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Lulllberjac Sports Page 4 September 30, 2003 COREYDALESKI Sports Editor Let this be a definitive lesson, folks: never let perception be the ultimate deciding factor in how we, society,judge people. When a celebrity is facing severe legal troubles, in the case of Lakers' star Kobe Bryant, society will speculate and draw their own conclusion before the facts are confirmed. Because it is us, the public, that finds ourselves fascinated with the celebrity life style. Let's face it: the Kobe Bryant sexual assault controversy is still a shocker, even though it is nearly a two month old story. The shock is not that an athlete is being charged with sexual assault. We have seen that before. The shock is that it is Kobe Bryant. Who just happened to be the shiniest marketing tool the National Basketball Association (NBA) had to offer. He is not Mike Tyson, who is notorious for committing violent acts. He is not Allen Iverson, who has a well- documented reputation for living "the thug life." And now, unfortunately, with this disturbing scenario that has circulated around Bryant, his once dignified and preeminent reputation has been tarnished. Now, I ask you this: Is his reputation permitable? If history is any indication, the answer is quite simple: yes. America is a very forgiving country; we embrace our fallen heroes. Take, for example, Pete Rose, who seems incapable of telling the truth. Rose has been shrouded in mystery for over a decade, for committing the carnal sin of betting on baseball - allegedly. And yet, whatever event it is, autograph sessions, occasional all-star game appearances - the fans continue to show their affection and appreciation for the man who ignominiously bet on baseball. Allegedly. Let me just say that I like Kobe Bryant. I respect and applaud his unprecedented basketball skills. But we have to realize the simple fact that this is a serious situation that has catastrophically transpired. Now, I hope KobeBryantdidn'trapethat woman. And I think I speak for everybody when I say that. As it is currently, we don't know what exactly happened in that infamous hotel room, Please See Da!eski, Page 5 ladv Jacks Fired Up Members of the 2003 Lady Jacks volleyball team include, first row (l-r) Megan Grulke, Lynne Gralewski, Amy Dziesinski, Stephanie Stanley and Kristy VanMassenhove. Second row (l-r) Asst. coach Noel Schlueter, student coach Jennifer Noffze, Julie DePerkel, Megan VanSchoten, Melissa Dorsey, Mari Meyers, Roni Allen and coach Bill Matske. 2003 Lady Jacks Volleyball Schedule Date Opponent Time 9-27 Wayne County CC 2 p.m.; 4 p.m. 10-3 at St. Clair, Henry Ford CC 2 p.m.; 4 p.m. 10-4 at St. Clair, Henry Ford CC 2 p.m.; 4 p.m. 10-11 at Mott CC 2 p.m.; 4 p.m. 10-17 at Schoolcraft CC 2 p.m.; 4 p.m. 10-24 SAULT/OAKLAND CC 4 p.m.; 6 p.m. 10-25 OAKLANDCC lOa.m.; 12p.m. 10-28 at Sault (Canada) 2 p.m.; 4 p.m. Home games in CAPS RO ALLEN Staff Writer The Chemistry of the 2003 ACC volleyball team will have a big effect on the success of their season. Although the team has only been together for about two months, the girls play as if they have been teammates forever. Even off the court, the girls have formed a special bond that only happens once in a great while. "The volleyball team is like my second family," co- captain Missy Dorsey commented. "We are there for each other on and off the court." Playing their opening game at home against Macomb on September 20th, the team showed great intensity, but fell a few points short of winning. Playing a best of five rally scoring format, the Lumberjacks were defeated narrowly in four games. First year coach Bill Matzke was encouraged by his girls' play in the season opener, stating: "Were going to have a good season, and there are a lot of excited players. Please See ACC, a e 5 2003ACC Lady Jacks Volleyball Roster #Name Pos. Ht. Yr. 3 Lynne Gralewski S 5-6 So. 4AmyDziesinski MB 5-10 Fr. 5/14Megan Grulke OH/DS 5-6 Fr. 6 Megan VanSchoten OH/DS 5-11 Fr. 7 Melissa Dorsey MB/S 5-8 Fr. 8JulieDePerkel OS 5-7 So. 9/13 K. VanMassenhove OS/DS 5-8 Fr. 10 Stephanie Stanley OS 5-8 Fr. 11 Roni Allen OS 5-7 Fr. 12 Mari Meyers OS 5-8 So. Head Coach: Bill Matzke; Asst. Coach: Noel Schlueter Student Coach: Jennifer Noffze; Trainer: Maria Kowalski Roni Allen: Living the (Busy) ACC Life DOMINICK MILLER Sports Editor College is difficult for the average student. Between homework, classes and maintaining some semblance of a social life, life can get pretty hectic. If students choose to add athletics to their agenda, the average day can be downright hard. Student athletes are expected to sometimes practice twice a day, go to all of their classes no matter how tired they are, and some coaches maintain a minimum . GPA to play their certain sport. Roni Allen is one of those very busy college athletes here at Alpena Community College. On top of taking 20 credit hours this semester, Roni is playing volleyball, basketball, and, in the spring, will be trying out for the softball team. She wouldn't have it any other way, though. "I've done this for so long, ifI didn't play any sports I don't think I would have anything to do," said the busy, yet happy, 19- year old. A normal day in the life of Roni Allen starts with psychology at nine in the morning. From Psych it's straight to journalism class. From journalism she heads to speech. After a one-hour break for lunch, Roni heads to practice, and she will usually be in the gym unti around seven. Her day is n done, however, as she sti has math class and sig language class until 9 p. . Finally, she is able to hea home. "It's hard, but I'm glad I'm doing it," Roni commented. Roni came to ACC after graduating from Hale High school in 2002. She participated in all three sports while at Hale, but injured her knee during her senior year. Coaches from ACC came to Alcona to watch her basketball team play there, but they catne after she was already injured. In spite of her injury, Roni was determined to play college sports, basketball especially. She came to ACC and tried out on her own, and made the squad. The coaching staff thought highly enough of Roni to award her with a scholarship. She planned on playing volleyball her first year at ACC as well, but she had her knee scoped and was forced to miss the season. Having a knee scoped involves a doctor make a small cut on the knee, and inserting an arthroscope ( a small camera) in the knee so the doctor can see the damage. Also, Roni injured her ankle, and has pins inserted. The injury to her knee and Above: Roni Allen goes high in practice to spike the ball. Roni enjoys her time on the volleyball team, and is looking forward to basketball season and softball season. ankle makes it harder for Roni to move laterally on defense, but she is not letting it hamper her ambition to play college sports. Roni is a right front hitter on the volleyball team. The team is expected to be competitive this season, and Roni is having a blast being part of the team. On the basketball court, Roni is normally a shooting guard. She did mention, though, that she may be seeing some time in the post as well. In her time on the team last season, Roni noted that the transition from high school to college is a big one. "It's scary," Roni said with a laugh. "It's faster. But the relationship with my teammates is unbelievable. In that way, it is a lot different than high school." While at ACC, Roni is majoring in sociology, and hopes to transfer to Central Michigan University. · While there, Roni will be working toward a bachelor's degree in sociology. Roni hopes to find a career in social work in the future. DOMINICK MILLER Sports Editor I have to admit, I'm glad that I'm not a Detroit sports fan. Other than the fact that the Red Wings have opened up camp, there is nothing to cheer for (unless you count the Shock winning the WNBA title, but I think, what, six people saw that?). Let's start with the Tigers. The team is going down as maybe the worst in the illustrious history of Major League Baseball. By the time this goes to print, there is a good chance that the Tigers will have eclipsed 120 losses, breaking the record of futility set by the 1962 Mets. And if that wasn't sad enough, those Mets were an expansion team. The Tigers have been a proud franchise since 1901. Looking at the fall of the Tigers is just sad. The Tigers were very good in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Mike Illitch pours his money into the Red Wings. There is nothing wrong that (Detroit fans need something to root for). The only money Illitchhas spent on the Tigers was Comerica Park. Comerica Parkis a beautiful place, don't get me wrong, but how much fun is it to go to this park when the product inside is, plain and simple, garbage? The Tigers have had some decent names on the roster in recent years, including Luis Gonzalez, Juan Gonzalez, Roger Cedeno, David Wells, Brad Ausmus, Jeff Weaver and Randall Simon, to name a few. These players have put up stellar numbers with other teams. All decent players, yet the Tigers did nothing to hang onto them. Next on the agenda are those pesky Detroit Lions. Wow, everybody in Lion land was singing the praises of Joey Harrington and the bunch as the team whipped up on the Arizona Cardinals. As I had to sit and listen to these Lions fans say how much improved their team was, and how a winning record wouldn't be that tough to come by, I constantly reminded these fans of one little thing: They just beat the Arizona Cardinals. Leave it at that. My, how quiet those same fans got as the Lions got beat by the Packers and Vikings. Now, the Vikings are good this year, but the Packers are free falling in a hurry. Both teams did not play that well against the Lions, yet the· Please See Miller, Page 5