Volume 23, issue 11, October 27, 2000

Volume 23, issue 11, October 27, 2000

Metronews

Proposal targets doctors
Kelly McDowell
The Metropolitan

A Colorado ballot proposal may be the first step in criminalizing doctors who perform legal abortions.

Amendment 25 includes punishments for doctors who do not follow the proposed law. The law, if passed on Nov. 7, imposes a class five felony. Any doctor who violates the law could face up to five years in jail, $100,000 fine or both.

Along with a mandatory 24 hour waiting period, the Women’s Health Information Act requires doctors to distribute materials provided by the state of Colorado. The informational materials and a video include pictures of the various stages of a fetus’ development, information about agencies that offer alternatives to abortion and facts about a father’s support obligations. Patients are not legally required to take the information.

Gary Rogers, co-sponsor of the Women’s Right to Information Coalition, said the amendment is designed to mandate informed consent, not to challenge a woman’s right to an abortion. The proposal is modeled after a similar law in Pennsylvania. In 1992, the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of that law. Since then, approximately fifteen states have adopted similar legislation, according to Rogers.

The amendment also requires a written statement from the patient stating that she received the necessary documentation. Doctors are then to report the number of patients who refused the information, the number of women who opted for a different solution and all terminated pregnancies. Existing laws currently require each medical establishment to report the number of terminated pregnancies. The law, if passed, would demand each doctor to report these numbers to the state.

The resounding concern of the opposition is the matter of public records. Amendment 25 may open public records that would allow anti-abortion supporters to target doctors.

Rogers claims that full disclosure is the reason behind the ballot issue. "The byproduct, however, is a dramatic reduction in abortion and an increase in adoption," he said.

Rogers also heads The Colorado Pro-Life Alliance, the organization behind the 1998 amendments that would require parental consent for a teen seeking an abortion and a ban on partial birth abortions. The Supreme Court found both issues unconstitutional during last year’s session.

Rogers accused Planned Parenthood of withholding procedural information and counseling. He alleges that Planned Parenthood is not interested in distributing information about the medical procedure or alternatives to abortion.

"One women went for an abortion and when she asked about the fetus, the practitioner at Planned Parenthood told her it was just like a tumor," Rogers said.

"Of course all questions are answered," said Jeri Anne Martinez, spokesperson for Vote No on 25 sponsored by Protect Family Protect Choice Coalition. She said Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains already discloses all procedural information and provides counseling.

According to Martinez, the amendment is "unnecessary and proposed in a deceitful manner."

"Amendment 25 jeopardizes privacy and chips away at choice.The real goal of this amendment is to make it harder and harder for a women to get a legal and safe abortion," said Barbara Baldwin, Executive Director of Colorado NARAL, National Abortion Rights Action League.

"We at Planned Parenthood, as a reproductive health provider, would be behind this initiative if it were truly about helping women, if it were truly in the best interest of women. But it is not. It is in the best interest of anti-abortion protesters," said Ellen Brillant, spokesperson for the Protect Families Protect Choice Coalition and the Vice President of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. "A woman should not have to consult a Big Brother government bureaucracy."

Brillant said the Colorado Pro-Life Alliance has vowed to petition anti-abortion initiatives onto the Colorado Ballot in every general election.

Martinez added, "(Rogers) is proposing an amendment that would ban same sex marriages in the 2002 election."

Organizations opposed to The Women’s Right to Information Act, or Amendment 25 include the Colorado chapters of the American Civil Liberties Union, National Organization for Women, Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, Colorado Nurses Association, Colorado Medical Society, Colorado Republicans for Choice, Colorado Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice and the League of Women Voters.
"A woman should not have to consult a Big Brother government bureaucracy.’’

-Ellen Brillant,
Protect Families Protect Choice Coalition
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Board of state colleges opposes umbrella plan

DENVER (AP) — The Board of State Colleges is opposing a proposal to fold Western, Mesa and Adams state colleges into the Colorado state university system.

Meanwhile, students at the University of Colorado at Denver are protesting a proposal to limit the school to graduate students.

The recommendations are part of a state-mandated study conducted by an Olympia, Wash., consultant as part of efforts to overhaul higher education in Colorado.

A final report is due next week before it goes to the General Assembly for consideration in January.

The study recommends making Metro the only public undergraduate institution in the Denver area. CU has strongly opposed the recommendation, saying it would reduce choices for students in Denver.

"Many of the recommendations are flawed, lack rationale and ... display a poor understanding of Colorado higher education,’’ said Dale Mingilton, chairman of Board of State Colleges, in a letter to the consultant, Northwest Research Education Center.

He said the board wants to study CSU’s system colleges - Southern Colorado in Pueblo and Fort Lewis in Durango — to see if their ties to CSU make them more effective than the state colleges.

Also, CSU has questioned the expense of taking on three more colleges. Metro subsidizes the three for $4 million a year, according to estimates gathered by the CSU board.

NORED president Bill Chance said adding the schools to CSU’s system would expand services available to rural residents through CSU, the state’s second-largest research university.

It also would create cooperation, rather than mistrust, among rural and urban institutions, Chance said.

The study also suggested that the colleges change their names to CSU at Alamosa, Grand Junction and Gunnison.

But Western State College President Harry Peterson said that would put recruiting and fund-raising efforts at risk. Two major donors say gifts are in jeopardy if Western’s name is dropped, he said.

"It’s ironic that a series of recommendations designed to strengthen the colleges would create problems for us because of the loss of our name,’’ Peterson said.

"Many of the recommendations ...display a poor understanding of Colorado higher education."

-Dale Mingilton
chairman, Board of State Colleges
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Group fights CU’s ethnic profiling

BOULDER (AP) — A newly formed student group wants the University of Colorado to stop collecting information on the racial makeup of the school.

The group, the Equal Opportunity Alliance, says the university is practicing racial profiling by gathering such data on the university.

It wants officials to delete the box on application forms that asks the race of applicants.

"Students need to be considered equally in the admissions process, and race cannot be a factor," said group leader Jessica Peck, a white senior at CU-Boulder. "The race box is inherently racist and discriminatory."

Group members say they want more diversity on campus but that racial preferences aren’t the way to achieve it.

Other groups have lobbied the university to set numerical goals for minority groups.

The Board of Regents rejected quotas last year, approving instead a plan calling for continuous improvement in the percentage of minority students on campus.

Ara Cruz, a CU-Boulder junior and chair of Movimiento Estudiantil Chicana/o de Aztlan, opposes the Equal Opportunity Alliance’s goal, saying colleges need to look at race and ethnicity to help level the playing field for minority students who have had fewer advantages.

