Feb. 19 Issue

Whitewashing

Page 1B Feb. 19, 2015

Volume 83, Issue 22

BUSINESS

”W

www.FlorAla.net

Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama

HEN YOU PICK A

FIGHT WITH ME, YOUʼRE MESSING WITH THE WRONG PERSON.

RICK ELLIOT OWNER

OF

RICATONIʼS AND CITY HARDWARE

photo by KAITLIN DOUGLASS I Staff Photographer

Employment applications raise equality questions ASHLEY REMKUS/ANNA BROWN 6M_[ -LQ\WZ ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ VM_[(NTWZITI VM\

Federal rules against discrimination are raising questions about the jobapplication process at two downtown restaurants.

Ricatoni’s Italian Grill and City Hardware on Court Street have required job applicants to provide their height and weight.

“Height and weight requirements tend to disproportionately limit the employment opportunities

INSIDE

this week’s paper

of some protected groups,” according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. “Unless the employer can demonstrate how the need is related to the job, it may be viewed as illegal under federal law.”

Assistant Vice President of Human Resources Catherine White said height and weight are not protected, but may still be illegal under EEOC law.

“I would never advise an employer to have height and weight on a job application unless there is a legit business

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

reason,” she said. “I don’t see that need here.”

Owner of Ricatoni’s and City Hardware Rick Elliot declined to comment on the reason for placing the questions on the application.

“When you pick a fight with me, you’re messing with the wrong person,” Elliot told The Flor-Ala when asked about the questions on the application.

He said he would be “happy to remove” the applications’s height and weight questions.

“I’ve been in the restaurant business for years, and that’s

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

the exact same application that I’ve always used,” he said.

Freshman Bria Paschal said she does not understand why a restaurant needs a potential employee’s height and weight.

“Do they not want fat people working there?” Paschal said. “What are they going to do once you get the job? Will they weigh you every month?”

The commission prohibits discrimination based on age, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or gender in any employment decision: hiring,

firing, demotion, promotion or training, White said.

Any business dealing with the public at large must follow the commission’s guidelines, she said.

Senior Alicia Threet, a hostess and server at Ricatoni’s Italian Grill confirmed she was asked her height and weight when she applied.

“At first, it was kind of annoying,” Threet said. “It was weird to me. I asked the manager about it and they said Ricatoni’s is a really slim place.”

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SPRING FOOTBALL....5B

Please recycle your paper.

2A NEWS

Feb. 19, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

MEMORIAL

LGBTQ

Hulsey remembered by coworkers, Local judges now issuing friends, students as ʻinspirationʼ to all marriage licenses to all couples

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A leader, cohort and friend of many at UNA has died, but her legacy lives on.

Special Education professor Victoria Hulsey died Friday morning, Feb. 13 at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital. She was the chair of the elementary education department.

“We’re deeply saddened about Vicky’s passing,” said Assistant Vice President for Human Resources Catherine White.

“She was a great asset to the university and a great instructor.”

She said Hulsey had a unique ability for teaching special needs children and people in general.

Alumni Samantha Farr said Hulsey’s graciousness will forever be remembered.

“My father passed away during the summer when I took one of her classes,” she said. “I sent an email saying how I would be missing a couple of classes and Dr. Hulsey immediately responded by saying, ‘Samantha, you need to grieve.

We will be here when you get back.’”

Farr said Hulsey was a strong proponent of education, which she respected.

“I’m trying to get a job in education and I attended a board meeting at the local school board, thinking that would help me get my foot in the door,” she said. “There was a speaker on stage praising education, and Dr. Hulsey was there in the front of the crowd with her hand in the air saying, ‘Right on.’”

Dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences Donna Lefort said Hulsey was a beloved person by all who knew her.

“She was an inspiration to everyone, particularly those who were fortunate enough to work with her,” she said. “Her determination, love for life and teaching were admirable. The passions she always shared were her passion for teaching and her passion for her family.”

Students may have seen Hulsey around campus and not been aware — she was restricted to a wheelchair.

She was born in 1952 in Searcy, Arkansas. Later in life, Hulsey was married with children when a drunk driver struck the vehicle she and her family were traveling in, leaving her permanently paralyzed. She had been in a wheelchair most of her adult life.

Hulsey never used her disability as an excuse, though. She was a ‘glass-halffull’ kind of person, Lefort said.

“If you were having a bad day and you looked at Dr. Hulsey, you realized we all have things to be thankful for,” she said.

Lefort said one of Hulsey’s passions in life was her association with Camp Courage, an intensive, three-day program designed for hearing and visually-impaired children between the ages of 7 and 14, held at the birthplace of Helen Keller — Ivy Green in Tuscumbia.

ASHLEY REMKUS

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photo courtesy of Shannon Wells

VICTORIA HULSEY, 1952-2015

”

SHE WAS AN INSPIRATION TO

EVERYONE, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO WERE FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO WORK WITH HER. HER DETERMINATION, LOVE FOR LIFE AND TEACHING WERE ADMIRABLE. THE PASSIONS SHE ALWAYS SHARED WERE HER PASSION FOR TEACHING AND HER PASSION FOR HER FAMILY.”

DONNA LEFORT DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SCIENCES Senior Abby Moon said she had the pleasure of working with Hulsey during her first Camp Courage experience.

“We had to be interviewed for the chance to join the Camp Courage crew, she said. “During the first 10 minutes of the interview Dr. Hulsey said, ‘Oh, yeah.

You can do this.’”

Moon said Hulsey taught them how to be a mentor for children with disabilities, while also being their mentor.

“We saw aspects of her we wanted to see in ourselves,” she said. “She wanted our students to have their own ‘Anne Sullivan experience’, so she coordinated for our students to work at those camps.”

Hulsey specifically asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to Camp Courage — aoafoundation.org.

Along with the rest of the UNA special education faculty, Hulsey spearheaded a $15,000 grant to improve special education teacher content preparation.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, local probate judges began issuing marriage licenses to all couples.

Courthouse officials at Colbert, Lauderdale and Franklin counties confirmed Feb. 13 same-sex couples could obtain licenses for the first time, and announced issuing to heterosexual couples had resumed.

“We’ve seen a tremendous amount of progress since Monday (Feb. 9), and we’re confident that we’ll see more early next week,” said Human Rights Campaign Communications Vice President Fred Sainz. “These numbers represent a seismic shift in favor of equality and justice. Resistance to happy, loving and committed same-sex couples getting married is quickly crumbling throughout the state.”

Sainz’s comments were made in reference to the number of counties that reversed earlier decisions to deny same-sex couples marriage licenses. As of Feb. 13, 47 of the 67 counties had begun issuing to all couples, according to data provided by the Human Rights Campaign.

Gay marriage officially became legal in Alabama Feb. 9. But, several counties across the state refused to honor a federal ruling after Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore issued a statement Feb. 8 saying they should not issue marriage licenses or marry gay couples the following day.

Many counties, including those in the Shoals, refused licenses to all couples and said marriage ceremonies would no longer be conducted.

Courthouse officials said they were waiting for clarification whether Moore’s mandate or a federal judge ruling prevailed.

Lauderdale County Probate Judge James Hall said he was researching whether the federal or state ruling took precedence.

AT

ALL COUPLES —

GLANCE SAME SEX OR

HETEROSEXUAL CAN NOW OBTAIN MARRIAGE LICENSES AT COURTHOUSES IN

COLBERT, LAUDERDALE

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A

OR

COUNTIES.

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NEWS 3A

Feb. 19, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

FACILITIES

CAMPUS CLEANUP photos by DEANNA KAMPMEYER I Staff Photographer

The Memorial Amphitheater towers in the center of campus Feb. 10. Students voiced concerns about the need to have the structure cleaned since last year, and Facilities Administration and Planning responded by contracting a company to complete the project.

Amphitheater cleaning addresses student concerns ANNA BROWN

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The Memorial Amphitheater and other buildings on campus were certainly memorable last fall, though for all the wrong reasons.

Since October, improvements to the Art Building and Memorial Amphitheater have been made and are scheduled to be finished this week, said assistant vice president for Facilities Administration and Planning Michael Gautney.

“We had a company come in and clean the exterior of the Art Building, the Music Building, Norton Auditorium and the amphitheater,” Gautney said.

“This all has been ongoing for a couple of months now.”

He said most of the recent cleaning on the Art Building has been funded by donations.

“We had a donor request some work done at the Music Building,” he said.

“We had already done some of the work there but the work we were doing was

more on the sidewalks. They wanted to see something done on the building.”

SGA Vice President of Senate Nick Lang said students wanted the Memorial Amphitheater to be cleaned as well.

“The amphitheater is a central location on campus,” Lang said. “Multiple events are hosted there. That’s why I believe the students thought it was important for it to be cleaned.”

Junior Danielle Stokes said she thinks the amphitheater should be cleaned regularly.

“We host so many community events on campus,” Stokes said. “We need to keep our facilities clean for that.”

Campus beautification and navigation was one of the SGA’s goals for this year, Lang said.

He announced during a September Senate meeting he had contacted Assistant Vice President for Facilities Administration and Planning Michael Gautney about cleaning the amphitheater, according to a previous article in The Flor-Ala published Oct. 23.

SGA members began working with

the department to get the structure cleaned during the 2013-14 school year when members of Freshman Forum voiced concerns about its appearance.

Lang said he set up a meeting with Gautney to discuss the cleaning of the amphitheater.

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Memorial Amphitheater stands uncleaned at the center of campus Oct. 14, 2014. Students said they are glad the structure adds to campus beauty now that it has been cleaned.

Your Ad Here For more information call 256-765-4427

Email advertising@florala.net

4A IMAGES

Feb. 19, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

Weather fluctuations cause campus confusion DEANNA KAMPMEYER

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What is up with this weather? One day it is nice and warm, but the next day its like Elsa came by and instead of freezing Arendelle, she froze UNA. I am so tired of this weather and I am sure the students at UNA are, too. It is so frustrating waking up one morning to a beautiful day and expecting the same weather the next, but when you step outside you instantly regret ever wearing that spaghetti strap shirt with some short shorts.

I was walking around campus and I saw students giving a tour in a golf cart that has a covering over it because it was too cold to walk outside. Some students got together and started selling hot chocolate to warm up the frozen students on campus.

The weather needs to be constant!

One day I am dressing for winter, and while I am walking to class I about die due to heat exhaustion. The next day I dress like it is going to be warm because yesterday I was burning up. I barely take two steps outside before I run back to my dorm and change into the heaviest and warmest clothes I have.

Why must the weather treat us this way? It is not fair. It is beyond frustrating and do not get me started on what this weather change does to my hair. Hopefully there will be a day soon where the weather will not be bipolar and everyone can dress appropriately all the time and do not have to worry about a “surprise” rise or drop in temperature.

Due to continuous issues regarding the photo essay, the Feb. 26 issue will be the last paper containing an “Images” section.

Photo essays will still be available for viewing online at www. florala.net and via The Flor-Ala’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

NEWS 5A

Feb. 19, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

FINANCES

Property could house business incubation center EVAN SANDY

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A recent university purchase could become the future home of an effort to encourage entrepreneurship among students and community members, officials said.

While other campus entities also hope to land a permanent residence at 108 Irvine Ave., the College of Business could claim the property as a new place for growing business plans, said Vice President for Business and Financial Affairs Clinton Carter.

The university purchased the property for $155,000, and renovations are also expected to cost about that much, Carter said.

“We purchased the property and closed on it over Christmas break,” he said. “It’s almost 6,000 square feet. We don’t know what will end up there, but it is perfect for office space.”

UNA is in the beginning stages of the development of a Student Incubation Center that will provide a place to develop business plans and ideas, according to officials in the College of Business.

The center will be a valuable resource for entrepreneurial students, said Santanu Borah, professor of management.

Any students with ideas for businesses, iPhone apps, or any other technological advancements are encouraged to take their ideas to the

Student Incubation Center, where they will be offered expert assistance and resources to facilitate the realization of their ideas.

“If a student has an idea, I want that student to go up to the Student Incubation

Center and say ‘what can I do about it?’”

Borah said. “It will be a place where we can bounce around ideas. Right now we have no place to go, no guidance.”

Borah said he hopes that the center will urge students, and ultimately the

community, to become more “dynamic and vibrant.”

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

photo by WILL COREY I Student Photographer

Officials said a property located at 102 Irvine Ave. could become the home of the College of Business Student Incubation Center, where students and community members can develop business plans, officials said.

ETHICS

Educators discuss Alabamaʼs classroom sex scandals ANNA BROWN

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Many teachers in Alabama have been caught practicing hands-on sex education.

Recent statistics on teacher-student relationship are getting students’ attention at UNA, as education is one of the top majors students choose, according to university research.

There are more cases of sexual assault per capita between students and teachers in Alabama than any other state, according to a study conducted by former chief of staff for the U.S. Department of Education Terry Abbot.

Kaylie Pennington, Outreach and Awareness Specialist at Rape Response confirmed the findings.

Twenty-five Alabama school employees were accused or convicted of sexual relationships with students in 2014, according to Abbot’s research.

Junior secondary education major Emily Malone said these statistics have been discussed in her education classes at UNA. The number of these cases in Alabama tripled during the past four years, Abbot

said in his article “More teachers are having sex with their students. Here’s how schools can stop them,” published in The Washington Post Jan. 20.

Any school employee who has sexual intercourse with a student under 19 years old will be convicted of a class B felony, according to Alabama Act 2010-497.

The Counter Pedophilia Investigative Unit reported 15 percent of students nationwide will be sexually abused by a member of the school staff during their school career.

The unit also found no type of school was immune to abuse: public or private, religious or secular, rich or poor, urban or rural.

“It bothers me because we work so hard to have this image as the motivational teacher,” said junior Miranda Wilson, an elementary education major. “I think it definitely hurts teachers’ reputations, not only in Alabama, but also around the nation.”

Malone said professors in the education department at UNA urge students to abide by ethical standards in the classroom.

“On day one that’s one of the things we talk about,” she said.

Dean of the College of Education

and Human Sciences Donna Lefort said the education department at UNA understands its moral and ethical obligation to ensure education students understand the nine standards of the Alabama Educator Code of Ethics.

Standard four of the Alabama Educator Code of Ethics states, “an educator should always maintain a professional relationship with all students, both in and outside the classroom.”

The AECE also states, “unethical conduct includes, but is not limited to committing or soliciting any unlawful sexual act.”

Disciplinary actions for school employees who engage in inappropriate sexual behavior with students range from a verbal warning from the school administrator to the suspension of their professional educator certificate in addition to any legal actions that are warranted, Lefort said.

“There is no place in professional education for individuals who breach the trust of those they are hired to serve,” Lefort said. “We must continue to advocate for children and report any suspected breach of ethical standards.”

Abbot said he blames social media and text messaging for the increase of

sexual abuse cases in recent years.

“While social media can be an important tool for learning, reasonable restrictions must be put in place to protect children,” Abbot said.

He said 36 percent of those accused or convicted of an inappropriate relationship with a student reported to have used social media to start or continue those relationships.

Some states have put restrictions on teachers’ interactions with students because of this issue. The New Jersey School Board does not allow teachers to “friend” students on social media unless they has written approval from the school principal, as reported by The Washington Post.

Malone said her education professors encourage education students to maintain professional relationships with their future students, including not being friends with them on Facebook.

“My teachers have stressed to us that they don’t want us to be those teachers in the newspaper for these sexual abuse cases,” said junior math education major Victoria Davis. “They want us to represent the school and education well.”

6A NEWS

Feb. 19, 2015 • The

SCIENCE

Lab offers hands-on marine biology experience ANNA BROWN

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For marine biology students, inland studying may lead to offshore application.

Students have the opportunity to study on the Gulf of Mexico this summer at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. The sea lab offers both graduate and undergraduate level classes to students.

Undergraduate classes are offered during the summer months, said Dauphin Island Sea Lab Chair of the University Programs Ken Heck. “If you’re all about being on the beach for a month, go take a class there,� said senior marine biology major Hailey Boeck. “It’s a lot of fun, and you’ll learn a lot.�

Boeck said she came to UNA for the marine biology and honors programs. “What we can provide for people is the hands-on experience,� Heck said. “You can sit on campus, and you can find all kinds of beautiful things on the Internet and look at them. What we can do is put people out in water and let them see these animals up close and personal.�

The sea lab is designed to serve all the colleges and universities in the state, he said. “It was set up that way on purpose to avoid having every university with a marine lab in a state that has a small

coastline,� he said.

The sea lab offers three sessions for students to attend during summer. The first is a two-week May session. Next are two five-week sessions beginning in June and ending in early August, according to the Sea Lab’s website.

Heck said the courses offered at the sea lab range from geology to general marine invertebrate classes. “You can come away with a really broad knowledge by the time you finish these classes,� he said. “What I think we can do in one or two summers is teach them an awful lot about how the Gulf of Mexico and the animals in it work together.�

All marine biology majors at UNA are required to take at least 4 hours of credit at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, according to the university course catalog. “This is great because many universities in the Southeast make their students go to Dauphin Island, or a sea lab like it, so we all are getting the same education,� Boeck said.

The chance to study at the sea lab is not restricted to marine biology majors.

Any student can study at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and receive credit.

Any non-marine biology students who study at the lab will receive elective credit for the classes they take at the sea lab, Heck said.

SHOALS MISSION U.C.C. Love, joy, acceptance ‌ t hat’s the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

And we invite you y to be a part p of it all with our new study and prayer group!

NO INERRANCY OR FIXED DOGMA NO LEGALISM—JUST GRACE NO FORCED EMOTIONS—JUST FAITH NO AUTHORITARIAN LEADERSHIP A different kind of Christian fellowship.

ALL are welcome—regardless g of minority status or sexual orientation.

This is an exploratory p y mission for a possible p new church of the United Church of Christ (U.C.C.) in the Shoals area.

For time and location each week, get in touch with us at (256) 227-3899; shoalsmissionucc@gmail.com; g www.facebook.com/shoalsmissionucc; or P.O. Box 1622, Florence, AL 35631

The deadline for priority registration was Feb. 14, 2015. The sea lab will

accept applications until the first day of classes, May 18, according to its website.

photo courtesy of Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Two visitors to Dauphin Island Sea Lab study hands-on marine biology in the Gulf of Mexico. UNA students can get learning experience during the summer at the lab.

4)? KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) “There’s not much space to move around the corners and stuff like that,�

Threet said. “ They claim that’s why they ask about that.�

She said she understands how the height and weight questions could bother some people.

Other restaurants in downtown such as Odette, The Pie Factory and Rosie’s Mexican Cantina do not require applicants to supply height and weight information, according to each restaurant’s job application.

Any who feel they have been discriminated against on the job can file a charge of discrimination through the commission.

The commission gives the grieved

+4-)616/ KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) “After that, they contracted out people to clean the amphitheater,� Lang said. “We didn’t necessarily petition or anything — just as a Senate collectively urged them to clean it because we knew that’s what the students wanted.�

Facilities Administration and Planning has also cleaned and pressurewashed the sidewalks in front of Bibb Graves Hall, Collier Library and the Guillot University Center, Gautney said. “We had actually started some of the work ourselves a couple of years ago.

We’re trying to clean up some areas that were beginning to look pretty bad,�

party the right to file a federal lawsuit after the complaint is investigated, said Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly.

Connolly said the federal court, not the state, handles these cases.

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HEREĘźS NOT MUCH SPACE TO

MOVE AROUND THE CORNERS AND STUFF

LIKE THAT. THEY CLAIM THATĘźS WHY THEY

ASK ABOUT THAT.

ALICIA THREET SENIOR RICATONIĘźS ITALIAN GRILL EMPLOYEE Gautney said.

Lang said he believes a clean campus is very important for incoming students. “Their first impression is going be from what the campus looks like,� Lang said.

He also said he thinks a clean campus boosts student pride. “I think it’s very important that we keep the buildings looking clean,� said junior Grace Ratliff. “It’s not just for the students but so we look good and wellkept to the community.�

Gautney said maintaining campus beauty is one of his department’s top priorities. “We are doing some things to try to improve all of campus not just any one particular area,� he said.

VIEWPOINTS 7A

Feb. 19, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

Journalists stand on forefront during marriage equality 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

ANNA GRACE USERY -LQ\WZ QV +PQMN MLQ\WZ(NTWZITI VM\

Monday, Feb. 9 was a great day to be a journalist.

To see three same-sex couples walk into a southern courthouse publicly displaying homosexual affection was gratifying, but heartbreaking.

Lauderdale County Probate Judge James Hall addressed the couples by saying the dispute between federal and state law was weighing on him and he needed to complete his research before issuing

rounds, interviewing ordained clergy, couples, and representatives and lawmakers for the duration of the day, I stepped back to fully assess the situation.

Tears welled in my eyes and I envisioned a small child (girl, hopefully) tugging at my hand and asking, “Mom, do you remember the moment when two ladies or two men could get married in Alabama?”

In that moment I will be able to say, “Yes, sweetheart.”

But I will be able to say more than a simple yes. I can say I was an active part in a movement that paved the way for marriage equality.

Media officials participating in coverage during the Kennedy assassination, civil rights movement, foreign and domestic wars and political engagements did not know at the time they were in the midst

licenses.

Although every media official in the building could smell the strong odor that is bullshit, he was respectable and the entire courthouse staff was civil.

Though federal law obviously trumps state law and many judges in the state plainly broke the law, I want to commend the Lauderdale County courthouse and its employees for biting their tongue and actually being prepared.

Florence residents Beth Ridley and Rose Roysden, the first couple to be denied their civil right to marry, both dropped their heads when Hall gave his statement. However, they attained happiness upon driving to Birmingham to officially tie the knot, despite the fiasco in their hometown.

As I made my journalistic

of a revolution.

Thankfully, I know how important my role is in progressing civil rights, all the while people respect me for doing so. And while I refrain from bias in my journalistic articles, I can proudly say I am overwhelmingly happy for the bond of holy matrimony samesex couples were finally able to participate in.

I will be able to tell my child I was on the forefront of groundbreaking and revolutionary gains in a seismic, governmental-shifted era. And my child will be proud. I will be able to tell her how seeing two people of the same gender unite in holy matrimony made me a better journalist and person in general.

And she will no longer judge gender roles. She will know true equality.

CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER KATLYN SHANNON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS AMANDALYN DORNER KAITLIN DOUGLASS DEANNA KAMPMEYER

Alabama steps in right direction, local judges fall behind

ADVISER SCOTT MORRIS

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

Letters must not exceed 400 words.

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.

Phone: 256-765-4364

ASHLEY REMKUS

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Last week Alabama made it official. It would not become the 49th state to do something for once. Gay marriage became legal. While some probate judges in the Shoals area seemed to be a little confused about how the law works, all that matters is they figured it

out, right?

I guess I really cannot blame them for thinking an order from Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore trumped a federal judge’s ruling that the states gay marriage ban was unconstitutional. After all, the “well I went to high school in Alabama excuse” applies to not knowing the definition of federalism.

“I understand it had been shown that the Supreme Court of the U.S. denied the stay; however, there’s still conflict of law at this point in time between the federal district judge and chief justice of Alabama Supreme Court,” said Lauderdale County Probate

Judge James Hall Feb. 9.

“Today we don’t have that clarification. I’m still working on the research.”

I am glad to see he completed his “research” and got that “clarification.”

I’m betting Hall was reluctant to begin issuing licenses to same-sex couples Feb. 13, only four days late.

But, I’m also betting he was not alone.

While conservatism reigns as king of the South, other parts of the country are run amok with evil, wicked social demons.

And, those liberal assholes from Washington D.C. don’t know how things work ‘round here.’ Down in the “Heart of

INTERESTED IN APPLYING? Positions Available

News Editor Life Editor Sports Editor

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Visit orgsync.com/32291/chapter

Staff Photographers Account Representatives Apply by Feb. 28.

Dixie,” a person is measured by standing for what he or she thinks is right — not for what the majority thinks is right.

It is not about standing for equality or fairness — even for people in elected positions.

It’s all about clinging to guns, Bibles and the way things were “way back when” (which, in this case, was around 1900).

I commend the decision made by federal officials to bring Alabama out of its “thank God for Mississippi” state of affairs for once.

But, even more I thank probate judges of Lauderdale, Colbert and Franklin counties for making Northwest Alabama the butt of an already behind state.

Congratulations to our Writer and Photographer of the Week!

Spencer Brooks and Shay Redd

8A NEWS

0=4;-A KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM )

She developed an undergraduate preparation program in special education and the curriculum, as it exists today, Lefort said.

Lefort said Hulsey was also an advocate for university American with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and strived to make campus accessible for all.

“With her insights and differing set of abilities, she was able to pinpoint areas that maybe were not as accessible as we thought,” she said.

Board of trustees member Will Trapp said he first met “Vicky” two years ago while attending Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Florence.

“Vicky was very involved in our church and she will be greatly missed,” he said. “She had a lot of joy in her life.”

From being involved in the women’s ministry to hosting a book club for young

Feb. 19, 2014 • The Flor-Ala women to giving rides for children in her wheelchair after church, Trapp said Hulsey was full of life and extremely active in the church.

“One Friday a month we would partner with Faith Church for Respite Care, where families with special needs children would drop off their children for a break, and Vicky was always involved with that” he said. “Even with her disability, she was not disabled.”

Hulsey is survived by one daughter, Autumn Schlagenhauf of Decatur; two sons, Paul Ebert of Mountain Brook, Nick Hulsey of California; her father, Robbie D. Wood, Sr. of Morris, Alabama; her mother, Bonnie Capps of Searcy, Arkansas; two brothers, Stan Wood of Cullman, and Robbie D. Wood, Jr. of Pleasant Grove; one sister, Jana Wood White of Hoover; eight grandchildren, Abbey, Warren, Xander, Samuel, Elijah, Joseph, Noah, and Jackson; a host of nephews and nieces; and her caregiver, Brooke Allard.

SGA in Review Candidates: • SGA - Closed •President declaration of Nick Lang candidacy for Maurice Mull those interested in applying for a 2015-16 executive • Senate Vice President position. Applications Mollie Schaefer for positions close Feb. 25 at 11:45 Nicole Gallups p.m.

Mitchell Byrd • SGA - Announced elections will begin March 9 at 8 a.m. and end March 11 at 6 p.m.

Taylor Barton Dayton Tenney

•UPC Vice President

Adam McCollum Brianna Jordan Jonathan Barnett Austin Bullock

The Flor-Ala file photo

Florence residents Rose Roysden and Beth Ridley await the opening of the courthouse doors Feb. 9 to receive their marriage license. The couple was told no licenses would be issued that day.

5)::1)/- KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) Junior Payton Sumrall and senior Kerstin Miller said they question whether local judges had a seventh-grade civics class.

“They can fluff it up as much as they want to, but it’s obvious the federal ruling trumped the state,” Sumrall said. “They just didn’t want to issue the licenses to gay couples. If two grown individuals love each other, the government shouldn’t have a say in whether they can marry.

That’s a basic human right.”

Junior Jacob Garner said refusing to issue the licenses to couples did not achieve anything.

“They just refused to issue to them

because they were gay, but that didn’t change the fact they were gay,” Garner said.

When same-sex couples arrived at the Lauderdale Courthouse Feb. 9, Hall said they could complete applications for marriage licenses, but they would not be issued unless his research showed the federal ruling applied to all Alabama counties.

U.S. District Judge Callie Granade issued an order in favor of several same-sex couples Feb. 13 and provided clarification that the order was intended for all Alabama counties.

Colbert, Lauderdale and Franklin county officials said they will no longer perform marriage ceremonies for any couples.

• Senate - Voted down a bill that would amend the SGA Code of Laws to require any candidates for Vice President to serve at least two •Secretary semesters in their Sarah Green respective SGA William Davis branches before Jensen Joiner declaring candidacy.

• UPC - Also rejected Senateʼs proposed Code of Laws amendment.

• UPC - Announced its March movie night will feature “Annie” March 6 at 7 p.m. in the GUC Performance Center.

Savannah Kennard

•Treasurer

Alex Gould Mason Royal Mallory Hayes Heather Lemay

LIFE

SECTION B

Feb. 19, 2015• The Flor-Ala

ENTERTAINMENT

Whitewashing Students, professors blast longtime Hollywood practice MELISSA PARKER

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

Hollywood may be the land of dreams for some, but for minorities, it is the land of scarce opportunity.

Whitewashing is the term given to the practice of film studios casting Caucasian actors to play originally ethnic characters.

Jason Pangilinan, assistant professor of film and digital media production, said a look back at Hollywood’s beginnings shows it was owned and run by a certain ethnic group.

Karen Wardell, assistant professor of English, said there was a list of “don’ts and be carefuls� created in 1927 that censored what could be done on-screen. Any kind of intimacy between a white and nonwhite person was one thing that was not allowed. “It created a lot of shifts in the way people dealt with sexuality, violence, references to religion. And one of those was the issue of whitewashing,� she said.

In an interview with Variety Magazine, Ridley Scott, director of the epic film “Exodus: Gods and Kings,� said in defense of his predominantly Caucasian casting, “I can’t mount a film of this budget, where I have to rely on tax rebates in Spain, and say that my lead actor is Mohammad so-and-so from such-andsuch. I’m just not going to get it financed.

So the question doesn’t even come up.�

IN THIS SECTION

Junior Keith Leopold said he does not think whitewashing is prevalent anymore. “I’m not saying that it still doesn’t exist, but there’s been great progress toward

equality and tolerance in race and sexual orientation in new shows and

movies,� he said.

It is important to support movies that have a variety of races and cultures, said senior Nasser Almutairi. “I would love to see my culture and race represented correctly and not misunderstood,� he said.

Whitewashing is a mindset in the system of the current people who run Hollywood, Pangilinan said.

Talent agencies use breakdowns to submit people for roles, he said. As a minority himself, Pangilinan said submitting people for roles was difficult and filled him with a general sense of dread.

There has been recent controversy surrounding the casting calls for “Straight Outta Compton,� a movie about N.W.A. Sande Alessi Casting sent out a call on their Facebook looking for A-girls of all races who were the “hottest of the hot� and D-girls who were the “poor African-American girls.� “When the actors get called in, they get this breakdown then they realize what they’re being called in for,� Pangilinan said. “It helps reinforce ‘hey you’re black, you’re darkskinned, you’re poor, you’re uneducated.’ That’s the sort of value that’s placed on you.�

There’s a lack of opportunity for people of color, Wardell said. Instead of seeing them appear in roles that represent actual African-Americans, they often appear in very damaging, stereotypical ways. “Halle Berry won her Oscar for “Monster’s Ball,�

Pangilinan said. “She had to be dirt poor, cheap and slightly on the whorish side.�

;MM ?01<-?);016/

XIOM *

photo by KAITLIN DOUGLASS I Staff Photographer

SPORTS

LIFE Professors spill student excuses

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Darkest Before Dawnâ&#x20AC;?

