By John Kennett
Journalism 312
Two-time U.S. Open winner Tracy Austin still remembers the influence Billie Jean King had on her tennis career.
When Austin was 9, Billie Jean King filmed a commercial at the club where Austin was training. Meeting King had a profound effect on her life.
"I clearly remember in my mind getting King's autograph, and the pictures I took with her," said Austin. "I did a book report on her and that can make an impact on you."
Securing an influential mentor is one of the five points from Austin’s “Road to Success” talk, which she presented Thursday at a luncheon hosted by Vision Tri-County at Valley Plaza Resort.
Priorities, preparation, passion and asking the question, "What else can I do?" are other topics that Austin touched upon during her presentation.
Sid Allen, president of the Midland Area Chamber of Commerce, was impressed with Austin's presentation.
"I think that she is a very dynamic person," Allen said. "I admire what she has done and the message she gave us."
Austin is in town to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Dow Corning Tennis Classic. She served as guest celebrity host at Thursday's and Friday’s matches.
"That's success,” Austin said. “None of the other (USTA Pro Circuit Events) have lasted 20 years."
Austin credits community involvement for the longevity of the DCTC.
"It is very important when a community gets behind it," Austin said. "When a tournament falters, it is because you do not have a company like Dow Corning behind it."
Presently, Austin works as a tennis commentator for USA Network and NBC, while enjoying the role of mother to three boys.
She sees the value of tennis in the lives of young people.
"To me, it is so healthy that kids are active," Austin said. "Socially, it's good for them to interact with the other kids and learn sportsmanship, and to learn how to win and lose.”
Losing forces a player to evaluate what is wrong and to take steps to correct the problem, which helps a person later on in life.
"That helps with business later," Austin said. "In business, (if) you have a weakness, (you consider) how to try and improve that."
Her advice to parents was to treat each child as an individual.
"Always take the lead of the child," Austin said. "It is not always one way, one path."
Austin used sports commentator Dick Enberg, a graduate of Central Michigan University, as an example of great preparation.
"Most commentators come in on Friday for the weekend matches," Austin said. "But Dick will come in on Monday and chart shots all week long preparing for Saturday and Sunday matches."
Austin's passion for tennis was evident throughout the presentation.
"I think that tennis is a great lifetime sport," said Austin, who was the top-ranked women's player in 1980. "I still love tennis."
While talking to reporters after her presentation, Austin mentioned how encouraged she is about the status of the women's and men's tennis tours.
"The fact that we had the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, and it was wide open (is exciting)," Austin said.
Austin believes that the men's tour is in great shape with the up-and-coming players.
"I like what happened at the Australian Open," said Austin. "(Champion) Novak Djokovic was a solid No. 3 (seed). I kind of felt like for a couple of years, it has been Federer and Nadal. Now it's nice to insert that new blood."
Austin was impressed with Jo-Wilfried Tsongas, who placed second at the Australian Open.
"The guy is phenomenal to watch, the way that he dissected Nadal," said Austin. "He seems like a great personality. We need that."
Edited by Jason Baird and Sheri Krotzer
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Students recognize Lent
By Meredith Mayberry
Edited by Sarah Schuch
The season of Lent began last Wednesday and is a time for Christians, including students at Central Michigan University, to purify themselves and repent.
“It’s an inner personal journey,” said Father Will Prospero of St. Mary’s Catholic Parish at CMU. “It’s about starting over.”
CMU students recognize Lent in a number of unique ways, the Rev. said. Some choose to give up a vice while others choose to take on something extra to bring them closer to God.
“I suggest that they choose a spiritual activity, such as prayer, scripture reading or meditation, and focus on increasing those practices,” said Pastor Charles Farnum of the United Methodist Church at CMU.
Rev. Farnum said students should also try to give up doing or using things that can interfere with their relationships with God.
Fasting, or going without food, is another way in which Christians recognize the season.
Jenna Brusie, North Branch sophomore, said she and a friend choose to fast on Thursdays during Lent.
Brusie said fasting reminds her to pray.
“Every time your stomach growls, you say a little prayer for yourself to get through the day and for people who don’t even have food,” she said.
Rev. Prospero said there are other ways to fast that do not involve food.