"I think if the race question were eliminated, it’s almost like you’re ignoring the historical oppression," Cruz said. "And it almost furthers the oppression for people of color because you couldn’t track what’s happening."

CU-Boulder’s minority population lags behind state figures. Minorities comprise 21 percent of Colorado’s high school graduates, according to state figures. Thirteen percent of the university’s students are members of minorities.
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Minister: education essential to revelations
Jessica Rouch
The Metropolitan

It has taken the Political Science department two years to get him to speak at Auraria but Iranian foreign minister, Ibrahim Yazdi, finally spoke Oct. 19 about a number of issues including, revolution, democracy and the hostage crisis.

Yazdi emphasized the importance that education plays on the revolutionary process.

In 1959, he left Iran to study in America, where he helped to form the Islamic Student Association. Starting in 1968 the ISA was recreated in France and throughout Europe. Yazdi added the Islamic student association grew from about 7,000 in 1960 to 135,000 in 1979 in the U.S. with his help.

"Education is essential to revolution," Yazdi said. "Modernism’s basic concepts must be digested by the general public through education in order to be incorporated into the governmental systems. Without this process problems will occur."

Yazdi said he hopes the women of Iran will teach their children and continue to become educated many of them are.

"The plight of the women in Iran has been of much interest worldwide," Yazdi said. "When women marched against foreign domination in the seventies, they saw their ability to create change. Now these women are mothers and have seen the effects of domination on the people."

The attitude hindering such change is that the Constitutionalists still believe the old concept that science and religion oppose each other Yazdi said. Many Constitutionalists believe when you are educated you study biology or chemistry and thus become an atheist.

"Many of the intellectuals in Iran have become more committed to Islamic beliefs" after their education and not visa versa he said. However, Yazdi believes that tolerance and pluralism is unavoidable.

"Democracy is a government for the people and by the people. Just like democracy changes from America to Europe, Iran must create their own democracy as well," Yazdi said in response to the question of whether democracy and Islamic beliefs are contradictory.

When asked about separation of church and state, Yazdi said that Iran doesn’t have a ‘church’ as America does.

"However, when 99 percent of your people are Islamic, this will show in our voting," Yazdi said.

Just as in any democratic system, the ideas and beliefs of the people come out, Yazdi said. It is the people who vote and even in America religion or anti-religious beliefs play a large part in the vote of the people thus affecting the system, Yazdi said.

Yazdi said that one of the main controversies in Iran exists between the modernists and the conventionalists and that in Iran many constitutionalists believe that modernism is incompatible with Islamic belief. The main conflict revolves around the balance of powers in Iran. Yazdi explained that the constitutionalists believe God is the supreme ruler and democracy is blasphemy because it means the people rule.

One man asked why Yazdi would not condemn the acts of present leader, Seyed Mohammed Khatami and asked Yazdi to speak about the FACTFA who arrested, imprisoned, and raped thousands of women and the political killings of over 30,000 in 60 days in 1988 under Khatami’s rule. Yazdi said that the regime needs to be held accountable for the unconstitutional behavior of its officials and that much change is still needed.

"Iran had sent numerous letters to the White House stating that if the U.S. allowed the Shaw to come to the America then they would take over the American embassy." Yazdi said addressing America’s role in the hostage situation. America ignored these letters Yazdi said.

Since the Shaw’s rule from 1968 to 1978, financial embezzlement of over 23 billion dollars deposited in FMS funds curiously disappeared, Yazdi said. The United States should compensate for imposing the Shaw on Iran Yazdi said.
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Fonda: women’s reproductive rights are in danger
Jaime Jarrett
The Metropolitan

The election in November is critical to preserve women’s and girl’s reproductive freedoms, political activist Jane Fonda said.

Fonda spoke at the Tivoli Turnhalle Oct. 19 against the anti-choice and anti-abortion movement in America, and how she feels they endanger the empowerment of women.

"Opposing choice and opposing contraception has nothing to do with the fetus. It has everything to do with power," Fonda said. "Reproduction and sexuality are keys to women’s empowerment."

The beliefs of the anti-choice forces reflect the mindset that women cannot be trusted to make decisions that would be good for their families, Fonda said. That what is good for the family must be determined by experts who than impose their views on her, she said.

"Reproductive rights are human rights," Fonda said. "This is a basic right that is being threatened."

Reproductive health decisions must be made from a woman’s point of view, Fonda said. Doctors, who are viewing it from the point of health risks, cannot make these decisions, nor can they be made from policy makers who are weighing it subjectively as a moral issue, she said.

"When I started my organization, Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention," Fonda said, "I was confused about the fact that the people who are opposed to abortion were also opposed to contraception and sexuality education. The very things that would make abortion unnecessary."

Fonda said that Louisiana, which has the nations most strict anti-abortion laws, spends an average of $602 a year per child, whereas Hawaii, with the least restrictive abortion laws spend $4,648 a year per child.

"So I guess what this says to us is, that for these anti-choice activists, life begins at conception and ends at birth," She said.

Fonda said that sexual activity, promiscuity and adolescent pregnancy are results of racism, gender bias, loneliness, poverty, poor parenting and sexual abuse.

"Hope is the best contraceptive," Fonda said. "This has nothing to do with race, this is about class. Poor girls feel they have nothing to lose."

80 percent of young girls who have babies are poor, and were poor long before they had children, she said.

Fonda said that now is the time to stand up and fight for what you believe in.

"Help us ensure that every child is a wanted child," Fonda said, "and that the basic right to reproductive choice is a cherished part of our democracy."

Fonda founded the Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention in 1995, which is a statewide effort to reduce the high rates of adolescent pregnancy in Georgia.

"Hope is the best contraceptive."

-Jane Fonda
Actress and political activist
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Dress for Success a soars on Auraria
Bernadette Baca
The Metropolitan

Many people on campus brought their professional business clothes and donated them to the Institute for Women’s Studies and Services for a clothing drive to help low-income women get a start into the workforce.

The clothing drive which was co-sponsored by the institute and Iota Iota Iota, the institute’s honor society, gathered the clothes Oct. 24 and 25. The clothes were taken to Dress for Success, a non-profit organization that helps women by giving them proper clothes to wear to an interview.

The response to this year’s clothing drive was good, said Tara Tull, the associate director for the institute.

Grizel Gonzalez, an officer of Iota Iota Iota, said she was also pleased with the donations.

"We got some nice quality clothes," Gonzalez said. "Just what we were looking for."

Vicky Telesca, the associate director for Dress for Success, said the organization is always happy to receive professional suits, slacks, blazers, purses, and jewelry.

"Our goal is for women to be outfitted from head-to-toe for interviews," Telesca said.

Dress for Success was excited to work with Metro for the clothing drive. Anytime they can get information out to the public about the organization is great, Telesca said.

