FL A S H THE BLUE & WHITE
The Official Student Newspaper of Jackson State University Jackson, Mississippi
www.thejsuflash.com
INSIDE
Vol. 78 / No. 17 OPINION
HBCU Lives Matter page 3
February 8, 2018
S P O RT S
VA R I E T Y
NEWS
2018 Winter Olympics page 7
Black Lightning page 5
Larry Nasser page 4
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3. Photo (1) Google Image by and Photos (2-3) by Chelsey Jones
1) Justin Roach (l), 2-3) Jackson State University students during balloon release to honor Justin Roach.
Students memorialize fallen JSU Tiger Justin Roach Chelsey Jones Managing Editor Jackson State University students gathered outside of the Student Center to collectively mourn the loss of a fallen JSU Tiger, Justin Roach, on Monday, Feb. 5. Roach, a senior industrial engineering major, tragically passed on Jan.12. The Student Government Association decided to memorialize Roach with a balloon release. The event started with a rendition of “Total Praise” by the JSU Mass Choir. After their soulstirring performance, SGA President Alexis Moore and Vice-President Asean Davis, spoke to the crowd. “On Jan.12, 2018, one of our fellow Tigers was called home,” Moore said. “The 72nd legislative assembly drafted a resolution to honor the life of Justin Roach on Jan.17, 2018.” Moore and Davis began to read the content of the
drafted resolution. “Be it resolved that his artistic touch and exclusive style live on forever,” said Davis. “And be it resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to the family of Justin Roach. And be it further resolved that the student body of Jackson State University sends its condolences and prayers to the family and friends of Justin Roach. And be it finally resolved by the 72nd legislative assembly of Jackson State University’s Student Government Association that Justin Roach is always remembered as a Jackson State Tiger and may his soul rest in heaven. “ The reading of the resolution was followed by a moment of silence and then the releasing of the blue balloons. While students released the balloons, a member of the choir sang, “His Eye is On the Sparrow.” People who were close to Roach were invited to come
up and share their fond memories of their fallen friend. Th’Marves Brooks, a senior business administration major from Saginaw, Mich., reflected on how he and Roach became acquainted with each other. “Justin was my best friend,” Brooks said. “I moved from Saginaw, Mich. when I was about 13 and I met Justin at Chastain Middle School. First thing we learned about each other is that we love Kanye West. We liked his music, we liked his vibe, and that’s how we learned to gain the sauce. That’s what we called each other: The Sauce Brothers. So when it comes down to it, that man was a good man. Everything he did was out of the kindness of his heart.” Former SGA President and JSU alumnus Rashad Moore also reflected on how Roach impacted his life. The two friends met in high school and were
members of the Kappa League. “To be real with you all, the way I dress today is not how I use to dress,” Moore said. “I want to give “Jazz P” a lot of credit for this. It’s kind of hard, I am not going to lie to you. It’s a process. I catch myself sometimes having memories and crying and then laughing. I have to understand God’s purpose is God’s purpose.” Treon Young, Devin Cousin, and Davis gave more reflections. Moore, who emotionally shared her experiences with Roach, gave the last reflection. “I’ll close with my reflection,” she tearfully said. “I met Justin in Summer Bridge. I met Justin in a math class. I remembered thinking that he was the cutest boy in Summer Bridge mainly because he could dress and he was real swagged up. We went through Summer Bridge and it was great. We hung out and we really built a bond.”
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Once the program was over, Moore discussed with the Blue and White Flash why the SGA decided to do a balloon release instead of the traditional candlelight vigil. “Justin was different,” Moore said. “So I didn’t want to do a regular candlelight vigil because that wouldn’t have been different.” Senior class President Toneca Pickens, a mathematics major, shared what the senior class will do to continue to honor the memory of Roach and other JSU Tigers that have passed. “We are trying to get honorary degrees prepared for their parents,” Pickens said. “We are also trying to take their parents out for graduation. We want to sponsor them being graduation ready, as far as make-up, clothing and hairstyles. We want to remind the parents of the love Thee Great One Eight has for these individuals.”
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Tiger Events
Page 2 - February 8, 2018
The Blue & White Flash
The Blue & White Flash Jackson State University
P.O. Box 18449 Jackson, Mississippi 39217 Phone: 601.979.2167 / Fax: 601.979.2876 E-Mail: theflash@jsums.edu
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The Blue & White Flash Staff SHANNON D. TATUM Publications Manager
KIERRA D. THOMAS Graphic Designer
ALEXANDRIA GALTNEY Editor- in-Chief AARON WALKER Managing Editor
CHELSEY JONES Managing Editor
Morgan Beard Kambui Bomani Winnie Bush Tavia Calvin Jared Dorsey K’Shatriyah Humphrey
Gabrielle Jones Mia Jones Zipporah Jones William H. Kelly III Kalin Norman Bari Yakubu
Letters To The Editor
Letters to the editor are welcome. Editors reserve the right to print or reject for publication any letters received. Letters must include the author’s name(s), address, and phone number; phone number will not be published. All letters are subject to editing for space and libel consideration. Materials must be submitted by Monday at 5 p.m. for publication on Thursday.
Editorial Staff
The Blue & White Flash is open to contributions from all Jackson State University students. We encourage all students, regardless of major and/or classification, to participate in the production of their newspaper. For information concerning your contribution to “The Official Student Newspaper of Jackson State University,” call 601-979-2167 or visit room 211 in the Blackburn Language Arts Building.
