In a society that has been over-hyped by sex, Campus Crusade for Christ seeks to rectify this problem.

To help raise awareness on the issue, Campus Crusade is sponsoring a multimedia presentation dubbed Porn Nation – The Naked Truth, which will be held on Feb. 20 in the AMU ballrooms from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Signs and fliers have been posted around the Marquette University campus advertising the event.

“We’ve always been looking for ways to be positive, taking on various topics” said Steve Papez the director of the Milwaukee Metro chapter of the Campus Crusade, when asked the reason for the event.

People who attend can expect it to be divided into two segments, the first being a multimedia presentation with an intermission. The second will feature speaker Michael Leahy, who will talk about pornography and its effects.

Leahy has given multiple talks across the country and has appeared on television programs “20/20” and “The View.” Leahy has experienced the damaging effects of pornography firsthand; it eventually cost him his marriage and his two boys as well.

“What we’re trying to accomplish with this event is not to promote censorship, but let the students examine their perspectives on pornography” said Papez. “Also, we are trying to get the students to see how pornography is affecting their own lives in relationships, etc.”

To get the word out, “We’ve been putting up fliers over the campus and have a Facebook group for the event. Also, we’ve been co-sponsoring with groups on campus to let their members know about the event” Papez said.

Brian Chapman, a freshman who lives in O’Donnell Hall, said that he would likely attend the event.

“I saw one the fliers in the dorm and it caught my attention. It seems like it would be a interesting talk.”

Marquette University is not the first college campus to host this event; it has taken place on seven other campuses. At Purdue University, 3,900 students attended, while at Universities of Wisconsin – Green Bay and Lacrosse 1,000 students attended each of the talks.

When asked about the number of people Papez hopes will attend, he responded, “We’re hoping for about 1,000 students.”

Popularity: 6% [?]

Haven’t been to George Webb lately? Well, you are not alone, as many students do not consider the resturant a great option for their fast food purchases.

This minuscule support base from students is credited to “long wait times, dirty tables, unfriendly staff and an overall poor quality,” said Alec Wollensak, the Marquette University Student Government Business committee chair. “One bad experience, you are not coming back.”

The lack of interest is noticed by George Webb too. Last semester, owner Tom Aldrich approached Toby Peters, associate vice president of administration, knowing “there was a need to improve services on campus,” said MUSG Legislative Vice President Brock Banks. “Adlrich wanted to find out what students want and how he could improve.”

Peters then approached MUSG asking about student opinion and how to improve business, said Banks. MUSG assembled a group including Banks, MUSG senators, a student and an intern to address problems and create solutions.

“Peters led discussion to find how to change the image on campus,” Wollensak said.

This group met with Aldrich to express students’ dissastisfaction and that “the overall atmosphere deterred students from eating there,” Banks said.

“Our goals were to get students in the work force and create a marketing campaign to show the service and atmosphere is improved,“ said Wollensak. “With a great campaign it is not going to take that long to change their image.”

Ideas from this group are already being enacted, including a new seating arrangement with booths closer to the door and a “please wait to be seated” sign. The changes are meant to “encourage communication between customers and the staff,” said Wollensak.

The other important change is to “create service which integrates students into the labor force,” said Banks. “[Aldrich] stressed the difficulty in getting good people to apply.”

The final necessity to change the image is a strong marketing campaign. Meghan Lefeber, an off-campus senator, was also working with the group first semester on advertising. She is now in the Les Aspin Government Center in Washington, D.C, and was replaced by Halley Landsman, a junior majoring in advertising with a minor in marketing.

“We looked at the strengths and weaknesses and what is being overlooked for good business,” said Landsman. “We are creating different type of promotional events and press releases.”

Their new advertisements include an “8-minute satisfaction guarantee” where customers receive a $1 off coupon on their next purchase if a food order is not ready in eight minutes. On men’s basketball game days (both home and away), students can “purchase five burgers for $5 up until game time,” said Landsman. Furthermore, if the team wins, free fries or hash browns are included with the purchase of a burger and a drink.

Other advertisements include a stronger emphasis on George Webb’s acceptance of Marquette Cash. Finally, ads will also appeal to possible student workers, touting the almost $10 per hour possible with wages and tips.

These ads were presented to Aldrich and a spokesperson from Platypus, George Webb’s advertising company. The basketball promotion is already in place, and the 8-minute satisfaction guarantee is coming soon.

Future plans are also being considered to continue the “hip student-run business atmosphere,” said Landsman. These include “having HYPE perform one night, a burger eating contest with free prizes, t-shirts and burgers,” as well as continued weekly specials. “Aldrich wants it to continue through the years, not make it a one time thing, “added Landsman.

Although students generate the ideas, all funding is being provided for by George Webb.

Popularity: 9% [?]

There are reportedly 400,000 “homeless” embryos in the U.S., waiting to be implanted or used in fertility clinics. But much debate looms over the best course of action for the embryos, so the Marquette University Faculty for Life is hosting a platform entitled “Our Moral Obligation to the Abandoned Embryo” March 5 at 7:30 p.m.

The event is aimed at being a “scholarly platform about life issues ranging from conception to death,” said Richard Fehring, a professor in the College of Nursing and event coordinator. The main focus of the event, however, is how the “400,000 abandoned embryos should be rescued,” he said.

Some theologians argue the embryos should be implanted in volunteer women’s wombs, while others argue such an implantation is morally unethical.

The Rev. Peter Ryan, an associate professor of theology at Mount St. Mary Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. will address the debate between the two sides and offer what he believes to be the most ethical solution for the un-implanted embryos. Marquette Theology professor Mark Johnson and James Linn, the department Chairman of Obstetrics at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital in Milwaukee, will also deliver short speeches in response to Ryan’s presentation.

When married couples have fertility problems and fertility drugs fail, many of them resort to in vetro fertilization.

Johnson said leftover eggs result from the medically induced hyper stimulation of the woman’s ovaries and are later used for in vetro fertilization.

On average, six eggs per woman are produced, taken out by surgery and placed in a Petri dish to be fertilized by the husband’s sperm. Generally, five zygotes develop, three are placed in the woman’s uterus and one usually results in pregnancy, he said. The two leftover embryos are then taken to a fertility clinic after the couple signs a waiver.

Johnson said the issue then becomes controversial when some people want to use the embryos to impregnate other women while others want to use the embryos for scientific research.

The College of Nursing, the Department of Theology and the Milwaukee Guild of the Catholic Medical Association are cosponsoring the event. It will take place in Room 104J of Cramer Hall.

Popularity: 7% [?]

For some couples, the decision to not have a child seems as easy as a reach for the Pill or a condom. But that’s not the case for Joshua Schulz, a teaching assistant and graduate student by day and Natural Family Planning advocate by night.

Schulz, who teaches philosophy at Marquette, and his wife Christine not only practice NFP in their personal lives but also are also public advocates for the lifestyle.

“There’s a better way of life out there,” Schulz said. “Marriage can be happier and better. We want to share that with other couples and be positive.”

Raised Methodist, Schulz did not learn about NFP or begin to view the Catholic Church as an authority on contraception until he met Christine. Shortly after Schulz converted to Catholicism, they were introduced to the benefits of a contraceptive—free marriage at a Couple to Couple International NFP class.

“The instructor noted that my wife and I were talkers and later approached us about teaching an NFP class,” Schulz said.

Seven years and two children later, Schulz and his wife are still teaching NFP classes to married and engaged couples, and also give talks at local church and Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) groups. They recently spoke to an RCIA group at Three Holy Women Parish on the east side, and will be speaking at University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee later this month.

WHAT IS “NFP?”

Schulz described NPF as “essentially taking a look at the body’s signs to figure out how or how not to get pregnant.”

He identified three main types of NFP: The sympto—thermo method, the Creighton method and the Marquette method. According to Couple to Couple International, symptom—thermo method involves, “a couple uses crosschecking signs of fertility: cervical mucus, waking temperatures and changes in the cervix itself” to determine times of fertility. The woman may also use secondary signs of fertility such as ovulation pain.

The Creighton method measures cervical mucus before and after urination only.

MARQUETTE’S INSTITUE FOR NFP

The third method recommended by Schulz, the Marquette method, is primarily used today in Marquette’s College of Nursing Institute for Natural Family Planning. It involves using a hormone monitor to measure hormones present in the woman’s urine stream in addition to analyzing cervical mucus.

Marquette has been providing professional services in NFP since 1985, and founded an Institute for Natural Family Planning on campus in 1997. The purpose of the institute, as stated on the College of Nursing Web site (www.marquette.edu/nursing/NFP/), is to provide professional “education, research and service in natural family planning (NFP). Reflecting the mission of Marquette University, the mission of the INFP is to serve God by contributing to the advancement of knowledge in NFP and by collaboration with the Catholic Church in local, state and national NFP programs.”

The three major goals of the INFP are to provide online NFP teacher training for health professionals, conduct research and scholarship in NFP and develop and offer innovative NFP services.

MU LEADS NFP INNOVATION

In 1999, a new method of NFP was developed at Marquette University that integrates new technology (the Clearblue Easy Fertility Monitor — Unipath Diagnostics) with traditional natural biological markers of fertility. According to Unipath Diagnostics Inc., “the ClearPlan/Clearblue monitor is a hand—held device used to measure urinary female hormones that can help a woman confidently determine her fertile time.”

The Marquette Model of NFP is currently being evaluated in a number of cities in the United States including Milwaukee, Madison, Atlanta and Saint Louis, according to the College of Nursing Web site.

CATHOLIC CHURCH LEADS THE NFP TREND

Modern NFP is a constantly evolving practice that is much different from the “rhythm method” of the late 60s and early 70s. The NFP lifestyle is gaining popularity and recognition among the public, particularly among younger generations.

“Natural Family Planning is becoming increasingly popular in younger orthodox Catholics,” Schulz said. “Older Catholics just don’t know as much about it.”

Although increasing numbers of Protestants are advocating for Natural Family Planning, the Catholic Church is still the primary advocate of NFP.

According to the 1968 encyclical Humanae Vitae, any action is excluded, “… which either before, at the moment of, or after sexual intercourse, is specifically intended to prevent procreation — whether as an end or as a means.”

The encyclical, or the teaching letter written by Pope Paul VI, also describes how “procreation is considered by the Church to be a primary or essential good to sex,” Schulz said.

While the Catholic Church is commonly regarded as the lone advocate of contraception—free marriage, no Christian churches considered contraception morally permissible before 1930, according to John F. Kippley’s “Birth Control and Discipleship.”

In his book, Kippley outlines religious communities’ views toward contraception throughout history, paying special attention to the changes in the Protestant doctrine.

For 70 years, the Christian community as a whole resisted the contraceptive movement. Kippley also writes that it was not until the Lambeth Conference of 1930 that “the Anglican Church broke from the previously unanimous teaching and allowed unnatural birth control devices and practices.” Within a few months, the Anglican break spread to the United States, and the Federal Council of Churches endorsed “the careful and restrained use of contraceptives by married people.”

NFP AS A MARITAL LIFESTYLE

Although Schulz is not directly involved with Marquette’s INFP, he is adamant about the many benefits of incorporating NFP into marriage.

“Natural family planning is so beneficial because it brings the couple together emotionally and has no side effects or cost,” Schulz said. “Communication is key in NFP.” Schulz also said couples who practice NFP tend to have a divorce rate at less than five percent

NFP is logical because the function of marriage according to the catechism is procreation, protection, essentially from desire (concubiscus) and mutual satisfaction, he said.

“The procreation aspect is what makes sex, sex. Therefore, when you take away an essential good, like procreation, it makes it intrinsically wrong,” he said.

Schulz’s view echoes the advocacy of Vicki Thorn, wife of journalism professor William Thorn and founder of Project Rachel. Project Rachel is a post—abortion ministry founded in Milwaukee in 1984 that has expanded internationally.

“With our contraceptive driven society, a couple’s bonding and communication is interfered with,” Thorn said. “Its God’s gift, teaching us how as a couple to live, to make marriages better.”

Popularity: 13% [?]

Trying to predict the NCAA Tournament is like trying to predict the winning numbers in the lottery: it’s not easy. So, trying to predict how Marquette will do in the tournament is like trying to predict multiple lotteries

Marquette’s inconsistency lately makes predictions for March a bit foggy. At one point many analyses had Marquette as low as a No. 2 seed, at least until they dropped three-in-a-row to Georgetown, DePaul and Louisville. I believe Marquette could be as low as a No. 4 seed if they have a strong showing in the Big East Tournament. On the flip side, if Marquette continues to struggle down the stretch, they could drop to a No. 7 or No. 8 seed.

Looking at Marquette’s NCAA Tournament history under Tom Crean, fans can expect two outcomes: either Marquette is heading to the Final Four or we may witness another first round exit. Under Crean there has not been a middle ground, it’s all or nothing. In 2003, under the leadership of Dwyane Wade, Marquette cruised to a Final Four appearance. Since then, Marquette has made it to the tourney only once and was shown the door by Alabama in the first round.

There is still hope for this year’s team, however. Although they are relatively young, Dominic James, Jerel McNeal, Wesley Matthews, Dan Fitzgerald and Ousmane Barro have plenty of experience playing together under pressure. Any one of these players can take over a game, whereas last year the team mainly depended on the outside shooting of Steve Novak. A dynamic trio of guards, Fitzgerald’s outside stroke and Barro’s presence in the paint provide numerous options for the offense. McNeal provides a spark on defense and is the most consistent scorer on offense.

Last year I had Marquette beating UCLA in the second round (whoops), but I admit to picking with my heart, not my head. This year, I am going to try to use my head and give a realistic prediction. Marquette is going to be upset by a team in the second round of the Big East Tournament which will hurt the team’s ranking. I think Marquette will be a No. 6 seed in the NCAA tournament. This means we are looking at a No. 11 seed in the first round. This may not be as easy as it sounds, considering we could be facing a team from the Atlantic Coast Conference, which could be sending eight teams. If Marquette gets through that, then they are facing either No. 3 or No. 14 in the second round; I assume that it will be the No. 3, but anything can happen.

Some possible opponents include Nevada, Texas A&M, Southern Illinois or Memphis – all very talented teams, but not unbeatable. With maybe the exception of A&M, Marquette can probably come out victorious if Dominic James comes out of his slump.

I believe Marquette will make it to the second round, but will be sent home due to missed free throws down the stretch. Just like in the Louisville game, Marquette will stumble in the final minutes from the line and let the game slip away. I wish I could be more optimistic, but the fact is that the best player is not playing with his usual charisma, nobody can make free throws and Crean isn’t giving Barro enough minutes.

Luckily for Marquette, Big Dance provides teams with a fresh start. Anything can happen in March, just look at last year’s George Mason team going to the Final Four as a No. 11 seed. I remember in 2005, Sports Illustrated had No. 3 Kansas winning it all only for the Jayhawks to get knocked out in the first round by No. 14 Bucknell. March Madness is priceless. But, even with a fresh start, unless the team rights the ship quickly Marquette will not be playing when students return from spring break.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Ah, we’ve reached that time of year again. The time when some teams are gearing up for a conference title and a deep run in March, while others prepare to have their fate determined by a large group of middle-aged, balding men. Yep, it’s bubble time.

Here’s a look at the biggest question mark from each major conference, as well as some mid-major candidates, who are on the bubble this year.

ACC

Maryland: Many wanted to classify Duke as a bubble team after their astonishing four-game losing streak, but consecutive defeats of Boston College on the road and home victories against Georgia Tech and Clemson probably squashed that theory. The real bubble team of this conference is Maryland, who only has two victories over ranked opponents this year: at home over Duke and then over No. 14 Clemson. North Carolina and Duke still remain on the Terrapins’ schedule and one win in either of those games should make them a probable selection.

Other uncertainties: Clemson, Georgia Tech, Florida State

Big East

DePaul: Other middle of the road teams in the Big East like Villanova have worse conference records than the Blue Demons. The Wildcats, however have the fourth toughest strength of schedule in the nation and DePaul, the 20th. Although that SOS is very good, their overall record doesn’t look too spectacular at 16 – 12. Three straight wins over Marquette, Notre Dame and USF had this team rolling until a blowout loss in a rematch with the Irish last Tuesday. This is a very intriguing and athletic team, but cannot afford any more losses like the one Tuesday if they hope to earn an at-large bid.

Other uncertainties: Syracuse and Providence.

Big Ten

Michigan: There are a number of possibilities from this conference, but I’ll go with the one that never knows its fate for sure at the end of the year: the Wolverines. Tommy Amaker’s team has underachieved ever since he has arrived, a tenure which includes zero berths in the Big Dance. So, is this finally the year? Michigan scored a big win over Indiana last Saturday, but lost at Illinois the following game in a very unimpressive effort. They’ll need at least one more big win to make a strong case, and consecutive home games against Michigan State and top-ranked Ohio State to close the Big Ten schedule will give them that opportunity.

Other uncertainties: Illinois, Michigan State and Purdue.

Big XII

Texas Tech: The Red Raiders have been a hard team to gauge all season, especially in conference. After defeating then No. 5 Kansas and No. 6 Texas A & M, they followed it up with five straight losses, including one to lowly Nebraska at home. However, another victory over the Aggies on the road gave them three victories against top 10 opponents, a feat that might just be enough to earn them a bid.

Other uncertainties: Kansas State and Oklahoma.

Pac-10

Arizona: A team with this much talent should be nowhere close to the bubble, but a “soft” label has followed the Wildcats all season. Point guard Mustafa Shakur is electrifying at times and turnover-prone in others, while athletic forward Marcus Williams tends to disappear in big games. A mediocre conference record hurts their resume, but the toughest schedule in the nation certainly helps it. A win or two in the Pac-10 Tournament should lock their bid.

Other uncertainties: Washington, Oregon and Stanford.

SEC

Tennessee: The Volunteers have a star in guard Chris Lofton and an over-eccentric, very orange coach in Bruce Pearl. I’m not sure if both of them help the team, but the recent blowout loss to 13-12 South Carolina following a big win over Kentucky certainly doesn’t. With a non-conference schedule that includes Ohio State and North Carolina, Tennessee is battle-tested but just hasn’t won too many big ones. However, a win at home over Florida on Tuesday could be a major boost.

Other uncertainties: Alabama, Georgia

MVC

Missouri State, Bradley, Wichita State: The “major” mid-major has turned into a bubble powerhouse and this year is no different. Both Bradley and Wichita State made the Sweet 16 last year, while Missouri State wants to get back after the shock of missing out.

Other teams to keep an eye on: Wright State, Old Dominion, Hofstra, Drexel, UNLV, Bucknell

Popularity: 9% [?]

Basketball fans rejoice: The Big Show is just around the corner. For the lady Golden Eagles, February is a hectic time of year, with feelings of anxiousness and nervous excitement filling their hearts and minds. With only three more regular season games before the kick off of the 2007 Big East Championship, the women have been working hard to prepare. And as they prepare for March Madness, students can look forward to a high intensity run for the championship.

So far this season, the women have been making waves in the Big East Conference and leaving disappointed opponents drowning in their wake, including their latest victory over No. 20 ranked Louisville (65 – 44). Marquette has been showing its true colors against stiff competition from St. John’s (69 – 58) and Georgetown (67 – 52), coming out on top both games.

Standing at No. 21 in the national rankings and No. 3 in the Big East, the Marquette women have a realistic chance at performing extremely well in the Big East Tournament. In conference play, Marquette has only lost two games to UConn and Rutgers. UConn will be a threat to Marquette’s success; Rutgers, currently tied with Marquette in the rankings, will be a threat as well.

Senior forward Christina Quaye will be a primary factor in Marquette’s success in the Big East Championship. Quaye has been a huge contributor to Marquette’s recent victories, pulling in huge individual numbers with at least 20 points in each of the past three games. She has also been a solid presence on the court, leading the way in sportsmanship and showing sheer love for the game through her soulful playing.

Another outstanding player who will play a large role in the success of the Marquette women is sophomore guard Krystal Ellis. She has averaged 10 points or more in the past thirteen consecutive games.

Throughout the entire season, both conference and non-conference, the Marquette women have continued to dominate. This season has been about coming together under common goals: to improve as individuals and as a team, to push themselves to the limit, to mature in body and spirit, to become in sync as a team and to win basketball games. The women have gone above and beyond these goals expectations already, and have grown into their own. They outperformed their previous record of 22 – 10 in the 2005-2006 season. Last year, Marquette tripped against teams such as UConn and Rutgers. Currently, Marquette has an overall record of 23 – 4, with losses yet again to UConn and Rutgers, but with an improved overall record

Keeping in mind the improvements made by the Marquette women this season, let’s focus on the 2007 Big East Tournament. Considering that hard work and dedication to the team has given Marquette increased victories and made them the focal point of the conference, there is a highly favorable outlook for the women. All they really need is the confidence to take it all the way. The Marquette women already have the means to turn the Big East Tournament into the Golden Eagle’s playground. Marquette possesses some of the most talented players in the country, a hardworking and inspiring coaching staff and an impressive work ethic. However, those are not the only factors that will contribute to Marquette’s success this year because the ladies also have faith and passion on their side. As a team, the women believe in themselves and each other, a force that cannot be reckoned with.

The Big East tournament will not be the same after the Marquette women are through with it. This year there is no limit to what the women can accomplish. With hopes as high as mine for the women, I am sure that Marquette will not disappoint.

Popularity: 9% [?]

This Saturday will be the rematch of two Big East leaders, Marquette and Pittsburgh. Last time these two teams met, Marquette pulled the upset on the road, and won 77 – 74. So Pitt will be looking for revenge at the Bradley Center while Marquette will be doing everything possible to avoid Pitt taking it. But even though Marquette righted the ship after three straight losses with a solid win over Villanova they again slipped to no. 23 Notre Dame, so there are still reasons for concern.

Pitt has just come off a loss against no. 12 Georgetown which just about eliminates them from a regular season Big East crown. Georgetown also beat Marquette earlier this year.. Pitt is also bringing a formidable defense into Milwaukee. Their defense only gives up an average of 61.4 points per game. But Marquette did beat that average by 16 points last time they met. Marquette’s defense gives up an average of 69.9 points per game, but Pitt also did score more than that the last time these two teams met. One thing to expect from this game: two highly potent offenses will be squaring off.

Marquette and Pitt are both averaging 72.1 points per game. So both teams know how to score, and Marquette’s Dominic James leads the scoring by averaging 15.2 points per game. Jerel McNeal is the second leading scorer with 14.6 points per game, but Pitt’s Aaron Gray is not far behind, averaging 14.5 points a game.

Pitt has more of a balance on scoring, while Marquette looks more towards their guards for their points. Neither way is better than the other, but when one of the guards gets cold, like James did during the three game skid, it becomes harder to win.

A player who might make an impact on offense is Dan Fitzgerald. Of all the players in this game, he has the highest three point percentage at 42.9%. Fitzgerald could be a game changer depending on how many open looks behind the arch he gets and how many of them he can turn into three points.

Marquette needs to improve on their free throw shooting to have a chance at this game. They are shooting just 65% from the line. Luckily for Marquette, Pitt isn’t doing too much better. They are shooting 68% from the line. If Marquette can shoot like they did against Villanova, when they made 31 of their 35 free throws, expect similar results.

Rebounding is an area that Marquette has had some problems with this year. Looking at the numbers, they do not always get out-rebounded, other teams grab more timely rebounds. This could pose as a problem because Gray averages 10 rebounds a game, whereas Ousmane Barro is averaging 8.4 per game. Gray could take over on the boards, so Barro will have to be on top of his game to help limit Gary’s opportunities.

Marquette averages more rebounds per game than Pitt, averaging 40 per game to Pitt’s 35.6. Again, Marquette might win the overall rebound battle, and hopefully will wind up with some more timely rebounds. Has there been a team that allows as many third chance shots as Marquette?

The Big East probably will send seven teams to the NCAA tournament, and these two teams could be the best. This game will have an effect on the rankings in the Big East Tournament and the NCAA Tournament. And hopefully, the game will live up to everyone’s expectations.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Various thoughts have crossed my mind during my time covering Marquette’s women’s basketball team this year. Now, I’m quite sure that none of you want to delve into the depths of my mind (Lord knows I have enough trouble going there), but bear with me for a few moments.

This team, game in and game out, has done the one thing their male counterparts have yet to accomplish: play with consistency. And that wasn’t even intended to be a shot at Tom and the boys. Instead, incredible praise for the women’s team. For the women to be in only their second year of Big East affiliation with the ability to understand what it takes to be successful over a sixteen game conference schedule is remarkable.

Like many other members of the student media here on campus, I was perplexed as the Big East coaches picked Terri Mitchell’s bunch to finish 8th in the conference. Maybe that chip on the shoulder was just what this team needed to push it over the top. But the Marquette women’s basketball team probably would still be thinking Women’s National Invitation Tournament, had it not been for the play of two individual players this season.

Now I know basketball is a team game, but let’s give credit where credit is due. First, senior forward, Christina Quaye. “Q,” as she is referred to by her teammates, has been the most consistent scorer for Marquette this season. At times, she has been the only offensive option as evidenced by her six twenty point games on the season (Heck, she nearly beat UConn by herself in the second half of that game). As the Big East Tournament is just a few days away, Christina will have to be the catalyst if Marquette intends to challenge mighty UConn for the title.

The second, is sophomore sensation Krystal Ellis. The emergence of Ellis as a superstar has been extremely exciting to watch. For those that follow and have watched her play, you know that her presence on the floor automatically makes everyone else on the team better. In addition to that, she can easily put up twenty plus points any given night. She plays at a higher speed compared to her teammates and her competition, but when she’s on the floor, her teammates just naturally pick up the tempo and run with her step for step. It has created so many odd man rushes and easy baskets for the Golden Eagles. Few players at her age can do that for a basketball

Then, there’s the bench. What more can be said about this group. They have more depth at forward position than anyone in the conference. Marissa Thrower’s development into a solid rebounder and excellent jump shooter has meant a great deal. Kelly Lam, along with Svetlana Kovalenko, present match-up problems coming off the bench. That is definitely not something you see everyday. And Erin Monfre and Janelle Harris are solid guards that can play big minutes if they have to.

This team is teetering on the borderline of greatest Women’s team in school history. The way that will be officially determined is how long this team plays into March. The sky is the limit as the tourney hits, and I’m proud to say I’ll be a witness to it.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Jazz music has come a long way from its original popularity in New Orleans to the Harlem Renaissance, the Swing Era and now as international music. The Milwaukee Public Library will host a series of programs called “Looking at Jazz: America’s Art Form” that will allow its visitors to hear, see and experience the evolution of jazz music.

“The programs are explorations of jazz not only as a musical form, but as a cultural phenomenon here in the United States,” said Mary Milinkovich, manager of the Milwaukee Public Library arts, music and recreation department.

Milinkovich also hopes the programs will strengthen people’s love of jazz, encouraging them to explore more on their own by checking out books, DVDs and compact discs on jazz music and artists that the library has suggested.

Four of the six programs will be held at the Milwaukee Public Library; two other Milwaukee neighborhood libraries will each host the remaining programs. All six programs will include 30 minute performances from a jazz band associated with the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, viewings of portions of documentary films and a conclusion with discussions, states Milinkovich.

“We tried to network as much as possible with organizations in order to provide services, especially in areas where there’s overlap,” she said. “So when we were thinking about applying for the grant, we considered a number of different institutions to partner with us, and the conservatory was just very enthusiastic about doing that.”

Milinkovich said the Milwaukee Public Library applied for a National Endowment for the Humanities grant. NEH, which has chosen the six themes for the programs, selected Milwaukee to receive one of the 50 grants. Milwaukee was chosen from a pool of 270 applicants from different institutions nationwide.

Wallace Cheatham, a local music scholar with an expertise in jazz music, will then introduce and describe the sections of the documentaries, Milinkovich said. She adds that the documentary films have been previewed by Cheatham, who said that the films were excellent examples of the music or topics of the programs. Cheatham will also lead the discussions after the film viewings.

“We’re hoping that people discuss jazz as an art form, but then also it’s a cultural phenomenon. It is our only native art form here in the U.S.,” said Milinkovich. “It is deeply woven into African-American history and it’s a reflection, I think, of the black experience. And so we would be really happy if the discussion was wide-ranging, just to reflect those things…jazz as a sort of culture statement also.”

Milinkovich is aware that Hurricane Katrina, the storm that hit New Orleans in 2005, will be in visitors’ mind. Although she knows the effects of Katrina on the jazz community, she said the focus will be on the creation of jazz and not to on the hurricane. She noted that America is very lucky to have a city like New Orleans, which could generate such a wonderful art form.

Milinkovich believes that the jazz series program will be a success because jazz appeals to a wide variety of people and has established quite the following in Milwaukee. Moreover, she has high hopes of the success of the jazz programs because she said previously held programs in the library have been well-attended.

“The last program we had a speaker who came in and actually appraised some books,” Milinkovich said. “We really had a good turn out there. In fact, we took names so you have to reserve a spot, and all of those seats were taken. We even had a waiting list.”

The library already celebrated the first program on Mardi Gras, Feb. 17, for the program’s theme “New Orleans and the Origins of Jazz.” It also hosted “The Jazz Age and Harlem Renaissance” on Feb. 24, and will continue with “The Swing Era” on March 10 and “Jazz Innovators from Bebop to Hard Bop to Cool and More” on March 17.

The free programs are open to the general public from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Milwaukee Public Library, located at 814 W. Wisconsin Ave. The events take place at the First Meeting Room inside the library.

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