San Angelo takes precaution for West Nile PG. 2
RAM PAGE Volume 79 Issue 1 Aug. 31, 2012
Changes in Smoking Rules; students divided PG. 2
Texas Tech, ASU search for new ASU president Search Committee: School
officials continue search for new president Dillon Brollier Managing editor As freshmen students are finishing their first week in a new city and university, one of ASU’s prolific officers is doing the same. Over the summer, ASU President Dr. Joseph C. Rallo was appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs to ASU’s parent school, Texas Tech University. Rallo’s appointment came on May 18 by the Texas Tech Board of Regents, and a search for a new ASU president began right away. “We selected the search committee, started going through resumes and narrowed it down to about six people,” Texas Tech Chancellor Kent Hance said. After initial screenings the search committee will decide on three to four finalists for the position. They will then recommend those finalists to Hance. However, before Hance interviews the finalists, the Board of Regents is scheduled to meet with the finalists in early to mid-September. After the Board of Regents interviews the finalists, Hance will conduct his own interviews
and select one person to present to the Board or Regents for its approval or disapproval Hance said. Currently, Hance has not spoken to any of the candidates about the position or the search process, but he hopes to make a decision mid-October so the new president can take his or her post in November. Hance said “I would like [him or her] to start in November” so that Dr. Rallo can work full time in Lubbock as vice chancellor. Though he has already begun his role at TTU, Rallo said, “I will remain in my current position until a new president is appointed.” Now that the school year has started, Rallo will preside over both positions under his ASU president salary. He will physically remain at ASU until a successor is named. “I am still here,” Rallo said. “I go up to Lubbock about once a week, and we are physically going to move at the end of September. In the meantime, I am still physically down here.” Under state law, the name of any finalist for
Dr. Joseph C. Rallo the president’s position of a higher learning institution must be given at least 21 days before an official hiring date.
See President Pg. 2
ASU loses talented professors Professor of Biology Dr. David Marsh died June 25, 2012. Marsh taught at ASU for 29 years, Professor and Head of Biology, Dr. Russell Wilke said. “I knew him first when I was a student in the ‘80s, then as a colleague for 15 years,” he said. He said Marsh was blunt, but honest. “He always told students what they needed to hear rather than what they wanted to hear,” “He would sometimes
catch you by surprise when he said it,” he said. Marsh would help anyone who asked for it, Wilke said. “He cared a lot about his students and his colleagues,” he said. “He tried everything possible to help them succeed.” Marsh’s lifestyle was very organized, Wilke said. “He was very neat and meticulous,” he said. “He was always thorough and Burt said the classes were always straight foreward.
Memorial: Dedicated professors, friends, co-workers and students remember Sawyer Ricard Editor-in-Chief “I would go in for one of his lectures, and he would have written an exact outline of what he was going to talk about that day,” he said. “It was always very clear
See Professors pg. 3
Dr. David Marsh Professor of history Dr. Guoqiang “Joe” Zheng died May 30, 2012. According to ASU’s website, Zheng taught several courses including East Asia to 1800, East Asia since 1800, World History since 1945, Topics in Asian History and Topics in World History. Zheng was fluent in many languages, Professor and Head of History Dr. Kenneth Heineman said. “He stuided English, along with Russian and French,” he said.