Publication/Distribution Information
The Blue & White Flash is a weekly newspaper written and edited by the students with the counsel of the adviser. Editorials and letters to the editor represent the views of the writer(s). Views expressed within do not necessarily represent the opinions of the faculty/staff, the administration, the student body, or the Board of Trustees. The editors determine the time of the publication and the ethical qualities of all articles. Articles and other materials in The Flash cannot be republished without the expressed written permissions of the editor, adviser and the Student Publications Board at Jackson State University. The Flash is published during the fall and spring semesters, but not during university-recognized holidays, mid-semester and final examinations. The Flash is distributed at various locations around the Jackson State University campus, free of charge to students, staff and faculty. Additional copies may be obtained from the Office of Student Publications.
Awards & Honors The Blue & White Flash has received numerous awards and honors from the Mississippi Press Association, Black College Communications Association and the Southern Regional Press Institute. The Flash proudly hosted the 2003 and 2010 HBCU Newspaper Conference and Job Fair at Jackson State University.
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Opinion
Page 3 - February 8, 2018
The Blue & White Flash
Cartoon: Bari Yakubu
Ye s , H B C U L i v e s M a t t e r ! S o s t o p a s k i n g ? COMMENTARY
Alexandria Galtney Editor-in-Chief This question has been asked many times over the years: Are historically black colleges or universities still relevant in today’s society? The same society that elected an arrogant, unintelligent bigot into the highest office in the land, the presidency. The same society
that let George Zimmerman and several police officials walk free or obtain paid administrative leave after killing unarmed black men, women and children. So to answer the question, yes, HBCUs are still very relevant. Not only that, they are crucial to maintaining and encouraging the advancement and education of the under served. HBCUs are a source of accomplishment and great pride for the AfricanAmerican community as well as the entire nation. The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary
of Education to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.” Going to an HBCU is like walking into an extended family reunion, where nothing but achievement and excellence is emphasized and accomplished. HBCU’s are nurturing environments that take students on a cultural journey where the pride of your alma mater extends past graduation. Going to an HBCU in today’s society is a reawakening experience where everyday we are exposed to new views. Predominately black colleges have sheltered black people. More than that, they provide an important space for the fight for civil rights, equality, and liberation. One of reasons we need HBCU’s in is because they
play an important role in the pursuit of freedom. HBCUs played a crucial role in transforming how America was to understand and envision what it meant to be black following the Civil War. Throughout the years, these schools have served as incubators for future generations of freedom fighters and educated persons who are still making history today. Historically black colleges and universities give African-American students the opportunity to be in an environment where they are understood and nurtured but still exposed to the diversity that makes America great. HBCUs do primarily serve African-American students, but that doesn’t mean the cultural experience is limited. People from all over the world come to the United States to attend HBCUs, because they also know that a quality education
can be obtained here. It is important to remember that the fight for civil rights and equality still rages on – and it extends beyond the black community. It is also vital to remember why HBCUs were developed in the first place and what role they have played in the fight for justice – producing such civil rights trailblazers as Martin Luther King, Jr. Thurgood Marshall and too many others to be named. Though the initial mission of HBCUs may have evolved with the times, the reminder that education is an inalienable right for all Americans, and those who chose to study from abroad, lives on proudly at HBCUs and will always be a necessary pillar of the American college and university system. The views expressed in the commentary are those of the writer(s) and in no way represent the views of The Blue & White Flash.
“What does it mean to go to an HBCU in today’s society?” Compiled by Gabrielle Jones
Alexander Thomas Junior
Computer Engineering
Jackson, Miss.
“To attend an HBCU in today’s society is almost a must for any African-American student. It gives us a taste of heritage and a chance to live out the legacies of our parents and their parents.”
Ladarious Ross Sophomore Political Science Clarksdale, Miss. “Going to an HBCU is a wonderful thing and I’m glad that I could come to one of the best in the state of Mississippi. In today’s society, it is hard to be a young black male going to college but I am just blessed to be at one.”
Juwan Gray Junior English Literature Jackson, Miss.
Alexis Brown Sophomore Business Management New Orleans, La.
Ladarius Singleton Sophomore Civil Engineering Slidell, La.
“This HBCU needs change. Hobos are always walking on campus. Make it a closed campus. Better communication, business office needs to be more organized. Less talk, more change.”
“I believe that going to an HBCU brings you a second family. It means that no matter your troubles through college, you’ll always have someone there to guide you other than your parents.”
“To me, it is a better quality of education. It also means carrying on tradition. Both of my parents attended an HBCU, hearing their experiences and now having my own chance to experience those things. It brings us closer together.”
Dominique Wotten Freshman Math Education Jackson, Miss. “In today’s society, going to an HBCU is like going to any other college, but it is an extended family. People go to college to better themselves, meet new people, and to be on a higher level in your education.”
Amber Holliman Junior Criminal Justice Jackson, Miss.
Elizabeth Parker Sophomore Psychology Vicksburg, Miss.
Tyrecquez Milton Sophomore Sports Medicine Canton, Miss.
Keundria Dunson Sophomore Accounting Jackson, Miss.
Kayla Rice Junior Biology Jackson, Miss.