Gonzalez said she hopes the institute will do a clothing drive next year because it seems to be a popular thing for people who like to donate.
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Colorado colleges battle dip in graduate enrollment

DENVER (AP) — Colorado colleges are trying to make up for declining numbers of graduate students by recruiting more freshmen.

"If one population isn’t wanting to come, you need to fill the seats with another population,’’ said Barbara Schneider, admissions director at the University of Colorado.

Between 1996 and 2000, the number of full-time graduate students in Colorado dipped 5.1 percent, to 12,401 students. During the same period, undergraduate enrollment rose 5 percent, from 125,535 to 132,419.

The numbers are included in a study to be reviewed next month by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.

Nationwide, the number of graduate students has been declining about 1 percent per year since the mid-1990s, said Peter Syverson, vice president for research for the Washington, D.C.-based Council of Graduate Schools.

Syverson and other experts said a healthy economy is luring college graduates into jobs rather than graduate school.

Some educators fear long-term impacts if the drop in graduate enrollment continues.

"Advanced degrees really assist in the economic development of a community," CU Vice Chancellor Phil DiStefano said. "When the economy starts to weaken, we won’t have the expertise in the work force at the graduate level to help the economy bounce back."

In Colorado, public post-secondary schools are funded based largely on the number of students who take at least 15 credit hours per semester.

Campus officials claim the formula shortchanges them because some graduate students, who often take fewer courses than undergraduates, go uncounted.

Furthermore, graduate programs are more costly. An estimate from 1996-1997 showed the average cost for a full-time equivalent graduate student at CU was more than $19,000 per year, compared with $3,541 for an undergraduate.

Jeanne Adkins, director of policy and planning for CCHE, said instead of "chasing freshmen,’’ institutions need to do more to attract graduate students.

CU Regent Bob Sievers said the state also could help by approving new graduate programs and allowing international students to qualify for in-state tuition after one year, as out-of-state students can.
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Metroeditorial

Journalists do anything for attention
Danielle Haraburda

Everywhere I look these days, I see Patrick Roy’s name in print. We journalists seem to really like the domestic violence/athlete piece, and when it occurs during Domestic Violence Awareness week, well, that’s just a bonus. So, morning, Oct. 22, sports, news, and opinion writers all got a journalistic gem when police arrested Roy on a domestic dispute charge for ripping two bedroom doors off their hinges after allegedly arguing with his wife.

I am not defending Roy’s behavior, nor do I know the intricacies of his argument with his wife, or if his act of aggression was intended to intimidate or harm her. But when I read a story about Roy’s arrest and find it filled with unrelated incidents of the brutal murders of women at the hands of their spouse, well…is there anything we journalists won’t do for sensation? Ripping apart a door, while obviously childish and stupid, isn’t quite the same as murder or prolonged abuse. But Roy’s a celebrity, so, I guess it’s ok to make that connection. Makes for good copy.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not much of a hockey fan nor do I approve of domestic abuse. But, as already mentioned, I don’t really know the details of Roy’s relationship, so I’m having difficulties judging him guilty before proven so.

In Colorado, police are required to follow a "must arrest" policy. Any domestic dispute that results not only in physical violence or a verbal threat of such, but also in any property destruction must be treated as domestic violence. This means that anyone who, while having an argument with his or her significant other, breaks anything must be arrested if the police are called to settle the quarrel. I won’t go so far as to say I don’t support an arrest made if a spouse is afraid for his or her own safety. I’m just not sure we should consider breaking one’s own door "domestic violence."

But apparently, the law treats physical abuse and broken objects the same, and while we in the media get to write stories about the sad and horrible murder of women and then tie them to an unrelated sports figure, then, well, I guess it’s all the same thing.

"’I’m just not sure we should consider breaking one’s own door "domestic violence.’"
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The Metropolitan welcomes letters of 500 words or fewer on topics of general interest.
Letters must include a full name, school affiliation and a phone number or e-mail address.
Letters might be edited for length, grammar and accuracy.

Mailbox:

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Denver CO 80204

e-mail: haraburd@mscd.edu
phone: 303.556.2507
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Metroactive

SPIRIT 101
Story by Elena Brown
Photography by Cathi Boerder

It is more than looking beautiful. It is more than smiling. It is having to practice. It is being able to look beautiful while sweating in the heat or freezing in the cold all while in front of hundreds of thousands of spectators. It is smiling when your mouth hurts. It is finding time to practice, go to work and study for tests. It is being a Bronco cheerleader and a Metro student.

There are 26 women on this season’s cheerleading roster. The words, "only" and "just" wouldn’t be used when describing this year’s squad. On the squad there is a paralegal, some mothers, a counselor, some teachers, one Metro graduate and seven Metro students.

"We are entertaining. We look nice. But the goal is to make people understand that it goes deeper than that," said senior Julie Petrocco. Petrocco, 21, is full-time student, and is majoring in hospitality, management and travel administration. She entered college with a Presidential Silver Marketing Scholarship, which pays for 75 percent of her education. This is her first year with the Broncos.

The Broncos cheerleaders are the highest paid cheerleaders in the NFL, but many of the women hold either part-time or full-time jobs. Petrocco works in the accounts receivable department of her family-owned produce business located in Brighton. Bridget Stechler, works at US Bank, and is in her second year with the Broncos. She is majoring in business.

Denver native, Sarah Amen, 23, is a senior graduating this December with a degree in behavioral science. She works as a student teacher at Yale Elementary School. Amen has been a Bronco cheerleader all four years she’s been at Metro and is one of the cheerleading captains. She started her professional dancing career with the NBA’s Denver Nuggets dance team.

Each of the women has various levels of dance school experience. And many of the women agreed that if they wanted to continue dancing as an adult in Denver, cheering is one of the ways to go. And cheering for the Broncos Football team is impressive on a resume.

All the women agree that as a cheerleader they have learned the effectiveness of time-management.

Michelle Beisner, 24, will graduate with honors this year with a degree in communication theory. She is the vice-president of Lambda Pieta, a national honor society for communications majors. Beisner is in her fourth year with the Broncos, and in her second year as team captain. She has been a cheerleader through two superbowls and was voted one of the 1999 Pro-Bowl cheerleader representatives.

"The more you can do, the better," she said.

Beisner is paying her way through school by working as a waitress at the Denver Chophouse. She is one of the co-founders of the L.A-based, Party for a Purpose. The non-profit organization raises money for charitable events. She is also the public relations liaison for Sungate Safehouse Charity. The center is designed to temporarily house children suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Bronco cheerleaders continuously do more and more each year. And during the years the Broncos won each superbowl the cheerleaders were in high demand for public appearances.

