Oct. 1 Issue

Page 1

SAY SOM

ETHING

PAGE 1B

Oct. 1, 2015

SGA

Volume 84, Issue 7

www.FlorAla.net

Student newspaper of the University of North Alabama Al

photo by KATLYN SHANNON I Staff Photographer

University painter Keith Fields sprays purple paint over a paw print stencil on Pine Street Sept. 27. After the paint was sprayed on the stencils, volunteer students outlined the purple paw prints with pearl white paint.

Volunteers repaint downtown paw prints ANNA BROWN

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As the sun rises on a Sunday morning, students and workers armed with buckets of paint, brushes and glass beads take to the streets of Florence with one goal: making our campus beautiful. Former SGA president KeKoria Greer suggested SGA repaint the paw prints in downtown Florence during SGA’s 2014-15 summer retreat. This year, SGA accomplished her goal. SGA and student volunteers began work on the repainting project Sept. 20. More volunteers joined the team Sept. 27. “Sometimes SGA doesn’t

INSIDE

this week’s paper

accomplish every goal we set within a year,” said current SGA President Nick Lang. “I knew this needed to be done. We want students to know that we take pride in our university. We want it to be the best it can be.” SGA consulted the university painters for help with the project, he said. The painters helped SGA order the correct paint for the road and helped with the painting process. Senate Rules Committee Chairman Dayton Tenney said he thinks the paw prints needed to be repainted because they stand out to the Florence and UNA communities. “The first thing you see approaching campus is the paw prints,” Lang said. “If those look good, you know the campus will look good, and it does. We have a beautiful campus.”

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

Lang said about eight SGA volunteers helped Sept. 20. Twelve SGA and student volunteers helped finish the paw prints on Pine Street Sept. 27. Lang said the only remaining repainting work is the large UNA logo in front of Rogers Hall and the paw prints on Irvine Avenue. The university painters sprayed purple paint inside the paw print stencils, and students painted the white around the paw prints with brushes, Lang said. Students also spread glass beads in the wet paint to make the paw prints reflective. University graphic designer Charles Craig designed the paw print stencils. Lang said the stencils were an important part of the project. “We couldn’t have done

LIFE . . . . . . . . . 1B SPORTS . . . . . . . 4B EXTRA . . . . . . . . 8B

”

THE FIRST THING YOU SEE

APPROACHING CAMPUS IS THE PAW PRINTS. IF THOSE LOOK GOOD, YOU

KNOW THE CAMPUS LOOKS GOOD, AND IT DOES.

NICK LANG

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT this without the help of Mr. Craig, the university painters and the grounds and facilities department,” he said. “I know I couldn’t go out there and paint a paw print on the road without some guidance,”

he said. Tenney said student involvement is important for the direction of the campus community. “UNA is heading to a brand new direction, and as a student, our engagement will severely impact what may happen in a few years,” he said. “The message I believe we need to send to campus and the local community is that we, here at UNA, want to continue to keep our traditions strong and proud.” He said he has been looking forward to this project for about a year. “Most of the paws, specifically on Court Street, were quite faded,” said junior Stormy Morgan.

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2A NEWS

Oct. 1, 2015• The Flor-Ala

ENTERTAINMENT

Castle of Death

photo by TORI PATTERSON I Student Photographer

An actor creates sparks with special skates as part of his horror scheme at the Arx Mortis Haunted Attraction in Killen. The popular haunted house opened for the fall scare season Friday, Sept. 25.

Haunted attraction remodels for Halloween season KALI DANIEL

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“I’m either going to vomit or pee. Or both.” My hands were clammy as I sat in the backseat on the way to Arx Mortis Sept. 24. Along with Student Photographer Tori Patterson and Managing Editor Jasmine Fleming, I was about to experience the haunted attraction for the first time. Arx Mortis re-opened for the 2015 season Sept. 25, and since last year the staff has been working hard to perfect their spooks. “Each year we tear out one-third of the attraction and rebuild it,” said owner Vinny Grosso. “This year, we tore out more than that.” The 50,000-square-foot maze took me between 30 and 45 minutes to walk through, with no small amount of skipping heartbeats, multiperson collisions and borderline expletives. “We added a new area we call

‘Voodoo Bayou,’” Grosso said. “It’s a new bridge to the swamp area with a few new buildings and some new voodoo characters. That was about a 150-foot section that we built.” The crew also added a new section to the mine shaft, the dungeon and the cave, he said. The ‘Freak Show’ section, defined by its cotton candy-scented fog, also received a facelift. USA Today named Arx Mortis one of the 10 spookiest haunted houses in the country last year at the same time Grosso introduced Ataxia, a laser tag maze. “We expanded it this year, and it’s now twice as big,” he said. “We added a lot more twists and turns and a lot more hiding places.” With the soft opening this past weekend, Grosso said the staff hammered out the kinks and fixed any broken props. “We had about 350 people come through (Sept. 26), and that was perfect right there,” he said. “We like to go slow and make sure everything is working right. For opening weekend, I was

really happy with everything. The actors did a really good job, and the props all performed like they were supposed to. It was a smooth opening weekend compared to others in the past.” Senior biology major Paige Hauck attended Arx Mortis for the first time Sept. 24 and said it was nothing short of “haunted.” “It was a wonderful haunted house — the kind where it sucks to be the lead,” she said. “The scariest part was probably having to walk through a tunnel that felt like two bouncy houses pushed up against each other.” Hauck said her favorite aspect of the attraction were the costumes, specifically two males on skates — but we do not want to give too much away. “Haunted houses are like roller coasters,” Grosso said. “The reason roller coasters are popular is because it’s an adrenaline rush. Getting scared makes you feel good and the same thing with haunted houses. It’s an adrenaline rush, and we put a lot of work into it.”

”

EACH YEAR WE TEAR OUT ONE-THIRD OF THE ATTRACTION AND REBUILD IT. THIS YEAR, WE TORE OUT MORE THAN THAT.

VINNY GROSSO OWNER, ARX MORTIS Grosso is not just a local businessman who wants to engage UNA students to visit — he himself is a Lion. “A lot of the people, including myself and my wife, are UNA graduates, and a lot of UNA students work down here, too,” he said.

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NEWS 3A

Oct. 1, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

CRIME

Operation Identification program helps prevent theft CHRISTOPHER PARKER ;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ KXIZSMZ (]VI ML]

Students often have concerns about campus safety. One of those concerns is

burglary or theft. The UNA Police Department implemented a program known as Operation Identification to help prevent this misdemeanor. “Operation ID is a UNA community

photo by AMANDALYN DORNER I Staff Photographer

Chief of Police Kevin Gillilan uses an engraving tool to mark objects so they can be easily traced. Students can use the Operation Identification program to secure the owner of their belongings.

burglary prevention program for use in residences, classrooms or offices,” said Chief of Police Kevin Gillilan. The Operation ID program works as a way of discouraging burglary and theft by marking property with an identifying number if there is not a serial number already found on the object. In order to use it, students may come to the police station in the basement of Keller Hall to request an engraver. There is no charge to use an engraver, but the item must be returned to the police station within 48 hours. Gillilan also said students may request an officer to engrave their items. Some items worth engraving are cell phones, bicycles and other athletic equipment, car audio systems, MP3 players and other electronic devices, and musical instruments. Students should engrave their belongings with their driver’s license number. Using a social security number is dangerous because that number is often associated with financial information, according to the UNA police website. Identifying property is a big component of theft prevention, Gillilan said. “Marked property is difficult for a burglar to dispose of,” he said. “It can be

traced to the rightful owner with relative ease.” Students should to be aware of their surroundings as well as secure all bags, backpacks and room keys at all times. Students should also report any suspicious activity happening where they are located at that moment, he said.

