2005 08 31

WEDNESDAY August 31, 2005

Optimist the

Vol. 94, No. 4 1 section, 8 pages www.acuoptimist.com

End of an era

A century in the making

Slow start

The university demolished the Industrial Technology building in July, page 5

The university’s centennial book, The ACU Century, will be out in October, page 3

The volleyball team lost its first three games in a Florida tournament, page 8

Water warps Moody’s floor n Chapel attendance in Cullen Auditorium was voluntary for at least three days as workers drained more than 150 gallons of water from Moody Coliseum’s floor.

By MALLORY SHERWOOD Managing Editor

The ACU bubble became a reality last week in Moody Coliseum, causing Chapel to move to Cullen Auditorium since Friday.

Bob Nevill, director of Physical Resources said in an e-mail the Physical Resources staff has been working to remove moisture from the wood gym Nevill floor since Fri­­day morning by using giant sheets of plastic taped togeth-

er and running fans and dehumidifiers to collect the water that collected under the floor causing it to warp and buckle.

Nevill said that the purpose of the bubble is to “provide a very controlled atmosphere of very dry air that will aid in wicking the moisture from the wood in the floor.”

As of Tuesday, Chapel had been moved into Cullen Auditorium to provide students the opportunity to worship as

usual. Attendance was voluntary though, and all students required to regularly attend Chapel received attendance credit for Friday, Monday and Tuesday.

Nevill said the dehumidifying process should take three to 10 days, if it continues as planned, so the Physical Resources staff, along with a contractor and the company See

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

A giant tarp covers the floor of Moody Coliseum to allow dehumidifiers to dry more than 150 gallons of water as of Monday from the floor. The tarp has been in place since Friday, forcing Chapel to meet in Cullen Auditorium.

BUBBLE page 7

Work begins on new exercise track

Prospective pledges go clubbing at Galaxy rush

n Planners said they hope construction of the more than 2-mile concrete trail, which will encircle the campus, will be completed by November.

By MITCH HOLT Opinion Editor

Brian Schmidt/Chief Photographer

Justin Wiseman, junior math education major from Tucker, Ga., hits the door of a car at Galaxy’s car bash rush Monday night on the intramural fields. Prospective pledges met members of the men’s social club and took turns using bats and sledge hammers to destroy the donated vehicle. Social club rushes, which give prospective pledges a chance to learn about the clubs, began this week.

Centennial projects upgrade campus n Included in the planned projects around the university are a new welcome and alumni center, remodeling of Brown Library and renovations to Burford Music Hall.

By SARAH CARLSON Arts Editor

The university’s 100th year will see more than memorabilia, a new residence hall and countless balloons and confetti squares. Physical Resources is preparing several construction projects for the campus to enhance the appearance and atmosphere of the school, said Bob Nevill, director of Physical Resources, in an e-mail.

Optimist Online video reports This year, the Optimist Online Web site, www. acuoptimist.com, will feature two video news packages each week in addition to coverage in the newspaper.

Wednesday’s edition of the Optimist Online will include a video report on the concert by Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys, a band of ACU students who played at a local restaurant this weekend.

“One of our ACU goals is to create an atmosphere of grace and beauty, which will result in an enhanced learning environment, social accommodation and spiritual growth,” Nevill said. “All the work we do here is focused on these objectives.”

Projects range from the new exercise track along the perimeter of campus, three corner signs placed at intersections around campus, the renovation of Burford Music Hall, the pecan orchard and berm construction along Judge Ely Boulevard, the new Welcome/Alumni Center and the remodeling of the main floor of Brown Library.

Construction on the walk/ jog trail began three weeks ago with the demolition of the sidewalk along the east side of Campus Court and should be completed in late

ready purchased the 140 pecan trees to be planted along Judge Ely, and workers will plant them along the already completed berm during the winter.

Campus projects planned for the centennial year • walking and jogging trail • three signs to be placed on the corners of the university • renovation of Burford Music Hall November, barring severe weather or other unexpected events, Nevill said. The trail will have pole lights every 80 feet and emergency call boxes along the route.

Physical Resources has al-

• planting a pecan orchard near the entrance of campus • new welcome and alumni center • remodeling Brown Library Designs for three corner signs around campus, similar to the stone arched walls etched with the words Abilene Christian University at the main entrance on Judge Ely, have been completed. The

signs are proposed for the intersections of Ambler Avenue and Judge Ely; Campus Court and Ambler; and Judge Ely and East North 16th Street.

Once funding is secured, construction will begin said Kevin Watson, associate vice president for administrative services, in an e-mail.

Watson said the purpose of the signs is “to define the campus so our guests and others can easily identify where we are,” and “it also sets the corners up for additional landscape work.”

Other campus improvement projects include the See

CONSTRUCTION page 7

Administrative Services has decided to construct an exercise track around the premises of the school, and the project should be finished by Thanksgiving.

The jogging track will be built along Judge Ely Boulevard, East North 16th Street, Campus Court and Ambler Avenue.

“It will be nice to not have to run on a narrow path along Judge Ely and face the risk of getting hit by a car,” said Stephanie Kelsey, junior English major from Ruidoso, N.M. Kelsey said that she plans to use the jogging track when it is finished because it will provide a better surface for her feet and ankles to run on.

She has hurt them in the past by jogging on the rough terrain around campus.

Designers, after much research about which material to use, decided that concrete would be the best and most economical option, said Kevin Watson, associate vice president of Administrative Services, in an e-mail. Watson and affiliates consulted several experts and laid some test materials to find the best possible option for the project.

“Paul Carozza, who owns RunTex, is an avid marathoner and former member of our See

PROJECT page 2

Committee continues to tackle core courses n Dr. Jeff Arrington, chair of the Education Review Committee, said he hopes to have a proposal for faculty to discuss in October before refining the course details.

By JACI SCHNEIDER Copy Editor

The General Education Review went through extensive public discussion during the summer, and the committee lost one of its co-chairs, said Dr. Jeff Ar-

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

rington, associate dean of Campus Life and chair of the Education Review Committee.

The committee has the task of deciding what students’ general education core requirements should be; in other words, it decides what classes students must take to graduate.

“General education is probably one of the most complex topics that you could consider within all

academics,” Arrington said.

“It affects all students and essentially all faculty.”

Because of the complexity of its task and the committee’s openness to feedback, it has fallen Arrington far behind schedule in coming up with a curriculum for faculty

to vote on. The committee began meeting in January, 2003, Arrington said, and the changes should come into effect for the entering freshmen in 2006.

