Merciad Vol.82, No.15/1.28.

09/Free

Eat wings,
save a life
Erie’s Buffalo Wild Wings will
donate a percentage of
Monday’s earnings to the
Steve Giallourakis Fund
Read more on Page 2

Hurst
Homes
Junior Maeve McGoff produces
a Mercyhurst version of MTV’s
Cribs with an inside look into
student housing.
Read more on Page 3
Scoot Williams photo

Prischak shoots and Deals on meals

scores a millenium at Smugglers’
Bayfront restaurant offers
Senior guard reaches meals at half price from
1,000th point 4 to 6 p.m.
Read more on Page 18 Read more on Page 6
Page 2
Save a life, eat buffalo wings
By Kelly Luoma
Staff writer
The charitable qualities of
Mercyhurst College’s students
and faculty are shown through
their ability to help people facing
difficult situations.
Steve Giallourakis, 18, has
been diagnosed with two types
of cancer.
Steve is the younger brother
of Nick Giallourakis. Nick is a
Mercyhurst alumnus from the
graduating class of 2008.
Steve was first diagnosed
with a type of bone cancer,
osterosarcoma, which started
in his lower spine and spread to
his lungs.
After receiving chemotherapy
treatment, Steve was diagnosed
with secondary leukemia.
Steve is undergoing another
round of chemotherapy. He will
receive a bone marrow transplant
after his treatment if everything
goes as planned.
“Once he gets that he is
hopefully done if the new bone
Friday, Jan. 30
LSC Women’s Hockey-4:30 p.m.-MIC
Friday, Jan. 30
Midnight Breakfast-12 a.m.-Union
Saturday, Jan. 31
Murder Mystery Dinner-6 p.m.-Egan
Ambassador Club is selling raffle tickets to win a
Super Bowl basket filled with all the snacks and gift cards
Price:
1 ticket - $1
5 tickets - $3
arm’s length - $5
NEWS January 28, 2009
marrow accepts his body,” Nick
said.
“Once this happens he will
be in the hospital for about five
or six weeks and will be in and
out of the hospital for check-ups
on his bone marrow for a long
time.”
Steve’s struggles have inspired
Nick.
“The kid is amazing how he
can push through something
life threatening more than once.
He has kept my family and me
strong in spirit even though we
think we are the ones keeping
him strong,” Nick said.
To help the Giallourakis family
finance Steve’s cancer treatment,
Jill Slomski, the assistant profes-
sor of marketing in the Walker
School of Business, challenged
her Sales Management class to Contributed photo
raise as much money as possible. There will be a fundraiser for Steve Giallourakis at Buffalo Wild Wings on Feb., 2. Steve is the
Senior Danni Lockerbie is younger brother of a Mercyhurst alumnus and has been diagnosed with two types of cancer.
fundraising at her work, Buffalo From left to right: Phil Giallourakis, Steve Giallourakis, Mrs. Giallourakis, Nick Giallourakis.
Wild Wings.
On Monday, Feb. 2, everyone cent of their total check donated at Buffalo Wild Wings at 2075 kis Fund, go to Buffalo Wild
who eats at Buffalo Wild Wings directly to the University Hospi- Interchange Road. Wings and eat a big meal.
and would like to participate in tal: Steve Giallourakis Fund. For students interested in Wings have never tasted so
the fundraiser will have 15 per- The fundraiser will take place donating to the Steve Gialloura- good!
Fiesta Friday
Friday, Jan. 30
at 12:15 p.m.
$5 for two tacos,
rice, drink, chips and
salsa from
El Canelo
Tickets are on sale Bring cash, Campus
until Friday, Jan. 30.
Cash or Laker Loot!
January 28, 2009
HurstTV dives into
campus cribs
By Ashley Pastor
Staff writer
HurstTV, the Mercyhurst
College Communication
Department’s student-run tele-
vision station, airs programs
put together by communica-
tion department students com-
pleting their practicum require-
ments.
Junior Maeve McGoff and
partner senior Jeff Stoll have
put together a show similar
to MTV’s Cribs called Hurst
Homes.
“I got the idea from the real-
ity TV show MTV’s Cribs where
celebrities show off their classy
cars and huge homes, but put
it on Mercyhurst College’s level
of dinky dorms and 38th Street
shacks,” McGoff said.
She said this would give the
opportunity for students to
show what it’s like to live off-
campus versus on campus.
According to McGoff, the
show allows not only Mercy-
hurst students, but also the
general public, to see a typical
college kid’s lifestyle and living
space.
“We have all experienced
Mercyhurst College’s living
situations from the burning
water of a Baldwin Hall shower
if someone on the 2nd floor
would flush the toilet, heard the
ghost stories of Egan, experi-
enced one of those ‘ragers’ in
the Suites as a freshman and
got in trouble for breaking
curfew in McCauley,” McGoff
said.
“Then once sophomore
year hits, depending on your
housing point situation, you
get a nice apartment or live in
the 600s…nonetheless, we all
know what’s really behind the
12 layers of off-white paint
on the halls, what health and
safety checks really mean, leaky
ceilings, aggravating two-hour
waits for someone to get their
clothes out of the washer and
the arguments between who
gets the bigger room. In sum-
mary, everyone can relate to a
show like this.”
The idea was generated by
McGoff last year, but filming
did not begin until last term.
Filming and touring the
living spaces takes one to three
hours, but the Hurst Homes
team spends upwards of 20
hours editing the footage,
which includes adding in “typi-
cal and extremely cheesy rap
sound clips” for the appropri-
ate moments and scenes in the
different areas of the houses
and apartments.
“Originally, we wanted to do
a dorm, an apartment and an
off-campus house; however, we
filmed Jeff ’s girlfriend’s apart-
ment and I just filmed myself
and my housemates,” McGoff
said.
“So the next episode, we will
feature different groups who
aren’t our good friends. Well,
depending on if people are
willing to be on it.”
Junior Megan Rasmussen was
one of the residents featured in
her on-campus apartment.
“Being fans of the show
cribs, my roommates and I
were glad to do it. All we had
to do was show our apartment
and talk about the pros and
cons of living on campus and
the pros and cons of the actual
apartment we live in,” Rasmus-
sen said.
Rasmussen said she and
her roommates enjoyed being
NEWS Page 3
Play and Pray:
Evening Mass at Christ the King
Chapel changed to 4:30 p.m. due
to the Super Bowl.
filmed for the show and show-
ing off their apartment.
“Hopefully what we said
about the apartment and on- Pre-Law Society Meeting
campus housing will be consid- Tuesday, Feb. 3 in Sullivan 1 at 5 p.m.
ered in future renovations,” Ras-
mussen’s roommate junior
Courtney Loper said.
McGoff goes on to say “The Intersection of Traditional
that Hurst Homes allows for Notions of Justice
numerous episodes because
there are tons of different and International Prosecutions in
types of homes and situations the Age of Terrorism”
to capture.
Junior Stevie Crisci, who Tuesday, Feb. 3
lives with McGoff, said, “While
giving the tour of our house, Mercy Heritage Room
I didn’t feel pressured like you 6 p.m.
think you would in front of a
video camera; it was laid back OPEN TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE
and fun.”
McGoff thinks that students MERCYHURST COMMUNITY
will really be able to relate to
the show. She thinks the trials
and tribulations students face
will be similar.
McGoff also hopes that The English Department
the issues in the current living
spaces for upper classmen on inducted 15 majors and
campus will come to light and
solutions will be more readily
minors into Sigma Tau Delta,
offered. the English
“It’s not some talk show
with the same background and International Society:
topics; it’s out of the studio and
the students get to become their
own host for the rest of us,”
Seniors:
McGoff said. Halle Kostansek, Kallen Dearnbarger,
“Watching it, it just makes Lindy Smart, Rachel Adamitis, Rachel
you realize, you can’t com-
plain. Everyone goes through Roney, Patrick Silvis, Amy Kuhnlein and
cooking Ramen noodles four John S. Torrelli
nights a week, eating unhealthy
amounts of ‘Hot n’ Readys,’ Juniors:
waiting in line for your room-
mate to get out of the shower, Zoey Alderman-Tuttle, Marco Antonio
but really, this lifestyle doesn’t Blanco, Kyle R. King, Alexandra Halin,
change on or off campus. How-
ever, maybe it’s a bigger living
Raymond L. Horton, Sr. Juliet K.
area but that’s pretty much all Nakayiza and Alicia M. Rankin
the same.”
Page 4
Decals
on light
switches
around
campus
remind
students to
conserve
energy.
Scoot Williams photo
Green Team participates
in conservation campaign
By Alaina Rydzewski
Staff writer
Throughout the year, Mer-
cyhurst College’s Green Team
has been promoting energy
conservation using several dif-
ferent techniques.
The Green Team has been
recycling phone books through-
out the winter term.
Over 1,200 pounds have been
donated so far, resulting in $350
in contribution to the Second
Harvest Food Bank, according
to Dr. Chris Magoc, the chair of
the Green Team.
Mercyhurst is competing in a
10-week national competition
called “RECYCLEMANIA” for
the first time.
This is a friendly competition
between local colleges and uni-
versities across the country to
see which school can produce
the lowest quantity of waste
per capita.
The winning school receives
a bowling pin trophy to signify
their success.
Most importantly, however,
the college is participating in
an Energy Conversation Cam-
paign, consisting of several
components:
First, in the Health and Safety
Inspections going on this week
in student residences, Residence
Life will also evaluate the resi-
dences in the aspect of energy
usage, labeling the residents as
‘responsible,’ ‘semi-responsible’
or ‘energy hogs.’
If they fall into one of the
two first categories, students
will receive tickets for a Green
Chinese Raffle to be held during
Earth Week, which falls in
April.
This will also be done during
spring term inspections.
Second, Ken Stepherson,
director of the physical plant,
and Gerald McMurdy from
the General Plant Maintenance
Department have begun the
energy conservation retrofits
upon student request.
This includes going into the
apartments and applying energy-
conservation materials.
NEWS
Finally, in the next couple
weeks, energ y conser vation
decals saying “LIGHTS OUT!-
We are Globally Responsible,”
designed by Steve Perkins in the
marketing department, will be
posted on light switches around
campus.
Magoc said that new recycling
bins have also been ordered
for the academic buildings and
should be arriving soon.
Freshman Steve Bukowski
said his College Writing II class
revolved around the topic of
sustainability with water pollu-
tion and alternative energy as
other environmental focuses.
He said energy conservation
is “the most prevalent, because
it will reduce pollution eventu-
ally.”
Students interested in help-
ing the Green Team or seeking
more information, contact Dr.
Chris Magoc at extension 2075,
Ken Stepherson or Gerald
McMurdy at extension 2273,
or send e-mails to greenteam@
mercyhurst.edu.
Teri Rhodes’s
appeal denied
By Ashley Pastor
Staff writer
After almost two years, Teri
Rhodes finds no sympathy in
her appeal.
Erie County Judge William R.
Cunningham issued a 61-page
decision on Monday denying
Rhodes a sentence reduction.
Rhodes was sentenced in
November to six to 18 years
for killing her only minute’s old
newborn child in August 2007.
Rhodes’s attorney, Phillip
Friedman, requested the sen-
tence be reduced and Cunning-
ham be removed from the case.
Cunningham was not obligated
to provide rationale for his deci-
sion not to change.
Friedman previously said he
would appeal Rhodes’ sentence
to the State Superior Court
if Cunningham denied his
motion.
According to the Erie Times-
News, Friedman wanted Cun-
ningham to sentence Rhodes
based on the defense’s theory
of the crime – that the stress of
the child’s sudden and unwanted
birth on Aug. 12, 2007, pro-
voked Rhodes to kill the infant
in a “fit of passion.”
Friedman said that as a judge,
Cunningham had to weigh all
the circumstances surrounding
the crime, including evidence
of the “cunning,” Erie Times-
News reported.
Rhodes concealed her preg-
nancy and killed the child,
despite the multiple other
options she had for dealing with
her situation, Friedman said.
The ruling ordered the sched-
uling of a hearing on Wednes-
day, Feb. 4, to consider a motion
to release Rhodes on bail while
January 28, 2009
the appeal of her sentence is
pending, according to the Erie
Times News.
Rhodes pleaded guilty on Aug.
8, to voluntary manslaughter in
a plea agreement. Cunningham
sentenced her on Nov. 21.
Rhodes, at the time an 18-
year-old Mercyhurst College
volleyball player, delivered the
girl in her Briggs Avenue apart-
ment, then placed her in a gar-
bage bag, which Rhodes left in
the bathtub, killing the child by
asphyxiation.
Friedman accused Cunning-
ham of unfairly crafting his
written rationale for the sen-
tence before hearing from all
proper evidence at the sentenc-
ing hearing.
According to the Erie Times-
News, Cunningham thought
his sentence, instead of being
inappropriate for someone of
Rhodes’ crime-free background,
was instead carefully tailored to
her conduct and the laws gov-
erning the crime she admitted
she committed.
The Erie Times-News also
reported that Cunningham said
contrary to the defense claim,
Rhodes acted in a panicked and
“dissociative mental state.”
Instead of seeking help from
the many people who asked her
about her condition, she con-
tinued to hide it, Cunningham
said.
In contrast to Cunningham’s
decision, a Delaware County
judge this week imposed a 45-
day sentence – to be served on
weekends – on a 20-year-old
woman who pleaded guilty to
involuntary manslaughter for
the death of her newborn son.
Mia Sardella admitted to caus-
ing her newborn infant’s death
on Jan. 1, 2007.
January 28, 2009 NEWS Page 5

