Local band RLYL brings life, unique sound to IMU Gallery

On Feb. 1, the smell of Starbucks coffee flowed through the air while the sound of Bloomington indie band Red Leather Yellow Leather awakened the empty ghost town known as the Indiana Memorial Union. The performance was part of a concert series called NOISE, which is held every Thursday in the IMU Gallery.\n"It's a different audience here," said the band's singer and guitarist, Josh Kreuzman. At (Uncle) Fester's we get a lot of people we know." \nThe newly-formed band is not in it for the money, just the music. The band's style sounds like folk music set to a band of indie punk rockers. Having been told they sound like '80s music, Belle and Sebastian and many others, the band jokingly claims to have a slapdash way of writing music that doesn't give them enough time to think about other artists' styles. Their sound is not as derived from other styles as most and is barely explicable through simple comparisons with other bands, members say.\n"We don't talk about music we want to emulate," Kreuzman said.\nThis might be their key to having a unique style and sound. While many bands emulate musical idols, RLYL makes music without the suggestion of "Oh, let's try to make this song sound more like (fill in the blank with a favorite artist)."\nThe show began with the song "Skeleton," which attracted a few more passers-by to the approximately 20 people in attendance. The band -- consisting of guitar, vocals, bass, keyboard and drums -- has a distinct sound, especially the relationship between the keyboard and drums. \n"I don't play keyboard as my first instrument," said keyboardist Alex Kornya. "This band gives me the chance to try new things." Most of his inspiration, he says, comes from dragons. With the inspiration and skill of a dragon, Kornya's use of the keyboard is rhythmic and pulsating, interlacing with the drums as part of the rhythm section. The driving bass line also gives the music an energetic rhythm.\nThe song "Mask" has Kornya on lead vocals. The tempo changes in "Mask" from intense, both lyrically and musically, to calm. Going along with theme of changing musical styles and vocalists, an "honorary member" of the band, Lambert Marks, sang the next song. This song started off with clapping, then suddenly turned into a faster punk-type song, with Marks screaming the words to the chorus "Shut up and dance," which was also the name of the song. \nThe instrumental song "Linear A" has a fast, pulsating drum beat that displays the experimental style of drumming. \n"I'm not a very good drummer. I like things that are very simple," said drummer Hannah Walsh. Though she speaks modestly her drumming has an in-your-face style that is far from contrived. \n"Dreams" is also upbeat, with a shift in energy between the verse and chorus. The song "Light" shows off a driving bass line and quick drums. The keyboard is essential to the instrumental sound of, "King Tut Rides Away." Kornya claims he incidentally stumbled upon a way to create microtones on his old keyboard, which gave the song an Eastern influence.\nThe audience size had doubled by the end of the show. The vibe of the concert was unlike being at a bar. It was free, laid-back and inviting for all ages. RLYL will be performing again at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at Rhino's.\n"We're a band for the ages. We're timeless," Walsh said.

SENIOR Salute

For many members of IU's class of 2006, the past four years have been the party of a lifetime. Coming to Bloomington with your parents and a car full of "dorm room essentials" might seem like only yesterday. Soon you'll be getting ready to walk into Assembly Hall to receive your diploma.\nMost seniors will attest to the fact that their time at IU went by way too quickly, and now they're ready to move on to the next chapters of their lives. They're ready to get jobs, go to graduate school or -- for some -- move back home into their parents' basement, Xbox and Doritos in hand.\nWhatever their post-IU plans, it's safe to say that for now, all seniors have the same thing on their minds: they're going out with a bang.\nRest assured seniors, there's a myriad of specially-tailored activities, just for you, awaiting throughout the week all over Bloomington.\nSenior send-offs are the specialty of the IU Student Alumni Association, and a line-up of events and activities is in store for all upcoming IU grads.\nAccording to the IUSAA's Web site, www.indiana.edu/~saa, its goals are: "To help direct and assist with the goals of the IU Alumni Association by introducing students to the Alumni Association before they graduate, to develop effective and responsible leadership through contact and experience in university projects and programs, thereby enhancing the education of the students and preparing them to serve as future alumni leaders, and to work for and further the goals of Indiana University whenever possible."\nOne of the many activities lined up on the agenda is the "Senior Salute," scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday in a tent behind the DeVault Alumni Center, 1000 E. 17th St., across from Assembly Hall.\nThe music of acoustic duo Dave and Rae (who play everything from "folk to funk") and free food and drink from Chipotle and Marco's Pizza will be offered, as well as door prizes such as a lifetime IUSAA membership, an official IU ring, a diploma frame and an iPod nano. The first 1,000 seniors in attendance will receive a free IU license plate frame. Seniors must present their student ID cards in order to receive prizes.\nThe Salute will kick off at 3:30 p.m. with the senior tree dedication ceremony. Speakers include Richard McKaig, Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs and Kirk Walda, IUSAA president.\n"Senior Salute is more than just a good time," Walda says. "It is also a great chance for seniors to become more familiar with one of the best ways to stay connected to IU past graduation -- the Alumni Association. We'll send off seniors in style with giveaways from IUAA and all of the schools at IU, free food and music by Dave and Rae."\nSAA Vice President of University Relations, Jason Russ, is leading the student work behind the event.\n"Senior Salute is a very important tradition at IU because the Alumni Association gets a chance to welcome the seniors to their home away from home on the IU campus," Russ says. "It is also a way for seniors to have a good time together while learning about all the great opportunities that the Alumni Association has to offer to stay connected to campus after they graduate."\nThe annual senior tree dedication ceremony is another event to check out aimed specifically at IU seniors. This honored tradition commemorates each senior class with planting a new tree around campus -- an IU ritual that has been part of the school's history since 1873. The ceremony kicks off the "Senior Salute," so you can get the best of two events with one trip.\nThere are also lots of noteworthy events in Bloomington to check out during these last couple weeks of the s school year. Josh Holmes, who was recently voted "Favorite Solo Acoustic Artist" in the Chicago and Northwest Indiana area, will perform with his full band at Kilroy's Bar & Grill at 10 p.m. on Friday. Holmes is an Indiana native who has opened for artists such as The Crickets (the band '50s rock 'n' roll icon Buddy Holly formed) and Michael Glibicki of Rusted Root. \nThe IU Asian Culture Center will be hosting "Asian Fest" 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday and the admission is free. The festival is in conjunction with the Bloomington Farmer's Market, and will include an Asian cooking demonstration, musical performances by local and Indianapolis-based Asian artists and arts and crafts activities. You can find the Eastern-themed fun at Showers City Hall Atrium at Eighth and Morton Streets. \nIt's clear that while your time as a college student may be drawing to a close, there are still many opportunities that will allow you to take full advantage of your time left as an IU student. Both official University events, as well as goings-on around the Kirkwood area will let you end your college experience on a note that only Bloomington can provide. \nIf you have any questions or need any guidance to making your final few days of IU the most memorable as possible, get a hold of IUSAA at 855-7221. \nAnd don't forget about the Commencement Ceremony on May 6 at 10 a.m and 3 p.m. That's kind of an important event, too.

SENIOR Salute

For many members of IU's class of 2006, the past four years have been the party of a lifetime. Coming to Bloomington with your parents and a car full of "dorm room essentials" might seem like only yesterday. Soon you'll be getting ready to walk into Assembly Hall to receive your diploma.\nMost seniors will attest to the fact that their time at IU went by way too quickly, and now they're ready to move on to the next chapters of their lives. They're ready to get jobs, go to graduate school or -- for some -- move back home into their parents' basement, Xbox and Doritos in hand.\nWhatever their post-IU plans, it's safe to say that for now, all seniors have the same thing on their minds: they're going out with a bang.\nRest assured seniors, there's a myriad of specially-tailored activities, just for you, awaiting throughout the week all over Bloomington.\nSenior send-offs are the specialty of the IU Student Alumni Association, and a line-up of events and activities is in store for all upcoming IU grads.\nAccording to the IUSAA's Web site, www.indiana.edu/~saa, its goals are: "To help direct and assist with the goals of the IU Alumni Association by introducing students to the Alumni Association before they graduate, to develop effective and responsible leadership through contact and experience in university projects and programs, thereby enhancing the education of the students and preparing them to serve as future alumni leaders, and to work for and further the goals of Indiana University whenever possible."\nOne of the many activities lined up on the agenda is the "Senior Salute," scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday in a tent behind the DeVault Alumni Center, 1000 E. 17th St., across from Assembly Hall.\nThe music of acoustic duo Dave and Rae (who play everything from "folk to funk") and free food and drink from Chipotle and Marco's Pizza will be offered, as well as door prizes such as a lifetime IUSAA membership, an official IU ring, a diploma frame and an iPod nano. The first 1,000 seniors in attendance will receive a free IU license plate frame. Seniors must present their student ID cards in order to receive prizes.\nThe Salute will kick off at 3:30 p.m. with the senior tree dedication ceremony. Speakers include Richard McKaig, Dean of Students and Vice President for Student Affairs and Kirk Walda, IUSAA president.\n"Senior Salute is more than just a good time," Walda says. "It is also a great chance for seniors to become more familiar with one of the best ways to stay connected to IU past graduation -- the Alumni Association. We'll send off seniors in style with giveaways from IUAA and all of the schools at IU, free food and music by Dave and Rae."\nSAA Vice President of University Relations, Jason Russ, is leading the student work behind the event.\n"Senior Salute is a very important tradition at IU because the Alumni Association gets a chance to welcome the seniors to their home away from home on the IU campus," Russ says. "It is also a way for seniors to have a good time together while learning about all the great opportunities that the Alumni Association has to offer to stay connected to campus after they graduate."\nThe annual senior tree dedication ceremony is another event to check out aimed specifically at IU seniors. This honored tradition commemorates each senior class with planting a new tree around campus -- an IU ritual that has been part of the school's history since 1873. The ceremony kicks off the "Senior Salute," so you can get the best of two events with one trip.\nThere are also lots of noteworthy events in Bloomington to check out during these last couple weeks of the s school year. Josh Holmes, who was recently voted "Favorite Solo Acoustic Artist" in the Chicago and Northwest Indiana area, will perform with his full band at Kilroy's Bar & Grill at 10 p.m. on Friday. Holmes is an Indiana native who has opened for artists such as The Crickets (the band '50s rock 'n' roll icon Buddy Holly formed) and Michael Glibicki of Rusted Root. \nThe IU Asian Culture Center will be hosting "Asian Fest" 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday and the admission is free. The festival is in conjunction with the Bloomington Farmer's Market, and will include an Asian cooking demonstration, musical performances by local and Indianapolis-based Asian artists and arts and crafts activities. You can find the Eastern-themed fun at Showers City Hall Atrium at Eighth and Morton Streets. \nIt's clear that while your time as a college student may be drawing to a close, there are still many opportunities that will allow you to take full advantage of your time left as an IU student. Both official University events, as well as goings-on around the Kirkwood area will let you end your college experience on a note that only Bloomington can provide. \nIf you have any questions or need any guidance to making your final few days of IU the most memorable as possible, get a hold of IUSAA at 855-7221. \nAnd don't forget about the Commencement Ceremony on May 6 at 10 a.m and 3 p.m. That's kind of an important event, too.

Hoosiers win 3 of 7 during spring break trip

After playing seven games in seven days in Bradenton, Fla., the IU baseball team completed an eventful spring break road trip with a 5-1 loss to the University of Illinois-Chicago on Saturday. The Hoosiers went 3-4 on the trip and now have an overall record of 4-10.\nIU kicked off the road trip March 12 with a wild contest against Eastern Illinois University. After three innings of play, the score was tied 10-10. The Hoosiers eventually dropped the contest 12-11 when EIU first baseman Erik Huber hit a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth inning. IU tallied 14 hits in the loss, including back-to-back home runs by senior Reggie Watson and junior Keith Haas. \nWhile the first game of the trip was a high-scoring affair, the second game proved to be much more of a pitcher's duel. Battling the University of Northern Iowa, senior starting pitcher Josh Lewis picked up his first complete game victory after limiting the Panthers to one run on nine hits. The IU offense generated three runs in support of the right-hander, who struck out seven while not allowing a walk.\n"That first game was a really tough loss for us, and I knew I needed to step up with a strong performance," Lewis said. "Every time I go out there I want to throw all nine, that's definitely my goal."\nThe Hoosiers followed up the victory over UNI with a loss to another Missouri Valley Conference opponent. Despite a strong start from sophomore Chris McCombs, IU lost 6-5 to Bradley University in 10 innings. McCombs, who made his second start of the season, allowed two runs on four hits in six innings and left the game with a 4-2 lead. However, that lead was quickly reversed in the seventh inning when Bradley shortstop Dan Brewer hit a three-run home run off sophomore reliever David Trager. IU battled back in the eighth to tie the game at 5-5. After a scoreless ninth and a scoreless top half of the 10th for the Hoosiers, Bradley won the game when Colby Luttrell hit a fly ball with the bases loaded over the heads of a drawn-in outfield. \nIU bounced back from the extra inning defeat in resounding fashion the next day against Fairfield University. The Hoosiers scored 15 runs on 15 hits to beat the Stags 15-2. The offense was led by the hot bats of senior Zach Boswell and junior Steve Head. Boswell went 2-3 with his second home run of the season and drove in four runs, while Head went 4-5 with two triples. Senior Clint Crosier made his first career start for IU and allowed just one earned run in six innings while striking out nine.\n"That was really exciting for me," said Crosier, who said he didn't know he was starting until the night before the game. "It was my first start and my first win, and it was one of the happiest days I've had with the IU baseball team."\nThe fifth game of the trip saw the Hoosiers drop another one-run game, this time at the hands of Eastern Kentucky University. The Hoosiers couldn't hold on to a 4-1 lead, as the Colonels rallied in the sixth inning to tie the game at 4-4, but the Hoosiers regained the lead in the eighth when junior Ben Greenspan doubled home two runs. That lead quickly evaporated in the bottom half of the inning when EKU pinch hitter Joe Oliver hit a two-out, three-run home run to give the Colonels a 7-6 lead, which turned out to be the final score.\nOnce again, the Hoosiers rallied from a loss to win the next day, this time against the University of Vermont. IU's hot bats continued in the victory, as it defeated the Catamounts 10-6. IU also swiped seven bases, which continued another recurring theme in the Hoosiers' road trip. The seven steals against Vermont pushed the Hoosiers' steals total to 19 over their last three games, and without a single runner thrown out.\nTrager picked up the win for IU against the Catamounts after throwing 7 1/3 innings of relief. Freshman Joe Vicini picked up his first save for the Hoosiers. \nThe Hoosiers concluded the road trip with the 5-1 loss to Illinois-Chicago on Saturday, which put their record at 4-10 overall. \n"Our ultimate goal was to win all seven games, and it was a little disappointing because the four games we lost, we were in the ball game and gave up leads," assistant coach Ty Neal said. "But overall, the trip was a great opportunity for us to get to know ourselves and what kind of team we are"

the sounds of lotusfest

A sample of the Events coming to Lotus Fest.

the sounds of lotusfest

A sample of the Events coming to Lotus Fest.

Anime Club thrives on devotion to art form

With the ferocious fighting demons of shows like "InuYasha" and the futuristic gunfights of the sci-fi "Cowboy Bebop," the IU Anime Club appeals to the fiercely loyal fan following of the Eastern-style animation.\n"The club has been around for ages, since about '92 or '93 if I remember correctly," said President Josh Bonner. "But it didn't become an official University club until this year." \nMeetings are held in informal settings and usually involve group viewings of movies or TV programs, including the widely popular "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" series. The showings typically last for a full six hours from 6 p.m. to midnight Sunday evenings. \n"Basically, the club is a group of people who enjoy watching subtitled Japanese animation, and we have weekly meetings mainly to watch shows that we're interested in and talk with each other," Bonner said. \nThe schedules are loose and flexible, made at the beginning of the semester, and allow plenty of time for marathons of the subtitled Japanese cartoons. The relaxed atmosphere of anime and social interaction provides students with a means of spending time with like-minded people. \n"Every show we watch comes from a member's personal collection, so we don't need to collect dues or maintain any kind of budget, which makes things a lot simpler for us," said Bonner. \nGroup members' libraries contain DVDs and VHS tapes, some that are not commercially available in the United States. Picnics and trips to movie theaters round out the club's typical school-year itinerary.\nSuccess stories like these -- drawing a number of people with similar interests and actually becoming a University--recognized student organization -- may prompt many to follow the lead of Bonner and his peers. Though money was not a concern for the Anime Club, it is usually the biggest obstacle that prevents new clubs from coming to fruition. \nIU Student Association Director of Student Aid Jay Miller said groups usually request funds for their events on a yearly basis. \n"Most student organizations operate on a yearly budget based on their annual or semester dues," Miller said. "We do have limited funds to help groups with administrative costs for the year; however, a very limited number of groups apply for this money."\nEven after nearly 13 years, the casually run, laid-back organization has proven longevity is not to be an issue. Still going strong into 2005, the Anime Club's most recent event was a showing of "Valentine's Day Massacre," in which members of the club watched an entire horror series in one evening meeting. \nMeetings are at 6 p.m. every Saturday night in Lindley Hall 102.\n-- Contact Staff Writer Bryan Lufkin at blufkin@indiana.edu.

Around The Campus

Scholar to give Islam, democracy \nin Iraq lecture tonight

Jordan River Forum

The Feb. 24 editorial "Deflating diversity," misconstrues the point of all the efforts the University in general and the Division of Academic Support and Diversity in particular have been making to enrich the culture and demographic makeup of this campus.

Wrestlers balance matches, finals week

Finals are right around the corner for IU. Pulling all-nighters and fretting about grades are two of the main concerns for students. Hoosier wrestlers do not have this luxury. Not only must they worry about finals, but keeping their focus on upcoming matches is paramount for team success.\n"They are putting in a lot of work academically now, but there is enough time in the day for them to both study and wrestle," IU coach Duane Goldman said. "To be honest, practice for them is a good release when they are putting in a lot of study time."\nThe wrestlers this year face a daunting task. They first travel to Missouri Saturday for a dual meet with the Tigers, then quickly return to Bloomington for a Sunday four-team match with Eastern Illinois, Wabash and Gardner Webb. These two matches, combined with the prospect of finals, makes it a tough balancing act for the wrestlers.\n"A lot of it is time management," said sophomore Brady Richardson. "You have to look ahead and know what you have to study so time does not run out."\nOther teammates had similar views on how to stay focused during the hectic couple of weeks.\n"I think we have it about as hard as anyone," said sophomore Joe Dubuque. "We got to plan, study, make weight, cut weight, work out three or four times a day … It's crazy."\nThe life of a student-athlete often gets skewed. The public only sees the players at the matches battling competitors. Overlooked and unseen is the vast amount of time studying, working out and adjusting to the strenuous schedule.\n"The coaches do a lot with us going to the academic center attending study tables," said sophomore Josh Buuck. "We have to get our hours in so we don't slack. You get a little wore down, but they get us through it."\nThis help comes in handy, especially with two matches and finals awaiting them in less than two weeks. Any help is a positive for a wrestler who has to juggle a full day of activities. A normal Monday the week before finals could consist of two or three early morning classes, a weight lifting session, practice, a few hours of rest to eat dinner, back to work out, study and sleep. This is not a routine day.\n"It is real time consuming," Dubuque said. "My social life ends in the beginning of November and doesn't pick up until the end of March."\nThe University provides academic assistance to the time-crunched wrestlers. A computer lab and tutors are a few of the tools IU offers to help them, especially during the time right before finals.\n"You have got to take care of what you got to do early on so you are ready for finals week," said Richardson. "If you are crammed here at the end of the year with finals coming up, it is going to be a tough situation." \nHowever, coach Goldman said he is not worried about the team losing its focus.\n"We need to focus on the athletic side of it," Goldman said. "But the guys will also focus on their academics to tie everything together"

IU has strong showing in Iowa

The IU wrestling team continued its hot streak at the Northern Iowa Open Saturday, posting four individual championships and eight team members in the top six in their respective weight classes.\nWith over 300 wrestlers and several highly ranked schools from around the nation competing in the meet, the impressive performances have the Hoosiers heading in the right direction.\nJunior Pat DeGain got his first individual title of the year in the 197-pound weight class. DeGain marched through four opponents en route to the title, beating Minnesota State's Josh Jandusek 7-4 in the championship. DeGain's win moves his winning streak to six and his overall record to 7-2 on the year. \nAlso winning and picking up his first career individual title was sophomore Joe Dubuque. Wrestling in the 125-pound division, Dubuque beat five straight grapplers to earn the championship by a 11-6 decision. Senior Coyte Cooper won his second title of the season in the 141-pound weight class by dropping Minnesota State's Jason Rhoten 9-4 in the final match. Cooper's five victories on the day pushed his perfect record to 11-0 on the season. \nFinishing out IU's four titles was junior Andy Rios in the 184-pound weight class. Rios battled through four competitors on his way to the championship. Rios, coming off a second place finish at the Missouri Open two weekends ago, improved his overall record to 9-1 on the year.\nThese four wrestlers were not the only ones with solid showings. Sophomore Brady Richardson finished second in the 174-pound weight class to top-seeded Eric Hauan of Northern Iowa. His 3-1 record on the day moved him to 8-3 on the year. Freshman Matt McIntire took home fourth place in the 149-pound division after going 6-2 on the day. Another freshman, Brian Dyer, came up with a fifth place finish in the 133-pound weight class. Dyer, seeing his first action all year, won five matches in the meet before bowing out to Pat Garcia of Northern Iowa. Junior J.P. Stanley notched a sixth place effort in the 157-pound division, going 6-3 on the day, while sophomore heavyweight Joel Powers received fifth place.\nThe Hoosiers look to build upon the Northern Iowa Open results in a busy upcoming weekend for IU coach Duane Goldman's team. The team travels to Columbia, Mo., Saturday for a dual meet with Missouri with matches starting at 2 p.m. IU quickly returns to home the next day to battle Wabash, Gardner Webb and Eastern Illinois. Wrestling will start at noon for this four-team meet.

Student activist set to visit Israel

"I will be bouncing off ideas and bringing others back here and seeing what I can do with them," Lande said. "It's a good way for me to network with other people on other campuses."\nLande, a senior majoring in Jewish studies, history and Hebrew, is involved with many campus organizations, but particularly likes to reach people on a more personal level.\n"One thing that makes Dan unique is that he does things himself," said Josh Margo, a campus field worker with the North American Jewish Student Alliance in Montreal. "He's a one-man show doing things on campus."\nLande has helped bring speakers to campus, including Maurice Singer, director of the Jewish Agency Office in Chicago, who spoke Tuesday at the Simon G. Hillel Center.\nLande currently works at Falafel's, 430 E. Kirkwood Ave., an Israeli restaurant. \n"I work there because it's a great way for me to embrace the Israeli culture and to practice my Hebrew," he said.\nHe and his roommate Danny Farahan also recently formed a Web site selling Israeli-related clothing items such as T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts. The two are active in Hoosiers for Israel, as well.\n"We just want someone to stop and realize the people of Israel are real," Farahan said. "It's not just a scoreboard of people killed. It's not just a game."\nLande said he saw the horror of life in Israel during his first three trips to the Middle Eastern nation. \nHe said he once witnessed a riot in Jerusalem.\n"When thinking about sitting in a restaurant, you think about whether you would survive if someone blew themselves up," he said. "I understand what it means to live in terror."\nLande made his first trip to Israel in 1998 and stayed for six weeks. \n"Being a Jew, I thought it was a really big part of my life," Lande said. "I thought it was important to go to Israel to find out what this mystical land was about."\nIn 2000, he returned to Israel and spent a year studying at Hebrew University in Jerusalem working on a communal farm and volunteering in the army. He spent the summer of 2002 there as well, experiencing the culture on his own schedule.\n"I went back because I wanted to feel what I felt again," Lande said. "I wanted to see if it was real, to make sure it wasn't just a dream."\nBut on his trip today, Lande has a specific purpose in mind. He will listen to leaders from around the world, including former president, Bill Clinton, and Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., who are expected to attend. Lande will speak about advocacy on university campuses and perform some of his songs.\n"Open up. Take my hand. You can see I'm just a man, and I want peace in the land," Lande sings in his song. "CNN Lies. Don't get me wrong, I love America but I think we need to beware because we are naive."\nLande said he noticed a slant in American media coverage of events he had actually witnessed in Israel. Many of his songs carry this theme, which he has conveyed to audiences at local clubs and Israelpalooza, a solidarity concert sponsored by the Hillel Foundation last spring. "I don't feel people will have an interest in things if they don't have a connection to it," Lande said.\nHe uses music as a way of connecting people to the cause.\n"Almost all of his songs are about politics and his love for Israel," said sophomore Jordan Huffer, who sings with Lande. "He's one of those people to be admired because he always stands up for Israel."\nFarahan also said he believes Lande is admirable and is pleased that Lande will represent Indiana at general assembly.\n"It's important to send someone who knows what they're doing," Farahan said. "It's a priority in his life to go to Israel. He's missing a lot of school to go and a lot of people wouldn't do that."\nLande said his professors are being supportive by allowing him do to work ahead of time and e-mail papers to them. The national chapters of Hillel and the Jewish Federation are sponsoring his trip to Jerusalem.\nLande is excited to revisit Israel and get some new ideas for activism at IU. Though he doesn't have any specific plans for returning to Israel in the future, but he does know one thing for sure: \n"I have a place I feel connected with," Lande said. "That's Israel"

Guitarist visits Waldron center

Close your eyes. The steep mountain path below your feet climbs toward the sky. Suddenly, you are walking under the hot sun in a small forgotten village. Then, you are staring up into the starry sky on a warm summer night. Every strum and pluck of Paul Vondiziano's guitar evokes a different fresco, a different village, a different verdant landscape.\nVondiziano, born in Lamaca, Cyprus, began studying the guitar at the age of eight. \n"Guitar was the concurring of different factors for me," he said. \nPlucked stringed instruments are a big part of the culture in Cyprus, Vondiziano said. He was surrounded by music as a boy and developed a passion early on. He came to the United States to study guitar and philosophy at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pa. \nToday, he is an internationally recognized soloist who has performed in Germany, Cyprus, Scotland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway and all over the United States. He has also performed with the Cyprus National Chamber Orchestra, The Boise Philharmonic, Opera Grand Rapids and many Greek music ensembles. He has also been featured in many television and radio programs throughout the world. \nAt 8 p.m. tonight, Paul Vondiziano brings his unique guitar stylings to the John Waldron Arts Center at 122 S. Walnut St. He is one of three guitarists featured in a series sponsored by the Bloomington Classical Guitar Society and the Bloomington Area Arts Council. Throughout the year, their performances will highlight three different styles of guitar playing.\n"We are bringing Paul because we think he really complements the other performers," Kaira Hogle of the JWAC said. Vondiziano will focus on namely European styles of playing with a heavy emphasis on the Mediterranean.\nThe program will feature a "Partita" or one variation contained in a piece by Johann Sebastian Bach, "Three Pieces" by Isaac Albeniz and "Koyunbaba" by Carlo Domeniconi, along with a few shorter works. The pieces span more than 200 years of guitar music. Most interesting on the program is Koyunbaba which uses non-standard tuning to re-create the sound of Middle Eastern lute playing. The work is deeply steeped in the folk music of Vondiziano's homeland. \n"Classical music allows me to explore so many different things," Vondiziano said. "I approach music as an intellectual person, with a lot of emotion."\nOn top of performing, Vondiziano said he loves philosophy and poetry. To express this love, he is also presenting a free lecture on philosophical approaches to music at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Monroe County Historical Museum.\nTickets for tonight's performance are $12 for general admission or $10 for seniors and students. They are available at the JWAC. Tickets are also available for the other two concerts in the series. For more information about the concert, visit the Bloomington Area Arts Council at www.artlives.org or call 334-3100. For more information about Paul Vondiziano visit www.paulvondiziano.com. \n-- Contact staff writer Josh Millrod at jmillrod@indiana.edu.

Female to make history as first Division 1 coach

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Forget women's rights and gender equity. When Teresa Phillips decided to substitute for a suspended coach, the athletic director saw herself as Tennessee State's only option.\nShe will make history Thursday night as the first woman to coach a men's Division I basketball team. Phillips said she couldn't give the job to the only remaining assistant in just his second season as a coach.\n"No matter what the criticism may be, I felt they needed an authority figure on the bench," Phillips said Wednesday. "With all the circumstances that have happened, it's not like it's been a normal year."\nFar from it.\nPhillips will be the third coach this season for the Tigers (2-20). Nolan Richardson III quit Jan. 8 after admitting he brought a gun to a Christmas night argument with assistant coach Hosea Lewis.\nThe Tigers are mired in a 16-game losing skid. Lewis, the interim head coach, was suspended by the Ohio Valley Conference on Wednesday because of a benches-clearing fight Monday night against Eastern Kentucky. Chris Graves, who was the third assistant last season, was the only coach left.\nThat prompted Phillips' decision, which has been the talk of radio and television around the country.\nPlenty of men coach women's college basketball teams. Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma has won three NCAA titles and two out of the last three.\nBut only two women have ever served as coaches for a men's Division I team, and both were assistants: Bernadette Locke at Kentucky and Stephanie Ready at Coppin State.\n"I don't feel like I'm holding the banner up for anything," Phillips said. "I'm trying to be supportive of our program and our team. We have a lot of healing to be done."\nPhillips has the experience. Her career record is 212-189 as a coach at Fisk and Tennessee State, where she took the Tigers to two NCAA tournament berths. She also was an assistant at Vanderbilt.\nShe thought about just assisting Graves, but said she should take any flak from playing Austin Peay (15-6, 8-2), the OVC's second-best team and winners of seven straight games.\nThe Tigers will be without two players, suspended for their part in Monday's brawl. Josh Cooperwood is their second-leading scorer, and Cedric Bryson is their center.\n"I'm a realist, so I really just want to put these young men in a position to have a good outing, represent themselves really well and going out to play to win," she said.\nAustin Peay coach Dave Loos said his Governors are more concerned with winning a conference title than their opponent's coach.\nLoos said he respects Phillips as a coach and administrator. He said he thinks she will do well, but he declined to comment about her decision to step in as acting coach.

Cooper moving up career pin list

Before the Big Ten season even starts, junior Coyte Cooper finds himself with an undefeated dual meet record (12-0), an overall record of 21-1, the No. 5 ranking in the nation at 141-pounds, Big Ten wrestler of the week honors (Dec. 23-30) and nine pins in 2002-03. \nCooper has been a mainstay for the Hoosiers all season, going undefeated since losing the 141-pound championship bout at the Missouri Open. That was on Nov. 24, nearly two months ago. \nSince then, Cooper has been as close to a sure thing as it gets. On a team that has only one senior, it has been necessary for younger wrestlers, like Cooper, to take a leadership role. Junior and team captain Ty Matthews said there has been no shortage of that.\n"I don't feel a whole lot of pressure when it comes to being a leader because we have such a great group of underclassmen," Matthews said.\nCooper's winning ways have made him a leader, but so has his team-first attitude. Coach Duane Goldman said leadership has made him an integral part of the team.\nAt the beginning of the season, when he held a preseason No. 9 ranking, Cooper said he didn't put much stock into preseason rankings.\n"Not a lot," Cooper said, "although it is kind of nice to be ranked and recognized."\nCooper's attitude towards personal honors was reinforced after Saturday's dual meets against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, Missouri Valley and Eastern Michigan. After pinning SIUE sophomore Alec Lininger and EMU junior Josh Wiles, Cooper totaled nine pins on the season and nineteen for his career.\nCooper's nineteenth pin was good enough to tie Brian Dolph (1987-1990) and Chuck Wertschnig (1967-1969) for tenth all-time on IU's career pins list. After the meet, Cooper said the record came as a surprise to him.\n"No," he said, "I didn't know that. It's nice because getting a lot of pins means you are wrestling well. But I try not to worry about my own accomplishments."\nWith the Big Ten season opening Friday against Penn State, the Hoosiers will need Cooper to continue his winning habits and leadership by example. Cooper offers a solidifying presence at 141 pounds, and Goldman said he has the respect of the team.\n"We only have a few upperclassmen," Goldman said. "But they're good leaders, and Coyte's one of them"

Injury forfeit doesn't slow perfect 4-0 weekend for IU

With freshman Joe Dubuque out with a knee injury, IU was forced to forfeit each of its four 125-pound bouts this weekend. But even that was not enough to stop IU from going 4-0 on a weekend that included back-to-back weigh-ins to help the Hoosiers prepare for the upcoming Big Ten season. \nFirst up for the Hoosiers was a Friday night dual meet at Eastern Illinois. Senior Greg Schaefer (133-pounds), junior Coyte Cooper (141-pounds), freshman Matt Cooper (149-pounds), and junior Ty Matthews (187-pounds) all defeated their Eastern Illinois counterparts. IU was defeated in the 157 and 165-pound weight classes and was forced to forfeit the 125-pound bout to EIU. But EIU forfeits to IU sophomore Pat DeGain (197-pounds) and freshman Joel Powers (heavyweight) sealed a 35-13 victory for the Hoosiers.\nAfter the Friday night meet, the Hoosiers returned to Bloomington for a four team dual meet on Saturday at the University Gymnasium. Eastern Michigan, Southern Illinois-Edwardsville and Missouri Valley were slated to compete. \nOnce again, the Hoosiers would be without Dubuque, the team's only 125-pounder, and would have to forfeit in that division.\nMissouri Valley, a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics school, was IU's first opponent of the day. The Hoosiers were off to a quick start after Schaefer pinned Missouri Valley junior L.C. Davis. The Cooper brothers, Coyte and Matt, continued IU's quick start by winning in the 141 and 149 divisions, respectively.\nThe Hoosiers suffered a minor setback after being defeated in the 157 and 165-pound weight classes. But, sophomore Andrew Wolf and Matthews won by decision, and DeGain and Powers both pinned their Missouri Valley counterparts to finish off the Vikings 32-12.\nThe Hoosiers have had problems in the middleweight divisions all year, but Saturday they seemed to be solved. \n"We called on some guys to step up and they did," coach Duane Goldman said. "Guys like Alex LaPointe, Andy Wolf, Matt Cooper and Joel Powers did very well today."\nSIUE was next on the docket and the Cougars dug themselves into a hole by forfeiting three bouts: at 133, 197, and a double forfeit at 125. The Cougars were able to win only one bout and seemingly unable to recover.\nSIUE senior Zach Stephens proved to be too much for Wolf in a hard fought bout that ended in a 6-5 victory for Stephens. But this marked the only setback for the Hoosiers as Coyte Cooper, Matthews, Powers and 157-pound freshman Isaac Knable all pinned their Cougar counterparts. IU's Matt Cooper and junior Alex LaPointe won by decision to finish a 43-3 victory.\nRiding a three meet winning streak, the only thing that stood between IU and an undefeated Big Ten tune-up was Eastern Michigan. The Eagles earned their only points against IU through the 125-pound forfeit and a pin of IU sophomore J.P. Stanley. Every other Eagle was defeated as the Hoosiers won 33-12. \n"What was good about today is that we didn't suffer any setbacks," Goldman said. "The guys that had been wrestling well continued to wrestle well, and guys that needed to wrestle better did."\nCoyte Cooper earned his second pin of the day against EMU junior Josh Wiles to move into a three-way tie on IU's all-time career pins list with 19. \n "It's nice," Cooper said of the distinction. "But I try not to worry about my own accomplishments."\nThe Hoosiers next meet will be the Big Ten opener Friday against Penn State in the University Gymnasium at 7 p.m.\n"This was just another stepping stone going into the Big Ten season," Matthews said. "It's going to be grueling, but we expect to win"

Wrestlers 2-1 at Wendy's Duals

After upsetting ninth ranked Missouri and finishing 4-0 at the Buckeye Duals, the IU wrestling team looked to continue its momentum Sunday at the Wendy's Duals in Ashland, Ohio. The Hoosiers faced three different schools defeating University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and Ashland by respective scores of 30-14 and 37-3. But, the Cleveland State Vikings spoiled the Hoosiers bid for a 3-0 trip by winning 21-15.\nIt took a pin of IU freshman heavyweight Joel Powers to decide the Cleveland State meet, which was the first meeting between the two schools. By defeating UT-Chattanooga and Ashland, IU remained undefeated against the two schools. \nThe Hoosiers once again relied on strong performances from freshman Joe Dubuque, junior Coyte Cooper, sophomore Pat DeGain, and junior Ty Matthews. Each wrestler went undefeated in Ashland.\nDubuque (10-0), Cooper (10-0), and Matthews (8-0) each preserved his perfect dual meet records. DeGain's undefeated Sunday gave him a 9-1 dual meet record. DeGain would be undefeated as well if not for a questionable call over a month ago gave him a loss at Rutgers. \nIn addition to the Wendy's Duals, IU sent four team members to Indianapolis to compete in the Roger Denker Open. Freshman Andy Rios finished second in the 184-pound weight class. Sophomore Jack Barnhisel also competed at 184-pounds and earned fourth place. Freshman Josh Buuck wrestled at the 197-pound level and earned second place, and freshman Cameron Sakon earned third place in the 133-pound weight class. \nOn Friday, the Hoosiers will travel to Charleston, Ill. to take on Eastern Illinois. The Hoosiers host a 13-6 all time record against the EIU Panthers.

Hoosiers to take on Grizzlies

After getting swept in four games series at Michigan last weekend, the baseball team is looking to get back to winning when they take on the Division-III Grizzlies of Franklin College Tuesday at Sembower field.\nThe Grizzlies are 11-4 and are ranked seventh in the Midwest region by the American Baseball Coaches Association/Collegiate Baseball poll for the first time since joining the NCAA Division III. Franklin holds a team batting average of .310, a team fielding percentage of .952 and a team ERA of 2.15.\nFranklin is lead offensively by junior designated hitter Tony Sonsini, batting .412 with six doubles, three home runs and 18 RBIs. Junior left hander Josh Adams leads the Grizzly rotation with a 3-0 record, three complete games and a 2.17 ERA in 29 innings pitched.\nDespite not winning a game last weekend against the Wolverines, the Hoosiers said they feel they played well enough to win and hope to do so today.\n"Some breaks didn't go our way," junior first baseman Gibran Hamdan said. "Sure, we didn't make enough plays, but we didn't play bad as a team. I think getting back out in any capacity and trying to get a win and trying to get some confidence will help us."\nRed-shirt sophomore and third baseman Nick Evans said team morale was down, but getting out on the field against the Grizzlies is important for the Hoosiers.\n"We're anxious to get back out and play again and correct some of those mistakes we made this weekend," Evans said. "Everyone knows what they need to do, and as long as we do those things, I think we'll be all right."\nJunior shortstop Eric Blakeley said the team hit the ball well, but the Hoosiers need to start over to be more successful down the road. \n"We wanted to take three out of four (against Michigan), but we came out with a goose egg," he said. "We just need to erase the slate now and just kind of start over."\nEvans said one of the Hoosiers' problems was getting runners across the plate. \n"We need to capitalize on our opportunities offensively," Evans said. "Pitching came out and did a good job this weekend, for the most part.\n"As long as (the pitching staff) continues to improve, and we begin to capitalize on our opportunities, we'll be pretty successful for the rest of the season as long as we can do that," he said.\nToday's game is the last one at home for IU as it takes off on a five-game road trip Wednesday against Wright State and this weekend at Northwestern. The Hoosiers' next home game is April 20 against Eastern Kentucky.\nEvans said today's game could be the start of good things to come for the Hoosiers.\n"The main thing is we're looking to starting a new winning streak here and see what happens the rest of the way as far as the Big Ten and the rest of the season," he said.\nThe Hoosiers are facing a string of injuries. Freshman outfielder Brian Bucciarelli is sitting on the bench and the team has lost two of its freshmen catchers. Freshman Josh Romero was hit in the eye with a racquetball and might require surgery to reduce swelling. Freshman Cody Wargo has a broken finger after it was hit by a baseball. \nHamdan said the team needs to look past the injuries, get out on the field and focus on the game. He said if they do that, he believes they will pick up some wins.\n"If we focus back on doing those little things, that will help us see the big picture and win a little more games," Hamdan said. "Maybe tomorrow will help us do that, just refocus on what wins games and try to stay with those"

This Weekend's Calendar events

Thursday, May 31\n• Miles from Home -- Kilroy's Sports Bar, 319 N. Walnut St., 10:30 p.m., $2. for more info, call 333-6006.\n• Strangefolk -- Bluebird, 216 N. Walnut St., 10 p.m., $3. for more info, call 336-2473.\n• Jazz Fables: Freesome(+1) -- Bear's Place, 1316 E. 3rd St., 5:30 p.m., $3. for more info, call 339-3460.\n• Hakan and Shahayr (Middle Eastern music) -- Princess Restaurant, 206 N. Walnut St., 7 - 9 p.m. for more info, call 336-8821.

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