SOAR Paper Part 1 by The Flor-Ala

SOAR Edition, 2011

Student Newspaper of the University of North Alabama

Bucket List: what students need to know and do at UNA and in the Shoals Off-campus freshmen must ride buses to UNA in the fall. See pg. 2

Student fee breakdown: what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re paying for. See pg. 13

photo by Susan King

Wondering what to do downtown? See pg. 26

photo by Malisa McClure

The possible Tornadoes rip move to D-I through state, could impact affect UNA Braly future athletics. family. See Stadium See pg. 37 pg. 11 plays key

Rich music tradition hits the Shoals during Handy Fest. See pg. 32

role in campus sports. See pg.42 photo by Malisa McClure

photo by Malisa McClure

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News

SOAR Edition, 2011 • The Flor-Ala

Freshmen to ride buses to ease parking issues Police hope to fix ongoing parking problems, alleviate traffic on campus 4]Ka *MZZa

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To help alleviate parking issues and open up more spaces at UNA, University Police are requiring all incoming freshmen students who live off-campus to use the Lion Express transportation system to and from designated bus stops in Florence starting this fall. Students will be randomly assigned to park in either the downtown Florence parking garage or in the Darby parking lot behind Lauderdale Lanes Bowling Alley on Florence Boulevard. Buses will run periodically to both areas from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays.

”For freshmen, it will be new

to them, so nothing will really change from their end. We will monitor them and make adjustments as we need to.”

-Chief Bob Pastula The Darby parking area, which is an approximate 15-minute drive from campus, holds about 500 vehicles, while the Florence City parking garage has around 170 spaces available for UNA students. By requiring freshmen to use the new parking system, officials say around 750 additional parking spaces will become available each day on campus. “It is my hope that students will decide to spend their day on campus, get engaged in activities, attend events, go to the library to study and stay here as much as they can,”

said David Shields, vice president of student affairs. “This should also save students a lot of money on gas and cut down on them having to circle parking lots and search for spots.” One bus route will run back and forth from UNA’s Harrison Plaza, located near the fountain, to the Darby parking lot behind the bowling alley. Another route will run all day from Darby to the UNA East campus to Harrison Plaza. The commuter buses will also frequent student-friendly apartment complexes in Florence, like Ivy Green, Four Seasons, Florendale Arms, Red Fern and Courtyard, in hopes of freeing up more parking spaces on campus. Shields said new freshmen will receive a letter from officials with their UNA decal and designated parking area included over the summer. When the fall semester begins, University Police will give students up to two weeks to adjust to the new parking system before issuing tickets. UNA police Chief Bob Pastula said officers will regularly patrol both parking areas to prevent crime and are working to bring police substations to the East campus and Darby lot. “[The system] is probably going to be a bit different for them at first,” Pastula said. “For freshmen, it will be new to them, so nothing will really change from their end. We will watch the areas, monitor them and make adjustments as we need to.” In May, University Police proposed the freshmen parking plan to the SGA Senate, which voted informally in favor of the new regulations, which will then be sent on for final approval from Executive Council. SGA President Ralph Akalonu believes

photo by Phillip Holcombe

Commuter student Morgan McVay parks outside the Communications Building on campus May 17. Next year, freshman commuter students will have to park in either the Darby parking lot behind Lauderdale Lanes or in the Florence Parking Garage.

the parking plan will be effective for the university in the long run. “This is one of the steps that the university will have to take to effectively tackle the issue with parking,” Akalonu said. “I think there are some positives to it, and the overall goal outweighs the cons. It will free up a lot of space for upperclassmen and make parking less stressful.” Sarah Skipworth, an incoming freshman who lives with her parents in Killen and will commute each day to UNA, worries that the new parking plan may interfere with her daily schedule and on-campus job.

“I would hate to have to grab a bus,” she said. “It would be inconvenient to have to be there at a certain time when you can’t be on your own schedule. If I have to leave and run errands for work, I wouldn’t be able to leave as I wanted with the buses.” Students will not be required to pay additional money outside the required student parking fee for off-campus parking. Shields encourages students to arrive 45 minutes early to the Darby Lot or downtown parking garage to ensure that they get to classes on time, as buses will run at each stop every 15 minutes.

Rivers Hall to be renovated exclusively for freshmen students

photo by Phillip Holcombe

Rivers Hall will be renovated over the summer to provide a more up-to-date living space for students to enjoy while living on campus.

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Incoming freshmen will have an exciting housing opportunity this fall Rivers Hall dormitory will have renovations this fall both physically and managerially. For the first time, the dormitory will be exclusively for freshmen students. The individual rooms will be furnished

with moveable furniture and the halls will be staffed by upperclassmen students who are trained and prepared to assist freshmen with the transition to college life. The program is based loosely on the program already implemented in LaGrange Hall dormitory, the Starting History On Campus program. This program was designed to help students achieve a balance between maintaining good grades, a social

life and campus involvement. The idea to change Rivers Hall into a freshman dormitory with a similar SHOC program began about one year ago with Kevin Jacques, director of residence life, Audrey Mitchell, director of housing and David Shields, vice president of student affairs. The program is designed to help freshmen learn to balance good grades and campus involvement. To do this, odd numbered floors will be staffed by not only a student resident assistant but also a student FYRE fellow, which stands for Freshmen Year Residence Education, said Jacques. The FYRE fellows were chosen to lead by example in a mentor position through an application process with rigid GPA standards. They must serve as models for healthy study skills and time management. Along with offering the FYRE program in Rivers Hall, the dormitory will undergo some minor adjustments this summer. The individual rooms are presently furnished with a built-in desk and bookshelf, but this fall all furniture in the rooms will be modular and portable. This will allow the students to rearrange the furniture and control the layout of the room to their liking. Along with the FYRE programming, Jacques said that Residence Life would also like to be able to implement faculty programming in relation to budgeting and health and wellness. This will be done with the motive to expand upon and supplement classroom learning. While this will be a transitional period, Residence Life is hoping for suc-

cess with the new program. The program will be evaluated yearly to discern the need for new improvements and to provide help and resources. “This is a great opportunity for students to meet other freshmen like themselves, and have a well-trained staff available to help, have unique opportunities and, most importantly, to succeed at UNA,” said Jacques.

photo by Phillip Holcombe

Workers are renovating Rivers Hall this summer to include better living quarters, as well as a new staff member who will work in the hall to provide a role model for incoming students.

SOAR Edition, 2011 • The Flor-Ala

News

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UNA police to change location, upgrade technology 2W[P ;SIOO[

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The UNA police department will be in a new location next year. It will move from its current location since 1973 on Waterloo Road to the basement of Keller Hall over the summer. The police department is totally revamping its communication systems and police station, UNA police Chief Bob Pastula said. He hopes to have the department moved into its new location before students return for the fall semester. “We wanted to keep the police more centered to the campus,” said David Shields, vice president of student affairs. The new space, more advanced technology and central location will create a presence on campus, Shields said. Shields and Pastula are both excited about the station’s major crisis communications center and the services it will be able to provide to students in case of a major emergency on campus or in the area. The new station will be completely equipped with new offices for officers, sergeants and other staff members. The current location does not have the office space the new station has. In addition to office space, the station will house a dispatcher office, which will be a new feature to the police department. Pastula expects to hire eight to 10 students to be dispatchers in the station. The new dispatchers will allow UNA police to dispatch their own officers. Currently, officers are dispatched from the Lauderdale

County 911 center, but in the future officers will be dispatched from the new station. “We can add, build and grow from this,” Shields said. “I think we were so far behind when I first got here,” Pastula said. Pastula feels as though the new station and the technology it brings will not only provide a safer campus, but allow students to interact with the police department more. “Since the officers are [on campus] they are a little bit closer to what is going on,” Pastula said. “[The new police station] makes us look more and more professional. The station allows us to provide more of a service to students.” Pastula said the new station allows stu-

”[The new police station]

makes us look more and more professional. The station allows us to provide more of a service to students.”