"Winning Superbowl XXXII, you could see and feel the excitement," Beisner said. "It was such an emotional high."

The Bronco cheerleaders have logged more than 900 hours in volunteer and charitable community services last year. Many of the cheerleaders cite visiting the Craig Hospital as one of the most rewarding and humbling experiences, including Abbe Helm, 20, and 19-year-old Renee Herlocker.

Both are graduates of Smokey Hill High School and in their rookie season with the Broncos cheerleading squad. This is their first year at Metro. Helm hasn’t declared her major and Herlocker is planning to major in speech communications.

Herlocker said her most memorable experience so far is hearing the National Anthem being played while on the field.

"It was an amazing experience," she said, " I said ‘I’m really here’". Each of the women are enjoying her place and perks on the team, each receiving two tickets for the home games and personal attention from a trained hairstylist and make-up artist, as well as a membership to the 24 hour Fitness gym.

The women practice around eight hours a week and during game weeks up to 16 hours. The practice consists of Tae-Bo and learning new routines. During a home game week, they are in the stadium up to four hours before the game begins. They rehearse, go over promotional duties and spend time with hair and make-up artists. Theresa Schroder, the cheerleaders’ director aids in the designing of routines and promotions. She is credited with making sure the stereotypes and misconceptions people may have are combated by what the cheerleaders represent, as a team and as individuals. This year there are game-day profiles featured in the programs of an individual cheerleader for the fans to better understand the cheerleaders and a respectable internet site and calendars featuring the women.

Not everyone appreciates the trial and hardships the women face being cheerleaders.

"I’ve never given them much thought," said Eileen Moellenberg a Bronco season ticket holder. Some fans don’t understand why there is even a need for cheerleaders at a football game. But not everyone feels that way.

"They do serve a purpose. In the community and on the field," said quarterback, Jarious Jackson. "They get the crowd hyped." Many fans at the Bronco v. Browns game felt teams need cheerleaders to keep the crowd going. And while the players and the cheerleaders have a mutual respect for each other the professional line stays drawn.

The Denver Broncos is one of the few teams that does not have rules against players and cheerleaders dating. Jason Elam, the kicker for the team married a cheerleader.

The women face practice, charity events, work and school. They all credit family and friends with the support they need to keep them sane in their hectic lives. Each of the women agreed that focusing on their individual goals help maintain the consistency needed in their lives. They have bonded tightly and rely on each other for support and good times. Some of the women have planned a snowboarding/ skiing trip this season.

"I am moving forward," said senior Jennifer Scheck. "I continually grow." The 22-year-old teaches at a Boulder High school for at-risk youth. She has plans to attend graduate school this summer and has goals to obtain a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.

Tiffany Roybal, 22, is the only Metro grad on the team. She graduated with a degree in criminal justice and currently works as a victim advocate in the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s office. This December she will take her entrance exam for law school. Roybal’s life as a mother, a wife, an employee, a student and a cheerleader made her realize her goals are something she believes in and want. And she uses that drive to accomplish them. "I’ve been through hard times," she said. "But I’m making it." When she lost her mother at age 14, she did not let that stop or halt her dreams of an education. Last year she was the first in her family to graduate from college.

Many of the seniors want to stay at least another year to cheer in the new stadium. But each year the cheerleaders have to tryout with the hundreds of others that compete for a position on the team. And whether or not they make another year they bond and experience each has received of the season stays with them for a lifetime.
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Festival brings world cinema to Auraria
Chris Ward
The Metropolitan

The 23rd annual Denver International Film Festival held its closing night ceremony at the Buell Theatre Oct. 21, ending ten days of independent, foreign, and classic cinema, most of which were shown at the Tivoli.

In addition to movies, the festival attracted several filmmakers from around the world to discuss their films or be recognized by the Denver Film Society, which organized the festival.

Thursday, October 12

The festival opened at the Buell, where David Mamet’s State and Main, a comedy about a Hollywood film crew descending upon a small town, was shown. A very appropriate choice to begin a film festival, State and Mane was funny throughout, drawing largely on its strong ensemble cast. That cast included Alec Baldwin, Sarah Jessica Parker, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and William H. Macy, making it probably the most well known cast of any movie shown in the festival. State and Main is scheduled to open in theaters in late December or early January.

Three short films, two of which were produced by the Denver Film Society, preceded the movie. The Sneeze was used by the society to thank their many sponsors, who were listed in the credits alongside outtakes of the titular sneeze. Please, Please, Please was an advertisement for the festival, and featured people on the streets describing various Hollywood blockbusters they had seen, and closed with a plea to the audience to "see a good movie soon. Please."

The final short shown before the main feature was an updated version of Chuck Workman’s Precious Images. The film is a series of clips, some less than a second long, showing images from classic films throughout the past century. Originally released in 1986, when it won an Academy Award for best live-action short, Precious Images has become an opening night tradition for the festival, and has been updated to include memorable movies of the 14 years since its initial release.

The film was followed by an opening night celebration in the lobby of the theatre.

Friday, October 13

The first night of the festival proper included several movies, a concert, and a reception at Sambuca.

One of the movies shown was The Yards, James Gray’s mediocre follow-up to Little Odessa. Over coffee the morning before his screening, Gray said he was trying to tell an archetypal story about corruption in business. His script falters because it follows the archetype just closely enough to seem like Gray wants to provide something new, but doesn’t have many ideas on how to do it.

Also shown was the 1922 German expressionism classic Nosferatu. Selected in part because it was Friday the 13th, but largely as a prelude to Shadow of the Vampire, which would play later in the festival, Nosferatu was shown with live accompaniment by local pianist and composer Hank Troy. Troy, who was also the subject of a short documentary before the feature, loosely followed the silent film’s original score, often improvising based on what was on the screen at the time.

The King Center played host to Rhythm ‘n’ Bayous, a documentary on the southern Louisiana music scene. Musicians Dale Hawkins and Johnny Jay appeared with the film, and performed afterward at the Boiler Room.

The night was capped off with a visit to Sambuca, where festivalgoers were treated to a standing-room-only critic’s reception.

Saturday, October 14

The third day of the festival included the longest movie shown during the 10-day event. A Constant Forge, a 200-minute documentary of the life of filmmaker John Cassavetes, held its world premiere at the King Center. Charles Kiselyak, the film’s director, was present to introduce the film, as were Seymour Cassel and Peter Falk, both of whom had worked with Cassavetes during his career, and Boston University film professor Ray Carney.

Other movies of interest included The Swimmer, a 1968 film that explored a lot of the ideas that made last year’s American Beauty popular, and the German comedy The Wedding Cow, introduced by director Tomi Streiff.