Album Review

Lions begin practice early

Basketball on the road

See page 3B

See page 4B

See page 5B

See page 6B

2B LIFE

Feb. 19, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

FINANCES

MONEY ON MY MIND

Students discuss financial strain MONDAY SANDERSON

;\INN ?ZQ\MZ U[IVLMZ[WV (]VI ML]

Although Notorious B.I.G. coined the famous line “Mo’ money, mo’ problems,” it seems many college students today would not agree.

A national survey of current college freshmen found they are more concerned with their financial success than previous freshmen, according to the American Freshmen Study.

“Back in 2008, 2009 and 2010, our country was going through some economic struggles,” said Ben Baker, director of student financial services. “A lot of these college students today, their parents might’ve had some financial problems.”

After looking back at her freshman year, junior Lauren Luker said she agrees with this survey.

“I feel like I’ve become more worried about it,” she said.

“When I first got into college I thought that I’ll get my degree, go into my profession and pay off my loans.”

Freshman Ambreia McDaniel

said she acknowledges she is not as worried as upperclassmen, but said she is still nervous about her standing with the university.

In some cases, there may be students who have not felt the financial stress of college.

“I feel the same amount of worriedness now as when I was a freshman,” said junior Emily Murphy. “I was never really that worried about money.”

Along with feeling more stressed, the survey also stated current freshmen are putting more emphasis on being financially well-off. When the survey asked how important it was to be financially well-off, most students said five out of five.

“I’m not going to waste four years of college just to have a minimum-wage job,” McDaniel said. “I want to be able to have a better life.”

Baker said one option for students can both alleviate their stress and get a head start on becoming financially stable: getting a job.

“Getting a job would be a great relief,” said freshman Kandice Chaffin. “I would be

able to help my mom out more in paying for college.”

Luker said she is not as optimistic about having a job as some freshmen. She said when she got a job, she ended up switching guilt for more stress.

“For many students a job can help, and it can help in a manner other than just financially,” Baker said. “Another point is when a student gets over 20 hours a week, their work schedule and the workload that they are trying to do will cause problems with their academic work. Working is OK, but you’ve got to be careful managing the amount of time that you work while you’re in school.”

It is difficult to determine if the survey is accurate, Baker said, so each individual should focus on their own financial aid.

“Make sure you maintain you eligibility for scholarships or federal student aid,” he said.

“Make sure you are providing the necessary amount of time on academics to allow you to succeed. So, my advice is that if you’re going to be a successful college student, you have to focus on academics first.”

LIFE 3B

Feb. 19, 2014 • The Flor-Ala

MAN ON THE STREET

Professors reveal favorite student excuses ”

I THINK THE MOST CREATIVE STUDENT I HAD IN TRYING

TO MISS AN ASSIGNMENT WAS ACTUALLY A YOUNG MAN WHOSE GRANDMOTHER DIED TWICE IN THE SAME SEMESTER.

JEFFREY BIBBEE

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF HISTORY

”

A STUDENT TOLD ME HE COULD NOT HAVE DONE HIS

INVENTIONS IN BLACK HISTORY Almanac

Benjamin Banneker

1791

Clothes dryer

G. T. Sampson

1862

Elevator

Alexander Miles

1867

Typewriter

Burridge & Marshman

1885

Tricycle

M. A. Cherry

1886

Guitar

Robert F. Flemming, Jr.

1886

Air Conditioning Unit Benjamin Banneker

1791

Street sweeper

Charles B. Brooks

1890

Refrigerator

J. Standard

1891

Mail box

Paul L. Downing

1891

Pencil sharpener

J. L. Love

1897

HOMEWORK BEFORE CLASS BECAUSE HE WAS HEADING RIGHT TO COURT.

CLAUDIA VANCE

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

”

BHM

ONE STUDENT SAID HIS CAR WAS STOLEN WITH ALL OF HIS TEXTBOOKS AND ALL OF HIS WORK FOR THE WHOLE SEMESTER INSIDE.

KELLY LATCHAW

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH

”

(A GROUP OF STUDENTS SAID) THEY FOUND STILLBORN KITTENS AND SAID, ʻBECAUSE WE WERE SO CONCERNED FOR THE KITTENS, WE DECIDED TO GATHER THEM UP AND RUSH THEM TO THE HOSPITAL.ʼ THEIR OTHER FRIEND TOLD ME THEY GOT DRUNK AND JUST MISSED CLASS.

MATTHEW PRICE

ACADEMIC ADVISOR

”

I HAD A STUDENT TELL ME THAT HIS U-HAUL TRUCK GOT STUCK IN THE MUD SO HE COULDNʼT COME TO CLASS.

ALAINA PATTERSON PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH

”

I HAD A STUDENT TELL ME THEIR CAR HAD BEEN BROKEN INTO, AND THEIR COMPUTER HAD BEEN STOLEN OUT OF THEIR CAR. THEY COULD NO LONGER TURN THEIR WORK IN BECAUSE EVERYTHING THEY HAD WAS ON THAT COMPUTER — IT WAS A SEMESTER-LONG PROJECT.

DARYL BROWN

PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH

Auto Fishing Device G. Cook

1899

Golf tee

T. Grant

1899

Straightening comb

Madam C. J. Walker

1905

Gas mask

Garrett Morgan

1914

Traffic light

Garrett Morgan

1923

Blood plasma bag

Charles Drew

1945

Air Conditioning Unit Frederick M. Jones (modification)

Thermostat control

Frederick M. Jones

1949 1960

Information gathered from blackinventions101.com

?01<-?);016/ KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * With decades of this conditioning in film and television, ethnic leads do not come around very often, Pangilinan said.

Wardell said she thinks part of the problem is the box office wants famous and powerful stars who are most often white, which leaves limited opportunities for minorities to achieve success.

“It’s kind of unnecessary to have an A-list celebrity portray someone that they’re not just because of who they are,” sophomore Whitney Pacil said. “Why not give somebody else a chance?”

Hollywood is full of talented people and it is ridiculous whitewashing is still happening, she said.

“Look at the nominations of this year’s Oscars,” Pangilinan said. “It’s all

white people.”

The last time the Oscars had all-white nominations was in 2011.