”

MARKED PROPERTY IS DIFFICULT FOR A BURGLAR TO DISPOSE OF. IT CAN BE TRACED TO THE RIGHTFUL OWNER WITH RELATIVE EASE.

KEVIN GILLILAN CHIEF OF POLICE “Criminal activity often occurs as a result of opportunity,” Gillilan said. “Taking precautions and guarding our personal belongings reduces our risk of victimization.”

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TRANSPORTATION

Police: no rules restricting the use of skateboards on campus JOHN ED DEARMAN ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ RLMIZUIV(]VI ML]

There is no rule restricting the use of skateboards and longboards on campus, said Deputy Chief of Police Mark Parker. “What we have to act on would be each individual case on whether they were causing an inconvenience to people using the campus, whether it is a safety issue or if they were possibly damaging property,” he said Chief of Police Kevin Gillilan said via email that even though skateboarding is not specifically mentioned in campus policy, any use of a skateboarding activity that causes destruction or harm to other people would be a direct violation of policy as outlined in the student handbook. If those individuals were causing problems, then they could ask them to leave, or under certain circumstances, those individuals could possibly be trespassed from campus, Parker said. “I wouldn’t want to outright ban that kind of stuff,” he said. “If they’re not a danger and they are not a hindrance to someone else, I don’t think there should ever be a need to completely prohibit it.” However, there are several signs posted around campus saying the use of skateboards on campus is prohibited. “There has been no rule prohibiting the use of skateboards since I’ve worked here,” Parker said. “They may have been prohibited years ago when cars were able to drive through campus.”

Police only confront the longboarders if they are being carless, he said. “We take a (discouraging) view of the guys on the skateboards if they are an endangerment to others, and we also take a (discouraging) view of it when they are damaging property,” he said. Parker said he used to go out and tell longboarders to be cautious. “Back the past couple of years when I was on night-shift, I would actually try to find those skateboarders in the parking deck,” he said. “I would go up to them and say ‘hey guys, let’s be a little more careful. It’s your life you’re dealing with, but I don’t want this other person to feel bad because they ran you over.’” The police department receives complaints from students every now and then about the longboarders, Parker said. “One of the primary complaints we get is people complain about (driving) in the parking deck and meeting someone on skateboard,” he said. “They’re in a car, and they’re afraid that they are going to hit somebody.” Longboarders, as well as drivers and pedestrians, need to be cautious of each other while in the parking deck to avoid collisions, Gillian said. Freshman Connor Bryant said he does get annoyed sometimes while driving through the parking deck. “Whenever I make a turn around the corner, sometimes I’ll see someone flying by on their longboard, and I’ll have to slam on my brakes just so I don’t hit them.” “It’s kind of neat to see them ride

through campus really fast, but at the same time, they do tend to get in the way,” he said. “If I’m walking to class, I have to stop just to let them pass.” Other students like freshman Ashton Bailey do not mind the longboarders on campus. “I know a lot of people get annoyed with them, but they really don’t bother me at all,” she said. Sophomore Brandon Rylant said he thinks the longboarders need to be cautious. “I was walking through the parking deck one day and I saw someone backing out of a space and a longboarder came

around the corner and hit the back of their car,” he said. Sophomore and longboarder William Ballard said he often hears students complain about the longboarders skating in the parking deck. “The only time I’ve ever hit a car was when I was coming around a turn in the parking deck and there was a car coming up in the wrong lane,” he said. “So that was totally their fault. (The longboarders) up there know what they’re doing.” Ballard said the longboarders know enough about the sport to stay injuryfree.

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4A IMAGES

Oct. 1, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

▶

CUE THE LIGHTS

photos by KAITLIN DOUGLASS I Chief Photographer

First take

▶

Since I was in middle school, I have enjoyed making and working with videos, which sparked my interest in film and later encouraged me to be a film major. Around that time I decided to make a YouTube channel and posted these small, terrible videos I made with my Coolpix camera and Windows Movie Maker. To my dismay, no attention was brought to those videos, and they now are among the millions that reside in what I call “the black hole of YouTube.” I knew writing stories and making them happen was always something I wanted to do, though. There are very limited options for film schools in Alabama, but I was lucky enough to discover UNA. Entering college, I did not know anyone, and I knew that usually obtaining a successful career in film (or a career in essentially anything) requires connections and effective communication skills. If students are missing that, then they better have good luck. Whether it be a horseshoe, lucky underwear or a zip-close bag full of four leaf clovers — they better damn well have something.

I am fortunate enough to have terrible, absolutely God-awful luck, and because of who I am as a person, I am not keen on the “talking” thing. Last semester, I began transitioning into my film classes, where I did meet other film majors. One class in particular had all of the current executives of the film club here at UNA. Luckily enough, within these past two semesters, film club has been in full swing. I enjoy film club because I see it as a group of passionate individuals who desire learning, improvement and are willing to work together to achieve that. Whether it be filming for others outside of class or working on fellow film students’ projects, members of the club are gaining experience. The current project the club is working on is “Say Something,” a film discussing the uncomfortability when speaking on racism (See Page 1B) and “Stay,” written by UNA junior Bri Palmer. Film club is a great way for film majors to make connections, especially if they are unsure of how to meet fellow film majors (outside of class, of course). A good way to get involved would be to attend meetings, which are held in the Communications building room 124 Fridays at 4 p.m. In the unpleasant words of UNA film club president Java Moody, “Thaaaaaaaaat’s Film.”

Green screen

Freshman Eric Bjork and sophomore Kelley Riddle audition for roles in “Stay.” Bjork auditioned for character “Jack,” and Riddle auditioning for “Kate.”

Behind the scenes

Junior Molly Ezell directs sound on the set of “Say Something.” Ezell is the UNA Film Club’s public relations representative.

▶

KAITLIN DOUGLASS

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▶

Junior Justin Latimer, junior Java Moody and senior Shaq Shoulders prepare to record “Say Something.” The video was filmed at The Living Spirit church.

Talking through it

UNA junior Paige McCay and freshman Bryant Hasheider discuss auditions. They hosted auditions Sept. 24 for the coming short film “Stay.”

NEWS 5A

Oct. 1, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

POLICE

Emergency phones alert police to possible dangers on campus JOHN ED DEARMAN ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ RLMIZUIV(]VI ML]

There are approximately 55 emergency phones on campus for students to use if they need any kind of

help, said Deputy Chief of Police Mark Parker. “Each one of those blue poles has an identifiable number, and when you push the button on the pole, it rings into our dispatch,” Parker said. “And our dispatch is able to tell through that number which one of the poles is being used.”