Arrington said the committee is focusing on integrated courses, which involve departments working together, and it is trying to stay away from the “sage on stage,” technique of learning, in favor of discussion courses.

Abilene Christian University

“It is based on the idea that students learn better when ideas are presented in context,” Arrington said.

Changes in core curriculum could affect how many credits students need to graduate, which would also affect competitiveness with other universities and student debt, Arrington said.

Because the curriculum changes will affect faculty See

REVIEW page 7

Serving the ACU community since 1912

Campus

Day

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

31

Calendar & Events Wednesday

Big Brothers/ Big Sisters informational meeting, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Hilton Room.

Social Club pledging deadline, noon.

Service Expo, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Campus Center.

Treadaway Kids interest meeting, 5:30 p.m., Bean Sprout.

01

Thursday

Friday

ACU Fall Dinner Theatre’s A Grand Night for Singing, Fulks Theatre.

Service Expo 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Campus Center.

Un Noche de Futbol, 7 p.m., New Intramural Fields.

IMCO interest meeting, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Living Room.

Wildcat Kids interest meeting, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Hilton Room.

03

with donations and data entry, as well as counseling women in crisis pregnancy. Training is required for counseling. Threehour shifts are held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, contact Holly Whitehead at 672-6415.

Healing Hands International needs volunteers to sort cloth­ing, organize school supplies, help with general office organization and load containers. For more information, call David Caalina at 676-9991.

Parents of Children with Down Syndrome is seeking vol­unteers to help with child care during support group meetings. Meetings are 6:45-8:15 p.m. Wednesdays at the Women`s Center of Abilene Re­ gional Medical Center. For more information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout.

Boys & Girls Club Teen Night needs volunteers to work with underprivileged teens from 7-10 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and 7 p.m.-midnight Friday.

ACU Fall Dinner Theatre’s A Grand Night for Singing, Fulks Theatre.

04

Sunday

05

Monday

No events scheduled for Sunday.

Saturday

Home football game 6 p.m.

Pre-party 4 p.m., Shotwell Stadium.

Volunteer Opportunities

Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:

07 63

Track: Carozza suggests concrete Continued from page 1

Guest Artist Petronel Malan, 8 p.m.

WPAC Recital Hall.

Wildcat Kids interest meeting, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Hilton Room.

Herald of Truth needs volunteers to help assemble Combat New Testaments for military service men and women Tuesday through Saturday. Times are flexible. For more information, contact the Volunteer and ServiceLearning Center.

Volunteers are needed to help with the March of Dimes golf tournament fundraiser from Sept.

20-25 at Fairway Oaks Country Club.

The ACU Counseling Center needs volunteers to take down old materials and to hang new materials on the bulletin boards in the residence halls. Contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center for more information.

Volunteers are needed to help with Abilene’s annual hot air Balloon Fest Sept. 23-25. A variety of jobs are available in a two-hour shift schedule from 7 a.m.-11 p.m.

For more information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout.

Volunteers are needed to help

02

Chapel Checkup

No events scheduled for Monday.

Announcements Applications for the Service Action Leadership Team, S.A.L.T., are available in the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center located in the Bean Sprout.

A typist is needed for a hearing-impaired student.

Good listening and typing skills are necessary, but no tools are needed because the student has a computer. Help is needed on Mondays at noon, Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m. and Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. For more information, contact Mattia Bray at Ext. 2554.

Freshman Follies tickets are now available online for students and members of the community at www.freshmanfollies.com.

The women’s synchronized swimming club is looking for members. No previous experience is needed if the student can swim 200 yards. Members will be swimming a routine to music.

For more information, contact clm02e@acu.edu.

The Family Fun Event will take place Tuesday from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Teague Special Events Center. Those interested in attending should call Ext. 4808.

track team, was consulted specifically regarding design elements including surface material,” Watson said.

Carozza highly recommended a hard surface because running surface is becoming less of a critical matter due to advancing shoe technology.

Concrete is the easiest to maintain and will last longer than materials like clay or crushed granite, Watson said.

Crushed granite gives the runner more of a feeling like he or she is running in sand, Watson said. Because of this and other reasons, designers chose concrete.

Watson said that this project has become considerably important to him and those

involved because it encourages students and others to go outside and exercise.

“We want to provide a place where our students and the neighborhood can enjoy outdoor activities,” he said. “It is important to provide a safe, attractive place on campus to exercise in the outdoors.”

Included in the plans are places along the track to go to contemplate and reflect, Watson said. A hired landscape architect is designing these community areas.

“I believe this will be a great addition to our campus,” said Watson. “I am grateful to the donor for their willingness to make this available to our students, faculty, staff and neighbors.”

E-mail Holt at: mah02f@acu.edu

About This Page 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 optimist@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor, ACU Box 27892, Abilene, TX 79699.

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.

CAMPUS NEWS

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Page 3

Abilene steps back into time with Shakespeare plays n Theatre students participated in a summer theatre production in July that gave Abilene residents a free night out to enjoy modernized Shakespeare.

By TIFFANY TAYLOR Features Editor

Students from the university’s theatre department stayed busy over the summer taking part in the community production of Shakespeare.

Beginning July 15, a twoweek run of Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar and Twelfth Night ran on alternating nights at the Culp and Fulks

theatres, respectively.

Hoping to avoid overfilled theatres and long lines, free tickets were available in advance, resulting in all the performances selling out before the first night, said Gary Varner, professor of theatre and director of Twelfth Night.

“Probably the most disappointing thing is that we had to turn people down,” said Jay Reese, sophomore theatre major from Abilene. Reese, who was cast in both plays, said he enjoyed the atmosphere that comes with allowing anyone to come to the theatre.

He said free performances

New book will hit shelves by October n The centennial book offers alumni, students and friends of the university a chance to view rare pictures from archives and read submitted essays.

By TAKISHA KNIGHT Page 2 Editor

The first photographic history book of ACU, The ACU Century, will go on sale in The Campus Store beginning Oct. 13-16. University alumni, faculty and friends worked together to prepare The ACU Century.

My.ACU is offering a preorder option for the book until Sept. 15.

Ron Hadfield, director of Creative Services, edited the 192page coffee table book and said its primary audiHadfield ence is alumni, students and trustees.

“It was an intensive project,” he said.

The ACU Century is organized by decade, profiling important people and events of each decade from 1906 until the present.

The book includes more than 400 photographs submitted by alumni and former faculty and it also contains essays and articles, some of which date back more than 60 years ago.

According to an Aug. 24 ACU News article, Dr. Michelle Morris, Centennial director and vice president for University Relations said, “This centennial book is a treasure.”

