The Signal: Homecoming 2016

OCT. 18 - OCT. 25, 2016

VOL. 84 | NO. 9

The

Homecoming Issue The signal at georgia State University

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PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL

Inside Inside Saving qoins

AND THE WINNER IS...

A new startup by two Georgia State alumni gives a solution to paying off college loans.

Comic: King Kong and Queen Bee will know who takes home the crown.

News | Page 4

Opinions| Page 7

DAILY NEWS AT WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

News 3

a night of phantoms

our crystal ball

Check out our D.I.Y mask guide to create a perfect Homecoming look.

The Signal sports staff predicts the final score against the UT Martin Skyhawks.

A&L | page 14

Sports | pages 16 - 17

Opinion 7

Arts & Living 9

Sports 15

2

NEWS

blotter

READ OUR ONLINE CONTENT

Thieves strike twice

Visit us online anytime for daily news and updates.

In Sparks Hall on the Atlanta campus, a Georgia State staff member reported a theft of under $1,500. The case is active under investigation.

Oct. 10

Block a stalk

GSUPD is investigating a non-Georgia State offender for aggressively stalking, threatening and harassing a Georgia State staff member at the Atlanta campus. The offender has violated their court order to stay away from the complainant.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016

georgiastatesignal.com

Oct. 13

Thieves strike thrice

A Georgia State faculty member filed a complaint for a stolen bicycle valued at $500 or less. The incident took place at 25 Park Place and is under active investigation.

Lost, found and arrested

Oct. 11

SunTrust heist

A Georgia State faculty member was the victim of a SunTrust building theft at Atlanta campus. The offenders theft is under $1,500. GSUPD is still investigating the incident.

A Georgia State student was arrested on an outstanding warrant for obstruction of police. The arrest took place between 12:30 to 1:35 a.m. at Shell Station on John Wesley Dobbs Avenue.

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK Gallant performs at the AfroPunk festival in Atlanta on Oct. 14.

PHOTO BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL

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NEWS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/news

Merging Homecoming traditions

Perimeter College switches up their Homecoming traditions since the consolidation voting process. The amount of people usually ranges from 2-5 depending on the campus. Homecoming funds are usually from student activity fees.”

In preparations for the university’s Aprille Williams, the assistant Homecoming since the consolidation, director for student life for the Spotlight told The Signal their goal Alpharetta and Dunwoody campuses, was to bring together Atlanta and said, “we have been trying to get a Perimeter College traditions and King and Queen position for a while, make the fees and positions as fair as but with the merger, we are still possible for the two newly-partnered trying to get accustomed to a lot of institutions. things have been.

On Oct. 17, Georgia State kicked Since a majority of Perimeter off its homecoming week with daily College were not familiar with events and festivities around campus With the consolidation OrgSync and how to use it, only run by the university’s Spotlight five students from the Perimeter comes change program. campuses applied to be on the With the merge came the Spotlight will be hosting 20 Royal Court this year because of incorporated Perimeter College events, three of which will take place miscommunications, according to positions within this year’s Royal on Perimeter campuses, to spread Williams.

Court. The court consists of a total of the homecoming spirit among the Last year, Georgia State had the six positions, two of which opened Panthers, funded by Georgia State Dutch and Duchess, and Prince and up eligibility for Perimeter students. and Georgia Perimeter students’ fees.

Princess positions. Those positions Mr. and Ms. Georgia State represents Phillip Smith, the assistant director are no longer available. students in the final years of study, for Spotlight programs said the “A lot of it has to do with the Mr. and Ms. Blue and White come events, as with all of the Spotlight credibility of the students.

We don’t from a pool of freshmen, sophomores events, are covered by student’s want students to fees. This year’s focus solely on homecoming homecoming and budget, according forget about their Perimeter provided less money towards to Smith, was academics,” Williams $49,000, excluding the event. Therefore, the cost for their said. the $15,000 which Perimeter College But as with every students is higher than the Atlanta provided for the other year, Royal joint Royal Ball Court applicants had campus students. event. more requirements “They have to meet than just contributed $15,000 good grades. for their students According to this year’s or juniors, and Mr. and Ms. Perimeter to be able to have the same fees and homecoming application, “students represent the five other campuses that attend the event,” he said. who are stipended officers of SGA, came with the recent consolidation.

However, that’s not the case for the Panther Activities Council and “We wanted to ensure that we had Wild N’ Out show, which was not Spotlight Programs Board or who a selection of candidates from all officially part of the Homecoming serve on the Spirit & Traditions campuses to have the opportunity budget, but still a joint effort by the Committee of Spotlight Programs to represent all five campuses as two institutions.

Board or the Traditions committee one, when crowned Mr. or Ms. “Perimeter provided less money of Panther Activities Council are Perimeter,” said Adriana Selci, Spirit towards the event,” Smith said. not eligible to apply to serve on the and Traditions chair for Spotlight Therefore, the cost for their students Homecoming Royal Court. Students programs board. is higher than the Atlanta campus who serve on Royal Court are eligible With Georgia State consolidating students. Because we have recently to apply for stipended positions with with Georgia Perimeter, the new title merged with Georgia Perimeter Mr./Ms. Perimeter does not represent SGA, Panther Activities Council and College, we wanted to allow the Spotlight Programs Board after the all other five GPC/ Georgia State students from all campuses to have crowning of the Royal Court.​“ campuses. the opportunity to be on the Georgia Smith said the purpose behind the State homecoming royal court.”

Lekeisha Jackson, student life rule is to avoid conflict of interest.

Johnny Tooson, Student Life advisor for the Newton campus, “Students can be an officer prior associate director at Perimeter said, “Georgia Perimeter had one to running for the royal court. The Campuses, said the split in fees was male and female for each of the 5 stipulation is that you cannot hold made in efforts to create an equal campuses. Each student running that position currently,” he said. environment for both Atlanta campus for a position had to meet certain “Once we are done with homecoming and Georgia Perimeter students. requirements to meet, and at least Tooson also said that the week, a winner can apply for a 51 percent of classes taken as well money going towards this year’s vacancy for any available position on as a list of other requirements.The homecoming was split equally among application process lasted for about the boards.” the five campuses.

Continue reading on Georgiastatesignal.com 2-3 months and began in the Spring “We use the money that goes into including interviews and later the

STAFF

a college-wide account which was created before the consolidation for all five campuses. The budget that was requested was voted on before the merger,” he said.

However, Tooson added this is the first year Perimeter students will have to pay a fee for their homecoming events. “[In the past] we tried to make events as free as possible. We wanted to make sure to marry both existing traditions from the schools and build new traditions,” he said.

“

-Phillip Smith

”

NEWS

4

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016

Unpaid classes for GI Bill students Over 700 students have yet to receive their scholarship funding

Last Week Local

BeltLine strikes new $80 million deal

Atlanta BeltLine officials have struck an agreement with North American Properties and Vantage Realty Partners on an $80 million mixed-use project along the trail. The project includes 350 apartment units along with retail and office space. The agreement guarantees that despite the advancements, the BeltLine would still preserve possible transit options for the future. Activists protested about the deal last week, worrying that the plan would eliminate transit possibilities along the Eastside trail.

North American and Vantage’s project will be presented to the Inmark Park Neighborhood Association on Oct. 19 according to WABE.

National

“Clown Lives Matter” movement faces backlash on social media

PHOTO BY DYLAN JONES | THE SIGNAL

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, designed by sculptor Jo Fassnacht, located opposite the capitol building, shows Georgia’s commitment to its nation’s heroes.

