Crystal Klein

Last semester, Loras Junior Nick Rizzo accepted a position coaching soccer at Wahlert High School.  And it seems many of his teammates are following in his footsteps, coaching soccer at other area Dubuque high schools.

Loras Senior Chris Migley had never thought of being a coach, until his college coach, Daniel Rothert approached him about an opportunity to coach at Senior High School with duhawk alumni, Tom White.

“I love the game of soccer, and I love teaching and working with kids and being in the classroom, it’s a great experience and I thought it would be even better to see them on the field,” said Migley.

Migley’s fellow loras teammate, Luke Schweitzer agrees, “I really have a strong passion for the game and working with High School aged kids.  I just would really like to share my knowledge of the game with them,”

Hempstead’s JV coach and Loras junior, Morgan Spencer says, “I just want to learn a lot from them, and I think they are hopefully learning a lot from me.”

Schweitzer, along with duhawks Santiago Mejia and Matt Splittgerber, all coach boys soccer at Hempstead High School, Coach Migley’s team’s cross town rival.

“On the field when were coaching it’s a little vicious and there’s some trash talking,” jokes Spencer.

Schweitzer insists, “We’re each other’s biggest fans, but during that match obviously were enemies, we still want to win.”

“You don’t want to lose, but I mean the scoreboard may say something, but it’s the hard work and the effort that the kids put on the field that counts the most,” adds Migley.

Despite the competition between their teams, they’re all still duhawks.  And they hope their camaraderie will instill good sportsmanship amongst their players.

Crystal Klein can be contacted at crystal.klein@loras.edu

Jordan Rasmussen, Dubuque                                                                                                                                                                      May 6, 2009

The 17th Annual Dubuque Heart Association Start Walk was held last Saturday at the River walk.  With over 700 people walking to raise awareness, a fourth of the walkers were survivors.

One of the survivors, Benjamin Kuhl led the opening ceremony and cut the red ribbon for a reason.  Ben was born with a missing ventricle, and thanks to tools and techniques of the American Heart Association, Bens life was saved.  Ben’s mother, Lisa Kuhl was there to walk with her son.

Kuhl says, “He is a very active little boy; you don’t know that he has a congenital heart defect, unless you see the very faint scare on his chest.”

The Kuhl family walked a mile along the river with other survivors, all supported by friends and family.  The start walk is just a start to make people aware of heart disease.  Director Jennifer Hernandez helps raise awareness of heart disease, and is always moving.

Jennifer said, “The start walk is-The call to American’s to get out, and move, just exercise, start moving, start today, start your life, start living healthier.”

The walk was for all ages.  People brought their dogs, pushed their children in strollers and some even jogged. The walk was a way to bring smiles to people’s faces.  For Jennifer, “It’s a survivor’s event and people come out to support them and it’s amazing.”

After the walk, participants enjoyed lunch and listened to music.  Kuhl was happy with the turn out of the day and said, “There were so many people here, and it was just awesome to see everybody, and it was awesome we had such good weather, and it was just great to see the sea of people walking out here today.”

The Heart Walk is a great start to become aware and with just an hour of exercise, you are gaining two hours of life expectancy.  The heart walk raised $80,000, and for the next two weeks you can still donate by visiting the Dubuque Heart Walk website at www.heartwalk.kintera.org.

Thank you to everyone who donated and participated, the mission can’t be achieved without your help!  If you have any questions about the Dubuque Heart Start Walk, contact Jennifer.Hernandez@heart.org for more information.

Jordan Rasmussen can be contacted at jordan.rasmussen@loras.edu

Nickolas Helten                                                                                                                                                                                            May 6, 2009

GALENA, IL - Fred Bonnet is a busy man.  Today’s he is taking the afternoon off from being a restaurateur to be the head of a golf outing to benefit the Riverview Center of the Tri-state area.

“We’re very lucky in business to be able to give back to the community and the people who need the help we can donate money to them,” said Bonnet.

The people that need help today are victims of sexual assult.  The Riverview Center offers counseling and assault intervention to local victims.  The goal for this golf outing is to raise $30,000 for a new therapist in the Dubuque facility.

“We have 19 people right now requesting to get counseling services because they have been sexually assaulted and we simply can’t keep up because of the need,” said Riverview President Josh Jaspers.

www.riverviewcenter.org

Bonnet, the owner of Galena’s Fried Green Tomatoes, went to a benefit for Riverview a year ago and was captivated by their cause.  After learning more about it, he started doing everything he could for the center.

www.friedgreen.com

“We’ve worked throughout the year doing different fundraising things along with the golf outing to raise money that they need, and we think it’s really worthwhile,” he said.

Joining him on the sun-splashed links today are 130 golfers looking to do their part as well.

“I hope they get a lot of money to keep the program going strong, because it’s a great program,” said participant Shirley Vaughn.

Women like Shirley are not the only ones out today.  Choosing golf as the fundraiser was not only to raise money, but to get men involved with the center as well.  Men dotted the fairways today, a step for the program in Jasper’s eyes.

“We need to have more men support our organization because its men that often times are perpetrating violence, but it’s not all of the men that are violent.  So we need to get more men educated about what we do so that they are empowered to effectively prevent violence in the future,” he said.

Though sexual abuse won’t stop right away, the Tri-states is driving in the right direct to assist those in need.

Nickolas Helten can be contacted at nickolas.helten@loras.edu

Nick Helten
Published: April 22, 2009

DUBUQUE - It was Special Olympics Challenge Day at Hills and Dales Community Center last weekend , but it was also a mother-daughter day for Julie Gillitzer.“We are here today to participate in the events with our daughter Paige,” explains Julie.

Paige and others compete in events like basketball, bowling, and darts. The morning long event is a way for those with special needs to compete and have fun as they reach for their goals.

“It comes from that internal desire to participate with your friends and they recognize that when they do a good job they receive applause and accolades at the end of that event,” said Special Olympics organizer Marilyn Althoff.

Even though the athletes are the stars of the day, those on the sidelines find value in the experience as well.

“A lot of them really appreciate it you can tell and after I got to take a picture with one of them athletes and he carried them around all day it was really cute,” said volunteer Jenna Brown.

Those who organize the event love that their volunteers are there to help athletes realize their dreams.

“All of our volunteers I think have an opportunity first hand to participate in assuring that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as anyone else in the community,” says Marilyn.

Julie loves the support not just for daughter but for her entire family.

“It’s an excellent opportunity to involve yourself with something that is important and meaningful and I know the Dubuque area is excellent for their support and we really appreciate that, it means a lot to my husband and I,” says Julie.

Special Olympics Iowa is holding more challenge days across the state this month.

For locations and times check out www.soiowa.org.

Nick Helten can be contacted at Nicholas.Helten@loras.edu

Michael Higgins
Published: April 22, 2009

DUBUQUE -The Loras track and field team is off to another great start in the outdoor season SportsZone caught up with one athlete who has something new to contribute.

Three Thousand meters, thirty-five hurdles, including six water barriers was the challenge in front of senior middle distance runner Joey Hetland last Saturday at the University of Dubuque Open.

“I’ve never been able to run at conference because we had a pretty stacked mid-distance team the four years that I have been here so I wanted to run the steeplechase in order to do that,” said Joey.

“He was looking for events that weren’t terribly deep in where he could contribute and steeplechase is one of them and he’s a mid distance guy so for an eight hundred runner to say hey I want to do the steeplechase that is quite a step and I’m just proud of him. I think a lot of people take that for granted just running at the conference championship and I think for Joey that would be the icing on the cake for his career,” said track and field coach Bob Schultz.

Moving up in distance from the eight-hundred meter and mile races, Joey has been able to use his cross country experience to adjust. The hurdles were another story.

“I was really nervous about the water pit, I’ve never jumped into one of those before so once I got through those I knew I was alright, I wanted to finish the race after that,” said Joey.

Joey and other Duhawks will be competeing here at the Loras Open this weekend. The event starts at ten o’clock on Saturday morning.

Michael Higgins can be contacted at Michael.Higgins@loras.edu

Emily Allen
Published: April 22, 2009

PLATTEVILLE - It is said that one person can make a difference and for the past twenty-two years volunteers and survivors in the Relay for Life have walked with that belief.

The Platteville High School girls Soccer team believes one team can make a bigger difference.Seven and zero a record the Platteville High School girl’s soccer team has been fighting for all season, but this year there is a battle off the field.

“Just the last few months Barb Fromader, a teacher here at the high school and middle school, was diagnosed with cancer,” said assistant coach Cadlee Hardy.

The senior girls on the team jumped into action.

“We decided since her husband is a sub sometimes and he also helps out with cross county that we could pay back him for all he’s done at our school,” said senior Sam Stewart.

With an assistant from their head coach Mary Hardyman, the girls fundraised almost 2,000 dollars for the Relay for Life.

“We helped sell t-shirts and stuff like everyone on the soccer team did,” said senior Katie Kieler.

Candles, t-shirts, and donations from the community all made it possible for the girls to walk in the relay, but these girls are not rookies to the relay for life event.

“They raised so much money last year but they didn’t really have a cause they just gave it for Relay for Life in general then they decided this year they wanted to raise it for you know someone that they wanted to support and they came up with Fromader,” explains Hardy.

Something to fight for allowing their community to get off the sidelines and into the relay event.

“That was really inspiring that these girls came with this on their own and they really want to show that they support our school system and our teachers and what they do for us,” said Hardy.

The Relay maybe over but they are determined to continue their fight till a cure is found.Tuesday night the team competed against Richland Center and won and Thursday they will take on River Valley fighting for a 9-0 record.

Emily Allen can be contacted at Emily.Allen@lctv13.com

Felcia Carner
Published: April 9, 2009

Dubuque - Water polo is an aggressive sport but not too aggressive for the Loras’ Duhawks, not even for their female swimmers.

Sophomore Colleen Green plays for Loras’ co-ed water polo team and says that playing on a team with guys only adds to the fun of the game. Although males are the more physically dominate she says, “I do my best to keep up.” Green says the team as a whole is trying to keep up with the bigger spectrum of the game.

This is the fourth year of existence for the Loras College Water Polo team and they have yet to become an official club.
While other schools receive both funding and professional coaching, these Duhawks fund and train themselves. The team is student lead by two of Loras’ students, senior Ashley Rivard and freshmen Ricky Lucas. Both leaders played in their high school years and their knowledge has been apparent to their team.

“They have stepped in and given us a direction and planning,” said Dennis McCormick, a Sophomore who plays on the team.
Lucas’ love for the sport, lead him to assist Rivard in conducting this team.

“I couldn’t live without water polo, I love the sport and I’m glad we might get it to be an official club at Loras College,” said Lucas.

Lucas says that the team is ready for the next level and has written a constitution for the team. Lucas has turned the constitution into the Student Union for review and approval. They are currently awaiting the union’s ruling.

If their constitution is approved the team will then be provided with a budget that will assist them in paying tournament entry fees and basic equipment.

One of the first things on their list is the supplies needed to build proper tournament sized goals.

The Duhawks will lead themselves to their next tournament on April 18th at Augustana College in Illinois.

Felicia Carner can be reached at felicia.carner@loras.edu

Nick Helten
Published: April 9, 2009

Dubuque – Tucked in the corner of the Carnegie-Stout Library sits a group of rather focused men. What brings them together this Saturday morning is one of the most storied board games in history, Chess.

Despite playing it for decades now, Dubuque Chess Club organizer Earl Zismer is still excited at the prospect of a new gamer.

“I find it fascinating; no game is ever the same. They start out the same, but after the first three or five moves it is a totally different game every time,” said Zismer.

This fascination brings Earl and others to club meetings four times a month. Though it isn’t the most enthralling for some, it is a game one can learn from.

Longtime participant, Paul Goldstein, hopes some of his younger players find value in the game he did.

“Chess can teach a lot of things I think. It can teach patience, planning ahead, and thinking before you move,” siaid Goldstein.

That kind of diligence is the trait of a Dubuque chess player.

The town was once a well-known hub of chess activity and Earl is more than willing to share his knowledge of the club’s founder Louis Paulsen.

“From the research that I have done, he was one of the great chess theorists, and a player ranking among the world’s best half-dozen in the 1860s,” said Earl.

While none of these dozen men are at Paulsen’s level it doesn’t mean it doesn’t mean that can’t continue to get something out of the game they love.

“That’s one of the things I find fascinating about the game, is that you can always learn. I’ve been learning a little bit year after year,” said Zismer.

“The club has been great. We are supportive of anyone who wants come down and learn to play,” said Goldstein.

The club says there are always different kinds of players at all skill levels of play and offers anyone to come down and learn.

The club meets every third saturday at 9 am and wednesday at 7 pm every month in the Carnegie-Stout library in downtown Dubuque.

Nick Helten can be reached at nick.helten@lctv13.com

Mike Higgins
Published: April 9, 2009

Waverly/Dubuque – The Duhawk track and field team made a trip to Waverly, Iowa last weekend to compete against their rival Wartburg College and other division three schools.

Although the meet was a success for most athletes, some members of the team have not been able to compete due to injuries and illnesses. Most of these injured runners have been on the distance team.

“At first I had knee problems during cross country, then I got those fixed, and since then I have had left hip trouble, straining my hip flexor,” said Dan Murphy, a junior distance runner.

“This season has started kind of slow considering I started out with having mono and wasn’t able to compete during the indoor season because of it,” said Lindsey Robinson, a Freshman mid-distance runner.

Most of the sprinters on the team have been staying healthy and ran some personal bests at the Wartburg Invite.

“Overall the Wartburg meet went pretty well. I was pleased with everyone performances, especially with the weather being considered,” said Matt Jones, the Loras sprinter coach. “We’ve only had a few minor bumps and bruises along the way, but nothing real severe.”

The team hosted the Loras open yesterday. The results can be found here.

The team will compete next at the University of Dubuque on April 18th.

Mike Higgins can be reached at michael.higgins@loras.edu

Jordan Rasmussen
Published: April 9, 2009

Dubuque - Secretary of the Loras physical education and sports studies club, Kristine Mason, is in love with soccer. She has been organizing and fundraising to put on a three on three soccer tournament at Loras called Grassroots Soccer.

Mason said that,” Grassroots soccer is an organization in South Africa where they combine soccer with the education of AIDS, because it is such a huge epidemic there.”

Teams could sign up to play in the event for 30 dollars and could purchase t-shirts for five dollars more, with all of the money going directly to the KICKAIDS foundation in Africa.

The goal of the days was to bring people from all over the Dubuque community to play.

“Soccer is such a huge part of the whole Dubuque community, especially at Loras College; just everyone in the community is really soccer excited,” said Mason.

The tournament took place on Sunday, April fifth with snow falling and strong winds, but that didn’t hamper the spirits of those who participated.

“We won our first game, it was fun, it’s really cold out, but, you know it was fun, that’s what it’s all about today, it’s not really about who’s winning or losing, but just getting out for a good cause and playing soccer,” said Luke Schweitzer, a Loras athlete.

The day ended with over 21 teams and 104 participants coming together to show off their soccer skills for one great cause. All together the participants raised $1, 550 from donations, t-shirts sales and registration fees. The club still plans on continuing to raise money.

“We are always going to except donations and continue to make this grassroots soccer event an annual one.” Mason said

To learn more about grassroots soccer:
www.grassrootssoccer.org

FIFA produced video on the program: Grassroots Soccer Video

Jordan Rasmussen can be reached at Jordan.rasmussen@loras.edu