Volume 26 Issue 12 by Island Waves

Battle ball on Bay Lawn

Students, faculty participate in bubble soccer on Bay Hall Lawn

page 6

Sawing off the Horns by JEREMY PAPE sports reporter

photo by AMBER QUAID

A face-oﬀ between Wang Xi and his opponent for control of the soccer ball. The bubbles caused the players to push and ﬁght just to reach the ball.

by AMBER QUAID managing editor

hristians in Action (CIA) offered bubble soccer to the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi campus on April 8 in front of Bay Hall. Bubble soccer, Loopy ball or battle ball is a new game that is becoming popular worldwide. This was a free event offered to any student, teacher or faculty member on the campus. “We wanted to bring a better option of student life to campus in the most fun way possible,” said Peyton Copeland, Master student in English

and campus minister at CIA. Both students and teachers alike got in on the action and played against each other. Before participants could play waiver forms had to be signed. One of the main reasons for the waivers is that knocking other players down is not only allowed in this game but is highly encouraged. Also the physics of the game causes both players to go flying in opposite directions when one player tries to knock down another. Most participants ended up on their backs, bubble

protected,or did a 360 roll back onto their feet. “I was lying on the ground and I saw someone running away and I thought wait a minute aren’t they on the same team,” said Nicholas McMillan, assistant professor of liberal arts. Bubble soccer is played much like the normal game of soccer but the players are inside an air filled plastic bubble with a hole cut out for the player. The teams were divided into six versus six and separated by colors, an orange team and a clear team. see BUBBLE SOCCER on page 4

Tunnel of Oppression back for ﬁfth year

he Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders baseball team scored a huge victory on March 31, as they triumphed over the then-18th ranked University of Texas Longhorns. Having defeated larger schools such as University of Missouri and Purdue University, the Islanders knew they had the tools to succeed, but they still knew the game would be very difficult. Going into the contest, the Islanders had a record of 11-12. “Beating [those other schools] helped us believe we could beat Texas,” sophomore catcher Lukas Hermanson said. “We came out with the mindset that we had nothing to lose, so we just came out and played as hard as we could.” Head coach Scott Malone acknowledged the strength of the opponent was very high. “My confidence level going in wasn’t too high, just because we hadn’t been playing good baseball,” Malone said. see ISLANDER VICTORY on page 10

Islander Cultural Alliance works to promote unity, diversity by GERI LEMMONS features reporter

he Islander Cultural Alliance is hosting the annual Tunnel of Oppression at the UC Anchor ballroom at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. This event will be held on Feb. 13-16 from 10 p.m. to 5 p.m. running all day long. This event is held as an interactive

exhibit made to educate students, staff and faculty about oppression and how it has effected people over many years. It is held to open people’s eyes to what oppression really is and how it still goes on even today. This event brings many forms of oppression to light from racism, sexism, stereotypes, religion, economic status, and many more. It is important to know about what

types there are and to know facts about history and how it is effecting people every day. Amy Kotulski, assistant director and host of the event, said the best part about this event is the fact that they are opening up people’s eyes to current things that are still happening in society. see OPPRESSION on page 3

INDEX OPINION 2 | NEWS 3 CAMPUS 4-6 ENTERTAINMENT 8-9 | SPORTS 10-11 | ADS 7,12

VOLUME 26, ISSUE 12

opinion

ISLAND WAVES

a student publication of

Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi

island waves staﬀ CONNER TICHOTA editor-in-chief

JAMIE FINK

web editor-in-chief

AMBER QUAID

managing editor

KELSEY FLORES copy editor

JUSTIN VU NGUYEN

advertising assistant

LUIS GOMEZ

advertising assistant

THI NGUYEN

layout assistant

KARA HERRERA layout assistant

STERLEN KEMP news reporter

GERI LEMMONS

features reporter

TREY SEAL

entertainment reporter

JEREMY PAPE

sports reporter

ELI T. BERKE

photographer

MARK MARTINEZ

distribution manager

WENDY MOORE faculty adviser

AMY KOTULSKI staﬀ adviser

JESSE DE LEON

graduate adviser

write us a letter The Island Waves accepts letters no longer than 250 words. Letters are subject to editing. Send letters to the editor via email at editor@tamucc.edu.

about island waves The Island Waves is a student-produced publication at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. The newspaper is printed weekly, except during summer sessions. Since A&M- Corpus Christi has no journalism department, Island Waves is supported by student fees and advertising sales. Any student or University employee may submit material for publication consideration. To become a contributor, e-mail or call the Island Waves editor.

