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Pg. 8: Jumping Forward: Wildcats hope to build on winning season
Friday, November 14, 2008 :: Vol. 97, No. 24 :: 1 sections, 8 pages :: www.acuoptimist.com
Inside This Issue:
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Essence of Ebony skates the night away
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Jack in the Box delays grand opening
Honors students tour ancient Egyptian exhibit
Library hours to be extended during finals week By Rachel Morris Student Reporter
Students can make use of the extra study time when the Brown Library extends its hours of operation beginning Nov. 30 until Dec. 12. The library will open at its usual times: 1:30 p.m. on Sundays, 9 a.m. on Saturdays and 7 a.m., Mon-
for finals. He said many students have loaded schedules with latenight jobs and classes that require them to study late. He discussed the issue with Mark Tucker, dean of Library and Information Sources. “Tucker has wanted to do this for a while; he was very helpful and was the key member in getting this
day until Friday, but will extend its closing time to 3 a.m. every day. Students’ Association Rep. Kyle Moore, senior accounting major from Double Oak, began this initiative after speaking with students on campus about their concerns when it came to the library’s closing policy at midnight and the limited study hours available
Rec center plans halt due to lack of funding
Center page 4
The Brown Library will remain open until 3 a.m. during finals week. The extended hours begin Nov. 30 and end Dec. 12. n Monday through Friday — 7 a.m. - 3 a.m. n Saturday — 9 a.m. - 3 a.m. n Sunday — 1:30 p.m. - 3 a.m.
Library page 7
SA tables debate for election rules bill
Pg 5 Students from an array of cultures combine talents for the annual ACU culture show Ethnos Friday and Saturday. Read how to get your tickets and what to expect on this week’s Arts Page.
Features Editor
See
See
Late NIght Library
A Touch of Culture
By Colter Hettich Most members of the ACU community have at least heard of the administration’s plans to construct a fitness and recreation center on campus. All signs but one point to impending construction: the dollar sign. The 21st Century Vision that Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, unveiled in October 2006 placed a student wellness and recreation center near the top of the university’s to-do list. Dr. Nicki Rippee, former chair of the exercise science and health department, serves as chair of the student wellness and recreation center committee. “With the 21st Century Vision, the committee decided the student recreation center was probably first priority as far as buildings go,” Rippee said. “I kind of became the squeaky wheel.” Rippee included the construction of a recreation center in her required five-year plan since 1998. But a 21st Century Vision declaration of priority and a “squeaky wheel” in the committee chair have not been enough to get the project a spot in the projected budget. Like a seesaw, the economy lifts building and supply costs as the recreation center’s priority drops. The committee initially planned to keep building costs under $20 million, but Rippee said every day it becomes harder to cover the price tag. “The university is willing to get a loan once we’ve raised half the money or more,” Rippee said.
initiative going,” Moore said. While Moore is excited about the success of extending the library hours during pre-final and finals week, he said, “The next thing to consider would definitely be when the library closes for church on Wednesday and Sundays.”
By Daniel Johnson-Kim Editor in Chief
acuoptimist.com See a video profiling the Ethnos’ performances online next week
Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Christy Ruiz, senior exercise science major from Mission, rehearses a dance number for Ethnos: Unity on Wednesday night.
After a heated debate on whether to add election rules to the Students’ Association ByLaws ran longer than 30 minutes, the Congress voted to table the bill indefinitely and vote on the matter the following semester. In addition to tabling the bill, SA passed another bill to sponsor and begin a recycling program on campus. Edwards Hall Representative Jared Elk presented the controversial election rules bill, and congress members argued backand-forth on whether the addition of election rules to the ByLaws was necessary. “We debated this to death, now we have something concrete, something solid; it makes sense to amend the By-Laws and leave a balance,” said Education Building Representative Aaron Escebedo, citing the amendment as an issue debated by last year’s Congress. Several congress members and Executive Officers said the main qualm they had with the rules was a clause giving SA Congress the power to overturn a decision by the Elections Chair and Elections Committee to expel someone from a race. According to the election rules Elk presented, candidates can appeal to Congress within 24 hours of expulsion from an election race, and Congress will make the final decision on whether or not the candidate can re-enter the race. “This is not about a few dollars or cents,” Elk said, defending his See
SA page 4
Theatre alumna takes stage on Broadway By Tanner Anderson Page Designer
Bright lights, dance numbers and powerful performances on the elusive stage known as Broadway are a dream many actors pursue, but few obtain. Just the chance for an individual to belt out a single line on stage is an honor and rarity. This year one actress successfully has broken through Broadway’s barri-
ers and looks to present her natural and rare talent. Lara Seibert (’06) decided right after graduation to take the big leap from Abilene to New York to pursue her theatrical career in the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple. “It was terrifying, absolutely horrible. I didn’t know anybody and I didn’t have much money to spend,” Lara said. “It’s such an intimidating place because it’s where the best of the best are; which contributes to your
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It’s such an intimidating place because it’s where the best of the best are…
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:: Lara Seibert, ACU alumna (’06) on Broadway doubts. You just have to have the mindset that it is just another city and that if others can survive, so can I, and after awhile it becomes just another place to live.”
In two years Lara metamorphosed from a university student to a working Broadway performer. Two years See
Seibert page 4
Brian Schmidt :: file photo Lara Seibert (’06) dances with Sunday Ibok (’06) in the opening number of “A Grand Night for Singing” in 2005. Seibert now acts on Broadway.
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Online Poll : extended library hours during finals week?
Log onto www.acuoptimist.com or www.youtube.com/acuvideo to see weekly News casts and Sports casts from the JMC Network News Team and videos profiling various events and stories around campus and Abilene.
a. Yes, it will help me study. b. No, I usually study at home. c. Yes, I hope Starbucks is open. d. Library late-night studying party!
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Campus Day Friday, November 14, 2008
Calendar and Events
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Friday
Wildcat Preview Day 11 a.m. Senior Academic Awards Chapel and reception in Chapel on the Hill 11 p.m. – 1 a.m. Essence of Ebony Skate Night 8 p.m. Ethnos culture show in Cullen Auditorium
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Saturday
Intercollegiate Service Saturday
Monday
12 p.m. ABWA Christmas in November at the Abilene Civic Center features art, crafts and gifts. Admission is free.
1:30 p.m. ACU women’s basketball at Southern Indiana University
8 a.m. Scholastic Book Fair in the Education Building 7 p.m. ACU men’s basketball vs. Hillsdale College
5:30 p.m. ACU women’s basketball at St. Edward’s University
8 p.m. Ethnos culture show in Cullen Auditorium
acuoptimist.com
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Sunday
Online Sportscast
Webcast
Watch a sportscast featuring interviews with Coach Thomsen, current players and James McCoy, who played for ACU 1977 National Championship team.
Log on to www.youtube.com/acuvideo for highlights from ACU’s football game against Midwestern State.
The West Texas Girls Conference needs volunteers Saturday. Middle school and high school girls from all across Central and West Texas attend this conference. The goal is to encourage them to focus on their spiritual growth. Volunteers are needed to help behind the scenes and will truly be a blessing to this effort.
