November 10, 2011
Volume 80 No. 12
www.FlorAla.net
Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama
Will he stay or will he go?
UNA Police take part in foot chase through campus
Football coach Terry Bowden faces scrutiny after recent losses @UNAFlorAla @FlorAlaSports
A LOOK INSIDE
Zeta Tau Alpha hosts breast cancer awareness events. See page 3
Professional poets visit campus and perform for students. See page 10
Robert Livingston’s daredevil stunt plans to raise money for cancer awareness. See page 5
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Former Lions football player Robert Steele plans to donate money to the Division I move. See page 8
sibly missing the playoffs with one game to go against Valdosta State. “We have been in tough ball games all year, and we are a couple plays away from still being unbeaten,” Bowden said. “You don’t let pressure you can’t control play in our minds. What we can control is how we play in our games.” Some people be-
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While many UNA fans hope for a win against Valdosta State during the final regular season game this Saturday, some speculate whether head football coach Terry Bowden’s job could be on the line if the team loses and misses its chance to go to the playoffs. That decision has popped into minds of students and fans ever since the Lions fell to West Alabama two weeks ago. The loss alone put the Lions in deep water just to make the post-season, and fans on Facebook and Twitter already started groups calling for Coach Bowden’s job. Since the Lions won three straight national championships through the 1993-95 seasons, expectations to win at UNA are as big as it gets in Division II, as past coaches Bobby Wallace and Mark Hudspeth built the Lions into photo by Malisa McClure an elite program. Terry Bowden instructs players at the West Georgia game Nov. 5 “Expectations are extremely high here at UNA, and fans expect nothing less than wins and o f f to a hot start with a win in lieve the team has underachieved so playing for championships,” said Cowboys Stadium against peren- far and should be better. “There have been a few times senior quarterback Lee Chapple. nial power Abilene Christian and received a No.1 ranking. The Lions not only this year that the outcome “Coach Bowden and Coach Hudthen fell to No. 2 Delta State and lost should have come out different, and, speth before him have built those to rival West Alabama in consecuwith this team, it’s unacceptable,” expectations here at UNA.” In Bowden’s first year at UNA, tive weeks, opening the door to pos;MM *7?,-6 XIOM
UNA Police encountered an unruly foot chase through the university campus Nov. 4 during a routine traffic stop on Pine Street, according to officials. Officer Jeff Clifton with UNA Police stopped a vehicle that was speeding on Pine Street at approximately 5:45 p.m. Po- Javon Alexander lice said Javon Alexander, the passenger of the vehicle, had what appeared to be marijuana remnants on his T-shirt at the time of the traffic stop. “I had him exit (the vehicle),” Clifton said. “When he did, he acted as though he was going to cooperate but quickly tried to run. I grabbed hold of him and we fell to the ground, injuring my left knee. He broke free and ran north.” After Clifton requested help from campus and local police officers, Alexander was discovered and arrested near UNA’s practice field. An ambulance was called shortly after because the suspect had allegedly injured his hands on several fences and swallowed
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Officials still undecided on new hospital location 2W[P ;SIOO[ IVL 4]Ka *MZZa .TWZ )TI -LQ\WZ[ NTWZITI(]VI ML]
Shoals Yoga provides a healthy outlet for collegiate stress and anxiety. See page 5
the Lions lost a lot of players on the offensive side of the ball, and not much was expected from the team. Bowden, however, coached the Lions to a 11-2 record and a birth to the Division II quarterfinals. The following year, the Lions were in another rebuilding period with a new quarterback and a revamped defense, and the Lions took a step back, going 9-4 and making it to the second round in the playoffs. Coming into this season with players returning from last season, including Chapple as quarterback, the entire core of running backs, and plenty of highrated Division I prospects, expectations at UNA couldn’t have been higher. The Lions got
four-lane highway, whether it will be passed by the Environmental Protection Agency and more.
use the new regional medical center in the Shoals instead of going to Huntsville for treatment.
Ongoing discussions as to where the new RegionalCare medical center location will be have taken place during the past few weeks and members of the UNA community believe the location will greatly impact students. The new 550,000-square-foot regional medical center, which could be located in either Lauderdale or Colbert counties, will consume 80 acres of land and cost $250 million. Chief Executive OfImage courtesy of Michelle Eubanks/Shoals Hospital ficer Ross Berry with Shoals Hos- The projected image of the new regional medical center. pital said the center will create apNo matter its location, the new Although UNA has a health cenproximately 4,500 new jobs during regional medical center will offer a ter on campus, the center does not the construction of the hospital, and larger variety of doctors, including have extended hours or emergency continue retention of those jobs durspecialists and non-specialists, for room operations. The Health and ing the first 5-7 years of its opening. UNA students and members of the Wellness Center on campus offers Berry said officials have to meet Shoals community. a variety of services to students, several criteria in order to secure Berry said students who need including the treatment of shorta location for the new hospital, inemergency services will be able to term illnesses, treatment of minor cluding finding 80 acres of land, a
injuries, referrals to specialists, basic physical exams and many other services. “UNA students have an excellent and comprehensive student health center on campus that provides a lot of things that most universities do not provide,” said David Shields, vice president for student affairs. “On campus, we are fortunate we have an excellent and dynamic staff; however we have a hospital less than a mile from our campus.” Right now, Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital is a few blocks from campus, and having it further from the university will create issues for students, Shields said. “I think having a hospital far from the campus creates problems for our students,” Shields said. “It’s not a far distance, it just creates
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Thursday, November 10, 2011 • The Flor-Ala
News Briefs Military deployment hits close to home, campus 2WZLIV *ZILTMa
SGA plans rock wall SGA recently announced its intention to purchase a rock wall for students to use on campus. Members of SGA have been working on spending money that was left over after the university’s plans to purchase the Florence Golf and Country Club fell through. Senators have been discussing possible options for the rock wall and other additional things the organization could purchase. The proposed rock wall will be located in the Student Recreation Center and will be available for students, ROTC and other members of the UNA community to use. Look for a complete story with more information in next week’s edition of The Flor-Ala.
Purple Reign winner announced Florence Eye Center was announced as last week’s Purple Reign Week winner. The business won the first place spot for their participation in the university’s spirt competition. Second place went to Frostbite and Montagu’s; both businesses are located in Florence. The winners of the competition received tickets to Saturday’s football game against the University of West Georgia and also had breakfast delivered by members of the UNA coaching staff. The announcement was made at the pep rally last Friday that was sponsored by SunTrust Bank and Hampton Inn and Suites.