04.16.2015

Warning: Police on duty

by STERLEN KEMP news reporter

olice officers all across the country seem to be under attack. If you tune into any major news outlet, you are guaranteed to hear at least one story about how police officers are behaving badly and using their power to wreak havoc on urban communities. Are these stories accurately portraying the true nature of the law enforcement in the country? Can the recent attacks on those who wear the uniform of a police officer truly be justified? The answers to these questions are not easy to answer. It may also vary depending on whom you ask. The most recent police shooting to spark national attention happened a few weeks ago when civilian video was released showing police officer Michael T. Slager fatally shooting and killing Walter Scott, a unarmed black man who was resisting arrest by fleeing from the officer. In the video, it is clearly visible that Scott was not complying with police Officer Slager. The video shows Scott breaking free from Officer Slager and running in the opposite direction of the officer. Within a few feet, Officer Slager shot Scott eight times in the back, killing him on the scene. There is no question about it. This was clearly an incident of excessive force. While Scott did break the law by resisting arrest and not complying with Officer Slager, there is still no plausible reason for the officer shoot a man who was un-

armed and fleeing, not aggressively approaching him. As we have seen in the headlines about the shootings of many unarmed black men like that of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, John Crawford, Eric Garner and now, Walter Scott, there are consistent issues and tensions that are prevalent between communities of color and the law enforcements.

Through my own observation and also being a member of the black community, one of the major problems I have realized is that there is a huge absence of trust from the black community for law enforcement. But this mistrust did not start with the shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman, which was a significant event that reignited the recent tensions between the black communi-

ty and the law. The embers of this fire have been burning for decades, even centuries. For many years in the history of America, the law has been used to purposely and intentionally hinder the black community. Especially in the south, police officers were used to pressure black people into submission and obedience to laws like those of the Jim Crow era. This abuse and oppression has left a stain in the fabric of many black families, causing grandparents and parents to warn their children of the harsh brutality faced in an encounter with law enforcement. Instead of seeing police officers as public servants who are protectors of the community, many black people see police as a threat to their lives. What America must realize, especially in the wake of these recent events, is that there is a rightful mistrust of the law in communities of color. Everyday in the lives of many black Americans, particularly black men, the anxiety of knowing that the pigmentation of their skin may paint them as a thug or a threat in the minds of many people in America, not just the law enforcement, plagues their psyche. Race is simply a subordinate issue to the real over arching problem with law enforcement in America – the abuse of power by police. But in order to make the relations between the American public and the law enforcement better, we must start to tackle the real issues that remains in our “post-racial society.”

Got Opinions?

illustration by CONNER TICHOTA

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Send letters to the Editor: Editor@tamucc.edu

news

04.16.2015

ISLAND WAVES

Mural dedicated to nursing program unveiled by STERLEN KEMP news reporter

ocal Corpus Christi artist, Dr. Arnold Gonzales, painted a mural in appreciation and tribute to the field of nursing at the Island University, as well as the Coastal Bend area. The mural was unveiled at the Art Museum of South Texas on April 9. The nearly eight-foot tall painting feature prominent figures in nursing, all of whom helped directly shape the field of nursing in Corpus Christi. “We wanted a way to preserve the history of nursing in the Corpus Christi area,” said Dr. Mary Jane Hamilton, founding dean and professor of the college of nursing and health sciences at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. “Nurses are the knowledge workers. They are the ones that you’re going to see day to day. Nurses are the changers in terms of health care.” Gonzales was commissioned to

