NI 09-24

CEDAR FALLS, IA

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025

Kappa Sigma fraternity celebrates 40 years as UNI marks 150th annivarsery

By Estelle Johnson Executive Editor

Kappa Sigma, the only fraternity at the University of Northern Iowa, proudly celebrated its 40-year milestone on Sept. 20.

Founded in 1869, at the University of Virginia, Kappa Sigma is the largest fraternity in the United States and Canada. Kappa Sigma is founded on four pillars: fellowship, leadership, scholarship and service.

Kappa Sigma holds philanthropic values in supporting their communities, especially veterans — and each year, the fraternity participates in a Military Heroes Campaign that raises money for veteran organizations.

On Saturday, friends and brothers gathered at the KS house on College Street to bond over a shared connection: being a part of Kappa Sigma.

Neil Rudd, 1987 UNI graduate and one of 17 founding UNI KS brothers, told me he was proud of what the UNI chapter continues to accomplish – especially with the difficulties Greek life has faced at UNI.

“We’ve had over 400 initiates at our chapter at UNI,” said Rudd. “About a third of them are here this weekend.”

Rudd noted the pride he felt toward former and current Kappa Sigma brothers. He explained that many KS members have continued on to experience accomplished professional lives. Rudd is an example of this – as he works as the chief

financial officer of Palm Therapeutics, a San Diego-based therapeutics startup that develops palmitoylation-targeted drugs that aim to treat cancer.

“I think what Kappa Sigma offers to young men is just as relevant today as it was 40 years ago,” said Rudd.

“Look around here – you’ve got undergraduates, guys who’ve been here 40 years and people in between. There’s a connection that they have through fraternity … and in ordinary life, they wouldn’t necessarily speak to each other.”

Rudd reiterated how impressed he was by the undergraduates and their efforts to put on a good event this past weekend.

“At the end of the day, though, being a member of the Mu-Upsilon Chapter is about more than numbers, service hours vor fundraising totals,” said Izaiah Martinez, current president of Kappa Sigma.

“Whether you were initiated back in 1985 or just this semester, we are all part of something greater, a lifelong brotherhood. It’s about building bonds, creating memories and forming friendships that last a lifetime. That is the heart of who we are and what makes this chapter so special. It was awesome to put on this event and I am proud to be part of Kappa Sigma during this 40th anniversary.”

Seerley Park hosts grand reopening ceremony after major renovations

Seerley Park hosts grand reopening ceremony after major renovations

By Mackenzie Poock Staff Writer

Seerley Park, the second-oldest park in Cedar Falls, is nestled in the College Hill neighborhood between Tremont Street and Iowa Street, originally opening in 1893. Throughout the past summer, renovations took place, including a new gazebo, an accessible playground, signage, safety updates and surrounding turf. The park reopened to the public on Sept. 21 with a Grand Reopening Ceremony.

These types of projects are built by the community.”

The ceremony was followed by Jazz in Seerley, an annual event including jazz music and food, celebrating its fourth year at Seerley Park. David Donald’s Trio, a group of local UNI students, opened the jazz event. Followed by Blake Shaw’s Big(ish) Band. The jazz session was accompanied by local food trucks and vendors, showing their support for not only the re-opening but the community as a whole.

“A lot of them grew up in the area,” said Tom Bitter, the principal engineer for the City of Cedar Falls. “And I’ve been to this park growing up, so it’s something they really wanted to see done in the area.”

Starting back in June, he joined the project right at the tail end, concluding the construction plans and helping them move forward with the bidding process and eventually construction.

One of the primary reasons the park was renovated was due to the sur-

NORTHERN IOWAN

LILY MUNNIK News Editor L011 Maucker Union Cedar Falls, IA 50614 www.northerniowan.com northern-iowan@uni.edu 319.273.2157

ESTELLE JOHNSON Executive Editor johnsecr@uni.edu 319.290.4955

JENNA WESTENDORF Managing Editor westejac@uni.edu 319.290.4955

rounding community, a factor both Mayor Danny Laudick and others highlighted early in the process, as the funding was largely supported by outside sources, including local businesses and organizations.

One of the more impactful donations came from Talk to Me Technologies, which donated a physical communication board to the park in honor of Lincoln Gabel, a 9-year-old boy who battled a rare congenital defect. Kate Dunning, the co-founder of Talk to Me Technologies, mentioned Lincoln’s story and how important it was for the community to have a park that’s not only safe but also “inclusive for all children with communication challenges in an accessible and safe environment.”

While Lincoln has since passed, Dunning and others know that his memory will live on through Seerley Park’s additions and future projects alike. Future accessible plans include more projects like Seerley Park. The Mayor explained the revision of the Parks Master Plan, which hadn’t been updated since 1996 and now focuses on future projects such as a skate park, updated trails and new recreation facilities.

