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Friday, November 21, 2008
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Inside:
No. 2 Wildcats take on Buffs, begin hunt for National Title
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See how the Wildcat football team stacks up against its first opponent in the playoffs: Lone Star Conference rival West Texas A&M.
From ACU’s first home game to its last, see a sampling of the photo staff’s best photos of the team’s undefeated
Find the Arts Page, Opinion Page and the rest of the Optimist’s usual campus coverage in Section A inside this special
Photo: ACU running back Bernard Scott, who leads NCAA Division II football in points per game, all-purpose yards per game and is second in a myriad of statistical categories, runs onto the field at Shotwell Stadium. Scott and the rest of the Wildcats will host West Texas A&M in the second round of the NCAA Division II Postseason. The first time the Wildcats and Buffs met in the regular season, Scott posted 409 all-purpose yards, scored three touchdowns in ACU’s 52-35 win. Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer
SportsFriday
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SCOREBOARD Standings
Wildcats cruise to easy win over Hillsdale in opener By Austin Gwin
Div. 6-0 5-1 3-3 3-3 3-3 1-5 0-6
ACU WTAMU Tarleton St. TAMU-K MSU Angelo St. ENMU
Overall 10-0 11-1 8-3 7-4 6-4 3-8 2-9
Men’s Basketball Team Tarleton St. ACU WTAMU MSU Angelo St. ENMU TAMU-K
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Overall 2-0 1-0 1-0 2-1 0-0 0-2 0-2
Women’s Basketball Team WTAMU ACU ENMU MSU Tarleton St. TAMU-K Angelo St.
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Overall 1-0 1-1 1-1 0-1 0-2 0-2 0-3
Basketball
Sports Writer
Football Team
November 21, 2008
Emily Jorgenson :: staff photographer Guard Dante Adams dribbles up the court Monday vs. Hillsdale Free Will Baptist.
tion were the most exciting of the game. An alley-oop dunk thrown down by leading scorer Dejan Sencanski brought the crowd to its feet. Senior forward Sencanski, the Lone Star Conference South Division Preseason Player of the Year, finished the game with 21 points and six rebounds. He shot 89 percent from the field, including three of four from behind the threepoint line. Rounding out his 21 points, Sencanski was two out of two from the free-throw line. He was one of four Wildcats to score in double digits. Sencanski also earned LSC South Division Player of the Week honors for his performance. Guards Ean Wagner and Dante Adams both finished the game with 15
The men’s basketball team opened its season on Monday night with a resounding win over Hillsdale Free Will Baptist at Moody Coliseum, 99-58. After a sloppy beginning that found them behind 8-3, ACU turned on the jets and never looked back. “It was the first game, and some of our guys were trying to do too much,” said head coach Jason Copeland. “It was just a lot of first-game hype. If you take out the first five minutes and the last four or so, we played a good 30 minutes of basketball.” With an explosive attack, the Wildcats outscored HFWB on fast-break points 28-5. Two of the 28 points scored in transi-
West Texas Rematch
Scores Saturday Women’s Basketball ACU 80, Southern Indiana 53
Volleyball West Texas A&M 3, ACU 2
Sunday Women’s Basketball St. Edward’s 66, ACU 51
Monday Men’s Basketball ACU 99, Hillsdale Free Will Baptist 58
Upcoming Saturday Cross Country NCAA Div. II Championship, 10:30 a.m., Slippery Rock, Pa.
Football ACU vs. West Texas A&M, Noon
Women’s Basketball ACU vs. St. Edward’s, 6 p.m.
Men’s Basketball ACU vs. Huston Tillotson, 8 p.m.
Monday Women’s Basketball ACU at Texas-Permian Basin, 5:30 p.m.
Men’s Basketball ACU at Texas-Permian Basin, 8 p.m. :: Home games listed in italics
NOTES n Offensive coordinator Ken Collums has been named a finalist for the FootballScoop. com D2 Collums Coordinator of the Year. Collums is one of four finalists for the award as ACU ranks first in the nation in scoring offense and total offense. Voting will end Dec. 5 with the winners announced Dec. 7 by a panel of former coaches and players. n Forward Dejan Sencanski earned LSC South Division Player of the Week honors after scoring Sencanski 21 points and grabbing six rebounds in ACU’s 99-58 win over Hillsdale Freewill Baptist Monday night. The LSC Preseason South Division Player of the Year hit eight of nine shots from the floor and three of four from behind the arc.
Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer Running back Bernard Scott (left) and quarterback Billy Malone (right) will direct the No. 1 total offense and scoring offense in the nation.
Wildcats, Buffs meet again in second round of playoffs By Grant Abston
Football
Sports Editor
After completing the first undefeated regular season since 1950, the Wildcats will begin their quest for their first national championship since 1977 when they play West Texas A&M in round two of the NCAA Division II playoffs. After finishing the regular season 10-0, the Wildcats earned a first-round bye and home-field advantage for the second and third round playoff games. No. 2 ACU will be playing a familiar opponent in No. 9 West Texas A&M. The Wildcats defeated the Buffs in week seven 52-35 to hand them their only loss of the season. The Buffs defeat-
ed Central Washington 49-42 in the first round of the playoffs to advance. “The first time we played them was our toughest test, and it’s no different this time,” said head coach Chris Thomsen. “They are extremely explosive and had 600 yards last week in a playoff game and have averaged 50 points the last two weeks and are clicking very well. It’s a good challenge for our defense, but we have a lot of confidence in them and expect them to do a great job.” Prior to this week, the Wildcats had 25 players honored as LSC South Division All-Conference players as well as five individual award
winners. ACU had a leaguehigh 16 first-team players, 11 on the offensive side of the ball as well as five more on the defensive side. Running back Bernard Scott was honored as the Offensive Back of the Year, and offensive lineman Tony Washington was named the Offensive Lineman of the Year. Defensive end Aston Whiteside was honored as co-Defensive Lineman of the Year as well as Freshman of the Year. “It’s a great honor especially with all the great athletes in the Lone Star Conference,” said offensive lineman Joseph Thompson, who was named on the conference’s first team. Besides the 25 players honored for the Wildcats,
acuoptimist.com Go online to see highlights from Saturday’s playoff game against West Texas A&M
Thomsen was named Coach of the Year. “It’s really just a reflection of our staff,” Thomsen said. “We have a tremendous staff, top to bottom, and we always look at that as a staff of the year award. So much goes into getting a game plan together and recruiting and all the things it takes; [the award] is a good credit to our staff, and it’s good they got recognized.” See
Football page 3B
points, while guard Kevin White added 12 points off the bench. “A win is a win,” Copeland said. “We got to see a lot of different guys contribute. I am pleased with our performance.” The Wildcats were two three-pointers shy of the school record, finishing 14 out of 23 for 61 percent. The Saints from HFWB also shot well from behind the threepoint line, finishing 10 out of 26. Brody Clark led the Saints in scoring with 12 points. Although ACU was one point short of the hundred mark, the defense played a key role in the victory. They had 14 blocks and five steals. At one point in the first half the Wildcats kept the Saints scoreless See
Basketball page 3B
Decision could cost Mavs’ Cuban Mark Cuban has made his fair share of moves as owner of the Dallas Mavericks, but this one may prove to be Thoughts From his dumbest of the Bleachers all. Cuban was accused MonBy Chandler day of insider trading by the Harris Securities Exchange Commission. In 2004, Cuban allegedly used inside information he had received about the plans for an online search engine, mamma. com, for which he was the major shareholder. Cuban used this information to sell off his shares before the market value collapsed the next day. Cuban, who Forbes said is worth more than $2.3 billion, claims his innocence and plans to fight the charges, which could cost him the $750,000 he saved in losses plus fines totaling about $3 million. Cuban wrote on his blog Monday, ”The government’s claims are false and will be proven to be so.” My question is: is it really worth the $3 million you would owe in a settlement to try and fight for your innocence? This already permanently tarnishes Cuban’s reputation, whether a jury rules him guilty or not. My contention is that Mr. Cuban has bigger problems to resolve, such as his beloved Mavericks, who began the season with seven losses in their first 10 games. Fans outside of Dallas already hate the enthusiastic, hands-on owner that Cuban is, but if he’s not careful, he may begin to lose some of his own fans. This is not the kind of case where being a celebrity gives you a get-out-of-jail free card either. Just ask Martha Stewart; she tried to fight the government over $45,000 and ended up living five months in prison. See
Cuban page 3B
Cross country team Rematch with St. Edward’s next ready for nationals By Jeff Craig Sports Writer
By Jeff Craig
Cross Country
Sports Writer
