-week residency in San Fran-
audience members, undoubtedly
cisco, the collective also performs
not only an exciting but priceless
a few home concerts. Undoubtedly,
experience for music enthusiasts.
this time together in San Francisco As world renowned jazz artists,
and working on new projects diver- their innovative approach to com-
sifies and refines the collective’s position and moving concerts make
sound. the SFJAZZ Collective a force in
The concert attracted a wide the future of jazz, one which deliv-
range of patrons, including quite a ers a journey in music that is unbe-
few students, even at the end of fall lievable.
break.
Page 6
The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst College, the staff of The Merciad
or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be e-mailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
MyMail causes confusion
Why WebMail should not have changed
By Mary
Nolte
Staff writer
I am not a person who enjoys
change. I like things to stay the
same so I don’t have to deal with
getting used to something new.
When it comes to computers, I
always end up accidentally deleting
something or freezing the screen
when I’m trying to do something
important.
Despite all of this, I was optimis-
tic when I found out Mercyhurst
was switching from WebMail to
MyMail.
I honestly thought the new e-
mail provider would be much nicer
and the change would be worth it.
When WebMail prompted me to
go to MyMail and log in, I went to
Changing perspectives
How to enjoy the cold
By Kathleen
Vogtle
A&E editor
Ever since the temperature
dropped a few weeks ago, a hor-
ribly familiar phrase has crept
back into our vernacular – ‘it is
so cold.’
It should come as no surprise
that at least one of those com-
plaints comes from yours truly.
My father has said that fall
‘smells like decay,’ and as much as
I don’t particularly like this senti-
ment, I’ve found it easier to con-
cede the point this year.
For me, it has been a rather
melancholy season, although a
reason eludes me. All I can think
about is that we won’t be seeing
green again for many months.
the website and typed in my user-
name and password.
With no surprise to me, the login
told me that my information was
incorrect. I typed them in again,
thinking that maybe I had just mis-
spelled something by accident.
I was wrong.
I gave up on MyMail for a while,
because I was frustrated and Web-
Mail still worked.
However, students were eventu-
ally notified that WebMail would
quit working within 24 hours. I
decided to figure out how to use
MyMail before I didn’t have any e-
mail at all.
When I logged in to Blackboard,
a message informed me that I
had to reset my password before
MyMail would work.
Well, I tried that twice. No matter
what I did, though, I could not get
the e-mail to work.
As a general rule, I spend the
time between October and April
with a bad bout of seasonal
depression, wondering why on
earth I didn’t jump ship and head
as far south as possible after high
school graduation.
At this time of year, you’ll also
notice the line at the coffee shop
is just a tad bit longer, that fleece
suddenly doesn’t seem like such a
fashion faux pas and the weather
becomes more volatile and unpre-
dictable than usual.
But why is it that pumpkin pie
sounds so much better in October
than July? Or buying a new sweater
or pair of mittens is so satisfying,
even though we know it heralds
the return of cold weather?
A friend presented me with
an idea this past weekend which
I found intriguing: Much of our
perspective of things depends on
OPINION October3,20,2008
September 2010
The Good
Scheduling has begun.
This means that the term is almost over!
At first, I thought it was just my
computer ineptitude. But when I The Bad
talked to my friends from Mercy- Now that fall break is over, we have a
hurst, I found out everyone else was month until we can go home again. That’s
having similar problems.
Now, fall break is over, and I way too long.
have yet to figure out this whole
e-mail situation. Unfortunately for The Ugly
me, I have several people I need
MyMail has completely replaced WebMail,
to e-mail, including my adviser and
a professor. But I can’t do any of and this has caused numerous problems.
this. It’s still not working despite the IT staff ’s
In fact, I’m not even sure how best efforts.
I’m going to send this article in to
my editor.
So Mercyhurst, I have some
merciad.mercyhurst.edu
advice. As far as I can tell, I’m not
the only one having problems with
this. Next time you think about
changing something this important,
try to make sure the new one actu-
ally works before you get rid of the
old one.
If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen.
Editors Positions @mercyhurst.edu
Ethan Magoc Editor-in-Chief editormerciad
Kelly Luoma News Editor newsmerciad
Alex Stacey Features Editor featuremerciad
Victoria Gricks Opinion Editor opinionmerciad
Nick Glasier Sports Editor sportsmerciad
how situations are presented to Kathleen Vogtle A&E Editor entertainmentmerciad
us. Samantha Williams Graphics photomerciad
While our conversation at the Tyler Stauffer Photo Editor photomerciad
time concerned marketing, I think
Ethan Johns Web Editor ejohns89
this observation could be applied
to the coming months and per-
Chrissy Mihalic Copy Editor copymerciad
haps serve as a balm for some of Max Rivera Ad Manager admerciad
that seasonal angst we all know Bill Welch Adviser wwelch
and loathe. Brian Sheridan Adviser bsheridan
Fall is a season of hibernation
and decay, but it’s that very same
dead corn which makes up a corn
maze. Halloween doesn’t seem as The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst
spooky without the skeletal, leaf- College. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of
less trees. finals weeks. Our office is in Hirt, Room 120B. Our telephone number is
We need the cold so it can (814) 824-2376.
snow, enabling people to ski, sled
and wholly appreciate the joys of
a warm fire and a hot drink. The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed
Maybe a change in perspective and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the
is all that’s needed to make the letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters
next few months bearable. Or
maybe we all just need to hiber- are due Mondays. by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit
nate until April. letters to box PH 485 or via e-mail at opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
October 20, 2010 Page 7