paint the mural by the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Gonzales has always been a friend to the field of nursing. While serving as a Texas state Representative, he helped pass the Texas Nurse Practice Act. His artistic style focuses on portraits and abstract art. “I have been wanting to do a mural that depicts women who have contributed to society,” Gonzales said. “There are a lot of great accomplishments by women and the Department of Nursing is one of them.” The mural entitled, “Carrying the Torch,” features 10 women from the community of Corpus Christi who made extraordinary strides for the education of nursing in South Texas throughout the past 80 years. The painting includes Dean Emertius founder of the School of Nursing, Ruth Bakke, dean and founder of the College of Nursing

OPPRESSION continued from page 1 “If we got one student to stop and think about their actions then this event was a success. I have been volunteering with the tunnel since it began at the Island University in 2011, but this is my first year helping to host the program” Kotulski said. The Islander Cultural Alliance promotes unity of the multicultural students that are on campus. This is one of their many events that they host throughout the year to bring that idea to the students, staff and faculty at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. The Islander Cultural Alliance is a group that host different events and different demonstrations around campus to let the school know about different cultures, people, and sexes that come to this school. The Tunnel of Oppression is made as an interactive and education exhibit for anyone who wants to stop by. It is made for anyone who wants to know about oppression and how anyone can be going through it at any

point of their life. This would be the fifth year that the tunnel has been around and anyone can come at any time during those times. The people that participate in the event have to go through the entire tunnel in order to experience the whole educational value that comes along with this event. They will get a once in a lifetime experience while being a part of this. The Tunnel of Oppression is going to give a whole new side to what oppression is and it will be very interesting also. Be prepared to experience something that one will never forget and be prepared to learn so much about history and how it can effect anyone someone comes into contact with. For more information or to request disability-related accommodations, please contact ICA at ica@tamucc. edu or (361)825-2539. Sand dollar required to enter.

and Health Sciences, Dr. Mary Jane Hamilton, associate dean of the college of nursing and health sciences, Dr. Bunny Forgoine, director of Spohn’s Dougherty School of Nursing, Sister Christiana Bolle, president of the Spohn Health System in Corpus Christi, Sister Kathleen Coughlin, and coordinator for health services at Corpus Christi ISD, Melinda Gonzales. The nursing mural also pays homage to the “Lady with the Lamp,” Florence Nightingale, who founded the discipline of modern nursing. The mural shows her holding a lighted candle lamp, shining light over the mural. Florence Nightingale brought considerable reputation to the field of nursing. “Artist Arnold Gonzales has created a work of art for our campus that will help us and those who follow in the footsteps of these women to remember and to be inspired by their dedication,” said Dr. Flavius Killebrew, president and CEO of the Island

University. “We appreciate the talent and enthusiasm he brought to this project and look forward to ‘Carrying the Torch’ igniting and illuminating the path of nursing education for future generations.” Recently, the graduate nursing program at the Island University was ranked in the top 30 of the Best Online Programs in America by the U.S. News and World Report. The College of Nursing and Health Science has been a leader in Texas for nursing education for years, receiving the Excellence and Innovation in Teaching Award by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing in 2013. The “Carrying the Torch” nursing mural will remain in the Art Museum of South Texas until its transition to its permanent home in Island Hall building at the Island University. Students will be able to see the mural when it is permanently displayed on May 6, National Nurses Day.

campus

ISLAND WAVES

TOP: (panel) Students face-off during a round of bubble soccer with one team blocking their opponents to let the kicker regain control of the ball. MIDDLE LEFT: Anna Ibarra, a senior, scores the first goal of the bubble soccer game. MIDDLE RIGHT: Most participants ended up on the ground after they bumped another player. Wang Xi, senior art student, ended up with the longest control of the soccer ball and the most time falling down. BOTTOM: Students record video, take pictures and cheer on the players of Bubble Soccer during the CIA event on April 8.

