Break time is over. The days of oversleeping and overeating have come to an end. As classes resume, it’s time to shake any chilly blues or snowy doldrums that might still be leering around. Yep, it’s time to get fit, both physically and scholastically. So throw out the excuses and throw on some workout clothes.

Here are a few sweat-producing, pound-dropping options for your exercise enjoyment:

U of M Recreation Center: Students often lose sight of the U’s Recreation Center. It’s located just south of University Avenue, across from the Sports Pavilion and Williams Arena and adjacent to Cooke Hall. Whether it’s weights, stationary bikes, aerobics, basketball, racquetball or perhaps some squash, the university’s Rec center can accommodate several indoor fitness activities. Hours of availability typically range from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. The plus side is the Rec is free for all full-time students. The downside is this complex’s crowded nature and the parking challenge for those not within walking distance.

Van Cleve Park: About seven or eight blocks north of University Ave., on 15th Avenue, is where you will find this large public recreational area. If you’re looking to get those legs in shape, try one of Van Cleve’s ice rinks. This community park has three frosty sheets of ice: one for hockey, one for ice skating and the other for broomball. Whether you crave some competition or just want to burn some calories, any one of these activities can help cure the idleness your couch seems to corral you into. If you don’t have skates but do own a broom, bring that cleaning utensil out onto the ice and put it to good use. So put down the remote, stretch out your legs, strap up your skates (or boots) and bundle up for some frozen fun. Van Cleve is between Como Avenue and Rollins Street, on the east side of 15th Avenue, a warming house is available and there’s no charge.

Columbia Park: When golf season is no longer in session, Columbia golf course gets groomed into a winter recreation wonderland. Sledding hills and cross-country skiing-paths don the grounds of this 183-acre park. For those who are still a kid at heart, sledding down one of Columbia’s steep hills would be a fun way to spend a winter afternoon. For those looking for a more serious workout, the park provides what might be that physically enduring activity you’re looking for. The Columbia golf course’s clubhouse transforms into a warming house during the winter months. The clubhouse offers concessions such as coffee, hot chocolate and hot dogs, and also includes a rental office. Rental equipment includes snow tubes, and cross-country skis, poles and boots all for a nominal charge. Columbia Park is located north of downtown Minneapolis, at 3300 Central Ave., about 2.5 miles north of Hennepin Avenue.

Como Park Ski Center: Cross-country skiing within mere miles from the U of M campus can be found at this spacious ski complex. Similar to Columbia, Como Park takes advantage of its golf course by grooving its snowy patches of hillside into cross-country skiing trails. From 1.7 kilometers worth of beginner trails to 5 kilometers of more challenging terrain, Como’s picturesque environment provides its patrons a cross-country skiing experience that will produce strong legs and vivid memories. While Como does not have any terrifyingly tall ski slopes, they do offer skiing and snowboarding for beginner-style hills. Skis, boots, boards, etc. are available for rent at the facility’s Ski Chalet. Hours are Tuesday through Friday 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to –6 p.m. and Sundays 11a.m. to –6p.m. Como Park Ski Center is located at 1431 N. Lexington Parkway, south of Larpenteur Avenue in St. Paul.

A new chant echoes across the hardwood floors and penetrates opponents’ ears in the Barn. Its subject: a 6-foot-5-inch freshman forward from Shakopee named Jamal Abu-Shamala. He lacks the Minnesota-typical Scandinavian last name (he is half Arabic and Palestinian), but every time he leaps and launches a high-arching three-pointer that falls through the net, he ignites a growing orchestra of cheers screaming: ABU-SHAMALA. Despite limitations as a role player off the bench, Abu-Shamala’s timely shots and Sports Center-esque last name have made him a fan favorite. Here is a timeout with the man behind the silky-smooth jump shot that Gopher fans hope to see for years to come.

The Wake: What would you change if you were President of the United States?

Abu-Shamala: I would change the war. I am not a big fan of the Iraq War because I don’t see the cause of what they are trying to fight for.

The Wake: You have the highest three-point percentage on the team. Does that make you the best three-point shooter on the team?

Abu-Shamala: I don’t think it makes me the best three-point shooter. I think with my role on the team it’s to take shoot shots that I feel I can make and not overshoot and not get carried away with shooting too much. Other guys on the team are sort of in a role where they have to put up three-point shots even though they are great three-point shooters and they are in tougher positions to make them.

