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A n g e l o S ta te U n i v e r s i t y’s s t u d e n t - r u n n e w s p a p e r s i n c e 1 9 3 6
Friday, February 16, 2018
www.asurampage.com
Volume 84, Issue 18
Photo by Brit Raley Elias Aguirre, senior outfielder, gets airborne after launching the ball to his teammates. Aguirre scored one run in the
series against Southwestern Oklahoma State.
Crisis helpline available for Rams
ASU opens helpline for students experiencing mental health issues Christian Hunick Staff Writer
ASU created a new crisis hotline early this year with the aim of helping students deal with stressful or traumatic situations. “Our efforts were to provide additional support to students to aid in their success,” Executive Director of Student Affairs Bradley Petty said. The number for the hotline is (325)486-6345. Students may call for help any time or day, and a licensed professional will answer them. The helpline is equipped to deal with a variety of issues. “The Crisis Helpline can help students immediately
with situations such as anxiety, thoughts of self-harm, unhealthy or violent relationship issues or alcohol or drug use that can no longer be controlled,” Petty said. In some cases, students who call may be referred to the ASU Counseling Center on Johnson Street, south of the Office Annex Buildings. The ASU Counseling Center provides confidential services to ASU students who have paid the current medical services fee. The ASU Crisis Hotline is currently being promoted across campus. Junior Rowan Upton is one of the many students who noticed the information for the hotline displayed on signs and computer
See CRISIS page 2
Education for Educators
Photo by Axel Marcenaro One of many new Crisis Hotline displays along the campus
walk. Students are encouraged to contact the number for support in troubling times.
Brain waves at ASU
Texas Classroom Teachers we’ll be doing,” president of Psychology department the student chapter of TCTA adds new master’s Association thrives Victoria Galvan said. program Eunice Tibay Staff Writer
The student chapter of the Texas Classroom Teachers Association at ASU provides its members, the educators of the future, with volunteer opportunities. The TCTA is a statewide organization for teachers including teacher aides, counselors and librarians. “It’s mostly an organization for future educators that provides opportunities to work with kids, because that’s what
Such opportunities include an internship at Camp Lonehollow this summer and helping out at events in the San Angelo community like the Jim Bass Ford Fall Festival and on-campus events like International Education Week and Fall Fest. “TCTA contributes to Angelo State by representing this university with pride, respect and positivity,” TCTA historian Diana Hernandez said.
See TCTA page 3
Contributed Photo Members of the Texas Classroom
Teachers Association pose for a picture at their Christmas event.
Eunice Tibay Staff Writer ASU’s psychology department will launch a new master’s of science degree program in experimental psychology in fall 2018. The program will perform experimental research project with human and non-human subjects focusing mainly on behavioral neuroscience. Aditionally, the program will prepare its students to enter doctoral programs and careers in laboratory research, psychometry and related fields. “This gives them the re- Photo by Axel Marcenaro Current undergraduate and search experience they’ll need, graduate student researchers volunteer in Dr. Kreitler plus it also prepares them,” asand Dr. Brewer’s neuro lab. sistant professor of psychology and co-director of the program Dr. Steven Brewer said. Writers Conference Page 2 “If they don’t want to go on to a PhD program, they can go Feature on the Provost Page 3 into a go into a private or pubRam and Belle Basketball Page 4 lic lab. They’ll be qualified as a research technician as well for
See PSYCH page 2
Softball and Baseball Page 6
For more student news follow us on Twitter and Instagram @ASURamPage
Page 2
NEWS
2.16.2018
Veteran takes the stage at writer’s conference
ASU holds annual writers conference Christian Hunick Staff Writer
ASU’s 22nd annual Writers Conference in Honor of Elmer Kelton, held Feb. 22-23, will welcome award- winning poet Brian Turner as the featured speaker. Turner is a military veteran who served seven years in the U.S. Army, including one year as an infantry team leader in Iraq with the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. Prior to that, he was deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in 19992000 with the 10th Mountain Division.
