April 9 Issue

Golf tees off page 5B April 9, 2015

Volume 83, Issue 28

www.FlorAla.net

Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama

ITʼS KITTS AT LAST President enjoys first week, talks future plans ASHLEY REMKUS

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VERYONE HAS JUST BENT

OVER BACKWARD TO MAKE US FEEL WELCOME. ITʼS VERY AFFIRMING ABOUT THE DECISION WE MADE TO COME.

KEN KITTS

photo courtesy of Shannon Wells

INSIDE

this week’s paper

NEWS . . . . . . . . 2A IMAGES . . . . . . 4A VIEWPOINTS . . . . 7A

LIFE . . . . . . . . . 1B SPORTS . . . . . . . 5B EXTRA . . . . . . . . 8B

Big expectations awaited Ken Kitts when he arrived at UNA to begin his tenure as President March 31.

A five-year enrollment decline aand decreasing state funding aare on his list of things to turn aro around. But, first, Kitts is learning th the ins and outs of UNA and the Sh Shoals.

“It was almost all introducti introductions, meet and greets, things de designed to help me acclimate to UNA,” Kitts said about his first week on the job. “Eve “Everyone has just bent over back backward to make us feel welcome. It’s very affirming about the decision we made to come to F Florence.”

His week began in meetings w with th the university vice presidents and academic deans, continued with meeting and cont students, ffaculty and staff.

“They’re the people who “They things happen,” Kitts said. make thin “It’s my job jo to take the good start we have hhere and nurture it.”

Kitts said the enrollment UNA faces is not unique decline U as public regional to its campus, cam universities across the nation are universitie state funding dwindle and seeing sta rise. tuition ris “The truth is state funding tuition don’t and student st provide enough money,” said provid former Interim President form John Thornell. “They Joh provide for you to be at pr

status quo — you can pay the bills. But, if you want to step out there and expand, you have to think about revenue from a different perspective. Whenever we want to hold student tuition down, lower state funding makes that difficult.”

Kitts said increasing revenue entails spending much of his time in Montgomery with state legislators, and meeting with community donors. On the home front, increasing funds means bringing enrollment up.

“There are already a lot of good things beginning to come together here,” Kitts said. “You can begin to see a university beginning to position itself for enrollment success.

“As far as marketing, it’s such a beautiful campus and nice town that I think for a long time there was just kind of this assumption that it would just market itself — that it’s so nice that word will just get out, but you can’t make that assumption.”

He said stepping up the marketing game will likely include reaching out more to community college students, which the university has already begun doing.

To reach students across the state, the size of UNA should be a focal point, he said.

“This size university has been my life, and that’s by design,” Kitts said.

Editor’s note: To read the rest of this story, visit www. florala.net.

LIFE HACKS.....3B

Please recycle your paper.

2A NEWS

April 9, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

FINANCES

Senate endorses Activity Fee changes ASHLEY REMKUS

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Students could see changes to their semester bills as a result of a recent SGA Senate vote to adjust the Student Activity Fee, pending administrative approval.

Resolution 15-02 calls for removal of the $50 fee from summer tuition charges beginning 2016, accompanied by a $6 increase during all proceeding fall and spring semesters.

Senate Budget Oversight Committee Chairman Skyler Mansell said the university’s shared governance Fee Structure Committee recommended removing the summer fee because some students are not getting the biggest bang for their buck.

“We decided that instead of students paying $50 in fall, summer and spring, we can charge them $56 in the fall and spring, and students that come for summer won’t have to pay this fee at all,” said senator Haleigh Scott. “They feel like there’s not as many events and things like that on campus, so they feel like its not as applicable to them. So we’re just pulling it from the other two semesters.”

Senate approved a $23 incremental increase to the Student Activity Fee

during the spring 2014 semester. The board of trustees also approved the resolution June 9 that year, enacting an increase of $8 (fall 2014) and $5 during the three subsequent spring and fall semesters.

The fee, currently $40, provides money for UPC to host events on campus, such as monthly movie nights and the annual spring concert. It also funds the Budget Oversight Committee’s Student Allocations Funding, which provides travel and event funding to registered student organizations.

“What we’re proposing is an extension of the original resolution so we’re not facing the downfall that we would have from not having that summer fee,” Mansell said.

While the $6 increase amount is less than the $50 fee removal, overall revenue is projected to remain the same because the number of students who would pay the fee during the summer averages 1,200, while 5,500 pay in the fall and spring semesters, respectively.

Officials said the increase will generate about $60,000 from a larger number of students during fall and spring, rather than a smaller number of students during the summer.

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Student Activity Fee with proposed changes

Spring 2014: $27 March 2014: Senate approves incrementally increasing Student Activity Fee to $50.

June 2014: Trustees approve the increase of $8 (fall 2014) and $5 during the three subsequent spring and fall semesters.

Fall 2014: $35

Spring 2015: $40

Fall 2015: $45

Spring 2016: $50

Summer 2016 (and future summer semesters): No fee charged photo by DEANNA KAMPMEYER I Staff Photographer

Budget Oversight Committee Chairman Skyler Mansell (left) discusses upcoming legislation with Senate Vice President Nick Lang before the start of Senate’s April 2 meeting. Senators voted in favor of a resolution from Mansell’s committee to remove the summer Student Activity Fee, as long as a $6 increase occurs during the fall and spring semesters.

Fall 2016 (and future fall and spring semesters): $56

NEWS 3A

April 9, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

SECURITY

Parker: Arrest, heightened patrol end crime spree ANNA BROWN

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A recent string of vehicle-related crimes seems to have come to an end, officials said.

Nine vehicle crimes, including motor vehicle theft, vehicle burglary, a hit-andrun and criminal mischief occurred on campus in the first three months of this year, according to the police department crime logs.

“We have made an arrest for possession of stolen property from a recent case,” said Interim UNA Police Chief Mark Parker. “After the arrest, it seems they’ve quit.”

Police arrested a former student for receiving stolen property after a vehicle burglary was reported to campus police March 3, Parker said.

Parker said he thinks increased patrol on campus and students being diligent about securing their property also caused the crime trend to cease.

Police recently recovered a truck that was stolen from the Facilities Administration and Planning building on Waterloo Road last December, authorities said.

Police found the truck in Hernando, Mississippi, according to reports, and

returned it to facilities personnel so it can be returned to working condition.

Police identified two suspects, but names are not available for release. The suspects are not students.

Authorities received a report of a hitand-run in the parking deck March 16, Parker said, but there were no witnesses and currently no suspect has been identified.

He said the victim reported the incident several days after the crash occurred, making a follow-up and investigation of this incident difficult.