Also on hand to discuss his film was Jon Jacobs, who starred in Johnny Famous. Officially a Hungarian film (it won the Grand Prize at Hungarian Film Week), Johnny Famous was shot in Los Angeles with English-speaking actors, dubbed into Hungarian for distribution there, and subtitled in English for its North American premiere in Denver. The result was an interesting effect where the lip movements of the characters matched the subtitles, but not what the audience heard.

"It was quite remarkable how well this works in (the movie)," Jacobs said about the translation process. "I don’t think there’s much lost."

That night at the Buell, actor, writer, and director Sean Penn was presented with the tenth annual John Cassavetes Award for his achievements in independent cinema. Following a series of clips from his career, which he referred to as "the aging of an American actor," Penn was interviewed onstage by Michael Henry Wilson. Among other things, Penn discussed his admiration for Cassavetes, who had been a friend of Penn’s.

"He’s the person who made me want to direct movies," Penn said of Cassavetes. "We’re really lucky that John happened."

Sunday, October 15

Kiselyak, Carney, Falk, and Cassel returned to the King Center for a panel discussion about the life and work of John Cassavetes, where they were joined by University of Colorado professor Phil Solomon.

Sunday’s movies included the classic comedy Kind Hearts and Coronets, in which Alec Guinness played multiple roles long before Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, or even Peter Sellers tried their hands at it. Guinness, who died of liver cancer Aug. 5, potrays the majority of the d’Ascoyne family, who are murdered one by one by a greedy heir to their fortune.

The festival’s low point was The Young Unknowns, a look at a day in the life of four foul-mouthed, unlikable, would-be filmmakers. Writer/director Catherine Jelski was scheduled to appear, but wasn’t present to defend her film.

Also playing Sunday night was Conflicts and Contradictions, one of seven collections of short films shown during the festival. Of note among this series was Seven Storeys, in which first-time writer/director Boris Ivanov tells the story of a man pushed closer and closer to death by the bureaucracy of the hospital he checked himself into. The movie, which has the feel of Kafka, was among the best short films shown at this year’s festival.

Monday, October 16

The Acting Class, which sold out before the festival began, prompting the addition of second screening, was scheduled to be followed by a question and answer session with director Elizabeth Holder. Instead, audiences got the chance to talk not only to Holder, but the film’s stars, Jill Hennessy and Ken Murton. Hennessy also wrote and co-directed the film. The three of them later discussed their experience in Denver.

"The (festival) staff has been great," Murton said. "We felt sad that we’re just here for a short time."

Hennessy commented on the festival itself, saying it "is conducive to seeing good movies."

Monday night also featured a reception for French director Claire Denis, who, due to work on her current film, was unable to attend.

Tuesday, October 17

As the festival passed its midpoint, filmgoers were treated to the first night of strait movies; there were no panels, no awards, and no receptions to attend. There was also nothing incredibly noteworthy, save Two Family House, which would later be named runner-up for the festival’s People’s Choice award.

Wednesday, October 18

Director Kevin Leadingham and producer Jerry A. Vasilatos presented the world premiere of their documentary, A Refugee and Me. This lighthearted, honest film follows five and a half weeks Leadingham spent in Thailand with Burmese refugee Tway Thongdee in 1999. Thongdee was attempting to obtain a Thai identification card so he could legally work for more than a few dollars a day. It was possible for him to make more money, but not without dealing in drugs or other illicit activities.

"As idealistic as (Thongdee) is, he has an incredible since of right and wrong," Leadingham said. At the time of the festival, Thongdee had yet to obtain the identification card he sought.

Also showing Wednesday night was American Visions, another series of short films. Although it was lighthearted overall, "Visions" also included Jack & Jill, one of the most powerful shorts in the festival. A human drama that opens with a suicide attempt, Jack & Jill won the audience award at the Hamptons International Film Festival, and was presented by director and star Sheri Hellard.

"It’s been really very fulfilling," Hellard said of the filmmaking process. "My whole career concept is to make the world a better place. I know it sounds silly, but to find the good in the worst situations."

Finally, Wednesday night featured the best foreign film of the festival. Harry Cleven’s Why Get Married the Day the World Ends played to a regrettably small crowd, something Cleven attributes to a difficult-to-market film.

"There’s no stars, it’s in black and white, and the title’s too long," Cleven told the audience after the film’s first screening.

Thursday, October 19

Cleven received a second chance to screen his film when The One and Only didn’t arrive. Ticket holders were given the opportunity to either get a refund or see Cleven’s film. Because most had come expecting a fast-paced romantic comedy, few stayed for the dramatic, more dream-like Why Get Married.

Friday, October 20

The busiest night of the festival included four films scheduled for release in theaters this fall.

First up was Just Looking, directed by Jason Alexander. Writer Marshall Karp appeared with Alexander for both screenings of the film. At the Mayan that afternoon, the two discussed Lenny, the film’s 14-year-old main character, and his goal of seeing two people have sex before the end of the summer.

"He’s not looking at his mother having sex, he’s looking at sex," Alexander said about Lenny’s initial choice of viewing subjects.

Also showing was Shadow of the Vampire, a promising but eventually disappointing movie about the filming of Nosferatu, and The Girl Next Door, a documentary about Stacy Baker and her career as adult film star Stacy Valentine.

"It’s like writing in a journal," Baker, who has since left the adult film business, said about being the subject of a documentary. "Five years later you look back at it and say, ‘That was totally ridiculous.’"

Many who saw it, agreed that Requiem For a Dream was the best film in the festival. Darren Aronofsky’s follow-up to ¹, Requiem tells the story of four inter-connected characters and their slow decent into addiction. This film confirms the talent of Aronofsky, insuring that the originality of ¹ wasn’t a one-time thing.

Saturday, October 21

The final day of the festival included Shirley MacLaine’s directorial debut, Bruno, followed by a screening of her first film, Alfred Hitchcock’s The Trouble With Harry.

"I had a very nice experience," MacLaine said of directing her first feature, "but I didn’t like having to raise the money or finding distribution."

Later that night, MacLaine appeared at the Buell to receive the first Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the closing night ceremony.

"I think they’re terrific; they remind you that you’re still standing upright, still achieving," MacLaine said of lifetime achievement awards.

