J
Volume 124 Issue 107
kansan.com
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
(From left to right) Patrick LeSage, a junior from Leawood; Nicholas Sardina, a former KU student from Buffalo, NY (deceased); Cooper Frederick, a sophomore from Tulsa, OKla.; and Kris Nelson, a graduate student from Kirksville, Mo., were all roommates in Lawrence. Sardina died on Saturday following an altercation at a house party.
Former student dies after dispute at party
RACHEL SALYER rsalyer@kansan.com
Lawrence police are investigating the death of 27-year-old former KU student who died Saturday after an altercation at a house party.
The victim, Nicholas Sardina, was pronounced dead at the scene — a friend's house in the 1500 block of Tennessee Street — after he was unresponsive to resuscitation attempts.
According to a statement released by police, Sardina was injured early Saturday morning during a dispute in the 300 block of West 14th Street, which may have contributed to his death.
Police have identified several people involved in the altercation, but no arrests have been made.
Sardina was a sergeant in the
National Guard from Buffalo, N.Y. He served three tours of duty in Iraq from 2006 to 2007, which was a portion of his life he cherished and made him the man he was, his roommates said.
"He loved being a soldier," said Patrick LeSage, a junior from Leawood and one of his roommates. "I feel like he really used the values he learned there every day, because he was willing to anything for you."
Sardina attended the University last semester, but he was enrolled in an online master's program through Kansas State University this semester and planned to return to the University to pursue a career in homeland security.
Sardina and LeSage lived with two other roommates: Cooper Frederick, a sophomore from Tulsa, Okla., and Kris Nelson, a
graduate student at the University of Kansas Medical Center from Kirksville, Mo.
None of Sardina's roommates were at the party with him, but they said he didn't usually get into trouble.
"He definitely said what he wanted, but he didn't get in fights either," Frederick said. "He had a really good sense of humor, so I think most things just rolled off"
Sardina's roommates plan to commemorate him with a plaque honoring his sense of humor, but are hoping an autopsy report provides further closure.
Funeral services are scheduled for Sardina in New York tomorrow and Friday. His three roommates will join his family in attendance.
Edited by Taylor Lewis
CAMPUS CRIME
Vehicle vandals target West Campus parking
RACHEL SALYER rsalyer@kansan.com
A string of car break-ins reported on campus last week may be related, according to the KU Office of Public Safety.
Four cars were broken into on Feb. 22. Three of the break-ins occurred in Park and Ride lots 301 and 302 on West Campus, near Becker Drive. The other break-in occurred in lot 112 near Hogland Ballpark. All of the incidents were reported between 4 and 5 p.m.
"Because of the similar time frames and locations, it is possible they are related," said Chris Keary, assistant director of KU Public Safety. "If we have a suspect in one case, we will certainly compare to see if they are a suspect in other cases."
Ten cars have been broken into on campus since Jan. 1, according to KU Public Safety reports.
All four of the vehicles broken into on Feb. 22 had their windows broken out. Keary said no blood was found with the vehicles, so the thief probably used a tool to break in.
my things are covered or I take them with me," Rosen said. "Once, I had my iPod taken. Other than that, they just broke my window out, which I had to get fixed, and that kind of sucked."
Loss from the four vehicles was reported at $752 and damage was reported at $2,600.
Daniel Rosen, a senior from San Antonio, Texas, had his car broken
"Now, I just make sure all
into three times while living in Texas. One of the incidents happened at school and the other two in front of his house.
Gena Pollack, a senior from Tulsa, Okla., said her car has never been broken into, but she tries to be conscient-
tious of what she leaves in her car and where she parks.
"I always try to park in highly populated areas," she said. "I am really bad about leaving my purse in the car sometimes, just
because I don't keep anything valuable in there, but I try to put it under the seat or cover it up."
Keary said it's important for students to remember someone will usually only break into a car if there is something to gain.
"Most of the time, something has to be visible for them to break in," Keary said. "If you do have valuable belongings, put them in the trunk, glove box or at least cover them up."
KU Public Safety has no witnesses in the investigation, and anyone who has information is asked to call crime stoppers at (785) 843-TIPS.
Edited by Ian Cummings
FITNESS
New class motivates, distracts Rec-goers
KELSEY CIPOLLA
kcpollla@kansan.com
Loud music and a commanding voice fill the air. Above, positioned in perfect rows, 15 people pedal hard, but they're not moving. They are participating in a cycling class, a new offering at the Ambler Recreation Center.
In January, the decision was made to remove elliptical machines and rowing machines out of the circular room that overlooks the main entrance on the second floor. Fifteen new stationary bikes were moved in and the older equipment was redistributed throughout the Rec center.
"It would definitely be better it they had a room for it," said Devin Steininger, a freshman from Castle Rock, Colo. "It's like the first thing you see and hear when you walk in."
Since the class is held near the front door, the music and voice of the instructor can be heard in the lobby and parts of the first floor.
Steininger said that she didn't mind the noise, because she exercises with headphones in, but she was confused about what was going on. After she realized it was a cycling class, she said hearing the music and seeing people working out made her want to try the class.
Bikes are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, although Amber Long, coordinator of fitness and cycling instructor, said
the Rec center will be introducing an online bike reservation system in the coming weeks. A KU Fit Pass is required to take a class, but anybody can ride the bikes when a class is not in session.
Since the classes officially launched on Feb. 14, attendance has been strong, Long said.
Classes last 45 minutes to an hour and are offered several times a day. Variations include a shorter, express class; a strength-focused
AMBER LONG Coordinator of fitness
"Probably almost everyone will work harder in the presence of others," Long said. "Just being in a group provides more motivation and accountability."
"Just being in a group provides more motivation and accountability."
Long said the cycling classes are a good way to fit in a quick, structured workout.
course; and one that mixes cycling with yoga.
Emily Vieux, assistant director of phone campaigns at KU Endowment, said that she has come to class every Tuesday and Thursday since the cycling program was introduced. She had never taken a cycling class before.
but was looking for a quick and effective way to burn calories.
"My butt and legs have been really sore, but other than that it's been great," Vieux said. "It's a really good workout."
TYLFR ROSTF/KANSAN
Edited by Katie James
Amber Long, coordinator of fitness at the Ambler Recreation Center, leads one of her new cycling classes. The classes have been popular since they were launched officially on Feb. 14. Long uses very upbeat music and speaks to her class over a head-set microphone, which can be heard echoing through out the Rec center.
**Index**
CLASSIFIEDS 9
CROSSWORD 4
CRYPTOQUIPES 4
OPINION 5
SUDOKU 10
contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2012 The University Daily Kansan
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