/ 0

VOL. 69 N045 jMERCYHURST COLLEGE, GLENWOOD HILLS, ERIE, PA*16546 FEBRUARY 8,1996

From The World

Arena

By Gagan Suri
Merciad News Editor *

Bomb Blast by Terrorists in Colombo

The terrorist threat in Sri Lanka is still not over according to the Sri
.xinkan government Recently, a truck loaded with high explosives
v
ammed into the central bank which holds the counti y s gold reserves
n Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka.
Authorities have reported that at least 73 people died and more than
1,500 people were injured in this devastating bomb blast. The blast
occurred at 11 a.m., the busiest time of the day at the central bank.
The authorities suspect that the Tamil Tigers rebels are responsible
[for this attack. The city came to a stand still and heavy security was
mforced to control any further riots. '
T h e ethnic majority of Sri Lanka are the Sinhalese, 17 million of
Iwho are Buddhists. The minority of the Tamils are Hindus. The Taxes Made Easier
Tamil Tigers are the rebel group who have been complaining about
Ihe Sinhalese domination in the country. Campus Ministry By Gagan Suri .
f Earthquake in China
On Feb. 4, China suffered a very severe earthquake which measured
to Build Houses Merciad Ne ws Editor
If you are single and normally
use Form 1040EZ to file your
income tax return, you may be
7.0 on the Richter scale. The quake left thecounfry with at least 200 By Gagan Suri
dead and 14,000 people homeless. '•;. r$ | f ment of Habitat for Humanity able to file your 1995 return using
Merciad News Editor International, will run from Feb. a touch-tone telephone via
The Red Cross has sent 50 doctors to the affected areas and m

Mercyhurst College's Campus
$156,600 worth of relief supplies. £
Ministry is traveling to Conway,
China's worst earthquake in the past century was in 1976 which S.C., to participate in the Habitat for
killed 242,000 people and measured 7.8 on the Richter scale. Hum a nity' s Collegi a te Cha 11 enge
work camp; program during the
In Honor Of Black History Month spring break. Eight students are
Famous African American Quotes joining Habitat for Humanity of
Horry County on Feb. 24 through
March 3 in an effort to build de-
cent, affordable homes with fami-
What could I dream of that had the barest lies in need. - throughout the year with Habitat
fssibility of coming true? I could think of This is the third consecutive
was year that Mercyhurst is offering
an Alternative Spring Break Pro- .
nothingness that my mind began to dwell, that gram to its students. "Interest in
constant sense of wanting without having, of this program is gaining popular-
ity. The first year plans were ca n-
hated celled due to problems at that
Wright work site. The second year the
students successfully completed
a weeks work in Georgia. This
Whenixou control a man ycar!we will be traveling to
not have to worry about his actions. You do not Conway, S.C. We will assist in
building two, three bed-room
have to tell him not to stand here or go yonder. homes. The students will also have
willfind and will »
stay in the opportunity to* meet the two
families who will occupy the
it. You do n ot need to send him to the back door. houses. Each student is required
i fact, ifth to pay a building supply fee and a
for his sf registration fee. The fees incl ude
building supplies, housing, and
benefit. breakfast. Local churches and
-Carter G. Woodson Pepsi will be sponsoring the
lunches and snacks on the work
site. The students are now ac-
/ don't know the key to success, but the key to tively fund raising to provide for
failure is trying to please everybody. their dinners. We are also grate-
fully accepting donations from
-Bill Cosby businesses." said Michelle
Garvcy, from the Campus Minis-
!
try office. < £ pendents have more thanfiveW-
When life knocks you down, try tofall on your
Collegiate Challenge: Spring
back because if you can look up, you can get up. Break '96, an event coordinated
fj -Les Brown by the Campus Ministry depart-
;
18 through April 6. The Colle-
giate Challenge program offers
construction work camp experi-
ences to students at HFHI affili-
ates around the country. While
Collegiate Challenges has tradi-
tionally been held during Spring
Break, the Campus Chapters de-
partment provides ongoing work
camp opportunities for students
for Humanity. | |
This year's Collegiate Challenge
wil 1 have more than 5,200partici-
pants. Approximately $400,000
will be contributed to the work of
Habitat for Humanity at partici-
pating affiliate locations.
In its 20th year, Habitat for Hu-
manity International is a non-
profit, ecumenical Christian or-
ganization dedicated to eliminat-
ing poverty housing worldwide.
Habitat for Humanity*works in
partnership with people in need
throughout the world building
simple, decent shelter that is sold
to them at no profit, through no-
interest loans. To date, the orga-
nization has built over 40,000
homes worldwide. i worksheet and their |W-2
The Campus Chapters depart-
ment was formed in 1987 and has
provided thousands of students
with opportunities to become a
significant part of Habitat for
Humanity's work worldwide.
For morel information about
Habitat for Humanity, contact
Sarah Egan^at (912) 924-6935
ext. 448. For information about
the Mercyhurst chapter call
Michclc- Garvey at (814) 824-
2430. k * I
TeleFile, IRS's new paperless
phonejfiling;system, according
! IRS reports.
• The transaction will take about
10 minutes over the phone and a
refund can be expected in about
21 daysfromthe date the call was
made. The person filing taxes has
to send no other forms to the IRS.
The filing over the phone is done'
with the help of a special code,
similar to a Personal Identifica-
tion Number that is included in
the TeleFile package. '.
Making its debut in most areas
of the country this year, TeleFile
will allow about 23 million tax-
payers to choose this easy option.
In western Pennsylvania about
400,000 individuals receive the
special TeleFile package.
The TeleFile system is available
only to taxpayers who receive the
TeleFile package. It is accessible
24hours a day, seven days a week.
Instructions advise users to com-
plete a.l0-line work sheet, call
the toll free Telefile number us- m
ing a touch-tone phone, and enter
the information from the
forms/The computer will tell you
the amount of your refund or the
amount you owe. IRS cautions
filers to wait for a six-digit confir-
mation number that they wil 1 need
to verify their filing has been ac-
cepted by I RS.
^Individuals who receive the
packet and who arc claiming de-
2\s, or who have changed their
addresses will not 11 able to use
this system. ;

i
 PAGE 2 THE MERC IAD FEBRUARY 8,1996
Si *?>!'

i « i « i • * *«* % asas;:;::*;::^^ ••&•*:?.

j i • • »• • « • • • if . i * • • 4• • m •

Commuter Corner Bungee Running from 7:00 p.m. low price? Join in thefilnat Cof- basketball games at 6 p.m. and 8 our hockey team skates against
Jennifer Lehr | p.m. At 6:00 p.m. the women will Fredonia. If you are interested in
to 11:00 p.m. at the Rec Center. feehouse. This week's Coffee- attending the gamc,the shuttle will
Merciad Commuter Columnist Monday, Feb. 12: Get involved house will have an open Mike fcplay Grand Valley and at 8 p.m.
Ithe men will alsoplay Grand Val- leave Baldwin Hal] at5:30p.m.Or
Congratulations to Heather with Student Government in the Night from 8-11 p.m. If you're catch the men's and women's bas-
Sinnott. She is the Winner of the X Student Government Chambers not interested in going to the cof- ley.
Friday Feb. 16: Do you enjoy ketball games. The women and
$25 gift certificate to the book- " starting at 8:30 p.m. feehouse head to the Student Gov- men will [day Saginaw Valley.
store sponsored by the "Com- Tuesday, Feb 13: Catch the flick ernment Chambers at 8:00 p.m. playing euchre? If so head to the
Laker Inn for the Euchre tourney The women's game will start at 6
muter Council." playing in the Union starting at 9 for a lectu re featuring Jeri Jewell p.m.,and the men's game will
Upcoming Events: p.m. The feature presentation is from " The Facts of Life." at 7 p.m.
start at 8 p.m.
I Friday, Feb.*9 : Head to the "While You Were Sleeping." Thursday, Feb. 15: Catch the Saturday, Feb. 17: Watch as
Union at 9 p. m. to catch the movie Wednesday, Feb. 14: ^Happy ^^m^mM^mmmmM^WMm^^mmMmMmwMfMmmmw/mwmM^M
44
Dangerous Minds.
Saturday. Feb. 10:
»
Valentine's Day! Would you like
some good tasting coffee- for a i
By: Dan Hilfiker th an . They are not out there look-
• * • 1 . V ^BTB^ta^^ 1r» mm m H K .• m^fc^m Qf H^m m m m ^k. . m • * • • m ^ m
WmAm
• * .^m .mm* . m . . * * ' » . ^^q a^H v • • • » m m a . m . * * m * • a m m » a .
Vm
. 'm •
•Tr>*Ti>X
...i
Security Questions Answered
tween classes. The wars will start 4
Editor-in-Chief ing to bust you when you have a
. .t • K

on Feb. 7 in the Student Union. I

I
Security was on the minds of
the representatives at the Feb., 5
meeting of Mercyhurst Student
Government. It was reported by
®
the Security Committee that they
sat down and talked with
Mercyhurst Security Director Bud
Dever on Wednesday, Jan. 31.
keg," said Cuffia.
One thing that became apparent
to the Security Committee during
their meeting was the fact that
there has to be more of a proactive
role as well as student participa-
tion in the security of this cam-
pus. "Students who see something
rag
'There will be about 10 different I
majors represented in the penny
wars. Whatever major wins will j |
hold a random drawing of all 1ll
their students. The one student!
'.•.
from the winning major who is | |
vX picked in the drawing will win a
• ••.

prize," said Cuffia.

