Daily Egyptian

DE Since 1916

Daily Egyptian TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 VOLUME 99 ISSUE 2

Recreation Center renovates for 2015

c arrington S pireS • d aily e gyptian Members from the Carbondale Hopewell Baptist Church perform “Restored Worship” during the 16th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration at the Carbondale Civic Center on Sunday.

Jessica Brown

@BrownJessicaJ | Daily Egyptian

Patrons’ health will not be the only thing to receive a makeover this year at the Recreation Center.

The structure, built in 1976, has gone through significant upgrades during its time on campus and is undergoing more renovations in 2015.

Nine projects have been completed recently or are about to begin. Altogether, the renovations will cost $1,191,500 to $1,201,500. The Recreation Center will pay $926,500 to $936,500 of the total, the athletic department will pay $225,000 and the university will pay $40,000.

The men’s and women’s locker room floors, which were smooth concrete, have been replaced with a nonslip, rough surface.

“There were patrons that had concerns about it,” said Troy Vaughn, director of the Recreation Center. “There have been some slips that have taken place.”

He said no injuries have been reported to staff.

The floors cost $60,000 and were paid for with the Recreation Center’s savings account, which does not include student fees.

“They’re basically funds that we’ve saved up from over the years that actually are designated to go back in to make improvements or repairs within the building,” Vaughn said.

Locker room floors are not the only renovation to be paid for with the savings account. The money will also be used to replace the east gymnasium floor and indoor track. The Recreation Center and athletic department are both paying for half of the $450,000 project.

The floor and track will be installed starting June 1 and completed roughly July 30.

At that time, the curtain separating the basketball courts and the track will also be replaced, costing $115,000.

The old service desk of the Recreation Center is being replaced, and a whole new entry system will be installed.

This project is estimated to be complete within the next two weeks, and will cost $40,000 to $50,000.

The improved entrance design includes one area for basic entry that members can go through and another area for selling passes or other special requests. Vaughn said this will not only make patron entry more efficient, but will boost security.

c arrington S pireS • d aily e gyptian c arrington S pireS • d aily e gyptian Jayla Thompson, a student at Carbondale Middle School, performs Marisa Winegar, the director of the Martin Luther King Community Choir, during the 33rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast leads her performers during the 16th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the Student Center on Monday.

Community Celebration at the Carbondale Civic Center on Sunday.

Southern Illinois celebrates MLK

Tyler Davis

@TDavis_DE | Daily Egyptian

More than 300 people commemorated the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. at a breakfast hosted by the Carbondale branch of the NAACP on Monday at the Student Center ballrooms.

The 33rd Annual King Breakfast started at 8 a.m. and featured top officials at SIU as well as some of Jackson’s County’s leaders: SIU President Randy Dunn, Carbondale acting Mayor Don Monty, City Manager Kevin Baity, NAACP President Ed Dorsey and Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens.

The breakfast included songs sung by the audience, a violin solo, essays and poems written about King’s legacy and speeches by Dorsey and Dunn. Local high school and grade school students volunteered and some were recognized for being on the honor role.

Dorsey said because of King’s reputation as a public servant, people could treat the holiday as

an opportunity to serve. He said the children who participated gained the most of all attendees.

Religious and social leaders also joined the celebrations of King’s life. Father Bob Flannery of Saint Francis Xavier talked about King’s influence and the importance of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The Rev. Joseph Brown, a professor in Africana studies, also attended along with the Rev. Daryl Cox. Below are some notable quotes from the day: Murphysboro Mayor Will Stephens “This breakfast is a starting point for hundreds of conversations and collaboration and, perhaps, even a few disagreements over the years. It pulls together such a diverse group of people that I think it’s inherently a good thing because conversations occur that lead to greater projects.”

“The economic development that can ease racial tension is critically important, and it’s something that should be a priority, not only in southern Illinois but across the country.”

The Rev. Joseph Brown “This is kind of in a sense like a church ritual; once you leave the church, it’s up to you. Once you leave this building, if you hear something that touched you, you have permission now, to work for justice.”

