Madison College is proud to play host to the 2013 NJCAA Region IV Baseball Tournament from Friday-Sunday, May 17-19, at Robin Roberts Baseball Field on the Madison College Truax campus. The tournament winner advances to the NJCAA Division II College World Series in Enid, Oklahoma from May 25-June 1.

TOURNAMENT TEAMS

#1 seed - Madison College WolfPack (36-11) – Madison, WI - Ranked #9 in latest NJCAA Poll
#2 seed - Kankakee Community College Cavaliers (46-12) – Kankakee, IL - Ranked #18 in latest NJCAA Poll
#3 seed - Black Hawk College Braves (34-15) – Moline, IL
#4 seed - Prairie State College Pioneers (30-17) – Chicago Heights, IL

for tournament schedule and additional information, please visit the WolfPack website’s post.

Madison College may be playing its best baseball of the season as tournament time draws near. The WolfPack has won 12 of its last 14 games and finished conference play with an 11-1 record.

The NJCAA Regional IV tournament is scheduled to begin on May 11 with sectional play. If the WolfPack wins, it advances to the NJCAA Region IV tournament starting on May 17.

Last year, the WolfPack advanced to the NJCAA Division II World Series and finished fourth. This year, the World Series will begin on May 25.

In its most recent stretch of games, the WolfPack beat Prairie State College, swept a doubleheader with South Suburban College and split a doubleheader with Waubonsee Community College. Madison College finished the regular season with a 33-10 overall record.

Madison College 4,

Prairie State College 3

Dan Schmidt  hit a walk-off single to center field to score Ryan McShane and give Madison College a 4-3 victory over Prairie State College in eight innings on May 2.

Cody Peterson earned the win for Madison College, pitching two innings in relief. He didn’t allow a hit and struck out four.

McShane led Madison College hitters, going 2 for 4 and scoring two runs. Nathan Pollock doubled for his team’s only extra-base hit.

Madison College 13,

South Suburban College 3

A four-run first inning was just the start of things as Madison College rolled up 13 runs on 12 hits to beat South Suburban College in the first game of a doubleheader on May 4.

Pollock led the offensive onslaught by reaching base four times with two hits, including a home run and a double, and two walks. Schmidt and Taylor Carlson each added two hits in the game.

Nathan Hoffmann earned his sixth win of the season, holding South Suburban to three runs on three hits with nine strikeouts. All of the runs against Hoffmann were scored in the first inning.

Madison College 3, 

South Suburban College 1

The second game of the doubleheader saw Madison College score two runs in the fifth inning to secure a 3-1 victory.

Zach Ransom pitched the victory, giving up six hits and one run in seven innings. The win pished Ransom’s win-loss record to 3-1.

Schmidt was the WolfPack’s top hitter in the game, getting two hits in four at-bats, including a double.

The victory extended Madison College’s winning streak to 11 games, its longest of the season.

Waubonsee Community College 4,

Madison College 2

Waubonsee rallied with three unearned runs in the sixth inning to hand Madison College a 4-2 defeat on May 5, ending the WolfPack’s 11-game winning streak.

Madison College committed two errors in the game, and both errors resulted in runs against the WolfPack.

Cody Peterson pitched the loss, though none of the runs that scored in the game were earned. Carlson had two of the WolfPack’s four hits in the game, including a double.

Madison College 7, 

Waubonsee Community College 4

The WolfPack scored four runs in the second inning and three in the sixth to claim a 7-4 victory in the second game of a doubleheader with Waubonsee on May 5.

Calen Rohrman pitched five and one-third innings to earn the win, while Mac Wichmann finished up to earn the save.

McShane led the WolfPack offensively with a home run, three hits and four RBI. Carlson and Luke Syens both doubled and had two hits.

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The student-run team released the 80-page book on April 25. It is available free of charge and is placed around Madison College campuses. Throughout the school year, writing submissions from students were considered for publication.