“These types of projects are built by the community,” he said.

LILY MUNNIK News Editor munnikl@uni.edu

COHEN KAMAUS Sports Editor kamausc@uni.edu

MICHAEL SPAHN Assistant Sports Editor spahnm@uni.edu

LUIS ALVAREZ Spanish Editor alvarlaa@uni.edu

MACI SWANSON Head Photographer maciswan@uni.edu

ANELIA DIMITROVA anelia.dimitrova@uni.edu

CHRIS MARTIN christopher.martin@uni.edu

BETHANY WINGET

The Northern Iowan is published weekly on Wednesday during the academic year, except for holidays and examination periods, by the University of Northern Iowa, L011 Maucker Union, Cedar Falls, IA 506140166 under the auspices of the Board of Student Publications. Advertising errors that are the fault of the Northern Iowan will be corrected at no cost to the advertiser only if the Northern Iowan office is notified within seven days of the original publication. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement at any time. The Northern Iowan is funded in part with student activity fees. All material is © 2025 by the Northern Iowan and may not be used without permission.

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150th Class SPOTLIGHT

Knya Dellit, Class of 2025, finds passion in sports media, marching band

By Ally Knight Staff Writer

Editor’s Note: UNI is marking its 150th anniversary this academic year. As the newspaper of record on campus, the Northern Iowan is showcasing a weekly feature profiling members of the sesquicentennial class.

Knya Dellit is a freshman at the University of Northern Iowa, making her part of the 150th Class. She is majoring in journalism and sports communication. She gained her passion for writing through her high school online newspaper class, The Wahawk Insider.

“I had a really good experience in high school with the newspaper, and I like sports, so I was like, what connects them exactly?” said Dellit.

After Dellit graduates, she plans on working on a sports team and helping with the media aspects, but also thinks about doing journalism. However, she likes to specifically focus on sports in the media, whereas in journalism, she likes to write about anything and everything.

Growing up in Waterloo, she decided to live at home for her first year instead of living in the dorms. Knya played in the band and decided to carry that into college. She says that even though she lives off-campus, being in the band has helped her make a few friends.

“I like UNI so far. It was an adjustment because it’s different from high school, but there are good people and almost everyone you meet is really nice,” said Dellit.

Lisa Bluder, Ron Steele among honorees at UNI’s 2025 President’s Distinguished Awards

By InsideUNI

Lisa Bluder (’83), David Johnson (’15) and Ron Steele will be recognized alongside other outstanding alumni and friends of the University of Northern Iowa during the President’s Distinguished Awards Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.

The annual event honors exceptional alumni, faculty, staff and community members for their professional accomplishments and service. For the first time, as part of the UNI Sesquicentennial Celebration, the event is open to the public and moves to Gallagher Bluedorn.

The evening program will feature the presentation of the President’s Philanthropy Awards, Heritage Honours Awards, recognition of past honorees and the 2025 Gold & Bold Award recipients. Attendees will hear from each Distinguished Award recipient and join in a celebratory toast.

presented annually by the UNI Alumni Association, celebrate UNI alumni and one community member for professional excellence and dedicated service as stewards of the university. The 2025 honorees include:

Lisa Bluder (’83) – Alumni Achievement Award - longtime women’s basketball coach.

Jerry (‘87) and Karen (‘87) Ripperger – Alumni Service Award - active UNI alumni volunteers and supporters.

David Johnson (’15) – Young Alumni Award - NFL Pro Bowl running back for the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans and New Orleans Saints.

Ron Steele – Honorary Alumni Award - longtime news anchor at KWWL-TV.

Marilyn Bohl (‘62) – Purple & Gold Award - retired software developer and industry leader and textbook author.

Bob and Kate Martin – Faculty/ Staff Award - retired professor of history and retired associate university librarian & professor.

The President’s Philanthropy Awards are presented each year by the UNI Foundation to individuals who have demonstrated exemplary efforts toward the support and strategic mission of the University of Northern Iowa. The 2025 honorees include:

Karen (‘99) and Chris (‘01) Yuska –Emerging Philanthropist Award - UNI Wilson College of Business alums and managing partner at Ernst & Young, Des Moines.

Van G. Miller Family Charitable Foundation – Corporation & Foundation Award.

The Heritage Honours Awards,

More information is available at foundation.uni.edu/distinguishedawards2025. Members of the public are welcome to attend and are asked to RSVP through the website.

Additional details on UNI’s 150th anniversary celebrations can be found at 150.uni.edu.

N.I. EN ESPAÑOL

UNIdos listo para el año escolar

UNIdos is ready for the school year.