“We are still going to diligently follow up on this case,” Parker said.

He said he thinks the student did not intend to report the case until parents suggested it.

Some students said they think car crime rates will fall further when cameras are added to the on-campus parking deck.

“I feel like the surveillance cameras would help because people would be more afraid to commit a crime because eyes are watching them,” said junior Noel Geiger.

Vice President for Student Affairs David Shields announced in March the university will spend about $225,000 on new surveillance equipment for the parking deck and other campus facilities.

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photo by ASHLEY REMKUS I News Editor

Students Zach and Abigail Ferris grab their books and bags from their vehicle as they prepare to go to their afternoon classes April 3. Crimes involving vehicles spiked at the beginning of 2015 but recently stopped, authorities said.

Your Ad Here Advertising and Marketing For more information call 256-765-4427

Email advertising@florala.net

4A IMAGES

April 9, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

M

ANEUVER THROUGH

ATTIELOU

▶

Affordable carpets Carpeting in the new dorms is unique from carpeting in other residence halls, said Director of Residence Life Kevin Jacques. “Say you have an accident and you spill red Kool-Aid all over the floor — we can just pull up one square of carpet,” he said. “So instead of charging you $400 to redo an entire room, we’re charging you $25 to replace a square.”

KALI DANIEL

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One of the many perks of this job is being able to explore new buildings before the majority.

The great perk for readers is getting a sneak peek of what is to come.

When I slipped on my neon vest and hard hat and accompanied Director of Residence Life Kevin Jacques to the new residence halls, I was not sure what to expect.

We explored the inner developments of the hall, temporarily referred to as Mattielou in reference street it borders. Inside, we toured two

New designs Though the outside of the dorm is incomplete, bricks and tiling have been decided. ▶

▶

Plenty of “room” Each standard room can hold up to two occupants who share a bathroom. Sinks (pull-out) are separate from the bathroom area.

wings per floor on a total of four floors. Separating each floor are card-access doors for safety and living areas complete with TVs and a beautiful view overlooking the football practice field.

One of the greatest perks of these freshmen-only dorms are the bathrooms; each dorm room comes complete with its own shower, toilet and sink.

Though I am a senior who will never be able to live in these dorms, I am very excited to see updates toward the end of April.

I am also thrilled for the next freshman class, which will become the first to utilize these state-of-the art facilities.

NEWS 5A

April 9, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

photo by KALI DANIEL I Managing Editor

The new freshmen residence hall temporarily referred to as Mattielou Hall has most walls, electrical and plumbing completed within the dorm. New features unavailable in previous dorms include private bathrooms, double laundry machine capability, two wings and HVAC systems outside of the rooms, said Director of Residence Life Kevin Jacques.

Freshmen residence halls offer new features KALI DANIEL

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Hard hats, loud machines and plenty of air conditioning greet the few permitted to enter the freshmen-only residence halls on Mattielou and Olive streets. The hall located on Mattielou is furthest along, with most drywall, plumbing and electrical installed.

While “Mattielou” will be finished in time for the fall semester, Director of Residence Life Kevin Jacques said “Olive” may not be finished until December. He said incoming freshmen not placed in “Mattielou” will live in Rivers Hall until construction is complete.

“I’m really excited about the features of the new residence halls,” said incoming freshman Jenna Thigpen. “It all just seems really convenient. I think it’s cool we get to be the first ones to use them, too.”

The halls may seem vaguely reminiscent of the Hawthorne and Covington cluster dorms, however inside the structure is vastly different.

Each floor is divided into two wings with one resident adviser being positioned on each wing, Jacques said.

He said about 320 students can be housed in the four-floor dorm.

The dual wing split is not the only fresh feature incorporated into the dorms, he said.

“In between each of these rooms is the HVAC system,” Jacques said.

“In Hawthorne in Covington, it’s actually in the bedrooms so every time (maintenance) has to change filters, they have to go in there and disturb the students. Here, it’s all in the hallway.”

Junior Darien Harris said he hoped Residence Life would consider putting larger trash cans in the bathrooms, however that request may not be

necessary.

Different from Rice, Rivers and Lafayette Halls, the hall temporarily referred to as “Mattielou” offers each room its own bathroom complete with shower, toilet, sink and mirror.

“I like that the sink is outside of the bathroom,” Jacques said. “I can be brushing my teeth, shaving (or) whatever while my roommate is showering.”

Harris said he hopes the new residence halls will offer benefits not provided to freshmen previously.

“I’d like to see individualized study areas,” Harris said.

Junior Sarah McNeely said she agreed with Harris because freshmen can have a difficult time locating stable study environments.

”

I THINK (THESE FEATURES) MAKE STAYING

ON CAMPUS MORE APPEALING TO INCOMING

FRESHMEN. ITʼS COOL TO GET TO BE A PART OF THE CHANGES GOING ON AT

UNA. I CANʼT WAIT TO LIVE THERE.

JENNA THIGPEN

INCOMING FRESHMAN

“I believe study rooms to be helpful because, from experience, the library tends to be full and you can only have it for a certain period of time,” she said.

“By having the study rooms closer and more accessible I think it will help provide a peaceful atmosphere to study.

Sometimes your room isn’t a quiet place to do so.”

While a study room is available on the ground floor of Mattielou, Jacques said they hoped to focus more on group studying and an open concept.

Each room in the dorms also has a new type of carpeting to make messes

easier on students’ pocketbooks, Jacques said.

“The nice thing about the square carpet in each room is that, say you have an accident and you spill red Kool-Aid all over the floor — we can just pull up one square of carpet,” he said. “So instead of charging you $400 to redo an entire room, we’re charging you $25 to replace a square.”

Though Harris has spent his time at UNA living in Rice Hall where floors have no carpet, he said he believes this particular carpet can benefit freshmen who do not think about messes.

“I think the squared carpet is a great effort to avoid high cost and fees for the upkeep of the dorms,” Harris said.

Like Harris, incoming freshman Jenna Thigpen said the carpet square concept is an important feature.

“I’m used to having carpet, and it’s really frustrating to stain floors because you can’t really do anything about it unless you want to replace the majority of it,” she said.

The laundry machines in “Mattielou” hall double the amount of Rice and Rivers halls. Laundry machines can be found in the main lobby along with a receptionist area, lounge, game area with pool table, all-glass windows and an open-style study area capable of handling groups.

On each floor, a lounge area separates the two wings, with a large TV and a view overlooking the baseball field and football practice field.

In addition to standard-size rooms, Mattielou also has multiple ADAapproved rooms with doorways and showers capable of wheelchair access.

“I think (these features) make staying on campus more appealing to incoming freshmen,” Thigpen said. “It’s cool to get to be a part of the changes going on at UNA. I can’t wait to live there.”