CRISIS page 1 desktops. “I think they have been advertising well,” Upton said. “[The hotline] sounds like a good idea, as it makes it easier to get fast help for people who need it.” The cost of counseling and hassle of setting up appointments can deter some students from taking action in caring for their mental health, but the hotline eliminates this
Turner’s two poetry collections, Here Bullet (2005) and Phantom Noise, ( 2010) give a first-hand account of the trauma he experienced during and after the Iraq War. His work has been published in Harper’s Magazine, National Geographic, The New York Times, Poetry Daily, Shortlist (UK) and others. He has also received several fellowships, including a USA Hillcrest Fellowship in Literature, NEA Literature Fellowship in Poetry, Amy Lowell Traveling Fellowship, U.S.- Japan Friendship Commission Fellowship, United Artists Fellowship, Lannan Foundation Fellowship, and Guggenheim Foundation Fellowship.
During his military service, Turner was featured in the documentary Operation Homecoming, which gives context to the experiences of service members who served in the Iraq war. There will be a viewing of the Academy Award-nominated film at the conference. The conference will take place on Feb. 22-23 in the C.J. Davidson Center, free of charge and open to the public. Operation Homecoming will be played 8-9:30 a.m. on the first day, followed by a presentation entitled “A Conversation with Brian Turner.” From 7:30-9 p.m. that night, Turner will return for “An Evening with Brian Turner.”
fied conselors ready to help you.
Open mic at the Apollo
Alen Southammavong Contributor The Melanin Experience invites all to come and feature their skills Friday, Feb. 23 at Plaza Verde Clubhouse, at The Apollo: Open Mic Night showcase. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the Apollo Theater and its history while showcasing their talents at this Apollo throwback theme for a night in Harlem. “I really want to sign up,” Hilare Lopez, junior said. “I’m just way too nervous in front of crowds.” The Apollo: Open Mic Night portion of The Melanin Experience will give students a chance to exhibit any talents of any sort. It is welcoming all students wanting to voice themselves and speak out. The Plaza Verde Clubhouse has hosted past open mic nights that have featured musical numbers, spoken word and even daring stunts, but The Apollo offers a night in Harlem to zest up the ambience for the performances. “I didn’t know that we even had that at this school,” Stephanie Torres, ASU student said. “I think its cool that ASU is giving students an opportunity to be who they are.” The Melanin Experience does not hold itself only to the Apollo Open Mic Night, it
Contributed Photo Author
and Veteran Brian Turner is the featured speaker at this years conference.
difficulty by providing immediate counseling services to registered ASU students. Upton found the idea of calling the ASU Crisis Hotline easier than setting up a counseling appointment. If students experience a mental health emergency that requires immediate medical assistance, though, the helpline staff still recommends going to the nearest hospital File Photo The Counseling center is located inside the clinic and is staffed with qualiemergency room.
Photo by Axel Marcenaro Volunteer researchers assembled together.
Students invited to show off their skills
There are also eight sessions over the two days during which other writers will share their work. Session One starts at 11 a.m. on Feb. 22 and features Jerry Craven (poetry) and Drew Geyer (fiction). The ASU Writers Conference is dedicated to San Angelo’s best-selling western author, Elmer Kelton, who passed away in 2009. The author of more than 40 books, Kelton was a seven-time winner of the Western Writers of America’s Spur Award and was the first distinguished visiting professor at ASU.
also features a series of events including “The Family Reunion”, “Don’t Touch My Hair # DTMH”, “Night at the Museum”, “The Apollo: Open Mic Night” and “Angelo Speaks: Be you”. Each event strives to express and bring unity in its own unique way. All of the events derive from a branch of African American Culture with the goal to educate and bring a better understanding of African American history. “It’s important for people to know about the past and the culture it was,” Deundra Smyth, senior, said. “We don’t want history to repeat itself, so we need to be educated about the things not everyone learns
in school.” “As an African American student here at Angelo State University, I was inspired to create these programs as an eclectic way to show the history of my ancestors,” Maya Jones, head of the Melanin Experience. “I wanted to challenge not only African Americans, but other ethnicities as well to explore this history. The Melanin Experience allows us to teach about hair, history, music, art and other forms of entertainment that has been cultivated throughout time.” Admission to the event is free and performers will take stage from 8-10 p.m.