The men’s cross country team looks to cap off another successful year with a third consecutive national title Saturday in Slippery Rock, Pa. This season saw the Wildcats win an unprecedented 18th consecutive Lone Star Conference title and Burroughs their eighth regional title in the last nine years. ACU
had little trouble winning the conference and regional titles, but head coach Sam Burroughs knows he needs high finishes from his top-five runners to capture a third straight championship. “It will take our top-three guys finishing in the top 10, and we need our fourth and fifth runners to finish in the top 35 to have a three-peat,” Burroughs said. The team enters the race in fairly good health with just some minor nagging injuries. See
Cross Country page 3B
The women’s basketball, team will take on St. Edward’s Saturday at 6 p.m. in the Wildcats’ home opener. Tipoff at Moody Coliseum originally was scheduled for 1 p.m. but was moved up to accommodate the football team’s playoff battle with West Texas A&M. The Wildcats (1-1) were defeated by the St. Edward’s Hilltoppers (2-1) last weekend in Austin; however, head coach Shawna Lavender views this weekend as a good rematch but knows her team must perform better in the home opener. “We have got to be more disciplined,” Lavender said. “Bottom line is we have to be
Basketball
more consistent and contain their penetration in the lane.” Coach Lavender attributes ACU’s 66-51 loss last weekend to missing easy shots. The Wildcats shot just 26 percent from the field after shooting 46 percent in the season opener against Southern Indiana. Coach Lavender felt the main bright spot in last weekend’s loss was her team’s ability to feed the ball into the post players. Lavender also hopes to see a more physical game out of her players. To beat St. Edward’s, the team will need another strong performance from center Audrey Maxwell-Lively. The See
Cats page 3B
Jozie Sands :: staff photographer The Wildcats lost to St. Edward’s, 51-66 Sunday in Austin.
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Friday, November 21, 2008 :: Vol. 97, No. 26 :: 2 sections, 12 pages :: www.acuoptimist.com
Inside This Issue:
Pg 4A
Pg 6A
Local running club sponsors Turkey Day 5K race
Pg. 5A: A ‘Wedding’ to Remember: Play addresses racial issues
Championship merchandise sparks spike in The Campus Store sales
Pg 7A
Bring Your Own Bean: Tailgate party scheduled for Friday
ACU officials still determining fate of Bean Sprout By Michael Freeman Managing Editor
As traffic drastically declined in the Bean Sprout Grill and Café this semester, rumors circulated among students that the eatery on the bottom floor of the Campus
Center soon will close. However, those are just rumors. ACU Dining Services along with ARAMARK and a focus group comprised of about 20 students have been meeting and researching viable options for the future of oncampus eateries, such as
the Bean Sprout, for the last three weeks. No final decision for those eateries has been reached, said Anthony Williams, director of Retail and Campus Stores Manager. “We are firmly committed to creating a premiere dining experience on this campus,”
Williams said. “No final decision has been made. We’ve just had some conversations on what to do.” Over the last two years, ACU has conducted a comprehensive study of the dining on campus with the objective of providing its users
improvements. Other food locations around campus, such as the Bagel Wagon in the Hardin Administration Building, the Connections Café in the Mabee Business Building, the Fatted Café in the Biblical
the best dining experience. Last year, the Hilton Food Court, which features Quizno’s, Pizza Hut and Chickfil-A restaurants, opened in the Campus Center. On Aug. 9, the “World Famous Bean” re-opened after a summer of extensive renovations and
See
Sprout page 7A
Prices To Be Thankful For
Wildcat disc golf course to be built on campus By Sondra Rodriguez Student Reporter
ACU students can expect a professionally designed nine-hole disc golf course to open on the Sherrod Residential Park in the spring. Deonna Shake, professor and Wildcat Disc Golf Project Director, said the course, currently under construction, was designed by Professional Disc Golf Association member Jay Redding and will feature cement tee pads, picnic areas, benches and tee signs. It will be free to use and available to students and community members. Campus groups and social clubs were asked to donate $500 to sponsor a hole or $250 to split a hole with another donor. These donations will cover the estimated installation fee of $1,000 per hole, and sponsors will have their logos printed on tee signs throughout the course. Social clubs such as Sub-T 16, Alpha Kai Omega and GATA have contributed, as well as The Campus Store, athletic department and the Campus Activities Board. “I think it’s a great opportunity to get a club’s name on something that is permanent,” Shake said. The course also will have picnic tables, benches and a kiosk. Shake said $13,000 was raised so far for the entire course. Amy Finn, social director for GATA, said GATA was one of the first clubs to accept sponsorship of a hole. “It’s another way to have our name out on campus,” she said. “A lot of people who aren’t in club will be playing on them, so it gets our name out.” Women of the club had a three-day bake sale in the Campus Center to raise the $500. Finn said because of the upcoming construction to Gibson, gym availability will lessen, and students will look for another sport to play. “It’s another open field to add a sport to,” Finn said. “It will be fun to have a new sport on campus.” Planning the disc golf course began this summer when Shake learned she had to teach the first disc golf class in the fall. “It was my job to get familiar with the sport and be able to teach it,” she said. “It’s free, you don’t need much equipment to See
Disc page 7A
Jozie Sands :: staff photographer
Gas prices across the state and nation dipped below $2. At this Shell station on South 1st Street, regular gasoline was selling for $1.75 a gallon Wednesday evening.
Gas prices drop dramatically in Texas, across nation By Tanner Anderson Page Designer
With Thanksgiving a few days away, many students will make the long drive home. Gas prices have dropped to under $2, and while filling up their vehicles’ tanks may cause an economic blow for some travelers, the prices might have fallen just enough to ease the economic bruising. Some gas prices were as high as $2.67 a gallon but now have dropped to about $1.88 a gallon, according to www.texasgasprices.com. This may place some people into a traveler’s limbo, not knowing whether or not they should take the journey home by plane or automobile. Many travelers consider early arrival, security checks and possible lost luggage as opposed to an on-road excursion filled with three or more pit stops to refuel a car. Student traveler Luke Pinson, senior accounting major from Cookeville, Tenn., was faced
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The best part is just the fact that people are ice skating outside in West Texas.
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:: Karen Mendoza, event coordinator for the Ice House skating rink
AcU WeATHeR Saturday
Sunday
High: 50 Low: 35
High: 64 Low: 49
High: 72 Low: 45
Rising Prices Although gas prices dropped in past months, the average price per gallon since the beginning of the decade has increased. Date Nov. 19, 2000 Nov. 18, 2002 Nov. 22, 2004 Nov. 20, 2006 Nov. 17, 2008
U.S. $1.44 $1.37 $1.90 $2.21 $2.02
Texas $1.40 $1.33 $1.82 $2.12 $1.94
Source: Energy Information Administration
$1.75 and $1.72 if the consumer used a WalMart credit or shopping card, and the Fina next to I-20 was $1.75 as well. To enjoy Thanksgiving with his family, Ryan Rampton, senior youth and family ministries See
Drop page 7A
Ice House skating rink returns to Abilene By Zak Zeinert Chief Photographer
The Ice House skating rink is returning Friday for its third year of winter fun and festivities. Despite weather-related prob-
More from the
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with this dilemma. Pinson drives a Ford Escape, and for Thanksgiving he is traveling with his brother to Tennessee. While on the road, they usually stop three times in order to refuel, not including the first tank of gas they buy before they even begin the gas-guzzling trek. “I drive home every year. No matter what the gas prices were, we were going home regardless,” Pinson said. “It is a comfort to know that we don’t have to pay as much. I was pretty excited when I saw that the prices had dropped; I put in $20, and the tank was pretty full.” Pinson also said that before they travel he and his brother locate the cheapest gas destinations by using www.GasBuddy.com, a Web site that points out the cheaper gas stations on traveling route. Stations around Abilene listed prices less than $1.80. The Shell on Judge Ely was $1.79, while the Fina and Allsup’s station next to it was $1.75. The Murphy USA next to Wal-Mart was
lems in its first year, the skating rink is back once again to provide joy to the community. Located at Nelson Park Festival Gardens, the skating rink is sponsored by Habitat for Humanity and will benefit the
nonprofit organization, as well as the Dyess We Care team. Karen Mendoza, event coordinator, said the skating rink was a big hit in the last few years. “It really has. It’s been great for the community and
it’s family-fun entertainment,” Mendoza said. The park will open at 6 p.m. Friday and will remain open every day of the week, See
Online Poll : 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.