Students with Asperger’s find mentors

By Kelly Luoma
Staff writer
Mercyhurst College offers many
unique programs to accommodate its
diverse student population.
The Learning Differences Program
is one of these unique programs help-
ing meet the needs of students with
learning disabilities.
Under the Americans with Disabili-
ties Act, students with disabilities must
be given certain services.
This ruling came into effect seven
years after Mercyhurst already had a
program to assist students with special
needs.
“Mercyhurst was way ahead of
its time,” Graduate Assistant of the
Learning Differences Program Sara
Rish said.
According to the Director of Learn-
ing Differences Diane Rogers, the
Learning Differences program at Mer-
cyhurst has worked with many differ-
ent types of learning disabilities includ-
ing students with dyslexia, dyscalculia,
traumatic brain injury, blindness and
deafness.
It was not until recently that Asperger
syndrome was added to this list.
Asperger syndrome was first recog-
nized by schools about 10 to 15 years
ago, and students with Asperger have
not been of college age until the last
few years, Rogers said.
“We knew that this population of
people was going to be coming to col-
lege,” Rogers said.
To prepare for this, the Learning
Differences Office created a program
trying to address some of the problems
students with Asperger syndrome face.
Each person who has Asperger syn-
drome has “different abilities,” Rish
said.
“Many are highly intelligent, but lack
social graces and the ability to interact,
which is very important on a college
campus,” Rogers said.
She also mentioned other character-
istics of a person with Asperger syn-
drome, which include preoccupations
with one or more patterns of interest,
lack of eye-to-eye gaze and failure to
develop normal peer relationships.
The Learning Differences program
joined with Residence Life; most of
the students with Asperger syndrome
at Mercyhurst are currently living in
single rooms to allow them to adjust to
college more gradually.
The program also coordinated with
Director of Marriage and Family Stud-
ies Sally Ondrejcak, who identified five
or six peer mentors who would work
well with the students with Asperger
syndrome.
An Asperger Advisory group started
during the 2008 fall trimester.
It consists of five students with
Asperger’s syndrome and peer men-
tors.
The mentors are graduate assistant
Sara Rish, senior Meghan Pugliese,
senior Adam Glass, sophomore Shawna
Medinger and junior Hannah Canter.
This group meets weekly and dis-
cusses any problems the students
might be having, such as stress related
to academics, problems with classes or
any issues to consider when living with
a roommate.
Besides discussing life at Mercyhurst,
the group watches and discusses films
and television shows.
Rish said that the group was seeing
positive results.
The students’ “academic skills have
been very good,” Rogers said.
According to Rogers, together the
students averaged over a 3.3 grade
point average for the first trimester.
She did mention there have been a
few social problems, but she is trying
for the students to continue to make a
number of social connections.
The group wants to get together with
other colleges in the area to help with
their social networking.
“At first their behavior seems hard
to address, but I’ve gotten used to
their quirkiness…its fun,” Rogers said.
“They are different people, but I bet
they would say the same thing about
me.”
Currently, the group is not open to
all Mercyhurst students.
“We want to make sure everything
is stable before [we] introduce anyone
else to the group,” Rish said.
Anyone interested in learning more
about Asperger syndrome may contact
Dianne Rogers at drogers@mercy-
hurst.edu.

Burmese refugees thankful to be in USA

By Alaina Rydzewski
Staff writer
Three words that could be used to describe these
Burmese refugees are relaxed, relieved and happy.
Before they came to the United States this was not
the case.
Over the last decade, 1.5 million citizens of Burma
have been displaced.
Three thousand of their villages have been
burned.
One thousand, one hundred, eighty five political
prisoners are being held captive.
Hundreds of thousands of people are literally run-
ning for their lives from the government, hiding in
the jungle and fleeing to the mountains.
Those lucky enough to escape are placed in differ-
ent countries around the world – most of the time
without knowing how to speak anything but the lan-
guage they were raised with, knowing no one and
having to leave family members behind.
In Erie, they are helped for the first six months by
the International Institute of Erie and then left to get
on their feet on their own.
Four refugees from Burma, Shi Sho, Kant Kyau,
Aung Zau Oo and May Myant Ko, were present at
Mercyhurst’s Taylor Little Theater to speak about
their life experiences not only in Burma but in the
United States.
After a PowerPoint presentation by Teresa Hoerres,
who works at the Institute, Shi Sho spoke in a thick
accent, moving from the history of Burma to the his-
tory of himself.
He joined the revolution in 1999, working in a
medical clinic, until he came to the U.S. in 2008.
“Our women raped, our language cannot be
learned, our books are banned…we need freedom,”
he said.
Aung Zau Oo spoke next, talking about his interac-
tions with the police – he survived prison twice.
Although they both love the U.S., it is obvious they
both love Burma more.
They both plan to return to Burma someday if at
all possible.
“If I can openly tell you, I cannot live in [the] U.S.
my whole life. I will go back someday to my country
and try the best [I can] to improve the country’s edu-
cation and economic state,” Zau Oo said.
Sho agreed, he said he “hopes one day to go back
to [my] homeland and help my people fight for their
freedom…I dream to live happily and educate chil-
dren so they can come to Mercyhurst maybe.”
He said this with a wink and a smile.
It is painfully obvious that all these refugees want
for themselves and their fellow people back in Burma
are the things too many people take for granted every
day, things such as the right to education, freedom
and happiness.
Katie White, who also works at the Institute, said
things to do to become involved are “dig deep…ask
questions, know the history, know the politics, know
the people, be an advocate and be a volunteer.”
Any questions or desire to volunteer can be directed
to Katie White at (814) 452-3935 or kwhite@interin-
sterie.org.
Page 6
Deals on meals at Smugglers’ Wharf
By Heather Donovan
Staff writer
It was above freezing in Erie, Pa. on
Friday last week.
Guys were playing football outside,
and girls were sitting on their apartment
stoops enjoying fresh air that didn’t
sting their lungs to the point of painful
breathing.
A “warm” day if you will.
I was done with classes for the
day, planned out my workload for the
weekend, docked a few hours at my
internship downtown, and all the while
looking forward to a relaxing dinner on
the Bay Front with my boo.
He picked me up, right on time,
waited till I was done applying a last
touch of make-up and got my jeans out
of the dryer, so they didn’t look baggy
and weird.
He opened the door to his truck as
if he was opening the gates of heaven;
the beginning to a magical evening had
begun.
We headed down to Smugglers’ Warf,
Smugglers’ Wharf is located at the bottom of State Street, a conveniently close dis-
tance from Mercyhurst campus, to serve as an alternative to The Cornerstone.
FEATURES
the peculiarly romantic seafood joint
overlooking the water, while the usual
car-ride banter was exchanged.
When we arrived, the place was
perfectly lit, just light enough to be able
to gaze into each other’s eyes, yet dark
enough to cover what the Erie wind
had done to my hair on the way in.
The waitress was pleasant.
She could see we didn’t need any
‘hand and foot’ service, but didn’t
hesitate to make us comfortable with
an added lemon to our ice water.
It was wonderful; our table was
right by the window, next to a blazing
fireplace and beneath the faux greenery
of the restaurant décor.
After the preliminary ‘tell me about
your family,’ we moved onto the ‘let
me try your sea scallops, do you want a
bite of my mashed potatoes’ and ended
with a post-bill heart-to-heart.
As we left, we bumped into a mutual
professor, a reality check if you will,
for the two hours we spent with our
heads in the clouds.
We finally headed back to my stoop
for the semi-awkward, first date
Senior Heather Donovan and junior David Williams on a platonic date at
Smugglers’ Wharf.
goodbye.
A half-hug, did our cheeks just brush
kind of thing, and we parted ways.
OK, so I know what you’re
Scoot Williams
January 28, 2009
Scoot Williams photo
thinking… She has to be making this
up. And you’re completely right; there
are a limited amount of facts in the
above fairytale.
But it doesn’t matter.
The point is that with the holiday of
heart-shaped chocolates, fuzzy teddy
bears whose hands are conveniently
stitched to a poem and seas of girls in
their favorite pink ensemble, coming up
there’s no need to over dramatize the
simple pleasure of getting off campus
and enjoying a night on the town.
Smugglers’ Warf is a classic Erie
establishment to take your significant
other or a best friend to on a random
evening.
The mostly seafood menu is sprinkled
with Erie-caught classics and ocean-
dwelling creatures in hefty portions fit
for a light lunch of leftovers the next
day.
The location, at the bottom of
State Street, right next to the water,
is convenient and you get a chance
to experience Erie outside the brick-
bound walls of campus.
So get exploring beyond The
Cornerstone and start with Smugglers’
Wharf.
From now until mid-March
everything is half off from 4 to 6 p.m.
January 28, 2009 FEATURES Page 7