photos by AMBER QUAID

04.16.2015

campus

04.16.2015

ISLAND WAVES

BUBBLE SOCCER continued from page 1 The teams started at their goals and when the whistle blew they raced toward the ball. There were two goals at the end of the playing field and the first team to score two goals was the winner. The bubbles offer limited visibility on the playing field making the game more challenging. “It was weird because I couldn’t see anything but I could feel something bumping against me,” said Anna Ibarra, senior fine arts major. On lookers cheered on the players as they ran, crashed and flipped their way across the field. They took video or photos of the event because it was a new event to the Corpus Christi area. Bubble soccer came to Corpus Christi in January of this year even though it was available in other cities well before that date. Founded on Feb.23, 2013 the National Association of Bubble Soccer is a legal entity that has leagues in more than 25 U.S. cities. “I enjoyed playing soccer in a new way,” said Wang Xi, senior fine arts major. According to CIA’s website, they are a campus ministry that wants to share their religious views with everyone while having fun doing it. CIA originally made its mark on campus with their fall event, Humans versus Zombies. CIA wanted to bring an event to the campus during the spring since their fall event was so successful

with more than 700 participants. “Nobody really stays on campus, there’s nothing to keep students here,” Copeland said, “I wanted to do something different. I thought that [bubble soccer] would be great to play on campus.” More information on CIA or to find out more about Humans versus Zombies go to Facebook under the page title Christians in Action or by phone at 673-5853. For more information on the National Association of Bubble Soccer go online to their main page, www.nationalbubblesoccer.com or contact them by email at info@nationalbubblesoccer.com.

Career Corner Enhancing a Resume: Summer Jobs, Internships contributed by Jeremy B. Gonzalez Career Services

TOP: A student faces off with CIA campus minister, Peyton Copeland, to try to score the first goal. MIDDLE RIGHT: Wang Xi is knocked down by the opposing team while trying to maneuver the ball down field. BOTTOM: Attempting to make a goal, Wang Xi, kicks the ball and miss the goal by inches. The visibility inside the “bubbles” is limited adding to the difficulty of the game.

he word “summer” brings thoughts of the sun, the beach, and relaxation. More specifically, it can be a time for rejuvenation from the hard labors of fall and spring semesters. Summer can also be the perfect time to gain job experience that will prepare a student for their future career. Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Career Services provides resources to help students obtain summer employment and internships. Employers post summer jobs and internship opportunities on the Hire An Islander job database, but the process does not end there. The university has other resources available for students. Upon request, students can take advantage of career counseling services for their unique needs. The career counselors provide: resume reviews, cover letter critiques, mock interviews, workshops, career exploration assessments and Hire An Islander database navigation support for students and alumni. Students can take advantage

of these services to help obtain summer jobs and internships. One on one appointments are available with career counselors to assist in specific job search needs. Summer jobs and internships can offer various benefits. They can expand a person’s professional network and allow the opportunity to work at a seasonal venue such as summer camps or swimming pools. For students who are crunched for time during a full semester, summer internships and jobs give students another option for gaining experience. Summer internships also allow students to work in a business environment such as sales, customer service, or marketing. The most important thing to note, are the many options available to students while traversing their career path. Stop by the Texas A&M University –Corpus Christi Career Services for more information and tips on acquiring a summer job or go online to career-services. tamucc.edu. Career services are eager to assist students on their career journey.

campus

04.16.2015

Corpus sun,fun at Sand Fest ISLAND WAVES

by GERI LEMMONS features reporter

n the beaches of Port Aransas, Corpus Christi will be hosting one of the biggest sand sculpting events in the country. This event is called Sand Fest and it will be held April 24 through the 26. This event is a sand sculpting competition for charity and scholarships for high school students. This competition has some of the most talented sculptors come out and try to win the annual event. It was born out of an event that had a turnout of 84000 people. Scott Tanzer a board member said the Sand Fest is 19 years old and it is one of the largest sculpting events in the U.S. “10,000 people bring in sculptors form all over the world.” Scott Tanzer said. “Sand Fest is a charity that brings out tons of people each year.” At the Sand Fest there is more to do there besides just watching the competition go down. This competition is held on the sunny beach where there are many exciting things to do while chilling on the sand. There is live music, a beer garden, all kinds of food, and for desert there is plenty of cotton candy. Also someone does not have to be a sculptor in order to be a part of the