PSYCH page 1
fairly lucrative positions.” Although the program is mainly an on-campus program, some courses will be offered online. Students may also choose a thesis route or a non-thesis route for their degree plan. “A thesis is a project in which you form a committee and you write about the project- so it’s a committee-led project,” Brewer said. “A non-thesis option is, for us, you start to do a research project. You just don’t have to
Events Calendar
Friday 2/16
Plaza Verde
Plaza Verde: Korean Lunar New Year Party 5-7:00 p.m.
E. James Holland-Roy A. Harrell Jr. Foriegn Affairs Spearkers Program 6:00 p.m. C.J. Davidson Center, U.C.
ASU Theatre: An Evening of Short Student Plays 8-10:00 p.m. Modular Theatre, EFA
Saturday 2/17 ASU Theatre: An Evening of Short Student Plays 8-10:00 p.m. Modular Theatre, EFA
Sunday 2/18 ASU Theatre: An Evening of Short Student Plays 8-10:00 p.m. Modular Theatre, EFA
Monday 2/19 Plaza Verde: Cafe Study 7-10:00 p.m. Vista Verde Room
Thursday 2/22 ASU Writers Conference All Day C.J. Davidson Center Lab Night at Hunter Strain 5-7:00 p.n. Planetarium Women’s Basketball vs. Eastern New Mexico Uni. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Junell Center
File Photo by Marsalis Mahome Jehu Robertson performs
at a Plaza Verde Open Mic Night earlier this semester.
have a thesis committee.” “So it’s more like a capstone project. So that’s essentially the difference: one is committee-led, the other is not.” According to the program’s page on the ASU website, interested students must have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.25, or 3.5 for psychology coursework. Students also need at least nine credit hours of undergraduate psychology coursework; a psychology degree is not required to enroll in the program.
Plaza Verde: The Melanin Expereince: Night at the Museum 6:00 p.m.
Planetarium: “Seeing: A Photon’s Journey” 7:00 p.m. “Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West” 8:00 p.m. Faculty Music Recital: Dr. Timothy Bonenfant 7:30 p.m. Black Recital Hall, EFA Men’s Basketball vs. Eastern New Mexico Uni. 7:30-9:30 p.m. Junell Center ASU Theatre: An Evening of Short Student Plays 8-10:00 p.m. Modular Theatre, EFA
2.16.2018
FEATURES
Beyondthe
ASU Provost predicts more growth for the Ram Fam Aubree Bailey Managing Editor As provost, Dr. Don Topliff plays a crucial role in ASU’s academic affairs. “A provost is a word that means lieutenant,” Topliff said. “I’m Chief Academic Officer of the university, which means I oversee everything from faculty to curriculum.” Topliff ’s journey in higher education started in Kansas. “I started at a community college in western Kansas not far from where I grew up, and I finished my bachelor’s at Kansas State.” He came to Texas for the rest of his education, where he met Dr. Brian May, current president of ASU. “I finished my PhD at Texas A&M in animal nutrition; Dr. May and I went to grad school together,” Topliff said. After graduating, Topliff headed to Oklahoma, where he was on the faculty for 15 years. “Then, I went to West Texas A&M as department head, and then associate dean, and then dean of agricultural science and engineering. “
TCTA page 1 “Any time we are out as an organization helping with an event, we are leaders who people can look up to. We make sure to be on time, do an outstanding job and take pride in representing ASU well. It is our mission to assist with local events that come hand in hand with children or education.” TCTA will hold a public talk with Chris Ulmer at the CJ Davidson center in March. Ulmer is the founder of Special Books by Special Kids, an organization that aims to create a more accepting world for people with special needs. They will also hold the Autism Walk at the ASU Pavilion in April. The organization also holds teacher panels with its members in the fall and spring semesters, where they invite superintendents and award winning teachers who can provide them with information for their careers as educators. Hernandez, senior, said being part of TCTA is special to
C lassroom
Topliff had been at WTAM for 17 years when he was approached by Dr. May about the Provost position here at ASU. “He encouraged me to apply for this position. I accepted the job in the fall of 2014 and started January of 2015.” Topliff said that every day in the office is unique, but there are always meetings to attend and emails to answer. “In general, I deal with faculty, classes and everything related to making sure that the school runs normally as much as we can,” Topliff said. “I get to the office about right around seven. Usually Dr. May and I try to visit over coffee every morning, and I then have a stack of things to sign, so I start that next, although my day usually starts before then: first thing in the morning, about 5 o’clock, when I start answering emails. The email traffic we get is quite staggering. Then I have meetings throughout the day.” Topliff praises the Ram Fam culture students and staff have created on campus: “I enjoy everything about the school, but I guess my favorite tradition is our focus on the Ram Fam. I tell every group I talk to it’s not just a slogan: it’s her. “The best part of being a member of TCTA is the resources and advice I have gotten that has helped me pass my classes as well as get ready for student teaching,” she said. To become part of the organization, potential members must maintain at least 2.5 GPA and pay a membership fee of $20 per academic year. Future members must also attend six meetings and four events to be considered a member and receive their stoles for graduation. According to Galvan, students who wish to become educators can join the organization regardless of major.
