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Athletics may be next to go As this paper was starting to come together, and a story about the demise of Facets was being written, a common theme was being tossed about that a quality More publication was Cowbell being thrown out while we have athletic teams taking quite a bit of money, and, ___ ,.... frankly, not Dominick Miller producing in __ ;;;:.;;.;;.c;..__ the win-loss column. I've always defended athletics at every level. While some people do not want to hear it, athletics does teach you a lot of things other than how to catch and shoot a ball. Camaraderie, discipline and a general sense ofbelonging are just a few of the many benefits of playing a sport. As many of you probably know by now, the school is facing a slew of budget cuts for 2006, and athletics may not escape the axe. While it would be sad for the ·people participating, and there are people who may lose scholarships, the harsh reality is that a good portion of this school simply would not care if athletics disappeared. I've been to my fair share of basketball games the past two years, and each time the attendance has probably not risen over 100. The same can be said about the volleyball and softball teams. This is not a knock on the players; it's just the sad reality that there is not a lot of support from the school for athletic;s. When y~u're drawing less than 100 people, and many of those people are students that get in for free, the team really isn't making the money back that it is using. It costs money to run the scoreboard and lights, keep janitors on to clean up afterwards and provide any transportation that the team may need. Also, coaches get paid. There is a reason ACC would save $120,000 if athletics were to be cut. If athletics were to be cut, the $3 activity fee that every student pays would also be cut and added to tuition costs. Another factor that hurts ACC athletics is that there are no other community college's nearby. Every away game is a trek down to at least Saginaw, and most of the time further. I, personally, would not want to see athletics cut. But I also have to be a realist on the topic. The $120,000 savings could be well used in other areas. There are plenty of other programs that could use the money, like Facets, for example, No matter what happens, it should be interesting atACC in 2006. Hereoomet Trustees during the week, dorks on the weekend By Michael Gartner Staff Writer There is a "dork" side to ACC and area athletics, where a reasoned approach in a board room later turns zany and unfashionable on area roads, and the shuffle of papers turns to the shuffle of feet. ACC student Chris Wright has seen it; Joe Gentry and Stan Mischley admit to it: they are week-day- professionals turned weekend dorks. Thirty years ago, a harmless Sunday jog among friends literally turned ugly when Mischley, Gentry and a few others sported · red handkerchief bandannas and striped long m;iderwear. An amused youth was heard to blurt out, "You guys look like a bunch of dorks." Thus their · story begins. Humored by the epithet, the group developed jerseys with the wording "Athletics Werst" as satire on corporate America's sponsorship of runners then known as "Athletics West." Thereafter, they entered the Crystal Lake Team Marathon under the Dork Brothers name. Then, whenAlpena's Thunder Bay Run lost its sponsorship, these fellows were motivated to continue a community run and so they developed the first Dork Brothers Run. Gentry, an A CC trustee and Mischley, an Alpena Township Trustee, together with their wives, children and a host of volunteers, will help organize eleven races in 2005. This month, they will announce the age group winners in the Northeast Michigan Runners Cup, an award based on an individuals combined score in Hoops continuing play ACC star Megan VanSchoten delivers a pass against Schoolcraft January 26 (photo by Chris Engle) By Dominick Miller Managing/Sports Editor The basketball teams have concluded January, and both teams have plenty of things to be proud of. While the men's team finished the month 2-7, they did play every game fairly close, and had plenty of players step up and play well. For the season, the Lumberjacks sit at 5-12. The Lady Lumberjacks are in the same position as the men's team. The girls finished .lanuary 3-6, and have an overall record of3-14. "Overall, I think the girls are doing well," coach Bobby Allen said. 'They're working hard everyday." It's been a team effort, but the girls have been paced by Megan VanSchoten, Kelli Weichel, Anna Bashans and Bridget Hillard. Hillard, in fact, is coming off two major injuries. We hope to have a feature on Hillard in the future. ... dorks? I Intramural basketball season starts By Dominick Miller Managing/Sports Editor Despite a smaller than anticipated turnout, the intramural basketball season has kicked off. Only five teams submitted entries, which left Bobby Allen in the tough position of trying to schedule enough games. As it stands right now, every team that signed up received at least five games throughout the month of February. "I expected to have more teams," Allen admitted. Even though games have started, Allen would love to add at least one more team, possibly more. Anyone interested should pick up a sign-up sheet in the Wellness Center and give it to Allen. It's free to play. all 2004 area road races . In Today, the ACC campus most of the area races , remainsthelongestrunning registrants already received locale for the Dork Brothers an unusual t-shirt and the top July 4th Run. As a former finishers in each age category ACC mechanical apprentice As it stands right now, games are Monday and Thursday nights, beginning at 7 p.m. The games are played at Park Arena on the main court. That is different from years past, when the two side hoops were used. The games feature 20-minute halves with a running clock. Players are allowed five fouls. received medals. student, Mischley ACC campus remains an participated in an indoor integral part of the Dork triathlon (rowing, biking and Brothers tradition. Thirty running) at the ACC fitness years ago, as an adjunct center and today continues The teams have between six and ten people on them. The five captains are: 1. Joni Ames; 2. Aaron Klien; 3. Mike Zinke; 4 . Nathan Gagnon; 5. Jimmy Hart. faculty, Gentry had keys to with the outdoor triathlon the East Campus gym and (swimming, biking and would begin and end his running) at Hubbard Dork Brother races there. Please see Dork, page 6 erging trails would benefit Alpena business By Courtney Sobczak Staff Writer Snowmobiling is the second leading tourist attraction in Michigan, just behind golf, bringing in over $1 billion in · statewide business profits annually. How canAlpena's local businesses share in this profit margin? Simple: conn ct two frequently used snowmobile trails in Alpena County, and possibly make Alpena's North Side snowmobile trail accessible. In early spring 2004 , planning began '"'.ithin the Inter-Governmental Council, which is made up of members from the city, county, and surrounding townships, for ideas to boost the economic development in the Alpena area during the winter mon s. There is always talk of ho to boost the economic development during the spring and ummer, but tourism should be considered year- round. Opening the city up to snowmobilers would allow for a possible economic growth in the cold, winter The current trail leading from Posen provides access to some businesses north of town. Extending the trail would allow snowmobiliers to reach more local businesses (photo by Chris Engle) months. two trails were connected, The county commissioners though, it would draw people contacted the Alpena into Alpena, and economic Snown:iobile Association development could occur. (ASA) and together they Co-Director of the World startedbrainstormingwaysto Center for Concrete connect two popular Technology · and ASA snowmobile trails in Alpena. member Bob Eller In the past, with the commented on the positive development of the local 7 5 economic aspects of the trail. miles of trails that the ASA "I have a hope that this trail controls , the idea was will allow for job designed to allow people to opportunities or even the travel out of Alpena. If the Please see Snowmobile, page 6