AT A GLANCE • NEW

FRESHMEN DORMS

TEMPORARILY REFERRED TO AS

“MATTIELOU”

AND

“OLIVE”

HALLS

• EACH

ROOM COMPLETE WITH

PERSONAL BATHROOM

• ADA-APPROVED

ROOMS

AVAILABLE

• REMOVABLE CARPET TILES FOR EASIER, CHEAPER MESS CLEANUP • DOUBLED • HVAC

LAUNDRY UNITS

SYSTEMS OUTSIDE OF

ROOMS FOR STUDENT COMFORT

• OPEN-CONCEPT,

GROUP-FRIENDLY

STUDY ROOM

• VIEWS

OVERLOOKING FOOTBALL

AND BASEBALL FIELDS

• LOUNGE • TWO

AREAS ON EACH FLOOR

WINGS WITH ONE RESIDENT

ADVISER ON EACH WING

6A NEWS

April 9, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

AWARD

Editor named Mark of Excellence finalist STAFF REPORT

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The Society of Professional Journalists named The Flor-Ala’s News Editor Ashley Remkus a finalist in the “General News Reporting — Small” category for the 2015 Mark of Excellence Awards April 1.

REMKUS

Remkus’s story, “Title IX investigation stops body fat testing of auxiliary line” placed her as one of three finalists in Region 3, comprising all colleges and universities in Alabama, South Carolina, Florida and Georgia with fewer than 10,000 students.

Student publications around the nation submit their top stories for the Mark of Excellence Awards, which are judged by professional journalists, according to the SPJ website.

“Judges are directed to choose only those entries they felt were outstanding work worthy of such an honor,” according to a press release published April 1. “If the judges determined that none of the entries rose to the level of excellence, no award was given.”

Remkus said despite backlash the story garnered, she feels she did her job to educate the community about issues that directly concern students.

“I’m really honored to know a story that addressed such an important issue for UNA students earned this award,” Remkus said. “As a journalist, I know media can often promote certain topics for the public to discuss. This was a topic that wasn’t published simply for the sake

of being talked about, but genuinely addressed concerns of members of the Pride of Dixie, and will affect members and students to come.”

”

IʼM REALLY HONORED TO KNOW A STORY

THAT ADDRESSES SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR

UNA STUDENTS EARNED THIS AWARD. THIS WAS A TOPIC THAT WASNʼT PUBLISHED SIMPLY FOR THE SAKE OF BEING TALKED ABOUT, BUT GENUINELY ADDRESSED CONCERNS OF MEMBERS OF THE PRIDE OF DIXIE, AND WILL AFFECT MEMBERS

AND STUDENTS TO COME.

ASHLEY REMKUS NEWS EDITOR Student Media Adviser Scott Morris said the story was a difficult one for the staff to report on, yet Remkus managed to handle it in a professional manner.

“We’re proud of Ashley for being named a finalist in this contest,” Morris said. “She has put her stamp on The Flor-

Ala with hard-nosed reporting about issues that directly affect students. She has helped carry the student newspaper to a higher level by being a solid writer, a great editor and good mentor for the student journalists who will follow her.

She has a bright future in journalism.”

Editor-in-Chief Anna Grace Usery said Remkus’s reporting is the best she has ever seen in her three years of involvement at The Flor-Ala. “Ashley has a knack for relaying prominent issues to the community,” she said. “This story required strict journalistic integrity, and her skills prevailed.”

Title IX Coordinator and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Tammy Jacques, who was interviewed for the story, said the most important facet of Remkus’s award was answering the call of students.

“It’s important we know the Pride of Dixie is an amazing organization with good student involvement,” Jacques said. “But it’s also important that we recognize if students have concerns, they can have those concerns addressed through writing.”

HONORS

Students, faculty bring professional awards to campus ANNA GRACE USERY -LQ\WZ QV +PQMN MLQ\WZ(NTWZITI VM\

Building successful future leaders is a motto UNA tends to live by.

Assistant Professor of Communications Beth Garfrerick represented UNA well, bringing home the 2014 Public Relations Council of Alabama Educator of the Year Award.

“Thirty-five years ago as a cub reporter for the TimesDaily, I envisioned I wanted to end my career as a publisher for a small newspaper,” Garfrerick said.

“I’m so glad my life took an unplanned turn, and I ended up in higher education.”

Garfrerick said the Huntsville North Alabama Chapter of PRCA nominated her for the prestigious award.

“It’s an extreme honor to be recognized by my peers on a state level,” she said.

The Council also named 17 of Garfrericks’s students award winners for their achievements April 1-3 at the PRCA State Conference in Montgomery, including senior Savannah McKinney as PRCA Student of the Year.

McKinney said she is incredibly grateful for the honor of being named Alabama PR student of the year.

“It’s an incredible feeling to work so hard for four years and to receive reassurance that your hard work is paying off,” she said.

McKinney said she had several parttime PR jobs that helped her grow to

GARFRERICK love her passion of PR, like her current position as Communications Director for the Tennessee Valley Art Association.

Similar to Jim Carrey in “Yes Man,” she said she has become a “yes girl” by reaching for every opportunity as it is presented.

Senior KeKoria Greer won two awards from the three proposals she submitted — the Merit Award in Organizational Identity for her “Greer Campaign” as current SGA president and also took the top Award of Excellence spot in Electronic Communication/ Social Media Activities for her UNA PanHellenic recruitment video.

“This is very humbling for me,” Greer said about her awards. “I was excited for my PR work to be seen outside my

MCKINNEY

BATES

professors and held at a high regard.”

”

ITʼS AN INCREDIBLE FEELING TO WORK

SO HARD FOR FOUR YEARS AND TO RECEIVE

REASSURANCE THAT YOUR HARD WORK IS PAYING OFF.

SAVANNAH MCKINNEY PR STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Both McKinney and Greer said “Dr. G” played an important role as the backbone of their support system.

“She engages her students rather

than lecturing with no feedback, she encourages everyone to get involved, she sees the value in everyone and she realizes that no two students are the same,” McKinney said. “And she doesn’t let you slack. When she sees your potential, she makes sure you reach it.”

Professor of Psychology Larry Bates was recognized as the Southeastern Psychological Association’s Mentor of the Year at a conference in Hilton Head, South Carolina over spring break.

Bates said he would place the award’s emphasis on one word — teamwork.

“I couldn’t have won this without help from the students,” he said. “They’re presenting research and succeeding.”