Getting to know ASU’s faculty and staff in a new light
truly a culture. We’re all in this together, no one person or no one thing is more important than the other. We fail and succeed together.” Looking towards the future, Topliff says he foresees even more growth for ASU. “I think that growth is exciting because obviously when you’re growing it gives us the opportunity to have a much wider influence in the community and the state as well,” Topliff said. Topliff commented on the recent tuition increase. “We want to keep tuition as affordable as we possibly can, but at the same time as the cost of living goes up to maintain the staff and faculty as well and to do the maintenance so that the campus doesn’t cause disrepair, it takes money. But we’re committed to keeping it affordable.” When Topliff isn’t ensuring the school runs smoothly, he enjoys spending time with his family. “My wife and I have two children. Our oldest lives in Clod, Texas, and he and his wife have two beautiful young daughters. So I have two grandchildren, and I wished they lived here. And our daughter lives in Abilene and
Photo by Brit Raley Dr. Don Topliff competed in profes-
sional rodeo before he received his doctorate.
is an ASU graduate.” The Provost encourages students to work hard to finish college and understand the value of an education: “I know that college can be a daunting task, but don’t ever quit because your education is one of the things in this world that
Brit Raley Photo Editor The Foreign Affairs Speakers Program prepares for its fourteenth annual public lecture on Feb. 22 in the C.J. Davidson Conference Center. Dr. Jack Matlock, former ambassador to the Soviet Union and special assistant to the President, will speak on the subject of The Cold War with Russia: How Did We Get Here? at 6 p.m. on Thursday. Matlock was the ambassador to the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War during the Reagan administration, Dr. Carolyn Gascoigne, college of arts and humanities
can’t be taken away from you. One of my favorite sayings about education is ‘the more I learn the more I realize how little I know.’”
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Foreign Affairs Speakers Program
Former ambassador to speak at ASU
Page 3
dean and FASP committee chair, said. Matlock’s lecture is timely with the US at a place of tension with Russia again, Gascoigne said. “It is not every day that you get to hear a former U.S. Ambassador and presidential assistant speak,” Evelyn Burch, a junior political science major and a student representative on the FASP committee, said. Matlock will talk about both the US and Russian influences in the two countries’ elections, Gascoigne said. “He will contextualize the historical perspective of this interesting relationship that these two countries have,” Gascoigne said. This free public lecture is not just for certain majors, but
open to all. Gascoigne said it would make sense that these events would be geared towards history majors, political science majors and security studies majors, but she hopes that anybody who is interested in what’s going on today would want to come. “Learning ‘how we got here’ from Dr. Matlock’s public lecture should be important to everyone,” Burch said. “As Americans, we do not typically think that foreign affairs impact our daily lives, but as I’m sure we will learn from Dr. Matlock, even international considerations have a way of reaching the individual level,” Burch said. The FASP was created in 2003 with the purpose to ex-
pose students to international affairs through a speaking event every year with at least one speaker. “These events allow students, faculty, staff and the community to listen to, learn from and interact with leaders, experts and scholars who have influenced U.S. foreign affairs,” Burch said. “[The FASP is] a way of getting high level speakers to campus to interact with ASU students,” Gascoigne said. “My favorite part about the program is interacting with incredible people who have influenced U.S. foreign policy and foreign affairs from the inside,” Burch said. “I hope that students every year, this year in particular, would walk away with a peak-
ed interest in international affairs, and maybe even spark an interest to travel,” Gascoigne said. Matlock will speak for an hour, then there will be time for Q&A afterwards, and cookies will also be provided at the end, Gascoigne said.