Cash and fun – sweet ‘Deal or No Deal’

By Alexandra Miniri
Staff writer
A total of $500 in cash prizes was given away to
students at the Student Activities Council’s Cash Game
Show on Saturday.
Senior Haylie Starin and junior Chris Ulrich, who
organized the event, said they thought it would be a
simple event that would appeal to many students – who
wouldn’t want a little extra cash?
“The event was given a time and date in late October,
but we weren’t sure if we should book a contracted game
show or if we should develop one of our own,” Ulrich
said.
“We chose to develop our own version of the show to
save money. Because [of that], we could give more cash
prizes to the students,” Starin said.
The concept was simple – a mash up of popular game
shows where student participants won as much as they
earned.
Upon arrival, each student was given a number. The
numbers were placed in a bag and chosen randomly to
give every student a chance to participate.
The night included SAC’s own versions of game shows
like “Jeopardy,” “Deal or No Deal,” “Plinko” from “The
Price is Right” and “Family Feud.”
“I thought it was a really fun night. The games were
geared to be able to be played on campus, but were
similar enough to popular game shows. It was fun to play
and watch others play. I won $20 playing “Family Feud”
and $20 because my number was chosen at the end of
the night for extra cash,” junior Karla Vogt said.
Junior Katie Podyma said, “I just want to say how
much I enjoyed the Cash Game Show, mostly because
xsc.com photo
I walked away with $40. I won “Rock, Paper, Scissors”
SAC gave a total of $500 cash to winners who
and I was able to play “Plinko.” I hope to attend another
played variations of games like “Deal or no Deal”.
one of these shows in the future!”
Elimination rounds determined who would play each One student walked away with $95, while another
game. To determine contestants, a group of students student won $50 after making deals with the “Banker.”
would play simple games, like “Guess how many noodles “I took the first deal they offered, because it was $50
there are in this jar.” I didn’t have before and why not walk away with $50,”
Big winners of the night were winners from the game said sophomore Lauren Balint, a winner of “Deal or No
“Deal or No Deal.” Deal.”

Broccoli & Cheddar Bites

Lunch $ 5 Lunch $ 5
Dinner $ 5.50 Dinner $ 5.50
11:30 a.m -8 p.m.
6” Sub $4 Combo $5
12” Sub $5.75 Combo $6.75
M Southwest Burger Lunch $ 5
T Breakfast Sandwich Dinner $ 5.50
W Sizzle Salad Wrap Combo- Veggie $5
TH Taco Salad Other Wraps $4
F Goulash Make any sub a wrap for
S Laker Burger no extra charge!

S Potato Bowl
M Chicken Parm w/ Pasta
T Philly Wrap
W Gen Tso’s Chix or Tofu
TH Pierogies
F Buffalo Popcorn Chicken
S Chicken Bacon Swiss
Page 8 FEATURES January 28, 2009

Singing away Valentine’s single time blues

plans to see a movie with his
By Gretchen Beth Yori friends.
Staff writer Sophomore Taleshia
Johnson has a fiancé this year,
For Mercyhurst College but she recalled being single on
students without their Romeos Valentine’s Day a few
or Juliets to spend Valentine’s years back.
Day with, there are many other “I had friends
options than being hit with the that gave me
single time blues. things… we
Senior Stephanie Oliver exchanged
plans to give Valentines to all gifts in
her friends, since she hasn’t s c h o o l ,”
found a Romeo to spend the Johnson
holiday with. said.
“I have a roommate who If a off and a
will be single for Valentine’s dress-up
Day as well. We are considering dinner party,
having a dress-up party at our Jesus, or a
apartment and drinking girlie simple exchange
drinks,” Oliver said. of gift with
Junior Cameron Woods is friends still does not
also spending Valentine’s Day have you in the mood
single and has considered the for Valentine’s Day, there
idea of possibly having Jesus as are many other options for
his special Valentine this year. singles.
If that plan were to fail, he For those who know Big
Bird’s friend Snuffleupagus,
you could make your niece or
nephew’s day by being his or
her’s Snuffleupagus and offer to
take him or her out to dinner.
If spending Valentine’s
Day with
children is
not
for
you, there is the option of all ages and can provide
being your own Valentine. entertainment for those seeking
You have studied hard and to not stay in on Valentine’s
deserve a break. Day while singing old favorites
Buy yourself chocolates, to karaoke can provide a night
roses, candies and sparkling full of laughter and fun.
grape juice and There is nothing like singing
make a night of “Kiss Me,” “Listen to Your
it pampering Heart,” “I Will Survive,” “Lean
yourself. on Me,” “I Want It That Way,”
There is “Bye, Bye, Bye” or “(You Drive
nothing Me) Crazy.”
wrong The area surrounding
with a Mercyhurst has multiple
n i g h t bowling alleys; just remember
to call ahead of time to make
little quiet sure lanes are available.
time with For those who absolutely hate
chocolate Valentine’s Day, remember Feb.
and a nice 15, will be here soon enough.
movie. Single or with a Valentine,
For the dare- remember the words of Plato,
devils out there, a “At the touch of love, everyone
night of fun could be becomes a poet.”
found singing karaoke or So if all else fails, write a
bowling. haiku for a friend and put a
Bowling is an option for smile on his or her face!

Andre Dawson
Year: Senior
Major: Sports Business and Finance
Hometown: East Liverpool, Ohio
Favorite Thing About Mercyhurst: Thomas Herman
Least Favorite Thing about Mercyhurst:
Lack of support the athletic teams get from the school.
Campus Activities: Football - the offensive line
Interesting Tidbits of Information About You: I’m the only guy to request Rod Stewart everytime I go to The Corner-
stone. For a big guy, I’m light on my feet when I dance. I’m a co-founder of what is called the Spring Break Dance.
January 28, 2009 FEATURES Page 9

Winter blues cause SAD-ness for many

By Liz Maier
Contributing writer

Has Erie’s winter snow

accumulated feelings of fatigue,
irritability, hopelessness or
sadness?
If so, you may be one of the 10
million Americans suffering from
SAD, seasonal affective disorder.
Psychology Today defines SAD
as a type of depression that
follows the seasons.
The most common form
of SAD is winter depression;
however, summer depression
also exists. In the late fall or
early winter, people begin to feel
symptoms of SAD, because it is
related to changes in sunlight.
Exact causes for this illness
are unknown however. “…SAD
creeps insidiously into our minds,
disguising itself as emerging self Scoot Williams photo
doubt, dipping self-esteem and Don’t let those winter blues let you hit the snack counters.
increased impatience or mood
swings,” divinecaroline.com said. SAD commonly affects women, because there is nothing else to both the winter and summer,” therapy said Psychology Today.
Symptoms vary but can individuals in their 20s and people do.” she said. Light therapy involves sitting in
include: oversleeping, increased living in northern areas. Junior Cara Adamus agrees, Junior John Byers said he front of a light box or wearing a
appetite, weight gain, difficulty Many Mercyhurst College because she feels her lack of experienced a “pretty bad case light visor for 30 minutes to an
concentrating, irritability, lack students fitting this description energy is directly related towards of SAD last year,” and he coped hour each day.
of energy, avoidance of social responded whether they feel the cold. “It seems like the winter with “staying active—going to Other suggested treatments
situation and thoughts of suicide. symptoms of SAD. months are a drab; you can’t do the gym helped me and once are taking advantage of sunlight,
Usually depression is mild or Freshman Kristi Janoske said, anything unless you love the cold spring came I was fine.” plan fun activities during the
moderate, though some people “I feel less motivated to go to the weather,” Adamus said. Individuals suffering from winter season, stay physically
experience severe symptoms and gym because it is cold out, but Junior Megan Houston SAD can be treated by being active, monitor your mood and
need to be hospitalized. more motivated to do homework disagreed. “I feel the same in exposed to broad-band light energy level.