-Chief Bob Pastula dents to interact more easily with the UNA police department. He admitted that the old location was driving distance from UNA, but the new station will give the department more visibility on campus. “The officers are getting a lot more training,” Pastula said. Pastula and Shields both said the number one goal they have is to have a top-

photo by Malisa McClure

UNA police Chief Bob Pastula tours the new police station, which will be housed in the basement of Keller Hall. The UNA police department was located in Keller Hall until 1973 when they decided to move to a building on Waterloo Road.

notch police force. This goal has been a priority for both of them since they came to UNA. Pastula also announced UNA police will be operating a substation in the lobby of Rice Hall beginning in the fall. This will allow officers to be on the other side of campus as well as in the Harrison Plaza area. The UNA police department will be adding cameras around campus and in the

GUC to monitor what is going on throughout the day and night at UNA, Pastula said. These cameras will be monitored by the police dispatchers and will allow them to dispatch officers without having to be called by students. “[The camera system] gives us the ability to have a watch of what’s going on around campus and gives us control over what’s on around campus,” Pastula said.

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News

SOAR Edition, 2011 • The Flor-Ala

Board moves back D-1 decision, develops strategic plan Administration to ensure academics, current programs not affected by possible move 2W[P ;SIOO[

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“The big question could be how much time do we need,” Woods said. Woods explained the UNA administration and Board of Trustees are making sure in every way possible that all areas of the

ics as well. Woods said UNA is doing everything possible to make sure no existing programs are being cut or affected by the Division I costs. He also said the admin-

The Board of Trustees at UNA will decide the fate of the university community at their scheduled meeting June 13. The board will decide whether or not UNA will make a move to Division I athletics. After student protests and strong opposition from campus groups such as Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and SGA, the board decided to postpone their decision in March and develop a strategic plan for the future. “The president and the majority of the subcommittee recommend the future of UNA athletics to move to Division I,” said Steve Pierce, president pro tempore of the Board of Trustees, at the March meeting. “We are all here for what’s best for this university. Groups have met countless hours regarding D-I.” “The timing is the critical issue,” said board member Libby Watts-Jordan following the March meeting. “If we move up, it is when.” “[The strategic plan will say] we must accomplish these items before we photo courtesy of Shannon Wells, university photographer go Division I,” said UNA spokesman Steve Pierce addresses the Division I decision during the March Board of Trustees meetJosh Woods. “The strategic plan is simply ing. The board is deciding whether the university should make the move to Division I a series of benchmarks.” athletics in the future. The board decides many things for the university, such as financial Woods explained the Board of Trust- and other universit- related decisions. ees’ decision is not a simple yes or no decision, the decision is whether or not to university are not adversely affected by istration is working tirelessly to ensure pursue Division I athletic status. He also a move to Division I. He emphasized the that no financial burden is being placed on explained the decision is a tough decision university is making the Division I move students because of the move. and all facets of the decision are being not just about athletics, but about academSGA President Uchenna “Ralph” looked into.

Akalonu said the Division I move is going to happen. Akalonu said he wants the move to not only encompass athletics, but he wants the move to transition into academics. “If we are going to do it, we have to do it right,” Akalonu said. “[If we go Division I], don’t make it just an athletics thing.” Akalonu explained the university is looking to grow, but he wants to ensure the emphasis of the transition is on preserving the already strong academic areas UNA currently has. “I want UNA to be a small school with good athletic programs that can

”[The strategic plan will say]

we must accomplish these items before we go Division I. The strategic plan is simply a series of benchmarks. ”

-Josh Woods UNA spokesman compete if we go D-I,” Akalonu added. For breaking news updates about the D-I decision, visit florala.net or follow us on Twitter at @UNAFlorAla. The Flor-Ala will update following the June 13 board meeting.

SOAR Edition, 2011 • The Flor-Ala

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Editorial

SOAR Edition, 2011 • The Flor-Ala

Meet the new Flor-Ala editors

Lucy Berry

Josh Skaggs

Executive Editor

News Editor

Andy Thigpen

Tommy Bolton

Alex Lindley

Life Editor

Sports Editor

Copy Editor

Hometown: Decatur

Hometown: Montgomery

Hometown: Florence

Hometown: Section

Hometown: Florence

Major(s): Journalism, English Literature

Major(s): Entertainment Business with a PR minor

Major(s): English, Professional Writing

Major(s): Journalism

Major(s): Professional Writing with a French minor

Favorite local past time: Antique, thrift store shopping

Favorite local past time: Studying at Rivertown with a latte or two, or three..

Favorite local past time: Going to see local bands, plays and downtown events

Favorite UNA professor: Dr. Beth Garfrerick

Favorite UNA professor: Dr. Cynthia Burkhead

Favorite UNA professor: Dr. Jim Martin Advice for new freshmen: Be the best version of yourself that you can be. Work really hard for what you want, while being kind to others

Advice for new freshmen: Don’t blow your whole academic career on one year. Be smart, responsible and think before making decisions

In five years, I’d... like to be a crime and investigative reporter for a newspaper, while also be in graduate school working toward a master’s in English

In five years, I’d... like to be working for a major record label working in public relations or being an entertainment journalist

Three personality traits: Curious, reserved, classy

Three personality traits: Independent, determined, dependable

Advice for new freshmen: Practice good time manage ment In five years, I’d... like to be teaching writ ing or English at a university during the year and relax ing on my own private yacht with an orangutan butler named Winston during the summer

Favorite local past time: Playing ultimate frisbee on the UNA practice field Favorite UNA professor: Dr. Jim Martin Advice for new freshmen: Always keep your head up, even when times are bad. In five years, I’d... like to be living in Orlando, Fla. at the beach, working as a sports writer for The Orlando Sentinel Three personality traits: Sports fan, friendly, fun

photos by Malisa McClure

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Favorite local past time: Playing soccer with friends and going to Shoals cultural events Favorite UNA professor: Dr. Keith Lindley for obvious reasons Advice for new freshmen: Learn that all disciplines are interconnected and get involved in a variety of them In five years, I’d... like to have a graduate degree and be a freelance writer or editor Three personality traits: Hardworking, happy, interested

Three personality traits: Obscure, nostalgic, chillaxed

Have something to say about our paper? The 2011-2012 Flor-Ala staff wants to know what you think about our stories, photos and other content. If you’re not a writer or journalism major, but want to get your voice in the student newspaper, consider writing a letter to the editor.

for publication.

E-mail us at florala@ una.edu

The editorial staff of The Flor-Ala has established the following policies concerning Letters to the Editor submitted for publication during the academic year.

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

• Letters must not exceed 400 words. If a letter exceeds the 400-word limit, the writer will be notified, if that is possible, and asked to edit it to an acceptable length.