The Pathways Youth and Family Services, Inc. needs volunteers for its Christmas party Dec. 6 from 5-7 p.m. Volunteers will help supervise and entertain children at the Gymnastics Sports Center. Deadline to sign up is Friday because background checks must be conducted. Intercollegiate Community Celebration needs volunteers to serve in the Abilene community on Saturday. Join students from ACU, Hardin-Simmons, McMurry and Texas A&M to serve in a variety of locations. Sign up now through Friday at the table in the main area of the Campus Center or in the Volunteer & Service-Learning Center. Love & Care Ministries is sponsoring its annual Mission Thanksgiving donation project Nov. 21
at Arrow Ford, 4001 S. 1st St. Volunteers are needed to assist with donations that will be brought throughout the day to help clothe and feed the homeless in Abilene. The event runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and volunteers can come at anytime during the day. Help also is needed Nov. 22 at the Love & Care Ministries site, 233 Fannin St., to help transfer the donated items from the trucks to the building. The ACU School of Social Work needs student volunteers to help with a children’s diabetic group which will meet the 2nd and 4th Monday every month from 6-7:30 p.m. The group will offer fun and therapeutic play activities for children ages six to 16 at Hillcrest Church of Christ, 650 E. Ambler Ave.
I-CAN (Interested Citizens of Abilene North) needs volunteers to assist with neighborhood cleanup and work on houses Saturday. Work will begin in the morning and go until about 2 p.m. A hamburger and hotdog cookout follows the work day. Volunteer by e-mailing Emily Hardegree at em.hardegree@acu. edu or signing up Wednesday through Friday in the Volunteer & Service-Learning Center. The Center for Contemporary Arts needs volunteers to greet patrons, answer phones and help with gallery shows. Three-hour shifts are offered every Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and/or 5-8 p.m. The gallery is located in downtown Abilene. For more information, contact Saybra Giles at 677-8389.
’20s theme at Essence skate night By Heather Leiphart Student Reporter
Students are invited to experience “A Night in Harlem” at The Skatin’ Place sponsored by Essence of Ebony Friday from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. Although the ’20s themed event will feature contemporary music,
students are encouraged to dress like they stepped out of the roaring twenties. “We felt as if it was an era that stood out and we wanted to do something that was refreshing and out of the ordinary,” said Kenneth Dinkins, Essence of Ebony president and senior youth and family ministry major
The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to jmcnetwork@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor at mab07d@acu.edu.
To ensure that an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style. Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.
Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:
57
Credited Chapels remaining:
14
Announcements
Volunteer Opportunities The Salvation Army needs volunteers to assist with its “Angel Tree” booth in the Mall of Abilene. Help is needed to greet shoppers, record information as angels are adopted and check in presents returned to the booth. This begins Nov. 21 and lasts until Dec. 14, Sundays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Volunteer’s are asked to work two-hour shifts or longer.
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from Toledo, Ohio. “One thing that you see historically, especially when it comes to African-American culture, is a lot of African-Americans in Harlem, especially during the 1920s. You see them spiffed up and looking really nice, and that’s what we were going for initially.” The club scheduled the skate night to follow the Ethnos culture show, which runs Friday from 8-10 p.m., in order to provide a place for students to have fun and connect with people afterward, Dinkins said.
“Even though I’m not a part of the club, I will probably go because I really love to skate,” said Kayla Pyper, junior chemistry major from Detroit. The Skatin’ Place is on South 14th Street, and student admission is $2. Students also can purchase food and rent skates at the rink. “Our last skate night was really fun; a lot of people came out to skate and have a good time,” Dinkins said. “Even if you can’t skate, at least come on out to socialize.” E-mail Leiphart at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Annual Thanksgiving Meal Project is the Service Action Leadership Team’s (SALT) 8th annual Thanksgiving meal project. This year’s goal is to feed 100 families at a cost of approximately $35 per family. This is a great way for individuals, a family, class, small group, office, department or student organization to join forces to bless families in need. Donations may be taken to the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center until Nov. 21. Everyone is invited to join SALT and other students Nov. 24, at 5 p.m. to deliver the meals. Contact the VSLC with any questions by e-mailing vslc@ acu.edu or calling extention 2932. Sadies Week is Nov. 17 through Nov. 21. Check out the student events calendar for details. GATA is having a bake sale Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Campus Center. All the money is going toward GATA’s hole for the new frisbee golf course that ACU is building. Students interested in being involved in their Sing Song Class Acts need to e-mail their Class Directors at the following e-mail addresses. From there, the directors will contact them about meeting times and locations. Freshman- Meredith Morgan and Brittany Herrod: mkm07a@acu. edu; Sophomore- Jessica Williams: jlw06b@acu.edu; Junior- Brent Dill: bcd05b@acu.edu; Senior- Joey Hopkins and Angela Darden: jch04a@ acu.edu. The Medical Clinic is offering flu shots to students, faculty and staff Nov. 20 in the Campus Center Living Room from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Those who had the flu last year should not delay. Shots also are available in the clinic Tuesdays and Thursdays during regular clinic hours. Shots are $25 and can be paid by using cash, check or by charging to a Banner account. ACU’s 2008 Virtual Job Fair is Nov. 10-17. All students should login any time on those dates to view opportunities for internships and full-time jobs across the country. Check out: http:// www.acu.edu/campusoffices/ careercenter/index.html. Study Abroad this summer with one of ACU’s six programs. Students can go to Maymester in Oxford with history or JMC,
take international business and finance classes with COBA in Oxford during Summer I, travel to Germany with psychology, participate in healthcare missions in Latin America or explore faith and film in Oxford. The application fee is $150 until Nov. 15 for Maymesters and Dec. 1 for other summer programs. Apply soon for the chance to study abroad. The dates to register for classes in summer 2009 have been changed. Rather than registering with spring 2009, summer 2009 will have its own registration day, Feb. 25. All classifications will begin registering for summer classes on the date at 3 p.m. The advising release codes will be the same ones used for spring registration. If students are thinking of taking courses in summer 2009, they need to talk to their advisers. For more information about registration, go to the Registrar’s Web pages: http://www.acu.edu/ campusoffices/registrar/ schedulebulletin/index.html. Friday is the last day to withdraw from a class for the fall semester. Students wishing to withdraw need to complete a Withdrawal from Class form, available in the adviser’s office or in the Depot. A signature of the student’s adviser or the instructor of the class is required. WorldWide Witness has openings for eight-week summer internships in places like Thailand, Costa Rica, Australia, Tanzania and England. Apply online now at www. WorldWideWitness.org. China Now is a program that allows students to go to China and teach English to university students. Opportunities are available for undergraduates to spend one month during the summer or for graduates to work for an entire year. Please visit www.worldwidewitness.org for more information and to begin the application process.