Treating SAD symptoms

By Alaina Rydzewski
Staff writer
Judy Smith, a counselor at the
Health Center, said “during the
winter term, we see an uprising
of people complaining of low
mood, low energy and feeling
hemmed in.”
According to Smith, the
Health Center saw about 25
students each week for SAD,
with three to four new patients
each week.
Some tips to help prevent
or bring an end to the effects
of Seasonal Affective Disorder
are:
1. Increase the amount of
natural or fluorescent light.
Exercise daily – hormones
commonly referred to as ‘feel-
good’ hormones are released
with exercise.
2. Eliminate caffeine from
diets.
3. Take vitamins such as
B complex, magnesium and
minerals.
4. Eat a diet with low fat and
an adequate amount of protein.
Stay hydrated.
5. If help is needed with the
symptoms of Seasonal Affective
Disorder, call the Health Center
at extension 2431 or Judy Smith
Mercyhurst.edu photo
at 2037.
The nurses at the Health Center can help with SAD
symptoms. Contact them at extension 2431.
Page 10 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT January 28, 2009

Erie Festival of Dance hits PAC Jan. 31

By Sarah Mastrocola
Staff writer

On Jan. 31, dance organiza-

tions from all over the Erie com-
munity will come together for
the fifth biannual Erie Festival
of Dance in the Mary D’Angelo
Performing Arts Center.
The festival consists of two
performances featuring the tal-
ents of local dance companies.
The Festival Showcase will take
place at 3 p.m., and the Gala per-
formance will begin at 7 p.m.
Tickets range from $5 to $15
and can be purchased by calling
824-3000 or by visiting the box
office at the PAC.
This event began in 2000 as the
Erie Dance Consortium, a group
of performing dance ensembles
from the Erie area with support
of the Erie Art Museum.
Since then, the primary con-
cern of the consortium has been
to focus on the art, education and
overall experience for dancers
and audience members.
The consortium is also excited
to involve even more dance
groups in the years to come, as
well as continuing to raise aware-
ness of dance and its worth in
the Erie community.
Working as co-chairs for the
festival this year are Tauna Hunter,
Dance Chair for the Mercyhurst
Dancers, and Sarah Purvis, Artis-
tic Director of the Erie Dance
Conservatory Company. These
co-chairs have supervised a com-
mittee of volunteers who have
worked tirelessly to ensure this
year’s Erie Festival of Dance will
be a success.
“This year’s multi-dance event
is amazing and full of diversity.
Whether you are an aficionado
of jazz, ballet, modern, tap or
the cultural dance movement, the
Erie Festival of Dance is an ideal
place to see local performers
showcase original works,” Purvis
said of the festival.
Ensembles from Mercyhurst College performing at the Erie Festival of Dance include the Mercyhurst Dancers, the Liturgical
Dance Ensemble and SoMar Dance Works. Headlining will be The Dancing Wheels, which includes dancers in wheelchairs.
This year’s festival will exhibit
dancing of various styles and
from several different local dance
companies including Lake Erie
Ballet, Erie Bayfront Dance,
Sayaw Dance Company, Erie
Dance Conservatory, Kristen’s
Dance Company and North
Coast Dance, among others.
Ensembles from Mercyhurst
College include the Mercyhurst
Dancers, the Liturgical Dance
Ensemble and SoMar Dance
Works.
The Erie Festival of Dance
will also be featuring The Danc-
ing Wheels of Cleveland as a spe-
cially invited company perform-
ing in both shows.
As the first American modern
company to incorporate danc-
ers in wheelchairs along with
standard stand-up dancers, The
Dancing Wheels should add
special interest and variety to the
festival.
President and Founding Artis-
tic Director Mary Verdi-Fletcher,
Rick Klein photo
a pioneer in the area
of physically integrated
dance, started Dancing
Wheels in 1980.
Since then, the com-
pany has performed,
taught and inspired view-
ers of all abilities and
backgrounds. In the
United States alone, this
dance group performs
more than 100 shows per
year reaching audiences
of up to 125,000 people.
Tauna Hunter said of
The Dancing Wheels’
appearance in the festival,
“[They have] motivated
us to reach out to the spe-
cial needs constituency. Rick Klein photo
Crossing these boundar- The SoMar ensemble performs contemporary experimental dance.
ies opens doors for future
collaborations in sharing continue to run during the fes- mission cultural dance offerings.
dance with this part of the Erie tival. More expanded festival Pre-event offerings involve
population.” events will run the day of the educational outreach into selected
Also new this year, the Cum- event, including vendors, educa- Erie schools, making this festival
mings Art Gallery’s current tional classes for the participants a full dance experience for the
exhibit, “Celebrate Dance,” will and pre-performance and inter- Erie community.
January 28, 2009
Hanson: beyond ‘Mmmbop’ and better than ever
By Casey Harvilla
Contributing writer
Most of you probably
remember Hanson as the long-
haired, baby-faced brothers with
that oh-so-annoyingly catchy
song, “Mmmbop.”
While this is true, I’m sure
most of you thought they were
done with music. This is where
you are wrong.
After their very successful
debut, “Middle of Nowhere,”
Hanson released a sophomore
album, “This Time Around,”
and an independent release,
“Underneath.”
Unfortunately, most people
discredited them as a band
after “Middle of Nowhere,”
and, therefore, never had the
pleasure of listening to their
later releases. Not to worry,
though.
Hanson’s most recent album,
released on their independent
label, 3CG Records, is your
second chance.
The album, entitled “The
Walk,” is a blend of pop, soul,
R&B and folk influences all
over a base of good ol’ rock and
roll.
Recorded in an “on the floor”
Club to show ‘Lars and the Real Girl’
By Kyle King
A & E editor
The Philosophy Club at Mer-
cyhurst College will show “Lars
and the Real Girl” Thursday,
Jan. 29, at 8 p.m. in Zurn 314.
The meeting will briefly dis-
cuss different ideas of con-
sciousness, reality, perceptions
of reality and neuroses.
“Lars and the Real Girl”
played as part of the Mary
D’Angelo Performing Arts
Center’s Guelcher Film Series
last spring.
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Page 11
choir singing
a repetitive
chorus of
“Ngi Ne
Themba,”
translated as
“I find hope.”
The song is
purely a great
inspirational
track urging
you to make a
difference. In
fact, a 99-cent hanson.net
download The Hanson brothers have reinvented themselves as poverty
of the song and AIDS activists on their new tour.
on iTunes With lead vocals by youngest The band’s “Walk Around
goes toward brother Zac (yes, he sings now) the World Tour” involved the
educating and melodic piano and acoustic band and fans walking a mile
people about guitar, “Go” is definitely worthy barefoot before each concert,
poverty and of radio play. Another radio- raising money and awareness
AIDS in worthy track, “Been There about AIDS in Africa and other
Africa. Before,” talks about the band’s third world countries.
“Tearing It own musical influences. Overall, I think “The Walk” is
hanson.net Down” offers If you listen closely, you can by far Hanson’s greatest release
Isaac, Taylor and Zac have played as a band r e t r o - r ock pick out at least two artists yet. With the wide range of
since 1992, and their new album, “The Walk,” guitar riffs and by name. The chorus simply musical styles present, there
may be their best work yet. handclaps, describes the feeling of music truly is something for everyone
making it an in your soul. on this album. If you are
session in the band’s own studio, infectious The album’s title track is disappointed, I apologize. But
“The Walk” balances gritty song to which you can’t help but a moving anthem with an you should at least give Hanson
independent recording with an sing along. underlying message of taking a second chance.
uplifting professionalism that In contrast, the ballad “Go” chances and making choices We’ve all grown up since 1997,
cannot be matched. The first is hands-down one of the most ultimately benefitting the world. and so has Hanson. Maybe, just
track on the CD, “Great Divide,” lyrically pleasing songs I have This message is one the trio has maybe, you can relate to them
features an African children’s ever heard. taken on tour, as well. once again.
Johnson & Johnson
“Lars and the Real Girl” stars
Ryan Gosling as a neurotic
young man who struggles to
form meaningful interpersonal
Properties
connections.
To combat deep psychologi-
cal wounds, he orders a sex doll
over the Internet, but treats it
lovingly and respectfully.
His brother and sister-in-law
cringe at first, but eventually the
HOUSES FOR RENT
entire town comes around and
buys into Lars’s reality.
Refreshments will be pro- Ryan Gosling and his
imdb.com Starting June 1, 2009
vided at the meeting.
Any questions can be directed
to kking25@mercyhurst.edu.
‘missionary’ girlfriend Bianca
turn reality upside-down in
‘Lars and the Real Girl.’
814-860-8817
Page 12
Guelcher Film Series to show ‘Man on Wire’
ual, I asked these slander-sling-
By Mason Lorek ing so-and-sos what they have
Staff writer
against the French, and not
once did I receive an answer
Over the years, I’ve heard a that wasn’t, “Because they’re
fair number of stereotypes. French.”
True or untrue, I’m sure I don’t personally know
you’ve heard similar things anyone from France, but the
said. film next week is about a man
People have an uncanny from France, and if I had to
ability to pick things apart, stereotype him, he’s a crazy
to dissect until they’ve found !@#$^@#$%.
the smallest of flaws and then That isn’t supposed to rep-
embellish them to preposter- resent an actual expletive, but
ous proportions. I always thought symbols and
One specific population that beeps conveyed the message
I’ve noticed on the receiving much better than any curse
end of a fair number of jabs is ever could.
the French. I guess it wouldn’t really be
I’ve never understood this a stereotype either since I’m
pigeonholing. only talking about the one guy;
In fact, I’ve never under- rather, it’s just a personality
stood any sort of stereotypes trait. Still, the man is insane.
really, but this one in particular The film is about a misty
stands out. day in August of 1974 when
Like any inquisitive individ- Philippe Petit decided to sneak
DOWNLOAD
Kings of Leon “Use Somebody”
Though much of their most recent work is
overproduced and more mainstream, “Use
Somebody” is a new song sounding closer to
the Southern rock sound of their early work,
“Holy Roller Novocaine” and “Youth and
Young Manhood.”
Alexi Murdoch “All My Days”
“All My Days,” along with Murdoch’s