• The publication of any letter is left to the discretion of the Editorial Board. A writer who hand-delivers a letter must present photo identification.

• Only letters accompanied by the writer’s legible signature, current address and telephone number will be considered

•Any written work submitted through an electronic medium may be subject to publication, unless otherwise

specified by the sender. • The Board prefers that letters be oriented to issues, rather than personalities. 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. • The editor(s) may exercise the option of responding to a letter, but will do so in the issue following the one in which the letter appears. • Address correspondence to The Flor-Ala. UNA Box 5300, Florence, AL 35632. Letters may also be submitted through e-mail or florala.net.

Letters

SOAR Edition, 2011 • The Flor-Ala <PM

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Student Newspaper of the University of North Alabama

Want to advertise in The Flor-Ala? 256.765.4427 256.765.4426

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Lucy Berry NEWS/MANAGING EDITOR Josh Skaggs LIFE EDITOR Andy Thigpen SPORTS EDITOR Tommy Bolton COPY EDITOR Alex Lindley WEBMASTER Jordan Bradley ADVERTISING MANAGER Devin Kennamer GRAPHIC ARTIST Savannah Comer CIRCULATION MANAGER Evan King CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER Malisa McClure STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERS Kayla Sloan Barry Minor Darrick Dawkins Phillip Holcombe ADVISER Rebecca Walker

Uchenna “Ralph” Akalonu

On behalf of the students at

Contact information E-mail: florala@una.edu Phone: 256.765.4364 Fax: 256.765.5099 Advertising: 256.765.4427

UNA, I would like to extend a warm welcome to you as you begin your transition into college life. UNA is a great place to begin or transition for a college career, and offers a lot of things to do outside the classroom. The Student Government Association is the official student representative to the university administration and serves a threefold purpose. First, the SGA serves as the voice and governing body of the students by providing services and making recommendations to the university administration. SGA also exists to protect and promote the educational, cultural, economic and social advancement of all UNA students.

Lastly, the SGA strives to provide a forum in which student interests and needs are both expressed and valued. The SGA is made up of five branches that work with cohesion to bring about different services to UNA students. These branches are the executive branch, legislative branch (senate), programming branch (University Program Council), judicial branch and Freshman Forum branch. So, if you are interested in representing your fellow students by becoming a senator, or you have programming ideas that you think would benefit UNA students by becoming a UPC delegate, or adjudicating on issues that arise within SGA by becoming a judi-

cial member, or becoming a voice for the freshmen class through Freshman Forum, then the SGA is the place for you. The SGA offices are located in the Guillot University Center, and are always open to students to come and interact with any of the current members. I encourage you to get involved as much as you can because this university offers the best opportunity to initiate ideas for the betterment of UNA students. Once more, SGA and UNA students welcome you and wish you well as you embark on this great journey. Sincerely, Uchenna “Ralph” Akalonu SGA President

Cale offers advice about freshman collegiate success Students and Family: This is an exciting time for everyone in your family, and I’m sure students, parents, family and friends are feeling a mixture of emotions. We in the SOAR program are here to help in every way we can by providing explanations for whatever may be unclear, by taking each student through the registration process, by orienting students and families to this great university. If there is something you would like to know, our purpose during SOAR is to provide

that information to you. By now there is probably not a single piece of advice that has not already been said by someone to each of you entering UNA. I don’t want to add to the list, but I do want you to find success here as you prepare for the future. Your highest priority is to study and earn good grades. If you have any doubts about how to accomplish that, or find that what you thought was a good strategy is not working for you in college, seek help. Grades in college are cumulative—every grade you earn is averaged into a composite.

Bad grades during the first year are exceedingly difficult to overcome, so don’t let that happen to you. You have chosen a distinguished university in which to learn and to set you on a path toward a wonderful life. Take advantage of all that is offered to you and enjoy every moment you are a student. Our greatest ambition is to help you be a success. Sincerely yours, William G. Cale, President University of North Alabama UNA President Dr. William Cale

Police move to central location, strive to protect students

Copyright © 2011 The Flor-Ala All rights reserved. First copy free. Additional copies $1 each. Disclaimer: The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the administration, faculty, staff or students of the University of North Alabama.

SGA president hopes for more student involvement

UNA Box 5300 Florence, AL 35632 (256) 765-4364

Have a story idea? Want your event to appear in our calendar? 256.765.4364

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UNA police Chief Bob Pastula

Welcome to UNA, I am extremely proud to be part of such a progressive university and campus law enforcement agency and would like to tell you a little more about the police department. Your university police department is a full-service law enforcement agency established to provide the highest degree of safety and security possible for

the UNA community. We only employ Alabamacertified law enforcement officers that, in turn, provide 24hour patrol and protection of campus and local assets while also enforcing all laws and ordinances. Starting in the fall of 2011, the university police department will be moved to a more centrally located area on campus, the basement of Keller Hall. We are now offering additional new services with the UNA buses that are available to the entire campus. University buses run between the campus and downtown areas to offer more dining and shopping options for the campus community. Buses run daily from the Harrison Plaza stop to downtown areas and the parking garage. This service allows for multiple lunchtime options and an easy way to get off campus to enjoy the historical downtown area of Florence. Take some time between classes, lunch breaks or to just

clear your head and take in all that historic Florence has to offer. Other buses run on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m., providing transportation to the downtown Florence area and Seven Points where you can take advantage of the many shopping, dining and entertainment options available. We are committed to the prevention of crime and the protection of life and property here at UNA. Like many municipal, county, and state law enforcement agencies, we have a Criminal Investigations Division dedicated to investigating crimes occurring on our campus, a Bicycle Patrol Team, Emergency Response Team and specialized units responsible for duties unique to the campus environment. Every member of the UNA community should be familiar with, and take advantage of, the UNA police department and the services we offer. Protect yourself by becoming informed and using good judgment. Take the first step toward

this by familiarizing yourself with safety procedures and services provided by the university police department. UNA police officers are committed to providing personal and property safety information and programs designed to help make your educational, living and working experience at UNA as enjoyable and crime-free as possible. You can contact the UNA Police Department at 256-7654357 and check out our website at www.una.edu/police. Personal safety starts with you! Remember: Always use good sense, lock your doors and close your windows when you are out. Also, do not hesitate to contact campus police if you need help or more information about our services. For answers to any questions you may have regarding UNA police, please e-mail me at rpastula@una.edu. Bob Pastula UNA Police Department

For breaking news and updates at UNA, check out florala.net!