Darnecia Bolden Junior Psychology Jackson, Miss.
“To attend an HBCU in today’s society is to become more informed about the history of the school and what it takes to be in a HBCU.”
“I believe going to an HBCU in this society is just as great as going to another college. You meet people that turns into a family and that it what it is all about.”
“It means a lot to go to an HBCU! I go to the best one, THEE I LOVE. You can learn a lot about the school history and the great people that went to JSU!”
“To continue the legacy of the great African-Americans that went to college to better themselves and other African Americans around them.”
“In today’s society, to go to an HBCU can be an honor to some people or more like a legacy. In some families, HBCUs are traditions that are passed down and honored.”
“Attending an HBCU in today’s society is such an honor. It means the world to me that I can attend an university where I am loved and treated like family. Nothing could ever compare.”
News
Page 4 - February 8, 2018
The Blue & White Flash
Spotlight
Dr. Hilliard Lackey
During Black History Month, the Flash would like to take the time to honor our own. We begin this series with a spotlight of one JSU’s most loved personalities, long-time employee Hilliard Lackey, who currently serves as Associate Professor of Urban Higher Education. Chelsey Jones Managing Editor If you are a student at Jackson State University, you have probably heard of professor Hilliard Lackey. Most students know him as the professor who has been employed at Jackson State since 1967. Others may know Lackey for his contributions to JSU’s ROTC program. Still others know him for his undying love for JSU and the quote: “Tiger born, Tiger bred, and when I die, I will be Tiger dead!” During Lackey’s lengthy employment with Thee I Love, he has witnessed much of JSU’s history as well as Mississippi’s civil rights history over the years. Hilliard Lackey III was born Oct. 9, 1942 on a plantation in the Mississippi Delta of Quitman County. Both of his parents were sharecroppers, which he considered an extension of slavery. He remembers attending school in a oneroom schoolhouse and being the only graduate of his eighth-grade class. Lackey’s first experience with JSU occurred on Aug. 4, 1961 when he came to campus to take the ACT. “It was on the same day Barack Obama was born,” Lackey said. “So I discovered a new world when he discovered a new world. “ Lackey was impressed with how well the black women and men dressed on campus and he knew that he wanted to live in Jackson for the rest of his life. He turned down scholarships from Mississippi Valley State and Coahoma Community College so that he could become a JSU Tiger. “I saw Jackson State as a
catalyst for change,” he said. When Lackey started attending JSU, Jackson was in the middle of a bus boycott. The purpose of the boycott was to combat the segregation in the city. “Black folks couldn’t go in the stores downtown and try on clothing,” he explained. “We couldn’t drink at the fountains. We had to go through side entrances and sit in the colored sections. The Greyhound station had a colored entrance and a colored side.” Across the street from JSU is the Masonic Temple, which was the meeting place of civil rights leaders during that time. “There used to be a café where Alexander Hall is called College Inn,” Lackey said. “There was another one called Smackovers. The civil rights leaders from the Masonic Temple would cross the street and come eat. “ According to Lackey, he and others would go to the diners just so they could be in the presence of well-known civil rights leaders. “I’ve never had a conversation with Martin Luther King or Medgar Evers in my life,” he admitted. “I just wanted to see them.” Lackey also discussed the suppression of students on campus during the Civil Rights Movement. During this time, voting rights were being heavily challenged by the black community. If students were caught trying to register to vote, they would be expelled or suspended from JSU. “The students at Tougaloo, a private institution, was doing what our students wanted to do without repercussion,” he said. “All they had to do was fear the police, jail time and
water hoses.” Many JSU students that were protesting willingly went to jail because civil rights leaders convinced them that going to jail was not a bad thing. “I never got the nerve to get in the front of the line,” Lackey said. “I always stayed in the back. My mama told me don’t drink, don’t gamble and don’t go to jail.” He also discussed how JSU changed during the Civil Rights Movement. As stated earlier, students were not allowed to protest. In 1967, women had to be in their Sunday’s best when eating in the dining hall or going to class, women also could not ride in cars with people other than their parents, and were not allowed to sit on the same benches as men after dark. Once JSU President John A. Peoples succeeded President Jacob L. Reddix, things changed. “Peoples immediately told the faculty that all the rights and privileges that students have at Ole Miss, Mississippi State, etc., we would have those same rights within the law,” Lackey said. This meant that faculty and students would no longer be penalized for trying to vote or protesting. This also gave women on campus more freedom. Lackey went on to explain how he and Peoples played a role in setting up the scholarship system that we know now. Lackey ended the interview by explaining why he feels students should learn the black history and JSU’s history. “To be a responsible human, you need to know how we got to be as we are,” he said.