He said once someone presses the button, an officer will come by to check on it, whether someone actually speaks into it or not. The emergency phones are not limited to the blue police poles. There are also emergency phones in residence halls, the parking deck and in campus elevators, said Chief of Police Kevin Gillilan via email.

”

WEʼRE DILIGENT WITH MAKING SURE THEY ARE KEPT UP-TO-DATE. WE CHECK THEM ON A REGULAR BASIS. IF THEYʼRE NOT WORKING, WE

THEN TURN THEM INTO THE PROPER MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT.

MARK PARKER

DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE

photo by KAITLIN DOUGLASS I Chief Photographer

A police pole stands beside Willingham Hall. Officials say poles are still used mainly for reporting issues with stolen items in vehicles or stolen vehicles.

The emergency phones are being used less and less because of new technology, Parker said. “With everybody now having a cellphone, using the campus phones are not as prevalent as they were when they

were first put in,” he said However, students still use the phones to tell police about their concerns. “We get several calls a week (from the phones),” he said. “The vast majority of those is somebody pushing it and running off. We do occasionally get calls like if a car has been broken into or somebody has somebody else that they are concerned about.” Students who call from the parking deck mostly call to report suspicious activity in the deck, Parker said. “We get calls from people when they see someone else in the deck that they are not comfortable with — like some guy is hiding behind cars, or he’s looking into cars,” he said. “So they would use the phones to contact us about things like that.” He said they check the emergency phones for maintenance regularly. The university pays for the cost of the phone lines and maintenance fees associated with keeping the phones in working condition, Parker said. “We’re diligent with making sure they are kept up-to-date,” he said. “We check them on a regular basis. If they’re not working, we then turn them in to the proper maintenance department.” To read the rest of the story, visit florala.net.

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6A NEWS

Oct. 1, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

TECHNOLOGY

Online security ranked top 10 in national survey ANNA BROWN

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UNA ranked sixth out of 485 schools on a recent study on higher education security conducted by Security Scorecard. The survey, conducted in August 2015, examined schools and graded them based on their security measures in place, according to the study results. “We do our best to protect the university and the student’s information,” said Chief Information Officer Stephen Putman. “When it comes to security, there is not one thing. There are several puzzle pieces that contribute to it.” The department of Information Technology Services made changes to their internet security measures by the addition of SafeConnect software last fall, Putman said. He said this software adds another layer to the level of online security at UNA. SafeConnect requires all Internet devices to have anti-virus software

installed, running and up-to-date, he said. Putman said it is important for users to keep anti-virus software updated to ensure the program protects against the newest viruses and malware. “You go to the doctor and get a shot to protect you from something,” Putman said. “Over the years you have to go back and get a booster. If you don’t have the latest virus definitions, it’s not worth a lot.” For Microsoft Windows devices, SafeConnect ensures windows updates are on and set to automatic before allowing the device access to Wi-Fi, he said. “The thinking behind that is, hopefully if you’ve got a running antivirus with the up to date definitions and you’re keeping the latest security updates on your operating system, then your system is fairly secure,” he said. SafeConnect also ensures all devices are free of peer-to-peer sharing software before allowing access to Wi-Fi.

“Those applications are the quickest way in the world to get infected,” Putman said. “There’s no telling how many machines I’ve cleaned up over the years that got a virus from (peer to peer software).” Another product the university recently uses to enhance online security by deflecting harmful websites is Open DNS, Putman said. Open DNS is an Internet software that acts as a phone book by “looking up” site addresses and deflecting sites that contain harmful malware, he said. The university does not decide which sites are blocked; Open DNS does, he said. “It’s one of the things that’s helped us more than anything,” Putman said. “It’s cut down the number of viruses and spyware on campus.” Some students believe they don’t need antivirus software if they use a Macintosh computer. Putman said the reason Mac’s are infected less is because they are targeted less. “Some students got upset because

we required even Mac users to have antivirus installed, running and updated,” he said. “Ultimately, you’re not connecting to the Wi-Fi unless you have anti-virus. We’re not budging on that.” Junior Zebulun Worlund said he used to believe this popular myth. “Every computer needs some sort of anti-virus software,” Worlund said. “This is a necessary requirement that really isn’t that much of an inconvenience because anti-virus software also benefits you.” Junior Katy Billings said she stopped using her computer on campus because of the anti-virus requirement. “It was really inconvenient,” she said. “I installed it initially, but now I have to update it. So, now I just use my iPad while on campus.” Links to download free antivirus software can be found at una. edu/its. The site also contains more information about SafeConnect and Open DNS.

):@ 57:<1; KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) Grosso said the attraction previously offered discounted tickets for groups of international students in the past. Department of International Affairs Graduate Assistant Mark Bryant said he has encouraged Navigators to take international students to the attraction but does not know of any groups going. Bryant, also a makeup artist for Arx Mortis and a 10-year veteran, said it would be the chance of a lifetime for students. “I think it would be fun regardless of the level of English (they speak), as long as you’re enjoying it with friends,” he said. “I’ve seen many international students there in the past, and they seem to be the ones to have the most fun.” Tickets for Arx Mortis are available online, with the attraction being open 17 select days between Oct. 2 and Nov. 1. The final day, Nov. 1, will be the annual “Flashlight Night,” where guests guide themselves through the maze using only their flashlights; no lights will be on anywhere within the area.

”

HALLOWEEN IS A POPULAR HOLIDAY, AND THEREʼS NOT A WHOLE LOT OF HALLOWEEN-TYPE EVENTS AROUND. (ARX MORTIS) IS GOOD, CLEAN FUN.

VINNY GROSSO

OWNER, ARX MORTIS The attraction is handicapped accessible with frequent locations to exit the maze, but be warned: if guests use an exit, they will have to pay for new tickets to get back in. “Halloween is a popular holiday, and there’s not a whole lot of Halloween-type events around,” Grosso said. “It’s good, clean fun.”

ARX MORTIS TICKET PRICES • ARX MORTIS: $20/PERSON • ARX MORTIS VIP: $30/PERSON (FASTER

ENTRANCE TO ATTRACTION)

• ATAXIA: $8/PERSON • ARX MORTIS AND ATAXIA

COMBO:

$26/PERSON

VIEWPOINTS 7A

Oct. 1, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

Fans should stick with teams throughout game

REVIEW EDITOR-IN-CHIEF KALI DANIEL MANAGING EDITOR JASMINE FLEMING NEWS EDITOR ANNA BROWN LIFE EDITOR MELISSA PARKER

MIKE EZEKIEL

SPORTS EDITOR MIKE EZEKIEL

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ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR KADIN POUNDERS

The late Yogi Berra, former catcher for the New York Yankees who passed away Sept. 22 of this year, once said, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” For athletes, it is a good feeling to look up in the stands and see hundreds of fans cheering them on to victory. However, when fans begin to file out after their team is losing late in the game, it can be discouraging. Since UNA had a bye week from football Sept.