The Wake: Have you experienced any hazing or anything like that from teammates being a freshman?

Abu-Shamala: No hazing. I guess you could say I get treated like the typical freshman. I’ve got freshman duties in the weight room, to pick up when there are extra weights on the ground. Just little stuff like that, nothing real big.

The Wake: Is there a best-dressed player on the team?

Abu-Shamala: Yes there is one…hmm…I would say probably Ryan Saunders. He’s always looking nice: got the gel in the hair, always dressed to impress.

The Wake: If you could be any person in the world, who would it be?

Abu-Shamala: Michael Jordan. I’ve always looked up to him. He’s such a great leader, works hard and basically has reached all the goals I sort of want he has achieved.

The Wake: What is your meaning of life?

Abu-Shamala: To do the best I can everyday and live life to the fullest. Basically, try to help others and be a good person and a good citizen in society.

Pick One:

Dogs or Cats
Fishing or hunting
Minneapolis or Shakopee
Vince Young or Reggie Bush
Daunte Culpepper or Brad Johnson
Rap or Country
Nike or Reebok

Upcoming games:
Jan. 25

Illinois

Many things have happened since March 9, 1996: The Olson twins became really hot, the Yankees appeared in six World Series, and Ken Jennings held a ridiculous record of 74 consecutive wins on Jeopardy. One thing that hasn’t occurred since that infamous date – a Minnesota victory over Illinois. The Gophers have lost 13 consecutive games against the Fighting Illini and hope to end their dominance Wednesday night in Champaign, Ill.

Jan. 29

Indiana

In last year’s Big Ten tournament many Indiana players shaved their heads as a symbol of solidarity to help beat the Gophers. It didn’t work. Minnesota not only crushed Indiana 71-55, but also destroyed the Hoosiers’ chance at playing in the NCAA Tournament. With a revamped lineup and revenge on their minds, the Hoosiers will be a tough test at home for the Gophers on Sunday.

With winter upon us, the Wake felt it necessary to inform skiers and snowboarders where to go to practice their sport. Below are reviews of three ski areas that are all within 45 minutes of the U. The three hills are rated based on price, difficulty and overall experience.

Afton Alps
While the name makes it seem like you’ll experience a glimpse of Switzerland, the skiing doesn’t follow. There are plenty of chairlifts to bring you to the 48 runs. But Afton Alps is very spread out. While the widespread runs help when the hill is crowded, it is a hassle trying to ski the entire hill. The best thing about this place is that it is relatively close since it’s about 30 miles away from the U. If price is an issue, the best deal at Afton Alps is on Wednesday nights, when college students get $3 off night skiing passes.

Hyland Ski and Snowboard Area
This hill is located within 15 miles of the U. This place is overpriced and undersized for any skier. The runs are much shorter, meaning more time on the chair lift and less time on the hill. There are only 10 runs, while it is priced similar to places that have 30-plus runs. It is ideal for beginners since it has three green runs and 2 “training zones”.

Welch Village
This ski and snowboard area is the best of the three. It has 50 runs, including two awesome terrain parks. The hill features plenty of difficult runs, while scattering enough easy runs to satisfy people of all skill levels. While it is steep in price, $40 for an all-day lift ticket, it hosts the best skiing and snowboarding of any place within 50 miles of the university. The best price is at night, when lift passes are only $30.

General Information
Rental equipment is available at all three places. Hyland and Afton Alps rental costs are a bit cheaper for the standard rental equipment. Also, high performance rentals are available at Afton Alps and at Welch Village, so skiers and snowboarders can experience the hills with high-quality equipment. In addition, each of the three ski areas has chalets where people are able to enjoy hot chocolate and other concessions.

For current snow conditions at each slope, visit the following websites:

Still Got It Award: Brad Johnson – Minnesota Vikings
After taking a backup role in Tampa Bay last season, Brad Johnson was released in March. The Vikings nabbed Brad Johnson in free agency and are pleased with their decision. Following the Daunte Culpepper’s injury, Johnson has led the team to a winning record. Although he isn’t the most mobile quarterback nor does he possess the strongest arm, his knowledge of the game has proved to be invaluable. Congratulations to Brad Johnson for showing that he still has what it takes to be a starter in the National Football League.