CAMPUS NEWS
Friday, November 14, 2008
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Minor setbacks delay Jack in the Box grand opening By Sondra Rodriguez Student Reporter
Jack in the Box delayed the grand opening of its new location near campus until next week because of a change in elevation that required a new certificate of occupancy from the City of Abilene. The CO from the city is the last step before opening, said Gary Goss, project manager at the company doing construction for the franchise. “It’s nothing with the building, nothing healthrelated,” said Goss of Trek II Construction Corp. “We’re just waiting on the CO, but the city’s holding me up.” This is the third delay since September for the fast food restaurant, which is the second most anticipated new restaurant in Abilene, according to a KTAB online survey.
Jack in the Box is a fast food chain based out of San Diego with more than 2,100 locations in 18 states. Abilene’s store, located in front of Lowe’s Home Improvement off State Highway 351, announced a Sept. 28 opening to the Abilene Reporter-News in mid-September. Clarissa Kopchak, owner of the franchise, told the Big Country news it would open Nov. 7 but could not be reached for further comments. The men of Gamma Sigma Phi planned to spend Nov. 7 drawing attention to the restaurant’s opening. Conner Halstead, junior youth and family ministry major from The Woodlands, said he and about 50 GSP members went to the restaurant Nov. 7 but were told it would not open until the following week.
“We wanted GSP to be the first customers, give them a good opening day and get the word out,” said Halstead, GSP senior service activities coordinator. Goss said it should have opened Monday because all final inspections were completed, but the elevation change required the city’s approval for a new drainage system. The city still is reviewing this change, which is causing the delay. “We’re waiting on the city; that’s it now,” Goss said. Halstead said the men of GSP will keep in touch with project managers and still expect to participate at the restaurant’s opening. “There’s still hope that we’ll be out there,” he said. Jozie Sands :: staff photographer Abilene’s newest eatery, Jack in the Box, postponed the opening of the restaurant for the third time because of minor setbacks. E-mail Rodriguez at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Piano Performance
Dallas museum displays ancient Egyptian artifacts By Scott Adrian Student Reporter
Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Dr. Pauline Bjorem, piano director for the Department of Music, puts on a concert inside the Williams Performing Arts Center Tuesday.
Universities around Abilene, beyond unite through service By Tanner Anderson Page Designer
One might be able to create a joke, knowing the Aggies for Christ group from Texas A&M is coming to Abilene; but like all Aggie jokes, it probably will not be that funny. This Saturday the Aggies for Christ group is making its way to Abilene, so its members can participate with Abilene’s three universities in the Intercollegiate Service Saturday. ACU, McMurry, Hardin-Simmons and now Texas A&M universities will take part in a day devoted to the Abilene community. During the week, students can sign up for the event in the Campus Center, deciding what work sites they want to attend. They can choose service opportunities like cleaning local neighborhoods with the community group I-can by raking leaves, mowing lawns or picking up trash. Students also can assist other community groups,
such as Big Brothers Big Sisters with its Bowling for Kids Sake event. For ICC, students will meet at City Hall, 555 Walnut St., at 8:30 a.m. for breakfast and a devotional. “I think it’s great to see other denominations get together as Christians and become united through service and acknowledge that the necessity to serve God is a very important thing,” said Terry Crites, senior math education major from Irving. Crites is the secretary for the Service Action Leadership Team that is sponsoring ICC. Preparations for the intercollegiate event began at the beginning of the fall semester. S.A.L.T. originally planned only to work with Abilene’s two other universities, but when Aggies for Christ announced it was visiting, the two groups collaborated to ensure its visit fell on Service Saturday. “Aggies for Christ has a lot of connections with ACU,
and we’re trying to make arrangements so we can worship and serve together once a year,” Crites said. Service Saturdays provide an outlet for ACU students to serve and affect their local community. “I think it’s extremely important that ICC happens; it gives students a chance to connect with the Abilene community. Students can go to school for four years knowing the ACU community but not the Abilene Community,” said Courtney Patterson, senior business management and marketing major from Orlando, Fl. She said serving is a rewarding experience. “Sure you have to get up early but you feel good because you made someone’s day a little better,” Patterson said.
E-mail Anderson at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Twelve honors students discovered ancient Egyptian treasures Thursday after they traveled to Dallas on a trip sponsored and paid for by the Honors College. They spent the day touring the special exhibit, “King Tutankhamen and the Golden Age of Pharaohs,” at the Dallas Museum of Art. Dr. Wendell Willis, associate professor of Bible, ministry and missions, accompanied the students. “This is an exceptional, educational opportunity and a rare chance to see these enlightening artifacts,” said Bethany Scroggins, freshman adviser and events coordinator for the Honors College.
“Not only [were] the students able to see the history from the exhibit, they [were] involved in seeing the layout and marketing of such a large scale exhibition.” The unique Egyptian exhibit has toured through various countries. Worldwide, it has attracted 5 million viewers. The exhibit is making its way around the world and chose Dallas as one of three U.S. cities where it will appear. The Tutankhamen treasures opened to the Dallas public beginning Oct. 3, and the King will rest there until May 17, 2009. The exhibit explores the leaders of a civilization that existed nearly 3,000 years ago. More specifically, it is centered on the 18th dy-
nasty, a 100-year span when Egypt was in its golden age. The students viewed more than 130 different artifacts, which include King Tut’s royal diadem and one of the four golden coffins that contained his mummified remains. They saw much more than just this exhibit. “The students on the trip [were] able to take tours and see the various other museum exhibits,” Scroggins said. “We have received many different e-mails from professors all over campus to see if they could come on the trip. They see the opportunity, as we all know, that it will certainly be a very fun trip.”
E-mail Adrian at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
FROM THE FRONT
Page 4
Friday, November 14, 2008
SA: University has Seibert: Alumna hones skills in N.Y. low ‘green’ grade Continued from page 1
Continued from page 1
Also Discussed: bill. “This is about thousands of dollars [executive officers] are given and thousands they give to other people when they appoint them.” Elk and others continued to argue that Congress should serve this role in the appeals process, but Executive President Daniel Paul Watkins and others said they feared objectivity would be sacrificed and the decision made by Congress may be too political. Congress ultimately decided to revive the debate before elections at the end of the spring semester. “I don’t see any relevance in us staying here and hashing this out tonight,” said Executive Treasure Spencer Hemphill. “This isn’t going to affect anyone tonight or in January.” SA continued the meeting by passing a bill, 342-2, to begin a trial recycling program in one academic building and one residence hall with the long-term goal of having a campus-wide recycling program by the end of the spring semester. College of Business Administration Representative Stephen Moore presented the bill on behalf of the Research and Development committee, arguing that the need for a campus-wide recycling program is evident. Moore said the committee talked with the city of Abilene to bring a large outdoor recycling container to campus. Moore expressed his drive to begin a campus-
n Senior Senator Matt Gauntt was impeached after the Congress voted, 34-0-7, to remove Gauntt from his elected position. Since Gauntt was elected to the office at the beginning of the semester, he has missed more than six meetings. Congress members can vote to impeach a member after he or she misses more than four meetings. Those who motioned for the impeachment also noted Gauntt had not joined a committee or logged any office hours in the SA office. n SA Congress passed a bill to fund the purchase of tickets for the ACU football team’s first NCAA Division II playoff game on Nov. 22. The game will be at Shotwell Stadium, and SA will spend $800 on 200 tickets for the student body. The tickets will be distributed at the entrance of the stadium. The funds will come from the SA Congressional Project Fund, of which $1,860 remains for the semester.
wide recycling program to catch up with other universities. ACU received a “D+” from the College Sustainability Report Card that gauged a university’s environmental initiatives and stability. Congress members for the bill argued this was unacceptable and a campuswide recycling program was imperative. “If we can give people the initiative, we can get this going,” said Junior Senator David Vanderpool during the debate.