Dr. Guoqiang “Joe” Kheng Page one
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President seach nearing climax (cont. p. 2) ASU mourns loss of professors (cont p.3)
West Nile spraying President search Smoking restrictions
His understanding of multiple languages was put to good use, he said. “He was working on a translation of a work on the French Revolution and annotating it,” he said. “We watched him translate it from French to English and then into Chinese.” It was incredible, he said. “He was always in motion,” he said. “He always had so much energy.” Zheng was modest, he said. “He was a true scholar, but he never bragged about how
ASU mourns
Rambunctious Weekend memories
much he had published,” he said. “He was one of the most published professors at ASU.” He wrote several essays, books and book reviews, he said. He was interested in all history, he said. “He was fascinated with what promted people to have revolutions and build a stable economic and political order,” he said. Though born in China, Zheng was proud to be an adopted American,
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Tips and triks to school Welcome letter from editor Kenya Column
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New athletic director Ram football Schedule
For extra content, archives, and comments, Visit www.asurampage.com
See Professors pg. 3
NEWS
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Friday, August 31, 2012
San Angelo takes precaution for West Nile
Events Calendar Get involved on campus! Here’s what’s going on this week. Friday, Aug. 31 Art Exhibit: “Fistula and Fisure” by Joseph Shores Aug. 31 through Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Carr Education-Fine Arts Building, Room 193
Mosquito control: San Angelo sprays city to prevent sickness
Allison Price Staff Writer
With over 783 confirmed cases and 31 deaths in Texas alone, San Angelo is in its third week of spraying for the West Nile Virus to exterminate the mosquitoes in the city. “I believe it is a good idea for the sprayings because if we can prevent this virus with the right resources to do so then, why not,” freshman Amanda Siebert said. The city has spent $17,000 on a 30-day supply of “Skeeter Blitz.” According to www. sanangelotexas.us, the product label explains that the spray is a “quick knockdown, low odor, noncorrosive” chemical used to kill adult mosquitoes. “[The] majority of citizens are for the sprayings, but there are some citizens who don’t want the chemical sprayed,” Superintendent of San Angelo Street and Bridge Department Gary Ayers said. San Angelo is split into six separate districts with ASU falling into District Five. Districts One and Six are treated first, then Districts Two and Five, and finally Districts Three and Four. The city has two spray trucks that attend to streets and alleys daily from 5 to 9 a.m. and 7 to 11 p.m. “The reports about West Nile coming out of Dallas put everyone on alert,” Ayers said. “We had some confirmed cases here, and we then made the decision to begin with the sprayings.” According to www.dshs.state.texas.us, mosquitoes carry the West Nile Virus and cases
SARL Scenic Mountain Rave Run Trail Series No. 4 Aug. 31 at 11:55 p.m. Big Spring State Park No. 1 Scenic Drive Big Spring, TX Saturday, Sept. 1 Football: Rams vs. Western State. Sept. 1 at 2 p.m. San Angelo Stadium Soccer: Rambelles vs. New Mexico Highlands Sept. 1 at 5 p.m Monday, Sept. 3 Holiday. No classes. University offices closed Tuesday, Sept. 4 IM Flag Football Registration Meeting Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. Cavness Science Building Room 100 IM Flag Football Officials Clinic from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Center for Human Performance Room 203 Wednesday, Sept. 5 Student Teacher Portfolio Training. Carr EducationFine Arts Building, Room 124
usually occur in late summer or early fall. A vaccine for the virus has not yet been created but several companies are working to make one. “You can go to www.angelo.edu/health to learn more about West Nile, and make sure to visit the clinic if you are having any problems,” RN at University Health Clinic Tammy Speicale said. Eighty percent of people bitten by mosquitoes do not experience any symptoms as only a few mosquitoes are infected with the virus. Some mild symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, fatigue, loss of appetite and nausea, which last three to six days. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention there have been nearly 1,600 cases of West Nile in the U.S., a 40 percent increase from last week’s cases. “Whenever you are outside use insect repellent with Deet,” Speciale said. “Mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn so if possible wear long sleeves and pants or stay indoors.”
President search
Part-Time Job Fair from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Continued from page 1
vin New, mayor of San Angelo; John D. Steinmetz, system regent; David. J. Tarver, ASU The search committee professor; Jorge Velarde, includes: Mickey Long, vice president and CFO Board of Regents Vice of Multi-Chem, a SanChair; Leslie Mayrand, Angelo-based chemical ASU dean and professor maker; and student regent of nursing; Nancy Neal, Suzanne Williams Taylor. Tech system regent; AlRallo has a bachelor’s
Thursday, Sept. 6 Starting Your Own Business? What You Need To Know! From 4 to 6:30 p.m. Rassman Building Room 100 SABA Road Bike Time Trial at 6:30 p.m. Susan Peak Road, San Angelo, TX Planetarium: Tales of the Mayan Skies at 7 p.m. until Nov. 15 at the Planetarium (Global Immersion Center)
degree in Russian history from Lafayette College, a jurist doctor’s from Western New England College and a master’s and doctorate in international relations from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University. Rallo served on active
duty for the U.S. Navy and later for the U.S. Air Force, with duty assignments in intelligence and logistics. He retired from the military after 27 years of service at the rank of colonel.
