RECAP DNCONTACTS THURSDAY AUGUST l THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS

RECAP DNCONTACTS THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2007 l THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS PAGE 1 l RECAP INSIDE Ball State senior Danielle Sylvester saw her childhood dream become a reality when she was crowned the Indy 500 queen in May. PAGE 6 News Editor: Louis Jones, news@bsudailynews.com; News desk: 285-8255 DNMINUTE ENVIRONMENT June 11—The Indiana General Assembly Friday approved a $41.8 million grant to Ball State University for a project that will replace four boilers on campus. Jim Lowe, director of engineering and operations at Ball State, said the General Assembly approved the money two years ago, but Ball State had to present a plan showing it could replace the boilers for a lower price than a third-party contracting company could before it could receive the money. The project will begin in 2009, Lowe said, and the first boilers to be replaced will be two that were installed in 1941. The new boilers will be about 80 feet tall and will use new coal technology, which will reduce emissions and make heating at Ball State more efficient, Lowe said. New coal boilers to reduce emissions Rocky resignation MEN’S BASKETBALL Sophomore wrecks motorcycle after fleeing from police pursuit Louis Jones ■ News Editor July 16—Ball State University sophomore Tyler Rose died early Thursday morning in a motorcycle crash on the South Side of Indianapolis while fleeing from police trying to pull him over for speeding. Jim Adams, Rose’s stepfather, described Rose, who was a criminal justice and criminology major, as “a great kid that just made a bad mistake.” Rose did not attend Ball State in the spring but planned to return to the university in the fall to continue working on his degree. Tony Hamble, a friend of Rose’s who was riding with him on a separate motorcycle shortly before the ac- TYLER ROSE cident, said the two were Sophomore riding south on U.S. 31 and criminal justice nearing Banta Road when and criminology Hamble saw police lights ap- major proach from behind. Hamble continued through the intersection and pulled his bike over, he said, while Rose turned left onto Banta Road and headed east, fleeing from police. Rose, 20, crashed at about 12:19 a.m. near the intersection of Banta and McFarland roads, according to police reports. The reports do not indicate how fast Rose was driving. Rose lost control while driving through an S curve and struck a sign on the 2900 block of East Banta Road, according to a police report. He continued past the sign and hit a tree and was thrown about 100 feet from the motorcycle. Rose sustained a fatal head injury and was pronounced dead at about 12:20 a.m., according to a police report. Rose still had his motorcycle learner’s permit and had not received his motorcycle operator’s license yet. He had received two tickets in a traffic stop about two weeks ago, senior Jullie Bullard, a friend of Rose’s, said. At the time he received the tickets, Rose was riding at night, riding with a passenger, and riding without a helmet, all of which are Donna Adams illegal for Indiana Rose’s mother motorcyclists using a learner’s permit. Hamble said he found out after the accident that Rose had told friends he would run if police tried to pull him over again. Alcohol was not involved in Rose’s decision to flee, he said. Police reports confirm alcohol was not a factor. “He was with me the whole day, and I don’t drink and drive, so I think that’s out of the question,” he said. “I don’t think he had anything to do with drugs or alcohol when he was riding his bike.” Adams said his stepson had purchased the motorcycle he crashed, a 2006 Yamaha YZF “a couple months ago.” The YZF is commonly classified as a sport bike, which is a kind of street bike known more for speed than for comfort. “He always wanted a motorcycle,” Adams said. “Our worst fear was that this day would come. We knew deep down it probably would.” Justin Watson, a former roommate of Rose’s, said Rose purchased the motorcycle despite being discouraged to do so by family and friends. Although Rose was known as a fast driver whether on a bike or in a car, Watson said he never felt unsafe when Rose was at the wheel. Donna Adams, Rose’s mother, said his one fault was his affinity for speed. “Whether car or motorcycle or jet ski, [he] was driving as fast as he could,” she said. “That’s the way he went through life: full throttle.” Student killed in accident CAMPUS FINANCE Maximum student loan limit increased July 9—Effective this week, college freshmen and sophomores can receive more help in paying for school and expenses through federal Stafford loans. Federal legislation passed earlier this year and effective July 1 adds $875 for freshmen and $1,000 to sophomores maximum loan limits. Freshmen can now borrow $3,500 per year, and sophomores can borrow $4,500 per year. Junior and senior loan maximums remain at $5,500. “The benefit is really to freshmen and sophomores, but [the legislation] does not change the total loan aggregates,” Tom Taylor, vice president for Enrollment, Marketing and Communications, said The total loan aggregate represents the maximum amount of loans a student can take out to complete an undergraduate degree. As a result, students borrowing the maximum limit as freshmen and sophomores may run out of eligibility when they reach junior and senior standing. The maximum an undergraduate claimed as a dependent by parents can borrow is $23,000. Independent undergraduate students can borrow up to $46,000 in their college career, according to staffordloan.com. BALL STATE HEAD COACH RONNY THOMPSON reacts to the absence of a whistle on a play during the second half of the game in Hinkle Field House Dec. 6, 2006. Thompson resigned as head coach in July. DN PHOTO/WILL VRAGOVIC, FILE E-mails show that coach didn’t cooperate during last month at Ball State An e-mail between Ball State head basketball coach Ronny Thompson and President Jo Ann Gora indicates Gora knew as early as May that Thompson wanted to resign his position. “I understand from our earlier conversation in May, as well as our discussion today, you are requesting to be let out of your contract and you wish to move on to other endeavors,” President Jo Ann Gora wrote to Thompson in an e-mail June 26. However, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tom Collins said in an interview Wednesday that Thompson never told him anything about wanting to leave Ball State. “As far as I knew, we were still working through the issues,” Collins said. The e-mail was one of about 20 received through a Freedom of Information Act request on Wednesday that indicate Collins and Gora knew The university sent the NCAA a selfmore about Thompson’s displeasure with his job than they let on in the report in early June of what it termed days up to his resignation. During secondary violations that involved the that time, both were quoted saying men’s basketball program. Proudfoot Thompson would remain in his po- said Wednesday that Thompson had sition as head basketball coach. told the university in May that he had The e-mails show Thompson concerns with the investigation. as an uncooperative, defiant and “That conversation largely circled distant coach during the around the process and the last month of his tenure. conclusion of the university’s investigation with the Throughout the e-mails, NCAA violations,” Proudboth Collins and Gora were foot recalled Wednesday. supportive of Thompson, “[Thompson] disagreed even though Thompson with the conclusions of the adamantly disagreed with investigation.” the university’s handling In a June 4 e-mail, of the NCAA violations. Thompson stated that he Thompson’s letter of resignation blamed the uniwould be submitting a letTOM COLLINS versity’s investigation into ter of rebuttal to Collins. the recent NCAA violations University director Thompson also told Collins he would be attending for his departure, Collins of Intercollegiate the Regional Compliance said Friday. The letter, which Athletics Rules Seminar in Miami, was requested as part of the Freedom of Information Act request, but denied being at fault with the violations. was not released. “By [attending], I in no way admit “Releasing that type of information just doesn’t help anybody,” to the conduct described in the letAssociate Vice President for Mar- ter of reprimand or NCAA report,” keting and Communications Tony Thompson wrote. Proudfoot said. Please see THOMPSON, page 2 Long summer Coach Ronny Thompson’s resignation involves several incidents that all led up to his eventual departure from BSU. June 4 Thompson states he will refute NCAA violations. June 26 An e-mail from President Gora indicates Thompson wanted out in May. “That’s the way he went through his life: full throttle.” 2007 June 24 Anonymous racial slurs found in office. July 12 Coach Thompson resigns. CAMPUS El Camino reopens with new owner July 9—El Camino, the Mexican-style restaurant on University Avenue in the Village, reopened under new ownership Friday. The owner, Martin Rodriguez, also owns Las Chalupas, a restaurant in Bargersville, Ind., El Camino employee Alfredo Hernendaz said. The store will be open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, he said. El Camino will offer the same menu it did when it was under different ownership, Hernendaz said. El Camino originally opened in late February and closed shortly thereafter. University tuition increase approved Employee pay, fees to rise in next two years Louis Jones ■ News Editor May 31—The Ball State Board of Trustees Monday approved a 4.9 percent tuition increase for in-state students for the 2007-08 and 2008-09 academic years, and a 6 percent increase for out-of-state students for both years. The increase will bring tuition for 2007-08 in- sociate vice president of state students to $3,336 finance, said. Ball State hopes to offper semester, a $156 increase, and tuition for set some of the increased 20 07- 08 tuition by out-of-state More green granting students to more financial aid, he $8,870 per Tuition will increase said. s e m e s t e r , $156 for in-state “Every year, a $502 in- students and $502 for crease. we’ve been out-of-state students The in-state starting this fall and able to raise increase is continuing through the amount less than the of need-based 2009. average naaid and mertional tuition it-based aid, increase of 5.8 percent and we hope that trend and is consistent with continues in the future,” past rises in Ball State tu- he said. Three quarters of ition, Randy Howard, as- Ball State students do not pay the “sticker price” of tuition because they receive aid, he said. Much of the money Ball State will gain through increased tuition will be used to attract and retain quality employees, Howard said. Trustees voted to increase employee pay 4 percent in order to help achieve this goal. Employee pay has increased by more than twice as much in the past two years as it did during the 2005-06 academic year. Howard CAMPUS Please see TUITION, page 2 INSIDE Kyle Heyne, Ball State pitcher, was drafted by the Twins this summer. The closer decided he will most likely return to Ball State for another season because of a lack of offers. PAGE 5 Teaching couple to leave university for positions in New York Bob, Carole Papper to pursue opportunity at Hofstra University Louis Jones ■ News Editor May 31—Two award-winning faculty members say they will leave Ball State University in July, but