event that will take place. Someone could also sponsor for the event and help host a sculptor. The rules for the sculptors are that nothing can be added to the sand except water. All work must be done in designated plots. Only sand for designated plot can be used. Decorative materials must be biodegradable. Only registered sculptors are allowed inside their own plots. No power tools are allowed inside their plots. Holes must be filled, and trash and equipment removed before judging. According to www.texassandfest. org, in order to host a sculptor participants pay $2,000 or $1,000 dollars to help sponsor one of the artists that will be showcased at the festival. This will help the sculptors and help them run the event and get the artist everything they need for the three day event. When all is said and done by the artist, the art is then judged by the board members who are there to decide who wins the competition for charity. They judge artists who are in the main competition and the artists who could compete in the amateur event. In the amateur event there are many categories to compete in. There are the Guppies (up to 7 years old), Youth (ages 8 to 12), youth teams (Limit six to a team), teen solo (ages

13 to 17), teen teams (six to a team), adult solo (18 and up), and finally adult teams (limit six to a team). All of the sculptures are judged on originality and how much originality someone puts into what they are making. It is also judged off of the degree of technical difficulty, and

the artistic merit. With all of these components, board members will figure out who rises above to rest in the competition. And winners will be announced at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in the entertainment tent. There the sculptors and the amateurs will be notified of who the winners are in all of the

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR ACHIEVE PARTNER

To learn more or become an Achieve Partner please visit achievepartnership.tamucc.edu

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04.16.2015

ISLAND WAVES

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entertainment

04.16.2015

ISLAND WAVES

Dreamworks ‘Home’ falls short of success by CONNER TICHOTA editor-in-chief

reamworks Animation’s newest feature “Home” is a studio’s desperate attempt to compete against the next generation of Disney classics and is sadly unoriginal. “Home” presents the tried and true themes of family and friendship with computer animation and a star-studded, A-list cast. Oh, an alien misfit voiced by Jim Parsons, invades Earth along with the rest of his extraterrestrial race, the Boov, as they flee from their sworn enemy, the Gork. In a moment of bad judgment, Oh finds himself fleeing from his own people and joining forces with a human girl named Tip, voiced by Rihanna. The unlikely duo go on a series of comedic and heartwarming adventures all the while learning the true meaning of friendship, family and home. The plot is simplistic and easy for children to understand. The scenery is extremely colorful and fantastical just as any child would imagine outer space to be. Unfortunately, that is where the magic ends. Sometimes, sticking to the formula does not bode well for films. The plot of “Home” was so generic that the audience is likely to feel like they have watched this same story before. It is reminiscent of the late ‘90s Disney classic “Lilo and Stitch” and the “Star Trek” parody “Galaxy Quest.” The plots are all strikingly identical and “Home” is nowhere near as memorable as its predecessors. This film could have been more memorable were it not for the forced humor, inconsistencies and erratic pacing.

photo courtesy of Dreamworks

The comedy, simply put, was lacking. Dreamworks is known for its use of subtle innuendos and crass humor that has audiences of all ages rolling in their seats. The best this film had to offer was tired knock-knock jokes and a restricted, flat performance from comedy legend Steve Martin as the Boov’s idiotic leader Captain Smek. Not even an A-list cast can make canned jokes look good. Though plot holes were limited, there were more than enough inconsistencies to make up for it. One of the unique aspects of the Boov aliens was their dialect. For example, when Oh and Tip first meet, Oh gets locked in a freezer and pitifully asks Tip, “Are you going to let me in the out of here?” Unfortunately, Oh is the only Boov that speaks in this manner making the audience question if the writers modeled Oh off of Yoda or if it was too difficult to continue writing dialogue in such a fashion. The inconsistencies in dialogue became more of a nuisance than anything and were just one of many inconsistencies present throughout the film. Finally, for a film dead set on following a conventional children’s story, the pacing only threw it off course. Rather than following a conventional arc, the film had a series of high and low points that left the audience wondering when the film was actually going to end. The action was scarce and the tension filled moments lasted all of thirty seconds. There was not nearly enough time to create an emotional connection with any of the characters before the audience was dragged along into the next scene. “Home” will definitely entertain children, but there is no chance of it becoming an instant classic. Save both time and money by renting “Lilo and Stitch” instead.