Hadfield said the Emeriti Centennial Photograph Archivists Team, a team of former faculty, helped archive book art and photographs.

For more than a year, they

dedicated Tuesday mornings to filing and organizing hundreds of rare pictures from private alumni collections.

Another team of researchers found articles, historic items and researched individuals of prominence on campus.

Hadfield said some essays were written specifically for the centennial book.

“I always call this project a labor of love because most of the people that worked on this project are alumni.

It’s not just a job then. It’s a part of who they are in some sense,” he said.

Hadfield said that many people who helped produce the book were not experts on the university timeline of events.

“Many of us had to take a crash course in ACU history,” he said.

Hadfield said that he has read every book ever written about the university’s history, which was just one of the challenges in making The ACU Century a reality.

Hadfield said the university had the opportunity to hire outside professionals to complete the book project, but they decided to make the book an in-house effort.

He said faculty and alumni would have a better sense of what was important and meaningful to the community than a non-ACU affiliated organization.

Hadfield credits many people and groups for their part in producing the centennial book. He said it was a big project for so little time and with so many people involved in it.

“It has been a privilege to work on [the book],” he said.

“It will have a life beyond the centennial.

E-mail Knight at: tnk03a@acu.edu

are more enjoyable because actors aren’t under the pressure of a paying crowd and the audience will stay because they are interested in finding out who the actors are.

Performances took place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with extra performances added to Julius Caesar because Culp Theatre holds a smaller audience. Preparations, however, began months earlier.

Auditions took place shortly before spring break to allow those who did not make the plays to find other jobs for the summer, Varner said.

The first rehearsal was in early June.

Reese, whose schedule included scene construction from 8 a.m. until noon, Julius Caesar rehearsals from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. and Twelfth Night rehearsals from 7 p.m. until midnight, said despite the hard schedule, he couldn’t go to sleep at night because of the excitement.

Besides rehearsals and set design, modifications were made to both scripts, while keeping with Shakespeare’s original vision.

“A lot of Shakespeare [plays] we do, we try to get

them to where they’re under two hours. So they require some editing,” Varner said.

Reese said Twelfth Night also received an addition to the plot; an acting troupe tries to put on Twelfth Night as a part of the play, a comical addition that allowed the actors to improvise while in rehearsals.

Leaving behind the original setting, Julius Caesar took on a more futuristic look at the world in a time where a global governing entity has been established.

Julius Caesar and Brutus were both portrayed as Americans, but Casius was por-

trayed as the representative from Iran, and the character of Mark Antony was changed to a female black representative from the United Kingdom.

With sold out performances and the involvement of local universities, Varner said Abilene is more theatrefriendly than most people think.

“All of the shows, before we even opened, all the tickets were gone,” Varner said,.“There is definitely an audience base in town.”

E-mail Taylor at: tat04a@acu.edu

Make Meals on Wheels go round and round

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Freshmen Erin Chappelle, elementary education major from Southlake, and Hailey Jones, nursing major from Southlake, talk with Mizi McAndrew, Volunteer Coordinator for Meals on Wheels, about signing up to volunteer during the service expo in the Campus Center Tuesday.

Residence Halls spiffed up after summer n Residence Halls across campus, such as Nelson and Morris Halls, received renovations and improvements during the summer before the new residents arrived.

By SARAH CARLSON Arts Editor

On-campus students not living in the new Barret Hall shouldn’t fret; improvements on residence halls are made every year, bringing the older halls up to date, with this summer’s focus landing on Nelson Residence Hall.

A fire erupted on the west end of the second floor in Nelson in May, the week after finals, and the cause of the fire is still undetermined, said Bob Nevill, director of Physical Resources, in an e-mail. The fire began in a room on the second floor where the mattresses from the rooms on that floor are stored.

“Damage to the hall was fairly minimal,” Nevill said, “because the [Abilene] Fire De-

partment responded quickly and contained the fire to the two rooms on the west end of the building.”

Nelson received new energy-efficient windows; carpeting; painted rooms and hallways; closet curtains instead of doors; new lavatory cabinets, tops, faucets and mirrors; and a new refrigerator in the kitchen said Dr. Mimi Barnard, director of Residence Life Education and Housing, in an e-mail.

Other additions included new plumbing inside the walls being changed from cast iron to PVC pipe, new bulletin boards and asbestos abatement, Nevill said.

Sikes and Morris halls’ residence directors’ kitchens received renovations, and Gardner Hall’s center and west lobbies also received updates.

Barnard said the university allocates resources each year to Residence Life Education and Housing facilities, and a committee of people conduct

a “walk through” of the halls several times a year and then set priorities on what needs to be renovated or refurbished.

“Since we have 10 residence halls, and they are between 26 and 76 years of age, updating and maintenance are of continuing concern,” Barnard said.

She said she personally works on the decorating of the halls, sometimes enlisting the help of her husband, Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life.

The Barnards have loaded and unloaded furniture, appliances, fake trees, pictures, coffee pots, lamps, mirrors, tables, big screen televisions and more into the halls, she said.

“In July, we rented a truck in Dallas to bring back several wrought iron bistro sets to use in front of the coffee shop at Barret Hall,” Barnard said.

“With limited resources, I’d rather do this myself than hire a decorator.”

Barnard said Residence Life purchases major furnishings

from vendors who specifically manufacture products for use in residence halls, with the decorations coming from local stores such as Hobby Lobby, Sam’s Club, Costco and Jordan-Taylor.

Another decorating addition to the halls is scriptures printing on lobby walls. Barnard said she and her husband spent a frantic evening putting a scripture on the west lobby wall of Gardner in time for move-in day. She said Gardner is large and has an institutional feel to it, and that the first impression students and parents receive has the potential to set a cultural tone for a facility.

“It’s my hope that each lobby presents a warm, inviting environment for students,” Barnard said. “It’s not the same living room they have back home, but it can still provide a pleasant aesthetic experience.”

E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu

CAMPUS NEWS

Page 4

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Hailey honored by state bar n Chair of Political Science Department received an award in July for his work with the state bar’s summer program for school teachers.

By TIFFANY TAYLOR Features Editor

Dr. Mel Hailey, professor and chair of the Political Science Department, received an honorary Leon Jaworski Award during a special meeting of the Texas state bar this summer.

The State Bar of Texas, which usually gives the honor to teachers who teach elementary through high school students, made one of it’s few exceptions by giving the award to a college professor, Hailey said.

Hailey’s dedication to the bar’s summer program, which uses grant money to plan workshops for elementary and high school teachers of American history and government, resulted in him receiving the

award July 15.

