March 17 Issue

FLOR - ALA CAMPUS GETS LIT The

5:30 PM

Carrier

425

New

Hot

Nearby

My Herd

Hey what’s up? Anyone wanna chill tonight?

23

5h

4 replies

I’m a girl looking to experiment with another girl. Who’s up for it?

11

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I’m so horny.

March 17, 2016

Volume 84, Issue 25

www.FlorAla.net

PAGE 9

85

JPA

Q W E R T Y U

HOOK UP CULTURE IN THE APP AGE

I

O P

Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama

SEE PAGE 2

photo courtesy of Shannon Wells

The Laura Harrison Fountain has been part of UNA’s campus since 2002. The Student Government Association is hosting a fountain lighting ceremony March 21 at 7 p.m. Donald and Laura Harrison, who donated the funds for the fountain, will be there to turn on the fountain’s lights and water.

INSIDE

this week’s paper

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

LIFE . . . . . . . . . 9 SPORTS . . . . . . . 12 EXTRA . . . . . . . . 16

COZARTʼS 100TH WIN....12

FLOR - ALA The

Please recycle your paper.

2 NEWS Campus community mourns student death

March 17, 2016• The Flor-Ala

ANNA BEAHM

News Editor news@florala.net

UNA lost a friend, sister, student and singer March 9.

Senior Crystal Lyle, a choral music education major, died March 9 at Decatur Morgan Hospital, according to Sharpley Funeral Home in Decatur.

“It just does my heart so much good to read how Crystal touched so many lives,” said Lyle’s sister, Diana Lyle, on Facebook. “I don’t think she knew just how special she was to so many.”

Lyle’s funeral was 1 p.m. March 16 at First Missionary Baptist Church, 233 Vine St. NW, Decatur.

Lyle sang in many of UNA’s choirs including Ascending Voices and the Collegiate Singers.

“She will be dearly missed by student and teacher alike,” said Professor of Music Ian Loeppky on Facebook.

Loeppky was Lyle’s favorite professor, said Lyle’s friend and senior Jessica Rikard.

“She came to his office hours every day just to talk,” she said. “He cared deeply for her and helped her as much as he could.”

A mass choir comprised of many of the groups Crystal sang with including the UNA choirs, Florence Camarata, Opera/Musical Theatre, Solas and St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal church, sang at Lyle’s funeral, Rikard said.

She said Lyle was her best friend.

Rikard said she met Lyle in fall 2013 when she began her studies at UNA. The two became close friends very quickly, she said.

“I’ve learned that people come into my life at a certain time when I needed them the most, and sometimes, I didn’t even know that I needed them,” Rikard said. “God planted her in my life for this particular time.”

Lyle’s work ethic and dedication to music was inspiring, Rikard said.

“She had an amazing voice that would send chills down the spine of those in the

”

IT JUST DOES MY HEART SO MUCH GOOD TO READ HOW CRYSTAL TOUCHED SO MANY LIVES. I DONʼT THINK SHE KNEW JUST HOW SPECIAL SHE WAS TO SO MANY.

DIANA LYLE

CRYSTAL LYLEʼS SISTER

photo courtesy of Crystal Lyle’s Facebook

Senior Crystal Lyle died March 9 at Decatur Morgan Hospital. Lyle was a choral music education major and was heavily involved in UNA’s choirs, said friend and fellow senior Jessica Rikard.

audience,” she said. “What touched many of us the most about her performances was the passion and emotion from which she sang.”

Lyle was optimistic and kind to those around her, said junior Kaitlynn Jones on Facebook.

“She was the first friend I made in choir two years ago, and she made me feel like I belonged,” she said. “Crystal was the most gentle and kind-hearted person. She was an angel walking among us.”

Students, family and friends of Lyle flooded her Facebook account with kind words and stories about how Lyle impacted their lives.

Over 100 people on Facebook shared The Flor-Ala’s initial brief about her death.

Students from UNA and Calhoun Community College shared their experiences they had with her in the university choirs.

“She was my first friend I ever made at Calhoun in choir,” said senior Hunner Creel on Facebook. “She had such a great voice, and she was always happy and upbeat. I’m so saddened to hear of her passing.”

Creel said she studied with Lyle both at Calhoun and UNA. Student Counseling Services is available to support any students, faculty

or staff during this time, said Director Lynne Martin in an email. The campus community can reach them at 256-7655215.

“I was scrolling through Facebook and my jaw hit the floor when I saw the news,” said junior Justin East on Facebook. “Even though I only met her a couple of times through Phi Theta Kappa, she had a huge impact on my life. This wonderful person had a heart of gold. I am so thankful to have had the privilege to meet her.”

Editor’s Note: Managing Editor Jasmine Fleming contributed to this report.

Campus celebrates major landmark, honors donors ANNA BEAHM

News Editor news@florala.net

The Student Government Association is hosting the first celebration of one of UNA’s most famous landmarks: The fountain.

The event begins at 7 p.m. March 21.

“We just automatically assume that the fountain is going to go turn on at a certain point in time,” said SGA President Nick Lang. “Instead of just turning it on one random day, let’s make it something where the students go to and celebrate.’”

Dr. Donald and Laura Harrison donated the funds for the fountain. The university dedicated the fountain Oct. 21, 2002, according to the Office of Alumni

Relations.

Laura Harrison is part of UNA’s class of 1955 and was named the Alumni of the Year in 2005. “(Laura) Harrison, in particular, has always had a strong connection and affinity for UNA,” said Vice President for Student Affairs David Shields. “It’s always been a place that she loved, and her husband has come to love it as well.

Both have been wonderful supporters of UNA for a long time.”

The Harrisons will be present at the event to turn on the lights and fountain, Lang said.

“When we started planning this event, we thought it’d be great to have (the Harrisons) there for the very first one because they did contribute the funds to

build the fountain,” Lang said.

“Any time you can show (the students) someone who contributes funds for (their use) what that does for the students, that’s super important. We have a lot of contributors that give to the university. If we don’t have those special benefactors that help make it possible, I don’t think we would have near the campus we have today.”

Shields said he and Lang are working with the Departments of Grounds Maintenance and Facilities Administration and Planning to create a remote device that will activate the lights and water in the fountain. He said it should be similar to the annual lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City.

Several speakers will talk about the fountain and its legacy at UNA, Shields said. The Harrisons might share a few thoughts, too.

“We want to introduce (the Harrisons), and we want to thank them for the fountain, which has become such a wonderful place,” Shields said.

The fountain has served as a major campus landmark, meeting place and photo opportunity since it arrived.

“I think the fountain has always been here, but I think in the last several years, the fountain has become the centerpiece, center point on campus,” Shields said.

“The fountain has really become an iconic image for the university.”

See FOUNTAIN, page 6

News 3 Staff holds meeting in collaboration room March 17, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

STAFF REPORT

The Flor-Ala Staff editor@florala.net

UNA is diving into the future of collaborative technology with the opening of ThinkSpace.

Lisa Keys-Mathews, director of the Quality Enhancement Program, invited The Flor-Ala to hold our weekly staff meeting in ThinkSpace, a collaboration space in the basement of Collier Library.

The room resulted as a project for the program, which assists students in all majors with undergraduate research, said Keys-Mathews. Researchers rarely work alone, and ThinkSpace will give them a place to bring ideas together.

