BY CLAIRE HETTINGERSTAFF WRITER

What started as a class project, soon grew into a drastically different plan for Green Street that students and community mem-bers have rallied around.

A group of students saw a problem with the way Green Street is currently situat-ed and hoped they could fi nd a better solu-tion. Nahree Ki, one of the creators of the project and graduate student in market-ing, said safety and effi ciency are two of the main issues the team saw as a problem on the street.

The students’ issues with the design of Green Street include congestion the cars cause as they search for parking, time delays for pedestrians to walk across streets and the lack of bike lanes, causing congestion in the traffi c lanes.

The suggested plan includes blocking off Green Street from Wright to Fourth

streets. The change would turn the space into a walkway with room for pedestrians and bicyclers to move about safely and freely.

A large focus of the project was design-ing the area in between the buildings, which allows businesses to use the space for out-door seating, along with hosting events, such as concerts and farmer’s markets.

The group would like to see Green Street become a welcoming and friendly space where students can spend their time and to promote businesses in the area.

“We believe that this will make it much more welcoming, as somewhere you want to go and enjoy the space instead of try-ing to avoid it because of all the chaos,” said Brittany Hopper, graduate student in marketing and one of the project creators.

The project was created for the class, Engineering 333: Creativity, Innovation and Vision, a class focused on helping

students think of new ways to solve prob-lems in their communities, said Mayank Jain, one of the creators and sophomore in Engineering.

The assignment was to fi nd a problem on campus or in the student’s lives and to come up with a solution to fi x it, he said.

Jain said there is a similar promenade in Madison, Wisconsin, where the University of Wisconsin-Madison is located, and it was a great inspiration for the Green St. design.

“At fi rst there were six people who signed the petition because there are six mem-bers in our group, but after that it just blew up,” Ki said.

The team was surprised by the amount of community support, and they did not expect their petition to “blow up” like this.

The plan immediately started gaining attention after it was posted on the group’s

BY ALEX SWANSONSTAFF WRITER

Five years ago, the Illinois Board of Higher Education decided to formulate a master plan to significantly reform education across the state, launching the Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success . Now halfway through the ten-year program, the board released a report on April 1, reviewing the state of progress made thus far.

The 2008 agenda included a multitude of goals for the state, such as closing the achievement gap, lowering the student dropout rate, improving adult education and making college more affordable, among other goals.

C a n d a c e M u e l l e r , spokeswoman for the Illinois Board of Higher Education, discussed the background of the agenda.

In 2007, the Illinois General Assembly passed House Joint Resolution 69 which

recommended that the Illinois Board of Higher Education perform a study to examine educational policy issues throughout the state. That resolution was, in part, what led to the Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success.

Sarah Rens, executive chair of the Student Advisory Committee for the Illinois Board of Higher Education, commented on the objectives included in the Public Agenda.

“They set extremely ambitious goals back in 2008,” Rens said. “And so I think that progress takes time, and I think they are doing everything they can to make the progress that they set out to do.”

One of the most successful aspects of the public agenda was the fact that the adult education level in Illinois increased at a rate faster than the rest of the country over the past five years.

I N S I D E P o l i c e 2 A | H o r o s c o p e s 2 A | O p i n i o n s 4 A | C r o s s w o r d 5 A | C o m i c s 5 A | L i f e & C u l t u r e 6 A | S p o r t s 1 B | C l a s s i f i e d s 3 B | S u d o k u 3 B

THE DAILY ILLINIWEDNESDAYMay 7, 2014

82˚ | 66˚

WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM he independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois since 1871 Vol. 143 Issue 118 | FREE

@THEDAILYILLINI, @DI_OPINION, @DI_SPORTS THEDAILYILLINI THEDAILYILLINIDAILYILLINI, DAILYILLINISPORTS @THEDAILYILLINI

BY JESSICA RAMOSSTAFF WRITER

Editor’s Note: The names of student workers have been changed to protect their identity and job security within University Housing.

Beginning Aug. 16, Univer-sity Housing student dining service workers will no longer be offered a free meal during their shift.

Student workers were informed through an email sent out by Dawn Aubrey , associate director of Univer-sity Housing Dining Services, last Wednesday.

According to the email, the free employee benefi t meal is considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue System, IRS. Kirsten Ruby , associate director of housing for commu-nications and marketing, said the change in meal policy fol-lows a University audit.

“(The University audit) determined that a free meal for students would be considered a taxable benefi t. That means that if a student received a meal, they would be taxed on the value of that meal,” she said. “That is something the University Housing has no con-trol over.”

Effective in the fall, if a stu-dent chooses to have a meal during the time of their shift, they are charged $3 or three credits, depending on the meth-od of payment.

Campus spokeswoman Rob-in Kaler explained that the change in free meal policy is not applicable to full-time employees because they are considered “essential.”

“(University Housing)

realized that only ‘essential’ employees can receive free meals during their shifts with-out having tax implications,” she said. “Essential employ-ees include full-time work-ers who can’t leave the facil-ity during their shift, and who might be called back quickly during their meal break. Non-essential employees, for pur-poses of the tax code, would include people such as dining services offi ce staff and stu-dent workers.”

Kaler stated that this result-ed in the choice to charge for meals or to count the meal as income to prevent tax liability.

“Dining Services chose the latter as it created less fi nan-cial burden on the affected employees,” Kaler said.

The IRS Employee Meal guidelines indicate that a meal can be excluded from an employee’s wages if it is provided on business premis-es, if it is given on behalf of the employer to the employee and if it is for the employer’s convenience.

If a student is unable to obtain a meal within a reason-able period or is in a restrict-ed meal period, then they are excluded from the taxable income, a qualifi cation that applies to student workers.

Emily, a student worker, said she examined the IRS Employ-ee Meal guidelines and dis-agrees with the change in meal policy, as she found discrepan-cies between the two.

“I think that what they were expecting us to do is take an offi cial-sounding reason and accept it and not say anything

Student dining service workers lose free mealsUniversity changes meal policy because free meals a ‘taxable bene! t’

University Housing to charge studentworkers for previously free meals

After August 16, 2014, student workers will no longer be given a free meal as part of their dining services shift. Now, student workerswill be charged $3 for each meal during their shift.

MEALS

AUSTIN BAIRD THE DAILY ILLINISOURCE: KIRSTEN RUBY, UNIVERSITY HOUSING

SEE MEALS | 3A

SEE REFORM | 3A

SEE GREEN | 3A

5 year mid point report for Illinois Public Agenda

Achievement gap between whites and underserved populationsHigh school completion

Age 18-34Bachelor’s degree attainment

Age 25-34

Student pipeline in Illinois

The Illinois Public Agenda for College and Career Success released a mid-point report last month. Among other findings, Illinois has seen more students attending college, a narrowed high school achievement gap, but a wider college achievement gap.

BRYAN LORENZ THE DAILY ILLINISOURCE: ILLINOIS BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION

18.9%

2005-2007 2010-2012 2005-2007 2010-2012

16.8%26.1% 28.9%

Graduate fromhigh school

Directly entercollege

Graduate in 150%of program time

from college

Have bachelor’sdegrees, ages

25-44

2004 201077%

45.2%

30.6%35.9% 33.7%

19.9%

41.7%

75.5%

0

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Mixed results found in education reformBoard of Higher Ed. reviews master plan

LEFT: PHOTO COURTESY OF MAYANK JAIN | RIGHT: ANNA HECHT THE DAILY ILLINILeft: A mockup of the proposed plan to turn Green Street into a bike and pedestrian only promenade. Right: The corner of Wright and Green Streets, which currently consists of a busy, two-lane intersection.

Community gathers around idea of car-free Green St. Class project for biker and pedestrian-friendly redesign of Green Street goes viral

ILLINI OF THE WEEK CASEY FLETCHER

Fletcher’s offensive streak leads Illini baseball in 4

games for the books.

As Alex Booker ends her last sea-son as an Illini, she refl ects on her career and the successes to come.

SPORTS, 1B

‘Twice a Stranger’ explores refugees’ struggles in new landModern Greek studies screens documentary

LIFE CULTURE, 6ASPORTS, 1B

BOOKER SAYS FINAL GOODBYE

2A Wednesday, May 7, 2014 THE DAILY ILLINI | WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM

WEATHERPOLICEChampaign

A 50-year-old male was arrest-ed in the 100 block of West White Street around 1 p.m. Monday.

According to the report, the man threatened the victim with a knife.

Aggravated battery was reported at Talecris Plasma Resources, 24 E. Green St., around 3 p.m. Monday.

According to the report, the vic-tim was stabbed in the head by the offender.

University A 20-year-old male was arrest-

ed for possession of 5,000 grams of cannabis with intent to deliver

near Fourth and Peabody streets around 5 p.m. Monday

According to the report, the man’s residence was the subject of a search warrant served by Uni-versity police on Feb. 6.

Urbana Theft was reported in the 1100

block of East Colorado Avenue at 8:30 a.m. Monday.

According to the report, an unknown offender stole the vic-tim’s property which was left unat-tended in the common area of an apartment complex.

Aggravated battery was reported at Circle K, 1821 S. Phi-

lo Rd., around 3:30 p.m. Monday.According to the report, victim

claimed to be attacked by offender. The offender has not been located.

A 20-year-old male was arrest-ed on the charges of domestic bat-tery and unlawful restraint in the 700 block of West Elm Street around 11:30 p.m. Sunday.

According to the report, the man and the victim, a female, have been roommates for six months. The man made contact with the victim in a provoking nature and temporarily detained her against her will.

Compiled by Miranda Holloway and Angelica LaVito

BY NANCY BLACKTRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES

Today’s BirthdayYour connections provide the key this year. Your words seem especially inspired. Luck and satisfaction come through communications through July 16, when Jupiter moves into Leo, and family and home take priority. Creative expression ! ows. Autumn ruminations on life, the universe and everything contribute to a new stage with someone close to you. Act for love.To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19)Today is a 7 — Communication and education are central themes as Mercury enters Gemini for the next few weeks. Words ! ow with velocity. Ignore prejudices and complaints (including your own). Obstacles today add chaos. Weed out impractical ideas, and focus on handling a structural problem. Follow the fun.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20)Today is a 7 — Discover new ways to bring in cash over the next few weeks with Mercury in Gemini. Communication with connections facilitates a rise in pro" ts. Maintain objectivity. Hold out for what you think is best. Old tricks don’t work as well as expected... keep practicing.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20)Today is an 8 — For almost three weeks, you’re exceptionally quick and clever with Mercury in your sign. Focus on personal adaptability. You can shift what’s needed for the result you want. Plan your strategy for pro" t and savings, and proceed with

caution. Make sure equipment’s in good repair.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22)Today is a 7 — Get thoughtful over the next few weeks with Mercury in Gemini. Introspective inquiries reveal hidden layers of beauty and complexity. Listen to your angels. Don’t get limited by the past. Try a different tack. Mix traditional wisdom with a fresh perspective. Take charge.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22)Today is an 8 — For the next few weeks with Mercury in Gemini your team is extra hot and negotiations go well. Collaborate, schmooze and share info. Friends are eager to help, but could distract you with diversions. Keep your promises, and stick to the plan.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22)Today is an 8 — Advance your career over the next few weeks with Mercury in Gemini. Evaluate your position. There could be a test. Finish a lingering renovation project. Don’t spend overmuch on expert opinions. Follow regulations and treat authority respectfully. Fix it and move on.

LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22)Today is an 8 — For about two weeks with Mercury in Gemini, expand your in! uence as new opportunities arise. Envision the long-range implications. Explore, travel and satisfy your curiosity without getting extravagant. Friends remind you what’s important. As the initial phase ends, plot your next move.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21)Today is a 7 — Talk over " nancial changes and new circumstances with your family over the next few weeks with Mercury in Gemini. Reassess your assets. Reduce

your personal workload. Financial paperwork makes more sense now. Cut unnecessary frills, and hone your budget to your true priorities. Attitude is everything.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21)Today is a 7 — Keep cutting expenses, especially on entertainment. Your partner teaches you new tricks over the next few weeks with Mercury in Gemini. Use practical building blocks. Let others do the talking, and practice focusing your listening. It seems easier to understand what they want.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19)Today is an 8 — Follow the money trail. You’re better at solving puzzles over the next few weeks, with Mercury in Gemini. Don’t touch your savings. Great discipline is required. At least the work is interesting... work on articulating the perfect words to get your point across.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18)Today is an 8 — Get your chores done early. Keep decreasing your obligations. For about two and a half weeks, it’s easier to " nd the words with Mercury in Gemini. Communications barriers dissolve. Expressing your affection comes naturally. Write a story, make a video, and pitch your latest project.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20)Today is a 7 — Accept or assign responsibility in a difficult situation. Take it slow. Resolve issues creatively. Curtail spending. You " nd it easier to express yourself at home over the next few weeks, with Mercury in Gemini. Communicate with your family, and share the load. Work together.

