Former wrestlers sentenced to jail

As most of you may know, the Daily Collegian has been writing articles since early December about the two former who were convicted of severl burglaries. Eric Bradley, 29 years old, and Patrick D. Cummins, 30 years old, were sentenced to jail for seven counts of burglary and 17 additional counts related to those burglaries from December 2007 to May 2008.

They destructed fraternities properties and stole from the fraternities Phi Kappa Theta, Phi Sigma Kappa, Alpha Chi Sigma, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Acacia, Kappa Delta Rho, Sigma Pi and Lambda Chi Alpha. The items varied from digital cameras, game systems, guitars, a safe, laptops, video games, televisions, $1,000 cash plus items of clothing! The police found these items in the defendants apartments and most of the items have been returned.

After the pair had numerous failed motions they pleaded guilty to the offense and were sentenced to "one to two years in county jail, a $2,000 fine and payment of their court costs associated with their confinement and prosecution...The defendants were also asked to pay $22,000 back in “restitution to all victims” who had their property stolen," (Greene). They waived their Miranda Rights and confessed to their crimes once they were arrested.

Ever since I have been at Penn State I have lost multiple ID cards and VISAS and each one of them have been returned to me. Plus, State College is considered to be one of the safest towns in the United States. I was surprised to read the articles about these two Penn State wrestlers who would steal from their fellow class mates.

I believe that in Happy Valley we are supposed to be a united community. Penn State has many things to be proud of and we should be connected by the accomplishments of the University. I have always been trusting of the Penn State community but these two men have made me rethink who I trust and who I don't. I do not agree with stealing anything under any circumstances.

Its cruel to take people's objects who may have less than you, I personally would not be able to live with myself if I took thousands of dollars worth of objects from my fellow students. I believe that the punishment is fair and these two Penn Staters should feel bad about themselves for the crimes that they have committed. Theft is under no circumstances acceptable and I hope that I can still trust my fellow peers not to take what is not rightfully theirs.

Couples kiss to raise awareness

Usually on Valentines Day, you receive chocolates or cards from a special someone or go to dinner with friends to celebrate the holiday. But, some students at Penn State honor the holiday in a different way. 

This week I chose the article "Couples kiss to raise awareness," it talks about an event that takes place in the middle of the HUB-Robeson Center. The event is sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies Student Alliance. Gay and lesbian couples "kiss out" to raise awareness about homosexual couples. The event has been going on for seven years thus far and this year, fifteen couples joined together to publicly display their affection for one another.


I believe that every couple should be treated equally and fairly regardless of their sexual preference. People should not have to hide who they care about especially on any day especially on Valentines Day! One student expressed that the Penn State Community has been accepting of his boyfriend.“In high school, people used to yell ‘dyke’ at me or throw things at me...But when I came to Penn State, I found a community. It was so much more accepting,” (Hartman). I went to a Catholic grade school and an all girls Catholic high school, needless to say, the administration was not accepting of any relationship between two girls. It was frowned upon and inexcusable to show affection for someone of the same gender. I am happy that at Penn State the student population is so large that each student can find someone or some group that they fit in with. These couples have the right to be with one another. They also have the right to publicly display affection without about being harassed. I hope that this event continues in years to come.

"HUB could expand"

Every University Park Penn State student has ventured over to the HUB-Robeson Center to study for an exam, eat sushi or pizza, meet some friends, grab a cup of coffee, raise money for an organization, or lounge around until your next class. The article discusses the $29 million project to renovate the HUB which will add about 35,000 square feet to the HUB and a potential addition to the White Building. Unfortunately, the HUB is constantly crowded, unless its early in the morning or late at night, I usually have a hard time finding a place for my group of friends to sit together. I try to avoid the HUB at certain times during the day when I know it will be jam-packed. For example, going to the HUB at noon is an awful decision, the lines for food are extremely long and almost all the tables are full. In addition, it is hard to even walk through the bottom floor of the HUB, people are rushing to class or darting to an open seat not to mention that it’s loud and busy, so trying to get some homework accomplished is often difficult unless your music is blaring through your headphones.

The problem is with the HUB is simple; it is not big enough to accommodate the many students who attend University Park. “As it stands now, Powers said the HUB –– 246,592 square feet –– doesn’t match up to student union buildings at other comparably sized universities.” We need a bigger place to gather with our peers to study, eat, or socialize. The HUB is meant to be a place where students can convene and it should not be a place that any student should avoid. The new HUB will have more student spaces, a renovated Barnes & Noble bookstore and a creative winter garden.




http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2011/01/31/HUB_expansion.aspx

"Disabled athlete speaks of obstacles"

Whenever the word athlete comes to mind, I think of a tall, strong, intimidating, and self-disciplined person. For example, Kobe Bryant, Peyton Manning, and David Beckham all fit the criteria for an athlete. But, the image of a man sitting in a wheel chair never crosses my mind.

I have been playing sports for my entire life. I have learned that the amount of effort you put into a sport will determine your success. When you're an athlete you have been taught by coaches and team mates that you must always give 110% during any practice, match, or game. Through hard work and training, you will see results. Rohan Murphy fits the description of an amazing athlete. But, there is one thing that makes Rohan different than many other athletes because he was born with his kneecaps on the opposite legs.

This article gives inspiration for athletes everywhere. His disability is rare, but the fact that he overcame this obstacle is even rarer. I honestly cannot imagine being handicapped, let alone coping with your disability and then making an all-county team for wrestling. He started out as the team manager for soccer and wrestling in high school, he took a chance and became a wrestler instead of a manager.  Throughout his life, he struggled with his disability but he never gave up. That is the true definition of an athlete, failing over and over again until you succeed.

This article has changed my perception of an athlete. Some people are born with coordination which makes them proficient in sports. Others, like Murphy, are born without things that we take for granted each day, in his case, legs. He is a true example of an athlete and his story is uplifting. Murphy says that Mother Nature just dealt him a bad hand. Well, Murphy took his "2-7" hand and turned it into a royal flush. He triumphed.

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2011/01/13/Rohan_Murphy.aspx