La semana pasada, el martes 15 de septiembre comenzó el mes de Herencia Latiné. Para dar comienzo a esta celebración UNIdos organizó un evento llamado “Wave Your Flag” donde estudiantes de UNI podrían socializar mientras diseñaba su bandera y escuchaban música. UNIdos también organizó una fiesta “Piñata Party” para que los estudiantes tuvieran la oportunidad de relajarse después de clases. Estos son solo dos eventos que UNIdos tiene preparados para el mes de Herencia Latiné. Originalmente conocido como Hispanic Latino Student Union, UNIdos se ha convertido en una comunidad para estudiantes que se identifican como hispanos, latinx o latinés, así como para cualquier persona interesada en aprender más sobre estas culturas. Según el equipo de UNIdos, el objetivo principal es hacer conexiones entre estudiantes y hacer que se sientan apoyados y orgullosos de quienes son.

El equipo ejecutivo de este año incluye a la presidenta Anahi Ramos Beltran, la vicepresidenta de finanzas Nathalia Pizarro, la directora de administración Jesika

es solo algo que hago. Es parte de quién soy,” ella compartió. Su enfoque de liderazgo es por su orgullo y el deseo de asegurarse de que cada estudiante se sienta bienvenido.

Una de las prioridades

Ser latina y liderar esta organizacion no es solo algo que hago. Es parte de quien soy

–

AHANI RAMOS BELTRAN Presidente UNIdos

Basurto, la directora de relaciones públicas Dulce Bucio y la coordinadora de programas Luisa Alvarez. Para Beltran, liderar UNIdos es algo muy importante y personal. “Ser latina y liderar esta organización no

de UNIdos este año es escuchar más a los estudiantes. Aunque las celebraciones culturales siguen siendo importantes, la organización también quiere enfocarse en el bienestar, la salud mental y la justicia social. Durante el

verano, UNIdos realizó una investigación entre los estudiantes que asisten a los eventos y descubrió que buscan más que fiestas o convivencias. En su investigación, encontraron que los estudiantes desean un espacio donde puedan hablar sobre los problemas que afectan a sus comunidades y cómo pueden contribuir.

Después de su investigación, el equipo empezó a planear eventos que pueden ser interesantes para los estudiantes basados en los resultados. La planificación de eventos es un esfuerzo colaborativo, y cada miembro ejecutivo tiene un papel importante. Alvarez, como coordinadora de programas, ayuda a organizar el calendario y a generar ideas. Bucio se asegura de que la promoción refleje los valores inclusivos del grupo. Basurto mantiene todo organizado detrás de escena y garantiza que las reuniones se desarrollen sin contratiempos y que todo se cumpla. El equipo ha estado trabajando durante todo el verano en los eventos que planean realizar a lo largo del

año escolar, especialmente para el mes de Herencia Latiné. Uno de los eventos más importantes para el mes de Herencia Latiné es el “kick off” que tendrá comida, música y una

oportunidad para que los estudiantes se conecten y hagan nuevas amistades. Y para el futuro, el equipo ejecutivo tiene grandes metas por alcanzar. Beltran desea aumentar la visibilidad de UNIdos y fortalecer las alianzas con otras organizaciones estudiantiles. Pizarro está comprometida con la promoción de la salud mental y física, reconociendo que el bienestar es muy importante para que los estudiantes tengan éxito en sus estudios. Las líderes ven sus roles no solo como cargos, sino como una plataforma para apoyar a otros.

UNIdos no se trata solo de eventos o reuniones, sino de construir un segundo hogar en el campus. Es un lugar donde los estudiantes pueden celebrar su cultura, explorar su identidad y crecer como líderes. Con el equipo ejecutivo de este año, la organización está más comprometida que nunca con la creación de un espacio inclusivo donde los estudiantes se sientan bienvenidos.

Los estudiantes interesados en unirse o aprender más pueden seguir a UNIdos en Instagram (@uni_unidos) o comunicarse por correo electrónico a unidos@uni.edu.

OPINION

Students should consider adopting from shelters

By Lily Munnik News Editor

College is stressful. Between classes, part-time jobs and the looming anxiety of adulthood, many students find themselves burnt out and emotionally drained. While universities are scrambling to expand mental health services, one furry solution is sitting patiently in your local animal shelter — a cat.

That’s right — a cat. Not only are they low-maintenance companions perfect for small apartments and tight schedules, but adopting one from a shelter also gives a second chance to an ani mal that desperately needs it.

Living away from home for the first time often means losing the emotional support of family and friends. A cat offers companionship, routine and comfort. Unlike dogs, they don’t require daily walks or constant attention. They’re affectionate when you need them, independent when you don’t — the per fect roommate, really.

volunteers are often eager to help you find the perfect match.

One concern people raise is whether college students can handle the responsibility. But here’s the thing — that’s the point. Learning to care for another living being fosters accountability, time management and compassion. Feeding schedules, regular cleaning and vet visits may seem like chores, but they can anchor students in times of chaos.