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Approximately 500 Alabama National Guard soldiers from the 115th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, stationed in Florence, were deployed Oct. 30 to begin training and then missions in Afghanistan. Among the troops who left for training at Fort Louis, Wash., were several members of the community, university and families of UNA students, who now are waiting for their family members to leave for Afghanistan. “I’m not as concerned as why they’re over there, but it’s my family over there,” said Samantha Gross, a UNA junior and daughter of Sgt. First Class Darren Gross of the 115th. “The troops are my family. They aren’t just stick figures.
”We donʼt ever forget
heʼs over there, but you just have to maintain normalcy of your life.”
-Lacy Triplett “It’s one of those things that is ingrained in (military families). A lot of people have different reasons for what they believe we’re fighting. For me, it’s my dad over there.” According to the Alabama National Guard’s official announcement, the 115th Expeditionary Signal Battalion was called in to active duty to support Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, to help units throughout the country with information and communication technologies and support. The members of the 115th Battalion will join the more than 17,000 personnel from
photo by Kayla Sloan
UNA ROTC students conduct drills and other exercises. Many ROTC students at UNA will end up being leaders in local military groups like the 115th Battalion out of Florence.
the Alabama National Guard who have joined active duty since operations in the Middle East began after 9/11. “We don’t ever forget he’s over there, but you just have to maintain normalcy of your life,” said Lacy Triplett, a senior at UNA majoring in journalism and Spanish, about her father First Sgt. Robbie Triplett of the 115th Battalion. “We might actually get to talk to him more with recent things like Skype.” Innovations like Skype and other advances in technology are looking to make Sgt. Triplett’s second deployment overseas a different affair than his first deployment seven years ago, but, for Lacy Triplett, it could either be a good or bad thing. “We kind of know a little bit more now,” she said. “We’re more aware. Whether that’s a good thing, I don’t know.”
According to Gross, the community around the families with members stationed overseas is strong, to the point that both her mom and Triplett’s mom were in the same family readiness training group, though Triplett and Gross had never met each other. “Sunday was the first time we actually got to meet each other,” Gross said. “It feels good knowing that I can go to her and tell her when it’s going rough. We’re in the same boat.” With this being her father’s second deployment as well, Gross has an idea of what she and other families can do to keep living a normal life. “We firmly believe positive things happen to positive people,” Gross said. “It doesn’t guarantee everything is going to go my way, but it helps me sleep better at night.”
SGA passes budget Students recycle, bring awareness to recycling programs The UNA SGA passed its budget last week for the 2011-2012 budget year during its weekly meeting. SGA President Ralph Akalonu suggested to senators and other members of the executive council earlier in the year to hold off on passing the budget for upcoming renovations. The renovations Akalonu was hoping to budget for are set to be done to the SGA’s new offices in the GUC. Money was set aside in the budget, totaling approximately $7,000 and are expected to pay for HVAC units, upgrades and other needed improvements to the new offices that SGA plans to move into. Dollars were taken from various items in the budget in order to pay for the renovations. Now that SGA has passed this budget, the organization can move forward with the renovations.
Do you have an event that you would like to see featured in The Flor-Ala? E-mail florala@una.edu.
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UNA’s SGA hopes to give students a new perspective on recycling. “Recycling is not as hard as you think it is if you have the tools to do it,” said SGA President Ralph Akalonu. “It’s just putting trash in a different bin so that those items can be recycled.” UNA has been recycling for years, but without much student involvement. The SGA hopes to involve students by educating them on how to recycle. “People know about recycling, but they don’t know how to do it or believe that it is a hassle, when actually it is really easy,” Akalonu said. UNA student Michelle Gordy is passionate about recycling and believes others would recycle if they had a better understanding of it. “Some may think that recycling takes up too much time, but in actuality it only takes three or four seconds to recycle; all you have to do is take the initiative,” she said. Gordy believes that students should also look at the benefits of recycling. “Most college students are on a budget of some sort,” she said. “Recycling can help cut some of your costs. For instance, if you carry a reusable water bottle instead of buying canned or bottled drinks, it’s cheaper and helps the environment. I have also started carrying my lunch in a lunch box instead of brown bags.” The SGA has partnered with UNA and the Florence Recycling Center to bring recycling equipment to UNA. Students should
begin to see the equipment on campus next semester. The SGA is also holding a recycling program Nov. 15, which is National Recycling Day. Attendees will receive information on how to recycle and how to use the new recycling equipment. The SGA hopes that the new equipment will encourage more students to recycle, such as UNA student Rachel Mashburn. Like many students, Mashburn does not recycle because she does not have the resources. “Now that I have moved, I don’t have a clue of where to go (to recycle), so I don’t,” she said. “I would love to do something better
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Thursday, November 10, 2011 • The Flor-Ala
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ZTA hosts Pink Week, raises awareness for breast cancer Officials say breast cancer will affect one in eight women throughout their lives *Ta\PM ;\MMTUIV
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The Eta Rho chapter of Zeta Tau Alpha recently hosted its fourth annual Pink Week Oct. 31-Nov. 4. Pink Week, established on campus by the chapter in 2007, is held every year to help educate and raise awareness about breast cancer, which is the sorority’s national philanthropy. “Pink Week is good because it helps raise awareness about breast cancer,” said Jill Glover, a sister of Zeta. “One in eight women are affected by breast cancer over the course of their life, and our main goal is to educate people and raise awareness to encourage women to try to catch it early,” she said. “It’s preventable
if caught early, and women need to be aware of that.” The sorority partnered with downtown Florence’s First Fridays to host their Pink Party at Mobile Plaza Friday, Nov. 4. Moon Dance, a native Alabama band, performed, and the ZTA sisters sold T-shirts and pink bows to students and members of the community. “One of the biggest things about Pink Week is bringing the community in with the campus,” said Jennie Sun, president
”We really just want to make everyone in the Florence community aware of this cause.”
-Jennie Sun
photos by Darrick Dawkins of ZTA at UNA. “We really just want to Sisters of Zeta Tau Alpha host the Pink Party in Mobile Plaza. ZTA hosted the event in make everyone in the Florence community aware of this cause. And that’s really what conjunction with the UNA-themed November First Friday. The sorority gave out pink lemonade and other items to people at the event. it all comes down to—awareness.” Fraternity brothers at UNA participated tion to having the most links for the chain sisters also distributed pink doughnuts to in Pink Week by decorating their houses link competition, while Kappa Sigma took faculty and staff members Friday, Nov. 4. and competing in the yogurt eating contest home first place in the yogurt eating conat the Pink Party. There was also a chain test. link competition among the fraternities, In addition to the Pink Party, the chapwhere brothers purchased chain links from ter sold Hershey’s Kisses and handed out Members of Zeta Tau Alpha participate the sorority all week long. pink lemonade, key chains and other pink in the annual Pink Party Nov. 4 at Mobile The brothers of Alpha Tau Omega won paraphernalia to students on campus. The Plaza. Each year, the sorority hosts events the overall Pink Week competition, in addithat raise funds for the Susan B. Komen
Visit florala.net to see more photos from ZTAʼs event
Foundation.