JALEN JENKINS

Staff Reporter

G

eorgia State students using the military education benefit program, known as the GI Bill are still left with their tuition unpaid at the midpoint of the semester.

The GI Bill is an education benefit program sponsored by the Veterans Affairs (VA) program that active military members and veterans utilize to get all in-state tuition and fees paid for college, among many other things including paid training for a new job and free one-time relocation.

Of the 1,100 students under the program, 700 receive their money directly through their Georgia State student account, and only these students are receiving delays.

“As long as the students submit their paperwork to the VA on time, these 700 students receive their living and book stipends directly from the VA at the beginning of the term,” said Shari Piotrowski, the university registrar.

But Heather Shepherd, a Georgia state junior said that was not the case for her this year. Shepherd is

Reporters Wanted!

using the GI Bill for the first time this semester and said it has proved to be a difficult experience.

“It was pretty stressful actually, because I sent my stuff in June, and didn’t get anything until like a week ago,” Shepherd said.

The university’s VA website states that first time users take longer, and that with the delay, it should take a total of a month and a week to complete the processing, which means Shepherd should have received her funds months ago.

But this is not the first time Georgia State has taken a long time covering the expected funds. WSB-TV Atlanta covered outraged student veterans last year which were also overdue to receive their funds, blaming it on Georgia State’s processing issues.

GI Bill recipients can start the process of getting their funds at the last day of the semester, and the earlier all the required information, (verification of enrollment, sending in forms, etc.) is sent in, the earlier the process of getting the money can start.

According to the GI Bill FAQ page, due to the influx of students, the money always takes longer to be received in the fall.

Students use the monthly Books and Supplies stipend that comes with the GI Bill to buy books and

oftentimes, for personal expenses like rent. Shepherd said she was depending on the Bill for help with the first months rent and books, but due to the delay, she had to pay out of pocket for both.

Sadiyah Ali-Nur, a Georgia State sophomore, has used the scholarship before, but this year she is having more issues than previous semesters.

“I was quoted this year for the end of September, and it has been late before so I was expecting the lateness, but I still haven’t received it,” Ali-Nur said.

She also usually uses the GI Bill for living expenses like groceries and gas, but had to pay out of pocket for both.

Shepherd and Ali-Nur said the department’s biggest problem is poor communication “Georgia State does not tell you what they are doing. I haven’t been updated or anything like that”, Ali-Nur said.

Shepherd said that there were only two people working at Georgia State’s Military Outreach office, which handles the 700 out of the 1,100 students who receive their money through their student account, when she began her process, and by the end they had hired another, which she believes is a problem that should be solved.

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Police departments across the nation are “pleading” , according to The Guardian, people to stop dressing up as evil clowns to scare crowds.

And after protests through social media, a “Clown Lives Matter” march scheduled for Saturday was shut down.

The rally, organized by Nikki Sinn, was cancelled after social media attacks against her, and she said she was “amused” by the reactions.

However, professional clowns have denounced the movement, saying their careers may be affected. Dick Milhollan, last director of the former Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, said his “livelihood could be affected” by the clown impersonators.

Global

Thailand in mourning after death of 70year long monarch After the death of Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej, soldiers shut down Bangkok’s Soi Cowboy red-light district dance clubs as an act of respect towards the monarch. According to the country’s prime minister, the country will be in mourning for a year, and flags will be at half-staff for 30 days. The minister also said citizens should avoid “joyful events” during that time period as well. According to the Washington Post, a lot of diners and dance clubs have since remained closed and a lot of workers are worried this may damage the country’s tourism revenue.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016

5

NEWS

Spare change pays off your loans

Two Georgia State alumni offer a new way to use your extra coins to pay off loan debt JACOB PERKINS-MCLINN Staff Reporter

joining the signal is only

If it were up to two Georgia State alumni, all you’d need to pay off your college loan would be the extra change in your pocket.

Qoins is a new startup company founded on Sept. 20 by Georgia State alumni Christian Zimmerman and programmer Nate Washington. The core of the operation is to help former college students overcome debt by providing an automated deposit by using the spare change of each of their purchases to pay off loans.

Zimmerman came up with the original idea in May, but it was not until he met Washington at a networking event this past summer that Qoins came to life. The duo founded the company out of necessity to pay off their combined loan amounts of approximately $55,000.

By using their system, Zimmerman said, students will be able to “pay off their loans with Spare change they had already spent”.

“On average someone can save around $40 in spare change per month. If we apply this method to my student loans, I will be able to cut my

loan term by 26 payments or 2.2 years which saves three-thousand dollars,” he said.

According to Zimmerman, students will soon be able to calculate your own loan amount once the team has officially integrated a loan calculator on their website.

In its first three weeks of operation, Qoins is servicing 350 users.

According to Zimmerman, the company’s quick expansion has to do with the fact that the initiative hits close to home for a lot of students.

“I think because I’m hitting an issue that is close to home. Meaning that because I graduated and I had this problem I wanted to solve. There are many students who feel the same way,” he said.

The creators are also planning to increase efficiency in students’ loan repayment plans by adding crowdsourcing to the paying-off methods.

“Let’s say your mom or dad weren’t able to actually pay for your loans, well now they can sign up for Qoins and link up the same loan you have and chip away at it without having to take out their pocketbook,” he said.

“This works well for when they are out buying gas or groceries with the benefit of paying off your debt.”

While the duo are looking for

one click away

a partnership with the university, Zimmerman said they have not been able to get in touch with a Georgia State representative.

Dan Kreisman, an assistant professor of Economics in Georgia State, said he’d be interested for the university to partner up with Qoins.

“Georgia State is a kind of place that does a lot of interesting stuff and is proactive in helping students, a partnership would be a logical next step,” he said.

Kreisman said the idea works because young people are usually not good at looking ahead and putting money away.

“There is a lot of evidence from behavioral economics that people people are bad at saving and looking to the future and making decisions now for a lot of reasons,” he said.

“The system that they are setting up gives college students ample resources to look ahead and pay their loans in good time without defaulting on their loans.”

Kreisman said he is a big proponent of income-based repayment allowing students to pay what they can directly out of their paycheck instead of the Fixed Repayment plan and that Qoins is a “step in the right direction.”

Altrubanc, a service that provides

students with the opportunity to get help from sponsors to repay their loans, is the first partnership the duo have acquired. The company provides students with a platform to showcase their qualities to attract sponsors that agree to help pay loans.

Alltrubank co-founder, Jeff Summers, said partnering with Qoins was “only logical being that [they] are on the same page with student debt.

“They have a great model [which] promotes responsibility,” he said.

Summers said Qoins is compatible in the way the Alltrubanc has found sponsors for students who will help pay off their loans following graduation, Qoins will cover the remainder of what’s left of the loan..

Qoins has competed in several startup competitions around the state but Atlanta Tech Village was the most prominent. No deals have been solidified with the competitions or other projects as of yet but they are in progress according to Zimmerman.

Washington said the two have big plans in the future.

“We’ve got some big plans in the pipeline we aren’t quite ready to reveal just yet. Our biggest focus right now is that we listen to our users and build something they’ll love,”he said.

SUBMITTED BY CHRISTIAN ZIMMERMAN

SUBMITTED BY NATE WASHINGTON

30

Apply online at jetprogramusa.org

NEWS

6

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016

Students are going advisor-less

Consolidation causes technology issues for advisement website MICHAEL CORNELL

Staff Reporter

G

eorgia State students are still roaming around campus without an advisor to meet, two weeks before spring registration opens.