ONLINE EDITOR EMILY KAZUNGU BUSINESS MANAGER JORDAN BYRD GRAPHIC DESIGNERS PEYTON LAWLER MICHAEL MEIGS KELSEY WEATHERS CIRCULATION MANAGER ALAN KIMBREL CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER KAITLIN DOUGLASS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS AMANDALYN DORNER KATLYN SHANNON SHAY REDD

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

MELISSA PARKER

Corrections

Almost everyone has a bad day. But when one day turns into a string of bad days, it can result in something serious. October is Depression Awareness Month and the perfect time to address the struggles and anxieties we, as college students, all face. The statistics are staggering. More than 11 percent of college students have been diagnosed or treated for anxiety, and more than 10 percent reported being

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.

thought their beloved team had already lost, and they missed the best part of the game. In the process, the athletes who spent hours preparing to play more than likely noticed the fans leaving because they thought the game was over. As a former athlete, I can say seeing that is discouraging. When leaving a sporting event, consider your motive. Are you giving up on your team, or are you really “beating traffic” as some might say? UNA Athletic Director Mark Linder said when he sees fans give up on their team, it bothers him. Linder said UNA does a great job of drawing in large crowds to every sporting event. Research conducted by the NCAA confirms UNA is consistently in the top five nationally in average attendance among Division II

schools year in and year out. I believe UNA has the best fan base in all of Division II. Seeing the majority of fans wearing purple and gold on campus rather than crimson and white or blue and orange is encouraging. Some games fall on a school night, where students have to wake up early, which is understandable. Emergencies happen. Life happens. Although, there is a difference in leaving due to those factors and leaving because you think the game is over. Linder said it best when it comes to supporting your favorite team. “There are a lot of factors as to why people leave early, but I would encourage anyone coming to a game to stay as long they can. That means a lot to our athletes.”

Counseling services offers opportunity for mental support

ADVISER SCOTT MORRIS

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.

19, I watched a few college football games, including the University of Alabama versus the University of Mississippi. I noticed when Alabama got down 30-10 late in the third quarter, fans were already leaving. As the crowd started to look spotty, the Crimson Tide made a fourth quarter surge to bring it within one possession but came up just short in the end, losing 43-37. As a Spurs fan, I also recall the 2013 NBA Finals between the Spurs and Heat. In Miami, the Spurs were up five points with less than a minute to go. It appeared the Spurs would win the finals, and Heat fans left early. Unfortunately for the fans that left, the Heat came back and tied the game, eventually winning in overtime to force game seven. In both examples, the fans

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diagnosed or treated for depression, according to the National Institute on Mental Health in 2005. More than 40 percent of college students have felt more than an average amount of stress within the past 12 months, and more than 80 percent felt overwhelmed by all they had to do, according to an assessment done by the American College Health Association in 2012. It gets worse. Untreated depression is the number one cause of suicide, according to suicide.org, and suicide is the second leading cause of death of 15-34 year olds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Those are the facts Between juggling school work, a job, some sort of social life, campus activities and for some like me, a family, college can be too much at times. I know I

am not the only one who feels this way. After a rough morning one day last week, I came to campus with the intention of calling Student Counseling Services and making an appointment. I hung up once the phone began to ring. What makes my problems more important than anyone else’s, I thought. I feel, as a grown woman, I should be able to handle anything life throws at me. I could not be more wrong. Maybe others have felt the same way. At some point in our lives, we all need help. Do not be afraid, ashamed or too proud to ask for it. There are people out there who are willing to help you. If you are feeling overwhelmed, anxious, depressed or just need someone to help you sort everything out, contact Student

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Counseling Services. If you see a friend or loved one who seems to be having a bad day, reach out to them. If someone reaches out to you, do not ridicule them. Do not belittle their problems. Do not make light of their feelings. You may be the only person they have reached out to. Depression is real. Anxiety is real. Student Counseling Services is one phone call away. The person at the other end of the line may be the one person to make all the difference. Sometimes all it takes is that one person. I encourage you to make the call, make the appointment and make the change for better mental health. Student Counseling Services is located at 555 Oakview Circle and can be reached at 256-765-5215.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE WEEK! John Ed Dearman and Tori Patterson

8A NEWS

Oct. 1, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

COMMUNICATION

Students should use caution with social media ADRIANE WALDREP/ANNA BROWN ;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ 6M_[ -LQ\WZ VM_[(NTWZITI VM\

Social media helps people connect with anyone, anytime, anywhere. But feelings about whom college students connect with on social media are mixed. Social media can become dangerous if used without caution, said associate sociology professor Amber Paulk. It is important for students to consider the possible dangers of social media, especially when connecting with professors outside the classroom. “Through social media, you could develop a friendship with a teacher and start flirting,� Paulk said. “It slowly starts moving in a direction that is completely inappropriate.� If students need to communicate with a professor outside class, Paulk said she thinks they should do it through email only. Students and professors have the right to accept or decline any communication on social media, she said. “In the college environment, everybody is an adult,� she said. “Hopefully they can feel comfortable saying, ‘no, I don’t accept your friend request’ or ‘I have a boundary.’� Professors and students must choose their personal boundaries with outside-

of-class communication, she said. “I know professors who have very strict boundaries,� she said. “They don’t friend students, and they won’t accept students’ friend requests until after they graduate. I also have friends that the first thing they do in their classes is say, ‘friend me on Facebook,’ or even create a community on Facebook for that specific class.�

�

JUST BECAUSE I ADDED A STUDENT ON FACEBOOK DOESNĘźT MEAN THEYĘźRE GOING TO GET A BETTER GRADE IN MY CLASS. (BEING) FACEBOOK FRIENDS DOESNĘźT MEAN WE (DISREGARD) THE PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES WEĘźVE GOT TO RESPECT.

AMBER PAULK

ASSOCIATE SOCIOLOGY PROFESSOR

Paulk also said students should understand that connecting with a professor through social media does not give them any special benefits in the class. “Just because I added a student

1,-6<1.1+)<176 KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) Some Operation ID participants have experienced a dramatic decline in crimes such as burglaries and theft, Gillilan said. “Although the program has been offered for many years, very few have utilized this service,� he said. He said he believes students have not used Operation ID because they have busy schedules. Additionally, most items already have an identified serial number. Gillian said students often do not record the serial numbers of their belongings. This is problematic because if an item is stolen, the victim is unable to give identifiable information to law enforcement. Operation ID could cause a drop in the rate of unrecovered stolen items at UNA. “I think it is good to have something like this,� said freshman Paige Lewey. “I hope people who lose their belongings could find it somehow.� Freshman Ava Carnley said she would use the Operation Identification program. She also said she would not bother an item that is not hers. “If I found something like a jacket, I would think that someone would come back for it,� she said. Other students, such as junior Casey Wright and sophomore Nicolette Kilgo, said they would rather not participate in the program. “I do think it is good to have something like this, but what if there was something like a cellphone found?� Wright said. “I’m not sure if they would actually engrave something on a phone.� Kilgo said she would not use the

program. “If I just saw a random object, then I would leave it and not think twice,� Kilgo said. If a student would like to use to Operation ID program, call the UNA Police Department at 256-765-4357 or email police@una.edu.

�

CRIMINAL ACTIVITY OFTEN OCCURS AS A RESULT OF OPPORTUNITY. TAKING PRECAUTIONS AND GUARDING OUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS REDUCES OUR RISK OF VICTIMIZATION.