ThinkSpace will hold an open house March 17 from 2–4 p.m., with the ribboncutting ceremony at 3 p.m., she said.

The room has eight monitors — one large Mimeo television on one wall to practice giving presentations, a smaller, portable Mimeo screen on the opposite wall and groups of four and two monitors on separate walls for screen sharing.

There is also a whiteboard in the room, as well a 3-D printer and a Silhouette Cameo printer, which can cut materials like vinyl and cardboard. The room is equipped with materials for printer use.

“You can come in here anytime you want, when the door is open and the library is open, with a MakerBot file and

use your flash drive and print (on the 3-D printer),” Keys-Mathews said.

Sometimes the printers have issues completing designs, but she said it is “worth trying.”

Other equipment in the room includes virtual reality video goggles and a projector that visitors can use on the wall.

There is also a Keurig coffee maker.

“I was very fascinated with the technology in the room, especially the projector that turns the wall into a smartboard,” said Associate Life Editor Monday Sanderson. “(It was) much better than the rest of the technology on campus. In the communications building, where there are lots of technology-based rooms, there’s usually just computers, and those aren’t that great sometimes.”

The room also has five tables with chairs, all on wheels, which visitors can rearrange. The Flor-Ala combined most of the tables to meet, easily seating 12 current and incoming staff members with spare seating.

Having all of the staff members sitting at a somewhat “round table” made it seem easier for them to comfortably share ideas and opinions, said Managing Editor Jasmine Fleming.

“I liked being able to look around and see everyone’s faces,” she said. “Usually, in our office, some members have their backs to each other, and this seemed more inclusive.”

However, the 3-D printer was slightly noisy, which was distracting, she said.

This, combined with a few support beams in the room, which hid one staff member from the view of those on the other side of the beam, made it slightly difficult for everyone to hear each other.

When the staff began the budget portion of the meeting to discuss story pitches, Editor-in-Chief Kali Daniel connected her laptop to the larger

Mimeo screen to show the Google Drive document.

Having documents on a large screen, instead of individual screens, could be a benefit, said News Editor Anna Beahm.

“If you had a big screen for everyone to see, it could be easier for us all to be focused on one thing,” she said.

To read the rest of the story, visit florala.net.

KALI DANIEL I Editor-in-Chief

The Flor-Ala editorial staff holds its weekly meeting in ThinkSpace in the basement of Collier Library March 11. Open house for the new collaboration space is March 17 at 2 p.m.

‘Pride of Dixie’ recognized for performance excellence MELISSA PARKER Life Editor life@florala.net

While most students and community members can attest to the stellar performances of UNA’s Pride of Dixie Marching Band, the College Band Directors National Association gave its stamp of approval, too.

In February, the CBDNA recognized the “Pride of Dixie” Marching Band, the only NCAA Division II school it recognized.

“Every quadrant of the country has their own conference,” said Director of Bands Lloyd Jones. “So, in the South, we were chosen as one of the marching band programs to come and show our product in a video conference.”

Jones said he provided a video of the halftime show to a panel of six judges who chose the top collegiate bands to talk about their performance.

He said he believes the execution of the show and the pride the band members have in their performances were factors in the national recognition.

This is not the first time the band received recognition, he said.

“They’ve been invited to perform at the Bands of America National Championships two different times,” he said. “We were chosen two years in a row, which I’ve never heard of with that organization.”

”

We were very honored they wanted

us to perform at the end of the night in

front of

25,000 people. That was a great

place to be for our program and for our university to get our name on a national level.

Lloyd Jones

Director of Bands

AMANDALYN DORNER I Staff Photographer

The Pride of Dixie Marching Band and Auxiliary line perform at Homecoming Oct. 17. The College Band Directors National Association recognized the group, the only NCAA Division II school it recognized, for its excellence.

The top high school bands compete in these championships in Indianapolis, he said. In 2013 and 2014, the POD performed as the exhibition band.

“We were very honored they wanted us to perform at the end of the night in front of 25,000 people,” he said. “That was a great place to be for our program and for our university to get our name on a national level.”

Seeing the POD perform in 2008 helped senior trumpet player Steven

Cook make the decision to come to UNA, he said. He had planned to attend a different college, he said.

“I was blown away,” he said. “I knew right then that I wanted to be a part of that group because they played better than any group that I’d heard previously.

Not only that, but they were just better people. That’s the kind of thing we want to leave wherever we go. That’s the reason why the POD keeps getting these awards and recognition. It’s because of that excellence.”

The band has also performed at the BOA Super Regionals in Atlanta, he said.

Performing at these events is a big deal, said senior Lionette Ashley Morgan.

Some of the high school bands competing have trampolines and flame throwers, she said. POD, a more traditional band, comes out to entertain, and the crowd loves it.

“We have the whole crowd on their feet,” she said.

Band members stay busy throughout the year with individual practices, group practices, classes and band camp in August, Jones said.

Practicing at least 10 hours per week during the marching and concert seasons is typical, Cook said.

During marching season, he practices at least one hour per day by himself, he said.

See BAND, page 8

▶

4 Images

On the field

March 17, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

Game Time

Midfielder Margardia Sousa chases the ball down the field against the Cumberland Bulldogs Sept. 27, 2015. The Lions won 2-1.

Staff Photographer adorner@una.edu

The players are out, pumped up and ready to go. They are ready to fight and win. Sweat rolls down each of their faces. It is time to run as fast as they can, hit as hard as they can, jump as high as they can.

The air is full of tension and excitement.

It’s game time.

But off to the side, all by it’s lonesome, sits a bench. A cold, sad bench — with only a few bottoms to keep it company.

Half the fun of college is the spirit.

It’s what separates college from high school. In high school, everyone is there because they have to be. But, most everyone is in college because they want to be. School pride is the center of the college experience. That is what makes it fun.

As a photographer, it’s been my passion to attend UNA sports games.

I’ve seen every single sport play and honestly, I’ve got the best seat in the world.

Being behind my camera game after game, I see the sweat rolling down Bilal Richardson’s face when he jumps to make the basket. I see the excitement of the girl’s volleyball team after a big win.

I see the dirt fly up around Madeline Lee as she slides safely into home. I can feel the tension in the air when the game gets rough and the thrill when we knock the other team out.

But you don’t have to be in my seat to see all of that. By supporting our school’s teams, we’re supporting our community and remarkably talented people that are involved. Not to mention it’s a chance to get wild. Paint up, wear something purple, get a noisemaker, grab a hot dog or popcorn and enjoy the game.

▶ Lining up

Junior Austin Sparks tees-off during the TVA Community Credit Union Invitational Oct. 20. The UNA Golf Team will participate in the Bobcat Invitational in Eatonton, Georgia, March 21 - 22.

▶

AMANDALYN DORNER

For the fans

Cornerback Darvell Harris (3) runs the ball down the field, passing several UNCPembroke players Oct. 17 for the fall 2015 homecoming game. UNA won 62-28.

News 5

March 17, 2016• The Flor-Ala

‘JACK OF ALL TRADES’

AMANDALYN DORNER I Staff Photographer

University Program Council Vice President-elect Nick Smith talks to students in his office March 14. Smith is a Hospitality Management major and works to plan events for student life on campus.

Smith shows event, outfit-planning skills KAITLYN DAVIS

Associate News Editor news@florala.net

The University Program Council Vice President-elect Nick Smith is a man of colorful outfits that match his colorful personality.

He can sing, dance, cheer, plan a party and an outfit to match.

Smith’s creativity flows into his work and his wardrobe, said UPC Vice President Adam McCollum in an email.

“Some of his costume or clothing pieces he has worn make you stop, scratch your head and wonder, ‘What is that?’” McCollum said. “There was this particular pair of pants that he wore one day that left many of us in (Student Government Association) confused. He’s definitely creative.”

SGA President-elect Sarah Green said Smith has a great sense of style, and she often seeks out his fashion advice.

Recently, she needed help picking out a costume for a toga party her sorority (Phi Mu) was having, Green said.

“I had no clue what me and my date were going to be,” she said. “So Nick had to pick it out for us. I had to FaceTime

him while I was in Walmart, and he picked out all of our fabrics for us.”

Not only does Nick help pick out date party outfits, he often attends them himself, Green said.

“Nick tries to go to every single sorority’s date parties and formals,” she said. “I think that’s truly his goal, is to go every formal.”

Smith’s passion for fashion is not the only thing he is passionate about, McCollum said. “(Smith) has a lot of UNA spirit,” McCollum said. “He brings a lot of energy with him.”

Smith carried his positive energy all the way to Haiti, said Assistant Director of Student Engagement Bethany Green.

Green and Smith spent two weeks together with a group in Haiti through the university’s Alternative Breaks program, and she said she would gladly travel with Smith again.

“He adapted so well to the conditions, and it was very easy to complain,” she said.

Smith maintained a positive attitude even though conditions included no running water, Oliver said.

The group fed off Smith’s positivity,

and it created a wonderful dynamic, she said.

They focused on community development projects like teaching English to the adults in the community and repairing buildings, Oliver said.

”

Smith has a lot of UNA spirit. He brings a lot of energy with him.

Adam McCollum UPC Vice President The children in the community loved Smith, she said.

When Smith is not extending his hand to those in need, he is extending it to those around campus, Smith said.

“I’m an extrovert,” he said. “You’ll always see me on campus smiling. I just want (students) to know I’m very approachable.”

Smith enjoys singing to anything with a good beat, hip-hop dancing and painting, he said.

Smith’s dance moves are something to be envied, Green said.

“This boy dances all of the time, and he’s always making up new dances,” she said.

Green and Smith used to be high school cheerleaders, and they are not letting the cheer life go just yet, Green said.

“We make up cheer routines and pretend to stunt,” she said. “We pretend like we’re still cheerleaders.”

Smith is a hospitality management major and wants to be an event planner and an interior designer, he said.

Being the UPC Vice President will help him get experience in event planning, he said.

“Programming is something that I really want to do when I get out into the real world, since I’m a hospitality management major,” Smith said. “That’s my niche. That’s what I like to do.”

And he does it well. Smith is the life of the party amongst other things, Green said.

“Nick Smith is a very hard worker,” she said. “He’s really easy to get along with. He’s a fun person to be around. He’s just someone you’re naturally drawn to.”

6 News Student’s business gains celebrity attention

March 17, 2016• The Flor-Ala

MIKE EZEKIEL

Sports Editor sports@florala.net

Not many people can say celebrities like rap star Kevin Gates, NFL quarterback Jameis Winston and actor Cedric Pendleton use their product.

UNA senior and entrepreneur Ryan Mason can.

Mason, a business administration and entrepreneurship student, launched Luxe Brand about seven months ago, a company that makes luxury shoelaces using leather and other animal skins.

Mason said the idea came from two things: A need for money and a passion for shoes.

“I had an old (Nike brand) Air Force 1, and I cut it apart with an X-Acto knife,” Mason said. “My brother was looking at me like I was crazy. I got bored and cut a few strips of leather and started thinking, ‘What could I do to make this shoe different?’

“I put one of the strips in front of the shoe and said, ‘What if the shoelaces were leather or had a nice skin?’ I did a month’s or two worth of research and found out no one had even done that before.”

Mason said making the laces took a lot of learning and experimenting, including taking trips to Tandy Leather in Hoover to learn how to produce the laces and use different manufacturing companies.

“I went to three different companies, and it wasn’t the quality I was looking for,” he said. “The fourth one was the right one. That was when I found out no one had ever done this before. They got

the quality right and ‘ba-da-boom-ba-dabang.’”

While working to launch Luxe Brand, Mason was a full-time student and a member of the football team. Mason gave up football to focus on growing his business project.

“If I’m going to do this and I’m going to start wrapping up sales, it’s going to be a lot for me to be a college student and also to be playing college football,” Mason said. “It would be a lot to do with the time I’m giving.”

Mason is approaching around 200 sales, with his laces starting at $30 per pair. Mason said he is in talks to get his product on another NFL star: Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.

“I am excited about it,” he said.

“I’ve been getting a great attraction. The community has really helped out, and my family has really helped out.”

Mason does not limit his clientele to celebrities as students on campus are becoming interested in his products, he said.

“I set up (in the Guillot University Center) one day and sold 21 pairs,” he said.

One of his clients is a former teammate and friend from high school, senior Eli Williams. Mason always had a passion for entrepreneurship, Williams said.

“I remember back in high school, Ryan always said he was going to have his own business,” he said. “Midway through fall semester of our junior year (of college), he mentioned the idea of the laces.”

Williams said he was unsure how the

KAITLIN DOUGLASS I Chief Photographer

Ryan Mason’s Luxe Brand laces change the “look” of this pair of Air Jordan shoes. The laces are “the most effectively simple ways to take common to extraordinary,” said alumna and customer Jennifer Towne.

laces would turn out, but bought a pair as soon as he saw the final product.

“I was expecting the first pair to be flawed, but I was wrong,” Williams said.

“The quality on them was top-notch.”

As Mason continues to grow the product, specifically for athletes, former UNA teammates are taking notice, including senior Markeldon Washington.

“I think it’s the best idea he could have ever thought of,” said Washington.

“I don’t think anyone could’ve topped that idea. I encourage everyone to go get their Luxe.”

Luxe Brand laces are unique because they revolutionize the entire look of the

shoe, said alumna Jennifer Towne.

“It’s one of the most effectively simple ways to take common to extraordinary,” Towne said. “That’s why he’s been so successful.”

She said she remembers how fascinated people were with his product when it hit the market.

“He knows the market, and his vision is open and honest about what Luxe Brand is and where it’s going,” she said.

For more information, visit official_luxe on Instagram or luxe-brand. com.

FOUNTAIN, continued from page 2

photo courtesy of Hugo Dante

Architect Hugo Dante created this rendering before the construction of the fountain in 2002. “The fountain has really become an iconic image for the university,” said Vice President for Student Affairs David Shields. The Student Government Association will host an event lighting the fountain March 21 at 7 p.m.

The university and SGA have hosted multiple events around the fountain over the past few years, Lang said.

SGA introduced the “Lucky Dip” in fall 2014. Students dip their pencils in the fountain for good grades and a 4.0 at the end of the semester, Lang said.

Lang said he thinks this event can become an event to celebrate the spring semester like the Lucky Dip celebrates fall.

“In the spring, (the fountain lighting) can be something that the administration and SGA does to celebrate another semester,” he said.

For sophomore Meredith Lorge, the fountain is one of the reasons she is proud to attend UNA, she said.

“The fountain is one of the iconic symbols of the University of North Alabama,” Lorge said. “When you are told about the campus, people never forget to mention the beautiful campus which includes the fountain, lions and other scenery.”

There will be refreshments, light music by former Miss UNA Rachel Wammack and a free item for the first 100 students, Lang said.

Shields and Lang both said they hope the fountain lighting will become a campus tradition.

Viewpoints 7

March 17, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

FLOR - ALA SGA bill lacks student consideration The

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Kali Daniel

MANAGING EDITOR Jasmine Fleming NEWS EDITOR Anna Beahm ASSOCIATE news EDITOR Kaitlyn Davis LIFE EDITOR Melissa Parker ASSOCIATE LIFE EDITOR Monday Sanderson SPORTS EDITOR Mike Ezekiel ONLINE EDITOR Emily Kazungu ASSOCIATE ONLINE EDITOR Madi Winkler BUSINESS MANAGER Jordan Byrd GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Peyton Lawler Michael Meigs Kelsey Weathers JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERS David San Miguel Jacqueline Willis CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Kaitlin Douglass STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Amandalyn Dorner Shay Redd Jackson Townsend

KALI DANIEL

Editor-in-Chief editor@florala.net

Just as we elect a president or vice president of the United States based on their qualifications and previous experience, when we elect Student Government Association candidates, we do not expect less of them simply because the candidate ran unopposed.

During the March 17 SGA meeting, the Senate passed a proposal to change the requirements for the position of treasurer.

Previously, the SGA Code of Laws required the treasurer

Editorial Policy Corrections The staff strives to maintain the integrity of The Flor-Ala through accurate and honest reporting. To report an error, call 256-765-4364 or email editor@florala. net.

Letters Policy Letters to the editor should be emailed to editor@florala.net or mailed to: The Flor-Ala UNA Box 5300 Florence, AL 35632 Letters must include name and telephone number for verification. Please limit letters to 400 words. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse to publish a letter.

Mathews ran unopposed, meaning she was granted her position without needing to campaign. Mathews, currently a freshman, obviously has not been enrolled long enough to take the two required accounting courses, which is no fault of her own.

But to change an entire system of qualifications to fit one candidate is not only irresponsible, it is unethical.

Had SGA proposed the bill and asked students what they thought, then voted based on student input, I would probably feel differently. However, they did not ask students.

Students were not asked whether they thought the person who would be handling their money should have taken accounting courses. They were not asked if they thought the person handling over $280,000 per semester should be trained in fundamentals regarding ethics and financial presentations (based on the fall

2015 enrollment and activity fee). They were not asked how they felt about the treasurer handling their money effective April 22 — four months before her first AC 291 lesson. The organization hoping to speak for the students did not — they spoke for one student.

And while this is a resolution that can easily be undone next year, after Mathews’ year in office, is it ethical to change the code of laws, knowing it can be changed back in a year?

I believe SGA should ask students their opinion.

If students agree with the decision, there is nothing they should undo and the decision should stand. If, however, the students disagree, it is SGA’s responsibility to find a qualified candidate to fill the position while respecting the students’ wishes.

Fountain-lighting ceremony sure to brighten campus

ADVISER Scott Morris

Content is determined by the student editorial staff of The Flor-Ala and has not been approved by the university.

“to have completed the first academic course in accounting and either completed or be enrolled in the second academic course at the time the office is assumed.”

The two courses required were Accounting Concepts I and II (AC 291 and AC 292), which cover the “concepts, procedures and ethical aspects of accounting and financial reporting as a basis for decision making.”

Not only did the code of laws state the treasurer must have completed AC 291 and completed or be enrolled in AC 292, but the treasurer must have made at least a C. This requirement was so critical that, should the treasurer receive less than a C, the treasurer was removed from their position.

Now, the Senate has decided the treasurer need only be enrolled in AC 291 during the fall semester.

2016-17 Treasurer Nikki

NICK LANG

SGA President nlang@una.edu

With spring time just around the corner, UNA is getting ready for the sunny days to come. UNA will host the first “Light the Fountain” Ceremony March 21 at 7 p.m. to bring the campus back to

life. At this event, Donald and Laura Harrison, who are the contributing benefactors to the fountain, will be present to light the fountain. There will also be free T-shirts to the first 100 people at the event, as well as light refreshments and music from Rachel Wammack.

This is a great tradition starting at UNA, and I am excited that the Student Government Association and the rest of the university will get to be a part of something so exciting. There have been many hours of hard work put into this event because the fountain is such a major focal point at the university. When the fountain is running, the

entire campus comes to life with energy. The fountain has always been special to me ever since I arrived on campus as a freshman.

Even today, I frequently see students gathering around the fountain to take pictures and socialize. This is why SGA and university administration collaborated to create this special event.

Along with the “Light the Fountain” ceremony, SGA will also host two events this month that are centered on spring break. First, the “It’s On Us: Spring Break Edition” event will be March 23 from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Memorial Amphitheater. This event will

Interested in writing?

Join our weekly writers’ meetings Sundays at 4 p.m. in the Student Publications Office behind Willingham Hall 643 N. Wood Ave.

have “It’s On Us” promotional items, SGA swag and two guest speakers talking about the importance of being an active bystander while on spring break. The second event, “Spring Break Bash,” will be the same day from 8 p.m. to midnight. This event will be a great kick off to your spring break. There will be music, food and free SGA swag.

As spring break approaches, I hope everyone stays safe and has fun. It is a much-needed break for all students.

Congratulations to our Writer & Photographer of the Week!

Noel Geiger & Shay Redd

8 News

March 17, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

Best-selling author shares writing tips KAITLYN DAVIS

Associate News Editor news@florala.net

New York Times best-selling author Justin Cronin shared information about his book series and writing techniques he uses as part of UNA’s Writers Series March 10 in the Guillot University Center.

Faculty, staff, students and community members listened as the Harvard graduate spoke about his vampire trilogy, “The Passage Trilogy.”

UNA is the first audience to hear a reading from the third book of the trilogy “The City of Mirrors,” Cronin said.

The event was a part of UNA’s Writer Series. The goal of the Writer’s Series is to introduce students to authors from different genres, according to UNA’s website.

Cronin explained the origination of the trilogy, read excerpts from “The City of Mirrors” and discussed some of his writing techniques during the event.

He began writing “The Passage” after his 8-year-old daughter told him she was

photo courtesy of Shannon Wells

Critically acclaimed author Justin Cronin speaks in the Guillot University Center Performance Center March 10. The event was part of UNA’s Writers Series.

afraid his books might be boring, Cronin said, so they began working on a story together.

“We had two rules,” Cronin said.

“One rule was that everything in the story had to be interesting. The second rule was that we had to have one character with red hair because my daughter’s a redhead.”

Cronin started writing the novel based on what he and his daughter had come up with, he said. “(‘The Passage’) started writing itself,” Cronin said. “I never looked back, and 11 years have passed.”