"We met with Bud Dever and wrong going on or a suspicious In SAC news, President Brian p
got answers to some of the ques- face have to report it to security. Marshall noted that this weekend |
1 tions that have been weighing on You are not being a snitch. We will be Winter Activities Week-1 y-y.

P our minds for a while now," said need more of an active role by the end. They will be taking the first
IMSG President Jessica Cuffia. students in the security on this eight teams who sign up at the | |
1 The two parties talked about campus," said Cuffia. Union desk. Teams must be com-
various issues about security on In other MSG news, it was re- prised of eight people; four men,
I
"•_•_

campus such as the cameras "and vealed that the penny wars that JOO

$&
four women. The activities will VVV

«5 some incidents regarding vehicles
parked on the top of the parking
ramp.
"We have to realize that the
security personnel here at school
Once you've finished with your textbooks, why pack em
around. Research shows you'll probably never open them are here to help us when we need
again. Cash them in while they still have market value.
will be held for the fund raiser consist of a variety of snow
will be held between the different Olympics.
majors on campus. Previously, it SAC also will be sponsoring
was to be held between the d iffer- inflatable run on Saturday night |
ent classes on campus, but was V •ra
There will be inflatable sumo]
changed for those who fall be- wrestling and bungee running. Kg m

.. •- . .

We buy oil books with current market value

MERCYHURST COLLEGE B O O K S T O RE

DURING
EXAM WEEK

3*>
TUESDAY FRIDAY
FEBRUARY thru
20TH ' 2 3RD
TU - THURSDAY. 8 : 3 0 a.m. to 4:00 p.m
• ;

FRIDAY 8:30 a.m. t o 3:00 P.m.

MSG
K&
•••

lu _>
%" *.
C'J. I :» i»
t / O4r
r •

Geri Jewell of the -television series

The Facts Of Life"
Will be here February 14 @ 8:00pm
Where? The Student Government Chambers
Introducing luleKile from (he IKS - a liolpful new spi-vitu iliat lots you file your federal income lax
SPRING BREAK 1996 ,M
return in just ten minutes with a free call froni a Toucl> lone phone day oi night. And absolutely
no forms 10 mail With Tele File, just follow voice-prompted instructions to key in your income
Nassau / Paradise Island, Cancun infonnation. All entries are venfted and all math is tlonc foi*you. TeKFile tells the amount of
your refund. Oi, if you owe, you can still lake until April 1.0th to send youi• check. Tax liling
amaica _•_*_•

:•>:.
doesn't get any easier than this. If you arc single and filed Form 10I0FZ last year, you'll find
Tele File information in your tux booklet. Use it! . •
(From $295001,
Air, Hotel, Transfers, Parties and Mor#! Department of the Treasury
Organize a small'group Internal Revenue Service
Changing for good.
Earn FREE trips plus commissions! It's free. It's fast. It works
• •

\
FEBRUARY 8,1996
Get
Nicole Ponstingle
A&E Editor
In my last article I failed to
mention one last fantastic new
British Band called Block Grape.
They a re a very up-beat and fu nky
sounding band, in other words, a
great dance band. One very men-
tionable band member is the ex-
lead singer of The Happy Mon-
days. It is nice to hear his yoice
again. The name of their debut
album is "Its Great When You're
Straight..Yeah!" And how ap-
propriately it jbrings me to my
next point!
I just wanted to mention how
repulsed I was at the homophobia
that was being thrown around the
opinion page last week. This is ,
Point of Interest
One • thing of interest is a
collection of "Photomon-
tages of the Nazi Period,"
by John Heartfield. There
are 40 works on loan from
The Peace Museum of Chi-
cago. His works are satiri-
cal of the Nazi regime and
give taught rftto fheWorce"*
behind Hitler's rise to
power. They will be shown
at the Erie Art Museum from
Feb. 17 through April 10.
The museumns located at
411 State St.
The Seeds of Death/Where This Sower Walks Through The Country, He Reaps Hunger, War & Fire, * by Heartfield.
Movie Beat created a milestone film, a re-
By: James Hain *
Merciad movie reviewer
In a few weeks, Disney's lack-
luster Pocahontas will be drag-
ging its sorry carcass into video
stores, but while you still have the
chance, you should definitely
check out Toy Story for an ex-
ample of a real Disney animated
masterpiece. The first 100 per-
cent computer generated feature,
the sheer artistry of Toy Story is
enough to make traditional ink-
and-paint animation look like a
pre-schooler's art class scrawls.
But don't forget the second part
of the title. If the film were just a
show-off exercise in technologi-
cal know-how, it would ring hol-
low. Toy Story benefits from a
witty, imaginative screenplay and
a handful of delightful vocal per-
formances. In fact, after a while
you may find yourself getting
caught up in the story and forget-
ting about all those poor mouse-
jockeys silling at their PC's til
fou r inlhc morning drawing scales
on plastic dinosaurs. But*don't
feci too bad for them. They have
of course, in reference to Emilio
Colaiacovo's article on Nick
Krayger's Integration column. I
am aware that this has virtually
nothing to do with my column or
page, but Nick is a friend and I felt
it necessary to address this fool-
ishness. Upon reading it, I wanted
to know who " most of us" were
that were so utterly sickened by
his articles. I have never known
of anyone that has been offended
by them.
Secondly, I think the issues that
Nick addresses are many more
than just "gay" issues. He has a
great deal to say on today's moral
and social issues that are very
valid and important to today's
college students. To me, he seems
to be one of the only people on
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E r n t c t ec H u n g e r . K r t e 3'unci B r a n d .
markable achievement. It's also
the most fun family Glm to come |
along in a while.
The premise is that toys are like
real working folks. Being played
with is their job, and when their -
owner is away, they come to life.
The leader of Andy's toys is a
floppy cowboy doll named
Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks);
Woody is Andy's favorite, which
gives him the authority over the
other toys, which include a wise-
cracking Mr. Potato Head (Don
Ricklcs), a timid T-Rcx (Wallace
Shawn) a nd a legion of those little
green army men with the molded
bases attached to their feet. This
little microcosm is thrown into
turmoil with the arrival of a new
toy, a shiny plastic space ranger
named Buzz Lightyear (Tim
Allen), who labors under the de-
lusion that he is actually a space-
man stranded on a bizarre planet.
The new toy commands Andy's
attention and wins over the other
toys, leaving Woody boiling over
with jealousy. I don't want to give
away too much, but let's just say
that Woody does something fool-
THE MERCIAD
this campus who has a "voice"
and I am glad that he chooses to
use it,*
As a member of the Merciad
staff, I am aware that everyone
has the right to speak their own
mind, but to be so blatantly vic-
ious is wrong. I don't know why
Mr. Colaiacovo has such a prob-
lem with gay people, but I would
like to know! It is people like him
that are the so called "social ills,"
not gay people. Smarten Up
Emilio, your young republican
thoughts don't mean much here.
• gade. Today members of these
Well kiddies, I will get off
my horsy for now and if you liki
good dance tunes, check outBlacl
Grape. Until next week, justf
entertained by the ignorance o:
those around you.
• t*
km
Mi
• • &
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ish, which forces the two rivals to
work together to get back home.
As I've said before, this type of
film jean only coast so far on
snazzy visuals. The makers of
Toy Story were aware of this and
obviously took great pains to en-
Sure that the characters had per-
sonality and that the pacing was
just right for the short-attention-
span crowd. The human charac-
ters look a little goofy, but the
toys are meticulously detailed,
right down to the reflections in
Buzz's helmet. The world of Toy
Story looks so real that you start
to forget that it's not.
Many may be tempted to dis-
miss this as just another kiddie
film, but it's got just as much for
adults, if not more; It really is one
of the funniest movies I've seen
in a while (My favorite gag the
rubber arcade game prizes'who
think "the claw." is a messenger
sent to take them to nirvana). I
know a lot of people have an
aversion to kid Muff, but do
voursclfn fivor.Cal.! ^•'enlaht
.showing well past* the nigra is*
bedtime,Wd enjoy. I guarantee
you will not be disappointed.
PAGE 3
mm. SSSSftSS
Tunes on Tails
By Jason Ulery Day sound that has just been
Merciad Columnist grossly exploited. At some points
in the album I'm not sure if these
guys are more interested in get-
In the mid-eighties, the scene
ting their message across or sell-
that was known as punk split in
ing records.
two directions. One group went
1 t
After the initial turbulence, the
towards what is the forefather guys do settle into a groove start-
sound to today' s "alternative," the ing with the live cut "Trust Slips
other group retained a hard core
Through Your Hands" followed
sound and adopted different prin-
by "Gang Opinion," two songs
ciples. Among the front runners
which restore th e bands' hard core
of this latter group were- bands
credibility after hearing some of
such as the Gorilla Biscuits, Bold,
those first songs. The last listed
Youth of Today, and Youth Bri-
song on the albu m, "Don't Got to
Prove It," is a live studio outtake,
bands return in the'form of the
but it still doesn't make me un-
band Civ, a band that has retained
derstand that earlier garbage. Also
some of that hard core edge but
look out for the hidden track after
also plays music that sounds too
this song. It's a good one.
trendy for them.
The strength of the album lies in
The album, entitled Set Your
Goals , signals a return for the tracks such as "State of Grace,"
band mates after a considerable United Kids," and "Boring Sum-
layoff in which none of them pro- mer." The first one mentioned in
duced anything of consequence. that sequence is just a dynamic
The album' starts off with the yet tough track that is probably
overtly trendy "Set Your Goals " the cream of the crop on this al-
which is followed by the excel- bum.
lent "Do Something/' It seems Overall, the music is really good
that the first six songs alternate and frontman Civ just goes nuts
between bad and good before the screaming his brains out If you
album eventually settles into a like Civ though, you must check
harder sound that reflects'music out the Gorilla Biscuits. They are
of the band members' pasts and is just a sick band. I would not rate
for the most part a pretty good th is a must-have, but i f you know
sound. However, songs like "So * somebody-*who has it, I would
?
Far, So Good..:- & What" and borrow »it from them. That way
"Can't Wait One Minute More" you ca n save your money for more
fall into the same category as the worthwhile expenditures. How
title track and have that Green about a campaign against Young
Republicans?
MERCYHURST COLLEGE
t I and \
THE LAKE ERIE BALLET
.**
"-f-
The New Works Showcase
Choreography Workshop
Feb, 9 8:00 PM Feb. 10 2:30 and 8:00 PM
Tickets available at the door
Taylor Little Theatre, Mercyhursi Campus, 501 6.3HlhSt
su I b. .win
-Adults $8.00, Sr. Citizens, Children under 12 $4.00,
Mercyhursi Staff and Faculty $2.00
Mercyhursi Students with l.D|FRBE
EXTRA INCOME FOR 96
aadA
I *-
m it
Earn $500 - $1000 weekly stuffing
envelopes. For details - RUSH $|.00
with SASE to: \ GROUP FIVfc
57 Greentree Drive, Suite 307
* 0 Dover, DE 19901
J)
& .^.A.-.Jm.
 FEBRUARY 8,1996

