Longform

IU looks to stay on top

By Natalie A. Trout · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 1:07 a.m.

For a brief 24 hours, the IU men's basketball team was the sole leader of the Big Ten with a 3-1 conference record. But after Wednesday night's games, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Purdue jumped into the number one spot with IU (9-6 overall). At the bottom of the Big Ten standings lies a lonely Minnesota team, 0-4 in the Big Ten and 8-8 on the season. It's a Minnesota team that's struggled at home and away, and it's a Minnesota team that sophomore guard Marshall Strickland says IU will not take lightly. "They really need this win, and they are going to come out really hard," Strickland said. "So we're going to go in there and battle them." Strickland averaged 16 points a game in the last three IU games, hitting .500 (15-of-30) from the floor and .588 (10-of-17) from beyond the arc. He has also been perfect in his last ten free throw attempts.

Diplomat lectures on Afghanistan

By Lauren Schaefer · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 1:04 a.m.

Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Robert P. Finn lectured to a packed house, Thursday, discussing current problems during the country's reconstruction. Throughout the war and reconstruction periods, he was the man responsible for the undertaking.

Panel discusses GLBT acceptance at IU

By Chris Freiberg and Warren Christopher Freiberg · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 1:04 a.m.

IU has come a long way in accepting its gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population, concluded the participants of yesterday's "Being Gay at IU" panel, held at the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center. At the same time, there's still more work to be done. It wasn't until May 2002 that University employees could sign their partners on their insurance. Since then, more than 75 employees on the eight IU campuses have signed up for such benefits, said Cindy Stone, a training coordinator at the physical plant.

Candidates register with IUSA

By Mike McElroy · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 1:04 a.m.

Students looking to exercise their right to vote in this November's U.S. presidential election will get a dry-run this Spring. The IU Student Association election commission kicked off its annual election season Wednesday night at Woodburn Hall as potential candidates met with Election Coordinator Derek Molter for information on how to declare their candidacy for the 60 positions available in the 2004-2005 student government.

A Chinese tradition

By Maura Halpern · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 1:04 a.m.

Junior Chia-Kang Chou predicts that 2004 will bring him good fortune, success and a helpful dose of motivation. After all, he is the sign of the Monkey. Chiakang, born in 1980, said he fits many qualities characteristic of the Monkey -- this year's Chinese zodiac symbol. He agrees that he is well-liked by others, a fast thinker and intelligent, all of which describe someone born in a Monkey year.

Earlham and Conner Prairie squabble over ownership rights

By Holly Johnson and Holy Johnson · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 1:04 a.m.

Citing a possible conflict of interest, Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter on Saturday announced the need for a split between Conner Prairie and Earlham College. Earlham currently manages the public charitable trust for the living history museum, which was founded in 1964 and opened ten years later in Fishers, Ind. Founded by renowned philanthropist Eli Lilly, its current operating budget is $9.6 million. Earlham oversees a trust which has grown to $150 million and has historically distributed interest earned equally between the college and Conner Prairie.

Pacers near perfect with Tinsley back

By Alyson Brodsy and Steve Herman · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 12:45 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Spending some time on the bench did wonders for Jamaal Tinsley. Since his return to the starting lineup, the Indiana Pacers have won 11 of 12 games, increased their scoring almost five points a game and solidified their position atop the NBA's Eastern Conference. "From the get-go, I was ready to come back and start, but it didn't happen like I thought it would happen," Tinsley said after practice Thursday.

Nets reach deal to sell team to NYC real estate developer

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 12:45 a.m.

TRENTON, N.J. -- The New Jersey Nets' owners have agreed to sell the team to a New York City real estate developer, a move that could bring Brooklyn its first major sports franchise since 1957. The contract was finalized Wednesday, said Edwin Stier, president of the Community Youth Organization, which owns the Nets.

Colts get new uniforms

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 12:44 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts fans can still believe in blue next season -- but it will be a darker shade of royal blue. The team will sport darker uniforms next season, Indianapolis television station WISH reported Wednesday. The team wants to make the color closer to the shade it was when the Colts came to Indianapolis from Baltimore in the 1980s, said team executive Pete Ward.

Hoosiers match up with Blue Raiders

By Dan Click · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 12:43 a.m.

After coming off a tough home loss, 6-1 against Notre Dame to start the season, the Hoosiers will hit the road to face off against the Middle Tennessee State University Blue Raiders at noon this Saturday at the Racquet Club Indoor Facility in Murfreesboro, Tenn. This will be the second ranked opponent the Hoosiers have gone up against this season, as the Blue Raiders are ranked No. 67 in the country. MTSU has six players that have a winning record in singles and also boasts two nationally-ranked doubles teams. At No. 30 in the country are the tandem of seniors Trevor Short and Kirk Jackson, while the team of sophomore Brandon Allan and freshman Kai Schledorn are No. 46. Doubles will play an important role in the match, IU sophomore Neil Kenner said.

Young squad kicks-off season in Michigan

By Matt Ostrega · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 12:42 a.m.