Mercyhurst and Edinboro fighting cancer

By D.J. Haurin
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst College football
team beat local rival Edinboro Uni-
versity Saturday in an exciting over-
time. However, this game represented
more than a friendly competition.
As part of Edinboro’s “Cancer
Awareness Day,” the two teams
played to raise awareness and funds
for the Kanzius Cancer Research
Foundation.
“Everyone has been touched in
some way by cancer,” Head Coach
Marty Schaetzle said. “We’ve had
two of our own in the past few
years fight testicular cancer. This is
just a small way that we as a football
team can help contribute to fight
against cancer.”
Edinboro head coach Scott Brown-
ing couldn’t have agreed more.
“This is more than a game,”
Browning said. “It’s about Edin-
boro and Mercyhurst uniting and
fighting this disease.”
Battling on the field for bragging
rights only helped fight this disease.
“Yes, we (had) a big football
game, but playing to fight cancer
really put things in perspective,”
Browning said.
“During the season, we get tied
up with what happens on Saturday
and lose perspective of what’s really
important,” Schaetzle said.
Both agreed what was really impor-
tant this past weekend was bringing
awareness to this horrible disease.
To go along with Edinboro’s
“Cancer Awareness Day,” all cancer
survivors were admitted into the
game for free and were recognized
before the start of the game.
Donations were taken to benefit
the Kanzius Cancer Research Foun-
dation and fans were encouraged to
donate to the “Make a Point to Take
Away Cancer” campaign.
Schaetzle has been a leading force in Mercyhurst College’s
“Making a Point to Take Away Cancer” campaign.
“As coaches, we raise money for
projects, such as a new locker room
or new equipment, but I think it was
to some of the players.
Both teams have been affected in
some way by cancer. Mercyhurst’s
Garrett Kensy and Jeffrey Pol-
lard are both cancer survivors, and
Edinboro’s Cody Harris has seen
his mother battle breast cancer the
last two years.
“I have great admiration for Jeff
and Garrett,” Browning said. “It
affects all of us in a negative way.”
Harris’ mother was an honorary
captain and assisted with the coin
toss this past Saturday.
“What coach Schaetzle and the
football program are doing is of
great value, no matter what the
amount raised,” said Director of
Athletics Joe Kimball.
Ethan Magoc photo The players showed their support
by wearing pink wristbands. The
Lakers roll into this weekend with
an overall record of 5-2, 3-1 in the
more important to redirect our efforts
conference. They bring with them a
to something bigger,” Schaetzle said.
lot of momentum, coming off two
This game definitely meant more
huge wins the past two weeks.

Fall break nonexistent for men’s soccer

By Billy Colton
Staff writer
While the majority of students
went home for fall break, men’s
soccer - who were ranked number
4 in the nation last week - was on
the road for the whole four days in
New York, and Washington D.C.
They did not complain or moan
about having to play during break
but instead continued to win
games.
First up was Molloy College on
Friday, Oct. 15 in New York. The
Lakers disposed of the Lions 4-1
with graduate student Christoph
Hampel grabbing three assists.
The Lakers then traveled to
Washington D.C to face The Uni-
versity of the District of Columbia
defeating the Firebirds 4-1. Mer-
cyhurst’s record now stands at an
imposing 11-0-2.
The team certainly racked up the
miles on the bus this weekend while
most other students were with their
families. The players, though, didn’t
mind.
“It’s a commitment that all of us
said. “I would have either stayed in a lose-lose. At least this way I’m
Lund, who hails Erie and been bored or I would with the lads the whole time, and
from South Euclid, have had to spend money and go were winning games and seeing big
Ohio, said he would somewhere, so it would have been cities,” Young said.
have just gone home
for a few days if he
didn’t have soccer,
although he was
happy to be away with
the team.
Graduate student
Dale Young didn’t
have the same options
as he is one of 10 for-
eigners on the soccer
team who would not
have been able to
make it home for the
Tyler Stauffer photo break.
Sophomore Austin Solomon fights for the Young, who is from
ball against a defender. Birmingham, England,
made to play soccer, and the road said, “It’s good to be
trips are always a lot of fun with out on the road with the soccer
the guys,” senior Tommy Lund boys because I would be with them
said. anyway. It’s great to get on the bus
Lund does admit that it is much and have a bit of banter with the
easier to enjoy the long away trips boys.”
when the team is winning. With the break being so short,
“If you’re losing it can be a ter- many of the foreigners would have
rible trip, but when your winning it been limited for choices for the
makes the whole trip better,” Lund break.
October 20, 2010 Sports Page 8

Harper’s long and winding road to roster

By Rachel O’Connor
Contributing writer
How do you go from cleaning
bleachers, to being a team manager,
to having your own spot on the
roster of one of the best women’s
hockey teams in the entire country?
Just ask Mercyhurst College
Senior Ashley Harper, former team
manager until the end of last season
when she was offered the spot of
goaltender.
Harper attended Culver Military
Academy in Indiana for high school
where she participated in three
varsity sports, soccer, rowing and
hockey.
Hockey is one of the things that
helped lead her to Mercyhurst.
Although being closer to home
(Butler) was also a motivator,
having a Division I hockey program
did not hurt when it came to selling
Former team manager senior Ashley Harper made the Mercy-
hurst women’s hockey team as the third goalie.
Mercyhurst to Harper.
“Even though I wasn’t going
to be playing, I still wanted to be
around the game,” Harper said.
Tyler Stauffer photo
Harper got a job at the rink her
freshman year.
She was approached by assistant
coach Paul Colontino, who offered
her an administrative position with “The absolute best part has to
the team. be the team. We really are a family,
“Though I love mop- through thick and
ping bleachers, doing thin, and it’s awesome
work for the team was having 22 other sisters
definitely a better deal,” on campus,” Harper
Harper said. said.
She enjoyed her new “The team was all
position, until the end so happy for her when
of last season when she was announced as
one of the goaltenders our new goalie. She is
transferred to another a hard worker and was
school, leaving an open a big part of our team
spot. as a manager, and
She had been play- now that she is on the
ing hockey locally since team she is a huge part
Sports Information photo
coming to Mercyhurst, of the team”, junior
Senior Ashley Harper
when Coach Michael defenseman Anna
Sisti offered her the position for her Johnson said.
senior year, she said yes. Harper may have reached the
Being an athlete is an extremely team in a less than conventional
demanding role to have along with way but she continues to work that
being a student. much harder in the gym and on the
Harper is not only a student-ath- ice everyday because of it.
lete but also a Resident assistant, as “Every single day, I need to earn
well as a spinning instructor. my spot,” Harper said.

Men’s hockey looking for redemption

conference. made the Lakers depth run during
By Spencer Hunt The Lakers return four of the the final run of the season.
Contributing writer top five in points from last year, However, with these injuries it
led by senior captain Brandon Coc- allowed younger players to gain
cimiglio and senior assistant captain experience and playing time to help
The Mercyhurst College men’s
Mike Gurtler who had 28 and 30 contribute even more this season.
hockey team took the ice this year
points respectively. Along with Blakey, fellow sopho-
with a bad taste in their mouths.
Also back is senior captain Scott mores Paul Chiasson and Charlie
Last season the Lakers finished
Pitt, who led the team 18 assists last Carkin are looking to be major con-
with a 15-20-3 record, their second
season. tributors this year.
losing season in three years.
With this strong group of “The freshmen last year gained a
They finished off the year losing
seniors, which also includes starting lot of experience... with injuries and
nine of their final 16 games with one
defenseman and assistant captain played right away. We are confident
tie, including back-to-back losses
Jeff Terminesi, the Lakers look to going into the year,” Coccimiglio
to Canisius College in the Atlantic
be an experienced team. said.
Hockey Association Quarterfinals.
Of the experience level this Pitt echoed Coccimiglio by
This season, the Lakers are back
season, Pitt said, “There is a lot of saying there is “a good vibe, and
with high expectations.
leadership in the room, pushing the the seniors are really pushing for a
To open up the season, they
younger guys.” championship.”
fought for a 4-4 tie to then 4th
Sophomore Grant Blakey is fresh “We had high expectations
ranked Michigan.
off his breakout freshman season Ethan Magoc photo before the Michigan game, but
Getting the tie and some valuable
when he had 11 goals and 16 assists Mercyhurst College freshman Taylor Holstrom hits the ice these were three tough games
experience was freshman goalten-
for 27 points, putting him third on the against Western Michigan University. against Western Michigan kept us
der Jordan Tibbett.
team in total points in his first year. Ginand played very well as a Senior forward Steve Cameron honest,” Pitt said.
In place of senior starter Ryan
While there were exceptional freshman, and was expected to play missed eight games last season after The Lakers still have a positive
Zapolski, Tibbett had 22 saves
players from last season, the season a pivotal role in the offense last suffering a concussion late in the outlook though heading into game
while only allowing one goal against
as a whole was injury-plagued. season. year. against the USA Under 18-National
the Wolverines.
Redshirt sophomore Phil Ginand He brought intensity and balance Coccimiglio sat out seven games Team Sunday, Oct. 24.
The 2010 Lakers expect to have
was lost for the season with a knee to the ice when combined with from a concussion as well. These “Goals will come and we will get
Zapolski back in the net, and soon
injury after only the second game. other scorers. two injuries, along with Ginand’s, rolling,” is Pitt’s positive outlook.
will fight for the top spot in the