VIEWPOINTS 7A

April 9, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

Students should seek advancement opportunities EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ANNA GRACE USERY MANAGING EDITOR KALI DANIEL NEWS EDITOR ASHLEY REMKUS LIFE EDITOR MARI WILLIAMS SPORTS EDITOR DUSTIN POLLARD ONLINE EDITOR JASMINE FLEMING BUSINESS MANAGER UNDREA RANDOLPH II GRAPHIC DESIGNERS JOHN BAVIS SHILO CUPPLES JORDAN FERRELL CIRCULATION MANAGER LORI BLANKENSOPP CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER KATLYN SHANNON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS AMANDALYN DORNER KAITLIN DOUGLASS DEANNA KAMPMEYER

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I have two years left at UNA, and I intend to make them last as long as possible.

However, one thing I do, and encourage other students to do as well, is to never let an opportunity pass that will help in the future.

I have been lucky in that some opportunities have fallen into my lap. With my current internship, an HR representative found my resume online and asked if I wanted to work for her company.

Letters Policy The deadline for submitting letters is 10 a.m. Monday, the week of publication.

Letters must be accompanied by the writerʼs name, mailing address, phone number and email.

The Flor-Ala prefers to publish your letters exactly as written, but reserves the right to reject slanderous or libelous material.

The publication of any letter is left to the discretion of the Editorial Board.

Priority is given to letters critical of The Flor-Ala, or written in direct response to an editorial, a column, or a news story.

When the editors deem it necessary for ease of understanding or to clarify facts, an Editorʼs Note may accompany a letter.

Address correspondence to The Flor-Ala. UNA Box 5300 Florence, AL 35632.

Email: florala@una.edu.

in a career, the top tip was to forget the “dream job” and to search for other outside-of-thebox opportunities.

The third and fourth tips, meeting with the students’ Career Services office at their university and networking, stood out to me, partly because students have opportunities to do this anytime during the semester.

When I read these, UNA’s Career Carnival, scheduled for April 14, came to mind.

I looked into it, and I figured I would go if I had time. I was not too excited since the registered employers did not fit into my field.

After thinking about it, I changed my mind. Career Planning and Development will host the event, and it brings local companies together with students, which knocks out both the third and fourth tips.

Even if the companies

do not seem to have a direct correlation to my future career goals, meeting new people from local employers could never hurt, and networking is always a positive.

That is why I encourage students to do the same.

Going to the Career Carnival would be a great way to begin preparing for the future.

However, it is not the only way.

Setting up appointments or mock interviews with Career Planning and Development, or using their research and expertise, is another.

No matter what students decide to do, anything related to finding employment, or getting experience in respective fields, will be of value. Take each opportunity that comes, even when you do not see the connection it could have to your career goals right away.

Community service offers memorable experience

ADVISER SCOTT MORRIS

Letters must not exceed 400 words.

It has been a great opportunity, but I am not crazy.

I know opportunities like those do not come every day.

Students often search high and low before their first job comes through. In fact, a 2014 article in Bloomberg Business said the unemployment rate for college grads age 22-27 is 5.6 percent. What is more, the article said a number of those who do find employment are underemployed, meaning their jobs do not require their skill sets.

Add in repaying loans and other regular bills, and this could be a frustrating situation.

In my opinion, the best way to guard from unemployment is to start looking toward the future as soon as possible.

Business Insider recently listed the top six tips to landing that first after-graduation job.

Unsurprisingly, and possibly saddening to students who know exactly what they want

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“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.” Once again the 14th Dalai Lama is right.

There is a somewhat subtle but sublime feeling that comes over me anytime I work on a service project. It is tremendously humbling to know I am working toward something larger than myself.

There is this brief internal moment when I think, “Wow, I matter. I helped someone feel just a little bit better, more comfortable and happier.”

I do not do it for myself but because I feel some innate call to service. This is a call I feel everyone hears but not everyone answers.

I can remember vaguely when my love for service began. When I was 10, my mother put on events for spouses of deployed soldiers and their children. She would pick me up early from afterschool care and let me help decorate the room. I was filled with such childish glee when I saw how much the spouses and their children were enjoying themselves. I thought it odd how something as simple as playing music, throwing

together a few decorations and setting up trivial activities could help distract them from one unfortunate reality: their husbands and fathers were living in a war zone.

My junior year of high school I joined my school’s Key Club looking to get involved in something other than theatre. We hosted pancake breakfasts, volunteered at the zoo, rang the hell out of Salvation Army bells and so much more.

To some it was another bullet on their resume, but to others service was much simpler. It was taking a few hours out of the day for the greater good of the community.

We did this not because it was the “right” thing to do, but because it had not crossed our minds to live any other way.

INTERESTED IN WRITING?

For a year I got caught up in my own frenzied life and completely ignored the call of service. Subsequently, I missed the feeling – I missed the work.

Recently I joined UNA’s Circle K RSO and could not be more satisfied with the decision. I encourage all students on campus to find their service niche. Circle K, Lions Club and Alternative Breaks are all significant volunteer-based RSOs that give more meaning to the college experience.

Life is fickle and often demented. It does not play favorites and can knock even the best of us onto our tails. In a moment’s notice any of us can find ourselves in a position of needing help. Help yourself, but take the time to give to others and get back tenfold.

Congratulations to our Writer and Photographer of the Week!

JOIN OUR WEEKLY WRITERS MEETINGS SUNDAYS AT 4 P.M. IN THE STUDENT PUBLICATIONS OFFICE BEHIND WILLINGHAM HALL Melissa Parker & Amandalyn Dorner 643 N. WOOD AVE.

Copyright © 2013 The Flor-Ala All rights reserved.

First copy free.

Additional copies $1 each.

8A NEWS

April 9, 2015• The Flor-Ala

SGA in Review • SGA - Attended Higher Education Day in Montgomery April 9 to lobby for more funding from the state education budget for UNA. • Senate - Voted in favor of providing two scholarships to students at Lion Night in August.

One scholarship is valued at $1,000 and the other is $500.

The Flor-Ala file photo

Phi Mu performs during the 2015 Step Sing show Feb. 6 in Norton Auditorium. Events like Step Sing are funded by the Student Activity Fee. SGA Senators voted in favor of increasing the fee to $56 during the fall and spring semester and expunging the $50 summer fee at their April 2 meeting.

.-- KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) “The student input we received is basically the same as what the university has been receiving: fees are too high during the summer, and that’s what’s keeping them from going in the summer,” Mansell said.

Senate Vice President-elect Nicole Gallups said some students take classes at UNA during the summer but never reap the benefits of the Student Activity Fee. Because the money’s primary use during summer is for SOAR, only freshmen who attend orientation benefit, and they do not pay the fee, Gallups said.

Mansell said he hopes dropping the fee will influence students to take more classes during the summer at UNA.