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News

SOAR Edition, 2011 • The Flor-Ala

UNA to monitor alcohol use in freshmen 4]Ka *MZZa

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Beginning this fall, UNA will provide online self-assessments to incoming freshmen to help the university better educate students about the effects of drinking alcohol. The university recently purchased AlcoholEdu, an online alcohol prevention program designed specifically for college students by Outside the Classroom, a national organization that has reached more than 2 million young people. UNA will administer the assessments to each incoming freshmen class via UNA Portal over a fouryear span to learn more about attitudes and behaviors toward alcohol consumption in students. Freshmen students and their parents will initially receive a letter from UNA President Dr. William Cale about the new self-assessments and the university’s efforts to educate students about alcohol. Students will take the first part of the comprehensive self-assessments before they begin their first semester. After 3-5 weeks, they will take a second follow-up assessment reflecting on their experiences with alcohol since coming to campus. Dr. Kim Greenway, director of Student Conduct, Planning and Assessment, expects the educational

efforts based on the data from the self-assessments will benefit UNA students and may cut down on alcohol-related arrests, misconduct, poor academic performance and more. “It will give us a true picture of alcohol use on campus and the perceptions that are out there,” she said. “We will be able to use that data as an educational tool to know

“A lot of incoming freshmen believe itʼs a right of passage for college students to use alcohol.” -Lynne Martin director of counseling how to better reach our students.” Forty-six percent of college students believe drinking alcohol is a major part of the social lives of other college students and that more than 50 percent of students think the social atmosphere on their college campuses promote alcohol use, according to 2005 data from the CORE Institute Regional Profiles of College Student Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Use in Colleges in the Southeast Region. UNA Counseling Services currently offers two self-assessments

on its website, including e-CHUG, focused on alcohol, and e-TOKE, focused on marijuana. Each of these assessments are taken anonymously and offer personalized feedback. “A lot of incoming freshmen believe it’s a right of passage for college students to use alcohol,” said Lynne Martin, associate director of UNA Counseling and Disability Services. “To prevent alcohol use in college students is an unrealistic goal. We already have a variety of educational efforts with them. We want everyone to have the information they need to better equip themselves in their decisions related to alcohol use. General data continues to tell us that alcohol use remains the number one impediment to academic performance among college students,” she added. UNA police Chief Bob Pastula believes the assessments will be effective in reaching students earlier in their college careers by teaching them the hazards of drinking alcohol and how it can affect their lives and academic pursuits. Freshmen will not have to pay for or receive college credit by taking the self-assessments. For more information about the photo by Malisa McClure assessments, contact Greenway at Students at UNA are being asked to fill out self-assessments that 256-765-5012 or e-mail kagreenmeasure alcohol use in freshmen to determine what programs way@una.edu. the university can implement to help students.

SOAR Edition, 2011 • The Flor-Ala

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News

SOAR Edition, 2011 • The Flor-Ala

Treasurer expects tuition to rise exponentially 2W[P ;SIOO[

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According to the Alabama State Treasurer’s office, tuition for 135 hours of college credit will cost students approximately $80,000 at a four-year institution by 2022. Currently, Alabama students pay approximately $35,000 for a four-year degree. UNA is not an exception in the recent tuition increases. UNA’s tuition for the 2009-10 academic year was $167 per credit hour, and for the 2010-11 academic year tuition was $185 per credit hour. UNA provides students with financial assistance through Student Financial Services. The department provides students with financial aid and guidance during their stay at UNA. “We are here to help you,” said Shauna James, scholarship manager with Student Financial Services. Many students believe they cannot get financial aid, James explained. “Everyone can get loan money; it doesn’t matter who you are,” James said. James recommended talking to community organizations students are typically involved in, as these organizations typically have scholarship funds and look for students to give this funding to. “There is money out there,” James added. “You have to be willing to sit down and do it.” According to James, the number one thing students forget to do is fill out the federal application for student aid, or FAFSA, before getting to school. She urged students to fill out their FAFSA as soon as possible to ensure they get aid for the fall. “You really have to budget your money,” James said. “Be patient and get out there and take advantage of all the money you can get. Take ad-

vantage of the resources that are out there.” But to take advantage of the resources available, the student has to be reachable. “Always keep a check on your UNAPortal account,” James stressed. She said students forget to check their e-mail and miss deadlines and important announcements regarding their financial aid status, scholarships, grants or loans. James said money is not going to be handed to students. She said getting a scholarship or grant is not easy work. “You have to be patient as far as scholarships go,” James said. James recommended students take advantage of on-campus employment. She said students can take advantage of working on campus and the flexibility that on-campus jobs allow students. Students like UNA junior Stephanie Nix worry the tuition hike will increase the need to get outside financial aid, such as student loans. Nix said she has used student loans for every semester of her college career. Nix currently attends UNA on a federal Pell grant, paying just a portion of what her overall tuition costs. “[I have to get student loans] because the Pell grant doesn’t cover everything,” Nix added. “Even for the two classes I am taking this summer I still have to pay $177.” “I just wonder what is going to make the tuition go up so,” Nix said. “I suppose inflation over the next 20 years would do it, but if tuition goes up, and it is because of inflation, then everything else would raise in price, and minimum wage would go up to. “I was one of those students who didn’t think they could afford college, but there are scholarships, grants and loans out there that can help.” Nix explained. “You just have to be willing to work at school; most of those things depend on grades.”

photo illustration by Morguefile.com

tuition tips from student financial services -The FAFSA determines a student’s eligibility for federal Pell grants, student loans and student employment (workstudy). Every student is eligible for some type of financial aid. -Applying for federal financial aid is easy! Fill out the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.gov. -Both students and parents will need PIN numbers in order to complete the FAFSA. To apply for a PIN, visit www.pin. ed.gov.

Visit us at florala.net

-Submit the FAFSA before June 1, 2011 to ensure timely processing of financial aid for the upcoming year. If the FAFSA is not filed by this date, be sure to file it as soon as possible. Failure to submit by this date may cause a delay in receiving federal financial aid funds.

for -Indicate the University of North Alabama as a recipient up-to-date of your FAFSA application. UNA’s federal school code is campus 001016. news! -For information about the monthly payment plan (TMS)

and Alabama PACT, please contact Student Accounts for more information at 256-765-4442. -Student Financial Services will notify students of their FAFSA status and unsatisfied requirements via UNA Portal e-mail and self-service. Make sure to check this often for updates from us.

Feature

SOAR Edition, 2011 • The Flor-Ala

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photos by Evan Whisenant

Tornadoes wreak havoc on UNA family

photos by Malisa McClure

Student photographer Evan Whisenant shot photos of a Hackleburg elementary school and Wrangler plant (above) after the tornadoes.

A large tree fell on the GUC at UNA April 27.

UNA’s Sigma Chi delivers supplies April 29.

Workers repair power lines on Circular Drive

University steps in to provide financial assistance to victims 4]Ka *MZZa

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Emily Patterson, who works in the circulation department in Collier Library at UNA, felt terrorized by the devastating April 27 tornado that destroyed the home she shared with her family in Phil Campbell. Though tornado sirens had been going off since early morning and her children were sent home from school, Patterson said her family was not the type to jump into a storm shelter every time there was a threat of severe weather. After Patterson’s brother-in-law, Joel, heard an unusual noise and walked outside to check it out, he quickly began shouting for everyone to seek shelter as the tornado was coming their way. Patterson described the sound like a loud roar as her home was thrown 10 feet by the cyclone. “The look of terror on Joel’s face had us all moving quickly to our small bathroom,” she said. “The five of us plus Joel’s big dog were crammed into that little bathroom holding on and praying. No sooner had [my husband] gotten the bathroom door shut that it hit.” Patterson, like hundreds of Alabamians across the state who were impacted by the storms, is now sifting through debris and salvaging her family’s belongings that lay

amid the rubble of her former home. David Shields, vice president of student affairs, reported that 42 UNA students have been affected by the April 27 storms, with one who lost a parent, several who lost