Integration
By Brad Rybczinski
By: NickKrayger Merciad Columnist
Merciad columnist
Well I am back after my much
needed week off. What a week to
People keep asking me what lam going to do after I graduate. This
take off too. There is a lot of conflict
is a tough call, because I don't think anybody knows what they really here at the Merciad. I think it is too
want to do when they graduate. • . i much.
Yeah, I have considered the whole graduate school thing for the I like to be positive and I carry that
fall. I've gotten a few acceptance letters. I have a few interviews. approach with me into my column,
And yeah, I have gotten some job offers too. The place where I did but the negativity I feel starting to
my internship offered me a pretty good deal. A few agencies in Erie evolve into malicious and slanderous
offered me spots. I could teach kindergarten at a private school in emotions alarms me. Thesefearsare
Philadelphia. I could probably work in the computer industry with rooted in ignorance and narrow
minded views. * them and at the very least not con-
a relative out in Laguna Beach, Calif. ^
It is time that we, as educated young
But I don't know what I want to do. men and women begin to look past
1 guess it is really nice to have Options, but what do you do when outer images and perceptions. We
there are so many options? What happens when every avenue could need to look inside and ignore race,
be the right or wrong turn? Why do we put so much pressure on ethnic backgrounds and sexual pref-
ourselves and those around us to map out our future like a trip-tik erence. We are all human. *
from Triple A? •*§ ' Everyone judges in one way or an-
I guess I really am a writer, because I don't know what to do and other. It is the cri teria that we use that
my first inclination is to sit down at this computer and write about frightens. Automatically because
someone is different people are put
it. Writing is how I deal with things. Nick the writer and Nick the on guard andfeelthreatened. Stereo-
person have evolved, side by side, in this very newspaper. types are hideous and should be ig-
When I first approached former Merciad editor Jule Gardner nored. We may lose something very
about writing a biweekly column, she was elated to have me jump precious that has the potential to make
on board. If you go to the library and look through the old Merciads, us better humans. Ji *%
you'll see the evolution of afinenewspaper. Some might say you'd In a liberal arts college it is shock-
see its demise too, but my vote is still out on that one. ing that we are not able to have more
Any vehicle for free student expression, should be just that. Our options when choosing courses. The
words should not be monitored; as writers, our feelings should not options in.feminist, and African -
American studies is appalling. There
be censored if we have the guts to write them down. Yes, we will all needs to be more. Different cultures
—•
suffer some repercussions for our honesty. But isn't it worth it? Isn't exist and without knowledge of them
risk taking what college is all about? we are doomed to ignorance and preju-
Roast
nity with the hope that some will
understand and be more accepting of
the homosexual community. His form
may not be agreeable to all, but that
does not give anyone the right to
slander him.
% Look to the h uman side and the vast
differences in society and realize that
not everyone is the same. We live in
a multi-cultural world that is riddled
with different religions, languages,
sexual preferences, and colors. The
more we understand the differences
the more capable we will be to accept
demn them.
'•' I am going to change gears here
again and reveal yet another "un-
sung" hero. Actually this week we
have the first unsung heroine. She is
definitely a fitting choice for the first
female to enjoy the title. It is Cass
Shimek, the director of the Student
Union and Student Activities.
«' Poo u Id have spent weeks inter-
viewing people who would give tes-
tament to her capabilities. Cass is
very much loved, respected and emu-
lated by a great many students, fac-
ulty and administrators.
I think Daryl Georger put it best
when he said, "Cass is in a category
all by herself." Everyone I talked
with held the same view. There are
very few people who do so much and
have such a positive impact on stu-
dents as Cass does.
V
fies her dedication to her occupation
and the students.
Cass takes on many responsibili-
ties that she is hot obligated to. This
is because of her genuine interest and
concern in making the college and
those around her happy, successful
and better people. £3
Cass has what one might call an
"open - door policy." The fact that
she is dependable, personable add
approachable brings her into contact
with a variety of different people and
events. Anyone who has worked
with Cass knows the great benefit of
her wisdom, guidance and helping
hand. %
Michelle Garvey from campus min-
u
istry described Cass as the unseen
backbone" of many of the events that
involve students. Her involvement in
every facet of MSG and SAC prove
this to be true.
Cass allows the students to take on
responsibility and run events. She
stays out of the forefront but is air
ways on hand as a "Guardi an Angel"
to ensure that things run smoothly
and to suggest little things to make
events better.- Her experience and
knowledge coupled with an amazing
insight to anticipate potential prob-
lems are evident every time we have a
successful formal, winter and spring
activities, fund raiser or event.
The professional and caring de-
meanor of Cass is what makes her so