Nassar receives maximum prison sentence for sexual assault charges Kambui Bomani Staff Writer After years of sexually abusing women, former USA Olympic doctor Larry Nassar has been sentenced to over 100 years in prison. According to CNN, he originally pled guilty to possessing child pornography in December and was given 60 years in prison. With more and more women coming forward to tell their sexual abuse stories, Nassar has now had 40 to 175 more years added to his sentence. The aftermath of the Olympic sexual assault scandal has left many entities on edge for the foreseeable future. It has also brought to light the prevalent mismanagement of sexual assault cases in the world of sports. For Nassar, a longtime USA Women’s gymnastics doctor, his two decadelong accusations of abuse garnered him a maximum sentence in prison. While Nassar is the main person at fault in the situation, questions have arisen about whether the Olympic committee should share the
blame also. USA Gymnastics has caught heat for not surveying Nassar’s checkered past and by not publicly announcing that Nassar was released from their organization because of the sexual assault investigation. By not doing so, they allowed him to continue his job at Michigan State University while being investigated by the FBI. Michigan State Police logs revealed that he continued to abuse young women from the summer of 2015 to 2016. Nassar’s earliest sexual assault complaints from MSU date back to the 1990s. A source from an article on NBC News. Com commented that then 16-year-old gymnast Larisa Boyce and an anonymous 14-year old girl were reportedly touched inappropriately by Nassar at a youth program on the campus of MSU in 1997. The two minors told their coach Kathie Klages about the uncomfortable incident. Klages then “interrogated” the two and came to the conclusion
that they misunderstood Nassar’s actions. Their accusations were dismissed and no criminal action was taken. Boyce vocalized years later that if Klages had reported her sexual abuse, Nassar’s two decades of abuse would not have continued. Another separate incident also occurred under the guidance of Michigan State University, according to NBC News. com article. In 1999, MSU’s staff referred runner Christie Achenbach to Nassar so that he could look at her injured hamstring. While he was checking her hamstring, Nassar reportedly acted out beyond professionalism and began to rub the runner’s pelvic area and penetrate her vaginal area with his fingers during the rehab process. Achenbach called her parents and her coach Kelli Bert about the incident that happened, according to The Detroit News. Coach Bert brushed her complaint off halfhazard, telling Achenbach the respect Nassar has as a doctor and that she should
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put complete faith in him. Coach Klages and Bert denied that respective victims came to them directly and spoke of personal abuse at the hands of Nassar. Many people were shocked that this type of behavior happened in such a well-known organization. “They’re a prestigious team and I didn’t think it would be possible,” said Michael Robinson, a senior
history major from Terry, Miss. Many hope that incidents such as this do not happen again and that this scandal brings awareness to sexual harassment in the world of sports. “I hope it does bring awareness but who knows? It went on for a minute and no one came to stop it,” said Vernaldo Wilson, a junior biology major from Vicksburg, Miss.
The Blue & White Flash
Variety
Page 4 - February 8, 2018
DC Comics superhero Black Lightning electrifies TV audiences Shelby S. Brown Staff Writer Fans will be pleased to note that the CW network series “Black Lightning” is full of the twists and turns DC Comics is known for. But what makes this different from the rest of the superhero shows is that Black Lightning is the underdog. “Black Lightning”, was the first black character to headline a DC Comic and although most people will not remember the character from the 70’s, CW is bringing the comic book character back with a twist of the Black Lives Matter Movement thrown in. The new series is set in the community of Freeland and crime has taken over the city. Black Lightning, portrayed by Cress Williams, is a retired superhero with the ability to shoot lightning out of his body. William’s character not only protects the people of Freeland from the mastermind drug dealers as Black Lightning, but also
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from the bullies at the local high school as principal Jefferson Pierce. Pierce has two daughters, Jennifer, played by China Anne McClain and Anissa, played by Nafessa Williams. He also has an ex-wife, Lynn Stewart, portrayed by Christine Adams. Although Pierce and his wife are separated, they still find a way to support
their daughters and show affection to one another. Pierce is very passionate about keeping his school out of the chaos of the drug dealers gang call the 100 Gang. It is not until Pierce’s youngest daughter, Jennifer, gets caught up with a young man from the 100 Gang, that Pierce has to become Black lightning again to save his daughters. Pierce is seen
by the media and he gives people of Freeland hope that Black Lightning will once again save the city from the gang violence. The new series will excite most people who are DC fans, but some fans are not sure how long the show will last due to the time slot. “I feel as though “Black Lightning” could make changes, but that being
just a show will not draw as much attention to what’s going on outside the show. Also, considering the time slot, he is already competing against other shows such as “The Flash” and “Supergirl”; they are putting too much on their plate right now,” said Jawan Gray, a junior English literature major from Jackson, Miss. “I do respect them for actually giving someone like Black Lightning a show...the show will be good, but they will have to take it up a notch.” Others who are not DC fans and who have never seen the show also have high expectations for the show. “I feel as though it heavily resembles the idea of Static Shock, another black superhero. But instead of just being another action superhero show, it’s going to show people the economic struggles that black people face and how we overcome them,” said Nygel Haywood, a junior English literature major from New Orleans, La. The TV show “Black Lightning” airs on Tuesday at 8 p.m. on the CW.