Akers traveled to Phil Campbell shortly after the storms to assist with relief efforts. Harlan and Akers helped to fix livestock fences, clean up debris and donate clothing in one of the most heavily damaged areas in

graphic courtesy of Office of University Communications

homes and many who have gone without electricity for an extended period of time. “We want to get a sense of what students were affected,” he said. “[Helping students] is the right thing for the university to do.” Since the storms, numerous UNA students, faculty and staff have united to help tornado victims in Phil Campbell, Hackleburg, Tuscaloosa, Madison and across the state. Students Forrest Harlan and Summer

Alabama. Harlan hopes more students will see the long-term effects of the disaster and continue to volunteer in the future. “People see a disaster like this, and they help out for a month and then forget about it,” Harlan said. “They don’t realize that some of these people still won’t have houses a year from now.” UNA recently launched the Caring for the Pride fundraising campaign, which is designed to assist current/future students,

faculty and staff who have been impacted by the storms. The university is offering financial resources to those affected so their college education is not interrupted. “We are hoping to raise as much as we can to help individuals who may not be starting college or returning this fall because their parents lost their jobs in the storms and or they have to go to work themselves,” said Josh Woods, UNA spokesman. “They have lost so much already and we don’t want their college education lost because of what happened.” Gov. Robert Bentley, who visited UNA last fall during the gubernatorial debate with Ron Sparks, toured the storm damage and destruction in Dekalb County May 1 and remarked on the state citizens’ ability to cope with the disaster. “The people of Alabama love each other and we take care of each other,” he said. “We’re going to get through it, and we’re going to do it together.” For tornado assistance at UNA, contact the Office of Student Affairs at 256-7654248. To donate to the Caring for the Pride campaign, visit www.una.edu/disaster-relief. Visit www.florala.net to view photo albums and videos taken after the storm. News Editor Josh Skaggs, Copy Editor Alex Lindley and Ad Manager Devin Kennamer contributed to this report.

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Division I could impact athletics for years to come

photo by Malisa McClure

YOU ARE OUT — UNA junior infielder Michael Schmidt prepares to tag a runner out HARD-NOSE DEFENSE — UNA junior center Sam Buxton tries to keep the other team during a UNA Baseball game earlier this spring. from getting inside the paint during a UNA basketball game earlier this spring.

photo by Ashton Lance

KICK IT AWAY — UNA sophomore forward Chloe Roberts prepares to make a crossing pass to a teammate inside the box in a UNA soccer match last fall.

photo by Malisa McClure

PASSING THE ROCK — UNA sophomore guard Sarah Bailey makes a pass to a wide-open teammate during a UNA women’s basketball game earlier this spring.

UNA athletic teams on verge of making major adjustments if D-I move is made <WUUa *WT\WV ;XWZ\[ -LQ\WZ

Over the summer the UNA Board of Trustees will come to a decision on the move to Division I athletics. The decision is important for athletics because the Gulf South Conference will lose six of its members: Arkansas Tech, Arkansas-Monticello, Harding, Henderson State, Ouachita Baptist and Southern Arkansas, which could create scheduling difficulties for UNA athletics. “The earliest that a decision could possibly be made would be at the board’s June 13 board meeting,” said Josh Woods, director of UNA communications. “However, whether the decision is made then will then depend on the outcome of the May 20 retreat and the progress made on the strategic plan being developed for a potential move to Division I.” “It is important to repopulate the conference,” said UNA Athletics Director Mark Linder. “The reason you belong to a conference is for scheduling purposes and for championships. That’s the main reason why you affiliate with conferences, so you don’t have to go out and schedule all of your intercollegiate athletic programs as an independent.” The other option is to go Division I. If UNA makes the move, the football team

photo by Susan King

GET OUT OF MY WAY — UNA junior running back Wes Holland runs over a defender during a UNA football game last fall.

will join the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), while the other sports will simply be Division I UNA will have to receive an official invite from a Division I conference in order to join. The school will also have to pay an application fee of $1.3 to $1.4 million at the beginning of the process.

The two Division I conferences closest to UNA are the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) and the Sun Belt Conference. The OVC is in the FCS while the Sun Belt is in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). UNA would also have to add two new sports to the program if the move up is made.

“There are two or three sports we’re looking at,” said Linder. “Women’s golf I think would be popular in this area. I think we should probably take a look at women’s bowling. it’s an emerging sport. It would be in our best interest to add two women’s sports for Title IX reasons. We need to make sure we are addressing the needs of the underrepresented gender.” The school would then have to increase its athletic budget in order to be competitive in the division. The current sporting facilities are good enough to make the switch, but some improvements may be needed. “Every facility we have now is good for Division II, so it could function as a Division I facility,” said Linder. “Whether we stay Division II or go Division I we need to improve our facilities. “The tennis courts, we need to improve them. We need to get a soccer locker room. We need to expand our weight room. As far as the number of seats for spectators, we won’t have to add,” Linder added. UNA would also have to meet the regulations of the Academic Performance Rate (APR). APR is a performance test on Division I schools which rates the graduation rate of student athletes at the school. If any school in question does not have a graduation rate of 50 percent or above, the school will be penalized.

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Board reviews financial plan for D-I university =VQ^MZ[Q\a +WUU]VQKI\QWV[

details of the plan, the board will also determine whether the plan needs to be modified or adjusted prior to the June

support for athletics operating budgets to protect funding for academic programming and student life is recommended.

cluding an additional $500,000 per year in donor giving to the athletics program. “Increased donor support is critical to this transition. A successful The UNA board of trustees move to Division I will hinge on reviewed a financial plan May 20 external support at a heightened that proposes a six-year transition level throughout the entire transiinto NCAA Division I. The plan was tion and following,” said Mark presented by Johnny Williams of CreLinder, UNA athletics director. ative Marketing Management, which The funding plan calls for has worked with the UNA athletics new private donations as well as and advancement offices since March new corporate donations, game to develop the plan. guarantees, increased ticket “This is a comprehensive financial sales, academic and enhanceplan that provides a chronological ment funds from the NCAA, guide for new dollars that must be and a student athletics fee. New raised to support a Division I athletics funding through each of these program. It also offers ideas for ensources would be ramped over a hancing the UNA athletic experience six-year period, according to the regardless of the direction we take in following plan: the future,” said Dr. William G. Cale New private donations – Jr., UNA President. “Assessing this $500,000 each year. New corpoplan in the overall context of what is rate donations – From $50,000 best for the future of UNA is the issue in year two to $200,000 in year now before the trustees.” six. Secure game guarantees – “Over the next two to three From $100,000 in year two to weeks, members of the board of trust$850,000 in year six. Increased ees will examine this plan in detail ticket sales – From $50,000 in to determine whether this transition year two to $200,000 in year six best fits not only the athletics departphoto by Shannon Wells NCAA academic and enment but the overall vision of the hancement funds – Receive university in the coming years,” said Trustee Libby Jordan, UNA President Dr. William Cale and President Pro Tempore Steve Pierce discuss $59,000 in years two-five, increasthe Division I decision during the March Board of Trustees meeting. Steve Pierce, UNA board president pro ing to $400,000 in year six tempore. “We will look at each aspect board meeting.” If UNA transitions into Division I over a Student athletics fee – Increase from of the revenue and expenses to make sure The proposed six-year athletics funding six-year period, the plan recommends a $24 per year to $109 in year one, generatthat the athletics department will have the plan presented today points out that an insequence for increases in funding for new ing about $600,000, to $264 in year four, proper resources to be competitive and vitation from an NCAA Division I conferathletic scholarships, operational expenses, generating about $1,318,000 ensure that the academic and student life ence is a requirement to enter Division I, salaries and salary adjustments. divisions of the university will also benefit as is payment of a $1.4 million application The increases in athletics funding from this transition. After reviewing the fee to the NCAA. A cap on institutional would come through several sources, in8ZM[[ :MTMI[M

