Volume 21 Issue 17 January 29, 1999 |
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Contents:
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NEWS |
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Financial aid on the Net
a hit The Web site for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid recorded 134,720 applications for the 1998-99 year, compared with 35,000 applications in 1997-98, director of Financial Aid Mary Anne Romero-Hunter said. "It's quicker and easier than the manual submission," Romero said. Jackie Straub, who works in the regional FAFSA branch, said once the application is submitted, the form is sent to the student's college financial aid office within 72 hours. Romero said that during busy times, like the beginning of the year, it could take seven days for the financial aid office to receive the form. But if a student submits and mails the application manually, it takes four to six weeks to process. The site has an editing program, so if a student forgets to fill out a section of the form, the computer will alert the student and will not submit it, Romero said. "That helps a lot," she said. "In the past, if a student forgot to fill something in, they had to re-mail the form." Romero said a home computer is the easiest and most convenient way for students to access the FAFSA forms. The Scholarship Center has four computers for students to use, too. Or, students can access the site using any of the computer labs on campus. The Web address is www.fafsa.ed.gov . |
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Board meetings no draw for student reps That puts student influence over how the college spends student fees at risk, said the chairwoman of the board, Pauline Reece. Only Jeremy Perkins, vice president of student organizations, attended all meetings of the board last fall. The board makes recommendations concerning the distribution of the fees to groups such as Student Legal Services; Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Student Services; and Metro's Student Government Assembly. The board will begin hearings to decide funding allowances for organizations Feb. 15. "It's very irresponsible," Reece said. "It's expected that you attend all the meetings, if students aren't there they can't represent other students very well. If I were a student I would want to come and see what was being done with my money." Student government members say they understand Reece's concern. "We can't continue as a student government with people who can't meet their obligations," said Ruth Burns, a member of student government. Burns is not a member of the Student Affairs Board. Voting board members include six student government vice presidents, five professors and one Metro administrator. Student government has been plagued by its members' inability to attend meetings lately. Andrew Gress, vice president of student fees, was removed from office for it. David Yoos, vice president of academic affairs, resigned following charges of absenteeism. John-Paul Whitaker-Krcik, vice president of administration and finance, is on probation for the same thing. Although Whitaker-Krcik is required to attend the board's meetings like all other vice presidents, he sent a letter to Reece Dec. 22 resigning his position on the board. Conflicts with other appointments kept him from attending the board meetings, Whitaker-Krcik said. According to the organization's constitution, he cannot quit a mandatory part of his job and still get paid for duties others must perform, Burns said. Whitaker-Krcik offered to resign his $500 monthly position with the group earlier this month, but student government officials decided to keep him on staff while he performs other duties. "Spring is far more important than the fall," Whitaker-Krcik said. "My internship this semester conflicts with the meetings that meet three times a week. I can't do it." At this semester's first meeting of the board Jan. 20, four of the six vice presidents attended. Alvis Montgomery, vice president of campus communications; Aussy Rabih, vice president of academic affairs; Jeremy Perkins, vice president of student organizations; and Giovanni Stone, vice president of student services were the only officers representing Metro students. Jim Hayen, representative to the Student Advisory Committee to the Auraria Board, attended the meeting in place of Whitaker-Krcik. Brenden Haymaker, the newly appointed vice president of student fees, will attend future board meetings leaving only one vacant position that is expected to be filled soon, said Andy Nicholas, student government president. "They're trying to fix the problem," Reece said. "I'm hopeful we will have student commitment." Stone said the many commitments officers had throughout the year should not effect the allocation scheduled to begin Feb. 15. "I guarantee at the hearings everyone will be there," Stone said. |
