MEN'S BASKETBALL: Ball State shows uncharacteristic offensive surge

Suddenly, everyone wants to suck your blood

From Edward Cullen to Dracula, Lestat de Lioncourt to Count von Count, society has been constantly bombarded for years by the blood suckers known as vampires.But long gone are the days when vampires were portrayed as old men rising up from caskets every Halloween — vampires today are now portrayed as attractive, lust-driven teenagers and twenty-somethings.This Friday, the supernatural romance between vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) and teen mortal Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) hits the silver screen once again in "Twilight Saga: New Moon," the second installment of the movie adaptation of Stephenie Meyers' best selling book series "Twilight."

ATHLETICS: Firings/Resignations during Tom Collins era

Wednesday's firings of soccer coach Michael Lovett and field hockey coach Annette Payne were the third announced by Ball State athletics director Tom Collins this year. The first was women's tennis coach Kathy Bull in October.In all, five coaches have been axed under Collins' watch, while seven have resigned for various reasons.

A CLOSE SHAVE: Like him or not, Tom Collins means business

Wednesday's big news of the day didn't revolve around the ESPN2 cameras recording visual proof of no more than 2,000 fans in the Scheumann Stadium stands for Ball State University's 35-3 football whoopin' from Central Michigan University.

Student sets off sprinkler system

Morning classes at North Quad were redirected to another location Wednesday because an upset student set off the sprinkler system.Associate Director of Public Safety Bob Fey said the student's teacher saw him do it, but the teacher and student have not been identified.

Campus police shift focus away from main campus

The most common crime around campus is theft, Gene Burton, director of public safety, said. The holiday season combined with Muncie's economic troubles has led to a spike in burglary rates across the city."We take more theft calls than we do anything else," Burton said. "This time of year its not unusual for car break-ins to go up."

FOOTBALL: Weather, atmosphere soggy in loss to Chippewas

Coach Stan Parrish said the atmosphere in the stands was tough for his seniors to witness. The weather coincided with a bleak and almost non-existent fan base. The attendance at Scheumann Stadium was a season-low 5,736 people. That is a difference of 18,125 people when compared to the Western Michigan game one year ago, which broke the attendance record with 23,861 fans in the stands.

Pocket show takes on a new 'Medium'

On Friday, Levitt and his six-member cast will introduce the first performance of the Ball State Pocket Opera with "The Medium." The Ball State Opera Theatre normally has a presentation in the spring at John R. Emens Auditorium or Sursa Performance Hall, but this year, Levitt created the Pocket Opera company which performs a smaller opera in the fall. "This is Pocket Opera — it's not a genre; it's a name," he said. "Something that you can fit in your pocket is maybe something that's maybe on a smaller scale. Like an iPod is a travel thing as opposed to the big, fat, honking stereo. That's what we do in April."

MEN'S SWIMMING: Cards look to defend pool at Coers Invitational

The Ball State University men's swimming team faces a tall order when it plays host to Grand Valley State University and Findlay University at the Doug Coers Invitational this weekend. Simply put, Grand Valley State has them outnumbered."Grand Valley has about 10 more people than us," coach Bob Thomas said. "So beating them is a tough task, but last year it came down to the last event, and we'd like to bring it down to the wire again."

FIELD HOCKEY: Annette Payne timeline

The Ball State University athletics department announced Wednesday that it would not renew field hockey coach Annette Payne's contract for the upcoming season. Below is a look at the highlights and lowlights of the soccer team during Payne's nine-year tenure as assistant and head coach.

Grocery shopping tips for students

Being a college student is one thing but living off campus and cooking meals is another, so bargain shopping is essential to eating nutritious.

Ball State vs. Central Michigan highlights

Highlights from the football game between Ball State and Central Michigan on November 18, 2009.

Reversing gender roles

AD Tom Collins explains firing of Payne, Lovett

Athletics director Tom Collins explains the firing of field hockey coach Annette Payne and soccer coach Michael Lovett.

Honoring National Adoption Month

Events explore Islamic Awareness Week

Ball State University celebrates Islamic Awareness Week with several events focused on the culture and diversity. 

DN Highlight of the Night: Ball State women's volleyball vs. Akron

FOOTBALL: LeFevour sets record, extends Chips' lead

Poinsettia sale benefits cancer patients

A poinsettia sale benefiting cancer patients in Central Indiana is happening this week at Ball State University.The sale is happening now through Friday. Poinsettias are being sold for $12. People interested in buying a plant or donating to the cause can get an order form in the Art and Journalism Building Room 300 or online at www.littlereddooreci.org.

OUR VIEW: Think before judging

With an increasingly globalized world, we need to develop a better understanding of cultures we aren't familiar with. Far too often, lack of knowledge about diversity ends in discrimination, hate speech and even war.Islamic Awareness Week takes place through Saturday, with programs including "Understanding Islam," "A Student Perspective on Islam" and "Islam: Religion and Culture."