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2010-2011 Lions sports recap through pictures

photo courtesy of UNA photographer Shannon Wells

photo by Malisa McClure

photo by Ashton Lance

photo by Susan King

photo by Malisa McClure

ROAR LIONS — (middle) A UNA cheerleader runs a flag across the field at Braly Stadium. (top left) Sophomore T.J Drake prepares to return the ball. (top middle) Jessica Keehn warms up before a match. (top right) Junior guard Beaumont Beasley defends against a UWA player. (left middle top) Junior Natalie Marsh prepares for a spike. (left middle bottom) Junior Jessi Smith dribbles towards the basket. (right middle top) Sophomore Chloe Roberts runs towards the opponent’s goal. (right middle bottom) Junior Hirbo Hirbo runs at a cross country meet. (bottom left) Sophomore Kathryn Young catches a pitch against Indianapolis. (bottom middle) Freshman Ricky Stimets tees off at a golf tournament. (bottom right) UNA junior catcher Dale Ricketts stands on third base awaiting the next pitch. photo by Susan King

photo courtesy of UNA photographer Shannon Wells

photo by Susan King

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SOAR Edition, 2011 • The Flor-Ala

SRC plays vital role in student fitness, training ;QWJPIV /MPZ[ ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ

The Student Recreation Center offers a variety of opportunities for students, including team building, muscle building and employment. “There’s so much to do once you’re here,” SRC Fitness Coordinator Glenda Richey said. She said the best way to get motivated is to take one step into the SRC. Students who have paid the recreation facility fee and present a Mane card are able to participate in group exercises, intramural sports, outdoor adventure trips and access to workout equipment. Group exercise classes are free and are taught by UNA students. UNA junior Lauren Howard said she attended both cycling and triple threat classes in the spring. She said both teachers were motivating and made the class fun. “They made me actually enjoy exercising,” Howard said. The SRC also provides free personal student trainers. To sign up to work with a trainer, students must contact Richey. The trainers understand the pressures of schoolwork and are flexible when scheduling. “I make sure I have all times available from early morning to late at night,” Richey said. Richey encourages students to consider pairing up with a friend when requesting a trainer. She said it will increase the student’s motivation to get fit. The weight room is located on the first

floor of the building. In the spring the SRC hosted its first bench press competition in which 12 students participated. The contest showed the competitors’ strength while providing a motivational atmosphere for everyone involved. Richey said the SRC plans to have more fun competitions throughout the year. The intramural sports program offers several sports, such as volleyball, flag football and basketball. The games are refereed by students and allow the participants to meet new people. The leagues are broken down into competitive men’s, recreational men’s, recreational photo by Barry Minor women’s and some offer WORK IT OUT — The Student Recreation Center offers treadmills and bicycles to students who are willco-recreational. The teams have the ing to get in shape and avoid that freshman 15. opportunity to play in the final round of competition and to win gram that takes place multiple times a se- during the summer. mester. “I hope the students see our enthusiasm the championship for their sport. The tower used is located behind Kilby towards working out,” Richey said. She The outdoor adventure program allows School on Pine Street. wants the students to look at the SRC as a students to take hiking, rock climbing and The SRC is the largest student employer fun stress reliever. camping trips. For more information on personal trainThe trips help with team bonding and on campus. Jobs range from group exercise instructor to facility monitor. ers or student employment, contact Richey allow students to experience nature in a difOpen while classes are in session, the at gkrichey@una.edu. ferent way. Rappelling is another aspect of the pro- rSRC hosts a portion of the SOAR process

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Students can sit on visitors’ side stands at Braly Stadium 2WZLIV *ZILTMa ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ

In Braly Stadium, the section for UNA students to sit during home football games is currently on the visitors’ side of the stadium, and thanks to positive student feedback, will most likely stay that way, according to Athletic Director Mark Linder. The change of seating for students first occurred last year during the home game against visiting Delta State, which was to be televised. According to 2010-2011 SGA President Cory Hamilton, Linder approached the SGA to see if they and the student body would be willing to sit on the visitors’ side, and they agreed to sit there for the game. “We wanted the stadium to have a big showing for the camera angles to catch Braly stadium full of fans on both sides,” said Linder. Linder received mostly positive feedback about the experiment, so the athletic department and the SGA decided that for this season the student section would stay on the visitors’ side. “I’ve heard mostly positive feedback from students, but there is some negative feedback,” said Hamilton. Hamilton said that many students like sitting on the visitors’ side because they get closer to players and they can cause more noise for the Lions. The players also enjoy having friendly noise coming from both sides of the field, according to Linder. Much of the negative feedback comes from the fact that students have a harder time seeing halftime shows.

photo by Ashton Lance

LET’S GET ROWDY — UNA students cheer on the Lions during a home football game last fall. Students can now sit on the away side. With more UNA fans being able sit on the away side, the stadium will be as full as ever.

Students that would rather not sit in the visitors’ section have other options, according to Linder. If they are uncomfortable about sitting on the opposite side of the field, students can visit the UNA ticket booth at Flowers Hall and ask to be given seating on the home side of the field. Linder also said that the halftime shows

for UNA would try to incorporate the visitors’ section students as best as possible in the near future. Of special interest is the half time that will occur during next year’s homecoming and how fans of both sides of the field can be used to improve it. “We want to do the best job possible for the student body,” said Linder about any

other possible changes to seating. As for the foreseeable future of the seating, both Linder and Hamilton feel that, if positive student feedback continues for the visitors’ side seating, students can expect to keep sitting there in the near future. With more seating added to UNA fans, the stadium may be a big advantage for the Lions.

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SOAR Edition, 2011 • The Flor-Ala

Braly Stadium is key part in Lions football tradition 2: <QL_MTT

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At the corner of Royal Avenue and Hermitage Drive in Florence lies Braly Municipal Stadium, the site of the UNA Lions’ and Florence High School Falcons’ home football games. The stadium, now almost 70 years old, will host its 24th straight National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II football National Championship Game this December. The field began holding the playoff series back in 1986 and has been the sole host ever since, with the contract for exclusive housing of the game reaching to 2013. Braly Stadium has also been the venue for 28 of UNA’s NCAA Division II playoff appearances, including three straight National Championship victories from 1993 to 1995. The Lions football team has gone 220-105-8 in their 59 seasons on the field. The Lions also have more wins than any other football program in the state of Alabama since 1990, with six NCAA Regional Championships, five Gulf South Conference Championships and three National Championships. Braly Municipal Stadium started its life as Coffee Stadium in the 1940s when it served as the playing field for Coffee High School athletics. Coffee High School was located in the Appleby building complex that still stands today on the UNA campus. Thomas Braly, Jr. was the principal at the high school and also a coach. His influence was instrumental in the building of a larger school and football stadium for the institution’s use.