Planetarium: 2012: The End of the World? Not! 8 p.m. Until Nov. 15 Planetarium: (Global Immersion Center)
Changes in smoking rules, students divided
Planetarium: Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity 9 p.m. at the Planatarium.
Restrictions: Smoking issue nearing possible resolution
Submit event requests by 5 p.m. Tuesday for Friday publication to rampage@angelo.edu
“suggested Students have making
this campus entirely smokefree. We discussed this within the Senate, and taking a measure such as that would be a little too radical and [could infringe] on people’s rights.
”
- SGA President Hector Romo
The Student Government Association late last semester put smoking regulations in place due to ongoing complaints from the student body. “Students have suggested making this campus entirely smoke-free,” SGA President Hector Romo said. “We discussed this within the Senate, and taking a measure such as that would be a little too radical and [could infringe] on people’s rights.” ASU’s previous smoking policy prohibited students or faculty from smoking within 50 feet of an entrance of any building. “I had to find new places to smoke,” junior Chelsea Atkinson said. “We can’t just go outside anymore. We have to go out of the way, which is a little more inconvenient than it was before.” SGA consulted with some faculty and staff to ensure that ashtrays and benches could be placed in available areas without bothering non-smokers. “I think the smokers will appreciate knowing where it’s okay to smoke, and non-smokers will know what areas to avoid,”
sophomore Carmela Booker said. Although smokers may have grown accustomed to particular areas, ashtrays were moved in July to multiple locations on campus. “Many people have asked for a map as to where [the ashtrays] are,” Romo said. “The reason why it is impractical to make a map is because there are a lot spread throughout campus. If you see an ashtray, go ahead and smoke there.” Since the ashtrays were moved, SGA sent an e-mail to all students, faculty and staff informing them that designated smoking areas were created. Even though there is widespread support for this measure, one said that changing the smoking regulations are more annoying than anything. “It feels almost like they put [the designated smoking areas in places] purposefully to annoy students who otherwise didn’t mind smokers just to create a smoke-free campus,” sophomore Patrick Dealer said. “Next to the MCS building
Allison Price Staff Writer
there is a smoke section right [beside] this big traffic area. So there all these people walking by these smokers, and it is kind of obnoxious.” The operating policy has not been officially changed, but SGA is in the process of making it permanent. Currently, the staff Senate has approved the new policy. Next, the faculty Senate will look over the smoking regulations, which will take place in late September. “When this operating policy is enforced, we will then be able to go up and say, ‘Sir, would you only smoke where it is allowed’,” Romo said. “We have received really good compliments from students, faculty and staff about the new smoking rules. They seem to be working.”
File Photo
NEWS
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Friday, August 31, 2012
Professors remembered and honored Continued from pg. 1
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what we were going to be doing.” Marsh always knew what he was talking about both inside and outside of class, Professor of Biology Dr. Ned Strenth said. “He always knew everything off the top of his head,” he said. “There was nothing I asked that he didn’t know.” Marsh believed a person made their own luck, Wilke said. “He was known for saying ‘There’s no such thing as good luck. Luck is the residue of design. So I will offer you good intelligence on your exam,’” he said. Burt said Marsh always challenged his students. “He never held your hand,” Burt said. “He expected you to do the work and expected a lot out of his students.”
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Though tough at times, it was better for the students in the end, he said. “During the process I remember feeling like he was just throwing me to the wolves,” he said. “But in reality he was providing support that wasn’t as transparent as it could have been.” Marsh used his natural creativeness and interest in tools to his advantage, Wilke said. “Instead of purchasing equipment that would cost tens of thousands of dollars, he’d build it for under a thousand with items from places like Radio Shack and Lowe’s,” he said. Marsh was who many might call a “gentle giant,” Wilke said. “He was about six feet tall and 250 pounds,” he said. “People were intimidated by him but he was kind of a teddy bear.” Marsh had a “quirky sense of humor,” he said. “He was very good at creating biological Christmas gifts,” he
said. “He would take a dried up frog and put a Santa hat and beard on it.” Though quirky, his sense of humor was good, Strenth said. Marsh published several papers throughout his lifetime, but didn’t view them as his biggest achievements, Wilke said. “His biggest accomplishment was his students,” he said. “If his students went on to pursue a doctorate or master’s., that was what he cared about. Marsh always said that it was his job to make his students look good.” The classes were worth taking, Burt said. “In his classes I learned so much from him,” he said. “I didn’t just learn content but I learned how to challenge students without making them want to quit.” Marsh took a very difficult job and did it superbly, Strenth said. “He had it all figured out,” he said. Marsh will be missed, he said. “He was down to earth and
g High School Charles Bowen and he was a great human being.”
