Region

Building a dream

By Alex Hickey · Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 11:34 p.m.

For now, they are simple lines etched on a set of blueprints. But in a short time, these lines will grow into the mortar and wood of a house at 724 N. Lindbergh Dr., just one of dozens built by Habitat for Humanity in Indiana this year.

A lesson in determination

By Laura Purdy · Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 11:32 p.m.

It's Wednesday night and Shelly Hackett and Justin Brown are busy bowling with their friends. Laughter and excitement fill the crowded room. Suddenly, Justin rolls a strike and triumphantly leaps into the air. Meanwhile, Shelly jokes around as she selects her bowling ball.

Victor Wooten perfects bass playing

By Zach Dobson · Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 11:27 p.m.

Encircled in deep blue light, his left hand flies manically across the fret board while the right hammers out a relentless groove. Eyes closed, body swaying and jerking, cosmic forces flow through his body, taking auditory form with every thump and pop of his bass guitar. Every few moments, a blast of energy morphs his hands into a smear of light laying down a riff fast enough to win the Indy 500. The crowd roars in approval as even his fellow band members watch in amazement.

New stance on gambling

By Chris Sundheim · Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 11:19 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Gov. Frank O'Bannon said Thursday he may be able to accept permanently docked riverboat casinos if the legislation includes limits on the number of slot machines and card games available to patrons. Since taking office in 1997, O'Bannon has repeatedly said he opposes dockside gambling because he considers it an expansion of gambling.

Soldiers land in Philippines

By Ana M Contreras · Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 11:09 p.m.

This week 650 American soldiers, including 160 Special Forces, landed in the Philippines to cooperate in a mission dubbed "Balikatan" or "shoulder to shoulder" according to The Associated Press. The purpose of their deployment was to advise Filipino troops in their conflict with the Abu Sayyaf, an organization with connections to al Qaeda terrorists. The opinions of Filipinos both locally and abroad are varied; the majority are supportive of renewed American military presence in the Philippines.

Professors question Bush policy

By Elizabeth Crosbie · Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 1:13 a.m.

IU Chancellor Sharon Brehm sponsored a third forum discussion last night in response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The School of Law provided four professors as panelists who offered their knowledge of the U.S. criminal justice system, international law and military tribunals.

Football team receives 21 letters of intent

By Guy Cipriano · Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 1:03 a.m.

This signing day had a different feel. In between vague comments about some of IU's 21 signees and more specific statements regarding IU's recruiting strategy, first-year coach Gerry DiNardo found an opportunity to display a sense of humor. Some of the highlights from Wednesday's signing-day news conference at Memorial Stadium:

Around The Game

Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 12:52 a.m.

The woman's field hockey and soccer teams announced their new recruits Wednesday. All recruits will join the team in the fall. The women's soccer team signed four players. The class contained one in-state recruit, midfielder Robin Barker, from Brownsburg, Ind., and three out-of-state athletes -- defender Ryan Hanley, from St. Louis, Mo.; midfielder Danielle Patton, from Cincinnati, Ohio; and forward Kristen Zmijewski, from Aurora, Ill.

Goalie sets all-time win record

By Michael Sherman · Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 12:51 a.m.

Chad Whitlock has never been one to brag. Now in his fifth year, the Hoosier goaltender has faced just about every challenge that the American Collegiate Hockey Association has to offer, and he's done so with the kind of quiet modesty that commands respect from both teammates and coaches alike. Personal accolades mean little to Whitlock. Three weeks ago, Whitlock made 10 saves in a 17-1 victory over Purdue. It was the 38th win of his Hoosier career, surpassing Justin Wojtowicz and making him the winningest goaltender in school history. Whitlock didn't say a thing. "Nothing was really mentioned to him about it. He doesn't talk about it. He didn't brag," Assistant coach Chris Quimby said. "He just kept coming to practice and doing the kind of things he always did."

Wrestlers enter big weekend

By Tyler Hoeppner · Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 12:50 a.m.

The wrestling team hasn't been getting the results that it would like as of late, but the wrestlers are not letting that get them down. After two strong performances against top-ranked teams last weekend, the Hoosiers look to build on some of that momentum as they face Illinois and rival Purdue this weekend.

Freshman feeling way around

By Zack Eldridge · Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 12:45 a.m.