Coffee High School and Bradshaw High School merged in 2004 and was collectively renamed Florence High School. The larger building that Braly worked to build is now Florence

”I think Braly Stadium is a really great stadium for Division II.” -Evan Underwood photo by Warren Bailey

Middle School. HOME COOKING — Braly Stadium has been home to the UNA football team for 59 seasons with crowds filling He worked for the stands to make it as rowdy as possible. Coffee High sion II Championship Game there. It feels “Braly Stadium is a place to show off School .from like home as far as UNA football. I’ve what people have worked for during the 1945 until his life was cut short by a sudbeen to Jordan-Hare and I’ve been to week, especially the band,” said UNA den heart attack in 1963. Bryant-Denny and the only major differband member Kevin Smart. “The band has The Florence City Board of Educaence is the capacity but the feeling’s the worked a lot during the week and [game tion decided to rename the stadium Tom same.” day] is where we can actually put it all on Braly Municipal Stadium in honor of the The complex that Braly helped build the field and show the crowd what we can beloved educator, but people who live in has seen much in the way of change since do.” Florence and UNA students usually refer its construction in the 1940s. The stadium “I think [Braly Stadium] is a great to it simply as “Braly Stadium.” was renovated in 1980 to add 5,000 seats place to watch the Lions play football,” “I think [Braly Stadium] is a really and again in 1998 to add another 1,200 said UNA student Jared Hubbard. “The great stadium for a Division II school like seats. UNA fans give the stadium a good homeNorth Alabama,” said UNA student Evan The complex will now seat 14,215 feel. When the team is winning you can Underwood. “It has a cozy atmosphere, fans. The field had a grass playing surface feel the fans -- how excited they are for but it can get really rowdy during the until last summer when it was upgraded to their team.” games. artificial turf. “There is a reason they play the Divi-

Scandals grow in number in sports world 7ZZMa *WT\WV ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ

TIGER ON THE PROWL — Tiger Woods looks to rebound from recent failures on the golf course due in large part to his recent divorce with his wife, Elin Nordegren. Woods is on his largest drought of his career due to the recent scandal.

photo courtesy of Associated Press

In the past year, scandals have hit the sports world in a variety of ways that have changed what sports are about. Scandals are part of sports more than ever, from the Tiger Woods family situation, to the pay-for-play scheme to the point shaving incident during San Diego University basketball games. All of these have shaped the way we look at sports and have made sports even more competitive than ever. “The pay-for-play scheme is very interesting,” said UNA sophomore Christopher Reece. “Some people believe it isn’t completely bad because they are trying to get it legalized, if I’m not mistaken.” “Compared to the Tiger Woods situation in relation to moral values, it isn’t nearly as bad,” Reece added. The pay-for-play scheme of Auburn quarterback, Cam Newton, has been a huge controversy between Alabama and Auburn fans. Cecil Newton allegedly shopped his son to play college football last fall. No word or decision has been made on the case, but eyebrows have been raised. Cam Newton was drafted first overall in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers this past month and looks to be the new face of the franchise for the Panthers. A more recent scandal has even cost one of the best college basketball coaches in the Southeastern Conference his job. Former University of Tennessee basketball coach Bruce Pearl admitted to violations that he lied about a photo that was taken of him and two recruits at Pearl’s home.

After admitting the violations, he coached the rest of the season with no contract and was suspended for eight SEC basketball games. Once the season was completed Pearl was soon fired due to all of the infractions committed on the university, which left him unemployed. “The cumulative effect of the evolution of the investigation combined with a number of more recent non-N.C.A.A.-related incidents have led to a belief that this staff cannot be viable at Tennessee in the future,” said Athletic Director Mike Hamilton, in a statement released by UT. “Therefore, it is in the best interests of our institution to move in a different direction.” Scandals and allegations are now part of sports. Coaches all across the country feel the pressure from fans and alumni about winning, making their jobs that much harder to keep without doing something against NCAA regulations. “There are people out there that will do what it takes to keep their job, meaning they will do these things to keep a winning record,” said Reece. “It may happen more than we realize it, but since they are more popular, it comes out more.”

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SOAR Edition, 2011 • The Flor-Ala

Flowers Hall is home to team basketball, volleyball 7ZZMa *WT\WV ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ

Flowers Hall is home to the women’s volleyball, basketball and men’s basketball teams at UNA. The home of the UNA sports teams had a lot of success this year with a combined record of 29-9 home record by the three teams and in helping the women’s volleyball team and women’s basketball reach the NCAA tournament. Both teams were defeated early in the NCAA tournament. The men’s basketball team made the conference tournament due to its huge home court advantage and home record of 9-4. This record between the three makes Flowers Hall one of the hardest places to play at in the Gulf South Conference due to its winning success and great atmosphere. “While playing at Flowers Hall, we get a lot of fan support from the students, which makes it a very fun place to play at,” said UNA junior basketball player Sam Buxton. “ It is without a doubt one of the best gyms in the conference.” Flowers Hall can hold 4,000 screaming fans, and since the 1978-79 season the women’s basketball team has an impressive 67 percent winning percentage and the men has also made their names in the conference with a stellar 76 percent winning percentage, making Flowers Hall an unpleasant

place for visiting teams. Since opening its doors in 1972, NCAA women’s volleyball has come to UNA in tournament games along with conference tournaments, where UNA has won the conference tournament two times since 1998. Flowers Hall has also become a regular host of Alabama/Mississippi All-Star men’s basketball games on odd years since 1991 and also has hosted NBA games. The first ever basketball game photo by Warren Baily played at UNA as the Boston Celt- HOME SWEET HOME — Flowers Hall has been home to UNA basketball and volleyball since 1972 and has ics took on the At- been a big part of the team’s success as fans fill the arena to cheer on the Lions. lanta Hawks in an play in the conference,” said UNA junior home for Lion athletes and spectators, exhibition game, which makes Flowers Hall a well-known basketball player Beaumont Beasley. “We making it a must see for incoming students destination for incoming recruits and fans have very good fan support every night and who want to experience the sports UNA has to offer. I love how the rims are here.” all across the area. Flowers Hall has been a well-known “Flowers Hall is my favorite place to

Baseball team ends season with 10-5 loss to Barry In game one, the Lions showed the break did not affect them, as the team got on the board in the second inning giving them a 3-0 lead. J.P LaMunyon singled and Dale Ricketts walked to start the threat. Then, Jared Mothershed got a bunt single and an errant throw scored LaMunyon. Nick McGregor grounded out to the right side to plate Ricketts, and a base hit by Michael Schmidt drove in Mothershed. The lead did not last long as the Statesmen took the lead in the third, scoring four runs. photo by Malisa McClure The game was SWING AWAY —UNA infielder Michael Schmidt prepares to swing at an incoming pitch during a baseball later tied going in game this spring. the seventh inning State in game one 10-5, but fell the next <WUUa *WT\WV with a score of 5-5. ;XWZ\[ -LQ\WZ two games to Harding 5-2, and 4-3 in the A solo home run by Josh Cyr in the 11th inning to Arkansas Tech, giving the seventh inning gave the Lions the lead for Lions an overall record of 35-12 good and Jake Sloan added insurance runs The UNA baseball team came home “In the Delta State game, our bats were with a three-run double, ending the game empty handed in the Gulf South Tournareally good and it didn’t look like the layat 10-5. ment that was held May 6-9 as the team off hurt us that much,” said Mike Keehn, Trey Mitchell (11-2) got the win scatwas eliminated in three games in Millinghead baseball coach. “In the next two tering five runs on 11 hits, striking out ton, Tenn. games, we just could not make the adjustthree in 8 1/3 innings of work. It was the first live action for the Lions ments offensively to score some runs.” In game two, the Lions ten-game winin more than two weeks due to the recent “Offensively we were just not able to ning streak came to an end as the team fell tornado outbreak across North Alabama, put up the runs like we were used to doing to Harding 5-2 with the offense getting which caused cancellation of the final two all season, and looking at the two losses, shut down with only five hits total. regular season games. their pitching was much better than our The Lions started the game off strong The Lions were able to defeat Delta batting,” Keehn said.

scoring two runs in the first inning off of a two-run double delivered by Sloan, but Harding starter Lucas Waddell would not allow another run the rest of the game, picking up his second complete game against the Lions this season. UNA starter Chad Boughner (8-2) took

”Offensively we were just not

able to put up runs like we were used to doing all season, and looking at the two losses, their pitching was much better than our batting.”