E-mail Johnson-Kim at: djj04a@acu.edu
may seem like a brief period to gain Broadway notoriety, but Lara’s journey was far from easy. During her first year in New York, she struggled to find acting roles. In order to pursue her dream, she picked up a part-time job and used the rest of her free time exploring the city for any available acting opportunities. “It does get you down and discouraged, but that’s how it is. It’s going to be 10 times more discouraging if you’re not doing what you’re passionate about. You can tell yourself all day long, ‘I can do this;’ but eventually you’re going to take a few steps back, fall down and have to get right back up again,” Lara said. Katherine Seibert, Lara’s younger sister, said, “She’s been doing dance since 2nd grade and theatre since 8th; she was really shy in the 8th grade and she took theatre lessons to break out of her shell.” Katherine, junior history major from Grapevine, said Lara stepped out of her shell quickly, influenced by their older sister Allison who suggested dancing and theatre.
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It’s just so amazing and wonderful and an incredible blessing to make a living with acting. All the hundreds of auditions were worth it for that one ‘yes.’ :: Lara Seibert, ACU alumna
Soon after Lara began performing, she became a leader within her youth group and school. Lara’s personality was ”contagious” to everyone, Katherine said. During Lara’s senior year at ACU, the Department of Theatre even brought in a talent agent from New York to examine her. While she attended ACU, Lara was involved in countless productions, starring in several plays. Her junior year she played the leading lady as Bianca in Kiss me Kate and her senior year played Gertrude in ACU’s adaptation of Seussical. She also served as a Sing Song Hostess and helped with many other aspects when it came to producing a play. For one production, she assisted with the costumes and designed the sets for Mice and Men.
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Lara’s experiences with the behind-the-stage process helped her in New York. Once she arrived in the Big Apple, she began working with her sister backstage with costume changes for the cast of 39 Steps, an extremely fast-paced show with more than 100 costume changes. Although Lara was not receiving any roles on stage, she preserved a persistent work ethic. “You constantly have to maintain and build your skills; you need to audition and practice as much as you can. If you’re not on your best game, you’re going to be over looked,” Lara said. After working as a day worker for 39 Steps, Lara began to live her dream as she traveled on a national 200708 tour for The Producers, a film created by Mel Brooks that was released in 1968
and later transformed into a musical in 2001. During the tour, Lara displayed her vocal skills in the chorus and served as the understudy for the love interest role, Ulla. Lara now is performing in another Mel Brooks’ creation, Young Frankenstein, in which she sings in the ensemble, dances and serves as the understudy for Inga. “It’s just so amazing and wonderful and an incredible blessing to make a living with acting. All the hundreds of auditions were worth it for that one ‘yes,’” Lara said. Adam Hester, chair of the Department of Theatre, believes this is just the beginning of a successful career for the actress. “Lara is a person of great faith, a strong Christian who provides a great example,” Hester said. “She’s such an authentic person and she continues to use ACU as a bio wherever she goes; we’re so proud of her and all the work she’s accomplished. There’s no doubt that she will be playing larger roles in the future.”
E-mail Anderson at: tsa04a@acu.edu
Center: Tight budget hinders progress Continued from page 1 “[Insufficient funds] was the case in May, and it’s still the case today.” Even if the committee obtains the minimal half-way mark, a tight budget could mean downsizing various elements. Debates are currently in progress over a climbing wall or a boulder-
ing wall, the shorter, more tame alternative. Dr. Steve Allison, associate professor and chair of psychology and intercultural studies, said the wellness center aims much higher than merely keeping students in shape. “Wellness and exercise is such an integral part of stress management,” Alli-
son said. “And just doing a bunch of curls to make your biceps bigger is not what we’re talking about.” University students across the country that face similar financial dilemmas have taken matters into their own hands. Students at California Polytechnic State University voted for a $65 quarterly fee from each
student to cover renovation costs of their current fitness facilities. More than 75 percent of the student body voted in favor of the fee.
E-mail Hettich at: clh05d@acu.edu
ArtsFriday
November 14, 2008
‘Ethnos’ culture show offers ‘Unity’ through diversity By Linda Bailey Student Reporter
Students wanting to travel the cultural spectrum can book their rides on the Ethnos train. Tickets sales are underway for Ethnos, ACU’s annual culture show. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday in Cullen Auditorium. Tickets are $5, and the show’s theme is “Unity.” “We want to emphasize unity because that is really what the culture show is about,” said Brenda Daniels, International Students’ Association president and senior biochemistry major from Bogota, Columbia. The International Students’ Association mainly produces the show for the ACU and Abilene communities, Daniels said. The show will feature acts from an assortment of cultures around the world. Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Latino, South Korean and Polynesian cultures are among the 20 acts involved in Ethnos, as well as SHADES and Swing Cats. The format of this year’s show is different from previous years. “This year we are going to stay in one setting,” Daniels said. “We chose what the story line was going to be precisely because there are so many cultures in one spot, and that is what we are trying to portray.” The purpose of Ethnos is to provide students with a venue to showcase part of their cultures, said Crystal Chavez, director of Ethnos and sopho-
more elementary education major from San Antonio. “The culture show helps to raise awareness and show diversity on campus,” Chavez said. “It lets students show their cultures and their traditions and what they bring from home.” Daniels said Ethnos has transformed into something the Abilene community looks forward to every year. “The culture show has been a tradition for over five years now, and it has really become important to promote cultural awareness on campus,” she said. “We know the Americans who get involved with internationals are interested in our culture.” Ethnos not only is important to the community but also to the students involved in the show. “It is really good for us to promote our culture,” Daniels said. “It is like having a little piece of their home country, while they are performing.” Chavez encourages students to attend the show, and she is excited to watch it come together. Both Chavez and Daniels expect a good turnout. “I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone brings forward, how the acts are going to show the different cultures and how everyone is united under the ACU campus,” Chavez said.
Contributing Writer
No Justice, a country band from Stillwater, Okla., that has made its name on the Texas music scene with singles such as Red Dress and Bend But Don’t Break, will be performing in Abilene Nov. 20. No Justice’s latest 2007 record, Live at Billy Bob’s, is part of a series involving all of the band’s live performances at Billy Bob’s, the largest and most well-known honky-tonk in the Fort Worth area. The band is planning to set time aside in the winter to begin recording, aiming to release a new record in 2009. Since they are constantly on tour, No Justice members are home maybe once or twice a year. Steve Rice, lead vocals/ acoustic guitar, said being on the road is always an adventure.
“[We] love going from city to city because each city has something different and unique, and it’s always fun to go back and see what new crazy things they have,” Rice said. No Justice’s love for performing is evident in its fan base, and the band enjoys interacting with the crowd. “Every audience is very different, and we love having fun with everybody out in the crowd,” Rice said. No Justice has a different sound than mainstream musicians; its songs are similar to Cross Canadian Ragweed and Eli Young Band. Rice, the creator of No Justice, was inspired to break into the music scene when he first attended college and witnessed local bands’ performances. “Seeing people perform... and seeing the connection between the fans and performers
Top ten movies last weekend with weekend gross (Nov. 7-9):
n Role Models (R): $19.1 Million n High School Musical 3 (G): $9.1 Million n Changeling (R): $7.2 Million n Zack and Miri Make a Porno (R): $6.2 Million n Soul Men (R): $5.4 Million n Saw V (R): $4.07 Million n The Haunting of Molly Hartley (PG-13): $3.3 Million n The Secret Life of Bees (PG-13): $3.09 Million n Eagle Eye (PG-13): $2.5 Million
Music SCEne n Saturday, Nov. 15: Local band Swing the Lead, featuring students from ACU, will be performing in The Door Clubs’ Metroplex Battle of the Bands. Tickets are $10 at the door, and the performance begins at 7 p.m. n Sunday, Nov. 16: Sarah Jaffe, Jacob Metcalf, Native America and the Mission Position to perform at Monks coffee shop. The performance will begin at 8 p.m., and tickets are $5 at the door.
Above: Sahara Rana, senior communication disorders major from Abilene, sings Wednesday in Cullen Auditorium. Left: Ray Wong, senior management major from Tsz Wan Shan, Hong Kong, focuses on his choreography for an act. Right: A masked performer practices for the show, which will run Friday and Saturday.
Country band No Justice to perform By Adrianna Castaneda
BOX OFFICE stats
n Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (PG): $63.1 Million
Jozie Sands :: staff photographer
E-mail Bailey at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Page 5
just grabbed my attention, especially since I had just started to play the guitar and sing a little,” Rice said. Rice said one person who inspired him to form a band was Jason Bowen. “[He] helped me out, and it was inspiring to see how he believed in me and was a mentor,” Rice said. “Now when I hear a band and truly believe in them, I love to just help them out and become their mentor.” No Justice will perform at the Lucky Mule Saloon on Nov. 20 at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at the Lucky Mule Saloon’s Web site. This will be the band’s second time to play in Abilene with its first performance six months prior, and local fans should take advantage of the opportunity. E-mail Castaneda at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
n Monday, Nov. 17: The ACU Music Department to sponsor the annual Percussion Concert in Cullen Auditorium. The concert will begin at 8 p.m., and admission is free.
ViewsFriday
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November 14, 2008
Marriage definition should remain one man, one woman
W
hile people across the nation celebrated the election of the first black president on Nov. 4, citizens of California witnessed another historical moment as voters adopted a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. In a state where same-sex marriages were legal since June, the initiative, known as Proposition 8, won with 52 percent of the vote. The measure came only months after California’s Supreme Court ruled a samesex marriage ban unconstitutional, spurring the adoption of the constitutional amendment. The amendment left Connecticut and Massachusetts as the only states where samesex marriages are legal, although New York and Rhode Island recognize such cer-
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Although we do not support same-sex marriages, civil unions are a governmental matter.
emonies performed elsewhere; more than 40 states have constitutional bans or laws against the marriages. With so many state supreme courts deciding the constitutionality of same-sex marriage, we as a Christian community must recognize the possible ramifications if the issue makes the docket at the U.S. Supreme Court. Marriage should not apply to lesbian and gay couples. It has been a religious practice for more than 4,000 years. Governments should not dictate that which religious institutions have established. Al-
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though the Bible does not address the concept of samesex marriage, the Scriptures clearly tell us homosexuality is a sin (1 Cor. 6:9, Romans 1:27). God ordains marriage as an act between a man and a woman, not a man and a man or a woman and a woman. The book of Matthew states God created man and woman, and man will leave his father and mother to marry his wife. “The two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matt. 19:4-6). California, along with a
handful of other states, still allows same-sex civil unions, which carry many similar rights as marriage but under a different name. With the California ban, the status of about 17,000 same-sex unions performed in the state is left in doubt. Although the state may continue to recognize these marriages, Jerry Brown, the state’s attorney general, expects some legal skirmishes. These couples instead may claim civil union status and continue to receive the same state benefits, civil rights and protections as married couples. A civil union is not a religious institution like marriage; it is a government invention. Vermont legislators created the term when passing the first civil union law in 2000 after the state’s Supreme Court ruled
The issue:
California passed Proposition 8, an amendment to the California state constitution to ban gay marriage.
Our view:
Marriage is a religious institution, and as such, should be set apart from government regulations, unlike civil unions.
The solution:
Christians must respect but remain active in government decisions. that denying gay couples the benefits of marriage was unconstitutional discrimination. Although we do not support same-sex marriages, civil unions are a governmental matter and would have to be judged by different criteria. Our disapproval of samesex marriages does not mean we are championing the denial of gay citizens’ rights. And it does not mean we are homophobic. As Christians
should, we love our fellow man, no matter his sin, as God loves us (Romans 5:8). If the U.S. Supreme Court must one day rule on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage, Christians should voice their beliefs, stand for their principles and trust God to guide the justices in their final decision. E-mail the Optimist at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Obesity cause for Canadian inmate’s release Montreal’s Bordeaux Jail released Michel Lapointe, 37, early after he served 25 months. His conviction: Conspiracy, drug trafficking and gangsterism. (Microsoft Word does not even recognize the word gangsterism. That’s how bad it is.) At the time of his arrest, Lapointe weighed in at 375 Running of pounds. the bull Two years later he By Colter left, on earHettich ly parole, a
‘Ethnos’ reveals international culture to American campus About a month ago, on Oct. 17, I decided to go to the first Asian Fashion Show on campus to watch a couple of friends take their first steps as fashion models. Since I don’t have a Pardon Y’all’s taste for French artistic activities, By Camille Vandendriessche I was not incredibly enthusiastic about the show — but hey, at least I knew there would be some free food.
So on one of the first cold nights of autumn, I rode my bike to Teague Center and sat in the back of the room. The large audience already was quiet and waiting for the first models to walk on the podium; me, I was kind of upset because I came too late for the food. Still, I stayed for the show. Surprisingly, I enjoyed every minute of it; it was charming and refreshing. The models’ costumes and attitudes transported me from one feeling to another — end of the corny part. On Friday and Saturday, Ethnos, another spectacular event, will bring some international flavors to Cullen Auditorium.
