Region

Hoosiers seeking No. 3 Big Ten seed

By John Wustrow · Friday, Oct. 27,2006 1:03 a.m.

It's been a motto for the IU women's soccer team all season long: The next game is the most important game of the players' lives. In terms of important games, Friday's road game against Purdue (12-4-3, 5-3-1 Big Ten) could certainly qualify. The Hoosiers (9-5-4, 5-3-1 Big Ten) look to snap a three-game losing streak, work toward a higher seed for next weekend's Big Ten Tournament and try to earn an NCAA Tournament bid -- not to mention they are playing their in-state rivals. "I think we've refocused and are prepared for a huge game this Friday," senior midfielder Carrie DeFreece said. "I think we're going to take out our anger from the frustration from the last three games and have a good game this weekend."

Landfall marks IU's last shot

By Kevin Kane · Friday, Oct. 27,2006 1:02 a.m.

This weekend is the IU men's golf team's last chance. Since the beginning of the season, the Hoosiers have professed their expectations and desires to have success in the fall. With a few exceptions, this fall has mirrored last year's. Beginning play today in the Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, N.C. -- IU's last event until February -- the Hoosiers have one last chance to do something memorable before 2007. Before IU surged through the spring toward an NCAA berth last season, the team struggled in the fall, multiplying the pressure on the players to play at a high level in every spring event. The Hoosiers got away with their competitive procrastination. In the six spring tournaments before the Big Ten Championship, IU won two events and finished below the top three only once. The Hoosiers were determined to start this season as they ended their last in hopes of a more comfortable route to another NCAA bid. However, with one finish in the top five thus far, IU has hardly accomplished its goals. Though the Hoosiers proved last year a great second half of a season can yield a postseason berth, they would like to end the fall on a positive note.

No. 14 IU looks to snap 2-game losing streak

By Matt Dollinger · Friday, Oct. 27,2006 1:01 a.m.

October has been a long month for the IU field hockey team. Rewind to the first of the month to a Hoosier team that was on an 11-game winning streak and coming off a victory against the previously unbeaten Ohio State Buckeyes. Now fast-forward to the present to where lies a Hoosier team that has lost three of its last five games, including its last two. "A season has its ups and downs, and the last two weeks have definitely been our down cycle," IU coach Amy Robertson said.

Indianapolis' high-powered offense meets Broncos' stingy defense

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Oct. 27,2006 1:01 a.m.

DENVER -- A blizzard covered the Mile High City during the week, so maybe it's not too early in the NFL season to start talking about really significant games. Indianapolis at Denver is about as colossal as an October game can get. "I love a game like this because it doesn't get any bigger," Broncos wide receiver Javon Walker said. "It reminds me of back in college with Florida State getting ready for Florida or Miami. It's a big game. It's going to be magnified. People are talking about it."

Redshirt sophomore makes leap from Division-III school

By Lee Hurwitz · Friday, Oct. 27,2006 1 a.m.

Running cross country at IU was one of the last things on Kristina Trcka's mind. Two years ago, the redshirt sophomore was running cross country at Earlham College, a Division-III school in Richmond, Ind. After finding her teammates didn't quite have the level of competition or excitement that she did, Trcka opted to transfer to IU after her freshman year.

Byaah! A bowl game

By Alyson Brodsy and Andrew Shaffer · Friday, Oct. 27,2006 12:59 a.m.

Who coaches the IU football team? Is it Terry Hoeppner or former Democratic presidential frontrunner Howard Dean? On Monday, Hoeppner wrote a letter to the student body asking for a crowd of 50,000 to attend Saturday's Michigan State game. Hoeppner, like Dean, has sorely overestimated his public's enthusiasm. In 2004, Dean was running away with the Democratic nomination for president when he gave a screaming sermon that made him appear, well, certifiably insane. Soon enough, it was Dean's staunch supporters, rather than his chances for the nomination, that were running away.

Hoosier players: This is a must win

By Jake Brown and Jacob Brown · Friday, Oct. 27,2006 12:57 a.m.

It's time for the IU football team to ditch the old cliches: This is not just another game. "It's fair to say (this is a must-win game). Every game that we have is a must-win game," junior cornerback Tracy Porter said. "Put in the predicament we're in now, this is a must-win game for us." The situation IU finds itself in is simple. There are four games left on the schedule, and the Hoosiers must win two to achieve their goal of playing in a bowl game for the first time since the 1993 Independence Bowl.

IU welcomes Spartans for homecoming

By Tim O Brien and Tim O'Brien · Friday, Oct. 27,2006 12:56 a.m.

Two games and two very different results. Last week, the IU football team traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to take on Ohio State. The Hoosiers scored first against the No. 1 Buckeyes, but they were unable to score again, losing 44-3. That same weekend at Northwestern, Michigan State orchestrated a 35-point comeback -- the largest in NCAA Division I-A history -- as the Spartans defeated the Wildcats 41-38. "They have had some unusual finishes this season," IU coach Terry Hoeppner said of Michigan State during his weekly press conference. "If you watch how it happened, a lot of it was them making plays on offense, defense and special teams. Momentum is a matter of your attitude."

Familiar footing

By Jackie Faine and Jacqueline Faine · Friday, Oct. 27,2006 12:54 a.m.

Underdogs no more, the IU men's cross country team is prepared for the Big Ten Championships Sunday morning at the IU cross country course. It looks like home will have its advantages. The young and inexperienced squad has made up for lost time and is primed for its shot at the spotlight. The solution is simple: Hit the course hard and don't let up.

Bearded lady challenges norms; takes pride in her facial hair

By Mal Hackleman · Friday, Oct. 27,2006 12:45 a.m.

Jennifer Miller can be called several things -- performer, award winner, lesbian, juggler, clown, NYU professor, social activist. Yet for all of her accomplishments, the thing about Miller that draws the most attention from those around her is her beard. Addressing a crowd on campus Wednesday as part of a gender studies lecture, Miller recalled her life as a bearded lesbian and discussed gender ambiguity with those in attendance. Miller said at age 17, she began to notice a change in herself. Not only did she come out of the closet as a lesbian, but she also began to notice the growth of excessive facial hair around her lips and chin.

Myers trial at halfway point

By Sarah Core · Friday, Oct. 27,2006 12:44 a.m.

The murder trial of John R. Myers II hit its halfway point Wednesday as the prosecution rested its case. Two weeks into the trial that could solve the six-year-old mystery of IU student Jill Behrman's disappearance and death, some aren't convinced the state can win the case. "There's no evidence," said law professor Craig Bradley, who specializes in criminal law and procedure and has been paying attention to media reports on the trial. "All (the prosecution has) is a couple of vague statements about this guy saying he felt guilty about something." The state, led by Morgan County prosecutor Steve Sonnega, has presented a case outlining its belief that Myers, an Ellettsville resident, was distraught over a breakup with his girlfriend.

Kazakh students organize event to educate IU community about their country

By Zachary Osterman · Friday, Oct. 27,2006 12:42 a.m.

More than 75 people gathered in the Indiana Memorial Union's State Room East Thursday night to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Republic Day of Kazakhstan, when the country declared its sovereignty within the Soviet Union in 1990. The event featured traditional and modern Kazakh music, trivia and history of the country, dinner and a presentation about Kazakhstan's past. The holiday was particularly relevant given the upcoming theatrical release of "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" featuring comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's portrayal of a Kazakh man, which many see as offensive to the Kazakh culture. Kazakh language professor Zaure Batayeva did not want to make the film the topic of the event, but instead hoped those who attended left with a true sense of what their culture actually is.

IU battles Badgers for Big Ten title

By Michael Sanserino · Friday, Oct. 27,2006 12:42 a.m.

Forget about coach Hep wanting 50,000 fans at "the Rock." There's another "Hoosier Nation Challenge" this weekend. The No. 20 IU men's soccer team battles Wisconsin at 8 p.m. Friday at Bill Armstrong Stadium, and senior midfielder John Michael Hayden wants 7,000 fans at the game. "That'd be nice," he said. If the Hoosiers win, they clinch the Big Ten regular season championship -- something they failed to do last year for the first time in nine years. "I'm putting out a request for fans to come out and support, wet or dry," IU coach Mike Freitag said. "Our guys like to come out to great crowds that we've had. It's important for us to get a Big Ten championship."

Online Only: Falling for fall

By Alyson Brodsy and Sarah Shipe · Friday, Oct. 27,2006 12:40 a.m.

