February 29, 2008 - Saint Mary's University of Minnesota

12 February 29, 2008 Sports www.smumn.edu/cardinal
Sick and tired of steroid talk
BY ERIC LEAR
Sports Editor
Enough is enough. I want to be able to turn on
ESPN and hear baseball analysts talk about spring
training, not who they speculate is or is not on the
juice. The spring should be a time of hope for baseball.
Every team has a shot at winning a World
Series, even if they haven’t won it for a century.
Instead, it has turned into a circus about Roger
Clemens, Andy Pettitte, and steroid use.
Here is where perhaps my opinion differs from
the rest of the world. I don’t care if Clemens did or
did not take steroids. He would still be the best
pitcher of our era, if not in the history of the game,
regardless of what he has allegedly been shot up
with. I am in no way condoning use of illegal drugs
in sports. What I am condoning is giving a second
chance. Let them play in the league steroid-free and
see what they can do.
We are so quick to jump on a player even if we
have no evidence of them using. I always hear the
argument “look how much bigger he is now than
before.” Give me a break; these guys work out every
day, not to mention that when people get older, it is
almost inevitable that they will gain weight. Most of
us are not hot shot lawyers, or the judge and jury, so
let’s leave it up to them to decide.
With that said, if Clemens actually did take performance-enhancing
drugs, I will lose a great deal of
respect for him. There seems to be a large lack of
honesty in the sports world and now would be a great
time to turn it around. Take Pettitte for example, he
used illegal drugs and admitted it. He isn’t the person
that is taking the heat; in fact, it seems that the
media and the general public give him the benefit of
the doubt.
Most of this chaos comes from the media. Watch
Sportscenter on ESPN and see what they say about
baseball. I would be willing to wager that the majority
of the talk revolves around performance-enhancing
drugs.
Perhaps it’s about time they focus on the good in
baseball again.
Track/soccer complex to break ground
BY LAUREN ROTHERING
Cardinal Staff
With spring approaching, many
Saint Mary’s University students are
anticipating the return of warm
weather and green grass. This
spring, however, a new development
on campus is accompanying
more traditional signs of the season:
the construction of the new
track and field/soccer complex.
Construction is set to begin as
soon as ground conditions permit.
Managed by Glenn Rehbein
Companies, the complex has been
under development for months
and has now reached its fourthgeneration,
and most likely final,
master plan, according to Athletic
Director Nikki Fennern.
“Now we are into the nuts and
bolts of the project,” said Fennern.
Although the basic foundation
of the complex has remained the
same throughout the planning,
many minor details have had to
be adjusted, such as the orientation
of jumps and location of
fences, water and plumbing.
Construction is set to occur in two
phases. The first will include “all the
competitive amenities,” said
Fennern, while the second phase
will contain aspects such as spectator
bleachers and concession
areas.
The addition of the complex will
serve to bolster current Saint Mary’s
athletics, especially men’s and
women’s soccer, track and field,
and cross country. Although these
teams may be the more obvious
beneficiaries of the complex,
Fennern said that all the teams will
benefit. “It’s a great training facility,”
said Fennern.
The complex is not only for student
athletes, though. The addition
of an outdoor track and field/soccer
pitch will support many current
physical education classes, intramurals
and club tournaments on
campus.
While enhancing current athletic,
academic and club programs,
the complex will also affect the
future of Saint Mary’s. Fennern
believes this development will
attract more and better student
athletes to Saint Mary’s, especially
because of its location. With its
presence directly at the entrance
of campus, it will be the first thing
many prospective students will see
upon entering campus from Hwy.
14.
Fennern feels the complex will
“send the message” that athletics,
whether for athletes or athletic
supporters, are an important part
of this university’s community.
Coach Farren’s legacy left on the fairway
BY THERESA BREAULT
Cardinal Staff
With the upcoming golf season, the life and legacy
of the late Coach Tom Farren has been reflected
upon. It has been especially difficult for the Saint
Mary’s University men’s golf team to cope with the
loss of their coach, who died suddenly in November.
Although his death has not been felt on the fairway
yet, as the snow begins to melt and the team begins
their practice once more, questions on how the SMU
golf team will carry on in Farren’s absence.
“It’s been hard,” said sophomore golf team member
Rob Klein, “but we are doing our best to stay
together as a team.” Klein reported that the team
intends to carry on the traditions of golf that Farren
instilled.
Although they are still in the process of looking
for a new coach, Klein seemed ready for the new
season. “We are dedicating this next season to Coach
Farren,” he said. “We are going to continue his
legacy.”
Although Saint Mary’s will not choose a permanent
coach until the season next fall, senior captain
Jesse Polk seemed optimistic about the team carrying
on. “It will be a difficult transition, but I think we
will be okay.”
Like Klein, Polk seemed eager to continue on in
the ways that Coach Farren had started. As spring
approaches and the team prepares to hit the greens
once again, it will be with Coach Farren’s voice still
in their heads that they continue on into the next
season.