“Orange Sky,” has been featured on a
number of television shows, a fairly rare
achievement for a London-born, Duke-
educated philosophy major whose songs shun refrains.
Third Eye Blind “Can’t Get Away”
This West Coast band has been in
and out of the studio for years trying
to release “Ursa Major,” scheduled for
release in 2009. Until then, check out
this song from Stephen Jenkins and Co.’s underrated
2003 album “Out of the Vein.” Also recommended is
“Faster” and “Blinded.”
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
onto the roofs of the recently
finished Twin Towers in New
York City, bridge the gap
between the two with a tight-
rope and walk back and forth
eight or so times.
Petit realized his dream when
he was young boy waiting to see
the dentist.
He saw a picture of what the
towers were to look like (they
hadn’t even been constructed at
that point) and at that moment
he had a sense that the towers
were his to conquer.
He wire-walked a bridge in
Sydney and Notre Dame in
Paris as well, but that was more
or less to amuse himself while
the towers were being built.
Although this is a decent
summary of the event, the feat
is truly something you have to
see for yourself.
The documentary was
released Aug. 1, 2008, and is
‘Sweet Charity’ continues preparation
By Marie Karbacka
Staff writer
The cast of “Sweet Charity”
worked extremely hard this past
week. With two dances down and
another about halfway learned,
plus two chorus numbers prac-
ticed over and over again, every-
one can feel the effects of the
intense rehearsing.
The late night rehearsals are
a bit wearing. However, the
student directors have a busy
schedule along with the rest
of the cast, so night rehearsals
become the time of day with the
least amount of conflict.
Even though the hours are
rough and taxing, everyone has
been learning their scenes rap-
idly.
Junior choreographer Trevor
Sones had fun this week on
Wednesday choreographing
January3,28,2008
September 2009
directed by James
Marsh.
It was nomi-
nated for an Oscar
and won a British
Independent Film
Award for Best
British Documen-
tary, along with
additional wins
at American film
festivals in New
York City, Boston,
Las Vegas, and
Chicago, mostly
for director James
Marsh.
“Man on Wire”
plays next Wednes-
day, Feb. 4, at 2:15
and 8 p.m.
Tickets are free pac.mercyhurst.edu
with student ID Philippe Petit realizes his dream of wire-
(one ticket per walking the heights between the two
ID). buildings of the World Trade Center in
‘Man on Wire.’
“The Rhythm of Life,” tell-
ing the cast members to look
‘stoned.’
ing our vocals.
The boys also singing during
that part had to do the same
The number is about a cult moves.
following its leader, “Daddy.” Thus, Chris decided to teach
The dance didn’t seem as hard the entire song to the full cast so
to catch onto as the others, until that it projects better.
the singers picked out to be main Thursday was a review for
features in the song couldn’t the selected numbers of people
belt out their parts while crawl- who were asked to sing the small
ing around on the floor. ensemble parts, but it was all
Sophomore Lynn Dula, new to the people who now are
senior Christopher Von Volken- included in the dance because
burg and I couldn’t stop laugh- of the way the choreography is
ing because Lynn and I were structured.
the only two singing on this Teaching the parts did not
extremely high part while Trevor take as long as I thought it
had us doing a morphed crab would, though it could be
walk to the left. because of the fact the groups
It was extremely entertaining had strong leaders, good singers
for Chris because he heard a who already knew their parts.
muffled sound when we had to In the upcoming week, the
turn around and then a bit of a ensemble gets to relax a bit more
shout as we came back around. while the leads take over the
Lynn and I were not the only majority of the vocal rehearsal
ones having difficulties project- times.
January 28, 2009
The views expressed in the opinion section of The Merciad do not necessarily reflect the views of Mercyhurst College, the staff of The Merciad
or the Catholic Church. Responses on any subject are always welcomed and can be e-mailed to opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
Student bashes pro-life ad’s content
I am a graduate student
at Mercyhurst College in the
special education/elementary
education program. I also did
my undergraduate here in art
education and have a minor
in religious studies. In my six
years here, I have never been so
compelled to make any personal
The
Inbox:
Where readers
share their
thoughts.
Limiting health care over democracy How green is going green?
By Rhonda
Marable
Staff writer
Have you ever been to a party
where the two hosts couldn’t
agree on what kind of music
to play?
It seems silly at first, then you
realize it’s been going on for 10
minutes and all you want to do
is start dancing.
That’s the sort of the feeling I
get when it comes to politics and
government policies.
Democrats and Republicans
just can’t seem to agree on the
same tune when it comes to a
lot of things, and ironically,
we’re all caught looking like
idiots trying to dance to two dif-
ferent beats.
Since Barack Obama has
taken office, he has been diving
head-first into policy changes.
One of which is to remove the
commentary on material
featured in The Merciad (and
I’ve read every one).
Your inclusion of the (paid)
pro-life advertising supplement
put out by the Human Life
Alliance truly disgusted me,
though not for the content
intended to “educate” the
student body on
abortion.
We should
rightfully expect
that choosing to
go to a private
institution rather
than a state one.
However, it was
the last articles in
the advertisement
titled “The Science
of Sex” and “What
About Birth
gag order on women’s health
imposed on international family
planning groups.
Presidents Reagan and Bush
imposed and reinstated the gag
respectively while Presidents
Clinton and now Obama have
lifted them.
The gag order barred any
health care provider seek-
ing assistance from American
family planning groups from
counseling women on abor-
tion or even speaking about
abortion politics.
Apparently freedom of
speech is something we can fight
about here, but our “spread of
democracy” campaigns don’t
include the luxury for other
countries.
I think the problem
with party politics is clear:
inconsistency.
It must be very confusing
for women seeking aid and
extremely frustrating for family
OPINION
Control?” that I feel crossed the
proverbial line.
While I understand the
inclusion of anti-abortion
propaganda full well with it being
such a hot political issue, as I had
the pleasure of witnessing first
hand last week in D.C. just after
the Inauguration for the pro-life
rally. Students at Mercyhurst are
intelligent and educated enough
to make sound, well justified
decisions without the influence
of cheap propaganda would be
a liberal generalization.
It was the inclusion and
grouping of individuals who take
birth control, have premarital
sex or more than one partner,
along with the abortionists who
are demonized through the
rest of the literature that was
not only cognitively disturbing,
planning groups and health care
providers alike.
One thing I think should stay
consistent in foreign aid is the
fact that the rights we afford
ourselves in this country, in
terms of health care and public
service, should not be barred
to people in other countries.
When it is not mandated by their
own laws, it is not within our
rights to limit their accessibility
to certain health care practices.
There has never been a gag
order on family planning and
women’s health to such a degree
in the United States, so why are
we even implementing one in
other counties?
In the long run, changes must
be made to policies in order to
flow with the times, but even
if the United States is going
to change our song every four
years, we should not be allowed
to take away from other people’s
right to dance.
but angering, as the Alliance’s
ethical agenda was thinly veiled
under the guise of “science.”
As a lifelong student as well as
an educator, I put a high value on
objectively examining the facts
from every angle surrounding
a topic, so we can analyze the
information, synthesize an
informed stance and evaluate
the validity of an argument such
as the two appearing in the last
page of the flyer.
Just because something is
published and cited doesn’t
mean it’s necessarily “correct.”
If you give me two hours I
can compile an argument that
directly contradicts the ultimate
ethical message of the articles
by deconstructing the selective
scientific evidence that supports
them. Only in my argument,
By Seth
Hallam
Staff writer
Does Mercyhurst College
really want to go green? They
have sensors turning off the
lights in Hirt and a Green
Team.
If we really wanted to put a
dent in our carbon footprint, we
should stop bagging grass. This
practice accounts for 20 percent
of solid waste collected and sent
to landfills in the U.S. each year.
Having “Recyclmania” is a
joke. Many times recycling uses
more energy than it conserves.
For many people, the recycling
bins they have are better as trash
cans.
The maintenance building
supposedly runs off the solar
panels. Maybe instead mainte-
nance could just skip the sod
they put down at the beginning
Page 13
I won’t use whiteout to
discriminately show my audience
facts supporting my personal
agenda and purposefully hide
the valid evidence contradicting
it.
That’s not true education.
Comparing women who are
taking control of themselves
and being responsible about
using the pill as birth control
to the ultimately demonized
individuals who feel abortion
was the best choice for them is
wrong.
Women, you should never
feel guilty about choosing to be
responsible for your actions by
preventing a pregnancy when
you know you’re unprepared to
raise a child.
Bethany Krowsoski ’08
of the year.
If they didn’t plow the side-
walks, then it wouldn’t be neces-
sary. (What do you think people
did before we started plowing
things? They walked through the
snow. Imagine that.) This would
also mean we don’t need to use
pallets and pallets of salt. Would
I be the first person to complain
when the sidewalks weren’t
plowed? Yes, but I would know
it was making a real change.
Thus far, we only go green
when it doesn’t affect us. But
something that actually light-
ens our carbon footprint is an
inconvenience?
No way. Right now we make
ourselves feel better by turning
off lights and taking shorter
showers. It’s kind of like send-
ing money to kids in Africa, but
who really benefits more?
The kid the money is sent to
or the person thinking they are
actually making change?
Page 14 OPINION January 28, 2009