“I was very honored because I know some of the people who have received the award,” Hailey said, adding that he respects them all.

Hailey, who has joined others to give workshops for 13 years, teaches high school teachers how to handle the details of constitutional law and the role of founding documents in the creation of the Constitution of the United States.

“It’s both an intellectual work on understanding the philosophy of the Constitution and public law workshops for understanding the complexities of the Constitution,” Hailey said.

He said he also addresses how to appropriately cover religion in the First Amendment while in a classroom.

“I get e-mails from tea­ chers throughout the year saying, ‘Hey, it worked great in my class. Thanks for sharing,’” Hailey said.

He said he finds it important to give teachers advice on how to tackle these subjects because he understands how much pressure they are under to cover a given list of topics in a school year. However, he said, many of them need more clarification on how to do the material justice.

Gene Ray, consultant for Law Related Education for the state bar and friend of Hailey, was the reason Hailey became involved in the workshops. She said Hailey connects well with the teachers, perhaps because he was once a high school teacher himself at Cooper High School, before becoming a college professor.

“The founding documents aren’t always the most fun to study,” Ray said, “but someone as gifted as Mel can really bring them to life.”

E-mail Taylor at: tat04a@acu.edu

ACU relates with neighbors n New department on campus focuses on working with the neighborhoods surrounding the university, listening to complaints and educating students.

By MONICA SMITH Staff Writer

Neighborhood Relations is a new department of the university dedicated to the community that surrounds the campus. Vicki Anderson, director of Neighborhood Relations, will be responsible for making sure the university is working with its neighbors to improve the surrounding community. This will not be solely beautification but includes developing personal relationships, she said.

“Neighbors complain that students drive too fast, park in the yards and block driveways,” Anderson said. “In the past, they haven’t had anyone to call and report. Neighborhood Relations is just a matter of ACU being a neighbor in this community.”

Anderson will oversee the education of freshmen and sophomores before they move off campus. The goals will be to teach students how to be good neighbors, negotiate a lease and work with a landlord to get repairs.

In addition to having a department to receive complaints and teach, Anderson, as a representative for the university, will work with the local Neighborhood Associa-

tion to help the association in attaining what they need.

“Hopefully, in the future that would include accessing federal funds to improve streets, lighting and add sidewalks,” Anderson said.

This department will also allow members of the community to call and request help with mowing and painting.

“Many ACU students will offer service, but they drive through our neighborhood to offer help in another part of Abilene,” Anderson said.

“Now the needs of our neighborhood can also be met. This isn’t for ACU’s gain. It’s more like, ‘Like a good neighbor, ACU is there.’”

E-mail Smith at: mxs02a@acu.edu

Red rover, red rover ...

ANNA CARROLL/Staff Photographer

Jacci Degroot, junior exercise science major from Sugarland, introduces Cassie Lehmann, sophomore integrated marketing and communication major from Lubbock, left, and Liz Whitley, sophomore speech pathology major from Annapolis, Md., right, at the Delta Theta tea Sunday in the Bean Sprout.

Camp attendance grows n More than 2,000 students attended the 13 different ACU Leadership Camps this summer, representing 15 states and two foreign countries.

By MONICA SMITH Staff Writer

The number of campers who attend Leadership Camps at the university has grown every year since 1992, and the number of camps offered has more than doubled. Having grown as much as the facilities at the university will allow, a new camp was added in New Mexico as an off-campus option.

“Over the past four years, Leadership Camps has stabilized,” said Jan Meyer, executive director of leadership camps and director of student leadership development.

“We’ve grown as much as we have room to grow.”

This summer, 2,053 campers from 15 states and two foreign countries attended the 13 different camp sessions the university offered. Each camp is designed with it’s own developmentally based curriculum to address the needs of the various age groups. Elementary and middle school aged

campers have curriculum designed to help them recognize the opportunities and needs in the world around them, Meyer said, while the high schoolaged camps focus on discipleship through personal spiritual development and service.

Kadesh and Cross Training campers combined completed about 8,000 hours of service, Meyer said. Kadesh campers served every afternoon in community-based ministries throughout Abilene. Cross Train­­­ing campers conducted a children’s program and community clean up in the villages of Chamisol and Cordova in New Mexico.

“Every camper is challenged to be a disciple of Jesus,” Meyer said. “Every camper is challenged to lead others to Jesus.

Every camper is challenged to make a difference in the world by leading and serving others just like Jesus did.”

About 10 to 20 percent of entering freshmen are former campers, Meyer said. These students arrive at the university comfortable with the campus and with friends, which makes it easier to get involved and become a leader, Meyer said.

The Leadership Camp of-

Breakdown of Camp Attendance 2,013 campers attended 13 different Leadership Camp sessions.

• 771 attended Kadesh • 608 attended MPulse • 448 attended Learning to Lead • 152 attended KidQuest • 34 attended Cross Training

fice will prepare curriculum and all aspects of camp for the next summer throughout the school year. In addition, they will spend time on staff development.

“There are numerous opportunities for people to get involved with Leadership Camps during the year, including Camp Chapels on the first Thursday of each month and our Dallas Christian Middle School Retreat on October 28,” Meyer said. “We’ll begin accepting application for next summer’s staff in December.”

E-mail Smith at: mxs02a@acu.edu

August 31, 2005

FocusWednesday Optimist

Page 5

Tearing down history

Dealing with the demolition of a dream

Story by: Jaci Schneider

Photos by: Rachel Lau

Jim Cooke, former department chair of the Industrial Technology Department, was prepared to take pictures when workers came to take apart the industrial science building this summer. Cooke made sure parts in good condition were reused, while workers tried to keep asbestos from being a hazard during demolition two days later.

As a young boy in 1962, Ronnie McQueen remembers taking lunch to his father while he helped build the first section on the Industrial Technology building. McQueen’s father was a student enrolled in a metal working class and was getting hands-on experience during the summer by constructing a cinder-block structure in the area that is now crowded with buildings such as Moody Coliseum, Teague Special Events Center and parking lots “My dad actually poured the foundation for the ITEC Building,” McQueen said.

About 15 years later, McQueen followed his father’s lead and took classes in the building he had built and graduated with a degree in Industrial Arts Education in 1977.

McQueen returned to the department, and a bigger building, as a professor in 1998, with a passion to teach and a passion for Industrial Technology.

However, this summer, when McQueen returned to Abilene after a trip to Africa, he pulled into the Big Purple parking lot and instead of seeing the building that had been part of his life since his preschool years, he saw empty space and the Teague Center.