The future of the festival at Auraria is uncertain; the Denver Film Society was only able to secure the Tivoli because no one had rented it since AMC’s lease ran out earlier this year. Film Society representative Britta Erickson expressed hope to keep the festival on the campus. "We hope that it will be a long-term home for us."
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Filmmakers on the Denver audience

"We’ve had a great time here… They were very savvy." —Jon Jacobs, Johnny Famous

"This audience laughed throughout. Some people told me they cried." —Kevin Leadingham, A Refugee and Me

"I had a strong feeling the audience here would like it" -Jerry A. Vasilatos, A Refugee and Me

"I think the Denver audiences have our mentality… I felt like we were with our friends." —Jill Hennessy, The Acting Class

"This was the most intelligent audience." —Ken Murton, The Acting Class

"People got the film, and that was great." —Elizabeth Holder, The Acting Class

"From the very beginning they were in… They showed their enjoyment." -Sheri Hellard, Jack & Jill

"(It was a) very educated audience, I was positively impressed." —Harry Cleven, Why Get Married the Day the World Ends

"There were a lot of really intelligent, smart questions." —Stacy Baker, The Girl Next Door

"They were holding back a little, but they got it." —Shirley MacLaine, Bruno
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Motherhood trains CCD stage manager
Jennifer Grey
The Metropolitan

Colorado Cate is a barmaid, played by Cate Francis, in the old-west melodrama Deadwood Dick or the Game of Gold.

Francis is also the stage manager for the production and a full-time Metro student studying French, Russian and Spanish.

"I fix the broken earrings and find lost props," she said.

She said being a mother was the best training for the job and she takes seriously the responsibility of making sure that all the actors have to focus on are their characters and relating to one another.

Deadwood Dick is the second Community College of Denver production she has acted in.

She needed a new elective in high school, and took a drama class but didn’t do any more acting until she started at CCD. She auditioned for Jesse and the Bandit Queen and got a job on the wardrobe crew. She fell into the stage manager’s position and now does that professionally.

"I haven’t been bit by the acting bug. I love stage-managing but Deadwood Dick is different and acting in it is fun. Being in the audience is fun. It’s an interactive show," she said.

Written by Tom Taggart in 1953, the story is an Old West melodrama based on the Deadwood Dick dime novels written by Edward L. Wheeler in the late 1800s.

Francis joins a cast of debut actors, experienced student actors and professionals packing guns and drinking during the fast-paced, action-packed show.

"The student actors get valuable experience working with the guest professionals," she said. "We also become a part of a community who are there because they love theater. They’re not in it for the paycheck."

The cast encourages audience participation as they act around the tables in the saloon-styled room at the Byers-Evans museum house. The audience becomes saloon patrons. The audience is part of the stage and cast.

Deadwood Dick is presented by Living Room Theatre, a collaboration of the Community College of Denver Theatre and the Byers-Evans House located at 1310 Bannock St. in Denver. The show plays Oct. 27-29 and Nov. 3-5 at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 7 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $14 and $7 for students.
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horoscope by miss anna

ARIES: Learn to recognize when you are finished with a particular venture and move on... resolve to try and do better next time. Plan a family event where everyone participates, your efforts will be appreciated by all. Taking time for yourself this week will be important.

TAURUS: Love is overflowing. Either a current mate will rekindle your flame, or you may be introduced to a new and exciting love. Whichever occurs, you are now essentially in a new relationship - for the rules have changed. A positive attitude will lift your spirits.

GEMINI: Opportunities abound for you. If the attitudes of those around you are holding you back, it's time to be a little bit more self-centered in order to move yourself closer to your goals. A new financial circumstance is very likely to present itself soon.

CANCER: Don't try so hard to keep everyone in your small circle happy. Any attempts to patch up an old relationship which is on the rocks will be met with frustration. Work may be a welcome relief from the worries you can't seem to leave behind. Use your tact and charm.

LEO: It's time to act on the plan you have been formulating for improving your surroundings at home. Money will be tight, but cutting corners in other areas will make the project possible. You and your lifemate are on the exact same track.

VIRGO: Life is not without flaws, and the sooner you convince the perfectionist attitude in yourself, the happier you are going to be. There are some situations which will always be changing, and never perfect. Keep track of the difference between truth and illusion.

LIBRA: Your plans may go completely awry this week. Make the best of the situation and some good may come of it. Something very promising may come from a missed opportunity. It's hard for you to show your feelings, since they've been hurt so many times.

SCORPIO: Your hard work may not be noticed by others during the week. Make sure to satisfy yourself first, for you will never be able to count on others for your happiness. Be cautious about spending too much money. Try not to make hasty choices until you've thought further.

SAGITTARIUS: Get help with money matters - possibly bank statements and transactions. Your financial footing may be much more stable than even you expected. Investigate all financial tips before taking any actions. If it seems to good to be true, it probably is.

CAPRICORN: Learn from a friend this week - sometimes spontaneity is the best course of action. Don't be so quick to judge others, you truly do not know what motivates and influences others to do what they do. Take on the leadership role where money is concerned and use a firm hand.

AQUARIUS: Pay attention to your intuition, particularly where love and romance is concerned. You may feel yourself being drawn into a very unusual relationship, but one that will keep your interest for many years to come. Focus your energies on diffusing any anxieties you may feel.

PISCES: If you keep your feelings under wrap, it will create emotional upheavals, even though there is an illusion of control. It's OK to share your feelings with someone you care for. The feminine side of your nature is strongly present and it may make you feel a bit uncomfortable.

IF THIS WEEK IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: To make your relationships better, avoid pettiness in all its forms when interacting with those close to you. Make sure all communications are crystal clear to avoid blowups and confusion. Take note of any exceptional dreams and try to analyze anything symbolic. Interweave practicality with philosophy.
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Metrosports

Kearney snaps Metro’s win streak
Eric Eames
The Metropolitan

With two of the top volleyball teams in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference on display Oct. 20, both Metro and University of Nebraska-Kearney seemed as if they were in the play-offs, not the regular season.

Both the Roadrunners and the Lopers were sending kills to a different spot on the court, not hitting a same spot twice.

But unfortunately for Metro, the kills were coming from the fists of Kearney’s Miranda Rhodes and Hayley Oman. For the first time in 13 matches, the outcome did not befit Metro.

No. 11 Kearney all but wrapped up the No. 1 spot in the RMAC with its 15-8, 4-15, 15-13, 15-9 victory over No. 25 Metro at the Auraria Events Center. The loss ended Metro’s 13-match win streak.

Kearney (23-3, 14-1 RMAC), who also handed Metro its fifth defeat more than a month ago, was without two of its top players (Kelli Brummer and Andrea Raup) for the fourth straight match. But the Lopers didn’t miss a beat with Rhodes and Oman leading the attack, finishing with 26 and 20 kills, respectively.

"What you got with Nebraska-Kearney is you got a team that can move two, three, or four starters, and they’re deep enough that they are still a very solid team," Metro coach Debbie Hendricks said.

Metro (17-6 overall, 12-2 RMAC) couldn’t stop the two Loper hitters and had little luck in finding a hole in its defense. But by no means is the loss devastating because the team is still learning.