Sure, students should be

Learning to care for another living being fosters accountability, time management and compassion.

– Lily Munnik, News Editor

There’s a common miscon ception that animals in shel ters are somehow damaged or difficult. In truth, most ended up there through no fault of their own — their previous owners may have moved, passed away or simply weren’t able to care for them. Many shelter cats are already litter-trained, socialized and even spayed or neutered.

Adopting from a shelter is also cheaper. Adoption fees typically range from $50 to $150 and often include vaccinations, microchipping and the initial vet check — a cost-effective pack age for any student liv ing on a tight budget. Compare that to hun dreds or thousands for a purebred kitten from a breeder and the choice becomes even clearer.

Shelters also tend to match you with an ani mal that fits your lifestyle. Looking for a playful cat? They’ve got one. Prefer a mellow lap cat who naps through your study sessions? They’ve got that too. Staff and

beat loud humans.

College is about learning — not just academically, but emotionally. It’s a time to grow, to explore and to become a more empathetic, responsible adult. What better way to do that than by giv -

ing a homeless animal a loving home?

So if you’re a student with the means and the heart, skip the breeder, avoid the pet store and head to your local shelter. There’s a cat waiting for you, and trust me — you need each other more than you think.

realistic — if you’re in a dorm or travel constantly, now may not be the right time. But for those in off-campus housing, a cat is more than manageable. And when it comes to roommates, cats almost always

UNI to kick off Sesquicentennial Celebration with weeklong events

By NI Staff

The University of Northern Iowa will officially launch its yearlong Sesquicentennial Celebration on Monday, Sept. 29, with a week of events that coincide with the university’s annual Homecoming festivities.

“The sesquicentennial is a milestone not only for our campus, but for the Cedar Valley and the state of Iowa,” said celebration co-chair Randy Pilkington.

“This launch week is just the beginning of a yearlong celebration of UNI’s proud past, impact and bold future.”

“This celebration gives us the opportunity to rally around Panther pride, engage our community, and set the tone for the next 150 years,” added co-chair Cary Darrah.

Launch week aligns with UNI Homecoming, giving the campus community even more to celebrate. Highlights include the Homecoming parade celebrating “Panthers Through Time” on Saturday morning and the Panther football game in the UNI-Dome later that day. UNI volleyball, softball, swimming and diving, and women’s rugby also have home contests.

For a full schedule of events and more information on UNI’s 150th anniversary, visit 150.uni.edu and homecoming.uni.edu

Courtesy/InsideUNI

The celebration begins with the Ringing of the Sesquicentennial Bell, a special ceremony that will officially “ring in” UNI’s 150th year. The bell, located outside the Campanile, will serve as a lasting symbol of the university’s past, present and future. In addition to marking the start of the celebration week, the commemorative bell will remain on campus to support new Panther traditions for years to come.

Also on Monday, a dedicated sesquicentennial exhibit will hold its grand opening in Rod Library. The exhibit showcases UNI’s evolution from an orphans’ home for Civil War soldiers to a small teachers college to today’s university, with stories, artifacts and interactive displays highlighting the people and milestones that have shaped the institution over the past 150 years. Following the opening, the exhibit will be free and open to the public during the library’s regular operating hours.

This launch week is just the beginning of a yearlong celebration of UNI’s proud past, impact and bold future.

–Randy

In addition to signature events, the week features numerous supporting activities, including the President’s Distinguished Alumni Celebration, the Golden Graduate reunion for the class of 1975, architectural walking tours on the UNI campus, a special event marking 60 years of Rod Library, and many reunions.

CAMPUS LIFE

UNI School of Music to Host 44th Annual Scholarship Benefit Concert Sept. 26

By Lily Munnik News Editor

The University of Northern Iowa School of Music will celebrate more than four decades of musical excellence with its 44th Annual Scholarship Benefit Concert, to be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, in the Catherine Cassidy Gallagher Great Hall at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC). This year’s theme, ‘Our History,’ pays tribute to the School of Music’s rich past, present talent and vision for the future.

The concert will feature dynamic performances from a wide array of student and faculty ensembles, including the UNI Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band One, Cecilians, Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra, UNI Opera and several featured soloists. Highlights of the evening’s repertoire include selections from Strauss’s Die Fledermaus and Arturo Márquez’s Conga del Fuego Nuevo, showcasing both classical and contemporary works. Following the concert, audience members are invited to enjoy a reception with chocolates, hors d’oeuvres, and beverages in the GBPAC lobby and the newly expanded Marquee Lounge. Music will continue into the evening.

The Scholarship Benefit Concert has become a cornerstone event for raising essential scholarship funds for UNI music students — both those with financial need and those demonstrating exceptional talent.