neither have formally resigned. Bob Papper, professor of telecommunications, and his wife, Carole Papper, professor of English, will both take teaching positions at Hofstra University in Long Island, N.Y. in the fall, Bob Papper said. The teachers came to Ball State University in 1993 and have since made their marks in the respective fields of study - Bob Papper in TV news and Carole Papper in English language rhetoric and composition. Bob Papper said he has “thoroughly enjoyed” working with people in the TCOM department, but certain “frustrations” he has had with the department and the university contributed to his decision to look for work elsewhere. Papper said he did not want to elaborate on the frustrations but mentioned that he is the third nationally-recognized TCOM teacher to recently leave Ball State. Stephen Bell and Jim Shasky both resigned earlier this year. Carole Papper said that location and the fact that their two oldest sons live in New York also played into their decision to take positions at Hofstra. Carole Papper trains teaching assistants for the Ball State writing program, which won the National Award for Writing Program Excellence at the 2006 Conference on College Composition and Communication. “I’ve enjoyed what I’ve done [at Ball State],” she said. “We’ve had amazing graduate students. It’s too bad Ball State didn’t do more to keep us here.” Carole Papper will join the English department at Hofstra as an adjunct faculty member, but said she hopes to advance to another position. Bob Papper will become a professor of journalism at Hofstra and will work in the university’s new convergence newsroom, which puts print, broadcast and online journalists in the same room. Bob Papper said he tried to convince people in the Ball State College of Communication, Information and Media of the importance of a convergence newsroom but was unsuccessful. Attempts to reach Roger Lavery, dean of the CCIM, after business hours were unsuccessful. Bob Papper, Ball State’s 2006 Researcher of the Year, has won more than 100 awards for his research in news and conducts the annual Radio-Television News Directors Association & Foundation survey on the state of local TV and radio stations. “He’s brought Ball State much fame with that survey,” Nancy Carlson, chairwoman of the Department of TCOM, said, saying students in the program will be “the poorer” for losing Papper’s instruction and guidance. Bob Papper has been pivotal in making contacts between students and employers in the communications field, Carlson said. Because he has not yet turned in a letter of resignation, Carlson cannot begin to look for a replacement for Bob Papper, she said. Graduate student Brian Handler said he was disappointed to find the TCOM professor will be leaving the university, as he was enrolled in Bob Papper’s Future of News class for the Fall Semester. “We’re losing a good guy here,” he said. CAMPUS PAGE 2 l RECAP THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2007 l THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS Thompson: Officials urged coach Thompson to cooperate with local media outlets Continued from PAGE 1 “WE WERE SHOCKED, ANGERED AND FRIGHTENED” E-mail exchanges also indicated that Thompson had concerns about his working environment. Upon discovering anonymous notes with racist slurs in the men’s basketball office June 24, Thompson e-mailed Collins, Gora and NCAA compliance officer Kyle Brennan, noting that he was “concerned about the safety of my staff as well as myself.” “We were shocked, angered and frightened to find notes in our offices, our copy room and underneath the chair of my secretary,” Thompson wrote. He added he was disturbed that someone had entered his office and requested additional security immediately. In an e-mail June 26, Gora acknowledged Thompson had expressed concerns about a “hostile working environment” that day, as well as in previous e-mails. “Ronny, I know this is a difficult time for you, but I want you to know that I stand in support of you as our Head Basketball Coach,” Gora wrote. “I will support you in any way I can.” According to material received through the Freedom of Information Act request, Thompson and Gora exchanged seven e-mails from June 2 to June 19, but the university refused to release those e-mails. It is unclear whether Thompson expressed such concerns in those messages. It is also unclear whether Thompson had issues regarding a hostile work environment that predated the incident with the notes. In her June 26 e-mail, Gora asked Thompson to alert the university to any problems he had with his working environment. “I have asked you to report those concerns and I now urge you, once again, to allow the university to properly review your concerns through the established procedures,” Gora wrote in the e-mail. However, Thompson refused to report any concerns until June 24, when notes containing racial slurs were found in the men’s basketball office. Rumors have circulated in the Muncie area and on fan message boards that Thompson had something to do with the notes. “I have no comment on that,” Collins said Wednesday. “I refuse to speculate on rumors like that.” “I GUESS I CAN’T MAKE ANYBODY DO ANYTHING” Collins also had difficulty getting Thompson to focus on his responsibilities as coach, according to the e-mails. In an e-mail exchange June 26, Collins wrote to Thompson around noon asking for a 30-minute meeting. Collins said Wednesday the purpose of the meeting was to discuss scheduling, recruiting and summer school. “I’m out of town. What’s up?” Thompson responded. “I need to meet with you relative to our meeting today, when will you return?” Collins asked in a follow-up e-mail. “I’m out of town to spend some time with my family,” Thompson wrote back, ending the e-mail exchange. Collins said in an interview Wednesday that he “wasn’t aware [Thompson] was out of town.” University officials were also unsuccessful in getting Thompson to speak with the media. After the racist notes were found in the men’s basketball BALL STATE UNIVERSITY DIRECTOR OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS TOM COLLINS (right) speaks to the media about the resignation of men’s basketball coach Ronny Thompson while Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications Tony Proudfoot (left) looks on. offices, speculation rose that Thompson wanted to leave Ball State. In an attempt to quiet the rumors, Collins and Gora sent e-mails to Thompson requesting he speak with local media. “Ronny, I think your not talking to the media at this point in time is a big mistake for everyone involved,” Collins wrote July 9. “Again, I’m asking you to take 5 minutes, call them back and tell them your (sic) on the road recruiting, you do not have to talk about any other issue,” Collins added later. “This is a realistic expectation for the Head Basketball Coach at Ball State University.” Collins also suggested in a separate July 9 e-mail that Thompson contact Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing, and Communications Tom Taylor prior to phoning the media. He stated that Taylor would be able to help him set up the interviews and prepare for the questions that might be asked. “We knew the press was interested and wanted to give him the opportunity to explain himself,” Taylor said, noting he never heard from Thompson. Thompson did write back to Collins, stating he did not want to contact the media. “My attornies [sic] has advised me not to discuss anything at this time,” Thompson responded. In a follow-up e-mail, Gora backed up Collins’ stance that Thompson should talk to the DN PHOTO/DERICK BRATTAIN media. “I do believe that [not talking to the media] does not serve you well,” Gora wrote. “It promotes the swirling of rumors and innuendo and limits your ability to develop fan support.” Thompson did not respond to either of them via e-mail and has yet to issue a public statement. “I guess I can’t make anybody do anything,” Collins said Wednesday. “All I can do is request it.” Trash pickup moved to curb Students say new policy will cause parking problems Louis Jones ■ News Editor May 31—Hundreds of students living in the neighborhood east of New York Avenue and west of Wheeling Avenue are now required to put their trash on the street curb instead of the alley, where trash is placed in all other campus area neighborhoods. Junior Janelle Cochard, who lives in the affected neighborhood, said having her trash picked up at the curb hasn’t been an inconvenience to her or her roommates, but it might become one in the fall when more students populate the area. Nikki Grigsby, public relations director for the Muncie Sanitary District, said the department had considered hav- as well for their neighborhood. “I just think it’s an inconveing trash pickup locations for the neighborhood moved for nience altogether,” junior Rachel Whited said. She and her about six months. “It will be a huge saving to three roommates, who live on taxpayers,” she said, saying the 1200 block of Rex Street, have access to off that a mechanical arm at- Technology street parking and tached to the don’t have to worry about blocking garbage truck A mechanical arm will the curb, but visiwill pick up now replace the two tors to her house curbside trash, or three workers who often park in front eliminating two would normally throw of other houses, of the three oc- the trash into the cupants of the blocking other restrucks. This will save idents’ trash cans, trucks. she said. The trash money by eliminating pickup loca- labor costs and “It’ll be a problem tion has been decreasing taxes for for other people,” moved in two sanitation. she said. “I don’t Southside comknow where they munities, and would park.” the Sanitary Grigsby said the District has received few com- Sanitary District will “always plaints from residents of those have the option to review parking policy.” In the fall, the Sanineighborhoods, she said. But students who live in the tary District could ban parking densely populated rental prop- on one side of the street or erties east of campus said the between 7 a.m. and noon, she new pickup policy won’t work said. Curbside pickup will also help keep alleys cleaner and cut back on worker injuries, Grigsby said. “You’d be surprised by the things people will put in the alley they normally won’t put in the front yard,” she said. Residents concerned they won’t be able to get rid of all their trash should know they can bring up to 1,000 pounds of miscellaneous garbage, including furniture and appliances, per year to East Central Recycling on Centennial Avenue, she said. For trash not taken to ECR, the curbside pickup policy indicates residents are responsible for their trash being in an easily accessible place. The main problem with this policy, Cochard said, is that residents can’t control who will park in front of their house after they put the trash out. “We don’t control how many cars park in front of the house, and if we can’t move the trash, it won’t get picked up,” she said. COMMUNITY CINEMA Pornographic film shot on campus Director says BSU tried to stop release of ‘Vampire Diaries’ Center for Creative Inquiry, requesting use of the VBC grounds for filming. Trimmer gave Gregory permission to use the VBC grounds to film “Bride of Dracula” during semester break in December 2002 and “Nightscream” Louis Jones ■ News Editor on August 6 and August 7, May 17—The x-rated film 2004. When Trimmer approved partially shot at Ball State University has created a sub- the use of the VBC for filmstantial buzz since its release ing, Ball State was unaware last week, but has not seen it was giving a porn director permission to film on camsubstantial sales. Jeff Ray, director of all pus grounds, King said. “Basically, [Trimmer] was Priscilla’s stores in Indiana, said “Vampire Diaries” would duped,” King said. “The dihave been more successful rector informed us they were had it come out in February doing some sort of gothic when local media first report- horror film and in no way indicated this would be haped on it. “It was a hot subject for pening.” Gregory submitted a resumé awhile,” Ray said. “It’s doing well, but maybe not as well as to Ball State indicating he had worked for major film and expected.” “Vampire Diaries” director media companies, including Christopher Gregory said Disney, Lucasfilm and KTEH, Ball State took legal action a San Francisco PBS affiliate to keep the film from being TV station. King, however, said he released, but Provost Terry doubts the claims on GregoKing denies this. According to Gregory, a Ball ry’s resumé are accurate. “Judging from the fact he State “official who wanted to be off the record” contacted told Dr. Trimmer one thing Gregory’s attorney in Feb- and did another, I would have ruary, saying the university the tendency to doubt whatwas attempting to stop the ever he says,” he said. Although his resumé indirelease of the film. Soon thereafter, Gregory cates he worked at KTEH in 1999, Gregory said, he resaid in an interceived a call view he worked from the Decide yourself there in 1994. president of “Vampire Diaries” is KTEH employthe Ameri- available on DVD at ees said they can Civil Lib- Pricilla’s on McGalliard have no memerties Union, Ave. for $39.95 and ory of Gregory who told him working at the the ACLU Pleasures on Wheeling station. The s u p p o r t e d Ave. for $24.99 and in resumé shows the film’s Anderson for $28.99. Gregory directrelease. Two ed episodes of weeks later, an “unnamed source” from MTV’s “The Real World: San Ball State called him, saying Francisco” in 1997, but the “the matter is dead,” Gregory series was actually filmed in 1994. said. Gregory also said he debat“To my knowledge there has been no action by the ed a Rev. Hammond on the university against [Gregory], FOXNews talk show “Hanand I think I would know,” nity and Colmes” sometime King said. “Why he’s claiming during the “third week of February.” FOXNews archive that, I have no idea.” A Freedom of Information searches reveal nothing relatAct request found no legal ed to Gregory or Hammond. “Vampire Diaries” is availdocuments regarding a Ball State case against Gregory or able for $39.95 at Priscilla’s the release of “Vampire Dia- on McGalliard Avenue, $32.99 at Pleasures on Wheeling Avries.” King said that while Ball enue, $24.99 at Pleasures in State regrets allowing Greg- Anderson and $28.99 at Senory to film on campus, he sations in Anderson. Ultra X doesn’t think the release of Video in Indianapolis has the “Vampire Diaries” will tarnish movie on order. Emily Holtz, cashier at the the university’s reputation. “I’m not sure that that kind Wheeling Avenue Pleasures, of movie gets wide viewing,” said “a few” customers called he said, “and as far as I know, to ask about the movie, but it in no way depicts Ball State the film has “not been much or refers to Ball State in the of a big deal” at the store. Pleasures has rented the movie.” In October 2002, Gregory movie out six times but has contacted Joe Trimmer, di- sold none of the twelve coprector of the Virginia B. Ball ies in stock, she said. Tuition: Increases include student insurance fees Continued from PAGE 1 Howard said employee pay increases are returning to a normal rate after being low in recent years, saying that the pay increase was 5.5 percent in 1997. “Our goal is to attract and maintain the best and brightest faculty and staff members and to continue to attract great students,” he said. Board members also approved a 6 percent increase in student health insurance fees for individual students. The plan currently covers 703 students, Bill McCune, associate vice president of Business Services, said. The individual student insurance fee will increase from $736 in 2006-07 to $780 in 2007-08. Ball State also offers a student and spouse and student and children insurance plans, which will increase from $2,411 to $2,556, and a stu- ACADEMICS Increased Fees Fees being increased include: ■ Tuition, in-state, 4.9% and out-of state, 6% ■ Student health insurance, which covers individuals ■ Family insurance, which covers the spouses and children of students Increased fees will allow for: ■ More Ball State to offer courses in Arabic record and excellent English,” Shea said. “We look forward to welcoming him into the Ball State community.” The FLTA program gives young teachers the opportunity to travel to the U.S. to teach for one academic year. The Jill Blocker ■ Chief Reporter program was established by May 31—Students will have the U.S. Department of State in the opportunity to immerse January 2006 after President themselves in the Arabic cul- Bush expanded the National ture with two new classes for Security Language Initiative. the upcoming school year. Ara- The NSLI is designed to develbic 101 will be offered in the op Americans’ knowledge of important foreign languages fall, and Arabic such as Arabic, 102 will be ofChinese, Hindi, fered spring Arabic 101 and Russian. 2008. 17 students registered for Mohammed Ball State Unithe class in 2006 when will teach for versity has oftwo semesters fered Arabic in the class was cancelled. and then return the past, but Numbers are expected to his home in Arabic teach- to be the same this Yemen. ers are difficult year when the class is “After Mohamto find, Chris taught by Yemeni Antar med leaves, we Shea, chair- Mohammed. will keep applywoman of the ing through the Department of Modern Languages and Clas- FLTA programs because we sics, said. The number of stu- think it’s important that students who study Arabic has dents are able to learn and live been on the decline nationwide among someone from the Arabic culture,” Shea said. since 2001, she said. 17 students signed up for Ar“We have been trying to get a teacher for the class, but there abic 101 for the 2006-07 acahave been difficulties, such as demic year, but the class was professors not meeting our stan- canceled because Ball State did not find a teacher. Shea said dards for English,” Shea said. The difficulties came to an she expects about the same end when the Foreign Language number of students or more to Teaching Assistant Program sign up for the class this year. “We hope some of the origiassigned Yemeni teacher Antar nal 17 will still be around to Mohammed to Ball State. “Mohammed has an excellent take the class,” Shea said. Problems finding a professor postponed classes until this year financial aid pay for university employees ■ Attracting better employees to the school ■ Increased dent and family insurance plan, which will increase from $4,177 to $4,428. Student insurance claim costs have exceeded fees for seven of the last nine years, McCune said, so he was relieved the fee did not increase more. Breaking news, article comments, message boards, interactive graphics and more. bsudailynews.com PAGE 3 l RECAP THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2007 l THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS Fueled by compassion, students brave fires BSU students serve greater purpose as volunteer firefighters Jill Blocker ■ Chief Reporter June 21—At the sound of a siren, Center Township firefighters rush out the door and head to the emergency scene. The Ball State University students who volunteer at the station put themselves in dangerous situations to help and serve Munciearea people. Student volunteer Morgan Ellis said the first fire she was on call for was a house struck by lighting. “It was scary because at one point I was one of the only firefighters in the house,” she said. “But because of my training, I was prepared for it.” Eight Ball State students volunteer at Center Township Station 12 in Muncie, Shawn Blair, a firefighter and trainer at the station, said. The station is staffed with only two paid, fulltime employees. Joshua Henry, a volunteer at the department and Ball State student, said that even after Monday’s death of nine firefighters in South Carolina, he doesn’t focus on being scared. “If you’re scared, you won’t be able to think straight,” he said. “You have to overcome the fear to do your job.” Henry said the most im- Ball State, said he loves helping portant thing is to respect people, which is a big part of the fire and understand the why he enjoys firefighting. power it has. “The fact that you’re saving Ellis said one of the most im- people’s lives is a big deal,” he portant things about firefight- said. ing is finding ways to overHenry plans travel to Third come weaknesses. World countries and possibly “You have to learn to adapt join the Peace Corps after he to the things that are hard in graduates, he said. the job,” she said. “You have to Volunteers must pass a learn to use what you have and training class, called “Mandatory Firefighter,” compensate for which is a twowhat you don’t. month program I’m not the biggest or strongest, in which volunteers go through but I can still do a hazardous mathe same job as terials class and anyone else.” Firefighter 1 and 2 Ellis, who is one class. The classes of five women are the basic minfirefighters at the imum requirestation, has been ments of federal a volunteer fireJOSHUA HENRY fighter for five BSU student and volunteer at the regulations. years. She and Center Township Station 12 “The classes include training on her best friend forcible entry, usdecided to get involved with the job in high ing a ladder, rolling a hose, putschool when a firefighter came ting on gear, and search and rescue,” Blair said. to speak at their school. The training class also in“It was something that we loved and just stuck with it,” cludes written tests, Henry said. she said. “You really have to learn the Ellis plans to work as an investigator for fire or police de- information and study,” he partments with her criminal said. “You learn stuff you have justice degree. She is working to know, like putting together as an intern for the Fort Wayne an air tank. There’s no room Fire Department to achieve her for mistakes during the real eight-to-ten year minimum ex- thing.” perience requirements before The firefighters experience becoming an investigator. situations where they might Henry, a sociology student at have to deal with death on every COMMUNITY “If you’re scared, you won’t be able to think straight. You have to overcome the fear to do your job.” DN PHOTOS/JESSICA ONDERWATER (TOP LEFT) JOSH HENRY checks the valves on his air tank. He is one of eight student volunteers at the Center Township Fire Station 12. (TOP) THE FIREFIGHTING UNIFORMS pictured here, consist of bunker pants, boots, coats, masks and helmets. Henry says the gear in total with tools can weigh up to 50 pounds. (BOTTOM RIGHT) HENRY suits up as he prepares for training. run. If death does occur during a run, the firefighters involved participate in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing. “The meetings get everyone’s perspectives and stress out to prevent a firefighter going home and worrying about it alone,” Ellis said. The firefighters don’t only have to go through emotional training; they are also tested on their strength and knowledge. Anyone can volunteer to work for the department, Blair said, but the station is especially looking for people who have a desire to help others. Volunteer Jeff Ogden, also a criminal justice student at Ball State, said he plans on making a career out of firefighting, following the path of his grandfather and father, who recently retired as chief of the Tipton Fire Department. “I would encourage people to come out and apply to volunteer,” Ogden said. “It really is a rewarding experience.” Future dean to combine disciplines Vasquez de Velasco to utilize international affiliations, experience Jill Blocker ■ Chief Reporter June 18—The soon-to-be dean of the College of Architecture and Planning said he will use his broad affiliations to intersect the department’s disciplines and create an international dimension in the college. “I am very excited about the potential that the College of Architecture and Planning offers,” said Guillermo Vasquez de Velasco, who will leave his position as executive associate dean and director of outreach at Texas A&M University and begin working at Ball State University on August 1. “I feel that everyone in the College is ready to take his decision to take the posithings to the next level.” tion, Vasquez de Velasco said. Vasquez de Velasco is a “I think our students are practicing architect with de- well known and appreciated grees in architecture for their ability to and urban planning. He perform with high has conducted research levels of competency,” he said. “I look on Computer Mediated forward to future Design Education, an generations of CAP achievement he said has students who will be helped him move up the able to compete in academic ranks. a global and multi“Guillermo is an outstanding professor of disciplinary professional market.” architecture and has VASQUEZ DE Junior architecture significant architecture VELASCO experience,” Ball State Received the student Mark Vanden Akker said he did not Provost Terry King said. University know about the as“He also has considerable International international experience Excellence Award signment of the new dean, but looks forand comes from a highly- for his work to ward to seeing what regarded university.” develop changes Vasquez de Past meetings with fac- international ulty and students from programs Velasco will make to the College of Architecthe college. ture and Planning have imThe new dean has a son who pressed him and influenced will leave their home in Texas and attend New York University in the fall, making it a good time for Vasquez de Velasco and his wife, Antonieta, to move to Muncie. “We have been very happy in College Station [Texas] and feel that Muncie will become home very fast,” he said. “So far we have met many people that we look forward to [calling] friends. Muncie has the potential to be a success story, and I look forward to being part of that story.” Vasquez de Velasco’s achievements include the College Teaching Excellence Award and two Graduate Faculty awards, all won during his time at Texas A&M. He also has wide-ranging academic and professional affiliations in Latin America and Europe, and his work to develop international programs there resulted in him winning the University International Excellence Award. CAMPUS DNMINUTE CONSTRUCTION Cow Path closed all summer for construction May 14—A common path for many students on the Ball State University campus won’t be getting much use this summer. The Cow Path, a walkway that runs north-south from the west side of the LaFollette Complex to Riverside Avenue, will be closed until the beginning of the Fall Semester, Kevin Kenyon, associate vice president of Facilities Planning and Management, said. Construction workers from Gale Tschuor, a Yorktown contractor company will repave the walkway, install new bicycle pads and storm drains and build a new entryway to the west side of the Ball Communication Building, project superintendent Brad Dillon said. Ball State students said the temporary closure would not have a large impact on campus life. “The biggest impact would be on kids who live in LaFollette, but it won’t really effect them because it’s summer,” senior Josh Reitz said. CAMPUS Student to create energy-saving campaign May 19—Senior landscape architecture major Francesca Hernandez won the National Wildlife Federation’s Campus Ecology Fellowship in April and is planning to create an educational campaign to inform freshmen of the importance of greenhouse gas emissions. National Wildlife campus ecology fellows will battle global warming on their campuses by taking steps to monitor campus energy use and reduce net emissions on campus by about 2 percent per year. Fellows will also help to educate and engage the campus community regarding global warming effects and solutions, according to the Department of National Resources and Environmental Management. Hernandez said she hopes the campaign will help to increase the university’s energy efficiency and reduce its greenhouse gases emissions. FACULTY New trustee for student body named Sophomore hopes to improve Ball State’s national reputation Louis Jones ■ News Editor July 9—Gov. Mitch Daniels announced Thursday that sophomore Kellie Conrad will serve as student representative on the Ball State University Board of Trustees for the next two years. Conrad, a telecommunications major, said she hopes to help Ball State receive more recognition as a top-notch university and to continue to attract quality students. “Coming to Ball State was the best decision I’ve ever made,” she said. “When I got to Ball State, I realized the immense amount of opportunities. [The university] encourages learning outside the classroom, and that sets Ball State apart from other universities.” Conrad was encouraged by former Student Government treasurer John Boone to apply for the position, she said. After applying in February, she was first interviewed by a panel of students, then President Jo Ann Gora and then a member of Daniels’ staff. “She seemed to be very wanting to become active within the university,” Boone said, adding that Conrad is in touch with the needs and wants of the student body. “I know she’ll do a good job,” he said. Conrad said her experience as head of the junior board for the non-profit organization Art With a Heart is among her experiences that qualify her for the position. She is also involved with the Alpha Phi sorority and works as a remote producer for Connections ,an entertainment magazine program broadcast on WIPB-TV, she said. “I really want to continue to help Ball State’s reputation grow in a positive light and continue to highlight programs Ball State excels at like TCOM and journalism,” she said, saying that the university could benefit from student commercials and marketing campaigns. “Using the students to really market the school and get the name out there is the best way to help Ball State continue to grow,” she said. Her father, Jeff Conrad, said Kellie is deserving of being appointed to the position, but it still comes as a surprise, as only one student in the university is appointed as trustee every two years. Kellie will replace 2007 gradu- CAMPUS KELLIE CONRAD Awarded position after interviewing with a student panel, President Jo Ann Gora, then a member of Gov. Mitch Daniel’s staff. Professor nationally recognized for work June 28—Professor of Journalism David Sumner was named “Magazine Educator of the Year” by a national organization Wednesday. The Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication will give Sumner the award Aug. 10 at a convention in Washington, D.C. Sumner has been coordinator of the Magazine sequence in the Department of Journalism since 1990 and has written several nationally-distributed books, including “Magazine: A Complete Guide to the Industry” and “Action, Angles and Anecdotes: Feature and Magazine Writing.” He is faculty adviser for the award-winning Ball State student magazine expo and is an active member of AEJMC. Previous winners of the award include William Shawn of the New Yorker and Richard Stolley of Time Inc., according to a AEJMC magazine division press release. “She seemed to be very wanting to become active within the university. I know she’ll do a good job.” JOHN BOONE Former Student Government treasurer ate Danielle Frazier, who served as trustee during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 academic years. BSU receives $2.59 million for 2007-08 year Lilly Endowment Inc. program helps raise scholarship money Louis Jones ■ News Editor June 14—Lilly Endowment Inc. announced Monday Ball State University exceeded its private gift goals for an endowment program and received $2.59 million in matching money from the company. Lilly donated a total of $96.5 million to 28 Indiana colleges and universities as part of the endowment’s Special Initiative to Strengthen Philanthropy for Higher Education Institutions. In order to receive the $2.59 million, Ball State had to raise at least $2 million on its own between June 1, 2005 and Dec. 31, 2006, a goal that was easily met by the university, John Park, special assistant to the president, said. Ball State received about $46 million in total gifts during the 2006-07 academic year, and about $21.5 million of that met the criteria to count toward the Lilly Endowment. The maximum dollar reward for the endowment was $2.59 million, however. “It was a great opportunity for us, and it really gave us the opportunity to give incentives to [donors],” Park said. Ball State was able to influence donors to contribute to specific areas of the university by offering to use the Lilly Endowment money to match their contributions, he said. One of Ball State’s top priorities in the fundraising campaign was to increase scholarship dollars in order to attract more students, Park said. Merit scholarships collected $1.6 million of the endowment, while $700,000 went to individual colleges and departments, and $150,000 will go to help fund a new recreation and wellness center. The goal of the endowment was to help strengthen donations to colleges and universities from trustees, alumni and faculty, Gretchen Wolfram, communications director for Lilly Endowment Inc., said. GRANT Cook n Home me Priing ces Dow own Ho at D s onday n on M sdays ke at Chic dne -Can-E t Fish on We eryday -You r Ev • All u-Can-Ea ad Ba All-Yo Can-Eat Sal • ou• All-Y 06-07 Awards about $46 million in total gifts ■ About $21.5 million met criteria to count toward Lilly Endowment ■ Maximum reward d for endowment $2.59 million ■ Received Breakdown $1.6 million to merit scholarships ■ $700,000 to individual colleges and departments ■ $150,000 to help fund new recreation and wellness center ■ abits? ting h leave the ds ea ts, d and our ki Paren ed about y ds Gift Car ri ar ! Wor a Rich oking to us co y them 8-5888 Bu ncie 28 2601 tin N. Mar lvd. King B Luther Mu PAGE 4 l RECAP THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2007 l THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS Alumnus actor stars as the Silver Surfer in ‘Fantastic Four’ Matt Erler ■ Features Editor FANTASTIC BALL STATE GRAD and stars as the Silver Surfer in “The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.” A self-described “creature actor,” Jones has another credit to his resume: Ball State alumnus. Jones, a 1982 graduate with a major in telecommunications and a minor in theater, said his Ball State experience and professors helped him understand the importance of acting and shaped his understanding of the craft. Jones’ Ball State experience remains fundamental to his development as an actor. “I felt very confident with what Ball State inspired in me,” Jones said in an e-mail interview while in Budapest filming “Hellboy 2.” “Dr. Al English was so good at getting into the soul of acting, creating a character from inside,” he said. Although he acted in plays - unmasked - while at Ball State, Jones’ career has taken a more unusual turn. “I thought I was ripening up to become a goofy neighbor on a TV sitcom.” Jones played various characters in film and TV before he scored the biggest small role of his career in Guillermo Del Toro’s “Mimic.” Over the last 10 years, Jones has worked with the director three times - in 2004’s “Hellboy,” 2006’s “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “Hellboy 2,” which is in production. John Zander, Jones’ public relations agent, said Del Toro was so impressed with Jones’ work in “Mimic” that the director has said he will never work with a different “creature” actor. “When his movies have creatures in them, it will always be Doug,” Zander said. “And his movies will always have creatures in them.” Gilbert Bloom, professor emeritus in Department of Theatre and Dance, was teaching when Jones went to school. Bloom has kept in touch with Jones through the years. He maintains that Jones’ acting ability is what makes his characters jump off the screen. “I know there are people who recommend him for a job because of quality of his work,” Bloom said. “He’s very PHOTO COURTESY OF TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX MOVIE June 14—In 1980, Doug Jones slipped into costume as Charlie Cardinal. As he ran around the basketball court, his gestures, expressions and movements defined his portrayal of the mascot. Yet he remained hidden - cloaked in mystery. He’s since made a habit of it. One of the Hollywood’s most sought-after character actors, Jones has made a living out of hiding behind makeup, mask and mystery. Jones may rarely appear unmasked in his films, but that hasn’t stopped the actor from making an impression in more than 60 film and TV credits. He was the Pale Man and Pan the Faun in “Pan’s Labyrinth,” Abe Sapien in “Hellboy” THE ENIGMATIC, INTERGALACTIC HERALD, THE SILVER SURFER, come to Earth to prepare it for destruction. Doug Jones, who plays the Silver Surfer, graduated from Ball State in 1982 with a degree in telecommunications and now has over 60 television and movie credits. well-respected.” For “Pan’s Labyrinth” entirely Spanish script, Jones refused to allow another actor do the voice work. Instead, Jones learned all his lines in Spanish. “I was terrified at the beginning, and needed to know that the role could be salvaged if I couldn’t get the Spanish dialogue,” Jones said. “Later, if another actor was brought in to dub over me, they had to go off my original performance - with my timing, my pauses - everything.” Jones’ four biggest roles - Sapien, The Pale Man, Pan and The Silver Surfer - have all been dubbed. In the case of his work in “Pan’s Labyrinth,” Del Toro hired another actor because of the language barrier. “I think he’s sometimes upset he doesn’t get recognition,” Bloom said. Despite the lack of recognition, Jones believes what he does is important. “All I know is that acting is acting,” Jones said. “Either way, I still have to find the heart and soul of that character and make any role I do a full body experience.” Despite Jones’ anonymity he’s rarely seen in film without heavy makeup - he remains one of the most prolific actors in Hollywood. Jones’ career status has afforded him a degree of creative freedom - Zander can’t remember the last time Jones had to audition for a role. For an actor who has carved out such a successful niche in cinema, Jones’ career remains blissfully anonymous. Still, he relishes his privacy. “I really enjoy the best of both worlds, though ... When I show up at a red carpet event or fan convention it’s announced who I am. And I get to be a celebrity that day. But on off days - when I want to crawl into a Starbucks unshowered in my sweats - I have the luxury of no one knowing who I am.” Ball State ranked first in New seats installed as survey about cheating part of Emens renovation Administrator says results don’t mean BSU has problem Louis Jones ■ News Editor June 4—CollegeHumor is no authoritative academic research source, but according to the multimedia comedy Web site, Ball State University students have a cheating problem. An online survey of 29,176 college students found that Ball State was first in cheating among universities with 30 or more survey respondents. According to the Web site, 71.9 percent of Ball State students who participated in the survey admitted to academic dishonesty. Appalachian State was second with 67.9 percent admitting to cheating, and Penn State was third with 67.2 percent. Provost Terry King said that he has seen no evidence to indicate Ball State has more incidences of academic dishonesty ing was more of an issue at Ball State than any other university. than any other university. “[The survey] is an unscientifAcademic dishonesty is a violaic survey on a humor Web site,” tion of the Ball State student code. he said. “I doubt its validity.” According to the code, a teacher The survey found that of re- who believes a student has cheatspondents, cheaters have an av- ed must confront the student. erage 18 percent The student then better grade point can admit to or deny cheating. average than BSU cheaters their more ethical If the teacher ■ According to counterparts, and and student canCollegeHumor, 71.9 not reach an that 64.8 percent percent of Ball agreement, the of male responState students who dents cheat, while teacher must responded to the 42 percent of femake a formal acsurvey admitted to males do. cusation of cheatcheating. ing and notify Senior Anya the department Janeway said that ■ Punishment for though most colchair. If the discheating can result in lege students agreement canstudent enrollment in not be solved, the don’t want to the Multimedia Integrity case is forwarded cheat, a desire to Tool program to failure to the University achieve coupled of the class. Academic Ethics with a heavy workload sometimes Committee. Punishment for cheating can range makes it a popular option. “Students just get so desper- from the assigning of the stuate,” she said. “They feel like dent to the Multimedia Integthey have to [cheat].” Janeway rity Teaching Tool program to said she did not think cheat- failure of the course. ACADEMICS CAMPUS Officials say project will increase stature of campus venue Jill Blocker ■ Chief Reporter Parking officials say meter increase to help consistency Prices in lots and in parking garages still not the same Louis Jones ■ News Editor July 12—The rise in parking meter fees was not done to increase revenue but to make meter prices consistent throughout campus and in parking garages, Director of Public Safety Gene Burton said Wednesday. “The decision was made with members of the university administration, Public Safety and finance offices,” he said. “We were looking at short-term and visitor parking and trying to align meter rates so they are congruent with each other.” The meter prices were changed on a lot-by-lot basis between June 18 and July 5, he said. Current prices for most meters are $1 for 45 minutes, 75 cents for 36 minutes, 50 cents for 24 minutes and 25 cents for 12 minutes. Previously, 45 minutes on the meter cost 50 cents. 25 cents paid for 22 1/2 minutes on the meter, 10 cents paid for nine minutes and 5 cents paid for 4 1/2 minutes. Parking Services made no announcement of the meter changes prior to them taking place. President Jo Ann Gora said she was not made aware of the changes before they occurred. She added, however, that campus affairs are delegated to many administrators and she does not always have final say in certain matters. Parking Services Office Manager Nancy Wray did not return calls when she was in the office July 3. Parking Services employ- CAMPUS July 19—A summer renovation of Emens Auditorium will include 3,200 new seats, a refinished concrete floor and a new audio system, Emens Director Bob Myers said. The auditorium, which was built in 1964, has attracted world-renowned musicians, comedians, and performers, and the renovations will only increase its stature, staff members said. “We’re an excellent venue with a great supporting staff and box office,” Myers said. The new seats will be installed as part of a capital campaign renovation project, he said. Replacing the seats will cost about $700,000, but ticket prices of shows in the future will not increase to compensate for the cost of the project. Indiana Wesleyan University and Wabash College are among schools in the area that will open new auditoriums. “I plan for major renovations every year,” he said. “This is a necessary expenditure. Seats that are used this often will only last a couple decades. Some of the old seats were falling through or had exposed metal that was embarrassing.” The old seats were installed in 1963 and were last worked on in 1993, when they were repadded and covered with greenish-blue fabric. The new seats will have wooden backs that will be stained to match the walnut doors and sit higher to provide patrons with betBOB MYERS ter views, while Emens Director also providing better acoustics in the room. “The original seats have been here for 43 years,” Myers said. “They are going to be resealed and new seats will be installed. We’re also touching up paint on the ceiling where it’s peeling.” Plans of the renovation also include a new audio system that will provide a cleaner, “This is a necessary expenditure. Seats that are used this often will only last a couple decades. Some of the old seats were falling through or had exposed metal that was embarrassing.” crisper sound for lectures and other events, according to a university press release. “Based on what I’ve seen of the [Indiana Wesleyan auditorium] budget, they might have comfortable seating, but they aren’t going to have the same technological setting as ours,” Meyers said. Emens’ sound system and acoustics have been elements that have made the auditorium distinguished over the years. “The new sound system will replace the console and main speaker clusters as well as a dedicated center speaker cluster in the ceiling,” Christian O’Brien, sound stage technician for Emens, said. “We’ll also be able to hang left and right clusters to better accommodate future performances such as rock shows.” The old speakers were installed in 1996 and were in need of replacing, O’Brien said. The renovations are scheduled to be completed by Aug. 17. Meter price comparison Previously ■ 45 minutes: 50 cents ■ 22 1/2 minutes: 25 cents ■ 9 minutes: 10 cents ■ 4 1/2 minutes: 5 cents Currently ■ 45 minutes: $1 ■ 36 minutes: 75 cents ■ 24 minutes: 50 cents ■ 12 minutes: 25 cents TCOM professor receives Emmy and showed students how to produce in the real world. Pollard worked with Shasky for nine years and credits him with putting Ball State’s TCOM department on the map by coordinating with the Cleveland Lindsay Puthoff ■ Chief Reporter chapter of the television academy, he said. June 28—Recently retired Ball “He’s helped push our deState University instructor James partment forward to the Shasky can add number 29 to his point where we are a national list of Emmy Awards on Sept. 8 brand,” he said. when the lower great lakes chapDuring his 10 years at Ball ter of the National Academy for State, Shasky was faculty proTelevision Arts and ducer of the student Sciences of Cleveland magazine show “Conwill award Shasky the nections Live” and winner of the Board of worked closely with Governors award for junior Todd Darroca, lifetime achievement. who hosted the show. “Jim has a lifelong “Through his leadtrack record of memership he showed us orable TV production, what storytelling is,” from TV ads, to docuDarroca said. mentaries,” Nancy JAMES SHASKY Connections Live Carlson, chairwoman will receive his earned six regional for the Department 29th Emmy Emmy Awards under of Telecommunica- Award for lifetime Shasky’s leadership, tions, said “He has achievement on he said. raised the bar in digi- Sept. 8 . Shasky took his tal storytelling.” teaching outside the Shasky spent 30 years classroom as he incorworking on professional TV pro- porated students into his own ductions in Los Angeles before professional work. coming to Ball State in 1997. He asked three TCOM stuOne of his more well-known dents to work production on experiences was directing live “Cellblock Scholars,” a docucoverage of the Nixon impeach- mentary following the lives of ment and the annual Jerry Lewis prison inmates and their quests Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. for higher education. Shasky’s past work in the Ball State 2007 graduate professional realm have guided student, Justin Gladis was one his teaching. of the students who worked Fellow TCOM faculty member with Shasky on the project Tim Pollard refers to Shasky’s and said he gained a whole teaching as an “L.A. way of do- new impression of TV shooting things” that brought an in- ing he would not have gotten dustry view to the classroom in the classroom. CAMPUS ees said she was out of the office Although Burton and the ethe rest of the week. mail said the price changes were When attempts to reach Wray made in order to make prices failed, a reporter found her in the consistent, fees for most meParking Services office Wednes- ters on campus are still differday afternoon. There, Wray said ent than in the parking garage she would call east of Bracken for a phone interLibrary and the view sometime garage south between 4 p.m. of Sursa Performance Hall. In and 4:15 p.m. No the garages, one call from Wray hour costs $1, was received two hours costs and subsequent $2, three hours calls put in to the costs $3, four Parking Services hours costs $3.50 office were not and five hours returned. A message left on her costs $4. home answering Senior Katie McGee said the new machine Wednesday evening also meter prices were went unreturned. “ridiculous” as An All BSU Facshe parked in the ulty and Staff lot outside the e-mail notificaArt and Journaltion was sent ism Building on to the campus Wednesday. public folder on “[Students] get the afternoon tickets all the of July 5, which time,” she said. GENE BURTON was the day the “Now, they raise Director of Public Safety Daily News first meter prices reported on the as if they need price increases. E-mails in the more money.” public folder do not appear in Burton said the changes were a user’s regular Webmail in- also made in order to make mebox. The e-mail said that the ter times consistent between changes had occurred in order meters near residence halls and to “equalize the parking rates in in other campus lots. Previously, the parking garages and at the meters outside dorms were set parking meters on campus” and at 30 minutes but were changed included a table indicating the to 45 minutes in accordance with new meter prices. other meters on campus. Shasky awarded for lifetime achievement after leaving Ball State “The decision was made with members of the university administration, Public Safety and finance offices. We were looking at short-term and visitor parking and trying to align meter rates so they are congruent with each other.” “Cellblock Scholars” won Best in Category at the national Broadcast Education Association’s media festival earlier this year. Gladis spent four years working with Shasky, during which he said the instructor became a mentor and friend. “He’s an outstanding professor, and I’m sad Ball State lost him,” he said. Shasky is also known for his blunt and honest critiques, which prepared students for the real world, Darroca said. While some students found his critiques too harsh, Darroca said Shasky’s criticisms showed passion for what he does and were often the best part of working with him. Of Shasky’s interaction with students, Carlson said she recalls him driving students to the Emmy Awards where he lead them through the awards ceremony like a father figure. “He loves students and treats them like his own children,” she said. At that same Emmy Awards, Carlson remembers Shasky’s humble demeanor when accepting an award. He talked about what he got out of Ball State instead of what Ball State got from him, she said. His teaching did not stop when students left the classroom, and Shasky used his connections with professionals in the industry to help get his graduating students job interviews, Pollard said. “He’s everything a TCOM professional aspires to be someday,” Gladis said. SPORTS DNCONTACTS THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2007 l THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS RECAP l PAGE 5 The Ball State field hockey and soccer teams open their seasons with home exhibition scrimmages Saturday. The Cardinals’ field hockey team will host Indiana University at 2 p.m., and the soccer team will host IUPUI at 5 p.m. GO SEE: Sports Editor: Ryan Wood, Asst. Sports Editor: Levin T. Black, sports@bsudailynews.com Sports Desk: 285-8245 Star closer likely to come back Officials respond Heyne frustrated by lack of offers, says he is certain to return Levin T. Black ■ Asst. Sports Editor July 19 — Drafted in the 27th round of the 2007 MLB FirstYear Player Draft, Ball State standout closer Kyle Heyne said he is likely coming back to Muncie for his senior season. “Right now I’m pretty much 98 percent sure I’m coming back,” Heyne said. “Unless something really, really good comes to hand ... I’m going to head back to Ball State, take a full ride, do the best I can and try to get another [MidAmerican Conference] Championship.” The closer blames a breakdown in communication. Heyne said the scout who convinced the Minnesota Twins to draft him, Billy Milos, contacted him every week right after he was drafted. However, lately there has been almost no communication. “About the last 20 days or so it’s slowed down a lot,” Heyne said. “Haven’t heard much from him, haven’t gotten an offer or anything. I’m really disappointed about it. I was told they were going to make it worth my while, make a good offer.” Ball State coach Greg Beals, who played in the minor leagues with the New York Mets during the 90’s, said he knew being drafted was only a chance to turn pro for Heyne. BASEBALL MEN’S BASKETBALL to racist attack Thompson’s staff finds harassing notes in basketball office Louis Jones and Ryan Wood Daily News Staff June 28—Members of the Ball State University men’s basketball coaching staff found notes that included racial slurs in the basketball office over the weekend, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tom Collins announced Wednesday. Tony Proudfoot, associate vice president for Marketing and Communications, said a total of seven notes with the words “nigger,” “liar” and “cheater” written on them were found at about 8 a.m. Sunday. One note was slid under head coach Ronny Thompson’s door, one was slid under the director of basketball operations door, and one was slid under each of the three assistant coaches’ doors. A note was also found on the office secretary’s desk, and another was found in the office copy area. Gene Burton, director of public safety at Ball State, said he has assigned University Police officers to work specifically on the case. Those responsible for the incident could face misdemeanor or felony charges for harassment and trespassing and could face six months to a year or more in prison or jail, he said. President Jo Ann Gora said if faculty, staff or students were involved in the incident, she would move to terminate or expel them. “Nobody who thinks this act is acceptable should be a student or employee of the campus,” Gora said, adding she has not seen a similar incident take place in more than 25 years in higher education. Collins, who was in Europe on vacation Sunday, said he was sickened by the incident when he first received e-mail notification from Thompson. Thompson was on vacation and unavailable for comment. Numerous calls that were put into members of Thompson’s coaching staff Wednesday night were unreturned. DN PHOTO | BRITTON STARR, FILE BALL STATE UNIVERSITY’S KYLE HEYNE pitched to Eastern Michigan University April 22. The closer finished the 2007 season with 10 saves, and the Minnesota Twins drafted Heyne in the 27th round of the MLB Draft July 13. “I told Kyle from day one its about opportunity,” Beals said. “The draft is an opportunity. His family has to look at it with a level head and make sure its going to be a good opportunity for you to go out and start your professional career.” If the Twins were really interested in him, Heyne said they would have made an offer to sway him from staying in school. Heyne said he wishes the Twins would have passed on him with the 842nd pick. “That’s the thing, if they aren’t going to give me an offer, I wish they wouldn’t have drafted me,” Heyne said. “Leave me for another team. Hopefully if [another team] would have drafted me, they would’ve given me an offer. Things could be a little different right now.” As it is, the Cardinals likely have a three-year veteran closer returning to shut the door on opponents for one more year. Heyne is tied with Ron Schrock for the Ball State record for career saves with 24. “It means an awful lot to us,” Beals said. “Kyle is one of those guys you can’t disregard. Not only for what he does for you on the field when he’s pitching, but he provides experience for us. He’s extremely valuable to our team ... [I’m] looking forward to seeing him break some of our career records.” Cardinals add Frese to coaching staff Coach returns to team after six seasons at three other programs Ryan Wood ■ Sports Editor July 9—From 1999-2001, Marsha Frese and Tracy Roller spent two years with the Ball State women’s basketball team as assistant coaches under Marsha Frese’s sister, Brenda Frese. After seven years, the duo’s paths have crossed again. Roller, now the Cardinals head coach, announced Thursday that Marsha Frese will be joining the program again as an assistant coach. “We’ve remained great friends since our time here at Ball State,” Roller said. “I’d almost say we talk weekly if not daily, just about things like basketball and recruiting.” Marsha Frese, who was a guard at Rice University and still holds the single-season record for 3-point percentage, began her coaching career with the Cardinals in 1999. Marsha Frese left Ball State in 2001 coached under her sister at the University of Minnesota and the University of Maryland for a year apiece. However, Marsha Frese left Maryland in 2003 and has spent the past four years at the University of Illinois. Though her career has taken her around the country, Marsha Frese said Roller has been beneficial in her career away from Ball State. “Our friendship started when we were coaching here,” Marsha Frese said. “I was a little wet behind my ears and was working with my sister. I know Tracy showed amazing patience through the course of all that.” While Roller was thrilled to have the opportunity to work with a good friend, Marsha Frese said that was also one of the major things that attracted her to the program. “The big thing in this profession is that you want to work with people that you really respect,” Marsha Frese said. “Tracy and I go way back, and it’s a great opportunity for us to work together again.” During her first two years at Ball State, Marsha Frese began building a solid reputation as a top recruiter. Marsha Frese was instrumental in getting a commitment from Johna Goff, who is the third leading scorer in Ball State women’s history with 1,635 points. Marsha Frese also recruited Kate Endress, who went on to play in the WNBA. At Maryland, Marsha Frese was responsible for recruiting the majority of the players on the Terrapins’ 2006 NCAA national championship team. “Marsha has been a great recruiter for a long time,” Roller said. “It’s not like she’s coming from [another region of the country]. She’s from the midwest and knows this region very well.” Marsha Frese said the key to her recruiting success is building personal relationships with players. Though Marsha Frese is new to the program, Cardinals junior guard Kiley Jarrett said she’s been impressed with her new coach. “I don’t know her real well yet, but she seems to want to get to know us [personally],” Jarrett said. “She’s really taken the initiative and that helps a WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Coaching Career ■ 1999-2001 Ball State University ■ 2001-02 University of Minnesota ■ 2002-03 University of Maryland ■ 2003-07 University of Illinois lot because it makes the players open up to her. Anytime a new coach comes, you’re kind of timid at first because they don’t know you as a player and you don’t know them as a coach. So to have her come in and immediately get to know us is a big deal.” The Cardinals return all but three players from a team that finished last season with a 247 record, the highest winning percentage in the program’s 34-year history. Marsha Frese, who said she has been observing the Cardinals’ success from afar, said she shares the same high standards. “I have high standards for myself,” Marsha said. “I want to come here and continue to build on a championship mentality.” “I wouldn’t want this to happen to anybody,” Collins said, adding that the incident makes it more difficult for the university to create an environment in which coaches and student athletes can be successful. Several members of the men’s and women’s basketball programs, as well as custodial staff, have keys to the basketball office. The locks to the office were changed following the incident, Collins said. Collins also mentioned the possibility that the door could have been inadvertently left unlocked by the athletic department staff. Burton declined to comment on whether police have identified any suspects, but Collins said police have increased patrols around the basketball office to ensure the basketball staff’s safety. He also wouldn’t speculate as to how many people might be involved in the incident. In addition to the notes, staff members found copies of the June 14 Daily News posted on the walls in Irving Gym and the hallway leading to Worthen Arena. The issue featured coverage of the program’s NCAA violations and Proudfoot said he believes the copies were posted by the same suspects that left the notes in the men’s basketball office. Thompson’s staff attended off-season workouts and “open gym” in late May, violating the same NCAA rule for the second time in his first year at Ball State. The Cardinals finished last season with a 9-21 record. President Gora assigned two Ball State counseling psychologists to conduct a climate assessment, which will determine whether racism is a problem in the athletic department. The psychologists will conduct interviews with people within the department covering how safe they feel and what instances of racism they have witnessed. Gora said she sent an e-mail explaining the incident and the university’s response to all members of the university community Wednesday afternoon. “This is a totally unacceptable act, and it shouldn’t be tolerated,” she said. FOOTBALL Equipment manager receives national award Tex Ritter has spent the last two decades serving the Ball State football team as the Cardinals’ athletic equipment manager. His service was recognized during the first week of June, when Ritter was given the 2007 Glenn Sharp Athletic Equipment Manager of the Year Award. The honor was presented at a national convention hosted by the Athletic Equipment Managers Association in Reno, Nev., June 4-7. The award is named after the longtime Bowling Green State equipment manager Glenn Sharp, who passed away in 2000. Ritter, who has been with Ball State since 1986, currently is a member with the AEMA. He is a former district director and exhibits chairman and has also served as co-chairman of the AEMA National Convention in 1985 and 1987, according to his profile on Ball State’s Web site. During games Ritter makes sure every player’s pads and helmet is holding up throughout the contest, according to the Ball State Web site. If equipment rips or malfunctions, Ritter is responsible for quickly replacing it. Collins hires former UW-Oskosh coach, Walsh, to navigate program Wisconsin native will move outside home state for first time Ryan Wood ■ Sports Editor July 19—Nadalie Walsh has been chosen from a field of nine candidates to be the next women’s gymnastics coach at Ball State University, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Tom Collins said Monday. “We went through a thorough search and we felt [Walsh] had good enthusiasm and wanted to be at this level,” Collins said. Walsh will replace Lisa Simonton, who resigned in April after two years with the Cardinals’ program. Walsh has spent the past four seasons as head coach at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Walsh is currently in Wisconsin, but plans to arrive at Ball State with her husband and three children in the first week of August. Her first official day on the job will be Aug. 6. During her time at UW-Oshkosh, the program broke every team record. In 2007, Walsh led UW-Oshkosh to the 2007 National Collegiate Gymnastics Association Championship, which is the Division III National Title. The year before, Walsh was named the 2006 Division III National Coach of the Year by the NCGA. Walsh said she wants to give stability to the gymnastics program by building up each gymnast. “My job is to build up the girls as both student athletes and young women,” Walsh said. “I try to get the most I can out of each student athlete. I think the reason I’ve been successful is because I genuinely care for each student athlete, and they can tell whether or not you really care.” Walsh is a native of Kewaskum, Wisc., and received her bachelor’s from UW-Oshkosh in 2000. Before becoming the head coach at UW-Oshkosh, she served two years with the program as an assistant coach. Walsh, who has never lived outside of Wisconsin and has most of her family in that state, said she’s ready for the new challenge that awaits her in Indiana. “It’s always hard to leave your family, but I’m excited because it’s only five hours away so we’ll get to still spend time together,” Walsh said. “I was really impressed with how friendly everybody was at Ball State, and I think that will help ease the transition.” Collins said he was impressed with the way Walsh was able to build the UW-Oskosh program and believes she will have similar success at Ball State. “I think her track record at a program without a tremendous amount of resources speaks for itself,” Collins said. Gymnastics Administrator Joe Hernandez headed a small committee that was responsible GYMNASTICS Coaching Career ■ 2003-07 Head coach at UW-Oshkosh ■ 2006 Division III Coach of the Year ■ 2007 Led program to NCGA national title for the hire. The committee interviewed nine candidates via telephone and brought three candidates to campus. Hernandez said he was looking for a coach that would be a good fit with the gymnastics program and university. “[Walsh] came out head and shoulders above the rest of the candidates,” Hernandez said. “I think it’s good to have the right people work at this university. We’re excited to have Coach Walsh here and we’re also excited that she’s excited to be at Ball State.” With the previous success Walsh has experienced, she also brings in a name that is known around the nation in gymnastic circles. Collins said he believes bringing in a well-known name will help the Cardinals’ program in recruiting. “Gymnastics is one of those unique sports where [recruiting] doesn’t take place solely at the high school level,” Collins said. “It’s also at the club level. Somebody with a name will help with recruiting and we were looking for that.” Welcome Students Stop in and visit us! Danner’s Yarns-Gifts-Books 744 S. Tillotson Ave (Behind Coffee Junkiez) Books•Cards•Gifts•Book Clubs• Knitting Circles•Craft Arts by Local Artist www.dannersbooks.com phone: 288-1121 PAGE 6 l RECAP THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2007 l THE BALL STATE DAILY NEWS BSU student crowned 500 queen The 500 Festival Princesses are a main component in one of the richest traditions of the month. It was during the Parade, as a 10-year-old Danielle admired the 33 Festival Princesses, that a dream was born Ryan Wood ■ Sports Editor in her heart. “I was out at the parade when May 24—From the years the Viper was the official pace 1972 to 1984, Paul Sylvester car,” she said. “I remember never missed a single India- telling my parents at that time napolis 500. Like nearly every that I was going to be one of man living in central Indiana, those girls because they got to The Greatest Spectacle of Rac- ride in a cool car. I also told ing was embedded in his Hoo- my dad that he needed to get me a Viper, but that hasn’t sier upbringing. That time arguably repre- happened yet.” From that day, being a 500 sented some of the greatest years the Indianapolis Motor Festival Princess has always Speedway has ever witnessed. been in the back of her mind. In those 13 years, drivers like However, it wasn’t until four Bobby and Al Unser, A.J. Foyt years ago that Danielle realand Gordon Johncock domi- ized it was actually a possibilnated the Yard of Bricks, and ity for her. Danielle learned Paul experienced it all from is was more than a childhood the confines of the steel grand- fantasy, being a 500 Festival Princess provided her opporstands. tunities for Paul saw her future. Johnny RuthDanielle, erford win all who is a marthree of his keting major Indy 500 titles at Ball State in 1974, 1976 University, and 1980. Indy said the big 500 legend drawing card Rick Mears to her was won his first the chance to of a recordwork on her tying four future. wins in 1979. “When I And Paul still heard about remembers this I asked witnessing what I got out the sheer exof it,” Danielle citement of said. “Then it the 1982 race, was explained where Mears to me that this was edged out wasn’t a beauat the finish ty pageant. Inline by Gordon stead it gave Johncock by you opportu.16 seconds. nities to work Whether the with all the occasion was key decision good or bad, makers in InPaul said it DANIELLE SYLVESTER dianapolis. was moments 2007 Indianapolis 500 Queen That’s when like these that it became a made him fall in love with the Month of dream and I told myself I was going to go after this and I May. “It’s the greatest event in the was going to get it because I world,” Paul said. “Every time thought this was an opportuyou get to go to that track, it’s nity that I wasn’t going to relike you’ve never left. It really ceive otherwise.” feels like home.” Then, in 1985, something NOTHING COMES EASY To become the 500 Festival came along in Pauls life that meant much more than the Queen a woman from Indiana event he had grown to love. must go through three sets On race day, May 25, 1985, interviews and an on-stage Paul witnessed the birth of public speaking appearance. his first child. Even though This year, the public speakPaul missed his first race in ing performance took place at 13 years, it was impossible for the Westin Hotel in the middle him to completely separate of April. The first set of interhimself from the biggest an- views is in January and the nual event in the state of Indi- Queen isn’t chosen until the ana. Paul decided to name his Saturday before Bump Day at first daughter Danielle in hon- the Speedway. Princess Program Coordior of the winner of the 1985 nator Colleen Bartel said the race, Danny Sullivan. “I was born late in the night,” judges that select the PrincessDanielle Sylvester said, recall- es and The Queen examine the ing a story she has heard hun- interviews closely when they dreds of times. “My parents make their decision. “Obviously Danielle is a very were still in the hospital the next day. My dad was listening pretty girl, but she’s also very to the race on the radio and good in interviews,” Bartel said. when Danny Sullivan won he “That’s the reason she was sesaid, ‘OK, that’s it. She’s offi- lected. The judges were very imcially going to be named Dan- pressed with her interviews.” About 250 women sent in ny.’ I think he did it to tease my mom a little bit, but that’s applications to the 500 Festival Committee this year. The the story.” Nearly 22 years after that first set of interviews narday, father and daughter rowed that number down to found themselves at the 2.5- 66 women, and one more set mile oval, hoping to experience of interviews was used to seanother amazing finish. Af- lect the 33 Princesses. It’s difficult for any candidate ter falling short two previous times, Danielle stood among to be crowned as the Queen, the 33 500 Festival Princesses and Danielle has found that at the Yard of Bricks, waiting out from her personal experito hear the name of the 2007 ence. This year was the third year Danielle has tried to be500 Festival Queen. come a 500 Festival Princess. The past two years she hadn’t THE BIRTH OF A DREAM By the middle of the 1990s, made it past the second interthe Indianapolis 500 had be- view. “I actually was not going to come more of a family-oriented event in the Sylvester go out this year,” she said. “I household. Paul has arrived at didn’t really have much interthe Indianapolis Motor Speed- est in it this year, only because way on race day only a hand- I became President of [Alpha ful of times since Danielle’s Omicron Pi] Sorority in Janubirth, but the Memorial Day ary, and I knew my interviews weekend event is still marked would be then. I just thought, ‘You know what? Sometimes on his calender every year. “From 1985 to now, I might you don’t get everything.’” Then Paul stepped in and have only attended three or four races,” he said. “We’ll sit talked his daughter into goaround the pool at either a ing after her dream for a third friend’s house or our house straight year. Paul said he wanted to stress to his daughand watch the race together.” Danielle said she always ter that the experiences she looks forward to those family had gone through were not get-togethers that are centered wasted as long as she had on both a Hoosier and family learned something through tradition. To her, the Indy 500 the process. Even though Danielle was has become much more than a disappointed to not bemere auto race. “The Indianapolis 500 is a come a Princess for two pretty big part of our lives,” consecutive years, Paul’s she said. “Living in Indianapo- support for his daughter lis your whole life like I have, never wavered. “I really was telling her it’s almost impossible for it not to be a big part of your life. to go for it again because, It’s not just the race, though, with me being competiit’s all the festivities. Living in tive in both business and Indianapolis, the [500 Festival] in sports, I know that you Parade is a huge thing to take don’t give up if you don’t your kids to. That along with at first achieve,” he said. things like the Rookie Run on “I asked her what kind of Kids Day is things that we al- experience she was getways did because they’re right ting from it and she told me she learned something here in our backyard.” INDY 500 Danielle Sylvester beat 33 princesses in Indy for the honor “It was explained to me that this wasn’t a beauty pageant. Instead it gave you opportunities to work with all the key decision makers in Indianapolis. That’s when it became a dream and I told myself I was going to go after this and I was going to get it because I thought this was an opportunity that I wasn’t going to receive otherwise.” PHOTO COURTESY OF INDIANAPOLISMOTORSPEEDWAY.COM/MEDIA BALL STATE UNIVERSITY SENIOR DANIELLE SYLVESTER poses in the official pace car with Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson. Sylvester was crowned 500 Festival Queen out of 33 Princesses Saturday. he said. “I was living through my daughter, what an honor. So, to me, [Saturday] meant a tremendous amount.” Danielle Frazier, also a Ball State University student, was announced as one of two members in the Queen’s court before Sylvester was handed the Queen’s crown. Even if it wasn’t his daughter’s name, hearing the name “Danielle” echo through the loud public address system heightened the anticipation Paul felt as he sat in the stands along with the rest of the Sylvester family. “When they called Danielle [Frazier’s] name I kind of sparked up and said, ‘Oh my gosh,’” he said. “But then it was Danielle [Frazier’s] name, so I kind of went back to saying, ‘You know, it’s not really important if you win. It’s just being a part of the core group [of Princesses].’” Moments later, track announcer Dave Calabro announced Danielle Sylvester as the 2007 500 Festival Queen. Upon hearing the announcement, Danielle said she was only worried about one thing. “I saw the video of the girl who won last year and I remember thinking, ‘Oh my gosh! She looks so cute and so graceful,’” Sylvester said. “When I heard my name, my mind was racing a million times a minute and I was saying over and over, ‘I don’t know what my faces looks like right now. I don’t know what my face looks likes right now.’ So, honestly, that was what was going through my mind because I was so excited. But I thought, ‘I want to look graceful and I have no idea what I look like.” As for Paul, the idea of being graceful was the furthest thing from his mind. “When they did announce her name, it caught me completely by surprise and for five seconds I was a raving father until I got composure and I said to myself, ‘OK, sit back down,’” he said. “But I was obviously very proud.” While being the 500 Festival Queen has been a dream of Danielle’s for as long as she can remember, she said it’s turned into something more than that. Danielle said she’s excited for the chance to be a positive role model for girls across the state and hopes to inspire them the same way she was as a 10-year-old girl. “I think my perseverance really proves to not give up,” she said. “One of the most important things to me with the fact that it took me three times was to tell a lot of other girls to not give up. 250 girls try out each year and only 33 make it. So it’s important to go out for it again next year. I’m really glad for that opportunity to go back and say, ‘Hey, I proved that if you keep going you can make it to where you want to go.’” As happy as Paul was in the pageantry of Saturday’s ceremony, he said he’s able to keep it all in perspective. The thing that makes him most proud is not that his daughter is the 500 Festival Queen, but the fact that she gave it another try after being disappointed two times before. “Danielle is a very sophisticated and dignified young woman, and her future did not ride on her being crowned as the Queen,” he said. “Now, with her winning it, is it a jump-start? Absolutely. But the future of Danielle Sylvester did not ride on her being crowned Queen or not.” As great as the honor is for Sylvester, she’s quick to point out there is still one more matter to attend to. “I’ve accomplished the first part of my dream. Now I need my dad to buy me a Viper,” she said with a laugh. PHOTO COURTESY OF INDIANAPOLISMOTORSPEEDWAY.COM/MEDIA Danielle Sylvester smiles as she greets Tom Carnegie, the Voice of the Indy 500, just after being crowned 500 festival Queen. Sylvester is a Ball State University Senior from Indianapolis that dreamed of being 500 festival Queen since she was a little girl. every time she went through this experience. My comment to her was just, ‘Well then keep on learning and growing. No matter the outcome, just know you did your very best.” Danielle took her father’s advice and made it past her first interview like she had the last three years. However, it was her second interview that put her over the top. As Paul remembers, the morning of Danielle’s second interview fell on a rainy Saturday morning. He and Danielle had been in an argument the night before, but Paul still offered to drive Danielle to the interview session. “It was only a 15 minute drive, but it was a very quiet ride for the first five minutes,” he said. “I said to myself, ‘This really isn’t doing either one of us any good.’ So I went back to the story of when she was born just to give her a perspective of what this race means to our family. All of a sudden, we were communicating like father and daughter and it was a beautiful thing. The last thing I said to her before I pulled up and let her off at the door was, ‘You know what? You’ll always be my princess.’” Once Danielle got inside, she said she was feeling nervous. However, she said that the talk with her dad had helped to calm her nerves and got her ready for the interview. Now, all she wanted was the chance to tell the judges the story of her birth and its ties to the Indy 500. “I walked into the room for my second five-minute interview of the day and there happened to be two Danielle’s trying out before me,” she said. “One of the ladies teasingly said, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s so many Danielle’s. Do you know why you were named that?’ And I thought, ‘Oh, this is it. This is my chance.’ What are the chances that I would get to share this story? I kept thinking to myself, ‘How in the heck am I going to bring up that story.’ And then she flatout asked me for my first question. That was when I thought this could be my year.” A couple hours before Day 3 of Indianapolis 500 qualifications Saturday, Danielle stood at the Yard of Bricks as one of 33 Princesses. In the stands was her father, where he had been for so many memorable moments at the track. “I got to stand at the Yard of Bricks for two hours Saturday before qualifications,” Select a Major, Minor or do Graduate work in CORONATION DAY Residential Property Management PAID internships! 100% pass rate on national exams! Job offers BEFORE graduation! Enroll for Fall 07 “Introduction to Residential Property Management” For more information: Dr. Carla Earhart 765-285-3707 cearhart@bsu.edu FCSMR 235 We don’t monkey around.