Take, for example, attendance at Mercy hurst. When I came here dice. >•
my freshman year, the financial status of my parents was much This was spurred by Emilio's col-
Cass oversees the operation of the
Student Union and is also moderator
for Mercyhurst Student Government
special and dear to all of us. Her
sincere concern that each student ben-
•

efit from the experience of Mercyhurst

different than it is now. Each term, it is only by the grace of God that umn last week. Whether or not I and Student Activities Committee.
agree with what he sa id is irrelevant^ • College is evident in everything Cass
I slip through and can afford my tuition and living expenses. Right She,also does so much more that I >j ; undertakes. . ,.
What is relevant was his blatantly will only venture to name a few.
now, I have -$46.32 in the bank, and my credit card bills are due judgmental, moralistic and slander- I do not feel that I have done justice
really soon. $ ** f | Kim Coughlin, Administrative As- to Cass. I do not think anyone could
ous attempt to express his view. The sistant in Student Services and also a
.But.I still found the resources to head down to Herman's with way in which he chose to get his point possibly do that It is impossible to
graduate intern whoworked with Cass tell exactly how much she does be-
some friends and grab a few drinks this weekend. Thanks to a across only serves to fuel the flame of for the first half of this year, points to
wonderful network of friends, I am always well fed. It's good to prejudice already rampant in society. •* cause in order to, one would have to
a "gentle-concern for everyone she be involved with almost every facet
know that we are there to take care of each other.L If Emilio would have written in an works around and with" as one of the s
of the college. ^
But what happens when you walk out into the real world and there informed and nonjudgmental fashion8 many qualities that are possessed by Cass is one of the very few people
are all those expenses? What happens when the student loan bill I would not have even addressed the ^ Cass. She often goes far above and who has touched the life of every
people come knocking at my door? What happens if I decide to live issue. My concern lies in his judg- beyond herjob description when help- student in one way or another. From
as a starving writer .and don't have any pasta left in the cupboard? ment. As far as I know Emilio has no ing others in such events, and activi-v orientation to the Senior Dinner Dance
'Til tell you what happens. ' f direct line to God; he is not a prophet ties and clubs as Christmas on Cam- Cass is there. We should all be ex-
and has no right to pass judgment on pus, the spring and winter formals
*None of those things happen. tremely thankful for her time, effort,
Nick based on his own morality. and the Minority Student Union.
Yeah, I'll admit that there is no comfortable security in knowing love and concern for each and every
I doubt very much if a student of Kim also pointed to a "unique abil- one of us. ;,
that I don't have enough money to buy a lunch special in the Laker African-American descent had been ity to stay motivated" that makes u
Cass is surely in a category all by
Inn. But it won't be like this forever. I know this, because I have an writing articles based on the experi - Cass such an irreplaceable asset to
unbelievable, empowering, earth shattering faith.| herself." No one can argue that point.
ences they h ave h ad that Em i 1 io would Mercyhurst and especially the stu- The work she does is positive, ener-
No, I am by far no Bible beater. And I will admit that my concept have written a condemning column. dents. Her all or nothing attitude is getic and filled with love. If you see
of God probably doesn't coincide with the standards of "normalcy" I believe Nick writes to relay his well known and her consistent ability her, thank her. She truly deserves it.
as stated by A FEW people at this school. But my faith has pulled experiences to the rest ofour commu- togeteachjobshetakeson exempli-
me through. It has fueled me to search for justice in the world. It has
molded me into a man who will not accept slight indifference or
apathy from those around me. It has taught me to accept what comes
The Merciad
my way. J VOL. 69 NO. 15 February 8,1996
>: Faith requires more than just futile words, angry commentaries, or Merciad Editors
malicious intentions. It requires the ability to accept the snow that
disablesus, and to Gnd creative, inventive ways of shoveling it out. an Hilfiker Editor-in-Chief Nicole Ponstingle A&E Editor
With faith come treacherous winters, filled with beautiful sunsets. ohn Murphy Sports Editor *j Marc Johnston Advertising
If you have enough faith, you can find the beauty in a garbage dump. agan Suri News Editor Megan Circle Copy Editor • i

And if you have none, you can hardly see the freedom that radiates Jessica RusseH Features Editor Jerry. Trambley Advisor
from the smile of an exploring child.
You see bow easy life becomes when you take off the shackles that Merciad Staff
bind you? I
evin Segedi Bridget Anderson Jean McFeely
You may think that I am crazy-insane with my optimistic notions. e Ann Kelly Mike Lorenz Scott Williamson
Maybe you lack the ability to separate your feelings from reality. ick Krayger Marnie Jasinski Stephen Nolan
Maybe you put your faith in yourself, or your traditions, or your cott Vance James Hain & Brad Rybczynski
politics, or your insecurities. v Jason Ulery Jamz Porzio
I couldn't live my life that way. That would be an empty, sad, The Merciad is the student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst College, Box 161,
lonely and meaningless existence for me. 501 E. 38th St., Erie, Pa., 16546. Phone 824-2376. I i
lv You see, I'm a writer. If I didn't have these cannonballs going off
in my head all day, 1 would fail to thrive and I would die. The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor.
Having no money in the bank or no clue about what to do with the
future has never killed anybody. *
Having no faith has. It is a quiet, angry death that often leaves one The Merciad's editorial opinion is determined by the Editorial Boardwith the Editor-in-Chief
with a pale, blank, empty expression and a violent, apathetic voice. holding final responsibility. The opinions expressed in The Merciad are not necessarily those of
Can you recognize the dead among you? The Merciad, its staff or Mercyhurst College.
 PAGE 5

Students respond-to Colaiacovo

I don't know about the rest of you, but I just can't see anything beauty and valueof a healthy, loving relationship shared by mature,
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR OWN IGNORANCE.
By. Chris Wloch S "inappropriate" at all about Nick and some guy together on a dance consenting adults; but I guess there will always be people who try
floor. Unlike some people, I don't have the time to waste writing to crucify those whom they hate, fear or do not understand.
about things which "[deserve] as little attention as possible." How- Third, you have absolutely no basis—apart from your irrational,
This is a personal response to the (soon-to-be-k.o/d) Heavy- ever, since this issue is something that I feel very strongly about, unexamined prejudice—for considering homosexuality to be any
weight Champion of the Right and his cheap shot (in last week's after reading Emilio's insulting column last week I felt that it had to more "unethical and immoral" than heterosexuality. Emilio, I'm
Merciad) at censuring Nick Krayger *s column. Emilio, your pitiful be addressed on several points: more than willing to debate this last statement with^you and with
attempt at a critique of "Integration** purports to be both diplomatic First of all, each and every one of us is a homophone. We have all anyone else who is willing and able "in a public forum" during the
internalized some degree of prejudice against gay men and lesbians upcoming Academic Celebration in April. This is an issue that
and tactful, and yet it is neither. In fact, I see it as downright
because of the simple fact that we are raised in a heterosexual Society. definitely should not remain "behind closed doors." It needs to be
dishonest You claim not to care about Nick's sexual preference and
I'll be the first to admit that lam oncof the most homophobic people^ discussed openly and honestly. Bring your Bible if you like, but
then proceed to center your entire letter around his homosexual
only if you're prepared to discuss the original Hebrew and Greek
orientation. Feigning an attitude of indifferent tolerance towards on this campus, but it is precisely because I recognize this fact that and the social, historical and cultural contexts of the periods when
gay people and briefly closing.with a fairly ironic lecture about I hold myself responsible to become more educated about gay and the verses that have' been associated with homosexuality were
"decency and respect for others," you devote the majority of your lesbian issues. Expecting Nick not to be frustrated with the nurse's written- As someone who wasraisedin a fundamentalist Christian
own "slanderous commentary** to attacking Nick's character simply dumb question is simply unfair. He deserves the same respect, environment, I'd bet money that I know most of your own argu-
because he will not remain silent and go back into the closet. In my acceptance and affirmation of his identity that everyone is entitled ments better than you do.
opinion, your one comparison in particular was completely uncalled to. After all, who ever bothers to ask heterosexual virgins "by the
Way, how do ya know you're really straight?" - Emilio, you stated that "politics is [your] life," and it is apparent
for: "How could you, the same man "etc... is simply hitting below the
Second, there is no such thing as "the gay lifestyle," nor is there that you comprehend the well-known feminist contention that "the
belt. This statement is one which "clearly lacks any compassion let
any "homosexual situation" in this country. Being gay or lesbian personal is political" because your own fndividual biases are more
alone any common sense,** Emil io. '{\
involves much more than with whom one goes to bed. It is an than evident throughout your unsuccessful little diatribe. Nick has
Mr. Colaiacovo's column is no doubt an embarrassment to other
emotional, psychological and physical attraction to people of the the same right as you do to express himself as he chooses in the
more sensitive and intelligent right-wingers because of its spiteful
same gender. Current research indicates that a person's sexual MerciaJ} think it's also fairly evident that you are probably not a
intent, condescending tone and weak arguments. Furthermore, the
orientation is the result of a complex interplay of social, cognitive, regular reader ofNick's column because all of the evidence for your
use of several words (in particular, disgusted, filth, repulsive,
environmental, biological (genetics, brain physiology) and devel- so-cal led charges of indecency comes from only two of his articles-
reprehensible, pollute, and especially moralist) exposes his shallow
opmental (prenatal hormones) factors. Consequently, your saying -one of which was printed over three months ago. In both of these
criticism of Nick's work to be nothing more than a rather crudely
' that you "disapprove" of Nick's "lifestyl e" is completely irrelevant. commentaries, Nick made himself extremely vulnerable by writing
constructed and poorly disguised anti-gay/lesbian polemic. To be
A person's sexual orientation is not something that is chosen Or that frankly about his experiences as a gay man; and even if you were
blunt, it is the single most ignorant and offensive piece I have ever
"offended," I believe that it was unnecessary to respond as mali-
seen in the Merciad, and I'm very upset that our school newspaper ?can be changed. To label it "perversion" or "garbage" is to act out
of complete ignorance on the subjecf.f ciously as you did.
would actually print something that I'd expect to find in Jerry
Falwell's National Liberty Journal. * *•$ •' \ It's beyond me how someone could possibly fail to recognize the