“As I was walking in this morning, I was feeling a little sad that this always takes place before school starts. Therefore, a majority of our students who are out of town don’t know this.”

SIU President Randy Dunn “It’s not just on the NAACP chapter, it’s not just the university, it’s all of us who know the importance and are committed to the cause coming together.

“As we work together, do not hesitate to give us specific proposals, to request very discrete projects that we can come together on.”

“We have to do more. We can’t be satisfied with where we sit, the numbers we post, while we see some progress, that’s good, they’re not enough.”

Please see RENOVATIONS · 3

Renovation cost breakdown Alumni lounge upgrades Projectors at $1,500 entrances $3,000

Sodium Lights $330,000

New service desk and entry system $40,000 $50,000

Curtain separating basketball court and track Campus boat dock $115,000 New shower paint and lights trees $80,000 $112,000 B randa M itchell

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d aily e gyptian

J aySon h olland • d aily e gyptian Jariah Simelton and her grandmother Sharon Willis pose for a portrait at Willis’ home Monday in Murphysboro. Along with other family members, Simelton and Willis took advantage of the warm day to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day outdoors.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2015 Contact Us

Phone: (618) 536-3311 Fax: (618) 453-3248 Email: editor@dailyegyptian.com Editor-in-Chief: Sarah Gardner, ext. 252 sgardner@dailyegyptian.com Managing Editor: Luke Nozicka, ext. 252 lnozicka@dailyegyptian.com Photo Editor: Steve Matzker smatzker@dailyegyptian.com Campus Editor: Tyler Davis, ext. 254 tdavis@dailyegyptian.com Sports Editor: Aaron Graff, ext. 256 agraff@dailyegyptian.com PulseEditor: Marissa Novel, ext. 273 mnovel@dailyegyptian.com Design Chief: Branda Mitchell bmitchell@dailyegyptian.com Merchant, ext. 257 Web Desk: Alex amerchant@dailyegyptian.com Advertising Manager: Business Office: Ad Production Manager: Business & Ad Director: Faculty Managing Editor: Printshop Superintendent:

Collin Rohs, ext. 237 Chris Dorris, ext. 223 William Robinson, ext. 244 Jerry Bush, ext. 229 Eric Fidler, ext. 247 Blake Mulholland, ext. 241

About Us The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale 50 weeks per year, with an average daily circulation of 15,000. Fall and spring semester editions run Monday through Thursday. Summer editions run Tuesday through Thursday. All intersession editions run on Wednesdays. Free copies are distributed in the Carbondale and Carterville communities. The Daily Egyptian online publication can be found at www.dailyegyptian.com.

Editorial Policy Our Word is the consensus of the Daily Egyptian Editorial Board on local, national and global issues affecting the Southern Illinois University community. Viewpoints expressed in columns and letters to the editor do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Egyptian.

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Publishing Information

The Daily Egyptian is published by the students of Southern Illinois University Carbondale and functions as a laboratory for the school of journalism in exchange for the room and utilities in the Communications Building. The Daily Egyptian is a nonprofit organization that survives primarily off of its advertising revenue. Offices are in the Communications Building, Room 1259, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Ill., 62901. Bill Freivogel, fiscal officer.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Trial delayed for man accused of threatening SIUC Luke Nozicka

@LukeNozicka | Daily Egyptian

A federal trial has been delayed for the man federal law enforcement say is responsible for sending bomb threat letters to the university which caused the evacuation of more than 2,000 students from Brush Towers in the middle of the night in September 2012, according to the Associated Press.

Twenty-one-year-old Derrick Dawon Burns’ trial was postponed from Feb. 2 to April 6 so he can undergo courtordered testing to evaluate his mental fitness, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Burns, of Chicago, was arrested Sept. 29 on eight federal charges in connection to bomb and violent threats made against students and faculty in 2012 and 2013, announced Stephen R. Wigginton, a U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois. Seven of his fingerprints were identified on four of the seven letters in the case, according to the charges. Burns pleaded not guilty to the felony charges.

The letters, according to U.S. District Court case records, included threats such as rape, murder and blowing up buildings.

