As the 2010-11 school year begins, most Ball State upperclassmen have a pretty good idea of where they are in terms of staying at the university.
Some have done a good job, have a strong GPA and know what it takes to stay afloat on their path to degree. Others … let’s just say they have some work to do. Whether they have a middling GPA (or worse, are on academic probation), are behind to graduate on time or can barely manage their finances to afford to go to school, something has pushed them to the point where this is the make-or-break year for their college career.
The same can be said for the athletics department at Ball State. Some coaches and players might enter the school year feeling pretty safe about their job security (Mike Fleck seems safe in his 13th season as the men’s golf coach and senior Ali Bishel should head to a third NCAA Championship meet in cross country). For others, 2010-11 may be their last chance to make a case for employment or playing time.
Well, today was certainly a wake-up call.
After a morning coffee session with Brad, where I finally think I figured out what class No. 3 is going to be and a basic outline of how I will be spending 10 to 20 hours per week in the fall (a secret that will be revealed Friday, I hope).
Side note: I never know how to refer to Brad. I mean, most of the time people know who he is and I can just say Brad. But occasionally I run into someone who is unfamiliar with his work — I’m sure he’s dismayed to hear that — and I have to explain who he is. But there’s never an easy title for it. I think I’ve run the gamut of adviser, assistantship coordinator and that guy who tells me what to do. Quite the dilemma.
Anyway, post-lunch, I watched the Colts preseason game (quick thoughts: first team looked just fine, gotta get rid of Painter immediately and I’m glad The Nate Show played well) and began what has now turned into 12 hours of copy editing.
So I went to the zoo today. I don’t know why, but there’s always something a little off-putting to me about zoos.
I just always feel kind of bad for the animals.
I’m not in any way saying that the animals there are mistreated by any means. Heck, some of them live better than a lot of us do.
I guess I just feel sorry for them, because the four walls they live within are all they’re probably going to know for their lives. There’s just a sense of a loss of freedom for what are usually some majestic creatures out in the real world. Not too easy for a cheetah to build up speed or feel the sense of the hunt when dinner’s thrown from a bucket.
1. I’d much rather be working at this point than going to school.
2. I hate packing, but I’ve done a better job of getting rid of a few things this summer. I can more or less fit my life in my car now, as Connecticut proved.
3. It’s been a helluva 12 months.
4. I’m still kind of shy, but I’m working on it. It will make me a better person to not be afraid to talk to people.
5. Sometimes you have to tell people the truth, even if they don’t want to hear it.
6. I still miss being a musician. I’m going to see what I can do this school year to do something about that. I don’t think I’ve stopped having a passion for music; I just didn’t really play at all in the past year. Let’s fix that.
7. This had just been my internal proclamation, but no one in the journalism department is going to outwork me this year.
8. Don’t be an asshole. This might not be something I didn’t already know, but it can’t hurt to recall it.
9. Thank you to anyone who did read this over the summer. I seem to have a small (tiny?) following, but I appreciate anyone who would take a moment out of his/her day for me.
10. I had to get two oil changes this summer because of all the driving I did.
On Wednesday, a former editor-in-chief of a student newspaper tweeted that he/she could now “ethically wear” apparel for the university for which he worked.
I, of course, choked a little on my coffee. (Wait, this was posted at 5 p.m.? And I don’t drink coffee regularly? Mental note, drink more coffee to be able to express indignation.) Especially when I considered that there weren’t many people who touted that school, especially certain aspects, more than that EIC.
(Protecting the identity of this EIC seems a little silly, but I’m being “ethical” here. Plus, I hope he knows I’m not writing this to condemn him but rather to make a point.)
The point is that it is completely foolish to say that not wearing certain apparel or doing certain actions relieves you of your biases. No matter what they may say, journalists come into their job with certain preferences for and against different groups. The point is not to eliminate your bias but just to acknowledge them and do your best to minimize them.
Coach Nadalie Walsh has added another gymnast to her 2010-11 class.
Mackenzie Pacovsky, of Independence, Minn., will be the fifth freshman on the gymnastics team, which will start its season in January.
“I’m excited to have her,” Walsh said. “She seems to me to be a gymnast who can learn a lot.”
Pacovsky will join the team as a walk-on, Walsh said, adding that Pacovksy’s initial benefits will come in the uneven bars and vault.
“I think she’s going to add a lot,” she said.
Walsh said she thinks Pacovsky is a solid in all four events but her adding bars and vault depth, plus balance beam eventually, will be how she finds her role on the team.
On Thursday, Sept. 2, Ball State will open its 2010 football season against the Southeast Missouri State Fighting Arches (that’s their name, correct?).
On that night, the athletic department’s latest spectacular giveaway will be available (only bested by the time it handed out free Pepsi Max), but only if you arrive early enough.
OK, so the first Ball State football isn’t for 23 days (but who’s counting?), but I feel like I wanted to go ahead and not this topic out … plus, I think I might kind of use this as a column application for the DN (not like I have anything else going on … wait …).
Alright, it’s almost time for the first game of the Ball State football season. I know, as a faithful Ball State fan, for which any allegiances you had surely began when, and only when, you first stepped foot on campus, that you’re going to want to make the most of it.
Sophomores and up, you’ve already experienced the joys of a Ball State football game, so this one might not be for you unless you need a refresher. But freshmen, this one’s a must read. In fact, print this one out and keep in your wallet/pocket/backpack/purse/gym bag/sock/books. (Hahaha, like you’d bring those to class.) The point is, this one’s a keeper.
Well, I have returned from Connecticut. Made the drive in about 14 hours with stops and I am back home again in Indiana.
As a temporary Connecticut citizen, I feel like I have come to understand the world of New England. Therefore, I present this entirely scientific analysis comparing Indiana and Connecticut:
Well, after the pseudo-depression I caused by listing five depressing Ball State football moments, I decided to go happy and list five of the best Ball State football moments.
5. Ball State 9, Central Normal 6
Ball State’s first home football game on Nov. 7, 1924, started a winning tradition for the Cardinals program. Although hard to believe, Ball State holds winning records in the MAC (149-121-4 — .551), at home (233-132-19 — .632) and all time (402-360-32 — .506).
4. Ball State 60, Western Michigan 57
The Cardinals won a classic in the MAC’s longest game ever, which lasted five overtimes. Brian Jackson’s 30-yard field goal was the game-winner. The two teams had more than 1,000 yards of offense, including 306 yards passing with four touchdowns by Joey Lynch and 170 yards rushing by B.J. Hill (long before he was moved to cornerback). It was Ball State’s first win of the 2005 season.
