Freshmen maintain hope

Yes, the season didn’t end the way fans had hoped, and yes, MSU will lose another talented class of seniors.

Prohibition wont help improve U

This is in response to “Alcohol can cause many nasty side effects” (SN 4/2) by Craig Gunn.

Forum allows U to show creativity; research work

Some of MSU’s best and brightest students will soon have their day in the sun.The third annual University Undergraduate Research and Arts Forum will take place from noon to 5 p.m.

Expansion of citys historic area proposed

Monica Zuchowski lives in a home that could be included in one of Lansing’s proposed historical districts, if the Lansing City Council votes to establish it. “It’s an old home,” Zuchowski said of her Walnut Street residence.

Club reminiscent of Dylan, Stones music

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (self-titled) Virgin Records Some bands know how to use fuzzy guitars efficiently, and the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club nailed it. The album opens with a 50- second stagnant and droningly fuzzy introduction which turns into a basic chord rock song with equally droning lyrics. One noticeable trait among each song is the monotone vocals of Peter Hayes.

Students, community observe day of silence

Members of MSU’s Alliance of Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender community and its supporters will be silent today, as part of Pride Week’s National Day of Silence.The day is designed to draw attention to those who have been silenced by hatred, oppression or prejudice.“There’s so many LBGT people who are silent and invisible everyday,” explained Doug Copeland, president of Spectrum, a caucus group that represents the east campus LBGT community.

Undercover

The undercover investigation of a student activist group by university police was unethical and hurt student-police relations. MSU police Officer Jamie Gonzales posed as elementary education junior Samantha Volare and participated in meetings and activities with Students for Economic Justice, an officially registered campus group.

Basketball more accessible sport

I don’t follow hockey and am a basketball fan. However, as an alumnus, I am proud of Ryan Miller and coach Ron Mason for what they’ve done for the university.

One-body government would be good for U

Last week ASMSU, the undergraduate student government, announced its annual voter turnout had increased to 2.5 percent.

Opener has Tiger fans optimistic

DETROIT - Legendary Tigers broadcaster Ernie Harwell has seen his share of opening days - more than half a century’s worth in Detroit, actually. So he knows just how special the festivities are to loyal Tiger fans everywhere. “Michigan and Detroit make such a big deal out of Opening Day while in other cities, a lot of times it’s just a routine game,” he said Tuesday before heading up to his broken-in radio booth to call the Detroit Tigers home opener against the Minnesota Twins. Opening Day is Detroit’s unofficial holiday, perhaps the one day out of the year when baseball is the talk of the town and where the ballpark is the place to be. Unfortunately, for the past seven seasons, it’s been one of few highlights for the organization.

Critic pays tribute to Cusack film

I don’t know how she saw this.But for some reason a friend of mine in high school told me I looked like actor John Cusack and even went as far as to nickname me “Johnny C.”Not knowing who this dude was at the time, I was like, whatever.Eventually, I learned of his plethora of movies and became a huge fan of his acting.

