With the new Prestigious Fellowships program developed by the College of Arts and Sciences, Marquette will be following in the footsteps of the Ivy League by assisting its students in applying for 17 different prestigious scholarships for graduate school. Prestigious Fellowships cover the costs of graduate education through different programs and projects around the globe. These fellowships honor undergraduate students based on academic merit rather than on financial need, according to Dr. Amelia Zurcher, an English professor in the College of Arts and Sciences. Zurcher, who helped to develop this program for Marquette, explained that because the fellowships are for continuing education, the applicants must show that they thrive in an academic setting.

The Prestigious Fellowships program was started “to raise awareness [of the fellowships] and assist students in applying for fellowships,” said Dr. Heather Hathaway, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the College of Arts and Sciences, who has provided a lot of the impetus for starting the fellowship program.

And apparently Marquette does need to raise student awareness. “In comparison to other schools of similar size and ranking, Marquette came nowhere near the other universities’ numbers of fellowship recipients,” Zurcher said.

The most important aspect of the program is to put students in touch with faculty members who are familiar with each particular scholarship. “Individual faculty advisors have been appointed to each fellowship to advise students from all corners of the University,” said Hathaway.

Kaye Wierzbicki, a senior Literature major, is in the process of applying for three of these Prestigious Fellowships. She says that having an established program to help in the application process will be extremely beneficial.

“I am thrilled with what Dr. Hathaway and the fellowship advisers are doing in order to make the process more streamlined, with a greater focus on mentoring.”

But to Wierzbicki, the application process is only one step towards realizing her dream of studying out of the country after she graduates. Because the fellowships can give her this opportunity, she believes that applying for them is definitely advisable. “I think that having an intense immersion experience in another culture is always worthwhile. These fellowships provide an interesting and intellectually challenging option to learn within another university system.”

But even if she does not receive any of the fellowships, Wierzbicki says that “the application process has still been extremely beneficial.

“I had already done so much work in preparing my statements and proposals for the fellowships, that it was not too difficult to tailor them to my regular graduate school applications,”said Wierzbicki.

Although it may seem that these fellowships are geared toward students in the College of Arts and Sciences, members of other colleges can gain great opportunities with these fellowships as well. Zurcher explained that once a student has completed the time of study provided for by the fellowship, many prestigious universities and businesses will pursue that student because they want to be associated with fellowship recipients. So Harvard Medical School may be calling after the two to three years of the fellowship are over.

According to Hathaway, all Marquette students are welcome to apply for any of the scholarships, because “as more students apply and win these fellowships, that will obviously shine a positive light on Marquette University.”

The Prestigious Fellowships program reception is Wednesday, October 10 at 4:00 p.m. in the Alumni Memorial Union – Ballroom A/B. All are welcome to attend.

Popularity: 6% [?]

From time to time, students come upon an elderly couple or a gaggle of little old ladies strolling campus, and more than once I have offered directions to help them navigate from Gesu Church to the Joan of Arc Chapel. They are, in a term, “Catholic tourists,” people who like to look at churches. As Marquette ponders the future of the Haggerty Art Museum here on campus, as the founding director retires and a new man steps into his place, I suggest that Marquette work to capture more of the “Catholic tourist” market.

The new director of the Haggerty, Wally Mason, is reportedly an expert on “cutting-edge, contemporary art.” Frankly, I hope this interest does not dominate the Haggerty.

If you like contemporary art, you can go down the street to the Milwaukee Art Museum, which has a wide-ranging collection. You can go to the galleries of the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design in the Third Ward, which often features contemporary art. In other words, there are already plenty of contemporary art offerings in Milwaukee. So my suggestion is, let’s find our own niche in the Milwaukee area and even the Midwest. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s art columnist is right to say that “[t]he Haggerty is primed to redefine itself with a shift in leadership.”

Let’s take advantage of this unique moment and make something of it. Let us also find a niche that meshes well with our Marquette mission. Everything at this University should be mission-driven, including our art museum. As the Second Vatican Council and Pope Paul VI noted in the Constitution on Sacred Liturgy, art can play a special role in “turning men’s minds devoutly toward God.” There is a whole universe of religious and sacred art out there: let’s bring it here.

Moreover, many Marquette professors and students are researching religious people or eras marked by particular pieces of art or subjects of art.