+:15- KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) “Perpetrators will be will less likely to commit crime,” said senior Arielle Jones. “When I lived on campus, I never felt safe in the parking deck. I was always afraid someone was going to be attacked.”

Parker said he is optimistic about the effect security cameras will have on campus crime.

“We’re hoping they’ll cover as much as possible,” he said. “We know there will be some areas that will not be covered.”

Senior Tyler Long said the cameras

”

WE DECIDED THAT INSTEAD OF STUDENTS PAYING $50 IN FALL, SUMMER AND SPRING, WE CAN CHARGE THEM $56 IN THE FALL AND SPRING, AND STUDENTS THAT COME FOR SUMMER WONʼT HAVE TO PAY THIS FEE AT ALL. THEY FEEL LIKE THEREʼS NOT AS MANY EVENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT ON CAMPUS, SO THEY FEEL LIKE ITʼS NOT AS APPLICABLE TO THEM.

HALEIGH SCOTT

SENATOR

“Summer tuition is expensive enough as it is,” said senior Amanda Oliger. “If I was just coming to take summer classes, should be installed all across campus— not just in the parking deck, adding that they are not fool proof.

“You’re never going to stop criminals,” Long said. “They’re still going to commit crimes. They might even wear masks or disguises to get it done.”

Parker said he hopes the cameras will help prevent these violations.

“Each stone adds up to make a bigger structure that will help make things safe,” he said.

Parker said the police are continuing to encourage students to be diligent in protecting themselves and their property to prevent car crimes.

I wouldn’t want to pay the fee.”

Oliger said while the small difference $50 makes on a tuition bill might not encourage higher enrollment in summer classes, it will make the cost more affordable for students.

The resolution will be sent to President Ken Kitts, the university presidents, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs Tammy Jacques and Student Engagement Director Tyler Thompson immediately for review. Trustees are expected to vote on the legislation during their next quarterly meeting in June.

Jacques said the board highly values student input when voting on such topics.

“Although the decision is ultimately up to the board, they do take the opinion of the students into high consideration,” she said. “This is SGA’s official stance on the topic.”

He said the police department is encouraging the university to continue implementing these camera programs on campus.

• Senate - Began discussing legislation that would require all SGA branches to conduct a review all events the organization hosts. Questions would include whether funds were spent efficiently.

• UPC - Announced it will show “American Sniper” during its movie night April 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the GUC Performance Center.

• UPC - Announced it will host a baseball YOUʼRE NEVER GOING TO STOP CRIMINALS. tailgating event for the THEYʼRE STILL GOING TO COMMIT CRIMES. THEY MIGHT EVEN WEAR MASKS OR DISGUISES TO GET home game against IT DONE. Lee University April 11 TYLER LONG starting at 1 p.m. at SENIOR Mike D. Lane Field.

”

LIFE

SECTION B

Sing Out

MUSIC

April 9, 2015• The Flor-Ala

Choral ensembles offer vocal opportunities, credit hours MELISSA PARKER

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ UXIZSMZ!(]VI ML]

From the beginning of life, songs are sung. Children take part in sing-a-longs in school. UNA offers many opportunities to expand one’s love of singing with its three choral groups: the Collegiate Singers, the Chamber Choir and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble.

These one credit-hour classes are open to anyone, said Director of Choral Activities Ian Loeppky.

“There are so many students who might not even be aware that we have choir, let alone that we have good ones,” he said.

Students audition for all choirs, but Collegiate Singers is the first group they must audition for, he said.

“It’s a great place to learn how to sing,” he said.

Senior Amy Johnson said choir is a great place to make friends.

“We really accept singers of all levels,” she said. “It’s fun. We grow, and we all work really hard together.”

Loeppky said being involved in choir is an experience unlike anything else on campus.

“Where else do you have a whole bunch of people getting together without special equipment in the same place at the same time for a bigger purpose and no one’s sitting on the bench,” he said. “To me, it’s the most important thing in the world.”

The audition process for the

65-member Collegiate Singers is more like an interview than an audition, Loeppky said.

“If you’ve got a little bit of experience, I’m sure you’ll be in,” he said. “And if you have no experience, you’ll probably be in.”

Sophomore Evan Hammond said though he comes from a family of singers, he did not sing until his senior year of high school. He auditioned before his freshman year at UNA and made all three groups.

;MM +07:)4 XIOM *

photo by MEIYAN SONG I Student Photographer

IN THIS SECTION

LIFE

SPORTS

B.R.A.S.H. feature See page 2B

Ultimate Life Hacks See page 3B

Golf team heats up at right time See page 5B

Softball team shuts down opponents See page 7B

2B LIFE

April 9, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

CAREER

B.R.A.S.H. Freshman works to build name in music industry JACKSON LATHAM

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Jarriel McGhee is not the typical prototype college student. He’s a rapper named B.R.A.S.H who has big dreams and, with the help of two friends, has been trying to make those dreams come true. These three freshmen have been working diligently to get their work off the ground and into people’s ears.

McGhee’s passion for music started in middle school.

“Going into my middle school years I came across NWA and more underground hip-hop artists at the time,” he said. “I got more into searching for artists that not too many people have heard of.”

McGhee said he always wanted more out of music.

“I always knew that there was more out there than just money, cars and clothes. People have something to say,” he said. “Going into high school is when I really came across guys like NAS, Biggie, Tupac — all of them. I just felt and respected their artistry.

Since they have such big voices for the African-American community, I want to become one of those voices in some type of way.”

McGhee said he was a normal kid who was not predicted to come as far as he has.

“I never really saw myself doing much when I was young,” he said.

“People around me didn’t do the same; they didn’t succeed. Being able to come across music, I was like ‘I can make a difference.’ I do it because of that one kid out there who has the same mind state as me, and I could change his life just like those artists who changed mine.”

High school was a turning point in McGhee’s music career, he said.

“It is the big reason why I am the way I am now,” he said. “When I was first writing music in high school my freshman year, there was no substance.

I was writing what I heard and I was writing to be on the radio.”

photo by KAITLIN DOUGLASS I Staff Photographer

McGhee said he uses music as a tool to relate to others.

“I just had so much on my mind, and I looked to poetry and hip-hop to express my emotions in the best way,” he said. “I just felt that there was somebody out there who could relate to my words.”

Through the years, McGhee said he developed a close friendship with his producer, freshman Ishmael Howard.

“We go back to like ninth grade,” McGhee said. “We barely knew what we were doing at the time. Throughout the years we became closer, bonded more.

“We had lost a friend to a car crash, and that really affected everybody who was involved with our movement. Since we all had the same dream in common, we were all going to accomplish that goal together. We were going to do this for him.”