Adjusting to life within the gates

Mercyhurst’s Ethical Reflection
Committee has initiated this series to
encourage reflection within the entire
college community on the values by
which we live. We suggest that
faculty introduce appropriate essays
into class discussion; we encourage
students to bring these thoughts to
classes; we invite administrators and
staff to explore these in department
meetings. The ERC also requests
that you let us know how you have
used these thoughts in your life.
Contact Rev. Lyta Seddig, Chair:
lseddig@mercyhurst.edu.“This
I Believe” is now linked to the
college Web site.
Embracing educational opportunities through faith
For as long as I can recall, I
have placed much, if not all, of
my life in the hands of God.
In the midst of the darkest
moments and even those of
jubilee, my faith, if at the least
the size of a mustard seed,
could provide me with the
missing components of what I
was seeking.
I guess the best embodiment
of such an instance was my
actual coming to the ’Hurst. If
you have ever asked me how
I came to know Mercyhurst
College, you probably already
heard the story of this gal from
Baytown, Texas, and the best
confusion of my life. I applied
to this great institution, was
accepted, and after contemplat-
ing, I decided to head north to
Erie, Pa.
The contemplation was not
that simple and neither was the
move, but I had come to know
by placing it in God’s hands, I
was sure to not regret what the
future would hold for me.
Regardless of the challenging
times, I truly love the ’Hurst,
feeling eminent from the second
I saw and drove through the
gates, a sense still present every
time I come back home.
I believe every being has
a bright future before them,
armed with hard work, per-
severance, humility and most
importantly, faith anything can
be accomplished.
If one only had faith the size
of a mustard seed, one would
take the leap of faith into the
dark, into the unexpected, into
adventure, into a college friend-
ship that will flourish for a life-
time, into the time of one’s life.
Therefore, stop stressing
about the what-ifs, the unknown
and embrace it. As a close friend
once told me, “Everything hap-
pens for a reason!” As junior
year unfolds, people seem to
jump to my plans after gradua-
tion, which appears to be a bit
away in my opinion.
But my faith will not fail me,
and if the present is any indica-
tion of the future, I am truly
blessed. CARPE DIEM!
Dinorah G. Sanchez is a junior
Forensic Science major with a minor
in Political Science.
Her personal goals: “No matter
what one sets as goals, the mystery
of life works in interesting ways, but
overall I would just want to live an
enjoyable life and make a difference
in the lives of others.” Her favorite
aspect about Mercyhurst: “I love the
friendly people, from every area, stu-
dents, faculty and administration.
The many great friendships I have
established and look forward to be
life- lasting, is what I will treasure
the most, along with the Mercy edu-
cation.”

Deciphering relationship jargon Editors

If you don’t want it printed . . . don’t let it happen.
Positions @mercyhurst.edu
I trusted someone with my feel- the first place. They won’t Casey Greene Editor-in-Chief editormerciad
By Hayley O’Hare ings who didn’t deserve them. intentionally make you cry JoEllen Marsh Managing Editor mgeditormerciad
Contributing writer
Everyone will make this mis- or make you feel guilty Amanda Valauri News Editor newsmerciad
take at some point but hopefully for something they did wrong. Javi Cubillos Features Editor featuremerciad
If someone says they care it will be another learning expe- If they cared about you, like Heather Donovan Opinion Editor opinionmerciad
about you, then they care about rience life gives us. they said, they just won’t. In a Brad Moehringer Sports Editor sportsmerciad
you. If someone says you are I have sat around with situation like that, it is difficult Sam Sellinger Sports Editor sportsmerciad
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must be so. And, if some- involved to take Scoot Williams Photographer photomerciad
...take a better look, reevaluate

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Wrong. Hayley O’Hare and what is being Ashley Pastor General Assignment apasto22
Too many times we have done. Bill Welch Adviser wwelch
heard people say these friends talking about relation- My advice to Brian Sheridan Adviser bsheridan
things, whether to us or to some- ships and countless times heard anyone caught up in a relation-
one we know and it’s hard not the phrase, “He said he lied to ship where, how you are being The Merciad is the official student-produced newspaper of Mercyhurst
to believe them. There are times me, because the truth would treated doesn’t coincide with
College. It is published throughout the school year, with the exception of
when we should and times when hurt my feelings” or something what you are being told is to take
it’s the most dangerous thing we a better look, re-evaluate and if
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can do. This has always brought me needed – get out. (814) 824-2376.
People only deserve to be back to the advice from my There is no reason to stay
trusted when their actions rein- mother, I have tried to pass involved with someone who The Merciad welcomes letters to the editor. All letters must be signed
force their words. One of the on to anyone who needed to thinks saying all the right things and names will be included with the letters. Although we will not edit the
best pieces of advice I have ever hear it. is enough. Somewhere out letters for content, we reserve the right to trim letters to fit. Letters
received was, “Actions speak Someone who is truly con- there is someone who will not are due Mondays. by noon and may not be more than 300 words. Submit
louder than words.” It came cerned about hurting your only say they care about you,
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January 28, 2009 OPINION Page 15

Defying the odds, every day

By Jordan
Zangaro
Staff writer
As I sat in the beautiful hall,
decorated like a winter won-
derland, I was full of pride
and admiration for the person
speaking in front of me. I felt
myself becoming overwhelmed.
The tears started to flow.
When I graduated from high
school my, sister sent me a list
of things she has learned in her
life. It was advice and stories
she wanted me to know before I
went to college.
There were extremely insight-
ful anecdotes on these pages.
There was one, however, I did
not fully grasp until this past
weekend. “We have a ton of
great role models in our family.
You don’t need to look outside
our circle for greatness.”
Don’t misconstrue what I am
saying. My family is full of won-
derful role models, but I didn’t
understand why she seemed to
be pushing so hard to not go
outside of my family for whom
I look up to.
She was not talking about my
dad, mom, grandparents, aunts
or uncles. She wasn’t talking
about herself or my two broth-
ers. Whom she meant, whom
my role model has always been,
is my cousin. Being a senior in
college and only 22 short years
under his belt, he has experi-
enced more than most people
will their entire life.
As he stood up in the middle
of the dance floor, the best
man in his brother’s wedding,
he carried himself with poise
and grace as he spoke about his
nightmare of sickness.
He discussed not what he
went through, but how much
he appreciated his brother con-
stantly being at his bedside,
thanking him for bringing some
normalcy to his completely
abnormal life.
There was not a dry eye in
the room. We all remembered
the life he had been through
and how lucky we were he was
standing there that day.
My sister was right. There is
absolutely no need to look out-
side my family for greatness.
I learn more from my cousin
every day.
Thank the people who have
helped you through your strug-
gle. Be grateful you have some-
one at your bedside when you
want to give up. Handle yourself
with poise and grace and keep
pushing through your battle.
I thank God for him. Not
only because of his unbreakable
spirit, but because he did not let
life’s obstacles break him down.
I encourage you all to fight
the same way.
Most students’ knuckles
turn white when they hear
about maintenance. They
should not be judged solely
on their plowing abilities.
Darryle Grace deserves
specific gratitude for his
heart-warming attitude.
Whether it’s to jump out
of his Gator to help you
out of a parking spot or
to drag the small, dead
rodent-looking glob of hair
from your tub drain, he’ll
be there.

Releasing terror
By Devin Ruic
Contributing writer
One of eight-day-Presi-
dent Barack Hussein Obama’s
many campaign promises
was to immediately close the
military detention center at
Guantanamo Bay.
He is trying to follow through
with this particular campaign
promise, within one year, rectify-
ing all of the ills terrible Ameri-
cans, have wrought against the
innocent detainees locked away
in 75-degree Cuba.
The individuals locked
away with their U.S.-provided
Qur’ans, prayer mats and soap
are mostly individuals appre-
hended on the battlefields of
the War on Terror.
Objections to the use of
Guantanamo Bay as a deten-
tion center usually include
the phrases “innocents”
and “noncombatants”.
I’m not saying there are
no innocent individuals being
imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay.
But, U.S. correctional facilities
may be able to find a few inno-
cents, along with a whole lot of
people who claim to be.
We don’t close those correc-
tional facilities, do we?
The problem: What happens
to the detainees after we close
the facility? Obama will have to
petition their home nations to
take them back.
The detainees could end up
in the U.S., either cleared for
release or placed in facilities.
Sixty of the 245 detainees are
already “cleared.” Two recently-
released prisoners are already
highlighted as heroes in a new
al-Qaeda film for “overcoming
the infidels.”
The next release may be
someone like Abu Sufyan al-
Azdi al-Shahri, who was pro-
moted to the leadership of al-
Qaeda in Yemen after a prior
release. Next time, he’ll be
right here in America alongside
Abu al-Hareth Muhammad al-
Oufi, who is still working as a
field commander.
On the bright side, my Club
Gitmo gear may be worth
a bundle.
Calling on Intel
By Jerrod
Markle
Staff writer
The federal anti-terrorism
campaign has produced a local
microcosm of the battle as intel
students investigate the so-
called eco-terrorists.
The people fighting back
against this corruption to liber-
ate the Earth from the cultural
destructiveness promoted by
the industrial, petrochemical
economy fit this terrorist cate-
gory, not the CEOs authorizing
deforestation.
Luckily, the abstract moral
systems we created allow us to
distance ourselves from dire cir-
cumstances.
Thanks, cognitive dissonance.
Intel stopped spreading fear
about black Muslims and shifted
to eco-terrorists, those destroy-
ers of… production?
This campaign undertaken
by Intel is to infiltrate the Earth
Liberation Front and Animal
Liberation Front: terrorist
groups spreading violence?
I found out past actions by
the group have included arson
against development corpora-
Apparently, it takes mul-
tions, genetic engineering facili-
tiple attempts to sign in to
ties and SUV lots.
WebMail accounts. Every-
This is a joke and a disservice
one who thought it was just
to real attempts at curing the
them, nope, it’s a campus-
current and circumstantial cul-
wide annoyance.
tural disease of exploitation and
slavery.
ELF aims to not harm any
life and have been successful,
unlike the IDF, killing Gaza
civilians or the CIA respon-
sible for bioterrorism and
depleted uranium.
I do not understand why
such fruitless endeavors to stop
people opposed to the death Registration times have
this empire propagates, while shifted to avoid daytime
real terrorist organizations like system overloads. Now
Monsanto, the Federal Reserve if the Registrar’s Office
and Dupont get to poison our could get the memo: letting
food, steal our money and struc- honor-student freshmen
ture our society. register before seniors is
Do not fight back when downright backward.
we pollute your air or water,
Please e-mail any suggestions to
poison your food, exploit all
opinionmerciad@mercyhurst.edu.
life, lie to your kids and rape all
The GB&U is a compilation of
that is natural or we will find
student opinions.
you, discredit you, lock you up
and kill you.
Men’s Hockey..................Jan. 23, W 7-2 University of Connecticut
Jan. 24, W 6-0, University of Connecticut
Women’s Hockey...............................Jan. 23, W 6-4, Robert Morris
Jan. 24, W 5-0, Robert Morris
Men’s Basketball.............................Jan. 21, W 76-61 OT, Edinboro
Jan. 24, L 70-67, Lock Haven
Women’s Basketball...............................Jan. 21, L 69-59, Edinboro
Jan. 24, W 74-61, Lock Haven
Wrestling.........................................Jan. 23, W 27-9, UNC-Pembroke
Jan. 23, T 22-22, Carson-Newman