"(This loss) is not going to take the wind out of our sails," Hendricks said. "It’s just going to give us a gauge of where we’re at and where we got to be by the end of the season and post season."

Kearney head coach Rick Squiers expects to see Metro again and he is not looking forward to it.

"Most likely we will run into them in the conference tournament somewhere and maybe even in the regional tournament," Squiers said. "We know we are not done dealing with them."

If you compare the two teams, they look similar on paper. The Lopers, though, have the experience, something that Metro is gaining every step of the way and something that decided the last two games, Hendricks said.

In the first two games of the match, though, it was about ball control.

The Lopers had Metro scrambling to adjust and never trailed in the entire first game. The Roadrunners became the aggressor in the second game, out-hitting the Lopers .459-.277 behind the strength of Mei-Rong Lu, who had seven kills in the game and finished with 18 for the match. Lu used a mixture of soft tips and cross-court smashes to keep the Lopers’ blockers on their heels.

"The first two games were quite alike between the two sides, with one going in our favor and one going in their favor," Hendricks said. "Really, it became a war in game three."

Both teams came out revitalized after the break and began to hammer away at each other in the third game. The lead changed hands five times during the game.

"The third game was just back and forth with some tremendous plays and outstanding volleys," Squiers said. "What it came down to was who was going to get the job done."

With the game tied at 13, the breaks went to the away team, as Metro’s Marina Bazana saw her dig float over the net, where Oman killed it. Then Bazana watched her kill attempt never clear the net on game point.

"We were able to get over the hump with a couple of big plays when they really counted," Squiers said. "The third game really set the tone for the fourth game."

The third game didn’t necessarily siphon the will out of Metro, and with the score tied at 7, the fourth game looked to be another seesaw battle.

Metro, though, couldn’t contain Rhodes or make the quick adjustment, as the Lopers ran off five unanswered points to take the game.

Bazana finished with 13 kills and 27 digs, while Jessy Roy led Metro with 21 kills and added 24 digs. Metro’s Devon Herron and the Lopers’ Melissa Carper each had 61 assists.

"No loss is enjoyable, but we can look at it as something we can grow from," Hendricks said. "When we reach a point where we make better decisions, we’re going to be a team to be reckoned with."

Meanwhile, with the tournament less than a month away, Bazana can’t wait for the next match between the two teams.

"We know we can beat them–we just know that," she said. "The only thing we got to do is work even harder and go to Nebraska-Kearney and get conference and then regionals."

Squiers knows they’ll be there.

"They’re going to be heard from yet," Squiers added.
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Weekly Wrap-Up

Volleyball (18-6, 13-2 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference): Nebraska-Kearney came into the Auraria Events Center and put an end to Metro’s 13-match win streak on Oct. 20 in four games, 15-8, 15-4, 13-15, 15-9.

The win almost secures the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament for Kearney while Metro should get the No. 2.

The Roadrunners rebounded the following night to dominate Fort Hays 15-8, 15-4, 15-9.

On paper, the two teams played to an even kill, but the Lopers were able to get the kills are the right time in the match. Miranda Rhodes led the Lopers with a match-high 26 kills and Melissa Carper recorded 61 assists.

For the Roadrunners, freshman Jessy Roy and junior Mei-Rong Lu led the way with 21 and 18 kills, respectively. Freshman Devon Herron had 61 assists in the four games.

In the shortest home match of the season, (1 hour and 10 minutes) the Roadrunners dominated the Tigers from the open set. Junior Marina Bazana and Lu were in double-digits in kills, 12 for Bazana and 11 for Lu.

Men’s Soccer (11-2-1, 6-2): For the second time in two years, the Roadrunners took the season series from cross-town rivals Regis, beating them 5-3 at the Auraria Fields on Oct. 20.

No. 22 Metro scored the first three goals of the contest, getting two from sophomore Danny Gallardo and one from junior Cory Fitzsimmons.

Regis answered with three goals of their own, getting two from Michael Simmonds and one from Moussa Doucoure to tie the game at the half.

Metro scored twice more in the second half, with Fitzsimmons recording his second of the game and senior Chico Hooper.

With his two goals and one assist, Fitzsimmons was named tri-RMAC-Player-of-the-Week.

Women’s Soccer (9-7-1, 6-4): The Roadrunners lost two games in five days, 4-0 to Regis and 1-0 to Colorado Christian.

Regis got a little bit of revenge against Metro on Oct. 19 after Metro dominated the Rangers 7-3.

Senior Janice Armstrong and sophomore Janelle Brandt had two shots each to lead the Roadrunners.

Colorado Christian scored the games’ only goal 10 minutes into the first half and Metro could not recover.
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Metro defeats Regis, takes season series from cross-town rival
Nick Dewart
The Metropolitan

What a way to rebound.

After being shutout by the Colorado School of Mines a week ago, the Metro men’s soccer team came back to beat Regis University 5-3 at the Auraria Fields on Oct. 20

It didn’t take Metro (11-2-1, 6-2 Rocky Mountain Atheltic Conference) long to get off the first shot in the game, just over a minute in the first half.

That first shot prompted an early offensive attack for Metro, as sophomore forward Danny Gallardo tucked away back-to-back goals before the game was 15 minutes old. Freshman goalkeeper Andy Jennings recorded his first point in his college career and junior midfielder Tony Thomas assisted Gallardo's goals, respectively.

Five minutes later, Metro junior forward Cory Fitzsimmons snuck an unassisted goal past Kid to advance Metro's lead to three.

Regis (6-8-1, 3-6), though, came back with three unanswered goals of their own.

Junior midfielder Michael Simmonds drove two unassisted goals past Jennings to reduce the Roadrunner lead to one.

Then with just over two minutes left in first half, junior midfielder Moussa Doucoure zipped a free kick through Metro's defense to tie the game.

Regis coach Matt McDowell said his team effort to comeback and tie the game before the half was good.

"We always play with a lot of heart and always with a lot of grit," McDowell said. "You get down three goals and you come back and score three before the half, that’s the kind of team we have."

Roadrunner coach Brian Crookham said his team did not continue to perform the way they did in the first 20 minutes of the first period.

"We got away from what we were doing successfully and that’s frustrating." Crookham said. "They hit a couple of good balls, they had a couple of opportunities and they were optimistic with it. What else can you say? They did a good job."

Metro came out in the second half and continued to outshoot the Rangers, 11-6 in the final period. Out of the 11 shots, the Roadrunners came away with two more goals.

Sophomore midfielder Jared Romero was able to draw Kid out of the box and assist Fitzsimmons with his second goal to break the tie.

Metro added the final goal when Fitzsimmons assisted senior midfielder Chico Hooper in the last goal of the game.