KEVIN GILLILAN CHIEF OF POLICE ITEMS

TO

ENGRAVE

• ELECTRONIC DEVICES • MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS • BICYCLES AND OTHER ATHLETIC EQUIPMENT

• ANY

ITEMS THAT DO NOT

HAVE A SERIAL NUMBER

on Facebook, that doesn’t mean that they’re going to get a better grade in my class,� she said. “(Being) Facebook friends doesn’t mean we (disregard) the professional boundaries that we’ve got to respect.� Associate professor of communications Beth Garfrerick said many of her Facebook friends are students. “I think it’s OK for professors to connect with students as long as they’re appropriate with it,� she said. “A student sent me a friend request on Facebook then started bugging me about grading an assignment, so I unfriended her.�’ Garfrerick said she receives many requests for reference letters from students and other inquiries on Facebook. “It’s an amazing tool to stay in touch with people,� she said. Senior Sally Stone said she thinks students could benefit from professors posting announcements on Facebook. “Having a specific page for the class on Facebook is a good way to stay up-todate on assignments,� she said. Some professors choose not to connect with students on Facebook because they want to only share their lives outside of class with close friends, Paulk said.

SGA

IN

REVIEW

• HOMECOMING NOMINATION FORMS CLOSED MONDAY, SEPT. 28 AT 4:30 P.M. • SENATE - 2015-16 BUDGET PASSED DURING SEPT. 24 MEETING. • SGA AND STUDENT VOLUNTEERS ARE PAINTING THE PAW PRINTS ON PINE AND COURT STREETS. THE LAST DAY OF PAINTING WILL BE OCT. 6. • UPC - FIRST WIND DOWN WEDNESDAY EVENT TO BE HELD AT THE MEMORIAL AMPHITHEATER OCT. 7. DELEGATES DISCUSSED PLANS FOR AN “ITĘźS ON USâ€? CAMPAIGN REGARDING SEXUAL ASSAULT. FOR MEETING BRIEFS AND UPDATES ON THE STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION, PLEASE VISIT FLORALA.NET

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

8)16<16/ KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM ) “The words painted on them were barely visible,� Morgan said. She said the fresh paint and glass beads made the paw prints seem to pop off the road. Lang said he hopes the paw print repainting project becomes an SGA tradition. Morgan said she thinks students repainting the paw prints every few years gives students an opportunity to “put their paw print� on campus. “I believe because we all got together and repainted these paw prints, the community will feel UNA is very spirited,� she said. Community members and students commented on how good the paw prints look, she said. “I think (repainting the paw prints) really shows that the students care and want to keep the university looking good,� said freshman Brayan Patlan. Lang said he even received an email from President Kitts about how great the paw prints look. “Other citizens of Florence have already stopped their cars and rolled down their windows just to tell us how proud they are to know students volunteer their time and efforts to promote beauty and school spirit around downtown,� Morgan said. Volunteers hope to complete the project Oct. 6. Lang said he encourages all students to volunteer.

CAMPUS CRIME LOG • SEPT. 12 POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA BRALY STADIUM • SEPT. 11 THEFT OF PROPERTY FROM VEHICLE

LOT B, HARRISON PLAZA • SEPT. 11 THEFT OF PROPERTY FROM VEHICLE

LOCATION: PARKING DECK • SEPT. 9 MINOR POSSESSION OF ALCOHOL

LOCATION: PARKING • SEPT. 8 DISTRIBUTION OF

DECK

CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE

LOCATION:

NOT AVAILABLE

FULL CRIME LOG AVAILABLE AT UNA.EDU/POLICE/CRIMELOG

LIFE

SECTION B

Oct. 1, 2015• The Flor-Ala

RSOS

photo by KAITLIN DOUGLASS I Chief Photographer

Austin Parsons (left), a member of the film club, Amber Hargrove (center) from Living Spirit Church and Justin Latimer (right) of the film club prepare to shoot the video “Getting Uncomfortable.” The video addresses the social impact of racism. “I hope it inspires people to get to the heart of the matter,” said Say Something Shoals founder Camille Bennett. “Communication leads to tolerance and understanding.”

Film club, nonprofit organization tackle important issues SPENCER BROOKS

;\]LMV\ ?ZQ\MZ [JZWWS[ (]VI ML]

A local nonprofit organization, Say Something Shoals, teamed up with UNA’s film club to produce a short film, “Getting Uncomfortable.” The film addresses racism, just one of the acts of intolerance in today’s society. Say Something Shoals’ goal is to address prominent negative social conditions one campaign at a time, said the organization’s founder, Camille Bennett. “It was a project for the community we wanted to do,” said,” she said. “We wanted to talk about racism and make a video.” Junior Javarice Moody, a member of the film club, said he expects the video to open people’s minds more to talk about the “uncomfortable” topics such as racism, homophobia and hate toward

anyone with different beliefs. “I want people to realize some issues are uncomfortable,” he said. “It’s OK to feel uncomfortable because you are not the only one.” Bennett said she hopes people in the community will watch the video and talk about uncomfortable things — such as racism — and be able to identify with another person. “I hope it inspires people to get to the heart of the matter,” she said. “Communication leads to tolerance and understanding.” Bennett said making a video was the easiest and fastest way to relay a message, especially with the help of social media. Reaching out to the film club at UNA was a wonderful decision, she said. “It was beyond amazing because of the level of passion they brought to the project,” she said. “They were really excited, professional, detailed and timely.” Once filming began, the

LIFE

IN THIS SECTION

students’ level of passion about the subject prompted them to jump in front of the camera, she said. “I came up with the concept for the video, but the film club made it happen,” Bennett said. The video was to help others understand racism is relevant and uncomfortable but should be talked about, Moody said. “The video shows real people who are truly uncomfortable in situations that involve racism,” he said. “The moral of the story ultimately is you should say something because your voice matters.” Senior Yadira Patino said she thinks the video is a good idea because these are topics everyone needs to talk about. “People are trying to be serious about it, and other people are like, ‘we don’t want to talk about (racism),’” she said. “It’s already out there, but people just refuse to see it.” The film club helped create quality content, and Moody

said he believes the film will be a great opener for future videos they plan to make with the organization.

”

THE VIDEO SHOWS REAL PEOPLE

WHO ARE TRULY UNCOMFORTABLE IN

SITUATIONS THAT INVOLVE RACISM. THE MORAL OF THE STORY ULTIMATELY IS YOU SHOULD SAY SOMETHING BECAUSE YOUR VOICE MATTERS.

JAVARICE MOODY

JUNIOR

“It was a lot of fun, even though we’re talking about this serious topic,” Moody said. “We managed to be laughing and having a good time and grew closer to each other.” Sometimes it is hard to know

how to approach a situation, said sophomore Kaylee Thomas. “Definitely don’t keep your opinions to yourself,” she said. “Obviously, you do not want to offend people, but I think talking about issues is the way to get them resolved. “It’s not going to help anything if you keep it to yourself.” The short film is found on the Say Something Shoals Facebook page and the Say Something Shoals YouTube channel. The plan is to take each campaign addressing the different social issues affecting us all to a national level, Bennett said. Starting it at home was the first step. Say Something Shoals plans to reach out to UNA and local public schools to hold events which increase awareness about social issues affecting the community, Bennett said.