I've always maintained that IU spends way too much money on landscaping. To lure freshmen to campus, groundskeepers work tirelessly perfecting every last pansy, sunflower and magnolia. Most of the time, I take this meticulous planning for granted. However, when mid-October rolls around, I take the scenic route to class. While the forecast has been especially dreadful this month, the deciduous trees have not failed to disappoint. One in particular, the Red Maple, radiates a pigment that would make a ruby jealous. The sight of this tree takes me on more detours than I've encountered in downtown Chicago. One look at my daily planner tells the story: I am in serious need of some excitement and spontaneity. Planning classes, workouts, homework, teaching and, in most instances, sleeping and eating down to the 15-minute increment is incredibly mundane.

The IU cross country teams host the Big Ten Championships Sunday

By Lee Hurwitz · Friday, Oct. 27,2006 12:22 a.m.

This weekend, the IU women's cross country team has something to prove to the rest of the Big Ten. On their home course Sunday, the Hoosiers host this year's Big Ten Championships. With six opponents ranked in the top 30 in the coach's poll, IU will look to surprise some teams now that it has a healthy roster.

Groups 'yell like hell' to kick off homecoming festivities

By Kasey Hawrysz · Thursday, Oct. 26,2006 11:43 p.m.

Cheering, screaming and hollering, about 550 students filled Alumni Hall in the Indiana Memorial Union to boost their favorite competitors to school-spirit glory in Thursday's "Yell Like Hell" spirit competition. After the RedSteppers performed an exhibition dance, 10 student and performance groups vied for victory in the competition, which kicked off homecoming weekend. The winner earned points toward the overall competition for homecoming court, said Phil Blomeke, director of events for the Student Alumni Association. Acts varied from skits to dancing or singing performances. Most denigrated Michigan State, IU's opponent in Saturday's homecoming game, and celebrated the history of IU sports.

Tailgaters leave trash, valuables behind

By Amanda Lowry · Thursday, Oct. 26,2006 11:42 p.m.

Anyone who drives by Memorial Stadium after Saturday's homecoming football game won't be able to miss it, but anyone who drives by Sunday afternoon won't look twice. Tailgating festivities before home games leave the fields across from the stadium littered with Bud Light and Keystone cans, plastic cups, Styrofoam coolers, empty family-size bags of chips, hamburger boxes and more -- all of which contribute to the stench of rotting garbage. This weekend's homecoming game will create even more of a mess than usual, said Prentice Parker, events coordinator for the athletic facilities at IU. "There could be 45,000 to 50,000 people here," he said.

Fraternity has new $6M house

By Brandi Baldwin · Thursday, Oct. 26,2006 11:42 p.m.

When Kappa Sigma opened the doors Aug. 22 to its new chapter house at 1411 N. Jordan Ave., it became one of the largest and most expensive fraternity houses on campus, boasting four floors covering 40,000 square feet and a price tag of more than $6 million. Kappa Sigma came to IU in 1903 and since then, has been located in three different houses. The first, located on Third Street, was torn down this summer, though the fraternity hadn't lived in it since the 1940s. The second house was located at the same spot as the new one. The fraternity decided to build the new house on the same location rather than attempt to renovate.

23rd annual Miss Gay Bloomington Friday

By Paige Ingram · Thursday, Oct. 26,2006 11:24 p.m.

The 23rd annual Miss Gay Bloomington will take place at 8 p.m. Friday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. Miss Gay Bloomington is one of the oldest and most prestigious pageants in the state of Indiana, owner of Miss Gay Bloomington Jason Ervin said. So far, eight contestants are scheduled to perform in the interview, evening gown, on-stage question and talent categories. Any male older than 21 is welcome to enter the contest. Registration ends at 11:30 a.m. Friday. The winner takes on a full-time job, traveling around the country, entertaining and speaking for the year of his reign.

Defense begins case in Myers trial

By Jessica Wolfe · Thursday, Oct. 26,2006 11:20 p.m.

MARTINSVILLE — The defense began building its case Thursday in the murder trial of John R. Myers II, the man accused of abducting and killing IU sophomore Jill Behrman in May 2000. Thursday was the first day defense attorneys for Myers could begin their case since the prosecution rested Wednesday. Myers is accused of abducting and murdering Behrman while she was on a bike ride May 31, 2000. The defense submitted into evidence Thursday a bag of 27 condoms, seven books on health and sex, a urine pregnancy test, a piece of paper with Brian Hollars' IU username and his home and work phone numbers and a pill bottle for birth control pills in Behrman's name — all of which the defense asserts were found in Behrman's room.