Crookham was pleased with the way his team came out and played in the second half.

"We came back and did the things that would work in the second half," Crookham said.
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Coach’s Corner

Many people have begun to acknowledge the ‘turnaround’ in the Metro women’s volleyball program this season. I’ve read articles and heard conversations theorizing as to "who" is responsible for the big change.

But I think in fairness, several things should be identified:

First, it is a dramatic oversimplification to say any one entity or one part of the program is responsible for our success this season. As with any group that achieves at a high level— be it a military group, large corporation, or an athletic program— there is a formula for success that must include a solid philosophy, good people, and tremendous leadership.

Within the Metro volleyball program, we believe in a philosophy that promotes unselfish commitment, consistent work ethic, and a lifestyle conducive to success in the classroom, on the court and in life. We have quality athletes, strong in physical ability and in personal character, as well as a highly committed and talented coaching staff.

Second, it is important to recognize the Metro volleyball program has a long-running history of success at the conference and national level. The many coaches and players who played for this college during the past twenty plus years, created an atmosphere for success long before our staff and players were ever a thought to Metro. We recognize this, and appreciate the work they did building this program years ago.

Third, much of our ability to do those things it takes to win is due to the support we receive from our college administration, athletic administration, and the students. Because our school is committed to athletic excellence, we are provided the necessary resources to create and maintain a very competitive program.

In my relatively short career, I’ve had the privilege and challenge of directing three collegiate volleyball programs, all of which were either in their infancy or in rebuilding phases. I am convinced that the formula for ‘turning things around’ must include all of the aforementioned components.

Without question, we are enjoying the success our program is seeing this season, and are proud of the work we have done to this point. It is very rewarding when your efforts and accomplishments are recognized by the media, the campus and the community.

Most importantly, we are not finished. As we enter the last few matches of the regular conference schedule, we still have the opportunity to meet many of our team goals set months ago, including winning the conference championship, winning the conference tournament, and earning a bid to the regional tournament.

Next time: Nov. 10. Men’s Basketball coach Mike Dunlap
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on deck

Men’s Soccer:

Friday, Oct. 27 at 3 p.m.

No. 22 Metro @ University of CU-Colorado Springs— The last time these two teams meet, Metro walked away with the 2-0 win at the Auraria Fields.

All-time series: 19-7-1

Sunday, Oct. 29 at 2:30 p.m.

Fort Lewis @ No. 22 Metro— Metro went to Fort Lewis and walked away with a hard fought 3-2 win in double overtime. This game could mean a spot in the conference tournament.

All-time series: 10-7-2

Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 3:30 p.m.

No. 22 Metro @ Colorado Christian— Last regular season game for the Roadrunners, could be a tune-up for the conference tournament.

All-time series: 14-13-0

Women’s Soccer:

Friday, Oct. 27 at 3 p.m.

Mesa State @ Metro— First place Mesa State comes to the Auraria Fields looking to win the conference title for a second straight year while Metro is trying to get into the conference tournament.

All-time series: 3-7-0

Sunday, Oct. 29 at Noon

Fort Lewis @ Metro— This is the last home game of the regular season for the Roadrunners. Could this be the last game of the season as well?

All-time series: 7-5-2

Women’s Volleyball:

Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.

Colorado Christian @ No. 25 Metro— In Metro and Colorado Christian’s last meeting, they played five games that had the Roadrunners coming out with the win.

All-time series: 17-7

Saturday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.

Chadron State @ No. 25 Metro— This will be the last home game of the regular season for the Roadrunners. The last time these two teams met, Metro won in three games.

All-time series: 13-1

Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving:

Friday, Oct. 27 at 4:30 p.m.

Air Force @ Metro— This is the first home meet of the season for the Roadrunners. Diving starts at 4:30 p.m. then the swimming events will begin at 6 p.m.
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Brazilian canon a real ‘kill’ for opponents
Adam Dunivan
The Metropolitan

El Canon.

Junior outside hitter Marina Bazana may as well have this phrase tattooed to her arm, for when she is on the volleyball court, she can be considered a deadly weapon.

The hard-hitting Bazana has been a big part of a Metro team that is one of the hottest in the nation, winners of 13 of its last 14 matches. She leads the team in kills per game (4.35) and digs (359).

It is Bazana's tremendous swing at the ball that drives her offensive game. Most of the time, she accomplishes what she sets out to do: drive the ball down the other team's throat.

Bazana takes pride in having such a strong attack, but she also is very humble about how she feels after she kills the ball.

"I get really pumped up, but with the team, not just as an individual," Bazana said. "If I don’t have a setter or passer, then I'm not going to be able to hit. So it really depends on your teammates."

Even though she may cause some jaws to drop, she rarely impresses herself, saying that she couldn't explain how she does it, but that she "just goes for it."

Coach Debbie Hendricks commended Bazana’s offensive skills, and said that her defensive game has shown vast improvement.

"She plays on the left side, and those players have a lot of court to cover," Hendricks said. "Marina has gotten a lot better at covering that left side."

Bazana, who grew up in Americana, Brazil, didn’t begin playing volleyball until the age of 15. Before that, she was considering basketball or soccer. She said that she couldn’t participate in more than one sport, and that her parents encouraged her to play volleyball instead.

Her skills on the court have been developed by numerous influences, including her parents, who both used to play as well. She said she watched a lot of professional volleyball, but the first coach she played for had the most influence on her.

She also said she played with a lot of taller, more experienced players with the club team that she was on, and that helped develop her athleticism and hitting skills.

"Each year that I played, I got better, and won some honors," she said, adding that she was named the best player in the state of Sao Paolo for three years.

Her talent on the court allowed her the opportunity to come to the United States to study, along with fellow Roadrunner volleyball player Diana Marques. Both attended Western Nebraska Junior College, where Bazana was an All-American last year.

Bazana’s on-court presence extends beyond her physical talent. She is loud on the court, always talking to her teammates and looking at what moves to make next. She defended this by saying, "There’s no reason for you to be quiet when you’re playing volleyball. You gotta have fun, talk to each other it helps you out a lot.

"You have to communicate in volleyball. If you don’t, you may have two players going for a ball, or no players going for it, so it is very important."

In addition to direction on the court, Bazana is very encouraging to other players when they are perhaps not doing their best.

"Sometimes I can look at people and tell when they are down, so I just try to bring more energy to the court and to help everyone else. I've always played that way, I scream a lot, jump a lot, you know."

Hendricks said that she notices Bazana always encouraging her teammates, and said that she is good at getting everyone motivated, including Bazana herself.

"Even when Marina is down, she doesn’t stay down for long," Hendricks said. "She is good at picking herself up when she makes a mistake, and just works that much harder at things."
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