SPORTS Importance of nurses See page 2B

Battle in the trenches See page 4B

EXTRA Hometown Hero Lexie Bradley See page 5B

Events on- and off-campus See page 7B

2B LIFE

Oct. 1, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

MEDIA

Nursing community reacts to comments from TV host MONDAY SANDERSON

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

photo by SHAY REDD I Staff Photographer

Nursing Student Assistant Shelby Mayhunt (right) walks senior Gabby Kroeger (left) through the procedure for drawing blood. Nursing is the top undergraduate major at UNA.

“The View” is under scrutiny for allegedly mocking Miss Colorado Kelly Johnson — and nurses in general. Due to these comments, some sponsors pulled their backing from the talk show. The comments and backlash from them have sparked a debate in America. During the talent portion of the recent Miss America pageant, Johnson came out in nursing scrubs with a stethoscope around her neck. She then gave a monologue about a patient who helped her realize why she was important as a nurse. “The View” briefly covered the competition the day after it aired. However, in this brief moment, the host managed to insult Johnson and other nurses by minimizing what they do every day. Nursing is the No. 1 undergraduate major at UNA. There are 793 undergraduate students declaring nursing as their major with 196 currently in the program. The nursing college saw 145 undergraduate students and 24 graduate students graduate in the 2014-2015 academic year. “Joy Behar made an unfortunate

comment that probably, to some degree, might have been taken out of context,” said Professor of Nursing Helen Coronel. “By making the comment that it was a doctor’s stethoscope, it clearly shows she doesn’t have an understanding of the job of a nurse.” This has drawn attention to the profession, Coronel said. Nurses have come out in support of one another, and advertisers for “The View” have pulled their ads from the show. The comments were unfortunate and came across as mocking the entire profession, said Associate Professor of Nursing Tera Kirkman. “As a result of the comments, more people have become aware of the role of the nurse,” she said. “I think the roles of nurses have been misleading on different shows on television. That’s why a lot of people have a misconception of what nurses do.” What nurses do is a talent and not something a lot of people can do, said senior Stephanie Terry.

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

HEALTH

Exercise helps students cope with stressful college life MELISSA PARKER 4QNM -LQ\WZ TQNM(NTWZITI VM\

College brings the stress of classes, work and a social life. Trying to manage all these may leave students feeling overwhelmed. In 2012, more than 40 percent of college students reported having more than the average amount of stress in a 12-month period, according to the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment. Exercise is important for maintaining mental fitness, and it can reduce stress. Studies show it is effective at reducing fatigue, improving alertness and concentration and, enhancing overall cognitive function, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America website. Funded by student fees, the Student Recreation Center is a good place to start exercising, said SRC fitness coordinator Glenda Richey. There is a social aspect to exercise too, she said. Students meet people who may share common interests or may be dealing with the same problems. Being a college student is stressful, said junior Hollie McGough. “I definitely come to the gym as an anti-stress (mechanism),” she said. “This is my time.” Just five minutes of exercise at a time can be beneficial, said Jami Flippo, a mental health counselor at Student

Counseling Services. Doing something as simple as taking a brisk walk across campus can help. “It certainly does change the chemistry and the way our bodies work,” she said. Stress is attributed to several health issues including high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes, Flippo said. “Seventy to 90 percent of all visits to primary physicians are because of stressrelated disorders,” she said. Think of the brain like the heart, she said. “If your heart was working hard all the time and never slowed down, it couldn’t take it,” Flippo said. Richey said she sees the stress on the faces of the students who come to the SRC and suggests exercise as a way to combat it. Students have less time to focus on what is causing them stress when they are exercising, she said. Exercise should be a part of everyone’s daily routine, she said. “Make exercise the coping mechanism to stress,” Richey said. “When you do start to exercise you feel like you have some control in your life.” Stepping away from what is causing the stress, finding something enjoyable to do and getting the heart pumping enables a person to come back more focused, Flippo said. “It’s a transfer of energy from inside to out, and it kind of gives you that balance,” she said.

photo by JACKSON TOWNSEND I Student Photographer

Senior Byron Speer gets in his daily workout in the Student Recreation Center. The SRC is open to students at UNA through the Student Recreation Facility fee and is located next to the parking deck.

Yoga and meditation are also excellent ways to combat stress, she said. “Your mind is powerful,” she said. “If you feel like you feel better, then oftentimes you feel better.” Richey agreed and said getting a

massage is also a good way to get the mind off things. “Just do 30 minutes of (physical activity) to get your mind off your troubles,” she said.

LIFE 3B

Oct. 1, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

LIONS PLACE, LLC e r e i m e r P The e g e l l Co y t i n u Comm www.lionsplace.net 256-760-8873

4 Bedroom 4 Bath Duplex with 2 Bedroom 2 Bath Minutes from UNA Your own bedroom and bath Individual leases Free cable & Wifi Appliances including Washer & dryer Front Porch & patios

Duplex with 2 Bedroom 2 Bath Nightly drive thru-security Two water heaters in each 4 bedroom Annual Court House Racket Club membership w/$29.95 initiation fee Lawn Maintenance Large yards Ample parking Quarterly Pest Control

4B SPORTS SCOREBOARD SEPT. 23-27

Oct. 1, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

FOOTBALL

Sept. 23 Soccer at Shorter 5-0 Win

Sept. 25 Volleyball at Union 3-0 Win

Sept. 26 Volleyball at Christian Brothers 3-0 Win Football vs. Florida Tech 55-48 Win

Sept. 27 Soccer vs. Cumberland 2-1 Win (OT)

UPCOMING Volleyball Oct. 1 at Alabama-Huntsville Oct. 3 at Mississippi College Oct. 9 vs. Valdosta State Oct. 10 vs. West Florida

Football Oct. 3 at Valdosta State Oct. 10 at Western Oregon Oct. 17 vs. UNC-Pembroke (Homecoming)

Soccer

Oct. 2 at Valdosta State Oct. 4 vs. West Georgia Oct. 8 vs. Spring Hill Oct. 11 at West Florida

Cross Country Oct. 9 Watson Ford Invitational (Clinton, Mississippi)

Golf Oct. 12-13 Guy Harvey Invitational (Palm Beach, Florida) Games continued at roarlions.com

photo by AMANDALYN DORNER I Staff Photographer

UNA running back Lamonte Thompson listens for the playcall against Gulf South Conference opponent Florida Tech, where the Lions won 55-48. Thompson is one of the leading rushers in the nation this season and gives credit to his blockers.

Thompson praises blockers for success MIKE EZEKIEL

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The UNA football team (3-0, 2-0 Gulf South Conference) is off to a hot start, including a 55-48 conference win over the Florida Institute of Technology last Saturday. The win was the 109th for UNA head coach Bobby Wallace, tying him with the late Hal Self — who coached from 194970 — for the most in school history. Much of UNA’s success this season is credited to senior running back Lamonte Thompson, who has rushed for over ver 100 yards in each of his three gamess this season. Thompson is in the top 10 nationally in rushing yards per game this season. Thompson said he credits the offensive line for his tremendous success thus far. “The offensive line has really picked it up since last season,” Thompson said. “They have definitely improved and are finishing their blocks. It means a lot to have their leadership. They know what they are doing.” The five starters up front for the Lions are seniors Rod Winston and Jalen Beavers, followed by juniors Steven Evans, Cody Vaughn and Jess Cooper. Thompson also credited fullback Ryan Harper, who typically lead blocks for the ball carrier.