Rapper Jay Z shares his opinion on Donald Trump’s presidency
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Zipporah Jones Staff Writer On Friday, Jan. 26th, rapper Jay Z appeared on Van Jones’ interview series on CNN and made comments against Donald Trump’s presidency. Trump would not be denied and his angry Twitter fingers responded aggressively. Some people attribute many problems to the Trump presidency, including the rise of white
supremacist groups, the threat of nuclear war, and a wider racial divide in the country. Trump’s Twitter rants have become common so it was not surprise that he responded to Jay Z’s comments via Twitter. Many rappers, including Eminem, have called out Trump on his racism and bigotry but Trump seemed to single out Jay-Z rather than Eminem, who lost some fans because of his
distaste towards Trump and how he is not shy about vocalizing it. In a Billboard.com interview, Eminem said, “At the end of the day, if I did lose half my fan base, then so be it, because I feel like I stood up for what was right and I’m on the right side of this. I don’t see how somebody could be middle class, busting their a*# every single day, paycheck to paycheck, who thinks that that f*#%*&% billionaire is
gonna help you.” Jay-Z has made several comments about the improvement and advancement of the black community. He even raps about it in his most recent album, “4:44”. The rapper has also expressed his discontent with the current state of the black community. During his time on the Van Jones Show, Jay-Z addressed Trump’s negative comments towards African
countries. Jay-Z states that Trump referring to African countries as “shithole countries” was hurtful and disappointing. He then goes on to explain that this has always been the thinking of many people behind closed doors. Jay-Z’s comments toward Trump were very mild, but on Sunday, Jan. 28th, Trump responded back to Jay-Z by stating that the unemployment rate has been the lowest it has ever been in history for African-Americans, which is a partially inaccurate statement, it has gone down since the last presidency but not in the entire history of America. Robert Mack, a sophomore English major from Koscisko, Miss., weighed in on the controversey. “I think all of Trump’s responses are unnecessary,” said Mack. Donovan Barner, a junior English major from Jackson, Miss. disagrees with Trump. “Trump’s whole argument is I help black people a little, so that should be enough when for the better part of the last century, America has been giving blacks the absolute bare minimum,” said Barner.
Rap group Migos’ second album Culture II has many highs and lows Sametric Elmore Staff Writer Remember hits like “Bad and Boujee” and “Slippery” featuring Gucci Mane? Well, the three men behind those hits are back at it again with a new and long album, “Culture II.” Migos, which consists of members Quavo, Offset, and Takeoff, released the highly anticipated Culture Two with 24 tracks to match. That sounds impressive, but is it? Migos came out with a bang in early 2017 with “Culture,” but that’s probably not going to be the case this year. The album’s opening track “Higher We Go” notes that the group will continue to strive to be at the top of the rap game. “Walk It Talk It,” featuring Drake, is one of the better tracks on the album. Drake clearly killed the track while referencing him and Migos’ long history. Drake said on the track, “We been brothers since Versace bando woah.” He was referencing Migos’ 2013 hit single “Versace”, which was so big that Drake
remixed it, which kind of gave Migos their fame. This album definitely gets boring in the middle and at some points towards the end. The songs with Travi$ Scott, Ty Dolla $ign, and Big Sean were sort of dope, but strange at the same time. Songs like “Beast” and “Movin’ Too Fast” could have been left on the hard drives and off the album all together. Moreover, there are also some songs that sound like more or less like remakes from their previous album, such as “Open It Up” from “Culture II” and “Deadz” featuring 2 Chainz from “Culture.” Both have a similar intro to the track and ultimately have almost the same exact chorus, both by Quavo, but with different lyrics. The Migos do however know how to switch it up on the listeners and I was really surprised with the deep love tracks. Later, they switch it up again and get away from their trap, sex, and drug use style. The track “Gang Gang” on “Culture II” has only Takeoff and Quavo
providing the lyrics. It is an unexpected track on the album that is different from what the Migos usually make. Takeoff ’s deep, raspy voice goes along with Quavo’s auto-tune fits well on this track. Lastly, in the track “Work Hard,” they rap about the group’s troubled early life, how they work hard so they will never have to return to that life and how they are focusing on their music and staying famous. We all can attest to that. The entire album collectively was a flop. I’m sure that it’ll be successful, because of their name, rather talent. If I could break the 24track album down and piece together an album, then it would be a bop, because the lengthiness of the album doesn’t make the album better, at all; it could have been released as a playlist, or a shorter mixtape in my opinion. “Culture II” looks and sounds much more like what we would have imagined the breakthrough Migos album to look and sound like.
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Sports
Page 7 - February 8, 2018
The Blue & White Flash
Pyeongchang will host the 2018 XXIII Olympic winter games
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Nicholas Dawkins Staff Writer The opening ceremony for the controversial but exciting 2018 Winter
Olympics will take place on Feb. 9. What controversy you ask? For starters, the winter Olympics are being held in Pyeongchang,
South Korea, the countr y that has been at war with their neighbor, North Korea, since 1950. Over the last year, the countr y has been threatening to start a nuclear war. For this reason, security will be on high alert in South Korea. According to “Fox News,” South Korea is deploying over 60,000 security drones to keep the athletes, visitors and fans safe. The next issue surrounds the popular winter sport of hockey, a popular event that draws millions of fans, is also a big Olympic sporting event with complications. Historically, hockey is the most-watched winter sport. Unfortunately, this year the Winter Olympics in South Korea occurs during the middle of the NHL season. The best
hockey players will not be available to participate in the winter games. Many star hockey players from Team Canada will not be present due to conflicting schedules. With all these issues and controversy surrounding the Olympics, there are still some good things to look for ward to. One good is that North and South Korea made an agreement in Januar y that they will have one united Korean flag instead of two. This moment is important because it shows that the fighting countries can temporarily put their differences aside for the sake of sports. There are also positive changes coming to the Winter Olympics. Ninety-two countries are competing in South Korea, including the recently added Afghanistan.
