Enterprise Story

Outline

Lede

-Basketball season thus far,

-Recent struggles of the program

-Quotes

-How the team and university plans to move forward and continue with a successful season.

-Quotes

- Whats lays ahead for the basketball team.

The hot start by the WSU men’s basketball team has helped ease the pain of a dismal football season, which saw the Cougars finish last in the Pac-10 with one win.

The Cougars have started the season with eight wins and only two losses, coupled with a tournament victory in the Great Alaska Shootout.

It has been a rough last year for the Cougs. They lost in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament, they saw their coach skip town for a coaching job at the University of Virginia, and they have plenty of new faces join the team this year, including six freshman and head coach Ken Bone.

Sophomore DeAngelo Casto, who looks to play a significant roll this season, was one of the many players shocked by Tony Bennett’s decision to leave, but he decided not to transfer and to stick with the program.

“When they brought Ken Bone in and we listened to him talk he was a great guy, easy to get along with, and easy to talk to,” said Casto in an interview on KJR radio station. “Then he introduced his philosophies and how he wanted to play and everyone got on board and was like, ‘you this is how we can really play and its going to be fun.’”

Despite the early success of the new coach and young team, many Cougar fans are still upset at Tony Bennett for leaving the team.

“I remember him saying he wanted to end his career as a cougar and then just like that he’s gone,” said junior Trevor Brink. “It was a shock to all of cougar nation, we all felt a little bit betrayed.”

Despite the feelings of anger and disgust, the cougar faithful can’t be too upset with what Ken Bone has done so far this season. Sophomore Klay Thompson has had a breakout year, earning two Pac-10 player of the week awards and is currently the nations second leading scorer, averaging just over 25 points per game.

“I was upset when Bennett left,” said junior Zzu Cru member Jeff Peugh. “But now I honestly think it’s for the better. We have a more up-tempo offense that is fun to watch and so far we are getting the results.”

The young team appears to be prepared for success in the future, especially with emerging stars such as freshmen Xavier Thames and Reggie Moore.

“At the point guard position we have Xavier Thames and Reggie Moore coming in and taking the spot of Taylor Rochestie who really ran the team [last year],” said Casto with KJR radio host Ian Furness. “Reggie and Xavier have been huge.”

Last year, Taylor Rochestie was one of the leaders for the cougars. He led the team in points per game, minutes per game, assists per game, and steals per game.

“As a fan I have been most impressed with how this young team has managed to succeed without players like Aron Baynes and Taylor Rochestie,” said Peugh. “It’s been fun to watch players like Thompson and Casto emerge.”

Other fans feel the same way, noting the up-tempo offense as one of the main reasons the Cougs are succeeding.

“With the athletic guys we have on the team and the new offense, it has allowed some players to emerge as scorers,” said junior sports management major Trevor Harvey. “I think within the next few years we will see something pretty special here in Pullman.”

The new, dynamic, up-tempo cougars will face Portland State this Saturday in Kennewick, Wash., before heading to the annual Cougar Hardwood Classic in Seattle where they will face Louisiana State.

Trevor Brink – 509 961 1239

Jeff Peugh – 253 224 6817

Trevor Harvey – 602 882 5328

3 ledes

1. District 9 Sen. Mark Schoesler on potential WSU budget cuts:

“Until the economy is turned around, higher education is always at risk.”

Background: WSU cut its budget by $54 million earlier this year. Tuition has increased by 14 percent since the university fiscal budget was announced last spring. It will increase by another 14 percent in the next school year.

Lede: Amid the WSU budget cuts and rising cost of tuition, District 9 Sen. Mark Schoesler fears that until the economy recovers, higher education is at risk.

2. WSU President Elson S. Floyd:

“Christine [Gregoire] has told me they plan to cut higher education by $99 million. She happens to have a very different view from me on how that money should be distributed.”

Background: WSU cut its budget by $54 million earlier this year. Tuition has increased by 14 percent since the university fiscal budget was announced last spring. It will increase by another 14 percent in the next school year.

Lede: Following the $54 million budget cut earlier this year, WSU President Elson S. Floyd will face even more financial trouble after Gov. Christine Gregoire announces a higher education cutback of $99 million. 

