/ The Sunflower
THURSDAY Oct. 7, 2021 Volume 126 Issue 9
WICHITA STATE’S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1896
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WSU memorializes football team’s plane crash 51 years later BY EMMIE BOESE elboese15@gmail.com / @elboese15
T
hey come to remember and honor but the heavy and eerie feeling never really goes away for players and staff on the anniversary of the October 2, 1971 plane crash of the Wichita State University Football Team. Amongst them were saddened community members, family, and friends. On Saturday, Oct. 2, Wichita State hosted a ceremony for the 51st anniversary of the plane crash at the Rhatigan Student Center. The event held several speakers including Wichita State President Richard Muma. The current Wichita State baseball team was also in attendance. The day started off like any other day for members of the Wichita State Football Team. Two planes named the “Gold Plane”and the “Black Plane” departed from the Denver airport, to head to Logan, Utah where they would play Utah State University. However, the gold plane never made it back home after crashing into Mount Trelease near Silver Plume, Colorado. The “Black Plane” landed safely in Logan, Utah.
“We’ve lost brothers and sisters, aunts, and uncles. When you’re 17, 18 years old and you go through a tragedy like this it stays with you forever.” ALLEN YOUNG Former WSU Football Player
Former Wichita State football player Allen Young said the memorial anniversary is significant to him and other players because it brings them all together. He said the football program went 40 years before losing their first teammate from the 70’s. “We’ve lost brothers and sisters, aunts, and uncles,” Young said. “When you’re 17, 18 years old and you go through a tragedy like this it stays with you forever. I think the early years after and since we went our own ways we might not be able to forget but as you grow older you grow closer together now because we are family.” The program lost 31 people in the plane crash. Among those who lost their lives that day were 14 players, 14 staff and boosters, and
PHOTO BY RACHEL RUDISILL / THE SUNFLOWER
Former WSU football player Bill Glasco points towards names of fallen Shocker players during the memorial held Oct. 2.
three crew members. Among the passengers in the plane, only nine of them survived the crash. Eight of them were players and one of them the co - pilot. Several players from “the Black Plane” were in attendance at the ceremony. One of them was Bill Glasco. Glasco is from Independence, Missouri. He said
he did not consider himself to be a great football player but that he was a great student and Wichita State gave him a scholarship to play football. He graduated Wichita State with a math degree. He said he lost many of his best friends in the crash, and felt fortunate to have been on the “black plane” but was deeply
saddened to experience loss at a young age. Wichita State continued their season which was known as “the second season” on Saturday, Oct. 24 against the University of Arkansas at War Memorial Stadium. The plane crash memorial can be found at 18th and Hillside on the Wichita State campus.
PHOTO BY MIA HENNEN / THE SUNFLOWER
Cameron Boyd discusses what Spectrum stands for and how they are a safe place on campus for students on Oct. 6 outside the Rhatigan Student Center.
PHOTO BY MONIQUE GAINES / THE SUNFLOWER
Student senators John Kirk, Ella Perkins, Tayton Majors and Omarion Brantley sit at the student government meeting on Oct. 6, 2021.
Updated SGA code of ethics and conduct receives first read from senate BY JULIA NIGHTENGALE AND LINDSAY SMITH news@thesunflower.com / editor@thesunflower.com
A bill regarding an updated SGA code of ethics and conduct received first read at the Student Senate meeting Wednesday. The code includes a set of expectations for individuals who serve in any of the three branches of the Student Government Association. “As campus leaders and role models, SGA Officials must be dedicated to increased campus unity and school spirit, to full and open communication with constituents, and to efforts for positive and realistic changes,” the bill reads. The bill was written by the Task Force on Association’s Ethics over the summer. Speaker Jacob Tubach said SGA’s current code of ethics needed more clarification. “There was some very vague language that we thought should be better defined,” Tubach said. The bill lists specific standards for “personal integrity” and “civic
behavior” for members of SGA. The main point of questioning was surrounding a section stating that, “no SGA official shall make, directly or indirectly, any oral or written public or private statements that are false and disparaging of the Student Government Association, any of its present officers, or its Constitution, Bylaws, Codes, procedures, and regulations.” Senator Michelle Bastian was the first to question the section, asking why SGA had control over what she said in private. “Why does SGA have control over my private statements?” Bastian said. Speaker Jacob Tubach said that the rule would only relate to conversations happening while performing duties as a student government member. Presented with a complaint in a formal way, they would have to reference the specific code they violated. The defendant would have a chance to defend their position. The case would be taken to the Senate Review Board and if the Board found it necessary, they
would pass it to the senate. Tubach said that the burden of proof is placed on the person who made the complaint. They have to provide robust proof and evidence. Addressing concerns surrounding the idea that members might use this to their own advantage, Tubach said that he trusts the process set by the Senate Review Board that only legitimate cases would make it to the senate. “The likelihood of a he said, she said case making it past the SRB is extremely unlikely,” Tubach said. Fonseca clarified that this does not apply to criticizing other senators and that removing a person from the senate will not be taken lightly. He said that people cannot “weaponize” the code of ethics. “There are checks and balances in place to ensure that [people aren’t] abusing the language just because it’s there,” SGA Advisor Gabriel Fonseca said. The bill will receive second read and vote at next week’s Wednesday meeting.
Spectrum: LGBT and allies group creates safe space for students BY JULIA NIGHTENGALE news@thesunflower.com / @JuliaNightengale
Spectrum is a group on campus that is open to students, as well as students at different colleges and community members. While all of their meetings were online last year, Cameron Boyd, president of the group, said that they have meetings every Thursday on campus from 7 to 9 p.m. “Our mission is simply to promote safety, security, general wellness for people on campus and those in the community for our LGBTQ members,” Boyd said. Boyd said that meetings range from doing “Gayme nights” to Kahoot nights to learn more about LGBTQ, women’s, and Black history. Boyd said students should not worry about showing up late and to show up whenever they are free. The group also sends out meeting reminders on Discord and Facebook with the subject of the meeting so people can decide if they want to attend or not. “We sometimes try to tackle sex education, the AIDS crisis,” Boyd said. “Some more informative meetings but some of them are more relaxed and discussion-based … We’ve had spa days for finals.” While the organization was
created in 2016, Boyd said that this is the 45th anniversary of LGBTQ clubs on campus. Boyd said that Spectrum is important to have on campus because it provides a safe space for students to be themselves and relieve stress from the week. “Some of the members are like ‘this is just what we needed today, I had such a long day, a long week,’” Boyd said. “It’s just like a nice winding down time and it’s a LGBTQ organization so people have that home, or if they are closeted at their house they can at least be open at some places on campus.” Boyd said they have had anywhere from ten to twenty students showing up to meetings this year, which is more than they had last year. Along with meetings on Thursdays, Spectrum also takes part in the Student Involvement Fair and helps ODI with events such as their Drag Show. “We just want this place to be on campus so everyone can come here and learn, and properly develop skills for professional life and how to help your own community,” Boyd said. “Also make friends of course and just build connections.” To stay up-to-date on the location and topic of weekly meetings, follow WSU’s Spectrum: LGBTQ and Allies on Facebook.