Afghanistan will be bringing skiers for the first time and Jamaica will bring their new bobsled team. USA Today said, “ Team USA is more diverse than ever.” Team USA has more than 200 athletes. Out of those 2000 athletes, 10 of them are AfricanAmerican and eleven are Asian. Team USA won the most medals during the 2016 Summer Olympics and they plan on winning more this winter. They plan on winning more medals with the help of stars like Monique LamoureuxMorando, a for ward in hockey, Shani Davis, a speed skater from Chicago, Ill., and Shaun White, a well-known snowboarder. The 2018 Olympic Winter Games will start on Feb .9, 2018 and end on Feb 25, 2018.
Basketball fans look forward to 2018 NBA All-Star festivities Nicholas Dawkins Staff Writer The NBA season is quickly coming to its halfway point of the season. This could only mean one thing: AllStar Weekend is on its way. This three day event, which is will be held in the Staples Center in California is where all the best players of the league show off their skills on the court. The NBA All-Star Weekend includes a celebrity game that starts the weekend off. The players have yet to be announced this year, but the game has hosted celebrities such as Nick Cannon, Kevin Hart and Michael Rapaport the past. The first day of the NBA All-Star Weekend also hosts the Rising Stars game. This game is for star NBA rookie players and upcoming star players to play against each other. Last year, the young star point guard from the Denver Nuggets Jamal Murray won the Rising Stars MVP. Some of the new rising stars that will be playing this year are Lonzo Ball, the starting point guard for the Lakers. Devin Booker, a breakout young guard that plays with the Phoenix Suns will also play. Also, the young star center Joel Embiib could possibly play in the Rising Star game. Embiid was injured last year and was unable to compete in the game last year, so this
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year could be his year to shine. The second day of All- Star Weekend hosts the majority of events. The first of these events is the skills event. The skills event is for players to show off their ball handling, passing and shooting skills. The skills event last year was
more competitive than ever, with only the best players taking part. This includes Gordon Heyward, Devin Booker, Anthony Davis and John Wall. The next event during the All-Star Weekend is the three-point contest. This is one of the more popular
events because it features some of the best shooters in the league. This timed event shows who can land three under the most pressure. Some stars that could be in this event this year are J.J. Redick, Kyle Korver, and even Bradley Beal. In 2017 the winner of the three-point
contest was Eric Gordon, a guard from the Houston Rockets. The most anticipated event is the dunk contest. In recent years, the NBA AllStar dunk contest has been taken to new heights with its popularity. This is due to the unique dunks that the players perform, such as Blake Griffin jumping over a Kia and Dwight Howard dunking two basketballs in two goals. The bar is raised every year, so it is certain that this year’s dunk contest will not disappoint. Participants for this year’s contest include the Dallas Mavericks rookie Dennis Smith Jr. and Utah Jazz player Donovan Mitchell. The last event of the AllStar Weekend is the NBA AllStar Game. This game only includes the best of the best in the league that were voted in by NBA fans. The players the fans voted for will be playing in an East versus West conference battle to end the event-filled weekend. The top voted player of the Eastern Conference is Cleveland Cavaliers star Lebron James. In the Western Conference. The top voted player is Kevin Durant, the small forward for the Golden State Warriors. Surprises in the voting include young star Jayson Tatum from the Boston Celtics and Kristaps Porzingis from the New York Knicks.
Jim McMahon brings the alternative football league XFL back Nicholas Dawkins Staff Writer If at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again. This was most likely the mindset of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) owner Vince McMahon when he announced that he was reviving the failed XFL. The XFL football league was originally formed in 1999. It is set to make a return to the football sports market. According to McMahon, the XFL is not a competitor of the NFL but an offseason alternative. The XFL football league starts when the NFL season ends. Since football has such a big market in North America, the XFL has an opportunity to catch the interest of fans waiting for the NFL to return in the summer. This is not the first time the XFL has made an attempt to be successful in the sports entertainment market. In 2001, the league wanted to be a more violent and hard-hitting version of football. This
idea was spawned because McMahon, owner of World Wrestling Federation, (now known as World Wrestling Entertainment), had a fan base of people who enjoyed violence. He saw an opportunity to make a unique football league that could appeal to them. When the XFL started in February 2001, more than 50 million viewers tuned in to watch the first game. The New York Hitmen took on the Las Vegas Outlaws. At the time, the XFL really stood out from their NFL predecessor. The first big thing that the XFL did was have the “human coin toss”. Two players would have to fight for the ball in order to have the right to choose to kick the ball, or receive the ball. Other things that made the XFL unique were cameramen being on the field during plays and players having microphones attached to them during the game. The league’s creation was rushed with the creations of teams, the stadiums, and
the draft all being done in less than two years. This left players with less than 30 days to practice, and their inexperience showed on television. This led to the failure of the league. The XFL is planned to return January of 2020 and McMahon has said in his announcement that the league has changed the way they operate. According to Sports Illustarted.com, the XFL will only accept players with no criminal history; the league will have a faster pace and will be safer. “One of the things, when I said the quality of the human being is very important and just as important as the quality of the player, what I mean by that is, you want someone who does not have any criminality whatsoever associated with them,” McMahon said in the article. According to McMahon, unlike the NFL, there will be no protests of the National Anthem during the XFL season. The XFL reboot is set to
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return in 2020. Jackson State University students had different opinions about the XFL. Dontelius Ross, a sophomore interdisciplinary studies major from Jackson, Miss. said, “It is possible Vince McMahon is a great salesman. If players don’t
make the NFL they can play in the XFL.” Jerome Tinker, a senior urban planning major from Jackson Miss. is not sure the league will succeed. “I don’t see it depending on what they bring to the table. “I don’t see it working,” said Tinker.