Ice page 7A
What are you doing for Thanksgiving?
a. Stuck in Abilene. b. Heading home. c. Road trip! d. Doing homework.
acuoptimist.com Department of Journalism and Mass Communication ::
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Serving the ACU community since 1912
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Campus Day Friday, November 21, 2008
Calendar and Events
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Friday
Wildcat Preview Day 7:30 p.m. Free Movie in Cullen (The Dark Night) 8 p.m. The Black Cornicopia sponsored by the student group Essence of Ebony
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6 p.m. Women’s Basketball vs. St. Edward’s
2:30 The Paramount Theatre will be presenting the play the Nutcracker. For tickets and ticket information, call 675-0303.
Online Newscast
Webcast
Watch videos and other newcasts online about the progress on the Rec Center, service opportunities during the holidays and what students are doing for Thanksgiving.
Log on to www.youtube.com/acuvideo to check out Sadies Week events, as well as students describing their upcoming plans for Thanksgiving.
Announcements Flu Shots 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.
can be purchased for $4 inside the Campus Center from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday. Students also can purchase tickets inside residence halls from 5-9 p.m.
The Virtous African Heritage Sisterhood group is sponsoring a Spaghetti dinner catered by Jonny Carino’s at Southern Hills Church of Christ Saturday at 7 p.m.
WorldWide Witness has openings for eight week summer internships in places like Thailand, Costa Rica, Australia, Tanzania and England. You can apply online at www.WorldWideWitness.org.
A classes and student organizations competition will begin this week and continues throughout the playoffs. The competition encourages school spirit by offering whichever class or organization with the most members attending the playoff game a chance to win either $500 or $1,000. When purchasing your tickets,include your class and one campus organization. The winning class will receive $1,000 to be used for whatever the class chooses. The winning organization with 49 or less members will receive $500.The winning Organization with 50 members or more will receive $1,000. At the end of the Wildcats’ run for the playoffs, the numbers will be tallied, and winners will be chosen. These are for advance ticket purchases only. Tickets
7 p.m. Men’s Basketball at UTPB 7 p.m. Sundaes on Mondays at the Office of Multicultural Enrichment
8 p.m. Men’s Basketball vs. Huston Tillotson
acuoptimist.com
VSLC delivers Thanksgiving meals around town. Contact Rita Harrell at 674-2932
The dates for registering for classes in summer 2009 have been changed. Rather than register with spring 2009, summer 2009 will have its own registration day, Feb. 25, 2009. All classifications will begin registering for summer classes on that date at 3:00 p.m. The advising release codes will be the same ones used for spring registration. If you are thinking of taking courses in summer 2009, talk to your adviser. For more information about registration, go to the Registrar’s Web page: www.acu. edu/campusoffices/registrar/ schedulebulletin/index.html
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 and check in presents. The event is every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. beginning Nov. 21 until Dec. 14. Volunteers are asked to work two-hour shifts or longer. 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. The event runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ACU for the International Rescue Committee needs volunteers to cook food and/ or set up and work the Thanksgiving Dinner event that the group is sponsoring for about 60 refugee families Nov. 22 from 4-8 p.m. in the Campus Center Living Room. For more information, contact Madison Saniuk at mbs04a@acu.edu. The Big Purple is raising money for its annual fundraiser the Noah Project, an organization which seeks to end family violence. The Big Purple will give these women and children a Christmas party with food and presents. Band members will be walking around campus with cans or buckets that are labeled “Christmas for Kids.” Annual Thanksgiving Meal Project - Join the Service Action Leadership Team for the 8th annual Thanksgiving meal project.
The goal is to feed 100 families at a cost of $35 per family. Donations may be taken to the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center through Friday. Those wanting to help should meet in the parking lot between McDonald Hall and Sewell Theatre. The First Christian Church needs students to serve breakfast to people on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays on 3rd Street and Beech Street. Serving time begins at 6:30 a.m. and will end at 7:15 a.m. Love and Care Ministries needs students to volunteer any day Monday-Thursday at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. with its dining and clothing ministry. Love and Care Ministries is located on 233 Fannin St. Volunteers must be prepared to lift 25 lbs for the Wednesday night street feeds. Deliver hot meals to 12 to16 senior citizens with disabilities each week. Volunteers can choose one day a week between the times of 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The main facility is located at 717 North 10th St.; you also can contact Mitzi McAndrew at 672-5050. Find out volunteer opportunities by visiting the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center’s Web site at www.acu.edu/vslc and clicking on Volunteer Opportunities. For more information or to sign up to help, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout.
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
Monday
Sunday
Noon ACU Football playoff game vs. West Texas A&M
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.
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Scout group offers new scholarships By Tanner Knauth Student Reporter
Chris Fall was used to being a leader; he was trained to be a leader. To become an Eagle Scout, Fall was required to, “plan, develop and give leadership to others in a service project to any religious institution, school or community,” according to the Boy Scouts of America Web site. Whenever the opportunity arose to become director for the ACU Weekend Campaigns, he knew he could get things done. Fall served as a director for Weekend Campaigns for three years before graduating in 2005. A new scholarship, offered by ACU Venturing and Scouting Relationships, will attempt to recruit more students like Fall by awarding scholarships to incoming freshmen. “We’ve been fundraising, trying to raise about $90,000,” said Nathan Williams, associate director for Venturing and
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American Heritage Girls Stars and Stripes Award. Applicants also need to provide two letters of recommendation and a one page essay, titled, “Scouting’s Influence in my Life.” Williams is part of a committee that will discuss the applicants and decide, based on merit, how much to award each student. “We’ll look at their academic record, their activities,” Williams said. “It’s conceivable a young man or woman could earn multiple awards.” Current students can contact Williams for more information about trips Venturing is planning, as well as opportunities to work with incoming freshmen. Williams said they also plan to coordinate with other organizations around campus for future events and trips. He encourages students with a scouting background to call their troops and let others know about the ACU scholarship. “Our mission, like ACU’s,
The goal is to give out as many awards as we can, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per student, per year. :: Nathan Williams, associate director of Venturing and Scouting Relationships
Scouting Relationships. “The goal is to give out as many awards as we can, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per student, per year.” To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate leadership in the realm of scouting by earning the BSA (Boy Scouts of America) Eagle Scout, BSA Venturing Silver, BSA Sea Scouting Quartermaster Award, GSUSA (Girl Scouts USA) Gold Award or the
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is to create servant leaders and to send those youths out into the workplace and into the world,” Williams said. “Developing Christian leaders for service throughout the world.”
E-mail Knauth at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
ViewsFriday
November 21, 2008
Page 3A
Students should contribute to rec center fundraising
S
tudents have heard rumors and read updates on the Fitness and Wellness Center’s status. It is no secret the parties involved have fought an uphill battle trying to raise the funds necessary to begin construction. But students’ hands are not tied. Our country’s volatile economy has tightened the belts of almost every industry in the U.S., most recently the automakers. Debt-based spending has become the norm, while invisible — and many times nonexistent — money is traded back and forth through plastic cards.