“We accept submissions all year round,” Schroeder said. “We have two different contests that kind of bunch our submissions into a fall and spring bundle.”

The Yahara Journal began in 1994 as an insert to the school newspaper. Its mission was to feature the artwork and creative writing of Madison College students. Since then, it has grown into an annual journal, and its staff have hosted events to encourage students’ artistic pursuits.

This year, Schroeder and her team have hosted poetry readings, classroom educational events on Banned Book Week and held a “Bad Love Poem” contest that received coverage from the Wisconsin State Journal. These events help raise awareness of the Yahara Journal and bring students and faculty together in the spirit of creativity.

The published journal is divided into three sections: poetry, prose and artwork. Submissions go through several rounds of editing before being selected and, in an effort to provide enough coverage for all, writers and artists are limited to three submissions per person.

Doug Kirchberg is the Yahara Journal’s staff advisor. Over multiple years, he has seen the work of certain writers progress, as some have had works featured in more than one annual journal.

“When you see people who have pieces in from previous years, that’s a testament to the quality of their work over the course of those years,” Kirchberg said.

He said that all writers’ names are withheld throughout the editing and judging process in order to preserve integrity.

Schroeder will maintain her editor-in-chief position for the 2013-2014 school year. This coming fall, she plans to add a scary story contest, among others.

Reflecting on the journal’s purpose and role of giving students recognition for their craft, Schroeder said, “It’s nice to have a place for students to formally publish their work. If you have your work published, it can convince you to keep doing it.”

Alexander Balchen, a member of the editing team, added that the journal has a strong role in promoting the arts. “That’s a very important thing, especially to express creativity among students and to get that out there,” he said.

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The new plan will add women’s soccer to the athletic program and will begin documentation for moving women’s softball to Division II in the NJCAA. It will not be an immediate change because of the quick turnaround to the fall season, but this will be a project over the coming months.

“We can’t do it this fall, because of a number of different things,” said Keith Cornille, vice president of learning and development. “So our plan called for starting it next fall, but we would start hiring a coach this fall, to do the recruitment and everything else.”

Since May 1, the college has been in compliance of Title IX. Madison College submitted a formalized plan to the Office of Civil Rights. The outlined plan included checkpoints that the college will follow up and report on over the next two years.

As far as making these steps for more equality between men’s and women’s programs, the college said this plan had already been in the works prior to when the complaint came in.

“I think it’s important for the college community to know that we already realized that we needed to continually grow and continually improve our programs,” Cornille said.

Steve Hauser, Madison College athletic director, said that the athletic department will continue to move everything forward beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.

“We’re excited about adding women’s soccer and we’re excited about taking our softball team to the Division II level within that declaration period,” said Hauser.

Title IX, also called the Equal Opportunity in Education Act of 1972, states in part that no person in the United States should be excluded on the basis of sex from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.

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Madison College women’s basketball player Courtney Spangler is the 2012-13 female sportsperson of the year. Spangler led her team in scoring with 547 points this year (17 points a game), averaged nine rebounds a game and had a team-high of 61 steals. She was the team’s MVP and earned all-conference and all-region awards. She finished her career eleventh all-time in career scoring with 797 points.

Cody Peterson, a pitcher on the Madison College baseball team, is the 2012-13 male sportsperson of the year. Peterson has pitched a team leading 30-2/3 innings this year. He has a 2.74 ERA with a team-leading 30 strikeouts. A year ago, he finished with a 4-2 record and a 2.89 ERA after pitching 37 innings in 14 games.

Doug Redsten Service Award

Madison College President Dr. Bettsey Barhorst was honored with the Doug Redsten Service Award in recognition of her strong support for the college’s athletic programs. Her passion for students and sports is unrivaled. Since she began her tenure as college president in 2004, she was frequently seen at WolfPack sporting events cheering on the college’s athletes.

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Finn’s arch nemesis, the Ice King, shares a similar romantic interest for Princess Bubblegum, and encounter each other so often that one may mistake them for friends.  Also in the mix is Jake the dog. Jake is a magic talking dog, that possesses the ability to stretch and contort to almost anything imaginable. Jake’s shape-shifting abilities have the tendency to transform each episode in to epic scenarios.  And of course there is Princess Bubblegum, the candy princess made entirely out of bubblegum. She is extremely smart, and regarded as quite beautiful and fair.

In the show, Jake and Fin are adoptive brothers and despite the differences in their species, Jake-the-dog is generally more mature than Finn-the-human. Jake is voiced by John DiMaggio; a familiar voice actor whom you may recognize as Bender from Futurama. Whereas Fin has had a few different voice actors in the past, each played by a relative of the last voice actor. Though young in age, Jeremy Shada and his siblings have done a lot of acting in front of cameras and in a recording booth. Jeremy’s older brother Zach Shada, was the original voice for Finn the human when Adventure Time first premiered on the Nicktoons Network cartoon pilot series, “Random! Cartoons,” back in 2008.

Since “Adventure Time”s humble beginnings, the show is been nominated for several awards such as the Primetime Emmy Awards. In 2013 Adventure Time won best Sound Effects, Foley, Dialogue, and ADR Animation in Television. Perhaps what makes this series so special is its unique approach to story telling and animation. As far as environment is concerned, there are not really rules in this world. Characters can climb tall trees, talk to animals, and perform other feats.

Spontaneous is the type of humor you can hope to expect, as every episode is more or less random and the series is more character driven and not based on plot. Sarcastic puns add to the convoluted nature of each episode. Every punch line seems like it was made up on the spot. Dreamlike or surreal is the scenery and animation style. Supernatural does not begin to personify the level of imagination used in every episode.  This abstract cartoon is designed for the newest generation of cartoon watchers. Though it is rated TV7, the humor transcends certain age barriers and, as silly as it gets, most adults will laugh at least once during one 11 minute episode.

“Mathematical!” and “Algebraic!” are both brand new usages of otherwise academic terms use to describe jubilant moments in this television show.

“I keep finding baby shoes. What the heck, man? And they’re all lefties!” – Season 1, Episode 8.

“He still cries when he poops. Thanks for being cool guys.” – Season 1 Episode, 10.

“Dang girl, if you weren’t a figment of my imagination, I’d wanna have your baby…” – Season 1, Episode 30.

“I dreamed I was in kindergarten again, but I had really big feet, and was also the teacher.” – Season 4 Episode 26

The underlying story mainly concerns Finn. Finn is seemingly the only human in the candy filled Land of Ooo. He is a 14-year-old boy whose mission is to protect princesses safe from the clutches of the Ice King. His charity and good heart wins the respect of everyone he meets including his nemesis. He is madly in love with Princess Bubblegum but has also had other love interests and pursuits. Lately the animation has improved since season one and the episodes have become even more adventurous with new locations, new characters and other unique elements.

“Adventure Time” creator, Pendleton Ward described Finn as a “fiery little kid with strong morals.” This is not the first time this level of enthusiasm has been seen either. Apparently Finn’s character is based on Bill Murray’s character in the movie “Meatballs,” a Canadian comedy from 1979.

The show is what it is, story telling from writers with open range from their executive producers. “A lot of the time, if we’re really stuck, we’ll start saying everything that comes to our mind, which is usually the worst stuff, and then someone else will think that’s terrible but it’ll give him a better idea and the ball just starts rolling like that,” said Ward in an interview with The A.V. Club published by The Onion.

D&D fans with an appeal to dark comedy will enjoy this series set in a post-apocalyptic future. Currently “Adventure Time” is in its fifth season and going as strong as ever. With a clothing line, highly quotable characters, and its ‘mathematical’ animation, it is bound to become a classic. Adventure Time is available on Netflix.

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“He’s very bright, very energetic, has a good soccer knowledge and has a desire to succeed in soccer,” said Steve Hauser, Madison College athletic director.

Sims’ experience includes coaching boys soccer at the Magic Soccer Club in Madison and in other youth leagues.

For the second consecutive offseason, the WolfPack had sought a head coach following the resignation of former head coach Sam Ramirez, who was at the helm for only a season. The search for the new coach included three elements, Hauser said.

Hauser said that the search team sought a coach who has an interest and ability in recruiting student athletes and to teach and communicate with those athletes. Sims said that this is a focus for him and the team going forward.

“The wider the base, the higher the higher the pyramid. With a solid foundation and smart work, any goal is achievable,” Sims said.

Last season, the WolfPack was 1-15. Their only win came against Harper College at home after starting the season 0-10. Since going 9-7-1 in 2009, the WolfPack have gone 5-45-1.

“I’m confident he’ll do a good job with our athletes and get our program back to where it needs to be,” Hauser said.

Eric Liegel, who served as the goalie coach last year, will replace Sims as assistant coach. Liegel was the WolfPack’s starting goaltender from 2010-11. He was N4C Academic All-Conference in both seasons. He has the team record for saves in a game at 14, which he achieved three times.

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DuPage dominated the game, taking a 5-1 lead after one inning and limiting the WolfPack to just three hits. Madison College struggled defensively, allowing 12 hits and committing five errors.

DuPage advanced to the championship game, where it lost to Rock Valley College, 3-0. Rock Valley College, which beat Madison College, 9-0, in the first round of the tournament, now advances to the NJCAA Division III National Tournament in Rochester, MN.

Madison College reached the semifinal game by beating Joliet Junior College, 11-3, on May 4.

Marissa Shaner was the winning pitcher, holding Joliet to three runs on four hits while striking out eight batters.

Andrea Lawrence led Madison College with four hits, including a double, and three RBI. Megan Hanke added two hits, while Brianna Wagner hit a triple.

Shaner ended the season as the WolfPack’s top pitcher, going 7-6 overall and posting an ERA of 3.00.

Jordan Bell, Lawrence and Shaner led the team in offense. Bell averaged .455 with four home runs, three triples and 13 doubles. Lawrence hit .431, while Shaner hit .393.

Madison College finished the season with an overall record of 15-20 and a conference record of 7-11.

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MAN OF STEEL | Superhero | June 14

Zack Snyder (“300” & “Watchmen”) is bringing one of DC Comics’ most well known heroes back to the big screen. With Christopher Nolan (director of “The Dark Knight”) at Snyder’s side as a producer, and David S. Goyer (co-writer of “Batman Begins”) in charge of the film’s screenplay, re-telling the story of Clark Kent should be a truly amazing experience. Michael Shannon (“Boardwalk Empire”) will play General Zod, a villain that many people will remember from “Superman II.” Henry Cavill will play Superman himself, and with Laurence Fishburne and Amy Adams on board, this reboot shouldn’t disappoint.

PACIFIC RIM | SCI-FI | July 12

Guillermo del Toro’s (“Pan’s Labyrinth”) creative cinematic mind will explore the story realm of giant monsters vs. giant robots. In this summer blockbuster, giant monsters have spawned from the Pacific Ocean, from a portal between dimensions within the sea. The government chooses to fight off these creatures using giant, advanced technology robots piloted by two individuals at a time. As the war with the monsters progresses, more of these robots require back up. It is up to a former pilot and an untested trainee, making them the last hope for mankind against the monsters.

THE LONE RANGER | WESTERN | JULY 3

Gore Verbinski (“Pirates of the Caribbean”) will journey into the old west with a film adaptation of “The Lone Ranger” for a whole new generation. The film takes place around the time that locomotives were first invented, as John Reid ( plays “The Lone Ranger”) and his Native American Spirit Warrior “Tonto.” They must fight against criminals of greed and corruption in the old west. “The Social Network” star Armie Hammer will play the Lone Ranger, and “Pirates of the Caribbean” star Johnny Depp will play his sidekick Tonto. Helena Bonham Carter and Tom Wilkinson will also appear in the film.

MONSTERS UNIVERSITY | ANIMATION / COMEDY | JUNE 21

Disney & Pixar’s Mike and Sulley will return to the big screen… but in a past setting. This “Monsters, Inc.” prequel entitled “Monsters University” follows how Mike and Sulley met in college, and how they started off as enemies before they worked together at Monsters Incorporated, and later became friends for the original film’s events. Billy Crystal will voice Mike Wazowski again, and John Goodman & Steve Buscemi will lend their voices as Sulley & Randall, respectively. Dan Scanlon, another Pixar employee, will direct this prequel.

THE BLING RING | DRAMA | JUNE 14

Sofia Coppola (“Lost in Translation”) will soon release her next film, which is inspired by true events. “The Bling Ring” is about a group of fame-obsessed teenagers who manage to break into celebrity homes to steal their valuables. This was all possible for them through the Internet, specifically through sites like Twitter. The film will star Emma Watson & Leslie Mann. Paris Hilton will have a cameo appearance in the film.

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It’s this contradiction between canny postmodern genre blending and intentionally, (albeit tongue-in-cheek), offensive lyrics that has made Mindless Self Indulgence an indie-rock guilty pleasure. It is the band’s reputation as a guilty pleasure that the album’s title wryly takes aim at. “How I Learned…” is the best argument yet that bandleader Jimmy “Urine” Euringer’s genius can no longer be ignored.

Eschewing traditional funding methods, MSI produced the album themselves before “holding it ransom” on crowdfunding site Kickstarter for as little as $1 for a full-album download. The album was released in March to their financial supporters on Kickstarter and has since been signed to their former label, Metropolis Records, for public release May 14,with an album tour in progress.

This newest offering blasts off in style with the frenetic “Witness,” a hyperbolic homage to hip-hop braggadocio. With its mixture of retro synths and metal chords, the song provides a hummable chorus while the singer proclaims, “God likes me. I am the best.”

The entire album has a 80s feel, specifically with their use of keys, and the cover art accentuates this with its use of neon. Other highlights include “You’re No Fun Anymore,” which begrudges some unknown friend his newfound sobriety over a swinging, jackhammer drum track and chugging guitars.

“A La Mode” cheerfully proselytizes the listeners about the clearly magical properties of ice cream. A call and response chorus answers, “Ice cream will fix it!” to such dubious issues as “Going to jail” and “You’re a failure.” Of all the tracks here, “A La Mode” probably has the best chance of becoming a radio hit due to its benign subject matter and relatively clean lyrics.

“How I Learned…” loses a little steam on the second half of the disc, but it’s nonetheless an enjoyably wild ride throughout. In some respects it is a departure from their last album, this album being more dance oriented as opposed to the more rock flirtations of “if.” On the other hand, it also continues a clear progression toward more polished production and more traditional chord and chorus structures compared to their earliest work.

Mindless Self Indulgence has always been a very niche band, and this album makes no bones about it. It revels in its sleaze, but if you don’t mind the vulgarity, “How I Learned…” is a heck of a party record.

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This is the beginning scene of “Blancanieves,” one of the opening night selections for the 2013 Wisconsin Film Festival. It is a re-imagining of Snow White by the Brothers Grimm rendered in a classic film style. The plot is quite similar to the original version. Set in 1920s Seville, Spain, Encarna (Maribel Verdú) represents the character of the Wicked Queen who marries a widower Villalta. His daughter, Carmenita (Macarena García) lived miserably under the rule of Encarna.

The director, Pablo Berger, brings the era of black and white silent film into the digital era. Contributing to the originality is the 35 mm film format. Combining the classic style and Berger’s out-of-the-box narration, it feels as if a time machine had taken the audience back to the heyday of black and white film with this emotional story.

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