Letter to the Editor
Attendance policy serves purpose
As a third-year student at ACU, I have experienced the full range of teaching styles: there have been classes that were a complete waste of my time (i.e., I learned nothing that I could not have gotten from a book – would that such a loss were never the case at the university level!), while others were a pure
pleasure to attend: I was glad to be there. Of course, I have skipped classes before, always conservatively and usually for a better reason than “I’m tired,” knowing from the beginning that I had leave to do so only a couple times. There have been classes that I never skipped, either because I did not want to get behind or I enjoyed them. Education is a privilege that I have always regarded very highly: I did as much in high school (for me, it was less a “breeding ground for adolescent drama” than a genuine “place of learn-
Editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration. Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university. The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous
information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published. Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Sixty-seven foreign countries are represented on campus, which is phenomenal for a small university of less than 4,700 students. In comparison, Angelo State counts about 6,200 students from only 21 countries. Like the past editions of the culture show, Ethnos should delight its spectators this year again with, among other acts, Japanese dance, salsa, taekwondo and even an American touch delivered by ACU’s Swing Cats and SHADES. For $5, students will experience at Ethnos an original escape into several continents’ cultures. Many students here trumpet how badly they want
ing,” a training area for that which was to come). As an education usually represents a considerable financial investment (on your part and/ or your parents’), you had as well make the most of it while you’re there. It is not an onerous burden of “impending doom;” if it is, perhaps college life is not right for you. I understand there are those who are very heavily burdened with necessary responsibilities (work and otherwise); they have my sympathy and understanding, at least more so than the whiny freshman who aren’t self-disciplined enough to curtail their social commitments and adhere to a schedule. Still, I think the
to travel overseas to visit or live in a foreign country. It’s a wonderful idea, but before they spend hundreds of dollars in plane tickets, I suggest they go to Ethnos and appreciate a taste of exoticism. After Ethnos, aspiring international travelers also may learn about other countries simply by speaking with international students. Lots of international students love sharing about their culture with Americans; after all, they are the ones who left their family and jumped on a plane to study and live in the United States. E-mail Vandendriessche at: cxv06a@acu.edu
attendance policy plays an important role, particularly in the first few semesters of one’s collegiate career: it keeps one from getting unfocused or off-track and prepares for the class or classes that demands attendance by its very difficulty (not sure I’ve had one of those yet, but there’s some that I have come close). It’s something to anticipate in your junior or senior year. Those who attend class regularly and volitionally do so for the “positive incentive” of the better grades and satisfaction that accompany a thorough understanding of the material.
Morgan Philpott ACU student
Optimist the
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450-pound, changed man. What reason did the Montreal Bordeaux Jail have to release a conspiratorial, gangsteristic drug trafficker? Had Lapointe submissively shaved his share of potatoes? Surely some radical
acuoptimist.com Log online to hear Hettich podcast his column.
a correctional facility, my first priority will be to meet with the judge. “Your honor, I request to be relocated to the Montreal Bordeaux Jail. I hear their barbecue ribs are to die for.” Of course, upon his release Claire Lapointe, his mother, said weight problems always always plagued her son, and his problems “were exacerbated” during his stay. The Journal de Montreal newspaper reported Wednesday that he could not fit on the chair in his cell and that his body protruded 6 inches on either side of his bed when he lied down. Poor Michel. How could he
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Your honor, I request to be relocated to the Montreal Bordeaux Jail. I hear their barbecue ribs are to die for.
demonstration of teamwork or good behavior spurred the release. Maybe an emotional trust-fall? Don’t laugh. When falling person weighs 450 pounds, the exercise becomes a test of sheer determination and selflessness. Lapointe’s release rewarded no such accomplishments. “An obese inmate who goes by the nickname ‘Big Mike’ has been granted early parole because a Canadian prison could not accommodate his 430-pound frame,” reported the Associated Press. His release was not a reward; it was an act of mercy. It was the least the facility could do — they did it to him. According to an Associated Press story,“ Defense lawyer Clemente Monterosso said the prison’s poor diet caused his client to gain more than 50 pounds.” If I ever have the unfortunate opportunity to attend
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have known about the Canadian prison system’s diabolical plot to fatten him up to the point of ejection? Even if he had wanted to finish serving his time, two other correctional facilities refused to accept him. “I want a normal life,” Michel told reporters outside the prison. “I’ve done some stupid things and I’ve paid for them.” You might not be able to pay your way out of jail in dollars, but Michel proved you can pay in pounds.
E-mail Hettich at: clh05d@acu.edu
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JUMPS/SPORTS JUMPS
Friday, November 14, 2008
Page 7
Football: 1950 team first to finish regular season undefeated Continued from page 8 through and have 10 wins in a row,” said athletic director emeritus Wally Bullington prior to Saturday’s game. “It would be tremendous for the program and the university as well as a great recruiting tool.” While every football team develops an identity over a season, the 1950 team, captained by Pete Ragus, former athletic director for Lubbock public schools, and Alton Green, retired businessman from San Angelo, became known for their actions off the field. The Wildcats earned the nickname the “Singing Christians” after the team began to sing church songs in team meetings and on the bus after games. Not only did the team choose a theme song, “When the Roll is Called up Yonder,” the players also cut a record with several songs and performed on the radio. Before the team members returned as honorary captains before ACU’s game against Midwestern State, Ray Hansen, former player and retired Exxon employee, sent Bullington a list of what past players have accomplished, as well as different church positions. With all the church positions listed, its no wonder the team earned their nickname. “We sang primarily on the bus after games,” said Dub Orr, center for the Wildcats and retired ACU trustee. “Most of the trips were on buses so we’d sing from time to time after the game.” But the team took advantage of other opportunities to
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The big difference between then and now is the passing game; we did not throw as much as they do now. :: Wally Bullington, former ACU football player
sing as well, taking their reputation to Evansville where the first refrigerator was sold. Before the Refrigerator Bowl, the team added to their growing tradition as the “Singing Christians,” performing in downtown Evansville. “When we went to Evansville, they had us on a local radio station and we did a little singing,” said Bullington, a member of the 1950 team. “We also performed at a banquet type thing for both teams and we played the part pretty good. Coming from Texas, we wore hats and boots and they took us downtown on a fire truck to publicize the game to get the community to come out.” Ted Sitton, former head coach and member of the 1950 team, remembers the whole team getting invited to sing their favorite song for the town of Evansville on the radio. “They asked us to [sing] “When the Roll is Called up Yonder” which was our favorite song,” Sitton said. “We always sang that I remember and that was one of the songs [the whole team] sang but I don’t remember if we sang more than one.” The 1950 team defeated four of the current LSC teams: Eastern New Mexico, Midwestern State, Texas A&MCommerce and Texas A&M-
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Kingsville, before defeating Gustavus Adolphus 13-7 in the Refrigerator Bowl on Dec. 2, 1950. ACU was coached by Garvin Beauchamp and fielded a speedy team with a good defense that posted four shutouts and allowed just 57 points all year, compared to this year’s team, which has given up 162 points and recorded no shutouts. The Wildcats featured players such as Bailey Woods, MVP of the Refrigerator Bowl and first Wildcat taken in the NFL draft by the Chicago Bears in the 14th round in 1951; future ACC head coaches Ted Sitton and Les Wheeler; and former assistant coaches Don Smith and Jerry Mullins. “[Our team] was somewhat like this year’s team,” said Bullington who played linebacker, punter and placekicker. “We had a lot of speed and had several guys who were part of the ACU track team. The big difference between then and now is the passing game, we did not throw as much as they do now.” Not only did Bullington play for the 1950 team, he was head coach of the 1973 national champion football team and the athletic director for the 1977 team that won the NAIA national championship. In 1973, the Wildcats featured running back Wilbert Montgomery, a two-time pro-
Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Members of the 1950 ACU football team observe the festivities before Saturday’s matchup against Midwestern State at Shotwell Stadium. The Wildcats won the game 47-17.
bowler in the NFL, and defeated Elon in the championship game to finish 11-1. The 1977 team defeated Southwestern Oklahoma State 24-7 in the Apple Bowl in Seattle to finish 11-1-1 and win the only other national championship in school history. Head coach Chris Thomsen acknowledged the significance of joining the 1950 team as the only other team to complete a perfect regular season, giving the credit this year’s special group of players. “It takes a special group to do those types of things and I give credit to our guys and the senior leadership,” Thomsen said. “The seniors are a special group for us this year.” While this year’s team has already made history by joining the 1950 squad as the only two teams to have a perfect regular season record, Bullington sees many similarities in the two undefeated teams as well as the national championship teams.