“The concert helps us do two things,” said Melinda Boyd, director of the UNI School of Music. “It helps us get our large ensembles into detailed rehearsal work early in the semester since the concert happens five weeks into the school year, and it helps us to promote the idea that music scholarships are important.”

Boyd also noted that donations tend to increase around the time of the concert.

“It gets our donor base going, so people can donate to the scholarship benefit account year-round, but those donations ramp up around the concert.”

Among the ensembles featured this year is the Cecilians, a large choral group with approximately 117 members — most of whom are non-music majors.

“They’re almost all non-music majors, so they sing because they just enjoy singing,” Boyd said. “They’re a part of our theme this year — ‘Our History’ — because they were the first organized music ensemble on this campus, originally called the Cecilian Glee Club, founded in 1888.”

The concert will also spotlight UNI’s proud jazz tradition, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Mike Conrad, professor of Jazz and Music Education and director of UNI Jazz Band One, expressed his enthusiasm for both the upcoming concert and the larger milestone on the horizon.

“I’m excited for this year’s Scholarship Benefit Concert for a number of reasons,” Conrad said. “While I’ve been a

part of many in the past — as a student performer back in the day, as a faculty guest performer more recently and as a spectator several times — this will be my first time appearing at the concert as an ensemble director.”

As part of the jazz area’s 75th anniversary, Conrad has been diving into UNI’s archives to uncover the origins of the program, which began in 1951 with a student-led concert called ‘Jazz at the Commons.’

“In those early newspaper archives from The College Eye, I found that one of the songs performed at the very first UNI jazz concert was Rodgers and Hart’s ‘Where or When, ’ which UNI Jazz Band

One will play to open our set,” Conrad said. “We’ll also perform a high-energy arrangement of ‘Ol’ Man River,’ which was sung by Bob Pierce at the second ‘Jazz at the Commons’ concert in 1952.”

Conrad noted that the full jazz anniversary celebration will take place on Feb. 20, 2026, also at the GBPAC, and promises “fantastic music and some amazing special guests.”

Complementing the musical performances will be a visual history component. Undergraduate students, in collaboration with Rod Library Special Collections, have curated digital projects on the histories of UNI’s bands, orchestras and choirs. These projects will be

displayed on screens in the GBPAC lobby throughout the evening.

All seats for the Scholarship Benefit Concert are reserved. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Gallagher Bluedorn box office, by calling 319-273-4TIX or 877549-SHOW, or online at unitix. uni.edu.

Special donor packages with complimentary tickets are also available by contacting the School of Music office at 319273-2028.

For more information about the concert or to support music scholarships at UNI, visit music.uni.edu/sbc.

UNI students make waves with Bluff Street Band

By Lily Munnik News Editor

In a Culver’s booth in Cedar Falls, a new chapter of local music quietly began in January 2025. That’s where Bluff Street, a rising indie pop and rock band made up entirely of University of Northern Iowa students, held their very first meeting. Since then, they’ve been steadily gaining momentum, drawing crowds with their electrifying shows, unique style and unmistakable chemistry.

Bluff Street is fronted by Riley Jane, a powerhouse vocalist and songwriter who brings both lyrical vulnerability and a commanding stage presence. A senior social work major at UNI, Riley is set to graduate in December — but music, she says, will always be a constant in her life.

Backing her up is a talented trio of multi-instrumentalists. Braden Sabin, guitar/bass/vocals, a sophomore accounting major; Breven Biermann, bass/

guitar/vocals, a sophomore studying interactive digital studies; and Julian McGuinty, on drums, a sophomore kinesiology major and, as Riley jokes, “also single and a feminist, by the way.”

The band’s origin story is as modern as it gets.

Riley had long dreamed of starting a band, but didn’t know any local musicians — so she turned to Instagram. A quick scroll through the UNI School of Music’s followers led her to Braden, who just happened to be holding a guitar in his profile picture.

“I decided that was enough to convince me I needed him as a guitarist,” Riley says. A cold DM and a few introductions later, she met Breven and Julian, and Bluff Street officially came to life.

The band name has literal roots — one of Riley’s family-owned rental properties on Bluff Street doubled as their first rehearsal space. She now lives there, and the name stuck.

Bluff Street quickly hit its stride, blending Riley’s heartfelt originals with crowd-pleasing pop and rock covers. Their genre is indie pop/rock, but their vibe is undeniably fun, slightly chaotic and deeply connected.

“We’ve got lots of bits during our shows,” Riley says. “Wigs, kazoos, megaphones and Draco Malfoy. It’s a whole experience.”

What sets them apart in a crowded local music scene, aside from being all UNI students, the band brings a strong sense of showmanship, humor and originality. Unlike many bands in the area, Bluff Street boasts a rare dynamic, a female frontwoman with all-male instrumentalists.

Performing live is where Bluff Street truly shines. They’ve already crossed a major item off Riley’s bucket list by playing at Des Moines Pride Fest and they consistently light up the stage at The Octopus, a beloved Cedar Falls bar.

“The Octopus is one of our favorite places,” Riley says. “We perform at their songwriter’s night every first Wednesday of the month. It’s such a supportive space for local talent.”

Bluff Street also credits the UNI community for playing a big part in their journey. The university’s radio station recorded and produced their debut single, “I only want the boys (who don’t want me),” and Hilltop Media filmed their first music video. They even performed at the Maucker-ena Showcase — all thanks to opportunities from fellow students and supportive staff.

While the future holds inevitable changes — graduations, new commitments, new faces — Bluff Street has no plans to stop anytime soon. Riley is determined to continue making music long after she earns her diploma, and the rest of the band members are equally passionate, both in Bluff Street and their other projects.

“Breven and Braden are basically the Cedar Falls music scene,” Riley says. “Breven’s solo work under the name Beeven is incredible. And there are rumors Braden’s working on some solo stuff too.”

Their next big gig is Sept. 27 at the James Theater in Iowa City, where they’ll perform a set of entirely unreleased original songs. It’s a bold move that speaks to their confidence, ambition and the depth of material they’ve been building behind the scenes.

As they look ahead to studio time, new demos and growing their fan base, one thing’s clear: Bluff Street is more than just a student band — it’s a movement born out of creativity, collaboration and a shared love for making music.

To keep up with their journey, follow them on Instagram @bluffstreetband.

Panthers fall to Trailblazers in Utah

By Tyler Wood Sports Writer

The UNI Panthers traveled west Saturday to face the Utah Tech Trailblazers. The Panthers were just out west two weeks ago in their matchup with Wyoming, which they lost 31-7. UNI entered this game 2-1 after a hard-fought victory at home against Eastern Washington, in which the Panthers won 17-14.

But games on the road out West continued to vex the Panthers, who lost 20-9 to the Trailblazers.

The Panthers have been strong on offense this season. Quarterback Matthew Shecklman continues to excel in the passing game. He threw for more than 350 yards last week against Eastern Washington. Shecklman had two touchdown passes, one interception and a completion rate of 67%. Running back Harrison Bey-Buie couldn’t find the end zone for the first time this season but still ran well, finishing with 86 yards on 26 carries. Leading receiver Tyson Kershaw had a big game, catching six passes

for 143 yards and a touchdown. But it was a different story in Utah.

Kickoff was 7 p.m. in St. George, Utah, at Greater Zion Stadium. Both teams were scoreless in the first quarter thanks to strong defense. Kicker Max Bartachek put UNI on the

board in the second quarter with field goals from 46 and 26 yards, the latter coming after an interception by defensive lineman Owen Ostroski.

The Panthers moved the ball but struggled to finish drives against the Trailblazers’ defense. Utah

Tech took the lead late in the half when quarterback Reggie Graff threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Daniel Thomason. The extra point from Ilya Uvaydov made it 7-6 at halftime.

The Trailblazers opened the third quarter with a 66-yard touchdown run from

running back Asa Chapman. Uvaydov’s PAT put them ahead 14-6. UNI answered with another Bartachek field goal, this one from 23 yards.

The Trailblazers shut out the Panthers in the fourth quarter, while Uvaydov added two more field goals from 23 and 28 yards.

It was a rough day for UNI. Shecklman finished 18-of-31 for 160 yards. Running lanes were scarce, with Bill Jackson gaining 36 yards on 11 carries. Receiver Ayden Price led UNI with two catches for 49 yards.

Utah Tech leaned on its ground game. Graff ran for 103 yards on 24 carries and passed for 110 yards with one interception. DaJon Harrison was the Trailblazers’ top receiver with one catch for 40 yards.

The Panthers fell to 2-2, while Utah Tech entered the win column at 1-3. The Trailblazers face Austin Peay next week as they look to keep their momentum. UNI has a bye week and will try to regroup after the low-scoring loss.

UFC Fight Night Australia Preview

By Mason Kalkbrenner Sports Writer

On Saturday, Sept. 27, UFC Fight Night comes to Perth, Australia, with a light heavyweight showdown. Former light heavyweight title challenger Dominick Reyes takes on Carlos Ulberg, who is on a seven-fight win streak. Other notable fighters on the card include Jack Jenkins, Jimmy Crute and Neil Magny.

When the UFC goes international, local fighters usually get booked. On the main card, at least one fighter is Australian, with the exception of the main event, as Ulberg is from New Zealand. Fans should expect nothing less than a brawl in the land down under.

The closest the UFC’s Jon Jones came to defeat was at the hands of Reyes in 2020. Following a controversial judges’ decision, Reyes has been chasing championship glory ever since. He has gone 2-4 in his last six fights, losing to future champions Jan Blachowicz and Jiri Prochazka. In fact, all six of those bouts have ended by knockout.

Ulberg may be too much of a challenge for Reyes. Coming off a decision victory over Blachowicz in March, Ulberg has the momentum and the power to finish this fight. He won the King of the Ring 92 kg

II tournament in 2019 and the King of the Ring 100 kg III tournament in 2018. This matchup could be a stepping stone for his UFC career.

Fans should also remember the light heavyweight title fight on Oct. 4 between

COURTESY/MMA FIGHTING

Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira. Depending on the result, this could be the win that puts either Reyes or Ulberg into serious title consideration. The winner may face the winner of Prochazka vs. Khalil

Rountree at UFC 320 on Oct. 4. That fight will be a title eliminator, with the victor set to challenge either Ankalaev or Pereira for the undisputed championship.

This card underwent sev eral changes after multiple injuries caused cancellations just weeks before the event. The co-main event between Crute and Ivan Erslan was originally supposed to feature Junior Tafa vs. Ibo Aslan in a light heavyweight bout. Both Tafa and Aslan were looking to get back into the win column, but injuries reshaped the lineup. Crute, coming off a submission victory in July against Marcin Prachnio, looks to build momentum in front of his home crowd. Erslan, from Croatia, has lost three of his last five fights but has only been finished twice in his career. With a 10-1 TKO/ KO record and a 1-1 submission record, he is tough to put away.

Still, Crute is hard to bet against. The Bendigo, Victoria, native is a scrappy, resilient fighter. A victory here would push him into the spotlight in the stacked light heavyweight division.

Champions League week doesn’t disappoint

By Sam O’Hair Sports Writer

The first matchweek of UEFA’s Champions League was held Sept. 16-18. The tournament ranks as the most prestigious in club soccer, where teams must display elite quality simply to qualify. The opening fixtures reflected that standard. The competition is in the league stage, which will determine what clubs advance to the knockouts.

Real Madrid faced French side Olympique Marseille, led by veteran Pierre-Emile Højbjerg and captain Leonardo Balerdi. The Spanish giants trailed 1-0 in the 22nd minute when Mason Greenwood set up American winger Timothy Weah for a surprise Marseille lead. Shortly after, disaster struck Marseille when Geoffrey Kondogbia fouled Rodrygo in the box, leading to a penalty. Kylian Mbappé converted to level the score. Mbappé struck again from the spot in the second half, giving Madrid a 2-1 win — a concerning start for a club that expects not just picked to win but to dominate. Madrid’s lack of open-play goals is unusual for a side of its caliber, and

improvement will be expected as the competition progresses.

In Turin, Borussia Dortmund faced Juventus, Italy’s most decorated club. Both sides have reached the Champions League final in the past decade, each losing to Madrid. The first half was slow, with Juventus controlling possession. The pace shifted after halftime

when Karim Adeyemi put Dortmund ahead 1-0 in the 52nd minute. Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović responded with two goals and assisted on a stoppage-time equalizer. The wild fixture ended 4-4, reflecting its back-andforth nature. Both Dortmund and Juventus remain overlooked dark horses, with flaws but undeniable attacking talent. Turkish midfield -

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er Kenan Yildiz was a standout for Juventus, driving the attack with creativity and pace.

In Munich, Bayern rolled past Chelsea 2-0 behind two goals from Harry Kane. The German champions looked dominant against a Chelsea side fresh off a Club World Cup title. Kane and Bayern appear poised to be a force in the knockouts.

At Anfield, Liverpool edged Atletico Madrid 3-2 with a dramatic late goal. The Reds surrendered a twogoal lead before Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner in extra time found Virgil van Dijk for the winner. It marked Liverpool’s fourth straight win decided in extra time — thrilling but not sustainable for a club with championship ambitions.

In Paris, defending champions PSG thrashed Atalanta 4-0 despite missing Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué. Winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia starred, scoring in the 37th minute and creating several chances.

At St. James’ Park, Barcelona defeated Newcastle 2-1 without 18-year-old phenom Lamine Yamal, sidelined with a hip injury. Coach Hansi Flick started new signing Marcus Rashford, shifting Raphinha to accommodate him. Rashford silenced his critics, scoring twice — first in the 58th minute from a Jules Koundé assist, then with a powerful long-range strike in the 68th. The win provided an optimistic start for Barcelona’s campaign.

Panther volleyball sweeps weekend

By Nicole Waters Sports Writer

Panther volleyball started off the weekend against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, in which the first set saw UNI having no issues with multiple scoring runs that included a 7-0 run that put them ahead 11-3. Cassidy Hartman, Lindsay Oldendorf, and Maryn Bixby each had three kills in the first set as Lily Dykstra had two that helped the team cruise to a 25-14 win.

