After-school art a big hit

Michael Bauer | reporter Federal funding for the arts may have been cut from the state of Kansas, but that hasn’t stopped Ruth and Danny Reveal, and other Pittsburg State students, from volunteering to put together an after-school arts program. Every Wednesday afternoon, since Feb. 6, students of George Nettels Elementary School have come to First Christian Church for two hours of music, art and drama in what has been a successful first year for the program. “It’s great, the kids are loving it,” said Ruth, executive director of the after school arts program. Other after-school programs exist in the area, but unlike them, this one is more arts-oriented. The plan for this program came…

Program continues to move forward

Michael Bauer | reporter The Pittsburg State Gorillas may have been unable to duplicate last year’s run to the MIAA Tournament championship, but they still managed to finish with an 18-10 record, fewer losses than the previous season, in the highly competitive MIAA. The Gorillas fell to the second seeded Central Missouri Mules, 69-63, in the quarterfinals to end their season. The Mules went on to win the championship. Head coach Kevin Muff says he was still pleased with the overall season, which included injuries to key players such as last year’s leading scorer, Javon McGee. “We had a good year,” Muff said. “If you look at the final record it was 18-10, which was…

All-Around Gorilla

Cody Holland’s double life Michael Bauer | reporter Every athlete believes that there are no limits to what he or she can handle, but only a few of them can actually do that, and still have a successful career. Cody Holland is one of those few. Holland, a senior from Neosho, Mo., competes on the football and track and field teams at Pittsburg State University. Holland has enjoyed success on both teams, qualifying as an individual for the national outdoor track and field meet in discus throwing in spring 2011. He then helped the football team win the Division II NCAA National Championship in 2011. Still, competing in two sports at the collegiate level doesn’t come easy. Holland says…

Season of change

Michael Bauer | sports reporter For Drew Roberts, it has been a season of change, on and off the court. She’s had to endure the death of her father, her transition to a point guard role in the wake of team injuries and now she is a new member of what the Pitt State coaches call “The Club.” “The Club” is the unofficial name for PSU players who score 1,000 career points. As the newest person to achieve that milestone, Roberts joins 15 players in the history of Gorilla women’s basketball. She is the first person to accomplish the feat since assistant coach and former PSU player Amanda Davied did 10 years ago. Roberts scored…

Hot-streak continues

Michael Bauer | reporter The Pittsburg State Gorillas took a step closer to clinching a first-round bye in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) tournament with a 63-60 win over the Emporia State Hornets. Against fourth-place Emporia, the Gorillas ended the Hornets’ nine-game winning streak, while extending their own streak to four. The game went back and forth throughout. There were six lead changes alone in the first half. “We really grew up,” said head coach Lane Lord in an interview with KKOW 860 AM. “This is a team with a lot on its back. We control our own destiny to win these games and get into the tournament.” The Gorillas found themselves with a…

PSU alum wins Kansan of the Year honors

Michael Bauer | reporter PSU graduate Norman Conard might be officially retired, but he begs to differ. He may no longer teach history academically, but his new classroom is the entire world. It doesn’t stop with him teaching history, either. He has made history himself. Last month, the Topeka Capital-Journal named Conard the 2012 Kansan of the Year. Conard has spent the last six years working as a director of the Lowell Milken Center in Fort Scott. The center works with students and teachers all around the globe through its website on projects and activity-based learning. In an interview with the Capital-Journal, he said he didn’t know about being Kansan of the Year until later…

Axe exhibits Kan. immigrant heritage

Michael Bauer | reporter Pittsburg is one of many towns in Kansas with a unique immigration history. It has a strong Balkan and Italian heritage. Even though Pittsburg State University students come from all over the globe, they will have an opportunity to learn more about the legacy of their university’s hometown. From Feb. 12 to May 12, Axe Library will host a traveling exhibit, known as “Americans by Choice: The Story of Immigration and Immigration and Citizenship in Kansas.” The exhibit will show the history of Kansas settlers from across the globe and their stories of becoming American citizens through photos and interactive books from the previous century and a-half. “The traveling exhibit is…

Soccer fans express anger over betting scandal

Michael Bauer | Collegio writer st popular sport in the world, but now it is tarnished by one of the biggest sports scandals in history. On Monday, Feb. 4, a European investigative firm known as Europol reported that an Asia-based crime syndicate had fixed a total of 380 soccer matches. These games included club matches and qualifiers for the world’s biggest competition, the World Cup. About $21.7 million had been bet on matches by criminals, yielding a $10.8 million profit, with bribes being shelled out to the referees to throw games. For those who do not follow soccer, this crisis is comparable to other sporting controversies seen in the United States such as the Black…

Bittersweet weekend

Tyler Smith | reporter Track team shines in Lincoln, drops the ball in Joplin The Pitt State track and field team sent some of its athletes to compete at the Frank Sevigne Husker Invitational in Lincoln, Neb., for a Division I meet on Saturday while the rest of the team found itself in Joplin, Mo., for the Lion Invitational held at the Leggett and Platt Athletic Center. In Lincoln, senior Emily Ballock placed a provisional qualifying mark of 2 minutes, 14.11 seconds in the women’s 800 meters while senior Adam Volkert ran for a sixth place spot in the men’s 5,000-meter race with a time of 14 minutes and 51.62 seconds. For the men’s 800-meter…

Students hit the gym

Michael Bauer | sports reporter The fitness business that is in some ways Pittsburg State’s unofficial athletic training center is attracting more student athletes. Originally located on Ninth Street, the Mac Fitness Center moved to 11th and Walnut Street last year. That is where the complex and 24-hour gym now stands. Mica Dalton, manager, says the center relocated to expand, benefiting athletes and other members. “The main goal of our Mac Fitness Center is to work with athletes and teach them how to use their basic fundamentals and agilities,” Dalton said. “So, we were able to get this indoor facility.” Of the 193 members, roughly 130 of them are students. That is just individuals; students…