In a September interview, university spokesperson Rae Goldsmith said Burns attended the university in fall 2011, spring 2012, fall 2012 and fall 2013, where he was working toward a major in criminology and criminal justice.

RENOVATIONS CONTINUED FROM

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There have been issues of people sneaking into the establishment at high-use times, which has led to thefts, Vaughn said.

However, not all visitors agree that the reorganization is necessary. Clayton Teixeira, a 27-year-old transfer student from Brazil, said inefficiency was never a problem.

“I’ve never spent more than 20 seconds to get into the Rec Center,” said Teixeria, who attends the Recreation Center about five times a week.

Starting at the end of January, most of the sodium lights in the building will be replaced with LED lights for $330,000. This will be funded by a federal government rebate program that gives organizations money to make their facilities more environmentally friendly, Vaughn said.

“We’re spending some money, but we’re making ourselves greener,” he said. “We’ll be saving money in the long term.”

Other renovations include removing the blinds in the Alumni Lounge and tinting the windows for $1,500.

There was also an installation of projectors at the north and south entrance for $3,000.

The Recreation Center paid for these amenities using the operating budget for the building, Vaughn said. The operating budget uses a portion of the Recreation Center student fee, which was $134.60 during each of the last two semesters.

Also, the campus boat dock will be repainted have new lights installed for $80,000 at the end of March. The Recreation Center will pay for just half that sum because the

Recreation Center north entrance

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Cubbies accessible from both sides

Equipment checkout

In/Out traffic does not cross paths

university will pay the other half, Vaughn said.

Rusting shower trees in the men’s and women’s locker rooms will begin to be replaced starting this month as well. There are 16 shower trees and one tree will be replaced every six to eight months, Vaughn said.

Replacing these fixtures will cost $7,000 apiece, a total cost of $112,000.

Vaughn said the goal is to keep the Recreation Center as updated as possible to eliminate risks for guests.

Gary Kulik, a junior from Highland Park studying hospitality and tourism, said he likes

many of the renovations.

“I see a lot of students, elderly people and even children here sometimes,” Kulik said.

“It’s definitely a good thing to keep accidents from happening.”

Vaughn said many of the renovations do not only improve safety, but are a major attraction to potential SIU students.

“We’re a huge recruiting draw and we know that,” he said. “We want to stay as fresh as we can, because we know students could be picking coming to SIU because of what we provide.”

Pulse

Versatile electronic duo Boombox returns to Carbondale Chase Myers

@chasemyers_DE | Daily Egyptian

Electronic dance music has been a fruitful genre over the last decade. However, the combination of electronic beats and live instrumentation has just recently emerged as a well-respected style of music.

Originating from Muscle Shoals, Al., electronic duo Boombox has been crafting such a combination for nearly a decade, introducing a live guitar sound.

Comprised of singer-songwriter Zion “Rock” Godchaux and producer Russ Randolph, Boombox formed after Randolph met Godchaux during production with Godchaux’s musically inclined family.

“I was out [in Alabama] with my

K ait C onrad

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d aily E gyptian

mom, uncle, dad and brother and we were making a family record and Russ got brought in to help engineer the record, so that’s how we met,” Godchaux said.

The two began to collaborate, Randolph bringing primarily R&B, rock and soul influences to the table, where as Godchaux, growing up in San Francisco, was exposed to more house music, he said.

When the two are put together, the product is a unique and upbeat sound with a danceable vibe.

“It’s positive, it makes you feel good, it makes you want to move, makes you want to dance, its funky,” he said. “It may be, on a good night, beautifully funky.”

The duo released its first record “Visions of Backbeat” in December of 2005, a psychedelic house

record with a funk influence. The two continue to record with their initial vision.

“We haven’t changed our formula. Our style is our style and it’s who we are, but maybe it’s gotten better, maybe more evolved, more advanced,” he said.

Their drive to create genuine music is just as evident in their sophomore record “Downriverelectric” nearly five years later, which featured a more intimate production process as the two transported back to their roots.

Boombox’s music takes priority over their earnings.

“We’re not getting rich quick by any means, because we’re putting all of our money back into … our gear and the quality of the show itself,” he said.