-Coach Mike Keehn the loss, allowing five runs on six hits, striking out two in six innings of work. In game three, the Lions took the game to extra innings before Arkansas Tech drove in the winning run in the 11th inning, ending the Lions stay in the GSC tournament. The Lions got a strong pitching performance from starter Johnny Hornbuckle (7-3), allowing three runs with nine strike outs through eight innings, but the offense Even though the Lions went home early, the selection committee picked them for a regional bid in the NCAA tourney. The Lions ranked second in the regional poll, which was released before the GSC tournament. The baseball team could not hold a 5-1 lead against Barry May 22 as the Buccaneers rallied for a 10-5 victory in the semi-final round of the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament in Pensacola, Fla. With the loss, UNA ends its season with a 37-14 record.

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NFL season in jeopardy because of labor dispute 2: <QL_MTT

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History often tends to repeat itself. In this case, the NFL is bearing witness to a reoccurrence of the NFL season of 1987. That season was cut short one game when the members of the National Football League Players Association went on strike. Week three of that year featured no games while Week’s 4-6 were played by replacement players hired by the owners of each respective team. The strike lasted a grand total of 24 days. The NFLPA failed to set up a fund to compensate players for lost wages, so 89 veterans crossed the picket lines during the strike, including Dallas Cowboys defensive end Randy White and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana. These players went back to work after the team owners threatened to cut player annuities. A lack of union support combined with poor fan reaction and replacement games ended the strike. The players filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL and the team owners in 1989 that challenged the legality of free agency. The lawsuit claimed that free agency was an “unlawful restraint of trade.” This lawsuit and others forced the NFL to create a salary cap with a base salary floor and a minimum total pay. Fast forward to 2011 and the events of 1987 have returned. The NFL and the NFLPA extended a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that came into existence after a 1993 antitrust lawsuit five times, with the latest extension set to run through the 2011 season. The NFL team owners voted 30-2 to extend the agreement, but in 2008 the owners opted out of the CBA. This caused the 2010 season to be played without a salary cap. The NFL and the NFLPA entered into negotiations to extend the CBA but the talks failed to produce a compromise. The players association threatened to begin a strike if an agreement was not reached. No deal had been struck as of early

photo courtesy of Associated Press

CRITICAL THINKING — NFL Commisioner Roger Goodell (left) and NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith (right) shows concern during a hearing about the labor dispute earlier this spring.

March of this year, so on the 11th of last month the NFLPA decertified. This means that a player strike of the 2011 season is very possible. Former (because of decertification) NFLPA Executive Director DeMaurice Smith spoke with Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco at the 2010 NFL Draft. Ochocinco asked Smith what the odds of a lockout were on a scale of one to 10. “On a scale of one to 10, it’s a 14,” said Smith. The NFL team owners in turn locked out their players, meaning that no contact could

be made between the players and owners. This also means that no team is allowed to sign a player, including anyone who is picked up in the 2011 NFL Draft in April. Another major point of contention between the parties is the possibility of extending the NFL season to 18 games. This would be accomplished by shortening the preseason to two games and making the other two count. “First of all, the league has never presented a formal proposal for 18 games,” said Smith in an interview with Sports Illustrated. “But more importantly, it’s something

that our players don’t want. Eighteen games are not in the best interest of our players’ safety, so we’re not doing it.” Fans of the NFL will have to wait and see what happens with the two organizations if they wish to see a 2011 season. Ten NFL players, including New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning have filed an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL. There appears to be no end of the dispute in sight, so fans may have to do without in 2011.

New stars are ready to emerge in SEC play this year 7ZZMa *WT\WV ;\INN ?ZQ\MZ

photo courtesy of Associated Press

FOCUS ON THE BALL— Former Alabama wide-out Julio Jones, who will not be in the SEC next year, catches a pass to impress scouts. New stars have to fill the void that players like Jones left behind.

It is never too early to talk about the upcoming college football season and the stars who rise on the scene. The Southeastern Conference has been one of the most powerful conferences in football for the last 10 years. The national champions have come from the same conference for the last five years and also have produced the last two Heisman trophy winners, Mark Ingram and Cam Newton. So, this year in the SEC, could it be a repeat occurrence in talent level. A surging Tennessee quarterback, Tyler Bray, finished the season passing for 1,849 yards, 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Bray carried the young Volunteers to a bowl game under first-year head coach Derrick Dooley. After an impressing fourtouchdown game in the Music City bowl against North Carolina, chances that Tyler Bray could be a star rising. “He needs to improve his decision making and put on more weight,” said UNA student and huge Tennessee fan, Julian Threet. The question for the defending champi-

on Auburn Tigers is who is going to be the next star to take over where Cam Newton left off? Michael Dyer, running back for the Tigers, had a huge game in the national championship game, recording 143 yards rushing and also passing the great Bo Jackson in most yards for a freshman at Auburn, with 1,093 yards rushing. Alabama running back Trent Richardson has some huge shoes to fill after 2009 Heisman winner Mark Ingram left to enter the draft. Many Alabama fans feel like he is the perfect guy to do it and could possibly be better than Mark Ingram. As a freshman on the national championship team, Richardson rushed for 751 yards, and, last season, after battling injury all year, rushed for 12 yards per carry. Richardson could be a huge contributor for the Crimson Tide this season. The SEC is looking to be wide open with a lot of the traditional powers losing most of their big talents. Remember, it is the SEC, and something surprising always comes out of the conference. This year could be different if a player as huge as Cam Newton was to Auburn last fall or another Tim Tebow emerges as a national fan favorite.

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1. Li’l Steve’s 2. Security Lock and Key 3. Southern BBQ#2 4. Two Guys Auto and Truck Repair 5. Off-Campus Bookstore 6. Angie’s Clip Joint 7. Compass Bank 8. The Gourmet Shoppe 9. Grassroots Market 10. Pegasus Records 11. Gold’s Gym 12. Miami Ice

ADVERTISERS NEAR CAMPUS

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A. Wilson Park B. Rivertown Coffee Co. C. On the Rocks D. Ricatoni’s E. Comcast F. Floreance Utilities G. Rosie’s H. Funland I. Frostbite & Montagu’s J. Mike D. Lane Baseball Field K. Braly Stadium L. Appleby Residence Halls M. McDonald’s N. Wok & Roll O. Ricebox P. KFC Q. McGraw’s Coffee House R. The Route of Art Gallery S. Quizno’s

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SOAR Edition, 2011 • The Flor-Ala