THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
“Little good is accomplished without controversy, and no civic evil is ever defeated without publicity.”
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Thursday March 3, 2016
Volume 128, Issue 106
www.THEDAONLINE.com
PASSING DOWN THE MUSKET
GARRETT YURISKO/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
WVU’s newest Mountaineer Mascot, Troy Clemons, cheers during the Mountaineers’ final home game against Texas Tech.
Troy Clemons named 2016-17 Mountaineer Mascot during Texas Tech game by kayla asbury Associate city editor @kaylaasbury_
In addition to Wednesday night’s men’s basketball 90-68 win against the Texas Tech Red Raiders, there was another victory on the court with 3 minutes and 19 seconds left in the game. In his second attempt vying for the coonskin cap, Troy Clemons was named the 2016-17 West Virginia University Mountaineer Mascot. Clemons, a senior sports management student, did not expect to win the competition.
“I feel like this is one of the closest years in a long time,” Clemons said. “Everybody had such a good shot, putting together such a good body of work. It’s a true honor to really have this opportunity.” The Greenbrier County, West Virginia native is following in the footsteps another Greenbrier County local, his favorite Mountaineer, Bob Richardson. He will take over as the Mountaineer some time in the coming months, most likely at the Gold-Blue football game in April to replace Michael Garcia, who will have served as the Mountain-
eer for two years. Next year, Clemons plans to attend graduate school at WVU, seeking his master’s in sports management. After graduation, he wants to work in sports management within the University. Clemons wants to continue to make his West Virginia pride obvious to fans. “I think I made my passion for West Virginia pretty apparent,” Clemons said. “It’s something I’ve tried to do throughout my life. Now I’m excited I get to show that to other people…I feel great. It’s going to take a while to set in, I think.”
Clemons is an avid snowboarder, rafter and caver. He said being the Mountaineer is a way to showcase the state. “I’m a proud West Virginian, it is significant for me to have that chance to show what we’re all about.” Clemons competed for the position against three other potential Mountaineers: Ethan Ball, Aren Cox and Savannah Lusk. The winner, which was decided by the Mountaineer Mascot Selection Committee, was based on an extensive application, an interview and the cheer-off at
Forward ticket takes all in SGA election BY CAITY COYNE CITY EDITOR @CAITYCOYNE
staff writer @dailyathenaeum
42°/29°
IRISH ROCK
INSIDE
Dropkick Murphys coming to Pittsburgh A&E PAGE 4
News: 1, 2 Opinion: 3 A&E: 4, 5, 6 Sports: 10, 11 Campus Calendar: 8 Puzzles: 8 Classifieds: 7
ASKAR SALIKHOV/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM
The Forward Party sweeps all the seats in the Student Government Association for the upcoming year. reelected to the BOG. “Had 2.5 instead of a 2.0, passed three tickets competed against each other. she been elected, we would overwhelmingly. have worked together, no “Since there is only one About 3.9 percent of the doubt.” student population voted ticket, there weren’t as Both amendments on in the election. Emma Har- many votes,” Harrison said. the ballot, one about regu- rison, SGA elections chair, “It’s hard to judge (voter lations for replacing a gov- said that this turnout was turnout) with only one ernor on the BOG and one expected with only one ticket.” setting the minimum GPA ticket running, as opposed see sga on PAGE 2 for SGA office holders as a to past years when two or
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ORGANIC FOOD Expensive meats and produce are often more nutritious and ethically raised OPINION PAGE 3
as any other Mascot competitor, would have represented the University well. “I’m happy for him, and I look forward to working with him and representing the University together,” Lusk said. As Clemons transitions to becoming the Mountaineer Mascot, he encourages fans to support WVU. “I just want to tell them to keep coming out and supporting the Mountaineers, and we’re going to be right along with you,” Clemons said. “Let’s go Mountaineers.” kaasbury@mail.wvu.edu
Law students to compete in moot court challenge by tessa iglesias
Headed by Julie Merow and Mac McIntyre as student body president and vice president respectively, the Forward Movement swept the West Virginia University Student Government Association election last night, with all of its candidates making the cut for the 2016-17 SGA administration. Olivia Dudley, the sole independent candidate for the election, did not make the cut for the Board of Governors. After the results, members of the Forward party approached Dudley with words of praise and encouragement, handshakes and even hugs before they celebrated their win. “I’m psyched we all got elected... We’ve all been talking about how we want to improve SGA together, but I think (Dudley) ran an amazing campaign, and it took a lot of guts to do it,” said Shani Waris, who was
P.M. SHOWERS
the Feb. 22 men’s basketball game versus Iowa State University in which each participant got the chance to wear the buckskins. The candidate with the second highest number of votes, Savannah Lusk, a junior exercise physiology student, received the position of Mountaineer Mascot Alternate. “I’m really honored to represent my University in any way I can,” Lusk said. “I’m really looking forward to being able to put the buckskins on and carry the rifle and represent the University.” Lusk said Clemons, as well
Law students at West Virginia University will participate in the sixth annual Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition, giving them the opportunity to gain real world experience and train in a simulated courtroom . A moot court is a mock court in which law students argue imaginary cases for practice, and in this case, students will practice appellate advocacy, or legal representation in cases dealing with intermediate or final appeals processes. “Basically, we prepare a problem illustrating energy and environmental issues and then we have students from law schools around the country who come and do oral arguments in front of judges,” said James Van Nostrand, the director of the Center of Sustainable Development, who is also in charge of the competition.
This year 24 teams from 16 law schools aside from WVU will be participating, including William and Mary, Duquesne University, Appalachian School of Law and the University of North Carolina. This year’s problem involves an environmental group’s appeal of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s approval of an interstate natural gas pipeline, alleging violations of the National Environmental Policy Act and Endangered Species Act. The question was written by Laura Griffin, a law student at WVU and a fellow for environmental law and policy at the Center for Energy and Sustainable Development. “My goal was to expose our competitors to issues that are occurring right now, that they might see when they get out into the work force if they want to be energy and environmental attorneys,” Griffin said.
see court on PAGE 2
A PROPER SEND-OFF Paige, Holton shine in Senior Night win SPORTS PAGE 10