Contributed Photo Dr. Jack
Matlock
Page 4
SPORTS
Rams outscore Lions
Ram Basketball takes down the Texas A&M Commerece lions
Rosanna Aguilera Staff Writer The Rams basketball team defeated the Texas A&M Commerce Lions 82-66 in the Junell Center Thursday night. After this game, the Rams have an overall record of 17-6 and are 8-5 in the Lone Star Conference. Four Rams scored in the double digits. Senior Brandon Williams had 12 points and six rebounds. Junior Ja’Michael Brown had 17 points, including three
three-pointers and eight assists. “The game went in our favor with us playing hard and just doing what we have to do,” Brown said. Junior Antonio Singleton scored 11 points, including three shots from behind the arc and five rebounds. Junior Kiair Crouch scored four three pointers giving him 12 points on the night. “It’s interesting with Kiair [Crouch],” Boone said. “Our guys kind of give him a hard time when they see him making threes on tape, asking ‘where’s that Kiair been?’ because the last couple weeks he has not shot the ball as well as we know he can.”
Boone said Crouch made some big shots for them during the game. “If we’ll share the ball and be able to get inside-out shots, we have good shooters,” Boone said. Boone said the players have really bought into sharing the ball. “That’s why we always have different leading scorers,” Boone said. “I love that fact that you don’t know who’s going to lead us in scoring.” Brown said the games go well when the team is sharing the ball. “Everyone gets involved; it motivates the team to do the things that need to be done, like rebounding,” Brown said.
Boone said they had to make a few adjustments during the game. “We had 10 turnovers at halftime; that was the biggest key going into the game,” Boone said. “To have 10 (turnovers) at halftime is obviously something I strongly talk to them about.” Boone said they did a better job of ball protection in the second half, but they slacked off again later. “I wish they would have finished the right way in terms of taking care of the ball but I thought in the first 16 minutes or so they protected the ball better,” Boone said. Brown said the team needs to continue to stay on the
2.16.2018
same page as a team and listen to the coaches and realize this is the real season now. “Everything else doesn’t matter,” Brown said. “This is the ending so we have to close out strong so we can get a good enough seed and make some noise.” Boone said they know they have the talent to beat these teams. “We’re trying to keep them positive knowing we can play with anybody,” Boone said. The Rams will be back at the Junell Center on Feb. 22 to face Eastern New Mexico University at 7:30 p.m.
Photo by Marsalis Mahome Ran Tut, senior for- Photo by Marsalis Mahome Daron Mims, junior Photo by Marsalis Mahome Kiair Crouch, junior
ward, shoots past the defenders to the basket. guard, goes for a layup. Mims was one of two guard, jumps past the defense as he goes for Tut scored four points in the game against players who reached the double digits that the basket. Crouch is from Decatur, Georgia. Tarleton State. night with 15 points.
Belle Basketball goes pink
Belles score big and play for a cause Rosanna Aguilera Staff Writer
The Rambelle basketball team won its tenth game in a row against Tarleton State 68-49 in the annual Pink Out game on Saturday night in the Junell Center.