Lakers crush Colonials

Jan. 24, W 21-18, Anderson
Jan. 24, W 21-14, Shippensburg
Jan. 24, W 21-17, Belmont Abbey

Editors’ Games of the Week:

For you hockey fans out there, this weekend is a dream come
true. We suggest heading to the Mercyhurst College Ice Center on
Friday, Jan. 30, and Saturday, Jan 31, for a pair of hockey double-
headers. The women’s team faces-off against CHA rival Wayne
State in a battle for first place at 4:30 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m.
on Saturday. The men’s team will follow as they take on Atlantic
Hockey foe No. 20 Air Force at 7:35 p.m. on Friday and 7 p.m. on
Saturday.

Zapolski earns another AHA Honor

For the second time in a row and the third time this season,
sophomore men’s hockey goaltender Ryan Zapolski was named
AHA Goaltender of the Week. Zapolski earned two wins in the
weekend sweep of the University of Connecticut on Friday, Jan. The Lakers celebrate a goal during their weekend sweep of CHA foe Robert Morris on Jan. 23
23, and Saturday, Jan. 24. and Jan. 24 in Pittsburgh Pa.
By Katie Walden
Staff writer
Despite the fall in the
USCHO.com, Top-10 Women’s
Division I and the USA Today
polls down to fifth and sixth,
the Mercyhurst College Lakers
were able to overcome Robert
Ryan Zapolski-Men’s Hockey Morris University. With only the
Zapolski, a sophomore goalie, saved 56 out of 58 shots by Con- top 10 teams in the nation being
necticut as Mercyhurst College swept the weekend series. Zapolski ranked in the polls, the Lakers
was also named the AHA Goaltender of the Week for the week of are going to have to hold there
Jan. 26. own to stay ranked. Although
the women have fallen in the
Stephanie Prischak-Women’s Basketball ranks, the Lakers do not seem
Prischak, a senior guard, scored her 1,000 point of her career during to be too worried about their
a 19-point performance Saturday in a 74-61 victory over Lock future.
Haven University. “We’ve had some ups and
downs, but I believe we’ve
learned something from every
game and we’re still making
progress to reach our goals
this season,” junior Johanna
Malmstrom said.
“This coming weekend
we’ll play our league opponent
Wayne State. Playing at home is
always exciting though, since we
usually have an amazing crowd.
People coming to our games
should know they help us a lot
and that we’re really thankful for
that” Malmstrom said.
This past week the Lakers
played two tremendous games
against Robert Morris University
in Pittsburgh. The first night
the Lakers held a 3-0 lead for
Jason Cohn photo
the first period, but watched it
slip away as the second period
concluded. Even though the
score was not in the Lakers
favor, the women did not give in
and concluded the game with a
6-4 come back win.
After a tough match the first
night against the Colonials from
RMU, the Lakers blew them out
of the water during the second
game. With a 5-0 victory over
the CHA rivals, the Lakers
returned home to Mercyhurst
excited to have two more wins
on the board.
This week the Lakers will face
another CHA rival Wayne State
on their home ice Friday and
Saturday night.
January 28, 2009
Cross-country skiing
offers wintertime fun
By Katie Waldin
Staff writer
Once again, the snow keeps
falling and winter seems to be
never ending in Erie, Pa.
Even though the winter blues
are still setting in, Erie has lots
to offer Mercyhurst College
students when they are sick
of studying for winter term
classes.
Although it may seem like
there is little that can be done
with this much snow and slush
and the freezing temperatures,
but what better than take
advantage of the glorious winter
white that fills the streets.
Just around the corner in
Wattsburg lies a great resort and
set of ski trails that are unknown
to many in the Erie area.
Only about 30 minutes from
Mercyhurst is The Wilderness
Lodge, Pennsylvania’s first ski
touring center!
Lined with endlessly groomed
trails and terrific ski conditions,
the Wilderness Lodge is the
perfect place for cross country
skiing.
Although cross country skiing
seems like a “boring” sport
compared with downhill skiing
and snowboarding, this terrific
activity is both great exercise
and extremely fun!
The Wilderness Lodge offers
an escape away from school for
the day or a weekend. With a
great rustic style lodge including
breakfast, lunch and dinner
Interested in working for
The Merciad??
There are still paid sports editor and writer
positions for next year!
Contact
sportsmerciad@mercyhurst.edu
options in the grill you won’t go
home hungry!
This dynamic and rustic
atmosphere is open to all kinds
of people who come through.
Whether you’re there for the
skiing, or simply relaxing in the
warm cozy lodge, you are bound
to meet an eclectic crowd of
outdoorsmen.
It is very simple to get to the
lodge.
From Erie it is just a quick
drive to I-90 where you then
exit at I-86. Next take exit
Route 89 South to Kimball
Road and proceed to second
right, Weeks Valley Road. Turn
down this road and it will lead
you straight to the lodge on the
right hand side of the road.
As many people in college do
not own their own ski equipment,
or at least have it at school with
them, The Wilderness Lodge
makes it quick, simple, and
affordable to have a wonderful
day of cross-country skiing.
Ski and boot rentals are
$8.00 for the day along with a
$15.00 day pass to utilize all of
the trails. With a variety of ski
types, the rentals are bound to
be satisfactory for your outdoor
adventure.
As the weekend approaches
and doing the same old thing
on your Saturday or Sunday
seems to bore, look up The
Wilderness Lodge at www.
thewildernesslodge.net and you
will see how much fun it can be
to cross country ski in the Erie
area.
SPORTS
Club hockey on road to nationals
Lakers pick up two more wins
By Sarah Powell
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst College
men’s club hockey team is
making a run for nationals.
Two big wins over the
weekend will help the Lakers
climb up the national rankings.
On Friday, Jan. 23, the Lakers
traveled to the University at
Buffalo.
With 17 minutes left and
trailing 6-2, it seemed as though
Mercyhurst was going to suffer
a major loss.
Some players stepped up and
decided they weren’t going to
settle for the loss.
In the next 12 minutes, the
Lakers scored one even strength
goal and two power play goals
which dropped Buffalo’s lead to
one.
With just under five minutes to
play, freshman Chad Thompson
scored a power play goal to tie
the game and send the Lakers
into overtime.
Sophomore Steven Stepanian
was the hero of the game,
scoring the game winner
halfway through the five-minute
overtime.
Wrestling goes 4-0-1 at Duals
By Brad Moehringer
Sports editor
The Mercyhurst College
wrestling team traveled to the
East Coast Duals in Laurinburg,
N.C. on Jan.23.
On the first day Mercyhurst
defeated University of North
Carolina-Pembroke 27-9 and
then tied Carson-Newman Col-
lege 22-22.
Junior James Henderson
and freshman Tim McAndrew
Even though the club
hockey team came off a big
win against Buffalo the day
before, Saturday’s (Jan. 24) game
against Kent State University
created anxiousness among the
team.
Fights were anticipated
to break out based on what
happened the year before.
Kent State was ranked No.
12 in the nation going into the
game versus Mercyhurst, and
they had been in the top 10 for
the majority of the season.
Even if some of the guys
were anxious, they didn’t show
it. Mercyhurst shocked Kent
State with a 3-0 victory.
Despite the score, the win
didn’t come as easy as it sounds.
Senior goaltender Adam
Falkner continued to shine in
the net, making 69 saves.
Junior Jeff Monnin was happy
with the team’s performance
and especially impressed with
Falker’s performance.
“Falkner played his best game
of the season against Kent and
earned a great shutout. Now
we are hoping the win will be
enough to put us in the top 16
this week,” Monnin said.
picked up pin falls to help lead
the Lakers.
In the first match of day two
the Lakers took down Anderson
University by a score of 21-18.
Freshman Michael Baxter,
sophomore Josh Shields and
sophomore Nathan Sharp each
picked up pin falls in the vic-
tory.
Next up for Mercyhurst was
PSAC opponent, Shippensburg
University.
Behind decisions from senior
Payne Lint and junior Andy
Page 17
Thompson agreed with
Monnin about the exceptional
game Falkner had.
“I have never had a goalie
that was capable of stealing a
game and make 69 saves to get
the shutout like Falkner did on
Saturday,” Thompson said.
The Lakers have won seven
straight games in a row and
haven’t lost a game in the New
Year.
With no home games left
in the season, the Lakers are
hoping to continue to perform
on the road in their remaining
six games to earn a spot in the
national tournament.
The top team in every division
receives an automatic bid to
the tournament, but because
the Lakers lost twice to Robert
Morris University this season
who are 9-0 in their conference
means they have lost the division
bid.
Now they are hoping to
climb up the rankings in order
to receive a bid based on their
ranking.
The Lakers are back in action
Friday, Jan. 30, at Indiana
University of Pennsylvania.
Lamancusa the Lakers defeated
the Red Raiders 21-14.
In the final meet of the day
the Lakers took down Belmont
Abbey College to finish perfect
on the day.
The Lakers were once again
lead by a pin fall from Shields.
Mercyhurst now stands at 11-
5-1 overall after going 4-0-1 at
the East Coast Duals.
Next up for the Lakers is an
away meet against the Eagles of
Ashland University on Jan. 31
starting at 7:30 p.m.
Page 18
Prischak reaches 1,000 career points with Lakers
By Sarah Powell
Staff writer
If you would have asked
senior Stephanie Prischak if
she would reach 1,000 career
points in four years sometime
during her freshman year, her
answer would have been one of
doubt.
“It was one of those things I
didn’t really think about much
before, but at the same time it
was always in the back of my
mind,” Prischak said. “And
when I heard the buzzer sound
in the game and I knew I got
it, I was both so excited and so
relieved.”
Prischak tore her ACL during
her first season with the Lakers,
missing the second half of her
rookie debut.
Even though she was
doubtful, Prischak bounced
back from her freshman year
injury and started 26 out of 27
games the following year.
Prischak’s junior year was
even better.
She was ranked second on
Football brings battles back to the field
By John
Baranowski
Sports columnist
A question I get far too
often is “What’s the appeal of
football?” Many people simply
do not understand the game,
see it as too slow, too boring or
compare it to other sports.
However, football has deep-
rooted ideals appealing to
Americans. Football is actually
a direct link to the style of
warfare we strived for in the
American Revolution.
On the battlefields of 18th
Senior Stephanie Prischak scored her 1,000th career point
this past weekend against Lock Haven.
the team in scoring, averaging
13.3 points per game and shot
47 percent from the field and 43
percent from three-point range.
She was also second on team
with 43 three-pointers made.
After two great years, Prischak
knew that 1000 career points
and 19th century Europe and
on our continent, wars were
fought with rows and columns
of soldiers, standing tall against
one another through volleys of
gunfire, shifting, maneuvering
and trying to out perform the
other.
Football has each team line up
to stand tall against one another,
players shift, maneuver and try
to out perform the other.
Each play is a battle. Every
down has strategies employed
against the defense, working to
fool them, trying to outflank
them and reach the end zone.
Each position on the field
SPORTS
Sports Information photo
was a realistic accomplishment.
On Saturday, Jan. 24, Prischak
scored her 1,000 career point
against Lock Haven University
of Pennsylvania. Her career
milestone came from a three-
point goal to put Mercyhurst
College ahead 60-51.
represents an element of the
fighting forces of the early
warfare that swept America
from 1774-1783.
The linemen are the grunts
of the battlefield, the pike men
who prevented other soldiers
from breaking through the
battle lines.
Receivers are the cavalry,
sweeping down the battlefield
around the defense, attempting
to cause major damage
downfield.
The fullback represents the
artillery, punching holes in the
battle lines while the running
back sweeps into that gap just
Prischak’s said she wouldn’t
have accomplished this career
milestone without the constant
support from her biggest
motivators, her parents.
“They have always been
there for me my entire life and
are very supportive,” she said.
“They come to all of my games,
no matter how far.”
Prischak’s parents even went
to San Diego over Christmas
break to watch their daughter
play.
“It meant a lot to me that my
parents and my youngest sister
Natalie were all at the game at
Lock Haven when I scored my
1,000 point,” she said.
Prischak said she will always
remember her 1,000 career
point and how exciting it was.
“It is definitely a great
accomplishment I will remember
forever, and I’m just so glad I
had the opportunity to do it,”
she said.
“It was so nice to have the
support of my coaches and
teammates throughout the
entire thing, and I would never
have been able to do it without
as the elite vanguard soldiers,
causing major damage to the
enemy encampment.
The quarterback is the field
commander, directing his
soldiers as the generals behind
the lines commanded him to.
The defense matches the
offense, where the linemen
fight linemen as pike men and
skirmishers did in Napoleonic
Warfare, and cornerbacks act as
cavalry same as the receivers.
There are unique roles,
however. Safeties function as
the rear guard, the essential
soldiers prevented total defeat.
Linebackers are the line infantry,
January 28. 2009
them,” she said.
Prischak isn’t letting up now
that she’s reached 1,000 points.
“Now that it’s over, I’m just
looking forward to the rest of
the season and to accomplishing
even more,” she said.
Prischak said she hopes to
finish the season with 500 points,
since she hasn’t accomplished
this in any previous seasons.
Beating Gannon University is
another goal on Prischak’s list.
She said she would like the
Lakers to finish in the top four
in the PSAC West conference
in order to receive a bid to the
playoffs.
This past weekend the
women’s basketball team lost
to rival, Edinboro University of
Pennsylvania, before defeating
Lock Haven.
The Lakers will be back in
action tonight, Wednesday, Jan.
28, against Clarion University at
home.
Page 20
Junior Chris Risi controls
the puck in the Lakers’ 6-0
win over Connecticut.
firing upon any enemy breaking
through the front lines and
reacting to where the battle
takes them.
Most of this is never known
to the football fan, but it taps
into the built-in thoughts of our
subconscious.
Football represents classical
warfare, and requires the
toughness, determination, grit
and the grace and speed we
have respected since colonial
times. Football takes us back
to our own origins as a nation
with the Revolutionary War and
allows us to connect as nothing
else permits.
January 28, 2009 SPORTS Page 19