Thursday, November 10, 2011 • The Flor-Ala
Viewpoints
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PAWS UP, PAWS DOWN
Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama LUCY BERRY EXECUTIVE EDITOR JOSH SKAGGS NEWS/MANAGING EDITOR ANDY THIGPEN LIFE EDITOR TOMMY BOLTON SPORTS EDITOR ALEX LINDLEY COPY/OPINION EDITOR JORDAN BRADLEY ONLINE EDITOR DEVIN KENNAMER AD MANAGER SAVANNAH COMER GRAPHIC ARTIST EVAN KING CIRCULATION MGR MALISA McCLURE CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER KAYLA SLOAN BARRY MINOR DARRICK DAWKINS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS REBECCA WALKER ADVISER
EDITORIAL BOARD: LUCY BERRY ALEX LINDLEY
Letters Policy The Flor-Ala welcomes and encourages Letters to the Editor. • 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 writer’s name, mailing address, phone number and e-mail. • 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 Editor’s Note may accompany a letter. • Address correspondence to The Flor-Ala. UNA Box 5300, Florence, AL 35632. E-mail: florala@una.edu. Letters may also be submitted through our website at florala.net. • Phone: 256-765-4364
Copyright © 2011 The Flor-Ala All rights reserved. First copy free. Additional copies $1 each.
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Calling it like we see it at UNA, in the Shoals, across the state and around the world Two UNA senior football players, quarterback Lee Chapple, of Alpharetta, Ga., and linebacker Tommie Westbrook, of Chicago, have been chosen as Gulf South Conference Football Players of the Week. This is Chapple’s second award this season, while Westbrook is the second UNA linebacker to receive the honor this season.
UNA provides unique opportunities Over the weekend, I had the fessional and student. privilege of being on campus for UNA has provided me an Preview Day, and it really opened opportunity at The Flor-Ala, my eyes to how proud I am to be which I would not have been able a student at UNA. to get at a larger institution. The I was so surprised at how paper and the experience it has much school spirit I felt over given me will be an experience I the weekend with all the guests will never be able to repay. Being we had on campus. I caninvolved in the paper has not express how much I love given me the chance to being a part of the UNA commeet with the president munity. Just talking to proof this university, the spective students and parents president of the Student this weekend made me feel Government Association a sense of gratitude for what and many other campus UNA has done for my life. leaders that many I know I have said this 2W[P ;SIOO[ students rarely get 6M_[ -LQ\WZ in the past, but the UNA R[SIOO[(]VI ML] to interact with. community has so much to Yes, I do cover be proud of. UNA has an awe- some controversial things at UNA some international student base, a that do not always show UNA in really diverse student body and an a good light, but I still love this awesome group of professors and university and what it does for the staff members who really care community and the students who about students. attend it. Not only has UNA given me a Furthermore, seeing high place to receive a quality educa- school students and other protion, but it has also given me a spective students light up at the chance to grow as a person, pro- sight of Leo III and Una really
gave me a second wind of school spirit that I once had as a freshman here. I started out attending UNA working a retail job, which was inevitably a dead-end job, and now that I work on campus and at the paper, I have a new appreciation for the university community. I cannot explain how awesome it is to be involved in the university and its future. Being involved in the ever-evolving UNA community is such an amazing experience for me and will one day be a priceless opportunity that I will not know how to repay. If there was one bit of advice I could give to fellow and prospective students, it would be to get involved on campus and get involved early. I have written many stories about the prospective job market over my nearly two years at the paper, and so many people say that it’s not what you learn while you are in college, it is what you do with your time while you are in college.
University enacts Hats for Frats initiative Years of sloppily dressed stu- fad so as to get the best job possible. Also, have you been dents and apathetically styled on a D-I campus? Why do hair led UNA to push through you think Alabama is so its long feared “Hats for Frats” initiative. Students seemed good at football? reluctant at first to take up the As with most rules that the university implements, proposal, but now “a Polo hat is about as easy to spot as a they become faced with some criticism hipster at Einstein Bagels,” 5IKS +WZV_MTT says freshman Brandon +WT]UVQ[\ or rebellion. B a r r y Pennington. UNA always UKWZV_MTT(]VI ML] Minor, an strives to own up to its progressive reputation, and being the Alpha Tau Omega brother, stood first public university to enforce a up for his rights as “a fricken hat code is just another step in the ‘merican.” “The man can’t keep me down D-I transition. There is no confusing this new and tell me what I can and can implantation on behalf of the UNA not put on my body!” Minor said staff as suppressive or a form of before he walked away—of course, censorship. not before sliding on his Kavu “The university just wants to visor and making sure his Costas challenge UNA Greeks to work were secured on his neck in case their picking skills, e.g. to see the dramatic glare of the lights in which color Ralph Lauren baseball the GUC became too much. cap they will choose today,” said The new RSO UNA officials. WFERBAMN,TIBB (Women UNA would like all students to for Equal Rights by Any Means leave the school with the ability to Necessary, That Includes Bra conform to whatever is the present Burning) are outraged by the new
dress code. A representative of the club came from their picketing line outside the GUC and asked me, “Who does UNA think they are? No person who actually believes in progressive society would implement a dress code.” The group is standing up to the ruling by wearing their bras on the outside of their shirts and encourages no staff to accept a paycheck until the rule is changed. The university recognized that it might have been unfair in singling out members of fraternities with a dress code. UNA plans to work with the growing hipster community to up their game. A wardrobe consultant from Billy Reid as been hired to help the students spend two hours every morning putting together an outfit that looks like they threw it on five minutes before jumping on their bike to class. This is, of course, a dramatization.
Letter to the Editor: Distasteful comment is unacceptable Dear Editor, Recently, it has come to my attention that a member of an organization on campus sent a distasteful text to some of the group’s members. The individual called a student, who also works in an office on campus, a “tacky fag.” It really upsets me that such a comment would be made by someone who is a leader on campus, someone who should be held to a higher standard and set a better example. It’s sad that while society is trying to progress and put an end to discrimination based on sexuality, that one of our own would make UNA look so primal. I am disappointed and would hope the individual feels shameful for such a poor decision and makes a personal and/or public apology due to those actions. Sincerely, Zachary R. Rose UNA student
Congrats!