The team now has an overall record of 18-4, with 13-3 in the Lone Star Conference. Head Coach Renae Shippy said they had great performances from multiple players. Three Belles finished in double figures. Sophomore De’Anira Moore scored 16 points and pulled down 11 rebounds. Shippy said Moore was an
Photo by Marsalis Mahome Ekiya Gray, senior forward,
receives the ball. Gray scored 11 points with nine rebounds.
inside presence in the paint. “She was doing big things, either blocking shots or getting rebounds,” Shippy said. “Also, her just scoring the ball like she does, it always brings a lot for our team.” Moore said the game felt good because they were at an all-time high because they were able to stop defensively. “I feel like I played really efficiently tonight,” Moore said. “I knew I had to be big and better.” Senior Marquita Daniels had 12 points and five assists, and senior Ekiya Gray had 11 points and nine rebounds. Shippy said Daniels is a leader on the team. “She handles the ball and makes so much happen for our team offensively and defensively,” Shippy said. “I’m really proud of both of them and the rest of our team.” Shippy said junior Kynese
Davis also did well pulling down seven rebounds after coming off of the bench. “It was a team effort from our girls tonight,” Shippy said. Shippy shared the topic of her Pink-Out pre-game talk. “To be honest, we talked about how wins and losses and real life, and how it doesn’t matter, especially when we’re dedicating our game to people who have survived cancer and battled from it or passed away from it,” Shippy said. Shippy said the team wrote the initials of their assistants coach’s mother, who passed away from breast cancer, on their wrists, dedicating the game to her. Moore said she played the game for those who were prevented from playing by can-
cer. “If they weren’t able to be out here, we were able to play for them,” Moore said. “It was more than just a game: it wasn’t about us; it was about the patients that are going through something.” Shippy said it was a good game, especially for the defensive players. “Anytime you hold an LSC team to 49 points, that’s just absolutely unreal,” Shippy said. The team will be back in the Junell Center on Feb. 22 to face Eastern New Mexico University at 5:30 p.m. “I stay thinking that our best basketball is ahead of us,” Shippy said. “I’m excited for them to continue to work hard.”
Photo by Marsalis Mahome Dezirae Hampton, junior guard, keeps the ball away from Photo by Marsalis Mahome Keanna Kelly, senior guard,
the defense. Hampton helped the Belles win with eight points.
shoots for the basket. Kelly made back-to-back 3-pointers.
2.16.2018
OPINION
Product Review
Christian Hunick Staff Writer If you are into computer science or engineering, or you are just a geek in general, then chances are you’ve heard of Arduinos. If not, I will briefly explain. Arduino is a specific brand of circuit board that includes an embedded microcontroller, although any similar board is typically called an Arduino (similar to how many people call all adhesive bandages Band-Aids). Programs called “sketches” can be created using the Arduino code editor and then uploaded to the board. The sketches allow you to interact with electronic components such as LEDs, sensors, motors, and more via the board’s digital and analog input/output pins. In layman’s terms, Arduinos let you “computerize” your projects. Arduinos have been used to create a plethora of gadgets and gizmos ranging from simple light controllers to obstacle avoiding robots. One of the cool things about Arduinos is that both Arduino hardware and software is open
source, which means that any individual or company can use the publicly available schematics to create their own versions of Arduino boards. This leads me to my main point which is praising the quality of “off-brand” Arduino boards, more specifically, the Elegoo Uno R3. The Elegoo Uno R3 is based on the Arduino Uno Rev3 board model, but the Elegoo is only $17, making it $5 cheaper than the Arduino. I picked up the Elegoo about a month ago, not sure what to expect in terms of quality. I was not even sure if it would power on! To my pleasant surprise, it seems like it functions identically to its Arduino counterpart. In the short time I have owned the Elegoo, I used it to make a remote-fish feeder, a proximity alarm, a makeshift thermostat, a melody-based passcode verifier, and more. I purchased the Elegoo in a kit, which included an assortment of sensors and other devices to play with, as well as a breadboard and wires for circuit prototyping. It also came with a cd loaded with project guides, which I found very useful for familiarizing myself with the devices. When buying cheaper alternatives to name-brand items, the adage “buyer beware” is usually a good thing to keep in mind; however, in the case of Arduino boards, I say save yourself a few bucks and get an Elegoo.