They played festivals and toured extensively during the past couple years, allowing them time to write and record on the road.

“We record our shows and then we also record in hotel rooms or wherever inspiration strikes,” he said.

One perk of writing and recording on the road is making music in a distraction-free environment, Godchaux said.

“You can stay up all night and work on tracks,” he said. “For me, I actually write better on the road.

I make more progress on the road than I do at home.”

In 2014, they released their third studio album “Filling in the Color,” which features the substance of a studio album with the energy of a live performance.

“We really worked to try and

capture our live performance in the studio,” he said. “Its like a studio quality record but the performance was made in front of a crowd.”

Boombox will be kicking off 2015 with a winter tour at Hangar 9, marking their third Carbondale performance.

“It’s a slow growth, but the shows get better attended every time we come through. Hopefully it will be the same this time,” he said. “We look forward to see everybody out there in Carbondale.”

Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 at the door.

As 2015 progresses Boombox will be hitting the summer festival circuit, starting with Wakarusa in June and a possible appearance at All Good Festival in July.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015

‘American Sniper’ shoots for average Jacob Pierce

@JacobPierce1_DE | Daily Egyptian

Snipers are known for pinpoint accuracy. Missing is unacceptable.

“American Sniper,” on the other hand, misses a few times but does a fine job.

“American Sniper” is an action biography directed by Clint Eastwood starring Bradley Cooper, Sienna Miller, Kyle Gallner and Keir O’Donnell.

Chris Kyle, played by Cooper, was the most lethal sniper in United States history. He has a 160 confirmed kills to his name but claims to have killed 225. After watching a news report on terrorist attacks against the U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Kyle decides to join the military. He excels at Navy Seal training and is deployed to Iraq after 9/11.

Fun

&

Oscar Nominated

Kyle becomes a legend on the battlefield after his first tour of duty ends. Yet, he has trouble adjusting at home. Always searching for a higher purpose, Kyle develops what others classify as a savior complex. He serves four more tours of duty, just trying to find the thing missing inside himself.

Expectations going into the movie were unclear. On one hand, it stars Cooper, a man who has gained a career renaissance from roles in “Silver Linings Playbook” and “Guardians of the Galaxy.” On the other hand, Eastwood’s directing career is at an all-time low. Both of these factors end up make the film adequate at best.

For the rest of the story, please see www.dailyegyptian.com

Games With Austin Miller PSYD AND MA DEGREES IN CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY

To see Austin’s top 10 anticipated games of 2015, head over to www.dailyegyptian.com

CLINICAL.ARGOSY.EDU/IMPRESSIVE

See auprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees, and other costs, median debt, federal salary data, alumni success, and other important info. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Argosy University is accredited by the Senior College and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (985 Atlantic Ave., Suite 100, Alameda, CA 94501, www.wascsenior.org) The Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology program at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University Schaumburg is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association (APA).

Questions related to the program’s accredited status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation: Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, American Psychological Association, 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002. Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: apaaccred@apa.org / Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation. Programs, credential levels, technology, and scheduling options are subject to change.

Argosy University, Schaumburg, 999 North Plaza Drive, Suite 111, Schaumburg, IL 60173-5403. ©2014 by Argosy University® Our email address is csprogramadmin@edmc.edu.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

207 West Main Street Carbondale, IL 62901 Ph. 1-800-297-2160

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FOR RELEASE JANUARY 20, 2015

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

<< Answers for Wednesday Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www. sudoku.org.uk

To get the advantage, check the day’srating:10istheeasiestday,0the most challenging.

Today’s Birthday (01/20/15).

Collaboration wins this year. Nurture your relationships, your greatest wealth.

Consider long-term visions. A new

income source arises after 3/20. Declare your dream with a partner, and launch a new joint venture after 4/8. New opportunities for shared wealth arise after October. Compromise, negotiate and network for best results. Stash away windfall coins. Speak your love.

Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is an 8 — Collaborate with friends on projects that inspire and make a difference. You can achieve remarkable results. With the Sun and New Moon in Aquarius today, your team’s on fire.