NEWS
2 | THURSDAY, OCT. 7, 2021
Tips to keep your car belongings safe on campus
SGA holds panel surrounding student concerns about food insecurity
BY ELENA KUCKELMAN elkuckelman@shockers.wichita.edu
On top of studying, taking tests, and writing essays, a car break-in is the last thing a college student wants to worry about. Fortunately, there are certain steps that can be taken to protect your vehicle and prevent break-ins. Wichita State Police Department Captain Guy Schroeder said that campus has seen fewer instances of car breakins so far this year. However, he knows that they are an inevitable reality of college parking lots. “The unfortunate reality is that car break-ins are going to happen in any place that has a large parking lot,” said Shroeder. “And we have quite a few.” Because crimes can occur in any place, Schroeder said that no parking lots are more safe than others. “We know from our training and from viewing video surveillance that some common behaviors of people who commit vehicle-related theft include driving up and down traffic ways in a parking lot, peering into vehicles, checking door handles, and removing license plates,” said Schroeder. Schroeder says there are several tips for students to protect their vehicles from theft, such as keeping your vehicle locked with the windows rolled up, and not leaving your vehicle running or leaving your keys in your vehicle while it is unattended. Students should also remove their valuables from their cars if possible, or put them somewhere where they cannot be seen. “A window can easily be broken to remove the contents, but criminals are less likely to randomly open trunks,” said Schroeder. Additionally, students should have regular check-ins on their vehicle and belongings. In case of theft, this will help WSUPD by pinpointing the time of the incident. Finally, students should know their license plate number so they can make sure that their plate has not been stolen or replaced. “Criminals have been known to swap out a plate that is tied to a warrant or a stolen vehicle,” Schroeder said. Some of the steps that WSUPD takes to keep campus parking lots safe are conducting deterrent patrols throughout the day in the busier lots, providing safety escorts to anyone who feels unsafe walking to their vehicle, and monitoring moveable cameras within the lots. If a student’s vehicle has been damaged, broken into, or stolen while on campus, Schroeder advised that they immediately get to a safe place and call the campus police department. He also encouraged students to report any suspicious behavior or accidents they see taking place on campus. “We encourage people to ‘see something, say something,’” said Schroeder. “The quicker we receive a call, the quicker we can respond to a situation and hopefully apprehend and charge the individuals who committed the crime.”
BY MELANIE RIVERA-CORTEZ
FILE PHOTO BY MATTHEW KELLY / THE SUNFLOWER
Tulips bloom on Wichita State campus
WSU hiring a search firm to find next provost BY LINDSAY SMITH editor@thesunflower.com / @Lindsay_ KSmith
The university has started the process of searching for the next provost, a position currently held in interim capacity by Shirley Lefever. Rather than conducting the search themselves, WSU will hire a search firm. The university issued a request for proposals from search firms on
Sept. 24 and will close the bidding process on Oct. 8, according to a university document. The executive vice president and provost serves as the head of the academic programs. The position opened when past provost Rick Muma was named president earlier this year. Muma held the position of provost since 2018.
Mid semester checkin: Students reflect on exams, mental health and other topics BY JULIA NIGHTENGALE news@thesunflower.com / @JuliaNightengale
As students enter into the second half of their fall semester, The Sunflower went to the Rhatigan Student Center to check in with student’s studying and see how this semester has been going for them and how it has been different than last year. Caleb Brown, a senior majoring in Aerospace Engineering, said that his courses are starting to feel more normal again and college is starting to feel like it did before COVID-19. He said that his classes feel easier this semester compared to last year. “Some of the classes definitely feel better, some of the classes seem easier now because of those last couple of hiccups we’ve had the last couple of semesters,” Brown said. “It seems easier now but I’d probably say it seems more like it used to be before.” Brown said that all of his classes are in-person, and while there is a hybrid option available if needed, attendance to in-person classes is emphasized to get the full value out of a course. He said that he feels like professors are getting used to a hybrid format for classes. “I guess specifically because I am in my later classes, a lot of them still focus on in-person classes but it definitely seems like they’ve figured out any issues they had the last couple of semesters,” Brown said. Brown said that his classes don’t have midterms and instead all follow the same course schedule of having three exams and a
The Sunflower, founded in 1896, is the student-run newspaper covering Wichita State University. The print edition is published Monday during the fall and spring semesters. The staff publishes daily online at www.thesunflower.com.
MISSION The Sunflower — both in print and online — will be a timely resource of information about the Wichita State University community. It will report on news, issues, activities, academics and athletics, in addition to offering a forum for discussion, reviews and commentary. It will also be an effective learning experience for students, who will have the final authority over what is published.
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final. “WSU definitely goes out of their way to make sure that, especially being a senior, they are trying to set you up for your future and they want to make sure that you are successful right out of college,” Brown said. “They don’t want you to just stumble out and figure out what you are doing. “If you don’t have something figured out they give you the opportunity to figure it out before you leave and I think that’s really good that they do that.” Cynthia Dingman, a junior majoring in Biological Science, said that her courseload feels heavier this semester but enjoys having the in-person option for classes again. “I think it’s going better,” Dingman said. “I like in-person classes a lot more than online, but it’s still stressful, still a struggle. “I think it helps me keep my attention more to the class, you know online I felt like I was everywhere else not paying attention.” For other students, they entered college during COVID-19 and are now able to experience college life on campus for the first time. Cameron Davis, a sophomore majoring in Management Information Systems, went to KU his first year and said that he has been enjoying life as a WSU student. “It’s pretty different,” Davis said. “Everything opened up more, there’s more stuff to do on campus obviously. I’ve been enjoying it so far.”
Wichita State’s Student Government Association hosted a Food Insecurity Panel to address student and community member concerns regarding food insecurity. Food insecurity is a problem many students face at WSU — especially since the university is located in the middle of the food desert. With the closing of groceries like Save-A-Lot, many students and community members have found it difficult to find food accessible. “It has caused our community to be at a greater disadvantage with even less access to food and resources,” Hannah Harpel, SGA’s director of community engagement and outreach said. Students face many obstacles when it comes to fighting food insecurity. “An obstacle that I’ve noticed is that people who have health conditions that are required to have a healthy diet have a harder time finding food sources that will keep them full but also healthy,” said Tammy Pham, a member of WSU Community Service Board. Students may also not have access to a car that can take them to get grocery stores. “If they have class all day take the bus might not be convenient because they stop running after a certain time,” Tajahnae Stocker, the founder of the ICT Community Fridge, said. While one may think of many solutions to the problem, panelists pointed out that it is not a one size fits all situation. “I know recently in the Fairmount Community and in Wichita State, I know Green Group and SGA are both working together to have a pantry that is accessible for Fairmount Community and students,” said Darryl Carrington, fairmount
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neighborhood association president. However there should not be speculation about what the problems that community members and students are facing without asking them what the problems are. “Putting impacted people at the table, before you make these decisions about what should be in Fairmount or Wichita State to eradicate food insecurity, the people who are impacted who don’t have access to the food need to be at that table,” Stocker said. By allowing people in power who are willing to help know the problems that people are facing will address the problem of food insecurity. The stigma of food insecurity stems from bootstrap mentality, where students and community members are too scared to ask for help and often try to just push through it. “You should’ve had a meal, you shouldn’t struggle, and the people in Fairmount shouldn’t struggle,” Stocker said. Implementing a grocery store is an idea that has many individuals hopeful. “A grocery store is a huge goal to Wichita State and the surrounding community,” Harpel said. Although there is no official concrete idea, placing a grocery store on the corner of 17th and Oliver would help students and community members find food accessible. To make this idea work, they need to be in constant communication. The panel proved successful in addressing the problems that students and community members face. “I feel like we as a campus we still have a lot to do to face on the food insecurity and the accessibility of food,” Harpel said.