“We do still increasingly have actors, producers and directors of color from Denzel Washington to Spike Lee,” Wardell said. “But still it seems all too often they are the exception rather than the rule. It’s a problem for audiences because you don’t see accurate representations on screen.”

Senior Mark Bryant said casting white actors in ethnic roles is an excuse to go back to an old way of thinking.

“From a fan’s perspective, I enjoy watching movies if it’s somebody of an actual ethnicity,” he said. “It adds to the story. We’re going to have to stop being racially bound by these things and start to move forward.”

Editor’s Note: Gage Whitehead contributed to the reporting of this story.

4B LIFE

Feb. 19, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

REVIEW

Former student, locals release debut folk album It would be impossible to have a bad day with this album playing in the

background. There is even a kazoo solo in â&#x20AC;&#x153;Little Star.â&#x20AC;? Yeah, you read that right:

CHLOE ALLEN

;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ KITTMV (]VI ML]

Having never heard of Abby Lee Hood or â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Shagsâ&#x20AC;? with whom she collaborates, I was not expecting to find myself dancing around my bedroom to her debut album, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Darkest Before Dawn.â&#x20AC;?

As Abby Lee Hoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s voice enraptured me in the first track, I was completely transported from my room on a cold February night to a field of flowers on the most beautiful, summer day. The Lawrenceburg, Tennessee nativeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s voice danced alongside me, rising and falling on a cool breeze of instrumentals. I found it impossible to sit still through a single one of the four tracks shared with me from the upcoming album.

The CD includes four songs: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Little Star,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wind in the Willows,â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Darkest Before Dawnâ&#x20AC;? (the title track) and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Same.â&#x20AC;? These four are nothing short of fun with their bluegrass instrumentals and modern folk arrangements.

a kazoo solo. What could possibly be better? I dare you to listen to said kazoo solo and feel sad about anything. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Darkest Before Dawnâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sameâ&#x20AC;? are a bit more melancholy than â&#x20AC;&#x153;Little Starâ&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Wind in the Willows,â&#x20AC;? but something about them is still comforting.

Their tales of lost love and fear seem so familiar, yet revolutionary. Abby Leeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s voice is so genuine that it is cheerful despite its somber setting.

As if the music was not enough, this album also comes with a heartfelt letter from Abby Lee to her fans. In the letter, she introduces her fans to each band member and even gives a shoutout to UNA and the Shoals where they all met.

She attended UNA before transferring to the Columbia College of Chicago in Illinois.

Hood dedicates this album to her recently deceased grandfather who inspired her to pursue music and includes a sweet memoir of him in the letter as well. Between the letter and the music, I want Abby Lee to be my new best friend, and that is not just because I believe she is going to set the music world on fire. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Darkest Before Dawnâ&#x20AC;? by Abby Lee Hood and The Shags was released Feb.17. Online downloads will be free on bandcamp.com under the artist name Abigail Lee along with an optional donation. Students can also find print copies at Pegasus Records for $10.

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SPORTS 5B

Feb. 19, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

FOOTBALL

The Early Bird Gets The Worm

The Flor-Ala file photo

Senior wide receiver Eric Belew looks for running room against Valdosta State University in the first round of the NCAA D-II playoffs Nov. 22. Belew is one of 59 returning lettermen for the Lions. UNA is set to begin spring practice Feb. 23. after canceling practice the week of Feb. 16 due to inclement weather. Head coach Bobby Wallace said he likes to start practicing before spring break.

Veteran Lions team gets early start to spring practice DUSTIN POLLARD

;XWZ\[ -LQ\WZ [XWZ\[(NTWZITI VM\

Ice may be on the ground but so are the cleats of UNA football players as the Lions gear up for spring practice Feb. 23.

UNA gets an early start to spring practice in order to get it done before spring break and to give players more time to heal in case they get injured during practice, said head coach Bobby Wallace. The Purple-White game is scheduled for March 14.

“The weather is usually better in my experience, because it doesn’t rain as much this time of the year as it does April,” Wallace said. “If we waited longer we’d run into spring break and the NCAA won’t allow us to practice a week before exams.”

The Lions have one of the largest groups of returning players in school history and the largest in Wallace’s second stint at UNA. The Lions have 59 lettermen and 15 starters returning from last year’s 9-2 season that included a share of the Gulf South Conference Championship.

“We’re going to be careful with what we do since we have so many older guys coming back,” Wallace said. “Spring practice is going to be about seeing what the young guys can do. There’s no sense

in letting the older guys take so many of the hits.”

The Lions return eight starters on an offense that finished second in the GSC in scoring (35.9 ppg). Senior quarterback Luke Wingo made second-team All-GSC in 2014 and leads the offense once again.

Wingo broke the school record for passing yards in the D-II first round playoff loss to Valdosta State University when he threw for 511 yards. Wingo also led the GSC with a 162 yard passing efficiency.

“My main focus this spring is the fundamentals of being a good quarterback,” Wingo said. “I want to focus on the small things that go overlooked in the fall.”

Wingo battled a shoulder injury for most of the 2014 season but will be competing in spring practice. After the season offensive coordinator Cody Gross told Wingo not to throw a football until February.

“My shoulder is coming back well,” Wingo said. “The pain is pretty much gone, so now it’s just a matter of getting its strength back.”

Junior quarterback Jacob Tucker missed the last seven games of the season due to a foot injury but is cleared to practice as well, Gross said.

“Tucker’s been killing it in the weight room so he’s good to go,” Gross said. “I

don’t know how much contact he’ll get because I don’t know if there’s a need.”

The Lions also return its top two rushers in senior and 2014 first-team AllGSC selection Lamonte Thompson and senior Diamond Simmons.

”

SPRING PRACTICE IS GOING TO BE ABOUT SEEING WHAT THE YOUNG GUYS CAN DO. THEREʼS NO SENSE IN LETTING THE OLDER GUYS TAKE SO MANY OF THE HITS.

BOBBY WALLACE HEAD COACH

“One of the biggest things about spring is honing your individual skills,” Gross said. “We have a lot of experience but fundamentally we can get better at some things.”

With the loss of two starters on the offensive line, Justin Booth and Keith Jones, the Lions must develop some depth up front, Gross said.

“We have to get more physical on the offensive line,” he said. “We need to find some new guys that can step in and compete.”