Pops in the Park to appeal to all ages by TREY SEAL entertainment reporter

here is something whimsical about hearing the pure sound of a symphony. The sound that emits from the handcrafted wood and brass instruments are something that just cannot be imitated by a computer. In order to enlighten generations young and old, the Corpus Christi Symphony is holding their fourth annual “Pops in the Park” event, which takes place at Whataburger Field in downtown Corpus Christi. In order to appeal to this wide generation gap, the approximately 65 member orchestra will play a selection of classic ballads that range from the likes of Beethoven to the sweeping scores of John Williams iconic theme songs from the “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” franchises. According to the website for the Corpus Christi Symphony orchestra, Pops in the Park brings in about 4,000 audience members annually since it began back in 2011. In addition to its

arrangement of symphonic music, the show also contains a LED light show using the lights which line the Harbor Bridge. “It’s an event that allows us to celebrate the community,” said Robert Reed, a representative for the Corpus Christi Orchestra. “It’s something that we look forward to each and every year.” Reed went on to explain that the Pops in the Park event is not meant to be a classical music concert, but a symphony for all ages to enjoy in a relaxed, casual setting. The event will have guest conductor Brendan Townsend coming in from Laredo, where he is the conductor for the “Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra.” A glance at his biography on “laredophil.com” reveals a true expert of symphonic music. Before moving to Laredo, Townsend traveled throughout North America and Europe where he guest conducted with notable names such as the “Dutch Radio Symphony Orchestra,” the “Transylvania State Symphony” in addition to leading

symphony orchestras in San Antonio, Mississippi, and Topeka. In 2014, he received the nation’s top award from the League of American Orchestras with a first place ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers) Award for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music. Reed said the musical selection will cover a vast range of music. “In the past, we’ve played music from ‘The Lone Ranger’(1933) to Looney Tunes to that iconic opening theme song from every installment of the ‘Star Wars” franchise’,” he said. Reed said in previous years, audience members have ranged from under a year old to seniors in their 90’s. “That’s the best part about it, people don’t just come for the music, but they come for the spectacular light show as well,” Reed said. “They get to see the Harbor Bridge lighting which is coordinated to our music and the whole thing caps off with a fireworks show and with a $10 price of admission for adults, $5 for students, and children

under twelve getting in for free. That’s a really great value to see so much.” Reed said it is not necessary to dress up for this symphony. “Feel free to come in your sandals, your shorts, and your tank tops. Enjoy a Whataburger, a turkey leg, and a soda,” he said. The Pops in the Park event exists to bring a style of music often reserved to the upper class through extravagant venues and high ticket prices. For those people who find themselves humming the Indiana Jones theme song or imagine the sound of Darth Vader’s imperial march when seeing the strict professor walk into the room, this is the place to be. The Pops in the Park event takes place at Whataburger Field on Saturday April 25, 2015 at 7:30 p.m., gates open at 6 p.m. General Admission is $5 for Students, $10 for Adults and Children under 12 get in for fee. VIP seating is available. For more information visit ccsymphony.org under special events.