Dear Editor: excerpts of N i ck 's articles were taken Dear Editor: College is a time for us to question
Dear Editor: out of context in Emilio's article. If Emilio Colaiacovo wrote an article those things our parents taught us, to
This letter is in response to Emilio
Colaiacovo's article in) last week's the reader would recall,Nick said that in the last edition of the Merciad question our religions, to question
I am writing (as I'm sure many he hoped that "she [the nurse] get which was not only'ridiculous but the systems we've' grown up with.
others on this campus are) in response Merciad Nick Krayger discusses
something most people are afraid to; ' some of my gay blood shot into her crude. He embodies the ignorance of Yes, this is about lifestyles. It's about
to Emilio "Heavyweight Champ of organizations such as the Religious learning about a lot of things which
he relates to his readers what it feels veins" to make the point that it would
the Right" Colaiacovo's article in last Right and the Moral Majority. His will give us the background to make
like to belong to a minority. He tries be poet i c j us ti ce if N ick were the only
week's Merciad. *fc*jt £#>£&- views are exactly those which people choices about outlives. Nick Krayger
to educate and bridge the huge chasm'K person able to donate blood to save'
I respect your right as a citizen of her life. He was'hot wishing her harm who really care about decency and shows everyone on this campus,
the United States of America to ex- in our society about homophobic ten-
dencies. His column title Integration or that she would contract AIDS. respect do not share. People often use whether they agree with him or not,
press your opinion, but what right do Being gay and having AIDS are not small passages from the Bible as their how to stand up every week and ev-
you have to decide for the "reader- mea ns to come together and to deseg-
regate. Nick tries to do this by bring- synonymous. reasons to hold prejudices against ery day, for the ability to make those
ship" what is insulting, what is inde- others. While there are parts of old choices. We are able to question our
ing all sexual preferences together. I found Emilio's article full of con-
cent, or what is unethical/immoral? laws in the Bible which prohibit ho- realities and the systems through his
Whether they are heterosexuals, ho- tradictions and I want Nick to know
Are we not all able minded adults who that I like his articles and I think they mosexual activity, those laws go compassionate, emotional and per-
mosexuals, or, dare I burn your eyes,
can decide for ourselves? are intellectual. If only one person against the underlying message of sonally truthful columns. *
bisexuals, does not matter..
Also, if I recall correctly, Nick's found value in Nick's articles,that is Christ. Jesus told us to love others. In So many people, myself included,
focus in his Philadelphia night dub I disagree with Emilio's entire ar- sit quietly here at Mercy hurst and
ticle. First, for someone who "cares one person that he is helping. Isn't my own understanding, of the mes-
article was not about sexual inter- sage of Jesus Christ, we are told to don't stand up as strongly as Nick
less" what Nick's sexual preference that enough?
course, but the fact that decisions love those whom we would otherwise does. I have spoken with many stu-
is you seem to take personal offense. In closi ng, I want to make sure that
regardi ng sex-homosexual, bisexual, hate. We are not supposed to judge dents and faculty members who only
Secondly, I hardly think your allega- Emilio realizes that I take offense to
or heterosexual - can not and must not others. We are not supposed to slan- pick up the Merciad to read Nick's
tion about the majority of students his gross generalizations and insub- column. He doesn't recycle the ideas
be made in haste or in the heat of the stantial claims about Nick's column. der or otherwise harm people. The
disliking Nick's column is concrete, from the books he's read or write the
moment, especially when we arc liv- Who are you to decide what is ethical only error which a Christian can make
On what do you base this? I hope it is words somebody else said. He writes
ing i n a society faced wi th HI V/AIDS. just your opinion; otherwise yourclaim and moral for others? Excuse me, but is intolerance.! ^ $
I hate to tell you this Emilio, but this If you think Nick Krayger's words from his reality. He tries to figure
is certainly not a representative one. I will make my own decisions. Ev- things out for himself. We can all
is not 1950. It's 1996, andsoon to be Thirdly, |f you would have taken the eryone is entitled to his or her opinion are immoral and want him to stop, not
the year 2000. Homosexuality, bi- only have you perverted the message learn from his conviction. To try to
time to. look at Nick's column you but no one should infringe upon the tell Nick that he is immoral and should
sexuality, and AIDS are going to be would have noticed that it is under the rights of others to share in these opin- of the Bible, I you have missed the .
up front and in yourj|face whether message of Nick's words. Duri ng his Stop writing as he does is childish and
caption Opinion. Does this mean any- ions. I a weak argument for institutionalized
you're ready to deal with it or not. thing to you? An opinion is how you sophqmore year, Nick decided to try
Who needs to be compassionate here College is the place to be exposed to bring some reality to Mercyworld. hatred. KateMillenbach
feel about something. These feelings to new and controversial issues. Deal
Emilio? 3are initially private, but the minute with it or don't read it! * Merciad, and your recent article is
v you verbalize these emotions they Dear Editor,
the best yet. You really need to get
Sincerely, 1 are made public. Isn't this the point of This letter is in response to Mr.
the Opinion section of the Merciad? Nceley Ashbaugh out more often.
Stacey Fitz pa trick j Colaiacovo's outburst i n the Merciad Your article was-insulting, not only
Faithful Integration reader | Finally, I would like to point out that of Feb. 1,1996, in which he chose to to my friend, but to the intelligence of
(by choice, not force) '» foam at the mouth over the actions of anyone who read it. As a matter of
ing, Emilio, but most of the people everyone else's are wrong. It doesn't my good friend, Mr. Krayger. In all fact, I only read it because I was told
Dear Editor: work that^way, Emilio.*N6 one>is^ honesty, I was appalled that
1 know, even those who have a hard of its content, and thought it better to
impressed with your ignorance. someone's life could be so mind
time accepting.Nick's lifestyle, ac- read it before I wrote a response.
j*I am writing in regard to Emilio Let mc finish by asking you, Emilio, numbingly boring that they actually
knowledge that he Is a good writer. Under normal circumstances I avoid
Colaiacovo's article in the Feb. 1$ that if we should not be judging people have the capacity to care about the
I know for a fact that Emilio doesn't by their sexual preferences, why did anything with your name on it, be-
edition of the Merciad. While it is content of a newspaper column. Mr.
even know Nick, which is obvious. If you spend an entire article judging cause your pa r ticular brand of stupid-
true that; some people may be of- Krayger is one of the few and the
he did, he would not have made the Nick? Why do you keep contradict- ity is especially repulsive to me. Up
fended by some of the subject matter proud fin this community who has
statements he did, which are so con- ing yourself? You, not Nick, is the until now, your petty scribblings have
in Nick Krayger's -Integration- col- advanced beyond functional literacy
trary to the Nick Krayger I have been one who needs to learn respect for been harmless. Hateful and ignorant,