On the other side of the ball, the

Lions return six starters on defense.

UNA ranked No. 2 in the GSC in scoring defense in 2014 with 18.2 ppg.

The Lions return all four starting defensive backs but will break in several new guys on the front seven.

“We had some losses at defensive end and that’s where the transfers will come in and help out,” Wallace said. “At linebacker we’ll have to find the right mix. Defensive back will be interesting because we have six outstanding guys back there.”

Junior cornerback Philbert Martial was named first-team All-GSC in 2014 and junior cornerback Levi Fell was named second-team All-GSC last year.

Notable players unavailable for spring practice due to injuries are sophomore offensive lineman Jess Cooper (knee), senior wide receiver Lee Mayhall (leg) and junior defensive lineman DeAndre Harrison (shoulder), Wallace said.

Wide receivers Delvon Carpenter and Korey Jones are no longer on the team as well as running back Tahj Kimble, Wallace said..

Carpenter was the team’s leading receiver in 2014 and was named firstteam All-GSC after having 786 yards receiving and six touchdowns.

Kimble rushed for 287 yards in his lone season with the Lions. Jones had 584 career receiving yards.

6B SPORTS SCOREBOARD Feb. 12-15

Feb. 12 Womenʼs Basketball @ Mississippi College 71-55 Win Menʼs Basketball @ Mississippi College 76-73 Loss Feb. 13 Womenʼs Tennis @ Alabama State 4-3 Loss Menʼs Tennis @ Alabama State 4-3 Win Feb. 14 Womenʼs Basketball @ Delta State 67-52 Loss Menʼs Basketball @ Delta State 77-67 Loss

Feb. 19, 2015• The Flor-Ala

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Lions in running for GSC tournament spot MIKE EZEKIEL

;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ LMbMSQMT(]VI ML]

It is all but official the men’s basketball team will advance to the Gulf South Conference tournament.

The Lions won five of their last six before going on the road last week, losing to Mississippi College 76-73 Feb. 12 and Delta State University 77-67 Feb. 14.

Regardless of the two losses, UNA’s chances at a postseason birth have increased.

UNA sits in ninth place in the Gulf South Conference standings.

The top eight teams out of 12 in the GSC standings make the conference tournament to determine the GSC champion. Mississippi College, who is one game ahead of UNA in eighth place, is ineligible for the tournament, meaning the Lions would get the nod as the final

seed if the season ended today.

UNA controls its own destiny, as the next best team eligible for the tournament is Valdosta State University. UNA is four games ahead of the Blazers, making it impossible for the Blazers to pass the Lions in the standings.

Head coach Bobby Champagne said just making the tournament gives anyone a chance to win the championship, regardless of seeding.

“I don’t think there’s much difference in the first place or 12th place team,” he said. “If all 12 teams are going it would be just as good of a tournament as the eight. Whoever we play, we’ll be fine.”

A low seed may not be such a bad thing for UNA. Recent history has shown the Lions succeed against the top teams in the conference with wins against the University of West Alabama, Shorter University and Union University.

The Lions will likely play its first

round game on the road, given they make the tournament. The semifinals and finals will be held at the Pete Hanna Center at Samford University in Birmingham.

At this point in the season, senior leadership becomes key to the way the team plays, Champagne said.

“We’re going to go as far as our seniors take us,” he said.

Two of UNA’s seniors, guard Nathan Spehr and forward Calvin Dade, along with junior forward Jere Vucica, contributed to last year’s GSC championship. The other senior, forward Marcus Landry was not on the team last year.

“I would love to get a ring this year,” Landry said. “The main reason I came back was so I could win something.”

;MM ;<)6,16/; XIOM *

On The

Softball @ West Florida 7-0 Win Softball @ West Florida 5-1 Win Baseball @ West Florida 6-4 Win Baseball @ West Florida 6-0 Loss Womenʼs Tennis Vs Spring Hill 9-0 Win Menʼs Tennis Vs Spring Hill 9-0 Win Feb. 15 Baseball @ West Florida 9-3 Loss Softball @ West Florida 4-2 Win Womenʼs Tennis @ West Florida 9-0 Loss Softball @ West Florida 9-0 Loss

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Lions split on the road, look to finish strong MATT SULESKI

;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ UU[]TM[SQ(]VI ML]

The Lions defeated Mississippi College and lost to Delta State University on their two game road trip in Mississippi last week.

In their first game, UNA got off to a fast start against the Choctaws and cruised to a 71-55 win to improve their winning streak to three.

“This team is playing with a great mindset right now,” said head coach Missy Tiber. “The lineup change we made several weeks ago has sparked us and has us playing with a sense of urgency.”

Junior guard Janae Lyde led all scorers with 17 points and had eight assists, playing a big role for the Lions in their win against Mississippi College.

“Having Janae back for this game made a huge difference this time around,” Tiber said. “She has been playing extremely well the last three games at

scoring the basketball and creating shots for others.”

Lyde is playing with a lot of confidence since she has returned from injury and shares the same beliefs as her head coach.

“We came into this game with a sense of urgency and it showed tonight,” Lyde said. When we play defense, it gives us opportunities for easy offense and we are at our best when we can get out in transition.”

UNA then traveled to Cleveland, Mississippi to take on the Statesman of Delta State.

The Lions got to a great start and took a 31-30 lead into the half, before struggling in the second half and losing 67-52.

“Delta is an excellent basketball team,” Tiber said. “We played 30 minutes of good basketball, but our offense stalled out and our interior defense was poor.”

The Lions shot 40 percent from the field in the first half, 30.8 percent from

three-point range and went to the line 14 times.

It was the tail of two halves as UNA shot 25.7 percent from the field in the second half as well as shooting only 10 percent from three and making it to the charity stripe four times.

“Once again, Delta deserves a lot of credit for some of our poor shooting,” Tiber said. They lead the league in defense and have two of the best post players in the conference.

Senior forward Corinne White, who led the team in scoring and rebounds against Delta State, led the Lions with 12 points and seven rebounds.

“We started the game with great intensity and great defense,” White said.

Things didn’t go our way in the second half and Delta took advantage of our mistakes.”

The Lions have three games left in the conference and are jockeying for position.

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

Feb. 19, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

SPORTS 7B

8B EXTRA

Feb. 19, 2015 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala

SOCIAL MEDIA OF THE WEEK

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