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A university education is not cheap, but ACU students who have grown impatient can take action.
Corporations left and right have cut jobs and raised prices to keep their heads above water. Unfortunately for the Fitness and Wellness Center, the construction industry is no exception. Universities rarely have enough cash on hand to build a multi-million dollar facility on command. Students at other universities have taken it upon themselves to contribute.
Chad Harrison presented the committee’s findings on the lack of a dedicated center to the university’s Board of Regents. The student committee worked closely with administration and brought a $120 per regular semester fee to a vote. The student body voted 1,237 to 263 in favor of the fee. Early in 2006, students at Texas Woman’s University voted in favor of a new fitness and recreation fee to build, operate, maintain and program fitness and recreation facilities in Denton, Dallas and Houston. TWU student life vice president Richard Nicholas said, “Our
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In 2000, Sonoma State University students “voted for an increase in the Student Union fees to support the design and construction of a new Rec Center,” according to www.sonoma.edu. In September 2003, Stephen F. Austin State University student leaders formed a Student Recreation Center Committee. In April 2004, student body president
The issue:
The university will not commence construction on a new fitness and wellness center until the necessary funds have been raised.
Our view:
If students support the addition of a rec center, they should do so with more than mere words.
The solution:
Students must contribute monetarily to support their cause, whether by individual donation or fee. fitness and recreation staff and student government leaders campaigned hard for this referendum.” A university education is not cheap, but ACU students who have grown impatient can take action. An addition-
al fee is only one way to help obtain a Fitness and Wellness Center on campus, but it should not be overlooked.
E-mail the Optimist at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Thanksgiving traditions should accompany service Forget Christmas, my birthday, Halloween, the Fourth of July or any other holiday. When it comes to my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving is king of the calendar. The day is synonymous with pie, football, oversized parade In Case You balloons, Wondered family and can-shaped By Daniel Johnson-Kim c r a n b e r r y sauce, has held my top spot and has been that way since before I could pronounce the word “turkey.” With a dash of holiday food, a spoonful of football, a sprinkle of family and a cup of service, Thanksgiving has the perfect ingredients for a most enjoyable holiday. Gifts are fun, free candy is tasty and fireworks appeal to my inner pyromaniac, but my love affair with Turkey Day — as far as I can remember — stretches all the way back to kindergarten. Dressed in a black construction paper hat and shirt, my five-year-old self proudly donned the role of a pilgrim in my class’ recreation of the first Thanksgiving. As I sat next to my fellow pilgrims and across the table from construction-paper Native Americans, our teacher explained that stuffing our faces with turkey and cheering for our favorite football team were not always the staples of the holiday. As she told me then, and I still remember now, the First Thanksgiving is believed to have happened in 1961 at Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts. Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared a meal together to celebrate the autumn harvest. Harvest celebrations already were a tradition to most Native American tribes, and the First Thanksgiving celebration was nothing unusual. According to www.history.com, ham, yams, stuffing and pie were not on the menu for the First Thanksgiving, instead the pilgrims and Native Americans probably feasted on cod, eel, lobster, wild turkey, goose, duck or even eagle. It also would be hard to find a pilgrim who actually called the feast “Thanksgiving.” In fact, it is believed the meal was a one-time affair, and the pilgrims did not repeat it yearly. President
Women should hold out for prince charmings I love how Disney princess movies play out every girl’s fantasy of meeting a dashing prince who sweeps you off your feet and rides off with them into their sunset. This always has been what I wanted, a man who pursues me and then Love and the sweeps me University off my feet. never By Sommerly I’ve been told Simser that’s too high of an expectation until last Sunday. While having lunch with friends after church, one mentioned she recently had watched Shrek, and it had reminded her of me. Puzzled by how a movie about an ogre related, I asked her about it. She then quoted one of Princess Fiona’s lines, complaining to Shrek how he didn’t sweep her off her feet or slay the dragon. I must have had an even more
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I guess I never grew out of the fantasy of wanting a fairytale romance...
puzzled look on my face because she began to tell me that I, like Princess Fiona, have too high expectations. This prompted the whole table to join the conversation, which turned into more of a bash-Sommerly-for-her-highexpectations. It’s funny how little girls are taught to hold out for the prince-like character and that men should be the pursuers and sweep us off our feet, but once we grow up, that becomes unrealistic and we should lower not only our standards but our expectations. I guess I never grew out of the fantasy of wanting a fairytale romance with a man as dashing and romantic as the movies make the protagonists out to be. I don’t see what’s so wrong with still wanting that. Men are supposed to pursue women and woo them. We were created in God’s image,
Letter to the Editor Extended library hours offer finals week opportunities I appreciate this decision very much and will certainly take advantage of this opportunity during the last two weeks of school.
I understand the financial drain this represents...but it would be a beautiful thing to one day have 24-7 access to reference materials, as which is currently limited (particularly on weekends, which is the only time many students have to do their research). Could we not maintain a single student worker to oc-
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
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and God pursues our hearts; why shouldn’t men be capable of doing the same? I still am aggravated my friend criticized my wanting a real life fairytale. Some people think my view is unrealistic, but it’s what I desire. I desire a man who opens the door for me, treats me like a lady, showers me with hugs and kisses and gives me butterflies every day. It’s not like I have this expectation of marrying a millionaire who lives in a palace or a man who picks me flowers every day or has been to every planet in the universe. Men who pursue women exist; men who sweep women off their feet are not just found in Disney movies, they are real. I should know. My boyfriend is one of those men. After lunch on Sunday, I asked him what his opinion was on men who don’t woo
cupy the reference desk all the time (i.e., during current “closed” hours), with minimal responsibilities, just a pair of eyes to oversee entrance and exit and perhaps occasionally check out materials? I suspect that both undergraduate and graduate students would profit from this move. Also, while the prospect of living in the library is probably not that appealing to incoming freshmen (I’m imagining the campus guide telling some fresh-faced
women, and he believes it’s because they are lazy. Women should be looking for the man who sweeps them off their feet. Why should any woman lower her standards? You shouldn’t lose sight of the characteristics you find most important in a man. God promises to give us the desires of our heart as long as it matches up with his plan. If you want a millionaire boyfriend, but instead find a man that is financially wise, to me that sounds like a better deal. Having a list of key characteristics you want is a great foundation. From there, God will be able to build and shape what you need. And after all, if he’s picking the characteristics you need and some of the ones you want in a man, it’s bound to be better. God placed a man in my life who rose to meet my expectations. When a man really likes or loves you, they will do the same.
E-mail Simser at: sas04d@acu.edu
18-year-old: “And here’s where you’ll sweat through your first all-nighter...”), a few will appreciate the availability. Well, I guess with the current curfew, they won’t be able to do that until their sophomore year. Library hours are actually one of the things that I considered in school selection (and represent a small factor in graduate pursuits as well).
Morgan Philpott
Optimist the
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George Washington issued the first national Thanksgiving Day proclamation in 1789 and issued it again in 1975. Americans celebrated the holiday at different times, until President Abraham Lincoln made Turkey Day official, by issuing a proclamation on Oct. 3, 1863, making the last Thursday of November was set aside for Thanksgiving Day. From Norman Rockwell to Charlie Brown, Thanksgiving has become a tradition filled with food and family, but the foundation of the holiday still rings true today: gratefulness. We are grateful for the blessings we have and the lives of comfort the majority of Americans take for granted.
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From Norman Rockwell to Charlie Brown, Thanksgiving has become a tradition filled with food and family, but the foundation of the holiday still rings true today: gratefulness.
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In addition to food and football, Thanksgiving should be a day devoted to service, thankfulness, family and unity. It is a convenient and cliché time to give back to your community. Donating food to a food bank, delivering Thanksgiving meals, inviting an international student over for dinner, Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful but also give back. This holiday, I will find a way to be thankful by serving but I’m also thankful for cranberry sauce. It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the can-shaped jelly on the table.
E-mail Johnson-Kim at: djj04a@acu.edu
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CAMPUS NEWS
Page 4A
Friday, November 21, 2008
Students participate in ACU’s first triathlon By Heather Leiphart Student Reporter
Thirty-six athletes splashed, peddled and sprinted to the finish line at ACU’s first triathlon Saturday. The competition began at 8 o’clock on one of the coldest mornings of the season. Participants, volunteers and observers crowded around the ACU pool as swimmers launched into the choppy water one after another every 15 seconds. “One thing you don’t account for is how rough the water is going to get with that many people swimming,” said Dan Connell, sophomore psychology major from Abilene. “I’d lift my head up and get a mouthful of water. My hand clipped some people next to me a couple times because there were about four people per lane.” After the 300-yard swim, the dripping athletes rushed outside and immediately met the shock of the bitter November morning as they mounted their bikes, some still shirtless. The cycling portion of the race sent athletes 8.45 miles down the Lunsford Trail, and then wound around campus, following Campus Court, North 16th Street, Treadaway Boulevard and Ambler Avenue twice. The roads remained open, but police kept traffic at bay as the athletes vied for positions. About 40 minutes later, the first bikers began trickling back to the transition area to drop their bikes and take off running the last 2.85 mile leg of the race. The running course looped around campus on the Lunsford Trail. Onlookers jumped for joy and warmth as they cheered. “You have frost on your arm!” shouted one observer to an athlete as he snatched his water bottle before the running portion. His watch also bore frost. The clock read 56 minutes and 15 seconds as David
By Laura Acuff
Student Reporter
As the Thanksgiving break nears, the “World Famous Bean” will provide students with various tasty foods. Because of Saturday’s football game, Dining Services has made a special lunch for Friday. With a tailgateinspired theme, the Bean will serve traditional tailgate foods, such as hamburgers, hotdogs, funnel cakes and popcorn. Anthony Williams, director of Retail and Campus Store Manager, decided this would be a wonderful opportunity to raise school spirit. “I wanted to have the football players and cheerleaders there in order to give it that football game feel,” Williams said. “It is a very exciting opportunity.” To continue the game-day spirit, Dining Services and the Alumni Association will sponsor a tailgate party on
Turkey Trot
Opinion Page Editor
Jozie Sands :: staff photographer Ally Dunn, sophomore biology major from San Antonio, begins the run portion of the triathalon Saturday morning.
Vanderpool crossed the green spray-painted finish line, securing first place. He was followed closely by Phil Bailey, Chris Harrington, Campy Pounds and Joshua Parker. Tara Elzey won first place for the ladies, clocking in at 107:29, followed by Allison Dunn and Haley Dilling. “It’s what I expect of myself,” said Vanderpool, junior Bible and pre-med major from Brentwood, Tenn. “It feels good. I’m glad that I finished well, especially because it is ACU, which makes it more personal.” The ACU event was Vanderpool’s sixth and smallest triathlon this year. He swam all summer and has been running for years, he said.
“I’m looking to start a club at ACU for triathlons,” Vanderpool said. “I’m also hoping next summer to do a full Iron Man, which is a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike and 26.2-mile run. The world’s best is seven and a half hours. I’m shooting for 13 to 14 hours. It’s something I love to do.” Elzey, junior English major from Powell, Wyo., participated in one previous triathlon. She trains five days a week, two with the ACU triathlon class. “I was in a lot of pain because I sprained my ankle on the run,” she said. “I went home right afterward. I finished; I was just in pain.” Elzey plans to compete in another triathlon in Keller in March and in the Red Dirt Adventure Challenge with the
Outdoor Club this spring. Hopefully, next year the event will have more publicity and sponsors to help with the cost of T-shirts, said Laura Dillman, instructor in the Department of Exercise Science and Health. Bike Town donated six awards and helped with the cones that marked the course. “I think next year we will incorporate more teams as well. There was only one faculty team this time,” Dillman said. “For a lot of participants, it was their first triathlon ever and they all did great. I was happy with the race.”
E-mail Leiphart at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Dining Services provide different theme meals By Hannah Barnes
Thanksgiving run offers opportunity to eat guilt free
Saturday, beginning at 11 a.m. right before the game. The first 1,000 people who attend the tailgate party will receive a complimentary lunch, consisting of a hotdog, chips and a beverage. School spirit is not the only food theme. As the holiday season approaches, students can expect a Thanksgiving feast in the Bean on Tuesday. Dining Services will provide a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Alongside the holiday meal, the international station will serve an alternative dish for those not interested in eating a Thanksgiving meal. To assist people who cannot afford to celebrate Thanksgiving with such a feast, the Service Action Leadership Team is sponsoring the annual Thanksgiving project with two goals in mind: to collect enough funds to purchase Thanksgiving meals for lowincome families and to get the
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I wanted to have the football players and cheerleaders there in order to give it that football game feel. ::
Anthony Williams, director of Retail and Campus Store Manager
student body to participate in delivering the meals. Once the needed funds are raised, the Thanksgiving committee, headed by Tara McKee, senior education major from Atlanta, and Caitlin Winegeart, junior accounting major from Abilene, will purchase the food from various grocery stores and sort it into meal baskets. This year, Taylor Elementary, Locust and Woodson Early Childcare Center referred SALT to lower-income families that would find Thanksgiving meals beneficial to them. “The Thanksgiving project is a great way for ACU to get
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involved in the community and to make a difference in the lives of Abilene families,” Winegeart said. At this point, the Thanksgiving committee is hoping to raise enough funds to buy 100 meals. The baskets will be put together Friday, and meal deliveries will take place on Monday from 5-8 p.m.
E-mail Barnes at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Turkey, dressing and holiday weight gain—all commonly associated with the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday. Some individuals, however, will combat this year’s holiday pounds with Thanksgiving-themed runs called Turkey Trots, taking place across the nation in support of various charities and organizations. Locally, the Abilene Runners Club plans to coordinate its own 5K Turkey Trot. Runners and walkers may register from 6:30-8 a.m. Thursday, and the race begins at 8:30 a.m. Children may participate in a 1-mile fun run, beginning at 9:15 a.m. Registration is $20 if received prior to Saturday, after which the fee jumps to $30. Forms are available online at www.abilenerunners.com. Advertised as a way to allow participants to “run in the morning and eat guilt free the rest of the day,” the run supports the Abilene Runners Club. While the club assists and participates in multiple benefit runs for various organizations every year, the Turkey Trot is the club’s only self-promotional event, said Mick Stamm, Abilene Runners Club volunteer acting media coordinator. “We are a charitable organization ourselves,” Stamm said. “The whole nature of our business is to bring running to family and to people as a viable activity for health. That’s just what we promote.” The Runners Club benefits the Abilene community by aiding and instructing other organizations in conducting fun runs and through the individual advantages membership offers. “As a runner myself, the Runners Club has benefited me through camaraderie and connection through a sense of community, through people sharing knowledge,” Stamm said. “Being able to do something that’s healthy and positive with people who feel the
Turkey Trot information n Deadline to register- 6:30-8 a.m. Thursday n Race begins- 8:30 a.m. n 1 mile run- 9:15 a.m. n Registration forms available at (www. abilenerunners.com)
same way, people who are of a like mind and a like nature is a terrific boost.” Another Turkey Trot takes place annually in Dallas to benefit the Dallas YMCA. Brooke Zielke, senior family studies major from Medford, Ore., said she heard about the Capital One Bank Dallas Turkey Trot from her friend. Unable to return home to Oregon for Thanksgiving, Zielke decided to participate. “I just think it’s a fun and beneficial way to spend time with friends or family the morning before you start cooking or doing whatever traditions your family has,” Zielke said. “It’s a good way to help other people before you start helping yourself.” While the idea of a preemptive strike on holiday calories had occurred to Zielke, she said her reasons for participation stem from a more spiritual root. “I think anyone can benefit from it, but I think as college kids, especially at ACU, sometimes it’s easy to forget how blessed most of us are,” Zielke said. “[The run reminds] you more about what the holiday is really about and that there are other people that don’t really get to celebrate it like you do, so it’s kind of a way to remember how blessed you are.”
E-mail Acuff at: lka06a@acu.edu
ArtsFriday
November 21, 2008
Page 5A
Gritty ‘Wedding’ sends subtle message of sensitivity By Lydia Melby Arts Editor
Carson McCuller’s The Member of the Wedding, which the ACU Department of Theatre opened Thursday night, is a frank portrayal of the suffocating atmosphere in a small southern town in the World War II era. Frankie Addams, a lonely, fantastical 12-year-old girl, whose only companions are her maid Berenice and her young cousin John Henry, desperately longs to be part of a community and becomes obsessed with her brother’s wedding and the future he has planned.
“The challenge of this play is that what makes it exciting… are the things that are going on with the characters on a psychological level,” said Rachel Carter, assistant professor of theatre and director of The Member of the Wedding. “Developing that takes a lot of time and work outside of rehearsal, on the actors part, and they have all been really good about doing their character work and coming in very prepared.” The show, which will run Nov. 2022 and Dec. 4-6, features the work See
Play page 7A
Far Left: Emily Rankin as Frankie, Michelle Alexander as Berenice and Corban Gililland as John Henry share a moment.
Photos By Zak Zeinert :: chief photographer
Left: In a fit of jealousy, Rankin chases Jamie Patterson and Melanie Godsey, as girls from the neighborhood club, out of her yard.
Swing the Lead triumphs in first round of Dallas Battle of the Bands By Joel Dallas
Contributing Writer
Swing the Lead, a local band composed of four ACU students, rocked The Door venue Saturday, winning a regional Battle of the Bands competition in Fort Worth. The band secured an opportunity to grasp glory and kick it around in the final round, which should happen some time in late January. With only five minutes to set up between shows, Swing the Lead rushed to get amps plugged in and drums ready for a quick sound check be-
fore it kicked off its all-original show. The players quickly energized the crowd with their powerful stage presence. They doled it out with furious beats laid down by Andy Munoz and growling riffs by Zak Zeinert on lead guitar. Matt Tate rumbled away on the bass and backed up non-screaming vocals by Stephen Munoz. The bands were judged on originality, stage presence and by the popular opinion of the crowd. Swing the Lead carpooled 19 ACU fans along with them to the show, while the other bands brought crowds of
50 or 60 fans. To put matters into perspective, 80 percent of the competition was judged on the audience’s votes, which by logical extension means Swing the Lead swayed a biased audience to vote in its favor. Lead singer Stephen Munoz said, “We definitely played our best show yet. We were nervous at first, but the venue was well organized with excellent sound technicians. It all came together, and afterwards the people said we sounded awesome with their votes.” The Battle of the Bands also was a stellar way to kick off
their first tour, which will play in Abilene Dec. 12, and travel all across Texas during the Christmas break. The band hopes to get a carpool organized for its Battle of the Bands’ finals round performance in Dallas sometime after the break. The stakes are high with $1,000, studio time and musical equipment as the first place prize. So, after strutting their mean, punky stuff, Swing the Lead won, putting metal and hardcore competing bands in their angry rightful places. The band now stands with a good chance at winning in the final round.
Photo courtesy of Benjamin Fulfer
Matt Tate, junior art major from Dallas, and Stephen Munoz, junior business major from Escondido, Calif., rock out with their band, Swing the Lead. Tour dates and locations are posted at www.myspace.com/ swingtheleadmusic.
E-mail Dallas at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Page 6A
Friday, November 21, 2008
SA Congress supports disc golf course The Campus Store fuels football fever By Daniel Johnson-Kim Editor in Chief
The Students’ Association Congress threw its support and wallet behind an effort to build a disc golf course on ACU’s campus Wednesday, voting unanimously to sponsor a hole and help build an information kiosk at the future course. Deonna Shake, instructor of exercise science and health, is gathering donations from student groups across campus to build the Wildcat Disc Golf Course and asked Congress to help fund a hole at the Nov. 12 Congress meeting. “I really hope you guys can think about sponsoring a little piece of this,” Shake said during her appeal to SA. Junior Sen. Daniel Burgner, Rep. Minda Hyde and Rep.
Christy Ruiz responded by presenting legislation to appropriate $1,000 from the Congressional Project Fund to sponsor a course and help build the kiosk. The bill passed 36-0-0, and Burgner said he was glad to support the course, which he believed would expand extracurricular options on campus. “For students without vehicles, the more things to do on campus, the better, especially for underclassmen who are stuck here all the time,” Burgner said. “I think students will actually use it.” SA will sponsor one of nine holes planned to be built in the spring at Sherrod Residential Park near Smith and Adams halls. The beginning of the SA hole will have a sign with the SA logo on it.
Before passing the legislation to sponsor the disc golf course at the meeting, SA formed an ad hoc committee that will meet with Student Life officials to help hear appeals from students wishing to form new student groups for the spring semester. The group will meet Dec. 2 in the SA office in the Campus Center. The temporary committee will recommend which groups it believes should be approved, but the final decision will be made by Student Life officials, said committee chair Aaron Escebedo, Education Building representative. “I view SA as a steward of funding, and if new people are going to request funding, we need to see if they’ll be an asset to the whole community or just for a small group of students,” Escebedo said.
Executive treasurer Spencer Hemphill said this is the first time SA has helped with these decisions. The members of the committee are Escebedo; Junior Sens. Steven Cardona and David Vanderpool; Administration Building Reps. Ashley Alton and Jordan Hancock; McDonald Hall Rep. Keri Gray; College of Business Administration Rep. Stephen Moore; Foster Science Building Rep. Colter Lane; Mabee Hall Rep. Jake Hutto; Edwards Hall Rep. Jared Elk and Chambers Hall Rep. Breanna Anderson. The SA Congress will not have a formal meeting on Dec. 3 and instead will have an SA Christmas party. If any legislation is presented, Congress will vote on it at the party. E-mail Johnson-KIm at: djj04a@acu.edu
Students serve, learn in Study Abroad programs By Kelsi Williamson Student Reporter
ACU students currently studying abroad in both Oxford and Montevideo are learning about and submerging themselves into European and Latin American cultures. David McMichael, sophomore English major from Abilene, traveled to Spain, Portugal and France, as well as around England, as a part of the Oxford study abroad program. McMichael said he enjoyed traveling to smaller, unpopular destinations such as Girona, Spain, because of the prominent local culture. “You get to interact with the local people more and get a better sampling of how things really are in a place like that [Girona],” McMichael said in an e-mail. Dr. Kevin Kehl, executive director of the Center of Inter-
national and Intercultural Education, said when students step outside their normal surroundings, they see both the familiar and unfamiliar in a new way. In Oxford, McMichael and his peers entered the local community in order to fulfill their 20 hour service requirements. The service hours are embedded in both the Great Britain and Latin Studies’ courses. “It’s a good opportunity for students to get plugged in to something local that’s happening in real time that affects the community,” Kehl said. McMichael said he liked the requirement and has volunteered at the local Oxfam International office. Although forced service might be contradictory to the original definition, McMichael said it is a good reminder of what it means to live in Christian community. “We just wouldn’t think about service without the
requirement when we’re so swamped with work and keeping up with everything else that’s going on,” McMichael said. Jordan Lowe, sophomore biology major from Crowley, currently is studying abroad in Montevideo and agrees with McMichael on the necessity of the service requirement. “It gives us an opportunity to converse with people our own age and talk about issues like politics, popular culture both here and in the U.S., music and other things we have in common,” Lowe said in an e-mail. Lowe said students in Montevideo have worked closely with Alianza, a Uruguay-United States alliance organization that teaches English courses and American culture. Both Lowe and McMichael said they have benefited through local experiences.
“It has been really great to learn about C.S. Lewis and then actually go and see where he lived and studied,” McMichael said. For Lowe, the subject matter may be different, but the result is the same. “All of the classes we take are made easier by the fact that we are submerged in the culture we are studying,” Lowe said. “We read about and learn about Artigas, the local hero, and then visit his monument and tomb in the Plaza de Independencia.” While McMichael said he values the eco-friendly aspect of the English culture, Lowe said he was impressed by Latin Americans’ interest and involvement in politics. Both students said these lessons would continue to affect them once they are back in Abilene. E-mail Williamson at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
By Colter Hettich Features Editor
The ACU football team silenced critics and encouraged Wildcat fans on Nov. 8 with its win over Midwestern State. The win clinched the title of Lone Star Conference champions for the Wildcats and fueled school spirit on campus. Fans and memorabilia collectors can purchase one of two, unique LSC champions T-shirts in The Campus Store. One design highlights the conference champions’ logo on purple; the other marquees the Wildcats’ 10-0 schedule, complete with scores, on white. Scott Harsh, assistant Campus Store director, said the shirts arrived three days after the game. Harsh called JanSport, the manufacturer and printer, after the game and told the company the score. JanSport printed the shirts Sunday and shipped them Monday, and The Campus Store placed them on the shelves Tuesday. Harsh said The Campus Store staff knew Jansport helped many Division I universities with similar projects, so they approached the company for ideas. “We said, ‘Hey, we’ve never been in this position. What do you recommend?’” Harsh said. JanSport recommended an investment in only a couple of different shirt designs, until further success by the football team. “If we do go all the way to the national championship, we will offer more
Wildcat Wear The Campus Store is selling the following ACU memorabilia items in support of the undefeated Wildcat football team: n Lone Star Conference championship T-shirts n Purple T-shirts n Car decals n Mini-size footballs n Caps n Hoodies n Sweatshirts n Pom-poms n Scarves n Beanies Source: The Campus Store Web site, www.campusstore. acu.edu
things, like sweatshirts or baby clothes,” Harsh said. “I think we’re working on designs right now.” Although ACU merchandise sales remain relatively constant, victories on the field always boost sale numbers. Harsh said as the winning streak lengthened, more and more customers purchased apparel. Foot traffic through The Campus Store has increased, but so has Web traffic on www.campusstore.acu.edu. “The Web site has been up for 10 years, but over the last three games, I have seen a spike in the number of hits,” Harsh said. Traditional, purple and white merchandise still is available. The Campus Store also offers Wildcat accessories, including pompoms, scarves and beanies.
E-mail Hettich at: clh05d@acu.edu
FROM THE FRONT / ARTS JUMPS
Friday, November 21, 2008
Page 7A
Play: Show deals Rumors with racist past
Drop: Prices fall in Abilene Sprout: Continued from page 1A major from Chicago, will drive to Dallas and fly to Chicago. He decided to purchase his ticket in early October; if he did not fly, the drive would take 16 hours. The two-way ticket cost him about $390. “Gas prices do affect me going home. I try to drive as little as possible, especially when the prices were as high as they were in the past,” Rampton said. “It doesn’t stress me out as much anymore; the recent drop in prices allows me to drive around town a little more often.” Rampton is a youth intern at Southern Hills Church of Christ, 3666 Buffalo Gap Road, located on the south side of town. “With the drop in gas prices, it’s easier to drive down to the church and hang out with
untrue
Jozie Sands :: staff photographer
Some ACU students said they are thankful for the recent drop in gasoline prices right before they head home for Thanksgiving break. the kids and attend different church events,” Rampton said. With Thanksgiving almost here and Christmas approaching fast, gas prices may stay cheap long enough
for many students to have a happy holiday.
E-mail Anderson at: tsa04a@acu.edu
Ice: Rink to open Friday evening Continued from page 1A including holidays, until Jan. 5. Hours of operation are 6-10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 6-11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Mendoza said because of the current economic situation, they lowered the admission price from $10 to $8. Proceeds will benefit the Dyess team and Habitat for Humanity, as well as other local missions. Coupons for the skating
rink were sent to schools around Abilene in the hopes of drawing in a large number of students. The discounts also are available at the Habitat for Humanity office. Jordan Ziemer, junior communication major from Houston, said he has never gone ice skating before but he is willing to give it a shot. “I think I might go just because there’s generally a lack of things to do in Abilene. It might be fun and different,” Ziemer said.
Mendoza said she is very excited about the fundraiser this year. “The best part is just the fact that people are ice skating outside in West Texas,” she said.
E-mail Zeinert at: zaz05a@acu.edu
Disc: Course to include nine holes Continued from page 1A play and it’s just a great activity to learn.” Only two other disc golf courses can be found in Abilene, at Cal Young and Will Hair parks. Shake hopes construction will continue to
go smoothly and expects a grand opening in the spring. “Hopefully before long, we’ll be flying discs over at Sherrod Residential,” she said. Three holes do not yet have sponsors, and because she needs to finalize group
sponsorship in the next couple weeks, any groups interested can e-mail Shake at shaked@acu.edu.
Continued from page 1A
Continued from page 5A
Studies Building and the Bean Sprout, are now being examined for possible changes. Some changes could include altering the menus, modifying the aura of the eateries or closing them. “The Bean Sprout right now is operating with a deficit from week-to-week,” Williams said. “I would love for people to be clamoring to keep the Bean Sprout open, and moreover, clamoring to purchase items in the Bean Sprout. It would certainly have an impact on the decision.” Traffic has been lower this semester because of the Bean Sprout’s proximity to the more popular, renovated Bean and Hilton Food Court. But the Bean Sprout has seen its fair share of changes in recent years. In 2006 the Students’ Association worked to get a fountain drink dispenser installed. Also that year, Dining Services bought an electric smoker to cook chicken and barbecue and lowered the prices on the Bean Sprout’s menu. In 2003 Dining Services settled on a menu similar to that of Chili’s with sirloin hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and Philly steak sandwiches instead of items such as grilled cheese sandwiches. The future of the Bean Sprout will be determined by student input, ARAMARK and the administration. “I would like to think we can come to a decision by semester-end,” Williams said.
of many different ACU students — not only actors but backstage and behind the scenes as well. Amy Price, junior theatre major from Tyler, designed the show’s costumes and said that although she has worked mainly with stage managing, she wanted to also work with “the more creative side of theatre,” and was excited to get the opportunity to do some costume designs. “[Student design and work] is really not uncommon here,” Price said. “Students have a lot of opportunity to design and be involved.” Price said she wanted to stay with the traditional styles of the period but also said she was given a lot of room for creativity. “The play is grounded in so much realism,” Price said, “but there are different characters who sort of ‘pop’… They wear something so different from the other characters, which leaves a lot of room for imagination.” Austin Walker, junior theatre major from Layton, Utah, designed the production’s lighting, and said he wanted to keep the lighting realistic. “There’s not a ton of directions you can take lighting in a show like this; it’s a very realistic show,” Walker said. “But there are a lot of subtle changes throughout the show, and we use lighting to help the audience focus on what we’re trying to highlight.” Both Price and Walker agreed that one of the
E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu
E-mail Rodriguez at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
main challenges in their design was the amount of time available, since the show only has been in production for three weeks. “The main challenge here was time, since we only had three weeks or so to rehearse and get everything pulled together, but it’s been a fun show,” Walker said. The Member of the Wedding also deals with the effects of racism and exclusion and gives an unsentimental comment on the tragedy of a disconnected soul, all of which the production handles with sensitivity. “We are allowing the play to speak for itself,” Carter said. “The best thing to do is to stay true to the characters and true to the spirit of the play, instead of trying to preach some message.” The theatre department also will provide a “talkback” to discuss the play with the director, actors and designers on Dec. 4, following the show. Carter said she hoped the audience would leave with an understanding of the play’s message of love and caring. “We all have a sense of longing and a hunger to be understood and to connect with those around us, and that’s what Frankie is dealing with,” Carter said. “The audience sees Berenice caring for Frankie through all of this confusing adolescence, even if Frankie doesn’t.”
E-mail Melby at: lgm05e@acu.edu
Page 8A
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Friday, November 21, 2008
SPORTS JUMPS
Friday, November 21, 2008
Page 3B
Football: Wildcats lead LSC with 16 first-team all-LSC selections Continued from page 2B West Texas A&M enters the game with the No. 2 offense in the nation behind ACU and No. 1 passing offense, averaging 529 yards a game and 46 points a game. Quarterback Keith Null, a second-team allLSC performer, has thrown for 4,502 yards and 41 touchdowns this season and will look to first-team all-LSC wide receiver Charly Martin, who leads the nation in yards per game. Martin has 17 touchdowns on the season to go along with 1,544 yards. Running back Keith Flemming leads the Buffs with 651 yards and 12 touchdowns for the sixth-ranked rushing offense in the LSC. Defensively, the Buffs rank third in the LSC, giving up 315
yards and 20 points a game. Linebacker Jared Brock leads the team with 81 tackles, and linebacker Eldon Grimslid ranks second on the team with 59 tackles. In the teams’ first meeting, the Wildcats racked up 687 yards of offense, while Scott ran for 268 yards and had 141 yards receiving. Wide receiver Johnny Knox had 10 catches for 203 yards and two touchdowns. “They have good chemistry, and their QB and wide receiver have played a lot together now and they know what they will do,” Thomsen said of the Buffs’ offense. “Keith has a lot of faith in Charly and will put the ball up there and let Charly make plays.” Offensively, the Wildcats have the No. 1 total offense
and scoring offense in the nation, averaging 544 yards and 49 points a game. Quarterback Billy Malone, a first-team all-LSC performer, will direct the Wildcats’ offense, which ranks No. 1 in the LSC in rushing. Malone has thrown for 2,561 yards and 28 touchdowns, despite missing two games due to injury. Wide receiver Johnny Knox leads the team with 900 yards and 10 touchdowns, while wide receivers Edmund Gates and Jonathan Ferguson have combined for 1,035 yards and nine touchdowns. Knox and Gates earned first-team all-LSC honors, while Ferguson was named to the second team. Scott enters the game as the No. 2 rusher in the nation, averaging 169.5 yards a game. Scott also ranks No. 1 in the nation in
scoring (15 points a game) and is the No. 1 all-purpose runner, averaging 238 yards a game. Scott was named as one of the eight finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy given to the NCAA Division II Player of the Year after rushing for 1,695 yards and 20 touchdowns, while adding 689 receiving yards and five touchdowns during the regular season. “It’s fun, and we want to be as efficient as possible and play at our highest level,” Thompson said about the offense. “With the athletes that we have, it usually results in a lot of points, and we can score as much as anyone else, if not more.” Defensively, the Wildcats ended the regular season with their best performance, al-
lowing just 158 yards and 17 points against Midwestern State and just 11 total yards and no points after halftime. The Wildcats boast the No. 1 overall defense and scoring defense in the LSC, allowing 290 yards and 16 points a game. ACU also ranks No. 1 in the LSC in turnover margin (2.10), forcing 36 turnovers during the season, 17 interceptions and 19 fumble recoveries. Safety Nick Fellows leads the team with 49 tackles, while linebacker Mike Kern is second on the team with 48. Defensive ends Whiteside and Vantrise Studivant each earned firstteam all-LSC honors while combining for 15.5 sacks. Cornerbacks Craig Harris and Drew Cuffee lead the team with three interceptions, while Whi-
teside leads the team with four fumble recoveries. “We worked on fundamentals last week and strength and conditioning and went back to basics,” Thomsen said of the bye-week. “This week we have focused on West Texas and their scheme and what they do.” The Wildcats will play West Texas A&M Saturday at Shotwell Stadium at noon. The winner will play the winner of Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri State in the quarterfinals on Nov. 29. With a win, the Wildcats will join the 1950 team and the national championship teams of 1973 and 1977 as the only teams in school history to win 11 games. E-mail Abston at: gda04b@acu.edu
Cross Country: No. 2 men’s team looking to outrun No. 1 Adams State College Continued from page 2B The team has spent much of the week both in training and in the training room, and Burroughs said the runners should be good to go by this weekend. Health and full mobility will be of vital importance this weekend. This year’s NCAA Division II Cross Country National Championship in Slippery Rock, Pa., where the conditions
are expected to be less than favorable. Forecasters are calling for high temperatures to reach only the upper ’20s and are saying there is a high likelihood of snow showers. “The runners will definitely feel tighter and more constricted in the cold,” Burroughs said. “However, in cross country you always have to deal with elements. Sometimes it is rain, sometimes it
is the heat and this time it will be the cold and snow.” In attempts to prepare the runners for their obstacles, Burroughs had his runners awake at 6:15 a.m. this week, so they can practice in the colder weather. He also plans to have the runners wear long sleeves and half-tights to protect their bodies from the elements. Along with inclement weather conditions, the team
will have to face some tough competition. Burroughs expects some stiff pressure from Adams State College; ASC and ACU are ranked respectively No. 1 and No. 2 in the national polls. “The national title will be handed to either ACU or Adams State in the end,” Burroughs predicted. The men, however, will not be the only ACU representa-
tives in Slippery Rock this weekend. All-American runners Winrose Karunde, the runnerup last year, and Loice Cheboi will run in the women’s race as individuals. Burroughs feels the two women have a great shot at high finishes. “They are competing as individuals so they do not have to worry about the overall team score; they can take some chances,” Burroughs said.
The women’s squad failed to qualify as a team; however Cheboi and Karunde earned individual spots by finishing third and first at the regional championship. Burroughs feels he has some great representation for ACU, and his men will be vying for yet another national title. E-mail Craig at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Cuban: No more Cubs Basketball: Tillotson next Cats: Coach optimistic Continued from page 2B This almost effectively kills any shot Cuban had at buying the Chicago Cubs. Despite possibly being the highest bidder, it is unlikely the current owners will approve the sale to someone like Cuban. Cuban is personally my favorite owner in sports
for the sole reason that he is a fan just like the rest of us. I would hope he could resolve the issues soon and continue to put a quality team on the court, and for us Mavericks fans, hopefully a winner.
E-mail Harris at: tch05f@acu.edu
Continued from page 2B for nearly five minutes while scoring nine points. With the victory, Copeland improves to 4-0 in season openers. The Wildcats played Dallas Baptist Thursday, but results were unavailable by press time. Last season, ACU beat the DBU Patriots in both their
games by scores of 101-81 and 109-86. In its only game of the season, DBU beat Midwestern State 88-83. On Saturday, ACU will play Huston Tillotson (1-0) before playing away games at Texas Permian-Basin (2-0) on Monday and then a rematch against Dallas Baptist on Tuesday. E-mail Gwin at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Continued from page 2B 6-foot senior and Abilene native scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds against the Hilltoppers last weekend. After their game with St. Edward’s, the Wildcats will make a short trip westbound to take on Texas Permian-Basin (1-1). Texas Permian Basin fin-
ished the 2007-08 season, winning only two of its 28 games. However, this season UTPB has a new head coach and a more aggressive scheme that Lavender respects. “They are much improved,” Lavender said. “I expect to see a quick, athletic team running a good pressure defense.” E-mail Craig at: jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Friday, September 21, 2008
Photo Spread
Page 4B
An East Central offensive player looks back as Wildcat defensive back Tony Harp blows past. Harp returned the interception 40 yards.
Breakthrough [breyk-throo] - noun
1. A movement or advance all the way through and beyond an enemy’s front-line defense. 2. An act of overcoming an obstacle or restriction.
Bernard Scott outruns the West Texas A&M defense on the Wildcats’ rival’s home field in Canyon.
Above: A host of Wildcat defensive players swarm an Angelo State running back. Far Right: Wide receiver Chris Morris leaps into the air, high above a Tarleton State defender. Right: Scott uses his quickness to shake a Midwestern State defender.