Worst Sports story award: Fox 9 investigations
College athletes are drinking alcohol and receiving special treatment? No way. Impossible. Word on the street is college athletes sometimes also engage in pre-marital sex. Dumbfounding isn’t it? Fox 9’s investigation about Gopher hockey players drinking underage was equivalent to telling us Paris Hilton is not a virgin. It just isn’t newsworthy. Underage drinking is illegal and should be controlled, but it isn’t worth an undercover investigation.

Lactose Intolerance Award: Florida Marlins Batboy and Major League Baseball Rules
Milk does a body good. But what if you drink a gallon in less than one hour? A Florida Marlins batboy attempted to do just that after making a $500 bet with Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Brad Penny before a game at Dolphins Stadium. The batboy finished the gallon of milk, but not in the designated one-hour time period. If chugging an absurd amount of milk while losing a bet is not bad enough, the batboy was also suspended by the Marlins for six games for his actions. The suspension for steroid use at the time is ten games. Now let’s decide what is worst: a kid with a fun summer job guzzling a gallon of milk for $500? Or, overpaid professional baseball players illegally taking steroids to cheat their way to lucrative contracts and fame? I hate tough questions.

Record-breaking running game award: Minnesota Gopher football
It’s official, there will be no Gopher sightings at the Rose Bowl this season, and the Orange Bowl will definitely be Gopher-free. Despite another disappointing finish and another middle-of-the-pack bowl game, the Gophers’ record-breaking running game is something to be enthusiastic about. For the third straight season, the first time in NCAA history, Minnesota has produced two running backs with at least 1,000 yards rushing. A little-known school on the west coast, the University of Southern California (you may have heard of them), also produced two 1,000-yard rushers this season, but USC is still two years shy of tying Minnesota’s record. I wonder if they got a bowl game.

Bet you didn’t know award: Minnesota Women’s Cross Country
Not only did the women’s cross-country team make it to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2001, but they also accomplished one other small feat: the greatest finish in Minnesota women’s cross country history. Their ninth place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championship topped their tenth place finish in 1983 as the school’s best.

Future Football Stars from the Big Ten

Brett Basanez – Northwestern
Basanez surpassed the 10,000 yard mark for career passing yards this season. He is the just the third quarterback in Big Ten history to reach that milestone. He carried the Wildcats to record of 7-4, earning them a bowl bid.

A.J. Hawk – Ohio State
This Buckeye tackled everything in sight this season. Hawk finished the year with 109 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He received first team honors in the Big Ten for his third straight year and he figures to be one of the top defensive selections in the draft.

Laurence Maroney – Minnesota
Behind an offensive line boasting two All-Americans, Laurence Maroney ran tremendously this year. He finished the regular season with 1,413 yards and 11 total touchdowns. He will be an exceptional running back for those in the market come April.

Six years ago, Paula Gentil (Jen-SHU) wouldn’t have dreamt about playing volleyball for the Minnesota Gophers. At 16 years of age, Gentil left her hometown of Fortaleza, Brazil to add English to her native Portuguese. Gentil traveled to Orlando, Fla. and enrolled at Lake Highland Prep School. She planned to spend six months there, learn English and come back home to her family. Six years later, Paula is still in America, she’s merely moved from Florida’s southeast tip to Minnesota’s Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Gophers head volleyball coach Mike Hebert stumbled onto a volleyball gem he refused to lose sight of. “When you walk by a court and out of the corner of your eye you catch someone moving and darting, doing things that are instinctive and intuitive the way Paula does, you stop and watch,” says Hebert of when he first spotted Gentil at a club volleyball tournament in Florida. “She has a special gift that was immediately evident.”

Now entering the final stretch of her senior season, this 5-foot-9-inch libero – a defensive, backcourt position – has developed her gift to become one of Minnesota’s most accomplished volleyball players in program history. As part of a senior class of three, along with Jessica Byrnes and Athena Mallakis, Gentil aided Minnesota to its first ever Big Ten Championship, an NCAA Final Four appearance and a National Title match. Over the past four years, Minnesota has won 79.8 percent of its matches – posting an overall record of 115-29; including a record of 64-16 in conference play.

Hebert says it’ll be hard for him to part ways with a defensive wizard like Gentil. “She’s had a wonderful career,” says Hebert, “I’m obviously sad [Minnesota] will have to find someone new to pass the ball, but it’s going to be the end of a great run by her, a historic run.”

“We are very proud of her,” says Paula’s mother who resides in Brazil, but traveled for Paula’s final regular season match against Purdue on Nov. 26. “She always was very athletic, she played volleyball, swimming, squash, tennis, whatever it was to stay active.”

Paula’s sister reflected on memories of Paula’s childhood as well. “We played a lot and were always fighting with each other,” adds her sister, “but we always loved each other a lot too.”

Gentil’s intuition has served her well as a libero – a unique position that requires excellent vision and quickness. “She’s really good at seeing things before they happen,” says Gentil’s mother, “Paula can read the court well. She’s very intuitive.” Unlike every other volleyball position, liberos are not allowed to attack the ball in front of the 10-foot attack line – which separates the front and back of the court. As one of the nation’s premiere liberos, a typical play for Paula is as follows:

Before a serve, Paula loosely sways her arms, anticipating the ball’s flight. She quickly detects the ball, and dives, slides or jumps to where she sees the ball heading. Then, to prevent the ball from reaching the floor, Paula uses one of a plethora of her defensive maneuvers to deflect the ball and, at the same time, prop it up so a teammate has a clean look at the ball.

Successfully saving the ball from hitting the floor and keeping the play alive is a “dig.” Getting a dig, Paula says, is her favorite aspect of volleyball. “To play a big hitter who hits the crap out of the ball and I deny her of a kill, that feels good,” says Gentil. “Here I am this little person and I’m not letting her score the ball.”

One achievement Gentil has yet to reach is a national championship. Minnesota came close last year, but lost the title match 3-0 to Stanford after an unfortunate blow to Paula’s neck aggravated an injury from a car accident last fall, and consequently removed her from the match.

Minnesota brings a 24-7 into the 2005 playoffs, along with a healthy Gentil. Coach Hebert feels the Gophers are playing their best volleyball of the season. Whether or not the Gophers win the championship, Paula’s legacy will forever be cemented in the hearts of Gopher volleyball fans.

The Gophers Men’s basketball team was the Cinderella team of the Big Ten last season. Projected to finish tenth, Minnesota surprised the nation by earning a berth in the NCAA tournament and finishing fourth in their conference with a record of 10-6 and 21-11 overall. With the return of senior swingman Vincent Grier and the additions of sixth-year point guard Adam Boone from injury and fifth-year shooting guard Maurice Hargrow transferring back from Arkansas, one would suspect the Gophers to be ranked among the elite of the Big Ten, if not the nation.

Wrong.

It appears the Gophers will need to slide on the glass slipper and play Cinderella again this season because most experts don’t envision Minnesota finishing better than eighth in the conference. Despite the low preseason rankings, the Gophers are upbeat about what they can accomplish.

“I’m very excited about our chances and I think we should have a very good team in the Big Ten,” says Adam Boone.

This season the Gophers look to reclaim the up-tempo offense Coach Dan Monson used when he first came to Minnesota. Last season the Gophers often looked reluctant to push the ball up the court and relied on a half-court offense and stingy defense. With the loss of 7-foot center, Jeff Hagen, to graduation, Minnesota’s offensive strengths now revolve around their experienced backcourt and Monson looks to use these skills.

“Offensively, this is a very gifted team in many ways. Certainly, the strength of that is on the perimeter. So if you’re going to just set them into a half-court offense I don’t think that’s coaching to your strengths,” Monson says.

The biggest question mark entering this season centers on the experience of Minnesota’s frontcourt. Hagen, although slowed by injuries last season, was the team’s second leading scorer with 11.2 points per game. Sophomore Spencer Tollackson and redshirt freshman Jonathon Williams will replace him, while sophomore Dan Coleman, a member of the All-Big Ten freshman team, returns to play forward.

The Gophers schedule this season proves difficult because the Big Ten is infested with talent. The conference returns two teams from last season’s Final Four (Michigan State and Illinois) and features four teams from the Associated Press Top 25 (Michigan State, Illinois, Iowa and Indiana) in preseason. Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin are also contenders this season.

“The conference has many great players and a lot of veterans in there. It’s going to be a great season to be in the Big Ten this year,” says Vincent Grier.

If Minnesota can combine last season’s stellar defense with an aggressive up-tempo offense, it may be another Cinderella story for the Gophers.

With gender equality in mind, the government crafted a federal law in 1972 called Title IX. The law states, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.”

Although it has been debated since its adoption, the law has had implications that many people are unaware of. Title IX has taken down barriers throughout education and athletics for women across the country. In the Big Ten, there are 13 championships for women and 12 for men. Women’s athletics have been involved in the Big Ten since 1981.