3. Background: Andrew Storfer, an associate professor at the WSU School of Biological Sciences, spoke to the zoology club Wednesday at Eastlick Hall. He said about 180 amphibian species are extinct, and a very small amount of amphibian species actually had an increase in population. Storfer said 43 percent of amphibian populations worldwide are in decline. He listed six probable causes: habitat destruction, invasive species, exploitation, global climate change, contaminants, and emerging diseases.

Amphibian populations worldwide are struggling to survive due to threats such as habitat destruction and climate change among others said Andrew Storfer, associate professor at the WSU school of Biological Sciences. 

Speech Story

Outline:

What speech covered in lede

Basics about the speech - where was it, when, what for

What did Elson Floyd speak about

What was the reaction from the audience

What can we look forward too

WSU President Elson S. Floyd spoke to the Pullman Kiwanis and other members of the community on Thursday, Dec. 3, about the recent budget cuts facing the university and how he plans to continue to help the school grow and flourish.

Floyd spoke to a crowd of roughly 150 people at the Gladish Community Center, and made it his point to emphasize the importance of community involvement. During these tough economic times Floyd understands the importance of community support.

“This is a community and we are going to do it together,” Floyd said. “You made an investment in our university by paying taxes and attending football games. We want to make sure your investment was worthwhile.”

This past year, Floyd was forced to cut the school budget by $54 million, which was by far the biggest budget cut in school history. Floyd emphasized that the economic struggle was not over, and that there is more trouble on the horizon.

“Christine [Gregiore] has told me they plan to cut higher education by $99 million,” said Floyd. “She happens to have a very different view from me on how that money should be distributed.”

Floyd, who was hired three years ago, has admittedly had a tough stretch and he has been forced to make tough decisions.

“In the midst of everything we had to make some very painful decisions,” Floyd said. “We have had to cut the theater and dance programs because these particular programs do not receive the funding they need to compete.”

Local citizens and students in attendance trust Floyd, and expect him to make the right decisions when the time comes.

“I have full confidence in what Mr. Floyd does,” said Johannes Petrusson, a junior at WSU who regularly volunteers with Pullman Kiwanis. “When the government is cutting our budget so significantly, some programs will unfortunately take the grunt of the cutback. There’s only so much he can do.”

With the financial crisis in mind, Floyd has started taking steps to improve branch campuses that are directly associated with Washington State University.

WSU Spokane will alter its programs and focus completely on health science, eventually transforming into a four-year degree program Floyd explained.

Like the Spokane campus, WSU Tri-cities and Vancouver will also refocus their research emphasis. The Tri-City campus will shift focus to bio-fuel technology as well as efficient energy, and the Vancouver campus will move towards technological research.

“We are taking some of the programs that we can no longer afford to have at the Pullman campus and moving them elsewhere,” Floyd said.

William Dornes, a junior who volunteered for the Kiwanis at home football games, is saddened to see the budget cuts but believes Floyd is doing his best to compensate.

“I understand that these are tough times and that President Floyd has to do what is right for the direction of the university,” Dornes said. “It is great to see him take time out of his busy schedule to get back to the community and let us know what’s going on.”

Steven Wilkerson, a senior at WSU, worked with Kiwanis and Elson Floyd last year to raise over $2,000 for charity. He believes one reason WSU has survived the recent budget cuts is because of the culture that comes along with a Washington State University education.

“They say ‘once a Coug, always a Coug,’ and I think this mindset has helped get us through the tough times,” Wilkerson said. “Elson realizes this, and has made an effort to reach out to the community that continues to support the university in hard times.”

Floyd’s goal was to offer a sense of hope for not just the Pullman Kiwanis, but to all members of the community.

“You’re looking at one university President who is extremely grateful for what you do,” Floyd said. “We cannot do it alone, we are going to need your help.”

Sources

Johannes Petrusson – 425 – 301 – 0089

William Dornes - 206 - 817 - 3686

Steven Wilkerson – 360 – 391 - 5731

Questions:

-How is WSU dealing with budget cuts during the struggling economy?

-Was last years budget cuts a one time thing or can we look for more cuts in the future?

-What do the Kiwanis mean to the community and Washington State University?