Cronin did take a look back to discuss his writing techniques for the trilogy during the event.

Cronin said he pays attention to two specific things when developing his characters.

“One is, because this is true in human life, everybody is carrying a stone,” he said. “Everybody’s got something they’re not talking about, but it’s the stone they carry for life. The other thing I do is, I’m attentive to human contradiction because nobody is just one thing.”

He does not begin writing a book until he plans it from beginning to end, Cronin said.

“I knew what the end of the third book was before I started the first book,” he said. “The ending should actually be embedded in the beginning, and by that I mean the first sentence. If you go look at the first sentence of “The Passage” the end of the whole thing is in that sentence.”

Cronin’s information about character development was helpful, said junior professional writing major Stephanie Preslar. She said she struggles with character development.

“I really enjoyed the reading,” said senior Katie Lindsay. “(Cronin) was well-spoken and eloquent, while at the same time being very conversational about his writing style. I really appreciate writers like that.”

BAND, continued from page 3 Then, sections usually arrive early to warm up before scheduled practice times, Cook said.

“It’s the slimmest schedule of any collegiate band I’m aware of in our state,” Jones said. “We don’t build in extra hours. We just try to be efficient in what we use because we want our students to be able to be involved in other things, too. I think it makes it more valuable to them if they can accomplish these things without putting in twice as many hours.”

The Auxiliary’s practice schedule is different from the band’s, Morgan said.

The color guard, majorettes and Lionettes comprise the Auxiliary, which performs with the band at every show.

Practice typically runs about three hours per day through the week, including Saturday, she said. They begin practicing in the spring and continue through the

summer to get ready for football season.

The band, Lionettes and auxiliary will soon be preparing and practicing

their routines for the 2016-17 marching season.

SGA

in

Review

• Senate passed Bill 16-03, which now requires the treasurer to at

AC 291 instead of completed AC 291 when the treasurer assumes the office.

• Senator applications open until April 6.

• Fountain Lighting Ceremony @ 7 p.m. March 21 • Wind Down Wednesday March 23 • It’s On Us: Spring Break Edition event March 23 • Spring Preview Day - March 19 least be enrolled in

For Meeting Briefs and Updates on the Student Government Association, visit florala.net.

Campus Crime Log • March 7

Disorderly conduct Olive Hall • March 6

Damage to property

and vandalism Intramural field • March 5 Possession of a

controlled substance/

drug paraphernalia University apartments • March 4

Loitering Fraternity row • March 4

Criminal trespass University apartments

Full crime log available at una.edu/police/crimelog photo courtesy of Shannon Wells

Lionettes practice for their fall performances during summer 2014. The Lionettes are part of the Auxiliary line, which performs with the marching band at every show.

LIFE 9

March 17, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

5:30 PM

Carrier

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A series on sex and millennials

My Herd

Hey what’s up? Anyone wanna chill tonight?

23 5h

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I’m a girl looking to experiment with another girl. Who’s up for it?

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Q W E R T Y U

85 I O P

design by PEYTON LAWLER I Graphic Designer

Apps offer different ʻhook upʼ opportunities MELISSA PARKER Life Editor life@florala.net

Apps like Yik Yak and Tinder make looking for some “Netflix and chill” action easier than ever.

Research shows people define “hooking up” in different ways, said Associate Professor of Sociology and Family Studies Amber Paulk. Some say it is kissing. Others may mean intercourse, oral sex or touching. Many people who are dating refer to their sexual encounters as hooking up.

There has always been hooking up, she said. Even people in Roman times were hooking up.

“Most college students report they have had at least one hook up,” Paulk said. “With apps like Tinder and Yik Yak, it just provides people with a different way to go about seeking that opportunity.”

The safety issues with these apps is concerning, said Title IX Coordinator Tammy Jacques.

“How do we look out to make sure we’re not putting ourselves at risk?” she said.

Nearly half of the 20 million new sexually transmitted diseases diagnosed each year are among people ages 15-24, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

About one in four of all new HIV infections is among people ages 13-24.

About half of the hook ups involve oral sex or intercourse, Paulk said. But, people are only using condoms about half of the time.

There are many reasons why they may not be using condoms, she said. It may be embarrassment of bringing the subject up. Other reasons could include alcohol, belief that things like pregnancy and STDs happen to other people or feeling that mentioning condom use will cause the other person to leave.

Hooking up is fine, said sophomore Bryant Hasheider.

“There are dangers to it, but I feel like we should be more

open to things like getting tested regularly and keeping ourselves healthy,” he said.

Hasheider said he did hook up before being in a committed relationship.

The University of Tennessee is researching what people look for when they want to hook up, Paulk said.

For men, it is all about how the woman looks, she said. There are no emotional or intellectual attachments.

For women, however, it is less about looks and more about the connection.

Most college-age people hook up because they do not want to be in a relationship, said junior Brittany Garrison.

“I define hooking up as a ‘friends with benefits’ relationship,” she said. “There are dangers with that such as unwanted pregnancy or STDs and even one of the two hooking (up) catching feelings. I think the apps are a weird way to hook up because most of the time it’s strangers.”

Hook ups spike in spring

of freshman year, Paulk said.

Many people think it is in the fall, but that is not true.

”

MOST COLLEGE STUDENTS REPORT

THEY HAVE HAD AT LEAST ONE HOOK

UP.

WITH APPS LIKE TINDER AND YIK

YAK, IT JUST PROVIDES PEOPLE WITH A DIFFERENT WAY TO GO ABOUT SEEKING

THAT OPPORTUNITY.

AMBER PAULK

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, SOCIOLOGY AND FAMILY STUDIES

“Our highest reports of sexual assaults every year are in the month of April, and that’s post-spring break for most schools,” she said.

A person may be fine with making out, but not with having sex, she said. Hooking up to one person may not be what hooking

up is to another.

Hooking up lets people figure out what they like or do not like, said senior Austin Parsons.

“If you’re young and you have nothing tying you down, there’s no reason to not experiment a little bit,” he said.

“Be careful. Wear protection, and make sure your intentions are clear.”

Most of our sexual behavior is nonverbal, and that is a problem, Paulk said.

“We have to do a better job of giving young people sexual language, Paulk said.

It is important for them to learn what to say and not be afraid or uncomfortable to say it when the time comes, she said.

“If we don’t, not only does it impact this hook up behavior, it impacts sexual assault behavior as well,” Paulk said. “We need to teach them to give not just a ‘no’, but an enthusiastic ‘yes’ before they proceed with any kind of sexual behavior.”

10 LIFE

March 17, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

GΣT YOUR GRΣΣK ON Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. seeks new members TIFFANY MCDANIEL Student Writer tmcdaniel1@una.edu

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., petitioned to join the University of North Alabama’s National Pan-Hellenic Council Jan. 19 and received a unanimous vote to join the council. However, the fraternity is not officially on campus yet.

With the addition of Omega Psi Phi, the university will have representation of seven of the nine black Greek-lettered organizations of the “Divine Nine” NPHC fraternities and sororities.

In order for the organization to gain its full membership as a Registered Student Organization, they must have at least 10 members, said Director of Student Engagement Tyler Thompson.

Many NPHC chapters do not require that number to become official chapters, so this number may change in the future.

To become an official undergraduate chapter, they must maintain a minimum of eight undergraduate members on campus.

The group hopes to have this done by the end of the semester, said junior Jalen Reedus.

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., began Nov. 17, 1911, at Howard University, and has four core principles — manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift.

In August 2015, seniors Preston Sales, Wesley Daniels, Ryan Mason and Austin Miller, juniors Reedus and Corey Cunningham and graduate student Jalan Jones, pledged under the Florence

graduate chapter, Alpha Pi. Since then, they have participated in service events around campus and in the community.

They have performed at local schools, participated in Handy Fest events, volunteered at the YMCA and the Salvation Army, and served as mentors to young men in the community.

This organization offers students a different option, Miller said.

“You always want to leave something great behind, no matter where you go, what avenue you travel or what field you go into,” he said. “You want to make a difference somewhere.

We provide for a different demographic.”

Vice Basileus Will Boyd and former Vice President of Enrollment Management Thomas Calhoun helped the group along the way, Miller said.

“It’s just really a blessing because we would not have been able to do this by ourselves,” he said.

UNA alumnus and undergraduate adviser for the fraternity Craig Nelson also played a major role in bringing Omega Psi Phi to the campus, Miller said.

“Nelson takes care of the things that happen on campus,” he said. “We brainstorm and share ideas with Brother Nelson to see what would be our best avenue to travel on.”

Nelson said he tries to keep the young men focused.

See OMEGA, page 11

Beta Upsilon Chi potential new fraternity on campus MONDAY SANDERSON Associate Life Editor life@florala.net

UNA currently has one Christian-based Greek organization, the sorority Alpha Delta Chi. Another Christian organization, fraternity Beta Upsilon Chi, is potentially coming to campus.

Junior John Russell is starting a chapter of Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX) at UNA. He said he was a member of Mississippi State’s chapter, and he wants to bring it here.

“It was a great experience,” he said. “So many fraternities on campus talk about brotherhood and unity, but BYX really defines the brotherhood and unity aspect of a fraternity.”

This will not be the only Christian fraternity on campus, said Director of Student Engagement Tyler Thompson.

“A lot of the fraternities and sororities are founded on Christian beliefs as well,” he said.

Sophomore Madison Barnes is a current member of ADX. She said enjoy it if the fraternity came to campus.

“I think being a Christian college student you come across many struggles and temptations that are apart of the college environment,” she said. “It is an amazing experience to have sisters or brothers in Christ that hold you accountable and are their for you.”

Russell said the national office got him in contact with incoming freshman Sam Mashburn who also wanted

to start a chapter at UNA. Mashburn knows more people, so he handles most of the social interactions, Russell said.

Russell said BYX Chief Development Officer Brian Lee provided him with information on the phases of creating a chapter.

The process of ensuring the group is committed to the organization will take six to nine months.

”

I THINK BEING A CHRISTIAN

COLLEGE STUDENT YOU COME ACROSS MANY STRUGGLES AND TEMPTATIONS THAT ARE A

PART OF THE COLLEGE ENVIRONMENT. IT IS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE TO HAVE SISTERS

OR BROTHERS IN CHRIST THAT HOLD YOU

ACCOUNTABLE AND ARE THERE FOR YOU.

MADISON BARNES SOPHOMORE

“Someone from nationals will come down here, and they want to find out what the Greek percentage is,” he said. “They want to find out what other type of organizations are on campus that are Christianbased.”

The national organization collects this information to learn more about the university, according to the BYX website.

See BETA, page 11

March 17, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

Fulbright Scholar Program selects Kirch for award MELISSA PARKER Life Editor life@florala.net

Professor of Art History Lisa Kirch has had interests in art and art history all her life.

“I grew up in South America with a dad who was a history buff,” she said.

She went through phases during her childhood when she wanted to be an archaeologist and a paleontologist, she said.

“I decided to be an art historian,” Kirch said. “I work with archival stuff. I look at old documents from the 15th and 16th centuries. I’m interested in what kinds of art and other objects people had in their homes.”

This love of art history and ancient documents has earned her a spot in the elite Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Core Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program sends approximately 800 American scholars and professionals per year to nearly 130 countries, where they lecture and conduct research in a variety of academic and professional fields, according to their website.

Officials with the Institute of International Education recently

contacted Kirch to inform her they had selected her for a Fulbright Award to Germany, according to a University Communications press release. She will travel to Germany in January 2017.

This is an amazing opportunity for Kirch and the university, said junior Emily Jones.

“To have a professor be awarded this experience and be able to bring back that experience to share with us is a wonderful achievement for our university,” she said.

Kirch said she is co-organizing a conference in Germany that brings together art historians, historians of architecture, historians of science and people from different fields.

“We’re going to be talking about the types of objects people collected in the 16th century,” she said.

They would have these items in their studies, she said. This particular study was in a palace in a small town in southern Germany.

The historians will research a written inventory of the study’s contents and ultimately publish an edition of this inventory, she said.

Kirch said she translates the texts, written in an old German dialect, into the current German language as

Photo courtesy of Shannon Wells

Officials with the Institute of International Education recently selected Professor of Art History Lisa Kirch for a Fulbright Award to Germany. While there, she will research a written inventory of objects from a palace study in southern Germany.

”

I decided to be an art historian.

I work with archival stuff. I look at old documents from the 15th and 16th centuries. I’m interested in what kinds of art and other objects people had in their

homes.

Lisa Kirch

Professor, Art History well as English.

This type of work is important, Kirch said. It provides these texts to a wider audience.

“Lisa is a marvelous teacher who is even more at home in the archives and in the galleries of Germany,” said Kirch’s friend and Associate Professor of English Robert Koch. “I have not seen a more deserving person for that particular award.”

Koch said he never had any doubt Kirch would win the Fulbright Award when she applied for it. “(Kirch) is an amazing teacher who should be recognized for just how committed she is to the well-being of her students,” he said.

Jones said her favorite memory of Kirch is the discussion her Art Survey class had about Greek and Roman architecture.

“She told us how she was annoyed by the fact that the UNA (Memorial) Amphitheater is not an amphitheater at all,” she said. “Everyone laughed at the humor of it.”

Koch said he began working with Kirch when he was the director for the Center for Writing Excellence. “(Kirch) is an amazing teacher who should be recognized for just how committed she is to the well-being of her students,” he said.

She is an excellent teacher, said junior Molly Odom, who credits Kirch with teaching her the differences in architectural style.

“I really like the fact that I can be driving through a city and see a historical building and (be able to) identify when it’s from and what style it is,” Odom said.

Koch said he first read some of Kirch’s work during a faculty writing research retreat.

It was a paper on a German prince, artifacts and coin collections, he said.

This was something he knew nothing about.

“Her writing was this beautiful prose that was easy to follow even though the subject matter was very complicated,” he said. “She weaves a storyteller’s voice into her research.”

Kirch said it is difficult for her to be the center of attention.

“What really matters for me is the work and not me,” she said.

Life 11 OMEGA, continued from page 10 “With me being in the fraternity for going on seven years, I look at it a lot differently than I did when I was in the fraternity one year or two years,” Nelson said. “I’m proud of them. I know I don’t tell them much because I don’t want them to get relaxed, but I’m definitely proud of them. All these guys touched me in some way or the other. These guys make me want to stay on top of everything.”