Heineman said. “Although he was a product of a Communist regime, he appreciated democracy and a free market,” he said. One of Zheng’s biggest concerns was his students, he said. “He cared very deeply about his students,” he said. “He held very high standards and expected their writing to be wellinformed and well-evidenced.” Zheng held himseld to those same standards, he said. “When I had to pack up his office this summer I noticed all the American history textbooks that he had,” Heineman said. “He had them so he could keep up with the knowledge and practice his English.” Zhengtookprideinhiswork,hesaid. High school English teacher and coach at Sanderson
said he actually learned a wide range of subjects while he was a student in Zheng’s classes. “I took Globalization since 1945 and Comparison of Ancient China and Rome,” he said. Zheng was a professor that knew his subjects, he said. “He was teaching classes over topics from old history of ancient China and Rome to the Cold War so he knew what he was talking about,” he said. “I learned a lot from him.” Zheng was fair with those he taught, he said. “He never criticized students for failing,” he said. “He just let them know how they could improve.” He respected students even in private conversations, he said. Bowen enjoyed taking classes from Zheng when he attended ASU. “I thought he was a great professor, he said. “I learned a lot from him
Zheng always cared for his students, he said. “If he thought someone was having a bad day he would say something,” he said. Professor of History Dr. Arnoldo DeLeón said he worked with Zheng for many years. “We had been colleagues since 1999,” he said. They got along due to being in the same group and sharing common interests, he said. “He was a scholar like I am,” he said. “He was into scholarship and we used to talk shop all the time.” Zheng’s greatest accomplish was his family, Heineman said. “Dr. Zheng felt a great deal of pride for his daughter and loved his wife very much,” he said. Zheng was a friend to many in the department and had a “very dry sense of humor,” he said. “He was a good fellow,” he said.
an incredibly good friend,” he said. “He’s irreplacable.” Marsh taught general physiology, physiological ecology, plant and animal physiology, and human physiology, he said. According to ASU’s website, Marsh earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and zoology at Duke University and a doctorate’s in Zoology (Neurology) from the University of Texas at Austin. He was also involved in professional organizations such as the Texas Academy of Science, the Texas Association of Mammalogists, and the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society. Awards and Honors
•Chair, Biological Sciences Section, Texas
Academy of Science (1998-present) •Texas Academy of Science Fellow (2000-present) •Nominated and Elected to Board of Directors, Academic Director, Texas Academy of Science •Physical Therapy Advisor for Biology Majors
DeLeón said he will miss Zheng. “He was a great friend,” he said. “I was very sorry to lose him.” The loss will be felt beyond his friends, Heineman said. “This was a major loss for the department,” he said. Bowen said that overall Zheng was a great man. “He was very compassionate, funny and smart,” he said. “I thought the world of him.” According to ASU’s website, Zheng earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree from Tianjin Normal University and his doctorate from the University of Toledo. Awards and Honors •
• •
The Walter R. Craddock Award for the Best Paper in European/Asian History The 2002 Conference of the Southwestern Social Science Association ASU Research Enhancement Grants (2001) to support archival research in mainland China
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FEATURES
Friday, August 31, 2012
Rambuncious Weekend
Top: Joshoua Dominguez and Cristian Rios at Screeners pie booth at Rambuncious Weekend. Bottom: Students signng up fof Rambuncitous Weekend activities.