“The Pope thinks the best fasting is to fast from words and images,” Father Prospero said. “He’s right on.”
This Lenten season, Rev. Prospero chose to give up watching SportsCenter on TV each evening.
“It’s just worthless with all of the commercials and images,” Father Prospero said. “I can do something else during Lent.”
Giving up vices is easier for people when there is group support, Rev. Prospero said.
“Some churches act as communities and all give up chocolate,” Father Prospero said.
Brusie said she misses her hometown church community going through Lent as a congregation.
“That’s why I fast with a friend,” she said. “We’re each other’s moral support.”
Rev. Farnum recognized the fact that some people give up vices during Lent without understanding the religious importance of their acts. He said that is not a bad thing.
“People do all kinds of things without really understanding why,” Pastor Farnum said. “Some kids drink milk because their mom said so, but I think it still helps them out.”
Lent, which translates to “Spring,” is a period of preparation for Easter, the highest celebration in the Christian year.
“Use Lent to invest time to reflect on Jesus’ life, death and resurrection,” Pastor Farnum said.
Edited by Sarah Schuch
The season of Lent began last Wednesday and is a time for Christians, including students at Central Michigan University, to purify themselves and repent.
“It’s an inner personal journey,” said Father Will Prospero of St. Mary’s Catholic Parish at CMU. “It’s about starting over.”
CMU students recognize Lent in a number of unique ways, the Rev. said. Some choose to give up a vice while others choose to take on something extra to bring them closer to God.
“I suggest that they choose a spiritual activity, such as prayer, scripture reading or meditation, and focus on increasing those practices,” said Pastor Charles Farnum of the United Methodist Church at CMU.
Rev. Farnum said students should also try to give up doing or using things that can interfere with their relationships with God.
Fasting, or going without food, is another way in which Christians recognize the season.
Jenna Brusie, North Branch sophomore, said she and a friend choose to fast on Thursdays during Lent.
Brusie said fasting reminds her to pray.
“Every time your stomach growls, you say a little prayer for yourself to get through the day and for people who don’t even have food,” she said.
Rev. Prospero said there are other ways to fast that do not involve food.
“The Pope thinks the best fasting is to fast from words and images,” Father Prospero said. “He’s right on.”
This Lenten season, Rev. Prospero chose to give up watching SportsCenter on TV each evening.
“It’s just worthless with all of the commercials and images,” Father Prospero said. “I can do something else during Lent.”
Giving up vices is easier for people when there is group support, Rev. Prospero said.
“Some churches act as communities and all give up chocolate,” Father Prospero said.
Brusie said she misses her hometown church community going through Lent as a congregation.
“That’s why I fast with a friend,” she said. “We’re each other’s moral support.”
Rev. Farnum recognized the fact that some people give up vices during Lent without understanding the religious importance of their acts. He said that is not a bad thing.
“People do all kinds of things without really understanding why,” Pastor Farnum said. “Some kids drink milk because their mom said so, but I think it still helps them out.”
Lent, which translates to “Spring,” is a period of preparation for Easter, the highest celebration in the Christian year.
“Use Lent to invest time to reflect on Jesus’ life, death and resurrection,” Pastor Farnum said.
The Perfect Athlete
By: Dan Schultz
Edited by: Noah Shepardson and Trisha VanKoughnett
Roger Clemens, one of Major League Baseball’s most touted pitchers, never expected to be the one swinging – and missing. His former personal trainer admitted Clemens’ use of anabolic steroids in a case that went to Capitol Hill Wednesday; a confession that Clemens adamantly denies.
Regardless, in a world where athletes are put on such a high pedestal, what does this kind of image do for college athletes? These athletes may be willing to do anything to compete on a professional level. After all, they already do it in the big leagues.
“Look at all the money in the game,” former major leaguer Ken Caminiti said in an interview with Sports Illustrated. “A kid got $252 million. So I can’t say, ‘Don’t do it,’ not when the guy next to you is as big as a house and he’s going to take your job and money.”
Role models were never like this before.
“It’s dangerous when yet another glitzy athlete admits to abusing steroids,” Daniel Sturgeon said. Sturgeon, a graduate student at
“Steroids has been around for a lot longer than people care to know, yet it’s just now taking a hold of younger athletes, like college kids.”