NPHC is allowing the group to host Omega Psi Phi Greek Week April 10-15, Reedus said.

“Greek week is something that we really are putting our hearts into,” Miller said. “Each part and each day of the week will be something special, not just to us, but to the university, as well.”

BETA, continued from page 10 “Answering these questions will help us get to know you and your school as we begin to pray about whether the Lord would desire a BYX chapter at your university,” according to the website.

Thompson said creating a fraternity chapter on campus is the same as starting a registered student organization.

“They need to have at least 10 members to join, and they have to turn in their constitution and charter,” he said. “With fraternities, we would need something from the national organization saying that it is okay to use that name and operate. Depending on the type of organization it is, their national headquarters might require them to be a part of a council.”

Russell said 18 students came to the March 7 interest meeting.

“We need 20 members in order to be considered a prospective chapter for nationals to come down here to talk with us,” he said. “I don’t even want to register to become a Registered Student Organization until we reach those numbers.”

He said once the chapter has become official, UNA would become the second Division II School with this fraternity.

University of Central Oklahoma is the only other Division II School with a chapter on campus, according to the Beta Upsilon Chi website.

Russell said the fraternity will primarily provide support for Christian men on campus.

“Guys need to have accountability and other guys who they can talk to about their spirituality,” he said. “The sorority here, ADX, has been pretty successful, and I thought, ‘If a sorority can do well, why can’t a fraternity?’”

Russell said UNA would benefit from having BYX on campus.

“Even though we’re a small school, I think that this can be a very successful thing,” he said.

12 SPORTS

March 17, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

SCOREBOARD MARCH 8-13 March 8

Baseball vs. Lemoyne Owen 25-1 Win Womenʼs Tennis at UAH 5-4 Loss

Cozart hits century mark for wins

March 9

Menʼs Tennis vs. UAH 9-0 Win Softball vs. Montevallo (DH) 3-2 Win, 6-2 Win

JONATHAN SLATTON Student Writer jslatton@una.edu

March 11

After a 14-5 mercy-rule win over the West Florida Argonauts March 6, UNA softball coach Ashley Cozart earned her 100th victory as the Lions’ head coach.

Cozart is in her third season with the Lions and is looking to make three consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament. After the No. 6 Lions’ successful sweep of the Lee Flames, Cozart’s official record at UNA is 105-36.

Cozart said it was a pleasant surprise to find out she hit the milestone, but opted against taking the credit all for herself.

“I honestly had no idea that it was my 100th win until someone told me after the game,” she said. “But it is a good feeling that my teams have had this kind of success. It’s honestly a testament to my players.”

Cozart has a 78 percent win percentage as a head coach.

Junior pitcher Hillary Carpenter, the team’s ace, was a freshman when UNA hired Cozart in July 2013.

Carpenter said she is proud to be part of Cozart’s first season.

“It’s such a huge accomplishment for her,” Carpenter said. “For me to be able to be a part of her team all three of those years means a lot to me. I am very thankful for that and thankful for her being my coach.”

After having seven prior seasons of head coaching experience, Cozart said she has grown most in her recruiting ability.

“When I was younger (as a coach), I used to just go after players who had ‘on the field ability,’ but I have made it a point now to go after players who are good kids as well,” Cozart said.

“That has a lot to do with our success as a team.”

Cozart said her philosophy is to allow her players to be themselves and to make sure the players know she has confidence in them.

Softball vs. Lee (DH) 12-3 Win, 7-3 Win Baseball vs. Lee (DH) 10-2 Loss, 4-3 Win

March 12

Baseball vs. Lee 8-1 Loss Softball vs. Lee 16-5 Win Tennis vs. West Alabama 5-3 Loss (W), 5-2 Win (M)

March 13

Tennis vs. Alabama State 6-1 Loss (W), 4-3 Win (M)

UPCOMING

Baseball

March 19-20 at West Alabama March 23 at Alabama A&M (DH) March 25-26 vs. Delta State

Golf

March 13-15 First Federal Southeastern Collegiate Tournament Valdosta, Georgia

Softball

March 19-20 at West Alabama March 25-26 vs. Delta State

Tennis

March 18 at Rhodes College March 21 vs. Mississippi College

Games continued at roarlions.com

photo courtesy of Sports Information

Senior outfielder Courtney Shields (left) receives advice from coach Ashley Cozart during a 14-5 mercy-rule win over West Florida March 6. Cozart picked up her 100th win as the Lions’ head coach.

See COZART, page 13

SPORTS 13

March 17, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

Golf team receives high rank XAVIER WHERRY Staff Writer xwherry@una.edu

The Bushnell Golfweek Division II Coaches Poll ranked the UNA golf team No. 15 Feb. 19, giving the Lions a strong starting point to the spring portion of the 2015-16 season.

With high expectations heading into the second half, the team hopes to end as well, if not better, than it started, said UNA golf coach Jason Vaughn.

Vaughn said he wants to focus on fundamentals and not let the high rank inflate his team’s ego.

“We don’t talk much about our rank,” he said. “The big thing I want them to focus on are the small things, such as chipping, putting and trying to find ways to improve their competitive side, especially in practice.”

Along with improving the fundamentals, Vaughn said he hopes his team will work to avoid landing the bunker.

“It’s one thing we’re going to work on,” he said. “We need to get our save percentage higher and improve on our par 5.”

The high ranking gives insight to how others think the team is doing, but does not matter much to the team itself, said junior Forrest Knight, a Division II PING second-team All-American last spring.

Knight, who had the team’s top numbers last season, had a rough start this season, he said.

“I didn’t play well (last fall),” Knight said. “I could improve on everything.

Golf is 90 percent mental. I have to do better.”

The team opened the spring season at the Division II South/Southeast Regional Preview Tournament Feb. 29, finishing 12th out of 18 against the nation’s top teams. Vaughn said the Regional Preview showed the Lions team could enhance its skills on the green.

“One thing I noticed over the first tournament was we needed to improve our short game work and putting, along with par 3 and par 5 scoring,” Vaughn said.

Senior Michael Peter finished 29th place in the tournament. Junior Austin Sparks jumped off to a strong start on day one, but fell behind and finished 35th with a 231 score.

“I started off fine and played pretty well,” Sparks said. “I had a share of the lead at the halfway point and, unfortunately, fell apart after that.”

Sparks, who struggled to make events last year, said hard work has improved his game immensely.

“This year, I focused on a few swing changes,” he said. “I focused on the mental game and short game big time this offseason.”

As with any outside sport, the weather can play a factor in a team’s success. With warmer weather on the way, Vaughn said he aspires for positive results.

“With the weather we’ve had, it’s been tough to get out, but with (weather)

AMANDALYN DORNER I Staff Photographer

Junior Austin Sparks practices his swing before teeing-off at the TVA Community Credit Union Invitational Oct. 20. The team is looking forward to end as well or better than they did in the fall, said coach Jason Vaughn.

improving week-by-week, it’s important for us to get out there and improve on some things,” he said.

Warmer weather helps a golfer hit better drives, but the golfer must be able to adapt mentally, Vaughn said.

“The ball definitely travels further in warmer weather as opposed to cooler weather,” he said. “However, a change

in weather can really change how you hit the ball, so you have to mentally be strong.”