Top: A game of ultimate frisbee at the ASU Lakehouse. Bottom: Hydration was important at Rambuncious weekend. Photos by: Rio Velasquez
OPINION
Friday, August 31, 2012
Desiring more than just me Lisa Dees Copy Editor
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Tips and tricks for school
I dreaded returning to school this semester. I spent a month and a half in Kenya this summer, and when I returned to the states, I collided with culture shock. I thought maybe it would go away, but I realize now that I do not belong here, nor do I want to belong. While in Kenya, two friends and I happened upon a tiny building that houses 20 orphans. Each child has a bed with a reeking mattress, which has lost its foam. The orphanage struggles to provide enough food, and each morning the kids are forced to fetch water a mile away with the help of a donkey. There is no electricity, so they use kerosene. They walk to school each day and to church on Sunday. At 5 a.m. the children awake for a two-hour Bible study. Life is never easy, yet no one complains. In fact, they find joy in their difficulties. They have nothing, but yet, they have everything. The children at this orphanage have not always known love and kindness. Their pasts threaten to destroy them. Some are burdened with HIV. Others remember the horrors of abuse and neglect. Still others wake from nightmares of the day their parents died from malaria or of the dark nights of forced prostitution just to survive. The oldest orphan cannot yet be fourteen. The shame, the oppression, the destruction and poverty are foreign to so many of us. Charles, the founder of this orphanage, shared with us that he struggles to provide food and water for the children and that much construction needs to be done. They need another plot of land to grow their own food and some chickens would be nice, too. He worries how the orphanage will be able to send the children to receive an education. And, of course, there is always a need financially. To care for twenty children each month is roughly $600. How are we spending our money? And at what cost? Another set of clothes, as if we don’t have them in abundance. A set of fake nails that will chip and break in a month’s time. More decorations for the wall because the house looks a bit bare. Rims for the tires. Music that we will hate in a few weeks. A trip to the theater to see what’s usually worthless. A new phone that will break. Are we really so blind, so lost, so corrupt and full of greed that we are willing to throw our money down the drain for selfish and temporary desires? What will
it take to wake this country from its constant slumber and for us to see anyone but ourselves? Regardless of whether I am walking to class or I am surrounded by crowds in big cities, people overwhelm me with their selfishness and their godlessness. I don’t fit in, and I rejoice. However, I am convicted by my own selfish desires and am constantly reminded that I am in no place to point an accusing finger. I do not understand why I am so blessed. I do not understand why I was born in America into a Christian family. I do not understand why I have always had a roof over my head, enough to eat, and enough money to live in luxury. I do not understand why disease has never affected me, why abuse and neglect have never haunted me, or why alcohol and drugs have never controlled my life. But the thing I do not understand the most is this: I do not understand why I am so blessed, but these kids I was surrounded by have endured sorrow, heartache, torture and abuse. Thankfully, the Lord has picked up the oppressed and lifted up the poor. Thankfully, these children are now cherished and loved. But how is it, when I have so much, they are still so generous and kind despite having nothing? I travelled to Africa to minister to others, to bless others. Instead, a poverty and disease-stricken third-world country and its precious people blessed me.
Photo courtesy of Lisa Dees
So you got moved in, found your classes, bought your books, got your first assignments, have your first college weekend plans and then you get to do it all over again next week. You are going to go through a lot in college, some good and some bad. Don’t worry though. Good ole Uncle Dillon (no relation) has been there and done all that so let me give you some helpful advice that you may already know, but doesn’t hurt to hear again. Diversify your meal plan options. If you go to the food service center every day for every meal it is going to get old within the first two weeks. You have the UC snack bar, the cafeteria style buffet in the UC, Roscoe’s Den and 50 Ram bucks that are as good as money on campus. Get foreign language over and done with early. This is one of the ones you hear over and over and it is probably the best piece of advice I can give any student needing foreign langue credit to graduate. Now that does not mean taking it here. There are community colleges you can take it from, online classes you can take. Just make sure the credit transfer over. Again it’s about keeping your options open. Take a class that you are interested in for your electives. You have electives for a reason so take the time to ask around about classes. You can also use these elective hours as a fall back if you decide to change your major halfway though. Say you have taken 30 hours in one major and you decide to change. The classes you took will count toward your elective hours and should not set you back too much. If you have not declared a major that is not such a bad thing. Take the first two years and knock out all of your core credit classes, (i.e. Math, science, history, English). You will not be taking many classes pertaining to your major if any in the first year or two so take your time and pick a major you are going to enjoy. My grades were not that great until I picked
Ram Page
Dillon Brollier Managing Editor
a major I enjoyed and my grades skyrocketed. If you get the opportunity to take an internship so it. It may not be paid but the experience will make you so much better at your field of study, especially of you can work with professionals that will help you grow and get better. If you are a minor and you are at a party that has alcohol at it then listen to that gut feeling. If you don’t feel right then get out. A minor in consumption is a pain and something that minors should not get anyway. I know minors drink and it is against the law, but if you do it at least be smart about it. Or just wait until you are 21. It is more fun that way anyway. On the same note you have to pick your people carefully. Now I know your mom has told you to make good friends but really make sure that your friend has your back, or the person your “talking to” is not just trying to take advantage of you. There are a lot of good people here on campus and everyone tends to look out for everyone. Finally college is a place to learn but you will only learn half of your life skills in the classroom. Get out and do something you would not normally do, try new foods, and play an intramural sport that you normally don’t play. Anything you can do to broaden your vision, resume and mind will pay dividends later. I hope this letter reaches you well. Have some fun with your time in college but just know that when it is time to go to work. You show up and put the work in.
Share your thoughts on issues and let us know what’s happening on campus.
Staff
2012-2013 Angelo State University Editor: Sawyer Ricard Managing Editor: Dillon Brollier Copy editor: Lisa Dees Staff Writer: Stephen Cogan Staff Writer Alison Price Photographer: Rio Velasquez Advertising Manager: Kaitlynn Glendinning Adviser: Dr. Cathy Johnson Title photo courtesy of :Tim Peevy Ram Page ASU Station #10895 San Angelo, Texas76909-0895 Editor: rampage@angelo.edu Managing Editor: rampagenews@angelo.edu Features Editor: rampagefeatures@angelo.edu Advertising: rampageads@angelo.edu Editor: (325) 942-2323 Newsroom: (325) 942-2134 Advertising: (325) 942-2040 Fax: (325) 942-2551
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Letter from the editor Sawyer Ricard Editor-in-Chief To all, whether you are returning to ASU or entering this campus for the first time, welcome! For me, it is my sophomore year at Angelo. The first year was a whirlwind for me, filled with moments that range from happy to depressing to enlightening. I started out a scared freshman who was venturing into a world that, until last fall, I had only heard about from those who had conquered the daunting experience of college. Suddenly I had the power and ability to break free of the mold that had been my identity from high school. I was on the edge of my new life, ready to do whatever I could to find out who I was meant to be. So focused on “finding me” that some of the moments that I now look back on with a smile I tried to rush through. Whether good or bad, each was importance and built me into the person I would eventually realize I was. Everything, even significant, had meaning and had a right to be valued. So to those who are trying to get to the point past college where you can “start real life”, take a few steps back and enjoy where you are today. These are years that some never get to experience and a place where you might discover what you’re meant to be. Enjoy these times and get to know the people around you. For all
you know, they may end up being your best friend or someone you stay in contact with the rest of your life. If you’re one of the students who is indecisive of what you want to do with life, don’t stress out too much over it. You have plenty of time to figure out where your true passion lies. Don’t get so caught up in your worry about the future that you forget to focus on the moment. The future will take care of itself, but the present needs you to make it as memorable as you can. All in all, I hope everyone has a great year and is able to accomplish everything they want. Remember, you don’t get a second chance. This is your time to shine. Make it count.
SPORTS
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Friday, August 31, 2012
Athletic director eager to start Return to ASU 17 years in the making For Sean Johnson, 17 years from ASU was enough. The longtime administrator has been employed by nine different universities over 28 years in athletics, but ASU is the only one he’s ever come back to. Sean Johnson started his career in athletics after earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and then bounced around from university to university until going from the University of North Dakota to ASU. Johnson was the sports information director at ASU from 1993-1995 and now will come back as the athletic director in charge of ASU’s sports after former athletic director and coach Kathleen Brasfield retired last semester. The new director took some time out of his busy schedule to meet with the Ram Page and answer a few questions. Stephen Cogan: What was your reaction when you heard you had been accepted at ASU as the athletic director? Sean Johnson: I was thrilled for a lot of different reasons. I know what a great town this is. I know what a great university it is. I was here 20 years, so a lot of reasons to be excited. To come back to a place that’s had a lot of great success, a lot of great history and we have a great coaching staff in place, which is really a credit to Brasfield. To be able to come into a situation that’s in such great shape and also come into a situation where we’re in a big enough town where we can accomplish some things externally; it’s very exciting. I’m thrilled to be here. SC: You have a legend’s shoes to fill since Kathleen Brasfield left this place, so does that add any extra pressure in your mind at all because you’re not replacing a run of the mill di away
Stephen Cogan Staff Writer