entertainment

04.16.2015

ISLAND WAVES

Get into the groove on Record Store Day by JESSE DE LEON graduate advisor

or some music fans, it just does not matter how many mp3s are stashed away on their iPods or stowed away on their hard drives. Despite the crystal clear sound and ability to find any song in just a few seconds, there is a growing number of listeners who prefer to retreat in the face of technology by forgoing the earbuds in favor of the familiarity of the vinyl LP. And despite the fact that those shiny black discs went out of favor right around the time CDs became increasingly popular, albums have made a slow but steady comeback with music lovers of all ages. Need proof? Record Store Day coming up on April 18 is unavoidable evidence that there is a surprisingly increasing demand for all things vinyl. While the ritual of going to a favorite record store and spending hours flipping through the bins may be a practice that is not as common as it once was, it is still something that is well worth celebrating despite the changing tastes of the marketplace. “Record stores will always be the place to shop for my music,” said Adam Starr, Senior Director of Marketing for Universal Music. “Our company supports all record stores and Record Store Day as way of keeping vinyl alive.” The continued popularity of a musical format that was once cast aside has actually maintained an evergrowing number of followers. The experience of seeking out and listening to classic vinyl albums not only appeals to audiophiles, collectors and those old enough to remember them the first time around, but the resurgence of the vinyl record album also has resulted in a new, younger audience that are discovering the joy of the turntable for the first time. Online retailer, the Needle Doctor, has seen its sales of their turntables increase and their growing

popularity can easily be traced back to younger music buyers who frequent record stores to browse through the LP crates and bins. That spirit of the search is what makes Record Store Day. The buzz is also intensified by the incredible number of vinyl-only special releases that will pique the interest of even the most jaded collector. “There are about 500 special titles that will be released to celebrate Record Store Day,” said Carlos Cooper, Marketing Communications Coordinator for Disc Go Round in Corpus Christi. “We will pretty much have all of them.” While the list is as impressive as it is long, some notable items on the vinyl-only release schedule include rare singles from David Bowie, Marvin Gaye, Frank Zappa, Mumford and Sons and Jeff Beck, just to mention a few. There will also be highly collectible, limited edition LPs from U2, Bob Marley, the Everly Brothers, Phish, Paul McCartney and Rick Ross, among many others. In addition to all of the recorded music that will be featured at Disc Go Round, Cooper is also looking forward to the wide variety of in-store live music performances that are on the schedule throughout the day on Saturday. “We have a band from Austin coming in called Migrant Kids and they just won Best New Artist at the recent Austin Music Awards at South by Southwest and we are also featuring local band MNine and a band from Kansas City called Making Movies,” Cooper said. But as appealing as the specialty titles and live performances may be, there is nothing quite like the experience of leisurely browsing through the seemingly countless stacks of vinyl records looking for nothing in particular, yet finding a trove of unexpected treasures to take for a spin. After all, that really is what Record Store Day is all about.

photo by Amber Quaid

Chris Stievo, a Corpus Christi resident, searches the record stacks to ﬁnd music for his collection.

“Record stores will always be the place to shop for my music.” -Adam Starr, Senior Director of Marketing for Universal Music

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ISLAND WAVES

Photo courtesy of ISLANDER ATHLETICS

Sophomore catcher Lukas Hermanson sits behind the plate during the Islanders’ 6-4 victory over the Texas Longhorns.

ISLANDER VICTORY continued from page 1 “We hadn’t been pitching great, we hadn’t played good defense. We just haven’t been a consistent club.” On that night, pitching looked to be a strength for the Islanders, as The Longhorns had been heavily favored going into the match. “Being an underdog sometimes takes the pressure off,” Malone said. Winning the contest got the team refocused on the high expectations that this year’s squad has had heaped upon them. “For the coaching staff and the players, the win was just a reminder of how good we can be on any given night,” Malone said. “You feel like you can just relax and play. Everybody’s there to see the other team, as opposed to the

bright lights shining on [us.]” The fans cheering for the Longhorns did not have much of a reason to be loud, as the Islanders gained early momentum, thanks to junior starting pitcher Garett Harris’ strong effort on the mound. “Garrett gave us three innings to start,” Malone said. “He went out and threw strikes, threw [the ball] over the plate, challenged the Texas guys to hit it, and we played good defense behind him.” “We got the crowd to be quiet early, because we scored and took the lead early,” Hermanson said. For a long time, the Texas Longhorns baseball team has put a good product onto the field. The team’s sustained excellence helped it to bounce back from a three-run