Freshman student advisor Neia Omer, said every student has an advisor even if it isn’t properly updated on the university’s website.

“We are working to update the site due to consolidation issues, however, students can call the advisement

center to find out who their assigned advisor is and, also the advisor should be listed on the students’ PAWS account,” said Omer.

At Georgia State, each freshman is required to undergo a mandatory advisement with an academic advisor prior to the end of their freshman year according to Georgia State Academic Advisement .

Georgia State sophomore, Lonna Edmond, said that her previous advisor sent a mass e-mail two weeks before the start of fall semester stating that she would not be the advisor for them going forward.

“I never received an e-mail from a new advisor and I have not been informed of having a new advisor,” said Edmond.

The advisement office has a self-service guide on its website that allows students to self-serve themselves using icon links such as; finding their advisor, transition advisement, University Advisement Center and others.

Assistant Director Michael Charlton for the Freshman Office of the University Advisement Center said since Georgia State has consolidated with Perimeter College something could go wrong

with technology and with the merging of the systems because a lot of Perimeter College students are enrolled and the data from Perimeter College is showing up twice.

“There are 15 freshman advisors who are advising an average of about 300 students each. If students are not able to get in contact with their advisor they should come in and if their advisor is not available, there should always be an advisor of the day on duty because our motto is we never turn students away and I will see them myself if I have to,” said Charlton.

Activists want SGA action, Becker’s attention University President Mark Becker has remained mum on issues with BOR policies affecting the undocumented SEAN KEENAN

Senior Reporter

Brazile and Hoover exchange ideas on campus Leaders of both political parties urge student to vote in upcoming election SNOTTI P ST. CYR

Staff Reporter

Donna Brazile, the interim chairperson of the Democratic National Committee hashed it out with Margaret Hoover, a political analyst for Republicans and board member of Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, during the second installment of the Distinguished Speakers Series this semester on the effectiveness of Millennials’ roles in the political process.

Tanya Washington, a professor of law and member of the Center for Access to Justice at Georgia State’s College of Law, gave Brazile and Hoover room to set the tone by making several positive statements about Millennials and summarized some events that catalyzed the fracturing of the Republican party.

Included in many instances of praise and passion was Brazile challenging Millennials to take the mantle and lead the change for a better America.

“What will your generation do to change the lives of all Americans?”, Brazile asked the audience after conveying the feats of previous generations amidst severe events, including a stirring example about her contemporaries and elders crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge during height of the Civil Rights Movement.

Brazile told students to not only vote, but eventually run for public offices themselves because she will leave her position after this due to the energy and commitment necessary for doing the job well.

Both Brazile and Hoover also encouraged women to be assertive and take positions of leadership through public office because, they said, there is no perfect time or a perfect collection of credentials needed. Brazile summarized most women’s hesitancy towards leadership

PHOTO BY JADE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

(left to right) Donna Brazile, Tanya Washington, Margaret Hoover speak to audience members about the importance of millennials voting and women pursuing leadership positions part of Spotlight Program Board’s Distinguished Speakers series.

roles as the expectation for multiple degrees, certifications, levels of experience, and ability to raise a lot of money. Hoover co-signed the sentiment by using Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg’s “lean in” principle, an ode to Sandberg’s book Lean In. In the latter stages of the panel discussion, Brazile hammered the Republican party for not making adjustments to supporting basic human rights of health care and the Voting Rights Act. Hoover responded by providing specific examples of bipartisan partnerships within those same areas, including Georgia Governor Nathan Deal’s vetoing HB 757, also known as the Religious Liberty bill, and South Carolina Republican Sen. Tim Scott’s collaboration with New

Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker, and two other Senators, to sponsor the Investing in the Opportunity Act. Hoover also told the audience that “Trump got a plurality, not a majority, Republican primary voters.”

Hoover said that “those who have known Clinton for a long time like her the most, but for Trump, those who have known him the most like him the least.”

Brazile, however, expressed frustration towards Clinton for not directly going after Trump for his blatant sexism, racism, and xenophobia, so much so that she suggested Clinton “pulled her earrings off ” once Trump finished.

She trivialized the email scandal when asked about the issue. Brazile was under suspicions of tipping off Clinton about campaign plans for

Senator Bernie Sanders’ campaign but said, “Part of what I did as a television commentator was communicate with both campaigns”.

“Whenever I receive information from a campaign, and I don’t know exactly what the emails said because I refuse to open up any of those [Podesta] emails, I don’t read those emails, they’re earmarked for Russia,” she said. “But as a political commentator, I communicated with all the candidates. The reason I got that email is because I donated to Bernie’s campaign. I also donated to Hillary’s campaign...So it wasn’t as egregious as Wikileaks or Julian Assange would like you to believe.”

A

ctivists for undocumented students are asking Georgia State’s Student Government Association (SGA) senate to buckle down to fight policies which bar undocumented students from the state’s top colleges.

At SGA’s Oct. 13 senate meeting, Laura Emiko Soltis, executive director of Freedom University (FU), and Angel Almora, an undocumented FU student, urged senators to adopt a beefed-up version of last year’s legislation, which supported the rights of undocumented immigrants.

Current policies effected by the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents (BOR) disallow “a person who is not lawfully in the United States” from enrolling at the state’s top universities or paying in-state tuition at any System school. Activists for undocumented immigrants and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students hope to change that.

Soltis, Almora, Georgia State’s Progressive Student Alliance, and other organizations want SGA to use its muscle to earn the help of University President Mark Becker, who’s thus far remained tight-lipped on the matter.

“We encourage the SGA to hold President Becker accountable to Georgia State’s implementation of these policies and to ask him to use his considerable influence to publicly denounce the Board of Regents’ policies,” Soltis told The Signal.

SGA Executive Vice President Shamari Southwell said he thinks, once the bill is introduced, the student government will be on-board with ratifying more active legislation “Being that student governments in the other top five public Georgia universities have coordinated and even led protests in support of DACA students, I don’t think anyone outside the Board of Regents will take issue with it,” he told The Signal.

Comic by minh huynh & Darian Mathews | The Signal

EDITORIAL

8

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016

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A reformed south

Georgia State strays from traditional southern pride We live in the south, and regardless if you agree or not, living in the south is associated with “southern” tendencies, especially in the college realm.

When referring to major universities in Georgia, like the University of Georgia (UGA), traditions arise and are upheld with each school’s legacy.

When attending UGA, it is almost a guarantee that having school pride (especially revolving sports, more specifically football) will become second nature, eventually transforming to something ritualistic: attending every game (home or away), decking out your car with flags and stickers, and cohesively hating the same rival teams, regardless if you are a football fan or not.

Being prideful of the school you are attending is not a negative trait, especially when the school is located in isolation and all you end up having is that school and its glories.

Georgia State comes together by being different; we pride ourselves on being creative as a unit or independently, all through

music, dance, arts, organizations, and movements. We don’t join up to go to the football game, but instead, we join up to fight with Black Lives Matter protests or Turner Field neighbors protests.

We are diverse in ethnicities, sexualities, religions and gender identities. That is how we have pride, we rally and welcome anyone to come dance with us at Unity Plaza and march with us Downtown.

UGA is located in one of the biggest towns for the creation of music and art, Athens. The unfortunate truth is, however, when someone refers to the town it is associated with not only the massive football following, but also the traditionalist pride that comes with the school. It is hardly recognized for its music or art scene, putting aside the annual Athfest.