After his victory over Southwest Missouri State, he joins the other players in watching another match. They congratulate him on his straight-set triumph. One player gives him a five. Then he flashes a smile as big as the Grand Canyon. Freshman Jakub Praibis is the one behind that smile. He just joined the IU men's tennis team (5-1) and has made an immediate impact. Praibis, a journalism major, is 5-1 since joining the team at the beginning of the spring season.

Road rigors lead to Big Ten's ragged standings

By Jason Recker · Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 12:43 a.m.

When a Big Ten team hits the road for an intra-conference game, the chances of it picking up a victory are about 22 percent. Get struck by lightning or win a Big Ten road game? Sometimes, the odds seem nearly even. Last season, Big Ten teams went 32-56 on the road during league play -- a winning percentage of .363. This season, things haven't been so simple. Four teams -- expected Big Ten frontrunners Iowa and Illinois and bottom-feeders Purdue and Penn State -- still haven't won a road game in the league. Wisconsin, Michigan and Northwestern all have just one road victory, and every Big Ten team has lost at least one road game.

Snowflakes, fans make decision easy

By Jason Recker · Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 12:42 a.m.

Roderick Wilmont is a Hoosier. And Mike Davis has a few snow flakes and an arena full of rally towels to thank. Wilmont, a 6-foot-4, 190-pound guard from Miramar (Fla.) High School, visited IU for the Hoosiers' victory over Purdue last Thursday, saw snow flurries and a spirited Assembly Hall crowd and decided a day later to commit to play basketball for IU next season. In doing so, he turned down visits to a crop of schools including Kentucky, Boston College, Florida State, South Florida, Clemson and Georgia Tech.

Senior season spells success

By Dan Cortez · Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 12:41 a.m.

Mike Davis was still looking for a consistent scorer to complement Jared Jeffries and Tom Coverdale when the Big Ten season started. Davis also needed a second frontcourt player to help Jeffries in the paint. "I challenged Jarrad Odle before the Big Ten season began," Davis said. But Odle could only do so much from his spot on the bench and not in the starting lineup. His chance would come, though, right as the Big Ten season began. Literally, right when the Big Ten season began for IU.

U.S. to help Colombia

By Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 12:20 a.m.

BOGOTA, Colombia -- The Bush administration's plan to help Colombia protect an oil pipeline from guerrilla attacks proves that Washington wants to intervene militarily in this country's civil war, a rebel leader said Wednesday. "The mask has been taken off," rebel commander Simon Trinidad said in a telephone interview from a southern stronghold of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC. Bush administration officials, who ended a three-day visit to Colombia Wednesday, announced plans Tuesday to train and arm Colombian troops to protect a key oil pipeline that has been a frequent target of guerrilla attacks.

Around The Region

Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 12:07 a.m.

Bush budget could delay Indiana roads projects MUNSTER, Ind. -- Indiana could see a $152 million cut in federal highway money and be forced to reconsider road projects under the 2003 budget proposal President Bush has sent Congress. From the Federal Highway Administration projects Indiana would receive $486 million in fiscal year 2003 under the budget Bush submitted Monday, down from $638 million in 2002.

Secretary of State new goal for mayor Fernandez

By Britany Ausmus and Brittany Ausmus · Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 12:05 a.m.

Mayor John Fernandez has brought change to Bloomington during his eight year tenure as mayor. He helped create more than 2,300 jobs, increased the police on the street, lowered taxes, increased resources for childhood care assistance and encouraged the expansion of Hoosier Healthwise -- Indiana's health insurance program for children. According to a press release, he plans to do more.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon faces suspension from nationals

By Alex Hickey · Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 12:03 a.m.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon's national organization announced suspension of the fraternity's IU chapter early this week. The fraternity will not be able to participate as a chapter in University -- or Interfraternity Council-sponsored events, pending the results of their case before the campus judicial board.

Change will help security

Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 12:02 a.m.

In a move to thwart future attempts by hackers to gain unauthorized access to IU computing systems, IU Research and Academic Computing, a division of University Information Technology Services, is setting in motion a series of safety measures. The changes, to be completed by spring 2002, are the result of a recent surge in attempts to illegally pilfer authentification data, Craig Stewart, director of RAC, said.

Former player to speak at Union

Thursday, Feb. 7,2002 12:01 a.m.

Former IU basketball standout and NBA player Kent Benson will speak at 7 p.m. tonight in the State Room West of the Indiana Memorial Union as a guest of Indiana University Students For Life, a pro-life student group on campus. Benson, an IU alumnus, is an outspoken opponent of abortion.