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Show MONDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2011 3 THE SIGNPOST Former gridiron star Snowfall to return for opera tradition By Christine Merkley correspondent I The Signpost Returning to his home turf this Friday for Homecoming Week, Ta'u Pupu'a, former Weber State University football star, will have a chance to play again at WSU, except this time, he's playing at the opera. Pupu'a received a full-ride football scholarship to WSU in the early '90s. He accepted the scholarship and became the team's defensive tackle, but his love for football was paralleled by a distinctly different interest: singing. Karen Brookens, professor of voice and vocal pedagogy and director of the opera program at WSU, said she is looking forward to meeting Pupu'a when he comes to visit the vocal students in their voice master class prior to his performance. Though she said she has never heard him sing live, she has seen video clips of his performances online. "It seems he has a beautiful tenor voice," Brookens said. "It's very full and rich. I'm anxious to hear him." Brookens isn't the only professor who said she is looking forward to Friday. Evelyn Harris, one of Pupu'a's professors and his personal voice coach from his student days, also said she was excited at the news. "He was such an asset to the depart- Cale Mer 01 Es press°, BQ Jr, S110110) ce Apo? 1H,00lkalht Loqu[intge 136 iiisl'oric 95"' Sf )(,dell. ' 11111 Recieve a Hookah Session for 1 /, price when you present this coupon in the Hookah Lounge 0 Recieve a FREE drink in our Espresso Bar when you purchase one of equal or greater value at full menu price 4 W. ment when he was here," Harris said. "He was here on a football scholarship, (and) that was his way to go to school, but he loved music equally. He was just an unusually talented person in two different ways." Pupu'a said he attributes his background as a church choir member to his initial love for singing. As a boy, he attended the Tongan Methodist Church with his family in Salt Lake City. There, people heard his voice and encouraged him to continue singing. He said that when he reachedWSU, it felt natural to study music. "I think singing was a seed that was planted in me when I was a child," Pupu'a said. "But the love came when I was in college. I knew when college football was finished, I needed something to fall back on. I needed to find something I really did love." During his studies at WSU, Pupu'a was drafted into the NFL and played for the Cleveland Browns. Even as a professional NFL player, he said his love for music would not be stifled. "During the offseason, I used to come home to Utah," Pupu'a said. "Some people love to go hiking or biking; I love to sing. So I called Evelyn Harris up and asked her if I could come see her." Harris agreed, and said she has fond memories of their voice lessons between NFL seasons. During his NFL career, Pupu'a broke the arch of his foot and was unable to continue playing. He returned home to Salt Lake City and turned his full attention back to music. He joined the Utah Opera Chorus and went on to graduate from Juilliard. Now, Pupu'a said, opera is a huge part of his life. This year, he has made his official debut as a professional opera tenor. ERE DO OUR STU ES GO? Saturday's Mt. Ogden hike canceled By Michael Grennell sports reporter I The Signpost PHOTO BY BRYAN BUTTERFIELD I THE SIGNPOST Former athlete Ta'u Pupu'a performs opera. "Opera is one of the oldest styles of entertainment," Pupu'a said. "Before Britney Spears and other singers, you had opera and live shows. I love opera so much, because it's something that I can share with other people. It's almost a spiritual experience of opening up and sharing my being with the audience." Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com . Weber State University's HomecomingWeek got off to a different start from usual, as the traditional kickoff to Homecoming Week, the Mount Ogden Hike, was canceled Saturday due to poor weather conditions. In a statement issued by the Outdoor Program, they expressed regret at the cancellation of the hike for the first time in recent years, saying that "given the cold temperatures and new fallen snow, the hike would not have been a pleasant experience." There are currently no plans to reschedule the hike; instead, they have opted to not do the hike at all this year. "Some people called and expressed their disappointment," said a member of the Outdoor Program. "There was going to be several dozen people going up there, so I'm sure that there are people who are disappointed, but I guess it is what it is." Leading up to the Saturday-morning hike, Ogden experienced rain and cold temperatures throughout most of the preceding week. The change in weather was very sudden, as students went from trying to keep cool in the previous week to trying to stay warm and dry. As temperatures dropped from highs of around 80 degrees on Monday to highs in the mid-40s Thursday and Friday, roughly an inch and a half of rain was recorded in Ogden. WSU students observed snow on the mountains to the east of the camSee Snowfall page B7 Injured athlete positive N ara 2 Apply to serve on the STUDENT FEE RECOMMENDATION COMMITTEE, this committee makes recommendations for the distribution of your student fees. PHOTO BY BRYAN BUTTERFIELD I THE SIGNPOST Mikelle Kapp watches her team play Montana Friday. She injured her knee earlier this season. Applications are available NOW at the Shepherd Union Information Desk Application Deadline: 4 pm, Friday October 14, 2011 11.11 Submit completed applications to: Student Involvement & Leadership Office 326 Shepherd Union OR Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs 304 Miller Administration Information Session: 12 pm, Wednesday, October 12, 2011 Lair in the Shepherd Union Questions: Call (801) 626 - 6008 By Corie Holmes sports reporter I The Signpost Redshirting last year, starting at the beginning of this year and now cheering on the bench, Mikelle Kapp is still a vital part of Weber State University's volleyball team. In a game earlier this season against the University of Nebraska, Kapp injured her knee. "It was hard because I had just gotten back from the same injury" Kapp said. "But I knew that it could be worse, and that it was not the end of the world." Even though Kapp has had this setback, she said it just makes her want to work harder toward getting back in shape. "It just makes me want it even more," Kapp said. "I want to practice harder and get in shape. I knew that my team would be there to support me." Just because Kapp can't contribute on the court does not mean she does not contribute in other areas. "She is a big part of our team in any case, but it's hard not to see her on the floor," said Head Coach Tom Peterson. "She is still cheering them on. She is one of the leaders on the bench, encouraging and inspiring us all." It's important to still be a member of the team and help out teammates because of the team atmosphere, Kapp said. "When we started this new season, we were big on the fact that our team is a family," she said. "I know that, even though I'm not playing, I'm still a part of our team family." Captain Caitlin Penrod said that Kapp's contributions off court are loved, but she is still missed on the court. "In terms of ball control and morale on the court, she is definitely missed," Penrod said. "She brought leadership, intensity and passion on to the court, and those are things that we need more of, and she was just full of it." Off the court, Kapp is still the same fun, bouncy, loud person she is on the court, Penrod said. "She is honestly the same person on and off the court," she said. "She is fun, loud and funny. She is just as supportive and just as competitive and intense. What you see on the court is Mikelle in every aspect of her life." Penrod shared a story about Kapp's perseverance. Kapp is one of the shortest players on the team. The Wildcats were once down a middle blocker (the tallest people See Injury page B7 |