And he’s right.
Research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has been scarce when it comes to performance-enhancing drugs on the collegiate level. However, NIDA is careful to note that “hundreds of thousands of people aged 18 and older abuse anabolic steroids at least once a year.”
NIDA first assessed the ever-increasing risk of anabolic steroid use in Dec. 1999, and since then has implemented countless programs and experiments to stop any drug abuse found in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Reasons for drug abuse in the NCAA sometimes have nothing to do with sports, but rather with self-defense and years of sexual abuse.
NIDA reported in a series of interviews that 25 percent of male weightlifters that abused steroids reported memories of childhood physical or sexual abuse. Those that did not abuse steroids reported no such physical or sexual abuse.
Moreover, almost all female weightlifters who had been sexually abused in the past reported that they “markedly increased” their bodybuilding activities after the attack. They believed they would “discourage further attacks because men would find them either intimidating or unattractive.”
“That’s another thing,” Sturgeon said, readjusting his glasses and taking a deep breath. “Some people think they need steroids… they see pro athletes doubling in size, and that’s what entices them.”
There is nothing enticing about steroids, though in the end. An athlete may think they are improving their abilities when they throw performance-enhancing drugs into their career, but they are in fact throwing their career away at the same time.
Make up days this semester unlikely
By Kelly Morse
Edited By Meredeth Mayberry, Amanda Crabtree, Sarah Schuch
CMU administrators proposed an extra day because of several missed days this semester, but the chance is slim.
The possible added day under discussion is Thursday, April 24, during the last week before finals.
“I’m pretty confident that the administration will work on a plan for future years, but I don’t know about changing the schedule this year,” said Timothy Hartshorne, professor of psychology.
Faculty members have already begun adjusting for the missed days, such as rescheduling exam dates. Plus, time is quickly passing. The administration would have to make a decision soon.
Currently, a plan is not in place to make up missed days of class. The main reason is because the university has not had to deal with this problem in the recent past.
“I’ve been here since ’89 and this hasn’t happened to my knowledge,” said Hartshorne.
Mike Zeig, president of the Student Government Association, disagrees with the proposed added day. He said that a process should be developed for next year on how to make up for cancellations, but this year is not a good idea.
Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25 have not always been days off for students. It has only been during the past few years that students were given these days off to study for exams and to move out of their residence hall rooms.
“If you ask me, I don’t think students need those two days off anyway. It’s not like they use that extra time to study,” said Joan Schmidt, associate director of Residence Life. “Many students enjoy that time relaxing or partying. While those may not be bad things, that is not what the days were intended for.”
This year, Order Day, which is a day reserved for on-campus students to move large items out of their residence hall rooms, is scheduled for April 24. That means, if classes were scheduled during that day as well, students would have to juggle between moving out and going to classes.
“Usually Order Day is a week before the day that it is scheduled this year, but for some reason we moved it up,” said Schmidt.
The Academic Senate, a subgroup within the SGA, will meet Tuesday, Feb. 19, to further discuss the issues surrounding the proposed added day of class.
“The perspective of students is of course important. If students are upset by decisions, it doesn’t go well,” said Hartshorne. “The decision made by SGA is a factor.”
By Kelly Morse
Edited By Meredeth Mayberry, Amanda Crabtree, Sarah Schuch
CMU administrators proposed an extra day because of several missed days this semester, but the chance is slim.
The possible added day under discussion is Thursday, April 24, during the last week before finals.
“I’m pretty confident that the administration will work on a plan for future years, but I don’t know about changing the schedule this year,” said Timothy Hartshorne, professor of psychology.
Faculty members have already begun adjusting for the missed days, such as rescheduling exam dates. Plus, time is quickly passing. The administration would have to make a decision soon.
Currently, a plan is not in place to make up missed days of class. The main reason is because the university has not had to deal with this problem in the recent past.
“I’ve been here since ’89 and this hasn’t happened to my knowledge,” said Hartshorne.
Mike Zeig, president of the Student Government Association, disagrees with the proposed added day. He said that a process should be developed for next year on how to make up for cancellations, but this year is not a good idea.
Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25 have not always been days off for students. It has only been during the past few years that students were given these days off to study for exams and to move out of their residence hall rooms.
“If you ask me, I don’t think students need those two days off anyway. It’s not like they use that extra time to study,” said Joan Schmidt, associate director of Residence Life. “Many students enjoy that time relaxing or partying. While those may not be bad things, that is not what the days were intended for.”
This year, Order Day, which is a day reserved for on-campus students to move large items out of their residence hall rooms, is scheduled for April 24. That means, if classes were scheduled during that day as well, students would have to juggle between moving out and going to classes.
“Usually Order Day is a week before the day that it is scheduled this year, but for some reason we moved it up,” said Schmidt.
The Academic Senate, a subgroup within the SGA, will meet Tuesday, Feb. 19, to further discuss the issues surrounding the proposed added day of class.
“The perspective of students is of course important. If students are upset by decisions, it doesn’t go well,” said Hartshorne. “The decision made by SGA is a factor.”
Charter school teaches students smarter decisions
By Sarah Schuch
Edited by Meredeth Mayberry, Amanda Crabtree and Kelly Morse
Morey Public School Academy is participating in a program called Smart Character Choices this year, designed as a four-year federal study to teach positive characteristics.
“The goal is to increase safety in schools and to increase respect,” said Stacey Graham, school counselor at Morey.
Graham said the foundation for this program is building relations with students.
Characteristics, such as respect, responsibility, kindness, work ethics and optimism are emphasized, she said.
Posters are hung throughout the school listing bathroom, hallway, emergency and classroom procedures.
Graham said the posters help to meet the goal of students being able to keep up with the demands of curriculum.
“They have a clear expectation on how their day is going to be,” she said. “Students need structure in their day.”
Morey is one of 10 schools around Michigan to participate in this program, according to Diane Vance, director of Smart Character Choices.
Vance said students are taught character through individuals in American history. They look at the good and bad character traits and how they affected events in U.S. history.
“Oftentimes character is not something that is emphasized in the home,” she said.
Their first goal is to help develop really strong and positive relationships with students, Vance said.
Jane Martin, second grade teacher, implements the positive characteristics in her classroom through group activities. It brings a lot of students together and makes them not think of themselves as individuals, she said.
Martin’s class created a classroom constitution, where the students shared the rules they wanted on the list. The rules were then turned into positive statements, she said. Instead of having the rule “Don’t run” the constitution said “Remember to always walk.”
All of the students signed the constitution and could refer back to it if someone was breaking the rules.
“Most of it is what you would normally do but with a positive spin on it,” Martin said.
The program is in its beginning stages this year, but next year John Erwin, director of training and curriculum development, will come to the school and start observing. He will then be able to give some advice and feedback.
Starting next year, elementary and middle school students will have morning meetings, where they share stories, sing songs or get to know each other to provide a transition in the day.
High school students will have classroom meetings, Graham said.
Graham is hoping the program will result in less bullying and harassment.
“What we’re hoping for is through Smart Character Choices that we see a shift in behaviors,” Graham said.
Community asked to help victim
by Jason Baird
The phrase, “Adding insult to injury,” comes to mind in James Williams’ situation.
With no health insurance, the 23-year-old Mount Pleasant man struggles to afford physical rehabilitation and medical bills reaching $200,000 resulting from an attack.
Williams suffered numerous injuries from a New Year’s Day beating outside O’Kelly’s Sports Bar and Grill. He arrived at Mount Pleasant’s Central Michigan Hospital in “extremely critical condition,” according to attending emergency room physician Leslie Starnes.
To help with mounting bills, the Williams family is organizing a benefit fundraiser scheduled for February 23rd at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart’s Parish Hall, 302 S. Kinney Ave at 5 p.m. Items donated by local businesses will be auctioned off during live and silent auctions.
Tia Williams, James’ sister, said raffle items include Detroit Tigers tickets, plasma screen TV’s, refrigerators and hotel packages.
Dinner is served from 5-7:30 p.m. with the auctions immediately following. Door prizes, raffle drawings, and fifty-fifty will help to raise money.
Donations will hopefully ease the burden on Williams so he can focus on making a full recovery.
Williams has been undergoing a physical therapy regimen at Central Michigan University's Health Professions Building. However, rehabilitation help the university is able to offer is limited.
The family is seeking out other local rehabilitation centers.