UNA students Ashley Vickers and Jacob Wallace have been named staff writers for The Flor-Ala. Congratulations to Jacob Wallace and Chris Pennie for writing last week’s stories of the week!
Thursday, November 10, 2011 • The Flor-Ala
Life
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Taking cancer awareness to new heights
photo courtesy of Heidi King
Robert Livingston stands on Mobile Street in downtown Florence. On Nov. 14, Livingston will be dangling above the street in a straight jacket, performing a stunt that will help raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
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A local magician will dangle 50 feet in the air and attempt to break free from a straight jacket on Nov. 14 at 4:30 p.m. over Mobile Street in downtown Florence for the first time in area history. Rob Livingston will be performing this stunt to help raise money for the Leukemia
and Lymphoma Society. The stunt is free to attend, but donations will be accepted. Outback Steakhouse has partnered with Livingston and will provide certificates for free Bloomin’ Onions for those who attend. UNA’s combo band will also be at the event to play live music. People are encouraged to attend early to try on the regulation straight jacket Livingston will be escaping from.
Stress free lifestyle found in yoga
photo by Brittany Johnson
Danielle Snoddy, founder and owner of Shoals Yoga, sits in the Virasana, or the Hero, pose.
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The walls reflected in the full-length wall mirror are a tranquil ocean blue. In the peaceful Shoals Yoga studio at Seven Points, Danielle Snoddy sits bright-eyed and barefoot, explaining the benefits of
yoga. “It’s a really heart-opening practice,” Snoddy said. “The vibration it creates vibrates all of the cells in the body. It’s very powerful.” She is talking specifically about the practice known as “kirtan,” which is a form of devotional yoga in which participants chant mantras accompanied by instruments. Tim Jordan, a leader in bhakti, or devotional, yoga led attendees in what was, according to Snoddy, the Shoals area’s first ever kirtan last Wednesday. Although kirtan is a special event at the studio, the practice of yoga is a daily act for Snoddy. Since the opening of the Shoals Yoga Studio in July of 2010, Snoddy has gotten a good amount of support from the community, but she hasn’t seen as many college students. “Most of my students are older,” Snoddy said. “I have a lot of professors who come. A lot of the publicity has been word of mouth. I wanted it to grow organically, and it has.” Snoddy began her yoga practice while attending Auburn University. She believes that the key to yoga is what could help college students in their day-to-day routine: balance. “It will help (college students) balance
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“I’ve tried other straight jackets before that were easier,” said Livingston, the magician who also is earning his degrees in music education and film production at UNA. “This one is up to date. No magician has really used this type before.” Livingston has been performing magic for three years and has made appearances at several high schools and venues around Florence. He has also met with profession-
als to better learn his craft. “I have actually met ‘The Amazing Michael,’ who has set the record for escaping this type of straight jacket, and he gave me hints on how to work it out myself,” he said. Livingston bought this type of straight jacket, called a Posey, from a medical supply warehouse seven months ago. He has only escaped six times while hanging upside down. “I’m basically risking my life to help save people,” he said. The biggest difference in this type of jacket from the ones Houdini used are the addition of friction belts that lock in place at any position. They are also harder to break. Livingston has faced hardships that have encouraged him to help those in need. Both his father and stepmother passed away from lung cancer. His aunt has been diagnosed with breast cancer, but she is currently in remission. Livingston first approached the American Cancer Society with his fundraising idea, but was rejected because they found the stunt to be too dangerous. With the help of family friend Mary Cox, who is an associate for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Livingston was able to arrange the event. UNA students are thankful for Livingston’s involvement with raising money for cancer. “Having had many family members suffer and die from cancer, I always appreciate those who use their skills to raise money to help fight cancer,” said Josh Oglesby, a physics major at UNA. The event will last approximately one hour and will be moved to Nov. 21 if inclement weather occurs.
Tom Waits recreates old style on new album
photo courtesy of Jesse Dylan
Tom Waits’ musical history has spanned several decades. In his new album, he reflects back on all those that might be as “bad as him.”
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Tom Waits, the king of underground singer-songwriters, returns with “Bad as Me,” his 20th album in a career spanning almost 40 years. Drawing on such a length of time, the album’s sound smartly sums up Waits’ stylistic changes over the past few decades.
“Bad as Me” is a rare musical jewel—a carefully crafted piece of work that makes the listener wonder, “How does he keep coming up with new ideas after all this time?” The simplest answer is that he finds new combinations of his influences. Traces of music legends, such as Elvis, Buddy Holly, Louis Armstrong and Screamin’ Jay
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Thursday, November 10, 2011 • The Flor-Ala
Football is like religion By Darrick Dawkins - Staff Photographer - ddawkins@una.edu Sportscasters on ESPN were discussing the big LSU vs. Alabama game that took place Saturday night in Tuscaloosa, and each described the feeling in T-Town, as with other SEC games, as being nearly religious in nature. One actually quoted excerpts from the Ezekiel 20:29: “Then I said to them: What is this high place you go to?” (It is called Bamah to this day.) Like religion is to church, there is a culture built around football in the SEC. Steeped in the winning history of Bear Bryant, and even the struggles and accomplishments of other
legendary SEC coaches, all of these men are held in high esteem, much like those who serve at the pulpit. The fans, like faithful followers, gather weekly to show support for their iconic teams, and the players, who, not unlike the quire, have practiced tirelessly to entertain the crowd. Like your spiritual life, your passion for your team in the South is very much a family event and much of the togetherness and fellowship comes from sharing joyously in the preparation. There are special meals, beverag-
es, ceremonial clothes and jewelry. Some portion of the animal kingdom is held in high esteem by each of the SEC teams. Alabama fans actually have their own iconic houndstooth pattern that flows onto all kinds of stuff. And basically, each game is like a great sermon telling a powerful story. There is always the “take away” or “lesson learned” with each loss or win. Humility, graciousness, need for a better kicker … whatever it is, you can feel inspired by being a fan.
To view more photos from this series, visit our site at florala.net
Thursday, November 10, 2011 • The Flor-Ala
)::-;< KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM some marijuana, said Clifton. Alexander is charged with receiving stolen property, possession of drug paraphernalia, reckless endangerment, second-degree marijuana possession, tampering with physical evidence, resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance and carrying a firearm with no permit. “Officer Montgomery searched his jacket and discovered a loaded Ruger 380 caliber pistol with a round chamber,” Clifton said. “He also found an Rx bottle with 10 pieces of what appeared to be crack cocaine.” Alexander was released from jail on a $7,500 bond.