rector; you are replacing someone who should be in the hall of fame for athletic directors? SJ: I agree, I’m sure Coach Brasfield will be in our hall of fame pretty quickly. The sooner the better, but I see it as a privilege. I’d rather come into a situation where the expectations are very high because I have very high expectations. Somebody said to me the first week I was here that they want us to be competitive. I’m not interested in being competitive; I’m interested in winning championships, national championships. That’s what we should aspire to do in all of our sports, so we’re going to set the bar very high. That doesn’t mean that I’m going to put undue pressure on our coaches; that’s just what our expectation ought to be. I don’t see it at all as a burden; I see it as a blessing. SC: What’s your biggest plan going forward as you start your career here at ASU? SJ: I think we have to build our fan base. We have a good core group of fans here and we appreciate those people very much, but we’ve got to grow that group. We need to increase our attendance; we need to increase the number of people that belong to the athletic foundation and we have the ability to do that. We just need to reach out and really make people understand we need their help if we’re going to make this thing as successful as everyone wants it to be. SC: What do you think the best thing about ASU is that you can use to make your dream for ASU come true? SJ: I think the biggest thing going for us is we live in a community with almost a 100,000 people. There’s great potential there. Now the worst thing about potenial is
New Athletic Director Sean Johnson Photo courtesy of Athletic Communications
unrealized potential, but if you’re located in a town of only 15 or 20,000 like a lot of Division II schools are, you’re pretty limited with what you can do in that area. So, we’re fortunate we live in an area where we have a pretty good population base where there’s already great things to do in San Angelo and we have people coming in from smaller communities. We need to encourage them to go to a game.
The Sean Johnson era began Thursday when Rambelle soccer opened at Texas Permian Permian Basin and will continue when ASU opens its football and volleyball seasons.
ASU football kicks off this weekend Big tests early in season from Rams
Dillon Brollier Managing Editor
The ASU Rams football team starts their season Sept. 1 and will have the advantage of not playing an outright road game until week five against Eastern New Mexico University. They will play on a neutral field at Cowboys Stadium in week four against Valdosta State. No. 10 Abilene Christian will provide the first test for a Rams’ football program that looks to make the playoffs for the first time under second year head coach Will Wagner. All rankings are preseason ranks as of the Aug. 13 AFCA Coaches Poll. Opponnet
Date
Location
Week 1 - Western State College of Colorado 9-1-12 San Angelo The Rams will open up the season against WSCC where they will look to win their season opener for the fourth year in a row. The last time the Rams lost a season opener was in 2008 against Texas State. Week 2 - Chadron State College
9-8-12
San Angelo
Week 3 - Valdosta State University 9-15-12 Cowboys Stadium The Rams will travel to Jerryworld also known as the Cowboys stadium to face two time Division II national Champion Valdosta State University. The Blazers were ranked as high as No. 4 in the American Football Coaches Association last year. However, they finished just 6-4 last year. Week 4 - No. 10 Abilene Christian University 9-22-12 San Angelo (Family Day) Lonestar Conference rival ACU will open the Rams conference schedule and will try to spoil Family day for the Rams. Last year the Rams kept the game close, taking an early 7-0 lead before ACU would assert themselves and win 31-17. The Rams have lost six straight against ACU. Week 5 - Eastern New Mexico University
9-29-12
Portales, New Mexico
Week 6 - #24 West Texas A&M
10-6-12
San Angelo
Week 7- #4 Midwestern State University 10-13-12 Wichita Falls, TX The Rams will travel to Wichita Falls to take on perennial power Midwestern State. This will be the second test for the Rams and would be a statement win to knock off a top District 2 power. Week 8 - Texas A&M Commerce 10-20-12 San Angelo (Homecoming) The Rams will welcome Texas A&M Commerce on homecoming Saturday after facing MSU. The Rams will look to make it four in a row against Commerce and this will no doubt be a boon to the Rams’ playoff hopes. Week 9 - Texas A&M Kingsville
10-27-12
Kingsville, TX
Week 10- Incarnate Word
11-3-12
San Angelo
Week 11- Tarleton State 11-10-12 Stephenville The Rams will look to wrap up the regular season with a W against arch rival Tarleton State. A win here would break a six year slide against