umn, I personally have never read (the ability to read street signs and
fortunate enough to know. Nick is a but harmless. Now you have chosen,
anything more disgusting or ignorant billboards) and can write a" lucid,
very compassionate person. He is also others. most foolishly, to attack closer to
lhanEmilio's article. Emilio's ideas of diplomacy and sometimes entertaining, and always
very intelligent and .'a wonderful home and direct your hate at mem-
First of all, Nick's column is not writer. I think Emilio's jealousy of tact are disgraceful. If anyone needs interesting article. Obviously not ev-
bers of the Mercy hurst community.
"filth." Nick writes about his life ex- that is what drives his hatred toward to get with it, Emilio, it is you. I eryone can like it -but the solution to
would advise you to try opening your that is to avoid reading it, as opposed That is wrong.
periences in an open and honest way,
Nick. | £ I I mind, even though you have abso- to having a verbal tantrum. Please go hack to being preoccu-
and if you don't like .it, no one is pied Mr. Colaiacovo, it is in that state
I'm not trying to defend Nick. He - lutcly no respect for the opinions of Mr. Colaiacovo, you have put on
forcing you to read it. What is truly that you arc a little closer to bci ng an
could do that on his own if he chose others, which is why; I would also quite a display, and I am certain that
offensive is Emilio's forcing of his acceptable human being thus being
to, but I'm sure he has better things to advise you to grow up. you arc feeling rather proud of your-
uneducated, immature, homophobic do. I, ho we vcr, ha vc hadit with people somewhat tolerable.
opinions on everyone else. You can't like Emilio, and I will no longer sit self for having done your "duty." #
You frequently advertise your igno- Respectful I y,
even talk to the guy without being back and be quiet while they go on Sincerely, m l ^ B I^HHlW. MjSauvc^. *
subjected to hisright-wingnonsense. .thinking their opinions arerightand K Jennifer I-oring' JPP rance and cultural inadequacy in the
i ,!.,«•# Vnmx :.i u / h a m u n u ' v p b e e n ti
 PAGE 6
Archaeology Department Receives 8,000-Year-Old Artifacts
By Jessica Russell V
Merciad Features Editor
On Feb. 3 the archaeology de-
part me nt was able to pick up, at
the University of Pittsbu rgh, two
bodies and 90 pieces of textiles
that came from a sight near Cape
Canaveral. The bodies and tex-
tiles had bccnjn storage at the
University of Pittsburgh since
1987. t
Rich Davis, the laboratory su-
pervisor, said, "They were recov-
ered in the field at the site, it's
eight kilometersfwest of Cape
Canaveral, in Florida. It's a salt
ma rsh bog and it was at the time in
early archaic time,' 7,500-8,000
years ago. This was well before
there was any kind of written i n-
formation.Jl mean we have no
idea of who these people were.
We don't know if they're the an-
cestors of Seminoles or anything
like that. They Ire archaic hunters
and gatherer
"The site was*found in 1984
during some construction in the
area. The University of Florida
was called in and they contacted
Dr. James Adovasio at the Uni-
versity of Pi ttsbu rgh because he's
the regarded world expert on per-
• months in the field. There were
ishable textiles. They could see
that these textiles had been pre-
served so they wanted to make
sure that they recovered them
correctly. .
"He went down and the first
two bodies that they found are the
two that we have here now. They
were frozen with liquid nitrogen
while still in the ground, placed in
shipping containers and flown
first class on US Air to Pitts-
burgh. Dr. Adovasio then drove
out on the runway to pick them up
and took them back to the envi-
ronmental unit at the University
of Pittsburgh. That's where
they've been until Saturday when
we picked them up," Davis said.
Davis said, "There are multiple
radio carbon dates. They average
anywhere from 7,200 B.P. to
8,000 B.P. (Bel >re Present) so
they're late,!atc Paleo-Indian or
they "° cat-/ Archaic. We clas-
sify % in * e arly Archaic.
& "We have a 38-year-old female
and a 6 or 7-year-old.... It's hard
to determine sex at that age so
we're not exactly sure about its
sex. The infant was buried with a
*
lot of really spectacular grave gifts
too. That's something significant
about the culture."
Davis said, "The dig was started
in 1985 and it ran through that
season and the 1986 seasonJIt
encompassed about 1,500 square
meters. It was dug to the depth of
two meters by trowel. It took 18
168 bodies recovered, only within
the proj ected a rea. There could be
many more but it's too expensive
to dig up the whole site: They had
to set up 160 sump- wells around
the perimeter of the site in order
to get all the water out so they
THE M ERCIAD
could even dig.
"What we are going to do now
is we are going through the pro-
cess of desalinating or taking the
salts out of the peat and the bod-
ies. We have a parylene process
machine here but the vessel we
have is not big enough to do a
human body so they're going to
go to Clearlake, Wise, where
Specialty Coating Systems has a
large enough vessel to do this,M
said Davis.»»
Many people in the department
are involved with this process.
Among them are Dr. Adovasio,
Rich Davis, Bruce Humphery,
Allison Byrnes, Jeannie Zeis and
various other students.
"I live off campus so I needed
somebody up here to help. We
need to do salinity checks on these
to check the conductivity of the
water and how much salt we're
leaching out every 30 minutes, 24
hours a day. So Allison primarily
set that sched ule up, getting people
who are reliable people that I can
trust to get up to do this at two in
the morning even on a Saturday,"
said Davis,
"When we are done with the
desalinating, we may or may not 'p
freeze dry them. I' m not sure about
that yet. We have a problem with *
textiles this old? When freeze
, dried, they shrink just incredibly.
It may be possible for us to
parylene them directly out of the
desalinator. We have both options
open to u s . . . ; • • '
FEBRUARY 8,1996
* The parylene process was de- do full DNA studies on them and
velopcd|for NASA by Union can also see what their last meal
Carbide and Bruce Humphrey was was by the contents in the stom-
the person who did this. It was ach," said Davis.
intended to protect the circuitry . * "Nothing has gone wrong. Ev-
in the space shuttles back in the erything has gone better than we
early 70s when it was developed. could 've hoped for so far," Davis
The process includes a monomer said.#
gas that invades whatever it is
you have in the vessel. It doesn't
coat it or change the molecular
structure, it surrounds the mo-
lecular structure with a
consolident. It'sal most like a plas-
iiiwlite
tic coating but there's nothing 1 ike
it so it's hard to make an analogy
for it. It actually penetrates the
entire artifact instead ofjust coat-
ing it.
"These are the oldest textiles in
the western hemisphere. Nobody
in the world has ever done this 6
type of procedure with artifacts ^ J C ^
that are, not just this old, but with
any kind of burial like that with'
textiles," said Davis, f J£*«. \0?*%*9>* M
Within the site the bodies are
set in a special way. "They would
point them to the west and orient
their heads facing north, j Then
they would have a burial shroud.
Use rechargeable batteries
They would take stakes and drive They are environmentally
them down thro ugh the burial tex- • friendly and save $ in the
tile, not through the body, to hold • long run. $?
them down in the bog, in the wa- • 4
ter. Then they built a fence around " The next E.C.C.O meeting
* —
them to keep the gators out. Gen-*«f*will be Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. in
erally it worked but they got to a 1 Js
few of them but for the most part • the secondfloorlounge in
it worked for all that time. Their • Zurn Hall.
brains are so intact that they can
FEBRUARY 8,1996 THE MERCIAD PAGE 7