:-+A+4- KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM with my plastics and cardboard boxes. If UNA had several bins located in many different locations, such as a few in each building, I absolutely would recycle.” The SGA has made recycling a long-term goal by adding it to its fiveyear plan. They hope to push recycling each year as new students come to UNA. They are already going paperless at meetings and making event posters out of old cardboard. “We’ve taken it upon ourselves within the SGA not only to be a catalyst, but to lead by example,” Akalonu said.
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photo by Malisa McClure
Terry Bowden at the football game Nov. 5. Mark Linder said officials will make a decision on whether to renew or not renew Bowden’s contract at UNA at the end of the football season.
*7?,-6 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM said junior computer information systems major Chris Reece. “It seems like at times Coach Bowden is unable to get the best out of his players like a top-notch coach should be able to do,” he said. Once the season ends, Athletic Director Mark Linder will be left with a decision to renew Bowden’s contract or go in a different direction. “I meet with the coaching staff two weeks after the season, and we will talk about the previous year, where are we currently and how we can improve,” Linder said. “Every season has highs and lows for coaches, and in this sports business, there is always room for improvement. We try to put the best resources out there for our coaches to succeed.” Bowden and the Lions still have a chance to make the most out of the season by winning the next game and advancing in the post-season. “We have heard some of the chatter from fans, but there is nothing we can do but go out and perform,” Chapple said. “Who knows? We could win the rest of the games, including the championship, and people will forget about all of this.”
some challenges.” Shields said the distance at any other location not only creates issues for students, but it can also keep them from seeking additional treatment. “If students are referred (to a hospital that is far from campus), the distance can keep them from going there,” he said. Shields said the largphotos by Darrick Dawkins est group of students that will suffer from the hospi- David Shields believes the new hospital, if it’s not tal possibly being further located in Lauderdale County, will negatively impact from campus will be the students. international students that campus. attend UNA. “It’s the after hours, emergency type “(Most international students) don’t things where we are going to see the have cars,” he said. “It’s going to create most challenges,” Shields said. a challenge for us, for our students, and its going to create a significant challenge for our international students.” Shields said the location of the hospital would acutely affect the international students on
Workers at ECM Hospital work in the emergency room.
Congratulations to John Maner Grand Prize Winner of $3,500 in UNA Tuition HALFTIME WINNERS John MANER Central Oklahoma Halftime Winner
Katherine VANDIVER Glenville State Halftime Winner
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Sports
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Player of the week
Thursday, November 10, 2011 • The Flor-Ala
Former UNA football player helps with D-1 5ITQ[I 5K+T]ZM
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Nikki Brown
Hometown: Bognor Regis, England Major: Physical Education Position: Midfielder Stats: She had three goals and one assist in the GSC tournament Championship game to help the Lions capture the conference title.
Week At A Glance
Volleyball When: Friday, TBA Saturday, TBA Where: W h Pensacola, Fla. Who: GSC Tournament Who
Soccer When: Friday, 2 p.m. Where: R Rollins College Who: Tampa Winner plays Sunday against again host Rollins College at 11 a.m. Col
Football When: W Wh en: Saturday - 1 p.m. Where: Away Whe Who: Wh W o: Valdosta Valdo State
Robert Steele, former Lions receiver, will donate proceeds from his recently published “Steele Here: An Underdog’s Secret to Success” to the UNA Division I move. Steele, who played for the Lions from 1974-77, later went on to play for the Dallas Cowboys in 1978 and the Minnesota Vikings in 1979. In 1978, he was the only one of 80 free agents to make the World Champion Cowboys team. The book is about how his dedication landed him that spot. Fifty percent of the proceeds from the first 5,000 copies sold will be donated to UNA’s Division I move. “I hope to raise a significant amount of money as my goal,” photo by Malisa McClure Steele said. Steele is happy to help the Former Dallas Cowboys and UNA wide receiver Robert Steele will make donations to help the Lions pave the way towards Di- move up to Division I athletics. Steele will give 50 percent of the proceeds from the first 5,000 vision I. He is excited about the copies of his book sold. opportunities it will bring to offer. Division I schools have said. “And yet, I think that you’re assist us in our successful tranfuture athletes and to UNA as a nicer athletic facilities, bigger going to see them—us—accom- sition to Division I,” said Mark whole. stadiums and more academic plish things that all of us would Linder, director of athletics at Steele said he would like to help for athletes. dream about accomplishing.” UNA. see the student population dou“The school will get a lot Steele and UNA officials exAs for Steele, he is excited ble in size, despite the problems more exposure; the athletes will pect this contribution to be a big to see the first Division I Lions that could arise. get a better shot at making it to help in the transition to Division football game. “I believe growth creates the next level,” Dowtin said. I. Steele is currently working on “I will be at that first Diviproblems and that those probSteele, who refers to himself a second book, which he plans sion I game when we make the lems are worth solving,” Steele as the chronic underdog, be- to make the same donation of move, and we will make the said. lieves that the Lions will do well proceeds with. move,” Steele said. Marcus Dowtin, a senior in Division I football. “We are excited to have Copies of the book can be linebacker who transferred from “They’re signing up to be- someone with Robert’s resolve found at UNA bookstores and Georgia this semester, knows come the chronic underdog,” he and commitment to excellence www.una.edu for $20. the benefits that Division I can
Lions get big win against West Georgia side kick to open the game. The kicking woes continued for the Lions as Josh Montgomery missed a 30-yard field goal following the kickoff. The defense responded with a fourth down stop on its own 29, and, with 1:26 left in the quarter, the offense capitalized with a touchdown pass from Chapple to Jason Smith to go up (7-0). The defense kept the intensity going throughout the first half, giving the offense plenty of chances to take control of the game. Chapple led the surge, photo by Malisa McClure tossing two touchdown Senior running back Wes Holland prepares to make a move passes to Mo Milliam for 25 downfield against West Georgia last Saturday. yards and Tristan Purifoy for spot in Saturday’s game on the five yards to go up 21-3 at the 7ZZMa *WT\WV road against a Valdosta State half. ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ WJWT\WV(]VI ML] team playing for the same op“The last couple of games, portunity. it has been tough and hard on The UNA Lions bounced “It was a great effort for our our defense with the way we lost back from back-to-back losses whole team,” said UNA coach the last two games,” Bowden in conference play to defeat Terry Bowden. “It’s funny af- said. “The defense met the chalWest Georgia (5-4) 28-7 last ter our last two losses, you find lenge, and it was a great effort by Saturday to remain in the hunt yourself wanting to protect the them.” for the playoffs. win, and we got sloppy there at The defense continued its Wes Holland rushed for 159 the end. I believe it falls back dominance in the second half, yards and Lee Chapple passed on us not wanting to blow this allowing just three points for for 189 yards with three touch- game.” the game. Chris Coffey finished downs, giving the Lions (7-2) The game started with dra- off the performance with a onethe chance to play for a playoff ma after UNA recovered an on- yard touchdown run to put
away a feisty West Georgia team that defeated Valdosta State the week before 23-20. Two weeks ago, the Lions were ranked the No. 1 team in the country, but after a 1-2 start in conference play, the showdown with Valdosta State could determine a playoff spot for the eventual winner. With an improved defense that seemed to take a step back after backto-back losses, the Lions are primed to continue on past this weekend. “Everybody faces adversity in life, and this team went from the No. 1 team in the country at 6-0 to two tough losses that went down to the wire,” Bowden said. “You have to respond one way or another, and I’m really proud by the way we responded so far.” The Lions are scheduled to play Valdosta State in the regular season finale this Saturday at Valdosta State with kick-off set for 1 p.m. On Sunday, the Lions will know whether or not they will be playing in the Division II playoffs as the top six teams in the South Region make it. UNA is currently at No. 5 with Valdosta at No. 6.