"We've had some medical tests that show he'll need extensive physical therapy,” said Jim Williams, father of James.
Doctors told Jim Williams that it is difficult to gauge how long James’ recovery will take.
“They said anywhere from a month to a year. He has extensive nerve damage in his arms,” Jim Williams said.
Contact Tia Williams for donations or more information at (989) 330-7323
The phrase, “Adding insult to injury,” comes to mind in James Williams’ situation.
With no health insurance, the 23-year-old Mount Pleasant man struggles to afford physical rehabilitation and medical bills reaching $200,000 resulting from an attack.
Williams suffered numerous injuries from a New Year’s Day beating outside O’Kelly’s Sports Bar and Grill. He arrived at Mount Pleasant’s Central Michigan Hospital in “extremely critical condition,” according to attending emergency room physician Leslie Starnes.
To help with mounting bills, the Williams family is organizing a benefit fundraiser scheduled for February 23rd at Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart’s Parish Hall, 302 S. Kinney Ave at 5 p.m. Items donated by local businesses will be auctioned off during live and silent auctions.
Tia Williams, James’ sister, said raffle items include Detroit Tigers tickets, plasma screen TV’s, refrigerators and hotel packages.
Dinner is served from 5-7:30 p.m. with the auctions immediately following. Door prizes, raffle drawings, and fifty-fifty will help to raise money.
Donations will hopefully ease the burden on Williams so he can focus on making a full recovery.
Williams has been undergoing a physical therapy regimen at Central Michigan University's Health Professions Building. However, rehabilitation help the university is able to offer is limited.
The family is seeking out other local rehabilitation centers.
"We've had some medical tests that show he'll need extensive physical therapy,” said Jim Williams, father of James.
Doctors told Jim Williams that it is difficult to gauge how long James’ recovery will take.
“They said anywhere from a month to a year. He has extensive nerve damage in his arms,” Jim Williams said.
Contact Tia Williams for donations or more information at (989) 330-7323
CMU public radio to go off air
By: Amanda Crabtree
Central Michigan University’s Public Radio station, 89.5 FM, will temporarily go off air for repairs as soon as the bad weather breaks.
The transmission line, which delivers the signal to an antenna, has a hole. If not repaired, moisture could cause rust and major problems, said John Sheffler, director of CMU public radio.
“This is a problem we didn’t anticipate having to deal with at all,” Sheffler said.
While the problem at hand is not incredibly expensive, if it is not fixed properly and soon, it could damage more parts on the tower.
The station was already off the air on February 3 for eight hours while the tower was under repair. However, due to the bad weather, the rest of the work has been put off.
The repairs have to be done on the 1000-foot high tower, at the height of 500 feet and higher, according to Sheffler. The wind, snow and ice will be a problem for the workers.
While waiting for round two of repairs, the station is operating at a lower power. This means the sound is lower than usual. Currently the station has received no complaints. The main listeners affected are in the fringe area, where the station does not come in well normally.
The rest of the work will be done as soon as it is safe for people to work on the tower. It is unknown how long the repairs will take.
Edited by Kelly Morse, Sarah Schuch and Meredith Mayberry
Central Michigan University’s Public Radio station, 89.5 FM, will temporarily go off air for repairs as soon as the bad weather breaks.
The transmission line, which delivers the signal to an antenna, has a hole. If not repaired, moisture could cause rust and major problems, said John Sheffler, director of CMU public radio.
“This is a problem we didn’t anticipate having to deal with at all,” Sheffler said.
While the problem at hand is not incredibly expensive, if it is not fixed properly and soon, it could damage more parts on the tower.
The station was already off the air on February 3 for eight hours while the tower was under repair. However, due to the bad weather, the rest of the work has been put off.
The repairs have to be done on the 1000-foot high tower, at the height of 500 feet and higher, according to Sheffler. The wind, snow and ice will be a problem for the workers.
While waiting for round two of repairs, the station is operating at a lower power. This means the sound is lower than usual. Currently the station has received no complaints. The main listeners affected are in the fringe area, where the station does not come in well normally.
The rest of the work will be done as soon as it is safe for people to work on the tower. It is unknown how long the repairs will take.
Edited by Kelly Morse, Sarah Schuch and Meredith Mayberry
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