IUSA

No small plans indeed

“Make no small plans for Indiana University,” IU President Michael McRobbie said in his first-ever State of the University speech Tuesday, echoing the words of former IU President Herman B Wells. The speech was aimed at faculty and staff but should be of great interest to students as well. The tone was largely optimistic. In his address, McRobbie spoke about the construction or planned construction of buildings throughout the University for business, information technology, life sciences and the arts, and the need to expand research.

Women's tennis all about competition as they go South

Country needs unity

In a political contest rife with questions regarding the failing economy and character issues, one could easily lose sight of the most important issue: unity. However, this unity does not confine itself to the politics of America. The more pressing need for unity is found worldwide, especially in places such as Darfur.

Touch gloves and come out hugging

The third and final debate in the Indiana gubernatorial race took place Tuesday night. Incumbent Gov. Mitch Daniels, Democrat Jill Long Thompson and Libertarian Andy Horning squared off at a packed roundtable debate in the IU Auditorium.  Sitting just a few rows back from the front, I waited eagerly, pen and paper in hand, to witness a final stab of the optimistic candidates to win over in-doubt votes before the big day.

Powerhouse IU opens season with Wildcats

From princesses to prostitutes

What should I be for Halloween? This year I want my costume to be original, but I also want it to be as cheap and easy as I am. So I’m either going to wear bunny ears and no pants, cat ears and no pants, a nurse hat and no pants, or a piece of dental floss. Thank goodness for Halloween. Am I right, ladies? I don’t think I’m alone when I say that all the other 364 nights of the year I have to suppress how slutty I actually can be. Now boys, I know you are eagerly anticipating this night and these costumes even more than we are. It’s understandable.

Talented, youth-rich squad opens season at home against Wildcats

Paris Hilton is crucial

As we all know, MTV stopped playing music somewhere in the mid-90s and started airing mostly terrible shows geared toward our age group. But, amongst all the crap, there have been a few gems in the rough, and the newest groundbreaking show they put on is Paris Hilton’s “My New BFF.” I’ve been a steadfast watcher of this show since it premiered a few weeks ago.

A Hoosier upset at Illinois? It’s possible

Glass to the past, eye on the future

Hold hands, deep breaths – let’s get hysterical. That’s right, Hoosier fans, as though you needed me to tell you it was coming: It’s Hoosier Hysteria time again. Time to blast off on another year of ruckus and roundball down on 17th Street.

Dynamic offense awaits skidding 2-4 Hoosiers

A missed block, a missed assignment or pouncing for the ball at the wrong time. That’s how the option can kill you.IU was on the losing end of that formula when the Hoosiers (2-4, 0-3) played Illinois (3-3, 1-2) a year ago at the Bloomington version of Memorial Stadium. Rashard Mendenhall, quarterback Juice Williams and wide receiver Arrelious Benn thoroughly exposed the IU defense, running for 288 yards.This time around, expect more of the same.

IU might be without QB Lewis Saturday against Illinois

Halting the negative momentum a four-game losing streak carries will not be easy for the IU football team (2-4). Making the task more difficult will be the possible absence of the Hoosiers’ offensive catalyst, Kellen Lewis. During practices this week, Lewis wore a protective gray immobilizing boot around his right ankle, nursing what IU coach Bill Lynch called a high-ankle sprain. “(We) went through halftime, got it re-taped and all that, and we thought that it would loosen up and we’d get him going in the second half, and it never loosened up," Lynch said of Lewis' injury sustained against Iowa. “Some athletes bounce back pretty quickly. He really hasn’t been hurt much, so we haven’t really been through this in terms of how quickly he can bounce back. Certainly, we’re hopeful that a guy like that can bounce back quicker than our 300-pound guys, just because of his body type.”

2 vacant vice provost positions to be filled for spring semester

Students at IU might have to call some of their professors by a different title. Karen Hanson, IU provost, announced Thursday that the positions of vice provost for faculty and academic affairs and vice provost for undergraduate education are now available for faculty within the University wishing to apply.

16th annual Beer Festival returns to Bloomington

Three hours. 300 beers. This combination can only mean one thing: It’s time for Beerfest. The 16th annual Big Red Liquors’ Beer Festival returned to Bloomington on Thursday and will continue Friday.

Palin speech expected to draw crowd of 24,000

Can Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin draw 24,000 Hoosiers to her rally Friday? “You betcha.”

Hoosiers look to snap skid against in-state rival Purdue, Illinois

The IU women’s soccer team will return home this weekend, enjoying the comforts of Bloomington for the first time since Sept. 28. The Hoosiers (5-10-0, 0-6) have been on the road the last four games, narrowly losing each game by a one-goal deficit. “I think the kids are going to be excited to get back on their pitch,” IU coach Mick Lyon said. “You know, with short, fast grass, instead of this thick, mush stuff they have up north, that’s definitely going to be to our benefit.”

Calling on big men

Khaki shorts, baseball caps and Sperry Top-Siders would be unacceptable apparel at an IU Ballet rehearsal, but at Monday’s “Big Man on Campus” practice, it was the norm. BMOC is an annual male talent competition put on by Zeta Tau Alpha to raise money for breast cancer awareness. Last year’s show raised $137,000, according to IU Zeta chapter’s Web site. The house wants to raise $160,000 this year.PODCAST: Hoosier Headlines

Newly refocused team to ‘fight for now’ after rough start

The women’s volleyball team took a step backward last weekend on the road against Minnesota and Iowa, putting them 1-5 in the Big Ten with only 14 matches left. “We just didn’t show up,” said senior captain Erica Short. “We didn’t enter the building. I don’t know who played last weekend. It wasn’t an IU program at all.”

Legette-Jack and players ‘excited to start the season’

IU women’s basketball coach Felisha Legette-Jack and her team hope the expression “third time’s a charm” will pay big dividends this year.

Finally

The bench players stood in their black warm-ups, some wearing red beanies, waiting for the game to end and for the celebration to begin. The Hoosiers (7-4-2) finally lived up to past legends and current expectations as they defeated No. 9 Notre Dame 3-1 on Thursday. Their first home victory since a 3-2 win against Big Ten foe Wisconsin on Sept. 21 and first upset of the year, Thursday’s match marked a turning point in the season. Brushing off an away defeat to Michigan State last week, the Hoosiers entered the match ready to start a winning streak. In a team meeting this week after practice, the players and coaches discussed their strengths and weaknesses. “It’s a game that shows the players have a feeling what’s it like to have to play a 90 minute game,” said IU coach Mike Freitag. “It’s a feeling we’ve had in other games, but now we can’t forget it.” One strength of the Hoosiers, depth, was forced into action in the game’s opening minutes. Sophomore defender Rich Balchan had his nose broken in a tussle in the sixth minute and left the game, Freitag said. Freshman Tommy Meyer took his place for the remaining minutes. In the 24th minute junior defender Kevin Alston rifled the ball from 25 yards out into the right corner for his second goal of the season. “It was a rush,” Alston said. “I didn’t really expect it. It felt great.” Three minutes later, senior forward Kevin Noschang hit the ball into the bottom left corner.