Sports
Thursday, November 10, 2011 • The Flor-Ala
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Womenʼs basketball prepares to open season 4I]ZMV -[\M[
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The UNA women’s basketball team will begin its season on the road at Montevallo Nov. 12 and will have its home opener Nov. 14 against Tennessee Temple. Although UNA lost several key starters, it does have nine returning lettermen, including starter Dana Jackson and seniors Jessi Smith, Lacy Lewis and Jasmine Saxton. UNA also has several transfer players who will be a huge asset to the Lions, including senior Jasmine Horne, who previously played at Northwest Shoals and IUPUI. Head coach Terry Fowler is excited about what the Lady Lions will accomplish this season. “We’re solid right now, playing a good seven or eight photo by Malisa McClure kids; Dana Jackson, a threeSenior guard Jasmine Horne pushes the ball year starter is returning, and down the court during the purple and white she’ll always be someone on game. the team to watch,” Fowler
said. “Lacy Lewis is playing as well as she’s ever played since she’s been here. We really want to have great balance; we don’t want a team that just focuses on one or two people. We’ve got five or six that can be explosive on any given night.” UNA did not play against Montevallo or Tennessee Temple last season, and both teams will have begun their seasons before facing the Lions. “We’re just going to have to go down there and play hard, play UNA basketball,” Fowler said. “We just have to make sure we play together, play tough and play smart, and we will be OK. “We’re coming back with a quick turnaround from a game at Montevallo and playing at home. I think Tennessee Temple will have already played four or five ball games before we play them, but it will be exciting for our kids to come back and play at home in Flowers
Hall in front of a good crowd.” Senior guard Dana Jackson said that, at this point, the Lions are trying to get everyone together and understanding the way UNA does things in order to move forward. “Right now we’re trying to get everyone on the same page,” she said. “We have six freshmen, and high school ball and college ball are totally different. We’ve actually gotten better already; it’s really just about getting better every day at this point. We’re all together as a team right now, but we’ve got to continue to do that this season.” Jasmine Horne, a transfersenior guard, said that the difference in playing at her previous schools and at UNA is that, with the Lions, the team acts like a family. “At UNA, it’s a family thing; you back up teammates as a team here, and that’s what I really like about it,” Horne said. “It’s not just about one person who could make us or break
us here. We’ve really just got to stay together with all the new people on the team, so when we hit adversity we can overcome it.” One of the goals the Lady Lions have this season is to be undefeated at home and to progress to the point of winning the Gulf South Conference again. “When you protect your home, it’s much easier to go and play somewhere else and do well there,” Horne said. “You’ve got to protect your house; we’ve got to always make it a challenge to play with us here.” Jackson said the key to success in the next few games will be a team effort. “We’ve got to play hard and execute everything,” Jackson said. “Other than scrimmages, we haven’t had a true test to see what we need to work on. Execution, working hard and a strong defense is really the key to winning these upcoming games.”
Chapple leads Lions in his final season with team +PZQ[ 8MVVQM
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photo by Malisa McClure
Senior quarterback Lee Chapple looks to finish up his career successfully.
Senior and starting quarterback Lee Chapple recently led his team to victory in his last home game playing for the Lions, in which UNA conquered its seventh straight win against West Georgia. Chapple will play his last game for UNA against Valdosta State this Saturday. Chapple has always been passionate about football. The Alpharetta, Ga., native has played the sport since he was a child. “My mother would not let me play until I was in the third grade,” he said. Chapple played baseball as well, but football stuck with him from then to now. He graduated from Greater Christian High School, in which he played for the Spartans. While a Spartan, Lee led his team to make three appearances to the playoffs, as well as the state quarter finals. His football career as a Spartan recorded a total of 4,901 passing yards and 49 touchdowns. By 2007, Chapple attended Georgia Southern University where he played for the Eagles. He held the school records for
UNA Sports Center GSC Football Standings
Team Conf. All Delta State 3-0 9-1
GSC Soccer Standings (Final) Team Conf. All UNA 6-1 17-3
GSC Volleyball Standings (Final) Team Conf. All West Florida 14-0 23-8
West Alabama 2-2 7-3
West Florida 6-1
UNA
UNA
1-2
7-2
Valdosta State
1-2
6-3
West Georgia
1-2
5-4
12-4-2
11-3
23-8
Valdosta State 5-1-1 12-6-1 Christian Bro 10-4 24-9 UAH
3-3-1 5-10-2
West Alabama 9-5 21-10
Christian Bro.