Aunt life
Kaitlin Trujillo Editor-in-Chief I am not a kid person. Children are loud, obnoxious and sticky. They are always leaking some bodily fluid, they scream for no reason and they just do dumb things. I’m pretty sure I didn’t even like kids when I was a kid. I never saw myself wanting to spend time around toddlers, and I never saw myself as the kind of person who would willingly change a diaper, but all that changed almost six years ago. On June 16, 2012, I became an aunt. It was one of the best days
of my life. I have three nephews who I absolutely adore: Everett(5), Griffin(3) and Crawford(1). Those little boys are my world. They are the best adventure. Everett is my oldest nephew. He is probably the strangest five year old ever. He loves the Beatles, Mick Jagger and Wheezer. He is creative, funny and independent. He marches to his own drum and inspires me in every way. My middle nephew, Griffin, is the sweetest soul. He is kind, funny and dedicated. Griffin’s two favorite things are killer whales and the color green. He tries to make everyone
Page 5 feel special and he gives the best hugs. My youngest nephew Crawford is fearless. We have to keep a close eye on him because he will climb on anything and everything. Crawford loves to eat, dance and listen to the Amazon Echo sing “Happy Birthday.” He’s my baby, and I adore him so. I could go on and on about how much I love these boys. They make me a better person and I could not imagine my life without them. Being an aunt is my favorite thing in the world. I never thought that I could feel this way about these little fellas, but I would not want it any other way.
Short On Everything
Patrick Fleming Cartoonist
Ram Page Member of The Texas Tech University System Texas Intercollegiate Press Association Editor-in-Chief Kaitlin Trujillo
Managing Editor
Faculty Adviser Dr. Cathy Johnson
Aubree Bailey
Staff Writers
Rosanna Aguilera Christian Hunick Eunice Tibay
Photo Editor Brit Raley
Photographer
Axel Marcenaro
Ram Page ASU Station #10895 San Angelo, Texas 76909 Newsroom: (325) 942-2323 Advertising: (325) 942-2040 Fax: (325) 942-2551
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Patrick Fleming Rosanna Aguilera
Student Snaps #Valentine’s Day
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PUBLISHING POLICY
Published every Friday and available to students, one copy per student, the student newspaper of Angelo State University is a public forum, with its student editorial board making all decisions concerning its content. Unsigned editorials express the views of the majority of the editorial board. The Ram Page welcomes all letters. Please include your name, classification/position, phone number and/or e-mail address for verification. Letters must be signed and be no more than 350 words. The paper reserves the right to edit letters for grammar and clarity. All letters are subject to laws governing obscenity, libel and privacy. Deadline is 5 p.m., Monday. Submission does not guarantee publication. Letters may be mailed, e-mailed or submitted at the Ram Page office, Room 324 in Porter Henderson Library third floor. Opinions in letters are not necessarily those of the staff. Opinion expressed in a public forum should not be construed as the opinion or policy of the administration, Want to see your ASU photo in next week’s issue? Tag us on Instagram @asurampage unless so attributed.
Have an opinion you want to express? Write a column and email it to RamPage@angelo.edu
Page 6
SPORTS
Belle Softball dominates tournament
Belles 10-1 on the season after home tournament Keith Henson Contributor
No. 2 Rambelles grabed a 4-0 win over Florida Tech in the opening game of the 2018 George and Ola McCorkle Challenge Feb. 9 at Mayer Sta-
dium. The Rambelles played behind the arm of junior Morgan Hill who had a dominant game. Hill held Florida Tech to just two hits through the first four innings. The Panthers threatened in the third after a leadoff walk,
Photo by Axel Marcenaro Courtney Barnhill, sopho-
stolen base and a ground out, but Hill got a fly out for the third out to keep the score even at zero. Hill finished the game off for her third victory of the season. The junior allowed six hits and struck out five in her first shut out of the year. Batting for the Rambelles didn’t come easy with only a double being recorded by freshman Karina Rocha in the first 4 innings. A leadoff walk for Rocha sparked a fifth inning run for the Rambelles. Megan Gordon came in to pinch run for Rocha. The next batter up was freshman, Mykayla Stroud who put down a bunt and with an infield error helped Gordon score from first. Taylor Fogle approached
the box next for the Rambelles. The junior knocked a single to the outfield bringing in Stroud to make the score 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth. Morgan Hill didn’t allow any runs on two hits in the top of the sixth inning to keep Florida Tech scoreless. Taegan Kirk hit a double to the left center gap bringing home Courtney Barnhill and Danae Bina to increase the lead to 4-0 after a leadoff double by Barnhill and a bunt by Bina. “You would think the weather would have played a bigger factor, but those ladies continued to stay focused and get after it. Congratulations to them,” fan Dylan Littles, senior, said. The Rambelles would later continue their winning streak by beating Texas A&M Inter-
2.16.2018 national two times back to back, Adams state once and Florida Tech once again. The Rambelles would go on to face the Texas A&M International Dustdevils in the finale of the tournament. They came out with a tough, hard fought win 6-4 and improved their record on the season to 10-1. The Rambelles have won 9 straight. “I am proud of the coaches, players, umpires and fans for being flexible with this weekend’s tournament,” Angelo State head softball coach Travis Scott said. “Karina Rocha and Morgan Hill each had big weekends. We have to shift our focus now towards Lone Star Conference play and I feel we are ready for the challenge.”