Mercyhurst hockey hounds the Huskies

Men’s hockey team picks up two more wins over UConn
By Nick Glasier
Staff writer
The Mercyhurst College
men’s hockey team hounded
the University of Connecticut
defense this past weekend.
The Lakers picked up two
wins with overwhelming offen-
sive efforts in a 7-2 victory
Friday, Jan. 16, and a 6-0 victory
Saturday, Jan. 17.
The Lakers’ offense has been
clicking the past four games
where they have outscored
opponents 22-3.
These offensive masterpieces
improved the Lakers’ record
to 11-12-2 on the season and
improved their conference
record to 9-6-2.
The Lakers hit the ground
running at the Mercyhurst Col-
lege Ice Center quickly jumping
on the Huskies 3-0.
The first goal was scored
19:52 into the first period by
sophomore Jeff Terminesi.
The Lakers struck again with
a breakaway goal by senior Matt
Pierce just 57 seconds into the
second period.
Shortly thereafter, the Lakers
went up 3-0 when sophomore
Jeff Terminesi struck again with
an unassisted goal just 3:25 into
the period.
The Huskies proceeded to
cut the Lakers lead to 3-2 with
two goals at 6:30 and 10:44 in
the second period.
However, the rally was
stopped dead in its tracks with a
goal by senior Brett Robinson at
the 11:01 mark.
In the third period, the Lakers
finished off the game increasing
the score to 7-2 with goals by
freshman Derek Elliot at 12:40
and sophomore Brandon Coc-
cimiglo at 16:09.
Sophomore Dan Bremner
ended the scoring with an unas-
sisted goal at 17:27.
Saturday, the Lakers started
off strong again in front of a
crowd of 900 rowdy fans at
Mercyhurst.
A power play goal by Rob-
inson 9:05 into the first period
started off the ensuing rout.
The second period was a
dominating performance with
goals by sophomore Mike Gur-
tler at 4:28, Bremner at 11:22
and two goals by Peirce at 13:38
and at 17:28, bringing the score
to 5-0.
The Lakers finished off the
game with a third period goal by
Terminesi at 14:44 for his third
goal of the series bringing the
score to 6-0.
Sophomore goalkeeper Ryan
Zapolski finished the weekend
56 for 58 on save opportuni-
ties sending the Huskies home
with their tails between their
legs.
Thanks to his back-to-
back wins over the weekend,
Zapolski earned the Atlantic
Hockey Association (AHA)
Goaltender of the Week title,
making this his second straight
honor and third for this season.
Mercyhurst is 12-12-1 on the
season and 9-6-2 in AHA play.
The Lakers look to extend
their winning streak next week-
end.
The team will welcome No.
20 Air Force at home for a two Scoot Williams photo
game series on Friday, Jan. 30, Sophomore Dan Bremner fights for possession of the puck at
and Saturday, Jan. 31. the men’s hockey game this past weekend against UConn.

Off-Campus Student
Housing Men’s basketball stumbles again
The Lakers were led by juniors got to see firsthand as the Bald
Several 3-4 bedroom houses, By Gary Coad Nnamdi Nnadili who had 17- Eagles made a three pointer at
Staff writer
all within 10 minutes of campus points and Jordan Armstrong the horn to win 70-67.
who tallied his fifth double- Junior Stu Anglum responded
Appliances Included The Lakers’ men’s basketball double on the season. to the loss.
team has been having trouble Next up for the Lakers was “That shot was not what beat

CLEAN! scoring a victory recently after a

great start this year.
This past Wednesday the
Available starting in June Lakers went into Edinboro for
another PSAC contest. They
had the lead almost the entire
game, but were still forced into
Call 814-397-9609 overtime. Luckily, the Lakers
for information or showing. came home with a 76-71 win,
their first in the PSAC.
Lock Haven, who was 3-13
coming into the game. The
Lakers held the lead the entire
game until the final 14 seconds.
The Bald Eagles closed a 12-
point gap and took the lead 67-
66.
The Lakers tied the game up
at 67-67, right before disaster
struck. The 500 fans at the game
us, it was our inability to hold
another lead,” he said.
The Lakers return home
with a three-game home stand
beginning on Jan. 28 against
Clarion at 7:30 p.m followed by
California (Pa.) on Jan. 31.
Rival Gannon finishes out the
home stand on Feb. 4 with tip-
off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 Laker Sports

Lakers muzzle
the Huskies Scoot Williams photo
Caption on page 18