“It was a shock when I turned the corner for the first time; there was Teague—you never had seen that building before,” McQueen said, even though he had known the building was coming down.

The area will be turned into a parking lot as soon as funding is secured, said a university official.

Although many people saw the old Industrial Technology Building as an eyesore, to McQueen and Jim Cooke, former department chair, it was a building full of love and memories. A building Cooke spent the summer of 1984 constructing, and a building he watched as it was torn down this summer.

“It was kind of a slow death,” Cooke said. “Now that the building is gone, there will be some closure to that era.”

Building a department “That era” began in 1952, when Skipper Shipp began the Industrial Technology Department, Cooke said.

And in 1957, students and faculty, including McQueen’s father, built the first section of the IT building out of cinder block; in 1965, they built another section. Then in 1984, with the donation of roof trusses and second story trusses, Cooke, along with one other faculty member and six students, connected the two sections.

“Students and faculty built those buildings out of considerable savings to the university,” Cooke said.

“We did it out of love to the university and a belief in Christian education,” he

elor of applied studies degree and taught skills to students that included drafting, woodworking, metalworking, machinery design, robotics, energy and power engineering and project management and supervision.

“We taught about technology: the applied human-made world,” Cooke said.

Although universities all across the country offer industrial technology, Cooke said ACU was the only school within the churches of Christ to offer the degree.

Pieces left behind The university decided to phase out the Industrial Technology Department in 2001 because of financial shortages, but pieces of the

of equipment to establish a carpentry school in Honduras to help out an alumnus of the university who has a missions program called Missions Lazarus.

The building was also used for university storage for the past year, and students participating in FilmFest used the computer labs to edit their films.

The building is still present on campus; when crews came to tear it down in late July, Cooke made sure that usable parts of the building were recycled and reused on campus.

“There’s still bits and pieces of the building all over the place,” he said. “They didn’t just bulldoze it all over and haul it off to the landfill.”

Construction workers demolish the industrial technology building. Bontke Brothers Construction Company spent weeks completing the project. party in the parking lot that will soon be built where the foundation of the department used to lie.

End of an era

Photo courtesy of CREATIVE SERVICES

Bert Mosier, instructor of industrial technology during the building of the first industrial technology building in 1957, reviews construction plans. Mosier was part of the crew that helped construct the department’s building. added. “And a feeling that industrial technology … was valuable and a good learning experience.”

The students who helped finish the building received credits for their work and much practical experience, which Cooke said was a big part of the IT Department.

“Those were the kinds of skills that were part of the curriculum.”

The Industrial Technology Department offered a bach-

department still remain on campus. The pre-architecture program moved into the Art Department, and several classes shifted into the Agriculture Department, which is where Cooke now works. McQueen is now a professor in the Education Department.

When the department closed, the computers and tools were dispersed among the other departments on campus, and last spring Cooke took several loads

Cooke also said many things were saved for archival purposes by the university, which he said he is grateful for.

McQueen said he still has a four-poster bed he built while he was a student in the department and still has projects his students made and gave to him.

For future Homecoming events, McQueen said he wants to get together with alumni and have a big tailgate

The closure of the department and destruction of the building was hard on the faculty and former students, and McQueen said in a way, he’s glad he wasn’t present for the demolition. Cooke, however, was there for the whole process, taking pictures and filming.

“The demolition crew kept complimenting me on how well it was built,” Cooke said.

McQueen said cleaning the building out was a difficult process because he had students’ projects in his office that he didn’t want to throw away, but he didn’t have any room for them in his new office.

“It’s just hard to throw things away,” McQueen said.

“It was depressing.”

Although Cooke invested 22 years of his life into the Industrial Technology Depart-

ment and didn’t agree with the decision to close it, he said he knows the department made a difference in the lives of students.

“We had over 600 graduates,” Cooke said. “Great people, good Christian people that have gone out and made a significant difference.

“I feel very good about what was accomplished with the department and the program.”

Cooke said the loss of the department was difficult, but he’s ready to move on in his role in the Agriculture Department.

“It was sad to see the department close and the building close because I’d been involved in building it,” Cooke said.

“It was sort of a loss in the family, but it was a good life, and a lot of good was done, and I’m proud of what took place there, and I think God was glorified by the graduates and the faculty.”

E-mail the Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu

ViewsWednesday Optimist

Page 6

Every sport could use more support

The issue and solution:

Students generally don’t know what’s going on in campus athletics. Make an effort to find out when home games are and make an even greater effort to be there to support our Wildcat athletes as they compete.

Upcoming Athletic Events Friday: Volleyball at Concordia-St. Paul - 1 p.m.; at Regis - 8:30 p.m.

Saturday: Volleyball at TBA - 11 a.m.

Football at home against Central Oklahoma 6 p.m.

Sept. 9: Men’s & Women’s Tennis in the ACU Wal-Mart Open - 3 p.m.

Men’s & Women’s Cross Country in the ACU Classic - 6 p.m.

Sept. 10: ACU Wal-Mart Open tennis: men at 10 a.m., women at 11 a.m.

Some of the most active but overlooked events and programs on campus come from the Athletic Department. The start of a new school year brings frequent games, matches and tournaments from multiple sports teams.

While ACU sporting event attendance has increased over the past couple of years, the teams still do not receive as much support as they should. Each sport’s respective players put hours of daily work into their given sport and work toward the desired goal of winning—sweating and bleeding to make it happen.

After these countless

hours of work, cross country After these countless hours of work, these players are these players meet, but you entitled to a little support from the student body. are entitled must see one to a little supbefore graduport from the student body fourteen starters from last ation. They are quite fun. of the university for which year’s 5-5 squad. The team • Volleyball probably has they play. These teams are has posted .500 seasons the busiest schedule among going to win or lose whether the last three, and is ready the fall sports teams, schedor not you come, but a little to pick up the performance uled for two matches on Frimorale booster goes a long this year because of return- day and one on Saturday. way. ing starters and head coach Coming into the season, the ACU’s players would love Thomsen. The team will be girls were ranked 26th in the to see hundreds of scream- playing Central Oklahoma at nation for Division II, and ing, rowdy and flat-out ob- 6 p.m. Saturday in Shotwell are coming off last season’s noxious fans at their games.

Stadium.