“The teams compare in the fact that they all had great offenses, and defensively this team may be stronger,” Bullington said. “I think we have played good defense all year; Billy Malone is a great passer and of course, Bernard is a great running back and the offensive line is doing a great job of protecting the quarterback.” Prior to last Saturday’s game, members from the 1950 team were invited back to serve as honorary captains. Not only was the team recognized before the game, the team got to see the current Wildcat team make history by joining them in the record books. “I am thrilled to be here,” Orr said while walking off the field after being introduced before the game. “I am tremendously excited about the program and the leadership of coach Thomsen and Coach Collums.” But like the 1950 team,
Thomsen knows the job is not finished yet. “We can be a lot better but they have maximized their potential as a team to this point and I’m really proud of them.” While a championship is still in sight for this year’s team, finishing the regular season is special, something even the championship teams did not accomplish. “It’s really exciting,” Sitton said. “Wally and I have coached up there and had national championships but we weren’t undefeated. I have two national championship rings and everything, but going undefeated was something special and we’re hoping this team can do the same.”
E-mail Abston at: gda04b@acu.edu
Basketball: Transfers add depth in ’08 Library: Finals week hours to extend Continued from page 8
Continued from page 1
Holson has been playing all four years that Copeland has been coaching. Copeland is now looking for Holson to step up as a leader and help the team’s six new players through the tough schedule the Wildcats will face. “Dejan is a tremendous shooter and a great athlete,” Copeland said. “He provides a great scoring punch for us, and if he can improve his defense he will be a great two-way player. Cam is a three-year starter and he is a blue-collared hard worker out on the court. What we do this season starts with these guys.” The team is also returning key-role players in Dante Adams, Riley Lambert, Ean Wagner, Marko Nikolic and Brooks Norman. Adams will compete for a starting spot in the backcourt. He averaged six points per game last year coming off the bench and should see more playing time this year. Lambert will return at point guard,
However, he predicts that change will not be seen for some time due to the policy ACU and its affiliation has taken. Karen Hendrick, head of Public Services, also played a role in the initiative by putting out calls for more student workers, speaking with Starbucks staff members to see if the café would continue to stay in operation and contacting Residence Life to address the
Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Forward Ben Wharton drives to the basket in practice on Tuesday.
while Wagner will play at small forward and shooting guard. Nikolic and Norman will play down low. Nikolic will look to improve his last season numbers, averaging 6.1 points per game and 3.3 rebounds per game off the bench. The Wildcats have also brought in players from other schools to improve their roster. Kevin White, from Jackson State, and Mirza Ahmetbasic, from Lon Morris Junior College, should fill up the guard rotation. The team also has added Marcus Washington (Midland college), Kendrick Johnson
(South Plains College), Johnathan Uchendu (Purdue) and Milos Kilmovic (Binghamton University). This gives the Wildcats one of the most impressive front courts in the conference. The Wildcats are projected to finish third in the LSC South Division. They are in a tough division and will have to face good teams in Tarleton State, West Texas A&M and Central Oklahoma. The Wildcats first game will be Monday at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum agaisnt Hillsdale Freewill Baptist. E-mail Cantrell at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
issue of freshman curfew during the extended hours. She still is waiting for an answer from Residence Life but has high hopes it will allow students to utilize the extended hours. Hendrick emphasized that determining the library hours while keeping the library fully staffed and operating is not an easy issue but has everything to do with funding. “We look at all entities as minimum wage goes up; we have a smaller unit of
money to pay students and staff,” Hendrick said. The library is using its gift funds to pay for the extended hours this year. As for future initiatives, Hendrick said, “It’s a pilot project; we can take a count to see how much it’s used—we are not providing a lot of service at this time, just a place for people to stay and do research.”
E-mail Morris at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Volleyball: LSC semis await Continued from page 8 the LSC Defensive Player of the Year, first team all-LSC, and was named to the LSC allacademic team. Schilling and Moronu were named to the allLSC second team Hutt and Wilson garnered all-conference honorable mentions honors.
Junior outside hitter Michelle Bacon, junior setter Ericka Dickinson, Curry, Moronu, Wilson and Schilling were all named to the LSC Commissioner’s Honor Roll. The team will play in the semifinals of the LSC Tournament on Friday at 5 p.m. in Canyon. A win in the semifi-
nals would give the Wildcats a berth in the LSC Tournament Championship to be played on Saturday at 7 p.m. in Canyon. All games of the LSC Tournament are streamed live on www.lonestarconference.tv.
E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu
SportsFriday
Page 8
SCOREBOARD Standings Football Team ACU WTAMU Tarleton St. TAMU-K MSU Angelo St. ENMU
Div. 6-0 5-1 3-3 3-3 3-3 1-5 0-6
Overall 10-0 10-1 8-3 7-4 6-4 3-8 2-9
Volleyball Team WTAMU Tarleton St. MSU ACU TX Woman’s
Div. 13-0 10-3 9-4 10-4 8-5 8-6
Angelo St. *6 out of 14 teams
Overall 30-4 21-9 25-8 25-8 19-12 20-14
Women’s Soccer Team
Div. WTAMU 8-2 TAMU-C 7-1-2 MSU 7-3 Central Okla. 6-3-1 ACU 5-4-1 NESU 4-3-3 Angelo St. 4-4-2 TX Woman’s 4-4-2 ENMU 3-7 East Central 1-8-1 SW Okla. 0-10
Overall 16-3-1 14-3-3 14-7 13-6-3 9-8-2 7-8-4 10-7-3 9-8-2 9-10 5-11-2 2-17
Basketball team returns seven from last season By Ryan Cantrell
Basketball
Sports Writer
The men’s basketball team will begin its season Monday against Hillsdale Freewill Baptist. The Wildcats are looking to build on last season’s success, where they went 20-9 and made the conference postseason. The Wildcats’ turnaround last year came dramatically, as they had not had a winning record in their previous seven seasons. They were also the only team in the conference not to make the LSC postseason tournament over this stretch. However, after a few coaching changes and some rebuilding seasons the Wildcats are ready to contend. “We have seven guys coming back this season, which is the first season we have a
strong nucleus of returning players,” head coach Jason Copeland said. “These guys understand what it takes and hopefully will carry us through the season.” In his third season as head coach, Copeland led the Wildcats to an impressive 20-9 record and a LSC postseason bid. The Wildcats made it to the semifinals in the LSC conference tournament before falling to Texas A&M-Commerce 70-65. The Wildcats felt that this earned them a regional tournament bid but they were left out leaving the team with some unfinished business for this year. “Our goal this season is to get back to the conference tournament and play our way into the regional tournament
from there,” Copeland said. “We hope to keep winning and just see what happens.” ACU is led by forward Dejan Sencanski, who was voted this year’s preseason Offensive Player of the Year for the LSC. Last season he averaged 18 points per game and led the team in rebounds, averaging 6.3 a game. He was fifth in the league in field-goal percentage and second in the league for free-throw percentage at 85.9 percent (79 of 92). He was voted first team allLSC South Division and will look to improve on last season’s numbers. The Wildcats will also look to the leadership of Cam Holson, a senior forward who averaged 9.4 points per game and 5.2 rebounds last season. See
Basketball page 7
Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer The Wildcat basketball team practices Tuesday night in preparation for the upcoming season. ACU plays Hillsdale Freewill Baptist Monday at 7 p.m.