FACULTY ADVISOR Amy DeVault amy.devault@wichita.edu
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‘She’s a big energy bringer’ Sports WWW.THESUNFLOWER.COM
THURSDAY, OCT. 7, 2021 | 3
HAVE A STORY IDEA? contact The Sunflower’s sports editor, Sean Marty sports@thesunflower.com
PHOTO BY SEAN MARTY / THE SUNFLOWER
Wichita State freshman Morgan Weber celebrates after a point during WSU’s match against UCF on Oct. 1 inside Charles Koch Arena.
Morgan Weber showcases energy and passion in her return to the Shocker lineup BY SEAN MARTY sports@thesunflower.com / @TheSeanMarty
For the first time in over a month, Wichita State freshman Morgan Weber made her return to the court this past weekend, after being sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols. During that time, Weber only practiced a couple times after seeing some action in the Shockers’ season-opening tournament. “It was pretty hard just not having the equipment and not being able to actually play volleyball. The first couple days back I was definitely a little winded but we’re able to come back and try to find a way.” Weber tallied a combined 20 kills and 20 digs in her two games back, despite the limited practice ahead of time. “Mentally it was a struggle but with the help of my teammates, my family, all that they helped me get through it,” Weber said. “You’ve just got to fight through and like this weekend back out and play again.” Weber’s presence on the court has been felt in more ways than one. Shocker teammates and coaches said that they missed
Weber’s energy both in games and in practice. “Morgan has a charisma about her,” head coach Chris Lamb said. “She will always be one of the most fun people to play with. She just laughs at herself, she says funny things but you always see her fighting. It’s a neat gift and it means a lot to her teammates.” Weber said that she has focused on being lighthearted on and off the court, ever since she started playing volleyball in the fourth grade. “I just try to lighten the mood a little bit,” Weber said. “If someone’s having a bad day, make them laugh, even through practice try to push them along, encourage them, help them get through it.” Weber’s energy was felt in her return to the lineup over the weekend, with the Shockers taking Central Florida to five sets and winning their first conference game of the season over South Florida. “I want to get better, I want to see my team win,” Weber said. “I just feel that showing that energy and encouraging people helps both ways, in life and in volleyball too.” During volleyball games, Weber is noticeably excited after a big kill or point. Weber said that energy is
something that’s always followed her volleyball career. “I feel like I’m an energetic person, it’s not a switch that has to be turned on there, it’s ready,” Weber said. “Being as competitive as I am, it’s just I want to be able to encourage my teammates when they do good things and they get excited when I do good things. It’s both ways.” Redshirt sophomore Brylee Kelly said that Weber’s presence was felt when she was reinserted back into the lineup this past weekend, especially with her energy. “Her presence brings the extra step that we need to win and to be better,” Kelly said. “To have her back is one step closer to being a great Shocker team.” Weber said that a key reason to the passion she shows on the court is the close connections everyone has on the team. “I feel like we can do some pretty great things,” Weber said. “We have a lot of energy. We’ve been a lot closer and getting to know each other has been a fun time, just getting closer, playing with each other, encouraging each other, cheering each other on, doing what we’ve got to do.”
PHOTO BY RACHEL RUDISILL / THE SUNFLOWER
Freshman Morgan Weber celebrates after scoring a point during their match against Central Florida on Oct. 2 inside Charles Koch Arena.
Volleyball picks up first AAC victory of the season BY SEAN MARTY AND EMMIE BOESE
The Wichita State volleyball program picked up its first American Athletic Conference victory of the season over the weekend, while also taking the conference favorites to five sets. In the first of two games this weekend, The Shockers rallied to take a 2-1 advantage through three sets, after dropping the opening set against Central Florida. UCF, the American Athletic Conference favorites, responded to the 2-1 deficit with a comfortable set four win, after hitting .375 in the fourth to force the fifth and deciding set. WSU secured an early 7-6 lead in the fifth, but UCF answered with back-to-back points and took the advantage. The Shockers weren’t able to make a late comeback, the Knights taking the final set 15-12. “I was happy we were competitive,” Lamb said. “We had some regrettable brainfarts but we were getting closer. I was really impressed with a bunch of young Shockers finding their way and giving a great team all they could handle.” Sophomore setter Kayce Litzau led the offense and tallied 51 assists — the second highest mark for Litzau this season. She helped Brylee Kelly collect a team-high 18
kills and lead the Shockers to hit .203 for the match. “The last couple weeks are the best Kayce Litzau’s ever been as a volleyball player,” Lamb said. “She can hold her own with some of the better setters in our conference and it’s a testament to her growth as an athlete.” The Shockers have dealt with a shorthanded roster in games and practices this year, which Litzau said has impacted the setter’s chemistry with the attackers. WSU was without Kailin Newsome and Lauren McMahon due to injuries against UCF but Morgan Weber saw her first action since August 28, due to COVID-19 protocols. Weber contributed 14 kills and nine digs in the loss. “We’ve been working a lot on it in practice, just over-exaggerating, especially on the outside and pushing it out there,” Litzau said. “With the middles, too, just knowing their tendencies and knowing when they’ll transition and understanding where they’re at, based on the set, based on the situation. More reps with that helps out a lot.” WSU then went on to pick up its first AAC victory of the season on Sunday against South Florida. The key in their first conference win of the season was the ability to block at the net. Freshman
SPORTS IN BRIEFS SHOCKER MADNESS MAKES ITS RETURN For the first time since 2017, Shocker Madness will be making its return to Charles Koch Arena, with a dunk contest and championship rings included. The event will take place on Oct. 12 and will include slam dunk and three-point shooting contests along with a pair of intrasquad scrimmages.
YAZMINE WRIGHT WINS SECOND INDIVIDUAL TITLE PHOTO BY SEAN MARTY / THE SUNFLOWER
Wichita State freshman Morgan Stout celebrates after a point during their match against UCF on Oct. 1 inside Charles Koch Arena.
outside hitter Sophie Childs came off the bench for the Shockers in a strong performance against South Florida. Childs had 10 total kills on the day and 4.0 blocks. Childs said the offensive situation for USF in all three sets determined how much freedom the Shockers had with blocking. “I thought that we were doing more of just blocking the ball and we had some ideas of where they might hit but I thought that it gave us a little more leniency as a blocker to choose spots so I thought that went well and I like just blocking the ball… it’s helpful,” Childs said.
In the second and third sets, the Shockers continued to show how effective their game strategy was by going on a 9-0 lead in set two and a 7-1 lead in set three. “A simple blocking plan for an offense that stayed pretty simple,” Head Coach Chris Lamb said. “On another night those girls hit in, it’s a different story.” The Shockers will play at Memphis University on Friday, Oct. 8, starting a two-game roadtrip. WSU will wrap it up with a matchup against Southern Methodist on Sunday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. Both games can be seen on ESPN+.
Wichita State senior Yazmine won her second cross country individual title of the season at the Gans Creek Invitational. Wright ran her personal best time of 20:53.90 in the first 6K of the season to lead the women’s to a seventh place finish. Jed Helker led the Shocker men to a second place finish at the event, collecting his second top-10 finish of the season. Helker ran a personal-best 24:12.70 to finish in eight place in the 8k. Adam Moore (24:24.40 PB) and Clayton Duchtschek (24:26.30 PB) were the next two Shockers to finish, placing 14th and 16th respectively. The Shockers will be back out on the course again Friday, Oct. 15 for the Bradley Pink Classic in Peoria, Ill.
SPORTS
THURSDAY, OCT. 7, 2021 | 4
MEN’S AAC HOME GAMES
WOMEN’S AAC HOME GAMES
WEDNESDAY, DEC. 29 WSU vs East Carolina TBA
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 5
SATURDAY, JAN. 1
Charles Koch Arena
WSU vs Houston TBA
Charles Koch Arena
WSU vs Memphis 11 a.m.
SUNDAY, JAN. 16
Charles Koch Arena
WSU vs Memphis TBA
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 12
Charles Koch Arena
WSU vs Tulane TBA
Charles Koch Arena
SUNDAY, JAN. 16 WSU vs Cincinnati 12 p.m.
Charles Koch Arena
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 26 WSU vs UCF TBA
Charles Koch Arena
TUESDAY, FEB. 1 WSU vs Tulsa 8 p.m.
Charles Koch Arena
SATURDAY, FEB. 5 WSU vs SMU 5 p.m.
Charles Koch Arena
SATURDAY, FEB. 12 WSU vs USF 7 p.m.
Charles Koch Arena
SUNDAY, FEB. 20 WSU vs Houston 8 p.m.
Charles Koch Arena
TUESDAY, MARCH 5 WSU vs East Carolina 2 p.m. Charles Koch Arena
FILE PHOTO BY LENA ALHALLAQ / THE SUNFLOWER
Wichita State senior Mariah McCully talks to junior Seraphine Bastin during the game against Northern Iowa on Dec. 6 at Charles Koch Arena.
Basketball releases AAC schedules
Men’s basketball could have six primetime games this season BY SEAN MARTY sports@thesunflower.com/@TheSeanMarty
Wichita State has released its men’s basketball conference slate for the upcoming 2021-22 season. The Shockers will open and close the conference season with games against East Carolina, with their conference opener played in Greenville, NC on Dec. 29. The Shockers conference home-opener will come one game later against Memphis on New Year’s Day. The Shockers will face the Houston Cougars, fresh
off a Final Four trip, one week later on the road. Both games against Memphis and Houston will be showcased on CBS. The Shockers will play four its seven games at home during the month of Feburary. WSU will end the month with matchups against conference favorites – Houston and Memphis. As many as half (9) of the Shockers’ 18 conference games could air on either CBS, ESPN or ESPN2. Only two conference games are currently scheduled for ESPN+.
Women’s basketball returns to 16game conference slate in 2021-22 BY SEAN MARTY sports@thesunflower.com/@TheSeanMarty
Wichita State has released its women’s basketball conference schedule for the 2021-22 season. The Shockers will play a 16-game schedule in the American Athletic Conference play, four games fewer than last year’s 20-game conference slate. WSU will open conference action with at home against Houston (Jan. 5), before going on a two-game road trip against South Florida (Jan. 9) and Cincinnati (Jan. 13).
AAC play concludes with a quick trip to Tulsa on Feb. 27, while the home finale will see Tulane come to town on March 2. The Shockers will host eight conference games this season and will have a combined total of 15 home games, including the non-conference slate. WSU will conclude the season in Fort Worth, Texas for the American Conference Tournament from March 7-10. Tip times and television information will be released in the coming weeks.
TUESDAY, JAN. 25
WSU vs East Carolina TBA Charles Koch Arena
SATURDAY, JAN. 29 WSU vs UCF TBA
Charles Koch Arena
SUNDAY, FEB. 6 WSU vs Tulsa TBA
Charles Koch Arena
SATURDAY, FEB. 12 WSU vs SMU TBA
Charles Koch Arena
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 23 WSU vs USF TBA
Charles Koch Arena
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2 WSU vs Tulane TBA
Charles Koch Arena
MARCH 7-10
American Athletic Conference Championships TBA Dickies Arena, Fort Worth, TX
PHOTO BY SEAN MARTY / THE SUNFLOWER
Wichita State opened its 36,000 square foot Student-Athlete Success Center in October 2020.
Student Athlete Center pays dividends for Track program, one year later BY SEAN MARTY sports@thesunflower.com / @TheSeanMarty
Just over a year ago, Wichita State opened up its new $13.8 million Student-Athlete Success Center. The two-level building is located south of Charles Koch Arena and features a foot study hall, tutoring rooms, a larger computer center, offices for the men’s and women’s golf coaches, a photo studio and other offices and meeting rooms for staff. The building also houses the Wichita State Track & Field and Cross Country teams. The programs have their own locker room with a team lounge and state-ofthe-art weight room, after being previously located under Cessna Stadium. “We loved old Cessna Stadium, we loved our old team room and we even loved our old locker rooms but our locker rooms were truly an embarrassment,” director of Track and Field Steve Rainbolt. “There were water leaks, really grungy and not nearly as nice. These new team rooms and locker rooms have been spectacular and the weight room has equipment that’s state of the art and has really been revolutionary for our athletes.” Michael Bryan, a senior hammer thrower on the Track and Field team, said that the new locker rooms and weight rooms
PHOTO BY RACHEL RUDISILL / THE SUNFLOWER
Wichita State holds s memorial for the football team’s plane crash that occured on Oct. 2, 1970
The impact of the plane crash 51 years ago Emmie Boese Columnist
elboese15@gmail.com
PHOTO BY SEAN MARTY / THE SUNFLOWER
The Student-Athlete Success Center features a 2,500-square foot study hall, tutoring rooms, and a larger computer center.
have been very convenient while balancing school and athletics. “We probably have one of the nicest facilities in the country when it comes to D1 Track. With the weight room that new on the track, it’s one of the better views in the United States you can get.” Paula Garcia, a senior sprinter, said the locker rooms have been improvement from the ones that used to be housed under Cessna Stadium. “It’s way nicer. Before I wouldn’t even take a shower in the old locker room, no one would. It’s just nicer so you use it more so it’s definitely a really nice upgrade.” The Student-Athlete Success Center is 36,000 square-feet and construction was conducted by Hutton, a local construction firm.
STUDENT-ATHLETE CENTER TOTAL COST Wichita-based construction firm Hutton was awarded the $13.8 million contract for the Wichita State University project.
WHAT’S INSIDE The two-level building, located just south of Charles Koch Arena, features a 2,500-square foot study hall, tutoring rooms, a larger computer center, offices for the men’s and women’s golf coaches, a photo studio and other offices and meeting rooms for staff. It also houses the Wichita State Track & Field and Cross Country teams. The programs now have their own locker room with a team lounge and state-of-the-art weight room.
I’ve heard the stories but on Saturday, Oct. 2 I felt myself encased in not even a fraction of their tragedies, heart ache, and loss.Oct. 2 of 1970 is the anniversary of the Wichita State Football Program plane crash in Silver Plume, Colorado. The plane crash has a few tiny connections to me. For starters, my father was born in 1970.. Of the nine survivors of the crash, former Wichita State football player John Hoheisel survived the crash. He was my dad’s high school football coach at Valley Center High School in the 80’s, and was one of my dad’s favorite coaches. My dad said he never mentioned the tragedy of the experience to his players or the memories of it. My dad said he had a lot of respect for him though so he never asked about it because he didn’t think his coach should have to be reminded of the pain. Additionally he told me, it was Hoheisel’s story and nobody else’s.If he wanted to talk about it he would have. When I was covering the memorial service, any former
player in the football program that shared the impact the crash had on them, memories of Wichita State Football, and the importance of the memorial I greatly appreciated. These men were opening up details about their lives that brought happiness but also a lot of pain. I’ve come to terms that they shared their stories maybe because they want people to know how they came together after the crash. Maybe it was healing to tell their stories. Either way, it’s an honor like I said. After I got home from covering the memorial I reminded myself that sports are not just “sports’’ and that there is more to life than sports. When the football team played their first game back from the crash at War Memorial Stadium against the University or Arkansas, they got beat 62-0. However, the sport aspect of the game did not matter to the Shockers. It was how they came together as a program. It was the ability to stick together after experiencing tragedy at such a young age. This exactly proves my point. Sports are never just sports. Always try to read between the lines in any situation and look for the silver lining.
THURSDAY, OCT. 7, 2021 | 5
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Arts & Entertainment
HAVE A STORY IDEA? contact The Sunflower’s A&E editor, Kyran Crist arts@thesunflower.com
Wichita locals viewing Terry Evans art pieces on Oct. 5 inside The Ulrich Museum.
PHOTOS BY RACHEL RUDISILL / THE SUNFLOWER
A Wichita local veiwing “Zenith” by A. Mary Kay on Oct. 5 2021 inside The Ulrich Museum.
PHOTOS BY RACHEL RUDISILL / THE SUNFLOWER
A. Mary Kay, Terry Evans, and Philip Hayes speak during the artist talk on Oct. 5 2021 at the Ulrich Museum.
Ulrich Museum Hosts Artist Talk for three BY RACHEL RUDISILL rtrudisill@shockers.wichita.edu
The Ulrich Museum welcomed renowned artists Terry Evans, Philip Heying, and A. Mary Kay on Tuesday night. Aesthetes from all around the Wichita area were welcomed to view their art and later in the night, they were able to ask the artists questions about their art and inspirations. Both Heying and Evans focus on documentary landscape photography. Heying’s favorite piece he brought to the exhibition is titled Three birds’ nests in juvenile honey locust trees. Heyings took this portrait along G Road in a small town just south of Clements, Kansas. The images were shot with a 24-85mm Nikkor lense. Evans brought four pieces, one titled Spring Bur Oak, Chicago, Jackson Park. Evans created this art piece of a prairie tree in 2019.
Evans has a unique photography style - she does not use one select image, she instead uses multiple. She will cut out the pieces and put them where she believes they need to go similar to a collage. In the end, the pieces turn out beautiful and from a far, the image looks cohesive and you cannot notice the different pieces. When Evans creates her pieces, she finds herself seeking advice from other artists. She often finds herself seeking advice from Heying. She said “He is not afraid to tell me if a piece looks bad or not.” The final artist of the night was A. Mary Kay. Kay is a British artist who focuses on oil paintings. She brought one three panel painting entitled Zenith. “It’s about an ecstatic moment in the natural world,” Kay explains. “Everything is flowering and fruiting and having sex. Everything is
going into its peak moments in life. As you come out of that place of fecundity, you move into mortality and into infinity.” Kay’s painting represents life. In the first panel, there are flowers and plants. As you move to the second panel, you see the plants slowly evolving and turning into more shades of blue. Finally in the third panel, the plants have turned into nebulans and are a part of space. An art piece is never truly completed because there is always more work that can be added on to it. Zenith is a true example of that. Kay has worked on Zenith, on and off again, for 15 years. When Kay first put the piece down it was a simple night sky. The original painting was even displayed in 2016, before Kay added her current changes to it. Evans got the opportunity to see the piece change and adapt over the years and she was
LUNAR BASH
truly amazed each time something new was added to it. The topic of the night was the prairie. All three of these artists have been inspired by the land. “In 1989, Terry took me to see the real prairie revealing to me nuisance differences found by looking down into and through plants and grasses. Overtime I have learned to slow down my looking here and calm my initial assumptions,” said Kay. Evans describes one of her pieces she brought to the exhibition to help answer how the prairie has influenced her. “I was asked to photographically record some work that some students were doing on a nearby prairie,” Evans said. “As I was photographing the survey work they were doing, I started really seeing what was there. It was this huge revelation and I knew I had to keep going back.”
The Flint Hills helped inspire Heying to start photography. He quickly began to notice how difficult capturing an image that shows the same perspective and emotion that he feels. Taking a photo which captures emotion perfectly takes hours of work and editing. “I first discovered the Flint Hills (a prairie) when I was about ten years old because my brother brought me out here,” said Heying. “I just distinctly remember seeing this landscape even though I had already spent quite a bit of time in Colorado in the mountains. Seeing the Flint Hills at the age of 10 made a really big impression on me.” The exhibition will be hung until this week. If interested in learning more about different artists, The Ulrich will be holding a Salon Circle with Dan Cameron October 7th at 5:30pm.
WSU participates in the Riverfest parade this year In the line up of events for Good Neighbor week, WSU got to participate in this year’s Riverfest reverse parade. Bringing many departments out for the event. This was the first time WSU has participated in the Riverfest parade.
PHOTOS BY MONIQUE GAINES / THE SUNFLOWER
Wichita State Band performing at the Riverfest reverse parade on Oct. 1, 2021.
PHOTO BY LENA ALHALLAQ / THE SUNFLOWER
Students gathered together for Lunar Bash at the Rhatigan Student Center on Thursday.
Wichita State Cheerleaders performing at the Riverfest reverse parade on Oct. 1, 2021.
6 | THURSDAY, OCT. 7, 2021
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Top 5 Horror Movie Picks BY KAYLEE STOUT
COURTESY PHOTO BY LIONSGATE
SPIRAL Zeke Banks (Chris Rock) plays the role of a detective and his rookie partner takes on an investigation into murders that have a connection to the city’s dark past. Ultimately, Zeke finds himself in the middle of the killer’s dangerous game. This is a great pick if you do not mind gore and is an avid police crime watcher and it is offered on HBO’s streaming service.
COURTESY PHOTO BY NETFLIX
COURTESY PHOTO BY BLUMHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
HUSH This movie is about a deaf and mute writer that lives in the secluded woods. She quickly finds out that she is not alone and has to fight for her life in silence to beat the masked killer. This is a great pick if you are into suspenseful horror movies and it is streaming on Netflix.
COURTESY PHOTO BY NETFLIX
COURTESY PHOTO BY HAXAN FILMS
ELI
IN THE TALL GRASS
BLAIR WITCH
Eli Miller is a young boy suffering from a mysterious illness that makes him allergic to the outdoors. His parents end up taking Eli to a quarantined mental facility to visit Dr. Horn in seek of help. When he gets settled in he starts to notice certain supernatural phenomena. This is a great movie.
A sister and brother venture into a field after hearing a young boy cry for help. As soon as they get into the field they are separated and realize that there is something evil lurking in the tall grass. This is a great movie for any Steven King fan since this movie has based upon one of his books.
James Donahue finds a video on YouTube that looks to be his sister that disappeared back in 1994. He and a group of his friends soon find out that there is something very evil and strange about these woods. This movie is a good pick if you like Paranormal Activitytype movies that show the documentation of their fight for survival.
Fall Fashion Tips for 2021 BY RACHEL RUDISILL rtrudisill@shockers.wichita.edu
It’s officially fall - time to pack up your summer wardrobe and bring out the fluffy sweaters, neutral colors, and iconic flannels. Fashion trends come and go, but fall fashion tends to stay the same. We have worn the same flannels and sweaters for years, just different verifications. Here is your guide to wear the most iconic outfits for 2021. First, sweaters. Sweaters are a simple outfit that are both cute and keep you warm. They come in a variation of colors and this season, the basic fall reds and oranges are what are capturing the eye. The best sweater is in a color that will make you smile. Next, for plaid pencil skirts. Jean skirts came back into fashion in the late 2010’s and the industry is continuing to develop the look to make it look more clean and sophisticated. Instead of wearing simply blue jean skirts, the fashion industry has looked throughout history of the most iconic outfits.
This is a plaid print pencil skirt. The plaid pencil skirt was a fashion icon in the 1990’s. Characters like Rachel Green and Elle Woods have been seen wearing these skirts - and as we reflect on those looks, we want to use them again but make them better. Pair your skirt with an oversized sweater, tights, denim jacket, and a cute pair of platform boots. If you don’t want to wear a skirt but still wish to dress up in something other than a pair of black leggings, try a pair of flare out jeans. Flare out years are a unique upgrade from regular skinny jeans or bell bottoms. They are 70’s style pants and often have a different pattern on the bottom of the jeans. They come in any color you can think of. Another popular pair of jeans are mom jeans with holes. The mom jeans look perfect when tied with a graphic t-shirt and flannel. To spice the look up, wear a pair of fishnet tights underneath. The next look is a dress. If you’re not ready to put up that sundress, leave it out. Under the dress, wear a white or any color
turtleneck. Pair your outfit with kneehigh socks and tall platform boots. Fashion does not only apply to women, but men as well. My favorite outfit to recommend for men is three words, waxed cotton jackets or even just a jean jacket. They go with any outfit and make you look more professional. My next recommendation has been around for years. A t-shirt and flannel. This outfit is a clean and simple way for men to stay trending. You can also pair the flannel with a Henly long sleeve shirt. The newest way for men to wear flannels is on top of a sweatshirt. This trend has been seen all over Tiktok and stars like Noah Beck have been seen wearing this variation. For men, boots are also popular. Sperry boots are very popular for men. They are comfortable and come in a variation of color that pairs well with any outfit. PHOTOS BY RACHEL RUDISILL / THE SUNFLOWER
Mariah Bassett and Jay Newfield wear their favorite fall outfits on Oct. 6 2021.
FALL ACTIVITES TO DO UPCOMING EVENTS NEAR WICHITA
FILE PHOTO BY AMBER POSTON / THE SUNFLOWER
Online fall recipe of the week BY RACHEL LYONS ralyons@shockers.wichita.edu
Ah yes, fall. The season of leaves, pumpkins, cooler weather, football, and Pumpkin or Pumpkin Spice everything. So - why not enjoy this season and taste as many seasonal foods as possible. Pumpkin Spice Latte (With Whipped Topping) Merchant: Starbucks Rating: 3 out of 5 stars Why?: I didn’t want to be that person and have a PSL be my first taste test, but the RSC Starbucks changed my order from a PSL Frappuccino to a regular PSL with Whipped Topping. To me this product had too much ‘spice’ for the amount of pumpkin in the drink. I ended up mixing the
whipped topping into the drink to get it a bit sweeter and less spicy. Verdict: Meh. A small business could have done it much better. Would I Purchase again?: Not in the original form, I’d add more pumpkin syrup. Statement: A classic, done wrong. Bakery Fresh Goodness: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies Merchant: Dillons Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Stars Why?: These cookies are so good! This cookie does so well with an even combination of pumpkin, spice, and chocolate. Another bonus to these cookies is that they are super affordable and easy to find here in Wichita. Unfortunately, they can lean a bit
too heavy on the spice every now and then, which knocks them back from a perfect 5 star rating. Verdict: A must try fall food. Would I Purchase again?: Absolutely, but I’d love to find a small coffee shop with something similar to compare. Statement: Try these, ASAP. Recipe of the Week: Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins from Allrecipies.com These Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins are not only tasty, but make getting whole grains delicious. My mom made these while I was in school and they not only freeze well, but again- taste amazing! One of the few modifications she (my mom) made to this recipe was to use half whole wheat flour and half regular flour.
PUMPKIN PATCHES
THURSDAY OCT. 7
Marrietta Farm - Andover
MENTAL WELLNESS SCREENING DAY 11:30 - 1 p.m. @ table in the RSC
Gourdmans Pumpkin Patch - Derby Cedar Creek Farm & Pumpkin patch - Maize
HAUNTED HOUSES Fields of Screams - Maize Wicked Island - Wichita Forest of Terror - Wichita Wicked Woods - Wichita
OTHER Autumn and Art at Bradley Fair
ZINE WORKSHOP 7-8:30 p.m. RSC room 256
FRIDAY OCT. 8 MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK INFO SESSION 11 a.m. on Zoom GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP 2-3 p.m @ Student Wellness Center COSMIC BOWLING 5-11 p.m.
SATURDAY OCT. 9 COSMIC BOWLING 5-11 p.m.
Fall Festival Oct. 9th - Haven
MONDAY OCT. 11 MONDAY MARKET 2:30 - 3:30 @ Paradise Baptist Church
7 | THURSDAY, OCT. 7, 2021
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Opinion
HAVE AN OPINION?
contact The Sunflower’s opinion editor, Jaycie nelson opinion@thesunflower.com
FILE PHOTO BY MANNY DE LOS SANTOS / THE SUNFLOWER
A fan hugs Wu during Wednesday’s game against Drake at Charles Koch Arena. (Jan. 4, 2017)
FILE PHOTO BY THE SUNFLOWER
Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Alicia Newell talks about what the care center is and what it can do to help students.
Asking for help is okay
People need to stop blaming different generations and start thanking them “The truth is we need to stop putting the blame on eachother for what’s happening, and work together to fix it. “
Jaycie Nelson Opinion Editor
Rachel Rudisill Columnist editor@thesunflower.com
Have you ever heard the common phrase “oh, just wait until you get to college. Professors do not care about your excuses.” Well, I sure have. That phrase is what made me terrified of college professors. Many of my teachers that I had in middle school and high school made me fear to ask for help. I thought professors were stone cold and did not care about their students, only the material. There is this pressure that secondary education creates that once you graduate, you need to pay attention and stick to deadlines. They make the idea of missing a deadline seem as if you fail in life. However, nobody is perfect. People make mistakes. I am a current sophomore in college and this is my first time actually asking for help from college professors. I thought that professors would not care about any issue that occurred in a student’s personal life; however, that is far from true. Professors care tremendously about their students’ mental health and are often willing to compensate to help give their student’s the best quality of
“If you’re a student at Wichita State who is scared to reach out and ask for help, set up an appointment with the CARE Team.” learning as possible. Whether that means moving their students to online courses, giving them tips in office hours, or simply extending deadlines. If you’re a student at Wichita State who is scared to reach out and ask for help, set up an appointment with the CARE Team. The CARE Team is a group on campus whose goal is to help provide for students. If you are not making connections easily, struggling in classes, or just need someone to talk to, they can do that for you. They will reach out to your professors and explain your current situation. They, however, are only the first step. From there, you need to learn that it is okay to ask for help. My experience with the CARE Team was nothing but positive. Even after your case is closed and you are finally getting the help you need, they will always be there to help you. Just run by their office, located in Shocker Hall, and they will be willing to have a conversation with you.
MEET THE STAFF
Arts and Entertainment Editor, Kyran Crist
opinion@thesunflower. com
Blaming Baby Boomers, Millennials, or Generation Z is a common thing to do between generations. There’s a hypocritical blame-game going around and it needs to end. I’ve participated in this in the past, blaming a different generation for a problem, but I realized that it doesn’t do anything and isn’t fair to all the good people from that generation. These three generations cannot be summed up by certain actions, and are not defined by the chaos that may be going on. The truth is, if the Boomers, Generation Z, or Millennials switched places, the world would probably still be heading into some problems. There are bad people in every generation, but we can’t dismiss a whole group because of that — We shouldn’t. A lot of mistakes have been made, and more will be made, but we need to focus on growing from them instead of wasting energy and blaming them. There were people worried about climate change in the past and there are people concerned about it now. You can’t blame an entire generation for it though. Because if the tables were reversed those large manufacturers and other contributors would still have occurred.
Climate change is just one example of an argument between generations. It is hypocritical of the younger generations to “blame” boomers for it though, especially when they actively participate in it themselves. Fast fashion, consumerism, driving and using gas? Yes, you most likely participate in one of them — if not all — which are all contributors to climate change. I’m not saying this is right or wrong — I’m saying you participate and it’s hypocritical to blame others. You have the right to be upset, or feel stressed about climate change and other situations we are now facing, but instead of blaming others — actively try to help. It’s easy to blame, it’s harder to actually step up and try to overcome it. Another example is people love to complain about social media, and wish it had never been created, they blame those who made it — and then they use it. We need to stop putting the blame on eachother for what’s happening, and work together to fix it. We need to thank each other for the opportunities that have been made. Almost everything —not every single thing — that was invented
It’s time to respect boundaries
Major: Communications/Journalism Year: Junior Favorite Color: Green Hobby: Reading fantasty Favorite type of Music: Folk-pop and pop-punk Favorite Song: Coffee by Roses and Revolution Life Motto: “Every day is a fresh start.”
Opinion LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and must be fewer than 400 words. Letters may be edited for accuracy, clarity and length. Please include your name, WSU affiliation and a phone number for verification purposes. To submit letters, email opinion@thesunflower.com or submit at www.thesunflower.com. The opinions expressed in The Sunflower editorials, columns, guest columns, reviews, advertisements, letters and editorial cartoons are not necessarily those of the staff, publications board, student body or the university. The Sunflower reserves the right to edit or reject any submission. We also reserve the right to edit or reject any advertisement.
was created to try to better our lives — trains, cars, social media and medicine. It wasn’t created to do damage. Now, some of it definitely has, but that wasn’t the goal— At least, I hope not. Let’s thank the doctors and researchers of older generations who have created medicine and treatments to help people. Thank engineers for city planning, buildings, and so much more. Thank teachers for teaching us and leading us to where we are now. Let’s thank younger generations for their pursuit to help the world, the creations they are now making, and the constant need to build a better world. It may be idealistic to want everyone to get along and respect one another; but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t happen. Let’s learn from our mistakes and grow for future generations. It’s time to move past our generational boundaries and accept the mistakes that were made and be grateful that the world is recognizing those mistakes and trying to do better. Younger generations should thank former generations for trying to make the world a better place and older generations should be thanking younger generations for the activism and care we show for the world. At the end of the day, we need to own up to our own actions, understand and forgive others for their mistakes, and stop blaming different generations. The last thing the world needs is more hate and more hypocrites.
“Being strong in the boundaries you set helps a better communication flow, as well as maintaining the relationship you want that is healthy for everyone.”
Kyran Crist Columnist artsandentertainment@ thesunflower.com
What defines a boundary? The Webster Dictionary defines it as “something that indicates or fixes a limit or extent,” but I’m seeing a lot of people define it as “a suggestion to follow when I choose.” Quite frequently, boundaries are set between strangers, friends, families and partners and instead of being respected, they are tested. A common example is when a guy at a bar asks a girl for her number, she says no I’m not interested, and yet he continues to badger her in hopes she will give in and give it to him. It is also seen between friends, in relationships or in the family. Wherever there is a boundary needed, you are allowed to set that and allowed to stick by it. It is okay to be firm on the boundaries you have, they are there for a reason. If people get hurt or offended by those boundaries, let them. That is their problem - not yours.
Too often than not, when lines are drawn in the sand, the people you have made them for keep trying to slowly wash them away. They think you should be taken out of your comfort zone, or that the lines can be tip-toed or they decide that if they push hard enough you’ll give in. If you have drawn a line for someone, make them stay behind it — preferably six feet behind it. Don’t let them push you, or tiptoe around it, or guilt trip you because they feel offended. Being strong in the boundaries you set helps a better communication flow, as well as maintaining the relationship you want that is healthy for everyone.
SUNFLOWER HOT TAKES The Sunflower editorial board gives their one-sentence opinions.