Sports
Page 8 - February 8, 2018
The Blue & White Flash
JSU beefs up roster with new recruits on National Signing Day
Morgan Beard Sports Editor During the early signing period, Jackson State University signed 10 prospects to the roster. Nine of the players were junior college transfers and one FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) player from Southern Mississippi. This group of the players includes a quarterback, four receivers, two offensive linemen, two defensive linemen and a linebacker. Yesterday, Feb. 7, JSU signed high school players that will be working out with the team over the summer and preparing for the 2018 season for starting roles on the team. This included Kendarius Feazell from Lawrence County. JSU also signed Starkville High School wide receiver Cameron Hines. Hines was the third most productive receiver in the state as a senior, with 70 catches for 913 yards and 12 touchdowns. At 6 foot and 185 pounds he caught 16 balls for 268 yards and two scores in the first two rounds of the 6A playoffs. According to the JSU Blitz, Coach Hughes spoke about the new players on the roster.
“We’re very excited about the young men who have chosen to become Tigers,” said Hughes. “We had to go into the junior college ranks to get us some immediate help for our junior class, because we only have 16 juniors and 10 seniors on our current roster.” Jackson State signed 6 foot 2, 200 pound quarterback Derrick Ponder, who has been a product of the air raid offense for several years already and the fourth white quarterback to be a part of the JSU program. During his senior year of high school, he completed 63 percent of his passes for 4,001 yards and 47 touchdowns in his last full season at Bells High School in Bell, Texas. Right now Ponder has the inside track of being Jackson State’s starting quarterback when
the Tigers open the 2018 season at Southern Miss on Sept. 1, 2018. JSU also signed juco wide receivers Kobe Gates from Co-Lin, Ra’Meik Wallace from Hinds, and Ti’Morrius Conner and Calvin Keys from East Mississippi. The other offensive signees include a pair of offensive linemen, Eddie Maxon Jr. from CoLin and Melvin Hollins from Jones County. JSU now has 15 offensive linemen for the spring instead of 13, and nine of those 15 will be juniors or seniors. On defense, JSU picked up Macon, Miss. native Qendarrion Barnett, who transferred back home from the University of Idaho, to fill JSU linebacker needs after losing starters Shawn Bishop and Andre Lloyd to graduation. Also, they
signed Didravious Henry, a 6 foot 5, 255 pounds defensive end from Co-Lin who passed on offers from UL-Monroe and UL-Lafayette to sign with JSU. JSU also signed Jauan Collins, a 6 foot 1, 300 pounds defensive tackle who played a year at Southern Miss before transferring to East Mississippi. Other high school recruits include: Jack Strouse from Placentia, Calif. who is 6’3 205 pounds quarterback signed with Jackson State. He is the fifth white quarterback to be a part of the JSU football program. JSU also signed Ridgeland WR/TE D.J. Stevens. In high school he caught 6 passes for 134 yards against Germantown high school. Offensive lineman Cameron Beal from Central High (Tuscaloosa) signed
with JSU. Natchez offensive lineman Cedric Dunbar signed with JSU. Dunbar can play anywhere on the offensive line including center. On defense, JSU signed some linebackers like Timontre Graham from LeFlore (Mobile) High School. Hazlehurst linebacker Tim Steward signed. He was also 3A defensive player of the year. Callaway linebacker Tim Robinson also selected JSU. Another Jackson Public School recruit is Provine High School defensive back Quinton Burns from Jackson, Miss., who is a late addition to the class. He is 6 foot 1 and 180 pounds. The second and final defensive back David Arrington IV from Montgomery, Ala., signed with JSU. The Tigers will kick off the 107 season for the football program this Sept 1. 2018 against the Golden Eagles of Southern Mississippi. The Tigers are 0-2 all-time against the Golden Eagles. Will this be the year that Jackson State bounces back after four losing seasons? In 2016, The Jackson State football program signed 32 recruits on National Signing Day. Last year they signed 34.
JSU alum Robert Brazile named to 2018 NFL Hall of Fame Morgan Beard Sports Editor Jackson State great Robert Brazile was in Minneapolis last Saturday when representatives from the NFL Hall of Fame knocked on his door to inform him he received the 80 percent of the vote needed for induction into 2018 Hall of Fame class. Until Saturday, he remained the only linebacker on the 1970’s All-Decade Team not selected to the Hall of Fame. Brazile is the fourth Jackson State player to be named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Following in the footsteps of his former teammates Walter Payton, Lem Barney, and Jackie Slater. No other Mississippi school has produced more than two players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Brazile joined NFL players like Baltimore Raves linebacker Ray Lewis, Philadelphia Eagles safety Brain Dawkins, Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, and two of the most dominating wide receivers in football, Randy Moss and Terrell Owens.