UNA’s next event is the Bobcat Invitational Tournament in Eatonton, Georgia, March 21-22. Georgia College and State University will host the tournament.

Hero Sports honors Lions for basketball tradition MIKE EZEKIEL

Sports Editor sports@florala.net

Hero Sports, a sports media website, voted UNA’s men’s basketball tradition the best in the state of Alabama.

Based on winning percentage in the last five seasons, National Championships and Final Four appearances since 1975, the website considered UNA the most qualified for the title, according to herosports.com.

Since its establishment in 1932, the men’s basketball team has claimed two

national championships, five Final Four appearances and nine NCAA tournament entries. UNA became the first team in the state to win a national championship in the 1978-79 season.

“I think it speaks to the tradition of the school and the athletic department,” said UNA coach Bobby Champagne. “(With) the tradition that Coach (Bill) Jones and Coach (Gary) Elliot laid with the national championships, we’ve consistently been pretty successful.”

Other qualifications include NCAA tournament appearances since 2000 and individual coaching and player accolades.

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The Lions outlasted Alabama teams from every collegiate level, including Division I schools such as Alabama, Auburn, Alabama-Birmingham, South Alabama and Jacksonville State. UNA also beat its two in-state rivals, AlabamaHuntsville and West Alabama.

“I know there are a couple of teams in the state that’s trying to gain on us, but they have a ways to go before they get two national championships,” Champagne said. “When you see that UNA logo on that map, it makes you proud.”

Champagne, who completed his 13th season as UNA head coach this year,

COZART, continued from page 12 One of Cozart’s strong suits is her ability to adapt to her players and their styles, said senior infielder Harlie Barkley.

“Cozart isn’t really the type of coach to change how any of us play the game,” Barkley said. “I think that helps her be a successful coach, but I think she has helped me be a better player mentally.”

Carpenter said Cozart trusting her has improved her pitching ability.

“She has helped me so much, especially by always having so much confidence in me,” Carpenter said.

credited his predecessors for building the tradition he is continuing.

“I’m happy to be the guy that gets to carry the torch,” he said. “Until it’s my time to pass it on to somebody else, I hope we can uphold the tradition.”

The team separating itself from the bigger Division I schools was a pleasant shock for many, including upcoming senior guard DeAndre McKinnie.

“When I saw that, I was very surprised,” McKinnie said.

To read the rest of this story, visit florala.net.

“When she first came to UNA, I was a freshman, and she came in with so much confidence in me. That has helped me these last three years to really have confidence in myself and in my pitches.”

Barkley said Cozart is a reserved coach, taking pressure off the players.

“At practice, we get work done but it’s fairly laid back as well,” Barkley said.

“She’ll also help anybody with drills or anything they need help with. I feel like her being that way helps everybody stay calm and play well. It also makes the game a lot more fun.”

Cozart and the Lions remain on the road for a second straight weekend, taking on rival West Alabama in a threegame series March 19-20 in Livingston.

UNA’S 1ST ANNUAL DIVERSITY 14 SPORTS

March 17, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

EDUCATION WEEK A SUCCESS!!

1EVGL XL—1EVGL XL UNA’s 3JJMGI SJ (MZIVWMX] ERH -RWXMXYXMSREP )UYMX] 3(-) LP SOHPHQWHG DQ RSSRUWXQLW\ IRU WKH FDPSXV DQG FRPPXQLW\ WR SDUWLFLSDWH LQ DQ HQWLUH ZHHN WR SURPRWH LQWHUFXOWXUDO DZDUHQHVV XQGHUVWDQGLQJ DQG UHVSHFW 7KH WKHPH IRU WKH ZHHN ZDV “Turning our Differences into Strengths�. 7KHUH ZHUH ZRUNVKRSV JURXS GLVFXVVLRQV ILOP DQG IRRG (YHQWV ZHUH VSRQVRUHG E\ YDULRXV GHSDUWPHQWV ODIE leads the campus’s strategic efforts to advance diversity, inclusion and equity.

Students eating lunch and talking with people they don’t normally eat with at the “Mix It Up Lunch�

Over 100 faculty, staff & students participated. “STATE OF BEING HIUMAN’ SCREENING WITH IRISH FILMMAKER, DAVID MERRIMAN ON CAMPUS. FILM FEATURED JUSTICE MOORE

International Affairs hosted the International Cultural Experience. Students shared traditional clothing, food, teas and dance from various countries.

Dr. Stollman from the University of Mississippi lead diversity workshops for faculty, staff and students.

Jessica Pettitt, Social Justice educator from California engaged students, faculty staff and Res Life staff in GLBT discussions.

Go to www.una.edu/diversity or GUC 209 or odie@una.edu for more information.

Advancing Diversity is Everybody’s Responsibility-Get involved!

EXTRA 15

March 17, 2016 • The Flor-Ala

Thurs., March 17

ST. PATRICK’S DAY 11 a.m. — 1 p.m.

UNA Wellness Day GUC Atrium 3 — 4 p.m.

Active Minds Stone Lodge (Lower) 4 — 5:30 p.m.

Circle K Stone Lodge (Upper) 7:30 p.m.

Good People George S. Lindsey Theatre

Fri., March 18 7:30 p.m.

Good People George S. Lindsey Theatre

Sat., March 19 8:30 a.m.

Spring Preview Day 7 — 10 p.m.

Alpha Gents Academy Ball GUC Banquet Halls 7:30 p.m.

Good People George S. Lindsey Theatre

The Flor-Ala file photo

Justin Barnett and Will Martin serve hotdogs at the Well Campus Cookout March 2015. This year’s event is March 21 at the Memorial Amphitheater.

Sun., March 20 2 p.m.

Good People George S. Lindsey Theatre 6 — 8 p.m.

Pinky Promise Stone Lodge (Lower) 8 — 9:30 p.m.

ENCOUNTER Stone Lodge (Upper)

Mon., March 21 10:30 a.m. — 1 p.m.

The Well Campus Cookout Memorial Amphitheater 1 p.m.

Men’s Tennis Mississippi College Florence 1 p.m.

Women’s Tennis Mississippi College Florence

3:30 — 5:15 p.m.

SGA Meeting GUC 200 4 — 7 p.m.

4th Annual Easter Egg Hunt Memorial Amphitheater 5 — 6 p.m.

College Democrats Meeting Commons 307 7 p.m.

Light the Fountain Harrison Plaza Fountain 7:30 p.m.

UNA Bands: Honor Above All Concert Norton Auditorium 8 — 10 p.m.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes Commons 307

Tues., March 22 11 a.m. — 1 p.m.

UNA Army ROTC 5k Camo Run Registration Table GUC 4:30 — 5:30 p.m.

Hispanic Culture Organization Stone Lodge (Upper)

Wed., March 23 11 a.m. — 2 p.m.

Wind Down Wednesday Memorial Amphitheater 4:30 — 6 p.m.

SAFE Stone Lodge (Upper) 6 — 7 p.m.

JUMP! Stone Lodge (Upper) 8 — 9:30 p.m.

ENCOUNTER Stone Lodge (Upper)

16 EXTRA

SOCIAL MEDIA OF THE WEEK

March 17, 2016 • The Flor-Ala