Lone Star Conference chamThis being said, here’s • The men’s and women’s pionship and 28-8 record. what’s going on in ACU’s cross country teams have a • The men and women world of sports during the full schedule coming up as tennis teams are competing fall semester: well. Friday, Sept. 9, brings in the ACU Wal-Mart Open • The football team, led the ACU Classic meet to Sept. 9-10 here in Abilene. by new head coach Chris Abilene. Most of the student The women won the Division Thomsen, is welcoming back body has never watched a II Central Region tennis title

Life too short for overcommitment Classes have only been in ered that life can be more fun session for a week, and I al- with more free time. The old ready feel like I’m getting be- adage, “less is more,” might hind. In the past few days, I have some truth in it after all. feel like I’ve Getting involved on camattended a pus is great. It’s a wonderful million meet- way to meet people, learn and ings, get-to- begin new relationships, but gethers and one person can only do so a c t i v i t i e s . much.

While I enjoy Before joining one more most of these club or agreeing to help with activities I’m one more project, take a minMuch Ado About involved in, I ute to evaluate your schedule; can’t help but make sure you have the time Something feel some- to dedicate to do a good job in Jaci times that the position. Not only will you Schneider one less club be miserable by relinquishor job would ing all your free time, you are make my life immensely more also being unfair to the other simple. members of that club by not The problem is, a college being able to fully dedicate campus is an exciting place. yourself to the project or goal, Something is something I always going am guilty of Getting involved on on, clubs are and hope not always lookto do in the campus is great, but one ing for people future. person can only do so to lead them, One of the much. organizations best parts of always need college life volunteers, is the friendand schoolwork is always ships. While being a leader waiting to be finished. While of a club might look good on joining in on every activity on graduate school or job applicampus might seem like the cations, I want to make sure I fun thing to do, committing leave college with more than to too many things is not wise just a full resume. I want to because it leads to stress and leave this university with overwork. memories of good times with I know that many people great friends and lasting relaon campus do much more tionships. My remaining time than me and have more lead- in college is too short to waste ership positions and jobs, and on over commitment. they can handle it all without too much stress. But it the E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu past few years, I’ve discov-

In Your Words Do athletics get enough attention on campus?

“They don’t because they’re not very good.”

Meagan Brunts

Kyle McVay

Junior interior design major from San Antonio

Junior management major from Andrews

“They don’t, partly because the athletes segregate themselves from everyone else because of their busy schedules.”

Junior business major from Abilene

“No, they don’t.

They should get blow-up balloon animals and cheerleaders for every sport.”

Clayton Collins

August 31, 2005

“No, because I never know what’s going on in athletics on campus .”

Johnny Walker

Junior Christian ministry major from Abilene

Get away from Abilene for semester Some things just seem better in England than they do in Abilene. For those who have traveled abroad, that is all I need to say.

But for those who have no idea what I am talking about, read on.

I’ve been in Abilene Face the long enough Facts to have heard most Mallory of the comSherwood plaints about what there is or isn’t to do, what restaurants are missing or what store the Mall of Abilene doesn’t have, and occasionally I agree.

However, I am not one to judge Abilene because I come from a town onefourth the size of Abilene, have Amish neighbors, and yes, I do know what cowtipping is, although I have not tried it.

This summer I spent the month of May studying, although mostly traveling and sightseeing, with 24 other students in Oxford, England, with the Mass Communication Law Study Abroad class offered through the Journalism and Mass Communication Department.

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: optimist@acu.edu

Cole Williams

Let Loose

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

last year and advanced to the nationals in Altamonte Springs, Fla. The men’s team added nationally ranked Mexican tennis player Juan Jose Nunez to the team this summer and is looking to make up for its tough loss in the Division II Central Region championship last year to end with a 28-8 record.

As this fall semester begins and each respective athletic team seeks Wildcat victory, go to each game, bring your friends, your foghorns and your feeling of pride for your local Wildcat sports teams.

See you out there.

Travelling abroad is a unique opportunity that everybody should experience at least once in their lives.

Can I just say one word?

Amazing. I was only there about three weeks, and when I stepped off my plane in Cleveland, after flying for 17 hours across the world, I missed it.

Traveling abroad is a unique opportunity that everybody should experience at least once in their lives. The list might be long on reasons why you shouldn’t go: you’d get behind in classes, it costs too much, you’d be homesick, you’re against the French, etc. Don’t let these feeble excuses stop you from the adventure of your lifetime.

When will you have another opportunity to study and live in a different culture from anywhere between two weeks to an entire semester? Hundreds of people have participated in ACU’s Study Abroad program since it first began in the 1990s. Ask anyone who has been; it’s a choice I promise you won’t regret.

For those who have thought about going to either Oxford or Uruguay even for a second should go sign up today. If you do, here is my advice on what

Optimist the

Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

Newsroom: (325) 674-2439

Sports desk: (325) 674-2684

to do and what to avoid.

1. People will warn you that it is expensive to buy things in Europe. Believe them and bring twice as much money as you want to spend because you will need it. For every dollar you spend, you only get .55 British pounds, and let me tell you, that won’t get you very far.

2. If you plan on studying abroad for a whole semester, pack your own spices because Tex-Mex is not a specialty in England, and when your friends write to you about Rosa’s Tortilla Factory opening, you won’t appreciate them and will want spicy food to comfort you.

3. Do not pay for a cab.

Ever. England is one of the prettiest places I have been, so take advantage of the beautiful scenery, the historic buildings and the sidewalks. Learn to pick up your pace and walk fast if you don’t want to be walked on by the British.

4. Take advantage of the weekends and visit any place you think you must see in your lifetime. You are only hours from other

countries and a plane ride away from even lands that once seemed a world away.

Plan ahead, travel with a few friends, not eight, but a few friends you enjoy and take in every sight.

5. Don’t eat McDonald’s in Rome. It may look like the McDonald’s down the block, but it doesn’t taste like a hamburger, you are not eating onions, and they will charge you for that pack of ketchup with your fries.

6. Pay the extra 25 Euros to take a guided tour of the Vatican. You will not only jump to the front of the line, but you also will learn about the history behind some of the most famous artworks in the world and you just might get a picture of the Sistine Chapel ceiling like I did … trust me, it’s not a postcard.

7. Don’t worry about missing home and don’t count down the days until you are back in America because this may be your one chance to see the world.

What are you waiting for?

Hop on a plane, and we’ll see you next semester.

E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu

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FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Page 7

Bubble: Chapel will resume soon Review: Plan begins in 2006 Continued from page 1

that originally installed the floor in 1994, all worked together throughout the weekend to fix the flooring problem quickly.

Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, said that the process worked well over the weekend, and the machines collected more than 150 gallons of water, although more is left to be finished.

Barnard said the good news is that the floor is lying back down, and Chapel should resume as normal in Moody no later than Friday, but he said he hopes to be back in Moody

by Wednesday.

Nevill and Barnard agreed that if the floor does not lie back down as needed, they will have to either replace the floor or find a more permanent fix.

For athletic purposes though, the renailing of the floor once it

completely dries should work.

More importantly than fixing the problem is discovering what caused the floor to warp in the first place, Nevill said.

Barnard said that the moisture could have been caused from the floor being sealed this summer or from the cleaned air coils, resulting in more Barnard airflow and moisture throughout Moody from the cooler air.

“The most significant question right now is figuring out what caused the moisture,” Barnard said. “We can nail it down for now, but soon that won’t be enough, and we’ll have to do this again.”

Chapel isn’t the only thing affected by the floor-

ing problem though.

“The true cost of an event like this is the loss of the use of the facility to Chapel and to athletics,” Nevill said.

Athletic teams also cannot use the floor until it is fixed, so Physical Resources is working hard to complete it by the time the volleyball tournament begins in Moody. For now teams are practicing in Bennett Gymnasium and in the double gyms in Gibson Health and P.E. center.

Barnard said that Chapel has only been cancelled a few times since he has been here. He said it had been cancelled because of a snow day and because of a bat problem in Moody several years ago.

Students have not had a negative reaction to the location of Chapel, Barnard said, but he said he still wants Chapel back to normal to build the community feeling lost from

not having Chapel for the past few days.

“I sense that we have lost some momentum that we had built in Moody,” Barnard said.

“There is a psychology that happens in that atmosphere, and by not being all together in several days attitudes have changed.”

Last Friday, about 650 students and faculty attended the voluntary Chapel in Cullen and about 400 attended on Monday whereas nearly 2,800 normally attend in Moody.

Barnard said Chapel planners are delaying the Chapel speakers discussing the year’s theme a week and that Steven Moore, assistant professor of English will lead a praise day for Chapel on Friday.

Students can look for credit to appear on my.ACU by the end of the week, Barnard said.

E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu

Construction: Projects improve look Continued from page 1 Jacob’s Dream Sculpture, created by Jack Maxwell, chair of the Art Department. The sculpture will be between the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies and Mabee Business buildings and has been molded and is moving to the casting stage, with an anticipated unveiling in the fall of 2006. The Learning Commons construction in Brown Library is projected to begin Sept. 1, and should be completed by Dec. 1.

The ACU Credit Union,

Sewell Theatre and Nelson and McKinzie Halls were all renovated during the summer.

Nevill said renovation and reconstruction are a part of the university’s annual process to update and improve campus facilities. A long-range plan exists for renovation of campus facilities that considers the expected useful life of the assets to be replaced or improved, as well as the available budget, he said.

“This has been developed as a general guide and is sometimes changed to meet un-

foreseen needs,” Nevill said.

“It may appear more dramatic this year with the construction of Barret Hall and some of the Centennial activities.

“ACU is a significant part of the Abilene community and a partner with the community in presenting the best possible face for our city and area. The

Centennial year is a milestone that affords us the opportunity to remember our past and purpose; we celebrate this event by creating things that remind [us] of our history, our mission, and guide us toward the future.”

E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu

Continued from page 1 from nearly every department, the committee has been working to receive feedback and integrating it into its plans.

“We’re trying to involve as much of the faculty as possible in the decisionmaking process,” said Dr. Paul Morris, professor of physics and member of the committee.

During the summer, the committee also lost one of its co-chairs when Pat Simpson, former professor of education, left the university to teach at Black Hills State University in South Dakota. However, Arrington said the committee does not plan to

replace her because it has been meeting for so long and is close to finishing and a new person would be on a steep learning curve.

Arrington said he hopes to present a model to the faculty in October. The faculty will eventually vote on the model then divide into committees to provide details and develop courses.

The committee will begin meeting after its summer hiatus next week, Morris said.

“We’ll probably take a few meetings to get up to speed,” he said. “We’re hoping to have it finished by the end of the semester.”

E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu

SportsWednesday Optimist

Page 8 Standings Football Team Angelo St. TAMU-K WTAMU ACU Midwestern Tarleton St.

Conf. Overall 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Volleyball Team WTAMU Angelo St. TAMU-K ENMU

Tarleton St. ACU

Conf. Overall 0-0 3-1 0-0 2-2 0-0 1-3 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-3

Scores Friday

volleyball Metropolitan State 3, ACU 2

Saturday

volleyball Central Missouri St. 3, ACU 0 Tampa 3, ACU 0

Upcoming Schedule Friday

Volleyball ACU at Concordia-St. Paul, 1 p.m.

ACU at Regis, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday

football ACU vs. Central Oklahoma, 6 p.m. volleyball ACU at TBA, 11 a.m.

• Home games listed in italics

Statistics volleyball

Assists - ACU History Lindsey Martin Brittney Binder Randi Kinzer Kara Rapp Dalanie Worley Emily Worley Krista Wright Kayla Fisher

4,311 4,296 3,623 3,434 2,763 2,051 1,758 1,074

August 31, 2005

ACU drops first three in Florida n ACU plays Friday and Saturday in Denver, in the Premier Challenge.

ACU lost to No. 9 Tampa, No. 7 Central Missouri State, and Metro State last weekend.

By JARED FIELDS Sports Editor

The volleyball team went 0-3 to start the year in the Tampa classic this weekend.

Friday, No. 9 ranked Tampa beat the Wildcats 3-0, and Saturday No. 7 Central Missouri State won by the same score.

The game the team anticipated the most was Saturday night against possible regional opponent Metropolitan State.

The teams each won two games before going into the fifth and final match. In the last match, the Wildcats held an 11-8 lead, but couldn’t pull out the victory.

Assistant coach Sarah Carthel coached the team over the weekend, since head coach Brek Horn gave birth to a daughter last Monday.

“In the fifth game we had game point on them three times and didn’t finish,” Carthel said. “It was just a lack of mental focus that hopefully we remember and learn from.”

Despite opening the season without a win, the team had some positives come from the weekend. Senior setter Lindsey Martin made 109 assists during the three games, making her the school’s all-time career assists leader. Martin passed Horn’s younger sister, Brittney Binder, as the alltime leader.

Carthel said she also believes her and Horn’s goals were accomplished from the tournament.

“Coach Horn and I are

Brian Schmidt/Chief Photographer

Senior outside hitter Michelle Bernhardt practices returning the ball during practice Monday in the double gym of the Gibson Health and Physical Education Center after the Wildcats’ tournament in Florida. The Wildcats lost to two nationally ranked teams and perennial power Metro State.

Volleyball continually trying to make our team better and we believe that the only way you are going to get better is if you schedule good teams early,” Carthel said. “We might be losing games, but we got stronger physically

and mentally, which was our goal from the beginning.”

Horn is expected to travel with her daughter and the team to Colorado this weekend for the Premier Challenge in Denver. Horn hasn’t sent a team away without her there to coach during

her tenure with the team, so sending coach Carthel with the team was a different experience for everyone.

“For me it was different because I had to make all the decisions,” Carthel said.

“Coach Horn and I are so much alike in our thinking and coaching techniques,

that there shouldn’t have been that much of a difference for them (the team).”

The team plays two games Friday: against ConcordiaSt. Paul at noon, and at 7:30 p.m. against Regis.

E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu

Briefs Wildcat women rank 21st in WBCA Academic Top 25 poll.

The ACU women’s basketball team is ranked 21st in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for the 2004-05 school year. ACU finished with a team GPA of 3.346 last season. Drury (Mo.) was number one in the nation with a team GPA of 3.802; followed by Findlay with a 3.590; and Augustana College with a 3.557. In the Lone Star Conference, ACU was the only school in the top 25. This is the seventh year in a row that ACU has ranked in the top 25 by the WBCA. For the 2001-02 year, ACU was first in the nation with a team GPA of 3.666. Beginning in the 1998-99 season, ACU has ranked seventeenth, ninth, fifth, first, fourth, fifth and now twenty-first.

ACU sports information contributed to this story.

Baseball adds twelve to roster

Flying Dragon

n Head baseball coach Britt Bonneau added four junior college transfers and eight high school players, including his nephew, Trey Watten.

By JARED FIELDS Sports Editor

Brian Schmidt/Chief Photographer

Southlake Carroll linebacker Trey Reece lunges as defensive back Greg Lehane flies through the air while trying to stop Midland Lee tight end Evan Frosch, who is en route to the Rebels’ final touchdown during the Dragons’ 48-25 victory as part of the GoFridayNight.com Champions Classic Saturday at Shotwell Stadium.

Softball gains depth, strength n Head coach Chantiel Wilson signed six junior college players and three high schoolers during the summer to make another run at the regional tournament.

By JARED FIELDS Sports Editor

Head softball coach Chantiel Wilson added nine players to her roster during the summer for the 2006 season.

Last year, Wilson’s team received an at-large berth to the NCAA South Central Regional Tournament for the first time in school history.

Wilson signed six junior college and three high school players and expects them to add even more depth to her team than in the previous year.

“I think we had a couple of big losses last year, but I

Softball think that this year we have more strength and depth,” Wilson said. “I thought that last year, but I think it’s better this year.”

Wilson added two pitchers from the junior college ranks: Sarah Vidalin from Vernon College; and Kristine Beristianos from Ohlone College in California. Beristianos is a two-time conference Pitcher of the Year and went 28-5 with a 1.45 ERA last spring. Vidalin comes from Vernon College as last year’s conference Pitcher of the Year and was an academic all-conference selection.

Vidalin’s catcher from Vernon College, Samantha Borgeson, also transferred to ACU during the summer. Borgeson is a two time

all-conference catcher who hit .342 last and had a .988 fielding percentage.

Also joining the Wildcats as transfers are Nicole Deel of Cerritos College; Jenna Daugherty from San Jose City College; and Lorena Arreguin from L.A. Valley College.

Deel was a second team all-state infielder and set a school record with nine home runs last season.

Daugherty, a first baseman at San Jose, was her conference’s Defensive Player of the Year and has committed only one error in her past three years of play.

Daugherty also hits well; last year she hit .392 and had 14 doubles.

Arreguin comes to ACU with expectations to be a great hitter. Coach Wilson said that Arreguin has a great

bat and could replace some power that the Wildcats lost from last year.

This year’s freshman class includes; Jessica Schwab from San Ramon Valley High School in Danville, California; Kimberly Partin from Deer Park; and Channing Morris from Eula.

Even though the Wildcats first practice was Tuesday, Wilson is impressed with her team’s work ethic this early in the year.

“I think our transfers coming in are strong and driven.

Our freshmen are talented and have a good work ethic,” Wilson said. “It’s great to drive by there (Wells Field) and see them working out, and it’s 100 degrees!”

E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu

After winning the Lone Star Conference title and advancing to the NCAA Division II South Central Region Tournament, head coach Britt Bonneau signed 12 players for his 2006 roster. Of the 12 new players, eight come straight from high school, and four are junior college transfers.

Of the high school players, the one that stands out is Trey Watten from Coppell High School. He was first team 5A all-state and his district’s Offensive Player of the Year.

In June he started at shortstop for the North team in the Texas High School Baseball Coaches’ Association AllStar Game. Watten is also the nephew of head coach Britt Bonneau.

“He has a lot of talent, and I hope he helps us at shortstop,” Bonneau said. “He could have gone D-I, so we’re very fortunate and expect a lot.”

Watten isn’t the only standout player from the Metroplex signed by Bonneau.

Jordan Schmitt, catcher from Lake Highlands High School, was also his district’s Offensive Player of the Year after winning the Triple Crown.

Minor Alexander, an Abilene High standout in the outfield and football, was a first team all-District 3-5A hitting .383 during his senior year.

Matt Sullivan, Alexander’s teammate at Abilene High,

Baseball was a first team all-district infielder hitting .396 last season.

Three Langham Creek High School players signed with the Wildcats: Kyle Korbal, who played catcher, first and third base; Tyler Dodson, who was the team’s co-MVP and spent time at each infield position last year; and Thomas Bumpass, who was named to the first team all-Greater Houston Class 5A team by the Houston Chronicle.

Rounding out the high school class is Pflugerville infielder Jordan Fox, who hit .386 last year to gain all-district honors.

The four transfers bring experience and leadership to a team that already has those traits. Danny Williams, first baseman from Texarkana College, helped lead his team to the NJCAA Division I World Series last year with a .397 average and 72 RBI. Manny Lujan, utility player from Ranger College, hit .341 last year and belted six home runs.

Matt McGuire, outfielder from Paris Junior College, hit .380 last year and was an allstate catcher in high school for Wichita Falls Hirschi High School.

Shay Franks, Western Texas College pitcher, recorded six saves and posted a 3.12 ERA in 28 innings of work last season.

Overall, coach Bonneau said his team’s needs were met over the summer.

“We were very successful filling the needs,” Bonneau said. “They’re going to be very young, quality kids.”

E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu