Indiana at Muncie Free Press - Delaware County Indiana | News and Information

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - Indiana's newest senator pledged to serve like those before him, with Hoosier common sense and moderation.

Democrat Joe Donnelly took the oath Thursday to become U.S. senator, succeeding Republican Richard Lugar who was the longest serving senator from Indiana.

 During a conference call with media, Donnelly, who served six years in the U.S. House, said being a representative of the people was not about politics, but providing a better community for the next generations of children and grandchildren.

 Donnelly beat Republican Richard Mourdock, who made a huge gaffe about women, rape, and God, And he is he first Democratic senator since Evan Bayh gave up a Senate seat that was won by U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, a Republican.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - Ball State University Coach Billy Taylor referred to his first coaching visit to historic  I.U. Assembly Hall on Sunday as the most hostile environment the Cardinals will face this season.

 That 101-53 humiliation at the hands of the No. 1 ranked Hoosiers and their national championship banners is something that Taylor promised to work through with his young basketball team that just got beat  20 points by Indiana State last week.

By Rick Yencer

MUNCIE, IN - Ball State basketball has a big man and a big schedule this season, playing Indiana, Purdue and Butler.

 Billy Taylor, that Lehigh transplant entering his 6th season, was excited at the prospect of playing the No. 1 ranked Hoosiers at Assembly Hall on Nov. 25.

 "It is a great opportunity any time you play No. 1, said Taylor, at the basketball media day and practice this week.

 And BSU senior Jauwan Scaife, who averaged 5.9 points a game last season, said he wanted to make sure the team played well against the Hoosiers, just as Taylor echoed while introduced a young new team with some injuries.

 The newest member is Majok Majok, a junior college transfer who comes from down under, Perth, Australia, and towers at 6-foot-8. As Bobby Knight once said, he could always teach shooting and dribbling but he could not teach how a center could be 7-foot.