deficit in the eighth inning. “In the eighth inning, things started getting riled up, and it got pretty loud,” Hermanson said. “We stayed settled in, and just played our game, and we got out of the bad situation we were in.” With the lead slipping away in the late innings, the Islanders needed a clutch play to ensure the victory. That play came in the eighth inning, as senior outfielder Jordan Lee made a catch that denied the Longhorns any more runs in the inning. “Probably the best catch I’ve seen him make in four years,” Malone said. “Jordan’s a good player. He showed with that catch how good he can be. I’d like to think that catch was one of the five or 10 best

catches anyone in our conference has made all year.” Lee’s catch inspired his teammates to continue to fight. “I thought the catch had a huge effect on us,” Hermanson said. “It was an amazing play, Right off the bat, I knew it was going to be either out or right at the fence. He went right at the fence and caught it, and everyone was really pumped up about that.” With this huge win behind them, the team now is looking forward to making up some ground in the conference standings. “The conference games are where the team will make its move,” Malone said. “That’s where the team is going to keep its season going.”

Making, gaining friends: Islander Athletic Fund luncheon series ends by JEREMY PAPE sports reporter

or the last few years, the Islander Athletic Fund organization has held a monthly luncheon series. During each of the luncheons, coaches from the various athletic programs at Texas A&M-University-Corpus Christi have been able to speak with fans from around the area who are passionate about the Islanders. “The monthly luncheon series was designed to be more of a ‘friendraiser’ as opposed to a fund-raiser, where fans of Islanders Athletics could gather each month at an affordable rate,” associate athletics director for development Jimmy Frush said. While there is a fee to attend these events, the $15 cost is for the food at the various locations around town which play host to the luncheons. The Holiday Inn Downtown Marina, Holiday Inn Emerald Beach, and the Bar-B-Q-Man Restaurant rotated hosting duties for the luncheon series. “Each of our three venues have been excellent hosts,” Frush said. “Feedback from our guests indicated that they enjoyed the variety of menus each month, along with the rotation of different guest speakers. The luncheons are open to the entire community, and have been a great way to expand our fan base and showcase our outstanding coaches.” Putting on such a huge event for the athletic programs certainly brought challenges along the way. “Planning a ninemonth lunch series before it begins was a challenge,” Frush said. “We were fortunate in that the first Tuesday of every month worked for our coaches’ calendars, and we only had to make one schedule adjustment during the season due to a conflict with a large community event.” Now that Frush has found a day that works well, he wants to keep that same day for meetings in the near future.

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“We anticipate keeping the luncheon series on the first Tuesday of every month,” Frush said. The series has had many benefits not only for the coaches and players around the university, but also for those who work within the department, and community members who want to get to know the members of the sports programs in an intimate setting. “The luncheons have provided the Islanders with a great platform to connect with the community,” Frush said. “Guests attending have time to mingle with their fellow supporters, members of the Islanders coaching staff and administration, and with other key leaders of the Corpus Christi community.” Getting members of the teams to attend these meetings is something Frush has been very excited about. “Islanders student-athletes have also been able to speak at the luncheons when their schedules permit, which is something attendees have enjoyed,” Frush said. Guest hosts from around Corpus Christi have also been instrumental in making the events a success. “Each month has featured a guest emcee from the Corpus Christi media community, which has helped strengthen our media partnership,” Frush said. As time has gone on, these luncheons are gaining in popularity. “Each month has attracted a new audience, which indicates that the luncheons are bringing in new fans,” Frush said. “We anticipate the luncheons will continue to grow over time, particularly as we expand how, when, and where the luncheon series is advertised next season to the Corpus Christi community. “Attendance has been trending upwards over the course of the season.” The final luncheon for this academic year will be held May5 at the Holiday Inn Downtown Marina. As with all of the luncheons, registration will begin at 11:30 a.m., with the event scheduled to run from 12-1 p.m.

ISLAND WAVES

photo courtesy of goislanders.com

Scott Malone spoke at one of the monthly luncheons held by the Islander Athletic Fund. The ﬁnal luncheon this season will be held Tue., May 5.

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