Thursday, November 30, 1995 125 years and still a SANDUSKY, OH. -- Cedar Point has renamed its world-record-breaking stand-up roller coaster Mantis, after the imposing creature known as the most voracious predator of the insect world. The new coaster will open in 1996 at the Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park/resort. Mantis will be the tallest, fastest and steepest stand-up roller coaster in the world and will be Cedar Point’s 12th roller coaster, more than anywhere else on earth. At $l2 million, the new scream machine will also be the most expensive single ride investment in the history of the park. Originally, Cedar Point announced its new coaster’s name as Banshee, after the untamed ghostly entity of Irish folklore. Michigan hints at break with NCAA NCAA convines in January to decide with vote on proposal to change from association to federation ANN ARBOR, Mich- Hinting at an ultimate split form the National collegiate Athletic Assoociation, University of Michigan President James J. Duderstadt said at a recent Board of regents meeting that the association no longer represents the interests of large institutions. The NCAA, which is scheduled to convene in January in Dallas, is likely to vote on a proposal to change from an association into a federation. The association currently “After unveiling the massive project in September, we had concerns that some of our guests may have found the doom and misfortune connotations associated with the coaster’s original name inappropriate,” said Don Miears, executive vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. “We felt sensitive about this and pledged to Cedar Point’s fans that we would develop a fitting name for this spectacular thrill ride. We’re confident that the name Mantis fits the bill.” Mantis’ structure will coil over and through 4 acres of land and lagoon near the center of the park and will awe guests with its world-record-breaking dimensions. Towering 145 feet in height with a 137 foot drop angled at 40 degrees, riders will come within feet of the water’s surface before challenging Mantis’ swooping elements at 60 miles per hour - all while standing up. More than 20 percent of the ride’s structure will be built over the water, including its loading station and two of Mantis’ looping elements. G * includes Divisions I, II and 111 schools, with one vote allotted to each school. Duderstadt said the switch to a federation system would allow Division I, which includes the largest schools to break off from smaller colleges to form its own governing body. “The NCAA creates an awkward situation for developing policies,” Duderstadt said. “It does not serve in the best interests of larger institutions like the University.” The change to a federation system would require a two-thirds Features Mantis’ six ride elements will feature four upside-down inversions and two “firsts” for a stand-up roller coaster. The dizzying elements will include a 119 foot tall vertical loop, the tallest on any stand up coaster; a 103 foot tall dive loop, which riders will enter upside down and exit right side up and will be the first of its kind on a stand-up coaster; a heavily banked 360 degree turn; an 83 foot tall inclined loop angled at 45 degrees, another new inversion for a stand-up coaster; a 360 degree flat spin; and a figure eight finale. To complement Mantis' enviromcntal setting, the ride’s three-tone structure will mix a two-color track of vibrant yellow and red with an electric blue framework. Mantis’ three sleek prototype trains will give approximately 1,800 rides an hour. Its 2 minute, 40 second adventure will cover more than 3,900 feet of steel rails. Mantis riders must be at least 54 feet tall. Designed by the critically acclaimed roller coaster engineering firm Bolliger & Mabillard (B&M) of Monthey, Cost of ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’ Want to give your true love the 12 da£s of Christmas? Weft, according to the annual tongue-in-cheek survey conducted by PNC Bank, it won’t he cheep. In fact* the prices may even make Santa blush, A total of $64 presents, including 12 partridges in pear trees, 36 calling birds and 24 turtle doves, the “true cost of Christmas” comes to $51,764.24. Buying aft of the gifts from 12 drummers to a partridge in a pear tree would cost $12,461,65. The 1995 cost of the gifts in “The 12 Days of Christmas” as compiled by PNC * One partridge in a pear tree * Seven swans-a-swimming $27*66 $3,500 * Two turtie doves * Eight maWs-a-mllking * Three French hens * Nine ladies dancing $l6 $2,606.83 * Four calling birds * 10 ioids-a-ieaping $2BO $3,182.57 * Five gold rings *ll pipers piping $325 _ . $1,109.16 * Six geese-a-taying * 12 drummers drumming $l6O $1,201.59 vote by members of the association, said Kathryn Reith, director of public information for the NC AA. the change would set up the NCAA as an umbrella group overseeing the different divisions. While an association gives equal voice to all members, a federation would only permit Division I schools to vote on issues affecting Division I. Duderstadt said the Division I section of the federation would be run by an exiecutive board of 15 presidents from the different schools represented. Duderstadt said that if the proposal fails at the January conference, there is a possibility that the ncaa will disolve as an association entierly. thrill Switzerland, Mantis will be the fifth world-rccord-breaking ride Cedar Point has introduced in the last eight years. It will also be the fifth scream machine the park has built during this same time period. B&M also created Cedar Point’s magnificent Raptor roller caster, the tallest, fastest and steepest inverted roller coaster in the world, which opened in 1994. “B&M’s high-tech roller coasters have earned global recognition for pushing the thrill ride experience to new heights,” said Miears. “The addition of Mantis will strengthen Cedar Points roller coaster arsenal and reinforce our reputation as the undisputed thrill ride capital of the world.” Construction of Mantis is now underway. Cedar Point’s Opening Day will be on Saturday, May 11. 1.119-Foot-Tall Vertical Loop 2.103-Foot-Tall Dive Loop 3. 360-Degree Banked Turn 4. 83-Foot-Tall Inclined Loop 5. 360-Degree Flat Spin 6. Figure-Eight Finale Vice president for University Relations Walter Harrison said that the main reason for staying in the NCAA is to keep with tradition. ‘There’s some sence uhat the (smaller) schools may not agree or support this,” Harrison said. “If they don’t, thereis some movementamong the larger schools to leave the NCAA.” Page 5
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