Members of the Jesuit order often pursue art as a way to glorify God, and yes, even to prophetically advance social justice. Marquette could provide a valuable forum for Jesuit painters to receive the recognition for their work. When the “Saint Peter and the Vatican: the Legacy of the Popes” exhibit came to the Milwaukee Public Museum, parishes and schools from Minnesota, Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin organized buses to bring thousands of pilgrims to see the various pieces of sacred art and church history on display.

With the grandeur of Gesu, the unique beauty of Joan of Arc Chapel and the Basilica of Holy Hill Marian shrine just up the freeway, Marquette could become a Midwestern mecca for Catholic tourists. There is no reason the Haggerty Art Museum could not tap into that market in a very unique and special way, a way that complements our mission and identity.

In other words, we could become a relic road trip destination. How cool would that be?

Popularity: 13% [?]

Busy students no longer need to go to the grocery store for their fruits and vegetables – there is now a veritable farmer’s market right on campus every Friday. Each week, Students for an Environmentally Active Campus sells market baskets containing fresh produce from Growing Power Community Food Center, a Milwaukee-based, non-profit organization that provides fresh fruit and vegetables for city residents.The market baskets contain a variety of fresh produce including white and red potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, celery, carrots, lettuce, spinach, greens, tomatoes, peppers, winter and summer squash, cabbage, sweet corn, peppers, beets, cucumbers, eggplant, melons, apples, peaches, bananas and grapes.According to the Growing Power website, “Market Basket is an alternative distribution system similar to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs. This weekly, year-round, food security program supplies safe, healthy, affordable vegetables and fruit to communities at a low cost.”Market baskets come in several sizes including a Senior basket ($8 serves 1-2 people), a Regular Basket ($14 serves 2-4 people), an Organic Basket ($26 serves 2-4 people) and an All Fruit Basket ($14 serves 2-4 people). Orders are placed via email, and are collected on Friday afternoon in the lobby of the Union.Neal Styka, a fifth year senior in the College of Engineering, has purchased market baskets regularly for the past two years, and is continually impressed with the quality and variety of his baskets.“One of the best parts is that it [the baskets] varies each week so that I never get tired of eating the same vegetable,” he said. “And it’s a great way to get produce without the hassle of going to the store.”Market baskets are available to faculty, staff and everyone in the community, not just students. Administrative assistant to the College of Engineering, Jessica Bulgrin, for example, has been an avid market basket customer ever since she discovered the group last year.“My main reason for doing it is to support local growers, and I keep buying the baskets because the price and quality is good,” Bulgrin said.In 1995, Allen started the market basket program to enable people of all income levels to eat healthy.“You shouldn’t have to be rich to eat organic food,” he said. Allen is very pleased to be working with Marquette students.“When I started Growing People, I wanted young people to learn about food systems,” he said. “I want young people to learn to eat healthy food.”In 2005, Allen was one of 17 recipients of the Ford Foundation Leadership for a Changing World award.“These leaders are a welcome reminder that people can make a difference,” said Susan V. Berresford, president of the Ford Foundation, as quoted in the Riverwest Currents newspaper.“They have brought not only concrete gains to their communities but a determination to stand for justice that builds hope and inspires others. It’s never been more important to listen to them.”To order a market basket, students can email their name, phone number and order to marketbaskets@gmail. com. More information about Growing Power is available on their website, GrowingPower.org.

Popularity: 9% [?]

As you may know, Marquette has two papers that serve the community. I make it a point to read both. In last week’s Thursday issue of the other paper, columnist Brandon Stokes wrote about his desire to “socialize higher education.” Many liberal professors and administrators here at Marquette may agree with Stokes, but take it from Mark Twain who said not to “let your schooling get in the way of your education.” So, I’ll venture to do what many of your professors are afraid to do: give you an alternative opinion. Think of it as an “alternative lifestyle” if that turns you on to it. Stokes says that “Students are being priced out of good universities and they are forced to look at less qualified schools for the sake of affordability” and that if you go to a more expensive college and take out loans you’ll have huge debt. Well no kidding Mr. Stokes. So what? You mean to tell me that the laws of supply and demand apply to college, too? That’s like saying if you don’t want to spend money on a keg of Rolling Rock, you may want to buy a cheaper one of Milwaukee’s Best. That’s called a cost-benefit analysis, we do them everyday. Faced with a choice, you look at the options and decide whether the benefits you’ll get from a transaction outweigh the cost. It’s kind of like deciding to go on a first date; on the one hand you may miss a night out drinking with your buddies, but on the other hand, you may be meeting your future wife.

Mr. Stokes then asks how any student could “feel good” about themselves upon graduation “because of loans.” Maybe this person decided that the Catholic education at Marquette was worth it. Or maybe it was the connections they were able to make here that they couldn’t at, say, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Or maybe it was the fact that they will now make $60,000 a year because they went to a place like Marquette.

Next Mr. Stokes says there is a bleak outlook for college graduates who leave college to face “a job market that has been weakening for years…” Unless he’s talking about the job market for Brewers playoff t-shirts, he lost me there. The unemployment rate has dropped to 4.6 percent, a hugely significant drop since 1983 when it was above 10 percent.

Stokes then contends that it’s “the duty of our government to provide [higher education]” and that “the government should model itself after some European countries and socialize [it].” What he doesn’t tell us is why it’s the government’s duty to pay for everyone to go to college. Is it because it’s good for people? Well so is tuna and the government doesn’t provide tuna for us. Ask yourself, if the government has a duty to pay for you to go to college, what doesn’t it have a duty to do? Government is not bound to do things that are good for its citizens.

Perhaps most dubiously, Stokes claims that within his version of socialization of higher education, “people would be able to study things that interest them without the burden of worrying about finances.” No doubt, he’s right. What Stokes doesn’t question is whether or not taxpayers should be forced to essentially pay for me or you to learn about whatever we want to. A secret dream I have is to be a country music singer. Should other taxpayers pay for me to study country music? Absolutely not. I’d venture to say that if people were entitled to study whatever they want, we here at Marquette would have a lot of Green Bay Packer majors with an emphasis on Brett Favre studies. Studying to become a doctor, lawyer or accountant are not things usually interesting to a person, many do it out of motivation for long-term payback. Mercifully, Stokes’ article finally ends with a claim that “We do not revolve around money, but money revolves around us.” It seems like that contradicts his earlier claim that no one could feel good about him or herself with college debt. Central to the idea of socialized higher education is money it requires the taking of money from one group of people and giving it to another. It’s plain to see, Stokes’ whole article revolves around money. And on that he’s right, when it comes to socializing things; it’s all about the Benajmins.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Americans are soft. Where is the spirit that gave rise to the pioneers? Where is the spirit that forged a nation out of nothing, and set the precedent for worldwide adoption of democracy and human rights? Where is the spirit that defeated Nazism and Communism, winning two world wars in the process? Instead in cities like Milwaukee and New Orleans, children suffer from neglect, and homelessness is rampant. Instead of supporting our troops who embody the spirit of hard work and sacrifice that our soft nation used to have, we demand that our politicians cripple the troops’ mission.

How did this happen? Because Americans are soft, because the highest goal in life is self. Americans are infected with a blame others mentality. Whereas independence and individualism were the spirits that made our country great, America is now characterized by gated communities that shield themselves from the world.

What are the symptoms of American softness? 50% of American marriages ending in divorce. Men who are too addicted to online pornography and sports to play ball with their kids. Women who spend enough money on their dogs and hair to feed an African village. People who worship youth and think that the way to solve their problems is to buy newer, better things and go further into debt.

Americans will congratulate themselves for being diverse for having a friend from Africa on an internet social site while they are hard pressed to name the last time they said hello to their neighbor across the street. The greatest generation is stuck sitting in lonely nursing homes, their brains melting from “The Price is Right” and “Wheel of Fortune” while their children’s and grandchildren’s greatest concerns are whether or not to get the options package on their new Lexus. America’s softness starts with education. Instead of learning values like honor, discipline, integrity, and respect, children are being spoon fed ‘values’ like diversity, tolerance, and self esteem. How do you instill values of hard work and a competitive spirit into kids when our nation’s education system is more interested in teaching politically correct nonsense instead of actual academic skills?

Little Johnny is forced to sit in class all day long while his teacher talks about self-esteem. He is no longer allowed to have recess outside because his mother thinks his sensitive allergies might act up. He is no longer allowed to play dodgeball during gym class because it hurts kids feelings to get hit with a ball. Since he cannot sit still in class, he’s put on drugs like Ritalin. If he plays cops and robbers with his classmates, he gets suspended for pretending he has a gun. When he gets home to suburbia, he sits in front of the television for five hours playing video games.

That is America’s future. Is there something wrong with this picture? Americans need to stop expecting the government to solve their problems, and learn to take responsibility for their own lives.

We need stronger families, more responsible schools and people who are unafraid to fight for freedom and what is right. It starts at the individual level, but impacts the entire community. That Marquette’s motto is ‘Men and Women for Others’ is a step in the right direction.

Popularity: 9% [?]

After a symphony of groans in both sections of Dr. Mary Beth Tallon’s English 43 class, it was official: students are not thrilled to see a required play. No one seemed to be excited about sitting at the Milwaukee Repertory Theater for two hours and 56 minutes on Tuesday for the production of Cyrano de Bergerac, a play about an ugly man named Cyrano whom no woman could ever love. “I always request that students attend plays as part of my classes,” Tallon said, “It’s essential to see the literature staged as it was meant to be and to judge it in that light. I chose Cyrano because it is a great classic of the theater and is not to be missed.”

Cyrano de Bergerac is a play written in the late 1890s by Edmond Rostand. Cyrano is a poet and swordsman, but his ugliness does not stop him from falling in love with Roxanne, the most beautiful woman he knows. As it is a tragedy, she does not return his love, but fosters love for a beautiful man, Christian. Roxanne loves poetry and beauty, and since neither man has both, they work together to woo the woman of their dreams.

They go through a series of meetings with Roxanne where Cyrano feeds Christian poetry to speak to Roxanne, and all the while she thinks that Christian is the perfect man. There is an entire scene in which Roxanne is standing on her balcony and Cyrano begins feeding Christian his poetry. It becomes too difficult so Cyrano takes over speaking to Roxanne, and because it is so dark, she thinks it is Christian and decides to kiss him.

Not only are Christian and Cyrano vying for Roxanne’s love, she has also caught the eye of the rich Comte de Guiche. After Christian’s speech to Roxanne, she breaks Cyrano’s heart and asks him to distract de Guiche while she and Christian get married. De Guiche finds out and sends Christian and

Cyrano to the front lines of France’s war with Spain. Roxanne asks that Christian write his words of love to her every day and Cyrano agrees. The ending is a bizarre twist of fate that only those who see it will know about.

“I hope and believe that they [the students] really like the action and fall in love with the great hero, Cyrano,” said Tallon. The students felt differently. Their heads were filled with both high and low expectations.

Ashley Tomaier, a sophomore in the college of Health Sciences, said, “I didn’t expect it to be good at all.” Pete Lindley, a sophomore in the college of Business, said, “I had pretty high expectations after seeing the Cyrano episode of Wishbone.”

However, to the surprise of most, Cyrano was a hit. Everyone was eating it up, but for many different reasons. The humor of the play came as a surprise to Maggie Homer, a sophomore in the college of Health Sciences, who said that it was nothing like what she had expected from a tragedy.

Emma Cotter, a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences, thought its message was particularly relevant to college life.

“I liked how the topics were relatable to us,” said Cotter. “Using topics like jealousy, self-consciousness and romance is a great way to cater to college students.”

The actors made it easy for the audience to fall in love with the characters. Kara Foster, a sophomore in the college of Arts and Sciences, said, “The actors brought a lot of dimensions to the characters.”

“I was pretty impressed,” said Sulaiman Al-Saeed, a sophomore in the college of Business. Al-Saeed said the actors used the space very well for such a small stage.

But one of its highest selling points was simply the fact that it was a French play. Kelsey McCusker, a sophomore in the college of Communication, said, “It’s a very ‘French Pride’ sort of play and I love that.”

The play ended with a death, a discovery, a hero and a standing ovation. All and all, for most, this play turned out to be a good use of two hours and 56 minutes on a Tuesday night.

Popularity: 25% [?]

For the vicariously living rock star, road trips, guitars and parties seem like the ideal life. For Milwaukee band The Saltshakers: this stereotype proves only to be skin-deep. “It’s way less exciting[than expected],” said lead singer Chad Curtis. “I guess if we were Pearl Jam or something it might be exciting.”

Lead Singer Chad Curtis, bassist Cory Rawson, drummer Jon Strelecki and guitarist Tim Peck, have come a long way from 2002 when they first started playing together. Known for their distinctive sound, the band describes themselves as “blazing, insistent powerpop – a testament to the joyful escapism at the heart of rock n’ roll.”

“The live performances go above and beyond other bands and they sound better live than other bands that only sound good after they are recorded,” said Allison Curtis, the lead singer’s cousin and a senior in the college of Arts and Sciences.

With their new CD “Up All Night” out in stores, a full touring schedule and a recent front-page feature in MKE Magazine, they are on their way to living the dream.

The band began as a group of friends getting together to play music. They could barely play their instruments. “It’s funny to think how far we’ve all come over just 5 years now,” said Curtis. “I never started a band to ‘make it,’ I just think it’s fun to do.”

Their first live show was at a small bar in Fond du Lac with no stage.

“We opened for a friend’s band and I’m sure we were pretty mediocre… It was a drunken good time, barring a few times when we unplugged each other’s equipment.”

When writing a song, said Curtis, “[I] usually make sure there’s a hook. I want to make the listener hit repeat on the stereo. Once the hook is there the jist of the song is complete… it’s just a matter of streamlining it so there’s no filler.” When finding inspiration, Curtis usually looks to the opposite sex.

“Like many people, I mostly write about girls,” said Curtis. “I sometime write about an experience rather than a person… Going to a good show or really getting into a new album sometimes inspires me to write more songs,” said Curtis.

Although he’s not out to “make it,” Curtis has learned a thing or two along the way.

“Learn how to take criticism. You’re not going to make music that everyone likes, it’s just not possible. The sooner you can deal with the fact that some people aren’t going to like you, the better… If you can take criticism, you’re not only likely to write better songs, but you’re going to last a lot longer as an artist,” said Curtis. Find out more and get their new CD “Up All Night” at the band’s website: http:// www.thesaltshakers.com Their next performance will be on November 3 at BBC bar, located at 2022 E. North Avenue in Milwaukee.

Popularity: 22% [?]

Renee Row is known by Marquette students as the place to be for a good time, relaxation and parties, but is it all it’s cracked up to be? Where do Marquette students go to have a good time? Known by its residents as a hotspot for on-campus parties, the friendly confines of Renee Row Apartments, located at 927 N. Renee Street, have become a staple of late-night party-goers.

“I like how social it is at Renee Row. There’s always something to do around here,” said resident and Marquette senior, Dani Olson.

The common area courtyard is perfect for all sorts of shenanigans and impromptu extravaganzas. Residents utilize the courtyard for a variety of social and recreational activities, including bags tournaments, barbecues and even a quick dip in a kiddie pool. One resident has even considered supplying a Slip n’ Slide.

Other facilitators for the fun atmosphere are the patios and balconies. Partygoers often hop between parties, from patio to patio.

“We know all of our neighbors,” one resident said.

According to Marquette junior, Alex Grasse, the courtyard and overall community feeling at Renee Row are great.

“It’s better than the dorms,” Grasse said. “It’s social. It’s fun.”

What are the other perks of living at Renee Row? All apartments are furnished and carpeted. Dishwashers and air conditioning are also major selling points, as well as the on-site laundry facilities.

Each apartment has either a balcony or a patio, and the second level apartments are two to three floors high.

H o w e v e r , Living at Renee Row has never been a cake walk. The constant partying can take its toll on the tenants and the apartments themselves.

“The carpet is full of jungle juice stains and the floors are rotting,” Olson said, referring to an alcoholic beverage commonly consumed at parties. Tenants noted that Renee Row is “too nice” for parties, and that party-goers have gradually degraded the quality and living conditions of the rooms. Residents also complained about the noise. There are parties every night— even school nights— leaving some students behind in sleep. Parties also disrupt studying time, sending most students to the library or other, quieter academic buildings. Like most issues, noise pollution can be relative depending on who does the talking.

“It’s rarely quiet here,” said Kyle Ellingsen, a Marquette junior of her Renee Row apartment. Olson, on the other hand, has not had much negative experience with the noisy atmosphere of Renee Row.

“The walls are kind of thin so sometimes you can hear the room next door—usually only on the weekends,” Olson said. “Noise isn’t too much of an issue.”

And how about the cost of living at Renee Row? The three-bedroom, threestory apartment shared by Olson and her roommates will rent for $1745 in the upcoming school year.

“The amount that we pay is not worth what we are getting because it’s trashed,” Olson said.

However, not all units are in similar states or disarray. Ellingsen was impressed by the cleanliness of Renee Row when apartment hunting.

“The buildings looked like they were in good shape when we partied there sophomore year,” Ellingsen remembers. “It’s nice and fairly clean.” The smaller, cheaper threebedroom option, which is only one story tall and located on the first floor, goes for about $1450 a month. This is quite a bit higher than many other options for close-to-campus residency in the Marquette area. The price discrepancy has probably been due to the newness of the buildings and the assortment of amenities included for residents.

The rules at Renee Row are lax compared to university-owned living arrangements. While pets are not allowed at Renee Row (or most other apartment complexes, for that matter), kegs are permitted on the grounds. Residents of Renee Row utilize this liberty with impressive frequency. Residents also report little contact with their landlord, who seems lenient when it comes to rule enforcement.

“There’s a lot less rules here,” said Olson, who previously lived in Campus Town East. “You can be a little bit louder. I feel more grown up here.”

A typical weekday evening spent at Renee Row is one of relaxation and fraternization. One tenant said that it is much like living in the dorms in that everyone knows each other and are friends. Many tenants walk through the courtyard on their way into their apartments after class, where they become distracted by their friends and neighbors playing bags or grilling burgers. When not socializing, residents like to sit back, relax and enjoy a beer after class.

Although the opinions are mixed, no one can deny that Renee Row is a fun place to live and it is the place to be for some of the best parties on campus. “[Living at Renee Row] has been good so far,” Ellingsen said. “I would love to stay here.”

Popularity: 7% [?]

Welcome to the first installment of of the five part series that will let you, the Warrior’s readership decide the greatest sports movie ever. We kick the festivities off in the Comedy Regional which features classics like “Rudy,” “Caddyshack,” “For the Love of the Game” and “Dodgeball.” You the readers will help your favorites advance by going to www.thewarrior.organd voting in the two first round matchups from October 10th through October 15th. Then on October 16th we will unveil the first round winners on our website and you will have a chance to help your choice win the Comedy Regional and advance to the Final Four of the Bracket by voting again this time from October 16th until October 21st. #1

“Rudy” vs. #4 “Dodgeball”

This match up is a truly compelling one; perhaps two of the greatest underdog stories ever square off in a battle that will be sure to feature significant star power. “Rudy” is probably one of the most familiar movies in the bracket, but it faces a more defined opposition group than any other movie in the bracket. For anyone unfamiliar with the movie, this 1993 flick stars Sean Astin as the title character, Daniel “Rudy” Ruettinger. In a nutshell Rudy walks on to the Notre Dame football team in the mid-1970s when Joe Montana was there. Along the way, Rudy faces a lot of the typical underdog hardships, he is too small, too unathletic and is not there on a scholarship. In the end Rudy t r i u m p h s and gets into a game a g a i n s t G e o r g i a Tech, records a sack and is carried from the field by his teammates. “Rudy” represents one of the most compelling stories of an u n d e r d o g ever, and it certainly is a staple in any collection of sports movies, but will the anti-domer sentiment be enough to sink it in the first round?

“Dodgeball” is the epic tale of a band of misfits from Average Joe’s Gym who defeat a team from the monolithic Globo Gym, the Purple Cobras, in a game of dodgeball. Average Joe’s owner is Peter La Fleur (Vince Vaughn) while Globo Gym’s owner is White Goodman (Ben Stiller). Along the way a cheerleader is caught doping in a qualifying tournament and Lance A r m s t r o n g , arguably the greatest athlete of our times, makes a cameo appearance that is inspiring in its own right. The commentary on the “Dodgeball” itself provided via ESPN the Ocho is also superb and adds a flavor to the movie that is u n a t t a i n a b l e in your typical sports flick. It is also worth noting that the complete title of the movie is “Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.”

#2 “Caddyshack” vs. #3 “For the Love of the Game”

Caddyshack was filmed in 1980 and contains star power that any other movie in this bracket would be hard pressed to compete with. Among its cast are Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield and Bill Murray. Carl Spackler’s (Murray) battle with the gopher is what this film is remembered for, but it offers much more in its many plots including caddy Danny Noonan’s (Michael O’Keefe) relationship with Ty Webb (Chase) and the climactic high stakes match play that takes place at the end of the film.

“For the Love of the Game” is the most recent baseball film featuring Kevin Costner. In this one Costner plays Billy Chapel, a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, who is on the mound on the last day of the season at Yankee Stadium. Chapel is in the midst of a perfect game that is accompanied by flashbacks of his girlfriend of the past four years who is leaving for a job in London. Chapel is also aware that the new owner of the Tigers is preparing to trade him, which at age forty leaves open the possibility of retirement in pursuit of love. As Chapel retires batters, the momentum of the film and the sense of the moment crescendos, beautifully marking a remarkable combination of life and sports in an all around outstanding film.

Next issue will feature the cumulative results of both rounds in the Comedy Regional as well as a preview of the Misfit Regional featuring childhood favorites like “The Sandlot,” “A League of Their Own” and “Remember the Titans” as well as the classic “Breaking Away.” So be sure to go online to www.thewarrior. org to vote for your favorite movies, or even against the movies you hate.

Popularity: 8% [?]

Although Marquette University has not been exactly prominent in student diversity, those looking to find a more varied population just need to know the right place and the right time, to find it. At noon on Sunday at 804 N. 16th St., fans can find the most multi-faceted site on campus: the Union Sports Annex. John Marston, a junior in the College of Communication and Minnesota Vikings fan, has been coming to the Annex since his freshman year.

“The atmosphere is so incredibly loud,” Marston said. “When Rex Grossman throws an interception, or sometimes a touchdown, everyone in the restaurant will find out because the Bears fans are excessively loud.”

What other place can claim a restaurant, bar, dodgeball court, bingo arena, bowling alley and game room all wrapped into one?

But what has made the Annex distinct has been its Sunday afternoons, when National Football League die-hards can all gather together in one place; and also trash-talk to their hearts’ desire. On a typical Sunday, pro football teams from across the entire nation will be represented, including Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Bills’ fans from the East Coast or Seattle Seahawks and San Diego Chargers’ fans from out West. While out-of-town students make up a handful of the regulars at the Annex, midwesterners have dominated the scene. With Bears, Lions, Vikings and Packers’ fans filling up most of the tables and constantly cheering on each other to lose, Sunday afternoons at the Annex could be confused for a NFC North convention promoting non-violence. Most of the jeers will be in jest and fans have their hands full trying to keep track of all the games rather than arguing with the opposition.

With over 20 televisions throughout the complex and the television package NFL Sunday Ticket, the Annex is capable of showing seven different football games at the same time, a football fan’s dream. The vast array of screens includes one large screen in the main dining area, a number of small televisions inserted into the walls of each booth as well as a gigantic screen in the dodgeball court for the most popular games. (When Bears’ games have been scheduled at the same time as Packer games, the Bears’ game can’t be seen locally.)

In addition to the viewing capabilities, the Annex also offers a variety of food options, most of which perfectly supplement a long day of footballwatching. The menu consists of both “build-your-own” burgers and pizza, a number of appetizers and sandwich platters and perhaps the most popular item, the Annex Golden Eagle wings, which come in a variety of flavors in regular or boneless style.

It will not be the healthiest or cheapest meal, but the service is very quick and friendly, and there’s no better way to celebrate a fantasy members’ touchdowns than with a burger or some wings.

Mike Lavender, a junior in the college of Arts & Sciences and a big fan of Vince Young and the Tennessee Titans, gets up early every week to get a good view of the TV his team’s playing on.

“I’ve only been coming here this year, but it’s really a unique experience,” Lavender said. “I just like all the different fans cheering on their respective teams, plus it’s a lot better than watching it by yourself at home.”

Lavender also showered praise on other aspects of Annex Sundays. “You can see all of the games at once, which is really convenient,” he said. “The service is great and you can spend six hours of your Sunday sitting in a chair and not get sick of it.” “It’s incredible to go to the Annex and see fans of almost every NFL team huddled together around one of the many TVs,” said Marston. “When the Vikings lose and I’m really frustrated, it’s nice to look around the Annex to see fans of other teams that got beat-up worse. Getting to see the expressions of joy and pain from all these fans around you is just heavy.”

Popularity: 13% [?]