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Half CoPIRG budget goes to staff More than half of the money Metro students give to an environmental lobbying organization pays for the salaries of the group's employees. "A lot of it goes to funding an organizer to be on campus. I am a full-time staff person," said Sarah Bennett, Colorado Public Interest Research Group organizer at Metro. "We are essentially here to train students who are learning about the program. We don't want to tell people that your four dollars went to pay for materials. Your four dollars went to train 20 students how to run a campaign." During the last school year, CoPIRG received $84,000 from Metro student fees, said Amy Winter, CoPIRG administrative director. Metro's CoPIRG chapter gives 34.8 percent of its budget to campus programs, including event materials, travel, telephone and staff expenses. Media relations makes for 16.9 percent of the budget. The remainder pays for off-campus activities including 36.2 percent for salaries and support for CoPIRG researchers and 12.2 percent for administrative costs. Most of the materials for projects are donated, said Jayla Ryan, a student member of the CoPIRG board of directors and chairwoman at the Colorado State University CoPIRG chapter. A majority of the budget is spent to on paying CoPIRG organizers and advocates, Ryan said. The budget slice for CoPIRG campus programs is $29,232, which pays for pamphlets, flyers and posters for the events. This portion of the budget also includes the $17,000 yearly starting salary for the CoPIRG campus organizer, Ryan said. The group received $30,408 for CoPIRG student volunteers to do research for the campaigns. The money goes to pay for the cost of research reports and the time of adult advocates located in downtown Denver, Winter said. Advocates work under the same $17,000 starting salary, Winter said. For press releases and media relations, the Metro chapter received $14,196. This pays for this printing of press packets, Winter said. The final $10,248 of the budget went to administration. There are 10 employees in the state office, Winter said. Last year, CoPIRG at Metro hosted seven events: the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge campaign, Hunger and Homelessness, the 1998 Student Vote campaign, Hunger Clean-up, Endangered Species and Book Swap. The Arctic Refuge required pamphlets and posters to inform students about the possible seizure of protected wildlife in Alaska. The 1998 Student Vote was primarily funded by a grant from Campus Green Vote, an outside organizational donor, to encourage students to vote with wise environmental intentions. Hunger and Homelessness entailed students sleeping outside to raise funds for the needy. Domino's Pizza donated food, but there was no other necessary materials. Hunger Clean-Up was a one-day community service work-a-thon to raise money for the needy. Book Swap helped students sell and buy their books for a more reasonable price. The budget for programs, research and media was divvied up between the events. CoPIRG does not have reports on how the money was spent for each of these campaigns, Winter said. Students donate $4 to the CoPIRG fund at registration. The CoPIRG contribution fee is waivable, but many students did not realize they paid it. "I would think that we should be more informed about what they do and where our fees go. However, from what I heard about them, I don't mind giving them four dollars," said Michelle Hughes, a Metro student studying anthropology. CoPIRG was first allowed to collect money through the tuition student activities fee when students voted in approval in the 1980s, Bennett said. Students vote to keep the fee every three years. |
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Clinton victim of GOP attack, panel says Partisan politics has wounded the state of the presidency, according to Metro political science professors Norm Proviser, Monica Bauer and former professor Jett Connor. Bauer said many presidents have been the target of party hatred, but Clinton is the first to feel its sting. Bauer told the audience Monday, Jan. 25, at the first spring Towering Issues lectures, that a popular president rarely suffers from the opposition's attacks. Parties used to stick together. People used to vote for their chosen party, Bauer said. In the past, if a Democrat won the presidency, Democrats held the majority in Congress. But over the past few decades, voting habits have changed. Now, the government is divided. The professors said division is not a good thing. House Republicans represent small districts — cities, towns