Bittersweet Weekend for Ladies

By John Murphy In the second half, the tight back. With 9:25 left they had lev-
MVP Zak Gets Back It tt Merciad Sports Editor margin was maintained as both
teams battled it out. However, it
eled the score 14-14 at which poi nt
Webb called a timeout for his
Senior hockey player John Tsakanikas returned to the humble envi- was the Lakers inability to con- team. Whatever it was the second
rons of Mercy hurst this week after spending almost a week in the world The tLady Laker basketball trol Grand Val 1c y' | wo big pi a y- year head coach said to his play-
of international hockey. Playing for his native country Greece, "Zak" squad played two games over the ers, Sarah Jasmanland Melissa ers, it certainly worked. Over the
played three games in an Olympic and World Championship qualifying past week and, consistent with Stahl, that wound up costing them remainder of the half the Lakers
tournament The tpurnament was held in the northern Israeli city of how their overall season has gone the game. out scored their opponents 27
Metulla Two games were against Israel itself, and the other was against so far this year, the ladies tasted In the end, these two dominat- points to nine and went in at the
Turkey.} * fv f W. both victory and defeat. ing players had amassed a total of half leading 41-23. *gjf;
The Greeks proved far superior as they won all; three games comfort-
*BOP
After falling to a disappointing 39 points between them and This lead proved too much for
ably. And how did Zak play? "Not bad I guess, I had eight goals and six 66-61 loss on the road against jj helped their side secure a 66-61 Wayne State and try as they might,
assists,and they gave me the Tournament Defense man MVP," said Zak. Grand Valley State last Thurs- victory. Top scoring for the Hurst they couldn't catch the always-
Not bad indeed for someone who never played for his country before. day, the team returned home to was shared between Morth and in-control Lakers throughout the
"It was a very emotional experience for the 12 guys who flew from the MAC on Saturday to score a her sophomore partner* Kristen second half. Morth and company
Canada," said Zak. "Seven ofthe team were from Greece and had played much welcomed * 65-52 victory Molli, each had 15 points. Junior maintained their strong lead, a
for their country before, but for us it was a very proud moment to stand over Wayne State. The Lakers Connie Ralston gave a solid per- lead that had been built largely
out there on the ice and listen to your country's national anthem being stand at 9-11 overall and main- formance with 13 points. due to sophomore Lonna Du nlap * s
played," he added. * J tain a .500 level in GLIAC play five three-pointers in thefirsthalf.
"The competition wasn't of the level we play at Mercyhurst; it was with a 6"6 record. Winning at home has proved Dunlap finished the game with a
more like junior level in Canada," said Zak. 'They were slower on the The Lakers maintained the lead more difficult than winning on career high 17 points. Morth was
ice than us and ended up taking a lot of penalties. We took advantage of throughout much of Thursday's •the road for the lady Lakers this her consistent self with 14 points
this to score a lot of goals on powerplays," said Zak. Over the three low scoring game against Grand season. However, holding only a and seven rebounds.
games played, the Mediterraneans hammered 35 goals past their oppo- Valley. After eight minutes of 1*2-9 record in conference play, Tied for seventh place in the
nents. 4 • play the visiting Lakers led 12-6 Laker fans were confident that conference standings with only
'The three victories in the tournament mean we are now qualified for and once again it was the team's ,'. Wayne State would not leave the six games remaining in the regu-
the World Championships," said Zak. The Championships will be held best player,'sophomore Lori MAC with a win on Saturday. lar season, the Lakers are a long
on March 20 and 21 in Lithuania. "We play Serbia in the second Morth, who controlled {play on Thanks to a fine all round per- shot for the Championship Tour-
the court. f formance from the home side, the nament However, the team will
game there and if we defeat them we qualify for the 1998 Winter
Olympics," said Zak. - Morth finished the half with fans weren't disappointed. From be hoping for two wins this week
"I am looking forward to the next tournament with my country, but, seven points and eight rebounds the tip-off the Lakers took the ball against both Gannon and Ferris
right now my mind is focused on playing well for my team here at the while another sophomore, Sarah > down court for the game* first State. Thursday's game against
Hurst and getting back to Nationals," said Zak. Marando, also contributed seven *'basket. After just five,minutes rivals Gannon begins at 6 p.m. at
points for her team. The Lakers coach Jim Webb's team had raced the Hammermill Center. The Lak-

Fine Season Continues went in at half-time leading by a

slender two point margin, 28-26.
into a 10-3 lead. |
However, Wayne State fought
m ers are away to Ferris State on
Saturday.
The Laker J. V. hockey team upped its record to 11-2 for the season last
weekend as they recorded two more impressive victories.
I The Hurst handed St. Bona venture its biggest defeat of the season with
an 18-2 trouncing. If Cortland College thought they would end the
No Football? All is Not Lost
Lakers' impressive winning ways, they were proved wrong as the blue By Dave Perry f -game (Scottie Pippen), and the AFC20-13jntheNFL'sProBowl
and green skaters defeated them 6-4 in a hard fought battle. Merciad sports columnist most flamboyant rebounder in the this past weekend. Future Hall-
"Cortland is one of the best teams in the league and its always nice to league^ (Dennis'Rodman). Con- of-Famer Jerry Rice, the player
beat them," said junior ace Mark Fisher. Freshman Rob McKinley is a Doom is upon us. The Super sidering what the Bulls are doing otherwise known as TGRTEPTG
big part of the Lakers'success this season,and he added two more goals Bowl isfinally over and it'sgoing to the rest of the NBA greats, I (the greatest receiver to ever play
to his season tally on Saturday. to be five long months until the think that they should represent the game) added to his list of
Commenting on the team's fine play this season, Fisher said, "I think NFL training camps open in the the United States in the upcomi ng accomplishments by winning the
it has a loMo do with our new coach Jeff Veetch He's a very intense and • middle of July. What in the world *? Summer Olympics, not a Dream Pro Bowl MVP award after catch-
competitive individual and I think it rubs off < m the players," •• is a sports fan going to do in the Team HI. . f5 i i n g six passes for 82-yards and
The team takes to the road this weekend to play two very important p middle of another dull February? . It's safe to say that if it wasn't for 'Siout touchdown. &
Life- just seems to have lost its the new wildcard playoff formula However, it was Pittsburgh
league games. On Friday night the team travels to tackle Ithaca College
luster. The NBA and NHL play- unveiled in major league baseball Steeler wideout Yancey Thigpen
and head on to face Cortland on Saturday. These two games will decide
offs are months away; we have to last year, the Seattle- Mariners who stole the show with a 93-
whether the team gets a first round bye in the league playoffs which are
wait several weeks for the NCAA would not be in Seattle and their yard touchdown catch from Cin-
to be held in Rochester. Ji i fans wouldn't be opening the
Tournament; and it's still too cold i cinnati Bengal Jeff Blake in the
to bring out the golf clubs. Oh champagne to celebrate the sign- '2 first quarter. Yancey's catch was
well, all is not lost. There are aling of Ke n Griffey, Jr. Last week, % the longest pass play in the 26
several recordHhak havfc been thfi 26 year-old outfielder accepted . V year history of the Pro Bowl, but
:
^fyjrqfcefi aftd^cuiErentsvents tjiatare ^f;;a*tour-year $34^million dollar * T must note that the AFC still lost.
y
£#worthSvatch1ng: f i *m£ "m contract that would make him the
.^ * A^nfffnn* l U n f itMIII/1 tMnl/A M«**% t n A
£ v e n though fVancey tried, he is
f The ritosl intruguihg is*the red highest paid baseball player in only one player and can't be ex-
hot play of the Chicago Bulls. It's the 1996 season. pected to do everything. I guess
tempting to say that if this year's ^ While it's reassuring that Se- the AFC just needed more
Chicago Bulls team had a some- attle kept Junior, it's^also dis- Steelers on the roster to change
what decent center, they might go tressing that they could lose their the outcome*
" down as the 'greatest'team ever pro-football team. Just days after ©PHQMQBEa^SDKI
assembled. Who kn6wsjmaybc Griffey's contract was announced,
ft

they already are. After all, they're
coming off an undefeated Janu-
ary and are only the ninth team in
NBA history to go undefeated in
Plavmaker Supreme: Senior guard, Rastaaah Roland ^ ^ looks to set up amonth.Theircurrent41-4record
Photo: John Murphy : s t j , c b e s t s t a r t ever in NBA his-
another Laker attack.
tory and they also boast, a 22*0
the sports wo.ld learned of the
Scaha wkJinipending move to Los
Angeles. Apparently,|unhappi-
ness with the current state of the
Kingdome was cited as the chief
reason for the move (maybe Art
Modell is a silent part-owner of OGBEHBSi .

WMCE Saturday, JFeb. 10 record at home this season. .Z the Seahawks?). This would be a http://www.takeabreak.com
1-BOO-95-BREAK
The only reason that I can think tragedy for the citizens of Seattle
Ferris State I of for their success is that it must because coach Dennis Erickson
TAME A BREAK STUDENT TRAVEL
Fliahu io Cancuri, Nasuu and Myatlan,arc Public Chanen Tbc charter
operator.