more, scores a base hit. Barnhill graduated from Coronado in Lubbock, Texas.
Photo by Axel Marcenaro Danae Bina, senior, prepares
for a run from second to third base. Bina is originally from Marion, Kansas.
Photo by Axel Marcenaro Morgan Hill, senior, winds up for a pitch. In 2017 Hill tied
with the school record for 6 saves in a season.
Ram Baseball hits big
Rams win series against Southwestern Oklahoma State Kaitlin Trujillo Editor-In-Chief
The ASU baseball team won its first home series against Southwestern Oklahoma State Feb. 9-11 with two wins and a loss. In game three, senior outfielder Mitch Henshaw made an impressive catch that landed him the number six spot on ESPN’s Sports Center Top 10, Sunday, Feb.11. “I kind of got a late jump on it, but I was able to make up for it,” Henshaw said. “I got to the spot and just dove for it and ended up catching it.” Henshaw said that seeing his play on TV was surreal. “Every kid’s dream is to be on TV,” Henshaw said. “Honestly, I knew it was a good play, but I didn’t think it was Sports Center worthy. It is cool that they recognized me for it though.” The Rams lost their first game, 9-6, but won the following games 11-2 and 10-1.
“We did some things better today, and I thought Nick Novak really set the tone in that first at-bat,” Head Coach Kevin Brooks said after their victory Saturday. “We got their starting pitcher’s pitch count up and were able to take advantage of that. I still think we’re not playing at the level we want to, though, and hope we can improve from here.” Novak, sophomore infielder, was the first batter up in the bottom of the first. He had a nine-pitch at-bat that set the tone for the day. This was the first win of freshman pitcher Carson Childer’s collegiate career. Childers spent six and two thirds innings on the mound. “It’s a lot easier for us hitters and the offense in general, when the pitchers come in and do their job,” redshirt junior Bradley Mathiowetz said. “Their guys aren’t getting on base, so we’re not coming from behind every time we step up to the plate.” In the fifth inning, the Rams loaded the bases for junior Jacob Boston. On the sec-
ond pitch, Boston sent the ball over the wall in left center for a grand slam. The Rams continued to add runs to the board, tying the series 1-1. In the third and final game, senior pitcher Shane Browning took the mound, getting three outs on 12 pitches in the first inning. “I thought Shane Browning went out and really gave us
a good outing,” Brooks said. “The bullpen guys came in and did their job as well. It was a pretty solid day and we need to continue to build on that and get better.” The Ram s scored 10 runs on 10 hits, sealing the series in their favor. “We definitely should have swept the series, so we’ll be thinking about that Friday game for a while, but it’s im-
portant to move on and realize that the team we played as today is more close to what we are going to be the rest of this season and just go off this momentum,” Mathiowetz said. The Rams will be on the road next, taking on Lubbock Christian in a three-game series Feb. 16-18.
Photo by Brit Raley Jacob Boston, senior third and first baseman, slides home. Bos-
ton had a total of six hits and three runs in the series.
Photo by Brit Raley Josh Barnett, redshirt freshman pitcher, throws the ball. Barnett
had two strike outs in both Friday’s and Saturday’s games.
Photo by Brit Raley Nicholas Novak, sophomore infield-
er, starts to run for first base after hitting the ball. Novak was named the Lone Star Conference Hitter of the Week.