Baseball team splits doubleheader

Head baseball coach Ted Mahan saw a reflection of the team’s entire season Tuesday at Kobs Field.The Spartans (13-12) split a doubleheader with Saginaw Valley State, losing the first game 9-2 and rallying to win the second 4-1.“One good; one bad - 13-12 - that’s what we’ve done all year,” Mahan said.The “good” showcased a Spartan team putting runs on the board, making plays defensively, and pitching well.After four shutout innings from freshman starter Bryan Gale, he yielded one run in the top of fifth.Mahan said Gale’s performance on the hill was nothing new from the rookie hurler.“It was outstanding,” Mahan said, “He can just flat out pitch.”With the win, Gale upped his record to 3-0 and maintained a team-leading 1.61 ERA.Facing the 1-0 deficit, freshman left fielder James Moreno led off the bottom half of the fifth frame with a homer to deep left-center field, evening-up the score.After a ground ball out by freshman first baseman Scott Koerber, junior third baseman Troy Bergman, junior second baseman Don Watchowski, sophomore right fielder Brett Wattles, junior shortstop Jared Koutnik and sophomore center fielder Bob Malek all consecutively singled.Wattles’ single scored Bergman, and Malek’s brought home Watchowski.Sophomore catcher Brady Burrill’s sacrifice fly and tag-up from Wattles gave the Spartans more insurance than they needed.The fifth inning Spartan rally keyed around Moreno’s solo shot.“The second game Moreno picked us with a home run, and we had some enthusiasm,” Malek said.“The home run by Moreno was the biggest hit of the game and of the day,” Mahan said.Moreno realized his home run helped spark a sputtering Spartan offense.“After one hit, if everyone’s picking each other up, it can lead to six or seven more hits,” he said.“Then you win the game, and in the second game it was huge.”Moreno had only appeared at the plate 21 times this season, and responded to the chance to play.“I was given a shot today, and I just got in there and took my hacks,” Moreno said.

Groups react to undercover tactics

It comes as no surprise to MSU Trustee Robert Weiss that police would use undercover officers to gather information about activist groups.After all, Weiss, who served as the Genesee County prosecutor from 1979 to 1993 and Flint city attorney from 1969 to 1971, has ordered just such an investigation.“I’ve done that before,” he said.

Stepshow raises money for charity

Eleven acts, dressed in costumes using props ranging from wood canes to soda cans, rallied those attending the Greek Week annual tradition of Stepshow on Tuesday with rock-stomping beats.The event held, at the Auditorium, was part of a series of events held by greek chapters during the spring tradition known as Greek Week, which runs through Saturday.Greek Week co-chairwoman Jackie Kim described Stepshow as an “amazing stomping, clapping, body moving choreographed show.”“It is one of the more adrenaline running and exciting performances that we put on during Greek Week,” the nutrition science senior said.

Police launch safety number

LANSING - The Michigan State Police hopes it has the number to stop violence in schools. Police, education and government officials unveiled a new anonymous hotline Wednesday for students, parents and teachers to report threats in Michigan’s schools.

U gathers to send Icers to N.Y.

They’re Frozen-Four-bound. And about 200 well-wishers gathered inside Munn Ice Arena on Tuesday afternoon to offer their support for the Spartan hockey squad, which is in search of its first national championship since 1986. The crowd, buoyed by music from the Spartan Brass, sat through MSU’s last home practice before the team departed for Albany, N.Y., on Tuesday night. After practice, each Spartan was introduced over the Munn loudspeaker and skated to center ice to the applause of fans such as Paul Rieke. “We’re here to congratulate the team,” the 10-year-old Lansing resident said.

Event coordinators say Final Four is tough task

MINNEAPOLIS - For all 65 Division I college men’s basketball teams that were eligible for NCAA Tournament play, this year’s road to the Final Four was at times a long bumpy trip because of the intense scheduling involved with March Madness. And local Minneapolis event coordinators, national media, Metrodome employees and more than 2,000 volunteers who helped set up this year’s nationally acclaimed event can share their pain. “It’s definitely a tough task to set up a Final Four,” said Marc Ryan, the University of Minnesota’s assistant athletic director for external relations. “Our biggest challenge was to put all the right people together, ranging from technicians, maintenance workers, support staff and merchants, to community groups and local businesses.

Police briefs 04/04/01

New supermarket to replace local building

OKEMOS - A new Okemos farmer won’t need a tractor and plow to run his business. That’s because this farmer is a Farmer Jack Supermarket, which will be located on East Grand River Avenue near Park Lake Road. The block dubbed Majestic Plaza houses Pro-Bowl East; Oriental Mart; Pistachios Restaurant, 2827 E.

Alcohol ban wont change U

I must first say that Craig Gunn’s opinion (“Alcohol can cause many nasty side effects,” SN 4/2) was probably the funniest thing I have read in The State News since I came to East Lansing in 1998.