and suburbs. These smaller districts have a different agenda than the nation. Bauer said the agenda of small districts is saturated with strong Christian Right values. Representatives need to keep their constituency happy, so they voted for impeachment to make a statement that they support traditional Christian values, Bauer said. Often, people in small towns and cities want to kill Clinton politically, she said. Andrew Johnson, the first president to be impeached, was very unpopular because of his reconstructionist views of the post-Civil War South. However, Clinton is very popular, according to polls. Data shows about 75 percent of Americans support Clinton. Bauer and Connor agreed the impeachment of Clinton is about ideological views concerning moral conduct, which the remaining 25 percent of Americans have thrust into public view. Bauer was appalled the extreme right-wing would use impeachment as a tool for removing Clinton from office. "The framers of the Constitution are spinning in their graves," she said. Connor, who retired from Metro, said he also felt the divided government of today was not the government envisioned by the founding fathers. Partisanship and the role it plays in the Clinton impeachment issue can be seen clearly by comparing Watergate and "Monicagate," Connor said. Republicans say the impeachment is not a partisan issue; Connor disagrees. During the Nixon impeachment inquiry, Congress passed many laws that curtailed the president's powers. "(Nixon) violated civil rights. He obstructed justice," Connor said. Nixon's perceived abuse of power led Congress to propose laws that would prevent the president from becoming too powerful again. Connor said no such legislation has been presented during the Clinton impeachment. "What's Congress going to do? Outlaw phone sex?" he asked. The Clinton impeachment is about Republicans trying to get rid of a president, Connor said. "During Watergate the phrase was 'Follow the Money,' In Monicagate it was 'Follow the Sex,'" he said. Connor said it worked. The sex scandal broke Kenneth Starr's case, which had no luck pinning Clinton on financial abuses, he said. "You can destroy anyone if you work hard enough," Bauer added. Proviser, who spoke last, added that experience must guide the government. This is only the third impeachment hearing in history. There aren't many examples to follow. Impeachment proceedings will have to be developed, he said. "We need to ask ourselves:, What will impeachment mean for us?" Provisor said. |
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CAPITOL CONNECTION People who commit crimes against homosexuals or other minorities will net themselves a tougher punishment if a bill making its way through the state legislature passes. Colorado law currently prescribes such "sentence enhancements" only for crimes against ethnic minorities, but a measure in the state House of Representatives would add to the list crimes motivated by the sexual orientation, age or disability of the victim. House Bill 1074 is the latest of four yearly attempts by lawmakers, mostly Democrats, to add to the list of groups that receive extra protection under the law in the form of increased punishment. Currently, the law categorizes ethnic intimidation as a class one misdemeanor. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Penfield Tate, D-Denver, and Sen. Dorothy Rupert, D-Boulder. It passed the House Judiciary Committee Jan. 18 and it is awaiting action in the Appropriations Committee. A twin version of the bill stalled in the Senate earlier this month. Karen Bensen, Auraria director of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Trans Student Services, said she supports the bill. "When somebody is killed or intimidated because of a group they belong with, then it frightens and scares the entire group," Bensen said. Bensen said her office fielded a dozen complaints of harassment based on sexual orientation in the week following the Oct. 12 death of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student in Wyoming. That's about the same number of harassment complaints GLBT normally receives in an entire year, Bensen said. "People who are more homophobic or heterosexist were very threatened by the strong presence of support during that time," Bensen said. "They felt the need to balance it out with hate. When Matt Shepard was killed I would venture to say that almost all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people felt unsafe also. I know I did." If the bill passes, the term "ethnic intimidation" in Colorado law would change to "hate crime." Nine offenders have been sentenced to prison for crimes involving ethnic intimidation since 1991, according to the Colorado Legislative Council. Expanding the law would result in one additional prisoner each three years, costing taxpayers nearly $70,000 in the first year and $127,000 during the next five years. Four lawmakers sided against the bill in a Judiciary Committee vote Jan. 18. Gov. Bill Owens is widely expected to veto any measure that provides extra protection to minorities, but a representative at the governor's office said Owens has not taken a position on this bill. Opponents of the measure say violations of hate crime laws are tough to identify and pose problems for law enforcement. Some also oppose the bill because they say it would dilute protections that are now enjoyed strictly by ethnic minorities. Janell Avant, a Metro psychology major, said that while she supports the bill, determining the motive behind a crime is difficult. "There are different degrees of hate crimes," she said. "You'd have to look at the two individuals involved." Fikru Goshu, a Community College of Denver student, agreed with Avant. "If it's a hate crime, it leads to riots and stuff like that. It has more impact than a normal crime," he said. "The crime of hate must be punished more than a normal crime." Hal Nees, a Metro criminal justice professor, said enforcing hate crime laws is difficult but not impossible. "The proof sometimes becomes very problematic," Nees said. "Sometimes you have to get inside somebody's mind." Nees said police and attorneys look for comments from accused criminals that indicate a possible prejudice against, or hate for their victim. They also look for a history of targeting certain groups or evidence that the accused sought out a victim within a particular group. "With these kinds of laws, the purpose is less to getting a conviction and more with offering a higher standard of protection," he said. |
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COMMENTARY |
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Once again, students to blame
Nearly all Metro graduates in a recent survey said the college met their educational goals. Views: Students should thank themselves before thanking the college. Colorado college graduates are a happy bunch, and Metro graduates are the happiest of all if a recent survey is reliable. Results from a study by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education show 99 percent of Metro graduates said they are satisfied with the education they received here. The commission asked 28 Colorado colleges to send questionnaires to people who graduated in 1996-97. Nearly all Metro graduates who responded (about 800) said the college met their educational goals. Metro had the highest satisfaction rate of any college in the state. The lowest was at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, where only 78 percent of students said the college met their goals. Perhaps one reason Metro grads are so happy is because the economy is still skipping along. It's not too hard to find a job when unemployment is a measly 2.6 percent in metro Denver and 3.2 percent statewide. Why shouldn't they be happy? The tight labor market is probably also forcing some employers to lower their hiring standards. It's not surprising the CCHE study found 88.2 percent of Colorado companies are happy with the work they get out of Colorado college graduates. But the real thanks should not go to the college or to a good economy. It should go to students. People attend Metro with a variety of goals. One biology student might have a job set up right after graduation, while the next one prepares for a doctoral program. They're each exposed to the Metro environment: same classes, same professors, same campus, but they get entirely different results. Why? Because of personal choices, not a grand design calculated by some educational theorist. Sure, if Metro students succeed the college should get some credit for setting up an environment where success is not only possible, but encouraged. Students themselves should get more credit for making the choice to fully exploit such an environment. |
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Poking fun at techno policy pinkos "All that communism needs to make it successful is someone to
feed and clothe it." Appropriate abuse. For this column to be worth your time, it is incumbent upon every reader of The Metropolitan to work for the collective good by reading with the greatest care. It is your duty to use this column in a way that does not infringe on any other reader's ability to read. Not only shouldn't you ruin another reader's reading, you should read this column to all those who are illiterate. It is your responsibility to ensure that all other readers of this column read it in a way that is consistent with the highest standards of reading. Please report any insubordination. Other misuses?
If you are beginning to see a parallel between this column and Metro's appropriate use statement for campus computers it shoves down student's throats before they are allowed access to campus computers, you have a grand imagination. This column scoffs at mediocre absurdities. Only the best of the best in the realm of the preposterous belong here. For instance, Metro's statement claims every student has the responsibility to make sure every other student is afforded a right to privacy. I see this as only mildly silly, I would have gone farther. If you are reading this column you have all the previously mentioned responsibilities, and you must make sure every other reader gets home safely afterwards — even if that means issuing speeding tickets along the way. Now that's asinine. I wish the college would have just asked. I would have gladly typed up a ludicrous appropriate use statement in my finest hunt-and-peck style. I'm quite sure I could have come up with a whole montage of "rights" for campus computer users. I don't understand why these geniuses limited user's responsibilities to protecting privacy. I would have had people performing community services such as mowing the lawn, taking out the trash and visiting shut-ins for the, uh, common good. The college's statement outlaws "any activity which wastes human or computing resources." Who the hell decides what is wasting human resources? And where do the bread lines form? Kyle Ringo is a Metro student and a columnist for The Metropolitan. His e-mail address is ringok@mscd.edu. |
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Student evaluations of Metro professors are unreliable Editor: During the fall term I did not conduct student evaluations in my Biology 1000 class. I handed in the evaluation envelope with "evaluation not conducted in class" written in large letters across the envelope. On Jan. 29 I received the computer printout of the student evaluations from fall term, 1998. There, with my other class, in which I conducted an evaluation, was a full evaluation report for my Biology 1000 class. My class had an enrollment of 97, and there were always at least 40 or 50 students in class. The evaluation I received for "my" Biology 1000 class was done by 10 students. Clearly, this evaluation was for someone else's class, not mine. I can now only wonder how many of my past evaluations were also in error. If, for example, I had done an evaluation in this Biology 1000 class, I would have no way of knowing the results were switched with another Biology 1000 class. Since we leave the room during the evaluation, we have no way of knowing how many of the students actually hand in the form. Any faculty who teach a class for which there are multiple sections can no longer be sure the evaluations they receive are for their specific class, and students who check out evaluations for instructors of courses with multiple sections can also no longer be sure of accurate information. What other conclusion can be drawn? David R. Voth |
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FEATURES |
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Going Full Circle Some students at West Middle School in Aurora skipped lunch to go to art class on Jan. 19. Deidre Hardin, the students' teacher and Metro alumna said she wasn't surprised. The students come in because they are having fun, and because of the fun they are learning more, Hardin said. Hardin is one of the first certified teachers, placed by the Aurora school district as part of the program Grow Your Own. The program funds college costs for non-teaching district employees, if they agree to teach in the district once they become certified. With the ink still damp on her diploma from Metro, Hardin directed the children as a seasoned teacher and is popular with her students. "She's the best teacher," said Jessie Leon, one of ten sixth graders that volunteered to come in during lunch to get their project done. "She's not like other teachers that talk and talk. She wants you to express your feelings in art." Leon and 9 other sixth graders crowded around an 8 -foot cardboard totem pole and took turns attaching their handmade masks to it. Each mask is unique and represents the student that created it, Hardin said. "They have to apply what they learn to their projects," Hardin said. She knows when students have learned when they apply it in their work, she said. Aurora created the Grow Your Own program two years ago to increase the flow of quality teachers to the district, said Jeff Stamper, director of licensed personnel for the district. Employees in the district can apply for the program and the it pays for them to get certified to teach, excluding books, Hardin said. The costs of getting an education was a barrier to Hardin and the Grow Your Own program made it possible for her to continue, she said. "We want committed, motivated teachers, and we're willing to pay for it," Stamper said. Hardin interacts with about 100 students daily and is a member on the school's discipline committee and is the Colorado Scholastic Art Show manager. I've learned how to do time management very well," she said. "I've actually cut down on some of my responsibilities." As the last of the students' masks are placed on the totem pole Hardin said a teacher, such as her middle-school teacher Ms. Kernan, can make a lasting effect on a student. "When I was at (middle school) she was my favorite because she spent extra time encouraging me to draw. She said she would add my pictures to her warm fuzzies. That meant the world to me." Hardin's endeavor to emulate Kernan was evident when Leons gave her a hug before she left for her next class. "Teaching can make or break a dream," Hardin said. "I decided since my dreams were realized in middle school, that's were I wanted to be, and here I am." Teaching them to cooperate with others will help the students in their lives, she said. "They say you're supposed to be a little crazy to teach middle school," Hardin said. "But I would rather be here than anywhere else." |
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fashion
Blue jeans, ball caps and a tat' or two grace many of Auraria's student bodies. Bada boom. The accessories are complex and the style phat, but what is the campus' general fashion statement? The students are a kaleidoscope on acid - funky triangles and biffed colors dominate retro collars and shattered reality. They make no sense, but they make perfect sense in an individualist's self? A pessimist might argue that students mirror pictures from GQ and the latest Lauryn Hill video, nonetheless a walk through campus is an experience. That guy with no eyebrows takes notes on his lap-top in the back of English class, and that yuppie girl's cell phone never leaves her ear. That ultra-thin chick at the Mercantile looks like she's swimming in her X-sized stylin' garments, and the occasional club kid will don his ecstasy gear during the day, wearing materials such as vinyl, polyurethane, cellophane, leather, rubber and Styrofoam. Unpredictability reigns as students (and some daring profs) express themselves in volumes through their fashion choices. Metro student Melissa Severson trollops about campus in her calf-high vinyl boots covering her fishneted legs. A hot pink spandexy skirt (trimmed with feathers) clothed her midsection and a red dress coat complimented her sassy blazer to complete the adventure. She sees fashion as a way of life, not just a daily ritual. "One's own personal fashion statements should be a reflection of their individuality - the artist within coming out," she says confidently, playing with the mind-bending pink glasses atop her head. "There shouldn't be restrictions on someone's expression through their clothes and their whole style." With a quick look at the populous, a few things are made clear. As a choice of season, some clothes are strictly taboo, such as shorts, thongs and bikini tops. Crazily enough, those clunky shoes are still a craze and hugely popular. The big look is in, as it is also the epitome of comfort. But fitting clothes are also the bomb. Cardigan sweaters can be cool, but only when worn without a pocket protector. A tie can be cool, especially when a nice overcoat and a well-groomed appearance accompany it. Of course, tattoos are almost always the dig. One thing is keeping it real: natural hair seems to have stomped out the hairsprayed stench of the '80s mops. Whew! |
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SPORTS |
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Roadrunners on a roll Two nights, two games, two solid victories for the Metro women's basketball team. On Jan. 22, the Roadrunners faced Mesa State for the first time since winning last year's Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championship game. Metro took a six-game winning streak into the Auraria Events Center where it extended that mark to seven with a 73-65 victory. By half time Metro led the Mesa State Mavericks by five points. Taking this lead into the locker room had head coach Mike Power reliving an earlier game, when the Roadrunners lost to current Eastern Division leader Nebraska Kearney after holding a half time lead. That past experience meant this situation became very important. It was a test to determine the growth of the Roadrunners, Power said. "At half time when we went in ahead it was time to see if we had grown as a team since the first half of the season," Power said. "If we have learned, we can now get on top of a good team and put them away in the second half." The Roadrunners proved that they have learned something, scoring 40 points in the second half to knock off Mesa State. The win was a sweet victory for Metro for several reasons; The Roadrunners beat the top team in the Western Division, continued their 1999 winning streak in which they haven't lost a game in five tries and used a team effort to accomplish it all. "It's always good to win no matter who it is that you beat, but sometimes there are special games like this one which are a little more fun," Power said. "Because Mesa is on top of the conference on the west side, this victory makes us all happy. With a 14-2 record, they have done very well. The only team they have lost to on our side of the conference is Nebraska-Kearney." The uplifting victory was a great team effort, according to Power. He was quick to note positive contributions from each of his players, mostly on the defensive side of the court. Senior Danielle Stott and sophomore Michelle McArthur "did a great job on the ball," according to Power. Junior Sarah Coleman and senior Gabi Sandoval held Mandy Miller of Mesa State to just six points, half of her usual 12-point average. Covering Maverick post players was handled effectively by senior Shiloh Tiritas, senior Timmi-Jo Miller and junior Kristen Weidler. Miller also had a double-double, scoring 10 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Power also felt that junior Stephanie Allen, who moved into second place ahead of Vanessa Edwards (1,159) as Metro's all-time leading scorer over the weekend with 1,182 points, "stepped up and did what she needed to do" to help the team win. Allen needs only 127 points to surpass Holly Roberts as Metro's all time points leader. She also is third in assists, 56 away from from the all-time record of 335 set by Tammi Baumgartner. After the Friday-night victory Power wanted to be able to enjoy the success but knew that he had to keep his team focused for the Saturday-night game against Western State. "As soon as tonight is over we have to put this game behind us and start concentrating on Western," Power said. "They are not as good as Mesa, but anybody can beat you on any given night." However, that night didn't come last Saturday. The Roadrunners jumped out to a 13-point lead at half time against Western State and never let them back in the game. Metro pushed the lead to 20 points 10 minutes into the second half and were ahead by 40 points with less than five minutes left in the game. The final score of 86-53 extended the Roadrunner winning streak to a season-high eight games, including six straight conference wins. For the second night in a row, a strong team effort was Metro's backbone. Four players scored in double digits: Stott, Tiritas, Coleman and Allen. Only one player from Western State, Kristina Fonnesbeck, scored in double digits with 13 points. Metro also dominated the free-throw line. The Roadrunners were 20 for 23 from the line while the Mountaineers shot 14 for 26. More than 170 people showed up to watch the Metro women's basketball team play each night last weekend and Power values every single one. "We do appreciate when students come out and make noise," he said. "We both (men and women) have really great teams and it's exciting basketball." |
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A silent victory Before the Jan. 22 meeting between the Metro women's basketball team and Mesa State, the Mavericks were doing a lot of trash talking. They were on top of the Western Division of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, were still smarting from last year's loss to Metro in the RMAC title game and were looking for revenge. The Roadrunners on the other hand took the high road approach to the game. "We just don't want to say anything," junior guard Stephanie Allen said. "We'll let the game do the talking for us." The statement was loud and clear as Metro walked away with a 73-65 victory. From the coaching staff's point of view, the game was just another day in the office. "No game is bigger than the next one," assistant coach Kristi Baxter said. "Mesa has not played anyone really tough, and when they did, they lost." The only conference loss by Mesa State this season was to Nebraska-Kearney, who is 14-1 overall, 10-0 in the RMAC. For the players, this is a chance to jockey for position in the North Central Regional Rankings. The top six teams in the region get to go on to the NCAA Tournament. "If we beat them (Mesa State), it will help us out," Allen said. "They are seventh in the region, and we are eighth, so if we beat them, that will move us up a few positions." The game may not have had the attraction of a Roadrunner game against teams such as Regis University, Nebraska-Kearney or Fort Hays State, but the team still has to be up and ready to play, the coaches said. "The players are excited to play Mesa," assistant coach Farrah Magee said. "They have seen the articles about what the Mesa State players have said about the team." Allen agrees with her coach. "We have to be fired up to play anyone, not just for Mesa State," Allen said. "If we aren't fired up and ready to play, Mesa will beat us." |
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Home win streak ends The Metro Men's Basketball team was looking to rebound from its first loss in 10 games when they took on Mesa State last Friday night at the Auraria Events Center. The Roadrunners came out strong from the opening tipoff and built up a huge lead and carried it to a 78-66 win. At first glance, this was no easy task. While Metro led the East Division of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference going into the game, Mesa State was on top of the West Division, tied with Western State. Still, head coach Mike Dunlap was confident heading into the game. Winning every game they played at the Auraria Events Center this season had brought the home winning streak to 21 games before Friday's match. It also brought the Roadrunners some well deserved confidence. "Considering our record at home we always feel positive about winning," Dunlap said. "We're very tough at home." That confidence, compiled with a "good week of practice", according to Dunlap, helped the Roadrunners to an outstanding victory. Metro led the Mavericks by 23 points at half time. Much of the scoring was done by junior DeMarcos Anzures, who scored 24 points before the break and finished with 31, including seven baskets from three-point range. "It was a great first half," Dunlap said. "It really set them (Mesa State) back and basically we just had to put them away." Which is exactly what the Roadrunners did to improve their record to 15-3 overall and 9-2 in the RMAC. Metro increased its lead to 30 points in the second half with 12 minutes but Mesa State wouldn't give up. The Mavericks went on a 30-10 run over the next eight minutes to cut the lead to 10 points with three minutes left in the game. But Metro held on at the end to capture its 22nd straight home win. Before the game Dunlap had predicted a "war of tempos" in which Metro would try to keep their fast-paced attack going against the slower Mesa State game plan. He also felt that rebounding would play a major factor in deciding a victor. It didn't turn out that way. The Roadrunners were out-rebounded (35-21) and outshot (.475-.448) but still walked away with the win. While rebounds did not become a factor, turnovers did. Mesa State turned the ball over 27 times compared to the Roadrunners, who only gave up the ball 15 times. Dunlap acknowledged the turnover comparision to be a major factor in the game. "They turned the ball over...we got a lot of easy baskets off of steals," Dunlap said. The coach was extremely pleased with the victory over Mesa State. "It was a great team effort," he said. "It was good to beat the leading team on the other side (of the RMAC)." Shane Ah Matt was the only other Roadrunner in double figures with 11 points. He was three of six from the three-point line. Jody Hollins was the top rebounder for Metro with six caroms. |
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Western State first team to win at Metro since 97-98 season The streak has finally ended. Western State has done something that no other team has done in 22 trips to the Auraria Events Center: Beat the Roadrunners in a Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference regular season game. The Mountaineers grabbed an early 10-7 lead and never trailed as they defeated Metro, 89-81. The regular season streak started two seasons ago and continued last year in Mike Dunlap's first season as the head coach. The overall home winning streak, including the playoffs, ended last season with a 78-75 loss to Southern Colorado in the semi-finals of the RMAC Tour-nament. The Roadrunners, at that time, had won 15 straight at the Auraria Events Center. The last time that Metro lost in the Auraria Events Center was in the 1996-97 season, when they lost to Denver University, 90-74. The second-year coach has an impressive 23-2 home record in two seasons at Metro. Against the Mountaineers, Metro cut the lead to one point with just over three minutes left in the game. But Western State, which is tied for the lead in the Western Division of the RMAC with Mesa State, wouldn't give in and held on for the win. The difference in the game was from the three-point line where Western State made 15 shots and Metro just eight. The loss is the second conference defeat suffered by Metro this season. Both losses have been the second game of a two-game weekend of play. Even with the defeat, Metro still holds on-to first place in the Eastern Division of the RMAC. The Roadrunner's conference record of 9-3 is percentage points ahead of Nebraska-Kearney (8-3) and Regis (8-3) who are currently tied for second in conference play. Metro ranks high in several team categories in the RMAC. The Roadrunners are first in scoring margin, three-point field goal percentage, turnover margin and steals. Shane Ah Matt is the only individual leading the RMAC. He has the top three-point field goal percentage at .488. Metro will finish the first round of RMAC play Jan. 28, when they travel to face Fort Lewis. The following weekend, Feb. 5-6, Metro will begin the second round of RMAC play as they host Nebraska-Kearney and Fort Hays State at the Auraria Events Center. It will be a pivotal weekend as Nebraska-Kearney and Fort Hays State are right behind Metro in the Eastern Division standings. Metro is currently ranked No. 2 in the North Central Region. |
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Ah Matt, Miller named Metro Athletes of the Month for Dec. Shane Ah Matt of the Metro men's basketball team and Timmi-Jo Miller of the women's basketball team were named the Metropolitan State College male and female Athletes of the Month for December. Ah Matt scored a career high 26 points to lead Metro to a 101-62 victory over Patten College on Dec. 31. He made seven of his 10 shots from three-point range. Ah Matt is averaging 7.1 points a game this season and is leading the Rocky Mountain Athletic Association in three point shooting percentage, hitting .488 from beyond the arc. Miller scored 32 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in two games to earn the Most Valuable Player award as metro captured the championship at the Barry Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament, Dec. 29-30. Her top individual game in December was a 20-point, eight-rebound performance against Wingate in the Barry Classic. Miller is currently Metro's second leading scorer. — The Metropolitan staff |
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