G R A N D VA L L E Y L A N T H O R N
Junior League to GV Hockey co-captain discusses journey to DI
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum ARTS opens guitar history exhibit Settlement money could assist communities in fighting the opioid epidemic M O N D A Y, F E B R U A RY 6 , 2 02 3 // VO L . 57 N O. 2 1
| A10
NEWS | A5
@ GV L A N T H O R N
LANTHORN.COM
A2 | NEWS NEWS BRIEFS GV PREPARES FOR SEX ED WEEK Grand Valley State University is hosting its annual Sex Ed Week. The week consists of numerous events held to educate students about safe sex, invoke conversation and remove the stigma around various topics connected to sex. On Feb. 6, there will be a talk that covers “What is Sex?” and how intimacy may look in different relationships. This event will take place in Kirkhof Center room 2270 and over Zoom from 4-5 p.m. There will also be an event that covers healthy relationships in general, whether that be with a romantic partner, friend or family member. The event is called “Unpacking Relationships” and will take place on Feb. 7 from 4-5 p.m. in Kirkhof Center. A third event, “What We Wish Sex Ed Taught Us,” will be held on Feb. 7 from 6-7 p.m. The event will cover many topics that are commonly missed or avoided in other sex ed talks such as pleasure, lube, the concept of virginity and communication. Other events such as STI testing will take place throughout the week. More information can be found on the GVSU events calendar. MICHIGAN’S WOODY THE WOODCHUCK PREDICTS EARLY SPRING On Groundhog Day, Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog in Pennsylvania, determined there would be six more weeks of winter. This follows the annual North American tradition where if the animal sees its shadow winter will continue for six more weeks and if it does not, spring will arrive six weeks early. Michigan’s Woody the Woodchuck, a 25-year tradition in the state, opposed Phil, predicting an early spring. MI MOVES UP PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY DATE Michigan democratic lawmakers passed a bill that would move the date of the state’s presidential primary. The bill did not have bi-partisan support and sparked many concerns amongst republicans. The democratic majority voted for the bill 56-53. The bill is set to change the primary date from March 12, under the current law, to Feb. 27. Republicans opposed this plan because the Republican National Committee rules prohibit Michigan from holding primaries before March 1. According to Bridge MI, This could potentially cut GOP delegates at the national convention by 90%.
FEBURARY 6, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS
POLICE
GVPD captain leaves position for NCAA BY JONATHAN CARROLL NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
CHANGE: Stoll said that one of his favorite parts about working at GVSU was the community and the ability to help people. Although he said that there were some challenges that came with the job, he still enjoyed his time with GVPD. COURTESY | GVSU
Grand Valley State University’s Assistant Director of Public Safety and Police Captain Jeff Stoll has recently moved on from the police force, joining the NCAA as the Associate Director of Safety and Security. Stoll’s departure comes after a long history with the university. Stoll is a GVSU alumni who majored in criminal justice and entered the police academy in 2001. After graduation, he joined GVPD in 2007. He rose through the ranks, and in 2018, became captain. Stoll has long been a recognizable face in the GVSU community because of his work with GVPD and his engagement with the community, especially at GVSU sporting events. As a student, Stoll attended many games of all kinds of sports. This continued into his work where he often enjoyed working security for varsity events. As a sergeant, he gained the responsibility of
running the events and appreciated all the planning and facilitating that went into it. Stoll said working for the NCAA was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up on. “It had nothing to do with me wanting to leave, in fact, if you asked me three or four months ago, I would have probably told you I wasn’t going to leave,” Stoll said. At his new job, Stoll will have the title of associate director and is assigned to the Championships Division. There, he will be helping to assist with the safety and security for the nearly 100 annual championship events held by the NCAA across the country. Stoll said he’s excited to be able to focus entirely on sports, one of the aspects that he enjoyed the most working at GVSU. Stoll said the part of working on campus he will miss the most is the excitement of when students return or come to campus for the first time every fall. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
GOVERNMENT
Whitmer holds annual State of the State Address BY GRACE SMITH NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
On Jan. 25, Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered the annual State of the State Address to a joint session of the Michigan Legislature. Whitmer’s address defined what her administration’s focus will be in the year ahead. Win addition to looking forward, Whitmer addressed weaknesses the state faced in the past year. Some of the issues addressed included inflation, education, economic growth, social issues, gun control and climate change. Michiganders on both sides of the aisle agreed that if policies and actions happen, it could mean changes for the future of the state. The first topic Whitmer touched on was the economic power of Michigan within the last year, coupled with the financial hardships many Michiganders found themselves facing. In order to address such issues, Whitmer proposed “Lowering MI Costs.” The new legislation consists of three parts: a reduction in retirement tax, an increase in Working Families Tax Credit (formally known as EITC) and initiating Pre-K for All, an expansion on the Great Start Readiness Pro-
PLAN: Whitmer’s address outlined many of her goals for the state. Many democrats were hopeful about what changes could happen across Michigan, especially because they hold the majority in the state legislature. However, some republicans were concerned that her points were not working toward as many bi-partisan goals. COURTESY | WOOD TV
gram. Whitmer said bringing money back into households could serve as a means to reduce inflation. Secondly, Whitmer introduced “Make it in Michigan,” a sustainable fund aimed at improving Michigan’s economic growth and employment opportunities. As many Michigan cities have experienced economic downfall as a result of industrial decentralization, the new bill centers itself at increasing the job market and supporting local economies by increasing manufacturing opportunities. “Hustling for more projects is a solid first step, but building a strong economy is a marathon, not a sprint,”
Whitmer said during the address. Whitmer said she plans on supporting “Make it in Michigan” by continuing educational programs such as 60 by 30, Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Michigan Reconnect, while continuing funding for apprenticeships and initiatives. She also urged bi-partisan support of “MI Kids Back on Track” to address consequences of disrupted classroom time during the COVID-19 pandemic. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
FEBRUARY 6, 2023
A3 | NEWS
GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS
CONTENTS POLICE
| A2
OPINION
| A4
POLICY
| A5
HOCKEY
| A 6-7
SERVICE
| A8
EVENT
| A9
SCULPTURE
| A10
BASKETBALL
| A11
TENNIS
| A12 VOL. 57
EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief MARY DUPUIS Associate Editor AUDREY WHITAKER Associate Editor JACOB KIRN
NO. 21
Videographer ZACH PLISKO Layout Editor DONOVAN LOPEZ Layout Designer REV BRONOWSKI PROMOTIONS
News Editor ELIZABETH SCHANZ
Promotions Manager GRACE O’BRIEN
Sports Editor ANTHONY CLARK JR
Promotions Assistant ELISE RAPEYKO
Laker Life Editor SABRINA EDWARDS A&E Editor EMMA ARMIJO
INCLUSION
GV conducts Campus Climate Focus Groups with staff BY JOSEPH POULOS NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
Grand Valley State University held Campus Climate Focus Groups for 2023 from Jan. 30 to Feb. 3. These group discussions were specifically for faculty and staff of color and those who have disclosed that they have a disability. The purpose of the focus groups is for the university to receive feedback in order to make GVSU a more inclusive employer. The focus groups help gauge the real or perceived quality of interpersonal, academic and professional interactions on campus. People could register to participate in the groups online and each discussion group had a maximum of eight people. This particular pulse climate survey was just for employees and was a shorter version of the myGVSU Climate Survey that is conducted at least every three years. The campus climate survey is a research tool which was developed by the Higher Education Data Con-
BY ZOË MURPHY NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
BUSINESS STAFF
Multimedia Editor JAMES HERRICK
Graphic Design CHRISTOPHER MCCONNEL MORGAN MANN
At the Lanthorn, we strive to bring you the most accurate news possible. If we make a mistake, we want to make it right. If you find any errors in fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling 616-331-2464 or by emailing editorial@lanthorn.com. The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published weekly by Grand Valley State University students 31 times a year. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the Grand Valley Community. For additional copies, at $1 each, please contact our business offices.
The Lanthorn is published on recycled paper and is printed with soy bean ink. This means that our newspaper is entirely compostable. Help us do our part to be kind to the environment by recycling or composting this newspaper after you enjoy reading it.
POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 to: Grand Valley Lanthorn 0051 Kirkhof Center Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 49401
Vice President for Inclusion and Equity, Jesse Bernal, is in charge of the Campus Climate operation. Bernal said he to make the campus a more comfortable and inclusive environment for staff and students alike. “The goal is to better understand the perceptions and experiences of our students, faculty and staff,” Bernal said. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
Registered dietitian helps GV students make healthy choices
Advertising Manager MARGO DZURKO
Business Manager MORGAN JOHNSTON
sortium (HEDS). The GVSU Campus Climate website defines a healthy climate as a community that is rooted in respect and initiates dialogue between different perspectives in order to create civil interactions between people. An institution’s climate in assessed according to three main criteria: experiences on campus, perceptions of campus and perceptions of institutional action and commitment for equity and inclusion. Chief of Staff to the President and
WELLNESS
ADVERTISING STAFF
Image Editor MEGHAN TRIPP
PROGRESS: The Campus Climate Survey focus groups are meant to gather information about the experiences of staff members to make changes to GV. GVL | SAMUEL NELSON
LIFESTYLE: Establishing and managing healthy habits like eating nutritious food and exercise can help benefit both the body and the mind. GVL | AIDA DENNIS
On Feb. 1 the Laker Food Co. hosted a registered dietitian tabling event to inform students on the importance of proper nutrition and advocate for healthy eating. Throughout the day a registered dietitian was stationed at a table in the Blue Connection, one of the dining halls on GVSU’s campus, to help students learn about healthy ways to fuel themselves properly and on a budget. Alyssa Koopman, who conducted the event, is the one of the registered dietitians on The Laker Food Co. staff. “Within my position, I conduct free one-on-one nutrition counseling, help students manage food allergies on campus, spread nutrition education and awareness, host tabling and other programming events,” Koopman said. Additionally, Koopman said she works with the culinary team to ensure that all students at GVSU have their dietary needs met. She helped to implement an allergen-friendly station called True Balance within campus dining. Koopman holds a degree in both Human Nutrition & Foods and Clinical Dietetics. She said registered dietitians are experts in nutrition that can work in various public
or private practices such as health care, business, public health, education, research and government. “You must complete a bachelor’s degree in nutrition from an ACEND (Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics) approved or accredited dietetic program, complete an accredited supervised practice and pass the national registration examination,” Koopman said. Koopman earned one of her degrees from GVSU but is fairly new to her position with Laker Food Co., having begun in August 2022. Students can go to Koopman when they’re seeking information on where their food is coming from or how to build a healthy diet. “Whether they would like help with managing food allergies on campus, sports performance, meal planning or prepping, GI-related issues, etc. I can help,” Koopman said. Koopman said the tabling event allowed her to answer questions for students and offer her expertise when needed.
LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com X THE FULL ARTICLE
A4 | OPINIONS GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON
FEBURARY 6, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLANTHORN By Abby Haywood
EDITORIAL
Are we saying ‘never mind’ to Netflix?
T
2/6/23
editorial@lanthorn.com
Column: The hardships of finding internships
BY SAM NOWOTNIK JUNIOR BUSINESS MANAGEMENT EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM
An internship is the first time many students have the chance to put their lifetime of skills and school experiences to the true test.
It may be nerve wracking, stressful, exciting or anything between. The process looks different for everyone depending on your major, grade status and past experience. Despite some people who make it seem easy, it’s not an easy part of a college student’s career for a list of reasons. When I applied to my first internship and it said I was one out of the seventy applicants, my heart dropped and it seemed like what I thought was a simple process could drag on for months. This was the last thing I needed to realize when I already felt a crunch for time in my daily schedule. The weight and pressure that is placed on your shoulders to get an
internship is tremendous, and facing possible rejection along with it makes the process even more difficult. For some students, an internship may be required to graduate. Sometimes you may need an internship to become fully employed after college which is everyone’s main priority after college. The ironic part of this is that many internships require past experience. One particularly frustrating aspect of the internship search is how different companies approach compensation for interns. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
Review: Lil Yachty trancends rap genre with “Let’s Start Here.”
BY MALIK HARVEY SENIOR MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM
“Let’s Start Here.” is Lil Yachty’s most alternative album to date. This new selection of music Yachty presents in his latest album breaks away from his previous records that include heavy 808s, aggressive lyrics and the predictable braggadocious bars. “Let’s Start Here.” delivers a more pop, synthesizer and instrument-driven rendition
dressed in vulnerable insights into Yatchy’s mind. On the first track, “the BLACK seminole.,” we’re introduced to this new version of Yachty: guitar solos, synthesizers, an infectious baseline and drums are spearheading the first half of the nearly seven-minute track, until Diana Gordon takes the vocal baton from Yachty and gives us a vocal performance reminiscent of “The Great Gig in the Sky,” sung by Clare Torry. After its opening track, the album transitions into “the ride-,” where we get more synthesizers and sort of a Parliament Funkadelics vibe. It’s on this track that we hear a vulnerable Yachty singing the lines, “When I’m alone with my thoughts, I’m terrified,” followed by, “That’s why I need you here by my side.” This song and the 10th song on the album, “Say something,” are very autotune heavy, allowing Yachty to
dig into his unconscious and belt out these unguarded emotions. Songs like “Drive me crazy!” “paint THE sky” and “sHouLd i B?” all have a pop feel to it where it seems like a given that these songs will be in heavy rotation on any pop station. In a video posted on Twitter, the rapper said that he wanted to be taken more seriously as an artist and not viewed as a mumble rapper. This album goes to show that he succeeded in his efforts. While he didn’t take every musical genre and combine it into one album (a feat that’s likely impossible if you’re aiming for cohesion), he certainly got out of his comfort zone and made something that included different elements of rock, hip-hop, dance, pop, electronic and R&B music. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
he landscape of streaming services has grown exponentially over the last few years. The playing field once dominated by Netflix is now a competition amongst services like Hulu, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video. In order to gain access to the diverse content across these platforms consumers are often left having to pay for more than one, which can become costly. A common solution to this is sharing passwords with friends and family to save on costs. Password sharing, although frowned upon by streaming platforms like Netflix, aren’t necessarily restricted by rules. Netflix’s terms and conditions do state that users outside of a household must use their own account, but the terms also state that the streaming service will not charge extra for multiple users sharing the same account. With this loophole, users have shared ac-
counts for years. Netflix even said in March 2017 that “Love is sharing a password” in a tweet. However, platforms are now finding ways to strike down and enforce restrictions on password sharing, including Netflix who reported more than 100 million of their 230 million subscribers share accounts. More recently, Netflix announced they will begin blocking password sharing between users by April 2023, a large proponent of the decision being related to claims that sharing an account with more than one household disrupts the streaming service from securing deals with television networks and film companies. Ne t f l i x h a s b e e n working on a “paid sharing” protocol in Latin American countries.
OPINION POLICY
or staff. Letter to the editor should include the author’s full name, relevant title and a headshot, along with a valid email address and phone number for confirming the identity of the author. Letters should be approximately 500650 words in length, and they are not edited by the Lanthorn staff except to fix technical errors or to clarify. Reader submissions on the opinion page appear as space permits. To make a submission, email editorial@lanthorn. com or drop your submission off in person at:
The goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn’s opinion page is to act as a forum for public discussion, comment and criticism in the Grand Valley State University community. Student and columnist opinions published here do not necessarily reflect those of the paper as an entity. The Lanthorn strives to be a safe vehicle for community discussion. With this in mind, the Lanthorn will not publish or entertain any forms of hate speech, but neither will it discriminate against any other views, opinions or beliefs. The content, information and views expressed are not approved by-nor do they necessarily represent those of-the university or its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty
LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
0051 KIRKHOF CENTER GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY ALLENDALE, MI 49401 616-826-8276
FEBURARY 6, 2023
A5 | NEWS
GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS POLICY
Expected closure of an Ottawa County library reflects national controversy BY CHLOE SCHRAM NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
Patmos Library, in Jamestown Township near Hudsonville, Michigan, will close in early 2025 due to the rejection of a millage by voters and backlash the library received for having LGBTQ-related books on its shelves. Voters struck down the millage in order to “defund the library” following disputes over content available at the library, which opponents of the library claimed were setting up children to be “groomed” for sexual assault and pornography. The millage encompasses the majority of the funds for the library’s budget, about 85%. The case of the Patmos Library is only one of many, as conservative community members and leaders across the nation call for increased censorship of media available to members of their community, and particularly, children. These actions lead to concerns about the greater impact losing libraries can have on a community. Associate Dean of University Libraries at GVSU, Kristen Meyer, said she was devastated by the situation occurring with the Patmos Library. “Actions like this are deeply concerning and threaten the preservation of our free and democratic society,” Meyer said. “Libraries facilitate the free exchange of ideas and defend First Amendment constitutional freedoms, including the freedom to speak, publish and read.” In addition to the hate Patmos Li-
brary has received from community members, it also received a threatening message from Republican 11th Congressional District Chair, Shane Trejo. “Time to shut down the library by force,” Trejo said on Facebook. “And then perhaps charge the people writing these checks as accessories for child abuse.” A board member of the library has filed a report on the hate comment for safety measures to protect the library in case any hateful actions occur. According to Bridge MI, many of these LGBTQ books that Trejo deemed “accessories for child abuse” are award-winning novels with stories involving same-sex couples. Patmos Library has approximately 90 pieces of LGBTQ related material out of an inventory of around 67,000. Dean of University Libraries at Grand Valley State University, Annie Bélanger, said representation matters and it’s a crucial part of library books and resources. “When books that represent those that are now, and have historically been, structurally excluded are censored, there is a strong message sent about who gets to belong, who is valued and who gets to be seen in books,” Bélanger said. Similarly, Meyer said when governments or communities “exert power and pressure” in terms of deciding what material other people have access to read, there are “chilling societal consequences.” LOG ON TO:
Supporting your community is as easy as drinking a glass of wine
www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
Friday, March 3, 2023 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm Tickets are now available online!
FUNDING: The library will be able to stay open for slightly longer than expected because of a substantial donation but library funds will run out in January 2025. GVL | MEGHAN TRIPP
wgvu.org/gwfs
FEBURARY 6, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS
A6&7 | SPORTS
COMING FULL CIRCLE: Shane Haggerty reflects on hockey career Hockey has been a part of Shane Haggerty’s life since childhood. As a West Michigan native and attending Grandville Public Schools throughout K-12, Haggerty falling into the sport was almost inevitable. The senior forward for Grand Valley State University Men’s Division I Hockey club knew he had his work cut out for him if he was going to be a part of Grandville High School’s team. However, the intense competition of his soon-to-be teammates wouldn’t dissuade Haggerty from going after what he loved. “Growing up at Grandville the last five, six years they were really good, especially right before I was in high school they were top of the state,” Haggerty said. “It was hard to make that team - but the social setting for it was awesome; it was a really good experience.” Haggerty’s time as a Bulldog didn’t reach the heights he would have wished for, but his career would still be one to remember as the team was one game away from winning the state championship his junior year. His senior year stats finished with 25 games played, 14 goals, 22 assists and a disappointing loss in the second round of the regional playoffs. After four years in the maroon and white uniform, Haggerty decided on taking a gap year after graduation before deciding where to attend college. However, he also wanted to continue playing hockey in the meantime. With previous ideas of attending Western Michigan University to become an aviation pilot, Haggerty knew his true passion was on the ice rink. Thankfully, the Metro Jets hockey team was a great opportunity to continue working on his craft while figuring out the next step in life. “I almost consider it like a juco (junior college team) - you go play hockey but you don’t go to any school and use that to get into playing college hockey,” Haggerty said. “There’s different levels to it, but the Metro program is really good with two former AHL players running it, it gets you a lot better and prepares you for college.” Spending a season with the Jets allowed for Haggerty to take the time to figure out where his collegiate run would be played, and through conversations with friends and others close to him, Haggerty knew GVSU was the right fit for him. “Right after graduation I didn’t know what to do and didn’t know where I wanted to go to school,” Haggerty said. “That’s why I chose the junior path; it was a good gap year (to figure things out) and realized I wanted to play at Grand Valley.” Griff ’s Georgetown Ice Arena is the home arena for Grandville’s team and a place that Haggerty spent a lot of time training during the off seasons. Now in a Laker uniform, this is the same arena GVSU calls home, the full circle feeling took some getting used to for Haggerty. “It was a little weird at first because at Georgetown there’s two rinks; Grandville plays on one side, but Grand Valley plays on the other,” Haggerty said. “That was kind of a weird adjustment, but it’s really awesome to be able to finish my career at Georgetown where it basically started - it means a lot to me.” Transitioning from the junior to near-varsity level was already an adjustment in itself, but Haggerty wouldn’t have anticipated extreme hurdles just after one year with the Lakers. After his freshman year, the previous DII hockey club announced that it was moving up to DI. Just as the team was preparing for the huge step, COVID-19 shut down the excitement levels and forced the team into an entire year of staying mentally and physically prepared for their next opportunity. “The hardest part (of adjusting) was the year off but I initially thought the hardest part would be the move up and I knew we
would struggle a little,” Haggerty said. “We actually matured a lot (during our time off) and I think that’s what made it come easier than what it should have been.” The 2021-22 season finally came, and in the team’s inaugural season they won the Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey League (GLCHL) Championship - the first team in the league’s history to win the conference title in its first season. Leaving a legacy, as Haggerty mentions, is what the current veterans are shaping the program into for the generations to come. As a co-captain of the team, Haggerty said having a positive culture, strong camaraderie and a sense of identity are the focal points to having a successful season this year. “The culture is the biggest thing that has changed from DII to DI, and from my freshman year there was only eight of us that stuck it through,” Haggerty said. “The way we stuck through it up to our senior year, it’s finally come full circle. We’ve developed our mental strength and don’t allow the little things to get to us.” As the GLCHL Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks, Haggerty’s seasons stats are at the top of the team leaderboards. In second for total points (53), Haggerty has 25 goals and 29 assists while averaging 1.86 points per game in 29 games played. Even though Haggerty does have the privilege of having the ‘C’ stitched to his jersey, he believes the team does an excellent job of leading itself on and off the ice. “Honestly, I don’t even want to say I lead it - it’s pretty easy because this is the closest team I’ve ever been on,” Haggerty said. “Everyone pulls their own weight, and it doesn’t matter (what year you are), if something is wrong everyone speaks up for the most part.” Four games remain in the regular season as the Lakers sit at No. 2 in the GLCHL and recently moved up a position in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) to No. 9 overall. With hopes to repeat the same success as last season and more, Haggerty said the team can’t look too far ahead in order to maintain focus on one battle at a time. “We try to keep our mindset in sections. Our first goal of the year was to be the best team in Grand Rapids and I think we proved that by (defeating the teams in the area),” Haggerty said. “Now, we won’t get too ahead of ourselves and focus on the conference tournaments, (and) once that’s over, we’ll shift to nationals.” Reflecting on the most memorable moment in his hockey career, Haggerty didn’t hesitate to say winning the conference title in the team’s first season at the DI level was a second-to-none moment, and hopes to reciprocate that moment at the end of February.
A8 | NEWS
FEBRUARY 6, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS
SERVICE
Family Promise meets GR community needs, promotes understanding of homelessness BY ASHLEY MOUBRAY NEWS@LANTHORN.COM
Family Promise is a nonprofit organization fighting homelessness across 200 locations and 43 states. Whether threatened by homelessness or already facing it, the nonprofit provides empathy and support. Grand Rapids’ Family Promise has been serving the community since 1997. They work to give resources to those in need, as well as to educate and engage the entire community through discussions about homelessness and how they can help those in need. “Last year we served almost 800 families through our services,” said Vice President of Advancement Kate O’Keefe. “I think that’s part of what makes us special - we have a full continuum of services.” The nonprofit promises many services to aid and assist families no matter what stage of homelessness they are facing. Their work includes prevention services, emergency shelter services, housing services and family support services. “We truly do look at ending homelessness one family at a time,” O’Keefe said. “Because each family is so unique, we’re really able to meet them where they’re at and create a plan specifically for them.” Family Promise’s values ensure a dedication to hospitality, compassion, hope, dignity and respect. These values
are reflected both in their work and the organization’s leadership. Earlier this month, Cheryl Schuch who served as the Executive Director of Family Promise for 14 years, was promoted to the CEO of Family promise national. Co-workers have described Schuch as passionate and determined. “Cheryl’s values always center around assuming good intent and playing to peoples’ strengths,” O’Keefe said. During her time at CEO, Schuch fostered relationships, improved programs and made an impact on local families. O’Keefe said under Schuch’s leadership, the organization has been able to grow, improve and increase cultural competencies by intentionally focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion. Though Schuch is stepping down from her local position, she will remain a prominent influential figure in the community. “Cheryl as National CEO is an incredible opportunity,” O’Keefe said. “The resources, skills, energy and ideas that she will bring to that seat only strengthens the Family Promise of Grand Rapids. I don’t feel like it’s a loss. It’s an opportunity.” The local success of Family Promise is partly due to Schuch’s commitment and leadership as she was able to create many of the programs and systems of the organization.
ASSISTANCE: Family Promise works to serve all members of the Grand Rapids community in need of resources and take on an active role in helping people. People can reach out to the nonprofit both for aid and to get involved with the organization’s goals. GVL | BETHANN LONG
“That’s part of the reason Cheryl was tapped to go sit in that CEO seat at Family Promise National,” O’Keefe said. “Because our services and programming are so robust, we’re really the only affiliate in the nation that is offering those services.” O’Keefe said Schuch worked to address crises of individual families across West Michigan and promote foundational changes to systems that were negatively impacting the community. Schuch would note what was “broken” in a system and find ways to help remedy the problems she saw were affecting people. “Her 14-year career has really led to a change of systems and that will have rip-
ple effects throughout West Michigan for decades to come,” O’Keefe said. In addition to their work with the community, Family Promise hosts three events to raise money and awareness of their cause each year. These events include a gala fundraiser, a golf outing and an event called “Family Frolic” at John Ball Zoo. “Family homelessness looks very different than what people see,” O’Keefe said. “In actuality, families are hidden. They don’t want to be seen. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
FEBRUARY 6, 2023
A9 | LAKER LIFE
GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLLAKERLIFE
LAKER LIFE BRIEFS GV ORGANIZATION BOARD MEMBERS ENGAGE IN TRAININGS On Tuesday, Feb. 7, the Office of Student Life will host online training sessions for their winter organization training program, Re-Ignite. This is a resource and training event for officers and executive board members of student organizations. All organizations are required to have at least one participant, but it’s recommended that all four officers attend. Some of the topics that’ll be covered are policies and procedures, funding, LakerLink and more. There are several learning objectives for Re-Ignite, but some are determining risks that could occur at their events, how to plan and execute special events and how to prepare and successfully submit a funding request. This event is being held virtually from 4-6 p.m. and students who hold officer positions must RSVP to attend.
SHOP AT ASIAN NIGHT MARKET
On Feb. 10, from 6-9 p.m. various organizations will be selling items in the Niemeyer Multipurpose room for the second annual Asian Night Market. The groups attending are the Vietnamese Cultural Association, the Asian Student Union, the Filipinx American Student Association, the Nepali Student Association and Delta Phi Lambda. All of the groups will be selling dishes that represent their respective cultures. Payment methods and prices will be determined by each individual group. There will also be karaoke for those in attendance.
EVENT
Office of Student Life hosts annual “Re-Ignite” training BY MELIA WILLIAMS LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM
With so many student organizations present on Grand Valley State University’s campus, the Office of Student Life facilitates opportunities for clubs to undergo training throughout the year. The Office of Student Life sees to this by hosting events called “Ignite” in the fall semester and “Re-Ignite” in the winter semester for organizations to come together and collaborate while also getting updates on policies and procedures. “A lot of the fall is based on very general policies, just getting them off the ground,” said Assistant Director for Student Life Brianna Slager. “This winter, we take a step further where we do this mini-conference and they get a more tailored experience to their organization.” Re-Ignite is open to executive board members of any organizations, but each organization is required to send at least one representative in order to stay in good standing as an organization. Throughout the afternoon, there were four different workshops the students were able to attend: funding, event planning and collaboration, executive board transitions and elections.
PARTICIPATE IN SIBS AND KIDS WEEKEND
Sibs & Kids weekend is this upcoming weekend, Feb. 10 and 11. The theme of this years siblings weekend is “Jurassic Park.” Friday, Feb. 10 4-7 p.m. is check-in and the welcome event. There will be carnival games, yard games, crafts, caricature artist and more. That evening there will be a comedian followed by “Jurassic Park” trivia. For those who don’t want to do trivia, there will be a terrarium-making event held at the same time. The events on Friday wrap up with an ice cream bar. On Saturday there are several events for students to bring their siblings to such as a dance clinic, open swim and a trip to John Ball Zoo. Those who register for Sibs & Kids weekend can also attend both GVSU men’s and women’s basketball games for free as well as the GVSU hockey game. Participants are also eligible for discounts for the Grand Rapids Griffins game. The full list of events and times is available on the Sibs & Kids event page.
ORGANIZATION: The event demonstrated how GVSU student life can continue to grow and thrive. These clubs allow students to come together with diverse groups of people and share their interests. GVL | BETHANN LONG
RESOURCES: The event helps to reaffirm what goes into student organizations at GV and further connect the community through resources and conversations. GVL | BETHANN LONG
“In the funding one that I led, we did a Kahoot talking about what kind of categories of funding they can get, and in event planning, they planned a fake event and they were able to walk through that process with those people that can help them,” Slager said. To simulate a real event planning experience, resources on campus such as the Campus Activities Board, the Promotions Office, graduate assistants, the Dean of Students, the Student Life office and the Vice President of Senate Allocations, were there to help. Both the Ignite and Re-Ignite train-
ings aim to give participants a starting point to make them good officers. “They really get that stepping stone to build those connections and collaborations on campus to make their org better and better every year because that’s the goal,” Slager said. Slager said after the COVID-19 pandemic, there were only 200 organizations left on campus, leaving Student Life with the task of rebuilding to the 400 groups that are now on campus. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
A10 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ARTS AT A GLANCE GV CHORALE BRINGS “LOVE AND JOY” IN CONCERT
The Grand Valley State University Arts Chorale is performing live at the CookDewitt Center on the Allendale campus. The concert will take place this Thursday, Feb 9 at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to all students, staff and community members. The concert is titled, “Celebration of Love and Joy,” featuring the harmonies and ensemble work of fine art students in the GVSU Arts Chorale. For more information, visit the GVSU events website.
GR BREWERY HOSTS QUEEN FROM RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE AT BRUNCH SHOW
The Creston Brewery in Grand Rapids featured a “sister’s reunion” in their drag brunch on Sunday Feb 5. Drag Queens Elliott with 2 Ts and Chanel Hunter were special guests for both shows. Elliott with 2 Ts was a contestant on Season 13 of TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race. Chanel Hunter is a midwestern drag queen and entertainer, featured throughout Michigan and states areas. Due to high demand for the brunch event, the brewery added an additional show to the agenda for the day. More information about the Creston Brewery and other coming events, visit the Experience Grand Rapids website.
GRAND RAPIDS PUBLIC LIBRARY POETRY CONTEST OPENS FOR ALL AGES
GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN
@GVLARTS
SCULPTURE
GV features 3D art exhibit on campus BY HALEY ROSENDALE ARTS@LANTHORN.COM
Grand Valley State University has featured artwork called, “Distant Viridian Crush,” at the Calder Art Center on campus. The display debuted on Jan. 29, closing on Feb. 2. “Distant Viridian Crush” was created by Scottish-born artist Claire Ashley. Ashley is a Chicago-based artist who transforms ordinary materials into inflatable painted sculptures. Her work has been on exhibit nationally as well as internationally, and is featured in multiple blogs and magazines. The art pieces Ashley creates are made with inflatable sculptures painted in multiple pops of color. Viewers are drawn to Ashley’s work due to the unique display and her use of colors. The “Distant Viridian Crush” installation featured around 20 inflatables in Calder Art Center’s Padnos Student Gallery pressed together to create an immersive experience. Ashley said she wanted her art piece to inspire viewers to feel something. “For this installation, I wanted to create a cave or cavern-like space so that the viewer feels immersed,” Ashley said. “It feels somewhat reminiscent of a landscape but perhaps more
IMMERSIVE ART: Claire Ashley used many sculptural pieces in her inflatable collection, hoping to give viewers the feel of walking into a colorful cave. GVL | ANNABELLE ROBINSON
like a stage set or kids’ playground. Possibly a ‘Star Trek’ alien landscape rather than our real planet, or perhaps deep under the ocean in a scene from ‘Spongebob’ rather than on terra firma.” Generally, an art piece takes the artist weeks to months of work before it is completed. Ashley’s art follows a different timeline that she says speaks to the creativity and spontaneity of her work. “All of this work was made over the last three years or so with a couple pieces that are perhaps six years old,” Ashley said. Ashley said it takes time and plan-
ning to create such a finished and exciting piece. She used a variety of different materials to create each sculpture. “In the main installation in the gallery there’s Ripstop nylon, Tyvek, expandable foam, rust oleum enamel spray paint, Montana spray paint, paracord, glitter, acrylic paint, fake fur rugs, beanbags and fans,” Ashley said. Ashley said the Calder Art Center is the first place this particular art piece has been presented. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
MUSIC & HISTORY
The Grand Rapids Public Library has opened its 55th annual Dyer-Ives poetry contest for submissions. The contest will run until Feb 28, giving authors the chance to submit for the rest of the month. The contest is open to anyone from ages 5 and up. Winners will receive a cash prize, have their poems published in Voices and get to participate in a live reading. To submit an entry for free in the poetry contest, those interested should contact the Grand Rapids Public Library. More information can be found on their website and the Experience Grand Rapids events page.
Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum opens guitar history exhibit BY HAILEY HENTZ ARTS@LANTHORN.COM
IMMERSIVE ART EVENT OFFERS AN INTROSPECTIVE LOOK AT THE BRAIN
The World of Winter Festival in Grand Rapids is hosting an event at the interactive art exhibit titled “Affinity.” Featuring 112 interactive points within the display, viewers can get a deeper understanding of how memories are made and retained in the human brain through a creative lens. The Grand Rapids dance group Dance In The Annex (DITA) performed at the exhibit on Feb. 5, following an open movement score inspired by the way memories interact in the brain. The performance was titled, “Blocking out the Darkness.” For more information about the performance and other World of Winter events, those interested can visit the Experience Grand Rapids events page.
FEBRUARY 6, 2023
INTSTRUMENTAL: The National GUITAR Museum’s traveling exhibit of American history has found itself a temporary home in Grand Rapids. The display tells the story of the guitar and its influence on American music. GVL | MEGHAN TRIPP
“America at the Crossroads: The Guitar and a Changing Nation,” a traveling exhibition curated by the National GUITAR museum, has been welcomed into the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids. The exhibit traces the importance of the guitar’s role throughout history in relation to social events and cultural movements. Meant to take viewers on a musical journey beginning with instruments dating back to the 1500s, the collection uses the guitar as a medium for interpreting America’s history and its musical evolution. Containing 40 guitars spanning from archival to electric alongside interactive videos and banners, the exhibit delves into the cultural happenings of each historical and musical time period. “The guitar is the most popular instrument in America, and using it to tell the history of America is a really unique way to look at the culture surrounding significant events in our history, rang-
ing from colonialism to punk rebellion,” said HP Newquist, executive director of the National GUITAR Museum. Newquist said the exhibition highlights the importance of the guitar in American pop culture and its ability to tell the country’s narrative in a unique format. The instrument can be used as a tool to discover complex information about the past and the historical developments that have played a role in American society. “The guitar has been a symbol for everything from generational differences and racial divide to politics, consumer marketing and fashionable relevance,” said Mirelle Luecke, supervisory curator at the Ford Museum. Previous to “America at the Crossroads,” traveling collections by the organization ranging from guitar design to explorations on the scientific value of sound had been assembled. A venture into its history was the next step. LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
A11 | SPORTS
FEBRUARY 6, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS
QUICK HITS DIII HOCKEY CLUB MOVES UP IN ACHA RANKINGS Jumping up two places in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Men’s Division III rankings, the Grand Valley State University DIII hockey club is now No. 7 overall with a record of 18-4 (20-7 overall). After a 1-1 split against Saginaw Valley State Jan. 27-28, GVSU faced off against Hope College Feb. 3-4 and dropped both of the matchups to add their sixth and seventh loss of the season. The Lakers will play in a double header against Oakland University Feb. 10-11 with the latter date being Senior Night at 5 p.m. at the Griff’s Georgetown Ice Arena. TRACK AND FIELD CONTINUES THEIR INTENSITY GVSU track and field hosted the Snowdown Showdown meet Feb. 3 as a large number of Lakers placed highley in their events. On the women’s side, senior Kassidie Stimmel finished first in the women’s pole vault with an NCAA DII provisional mark of 3.85m. Junior Reette Thorns also took the women’s shot put with a 14.10m distance (provisional mark) as Junior Alaina Omonode led women’s weight throw (18.84m, provisional mark). For the men’s, junior Jacody Sikora took first in the 60m dash (6.93 seconds) with junior Eli Kosiba placing first overall in the high jump event with a 2.18m provisional mark. To cap it off, the men’s pole vault was swept by the Lakers: senior James Nutt (4.85m, provisional mark), freshmen Colton Emeott (4.85m, provisional mark) and Camryn Battjes (4.55m), senior Max Rauch (4.55m), and juniors Wyatt Alwine (4.55m) and Logan Clark (4.25m) all finished first through sixth, respectively. MEN’S FOOTBALL WELCOMES 32 RECRUITS FOR 2023 CLASS With the announcement of the 2023 regular season schedule, GVSU men’s football also broke the news of their newest additions to their roster. Of the 32 total signings, 16 of the recruits are offensive players, 15 being defensive players and a long snapper also committed to GVSU. The Lakers will kickoff their 2023 campaign on Aug. 31 as Wooster enters his inaugural season with the team as the head coach. WOMEN’S LACROSSE RANKED NO. 1 IN PRESEASON COACHES POLL With the spring season just a few weeks away, the GVSU women’s lacrosse team was ranked first overall in the GLIAC Preseason Poll as the twotime defending conference champions (2021 and 2022 seasons). As the team prepares to take on Flagler University and Rollins University Feb. 16-18, the team will hope to continue the same level of success as the most recent seasons.
BASKETBALL
Droste leads women’s basketball to 10th road victory BY MADELEINE SMITH SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM
Grand Valley State University women’s basketball defeated the Davenport Panthers this past weekend 68-46 to mark their 11th conference win and maintain their No. 1 position in the GLIAC standings with a 20-2 record. The Lakers took control early as a 15-2 scoring run in the first quarter would be the start of a huge performance by GVSU. “We came out with a lot of energy… we rebounded well and offensively we got the shots we wanted,” said Head Coach Mike Williams. Redshirt sophomore guard Ellie Droste scored the first few points of the game, and her intensity carried throughout the entire match as she finished with a team-high 13 points on 100% shooting (4-4 FG). This energy continued through the second quarter as Davenport had several attempts at the net but the Laker defense continued to hound them and prevented a successful possession. “I think the key to intensity is to take one quarter at a time and to be locked in for every play,” said redshirt freshman guard Nicole Kamin. “I also feel that intensity comes from every single person on the team, not just the people on the court.” Redshirt junior forward Haley Swing added to the team’s 18-6 run in the second quarter with two free throws that would add to her four points of the night. “I am always comfortable and confident at the free throw line,” Swing said. “I try not to think too much while shooting, but in the back of my mind I
STREAK: With the win against Davenport University, the Lakers have extended their winning streak to three with their road record now at 11-1. COURTESY | GVSU ATHLETICS
just know I need to make them.” Holding Davenport to a pedestrian 2-23 from the field in the first half to go into the break with a 33-8 lead, Kamin said the team knew exactly what to do to close out the game in their favor by focusing on defense and allowing the team’s offense to come naturally. With the third quarter ending 4924 in favor of the Lakers, the fourth and final period would remain the same as the first three as points were traded until the final buzzer with the scoreboard reading 68-46. Redshirt freshman guard Paige Vanstee and senior forward Hannah Kulas contributed 10 points each to the win with senior guard Emily Spitzley adding nine points of her own. Redshirt freshman guard Rylie Bisballe was also a huge contributor for the Lakers with a near double-double performance of eight points and 10 rebounds. Even with the huge win on the road, GVSU will need to prepare
for tougher days ahead as their shooting numbers finished at 44% from the field and a season-low three pointers made (25%). “We’re always happy with a win, but we have to remember not to play the score,” Swing said. “We’ll get back in the gym for practice on Monday to start preparing for a big game against Michigan Tech on Thursday.” 43 bench points, 38 points in the paint and 21 points off turnovers as Williams echoed the comments of his player about being prepared for the grinded effort needed to win a game. “If you play the score then you’re not a good team,” Williams said. “You know we’ve gotta do a better job of not looking at the scoreboard, coming to play, being locked in, the whole game.” Up next, the Lakers will be at home as they look to redeem themselves against Michigan Tech on Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. as well as Northern Michigan on Feb. 11 at 1 p.m., both at the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena.
LEADERSHIP: Redshirt sophomore guard Ellie Droste led the team with 13 points on a perfect four of four shooting as her season averages stand at 10.7 points per game (second overall), tied for first in most assists (43 total) and is second overall for the Lakers in three-point shooting with a hot 41.1% overall over the course of the team’s 22 games played thus far. COURTESY | GVSU ATHLETICS
A12 | SPORTS
FEBRUARY 6, 2023 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS
TENNIS
GV tennis falls against UIndy in first spring meeting BY BREANNA HAMMER SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM
The Grand Valley State University tennis teams faced off against a tough opponent in the University of Indiana (UIndy) last weekend as the men’s team lost 0-7 and the women’s team lost 1-6. With these losses, the women’s team is now 0-2 while the men’s suffered their first loss, bringing their record to 2-1 so far this season. Falling short of a conference title last year, GVSU worked hard to expand their skills during the offseason. Head Coach Samantha Schall said the team’s biggest focal point is having the mental and emotional endurance to stay on the right track during the season. “We have been focusing a lot on mental toughness,” Schall said. “Today was a big challenge for both teams, so we needed to be ready with a strong mindset.” For the men’s singles, all six players lost in two games. Senior Sebastian Arce would play the No. 1 spot for the Lakers as he fell to his opponent 1-6 and 0-6, senior Unai Gonzalez had a close 3-6 and 4-6 loss at No. 2 and senior Sean Miller lost 2-6 in both games at No. 3.
Senior Martin Matov came close with a 6-7 and 4-6 loss at No. 4, while freshman Patricio Sepulveda (3-6 and 1-6) and senior Ignacio Morera-Lucas (1-6 apiece) lost their No. 5 and No. 6 singles matchups respectively. Similar outcomes would result in the men’s team losing all three doubles matchups with Miller and Gonzalez losing 2-6 at No. 1 doubles, junior Freddy Cossio and senior Jack Dausman (No. 2) falling 3-6 and Arce and Sepulveda coming close in a 5-7 loss at No. 3. Schall also said even with the tough losses like the ones against UIndy, there are many things to look forward to for the upcoming season. “We have a lot of potential, and that makes for a high level of motivation within the players,” Schall said. “I am excited to see what we can achieve. On the women’s side, there were also some close matches between the Lakers and Greyhounds. At No. 1 doubles, junior Vasileia Griva and senior Taylor Barrett lost a close 4-6 decision as freshmen Leonie Leister and Rachel Sam would be the only winners for Laker doubles with a 6-4 win at the No. 2 spot.
LEARNING: A tough performance for both GVSU teams in their first meeting of the spring campaign was one to forget as they move past it and look ahead. GVL | MACAYLA CRAMER
However, freshmen Anna Sotreas and Amanda Diaz would lose the No. 3 doubles matchup after a close first game that finished 6-7, and then a 0-6 loss to finish the match. Sam also went on to claim a 6-3, 7-6, straight-set win at No. 3 singles, with Schall mentioning the win was a huge boost for individual confidence and team morale. Sam said she thought her hard work in the off season was beneficial to how she played in her matches Feb. 4. “I’ve been able to work a lot on my
forest serve percentage, as well as trying to build a stronger mentality during matches,” Sam said. “Tennis matches are long and tiring. I want to be able to feel good and focused through the entire match and increasing my first serve percentage is a way for me to gain confidence to perform well.” LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
BASKETBALL
Hot scoring propels men’s basketball over Panthers BY BRIAN BLOOM SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM
SCORING: Sophomore guard Trevon Gunter shot the lights out from behind the line against the Davenport Panthers as he finished with five converted threes on eight attempts. Gunter also went on to record a block and two rebounds in a productive 22 minutes of play. COURTESY | GVSU ATHLETICS
The Grand Valley State University men’s basketball team made the short trip to Davenport University for a rematch with the Panthers as the Lakers won 87-61 to secure the season series (20) and improve to 13-9 overall. “We came out with the energy needed to compete and to win, especially after the loss at home (against Parkside),” said Head Coach Cornell Mann. The game began as a back-andforth affair, as neither side was able to take a multiple possession lead. After a successful layup made by junior forward Marius Grazulis to tie the game at 20 apiece, the Lakers found momentum to build their lead to 11 points with 4:08 remaining in the first half (33-22). After a 0-5 run by the Panthers, sophomore guard Trevon Gunter deflated any hopes of Davenport getting back into the game as he drained three consecutive three-pointers to give the Lakers a commanding 42-30 lead with just over one minute left to play in the half. “(My mindset was to) do all I can do for the team to be successful; the team has the ‘we over me’ mentality and I just tried to do my part to get the win,” Gunter said. The second half was all about the
Lakers as their offensive and defensive efforts were too much for the Panthers to slow down. Following a converted and-one play by graduate student forward Chinedu Kingsley Okanu, redshirt senior forward Isaiah Carver-Bagley made his presence known, nailing two three-point shots in 34 seconds to extend the lead to 20 points with 14:30 left to play (57-37) and reaching as high as 27 points (73-46) as they never looked back to secure the win 87-61 win The team shot a respectable 47% from the field in the win, but an efficient 50% from beyond the arc with 12 three-pointers. The Lakers dominated both ends of the boards as well as they out-rebounded the Panthers 49-30 and found extra opportunities on offense with a 23-4 second chance points battle. “Every game we have to do our best to dominate the glass,” Mann said. “It’s how we’re built. We have to continue to annihilate the glass to be competitive.” GVSU also dominated in the fast break, scoring 29 points in transition to Davenport’s eight. Leading the way for the team was Grazulis, who recorded a double-double with 14 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. “Our mindset was giving all our energy and focusing on the defensive end of
the ball,” Grazulis said. “Coach (Mann) drew it up in the locker room and told us to rebound like our lives depended on it. Defensive rebounding propels us forward and gives us extra momentum.” Gunter led the team in scoring with 15 points, all coming from three-pointers in the first half as Okanu added 11 points and five rebounds. “We have two starters at each position,” Mann said. “People make a lot of the starters, but it’s about who finished (the game). The bench played well, but the starters played extremely well too.” The team will return to action on Feb. 9 as they host Michigan Tech University in a GLIAC conference showdown in hopes to sweep the Huskies and win their sixth game in the last seven. With a 6-3 home record and just six games remaining in the regular season, Gunter knows the home court advantage must be capitalized on. “We don’t want to let our fans down (at home),” Gunter said. “When we come out and don’t give energy on our home court, we feel like we’re letting them down. We want to do well for them and being at home gives us the extra edge.” LOG ON TO: www.lanthorn.com FOR THE FULL ARTICLE