3-4-0 8-8-2
Valdosta State 5-9 16-17
West Georgia
2-3-2 7-9-2
UAH
4-10 9-23 3-11 9-22
West Alabama 1-4
6-12
West Georgia
Delta State
5-12
New Orleans 0-14
0-7
2-22
attempts and completions by the end of the 2009 season. Looking into a Division II Program, Chapple was recommended by GSU head coach Chris Hatcher that he head to UNA. At UNA, Chapple started 13 games for the 2010 season. Chapple also has a record of 28 to six completions and never missed a game. At UNA, he has received recognition and all-time awards, such as GSC Offensive Player of the Week. When not on the field practicing for the next game, Chapple has a variety of hobbies he indulges in. A few would be playing golf and wakeboarding. In regards to music, anything that sounds good to him will be on his playlist. “But I am a huge of fan of the Zac Brown Band,” he said. Chapple has had a lot of great experiences in his football career, as well as challenges in terms of injuries. When he received a high ankle sprain during practice, he had to put a large amount of tape around his foot. “It looked like I had a space boot on,” Chapple said. “But I did my best to endure
playing during the practice.” In regards to the other players, Chapple has close relationship with his teammates. “As the starting quarterback, I do view myself as one of the leaders on the team,” Chapple said. He also enjoys taking his offensive line to Buffalo Wild Wings for a night out. “I am going to miss the guys,” Chapple said. “They would always push me and have my back no matter what. I respect that.” Chapple has a plethora of great memories throughout his football career, but one of his favorites stands out from the others. “Playing in one of the greatest stadiums on earth, the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, and seeing the huge screens on top was amazing,” Chapple said. “It was intense.” A business major graduating in December, Chapple wants to get on the business side of football, such as sports franchising. He also wishes to join NFL Europe or be a part of the Canadian League. Leaving college, Chapple will remember his college routines and making plans to balance a social life, school work and football practice.
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News
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Thursday, November 10, 2011 • The Flor-Ala
University to present Veterans Day remembrance event ;PMTJa *WUIV
Quick Facts
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Who?
UNA has joined a nationwide effort to honor all veterans and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice since the Sept. 11 tragedy. On Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11 (11-11-11), UNA will be hosting the annual Veterans Day ceremony. The ceremony first began about 15 years ago as a student-initiated ceremony by the SGA, and is structured in largely the same way today. During the ceremony, the National Anthem, along with other service songs, will be performed by the UNA Pride of Dixie Band and the Chamber Choir. Guest speaker Larry Zandarski, post commander for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, or the VFW, will be at the ceremony as well. He will be talking to students about the importance of Veterans Day and why it is so crucial to remember the rights and privileges Americans have. “I believe every student should attend
All UNA students What? National Roll Call When? Friday Nov. 11 Where? Memorial Amphitheater
the ceremony,” said sophomore Cadet Eric Moss. “We, as Americans, owe our veterans that respect.” The ceremony will include a new event this year called Roll Call. The main point of this event is to send a strong message to the troops currently serving—the message being that their peers have not forgotten their sacrifices, or those of the fallen. During Roll Call, campus and community volunteers will read the names of more than 6,200 casualties of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom, now called Operation New Dawn. The event will start at 6 a.m., break at 11 a.m. for the ceremony itself and resume until all of the names have been read. It will take nearly eight hours to read the entire list of names. “When you hear each name read aloud, it is very poignant because each signifies a person who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” said Lieutenant Colonel Wayne Bergeron, faculty adviser for the
UNA Military and Veteran Alliance and faculty member of the Criminal Justice Department at UNA. “This event is simply about remembering that sacrifice. There is probably not a veteran on campus that does not have a single friend or comrade on that list.” There will also be a nationwide minute of silence at 11 a.m. for students and community members to reflect upon and remember all veterans. The ceremony will conclude with a performance of taps followed by a reception. All students are encouraged to attend the Veterans Day ceremony, taking place at the Amphitheater Thursday Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. “Students can expect this ceremony to be a somber and emotional event,” said Dr. Ronald Smith, committee chairman of the Veterans Day ceremony. “We are not only honoring the veterans who have served their country since 9/11, but also every veteran throughout American history.”
Professional poets come to campus )TM` 4QVLTMa
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Professional poets Regie Cabico and J.T. Bullock preformed a slam-style poetry reading in the GUC Atrium last Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. The event started with open-mic poetry readings by UNA students and ended with performances by Cabico and Bullock. Cabico, of Washington, D.C., has won numerous poetry awards, including top prize the 1993, 1994 and 1997 National Poetry Slams, and has appeared on two seasons of HBO’s Def Poetry Slam. Having preformed regularly in the Northern U.S., Canada and England, Cabico said the event was his first time preforming in the South. “Before I say America is tired, I want to see the South,” he said. “Something is wrong in society, and slam poetry is a way to get my message out there.” Citing homophobia, racism and misogyny in the U.S., Cabico said slam poetry can be a tool for change. “I think it’s important for gay male voices to be heard,” he said. “Poetry is a great vessel for that because it’s dangerous.
People get music and can hear it; they get art and can see it; you have to feel poetry.” For Bullock, the reading felt like a homecoming. “I’m glad to get to come back here and preform,” he said. “I have an affinity for this town.” Bullock said he was happy to bring Cabico with him to Florence. “(The Deep South) is a place I know very well,” he said. “I wanted to show someone we have miraculous things here.” Both poets felt the performance in the GUC went well. “The room felt receptive, despite it being a little distracting (in the Atrium),” Cabico said. “I hope I challenged the audience a little without going overboard.” Bullock, a 2008 UNA graduate of nursing who also lives and performs in D.C., communicated with UNA senior Andy Thigpen to organize the event. The event is a part of the poets’ tour of the South, from Ashville, N.C., to Atlanta. UNA senior professional writing major and co-organizer of the event Juliann Losey knew Bullock when he was still a UNA student organizing slam-style readings at Rivertown Coffee Co. “(Bullock) was a huge inspiration to
Student Engagement to host diversity speaker 3IQ\TQV +PIXXMTT
• Organizations to focus on diversity, increase programming
photo courtesy of CampuSpeak
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Jones-Fosu
Justin Jones-Fosu will deliver a message about diversity and its importance on Monday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. UNA is recognized as an extremely diverse university, and the speaker has been invited to inform students of how diversity correlates with everyday life and life after college. Jones-Fosu’s biography can be found on www.campuspeak.com. Jones-Fosu was named one of Ebony Magazine’s “30 Young Leaders Under 30 On the Rise.” He is an author, an entrepreneur and professional speaker. He recently published his first book “Inspiration for Life: Dream Bigger, Do More, Live Fuller!” He also hosts a weekly radio show on WEAA 88.9 in his hometown of Baltimore. Jennifer Brown, assistant director of Student Engagement for leadership and volunteerism, and Chase Hoagland, the recipient of the Life Leadership Scholarship, have partnered with Allison Ray of SMAC
photo by Kayla Sloan
Professional poet J.T. Bullock performs his slam-style poetry reading on campus last week in the GUC Atrium.
me,” she said. “I’m glad to help pass that on now.” Losey believes open-mic poetry events are important for two reasons. “It’s a two-part thing,” she said. “First, you have to explore your own writing. Second, you have to share it with others.” The event was organized by Thigpen, one of the coordinators of The Boxcar
Voices, a Shoals monthly open-mic poetry reading, and sponsored by the UNA English Club. Cabico and Bullock said they would like to return to Florence in the spring and next year in an effort to make the city a hub of slam poetry, a new American art form, in the South.