Howard said he began experimenting with producing music at a young age.

“I started around 13, and I just played around with it with an old friend of mine,” he said. “And in all that playing around, I found that I was able to make melodies and loops. That’s when I started doing it seriously.”

Freshman TJ Hayes, the engineer of McGhee’s upcoming project, said he fought for recognition when he first arrived on the music scene.

“I started doing music around my sixth grade year and nobody took it seriously until I got recognized by Rueben Studdard and got signed with him for a year,” he said. “I worked with mainly Interscope.”

Hayes said it was not long before he became invested in making a name for himself in the engineering part of the music industry.

“The artist side was cool, but the engineer stuff really got me,” he said.

“I just stuck with the engineering. I had a love and passion to share what I had.”

McGhee’s new mixtape can be found on SoundCloud, and is on Twitter as @BeRelStayHumble.

LIFE 3B

April 9, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

ADVICE

LIFE HACKS

Staff writer offers useful tips for end of semester drag 5.

MELISSA PARKER

6.

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ UXIZSMZ!(]VI ML]

Face it, college is tough. We could all use help sometimes, so here are some handy life hacks that may simplify your life. on splitting a pint of 1. ice Planning 7. cream with a friend and do not want to dirty bowls? Using a sharp knife, cut the pint, with the lid still on, straight down the middle from top to bottom.

better than ice cold 2. milkWhat’s 8. and an Oreo cookie?

Probably not much. If getting messy fingers while dipping that delicious cookie seems like a bad idea, try putting a fork between the chocolate cookie layers.

9.

life hack is for students 3. whoThis would not put washing dishes on their list of fun things to do.

When eating Chips Ahoy, Oreos or any other cookie that comes in a plastic divider sleeve, remove the cookies from one section and pour the milk right in.

10.

heating two bowls at 4. the When same time is a problem, take 11. a coffee mug, turn it upside down and place it in the microwave.

Place one bowl on top of the mug and the other beside it.

Reheating cold pizza? Place a glass with a small amount of water in the microwave along with your plate of pizza. This will keep the crust from getting chewy.

How about a taco on the go?

Open a bag of Doritos and place taco toppings you prefer inside the bag and shake. The only dirty dish will be a fork. If a chili cheese pie is more to your liking, open a bag of Fritos and fill it with chili, hot dogs and cheese.

Speaking of chips, next time a bag is opened, roll the bottom inwards towards the center. Keep rolling until the chips reach the top. The result is a wonderful chip bowl.

Go to the Google browser and type “site:edu [subject] exam”.

Dozens of sites with published exams will available at your fingertips.

Another helpful Google site is scholar.google.com. The site houses resourceful information to use when writing a paper as well as sources to cite. photos by MELISSA PARKER I Staff Writer When writing one of those many papers we all will tackle Roll the bottom of the chip bag inward toward the center to create a handy in college, and creative word chip bowl. No need to dirty a dish. choice is a problem, try www. wordhippo.com. It is better than a thesaurus.

Needing a little help with math? Equations a problem?

Head over to www.mathway.com.

This site will you give the steps and answer to just about any math problem.

Here are two hacks in one: Pour milk directly into the cookie container and keep hands clean by sticking a fork into the creamy center before dipping.

To share a pint of ice cream with a friend without using a bowl, cut the pint in half. Grab two spoons and enjoy.

4B LIFE

April 9, 2015 • The Flor-Ala +07:)4 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM *

photo by MEIYAN SONG I Student Photographer

Director of Choral Activities Ian Loeppky instructs his Collegiate Singers class.

“Where else do you have a whole bunch of people getting together without special equipment in the same place at the same time for a bigger purpose and no one’s sitting on the bench,” he said.

Loeppky said students can audition for Collegiate Singers anytime, but he would like some to audition during exam week.

Students should bring a song they have sung before, he said. Musical theatre is best, but a pop song is fine. If a student is not prepared with a song, one will be chosen for the audition.

Chamber Choir and Vocal Jazz Ensemble are elite choirs students audition for after Collegiate Singers, he said.

Senior Jonathan Bigham, a member of all three choirs, said he would encourage students who make Collegiate Singers to audition for the others.

“If you really want to get to know music itself and get to know your voice and know how everything works, don’t stop at Collegiate Singers,” he said.

The 30-member Chamber Choir is traveling to Italy this year, Loeppky said.

“We’re singing at St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in Christendom,” he said.

Johnson, a member of all three choirs, traveled with the Chamber Choir to Ireland her sophomore year.

“That was one of the best experiences of my life,” she said.

Loeppky said trips are made possible by funding from UNA’s administration and fundraisers.

“We’re just unbelievably thrilled and

thankful these funds,” he said.

The smallest group, The Vocal Jazz Ensemble, consists of 12 to 14 students who sing almost completely acapella, Loeppky said.

“We do really cool music and a lot of it is arranged by them,” he said. “It’s a really fun group, and people are itching to get into it.”

Earning extra credits many students need is not the only benefit of being in the groups, he said.

“We offer choral performance awards that start at $500 a semester and they’re open to everyone,” he said.

Though note taking and studying outside of class are important, these classes offer a break from traditional lecture classes and the final exams are concerts, he said “Choral ensemble is probably the most fun final exam that anyone will ever take,” he said.

Junior Jaleesa Escott said there is a different mindset going to a choral class.

“I just really enjoy it,” she said. “I enjoy the pieces that we do, and I enjoy our instructor.”

UNA choral will host two concerts this month.

The Chamber Choir will be holding a Tour of Italy fundraiser concert April 21 7:30 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church.

Tickets are available from choir members for $10 or at the door for $12.

The Collegiate Singers and the Vocal Jazz Ensemble will perform at the second concert, free to students, at the UNA Amphitheater April 26 at 3 p.m. and feature.

Conveniently located in the new Student Commons building on campus!

Over 100 rotating flavors

Over 50 toppings to choose

Mix and match to create a one of a kind taste that you love! facebook.com/frostbitetreats | twitter.com/frostbitefroyo | frostbite-treats.com

SPORTS 5B

April 9, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

GOLF

Teeing Off photo courtesy of Sports Information

Junior Michael Peter putts during the UNA Spring Classic at the Shoals Fighting Joe Course in Muscle Shoals March 22. After finishing its first three tournaments at 10th or worst, the Lions placed third and first in its last two tournaments, respectively. The Gulf South Conference tournament is April 21-22 in Tunica, Mississippi.

Lions heat up at right time of season MATT SULESKI

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After a slow start to the season, the golf team is experiencing a big swing in momentum heading into the Gulf South Conference tournament.