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website and on social media follow-ing the class presentation. Hopper said the community response has showed her that people do recog-nize that Green Street is a problem and that people want to do some-thing about it.

“It would create a lot more active space for pedestrians, it’s an open space,” Nathan Cox, grad-uate student in FAA, said, “It is appropriate for the college town campus area to have an open

pedestrian mall area because there is already a huge demand of walkers.”

At press time, the petition had 783 supporter signatures.

Some petition signers have voiced their support for the proj-ect online. Tyler Jackson from Champaign said, “I’ve almost been hit by a car numerous times on Green St.”

Another Champaign resident, Lorri Coey said, “I’m a pedestrian and a biker. We give cars all the benefits, none of the hassle. It’s time to make a change.”

Ki said the class’ teaching

assistant is working to connect the team with officials who could help their plan become a reality. Cox said they hope to continue this plan if there is support from the community, but it will be diffi-cult because four of the six project members are graduating in May.

While there has been commu-nity support, Hopper said she knows there would be opposition as well. She said it will take many resources to make this plan a real-ity, one of the major hindrances she foresees.

“It evokes a lot of strong opin-ions, I think, some very positive

but some very negative,” Hopper said. “It is a big investment and I don’t think everyone will be as eas-ily convinced as we are.”

But regardless of how the proj-ect ends up, the team said they are proud of their work and are assured they can make a difference.

“It validates our convictions that a problem area can be turned into an opportunity that will posi-tively affect our neighborhood,” Ki said.

Claire can be reached at hettngr2@dailyillini.com.

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Email:opinions@dailyillini.com

about it,” she said.Though students are current-

ly provided with a free meal, they must eat their meal before or after their shift. Emily said the physical work required of student workers causes fatigue — and skipping a meal because of an added cost is not convenient.

“It’s especially important to note that we aren’t allowed to bring outside food into the din-ing hall ... It’s a risk of cross contamination,” she said. “Even if you wanted to eat during the times that you’re supposed to be eating, you really can’t unless you agree to buy meals from them.”

Carlie, another student work-er, expressed that it is unfair for University Housing to charge for meals considering the amount of food wasted by stu-dents and the dining services.

“Working for dining servic-es, you see how much food they throw away,” she said. “Then they tell you they’re going to charge you for food even though they throw (away) more than half the food actually cooked.”

The change of meal pol-

icy only applies to student employees. Full-time non-stu-dent employees were not giv-en a notice of the change tak-ing place.

“They’re trying to get a cou-ple more bucks off of students,” Emily said. “Just because stu-dents can’t be in a union, they think it’s easier to get a sheet rolled over their opinions.”

Ruby said the change does not have too much of an impact.

“This is still a benefit to receive a meal for $3, a great-ly reduced cost for meals,” she said. “Many students who work with us also live with us and have meal plans anyway, so we hope that they will continue to use the meals that they have as part of living with us.”

Ruby stated that the timing of the letter was purposely done to give students the time to make a decision regarding continuing their employment with Univer-sity Housing. With the timing, the students have the summer to make their decision or find employment elsewhere.

“There’s no time left in the school year to really have any negative side effects,” Emily said.

Jessica can be reached at jramos34@dailyillini.com.

MEALSFROM 1A

GREENFROM 1A

REFORMFROM 1A

The mid-program report also examined the K-20 pipeline, which is a measurement of the rate at which students discontinue their education from kindergarten to age 20. Since the start of the program, Illinois has made improvements at every educational level in the pipeline, but still is ranked behind other states in the nation.

Addit iona l ly, another improvement has been the narrowing of the achievement gap at the high school level.

Rep. Naomi J a k o b s s o n , D -10 3 , a member of the Public Agenda for College and Career Success task force, spoke about the p o t e n t i a l effect that closing the achievement gap could have on the University.

“Illinois is closing that gap between whites and minorities,” Jakobsson said. “When we can close that achievement gap, we’re going to see that we can, at the University of Illinois and other institutions of higher learning, be able to have a more diverse population in our students.”

The representative also mentioned that while the high school achievement gap is closing in the state, it’s narrowing at a lesser rate than the nation’s average. Further, the report showed that in terms of earning a bachelor’s degree, the achievement gap has widened between whites and minority populations during the past five years.

Additionally, the cost of attending a higher education institution relative to the family’s income has risen at a rate higher than almost all other states according to the review.

Rens also expressed that Quinn’s proposal to double MAP grant funding could greatly help to increase college affordability in Illinois.

“People are hopeful that there’s going to be an increase in MAP this year, which would kind of allow that to keep moving forward,” Rens said.

However, the earnings of college graduates have risen in Illinois at a rate higher than

the average for the nation, w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n o f t h o s e g r a d u a t e s t h at hold a s s o c i a t e ’ s degrees.

M u e l l e r also spoke to how the board plans to move forward with the results of the mid-

program review in mind. She commented on locating resources that may help make college more affordable for Illinois students, as well as putting together programmatic resources like advising and academic maps.

“Essentially the focus going forward for us, given the results, is we want to continue to focus on seeing how we can involve more adults in public secondary education efforts and how we can link the student success in college to student success in the workforce, and also still very concerned with how to eliminate the achievement gap,” Mueller said.

Alex can be reached at amswans2@dailyillini.com.

“I think they are doing everything

they can to make the progress that they

set out to do.”SARAH RENS

STUDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

More money required for bike centerFunding will help make campus more bike-friendlyBY EDWARD GATHERCOALSTAFF WRITER

Behind the Natural Resources Building on Pennsylvania Avenue sits the Campus Bike Center, established three years ago. But after losing two of its primary funding sources, the Illinois Student Senate is reaching out to University administration to prioritize the allocation of $50,000 by June 30 to fund “the heart of the bicycle community.”

CBC currently has a budget of $65,000, with the Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign currently providing $13,300. However, James Roedl, director of CBC, said he is hoping the Bike Project will contribute more money to the budget.

A remaining $50,000 is being requested from the University to maintain the center.

In 2011, the University was recognized as a bronze-level bicycle-friendly university by the League of American Bicyclists. This status expires in 2015. If the University wants to increase from its designated level, several bike-related items would need to be addressed, Morgan Johnston, associate director of sustainability, said. She said the CBC must continue to be funded in order for this to be a possibility.

“Next year we will be applying again and we’re hopeful to get a higher designation,” Johnston said. “Instead of bronze, we’d like to be silver. We want to be excellent, we want to go from bronze to silver.”

Student Body President Mitch Dickey commented on the importance of prioritizing funding for CBC, stating that it offers a lot of educational services to students, as it teaches them how to repair and maintain their bikes.

“It is the most important bike issue on cam-pus right now. It’s something that students uti-lize, it’s a center even outside of the use of the facility ... it’s a great opportunity of growth for students,” he said.

Last year, 4,443 people visited the shop and signed in for assistance, Dickey said.

The Student Sustainability Committee was designed to help get CBC started but not serve as a long term funding source, Johnston said.

“When they (SSC) funded it for this cur-rent year, they indicated that they should not be asked again just to maintain the status quo because they are really focused on get-ting things started but they’re not a long term source of funding,” she said.

The third source was from the University’s Facilities and Services discretionary account, which was contributed to “kick-start” the program. These funds, however, are no longer available.

“They’re looking for a way to fund it but this is not something they traditionally do ... normally their focus is maintaining buildings, and we do a lot of educational services,” said

Roedl. “We focus on bikes here.”Johnston mentioned the need to find a source

of recurring funding to help maintain the center.

“What we’re looking for now is for a long-term funding solution,” she said. “That’s the ultimate goal – that it has reoccurring funding but because we haven’t identified a reoccurring funding source the immediate need is money to keep it open the next fiscal year, which starts July 1.”

Roedl said the CBC hopes to garner a foundation account where donors can give money to support the center.

“But the thing is this is really a service to the University, and the funding needs to come from them,” he said. “The University is looking to provide a source for funding. While we’re not funded currently, there are people looking for a solution.”

ISS plans to vote on a resolution calling on the University administration to prioritize the funding for the Campus Bicycle Center at its Wednesday meeting.

Additionally, a meeting will take place on Thursday morning at the Courtyard Cafe regarding this issue. Dickey said they will be meeting with vice chancellor for student affairs Renee Romano, associate chancellor Mike Delorenzo and others. Johnston said representatives from the Illini 4,000, BikeFace, an advocacy group and Students for Environmental Concerns will also be in attendance.

“In order to keep those going we need to keep the Bike Center open. It is an educational center that has experiential learning ... it’s really the core of the bicycling community on campus,” said Johnston. “I think it has a very powerful meaning to the students on campus that are aware of it.”

Johnston also said that the Center focuses on sustainability by promoting using bikes instead of cars for transportation. He added this will allow people, through membership, to make their own bikes, which holds the potential to save a lot of money.

“(CBC)’s a bridge for community on campus,” Dickey said. “And it’s been requested by the biking community that if there’s one that the University is going to fund, that this should be it.”

Edward can be reached at gatherc2@dailyillini.com.

Goals to keep bicycle-friendly University status

Approve Campus Bike Plan: Final edits are underway and will need approval from Facilities and ServicesFunding needs: Use existing staff time

Improve bikeway network: Integrating with street and capital projects and seeking grant fundingFunding needs: Approximately $4 million

Upgrade bike parking: Over 150 parking locations are ladders and donut-holes Funding needs: Approximately $400,000

Adopt Campus Bike Code and bike registration system: Final edits are currently underway and will not approval, costs include tracking citations and handling bike registrationFunding needs: $5,000 to $15,000 per year

Campus Bicycle Coordinator: No funding is currently available to hire a Campus Bicycle Coordinator, and a part-time team of Facilities and Services is currently managing Funding needs: $45,000 per year

Bicycle education maps, materials and classes: Currently offered by the Campus Bike Center and Champaign County BikesFunding needs: $5,000 to $10,000 per year

Campus Bike Center advocacy, education and encouragement: Working in collaboration with Champaign County Bikes and BikeFace, a student advocacy groupFunding needs: $50,000 per year

SOURCE: MORGAN JOHNSTON, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY

ANNA HECHT THE DAILY ILLINIA bicyclist waits at the corner of Green and Wright. Part of the plans to raise the University’s bicycle friendly designation to silver is to integrate more bike lanes with street layouts.

OPINIONS4AWEDNESDAY

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS | opinions@dailyillini.com with the subject “Letter to the Editor.” The Daily Illini reserves the right to edit for length, libel, grammar and spelling errors, and Daily Illini style or to reject any contri-butions. Letters must be limited to 300 words. Contributions must be typed and include the author’s name, address and phone number. University students must include their year in school and college.

THE DAILY ILLINI

As important as it is for us to appreciate the written word, we also can’t forget

to utilize and practice it. After high school, it seems that many of us, including myself for a while, forgot the importance of writing.

Up until high school, most of us were forced to take English classes, and those usually involved some-thing many people hate — writing. For the most part, I’ve been the out-lier in this population of people as I have enjoyed engaging in writing both in and out of school.

But when I came to college, I let my skills slip up until junior year, because writing had not been a major part of my personal academ-ic career. I got lazy about my writ-ing skills after I realized I only needed to take one English course to fulfill an advanced composition requirement.

This year, however, I realized something was missing — the abil-ity to express my creativity. I knew my advanced composition class, although challenging, wasn’t enough to fill the void of creativ-ity and freedom that was missing in my writing. Although coursework in every major and minor offered here are both difficult and time-consum-

ing in their own way, they don’t all offer the challenge of writing, and if they do, the writing is often through a very structured path.

I’m not saying academic writing should be discouraged, but rather, different forms of writing — opin-ion pieces, short stories, poetry, or even journaling — provide rewards you wouldn’t receive from writing technical papers alone.