So the surrounding setting of the school might have been initially acknowledged for it’s creative and diverse creations in the arts and music, but in today’s regards, it’s known for excessively establishing their pride on every

corner of the city.

This isn’t necessarily the case with Georgia State, we might have pride, but it’s not the kind of pride the south isn’t used to.

With Homecoming week finally here, one question manifests: Do we care enough about our football team winning or having Georgia State pride? The answer is twofold, yes and no. The truth is we don’t establish the reputation of this school on a foundation for loving football, which is not a dig at the team or Georgia State Athletics, it’s simply the truth, we don’t go to the games. However, we do have pride; it is just manifested in a non-traditional way.

Football is the south’s first love, just like baseball is the north’s.

It wasn’t until 2010 that Georgia State had its first football game and UGA had its first game in 1892, so that aspect might be why our school lack’s in the worshipping of football. But it can also be because Georgia State is moving on a path of modernization, our worship is toward current issues, trends and creativity occurring around us.

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ARTS & LIVING

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Events Galore

A guide to Georgia State’s Homecoming week

ILLUSTRATION BY DARIAN MATHEWS | THE SIGNAL

BIANCA THEODORE Staff Reporter

T

hat time has rolled around again for Georgia State, and this year’s Homecoming Week is Oct. 19 to Oct. 24. Although the annual celebration and the school is in its 130rd year, Georgia State is stepping into a new era.

With the consolidation of Georgia Perimeter College and Georgia State, the inner-city institution has gained thousands of students. Georgia State is now the second largest university in Georgia.

“We are directly over homecoming, so we start from scratch,” Adriana Selci, Spirit and Traditions Chair, said.

“Every year we do certain staple events, but it was up to our committee to plan how we do it, what the themes are. So from picking the theme, to what curtains are going to hang on the wall, to what mat is going to be on the floor, we’ve planned it out. We’ve talked about and discussed every aspect of what’s going to happen. I just want people to look at it [Homecoming] like, ‘Wow this is what Georgia State does.’ Because we’re all one school; just different campuses.”

And the attention to detail shows. Every Georgia State campus will get a piece of the Homecoming festivities, with a little something for everyone. Here’s the day-to-day breakdown.

OCT. 18

“Spirit Plaza”: Tuesday is the day festivities really get going, and is sandwiched by two Unity Plaza parties on the Atlanta campus. “Spirit Plaza” will take place first, from noon to 1 p.m., and will be an outdoor BBQ, with assorted lunch available and a live DJ to keep things ‘lit.’

The Block Party: The Block Party will spill from Unity

Plaza into Gilmer Street. The circus carnival themed event will be one you won’t want to miss, with the promise of game trailers, carnival games, candy apples and cotton candy. The event will take place from 7 to 10 p.m.

Fall Fun Day (Alpharetta): From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m, Alpharetta campus will be experiencing their own circus of an event: a Fall Fun Day complete with bull riding, giveaways and complimentary food.

OCT. 19

Laugh your Paws off (Wild ‘N Out): Georgia State’s Sports Arena will be the stage for veteran celebrity comedian Nick Cannon and his equally hilarious entourage for a special performance of MTV’s Wild ‘N Out. Dubbed the “Laugh your paws off ” comedy show, the iconic improv show will surely have every Panther doing just that. Wild ‘N Out has introduced the masses to some of the most popular comedians of our time, from favorites like Kevin Hart to Katt Williams. With a history like that, the show is guaranteed to be a good one.

Fall Fun Day (Clarkston and Dunwoody) & “Dip n Dab”: Clarkston and Dunwoody will be hosting their own

versions of Fall Fun Days at their campus quads, with food, rides and music. Decatur’s campus will be throwing their “Dib n Dab” event. For the second annual year, students will be able to “wear blue and get fed,” all while creating their own DIY masks for the upcoming Royal Ball. For students unable to attend, The Signal’s got you; be sure to check out our DIY mask tips.

OCT. 20

Golf Cart Parade: Georgia State student organizations will get to show out during the annual Golf Cart Parade.

From noon to 1 p.m., Gilmer Street will be a highway of mini golf carts, with each one decorated under the care and creativity of each club to reflect their Panther spirit.

Whether one will be cheering on the sidelines or steering the wheel, the Golf Cart Parade is always an exciting time to see the rainbow of blue spirit that Georgia State has to offer, while featuring various clubs and interests.

Dancing and Sports: According to Georgia State’s official calendar, starting at 7:30 p.m., in the GSU Sports Arena, “Tip-Off Madness,” will be several events all rolled into one: a football pep rally, basketball introductions, a dunk contest and a 3-point shootout. To finish the night out, one lucky fan will win a grand prize for first place in an audience game of knockout.

OCT. 21

Royal Homecoming Ball: This year’s ball will take place at Americas-Mart, under the classic Phantom of the Opera theme. All Panthers can dance the night away and celebrate the legacy of Georgia State, all while creating their own.

OCT. 22

Tailgate: Homecoming week will come to a close, but not without a bang. All of Saturday’s festivities will be centered around the Georgia Dome, with tailgating at West Plaza and the Panthers facing off against UT Martin at 3:30 p.m. Halftime will be just exciting as the game, the moment everyone has been waiting for: the 2016 Royal Court will be crowned.

A SCHOOL UNITED

Even with the growing pains of becoming a larger student body, Georgia State never sagged under the weight of the consolidation. Instead, as Georgia State has grown in numbers, it has also grown in spirit.

Underneath the homecoming theme #GSUnited, Panthers have linked arms and come together like never before.

“The hashtag #GSUnited is a very good way to bring Georgia State together, because we’re a very diverse population of students. We have everywhere from 18 to 65 year olds, black, white and Asians,” Candice Onukwue, Spotlight’s Panther Connections Chair, said. “It’s a nice way for every student to feel important, and to come together.

If we don’t come together for the whole school year we can come together for a week. And just be united, have fun together, and enjoy everyone’s company and culture.”

No place like

Homec

A Look at the 2016 Royal Court Candidates MR. GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Myles Bostic

Born and raised in Augusta, Myles Bostic is a senior exercise science major with a concentration in occupational therapy. Bostic’s hobbies while growing up consisted of baseball and video games. He was inspired to come to Georgia State after watching his brother come back home each summer as a better and stronger person. Bostic is now in the running to be the next Mr. Georgia State University, and he hopes to give a voice to those students that feel voiceless and to encourage them to step out and be heard.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you be and why?

“If there was any fictional character I would be, it would be Tony Stark. Who wouldn’t want to be a rich and smart philanthropist that walks around in nice suits.”

Arinze Akomas Mr. Blue & White

Tony Betton Jr. Mr. Blue & White

Eugene Butler

Eugene Butler hails from the small town of Camilla, Georgia. He’s currently a senior majoring in political science with a pre-law concentration.

Butler is also currently a mentor for Big Brother, Big Sister, Executive Vice President of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Inc., a Board of Director for Student Alumni Association and a Peer Mentor for the Office of Undergraduate Studies. Last year, Butler was President of the Spotlight Programs Board.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you be and why?

Price Davidson

A senior Biology major, Davidson was once ranked 18 in the world in Madden, the popular football video game. Davidson also said he is “a strong Christian” and “enjoys swimming and playing sports.” He has an acting history, with a supporting role in the television show “Army Wives” and a lead role in a Coca-Cola commercial.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you be and why?

“If I could be any fictional character, I would be Gandalf the Grey because he came back to life.”