(Student Multicultural Advisory Committee) to plan the event. “We hope to inform students on what exactly diversity is and how embracing it impacts campus life,” Brown said. “We want students to appreciate diversity.” Brown also hopes for students to take a deeper look at diversity. “Diversity is not just black and white,”
Hoagland and Brown want to focus more on diversity since it has been looked over in the past. “We do a lot of workshops and haven’t focused on diversity; we need to focus on areas we are lacking in in order to improve our university even more,” Brown said. Allison Ray has publicized the event with posters, window painting, and word of mouth to get students excited and interested. “There is an ever-increasing diverse population coming to UNA, and it is critical for students to learn about diversity in order to embrace it and integrate it into their lives,” she said. Ray works hard to promote diversity on campus, and changes are being made constantly to integrate diverse cultures into the lives of traditional UNA students. “The one thing I hope for students to get out of Justin Jones-Fosu’s presentation is encouragement to take opportunities to learn more about diversity and how to promote it in their own lives,” she said. “Diversity plays a huge role in everyday interactions and will play an even larger role after college.”
”Diversity plays a huge role in everyday interactions and will play an even larger role after college.”
-Allison Ray she said. “There are diverse sexual orientations and religions.” Jones-Fosu uses dance and music to entertain the audience while educating them on diversity. Brown hopes this will encourage all students to come out and get the cultural experience. Two Lion Cup points are offered to each organization with five members present.
Thursday, November 10, 2011 • The Flor-Ala
A7/) KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM their social life and their school life,” Snoddy said. “It helps you focus on tests. You can burn excess fat and become leaner. You move more freely and won’t have as many sore muscles or headaches.” In other words, and according to Snoddy, there’s no reason not to. For those worried about price, don’t. “I would never turn away anyone if they can’t afford it,” Snoddy said. “I don’t want to be taken advantage of, but it’s not all about money.” The Shoals Yoga studio focuses on a sect of yoga called “hatha” yoga, which is centered on exercise. The exercise comes from using “asanas,” which translates as “steady posture.” Asanas, combined with breathing exercises and meditation, yield lower blood pressure, which, according to Jonathan Dunlap, is a must for relieving stress. “As a way to deal with stress and anxiety, (practicing yoga) is a tremendous help,” said Dunlap, a UNA alumnus with a B.S. in nursing. “When you increase physical exercise, it will decrease the amount of stress in your body.” Dunlap also explains that yoga helps remove toxins from the body, lowers the heart rate, improves circulation and
Life
strengthens the heart overall. The biggest benefit from yoga comes from the connection it creates between mind, body and spirit. For college students, this connection is often overlooked and students need to take a step back and breathe, Snoddy said. “(Yoga) is just a way to calm down at the end of the day,” she said. “Life is so hectic, especially in college, and it’s a way to calm yourself. You become more aware of the way you treat and talk to yourself. And you learn to accept who you are and live in the moment—the now.” For Dunlap, yoga has become a nearly daily routine. “It teaches you how to relax,” he said. “It’s called ‘practice’ because it’s practice for life. It’s about cultivating love, compassion and kindness toward yourself and the world around you.” To get started, beginner classes are scheduled for Sundays at 3 p.m. and Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:45 p.m. For more information on schedules and pricing, check out the Shoals Yoga website at www.shoalsyoga.com. For more information, and inspiration, concerning the yoga style Snoddy practices, visit www.sivananda.org.
6-? )4*=5 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM Hawkins, set a foundation for Waits’ varying vocal stylings. The tone varies from soulful ballads, such as “Back in the Crowd” and “Kiss Me,” to Disney-villainlike show tunes, such as “Bad as Me” and “Hell Broke Luce.” In his typical manner, Waits abandons standard verse-chorus-verse-chorus forms for his songs and uses an assortment of unusual instruments—this time with plenty of brass and low reeds. He also pulls in some outside help from Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and alternative rock bassists Flea and Les Claypool to add to his eclectic jumble of tunes. Lyrically, the album displays the soul of a man who’s been around for a while and still isn’t pleased with what he sees, a theme throughout the album. “We won’t have to say goodbye if we all go; maybe things will be better in Chicago,” Waits croons in the album’s opening track “Chicago.” In the past, Waits has set himself up as a poet laureate for the seediest of dark alley drifters. This time, however, the feel seems
more personal and straightforward. The abstract, beatnik-inspired lyrical nonsense of past albums like “Swordfishtrombones” and “Bone Machine” has been replaced with simple feelings closer to a diary entry. Waits’ induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame clearly made an impression on him, as heard in the moving “Last Leaf,” a song expressing the reflections of an older generation. “There’s nothing in the world that I ain’t seen; I greet all the new ones that are coming in green,” he muses. His biggest feat remains in his ability to put out yet another record that isn’t terrible—let alone making one that is genuinely good. Legendary musicians as big as Bob Dylan and Paul McCartney have failed to accomplish the same achievement 20 years into their respective careers. “Bad as Me” is an impressive and enjoyable album for the diehard Waits fan and could easily serve as the gateway to the rest of Waits’ incomparable discography.
No Shave
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Every November, men (and some women) from all over the country participate in “No Shave November” and “Movember,” growing out their facial scruff and staches. Here, we will chronicle a couple of guys who are embracing the scraggly and unshaved.
Week One
photo by Andy Thigpen
photo by Kayla Sloan
Dylan Tucker
Stephen Long
Class: Sophomore Major: History Why are you not shaving? “I’ve been told it’s in support of cancer awareness. My uncle had pancreatic cancer, so it’s for him.”
Class: Freshman Major: Undecided Why are you not shaving? “I’ve always wanted to grow a beard. Now that I’m at the age where I can, I may as well.”
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Tweets of the week
November 10, 2011 â&#x20AC;˘ The Flor-Ala
DISCLAIMER: The tweets below are public tweets found on Twitter by searching hashtags involving UNA, Florence, Shoals and other university-related topics. Want to see yours on here? Be sure to hashtag UNA and Shoals in your tweets.