Lindsay Smith: Couch Guy is guilty. Sean Marty: Couch Guy is innocent. Khanh Nguyen: Couch Guy is innocent but his friends are not.
And if someone sets a boundary for you — Do. Not. Push it. If you say okay, then revisit the topic over and over again, that’s pushing. If you get upset and then guilt trip or pout until they feel bad about it, that’s pushing. If you make constant jabs, jokes and pokes about it, that’s pushing. It is the same thing as when you would ask your mom to do something as a kid and she said no. If the answer wasn’t “yes ma’am” and that was the last of it - there would be trouble for everyone involved. We are all adults and should respect others and the boundaries that they put in place. It’s tiring to feel as though you can’t have a conversation with someone without hearing about how you turned them down, or how you don’t visit every weekend. You don’t want to be put in that place, neither do they. Bottom line - no means no. It isn’t a maybe you can come back to later, it means no. So get over it and move on.
OPINION
THURSDAY, OCT. 7, 2021 | 8
Street WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE HALLOWEEN MOVIE?
MARIAH RELPH SENIOR, COMMUNICATIONS
“I’d probably say The Nightmare Before Christmas, that’s a good one, it has fun songs in it, and Tim Burton.”
FILE PHOTO BY KHANH NGUYEN / THE SUNFLOWER
Ryan Crabtree takes a corner kick for Wichita State in 2018 at the Metroplex.
Wichita State needs to create a soccer program Emmie Boese Assistant Sports Editor elboese15@gmail.com
THERESA TRAN SENIOR, INTEGRATED MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS
“Does the Adams Family movie count? I just enjoy the characters, the fashion, and I always watched it with my family growing up so it’s really nostalgic.”
GABI PRITZ FRESHMAN, EDUCATION
There has been discussion for awhile about when Wichita State University is going to get a football program again. I am fully behind this idea. However, many have the knowledge that starting a football program would cost tons of money. Instead, I suggest the idea of starting a soccer program. Cessna Stadium needs to be renovated, and also getting great recruits for college football might be difficult considering how many football programs are established and moderately successful in the midwest, and our nation. According to a story written by KWCH 12 in 2016, it would be an estimated cost of $43 million to $49 million just for practice facilities and the renovation of Cessna Stadium. This does not include salaries for coaches, equipment, recruiting, and other fees. Also, three of the universities that include some of Wichita
State’s toughest competition across all sports have decided to leave the American Athletic Conference and go to the Big 12 in 2023. These three schools are the University of Cincinnati, the University of Central Florida and the University of Houston. All three of these schools have football teams. Since starting a football program probably isn’t going to happen soon, my proposal to the Wichita State Athletic Department is to start a men’s and women’s soccer program. I know football is more popular in the United States. However, let’s consider how popular soccer has gotten in the United States in the past several years. In the past seven years, the United States Women’s National Team has won the World Cup twice, and they have won two Olympic gold medals and one bronze medal in the past seven years. According to ncsasports, there are more than 1,500 women’s college soccer programs in the United States spanning across five different division levels. Also, the National Women’s Soccer League
in the United States has been around since 2012. I know some may make the point about how the United States Men’s National Team has not qualified for a World Cup or the Olympics in a while. However, let’s still consider how many men play soccer in the United States. The men have their own professional league in the United States which is referred to as Major League Soccer. According to ncsasports.org there are more than 1,400 men’s college soccer programs in the United States. Also, let’s think about how many high school college soccer athletes get recruited out of travel ball to play juco, out of state, or go to a school several hours away because there is no Division One or Two program in the area. Think about the enrollment of the college as well. There are so many great athletes that play football that men’s soccer get’s overshadowed and people may not think about it as much. My last point is some may wonder if the AAC even has enough mens and womens soccer
programs. The AAC currently has 11 women’s soccer programs. For the men there are currently eight teams in the conference. Even though three teams will leave to go to the Big 12 in three years, the womens program would have seven teams if Wichita State had a women’s soccer program. The men’s soccer program would still have six teams in the conference if Wichita State were to join after UCF leaves. Soccer may not pop into a fan’s mind or a student’s mind but let’s think about it here. You need about 21 - 34 players per team for a soccer program. Some other expenses to think about are uniforms, coaching salaries recurring, training equipment, field maintenance, goals, and soccer balls. To give an estimated idea of how much it would take to start a soccer program, the estimated total expenses for the Kansas State University Women’s Soccer Team is about $1.5 million dollars according to collegefactual. I do not know about you, but that sounds cheaper than starting a football program.
“American Horror Story, that isn’t really halloween… every season is different so it kind of like wraps you in.”
ZACHARY COURTNEY FRESHMAN, AEROSPACE AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
“I don’t know that I really have a favorite, I kind of just watch all of them… So my step-mom tries to get us to watch Hocus Pocus every year, but it never works.”
ILLUSTRATION BY THY VO/ THE SUNFLOWER
NWSL needs to do better EVAN WICKOREN FRESHMAN, MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
“I’ll probably have to say The Nightmare Before Christmas… it’s a family tradition.”
CAYDEN CASSEL FRESHMAN, AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
“Probably something more comedy based… Boo by Tyler Perry.”
Melanie RiveraCortez Columnist The NWSL — National Women’s Soccer League — has come under intense scrutiny amidst reports of sexual coercion and harassment from a team coach which spanned over the course of a decade. The league has been infamous for highlighting some of the best female soccer players at a club level, names which include Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan. This past week the league came under fire when allegations of sexual coercion against the North Carolina Courage coach Paul Riley surfaced in an article written by The Athletic. The article written by Meg Linehan highlighted that two players had decided to come
“The NWSL’s first and only priority was to protect the players at all cost yet did nothing, allowing the cycle of systematic abuse to continue.” forward and speak about what had happened to them back when they were coached by Riley at the Portland Thorns in 2015. Initially players simply wanted an investigation into what had happened yet the owners refused, saying that they would know if something were happening. These players then took their worries to the higher ups of the league where they proceeded to do absolutely nothing regarding players’ claims.
Many players were too scared to go on the record because their name would be tied to this situation and might be the only thing that they were remembered by. Players were also fearful about the outcome that would ensue because previous leagues have folded due to the financial crisis. Aside from the league superstars, these players do not make a lot of money and most of them have to find a second job to make ends meet, simply because they wanted to live out their dreams about being professional athletes. The NWSL’s first and only priority was to protect the players at all cost yet did nothing, allowing the cycle of systematic abuse to continue. Had the people in power done their job this situation could have been a one time thing. Since the incident first took place back in 2015, there has been a change of administration.
Many players thought that this would prompt change from the league and help the players be able to fully voice their concerns; however the administration proved that they only cared about the revenue that came from games. These issues go beyond the sporting world yet it is apparent that the conditioning of women has been to be simply grateful for what they have accomplished and not question how things were run. With the attention that has come to the NWSL, many investigations are underway including the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA. As of right now it is uncertain what will happen to the future of the league and what will happen to the players who have suffered greatly. Going forward, higher-ups need to prioritize the safety and well-being of the players before anything else.