Vision + action = innovation. Realize a dream together.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is an 8 — Exciting new career opportunities appear. Focus on advancing your position. A new leadership phase dawns with the New Moon. Express your passion in your work. Explore your creativity. Go for a dream.

Articulate your vision and mission.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)

ACROSS 1 PBS science series since 1974 5 Barton of the Red Cross 10 Secret language 14 Fictional rabbit’s title 15 Persian Gulf tanker 16 __ about: roughly 17 Soccer scoring opportunity 19 Lang of Smallville 20 Hairpiece 21 How French dip sandwiches are served 22 Neruda’s “__ to Wine” 24 Vice presidential hopeful 27 Cultural no-nos 29 Goings-on 30 Hamilton opponent 31 NFL Hall of Famer Lynn 33 Returning to action, and, on a gridiron, what each first word of 17-, 24-, 47- and 55-Across is 39 “Am not!” reply 40 Whacked arcade critter 42 Greek markets 45 Between-meals meals 47 Musical symbol 50 Disney frame 51 Vaulted church areas 52 Singer NewtonJohn 54 Table salt, to a chemist 55 Hold that’s illegal in amateur wrestling 59 “Buenos __” 60 Characteristic 61 Frustrating toy for Charlie Brown 62 “Rule, Britannia” composer Thomas 63 Breaks bread 64 Shoveled precipitation DOWN 1 “Football Night in America” network

Today is an 8 — Travel beckons over the next month with the Sun and New Moon in Aquarius. Go somewhere you’ve always dreamed about. Study and get your homework done first. The workload may be intense. Celebrate completion somewhere exotic.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 8 — Imagine your family’s future. New income is possible. Discuss long-term goals and how to get there.

The best things in life are still free. Save for bad weather. Sort, file and organize.

Manage accounts and paperwork.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 7 — A dream is within reach, if you work together. Encourage a miracle worker. Rely on each other. If you don’t take action, an opportunity dissolves. Watch the insubstantial sift away. Good manners help you gain altitude. Make and accept promises.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is an 8 — Act decisively. Focus on your work over the next month with

By Michael Dewey

2 Guatemala gold 3 Spinal bone 4 River of Pisa 5 Habeas __ 6 Compare 7 From another planet 8 Camcorder button 9 “Raiders of the Lost __” 10 Op-Ed piece 11 Deep into the pub crawl, say 12 Dunkin’ __ 13 Take off the board 18 Currency since 1999 21 Winery process that can take years 22 Wagering letters 23 Apply haphazardly 25 Potato state 26 __ of the above 28 Tolkien monster 31 Look of disdain 32 Scale amts.

34 Wii game rides for Mario and Luigi 35 “Dies __”: hymn

01/20/15 1/20/15 Wednesday’s Answers Monday’s Puzzle Solved

©2015 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

36 Physicians’ org.

37 Soft shoe 38 Sommer of films 41 Immigrant’s class: Abbr.

42 Live-in nanny 43 Stranded motorist’s aid 44 Threat-ending words 45 Tours of duty 46 Campbell of “Scream”

the Sun in Aquarius. A new level of service grows under the New Moon. You don’t want to go anywhere. Trust your own good sense.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is an 8 — Discover an epiphany about life, the universe and everything. It’s all about love. Share some. New opportunities to utilize your talents arise. Choose for fun and passion. Have it forward a larger dream.

Stand with your heart.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is an 8 — Begin a new home phase under the Aquarius Sun and New Moon. Take care of household responsibilities and projects. Get family on board with the plan. Take the first steps. Get creative and save money. Make dreams come true.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 7 — You retain information especially well over the next month with the Sun and New Moon in Aquarius. You have a flair for storytelling.

Write it all down. Begin a new phase in a

1/20/15 01/16/15

47 Info-gathering exchange 48 Ryan with a record seven no-hitters 49 Hardy of Laurel & Hardy 53 Classes 55 Teleflora rival 56 Sch. in the smallest state 57 Oklahoma tribe 58 Cutting-edge

creative dream project.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 9 — The Aquarius Sun and New Moon could inspire new income, in a new profitable phase.

Expenses could rise as well, so keep sharp watch. Don’t waste resources. Recycle for maximum use. Realize a financial dream by going for it.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 9 — You have the advantage this month, with the Sun and New Moon in your sign, ushering in a confident, powerful phase. Keep your patience. Humility serves you well. Take significant ground with a personal dream.

A loved one cheers.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 7 — Savor solitude and introspection. Make long-term plans.

Something’s coming due. Be supportive.

Listen to the wisdom of an elder. Visualize the dream. A miracle occurs when least expected. Restore mental and physical energy through rest and meditation.

Sports

SIU alumni show off for NFL scouts Brent Meske

@brentmeskeDE | Daily Egyptian

Former Saluki tight end MyCole Pruitt and running back Malcolm Agnew played in separate crucial games on opposite sides of the country Saturday.

Pruitt played in the East-West Shrine Game at Tropicana Field in Saint Petersburg, Fla. while, Agnew played in the National Football League Player’s Association Collegiate Bowl at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.

Agnew started the game for the National team and rushed for 29 yards on 4 carries including a 13yard first down run during the first possession of the game.

“It was a chance to show that I can play at the next level,” Agnew said.

Throughout the week, Agnew said he was able to interact with current and former NFL players.

Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Eric Winston told Agnew to take advantage of every opportunity.

“He told me to focus each and every time I’m on the field,” Agnew said. “People are always gunning for your job.”

Former NFL running back Priest Holmes was Agnew’s coach for the week.

“He taught me a lot about the game and helped me to be more patient as a player,” Agnew said.

“That’s something I struggle with sometimes but he taught me the fine details in each and every run this week.”

Former St. Louis Rams head coach and NFL assistant Mike Martz were impressed with Agnew’s performance throughout the week and named Agnew one of four captains for the National team.

ESPN analyst Todd McShay said he was impressed with Agnew’s play throughout the game as well.

“Malcolm Agnew has a little bit more pop, a little bit more juice than these other backs,” he said.

Agnew finished the game with 53 yards on 8 carries to help the

TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015

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For live updates oF all saluki sports Follow @dailyegyptian on twitter

National team win 17-0.

Agnew said he is not focused on his NFL Draft stock.

“I wasn’t worried about where I would go in the draft or if I would get drafted,” he said. “I just wanted to open some teams’ eyes and let them know that this Malcolm Agnew kid can play.”

Pruitt often found himself on the field but was never thrown to. “[Players] were a little bigger than some of the guys I was used to going against,” Pruitt said. “To be able to get that experience prior to the NFL was a good thing for me.”

Dane Brugler, a senior analyst for NFLDraftScout.com, wrote in a CBS Sports article that Pruitt is a hybrid tight end prospect and still has to work on the basics. “[Pruitt] needs to refine his route-running and play more controlled, but has starter potential down the road with some seasoning,” Brugler wrote.

Pruitt said he improved his draft stock by making plays in practices before the game.

“I made a number of plays and there were a lot of people out there noticing and they told me that when we were able to meet up after the practices,” he said. “That’s what the scouts wanted to see.”

According to Jeff Risdon, a writer for realgm.com, Pruitt stood out in pass protection drills, but is not a great target as a receiver.

“He’s very good at striking between steps to catch rushers off balance, and he moves his feet quickly,” Risdon wrote. “He makes catches on decent throws but is not the kind of receiver who will bail out a [quarterback] on a bad throw.”

Pruitt will practice and prepare in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. until he participates in the NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 17 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

“I’m taking it one day at a time,” Pruitt said. “It’s a grind and it’s not going to be easy but I’m preparing myself mentally and physically.”

A idAn O sbOrne • d Aily e gyptiAn Junior forward Dyana Pierre fights through two Purple Aces to make a layup during the Salukis’ 63-58 loss to Evansville on Sunday at SIU Arena. The Saluki women’s basketball team has a record of 9-7 halfway through its season.

Salukis improve from last season Brent Meske

@brentmeskeDE | Daily Egyptian

SIU women’s basketball has reached the halfway mark of the season and already has four more wins than last season’s total.

Through 16 games, the team is 9-7, 2-3 in conference. Last season the Salukis finished 5-25 and 3-15.