Sophomore golfer Forrest Knight shot a stellar tournament, turning in scores of 68, 72 and 69 to lead the Lions to victory in the 2015 Argonaut Invitational in Pensacola, Florida.

Knight finished first overall with seven strokes under par and edging the closest competitor by six strokes.

“I’ve just been hitting the ball very good as of late,” he said. “I feel like I’m finding my rhythm right now, and I’m going to keep doing the same things that I’ve been successful with.”

Senior Paul McClure finished tied for ninth overall, junior Michael Peter was 17th, junior Patrick Twesme was 23rd and junior Chris Atchley finished the tournament tied for 35th out of 85 total golfers.

“I could see our confidence growing in this tournament,” said head coach Jason Vaughn. “We got off to a slow start because of the bad weather, but now that we’re getting rounds in and the guys are finding their form.”

The Lions first spring tournament was held Feb. 23 in Savannah, Georgia at the Pirate Invitational where the Lions finished 12th out of 15.

Peter led the Lions with scores of 80,

71 and 71, which was good enough to finish 23rd overall.

In the Lions’ second tournament of the spring, UNA finished 10th out of 18 overall, but Knight turned in rounds 72, 67 and 69 to finish first overall in the tournament.

”

I FEEL LIKE IʼM FINDING MY RHYTHM RIGHT NOW, AND IʼM GOING TO KEEP DOING THE SAME THINGS THAT IʼVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITH.”

Month for March.

“If you look at last year’s team, we started slow and we finished much better,” Vaughn said. “I feel like we as a team are finding out form and are mentally focused at the right time of the year.”

The Lions will have three weeks to prepare for the conference tournament and, while Knight has been playing well, he knows now is not the time to let up.

“I’m going to go out there and just stay focused like I have been,” he said.

“I’m not playing anybody but the course and all I have to do is hit one ball at a time.”

The GSC tournament is scheduled for April 21-22 at Tunica National Golf Club in Tunica, Mississippi.

Last season the Lions finished tied for second in the conference tournament.

FORREST KNIGHT SOPHOMORE

“Forrest has been steadily improving all season, and it’s great to see it paying off for him,” Vaughn said.

The Lions had a disappointing finish at the Bobcat Intercollegiate, finishing 14th out of 17 with McClure and Peter putting in the best showing for UNA finishing tied for 30th overall, with a three day score of 220.

The Lions hosted their annual UNA Spring Classic at the Shoals Fighting Joe Course in Muscle Shoals, and finished in third place with seven teams competing.

The Lions will look for Knight to continue his hot play as well as everybody else when the GSC tournament begins April 21 in Tunica, Mississippi.

Knight earned GSC Golfer of the

photo courtesy of Sports Information

Sophomore Austin Sparks chips the ball onto the green during the UNA Spring Classic at the Shoals Fighting Joe Course in Muscle Shoals March 22. The Lions finished third as the hosting team. UNA won the Argonaut Invitational March 31.

6B SPORTS R EVIEW SCOREBOARD

April 9, 2015• The Flor-Ala

SOFTBALL

April 3-7 April 3

Softball @ West Georgia 9-1 Loss Softball @ West Georgia 8-0 Win

Baseball @ West Georgia 8-6 Loss Baseball @ West Georgia 15-1 Win Menʼs Tennis Vs. UAH 5-4 Win Womenʼs Tennis Vs. UAH 5-2 Win April 4 Softball JEZEBEL DANIEL :M[QLMV\ *IJa 0MIL @ West Georgia RLIVQMT(]VI ML] 4-0 Win Baseball @ West Georgia 6-5 Win April 7 Baseball Vs. Spring Hill results @ www.florala.net

Upcoming April 10 Tennis Vs. Christian Brothers @ 10 a.m.

April 11 Baseball Vs. Lee @ 2 p.m. (DH) Softball Vs. Lee @ 2 p.m. (DH) April 12 Softball Vs. Lee @ 1 p.m.

Baseball Vs. Lee @ 1 p.m.

No Runs Here

The Flor-Ala file photo

Senior pitcher BreeAnna Blevins throws a pitch against Union University March 22, 2014. The Lions boast the second lowest ERA in D-II at 1.23. Sophomore pitcher Hillary Carpenter has a 0.57 ERA, which is the best in D-II. Blevins’ ERA is 1.90 — sixth best in the Gulf South Conference.

Lions pitching staff shuts down opponents KADIN POUNDERS

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Numbers never lie, and the numbers say UNA softball has one of the best, if not the best, pitching staffs in the nation.

UNA owns a 1.23 ERA — the second lowest ERA in the entire country, according to the NCAA website.

For those uninitiated in the ins and outs of statistics and sabermetrics, ERA in college softball is determined by multiplying earned runs by seven and then dividing by the number of innings pitched.

“Every game we have a chance to win because they’re on the mound,” said head coach Ashley Cozart.

Simplified, the UNA pitching staff, led by senior BreeAnna Blevins and sophomore Hillary Carpenter, allows just more than one run a game.

The success of the pitching staff this season has swelled pride and confidence in not just the pitchers themselves but the team as well, teammates said.

Blevins has a 1.90 ERA in 17 starts, recording a team high 91 strikeouts, and opponents are hitting just .174 against her.

“No matter who’s on the mound, I expect us to come out with a win,” she said.

The team feeds off the pride and confidence the pitchers show during games, the players said.

“There is always a sense of pride knowing that you are giving 110 percent every pitch,” Carpenter said. “When your team knows you’ve got their back

and are playing your hardest, it’s easy for them to do the same.”

Carpenter’s ERA is 0.57 through April 6, which is the best in not only the Gulf South Conference but also D-II. She has thrown 19 shutouts, the most in the conference. Carpenter’s .163 opponent batting average is second best in the GSC, as well.

Blevins and Carpenter have every right to be confident, maybe even a little cocky. However, the two remain grateful for the girls playing behind them.

”

NO MATTER WHOʼS ON THE MOUND, I EXPECT US TO COME OUT WITH A WIN.”

BREEANNA BLEVINS SENIOR PITCHER

“Honestly, it’s all about trust,” Carpenter said. “We as a pitching staff know that if we do our job, the defense has our back. As long as we continue to get ground balls and pop ups, we trust our defense to make the plays.”

The duo not only trusts the defense to make plays behind them but also realizes the importance of offense.

“I honestly think offense is more important because you obviously have to score to win,” Blevins said.

Blevins, Carpenter and the rest of the staff rely on UNA hitters to provide run support.

“It doesn’t matter how many

scoreless innings I pitch if we don’t score,” Carpenter said. “Offense is key to winning games.”

Cozart said the pitching staff gives confidence to UNA batters when they step up to the plate.