“If I could be any fictional character, I would be Professor X from X-Men. To me, he models the way I feel we should be as leaders...to not separate ourselves because of our individual talents and gifts, but use them to help and encourage others to use theirs. He is also a character modeled after Martin Luther King Jr.”

Yann Mondon Mr. Blue & White

Terry Fye

Mr. Perimeter

Jordon Thompson Mr. Perimeter

coming CATRINA DYGERT Staff Reporter

MS. GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY

Nia Ballard

Nia Ballard is a senior, journalism major with a concentration in public relations and is a double minor in Spanish and theatre. She is from Decatur, Georgia. Nia always challenges herself to go beyond what’s expected, and Nia’s ultimate career goal is to have her own PR firm, focusing in entertainment, but her overall life goal is to inspire others.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you be and why?

“If I could be any fictional character, I’d be Olivia Pope. Despite her personal life, her passion for Political Public Relations emulates my passion for Entertainment PR. She’s definitely a strong female character, and I admire that.”

Joy Nwoke

Joy Nwoke, a current senior, is majoring in chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry.

She is also part of the Honors College. Since enrolling at Georgia State, Nwoke has been involved in University Housing, the African Students Association, the 1913 Society and the Student Government Association. Nwoke said she “loves serving this university and the students that make this institution great.”

If you could be any fictional character, who would you be and why?

“If I could be any fictional character, I would be Lola Bunny because I love bunnies!”

Faith Willis

Senior Faith Willis can go into any room and make a friend. Willis used to cheer for Georgia State, but has moved on to Greek Life as the Panhellenic president. She was inspired to go Greek by a Delta Zeta event she attended when she first came to campus. There, Willis learned about Beloved Atlanta, a restoration program for sex trafficked women in the city. That population is who Willis hopes to help most with her social work degree.

When she realized that she was surrounded by diverse and independent women in Greek life, Willis couldn’t stay away.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you be and why?

“Nemo! I am really close with my dad, I have small feet and my favorite animal is a clown fish, so I just love that movie.”

Read full interviews online at georgiastatesignal.com

PHOTOS BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL

Sierra Reece

Ms. Blue & White

Xinran Liu

Ms. Blue & White

Francesca Deckert Ms. Blue & White

Chelse Brown Ms. Perimeter

Royalty Attire with Youth United Designer clothing with a cultural interpretation CHANTE FOSTER Staff Reporter

D

ust off the tiaras and bow ties, Georgia State’s 2016 Homecoming Royal Ball has arrived. One business that offers custom made designer gowns, alterations, adjustments and more, is also making clothing that has a powerful message.

Youth United Clothing, an upcoming clothing business is quickly gaining in popularity as fashion curator, and seamstress Uma York incorporates meaningful messages into the designs of every custom piece. Each custom design symbolically represents a portion of York’s life and ancestral roots, which are deeply seeded in African culture.

The concept behind the clothing inspires youth to learn more about their culture, while wearing clothes that represent African Royalty. “[My] designs inspire the youth through culture and fashion,” York said. “I think it makes them embrace their culture and [it] unifies [them] on a different level.”

Hidden Talent

When the young designer first discovered her hidden talent, she was preparing for a fashion show last year with her brother. Her mother-in-law saw the duos potential and decided to help. During the designing process, York’s curiosity for sewing grew.

“Me and my brother were doing a fashion show, in the process it became very hard, [because] I didn’t know how to sew,” York said. “[My] mother-in-law saw [us] going through it, she knew how to sew, and in the process I started to ask more questions.”

Sewing is a generational skill set that York’s mother-in-law wants to pass down to her grandchildren. The young designer became a natural at sewing, and decided to bring her designs to life. Youth United has done nearly 10 fashion shows, and the number will rise after completing a new collection.

“I never said I wanted to be a designer, I just woke up and did a

fashion show with my brother,” York said. “After that I got offered to do other fashions shows.”

Making a statement,, is something that the new business enjoys. So far, Youth United has done collaborations and fashion shows with Walk Fashion Show, Bronner Brother and the Peachtree International Film Festival.

Within a short period of time, the young designer is ready to make her impact in the fashion industry.

Passing the Legacy

A piece of African history is inserted into every collection. Before creating something new, York does intensive research on royal attire worn by certain African tribes. All of the pieces from York’s collection visually represent culture, history and childhood memories. Current collections, such as Oyo, have a green and gold color scheme. Asud, meaning black in Arabic, is a royal collection with the color scheme of black and gold.

“I was brought up on culture, and I go off of the tribes that I know, [such as] different families that were raised around me,” York said.

“I’m American, but I was raised differently, my family is royal, and that’s where I get all of my history.”

York’s designs are inspired by her connection to family history. From Brooklyn, New York to Atlanta, Georgia, the young designer has always had an interest in learning more about her Sudanese and Egyptian origins.

York expressed pride and passion when she talked about her family tribe in Africa.

“I come from a large family of 216 brothers and sisters,” York said. “My family is originally from Sudan and Egypt, my father came to [America] as a child, and [his] mission was to have a [large family].”

At the age of seven, York moved to Georgia, where she lived in a family community. During her younger years, she spent majority of her time with family. Today, the young designer and her brother, Mahmuwd Muhammad are working hard to express their African heritage within every design.

“We were raised on our own land of 475 areas,” York said. “We

only lived with brothers, sisters and step mothers, and I was raised in a community settling.”

Coming from a family tribe has created a large network for York.

Youth United, is a form of expression illustrated in a fusion of cultural, edgy couture fashion.

Youth United

The idea behind the business, Youth United, is to create clothing for all ages. According to York, a lot of young women around 15 are still trying to find themselves and their own style. With clothing from Youth United, a young girl can style up a pair of custom slacks with their favorite pair of heels or sneakers. The designer personally likes clothes that are baggy and comfortable with a classy flare.

There are a variety of materials, such as Dashiki fabric, Kente Cloth and fabric from Egypt, that are used to make the clothes. Each piece is made to be aesthetically stylish, while conveniently catering to a wide range of clients. For instance, Youth United has a line of skirts with hidden pockets for women who might not like carrying purses.

A revolutionary concept fuels the young designers expectations for the youth, because she believes the youth has the power to create social change. According to York, even a few of the business models expressed excitement, when it came to learn about different cultures.

“When I’m teaching the girls about these clothes (the models), it makes them interested in their culture, and they learn more,” York said. “I love the fact that you can teach the youth about how different cultures intertwine with one another.”

The main goal is to create clothing that inspires youth to learn more about their culture. York would like to continue educating people on African history and hopes to one day start mentorship programs to teach young women about basic edict, how to strut in heels and public speaking.

“If we could change the children through fashion and make them aware, that would make a big influence on the youth,” York said.

Contact Info

Youth United Clothing specializes in one of a kind designer gowns, evening attire and more. For questions or inquires about custom made pieces, alterations or adjustments for this year’s Homecoming, contact the business through their Facebook page by searching their name. Clients can also contact the designer by calling (347)940-3499.

Dressing for the Occasion Plush Boutique

Find a dress to fit your size and style. Plush boutique is dedicated to providing dresses for curvy women.

The retail store has an inventory of dresses from size four to 24, that can be worn during a special occasion or a fun night out. The boutique also sells accessories, beauty products and shoes.

The boutique accepts customers by appointment only. Their headquarters is located at 3060 Pharr Court, Suite 22, Atlanta, Georgia 30305. For more information visit their website at theplush-collective.myshopify.com.

C.A.U.S.E for Elegance

The fabulous C.A.U.S.E for Elegance is a retail store and nonprofit organization that sells men and women's clothing. Find a one-ofa kind evening gown with matching accessories and/or a snazzy buttondown collared shirt to match a tux.

As a nonprofit organization, C.A.U.S.E for Elegance teaches youth some business savvy skills for working in professional environments.

The retail store is located in Phipps Plaza at 3500 Peachtree Rd. NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30327, on the second floor next to Belks. For information about the store or the nonprofit organization, visit their Facebook page by searching the business name.

Fashion curator and seamstress Uma York’s designs, inspired by her African roots, are sold under the clothing business Youth United Clothing.

PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY UMA YORK

14

ARTS & LIVING

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016

D.I.Y

The only time you should be two-faced

There’s no time to find a fancy-schmancy mask for Homecoming, let’s make one! glue pens or a bottle of glitter will do you justice) Craft items(these items may vary, but here are suggestions): *Feathers or replace with fake flowers (You can buy bundles of fake flowers at the dollar store) *Small round beads (used to make bracelets)

TAMMY HUYNH Production Editor

•

G

eorgia State’s Royal Ball theme, Phantom of the Opera, is a classic and it definitely brings out the inner dark and mysterious. If you’re thinking what I’m thinking, a mask needs to be on your ‘to have’ list for this event, but do you really want to spend money on a glorified mask when it could be going toward your dress, suit or shoes?

If you really insist on wanting to buy one, I recommend PartyCity for a simple lace mask ranging about $7 going up to more detailed masks ranging about $20 for both men and women! But I mean, unless you’re going to another Masquerade any time soon, it’s okay to claim being cheap at this time and make a personalized one instead, so I have a couple of options for you.

What you need •

• • •

Blank mask (I got my empty white one from PartyCity for about three dollars and it cuts in half after the nose) Paint and paint brushes Hot glue gun Glitter (you can use glitter

Option one

For guys and girls — Start with your blank mask. If you have acrylic paint from previous art projects, go ahead and paint it on the mask.

I highly suggest sticking with one solid color, especially if you’re not too crafty and want something simple, but go crazy if you’d like.

If you still see white showing through the paint, give it a nice second coat and let it dry. While you’re waiting, heat up that glue gun and have your glitter bottle ready with some newspaper underneath to lessen the mess.

Once your paint is dry take your glue gun and work from the edges of the mask in-ward, preferably left to right for righties and right to left for lefties (this is only to prevent you going back over the glue with your hand and messing up your design).

Draw swirl motions with your glue

PHOTO BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL gun and quickly pour glitter over the hot glue, while it’s still hot of course.

Don’t be afraid of the glitter, dump enough to cover the hot glue.

Option two

For the girls, but partake guys!

While waiting for your base paint or glue to dry, pick out what craft items you want on your mask and where you’d like it on the mask. The design here is really up to you and how you think the colors are working together, but if you need a starting color scheme the classic Georgia State

colors: Blue and white will be a great guide. For crafts, my suggestions are to put bigger stuff at the top following your hairline or on the sides (corner of the masks), so that you won’t have feathers or flowers poking your eyes out while jammin’ on the dance floor.

This is optional, but if you want to hold your mask, add a wooden craft stick to one of the ends of the mask to serve as a holding rod.

Share your finished creations with us by uploading to Instagram and tagging us @gsusignal. Happy Homecoming, Panthers!

recreation has Never Been So Easy

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Download the Georgia State Recreation app to view programs, services and much more!

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ACID ARAB MUSIQUE DE FRANCE

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AESOP ROCK & HOMEBOY SANDMAN LICE TWO: STILL BUGGIN’

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SPORTS

www.georgiastatesignal.com/sports

homec ming tennis court Men’s court jannis koeke • • • • • •

2016 All-Conference Singles First Team 2016 Sun Belt Commissioner’s List No. 1 Position: 11-8 Singles Record 4 Match Clinching Wins 2 Wins over Ranked Players: No. 65 & 95 (at the time) 9-8 Doubles Record at the No. 3 Position

DEVONE SLAPPY Staff Reporter

I

t’s officially homecoming season. A school spirited week that features many sporting events, including the Tennis ITA Regionals on Oct. 19-24 for the men and women’s team. Both teams have star players that are worthy of being on their own Homecoming court.

women’s court tarani kamoe •

“ It is always great to be around during homecoming and feel that everybody is excited and maybe pick up a little energy from that.”

• • • •

14-4 Doubles Record at the No. 1 position (led team) 9-1 in her last 10 doubles matches 3-2 in Singles Play Ranked as high as No. 33 at the Doubles Position 2016 Sun Belt Champion

-Jannis Koeke

jack macfarlane • • • • •

Won Doubles flight at Southern Intercollegiate Championship Sun Belt Player of the Week March 30, 2016 13-7 Singles Record at the No. 5 Position (2nd best on the team) 6 match-clinching wins 10-9 Doubles Record at the No. 2 Position

kristin rehse • • • •

12-6 at the No. 2 Singles Position Won 7 of her last 8 singles matches 6-5 in doubles competition Sun Belt Champion

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

felipe jaworski • • • •

Won Doubles flight at Southern Intercollegiate Championship 2016 Sun Belt Commissioner’s List 15-3 Singles Record at No. 6 position (led team) 8-9 Doubles Record

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS PHOTOS BY DAYNE FRANCIS | THE SIGNAL The Georgia State men and women tennis teams are prepared for the ITA Regionals on Oct. 19-24.

daniela ramirez • • • • •

16-3 Singles Record at No. 6 Position (led team) 10 game match streak Defeated No. 108 ranked player this season 11-6 in Doubles competition Sun Belt Champion

Homecoming game THE SIGNAL SPORTS STAFF

PREDICTION GEORGIA STATE VS. UT MARTIN

D’MITRI CHIN GEORGIA STATE 24, UT MARTIN 10

CHRISTIAN CRITTENDEN GEORGIA STATE: 45 UT MARTIN: 17

DEVONE SLAPPY GEORGIA STATE 21 UT MARTIN 35

The Georgia State Panthers finally secured their first win of the season 41-21 over Texas State on Oct. 8. The offense looked fluid and starting quarterback Conner Manning had a career day. Superstar wide receiver Robert Davis has continued his high-level of play, and the defense continues to dominate opposing offenses.The Panthers will indeed beat their Homecoming opponent, UT Martin. If you closely analyze every game Georgia State has played this year (besides the match they played against Air Force), you will notice that the Panthers are a ball-hawks defensively. In their first five games, the Panthers have six interceptions. Opponents find it extremely tough to score on this team. I expect that to continue.

Georgia State wins 24-10.

The Panthers finally got off of the schnide with a win against Texas State. It was an offensive explosion for the Panthers, and they will have the same type of effort against UT-Martin. The Skyhawks are giving up an average of 342 yards per game. The Skyhawks are also 0-3 against FBS opponents this season, and while they have played the 3 FBS opponents on their schedule tough, it won't be enough to beat the Panthers. The Panthers are finally starting to hit their stride offensively, and they are fighting for a bowl game berth as well.

WOODY BASS

RASHAD MILLIGAN

GEORGIA STATE: 35, UT MARTIN: 17

GEORGIA STATE: 37 UT MARTIN: 30

GEORGIA STATE 27 UT MARTIN 24

This is a game that Georgia State cannot afford to sleepwalk through and let it get away from them. If the Panthers want to return to a bowl game they need to add W’s after returning home from Troy and a 1-5 start for 2016. The defense should have a big day against the Skyhawks and Conner Manning and his crew should be able to move against a defense that has allowed an average of 247 yards in the air and about 140 on the ground to mostly FCS opponents​. It should be a good day to be a Georgia State Panther with a 35-17 win for Homecoming.