Although the team started better than last year, junior forward Azia Washington said the team can still improve.

“It’s still early,” she said. “We need to get better and make better opportunities from the mistakes we have made before.”

Washington is third in points and second in rebounds on the team, averaging 10.3 and 7.1 respectively.

Last season, she averaged 9.6 points and 6.8 rebounds.

Junior center Dyana Pierre leads the team in rebounds this season, averaging 10.3 a game. She is also second with 13.5 points and 1 block per game. Last season, she led the team in points, rebounds and

steals with 14, 9.6 and 1.46 respectively.

She earned a spot on the All-Missouri Valley Conference team.

Coach Cindy Stein said she’s happy with Pierre’s play, apart from the 63-58 loss to Evansville on Sunday.

“It’s tough. We have to grow and get better,” Stein said. “I’ll take responsibility because I haven’t given her enough repetitions to know what to do and how to do it in every situation.”

The team also has two players back that missed most of last season.

Sophomore point guard Rishonda Napier only played in five games last season after suffering from gastritis, which WebMD describes as an inflammation, irritation or erosion of the lining of the stomach. In those games, Napier averaged 7.2 points and 3.6 rebounds before being redshirted.

Napier played in the first 15 games this season before suffering a separated shoulder in a 65-53 win against Indiana State on Friday. Despite the injury, Napier

still leads the team in points and assists per game with 17.3 and 2.67 respectively.

Stein said Napier will be re-evaluated by the team doctor Wednesday before returning to practice.

Junior guard Cartaesha Macklin is fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 9.7 points per game. She is also averaging 4.5 rebounds and 1.25 steals per game.

Last season, Macklin was named to the Preseason All-MVC team but only played in seven games before redshirting.

In those games, Macklin averaged 10.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1 steal per game.

SIU added freshman guard Kylie Giebelhausen to the roster this season.

She currently leads the team in blocks, and averages 4.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-1 guard has also made 19 three-pointers, the second-most on the team.

The Salukis begin the second half of their season against the Missouri State Bears at 7:05 p.m. Friday in Springfield, Mo.

Softball benefits from spring weather during winter workouts Melanie Early

@MelanieEarlyDE | Daily Egyptian

SIU softball got dirt on its cleats Monday afternoon while practicing outside, thanks to warm January temperatures.

The Salukis’ season is only three weeks away and senior pitcher Katie Bertelsen is happy to practice outside comfortably.

When the weather has not been ideal, the softball team has also been working at different facilities this winter. Baseball coach Ken Henderson has allowed the softball team to practice at Itchy Jones Stadium.

“They’ve really built just a beautiful turf stadium over there,” associate head coach Jen Sewell said. “The artificial surface really mimics what we do on the field, so if we… can’t get on our sloppy field then [Henderson] allows us to come out.”

While there are no classes, the Salukis have had two and three-a-day practices.

Weather has a lot to do with practice scheduling, but as classes start up again, so do set practice schedules.

With practice, the team hopes to improve its record and also win a Missouri Valley Conference Championship, which would be its first since 2010.

“We’ve set some very specific goals in order to obtain some bigger goals,” Sewell said. “There’s nothing that we can’t go after.”

Sewell is happy with what she has seen from the team so far.

“Overall we like what we’ve done,” Sewell said. “The pitchers are ready, the hitters are getting there and defense looks good and we’ve had five quality days outside.”

Last year, the Salukis ended their season with a 28-25 record.

Bertelsen led the team in wins, appearances, starts, complete games, saves and innings pitched last spring. Bertelson said hard work and dedication will be a key factor in earning an MVC title.

“It’s going to have to take everybody that we have on our team,” Bertelsen said.

“We all push each other because we all want the same thing.”

Senior pitcher Alyssa Wunderlich, who posted 13 appearances and six starts last season, has faith in her teammates’ hard work this year.

“We’ve recently developed a slogan that we’ve been working on,” Wunderlich said. “It’s called, ‘win today’ and I really like that because it kind of breaks down our overall goal into something smaller.”

The Salukis start their season Feb. 6 against Ohio State in Charleston, S.C., at the Charleston Southern Tournament.