“They know that when they go back on defense that the pitchers are going to stop the other team from scoring,” she said. “So they can step in the box, relax and play their game.”

Senior outfielder Libby Olinger echoes Cozart’s statements.

“I know if I don’t get the key hit on offense, we’re going to go out and shut them down on defense,” she said. “I have a lot of confidence in our defense and pitching.”

The Lions bats are returning the favor by hitting .314, second in the GSC. Going forward, Blevins said the key to success will be keeping hitters off guard with her and Carpenter’s contrasting styles of pitching.

“I feel like we’re going to maintain the success we’ve had in the circle

by Hillary and I pitching complete opposite,” she said. “I’m more of a rise ball and off speed pitcher as to where she is a drop curve and curveball pitcher.”

Carpenter will continue to rely on the defense to maintain her success and the success of the team as a whole, she said.

“The other pitchers and I just have to continue doing our job and continue trusting our defense to make the plays,” she said.

UNA hosts Lee University (26-13, 14-9) April 11 at 2 p.m.

SPORTS 7B

April 9, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

PROFILE

Baseball player known for play as well as Vines MIKE EZEKIEL

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Many UNA baseball fans know righthanded pitcher and first baseman Kyle Conkle for his on-the-field ability, but more than 117,000 more people know him for his six-second videos.

Conkle is not only a college athlete, but also Vine-famous.

When Conkle is not busy with the responsibilities of being a studentathlete, he spends his time producing six-

second videos proclaiming his faith.

“It’s been a cool process,” Conkle said. “I started making the short, sixsecond clips and tagging some people that already had a lot of followers and they re-vined me and the followers started coming in.

“I’m not saying that all of the Vines I’ve ever done were perfect by any means, but they glorify Christ. It’s been really neat to interact with people who ask for help on their spiritual walk. If it helps one person, it was worth it.”

The senior from Fort Payne has been

photo by AMANDALYN DORNER I Staff Photographer

Senior pitcher and first baseman Kyle Conkle waits on the throw to first base during a game against LeMoyne Owen College Feb. 11. Conkle has a 4.62 ERA on the season.

a member of the UNA baseball team for two years, since transferring from Darton State Community College in 2014.

“I didn’t know where I was going to go initially,” Conkle said. “The reason I wanted to come to UNA was because of the feel it gave me. It was close to home and seeing my family was important to me.”

Conkle also said Florence was a significant factor in his decision to play for the Lions.

“It has all of the accessibility of a big town with the small-town feel, and that’s right up my alley,” he said. “I like the environment that UNA gives off and that you’re not just a number, but you have relationships with instructors and coaches.”

Last season, Conkle was named to the First-team All-Gulf South Conference team after hitting .328, two home runs and collecting 37 RBIs. Conkle has a 4.62 ERA in 37 innings pitched this season as the third starter in the rotation. Conkle had a 19 and twothirds scoreless inning streak before it was broken in a loss to the University of Alabama-Huntsville March 29. “(Conkle) was shutting teams down for a couple of weekends,” said head coach Mike Keehn. “The significance of the stat is that he was able to get us wins and shut teams down during that stretch.”

Conkle earned GSC Player of the Week March 17 for his one-hit, completegame shutout against Christian Brothers

University.

Conkle not only aims to encourage thousands of people through social media, but to also personally encourage his teammates in the locker room.

“Me and Kyle grew up together and played recreation league together,” said second baseman Kyle Crabtree. “Kyle is definitely a person to surround yourself with. He’s a great leader for our baseball team.

“Things haven’t been going as good as he’d like them to be position playerwise and hitting-wise, but it’s a testament to him that he brings a positive attitude to the field every day and I’m proud of him for that.”

Keehn said he has also taken notice of Conkle’s positive energy both on and off the field.

“Even if he’s not in the lineup, he still has a positive attitude,” he said. “He’s always going to do the right thing on the field and off the field, which makes my life easier. The way he presents himself as a whole makes him a quality young man.”

As a student-athlete, Conkle is pressed for time between schoolwork and striking out hitters, but he said he has his priorities in line.

“My spiritual life is my number one priority,” he said. “Christ is the most important thing in my life and if I had to pick, everything else is out the window.”

TENNIS

Menʼs, womenʼs teams look to close regular season strong RABUN WRIGHT

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With two regular season games left to play and the Gulf South Conference tournament one week away, the men’s and women’s tennis teams are in pursuit of a championship.

Both teams are preparing for the tournament in hopes of earning respect and placement in the region. The men’s team has already received national recognition for their performance this season. They are ranked No. 38 in the nation.

“Our goal is to make regionals, but being ranked in the nation certainly feels great,” said junior Ali Murad.

Murad said he is proud of the success his team has had this season but is remaining focused to finish strong.

“As an individual, my goal is to provide my team with as many wins as I can on an individual level by winning my matches,” he said. “At the end of the day, each point counts toward a team win.”

The men’s team is 10-5 overall and 5-2 in the GSC. Head coach Brice Bishop said the key to his men’s success can be attributed to hard work and confidence.

“Right now they are playing well, and they believe they are going to win every timeout regardless of who we’re playing,” Bishop said.

One member of the men’s team is being recognized for his hard work.

Senior Guillaume Dechoz is a key competitor for the Lions, Bishop said, and is ranked No. 45 in the nation in singles.

Bishop said he would like to see more energy among his women’s team day in and day out. He said switching up his doubles teams has provided a little bit of the spark they needed.

Senior women’s player Natalia Barragan said she agrees. Barragan has been playing No. 1 doubles with sophomore Olivera Ngouabeu for the past four games.

“We started slow, which is not the start we wanted,” Barragan said. “But I think we have been getting better in every aspect, and we have been able to close some important matches.”

Barragan said confidence is what her team needs most to end the season.

“I think sometimes we worry too much about the other team,” she said. “We have to believe more in our capacities and our game that way we can show more of what we have and what we

photo courtesy of Sports Information

Senior women’s player Natalia Barragan gets ready to hit the ball against Jacksonville State University March 31. Barragan is 9-3 in singles and 3-2 in doubles play this season. The Lions face Christian Brothers University April 10.

can do.”

The women’s team is 8-6 overall and 5-3 in conference.

Both the men’s and women’s teams have played a tough, competitive schedule so far this season. Bishop appreciates the grind that his players go

through daily, he said.

“We really have to take care of them physically,” Bishop said. “We have to be mindful of, from a physical standpoint, how much we can put on them everyday.”

The Lions take on Christian Brothers University at home April 10 at 10 a.m.

8B EXTRA SOCIAL MEDIA OF THE WEEK

April 9, 2015 • The Flor-Ala