188.5 FM
w a t e r U W e A break Student Tnvd. The diiwait carnm arcPwjdue
Airwavi and VtsOOUH AuService. An Operator s Option Plan u required,

Air Time 12:50 p.m be attributed to the mystic powers

of coach'Phil Jackson's beard or
is onithe right track, inlfact, I
believe that next year could be the
^VVdflte'l HI! Individuals. Student
Oif|»»..«Ta' nt and Small QroupR to Promote
WOMEN'S Monday, Feb. 12 'the fact that the Bulls have maybe year the Seahawks rise to the top 1996 Spring Break Travel Packages
earn ****** MONEY «* FREE TRIPS
the best player to ever play the and challenge for the AFC title.... Call INTER-CAMPUS PROGRAMS
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Mlp:/*N»rwwJc|»team

LIYEA-B^^=^2ffii^-
 PAGE 8
Basketball Continues Quest for jPlayoff Spot
By Jean Mc Feely
Merciad Sports writer
The Mercy hurst mei.; basket-
ball team is gearing up tor the end
of a very long season of play. The
next few games will definitely be
anSindicator as to whether,the
Mercyhurst Lakers will be par-
ticipating in the GLI AC tourna-
ment here over spring break. Right
now they are 8-4 as far as district
play goes. * ^'
Last week the men played two
games. The first was on Thurs-
day, Feb. 1, at Grand Valley State
University where the men lost
87-72. The next game they played
was on Saturday, Feb. 3. Here the
men took on Wayne State who
are 6-6 in d istrict play. Mercyhu rst
won this game with a final score
84-81.$ f | p %$i \
The starting line up for the Lak-
ers on Thursday was Jim Roe,
Rahsaah Roland, Will Stinson,
Craig Young, and Maurice Profit.
Steve Davis of Grand Valley won
the tip off and team mate Ryan
Con! a n scored three points within
•the first six seconds of play.
Mercy hurst came back after that
keeping Grand Valley from mov-
ing ahead. At the end of the first
half the score was 44-39 for the
Hurst.
Grand Valley was never given
the opportunity to take the lead
after the first two minutes. 13 of
the points Grand Valley was able
t
to obtain were from foul shots.
leers
By Scott Vance |
Merciad Sports Writer
The Mercyhurst hockey team
improved its overall record to 15-
6-2 last weekend. The Lakers
posted two fine away wins oyer
Elmira College and Hobart col-
lege last Friday and Saturday night
respectively.
The Lakers traveled to Elmira
needing a win in order to regain
their confidence after a disap-
pointing 3-2 defeat by Alabama
Huntsville in their previous game.
Stretching to His Best: Laker goalie Avi Karunakar had a great weekend between the posts for his team.
His performance earned him the ECAC "Player of the Week* award.
Mercy hu rst was play ing tough off
the boards, beating Grand Valley
out for rebounds. The Lakers were
also on target as far as their shots
were concerned so this was a
definite plus. The high scorers for
the Hurst in the first half were
Roland and Profit with 12 points
each, and Stinson and Profit came
away as top re bounders. The sec-
ond half took a turn for the worse
unfortunately. |
Grand Valley was able to tie up
the score at 44-44, with 17:50 to
go in the half. This is where
- Grand Valley began to walk away
from the Hurst. The Lakers marl-
aged to get ahead but Mate
Verbeek from GV tied it 60-60
with 10:56 remaining. The Hurst
again lost its lead with 9:35 to go
and si mp 1 y cou Id n' t get it back/ In
this game Profit sustained a bro-
ken nose but it seems as though
he'll be good to go on Thursday
against Gannon. ±
The Laker men won 11 points
off the turnovers, but GV were
much more aggressive off the
boards in the second half. They
were able to win 29 rebounds in
comparison to the Lakers' 16 re-
bounds. Grand Valley also was
more accurate with its shots i n the
second half. High scorer in the
second half was Jason Ioppolo
with 10 points and top rebounder
was Craig Young. .
The game Saturday night was
an exciting one to say the least.
The Lakers took on Wayne State.
Wayne State's Durand Watkins
Back on the
^Friday night's game was a hard
fought game, and it took a very
big goal by sophomore Steve
Torriero late in the second
period, to break the dead-lock.
Freshman Oto Hlincik was the
architect as he dished out an accu-
rate pass from behind the net to
the impressive Torriero who fin-
ished* in fine stylefto give the
Lakers a 1-0 lead. It was a goal
which opened the flood gates and
v
the team could do nothing but
score after this.
1
THE MERCIAD
*
Junior forward, Will Stinson is sent airborne by Wayne State players The big man had a big day for the
Lakers scoring 24 points and grabbing 12 rebounds.
was the first to score but Senior
Will Stinson outscored Watkins
by two points with a 3-pointer,
and so the competition began. #• men. Stinson was the top scorer
Mercyhurst was down for the first
six minutes or so of play, but that
all changed with 13:51 remain-
ing. Jim Roe made a 3- pointer off
the top of Jthe key and a few
seconds later returned with a two
point runne; as the Hurst began its for Mercyhurst, 80-78. The score they'll take on Wayne State. The
scoring rampage. Young had a
two pointer jump shot, Roland
scored two 3-pointers in a row,
The second goal came from
freshman Bobby Atkin as he
slipped the puck, past the
goaltender who had tried to poke-
check the puck to safety.
ItwasTorriero again who scored
the third goal as he chopped the
puck into the net while lying on
his stomach, and it wasn't long
after that heicollected hisghat-
trick when he deflected a Russ
Ciesielski shot into the net. Atkin
followed with his second goal of
the night, and Trevor Brandt
Photo: Mike Lorenz
FEBRUARY 8,1996
\
Photo: John Murphy
one from the top and one on the shots in the last 1.5 seconds, con-
right. With 40 seconds remaining cluding the game with a score of
the score was 46-25 for the Laker 84-81.
Thursday, Feb. 8, Mercyhurst
and also the top rebounder. takes on Gannon at Gannon. The
The second half began with game begins at 7:30 p.m. Fans are
Ioppolo earning his first personal encouraged to attend this cross-
fou 1 ofthe game. With 55 seconds town rival game. Saturday, Feb;
remaining Wayne State was able 10, the^Lakers head off to play
to close the. gap to a 2 point lead .^ Ferris State, and then on Monday
was 82-81 for the last 2 seconds, next home game is Thursday Feb.
but Roland came throughforthe ' 15, against Grand Valley.f
Lakers making both his foul
rounded out the Lakers scoring
Track
man Mike Lewandowski finished
with a well taken effort the game in One style with a wrist
^Assistant Coach Mike Sisti was shot goal from the left handside
pleased with the performance of the ice.
"Our first goal was a big one, as it Once again Coach Sisti was
was late in the second period happy with the win saying, "It
and we went into the locker room was cold and there were a lot of
with a one-goal lead," he said. excuses not to play well, but we
"This was real nice as Elmira is a were able to rise to the occasion
real tough place to play, espe- and play well."
cially when the crowd gets going, fThe real hero in both these
games was a sophomore
but we were able to quiet them
goaltende r named Avi Karunakar.
down," said Sisti.
He stopped 43 of 44 shots in the
The team then traveled to meet
6-1 win against Elmira, and made
Hobart, whom they had already
defe ated ea rl ier this season. It wa s 15 consecutive saves against
an afternoon game and the Lakers Hobart. This impressive perfor-
were coming off a tough Friday mance earned Karunakar the
night game. But that wasn't the ECAC West "Playerofthe Week"
worst of it. The game was played title. § M. *
in an outdoorringwith tempera- Overall, Karunakar is 6-2-1 and
tures d roppi ng to below zero tem- has a save percentage of 925 per-
peratures. cent and a goals against average
f These tough conditions didn't of only 2.04 goals a game. Both
stop the Lakers from giving one Karunakar and sophomore Chris
hundred percent effort however. Hcrbolshcimcr have now been
They were rewarded by a Kevin named as players of the week, and
McKinnon goal lin the second they seem to be improving with
period. Mckinnon walked in the every game they play.
puck from the point and hit a slap Sisti was extremely impressed
shot that was*deflected by the with Karunakar last weekend, "It
Hobart goaltender into the net on was an outstanding performance
a Laker Power Play. byvAvi." he said!
Torriero added the second goal The team now has a week off,
which gave him four goals in two and then travel to play in games
games, as he collected his own the Lakers really need to win in
rebound and squeezed the puck order to keep any NCAA Divi-
under the goal tenders legs. Fresh- sion II play-off aspirations alive.