Looking at Georgia State’s schedule, this game might have appeared to be a difficult one to predict for most fans. The two teams have never played each other, they come from two different conferences and even two different divisions. However, now on game week, it’s clear that the Skyhawks struggle with FBS competition. UT Martin’s offensive strengths cannot be denied, having 23 points as the season’s lowest score since losing at Cincinnati week one. On the same token, keep an eye out on these Panthers, who look to be slowly following the similar unorthodox footsteps that the 2015 team took to get to a bowl game.

Homecoming is an exciting time of year, and I believe the Homecoming game will follow suit. This will be a nail biter, one of the most exciting games of the season. UT Martin is the favorite and they’re going to show why; they will be up for most of the game, but Georgia State will complete the comeback late in the fourth quarter. One big play towards the end of regulation will seal the comeback, and I am predicting it to be on the defensive side. Georgia State will reign king on Homecoming night.

The Panthers are going against a high powered offense that is averaging 41 points per game. UT Martin is not only known for their high scoring, but what makes them so successful is how balanced they are. They are averaging 142 rushing yards a game and 255 passing yards a game. The Panthers defense only gives up about 170 passing yards a game, but they fail to stop the run giving up an average of 262 rushing yards a game. With the Panthers offense only averaging 19 points per game, they won’t be able to keep up with UT Martin’s high scoring offense.

TOBI ADEYEMI

game predictions continued

A little bit of history about Georgia State and Homecoming WOODY BASS Staff Reporter

A

hhh, Homecoming. The time of year where royal courts assemble and are crowned, paraded by their loyal subjects to ensue in frivolity at the Ball. It is a time when the student body traditionally comes together to celebrate with one another.

Depending upon who is writing history, the University of Missouri is widely believed to have started the homecoming trend in 1911.

Twenty years of the “Border War” were fought between the Tigers and the Kansas Jayhawks played on neutral fields. The game returned to Columbia, Missouri where the then director of athletics, Chester Brewer, invited alumni to return to the campus for the game. Several thousand Mizzou alumni answered the call and thus a new tradition was born and spread across the nation.

OCT. 16, 2010

OCT. 13, 2015

The tradition found its way to the heart of Downtown Atlanta to the concrete campus of Georgia State. It was the inaugural season as a football program led by then head coach Bill Curry. North Carolina Central took to the Georgia Dome for the Panthers first ever homecoming game. When fifth-year senior kicker Iain Vance nailed a 33-yard field goal in overtime, he sealed not only the program’s fifth-ever win in the inaugural season, he also helped Georgia State seal their first homecoming victory ever.

That takes us to a year ago and the homecoming game against FCS opponent Liberty University.

The Flames burned the homecoming field dominating the game for 43 total minutes. Liberty went on to win 41-33.

“When we are on offense and the other team is scoring as much as they are, we can’t miss a possession,” Coach Miles said regarding missed opportunities. “We can’t settle for a punt and we can’t miss field goals. We have to drive the ball down and score touchdowns and we were unable to do that.”

Since Villanova, the Panthers have lost by an average of about 20 points per game creating an atmosphere no one really wants to write home about. Coach Miles and his Panthers will look to turn that trend around in 2016. They hope to do so starting with the University of Tennessee at Martin.

OCT. 11, 2011 A year later, Georgia State welcomed future conference rival, South Alabama, to the royal homecoming turf of the Georgia Dome on Oct. 11, 2011. The 27-20 victory over the Jaguars led to the second consecutive homecoming win for the Panthers and Coach Curry was beaming with how well his team played.

“I said this three of four times since we came to Georgia State. There have been several times when I could honestly say I’ve never been more proud of a group of men,” he said following the win.

2013 2013 kicked off a new era for Georgia State football. Trent Miles was in his inaugural season as head coach, and the Panthers had officially joined the Sun Belt conference. Unfortunately, the good news stopped there for the Homecoming Court as the Troy Trojans defeated the Panthers 35-28.

“This was an FCS football team a year ago that won one game,” the new head coach said following the loss. “We jumped into FBS and went toe-to-toe for 56 minutes and had every opportunity to win the game.”

OCT. 11, 2014 At this point, Villanova played villains handing the Panthers their worst Homecoming loss in Georgia State history. Then some Red Wolves, under first-year head coach Blake Anderson, decided it was time to change that with a merciless 52-10 drubbing on Oct. 11, 2014. Arkansas State went on to rush for 384 yards and added 234 yards to their win.

OCT. 22, 2016

The Skyhawks come to Atlanta with a 4-3 record so far this season under head coach Jason Simpson who is in his tenth year at UT Martin. In their three losses, the Skyhawks have committed a total of 12 turnovers. 5 of those turnovers were committed in their 34-30 loss to Tennessee State which has to have a player like Jerome Smith, with three interceptions on the year, salivating.

The Skyhawks has played 23 FBS opponents. with only one win over the Memphis Tigers in 2012. UT Martin has faced two FBS teams so far this season – Cincinnati and Hawaii. If the results of those games are any indication, they have proven that they can hang around, if given the chance, against the FBS. In those two games, the Skyhawks have lost by an average of only 13 points and amassed just 19 fewer yards on offense than their opponents. You have to wonder what their record be had they not committed 7 turnovers.

Their visit to Atlanta is exactly the situation these FCS teams love to be in. They have nothing to lose, but they feel they have plenty to prove.

On Oct. 22, 2016, the UT Martin Skyhawks will be the seventh Homecoming opponent in Georgia State football history. The Panthers will be looking to #TakeTheNextStep and get Homecoming history back on their side at 3:30 p.m. in the Georgia Dome.

View the full history online! georgiastatesignal.com

Q&A

Jared Peckenpaugh The Pacer Sports Editor @jpeck33 UT Martin's looked like they've had a very extreme schedule so far this year. Either they're blowing out inferior competition or they're getting blown out by superior competition. How have you seen the Skyhawks season so far?

Peckenpaugh: For a team that lost so much to graduation

this season (starting quarterback, running back, two wide receivers and the entire secondary), this team has really surprised a lot of people. When you look at the three games that UT Martin has lost, the Skyhawks had halftime leads over all three opponents. In the first game of the season, UT Martin led Cincinnati for a majority of that game, but some costly turnovers and UTM’s inability to score in the redzone cost them what could have been a huge upset. In the other two games against Hawaii and Tennessee State, the Skyhawks had doubledigit leads against both teams, but UT Martin couldn’t seal the win in either game and both games were decided by late game-winning touchdowns. Outside of that, this UT Martin team has looked solid so far. Quarterback Troy Cook has really stepped up this season and so far he has been the difference maker for the Skyhawks. He currently leads the FCS in pass efficiency rating (189.2) and he’s ranked in the top-10 in passing touchdowns (16) and yards-per-completion (15.53).

What are some strengths the Skyhawks have that Georgia State will struggle with?

Peckenpaugh: One advantage I think UT Martin has is the

fact that they run an very balanced offense with playmakers at both running back and wide receiver. Caylon Weathers and Ben Axline are two explosive wide receivers that Georgia State fans should be on the lookout for come gameday. Also, the Skyhawks have a few breakout stars that could give the Panthers some fits, including running back Jaimiee Bowe and wide receivers Londell Lee and Kyle Kerrick.

What are some weaknesses you think Georgia State will exploit?

Peckenpaugh: I think the size and talent advantage alone

will vastly help the Panthers in this game. Simply put if Georgia State can control the line of scrimmage, shut down the run game and put pressure on the quarterback, they should cruise to an easy win.

What is your final score prediction?

Peckenpaugh: I think UT Martin will be able to hang

with Georgia State for the first part of the game, but I think the Panthers will take control in the second half and defeat UTM 3521. st ain g a p ca . e e r ine m onl a r g tin ou ar t M ou UTk ec Ch

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016

This year’s Homecoming perspectives Michael Ivory is ‘appreciative’ in playing his final homecoming game as a Panther D’IMITRI CHIN Staff Reporter

W

ith the Georgia State Panthers coming off of their first bowl appearance last season, the anticipation of this year’s homecoming game has elevated to new heights, and rightfully so. Despite the team starting off the season rather sluggish, the Panthers have some electrifying players on both sides of the ball that can turn any play into a highlight reel. It would not be surprising to see jaw-dropping plays on full display during the game.

Homecoming as a whole, is by far the most exciting time of the year, not just for the students, but also for the football players. They realize that this is the only regular season game that receives just as much, if not more, attention than the season-opener. This is the one game where the majority of students will attend because this event means more than just winning or losing, although the Panthers have plans on finishing the game victorious, it symbolizes the school’s team spirit and pride, while also exemplifying what it means to stand behind one’s university.

Unlike any other typical match, Homecoming tends to bring the best out of players—especially seniors. They fully understand the importance of securing a win on that day. Besides, a Homecoming win will most certainly bring an abundance of fulfillment to the faithful supporters of the program. While the freshman players

may only look to enjoy their first homecoming experience as a collegiate football player, the veterans of the team know that this will be their final time not just playing in a homecoming game, but ultimately as a Georgia State Panther. As they relish the moments of their previous homecoming matches, they will look to leave an everlasting impression on their beloved fans.

Starting quarterback and redshirt junior Conner Manning is perhaps the most significant addition to this year’s Panthers’ team, and he is looking forward to playing in his first homecoming game as a Georgia State Panther. He plans to approach this game as any other: Fully determined to get better.

“I always expect a lot out of myself, so coming into this game, they are obviously a tremendous team, a tremendous defense, so it’s going to be a great challenge for us, but we’re focused on keep getting better,” Manning said. “We’re focused on competing at a top-level.”

Manning had an impressive outing against Texas State, where he threw for a career-high 340 yards and two touchdowns.

As for offensive tackle Michael Ivory, Homecoming is unique in its own way. In fact, it’s not just the game that inspires him.

“Homecoming is definitely different because you get those fans, those alumni and people that may not normally come to the game, and family members that come in town for homecoming. It’s an exciting thing.”

Apparently, the preparation for Homecoming at Georgia State begins well in advance of the

SIGNAL ARCHIVES

Conner Manning walks off the field during the game against Ball State on Sept. 2.

homecoming game.

“The excitement and build-up has been there and has been going on for about two weeks now, so it’s starting to come together.”

Ivory is a senior this year, and he expressed a great amount of gratitude to be able to play in his last homecoming game as a Panther.

“It’s crazy,” Ivory said, with a smile on his face, while shaking his head in astonishment at how fast

his time at Georgia State has flown by. “I feel like I really kind of got here and time has really went by fast. I’m appreciative of my time here- it’s been great and I just want to do this thing the right way and leave a legacy here.”

The Georgia State Panthers will host UT Martin 76985 in their homecoming game at the Georgia Dome on Oct. 22 at 3:30 P.M.

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PANTHER OF THE WEEK

SPORTS CALENDAR *CONFERENCE GAME

Chandon Sullivan Football On Oct. 15, Sullivan grabbed his sixth career interception against the Troy Trojans, which is the most in school history. The junior cornerback was an All-Sun Belt honorable mention and was also named to the Capitol One Academic All-District football team in 2015.

Sullivan had the first pick-six in Georgia State history last season against Texas State. In high school, Sullivan made the All-Region 8-AAAAA at both cornerback and running back as a senior.

Standings

GEORGIA STATE

Texas State*

at GSU Sports Arena 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 22 UT Arlington*

at GSU Sports Arena 6 p.m.

MEN’S TENNIS Wednesday, Oct. 19 at Tallahassee, Florida TBA

FOOTBALL

HOMECOMING

game

VOLLEYBALL Friday, Oct. 21 GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

19

SPORTS

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2016

VS.

UT-MARTIN SATURDAY, OCT. 22 AT GEORGIA DOME :

3 30 p.m.

SPORTS EDITOR’S NCAAF PREDICTIONS RASHAD MILLIGAN | THE SIGNAL

Texas A&M vs.

Alabama Alabama PANTHER OF ArkansasTHE vs. WEEK Auburn Auburn UL Lafayette UL Lafayette vs. Texas State Troy vs. South South Alabama Alabama Miami vs.

Virginia Tech

LIVE ON: ESPN3 1340 AM, WRAS-FM 88.5 LIVE AUDIO AND TWITTER WOMEN’S SOCCER

Miami

@gsusignalsports MEN’S SOCCER

VOLLEYBALL EAST DIVISION

1st

Troy 3-0 | Overall: 5-1

Coastal Carolina 6-1 | Overall: 9-4

Appalachian State 1-0 | Overall: 4-5

Coastal Carolina 5-1 | Overall: 14-4

2nd

Appalachian State 2-0 | Overall: 4-2

South Alabama 5-2 | Overall: 10-4

Coastal Carolina 0-1 | Overall: 4-5

Georgia Southern 4-2 | Overall: 11-10

3rd

Arkansas State 2-0 | Overall: 2-4

Little Rock 4-3 | Overall: 9-6

Georgia State 1-1 | Overall: 8-6

South Alabama 3-4 | Overall: 12-8

4th

Idaho 2-1 | Overall: 4-3

Georgia State 2-2 | Overall: 5-4

Georgia Southern 1-0 | Overall: 6-5

Georgia State 3-4 | Overall: 7-11

5th

Georgia Southern 2-1 | Overall: 3-3

UL Lafayette 3-3 | Overall: 7-7

Hartwick 1-0 | Overall: 7-1

Troy 0-6 | Overall: 6-17

6th

New Mexico State 1-2 | Overall: 2-4

UL Monroe 3-3 | Overall: 6-7

Howard 0-2 | Overall: 1-12

Appalachian State 0-6 | Overall: 2-17

7th 8th 9th 10th 11th

WEST DIVISION

UL Lafayette 1-2 | Overall: 2-4

Arkansas State 3-4 | Overall: 5-6

n/a

Arkansas State 6-1 | Overall: 15-7

UL Monroe 1-2 | Overall: 2-4

Texas State 3-4 | Overall: 6-8

n/a

Texas State 6-1 | Overall: 13-9

Georgia State 1-2 | Overall: 1-5

Troy 2-3 | Overall: 6-7

n/a

UT Arlington 4-3 | Overall: 10-12

Texas State 0-2 | Overall: 2-4

Georgia Southern 2-5 | Overall: 5-8

n/a

UL Lafayette 3-3 | Overall: 7-14

South Alabama 0-3 | Overall: 3-3

Appalachian State 1-4 | Overall: 6-7

n/a

Little Rock 3-4 | Overall: 7-13

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