The second set saw Northern Iowa see a little more competition from the Golden Eagles as they saw an early 7-7 tie in the set. The Panthers went on to score five straight points and kept moving after that, which saw Dykstra with five kills in the set and four for Hartman, which helped UNI to go on to take set two with a final score of 25-17.

Set three saw Northern Iowa go on a 6-0 run to start the set. UNI was all gas and no breaks as they notched three aces from Bixby and Dykstra, as well as Hartman, when it was match point to go on and cruise to a set three win and start the weekend off with a 3-0 sweep.

The next match of the weekend saw the Panthers facing off against the Western Michigan Broncos. Set one

saw a lot of back-and-forth action between the two teams.

Splitting the first 20 points of the set. Western Michigan tied the set up 13-13 before UNI would take control and lead the rest of the way as Dykstra racked up six kills, as Isabelle Elliott posted five as well. Northern Iowa held off

the Broncos to take the first set 25-21 and go up 1-0 on the match.

Western Michigan jumped to an early 3-0 lead to start the second set before the Panthers responded with a 4–0 run of their own. UNI was able to build the lead up to 17-14 in their favor with Hartman

and Dykstra each scoring an ace. Molly Shafer and Bixby combined for a block on set point to give Northern Iowa the 25-18 set win and 2-0 match lead.

UNI saw another back-andforth set from the Broncos as the first 12 points were split between the two teams.

Bixby and Shafer each dished out an ace as the Panthers pulled away with a 4-0 run to take a 17-14 lead on Western Michigan. Northern Iowa would go on to finish the set out strong, going on a 13-4 run as Dykstra and Hartmna both had double-digit figures on the day as the team went on to win 25-16 to complete another sweep.

The final match of the weekend saw them facing off against the Green Bay Phoenix, which saw the Panthers take the early set lead at 8-3 with Hartman leading the offense with six kills. Green Bay would get within one at 18-17, but UNI would close out the set with a 8-3 run to take the set 25-21.

In the second set, Oldendorf found her groove and notched seven kills as Northern Iowa was able to break away from an 11-11 tie. Shafer secured an ace as the Panthers continued to build a lead on the Phoenix to hold on for a 25-20 set two win. Set three saw Dykstra carry the UNI offense to the end as she racked up eight kills as Northern Iowa pulled away from an early 5-5 tie. Bixby, Dykstra, Oldendorf, and Hartman each had one block assist as the Panthers secured the third set win to complete the three-set sweep and go 3-0 on the weekend.

Dark horse NFL MVP candidates

By Michael Spahn Sports Editor Assistant

The NFL season is in full swing, which calls for some early NFL MVP forecasting. The likes of Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes are the early favorites. There are a few surprise candidates making a good impression for the award through three games. Here are some darkhorse MVP candidates to keep an eye on.

Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts

A player no one thought would be this successful to start the season, “Indiana Jones” has taken the league by storm. The seventh-year quarterback has led the Colts to a 3-0 start with victories against the Dolphins, Broncos and Titans. Jones has thrown for 588 yards and five touchdowns in those three weeks. Colts head coach Shane Steichen has been a perfect fit for Jones’ abilities at the position. With skill players Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Warren helping

for

division, Jones will stay in the mix for the MVP race.

Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Herbert has established himself as one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL but has never been in the MVP conversation in his six-year career. He might have his best chance to win the award this year, as the Chargers are off to a 3-0 start, which included a signature victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Herbert has thrown for five touchdowns and 560 yards with no interceptions. He has built a solid connection with second-year receiver Ladd McConkey, and the team brought back veteran receiver Keenan Allen in free agency. The weapons are there for Herbert, and winning MVP is a realistic outcome for his 2025 season.

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers are 3-0 under Mayfield, cementing themselves as one of the better teams in the NFC early on. The eight-year veteran has thrown for 382 yards and five touchdowns. Rookie

receiver Emeka Egbuka has been a huge complement to Mayfield through three games, along with veteran receiver Mike Evans. Mayfield is arguably playing the best football of his career. If his team can put together a storybook season, Mayfield could find himself holding the MVP trophy in February.

Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers

Last Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Browns wasn’t ideal, but Jordan Love still has an opportunity in front of him to win MVP. Love and the Packers have a realistic chance to win the NFC this season, especially after trading for Pro Bowl defender Micah Parsons. The combination of his smart decision-making and strong arm are ideal traits for coach Matt LaFleur’s system. Tight end Tucker Kraft has emerged as Love’s favorite receiver, along with rookie Matthew Golden. If the Packers continue to win games, keep an eye on Love for MVP in 2025.

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September 24, 2025