“He does a great job of getting position on guys,” Thompson said. “A lot of people think it’s all about making big hits, but it’s really about getting position. That helps me run around guys.” UNA offensive line coach Scott Harper said he had no problems deciding a starting five on the line coming into this season.

”

THE OFFENSIVE LINE HAS REALLY PICKED IT UP SINCE LAST SEASON. THEY HAVE DEFINITELY IMPROVED AND ARE FINISHING THEIR BLOCKS. IT MEANS A LOT TO HAVE THEIR LEADERSHIP.

LAMONTE THOMPSON

SENIOR RUNNING BACK

“This is i the first fall since I’ve been here where we’ve known who our five starters were going to be,” Harper said. “They all went through spring together, which was huge. They communicate well. It’s a good fit with those five guys.” Harper said while it is always nice to hear Thompson and other players give credit to his offensive line, he believes those players help the linemen just as much. “Having the best running back in the country back there makes things a lot

easier,” Harper said. “He can make us look better than we really are at times and vice versa.” While the starting five have a big role in the offensive success this season, Harper said he believes the line has a vast amount of depth. “We have at least eight or nine guys we can throw in at anytime and function well,” he said. “I have no problem playing any of those eight or nine guys. That’s more than we’ve had in the past. It’s a big help keeping our guys fresh and playing full-speed for four quarters.” Winston, a three-year letterman who has h played all positions on the offensive line throughout his career, said having the th experience of this group is important. “Experience is key,” he said. “It gives an advantage over our opponent having game experience. From freshman year to becoming a senior, it’s become second nature to me.” Winston said while he realizes he and his teammates up front will not usually receive praise from the media, it is rewarding for him to hear his players credit the line day in and day out. “It’s really special to me,” Winston said. “They are really humble, and they know that their success is also our success. We all play for one another. We are all brothers.” The Lions look to remain undefeated on the road against conference rival Valdosta State Oct. 3.

SPORTS 5B

Oct. 1, 2015• The Flor-Ala

PROFILE

Local sophomore talent key asset for Lions KADIN POUNDERS

)[[WKQI\M ;XWZ\[ -LQ\WZ [XWZ\[(NTWZITI VM\

There is no place like home. For sophomore volleyball player Lexie Bradley, the cliché is especially true. The 5’11” outside hitter for UNA was a standout at Wilson High School in Florence, where her mother — and former Lions volleyball player — Sandy Bradley coached her. The family connection to UNA was a big influence in Bradley’s decision to sign with her hometown team. “I feel like if I didn’t grow up in this town and my mom didn’t play here, I wouldn’t have as much of a connection to (UNA),” Bradley said. “I grew up coming to UNA’s (volleyball) camps, so I’ve always felt like this was the place. Plus, I have a lot of family that lives here, so I love that they get to come support me and watch me every game.” As a freshman, Bradley started in 16 matches for the Lions and averaged 2.05 kills per set. In her second season, Bradley is second on the team in kills per set and leads the team in service aces, making her a mainstay in the lineup.

“I worked really hard in the offseason and all of this summer, so honestly I expect more of myself, even more than what my stats show,” Bradley said. “Last year, I was coming into the season off knee surgery. I was struggling with it, but now that I’m 100 percent healthy, I feel like I’m a completely different player than I was last year.” UNA head coach

Stephanie Radecki said the improvement in Bradley’s game is apparent. “Lexie has made huge strides toward becoming a very dominating player,” Radecki said. “She’s much stronger than she was last season. As a sophomore, she’s become more effective, she’s more

powerful and she is more intelligent.” On the court and in the locker room, Bradley brings a positive attitude to the team. “It’s great to have confidence in your teammates,” said fellow outside hitter Natasha Fomina. “Lexie is great to have on the court because we know that we can count on her to make big plays at the right times. “She has good energy on and off the court. Playing with people that have those qualities is a lot of fun and makes playing together really enjoyable.” In the classroom, Bradley is focusing on special education and elementary education, areas where she feels she can make a difference after she graduates. “In the eighth grade, I aided with the preschool,” Bradley said. “Every year after that I always aided in the Pre-K or elementary school. I always gravitated toward the special-ed kids and cliqued with them. It just really made me want to get into that field.” With over half the season remaining, Bradley’s main focus is on the court, where her team will try to avenge last season’s loss in the GSC championship game.

“I’m really excited for the rest of this season and to see how well we do,” she said. “I definitely want to go back and get that ring after we lost in the (conference) championship last season. It really just eats me alive and it does everyone else on the team.” Bradley and her team’s next step toward redemption is on the road Oct. 1 against Alabama-Huntsville.

LEXIE BRADLEY • CLASS: SOPHOMORE

• POSITION: OUTSIDE HITTER • HEIGHT: 5ʼ11ʼʼ • HOMETOWN: FLORENCE, AL • HIGH SCHOOL: WILSON HS • KILLS: 136 • SERVICE ACES: 25 • POINTS: 174.0

RUGBY

Lions remain undefeated, prepare for matrix games XAVIER WHERRY

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The UNA Rugby team put its undefeated record on the line against unbeaten Division I Western Kentucky, toppling the Hilltoppers 35-20 to improve to 4-0. After the game, UNA head coach Eddie Roberts was pleased with his team, who handed WKU its first loss of the season. “The game plan was to get the ball to the backs,” he said. “We have very athletic backs. The forwards played well. They played hard, and they’re aggressive.”

”

OUR CONDITIONING IS GETTING BETTER. WE HAD A LACKLUSTER FIRST HALF, BUT THE CONDITIONING SHOWED UP IN THE SECOND HALF. WE HAD MORE BALL CONTROL.

EDDIE ROBERTS

HEAD COACH

Senior team captain Dan Logan came up big for the Lions, as he has all season, putting the first points on the board, and scoring early in the first half. WKU tied the game 7-7 with 16 minutes left in the first half. UNA expanded its lead to 14-10 with 6 minutes remaining before pulling away

photo by JACKSON TOWNSEND I Student Photographer

Junior back Darnell Dothard attempts to advance the ball during a non-conference match against Division I Western Kentucky University Sept. 26. The UNA rugby team beat the Hilltoppers 35-20 Saturday to improve their record to 4-0.

to win 35-20. Despite the slow start, Roberts said he credited the strong finish to his team’s fitness. “Our conditioning is getting better,” he said. “We had a lackluster first half, but the conditioning showed up in the second half. We had more ball control.” UNA has 23 players, which is larger

than most collegiate teams. Roberts said one advantage his team owns is the ability to keep its players fresh. “Depth is very important,” he said. “We’re solid all the way through. We don’t have anybody that’s playing right now that I’m scared to put on the field.” Roberts said he believes in every player on his team and tries to get

everyone involved. “My philosophy is the sooner I can get a young man in the game, the better,” he said. While Rugby is a not as popular in the United States as in other countries, it is a sport players quickly decide they are cut out for.

