Senior Tristan Johnson hopes for professional football career
Andy Dygert
News Editor
Mar. 11, 2004, Page 2
Thousands of children, across the country and the world dream of playing sports at the professional level. It was the dream of a kid from Aurora, Colo. to play professional football.
This kid, Tristan Johnson, now a senior wide receiver at Doane College, is trying to snatch his dreams from the realm of imagination and make them his future.
“I’ve declared myself eligible for the NFL draft according to NAIA standards,” Johnson said. “I’m not sure, of course, but it’s a possibility that my name will get called.”
If Johnson’s name is called, it will complete a major part of his life as a Doane College athlete, as a varsity player at Eaglecrest High School in Aurora, where he made All-State, All-Conference his junior and senior years and as a boy who dreamed about playing in the pros.
“He’s been wanting to play in the NFL since he was a little kid,” junior teammate Eric Jones said. “I just take my hat off to him for trying to follow his dream.”
Johnson is looking hopefully at the NFL, but realizes that he might not make it at this time. In which case, he is looking into playing in the Indoor Football League or the Canadian Football League.
“A lot of arena (IFL) teams and teams in Canada have film of me,” Johnson said. “But my goal is the NFL, if not now, then later. That’s the ultimate goal. That’s it.”
He is looking at several teams already, including the Omaha Beef and the Lincoln Capitals of the IFL. He has had one NFL workout to date as well.
“This summer I had a workout with the Denver Broncos,” Johnson said. “So far that’s the only team that’s given me a workout.”
According to Fran Schwenk, Doane head football coach, these workouts are extremely important.
“I think that for someone who’s not well known, they don’t play NCAA Division I or anything, they need to tryout really well,” Schwenk said. “That’s how Raymonn [Adams, who graduated from Doane in 2001] got his shot with the New York Jets. If Tristan can run a good 40 [meters] time at the tryouts then I believe he has the height, the heart and the skill to make it.”
Johnson feels that he is not the only one at Doane has the ability to play football professionally. According to Johnson, Doane has a strong enough football program and enough players with heart therein to make the leap.
“I definitely think we have a strong enough program and good enough athletes to send people to the professional level,” Johnson said. “[Applying to professional teams] has been kind of bittersweet as I feel that my class in particular has more than just one person able to go and play professionally.”
According to his teammates, however, Johnson has made this opportunity for himself and he deserves the chance to play professional football.
“I think he deserves this,” Jones said. “Everything this guy does is about football. He goes to sleep with ESPN blaring and is always playing sports and everything. He works really hard all the time and he’s a leader by example to his teammates.”
A wide-receiver his whole career, although he played quarterback in high school as well, Johnson thinks that he will be keeping that same position if he makes it to the professional level.
“If I did enter the NFL, or wherever, I don’t see myself changing positions from receiver,” Johnson said.
In Johnson’s four years of play at Doane he has compiled 853 reception yards, 51 receptions and 10 touchdowns. Johnson has averaged 16.73 yards per reception.
He has even thrown the ball at Doane once. Johnson threw a 35 yard touchdown pass to quarterback Jared Van Anne this past fall in the last regular season game against the University of Sioux Falls.
All of Johnson’s hard work may be about to pay off with the upcoming NFL draft in April. Even if it doesn’t work at that time, however, Johnson assuredly says that he will continue to try to play football until he can’t anymore. After that, or possibly as a part-time job during his active football career, Johnson plans to coach.
“I definitely want to coach at some time,” Johnson said. “I would coach just about anywhere.”
Johnson is grateful that he has been given this opportunity to play professional sports and rise above the fantasies of childhood.
“I thank God for getting me here and I definitely will continue to pray and to hope for the best,” Johnson said.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Forensics team racks up the wins
India Williams
Staff Writer
Mar. 11, 2004, Page 3
For the first time in four years the Doane Forensics team was number one at a tournament.
After one of its most successful competitions last weekend at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Creighton University, the team brought home 29 individual speaking awards and qualified for Nationals in seven events.
The competition included nine other schools throughout the Midwest.
“This competition put a lot of pressure on us because it was students’ last chance to qualify for Nationals,” freshman Emily Jordening said.
The team has placed number one in four sweepstakes and in the top three in all of the others since October. All but two students out of the 14 qualified for Nationals.
“They may travel three weekends out of a month and practice three to eight hours a week,” said Dawn Bartlett, director of the Forensics team. “But they continue to show they're the best with over 250 awards to prove it.”
Before each competition they chant “focus, energy and support” to remain motivated because it is hard to give up every weekend for competitions.
“Things can be difficult for the students physically and mentally because our team has the longest season of any sport or activity on campus,” Bartlett said. “But these students are above average so they manage their time wisely.”
Next week's tournament at the University of Wisconsin may not be the last tournament for most of the team before Nationals, but for seniors Anne Golden and Erin Cico it will be.
“I have seen this team grow over the past four years and I can honestly say it has changed my life,” Golden said. “We've been so successful because we support one another like a family.”
The Doane Forensics team has nothing to do with crime investigations like some think, but with subject matter that relates to politics, the economy, sociology and many other areas.
“We don't do autopsies; however, we do leave behind a lot of dead bodies at the tournaments,” Jordening said.
The Doane Forensics team’s last tournament before Nationals is next week at the University of Wisconsin. Nationals will be April 2-5 in California.
Staff Writer
Mar. 11, 2004, Page 3
For the first time in four years the Doane Forensics team was number one at a tournament.
After one of its most successful competitions last weekend at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Creighton University, the team brought home 29 individual speaking awards and qualified for Nationals in seven events.
The competition included nine other schools throughout the Midwest.
“This competition put a lot of pressure on us because it was students’ last chance to qualify for Nationals,” freshman Emily Jordening said.
The team has placed number one in four sweepstakes and in the top three in all of the others since October. All but two students out of the 14 qualified for Nationals.
“They may travel three weekends out of a month and practice three to eight hours a week,” said Dawn Bartlett, director of the Forensics team. “But they continue to show they're the best with over 250 awards to prove it.”
Before each competition they chant “focus, energy and support” to remain motivated because it is hard to give up every weekend for competitions.
“Things can be difficult for the students physically and mentally because our team has the longest season of any sport or activity on campus,” Bartlett said. “But these students are above average so they manage their time wisely.”
Next week's tournament at the University of Wisconsin may not be the last tournament for most of the team before Nationals, but for seniors Anne Golden and Erin Cico it will be.
“I have seen this team grow over the past four years and I can honestly say it has changed my life,” Golden said. “We've been so successful because we support one another like a family.”
The Doane Forensics team has nothing to do with crime investigations like some think, but with subject matter that relates to politics, the economy, sociology and many other areas.
“We don't do autopsies; however, we do leave behind a lot of dead bodies at the tournaments,” Jordening said.
The Doane Forensics team’s last tournament before Nationals is next week at the University of Wisconsin. Nationals will be April 2-5 in California.
Spring Break kits for your health
Heidi Hochstetler
Staff Writer
Mar. 11, 2004, Page 3
Where your health is concerned, the old adage stands: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
For that reason, the Doane College Student Health and Wellness Center has created a spring break survival kit that offers advice on how avoid potential spring break disasters and have a safe and healthy vacation.
The kits include free sunscreen and Blistex samples, as well as a Spring Break Survival Manual. According to the manual, planning ahead can make the difference between a fun spring break and one that ends up being a disappointment.
“We’ve never had any serious problems before,” college nurse Kelly Jirovec said. “The survival kits are a preventative measure.”
The spring break survival manual offers tips on many different things including travel, skin care and food and water safety.
Free spring break survival kits will be available in Tiger Inn next week.
Staff Writer
Mar. 11, 2004, Page 3
Where your health is concerned, the old adage stands: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
For that reason, the Doane College Student Health and Wellness Center has created a spring break survival kit that offers advice on how avoid potential spring break disasters and have a safe and healthy vacation.
The kits include free sunscreen and Blistex samples, as well as a Spring Break Survival Manual. According to the manual, planning ahead can make the difference between a fun spring break and one that ends up being a disappointment.
“We’ve never had any serious problems before,” college nurse Kelly Jirovec said. “The survival kits are a preventative measure.”
The spring break survival manual offers tips on many different things including travel, skin care and food and water safety.
Free spring break survival kits will be available in Tiger Inn next week.
HSSC represents students at Doane
Mandie Craven
Staff Writer
Mar. 11, 2004, Page 3
Every community has a form of leadership or representation present. At Doane there is representation as well: Student Congress and the Hansen Student Steering Committee (HSSC).
“HSSC is a group of students chosen to help steer the Hansen Leadership Program in the right direction, in what they think the college should be focusing its attention on,” said Rachel Schaefer, associate director of HLP.
HSSC is a group of students who are nominated by faculty or staff members.
“At the previous two schools I was at before I came here, they had components of what HLP is to Doane,” HLP director Jim Hermelbracht said. “But it was never a set program.”
In the past, HSSC has been involved in many aspects of leadership on campus.
They were strongly involved in the Relay for Life campaign and select programs and speakers for Doane.
“Doane's philosophy is that everyone is a leader,” Hermelbracht said. “This program is great because students don’t have to enroll in it, it’s open to everyone.”
Staff Writer
Mar. 11, 2004, Page 3
Every community has a form of leadership or representation present. At Doane there is representation as well: Student Congress and the Hansen Student Steering Committee (HSSC).
“HSSC is a group of students chosen to help steer the Hansen Leadership Program in the right direction, in what they think the college should be focusing its attention on,” said Rachel Schaefer, associate director of HLP.
HSSC is a group of students who are nominated by faculty or staff members.
“At the previous two schools I was at before I came here, they had components of what HLP is to Doane,” HLP director Jim Hermelbracht said. “But it was never a set program.”
In the past, HSSC has been involved in many aspects of leadership on campus.
They were strongly involved in the Relay for Life campaign and select programs and speakers for Doane.
“Doane's philosophy is that everyone is a leader,” Hermelbracht said. “This program is great because students don’t have to enroll in it, it’s open to everyone.”
Gartner uses Nebraskan experiences in Kazahkstan
Sara Mettlen
Staff Writer
Mar. 11, 2004, Page 3
For a kid from Nebraska, it’s hard to find a place more remote than home.
Travis Gartner, a native of Tecumseh, has found a place to fit the bill. He is currently living in Atbasar, Kazahkstan, doing work in connection with the Peace Corps to earn his masters degree in non-governmental organization (NGO) management from Rutgers University.
Gartner was never the traditional student. After graduating from high school, he joined the Marines and was involved in the first Gulf War. His lieutenant encouraged him to further his schooling, and he eventually ended up at Doane College, graduating in 2001.
Gartner’s job is to get groups of people in his region together and organize them to do what needs to be done to help their society. He has coordinated several different local organizations including a theater club and a center for women. His current project is building a library.
Gartner, who still regularly emails some of his old Doane professors, asked for help in gathering books for his library about a year ago. Associate Greman professor H. Peter Reinkordt took the lead and began asking around for books to send over to Kazahkstan.
Collecting books from colleagues in the English department, donated books from the library, old textbooks from his wife who teaches at Lincoln Southeast High School and also donated books from a UNL graduate student who is student-teaching at Southeast, as well as taking from his own personal collection, Reinkordt has gathered and sent over 120 pounds of books to Gartner.
It costs approximately one dollar per pound of books to ship to Atbasar. Doane is paying the shipping costs for the books, which will take about two months to get to Kazahkstan.
“What we hope will happen is that we establish a link,” Reinkordt said. “If we can set that up so that we have contacts in Kazahkstan, we can continue helping by sending books over.”
Reinkordt is still looking for around 100 more pounds of books to send over.
“To me, it’s tremendously interesting what a Doane graduate is doing,” Reinkordt said. “His [Gartner’s] experience will be something that he carries with him his entire life. If a student is open, it’s amazing what they can do.”
Staff Writer
Mar. 11, 2004, Page 3
For a kid from Nebraska, it’s hard to find a place more remote than home.
Travis Gartner, a native of Tecumseh, has found a place to fit the bill. He is currently living in Atbasar, Kazahkstan, doing work in connection with the Peace Corps to earn his masters degree in non-governmental organization (NGO) management from Rutgers University.
Gartner was never the traditional student. After graduating from high school, he joined the Marines and was involved in the first Gulf War. His lieutenant encouraged him to further his schooling, and he eventually ended up at Doane College, graduating in 2001.
Gartner’s job is to get groups of people in his region together and organize them to do what needs to be done to help their society. He has coordinated several different local organizations including a theater club and a center for women. His current project is building a library.
Gartner, who still regularly emails some of his old Doane professors, asked for help in gathering books for his library about a year ago. Associate Greman professor H. Peter Reinkordt took the lead and began asking around for books to send over to Kazahkstan.
Collecting books from colleagues in the English department, donated books from the library, old textbooks from his wife who teaches at Lincoln Southeast High School and also donated books from a UNL graduate student who is student-teaching at Southeast, as well as taking from his own personal collection, Reinkordt has gathered and sent over 120 pounds of books to Gartner.
It costs approximately one dollar per pound of books to ship to Atbasar. Doane is paying the shipping costs for the books, which will take about two months to get to Kazahkstan.
“What we hope will happen is that we establish a link,” Reinkordt said. “If we can set that up so that we have contacts in Kazahkstan, we can continue helping by sending books over.”
Reinkordt is still looking for around 100 more pounds of books to send over.
“To me, it’s tremendously interesting what a Doane graduate is doing,” Reinkordt said. “His [Gartner’s] experience will be something that he carries with him his entire life. If a student is open, it’s amazing what they can do.”
Baseball deserves more respect
Kiley Mackie
Staff Writer
Mar. 11, 2004, Page 4
The 26 men on the Doane College baseball team are no different than other athletes.
They train, run, sweat, bleed and play until every ounce of energy has been zapped from their bodies – and then they get up and do it again.
Yet one factor separates the team from others in the Doane athletic program. The players of America’s favorite pastime do it all in the midst of adversity from administration and fans.
Despite numerous victories, including a Great Plains Athletic Conference title two years ago, the team has continually been left to warm the bench. They get no respect.
The men often have to practice late at night because other sports are given precedence in using Fuhrer Field House. Players with 8 a.m. classes sometimes return to their rooms as late as 11:30 p.m. with three to four hours of homework to do before they can rest.
The players’ use of the Field House falls under attack when other teams accuse them of damaging the gym. In reality, the team has broken only one light fixture.
The complaints force team members to defend their use of a facility that is inadequate for baseball practice.
The caution required in the Field House hinders the team’s ability to practice the most elemental strategies of the game, such as hitting and fielding the ball.
Though warm weather may solve the problem of practicing inside, the outside option is not much better.
Baseball and softball are the only sports that lack designated practice and game areas on campus.
The teams must travel to Tuxedo Park to play on the slovenly kept city field with rudimentary stands.
The quality of the stands, however, is the least of the team’s concerns because the games are rarely attended by either students or faculty.
Inconvenient field location plays a big part in low fan attendance. The lack of media coverage also contributes to poor attendance. The fact that baseball games do not make money for the college may be part of the lack of respect.
Doane keeps spending money on building renovations and additions. Perhaps the administration should provide an on-campus field that would boost game attendance.
Baseball and softball players deserve more than the shaft they have been getting.
It’s time the Doane starts wising up to the facts.
Staff Writer
Mar. 11, 2004, Page 4
The 26 men on the Doane College baseball team are no different than other athletes.
They train, run, sweat, bleed and play until every ounce of energy has been zapped from their bodies – and then they get up and do it again.
Yet one factor separates the team from others in the Doane athletic program. The players of America’s favorite pastime do it all in the midst of adversity from administration and fans.
Despite numerous victories, including a Great Plains Athletic Conference title two years ago, the team has continually been left to warm the bench. They get no respect.
The men often have to practice late at night because other sports are given precedence in using Fuhrer Field House. Players with 8 a.m. classes sometimes return to their rooms as late as 11:30 p.m. with three to four hours of homework to do before they can rest.
The players’ use of the Field House falls under attack when other teams accuse them of damaging the gym. In reality, the team has broken only one light fixture.
The complaints force team members to defend their use of a facility that is inadequate for baseball practice.
The caution required in the Field House hinders the team’s ability to practice the most elemental strategies of the game, such as hitting and fielding the ball.
Though warm weather may solve the problem of practicing inside, the outside option is not much better.
Baseball and softball are the only sports that lack designated practice and game areas on campus.
The teams must travel to Tuxedo Park to play on the slovenly kept city field with rudimentary stands.
The quality of the stands, however, is the least of the team’s concerns because the games are rarely attended by either students or faculty.
Inconvenient field location plays a big part in low fan attendance. The lack of media coverage also contributes to poor attendance. The fact that baseball games do not make money for the college may be part of the lack of respect.
Doane keeps spending money on building renovations and additions. Perhaps the administration should provide an on-campus field that would boost game attendance.
Baseball and softball players deserve more than the shaft they have been getting.
It’s time the Doane starts wising up to the facts.
Keep marriage between man and woman
Andy Dygert
News Editor
Mar. 11, 2004, Page 4
Marriage is almost as old as humanity itself.
Adam took Eve as his wife. Cleopatra married Mark Antony. Henry VIII could not seem to stop marrying (and then executing) different women. Every single president of the United States has been married.
What is the one thing all of these marriages have in common? They were between a man and a woman. This part of the institution of marriage is now being abused.
On Feb. 4, 2004, the Massachusetts Supreme Court handed down a decision to allow same-sex marriages. Following this ruling, city officials in San Francisco and the mayor of New Paltz, N.Y. began performing same-sex marriages.
President Bush answered these proceedings by calling for a Constitutional amendment which would define marriage as being between a man and a woman.
Tosha Rae Long wrote an article, published in last week’s edition of The Doane Owl, which stated that she thought Bush’s proposal is “bigotry in disguise.”
Long asks, “What exactly is Bush trying to defend? Marriage is not under attack.” She goes on to say that marriage is only being “reconstructed to fit the needs of everyone.”
This, however, is incorrect as the very core of marriage is being attacked.
Marriage was instituted for the sake of the family - legally giving guardianship (through parents) to the children coming from the union of the couple. Children are created naturally only between a man and a woman. Two men or two women cannot create children together.
Homosexuality comes about because two people of the same sex are attracted to each other and want to engage in their attraction or lust. Children are not in any way part if the equation (adopted or medically implanted children are not the fruit of a homosexual couple).
Marriage is a union entered into in mutual love ordered towards the procreation and education of children. Therefore, allowing homosexuals to marry one another strikes directly at the core of marriage. Furthermore, children with parents of the same sex are brought up without the complementary differences of a man and a woman - children relate to a mother differently than to a father for instance. A child is deprived of one of these differing influences if brought up by homosexual parents.
Such a child is actually deprived of both influences! In marriage, the femininity of a wife is perfected and brought out in its full glory through the masculinity of her husband, and vice-versa.
When a man loves a man as he would love a woman, however, people’s experience should show them that his masculinity is, to say the least, not as well defined.
Long ends her article by sayin that officials like the ones in San Francisco and New York “set the example that Americans can challenge the system and fight suppression.” These officials do in fact challenge and fight against something – the law. California Family Code 300 reads, “Marriage is a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between a man and a woman.”
Therefore San Francisco officials were indeed breaking the law by “challenging” the system.
The state of New York has similar legislation.
Bush’s amendment to the Constitution of the United States would effectively end the question of the legitimacy of these unlawful acts.
Marriage must be protected on a national level in order to preserve its very meaning and purpose.
News Editor
Mar. 11, 2004, Page 4
Marriage is almost as old as humanity itself.
Adam took Eve as his wife. Cleopatra married Mark Antony. Henry VIII could not seem to stop marrying (and then executing) different women. Every single president of the United States has been married.
What is the one thing all of these marriages have in common? They were between a man and a woman. This part of the institution of marriage is now being abused.
On Feb. 4, 2004, the Massachusetts Supreme Court handed down a decision to allow same-sex marriages. Following this ruling, city officials in San Francisco and the mayor of New Paltz, N.Y. began performing same-sex marriages.
President Bush answered these proceedings by calling for a Constitutional amendment which would define marriage as being between a man and a woman.
Tosha Rae Long wrote an article, published in last week’s edition of The Doane Owl, which stated that she thought Bush’s proposal is “bigotry in disguise.”
Long asks, “What exactly is Bush trying to defend? Marriage is not under attack.” She goes on to say that marriage is only being “reconstructed to fit the needs of everyone.”
This, however, is incorrect as the very core of marriage is being attacked.
Marriage was instituted for the sake of the family - legally giving guardianship (through parents) to the children coming from the union of the couple. Children are created naturally only between a man and a woman. Two men or two women cannot create children together.
Homosexuality comes about because two people of the same sex are attracted to each other and want to engage in their attraction or lust. Children are not in any way part if the equation (adopted or medically implanted children are not the fruit of a homosexual couple).
Marriage is a union entered into in mutual love ordered towards the procreation and education of children. Therefore, allowing homosexuals to marry one another strikes directly at the core of marriage. Furthermore, children with parents of the same sex are brought up without the complementary differences of a man and a woman - children relate to a mother differently than to a father for instance. A child is deprived of one of these differing influences if brought up by homosexual parents.
Such a child is actually deprived of both influences! In marriage, the femininity of a wife is perfected and brought out in its full glory through the masculinity of her husband, and vice-versa.
When a man loves a man as he would love a woman, however, people’s experience should show them that his masculinity is, to say the least, not as well defined.
Long ends her article by sayin that officials like the ones in San Francisco and New York “set the example that Americans can challenge the system and fight suppression.” These officials do in fact challenge and fight against something – the law. California Family Code 300 reads, “Marriage is a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between a man and a woman.”
Therefore San Francisco officials were indeed breaking the law by “challenging” the system.
The state of New York has similar legislation.
Bush’s amendment to the Constitution of the United States would effectively end the question of the legitimacy of these unlawful acts.
Marriage must be protected on a national level in order to preserve its very meaning and purpose.
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