A Singing Success
Assistant Sports Editor
Thursday Volleyball ACU 3, Angelo State 0
Upcoming Friday Volleyball Oklahoma, 5 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Creative Services
Above: A team photo of the 1950 football team. Below Left: Head coach Garvin Beauchamp throws a pass. The Wildcats went 11-0 in Beauchamp’s first season. Below right: Former players Ted Sitton and James Lyda look on during ACU’s win over Midwestern State last Saturday.
1950 Wildcats set standard for ACU football program
Saturday Women’s Basketball ACU vs. Southern Indiana, 1 p.m.
By Grant Abston Sports Editor
NOTES
On paper, the 1950 Wildcat football team appears more like a church than a football team, consisting of 17 elders, 26 deacons, two ministers and one missionary. However, the “Singing Christians” went a perfect 11-0 during the 1950 season, the only team to finish an undefeated season in school history. After completing a perfect 10-0 regular season, the 1950 Wildcats went on
n Tickets for ACU’s secondround NCAA Division II playoff game on Nov. 22 will go on sale Tuesday. Tickets for the game will be $12 for adults at the gate and $10 for advance purchases, while student tickets will be $6 at the gate and $4 for advance purchases. Tickets can be purchased by calling the ACU athletics office at 674-6853 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
acuoptimist.com
to win the Refrigerator Bowl in Evansville, Ind., becoming the only team in the United States to finish unbeaten and untied that season. The Wildcats’ perfect regular season record was the only one in school history until Saturday, when ACU defeated Midwestern State to finish 10-0 and claim its first outright Lone Star Conference championship since 1973. “I think it would be tremendous if they could go See
Football page 7
Go online to see highlights from ACU’s win over Midwestern. Also go to youtube.com/acuvideo n Middle blocker Shawna Hines was named the LSC Defensive Player of the Year by league officials Hines Wednesday. Hines also earned first-team AllLSC honors after leading the conference in blocks. n Setter Ijeoma Moronu was named to the second-team all-LSC Wednesday by Moronu league officials. Moronu led the team in assists with 1,116. n Middle blocker Jordan Schilling was named to the second team all-LSC WednesSchilling day by league officials. Schilling led the team in points with 382.
Intramurals continue as soccer starts By Chandler Harris
Scores
ACU vs. West Texas A&M/Central
November 14, 2008
Jozie Sands :: staff photographer
Wildcats advance to semifinals with win By Chandler Harris Assistant Sports Editor
The ACU volleyball team began the Lone Star Conference Tournament on Thursday defeating Angelo State 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-23). The win is the Wildcats’ 11th straight overall and sends them to the semifinals of the LSC Tournament. ACU trailed at one point in each of the three sets but battled back to sweep the match. In the first set, the team led 11-10, before going on an 8-0 run and finishing the match by winning 14 of the final 17 points. In the second set, the Rambelles trailed 16-8 but fought back to within four at 19-15. Then, the Wildcats won the final five points to take
Volleyball ACU 3, angelo state 0 the set. In the third and final set, the Rambelles had a commanding 19-13 advantage but the Wildcats won eight of the next 10 points to tie the set at 21. ACU finished off the Rambelles by scoring four of the final six points including two kills by freshman outside hitter Jennie Hutt. Hutt led the team with 12 kills followed by sophomore middle blocker Jordan Schilling with 10. Schilling also hit .588 for the match and added two digs. Senior libero Amy Wilson led the Wildcats with 12 digs and junior outside hitter Erin Curry had 10 digs in the victory. Sophomore
setter Ijeoma Moronu had a match-high 30 assists. “We came out ready and confident and have been preparing for this rematch a long time,” said Lindsey Campbell, ACU assistant volleyball coach. “The first two games went really smoothly but we started out the third game with a lull. I called a timeout and let them calm down and they went back out there and won the game.” On Wednesday night, a slew of Wildcats were honored at the LSC Volleyball awards banquet in Canyon. Sophomore middle blocker Shawna Hines highlighted the honorees by being selected See
Volleyball page 7
Emily Jorgenson :: staff photographer Shawna Hines was named LSC Defensive Player of the Year.
The first-ever intramural four-on-four soccer season began last week with 34 teams competing in five leagues. Eight teams participate in the men’s champ league and 10 in the men’s rec league. The women’s champ league has four teams, while the women’s rec league has six teams. Six teams play in the co-ed league. The intramural office offers outdoor soccer for the first time in the format of four-on-four. In 2007, 33 teams played in the seven-onseven format. “For those who would like to play seven-on-seven soccer, we will still have a seven-on-seven double elimination tournament in the spring,” said Kim Svien, intramural office public relations director. Each field is 55-yard long with a Pugg goal on each end. Pugg goals are smaller, lightweight soccer goals often used for training purposes. They are 6-foot wide and 3.5foot tall and deep. Each team may have as many players on the roster as they choose, but only four players per team may be on the field at a time. The goalie is replaced by a small, half circle extending out from the goal, where no player may touch the ball. Touching the ball in the circle warrants a free kick for the opposing team. Kyndal Bradford, sophomore business management major from Nashville, Tenn., plays midfield for Ko Jo Kai. “I think we are going to be pretty solid,” Bradford said. “There is a good mix of talent on our team. We have some people who played in high school and some who haven’t played in a while. I would prefer the seven-on-seven format, but four-on-four is still fun. I like to play a bigger field with bigger goals.” Will Fuller, junior accounting major from Weatherford, is not a fan of the new format. “The smaller goal takes the skill out of the game,” Fuller said. “The whole setup is terrible. First of all, seven-on-seven focuses on soccer skills and skill sets such as plays and corner kicks. You actually have a goal to shoot on and that you have to defend. In this game, there is no focus on how good your team is at getting the ball down the field. There is a wide open net so anyone can take shots from anywhere on the field, which causes lots of ball chasing throughout the match.” Svien said the season will end the week before finals begin.
E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu