Presenting today's news
NOV. 14, 1997
Presenting today's newsNOV. 14, 1997 |
|
By Brian Anderson, State Press
When Sun Devil football fans stormed Frank Kush Field after a Rose Bowl-clinching victory last year, long-time ASU supporters were overjoyed that seasons of spiritless patrons had come to an end.
But when people were trampled and cops were attacked as thousands of revelers ripped down Sun Devil Stadium goal posts, those supporters weren't pleased anymore.
Beginning Saturday, ASU officials hope several new security measures will thwart throngs of zealous football fanatics from re-enacting mob scenes of the past, ASU police Chief Lanny Standridge said.
By closing a "moat" that circles the field in the fourth quarter and increasing the number of police and security guards, Standridge said overall safety will improve.
"This is intended to clearly indicate to people that getting on the field is not authorized," Standridge said.
Students and others will be allowed to use the pathway to get to their seats before the fourth quarter, but will be forced to exit through the concourse following the game, he said.
Standridge would not specify the number of new officers and repositioned guards, but said there would be "substantially" more.
Additionally, Sun Devil Stadium officials replaced both aluminum goal posts Wednesday with stronger, heavier steel uprights, said Stadium Manager Tom Sadler.
The new posts weigh roughly 1,500 pounds and cost about $26,000 for the pair. The weaker aluminum model weighed in at 500 pounds.
Sadler said the six or seven times fans have ripped down the posts it has cost ASU about $26,000. That amount does not include broken fences, field damage and stolen items like field markers, he added.
"We've been very patient for the six or seven games," Sadler said. "Now it's time to take a stand."
Standridge said the changes come on the heels of several incidents where police and fans were injured during post-gaming celebrations.
After the Nov. 1 game against Washington State, an elderly couple was trampled when fans rushed the filed. They were not seriously injured, but were shaken up pretty badly, Standridge said.
Two police officers were also attacked and slightly injured during the game, he said.
Some students have since complained that police and security guards used an excessive amount of force to control revelers.
Standridge said police are sworn to protect the public and are allowed to use force when they feel threatened.
"It's not our desire to use force," he said. "If it becomes necessary it might be used."
Both Sadler and Standridge maintained that the new safety plan was not developed to spoil the fun.
"The public needs to realize that we can't have a mob take over the stadium," Standridge said. "Because of necessity we've been forced from a situation of crowd management to crowd control."
By Kara Shire, State Press
Five Associated Students of ASU senators have drafted legislation creating senate salaries, changing the status from a volunteer to a paid position.
The proposed salary is $599.64 a year for each of the 24 senators and would be effective immediately. The bill will be introduced at Tuesday's senate meeting.
The senators behind the bill say they deserve the money because of the hard work they contribute to student government. They also claim the money they are requesting for salaries is money that is not being used.
"I do believe the entire senate works hard," said Sen. Andrew Feth, College of Business. "We treat it as a 9-to-5 job. (A salary will) enhance our performance now and in the future."
The total dollar amount requested in the bill is $14,391.25. More than half that amount, $8,000, would be taken from concert programming.
"The money they're taking I have plans for and so do a lot of other people," said Autumn Ness, ASASU activities vice president. Ness' office is in charge of concert programming. "This isn't just adding one more person to the payroll, this is adding an entire legislative branch."
Ness said she doesn't mind the idea of salaried senators "as long as it's not my entire budget and I'm rendered useless for the rest of the year."
Sen. Craig Reid, College of Education, said the bill would increase student involvement in ASASU.
"If we can compensate them just a little bit, it would create a larger wealth of people to have a chance to learn," Reid said. "This is not a lot of money. Our executive officers get paid. They get paid almost $5,000."
Adrian Fontes, ASASU committee member, said it's wrong for the senators to create a bill to pay themselves.
"They were elected knowing they would not be paid," Fontes said. "Now halfway through (the semester) they want to take my tuition dollars, money out of my pocket and that's (expletive deleted).
"The scariest part about it is they have the power to introduce this bill and get it passed before anyone knows what's going on. I'm not saying that they will. But I know that they can."
By Tim Baxter, State Press
America West Airlines is getting a new business complex in downtown Tempe, and the city is picking up $11.2 million of the tab.
Tempe's city council voted unanimously to approve a development agreement Thursday night to keep the airline's corporate offices in downtown Tempe.
Although some citizens at the council meeting wished to discuss the item -- a last minute addition to the agenda -- it was not scheduled for public hearing and there was no discussion.
Phase one of the complex, to be built west of Mill and north of Third Street, will cost more than $37 million. Tempe will contribute $6.95 million in cash over 20 years and an additional $4.26 in tax cuts. City planners expect the project to spur $80 million in development in the area.
Phase one of the structure will be a nine-story office building large enough to house all of America West's 1,000 employees working downtown in one building. A second and third phase, expected to cost an additional $38 million, will follow within five years.
The existing America West buildings will be leased out to other businesses.
The development is planned to tie into Rio Salado/Town Lake project and "help connect the downtown to Rio Salado," according to Tempe staff reports.
Phase one of the development will also include a 665-space parking structure and a 145-space parking lot. Phase two is a planned retail complex that will surround the historic Hayden Flour Mill.
If phase two is not developed by 2004, it will be given to the city. The city also will get use of the parking spaces, better sidewalks, and sought-after land near the Rio Salado Parkway necessary for a realignment of the parkway.
According to the agreement, America West will also provide the city with unspecified "miscellaneous promotion and marketing considerations."
By Sharan K. Gill, State Press
For returning ASU students, coming back to school is no longer a one-man show.
The Adult Re-entry center is reviving their mentoring program spring semester for adults who have been out of school, so that their return is not so overwhelming.
Linda Sullivan, program coordinator of the adult re-entry program, said they are the first stop for students who have been out of school for a couple of years.
"The thing that keeps people from coming back to school is that they don't know where to begin," Sullivan said.
The idea for the mentoring program came after recipients of the Seminar Training for Adult Re-Entry scholarship enrolled in their mandatory leadership class and changed the program's curriculum. It was originally a theory-based class, now it is a hands-on class.
In the past, scholarship recipients enrolled in a leadership class that provided guest speakers with tips for college success. This semester the students decided that a hands-on course, where they bring their specific talents to the class, would be more effective for the center.
Tammy Jessee, a junior special-education major, said she was one of the students who wanted the program to change.
"I thought we should utilize the skills we bring as adults in the work force," she said.
Students in the class are in charge of the bulletin boards and promoting the center. Sullivan said she has seen an increase in students making use of the center.
Because of the success of the leadership classroom projects, Sullivan and some of the students in the class are revamping a mentoring program for the spring semester.
The mentoring program will pair up current re-entry students with students coming back to school.
"Mentoring helps us, because the subtleties of school escape us as adults," Jessee said. "Many times family and friends don't understand what we are dealing with because they either went to school when they were in their 20s or they never went to school."
Jessee said another bonus of the mentoring program is sharing hidden agendas of curriculum.
"Sometimes finding out one thing about a class can save you from having to take two others," she said.
The re-entry center, located in the lower level of Memorial Union, serves as an advising center, a lounge and a study area for adult students returning to ASU.
"It's a place where you can find people like you that you can connect with in a relaxed atmosphere," Jessee said.
By Stacy Mann, State Press
Music therapy majors dance around and sing songs. They clap, hum, sway and boogie, all in the name of medicine.
Music therapy awareness week begins Monday. Its goal is to teach students that tunes are more than just entertaining.
"Music therapy is the use of music as a therapeutic tool to bring about a specific change," said Russell Solomon, president of Music Therapy Student Organization.
Solomon said that although the definition sounds confusing, the theory behind using music as a medicine is simple.
"We often go into nursing homes and work with Alzheimer's patients," Solomon said. "Singing increases lung capacity, dancing increases range of motion, and recalling lyrics is great for the memory.
"Music gives them a reason to move."
Solomon said music therapy clients are often geriatric patients or children with special needs.
Although the music therapy program often uses popular songs, music-therapy students must be fairly talented themselves.
Barbara Crowe, a music professor and director of the Music Therapy Program said that her students are both musicians and scholars. Students must audition to get into the program.
In addition to course work, music-therapy students must intern as well.
Solomon, along with other music therapy majors, interned at ASU's music therapy clinic.
The clients are actual patients with different areas of mental and physical improvement, Solomon said. He once worked with a 14-year-old who was developmentally delayed.
"Music therapy helps everyone," he said. "It improves general health and well being."
By Stacy Mann, State Press
Hunger and homelessness awareness week kicks off Monday with events geared to gather turkeys and toiletries for the Valley's needy.
ASU Community Service Program's annual food drive begins Monday along with a bathroom-kit drive.
"There are always drives for food and clothing, but shampoo, soap and personal hygiene products are often overlooked," said Becki Rose of CSP.
Boxes for donations will be at the Memorial Union, residence halls and the Student Services building. The food and goods collected will be donated to Valley shelters.
Aside from the drives, hunger and homelessness awareness week will include a hunger banquet, a St. Vincent de Paul guest speaker and shanties in the mall with homeless people's stories pasted up.
Rose said Thursday's activities, including the hunger banquet, are the highlight of the week. Admission to the hunger banquet is free, but attendees are asked to donate a can of food. The banquet is designed to give people a different perspective on hunger, Rose said.
"People will be assigned to high-, middle- or lower-income groups and given food according to their group," she said. "It always leaves students with a totally different perspective than they had when they walked in."
Rose said that based on worldwide standards, the high-class meal is much like the meals average Americans are used to.
A discussion will follow the meal. Rose hopes the banquet, as well as the awareness week, will raise sensitivity about the hungry and homeless.
"There are a lot of people who are hungry or homeless that didn't have a lot of control over how they got there," Rose said.
Mike Bell, shelter-services manager for St. Vincent de Paul and awareness week's guest speaker, agreed with Rose.
Bell coordinates the Ozanam Manor, a transitional house for elderly or disabled homeless that places its residents back on their feet.
"I see quite a variety of people," he said. "Some had really good education and good jobs but ran into misfortune."
Bell said donations and sensitivity are only a few ingredients for successful rehabilitation, but the ability to succeed lies within the person, he said.
"People need a place they can stay and get consistent service," Bell said, "but they're the ones that achieve things."
Campus clubs and organizations may submit written entries to the State Press in the basement of the Matthews Center. Requests will not be taken over the phone or via fax.
Deadline for requests is noon the day before publication and entries will not be accepted more than three working days before publication. Only one entry per organization per day is permitted.
Entries must contain the full name of the club or organization, a description of the event, date, time and the full address of the location. All requests are subject to editing for content, space and clarity. Incomplete or illegible entries will be discarded.
The Today Section is a daily calendar of events printed as a service to the ASU community. Requests are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis and are printed as space permits.
* Music Therapy Stuent Organization-- Meeting for awareness week and recital at 3:30 p.m. in Music building, room W218.
* ASU Pitchforks -- Women's a cappella group is holding a fall concert in the Architecture building, room 60 at 8:30 p.m.
* Japanese Student Organization -- Traditional Japanese cuisine will be served in celebration of Spirit and Cultural day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Hayden Lawn.
* ASU Young Democrats -- General meeting at 2:30 p.m. in the MU Coconino Room to be followed by a social hour at House of Tricks. All are welcome.
* Longtime Tempe City Clerk Helen Fowler is retiring. Randy Gross, a 12-year veteran of city management, will replace her. Gross began working for the city in 1982 as a management assistant. Since 1987 he has been assistant to the mayor.
* The state's largest mall, Arizona Mills, is scheduled to open Nov. 20 at the corner of I-10 and the Superstition Freeway. More than 14 million people a year are expected to peruse the wares at the more than 175 stores. Using the badly clogged freeways as auxiliary parking lots has not been seriously considered.
* In a continuing denial of the desert and Arizona's usual oven-like temperatures, Tempe is building the state's first outdoor ice skating rink. The rink will be in operation at Tempe Beach Park from Nov. 29 through Dec. 31 as part of the city's annual Fantasy of Lights. Fees are $6 for adults for an hour and a half.
Compiled by StatePress reporter Tim Baxter.
Please fill out our survey on our Police Reports.
The ASU police reported the following incidents on Thursday:
* A youth not associated with ASU was arrested and booked for underage driving with alcohol in the body, underage possession of alcohol, possession of fireworks, giving false information to police and criminal damage at Palo Verde West.
* A University employee reported that someone broke into an office in the Psychology building and removed petty cash.
* A student reported that someone broke into his vehicle while it was parked in Structure 5 and removed a stereo system.
* A University employee reported that someone vandalized three lighted exit signs in Palo Verde East.
* A University employee reported that someone vandalized a sign from the Nelson Fine Arts building.
* A student reported that someone broke into his vehicle while it was parked in Structure 4 and removed some stuff.
* A student reported that someone removed his backpack and its contents from the Student Recreation Complex.
* A man not associated with ASU was arrested, cited and released for failure to obey a police officer at Rural Road and Apache Boulevard.
Real Stories From the State Press Police Scanner:
* A man who was "apparently high on drugs" reportedly ran into a street while yelling at motorists to run him over. Must be the state's new rehab program.
* Someone called police Sunday to complain about a church service. The problem, apparently, was that the religious folks were jamming their music just a wee bit too loud for the blasphemer. Love thy neighbor, huh?
Today's photo-radar locations are:
* Rural Road between University Drive and Curry Road.
* Rural Road between Broadway Road and Southern Avenue.
* University Drive between Hardy and Priest drives.
Compiled by State Press reporter Brian Anderson.
By Matt Paulson, State Press
The ASU men's basketball team comes into this weekend on both a winning and a losing streak. Judgment day for one of those streaks will be Sunday at 2 p.m. when the Sun Devils host the Cal-State Northridge Matadors at the University Activity Center.
ASU is undefeated in two exhibition games this year but finished last season with an 11-game regular season losing streak. Sunday will mark the regular season opener for both teams.
ASU interim head coach Don Newman said he's not worried about those facts. Rather he is focused solely on preparing his squad for the upcoming contest.
"We need to take care of our business, 40 minutes at a time," Newman said. "I believe that. I believe that you've got to take it one practice at a time. I've said that from day one and I'll continue to say it."
The Matadors are an up-tempo team, whose strength lies in its backcourt. Athletic senior guards Derrick Higgins and Trenton Cross are both expected to contend for All-Big Sky postseason honors.
Although the Sun Devils starting five are more talented than the Matadors, ASU's biggest challenge will be to not get caught in a run-and-gun contest. With guard Reggie Hester on University suspension for the next two contests, ASU is only seven deep in scholarship players.
Despite a lack of depth, Newman has opted to not utilize his walk-ons. The three walk-on players have seen less than five minutes of action combined.
Also, in their last contest (a 115-103 win over Marathon Oil) the Sun Devils executed far better in a half-court set.
Forward Bobby Lazor said the two preseason games were "helpful" in determining the team's strengths.
"The first game was good, we got out and really put a team away," Lazor said about ASU's 103-85 thumping of the California All-Stars.
"The (second) game we showed that if we get behind, we have the ability and the confidence to come back and stay relaxed in those situations. I think the (two games) were very helpful for us to come together as a team."
ASU was down by 12 points in the first half against Marathon Oil.
With the trio of Jeremy Veal, Ahlon Lewis and Eddie House handling perimeter responsibilities, Newman said the inside game will be key.
"Mike (Batiste) is a force inside and Bobby can be a force. He's very clever inside," he said. "We need to establish that so we can be a well-rounded team."
Veal said ball movement will be another key.
"I hope they (trap and double team me) because we have a lot of guys out there who are versatile and can beat you," the senior co-captain said. "If you double team me, then we'll throw it to Mike in the post. If they double team Mike then he'll throw it out to me and Ahlon Lewis outside and Eddie House. I think our team is versatile and balanced, especially in scoring."
By Jason Joseph, Special to the State Press
The ASU women's swimming team will host UCLA and Florida today in a double-dual meet at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center. Both the men's and women's teams will be in action tomorrow as they host the USC Trojans.
The UCLA and Florida women's swimming teams are nationally ranked at 13 and 14, respectively, but ASU is ready for the challenge.
"As far as regular season match-ups go, this is as big as it gets," ASU women's assistant coach Asher Green said. "I expect it to be a championship atmosphere."
The No. 23 Sun Devils are coming off a strong performance last weekend against New Mexico State. The women enter this weekend with a 2-0 dual record. A number of members stayed back from last weekends' meet at NMSU to prepare for UCLA, Florida, and USC.
The Trojans won the NCAA Championship last season after finishing the regular season second in the Pac-10.
"This is a really big meet and we hope to swim our fastest times," junior Tiffany Houser said. "They (USC) are definitely strong but we're looking to stepping up to the occasion."
The men's team goes into action tomorrow against a strong USC men's team. The fifth-ranked Trojans are coming off a successful season last year finishing second in the Pac-10 and sixth in the nation.
"USC is good in almost every event," ASU men's assistant coach Sean Farrell said. "We hope this meet will be a good introduction to our Pac-10 schedule."
Farrell expects the No. 11 Sun Devils to do well in the sprint free styles, 100M butterfly, 100M breastroke and 200M individual medleys.
"We're better than what our ranking says," junior Co-captain Scott Brown said. "This meet will help us prove ourselves."
Brown also said that this particular meet should give the freshmen a chance to compete against a top team.
The men's and women's diving squads will head to Tucson with their meet results being included into this weekend's swimming competition in Tempe. While only the women's squad will be in action today against UCLA and Florida, both squads will take on USC tomorrow.
"This weekend is big because there is so much competition," diving head coach Mark Bradshaw said.
Bradshaw expects the team to do well, especially sophomore Allan Sonkin and former All-American, junior Katrina Pfeuffer.
"We're just going to get out there and compete consistently," Bradshaw said.
From Staff Reports
The ASU men's and women's golf teams travel to Hilton Head, S. C., this weekend for its final tournament of the fall semester, the Golf World-Palmetto Dunes Collegiate held at the Palmetto Hall Golf Course.
Competition runs today through Sunday.
The 5th-ranked women's squad will be looking to capture their first team title of the season. ASU won this tournament by five strokes last season behind the stellar play of Jean-Marie Busuttil, who finished second.
Freshman Grace Park, No. 11 in the latest MasterCard Collegiate Golf Rankings, will anchor the women.
By Lori Haro, State Press
In its final road trip of the season, and with all NCAA tournament hopes gone, the ASU volleyball team is hoping to close out the last few games of its season with wins.
The team heads to the Northwest to face Oregon State tonight and Oregon Saturday.
"I know going into these last four games we're really going to go in trying to win and do better than we did at this time last year," sophomore setter Jolynn Faatulu said.
The Sun Devils are 12-13 overall, 3-11 Pac-10.
"Now it's just like, let's try and make some upsets," senior outside hitter Terri Cox said.
Though the team's look is optimistic for the rest of the season, the Sun Devils must first contend with two teams they split with earlier this year.
In October, ASU beat Oregon in an easy 3-0 win, but could only come up with one game against OSU., as the Beavers beat the Sun Devils 3-1.
The bright spot for ASU this weekend is the return of Faatulu. Faatulu went down with an injury to her right ankle in the third game against Oregon State the first time the two teams met. The avulsion fracture sidelined Faatulu for three weeks.
"I won't be as mobile as I used to, but I know my ankle won't hold me back," Faatulu said.
While Faatulu's return is a positive, several other players have suffered injuries. Senior middle blocker Kirstin Mattson is suffering from an inflamed swollen right knee, a reoccurrence from an injury she suffered her junior year. Mattson has been cleared by doctors and will play. Freshmen Amanda Burbridge and Michelle Mortensen are also injured.
"We have a lot of injuries, but I'm really excited to have her (Faatulu) set again, it'll be a good factor for us," Mattson said.
Oregon is last in the Pac and still looking for their first conference win, with a record of 8-18, 0-14.
"In the past we always used to look over the Oregon teams, but we're not now. We pretty much match up with them (Oregon State)," Cox said.
By Randy Jones, State Press
The ASU women's basketball team will wrap up its exhibition season tonight as it tangles with SAM Myjava. Tipoff is set for 7 at the UAC.
Myjava, from Slovakia, brings with it a bigger, more veteran squad. Having scored victories over USC, Pepperdine, UNLV and Frenso State.
"They are older, very seasoned European team of 27- (and) 28-year olds," head coach Charli Turner Thorne said. "(They) play very well together. Execute their offenses well. They are very big and physical and are one of those team's where everyone shoots the three. (Plus) the guards will post up."
Top player for Myjava, called a "Pac-10 caliber team" by Turner Thorne, is 6-foot-4 center Silvia Janostinova, who had 20 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots against UNLV.
Turner Thorne said her squad is bigger than last years', but the Myjava team she saw on tape could cause some problems.
"The team they played (Pepperdine) was not that small, and they looked small. So that tells me that it's a big team," she said.
ASU is coming off a good come-from-behind victory over Kilsyth. However, some weaknesses were exposed.
The Sun Devils' two point guards, junior Rameeka Lowe and junior Rechelle Lang committed 10 and five turnovers, respectively.
Turner Thorne said she expects this to change.
"I'm expecting to see a marked improvement in that area," she said. "Meeka missed practically that whole week of practice from a sprained ankle from our intrasquad scrimmage. So she was really a little out of sync. That was very abnormal. I know it was a little rust."
She added that Lang's problems stemmed more from nerves than bad hands.
"George (Lang) has done a great job of protecting the ball in practice," she said. "I think she had a little first-game jitters. She was pressing things a little. She wanted things to be there that weren't there. She's just got to learn that."
This final preseason game will also let the Sun Devils work on the press, which Turner Thorne believes is a key for the team come Pac-10 season.
"(The press) is in its infancy stages," she said. "We're not going to rush it. We feel like we have the whole preseason to put it in. So we are really trying to hone up our half-court defense right now. We're just working on our most aggressive press because it's easy to put in our less aggressive presses as we go."
Notes:
*ASU is 2-1 in exhibition games under Turner Thorne. The Sun Devils fell to Ruzomberok 75-57 last season.
*The Sun Devils currently have four players from Arizona on the roster for the first time since 1986-87. ASU's players from the Grand Canyon State are Ebony Edwards, Rahcel Holt, Michelle Tom and Kisha White.
*All ASU regular season games will be broadcast live on the radio. 24 contests will be on KMVP (860 AM) and four will be on KTAR (620 AM).
By Matt Paulson, State Press
After conpleting their longest road trip of the year, the ASU Ice Devils have returned home for a lengthy three-week, five-game homestand.
ASU (4-3) host Colorado State this weekend in two game series. Both games are at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum with Saturday's contest begining at 7 p.m. A 2 p.m. start time is scheduled for Sunday.
Head coach Gene Hammett said last week's three-game road swing in which the Ice Devils went 2-1 should have prepared his team well for any upcoming challenges.
"For the first half of the season, it was the toughest strtech of games for us," he said.
Goalie Greg Powers added coming home with two wins against top-notch schools has proven to him this year's troops are the toughest he's ever been around. The Sun Devils defeated Navy, No. 10 Delaware but lost to No. 3 Penn State in the final period.
"It was the toughest competition we've played against since I've been here because of all the traveling," he said. "Delaware is a good team. It's always nice to be able to beat a team that's in ACHA (National) contention in their own barn."
The Ice Devils will be looking to improve on last season's win total against the Rams. The schools split two games in Fort Collins, Co.
Hester said being at home will be the biggest advantage for the Ice Devils.
"It will be good coming back to our barn," Hester said.
The Ice Devils have a four-game win streak at the Coliseum dating back to last season in which they went 7-3.
By Josh DeFamio, State Press
When new Cardinal running back Ronald Moore signed for his second go-around with the team more than a week ago, he knew he was coming into a hopeless situation.
The team was 2-7 (now 2-8) and faced a long season with little left to play for.
A desperate situation, yes, but not an unfamiliar one to the fifth-year pro.
In fact, in three of Moore's first four seasons in the NFL, his playoff hopes have died by midseason. In his rookie year, Moore and the Cardinals rallied from a 4-9 record to win their final three games, and salvage a respectable 7-9 record.
"Guys just wouldn't give up," he said. "There was a tremendous amount of a family feeling in the locker room."
However, in each of his last two seasons, both with the New York Jets, his team crumbled down the stretch, finishing at 3-13 and 1-15 -- the worst record in the NFL in both years.
"We never really got together as a family," he said. "We were a good team -- they've got basically the same players now -- but they're winning. But there was never a feeling of togetherness."
Moore compares the current Cardinal team to the one he played with as a rookie.
"I see a lot of the guys are playing hard, and doing what it takes to win," Moore said. "Guys really haven't hung down their head."
The attitude of Moore's teammates backs his assessment.
"Personally, the only thing I can see I'm playing for is pride," linebacker Jamir Miller said. "Since I've been a pro, I haven't had a winning season. The closest I got was 8-8. It's a shame, but that's the goal I'm shooting for this year. 8-8."
The 2-8 season has been particularly frustrating for fullback Larry Centers. The two-time Pro Bowler re-signed with the Cardinals, optimistic about last season's 7-9 finish.
But, starting with Centers' own fourth-quarter fumble in the opener to Cincinnati, the season has been one heartbreak after another.
"It makes it pretty tough to come to work, when you can't see the light at then end of the tunnel," Centers said. "We came into this season with so many great expectations. To see it go down the drain like this has been very frustrating. Everyone is playing to go out and try to mess everybody's record up."
The Cardinals' first chance to play spoiler will come this weekend, when they take on the surprising New York Giants (6-4) in the Meadowlands. The Giants, coached by former Cardinal assistant Jim Fassel, destroyed the Cardinals, 27-13, on October 12.
Head coach Vince Tobin says the difference in that game can be found on the ground.
"That pretty well sets the tone of the football team," Tobin said of the running game. "We also had five turnovers in that game, we had one. And yet halfway through the third quarter, it was 6-6, and we had the ball at the 30-yard line. Then it deteriorated from there."
The Giants manhandled the Cardinals on the ground. The Giants offense tallied 239 yards rushing, while the defense limited the Cardinals to a scant 27 yards.
To beat the Giants, player like Simeon Rice, who was attacked during the first meeting, must perform better.
"Any team in the NFL can come out there and bomb on any given day," Rice said. "The thing that we have to do is go out there with intensity (this time)."
By Lori Haro, State Press
The ASU cross country team heads to Tucson on Saturday planning to cap its season off with a strong performance at the VIII District Championships.
District VIII extends from Arizona north to Washington including Idaho and Nevada and west, including all of the Pac-10 schools. Head coach Walt Drenth expects about 22-25 schools to compete.
The men's 10K race begins at 9:30 a.m., while the women run a 5K at 10:45 a.m.
The Sun Devils feature sophomore Mary Duerbeck who has finished at the top of ASU's women's team in all five meets this season. Duerbeck has finished no lower than 20th place and won the ASU Invitational. Two weeks ago she finished 14th at the Pac-10 Championships where she finished in 17:57.
"I've been in the top-20 for every meet this season and my goal for districts would to be on the All-District Team and better my time from conference," Duerbeck said.
Duerbeck's goal of competing well in this meet is shared by the team as a whole.
"After our race at conference we decided as a team that our goal at districts its to beat Cal, the eighth place team from the Pac-10s, and I think it's attainable," Duerbeck said.
On the men's side ASU has been led by two seniors Matt Repak and Ari Rodriguez. In the last two meets of the season, Repak has led the team and placed 28th in the Pac-10 Championships.
"I'd like to finish in the top quarter, last time I finished 51st and I'd like to do better than that," Repak said. "As far as cross country races it's a 10K and it plays in my favor because that's what I race in track. I like to run long distances."
Drenth feels that this is a race the team can really be competitive in because of the bigger field. Realistically, he thinks that the team should place somewhere in the middle.
"Our goal is to try and stay in the top-half," Drenth said. "I think its not unrealistic that we could have a few of the men in the top-25 and Mary could be All District. She has a chance to get to nationals, she's not a shoe in, but she's not a long shot."
Drenth is also glad to be able to take a young team to the district championship experience.
Bravo -- To ABC executive Roone Arledge, who was honored by Walter Cronkite during Tuesday's awards luncheon. Arledge has done much for news and sports on television, like creating ABC's Wild World of Sports and Nightline. All football fans should take note: If not for Arledge, there would be no Monday Night Football and no Al, Frank or Dan.
Boo -- To the lead-contaminated land found near ASU East. A report said the lead is not considered a hazard, but it's better to be safe than sorry. We wouldn't want to see anyone -- especially children -- become sick from lead poisoning. In any case, steps are being taken to rectify the situation: At least $2 million will be used to clean up the area later this year.
Bravo -- To all the veterans of the U.S. armed forces. Veteran's Day may come around once a year, but that's not good enough for all they have done for our country. Our thanks to the veterans may come a few days late, but better late than never. From our prison here in the basement of Matthew's Center, the State Press staff salutes all of you.
Boo -- To Saddam Hussein and Iraq, for being such boneheads and keeping U.N. weapons inspectors from overseeing the elimination of the country's weapons. Both the United Nations and the United States are hitting boiling point as a result. The last thing needed in the world is a sequel to Desert Storm.
Bravo -- To the MU's Burger King, for rolling back its prices. They finally see that ASU students aren't the richest people in the Valley. Whoopee, now a Whopper is tastefully affordable. Thank goodness. Now we can ditch the crate of Ramen noodles we bought at Smitty's and grub on fat burgers.
Boo -- To the Rolling Stones' tour company, for ruining Frank Kush Field the week before a key Homecoming match-up with the University of Oregon. OK, we were wrong when we said the Stones couldn't rock anymore and we apologize. But darn it, our football team is in the hunt for a bowl. After Friday's concert, the field was ruined, but is expected to be fine by gametime -- or at least it better be. We might have to get medieval if Robert Nycz can't make them extra points or Jeremy Staat can't sack the quarterback.
Boo -- To the Oregon Ducks. Hey, we don't want the plucky Ducks to ruin both our Homecoming and our run for the roses (part III). The Sun Devils will need some help to get back to the Granddaddy of Bowl Games, but essentially, we're close to smelling the roses for a second consecutive year. Tar and feather them Ducks, guys.
I made the most startling discovery Saturday. I am one of the many users and abusers of the word "like." I am, like, an idiot.
Since then, I have made a conscious effort to eradicate that word from my vocabulary, except in cases of simile and to express preference such as, "I really like this happy-hour spread." But that's it. I cannot in good conscience allow myself to sound that ridiculous anymore.
I once prided myself on my use of vocabulary and have even considered myself somewhat articulate. I was only living in a dream. I have traveled down the slippery slope of using "like" as a verb pattern, punctuated by a dramatic facial expression. There have been several other indiscretions far too painful to reveal. My entire self-image has been damaged; but that only leaves room for improvement.
I have a theory as to why I fell into the habit of using the "L" word. It was for dramatic purposes at first. I jumped right on the bandwagon around 1992. I heard Tori Spelling say it, so it must be all right. Right?
Wrong. I must have thought it added color to my stories, and I am sure that for a brief, flickering moment, it did.
I am only guilty on one count: I am unable to control the "L" word. It slips out in conversation with professors, employers and those I consider to be my intellectual superiors.
I am an abuser.
There is a time and a place for "like," and each individual needs to find that place for themselves. I can say, however, that it should not under any circumstances be used after every word, "... and, like, you know, like, I can't like, you know?"
Uh, uh -- I don't.
Get help. There are people and places you can turn to. Have someone whom you trust listen to what you are saying and count the number of times "like" comes up. Then work day to day to restructure your speech until the "L" word is comfortably in its place and under control.
I cannot say with any certainty the psychological reasons for my abuse of you-know-what. Perhaps it is peer pressure or a need to fit in with the crowd.
I can, however, say that I am well on my way to recovery. The first step is admitting you have a problem.
I hope that other abusers are able to learn from my mistakes. If you are thinking about overusing the word "like," please don't start; if you are already an abuser -- stop.
Take some time today and really pay attention to what you say and how you say it. You just might be, like, horrified -- I know I was.
Becky Bevins is a junior studying journalism and can be reached at aztec92@imap4.asu.edu.
It used to be that the word mother would conjure up images of a June Cleaver-type woman wiping away your tears, bandaging your cuts and comforting you. But times have changed. The responsibilities that go along with motherhood have proven to be more than some women can take.
Three years ago, Susan Smith stood by and watched as she sent her car, with her two screaming sons inside, into a murky lake. She then claimed a carjacker was responsible for their disappearance, and a nation grieved with the seemingly desperate mother. But discrepancies in her story arose and the chilling tale was revealed.
It is the horrific account of two terrified baby boys sinking for an interminable six minutes to the bottom of a black lake, left for nine days dangling upside down in the car seats while their mother performed a demented farce before a stunned nation.
The girl with the All-American name, Susan Smith, is a living example of the sociopath as a mother. Unfortunately, Smith's fiendish deed is being imitated by other women.
Just last spring, to everyone's amazement, Melissa Drexler somehow delivered and then murdered her baby in the bathroom at her high school prom. It sounds bizarre and horrific: an educated, middle-class young woman denies her pregnancy, delivers without medical help, and then disposes of the little body in a garbage can.
Experts say the behavior of women like Smith and Drexler is so rare that it simply has not been formally studied.
Discoveries of abandoned babies over the past few weeks in Arizona alone suggest that this phenomenon may not be so rare. In fact, they demonstrate we have sunk to a new level, where we can produce such bestial behavior that our children are killed and cast off like the week's trash.
American notions of normalcy are so elastic that they include behaviors and ideas once held to be perversions and neuroses. Offenses against nature, and monstrous crimes against our fellow man, once hanging offenses, are now punished -- if at all -- by short sentences further shortened by parole.
Insanity was offered as a rationalization for Susan Smith's actions. Stories of child abuse, neglect and mistreatment poured out in the murdering mom's defense; Smith is now serving a life sentence.
The horrors committed by these women are not acts of madness, but of evil. Such seemingly insane behavior is not the result of a psychic disintegration, but a conscious contempt for conscience and self-control.
Stories that chronicle the atrocities committed against our young are enough to take anyone's breath away, especially when their caregiver-for-life is the one executing them. But these women are not mothers. Mothers would lay down their lives for their children, not throw them in harm's way.
Real mothering is about selflessness, sacrifice, loyalty and honor. Contrary to popular belief, mothering is not innate. You really have to work at it 24 hours a day. It is a nerve-wracking experience. Your own gratification is delayed and your time is not your own.
By contrast, few news stories regularly detail the extraordinary -- but legal -- lengths to which many people will go to have a baby. Couples undergo painful and expensive tests and medical procedures, apply to adoption agencies, and travel to other countries. Most do it because the urge to parent is matched only by the love they have to give a child.
Many pundits today bemoan the decline of American society, pointing to cases in which acts of severe brutality and horror take place. Ironically, coarseness and savagery have become more prevalent as the nation progresses. Some blame the fact that Americans feel they are left out of the American Dream; others blame the educational system. However, they don't excuse personal responsibility.
Parents who find themselves in trouble, overwhelmed, desperate and hopeless have choices, choices that should not include sending their children to their death.
We must encourage parents to ask for help and dispel their fear of being smeared a bad parent. We have nothing to lose by helping families and everything to lose if we don't.
Aislinn Fahy is a senior studying journalism and can be reached at polar@imap1.asu.edu.
Editor's note: This letter is in response to "School spirit not reflected in destruction of goal post," written by Jason Kerr and Matt Baillie.
Two words. Lighten up.
I was not one of the students with a "psychological complex" which caused me "to feel a compelling need to destroy public property" after the ASU-WSU game, as you stated in the Nov. 10 State Press (though I did get a good laugh out of that particular line!). I remained in the stands. I just felt the need to point out the obtuseness in the statements you were making.
I don't usually write to people who appear on the Opinions page -- heck, everyone is entitled to their own beliefs. But I can't stand ignorance, and well, you displayed a whole plethora of that in your remarks.
Do you really feel that people tearing down the goalposts could ruin your college experience "by the kind of behavior we would expect from those of less-than-University-level intelligence"? Were you so offended that you would expect ASU's reputation to be damaged because of the act?
How did you feel when they tore down the goalposts after the Nebraska game? Where was your letter to the editor last year? So, Messrs. Kerr and Baillie, what's important? The fact that some kids tore down the goalposts or the fact that it was after a less-than-important game?
I don't anticipate that photos from the tear-down will make the front page of the New York Times. You're talking about a bunch of college kids. What do you expect? There are a lot more serious issues at play on this campus (read the police report, my friends). Maybe you did say it best when you said, "Let us then behave like the rational adults that we should be at our respective ages."
I'm 19. How old are you?
Josh Kelman, Freshman, Broadcasting, via e-mail
I'm concerned with the reply by the students who were so deeply hurt by the kidnapping and attempted drowning of the goalposts after the ASU-WSU football game. I was unaware that they had important engagements to attend at 12:30 a.m., when the goalposts were holding up traffic on Mill Avenue. Why would they be driving on Mill if they were in such a hurry? Were they late to the Rocky Horror Picture Show?
I understand that the tearing down of the goalposts may have frightened the young students, but the University does offer correspondence courses for those who can't handle the daily rigors of University life.
These young students blame the fans for costing the University money, but didn't the 77,000 fans who attended the game bring a couple dollars to the school? In order to keep cost down at ASU, should they get rid of fireworks and Rolling Stones concerts?
If ASU is a public university and students pay to go to the school, then don't the students own part of the goal posts? It seems goal posts get torn down after a huge win. It symbolizes the achievement of something. This win by ASU could put them in yet another New Year's Day bowl that would bring millions to the University.
Didn't these wild, out-of-control fans help to inspire the football team to victory? I think the University can handle the financial burden of replacing the goalposts, because when the goal posts come down it means ASU is having another meaningful and profitable season.
If ASU wasn't tearing down goalposts, they might be licking their wounds from a painful loss -- emotionally and economically -- for the school.
Rich Stone, Senior, Political Science, via e-mail
I am writing in response to Joy Davis' Nov. 3 editorial concerning the role of RAs in Residential Life. Joy made several important points that I would like to expand, and there are many other problems that I would like to address to everyone interested in becoming an RA.
First of all, in the whole scheme of things, RAs have very little authority in Res. Life. RAs are only allowed to "document" situations, and act as baby sitters and housekeepers. As an RA, I was expected to clean up human waste, such as vomit and anything else that can come out of your body, without proper training in biological waste. I was once told that if RAs were properly trained, the law would require that they be paid more. God forbid Res. Life should give RAs better pay.
RAs are also expected to be role models for their residents. Unfortunately that doesn't always happen. Res. Life wants RAs to set good examples for their residents, but the problem arises when Res. Life hires people who aren't worthy of being good role models.
Please don't misunderstand what I'm trying to say -- the majority of RAs are exemplary people, but there are exceptions. Those exceptions can prove to be detrimental to the residence-hall atmosphere.
Also, my experience has shown me that hall directors are nothing but puppets for Residential Life.
Last semester I had a resident who threatened my life and the lives of other RAs and residents. This resident caused innumerable problems for me and my residents. I had residents who were afraid to go home at night, and parents were calling me in my room.
According to Res. Life, the "problem" resident had just as much right to live there as the rest of my residents. I was so terrified that I was seriously considering living with some friends off campus until the whole situation was over.
A few days after I talked to my hall director, a Tempe detective who was investigating this resident called Res. Life after learning of the threats, pleading that this resident be removed from the hall. Res. Life ignored the detective's plea.
Res. Life got very angry, because they suspected that an RA was going around their authority. A short time later, I received a phone call from my hall director; she told me to "stay out of it." The resident was finally transferred to a different hall after a combined effort from parents and other University officials. Res. Life was not a part in the transfer. This story demonstrates an important point: Res. Life will never throw someone out entirely -- they are merely transferred to a different hall.
Problem residents are given every opportunity to correct their disruptive behavior -- too many opportunities, if you ask me. When residents finally reach the limit of accepted behavior, they are relocated to a different residence hall. The new RA is not given any background knowledge of the problem resident, and the former RA is prohibited from contacting the new RA. These types of rules are typical of Res. Life. If Res. Life is ever going to change, it must completely revamp its rules and find new department heads.
The current department heads haven't shown any element of compassion, or common sense for that matter. Without their influence, hall directors and RAs can provide the best possible environment for the residents. After all, that is what they are there for.
Courtney Solin, Senior, Political Science and Spanish
| PERCY EDNALINO JR. Editor CARYL MICALIZIO Night Editor JENNIFER NETHERBY City Editor CADONNA PEYTON Asst. City Editor MATT MORGAN Opinion Editor JODI BAFUNDO News Editor |
PAT SHANNAHAN Photo Editor RANDY JONES Sports Editor ED ODEVEN Asst. Sports Editor DEANNA DARR Magazine Editor LEYLA SALMASSIAN Asst. Magazine Editor |
REPORTERS: Brian Anderson, Tim Baxter, Sharon K. Gill, Stacy Mann,
Chris Passamano, Ginger Scott, Kara Shire, Genoa Sibold-Cohn, Tara Teichgraeber.
SPORTS REPORTERS: Josh DeFamio, Lori Haro, Scott Lewis, Matt Paulson.
COPY EDITORS: Christi Foist, Lorie Roberts
PHOTOGRAPHERS: , Paul Besing, Jeremy Hein, Brad Lang, Beth McGovern
COLUMNISTS: Brian Ary, Scott Bennett, Ross Eide, Aislinn Fahy, J.E.
Hardee, Brian Policoff, Mark Pollock, George D. Rose Sr., Frank Sackton,
Adam Schiffer, Joshua Solovsky, Steve Stein, Matthias Waltersheidt, Angela
Yeager
CARTOONISTS: Carrie L. Behrens, Todd Brenneman, Brian Fairrington,
David Gould, Jonathan Inge
PRODUCTION: Jeff Chua, Adrianna Garcia, Kai Haisch-Risley, Allison
Hurt, John Kestner, Wendy Luney, Eric Paulson, Sara Pike, Hub Zemeke.
SALES REPRESENTATIVES: Toby Brooks, Christy Camp, David Goodwin,
Jonathon Negretti, Jess Rankin, Shane Siren, Kathy Welsh
CLASSIFIEDS: Kate Desio, Jeanette Pluiom, Joy Thompson.
The State Press is published Monday through Friday during fall and spring semesters, except holidays and exam periods, at Matthews Center, Room 15, Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz. 85287-1502. We do not answer questions of a general nature.
The State Press is the only newspaper exclusively published for and circulated on the ASU campus. The news and views published in this newspaper are not necessarily those of the ASU administration, faculty, staff or student body.
MEET OUR AD STAFF |
Our Other Sites: Journalist's Directory | SPM | Spark | HFR | Bulldog | Features
(c)1997 Student Publications, Arizona State University