Academic writing is a great way to practice explaining your ideas in a concise fashion and helps devel-op technical writing skills you might need for a future career in a field where you’ll have to constant-ly report your findings in written form.

Creative writing can help you develop a stronger, more elabora-tive vocabulary, let off steam, or just allow you to express yourself in a unique manner.

Whether it’s for a creative writ-ing class outside of your curriculum requirements or for a newspaper or magazine, everybody should write.

It doesn’t matter if your writing is published or not.

There are benefits to writing something that is meaningful to you, and there are also benefits in knowing that your writing could be met with the scrutiny of the public.

In my case, writing weekly col-umns for The Daily Illini with the looming threat of the public eye has been more beneficial to me rather than being a limitation. This is not necessarily because I am overt-

ly concerned with how my opin-ions and writing will be judged, but more because it makes me acute-ly aware of the fact that I have a voice, and it will be heard. This realization has driven me to write some very passionate pieces in hopes of impacting at least one indi-vidual and maybe sparking some discussion.

When you write something and know people are going to see it, you might develop a couple of fans, and you might attract some hat-ers as well. This shouldn’t hinder you from going ahead and sharing your work. In fact, it should provide motivation.

Positive comments on a piece are of course a self-esteem boost, but negative comments are where true colors show, and, in my opinion, matter more. Receiving a negative comment on a piece you published shows that people aren’t just hear-ing your voice, but also listening to it and acknowledging it as well. Even if everybody doesn’t agree with your views, you are still pro-moting productive dialogue about an issue, and to know your writ-ing has influenced someone in some way is gratifying, to say the least.

Although I think everybody should have a goal of publishing at least one piece of writing, there are still plenty of benefits that aren’t overshadowed when you just write for yourself.

Even if your writing isn’t going to be critiqued or praised by the

public, the act of writing is no less important.

As mentioned before, one of the benefits of journaling or writ-ing creatively can be a cathartic release from negative emotions rather than allowing them to build up. Sometimes, talking to somebody or just trying to let your bad mood pass isn’t effective, and writing about it can be helpful.

You don’t need somebody to tell you that your writing is great. If you write a creative writing piece or develop a strong argument for something you believe in but decide to keep to yourself, it is still a rewarding experience to have com-pleted something that is meaning-ful to you. The reward of writing can be as simple as taking pride in a piece of work that you put time and thought into.

Either way you decide to do it, writing is a unique way to push yourself. It allows you to think with a new perspective and create a logi-cal argument you wouldn’t have ever come to if you hadn’t put in the time to think about it.

Regardless of whether or not any-one will see your work, the value of the writing experience comes from challenging yourself to develop a meaningful piece of work beyond academia.

Sehar is a junior in LAS. She can be reached at shsiddi2@dailyillini.com. Follow her on Twitter @Nimatod.

EDITORIALGreen Street

should be converted to car-free promenade

Creative writing provides several subtle benefits

EDITORIAL CARTOON PAT BAGLEY SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

As final exams roll around, the amount of coffee cups stacked in trash cans and

laid out across desks increase. Often through films and the

media, consumers are exposed to coffee advertisements, which usually include important professionals drinking a certain brand’s coffee or assistant editors going on coffee runs for their bosses. Our culture has popularized coffee to the extent that holding a cup of Starbucks or Espresso Royale almost automatically makes one seem busy — because the whole reason for drinking coffee is usually that you are a busy person who needs to stay up and finish important tasks.

Students on campus have bought into this notion that coffee is an energy reserve and, thus, indulge in coffee.

This caffeinated beverage seems to be an essential component to the functioning of our daily lives. Most

college students thrive on coffee as their essential source of fuel. In fact, more than half of the people in the United States over the age of 18 drink coffee everyday.

Even as I am typing this very sentence, I am drinking a cup of coffee.

However, this habitual process of drinking cups of coffee in the morning to keep us awake in class or consuming them at night to keep us alert enough to finish our work can be replaced by healthier habits.

But the fact of the matter is that coffee culture is engraved into our society. For students, coffee drinking is an easy way to keep themselves engaged in work, such as writing essays or studying for final exams. Moreover, our University makes coffee convenient.

Coffee has become so popular among people on campus that a new Starbucks was built in the Illini Union Bookstore, despite there being a Starbucks merely a few minutes away from that same bookstore. Not to mention, most of the snack shops, such as 57 North in the Ikenberry Commons, have coffee readily available. There are even specific locations that serve as miniature coffee shops such as

The Caffeinator and Busey Beanery, which are located in campus buildings.

This convenience leads us to think, “If it’s there, might as well drink it.” And at places such as 57 North, you don’t even need real money to buy coffee, but, rather, you can obtain it through University dining credits.

Drinking coffee also boosts our mental morale. By sipping the warm drink, we are able to feel mentally stimulated, as the caffeine in the drink reacts with our brains to make them more alert. Coffee is an easy way to get an energy boost, especially during the night when you don’t feel like drinking a cold energy drink but would rather have a warm cup of black or flavored coffee.

However, this coffee culture has harmful short-term and long-term effects. One problem with coffee is that it causes a crash a few hours after drinking it.

In other words, though you may feel alert and productive for the first few hours after drinking coffee, later, your adrenal glands burn out and stop producing the adrenaline that initially gave you that coffee high. And soon you feel

exhausted. Thus, coffee isn’t a good solution

for all-nighters or for writing final papers that will take a while. Its effects are only short term.

Instead of relying so heavily on coffee, there are many alternatives that can give us similar energy boosts that will last longer. For one, getting enough sleep allows us to focus attentively during classes and during the day when we’re trying to complete school work.

Moreover, aerobic exercise such as yoga also allows us to focus more. Finally, coffee substitutes such as natural herbal teas provide us with energy but do not cause a crash.

As a student, I understand what it’s like to feel as though you’re going to fail in the face of assignments and exams.

But by giving this one caffeinated drink power, we succumb to coffee culture and fall victim to crashes. By choosing alternatives methods of obtaining energy, we’re better off in the end.

Now excuse me while I throw out this coffee and replace it with tea.

Simran is a freshman in Media. She can be reached at devidas2@dailyillini.com.

SIMRAN DEVIDASANI

Opinions columnist

Coffee culture creates a dangerous dependence

A proposal for a new version of campus’ busiest street has been circulating around social

media sites lately, and it could permanently alter the iconic boulevard that many people have known and appreciated during their stay here at the University.

The project is called Car(e)free, and their vision is to turn Green Street into a bike- and pedestrian-only promenade between Wright and Fourth Street. The promenade would include outdoor seating, a game area and community events like a farmer’s market.

This idea would greatly benefit the campus community because it would create a thriving communal area that would be advantageous for college students and the campus community.

The proposal points to traffic congestion and confusing traffic patterns found on Green Street and lack of bike lanes as reasons for updating the University’s iconic business center.

By turning Green Street into a pedestrian and bike promenade that is free of cars, this area of campus could become safer for the individuals that use it on a daily basis.

Putting in bike paths makes this proposal very appealing because there are many students that use bikes as a means of transportation. Being able to ride bikes through Green Street without the dangers of traffic would greatly increase biker safety.

Traffic would have to be rerouted onto Healey and John streets — which would aid in decreasing the traffic congestion. And with the numerous new construction sites currently up and down Green Street, making the street a pedestrian walk-way would assist in making more room for individuals walking through the street.

Aside from the logistical aspect of this proposal, the project is also very visually appealing and could lead to a more vibrant and flourishing business center that is more attractive to residents and visitors, particularly through the addition of seating and activities that it says it would provide.

As noted by the project coordinators, there is research to suggest that many pedestrian malls fail, however, Green Street fits the specified criteria of a successful promenade because the area promotes high levels of foot traffic.

There are other campuses across the country with pedestrian malls, Pearl St. in Boulder, Colo. and State St. in Madison, Wis., that demonstrate how successful a pedestrian- and biker-only mall can be.

Ultimately, we think that the street would turn into a hub of activity for visitors and could attract more students to the University. Green Street is already a campus hot spot, and by making it more aesthetically pleasing, as well as making it more conducive to the tremendous amounts of pedestrians and bikers, we think we have a promising idea at hand.

SEHAR SIDDIQUI

Opinions columnist

THE DAILY ILLINI | WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM Wednesday, May 7, 2014 5A

EDUMACATION JOHNIVAN DARBY

BEARDO DAN DOUGHERTY

DOONESBURY GARRY TRUDEAU

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16

17 18 19

20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31 32 33

34 35 36 37

38 39 40 41 42 43

44 45 46 47

48 49 50 51 52 53 54

55 56 57 58

59 60 61 62 63

64 65 66 67

68 69 70

71 72 73

DOWN 1 Places where people

hustle? 2 On the job 3 Rock’s ___ Brothers 4 Steamed 5 Sierra Club founder 6 Mentalist Geller 7 Mid 12th-century year 8 Singer Smith of punk

music 9 Day care break10 Environmental transi-

tion area11 Drenched gangsters

who are out of the woods?

12 The so-called “potted physician”

13 Box-office receipts18 24 horas22 Cabinet-level dept.

since 188925 Pachacuti’s people27 Drink that may feature

“foam art”30 Blue wear32 Yalta Conference

monogram33 Memo-heading initials35 Letters in a children’s

refrain36 Ostrich cousins38 Aromatherapy spot39 Liechtenstein’s locale:

Abbr.40 Military laundry that’s

out of harm’s way?42 Challenger’s an-

nouncement at a pickup game

45 Have a talk with47 Purposely overlook, as

a fault49 Wee hour52 NBC anchor Holt53 Actress Dash of “Clue-

less”54 Inhaler user’s malady56 Atlantic fish58 Documentarian Burns

who’s the brother of Ken

59 Office-inappropriate, in web shorthand

60 Suitable for induction62 Hamlet, e.g.65 “___ Beso”67 Manhattan ingredient

The crossword solution is in the Classified section.

ACROSS 1 Miami’s county, familiarly 5 Stalled driver’s request 9 Inexperienced with14 Words after pour or pass15 Beast in the documentary

“Blackfish”16 Amtrak bullet train17 Weapon part that’s out of

this world?19 Chaim who created Asher Lev20 Kurt of Nirvana21 Spanish diminutive suffix23 Pronoun in a wedding state-

ment24 Paper tiger, maybe26 One-room home28 ___-Ball29 Sturm ___ Drang31 Skedaddled34 Wintertime airport supply37 Victoria’s Secret garment38 Swell place?41 Attack on a Mideast land

that’s out of thin air?43 ___ Lanka44 Boxer’s prize46 Protracted battles48 Lady Schick target50 “A revolution is not a dinner

party” writer51 Jewelry designer Peretti55 Cries of pain57 Some lines on a GPS screen59 “And ___ word from our spon-

sor”61 Anxious condition, for short63 Bites playfully64 Plumber’s unclogger66 Fisherman’s feat that’s out of

character?68 Happy gatherings69 Cameo stone70 Give the appearance of71 “Whoopee!”72 Insect repellent ingredient73 “___ Little Tenderness”

NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD

BY ABBY GLICKMANSTAFF WRITER

For five years, Alpha Xi Delta sorority has occupied the house at 1004 S. Second St. next to Frat Park. Next year, they will be liv-ing in a new home, formerly the home of Phi Kappa Sigma, on Fourth and Chalmers streets. And the fraternity that usually occupies Alpha Xi Delta’s cur-rent house, Phi Sigma Kappa, will be moving back in.

Alpha Xi Delta is not the only Greek house moving to a new home next year. Beta Theta Pi, Phi Sigma Sigma and Phi Gam-ma Delta, or FIJI, will be moving as well, in addition to Phi Sigma Kappa.

Members are excited to move into the new house. According to Lauren Loverde, president of Alpha Xi Delta and sopho-more in LAS, the house is being completely renovated — includ-ing new bathrooms, flooring, a kitchen and a replaced ceiling — and they are getting mostly new furniture. The new house will also include a study room in the basement and multiple TV rooms.

“It’s a really fun and great space,” she said. “We are excit-ed to move in. Our whole chapter can’t wait to see the new house finished.”

Loverde is also looking for-ward to the new location, because it is closer to campus and has a big front yard to lay out, study and hang out outside, she said. Loverde lived in the house this year and plans to live in the new house first semester of next year.

Sam Voris, junior in Business and member of Alpha Xi Delta, said she thinks the new house will help the sorority build a bet-ter foundation.

“I think it’s just a way to estab-lish ourselves more,” she said in an email. “It also has sparked a lot of talk on campus and any talk can be used as an advantage during rec=uitment.”

Voris lived in the house last year as a sophomore, and she said she liked that the house decreased the distance between her and her sisters from late night cereal to mattress sliding.

“I loved that everyone in our pledge class became really good friends. Before, we were still pretty distant,” she said. “The house brought us together.”

Voris said she will always prefer the old house, but thinks the new house is an important opportunity.

“(The old house) is where I lived in and where all my mem-ories are at,” she said. “Howev-er I am so excited that I am only a junior and get to see the new house and how we make it our own and make new memories.”

Despite the sentimental value that the old house holds, Voris is looking forward to the chapter moving into the new house.

“Everything worked out how it should have,” she said.

Katie McCarthy, freshman in Division of General Studies and member of Alpha Xi Del-ta, moved into the current house this semester and said she plans to live in the new house next year. She said she likes their

current house because there is a very open feeling.

However, McCarthy is also looking forward to the move. She said she walks past the house every day and gets excited when she sees people working on it.

“It’s scary because I haven’t seen it,” she said. “But I’m excit-ed because the floor plan is real-ly open, which will be good for rush and activities.”

She said she is also happy that there is a large basement. She is hoping that the transition goes smoothly.

McCarthy, like Loverde, has the opportunity to compare the two houses, because she will have lived in both. She said she is excited to compare the two hous-es and live with her own pledge class next year.

One thing that members of Alpha Xi Delta agree that they will miss is being on Frat Park.

“Living on Frat Park is a fun part about living in our house,” Loverde said.

Voris will miss the outdoor activities on Frat Park, includ-ing playing kickball and lying outside.

Above all, Loverde said she is excited for her sisters to enjoy the new house and all the reno-vations that have been put into it for a whole year.

“I can’t wait to see the reac-tions of the chapter members and for everyone to see the final product,” she said. “It keeps get-ting better and better.”

Abby can be reached at glickmn2@dailyillini.com.

Alpha Xi Delta sorority prepares for new house

LOS ANGELES TIMESLOS ANGELES — California’s

latest political darling comes in a clear plastic bottle with a green top and tastes good on eggs.

Sriracha hot sauce has won the eager endorsement of politicians from both sides of the aisle in recent weeks as the manufactur-er has talked about leaving Irwin-dale amid a regulatory battle over whether the plant sends a spicy smell into nearby neighborhoods.

Council members, state sena-tors, a mayor or two, and even members of Congress have weighed in support of Sriracha in an unlikely piece of political theater over jobs and government interference.

Relocating the Sriracha facto-ry, which relies on long relation-ships with local suppliers, would be expensive and time-consum-ing, and it’s unclear how serious-ly Chief Executive David Tran is considering a move.

But Tran has invited poten-tial suitors to tour the factory in Irwindale. The idea of poach-ing the hot sauce has inflamed politicians’ imaginations across the country, especially in Texas, where officials are crowing over the news that Toyota will move its Torrance headquarters — and

thousands of jobs — to Plano, outside Dallas. Later this month, Texas state Rep. Jason Villalba, a Republican, will lead a delegation from Texas to visit the Sriracha plant and make their case.

Residents of the tiny industrial city of Irwindale say the Sriracha hot sauce factory emits odors that cause asthma, coughing, choking and other health problems. City officials have sued and won a pre-liminary, partial injunction. The City Council is considering fur-ther action.

City officials don’t buy the idea of Sriracha as a political symbol of excessive government regulation. To them, it’s a public health issue.

“There are children and peo-ple that suffer from asthma,” City Attorney Fred Galante said. “Does their voice not matter?”

The Los Angeles County GOP, Rep. Tony Cardenas, D-Los Ange-les, and state Sen. Ed Hernandez, D-West Covina, are some of the latest to jump on the Sriracha bandwagon. Hernandez called the sauce maker one of the “shin-ing stars” of the San Gabriel Val-ley’s business community. Carde-nas toured the plant last week and spoke with company representa-tives about tax incentives to keep the business in the state.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Neel Kashkari name-checked Sriracha on a recent tour of a charter school in Los Angeles.

On Kashkari’s campaign web-site, a page thanks visitors for “standing with Sriracha.” Beneath the Facebook and Twitter share links, a button urges hot sauce fans: “Chip in $7.”

Tran’s narrative is irresistibly populist. An immigrant and ref-ugee who followed an American dream from Vietnam to a small business in Chinatown, Tran has created an international sauce empire that rakes in more than $60 million in annual revenue. Then he ran into trouble with government regulation — namely, public nuisance laws in Irwindale.

Voter records show that Tran was registered as a Republican in 1998, 2000 and 2002, but he said Friday that neither he nor his company have ever had any political affiliation. He added that he couldn’t recall the last time he voted because it was so long ago.

The city, meanwhile, says they’ve received more than enough complaints to justify their actions against the compa-ny, and an environmental consul-tant hired by the city corroborated residents’ concerns.

Sriracha concern becomes the new, hot political topic

DAILY ILLNI FILE PHOTOThe new sorority on campus, Phi Sigma Sigma, will be moving into the FIJI house in Fall 2014.

and Greeks, and she would tell stories about how everybody got along really well, there wasn’t really tension or any fighting ... it was the politics and the gov-ernment who were really mess-ing up things.”

Esma and her family migrated to Sakarya, Turkey, where they ran an olive business to support themselves. Economic hardship after migrating was common because not all belongings could be taken with them, Ozkan said.

The migration didn’t happen in a single day. Political tensions

had been brewing and the people knew they would have to leave, but they kept a separate identity, Ozkan said, although that identi-ty has been withering away with each generation.

Like Eleni, Esma and her fam-ily also had trouble assimilating and were not welcomed. Even though they spoke Turkish, a difference in customs made them look suspicious. She never returned home but also never expressed the desire to.

“She was still sharp,” Ozkan said. “If somebody told her there were people from this town in Greece from Vodena where she was from, she would insist to go and find them. She was still very

committed to her birthplace and she just kept talking about it until she died.”

Esma lived to be more than 100 years old despite facing so many challenges in life, includ-ing losing her husband in the war.

“It is quite a lot to deal with, but she never complained,” Ozkan said. “She just thought, ‘This is life,’ and you do the best you can do under the circum-stances and you just move for-ward, stay positive, and I think that was one of the reasons why she lived such a long life.”

Brittney can be reached at banadle2@dailyillini.com.

ESMAFROM 6A

Partition of IndiaAs the British left India, the

question of whom to transfer power to was imminent. South Asian Muslims worried that if power transferred to the Congress party, there would be a Hindu majoritarian rule, leaving Muslims no say in politics.

“Around 1946, I think the British decided enough is enough,” said Tariq Ali, assistant history professor. “They wanted to cut their losses and run, which meant they needed a quick solution.”

The quickest solution was partition: dividing the country into one Muslim state and one Hindu state.

“This was a solution that no one really liked,” Ali said. “But it’s the solution the British were willing to give.”

Ali said hardly anyone foresaw the enormous violence that would ensue after 20 million people were forced to move. An English lawyer then drew abstract lines on a map and India and Pakistan were born. When Pakistan gained independence in 1957, the new borders had still not been announced. People celebrated without knowing what country they were in, Ali said.

“What happens is we have Hindus and sick militias and Muslim militias going on killing rampages against the other religion,” Ali said. “The death toll was horrific.”

A large number of people in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have family across borders today and still have memories of the homes they left behind, Ali said.

Nishant Makhijani, senior in Engineering, remembers his grandparents sharing stories from when they were forced to leave Pakistan during the partition.

Once they heard the news, they packed up their belongings and precious metals, mostly gold jewelry, and left.

When they arrived in India, they stayed in refugee camps until his grandfather’s brother found a job as a police inspector in a small town five hours outside of Mumbai.

“They didn’t know that they were leaving Pakistan for good,” Makhijani said. “They didn’t know that they were never going to see their houses again.”

6A | WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 2014 | WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM

LIFE CULTURE

Swapping lettersGreek houses across campus prepare to switch locations for the fall semes-ter. Turn to Page 5A to learn more about the changing houses and Alpha Xi Delta’s plans.

THEDAILYILLINI

H er name was Eleni, and she was just a toddler when she and her siblings fled Turkey bare-foot with every-

thing they could carry during the forced migration of the ear-ly 1920s.

With her brother at her side, disguised as a girl so the Turks wouldn’t take him, they set off toward boats that were sent to help evacuate her coastline town, Smyrna, and headed to their new life in Greece.

“My grandfather — her hus-band — was also from there, and he was about 11 when this was happening,” said Hellen McDon-ald, clinical assistant professor in Social Work. “Her mother dressed him up as a monk so the Turks would not keep him.”

They arrived at Pirea, the main port of Greece and began their new life in a country that saw them as dirty and not Greek. Returning home, where they were also viewed as outsid-ers, wasn’t an option.

She married at 16 and moved to a makeshift home that the community built for all of the migrants.

“The community built these huge apartment complexes for them and that’s where a lot of the refugees — they don’t like to be called refugees — a lot of the individuals that came from Smyrna settled in,” McDonald said.

She lived in a town called Peri-steri until her death in 1999. In English, Peristeri means dove, the symbol for peace.

***The Greek-Turkish exchange,

German-Polish exchange, Parti-tion of India and Cyprus Crisis are all events of forced migra-tion in the 20th century, when millions of people were forced to leave their homelands, largely never returning.

The documentary “Twice a Stranger” combines video tes-timonies, rare film archives and photos from survivors to bring their stories to light. The film will be shown by Modern Greek Studies at 6 p.m. on May 8 in the Lucy Ellis Lounge of the Foreign Language Building.

Dr. Stefanos Katsikas, direc-tor of Modern Greek Studies, will begin the screening with a short introduction to provide background on the historical events being highlighted.

“Twice a Stranger” premiered at an exhibition in the Benaki Museum in Athens and was highly successful, Katsikas said. He had to receive permission from the museum to show the documentary, making this the first time it will be screened in the Midwest.

A conflict between Greece and the Ottoman Empire in 1919 led to a war over control of the region around Smyrna. The Greek army was granted a mandate after World War I to exercise control of the region for five years followed by a referen-dum which would determine the future status of the area, Katsi-kas said.

Greek authorities took advan-tage of a strong presence of eth-nic Greeks in the area. The out-come of the referendum would be in Greece’s favor and the region would become Greek ter-ritory. This was not seen favor-

ably by Turks who wanted this region to be part of the Ottoman Empire or any succeeding Turk-ish nation state.

Greece lost the war, and its troops withdrew, which sparked a negotiation between the two sides over the territorial sta-tus of Greece and Turkey, end-ing the signing of the Lausanne Peace Treaty. Part of this trea-ty was a protocol which provid-ed for the compulsory exchange of populations so that all Mus-lims living in Greece moved to Turkey and all Greek-Orthodox people in Turkey would head to Greece. It was believed that a population exchange would guarantee peace and security between the two states.

A conflict between Greece and the Ottoman Empire in 1919 led to a war over occupying territo-ry in Turkey. While Greece was granted a mandate after World War I to occupy the region, Greek authorities in Smyrna were working on a five-year ref-erendum that would determine the fate of the same area.

Greece lost the war and its troops were forced to leave, which sparked a negotiation: the two states would exchange pop-ulations so that all Muslims liv-ing in Greece moved to Turkey and all Greek-Orthodox people in Turkey would head to Greece.

“In order to be a Greek, you need to speak a Greek language and be Greek-Orthodox. In Tur-key, the established view was to be a Turk, you had to speak Turkish but also be a Muslim,” Katsikas said. “This resulted in one of the biggest humani-tarian crises in the beginning of the 20th century – 1.5 mil-lion Greek-Orthodox and half a million Muslims leaving their homelands.”

Katsikas said one of the prob-lems with this was many Mus-lims couldn’t speak Turkish and many of the Greek-Orthodox couldn’t speak Greek, causing them to be viewed as outcasts.

Today, McDonald’s extend-ed family still lives in the sub-urbs of Athens. Eleni and her husband were able to move out after buying land and building a new home.

“My grandfather was able to put aside money - he did all sorts of jobs that weren’t originally accepted. They were considered dirty and like not real Greeks,” McDonald said. “They really struggled with assimilating, but through the years, I think they proved them wrong.”

McDonald remembers her grandmother as quiet and not very talkative, but she was strong in her values.

“Now that I’m in social work, I have a better understanding of why,” she said. “It might have been too traumatic to talk about it.”

On the other side of the con-flict stood Esma, a Greek woman who was forced to flee Greece with her five children. The hard-ships they encountered took the life of one of her twins. Seb-nem Ozkan, outreach coordina-tor at the European Union Cen-ter, said her great-grandmother remembered packing all of their belongings and taking the trip to Turkey.

“She always remembered Greece as a nice place,” Ozkan said. “She always talked about her neighbors there, both Turks

Germany-Polish migrationDuring World War II,

Germany had the intention of wiping Poland off the map, said history professor Peter Fritzsche.

What was left of Poland was turned into a military region occupied by Germany. Germany pursued three policies: to move in German settlers, to get rid of all the Jews and to move Polish people out.

“There was an ethnic cleansing,” Fritzsche said. “There would not be any German communities left in Eastern Europe, and so whoever didn’t flee in 1945 was basically kicked out in 1945 to 1947.”

Roughly one third of Germans were on the road without a home, but resentment and bitterness remained moderate, Fritzsche said.

“People made new lives,” he said. “Most Germans realized they started World War II, and they didn’t necessarily say they deserved their fate, but they understood their fate.”

While there were some groups that wished to return home, it was not possible, and as more generations were born, that desire vanished. Today, Europe is more homogenous than it was 100 years ago, Fritzsche said.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF SEBNEM OZKANTop: Esma — great grandmother of Sebnem Ozkan, outreach coordinator at the European Union Center — was a Greek woman who was forced to flee Greece with her five children.Middle: Esma stands with two of her children after she migrated to Turkey.Bottom: Esma settled in this house after she migrated to Adapazari, Turkey.

Breaking barriersDocumentary “Twice a

Stranger” allows survivors to share their stories

SEE ESMA | 5A

BY BRITTNEY NADLERSTAFF WRITER

BY NICHOLAS FORTINSTAFF WRITER

Fifteen pitches.Fifteen pitches were all it

took for Rob McDonnell to strike out the side in the second inning against Indiana State on March 18.

Those 15 pitches translated to a feeling of relief for the lefty, who walked off the mound at Illinois Field after getting all three Sycamore batters he faced to go down swinging. His arm was back to 100 percent and for the fi rst time in a long time McDonnell wasn’t concerned about being on the mound.

“I’m not worried about my arm anymore,” McDonnell says now, about two months later, while standing near the fi eld before practice in the same white uniform he had worn against Indiana State. “It feels great so I’m happy.”

Against Indiana State, McDonnell went on to throw another three innings, tallying six strikeouts — a career high — and picked up his fi rst win as an Illini.

“To be able to strikeout the side was defi nitely a real big confi dence b o o s t e r , ” M c D o n n e l l said.

McDonnel l grew up with three older brothers in B a r r i n g t o n , I l l . , a n d r e m e m b e r s always being the smallest when the boys played baseball in the backyard.

When he was 9, McDonnell got his fi rst chance on the mound in little league and has pitched ever since. McDonnell kept growing and reached 6-foot-2, a height that now makes him

the biggest brother.McDonnell kept playing

baseball into high school.His sophomore year,

McDonnell began to focus solely on baseball. He started to see a future in the game for himself.

McDonnell considers his junior year to be his breakout year. The lefty went 9-3 with a 2.10 ERA and 99 strikeouts in 71 innings.

Then it happened. Halfway through his senior year, he began feeling pain in his throwing arm.

“It felt like someone was (kind of) stretching out my arm, stretching out my muscles, kind of like a tearing feeling, a burning sensation” McDonnell said. “It would feel like that for three hours after I threw.”

McDonnell felt pain on the mound and it would linger long after he walked off the fi eld. So he took action and got an MRI.

The MRI showed a tear in his ligament and after consulting several doctors, McDonnell went ahead and had Tommy John Surgery.

I n Ju ly o f 2 0 10 , M c D o n n e l l had surgery a t C a r l e F o u n d a t i o n Hospital in Urbana. He was nervous beforeh a nd , worrying about what could go wrong. But a f ter the surgery, he was his

normal, goofy self.“After the surgery I woke up

and my mom was right there,” McDonnell said. “The nurse was wrapping my arm and she goes, ‘Is it too tight?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, because my guns are too

big.’ And the nurse looked at me and my mom like, ‘Yeah, he’s fi ne.’”

McDonnell was put on a rehab schedule and was a medical redshirt his freshman year at Illinois in 2011.

Initially, McDonnell could only participate in the team’s conditioning workouts. Soon he was lifting with the team and not long after that he began working on baseball-specifi c workouts with the Illini trainer.

The fi rst step in McDonnell’s recovery was working with resistance bands.

“We use a band to simulate the throwing motion and get the muscles back to work,” McDonnell said.

Next came playing catch with a tennis ball, which McDonnell was doing by January of that year. The fi nal major jump in his rehab was successfully swapping the tennis ball for a baseball.

At fi rst it was just a few throws back and forth. Those few tosses turned to catch and by the end of the season

McDonnell was pitching in the bullpen.

In his redshirt freshman season McDonnell seemed poised to come out and play well for Illinois. Instead, injury struck again.

After only two appearances and 11 1/3 innings, he was shut down for the season with forearm tightness again.

McDonnell was forced to watch from the sideline once more.

He came back in his sophomore season and made a start at Busch Stadium against Missouri before pulling himself out of the game with forearm soreness yet again.

The injury wasn’t as bad as it had been his freshman year. McDonnell was back on the hill two weeks later; in a game against Michigan State. McDonnell came down on his shoulder hard after jumping to try to catch a ball and tag a runner. His shoulder was bruised and he was forced to

BY NICHOLAS FORTINSTAFF WRITER

It’s 3:00 p.m. on a bleak, grey Thursday, and Casey Fletcher is in the batting cage at Illinois Field.

Light rain falls as the 5-foot-11, 170-pound left-handed hitter, stands in the black netting of the cage hitting balls tossed to him by a teammate.

Each ball comes off the skinny-handled aluminum bat with the same familiar ping sound as Fletcher swings again and again.

Pitcher John Kravetz warms up in the bullpen to the right of the cage as Fletcher hits.

A day earlier, the Illini’s junior right fielder hit three home runs in a 10-1 rout of Southern Illinois. But he has already pushed yesterday’s performance from his mind. He’s in the cage 30 minutes before practice, hitting ball after ball.

His three-homer performance has grabbed the attention of the local media. Their voices create a low murmur as Fletcher continues to swing. Fletcher stops hitting and steps out of the cage to answer their questions. After discussing the upcoming series with Michigan State and his recent power surge, Fletcher asks if he has time to get some more swings in before appearing on the local ESPN radio show. He has 15 minutes,

so Fletcher walks back to the cage and begins his hitting regimen once again.

That’s how it goes for the hardworking, soft-spoken Fletcher. He never stops working because, as he said after Sunday’s game, he feels a constant desire to get better.

“There’s always room to improve,” Fletcher said. “Just when you think that you have it figured out, you don’t have it figured out. You always have to keep working. You have to keep striving to get better every day.”

Fletcher’s hard work in the cage paid off this week as Fletcher had four games for the Illinois history books.

It’s hard to overlook how impressive Fletcher’s week was. Fletcher finished the week

with five home runs, 10 RBIs, two walk-off singles and he helped the Illini win all four games. Not to mention he went 8-for-17, took home the Big Ten Player of the Week honor and was one of the Louisville Slugger National Players of the Week.

“I’ve just been putting good swings on the ball,” Fletcher said. “And good things have happened. I don’t really even know what to say.

“I’m hitting it, and it’s going where they’re not at.”

Such as: over the outfield fence.

Although Fletcher might be oversimplifying things, his assessment of the offensive explosion is accurate. He’s been hitting the ball where defenders can’t get it.

His offensive surge started Wednesday at home against Southern Illinois. Fletcher belted three home runs all to the same part of right field after hitting a soft ground out in his first at bat.

Fletcher’s success continued over into the weekend, where he started slow on Friday with an 0-for-3 first game but bounced back on Saturday and Sunday tallying another two home runs in the second game of the series and game-winning walk off singles in both.

SPORTS1BWEDNESDAY

Honorable Mentions:

Charlie Danielson (men’s golf): Illinois men’s golfer Charlie Danielson tied for fi rst at the Big Ten Championship on Sunday in French Lick, Ind. Danielson also won the Lee Bolstad award for lowest stroke average in the Big Ten this season.

Brandi Needham (softball): Named both the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week and Big Ten Freshman of the Week. Threw fi ve-hit shutout in Friday’s 5-0 win over Penn St. and allowed four hits and one run in Sunday’s 6-1 win.

CASEY FLETCHERLeft-handed hitter raises the bar with 5 home runs leading to 4 victories

in 5 daysFor more

sports stories and our exclusive video interview

with Casey Fletcher, visit »

» » » » » » »

» » » » » »

ILLINIWEEK

OF THE

Booker relishing every last minute on the diamondBY MICHAL DWOJAKASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

It was unseasonably cold and cloudy for the fi rst day of May as the Illinois softball team’s bus traveled north on Interstate 57 to O’Hare International Airport. The team was travelling to University Park, Pa., to play Penn State in a three-game weekend series.

Although she has been well traveled during her time at Illi-nois, this trip to Nittany Lion Softball Park was one senior Alex Booker had never taken before. It was the fi rst time the Illini had played at Penn State during Booker’s four years.

It was the last regular sea-son Big Ten series of her col-legiate career. At that moment, it hadn’t hit her yet.

As the bus moved through the barren cornfi elds of central Illinois, she passed the time by working on an end-of-career project for her mother, but her mind was set on getting the wins the team needed before the Big Ten tournament. May-be in the future she will think about it being the last time she played. But as the landscape fl ew by the window, she was just grateful for the opportu-nity to play the sport that she loves.

***By kindergarten, Booker

had already played every sport from ballet to ice-skating. She and her brother were always active and busy as kids.

One of the sports she played was baseball. She played in an all-boy’s baseball league with her brother.

Although Booker rarely hit the ball, she reveled in the ath-leticism the sport demanded. She remembers one hit in par-ticular when she fl ew around the bases for a triple. Book-er thought it was fun to play with the boys. She was proud of being one of two girls in a league of boys. She remem-bered playing with her neigh-bor, Scott Heelan, who is now the catcher for the Northwest-ern baseball team. The grind of baseball was something that she was able to deal with, just like one of the boys.

Then in fi fth grade, much to Booker’s dismay, her mother told her she had to switch to softball.

Booker didn’t want to play with the girls. The way they pitched, it seemed the ball nearly reached the ceiling, and when it came down, they couldn’t hit it hard. It was a decision that was met with tears and arguing, hoping to change her mother’s decision.

“She hated the fi rst year or two because she thought the girls couldn’t throw, run or catch,” recalls Terri Booker. “It took her two years until she turned around, and she fell in love with the sport.”

When she did turn around, it was for good. Although at that time, she didn’t realize the sig-nifi cance of practice compared with the signifi cance of a game. She couldn’t tell the difference between what a travel team or a recreational team was. It was one of three or four sports she played at that age. It was just another way for her to get out there and stay active.

Now, she cherishes mem-ories and the friendships made at the time because of the sport. Memories include the traditional walk over to the park to play softball and the trip to the nearby Culvers

afterward for postgame treats. Others include fi ghting to be on the “B” team, rather than the “A” team, just because she wanted to be on the team that one of her classmates was on.

Softball was just one sport. Basketball was her dream. But as she kept growing, she would change.

***Booker was a three-sport

athlete at Warren Township High School in Gurnee, Ill. She juggled the open gyms, tryouts, practices and games among volleyball, basketball and soft-ball. She never had a day off, but she had been used to a busy schedule from a young age.

She continued to impress on the softball diamond. She was one of three freshmen to make the varsity team. She had played with the same girls from a young age on her travel team. They were familiar with each other, which helped lead them to the success.

She also played for the Lake County Liberty travel softball team, where, under the guid-ance of coach Mike Miguire, she started to bat from the left side and improved her slapping batting style. She also became a vocal leader during her lat-er years, while also leading by example. She was motivated to win and knew she could not be stopped.

“She was a very brash and confi dent player,” Miguire said. “She really believed in herself and she didn’t hide it. She was proud to say that she was the best there is.”

Her confi dence took a hit, however, during the fall of her junior year.

It happened at a volley-ball game at Stevenson High School. She had just played in the JV volleyball game and was warming up for the varsi-ty game, a game she would not play in because she had missed the weekend before because of a softball recruiting camp.

Booker was lined up at hit-ting lines with the rest of the team and wanted to show off in front of everyone. Howev-er, after spiking the volleyball, she landed on one foot and fell to the ground. Her friends said they heard the knee pop. Her head coach grabbed her by the back of the jersey and pulled her to the side of the court. The trainer examined her and said he was 99 percent sure of the injury: a torn ACL.

“That’s when I knew it was the end of my year in sports,” Booker said.

Booker’s mom, who attends all of Booker’s games, was not at the game at the request of her daughter. Once she got the call from a crying Booker, she rushed to the gym and took her daughter to the hospital, where the trainer’s assessment was confi rmed.

During the recovery pro-cess, she had one surgery and two scopes to repair the ACL. She switched therapists after the fi rst therapy sessions were not as she had hoped. Her doc-tor referred her to Michael Kordecki, one of the top phys-ical therapists in Illinois.

The road to recovery was not easy, often spent scream-ing into a pillow in the private room and going in for check-ups on Christmas and New Years Day. She lost her appe-tite because of the pain medica-tion and looked like a different person. But the competitor in

Pitcher’s journey back to the mound

“She hated the fi rst year or two because she thought the girls couldn’t throw, run or catch.”TERRI BOOKERALEX BOOKER’S MOM

“To be able to strikeout the side was defi nitely a

real big confi dence booster.”

ROB MCDONNELLILLINI PITCHER

SEE PITCHER | 4B

SEE BOOKER | 4B

SEE FLETCHER | 4B

PORTRAIT BY BRENTON TSE THE DAILY ILLINI

“There’s always room to improve ...You always have to keep working.

You have to keep striving to get better

every day.”

CASEY FLETCHERILLINI OUTFIELDER

BRIAN YU THE DAILY ILLINIPitcher Rob McDonnell winds up for a pitch during the game against Nebraska, March 23. The Illini won the fi rst game 8-7 but lost the second game 6-4.

MELISSA MCCABE THE DAILY ILLINIIllinois’ Alex Booker prepares to throw the ball during the game against Nebraska on April 6. The Illini lost 12-3 in fi ve innings.

BY CHRISTOPHER KENNEDYSTAFF WRITER

Julian Smith, Brandon Stryganek, Stephon Pamilton, and DJ Zahn form one of the Illini track team’s most formidable forces: the 4x100 meter relay team. The squad currently stands at No. 7 in the country, and has been near the top of the rankings all season long. The 4x100 team is an event the program has been able to pride itself on; Illinois has reached the NCAA Finals in the event every year since 2010.

This foursome looks to continue that tradition. The same four runners, in the same order, have run in the relay since last year’s Drake Relays. Trust is integral to the event, with three blind hand-offs across 400 meters in less than 40 seconds. Last year, the 4x100 team had some early-season trouble trying to replace two graduated seniors. Now that the team is in their second year together, each of these four athletes knows his role and the group has come together to give Illinois one of the best 4x100’s in the country.

Leg 1: Julian Smith – ‘Mr. Dependable’

Head coach Mike Turk said Illinois’ 4x100 strategy over the years has been to get out fast. It’s no different this year, as the first two legs are loaded with the team’s top two 100-meter runners: Julian Smith and Brandon Stryganek.

Turk remarked that Smith brings more than speed to the starting line; his consistency is what defines his lead-off leg.

“We know exactly what we’ve got in that leg,” Turk said. “He’s just real steady in that first leg. He’s got a good start, he gets out well, runs the turn well, he’s just been a real calming steady influence leading that off.”

The team’s consistent, cool-headed starter didn’t join the relay under calm circumstances. According to Smith, it was “crazy.” He had been running the anchor leg last year until Vanier Joseph, then the lead-off leg, suffered an injury. So Smith was thrown into the starting leg.

“We just tried it one time and it was

like perfect, it was like harmony,” Smith said. “We haven’t switched the team since.”

Smith didn’t always have the steadiness at the line that makes him such a strong starter these days. That came with experience.

“I try to lead by example, so I try to keep it calm so everybody else can keep a calm manner,” Smith said. “Being a senior, I’m definitely experienced to the point where it’s just kind of like; I’m going to run what I’m going to run.”

He also said that the continuity of racing with the same team every week has helped him to stay calm. It’s also helped the team improve as a unit.

“The more races you have under your belt, the easier it is to stay calm, the easier it is to perform under pressure,” Smith said. “We all trust the person before us ... we have no doubts and we know that the person before you has your back and he’s not going to put you in a position to lose.”

Leg 2: Brandon Stryganek – ‘The Veteran’

The Illini want to get out fast, and they do that by running their best short-distance sprinter on the first straightaway. Junior Brandon Stryganek is Illinois’ top 100 meter runner. His mark of 10.29 seconds is the Illini’s best by 0.16 seconds. He has also been a member of the relay team since his freshman year.

Turk says he “inherited” the second spot and he’s stayed there his entire career. Two years ago, Stryganek and Zahn were members of an All-American 4x100 squad, along with national champion and Olympian Andrew Riley.

Last year, Stryganek and Zahn were the two holdovers on the relay as various runners were shuffled around them. Even while Zahn was moved around, Stryganek stayed at his position, trying to open up a gap early in the race.

“He does give us a bump on that second leg, being a real good 100 guy,” Turk said.

Being on the relay for three years has garnered Stryganek valuable experience in the event and allowed him to deal with any surprises during the race.

“We feel really good and really comfortable with him handling the stick ... making passes, making adjustments,” Turk said.

Stryganek said that his strength

from running the 200 meters as well as the 100 helps to power him through his leg.

“Running the backstretch is something I really enjoy. The straightaway’s a great place for me,” Stryganek said. “All of us are in the right place we need to be. My goal is always try to get it to Stephon, make it easier for Stephon to bring it home.”

Leg 3: Stephon Pamilton – ‘The Curve Runner’

While two short distance specialists lead things off, the second half of the relay belongs to 400-meter specialists Pamilton and Zahn. Pamilton has dominated the Big Ten in the 400, winning the last three conference titles in the event: 2013 indoor and outdoor, and 2014 indoor. Not only is Pamilton a top 400-runner, he also currently is the Illini’s top 200 runner.

The curve is key in those two events, so it’s natural for Pamilton to run a key curve in the 4x100.

“I absolutely love running the curve. I have no real reason why besides I’m short,” Pamilton said.

Pamilton said running on the relay gives him a different mind-set that helps him to run faster in his other races.

“In the 4x100, you don’t have time to sit and think and relax, so when I get into my other races and I get on that curve, it’s like: four-by-one mode,

don’t think 200, 400, think we’re on the curve, we got to run. Somebody’s going to catch me if I don’t,” Pamilton said.

While the relay provides a different mindset for Pamilton than his usual events, he also enjoys running it because it reminds him that he has some speed to go with his endurance.

That team, his team, is the supreme focus for Pamilton in the event. He said that he doesn’t really bring an individual strength to the relay, but rather the team is his strength.

“My strengths rely on my team, it’s all about the racing and how we fit as a unit,” Pamilton said. “It allows me to be everything the team needs me to be.”

Leg 4: DJ Zahn – ‘Pac-Man’DJ Zahn runs the Illini’s all-

important anchor leg. 4x100 strategy dictates that your anchor doesn’t have to be the fastest runner on the relay, but he has to be one of the most competitive and he has to like chasing people down. Zahn fits the bill.

“He eats people up, he’s like Pac-man,” Turk said. “He’s really kind of been amazing in the anchor leg, and I thought he ran well as an anchor last year. He’s kind of taken everything this year to a higher level.”

Zahn said his teammates also talk about how he’s able to compete and close for the Illini on the final stretch.

“They’ll make jokes about how I eat people up at the end of races, and I don’t

really plan on doing that all the time,” Zahn said. “Something just clicks and I’m there to make up a couple yards if I can in a race. It’s more instinctual.”

Turk highlighted Zahn’s anchor leg at Drake Relays on April 26 as a display of his competitiveness. The team had fallen behind and Zahn had to chase down Baylor and Arkansas, two of the country’s top 4x100 teams. He missed catching Arkansas by hundredths of a second and the Illini took third in their fastest race of the season.

“DJ has not got an open 100 meter time that would suggest he should run with a kid like the guy from Baylor,” Turk said of the Bears’ Trayvon Bromell. “There’s DJ right with him, step for step, and probably gained some ground on him.”

Zahn was a member of the All-American 4x100 squad with Stryganek two short years ago. Now, with two years together and the trust that comes along with that, this Illini squad is gearing up for similar success on the national stage. Zahn knows he’ll be able to keep closing things out for his teammates as the season heads towards a close.

“No matter where we are in the race, as long as they trust me to do what I can do, hopefully they can trust me to close up the gap on everybody,” Zahn said. “I can go out there and just make anything happen.”

Chris can be reached at cmkenne2@dailyillini.com

2B Wednesday, May 7, 2014 THE DAILY ILLINI | WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM

A leg-by-leg look at Illini relay team

Watch the Big Four play before tennis’ brightest stars fade

Whenever I see a highlight of Michael Jordan mak-ing an amazing shot or

finishing an impossible drive, I am overtaken by awe. But I also feel sadness.

Although I was alive when Michael Jordan was in his prime, I was a toddler. I don’t remember any of the great moves he made, the shots he took, the way he made people feel. No, all I’m left with are highlight reels and my parents’ stories about how Chicago was a ghost town whenever the Bulls were playing. Everyone wanted to see Mike play.

This is why it’s important to watch greatness when it is pres-ent. This is why it is important to watch tennis’ “Big Four” of Roger Federer, Rafael Nad-

al, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

Each of these tennis stars has helped transform the game of tennis. No one has been able to challenge these four for titles and Grand Slams in recent years. All four have combined for 38 Grand Slam single titles and 211 titles, totaling more than $200 million in earnings.

Roger Federer was the first to enter the world stage after cap-turing the 2003 Wimbledon title. He ruled the court and estab-lished himself as the world No. 1 at the beginning of the 2004. Nadal followed suit after win-ning the 2005 French Open.

The two held the two tops spots in the ATP rankings for 211 consecutive weeks from July 2005 to August 2009. The two were practically certain to meet at every Grand Slam final. The 2008 Wimbledon Gentle-men’s final, in which Nadal beat Federer to end the latter’s five-year reign as Wimbledon Cham-pion, is considered by many to

be the greatest tennis match to have ever been played.

Since Djokovic began to chal-lenge the two in 2007 and Mur-ray came on the scene in 2009, the four have created a new “Golden Era” for the tennis world. Djokovic has taken the No. 1 ranking away from Feder-er and Nadal, while Murray has captured the heart of England with his wins of the gold medal in the 2012 London Olympics and the 2013 Wimbledon Final.

This dominance has helped fans, and those who watch from time to time, to become famil-iar with the game. Tennis is the fourth-most watched sport in the world and is on the rise in the past years.

But Father Time is catching up on the “Big Four.” Federer is past his prime and is falling in the rankings. Yes, he might still have a Grand Slam win left in him, but the end has already begun. Nadal is at the end of his prime and will begin to fol-low the route Federer has taken

since 2010.The “Big Four” will begin

to fall apart. It will turn to three, two, one and then none. It is important for not only ten-nis fans to take advantage, but sports fans in general. The time difference isn’t that great dur-

ing the French Open and Wim-bledon, sit down when you wake up and turn on the TV to watch the great matches these players have to offer. When it’s time for the U.S. Open, there is no excuse not to watch.

These four represent the

greatest tennis has ever had to offer, so sit down at watch them play.

Michal is a freshman in Media. He can be reached at dwojak2@dailyillini.com and @bennythebull94.

MICHAL DWOJAK

Assistant sports editor

BRENTON TSE THE DAILY ILLINIIllinois’ Julian Smith starts the 4x100 meter relay during the Illinois Twilight Track and Field meet at Illinois Soccer and Track Stadium on April 12.

Danielson family has high golf expectationsBY DAN BERNSTEIN STAFF WRITER

Illinois sophomore Charlie Danielson may be the best golf-er in the Big Ten, but if you ask him, he won’t even say he’s the best golfer in his family.

Most golfers would be satis-fied winning one state champi-onship. The Danielsons are a little different. The Danielson family won a combined 10 individual state championships in Wiscon-sin. Charlie won his first during his sophomore year in 2010 and added another in his senior sea-son. His older sister, Lindsay, won four state titles and received a scholarship to play at Wisconsin. His younger sister, Casey, also won four state titles and is now a freshman playing for Stanford.

“Casey’s got a lot of good golf in her,” Danielson said. “I would say her and I are pretty much neck-and-neck.”

Despite their competitive nature, the three siblings all sup-port each other as much as they can. Charlie, who won “only” two state titles in high school, calls himself Lindsay and Casey’s big-gest fan.

“I check Golfstat nonstop to see how they’re doing,” Charlie said. “It’s really fun to watch them have so much success.”

Many of the golfers Charlie plays against now grew up in huge houses, belonged to country

clubs, and attended high schools with thousands of students. Char-lie grew up in the small town of Osceola, Wis., a town on the bor-der of Wisconsin and Minnesota, which is home to just over 2,500 people.

“There is only one stoplight in my entire town,” Charlie said. “I live out in the country on a lake with one golf course called Krooked Kreek, which maxes out at around 6,300 yards. It’s a fun little course, but I definite-ly didn’t grow up with all of the same resources as some people do.”

Charlie’s relatively humble background makes his golf career that much more unique. His dad, Craig, got into golf after graduat-ing from Minnesota, and became a scratch golfer. His passion for the game rubbed off on his three kids.

Craig encouraged his kids to play golf, but never pressured them. He would take Charlie, Lindsay and Casey out to Krooked Kreek multiple times per week when they were little, and even served as their personal cad-dy — carrying their bags while they ran from hole to hole com-peting against each other. Craig still gives Charlie some tips and advice to keep his confidence up.

The word “supportive” seems to run throughout the Danielson family, which is part of the rea-

son Charlie chose to pursue his golf career at Illinois. There is no coach in the country who supports his players more than the Illinois head golf coach, Mike Small.

“My relationship with Coach Small is awesome,” Charlie said. “We’re both upfront with each other and he helps me with any-thing I need help on. He’s an all-around coach.

“He helps us out with our entire lives too. He’s somebody that we all look up to and see as a role model.”

Charlie started playing golf at age 2, as soon as he was big enough to grip a driver. Now, he stands at a towering 6-foot-5 and can consistently drive the ball more than 300 yards.

This weekend at the Big Ten Championships, his team finished second, but Charlie earned medal-ist honors, tying for first place in the individual competition.

Standing on the par-5 18th tee box, Charlie held a one-stroke lead over Minnesota’s Jose Men-dez. After pulling his tee shot, he was left with a tough second shot from a side-hill lie. He managed to hit his second shot 90 yards short of the green, leaving him with a short approach shot for his third.

Charlie played solid golf all week, but his third shot on the 18th hole on Sunday is one he would like to have back.

“I shanked my next shot into the bunker,” Danielson said, “I hit my bunker shot to about 22 feet and two-putted for bogey.”

A par on the hole would have won the individual title outright.

Every golfer who has played the game competitively hits bad shots; Charlie understands this. While still tying for the Big Ten title, he is not yet satisfied with what he has achieved.

“I’m proud of myself,” Charlie said. “It feels good, and I have come a long way. The whole expe-rience of the last couple holes — dealing with my emotions, my nerves, and realizing where my mind was — will really make me a better player.”

Last season, Charlie played his best golf in the NCAA tour-nament, and the Illini made an incredible run, finishing as national runner-up. Charlie fin-ished as state runner-up his junior year in high school; he followed his runner-up finish with a cham-pionship the next year.

Just as he was able to do so in high school, Charlie looks to turn a runner-up finish into a championship.

He has one goal left for this sea-son, “I want to be a national cham-pion with my team.”

Dan can be reached at daberns2@dailyillini.com and @yaboybernie11.

PEDRO PORTAL MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNERoger Federer returns a ball against Richard Gasquet at the Sony Open tennis tournament in Key Biscayne, Florida, on March 25.

PHOTO COURTESY OF DIVISION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICSIllinois’ Charlie Danielson sinks a putt at the Big Ten Championships. Danielson tied for the individual Big Ten championship this weekend.

Exploring the roles of each member of the 4x100 meter men’s track relay team

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OKC’s Durant wins NBA MVP awardBY PAUL LEVINEMCCLATCHY-TRIBUNE

LOS ANGELES — Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder is a runner-up no more on Tuesday after being named the NBA’s 2014 Most Valuable Player.

Durant captured his fourth scoring title in fi ve seasons, join-ing Wilt Chamberlain, George Gervin and Michael Jordan to accomplish the feat while taking the Thunder to an NBA second-best 59-23 record.

He became the fi rst player to win both the MVP and the scoring title in the same season since Phil-adelphia’s Allen Iverson in 2001.

Durant, who averaged a career-best 32 points along with 7.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists, totaled 1,232 points, including 119 fi rst-place votes, from a panel of 124 media voters from across the United States and Canada.

James, winner of four of the last fi ve MVP awards, including the last two over Durant, fi nished second with 891 votes, including the other six fi rst-place votes. LA Clippers’ Blake Griffi n was third with 434 points.

“Much respect to him, he deserves it,” James said. “He had a big-time MVP season.”

Durant was a model of consis-tency this season, authoring a pair of 50-point games, includ-ing a career-best 54 against Golden State on January 17. The fi ve-time All-Star eclipsed the 40-point plateau 14 times and had 17 contests with at least 30 points and 10 rebounds.

The 6-foot-9 forward had a remarkable streak of 41 consec-utive games scoring at least 25 points from January 7 through April 6, making it the longest run since Michael Jordan did it in 40 straight contests during the 1986-87 season. It was the third-longest single season streak in NBA history, behind Chamber-lain, who did it in all 80 games during the 1961-62 season, and Oscar Robertson, who went for 25-plus in 46 straight games dur-ing the 1963-64 campaign.

The NBA MVP trophy is named in honour of the late Mau-rice Podoloff, the fi rst commis-sioner of the NBA who served from 1946 until his retirement in 1963.

HECTOR AMEZCUA MCCLATCHY-TRIBUNEThe Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant (35) reacts to a foul call against the Sacramento Kings as Sacramento's Greivis Vasquez, middle, and Derrick Williams (13) look at the referee on Dec. 3 , at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, Calif.

4B Wednesday, May 7, 2014 THE DAILY ILLINI | WWW.DAILYILLINI.COM

NFL Draft doesn’t always reflect player potential

The very first column I wrote for The Daily Illini was a countdown to the

2013 NFL Draft.And here we are, 18 months

later, in my last hurrah as a sports columnist, talking about the same thing.

But this time, I want to take a different approach; for the draft-ees, the draft doesn’t matter.

The draft is an opportunity, a stepping-stone for rookie play-ers looking to contribute, not the end-all, be-all of their profes-sional football career.

Sure, it determines how many millions of dollars — or not — a couple of 22-year-old kids will make in their debut year as pro-fessional athletes, but it doesn’t determine the future.

Not all No. 1 picks are des-tined for greatness, and there have been a hell of a lot of guys snubbed in the draft that we now worship every Sunday in the fall.

There are even guys project-ed to go in the top-5 that, come draft day, have to play the wait-ing game, as the pit in their

stomach grows bigger with each time Roger Goodell fails to call their name.

Case study: Aaron Rodgers.It was widely suspected that

Rodgers would be picked No. 1 by his beloved 49ers, but San Francisco decided to go with Alex Smith, and Rodgers fell to the Green Bay Packers at No. 24.

One league MVP, three Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl cham-pionship later, it seemed to work out for him, don’t you think?

Malcolm Smith was the MVP of Super Bowl XLVIII this past February.

Who the heck is Malcolm Smith? A seventh-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. No. 242 to be precise.

Tom Brady is the NFL’s gold-en boy. Rarely throws an inter-ception, textbook technique, calm under pressure, loved by Bill Belichick and envied by all.

The Patriots picked up Brady in the sixth-round of the 2000 NFL Draft, at No. 199.

What. A. Steal.We waste so much time with

mock drafts and possible player combinations that we lose sight of what the draft really means for the NFL. It is an opportunity for teams to develop talent.

Not every player will go pro and contribute right away, but

that doesn’t mean spending time nurturing potential is all for naught.

If an athlete has the physi-cal strength, stamina and tal-ent to go up against the best football players in the world right out of college, more pow-er to him. But where a player is picked in the draft has no bearing on how he will actu-ally perform.

The draft is an estimate, a gamble that NFL owners and managers are willing to make to better their teams.

Sometimes it works; take Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning or Bo Jackson. Some-times it doesn’t; think JaMar-cus Russell, David Carr and Tim Couch.

The 2014 NFL Draft is one day away.

Teams have one day to figure out which kid to bet their future on.

But while everyone, includ-ing myself, is focused on Johnny Manziel and his quest for the No. 1 pick, there are plenty like Tom Brady and Malcolm Smith just hoping to get a chance.

Tomorrow, the sun will set in New York City and NFL hope-fuls from around the country will gather at Radio City Music Hall to wait for their name to be

called.And some will keep waiting. Aaron Rodgers had to wait

three years behind Brett Favre in the Packers’ rotation.

The draft doesn’t matter. It’s fun, yes, but it’s also superfi-cial and monetarily based.

Hard work matters, and that comes after.

Aryn is a senior in LAS. She can be reached at braun17@dailyillini.com. Follow her on Twitter @arynbraun.

ARYN BRAUN

Sports columnist

“It’s been a good week,” Fletcher said. “I don’t know what else to say.”

***Fletcher grew up destined

to play baseball at Illinois. His father, Darrin. and Darrin’s dad, Tom, both played ball at Illinois before reaching the majors.

Darrin still holds Illinois’s record for batting average in a single season (.497) and in a career (.392). He knows a thing or two about the offensive side of the game and has taught Casey ever since he was little.

The youngest Fletcher began playing baseball as soon as he could walk, and his family moved around with Darrin during his baseball career. The Fletchers lived as far as Montreal and Toronto, when Darrin played for the Expos and the Blue Jays. Through it all, Casey’s love for the game never wavered.

“It’s just been one of those things, ever since I was younger I’ve wanted to play baseball and ever since I could walk I’ve been playing,” Fletcher said. “I’ve never stopped playing. I’ve always had a desire to play, and it’s carried me to where I’m at right now.”

After Darrin’s MLB career ended in 2002, Casey and his family moved back to Illinois full-time.

Tee ball in Toronto eventually became high school baseball at Oakwood High School in Oakwood, Ill., where Fletcher really began to shine. His junior year, he compiled a 9-2 record, 2.02 ERA and 93 strikeouts to go along with a .516 batting average and the 2010 Danville Commercial-News Baseball Player of the Year. His senior year, Fletcher won an additional four games on the mound, batted .450 and had a chance to walk on to the Illini as a freshman.

After talking with head coach Dan Hartleb and his staff, Fletcher chose to go to Kankakee Community College for two years instead.

Hartleb encouraged Fletcher to go to junior college and get

stronger, get a couple hundred at-bats, and knock out his prerequisites.

In his two years at Kankakee, Fletcher developed into a consistent hitter, tallying 127 RBIs in two seasons.

Fletcher came to Illinois prior to his junior season and both his father and grandfather couldn’t have been happier about it.

“The decision was on my own,” Fletcher said. “It’s what I wanted to do. It was never them pushing me to go here. They love the fact that I wanted to come here, but it was never like I was forced to come this way.”

***Before Fletcher’s first at-bat

Wednesday, he walked over to his dad, who had been sitting near the dugout — not standing in his usual spot behind the Illinois Field bleachers — to get out of the cold, and jokingly told Darrin that he was going to “hit one out of here.”

The elder Fletcher watched Casey get jammed on an inside pitch and dribble a grounder to Southern Illinois’ third baseman.

After the at-bat, Darrin had a few words for his son.

He said he has been telling Fletcher for years to take some chances at the plate. Fletcher listened to his father and coaches’ advice to open up the barrel of the bat, and he swung for the fences next time up to bat on that windy Wednesday.

“I’ve always thought that he’s had enough strength, especially here, that he could maybe hit some balls in the gap or a ball off the wall or maybe even a ball over the fence,” Darrin Fletcher said.

Fletcher got his chance in the third inning with a 1-1 count. With the wind blowing out to right centerfield, he got ahold of the third pitch and drove it to deep right center. The ball cleared the wall for his second home run of the year and Fletcher trotted around the bases unaware that he had just begun the greatest week of his baseball life.

In the bottom of the sixth Fletcher got his third at-bat and smacked another solo home run out of the park, this time almost directly over the Big Ten sticker on the right field fence.

Fletcher did it again in the bottom of the seventh, but this time he drove in an additional two runners. With runners on first and second, Fletcher swung and belted another pitch to right field for his third home run of the game.

After Wednesday’s game Fletcher didn’t overcomplicate what he thought of his offensive performance.

“I got pitches that I could pull

and just hit it out,” Fletcher said.

Hartleb gave Wednesday’s game a special name because of Fletcher’s play.

“I guess it’s Casey Fletcher Day at the ballpark,” Hartleb said. “He had a great day. I thought he took very good swings.”

***Fletcher doesn’t know how

many more at-bats he’ll have as an Illini, so he’s trying to make the most of them. That’s what keeps him going, not following in his father’s or grandfather’s footsteps, but taking advantage of his opportunities.

“I ’m just taking in everything,” Fletcher said. “I’m taking in every at-bat that I get because you never know when it’s going to be your last.”

It’s Saturday and Fletcher is at the plate in the bottom of the 10th inning. He’s already hit two more home runs, both solo shots, bringing his total for the week to five. Fletcher stands in the on deck circle rocking the

aluminum bat back and forth on his shoulder. He stares out at the batters box where the Illini’s junior second baseman Reid Roper is batting.

The third pitch hits Roper who jogs to first and loads the bases with two outs in the inning.

The PA announcer says, “Now batting for the Illini, Casey Fletcher,” as the Diplo remix of “Drunk in Love” by Beyonce resonates through the speakers. The crowd cheers after hearing his name.

Fletcher steps into batters box. His walkup music stops and the crowd goes all but quiet. The Illini fans know what’s on the line in this at-bat and so does Fletcher.

With two outs Fletcher can either win the game for Illinois or the teams will move to the 11th.

With the winning run 90 feet away, Fletcher thinks to himself that if there’s a fastball anywhere near the plate, he’ll try to put a good swing on it.

Michigan State pitcher Jeff Kinley looks to his catcher for the signal. As he gets ready to throw, the Illini runners begin to move. Kinley hurls the pitch Fletcher was looking for, a fastball over the plate. Fletcher swings.

The ball pings as it leaves Fletcher’s bat. It’s a hard-hit grounder near the foul line that passes the outstretched glove of a diving third baseman and heads into the outfield.

At third base, Will Krug looks back at the ball to make sure it gets by the third baseman, then runs down the line and touches home, giving Illinois a 5-4 win.

The crowd is quiet for another half second before erupting into cheers. Screams and woos resonate from Illinois Field as Fletcher runs to first base holding a triumphant fist in the air as he does.

Once at first, Fletcher backpedals away from the base, spins and throws his helmet into the air in excitement. He yells, “Lets go!” before being engulfed by teammates.

“I’ve never had a walk-off hit like that,” Fletcher said after Saturday’s game. “So it feels very rewarding.”

When asked whether he

values the walk-off or the home runs more, Fletcher’s answer comes almost immediately.

“The home runs didn’t mean anything if we didn’t come out with a win,” Fletcher said. “That’s why we play the game, to win. Individual accolades are awesome, but it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t come out with a win.”

In post game interviews Hartleb alters his statement from Wednesday.

“It’s Casey Fletcher week,” he says.

***After Saturday’s game, senior

reliever Ronnie Muck said if he were pitching against Fletcher he wouldn’t give him anything

to hit.“I’d probably walk him,”

Muck said. “Or hit him. I definitely wouldn’t pitch to him.”

After starting Sunday 1-for-4 with two strikeouts and an inning-ending double play, Fletcher said he was down on himself.

“I had a base hit, but it was a little bit of a rough start for me today,” Fletcher said of his play offensively before his fifth and final at bat of the day.

With two outs and two runners on, the Illini down 9-8 in the bottom of the ninth, Fletcher stepped to the plate with a chance to cap off his week by playing the hero one last time.

The PA announcer introduced Fletcher and his name was met with some of the loudest cheers on the weekend as the 2,022

fans in attendance readied themselves to see what would happen next.

Kinley, the Spartan’s relief pitcher who had surrendered the walk-off the day before, was on the mound again.

With Reid Roper on second and Matthew James on third, Fletcher stepped to the plate with a chance to win the game.

“Yeah, I could hear everyone,” Fletcher said. “I started to get a little anxious. I was coming up and I was like, ‘Crap, I’ve got to get a hit here again.’ I started to get a little jitters and then once I stepped in the box I was ready to go.”

Fletcher stood in the box, rocking the bat back and forth in the air, listening to the low hum of the crowd talking about the possibility of another Fletcher walk-off.

Michigan State’s left-hander lifted his right leg and threw a first-pitch fastball over the plate.

Fletcher swung just as he had done the day before and lined the ball toward the gap between the center fielder and the left fielder.

There was no delay in the cheers from the crowd on Sunday. Almost immediately everyone knew what Fletcher had accomplished.

James scored standing up and Roper followed close behind him, sliding across the plate to give the Illini a 10-9 win and the series sweep.

Fletcher ran to first base with arms outstretched. After taking several steps towards second base Fletcher threw his helmet in the air as he had done the day before and was surrounded by teammates.

“I’m just ecstatic right now,” Fletcher said. “It’s unbelievable. Especially to get the sweep against Michigan State, it’s a great feeling.” Fletcher said before letting out a sigh of relief. “Another day.”

Looking back at Fletcher’s accomplishments, Hartleb again had to amend his statement from Wednesday.

“I hope it’s Casey Fletcher month,” Hartleb said.

Nicholas can be reached at fortin2@dailyillini.com and @IlliniSportsGuy.

sit out again.At this point in his career

McDonnell said he began to feel that nothing was going right but he didn’t let that stop him from being determined.

“I definitely had that feeling,”

McDonnell said. “I love this game, and I couldn’t imagine not going out here and being with the guys.”

After his sophomore season McDonnell pitched for the Lombard Orioles, a team in the Chicago Suburban League. He threw more than 50 innings without any injuries.

“Every time I started to throw more than five innings, I was

always afraid that my arm might give out a little bit,” McDonnell said. “But over the summer it was fine. It was healthy. My arm felt perfect.”

He entered his junior year this spring and was able to transfer his success in Lombard to the Illini. This season, McDonnell has picked up all four of his career wins, and has already

struck out more batters, 28, than in his two prior seasons combined.

“I love him as a pitcher,” Illinois pitching coach Drew Dickinson said. “He has the best change-up on the team. He knows, and we all know that when he throws strikes with his fastball, he’s near un-hittable because the change-up is so good.”

Illinois’ head coach Dan Hartleb had similar praise for McDonnell.

“I think he has the capability to be a dominant pitcher,” Hartleb said.

Hartleb added that after working for so long to be mentally 100 percent after all his injuries, McDonnell is now working towards becoming a

consistently dominant pitcher.For McDonnell, all he really

wants to do is help his team win now that he’s finally healthy.

“This is the best my arm’s felt since high school,” McDonnell said. “It’s great.”

Nicholas can be reached at fortin2@dailyillini.com and @IlliniSportsGuy.

her wouldn’t let her quit.“It was a lot for her to over-

come that kind of challenge and so it takes a certain type of ath-lete to not get discouraged, to continue physical therapy, to go through all the sessions,” said Carri McGahan, Booker’s high school softball coach. “She was relentless at every conditioning session she could come to. A true leader is able to not step down from these types of challenges.”

The injury would not only cost her a starting spot on the basket-ball team her junior year, but also the interest of many schools in terms of softball. One school stood with her through it all: Illi-nois. She committed to Illinois in the spring of 2009, her junior year, when she would return to the softball team.

Booker helped lead Warren to a 28-8 record her senior sea-son, the best in school history at the time. They would lose in the playoffs, but Booker left Warren holding eight school records. For

the Liberty, she would leave with six team records, having led the team to the ASA/USA 18U Class A Nationals in 2008 and 2009.

Booker was ready for the chal-lenge of the Big Ten.

***“I can’t lie, it would have been

amazing to be drafted tonight. But tonight just fuels me to ball out way harder the rest of my last season!”

That was the tweet Booker sent out on March 31, the night of the National Pro Fastpitch Draft. She was on her Twitter timeline watching players be drafted by teams all the way to the end. By the time the draft was over, Booker had not read her name.

“It was kind of disappointing,” Booker said. “It would have been nice (to be drafted), but at the same time, there’s work that’s got to be done at the end of the day.”

On the field, she became well-acquainted splitting time as a pinch runner, right fielder and center fielder.

Over her time as an Illini, she matured both as a person and a

player, according to Illinois head coach Terri Sullivan. Yes, Book-er still trash talks with the best of them and gets in the heads of the opponents, but diving catch after diving catch demonstrates that she plays to win.

“She’s just such a compet-itor, and it’s a player like that you want on your team,” Sul-livan said. “She has all the seeds needed to com-pete at this level and intangibles you don’t see in every kid.”

Her senior year has been a rollercoaster. The Illini started with a prom-ising 18-6 record heading into Big Ten play. The team has been 9-19 since then, but Booker man-aged to find a bright spot, as she usually does. In the last home series of her career, the Illini shocked No. 4 Michigan 10-2, a great way to end her career at Eichelberger Field.

Booker’s name can be read in four all-time lists for the Illi-nois softball program. She has played in 193 games, earned All-Big Ten Second Team, Big Ten All-Defensive Team and Big Ten Player of the Week. This sea-

son, she hit for the first cycle in program histo-ry. She will graduate in a few weeks with a degree in Rec-reation, Sport and Tourism.

But all of this is nothing in comparison to the leadership she provides the team. She leads both

vocally and by example. She talks to people individually and exemplifies how the game should be played.

“Booker has been a great leader for us. As a freshman, I look up to her just as a player,” outfielder Nicole Evans said. “She has a lot of pride in our team and she has a lot of pride

in our school.”Come fall, she will travel to

Commerce, Texas, where she will be a graduate assistant for Texas A&M-Commerce. It is there that she hopes to gain the experience she needs to one day be a softball coach at a Division I school.

But before she moves to Texas, she will get one final opportunity to enjoy the game as a player.

On May 25, she will try out for the Chicago Bandits, the team she will be interning with this summer, hoping to walk on to the team. She will bring friends along and show the Bandits why they need a player such as her. She is confident — as she has been throughout her life — that with the hard work and hustle she has built herself upon, she will have a chance to make the team.

“I can’t leave the game of soft-ball. I’m in love with it,” Booker said. “This is my passion and my way of life.”

***It was warm and sunny as the

Illini team bus traveled south on Interstate 57. Its destination was Champaign, but the team’s arriv-al was a day late due to flight

complications the day before. The team returned from a three-game weekend sweep of Penn State, the Illini’s first Big Ten series win of the season.

As the bus passed farm after farm, Alex Booker finished her end of career project for her mother: a DVD with career high-lights and pictures and a scrap-book of newspaper clippings she’d been collecting during her four years at Illinois.

The feeling on the bus for her is different this time, though. Although her bus rides as a play-er are winding down, the trips from campus to campus will nev-er stop as she starts her colle-giate coaching career.

What has changed is her real-ization of the end. She is hap-py to have won the last regular season series of her career but is fearful that any day could be the last day she plays the sport she has fallen in love with, the sport she once argued she didn’t want to play.

Michal can be reached at dwojak2@dailyillini.com and @bennythebull94.

“I guess it’s Casey Fletcher Day at the ballpark. He had a great day ... I thought he took very good

swings.”

DAN HARTLEBBASEBALL HEAD COACH

“I’ve never had a walk-off hit like that. “So it feels very rewarding.”

CASEY FLETCHERILLINI OUTFIELDER

FLETCHERFROM 1B

BOOKERFROM 1B

PITCHERFROM 4B

“I can’t leave the game of softball. I’m in love with it. This is my passion and

my way of life.”ALEX BOOKERSOFTBALL SENIOR

DANIEL WALLACE TAMPA BAY TIMESNew England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) drops back for a pass during the second quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on September 22, 2013.