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Also named was senior finalist offensive line/kicker Jerry Kramer and long time general manger Bobby Beathard. At Jackson State he begin his collegiate career as a tight end. After his freshman year he transitioned to outside linebacker. During his time at Jackson State he helped the Tigers win two SWAC Championships. In 1974, he set a school record with 129 tackles and led the SWAC with nine interceptions. He was selected to the
All-SWAC first team and selected as a Black College Football All-American. The Houston Oilers selected Brazile with the sixth overall pick in the 1975 NFL draft. Brazile did not miss a game in 10 seasons, winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. According to ESPN, Brazil talked about the joy of being selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, “This is my home, I want to become a Hall of Famer here,” said Brazile, a Mobile, Ala., native. “Y’all don’t know
how many people in my little neighborhood will show up to Canton. I may load some up in the boat, tie the boat up to the Winnebago, fill up the Winnebago and pull them there. It touches so many people other than me for my college, for my city. This is all the weight on my shoulders. This is the reason why since August I haven’t been able to sleep, because of me being selected as a finalist.” Nicknamed “Dr. Doom” because of his 6’4 height and 230 pound frame,
Brazille was the the prototype pass rushing outside linebacker. He was selected to participate in seven consecutive Pro Bowl seasons. The Dr. Doom nickname originated before Brazile entered the NFL. Then USC linebacker Richard Wood was talking to sportscaster Howard Cosell during a breakfast before the college all-star game. Wood called Brazile over with a nickname idea, Dr. Doom, which he picked up from a Chicago Tribune cartoon character. Brazile retired from the NFL in 1984. He finally became a finalist this year, which is his 29th year of eligibility. According to the JSU Blitz, the late Bum Phillips, who coached Brazile as defensive coordinator and then as head coach for the Oilers from 1975 to 1980, characterized Brazile as “Lawrence Taylor before Lawrence Taylor” and credited him for reimagining the 3-4 linebacker positions. Information from JSU Media Relations was used in this story.
Jackson State Tigers sweep Alcorn Braves but Lose to the Jags Morgan Beard Sports Editor The Jackson State Lady Tigers dominated the game against Alcorn from start to finish. JSU led by 30 at one point, going on to beat the Lady Braves 94-69. This completed a season sweep over the Lady Braves. On Jan. 6, JSU defeated Alcorn 74-51. Junior guard Christina Ellis from San Diego, Calif., was 12 of 16 from the court, scoring a career high of 31 points with five rebounds, three assists, three steals and a blocked shot against Alcorn. Ellis has also been named SWAC Women’s basketball Player of the Week for her performances in both Saturday and Monday games. Ellis averaged 23.5 points per game this past weekend. She had only 16 points against Southern and the leading scorer for the number 1 scoring offense in the SWAC, Ellis 13.7 points per game is the 10th best in the league and her 47.9 percent field goal shooting marks is fourth highest in the league as well. Ellis has
led Jackson State in seven of the last nine games. In Monday’s game against the Lady Jaguars, the Lady Tigers took a tough loss with a score of 68-58. The loss ended Jackson State’s 2-game winning streak. The Lady Tigers are now (12-8) overall and (7-4) in the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) play. They are in 4th place, one game behind Grambling State and Texas Southern. JSU’s men’s was down by 6 in the final minutes to beat the Alcorn Braves 6057. Junior forward Maurice Rivers from Atlanta, Ga., hit a game tying 3-point shot. He also had 12 points and 3 of 10 on the court in 22 minutes. JSU senior guard, Chace Franklin from Dallas, Texas, made only two shots on Saturday. One of those shots was the game winning 3 in the final minute of the game. He was 2 of 11 on the court with just 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 29 minutes in the game. Franklin spoke about Saturday’s victory. “That was a big win, we
needed that win desperately. We were on a losing streak and coach gave me the green light to shoot that shot almost every time so for him to have the confidence in me and that’s how I made it. I thank God for that,” said Franklin. Junior guard Jeremiah Johnson from Glenn heights, Texas, led the Tigers with 17 points with a 6 of 12 field gold on the court. He also had 5 of 9 behind the arc with 16 minutes on the court. On Monday night, the Southern Jags Eddie Reese made a pair of free throw shots with 10.7 seconds left and Southern held on to defeat JSU with the final score 67-62. Before Reese’s foul shots, JSU junior guard Julian Daughtry from Memphis, Tenn., made free throws, also at the 10.7-second mark to pull the Tigers within 65-62. JSU got the ball again after Southern Torrey Mayo threw the ball out of bounds on the inbound play. But Reese was fouled on a moving screen during the Tigers ensuing inbound play
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and went straight to the foul line to make it a 5-point game with the free throws. Jackson State is now (10-14) overall and (7-4) in SWAC conference play. The Tigers led most of the game but never by more than 6 points. Southern University led by no more than three until Southern Chris Thomas scored four straight points to make it 61-57. JSU’s Maurice Rivers had 10 points; Jeremiah Johnson had 12 points and Julian Daughtry 11 for the Tigers. This loss puts the Tigers in 3rd place in the SWAC with
one game behind Grambling and two games behind Arkansas Pine Bluff. The Ladies and Men’s basketball team will travel to Houston, Texas to take on Texas Southern University for a Saturday’s match up. The Lady Tigers are set to play at 5:30 p.m. and men’s game is set for 8 p.m. On Monday night, the ladies and men’s basketball team will travel to Prairie View, Texas to play Prairie View A&M. The Lady Tigers are set to play at 5:30 p.m. and the men’s game will be broadcast live on ESPNU and starts at 8 p.m.