;MM :=/*A XIOM *

6B SPORTS

Oct. 1, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

SOCCER

Freshmen make immediate impact for Lions SOCCER FRESHMEN • ANNA KATHERINE GREEN

• KYLIE HUEY • PAIGE PORTER • MARGARIDA SOUSA • KATE WEBSTER

photo by AMANDALYN DORNER I Staff Photographer

Freshman forward Kylie Huey (15) attempts to steal the ball from a Cumberland defender in the UNA soccer team’s 2-1 overtime victory Sept. 27. Huey is one of the many freshmen making an impact for the Lions this year.

KADIN POUNDERS

)[[WKQI\M ;XWZ\[ -LQ\WZ [XWZ\[(NTWZITI VM\

The transition from high school to college can be a tough one, especially for student-athletes adjusting to a new city, a new school and new teammates. A few freshmen on the UNA soccer team, however, appear to have made that transition seamlessly. Kylie Huey, Margarida Sousa and Paige Porter were hundreds of miles away from Florence this time last year, but now all three are together and are major contributors to one of the best soccer programs in Division II. The two other freshmen on the active roster — forward and Florence native Anna Katherine Green and goalkeeper

Kate Webster — have given the Lions valuable play as subs off the bench.

”

ALL FIVE OF THE TRUE FRESHMAN WE

BROUGHT IN WE EXPECTED TO COME IN AND

COMPETE FOR PLAYING TIME.

WE EXPECTED SOME

TO COME IN AND START JUST BECAUSE OF THE LEVEL WE KNEW THEY WERE CAPABLE OF PLAYING.

CHRIS WALKER

HEAD COACH

“All five of the true freshmen we brought in we expected to come in and compete for playing time,” said head

coach Chris Walker. “We expected some to come in and start just because of the level we knew they were capable of playing.” Huey, a forward from Arlington, Tennessee, has five goals this season, the most by any freshman in the GSC. She started in seven of UNA’s eight games and was named GSC Soccer Freshman of the Week for two consecutive weeks. Despite the newcomer’s success on the field, getting to this point was a fight for the former prep all-star. “The speed of play (in college) is a lot different, and the girls are more physical on the field,” Huey said. “In high school, I was used to starting, but when I came (to UNA) I really had to fight for my way to start in games.” Walker had high expectations for

Huey coming in and is pleased with her performance so far this season. “We already knew what (Huey) was capable of. I think she was a little overlooked in the Memphis area so we were glad when we got her committed,” he said. “Once she got her first goal, the pressure was off her shoulders, and she’s been enjoying it. She’s been freshman of the week two weeks in a row. She has deserved it.” Huey’s teammate Sousa also played well in her first season with the Lions. All the way from Portugal, Sousa has made the move to America and been a productive member of the UNA midfield. “I think at first it was just a big culture shock for Margarida, coming from massive Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, to tiny Florence, Alabama,” Walker said. “The more and more she plays, the more time she spends here, the better she’s going to get.” Alongside Sousa in the midfield is Porter, who has started every match for UNA this season. Porter’s style of play has been a plus for the Lions this season. “Paige has been fantastic,” Walker said. “She has stepped in straight away and added a more aggressive presence to our midfield.” The stat sheet does not show the importance of her position, but Porter is focused more on team success than individual attention. “The buildup between the defense and the midfield is what allows (forwards) to score and make the headlines,” she said. “I’m completely fine with not being in the headlines, but I know it’s all a team effort.” UNA’s five freshmen and the rest of the squad will be on the road Oct. 2 to take on GSC foe Valdosta State.

:=/*A KWV\QV]ML NZWU XIOM * “Rugby is a sport where it takes about five minutes to figure out whether you like it or not,” Roberts said. “The sooner we can get them on the field playing, then they fall in love with the game and they’ll stick with the conditioning because they’ll see the benefits of it.” Logan is viewed as one of the leaders of the team by his teammates, but motivates his team through his play rather than through outspokenness. “I’m more of a leader by example,” Logan said. “I feel motivation comes from inside. You shouldn’t have people yelling at you to be motivated all the time.”

Logan also had high praise for his teammates and has high expectations for this team. “These guys know how to play,” he said. “We have a great team this year and some great teammates.” The Lions have experience, as the majority of the team played last season. Junior Darnell Dothard said the experience of this team since the start of the program has grown tremendously. “Our seniors contribute a lot to this team,” Dothard said. “They play a big part in the leadership of this team. We also have a couple of All-Americans who are vocal on the field.”

The Lions won their conference last season and received a first round exit in the playoffs last season. This season, Dothard said he believes UNA will go further. “This year we are a whole lot ahead of where we were last season,” he said. “Last year was good, but we have a lot of returners back and some newcomers who have contributed to the team. I see us going really far this year.” UNA is on the road next weekend at Freed-Hardeman Oct. 3, and returns home for an important opening conference game against Tennessee Tech Oct. 17.

REMAINING FALL RUGBY SCHEDULE AT

FREED-HARDEMAN (OCT. 3)

VS.

TENNESSEE TECH (OCT. 17)

AT

UT-CHATTANOOGA (OCT. 24)

VS.

SEWANEE UNIV. (OCT. 31)

AT

LEE UNIVERSITY (NOV. 8)

EXTRA 7B

Oct. 1, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

EVENTS

Thurs., Oct. 1 8 a.m. Mike Huckabee sponsored by College Republicans GUC 208 10 a.m. Zeta Tau Alpha Pink Week Lemonade @ Amphitheater 3:30 p.m. Student Government Assembly GUC 200 7 p.m. UNA Volleyball @ UAH (Huntsville)

photo courtesy of Christy Britten

Teams compete for first, second and third places during the annual Shoals Dragon Boat Festival. The festival, taking place Oct. 3, benefits Kilby Laboratory School.

Sat., Oct. 3

7:30 p.m. Shoals Symphony GUC Ballroom

9 a.m. Shoals Dragon Boat Festival @ McFarland Park

Fri., Oct. 2

Sun., Oct. 4

3 p.m. First Friday International Tea Powers Hall 4 p.m. Film Club @ Communications Building room 124 6 p.m. Step Show 2015 Flowers Hall

1 p.m. UNA Soccer vs West Georgia

Mon., Oct. 5

8-11 a.m. A.L.I.C.E (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) Training 3:30 p.m. Student Government Assembly GUC 200

4:30 p.m. Homecoming nominations due

5:30 p.m. SAFE @ Stone Lodge (Upper)

8 p.m. Wed., Oct. 7 Fellowship of Christian 11 a.m. Athletes Flu Clinic @ GUC Commons 330

Tues., Oct. 6 1 p.m. UNA Volleyball vs West Georgia 2 p.m. Spanish Roundtable @ 3rd floor of Wesleyan 2 p.m. Model U.N. @ Wesleyan Hall 222 4:30 p.m. Hispanic Culture Organization @ Stone Lodge (Upper)

4:30 p.m. SGA Freshman Forum GUC 200 6 p.m. JUMP! @ Stone Lodge (Upper)

Have an event? Send the title, location, date and time to editor@florala.net

8B EXTRA

SOCIAL MEDIA OF THE WEEK

Oct. 1, 2015 • The Flor-Ala

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