Some believe the law has stifling effects on varsity sports at the University of Minnesota. For example, volleyball, rowing and soccer are only offered for women at the varsity level. This is to compensate for football and wrestling which are offered solely to men at the varsity level. Men’s soccer, volleyball and crew are offered among other sports, at the club level.

Scholarships play a major role in regards to Title IX because men and women’s sports must receive an equal amount of scholarships. Since the football team receives an extraordinary amount of scholarships compared to other sports, other men’s programs get the short end of the stick to make up for the football team’s abundance. For example, women’s track and field at the University receives 18 scholarships whereas the men’s track and field program receives only 12.6 scholarships. These scholarships can be divided into partial scholarships as long as they do not exceed the total amount allotted for the program. This inequity directly affects the men’s track and field team as well as other programs.

Women’s varsity programs don’t draw crowds like football. The average attendance at the Metrodome for a Gophers football game this season was 49,792 fans. This number is unheard of in women’s sports. The Minnesota Women’s volleyball team, ranked no. 17 in the nation, had its highest attendance of the season against Indiana, when 9,671 fans cheered on the Lady Gophers to victory. Women’s hockey, which has won back to back national championships, has yet to have over 1,700 fans at a home game this season. Fans simply do not turn out for women’s sports as much as they do for men’s, although genders draw dedicated fan bases.

Not only does Title IX affect sports, but it has also played a role in the Minnesota marching band. In 1950, a “girl’s band” was formed and was considered the women’s division of the marching band. With the adoption of title IX in 1972, women were allowed to become members of the once all-male marching band.

In March of this year, the Department of Education added a clarification to the compliance requirements for schools. Now, a school has the option to conduct e-mail surveys of its female students to research whether or not interest is present for additional women’s sports. A non-response from an individual can be interpreted as a lack of interest among women. This then means that the school is adhering to the Title IX rules. Thus, a school can choose not to add a women’s sport. This puts the effectiveness and progress of this law in jeopardy. This new clarification has been under fire since its adoption and leaves one to wonder whether the steps forward over the past 33 years have been reversed.

It is clear this law is controversial for a variety of reasons but is necessary for women’s involvement in sports on campus. Without the law, female athletes at the university would not be given nearly as many opportunities to showcase their talents. Also, there would be a tremendous imbalance in terms of scholarship opportunities for women and men. The future of this law is not nearly as promising as it was one year ago. For now, all one can do is wait and see how the Department of Education will react to the backlash from its recent action.

Last year, Gopher women’s basketball ranked sixth nationwide in average attendance. This means the sport has quickly become more popular thanks to departed Gopher All-American and current WNBA star Lindsey Whalen. And while Whalen may have helped put the U of M women’s hoops squad on the national map, it’s the team’s perennially potent defense that has kept them there.

A Big Ten power in recent years, the Gophers always-improving defense was able to hold two conference foes (Purdue and Indiana) under 40 points, on each respective team’s home court last season. Then, in post-season play, last year, Minnesota nearly set an NCAA Tournament record, allowing its first-round opponent, St. Francis (Pa.), a mere 33 points – the 2nd-lowest point total allowed in tournament history.

Leading Minnesota’s nationally acclaimed defense is Shannon Bolden. “She embraces defense, she’s tenacious out there and works her tail off,” says head coach Pam Borton, “and it’s made her one of the best defenders in the nation.”

Borton, who came to Minnesota from Boston College, says she knew very little of Bolden before she arrived at the U because she was coaching on the East Coast and Bolden was “one of those small town, in-state recruits” for Minnesota. Borton does say she’s grateful to have met this diamond-in-the-rough from Marshall, Minn. because from moment they met “Shannon’s always been a really positive person who’s always willing to work hard.”

Bolden decided to attend the U of M in 2001, making the trip to Minneapolis from her home town of Marshall, Minn. Marshall is located in southwest Minnesota with a population just over 12,000 people. Bolden played five years of basketball for Marshall High School. She made varsity as an eighth-grader, started in ninth and guided the Tigers to the state tournament as a sophomore. By her junior and senior years, Shannon was averaging more than 20 points per game and lead Marshall High to back-to-back Class-AA State Titles in 2001 and 2002.

In coming to the Gophers, Bolden had to switch focuses and adapt to a more defense-oriented role. “It takes a special kind of player to pinpoint their efforts as a defensive player,” says Borton. “Not many players are willing to accept the role she’s taken, it’s not like it’s glamorous, she’s not scoring the ball or being noticed in the box score or things like that.” Entering her 18th season of coaching NCAA Division-I basketball, Borton was not hesitant in saying Bolden “hands down” is the best defensive player she’s ever coached, but she’s also quick to point out “she’s a good shooter, too.”

With some of the All-American offensive talent the Gophers have possessed over the past few years – Whalen (a ’02, ‘03 and ’04 All-American) and recent No. 1 overall WNBA pick Janelle McCarville (two-time All-American, ‘04 and ‘05) – Borton has called upon Bolden for her take-no-mercy defensive ability than for her shooting or scoring.

Bolden, who began her Gophers career in 2002-2003, has a good shooting percentage (44.2 percent, including 45.1 percent from three-point range), but hasn’t always had the chance to exhibit her offensive talents. This season will be different.

“I think this year I’ll be able to be a lot more aggressive on the offense end and take a lot more shots,” says Bolden of her 2005-2006 season, “just taking more open shots and penetrating and finding different ways to score.”

Borton, who became Minnesota’s head coach Bolden’s freshman year (2002-03), says she’ll be looking to her senior guard/forward for her offense and leadership this season. “We’ve had Kodak All-Americans these past three seasons, so Shannon’s been depended on for her defense,” says Borton, “this year we’ll be looking for her to shoot more and be a leader of this team.”

Besides the encouragement from her coach, Bolden feels fortunate that she can always count on two of her favorite fans supporting her from the stands. Shannon’s parents,Lionel and Cindy Bolden ,drive more than three hours from Marshall for every home game. “Oh yeah, it’s a drive, but we love coming here,” says Lionel Bolden, who, along with Cindy, attended Minnesota’s Nov. 9 exhibition game.

The Boldens say they are looking forward to enjoying the final season of Shannon’s collegiate career. They’ve seen their older daughter, Stephanie Bolden, lead the South Dakota State Jackrabbits to an NCAA Division-II national title in 2003 and have followed Shannon through her first three seasons with Minnesota, which have all resulted in Sweet Sixteen appearances (including one Final Four) in the NCAA Division-I tournament. “It’s great to have them here,” says Bolden of her parents. “This is the last year for them to see one of their daughters play, so their excited for the season and coming up to cheer us on.”

Lionel said Shannon has always had a strong passion for basketball, recalling Shannon’s keen interest for the sport as a fourth-grader. He says Shannon has always been really talented, but a six-inch growth spurt somewhere in her early teens helped Shannon to mature physically and become a better player on the court. “She became much taller, it helped her thin out a bit,” says Lionel about Shannon’s rapid height increase. “Her athleticism changed so much, so fast, [and] she was able to gain more confidence and become a quicker athlete.”

“I think the ninth grade was when she really took off,” says Shannon’s mom, Cindy. “By her sophomore year, they [Marshall] finished third at state, they then won it in her junior and senior years.”

The Boldens say Shannon earned scholarship opportunities with several other schools, but feel she’s always wanted to be a Gopher. Now, as Bolden enters her fourth year with the Gophers, Shannon says she’s enjoyed her time playing with Minnesota but also realizes her basketball career most likely will soon be coming to an end.

As graduation day approaches, Bolden’s been preparing herself for her post-collegiate years. This past summer, she worked as a corporate sales intern for the Minnesota Twins.

“It was a great experience, it helped me learn I enjoy working with promotions and I enjoy working with sales,” says Bolden, “it gave me a chance to see what I did and didn’t like about the business.”

Bolden also credits her internship there for helping her leadership skills, which she plans to bring to the court this season. Joined by her backcourt running mates, Shannon Schonrock and April Calhoun, Bolden serves as one of three captains for Minnesota this season.

Bolden, one of six Gophers seniors, will be trying to lead Minnesota to a fourth straight Sweet Sixteen appearance. Minnesota has home battles with Nebraska (Dec. 3), Washington State (Dec. 10) and Iowa State (Dec. 22). The Gophers will then take their tenacious defense and offense into Big Ten play with a road contest against Northwestern Dec. 29.

After a Saturday night of partying, Sunday often dawns with headaches, sore throats, and exhaustion. But what better way to get over a hangover than by jumping from a thirty-foot platform into the deep end of the University of Minnesota’s Aquatic Center?

Or so is the case for a group of friends who have found a passion for plunging into water from great heights.

The group originated as three friends who went cliff jumping in northern Minn. during the summer. But the concept of diving caught on with their other friends and soon more joined in on the multi-faceted hobby.

Brian Trolander, and Andrew Thibodeau, seniors in the College of Liberal Arts, were among the original founders of the diving group. “We’d gone cliff jumping up north,” Thibodeau says. “Then we basically decided to go diving on Sundays at the Rec since it’s hard to get away and it gets so cold during the school year.”

While the friends yearn for the thrill of jumping from an eighty-foot cliff in Temperance, Minn. and landing in stinging, icy water, just feet in front of the jagged cliff-face, they have found solace in diving from the platforms of the University’s Recreation Center.

Originally, the main objective was to come up with the best trick possible. But it wasn’t long before diving became more than just a means of impressing each other with killer moves. Coming to the Rec each Sunday became a therapeutic activity for the group of thrill seekers.

Besides the obvious benefits of hanging out with close friends, the college students learned that diving was a great way to get over a hangover. All the friends agree, as they wait in line to jump from the springboard.

They start on the springboard to “warm-up.” I’m impressed at their responsibility. Then Trolander tells me about how he tried a flip off the platform once, and when he hit the water, his knee crashed into face resulting in much blood.

After a few dives, they move to the platform. Someone flies from above with his arms spread and hits water headfirst. Then Thibodeau jumps after him and does some sort of crazy, side-ways flip extravaganza. His trick arouses a few claps and shouts of encouragement.

Of course, it’s often not so pretty.

Thibodeau tries a new trick. He jumps from the platform, spinning clockwise. His legs rotate forward and his back smacks against the water diagonally. A large splash shoots into the air. A bevy of oohs and recoils emanate from his friends.

“That one’s gonna hurt a little,” he says as walks back up the stairs to jump again. “That’s when it’s the most fun, when you get hurt.”

He may be in pain, but you can’t tell. To these college students, there are only tricks, air, and hangovers to worry about.

In an era of patriotism in the United States, with ceremonies to commemorate national events, some athletes have expressed their discontent in subtle yet powerful ways.

In the 1995-1996 NBA season, while playing for the Denver Nuggets, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf chose to sit down during the national anthem. He cited his Islamic faith as the reason behind his actions. The NBA then suspended him indefinitely. Subsequently, the suspension only lasted for two games. Afterward, Abdul-Rauf closed his eyes and covered his face while saying a personal prayer during the anthem.

In the 2002-2003 season Toni Smith, a women’s basketball player at Manhattanville College, turned her back on the American flag during the national anthem. She did it to protest to the war in Iraq. Although she was a division three “star,” Smith averaged only 3.3 points per game and was greeted with boos at games following her initial protest. In addition, Smith had a veteran sporting an American flag run up and put the flag in her face on one occasion.

Current Fla. Marlins first baseman, Carlos Delgado, played 12 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays. He has a .284 career batting average with 369 career home runs. The all-star experienced increased media attention over the past couple years because of his political views.

Since Sept. 11, ballparks throughout the league have been playing “God Bless America” during the seventh inning stretch as opposed to the traditional “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” During the playing of “God Bless America” Delgado walks into the clubhouse instead of standing during the song. This act has stirred the feathers of baseball fans and critics alike. Delgado protested the ongoing military action in the Middle East.

In regards to the invasion of Iraq, Delgado said it was, “the stupidest war ever.” The Puerto Rican native is also angry at the United States Navy’s use of Vieques (Puerto Rican island) as a weapons testing site. Delgado was booed heavily at Yankee Stadium during a plate appearance and also heard “U. S. A.” chants as he took the field.

After hearing about Delgado’s actions, Toni Smith responded by saying, “Celebrities so often get praised for speaking out, particularly when they express a majority view,” Smith said. “But it should also work the other way. We should embrace those people who use their fame to also voice a minority one.”

In an era of patriotic displays around the sports world, it will be tough for any athlete to escape the pre-game fighter jet fly-bys, the saluting of troops and the moments of silence to honor those serving our country. In a country that has experienced catastrophic events within the past five years, don’t expect the nationalism to disappear from sports venues anytime soon.

Whether or not you’re in agreement with these three contemporary athletes, their courage should be admired. On the other hand, athletes such as these have to realize the opportunities they have because of our great nation, and how that affects others’ perceptions of them. On that note, these three players should take their political views off the field and worry about the fucking game.