After finishing 26-11 in 2003 and tying a school record for single-game victories with 26, the Hoosiers have their sights set on another successful season. The squad plans to pick up where they left off last year when they ended the season ranked No. 9 in the nation, gained the Collegiate Water Polo Association conference title and made the trip to the NCAA Final Four. IU coach Barry King, in his sixth year as head coach, has had a winning record every year since the program's conception in 1998.

Hoosiers face Iowa and Minnesota this weekend

By Scott Lipsky · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 12:41 a.m.

The IU men's swimming and diving team faces a tough challenge this Saturday when they travel to Iowa City to compete against Big Ten rivals Iowa and Minnesota. With the team struggling so far this season (3-6, 1-2 Big Ten), the Hoosiers will have an opportunity to see where they stand amongst their rivals as they look towards the Big Ten Championships, which take place at Purdue, Feb. 26 to 28. Both squads bring strong competition to the table, with Iowa boasting a 7-1 overall record this year and 2-1 conference record.

IU hosts No. 10 Tennessee

By Jeff Fuldauer · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 12:40 a.m.

Coming off two impressive victories over Western Michigan and Miami of Ohio, the Hoosiers couldn't have asked for a much better start to their spring season. IU opened up its schedule with a 6-1 victory over the Broncos, which was closer than the score indicates, and a 7-0 blowout of the Redhawks. But their toughest test to date is sure to focus the Hoosiers, as they play host to No. 10 Tennessee Saturday at the IU Tennis Center.

Team kicks off Big Ten play on road

By Colin Burns · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 12:39 a.m.

The long awaited anticipation for Big Ten play starts this weekend for the IU wrestling team as it prepares for its first two conference matches of the year. The Hoosiers travel to the University of Wisconsin Field House to take on the Badgers at 7 p.m. Friday, and then travel a few hours south to compete Saturday against Northwestern. IU coach Duane Goldman knows Friday's match against Wisconsin will be the true test for his team.

'The Barn,' no funhouse

By Alex Hickey · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 12:38 a.m.

Believe it or not, things are looking up for IU. A few weeks ago, there was no way of guessing that this would be the case. The Hoosiers had been brutalized in their non-conference schedule. And they were facing an intimidating Big Ten schedule that put them away from Assembly Hall for four of the first five games.

on the SIDELINES

By Alyson Brodsy · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 12:37 a.m.

Manning soaking-up spotlight CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ricky Manning Jr. stepped out of the sauna and into the locker room, pausing to flex like a bodybuilder. His Carolina Panthers teammates stared in disbelief, then burst out laughing. With four postseason interceptions, the rookie cornerback has turned into a star and is loving every minute of it. "I think Ricky wants to be a model or something," safety Deon Grant said.

Shorthanded squad takes on Ohio State at home

By Jeff Fuldauer · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 12:36 a.m.

After two physical contests against in-state and conference rival Purdue, the IU club hockey team returns to the ice this weekend with a two-game home stand against Big Ten foe, Ohio State. Despite winning both contests against the Boilermakers, the Hoosiers suffered nine suspensions on the weekend following a bench-clearing brawl. With time expiring in the second period, a Purdue defenseman threw an illegal knee out onto IU sophomore Reed Schafer. With Schafer laid out on the ice, the Hoosiers retaliated in an act of team unity to protect their player.

IU hopes to pack Hall

By Dan Patrick · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 12:35 a.m.

The Old Oaken Bucket, the Monon Spike, the Barnburner trophy and the Titan Series are all by products of a rivalry that has stood in Indiana history -- IU and Purdue. Another page will be added to that rivalry when the Hoosiers and the Boilermakers will lock horns this Sunday at Assembly Hall. However, the age-old rivalry is far from the focus in this game. The game is not just a rivalry game, it's the 2004 Hoosiers "Pack the Hall" game.

Students reenact 1960s Freedom Rides on bus

By Kristin Huett · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 12:30 a.m.

Despite icy winds and below freezing temperatures, nearly 30 students gathered outside of Ashton Center bundled up in heavy coats and wool mittens and hats to travel around campus by bus, commemorating the Freedom Riders of the 1960s. IU students from groups including CommUNITY Educators, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender OUT, the Helene G. Simon Hillel Center, Chi Phi fraternity and Central Black Student Union gathered Thursday evening in honor of the Civil Rights Freedom Riders.

Out for blood

By Paige Harden · Friday, Jan. 23,2004 12:29 a.m.

The IU Panhellenic Association, along with the American Red Cross River Valley Blood Services Region (RVR), hosted the second annual Fraternity vs. Sorority Blood Challenge, which acquired 190 pints of blood. Organizers hoped that the blood drive would combat the recent nationwide blood shortage. According to the RVR Web site, surgeries have been postponed in the river valley region as a result of the blood shortage. Amber Richardson, donor recruitment representative for IU, said she hoped 375 people would give blood, but 210 people showed up and 190 pints of blood were collected.