WEDNESDAY
September 21, 2005
Optimist the
Vol. 94, No. 10 1 section, 10 pages www.acuoptimist.com
Starting strong
International interest
Safe at home
The Wildcats won their second conference game Saturday, page 10
The Study Abroad program in Oxford this spring is already full, page 5
The volleyball team scored three wins at home this weekend, page 10
Clubs say ‘let the bidding begin’ Small clubs experience difficulty attracting members n Even after officials and club members tried encouraging potential pledges to consider their second or third options, not all clubs saw an increase in numbers. By MITCH HOLT Opinion Editor
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Frater Sodalis member Cameron Hartsell, junior political science major from Gilmer, walks down the line of Frat pledges, known as Brats, on the steps of the Administration Building during Friday’s Bid Night.
More than 250 begin pledging season with Bid Night By MALLORY SHERWOOD Managing Editor
is different this year because it includes juniors, sophomores, transfers and students from all types of life. She said this year the Flames, as the pledges are called, are fresh and new, not GATA legacies. Barker said the Flames responded well to the allnight festivities that ended at 7:30 a.m. “Half of the girls expected
Inside the Optimist
Please turn to page 8 for a collection of photographs from Bid Night
Students ran around campus Friday night and early Saturday as social clubs iniScott Brooks, Galaxy prestiated more than 250 pledgident and senior finance maes during a weekend filled jor from Coppell, said the with secret activities, comNovas persevered throughpetitions, food and history out the night and gave evlessons. erything they had while perFor the first time in sevforming the activities. eral years, all Brooks clubs made it said his fathrough the “Half of the girls expected Bid Night to be really hard, vorite acnight smoothly tivity was and the other half didn’t know what to expect.” without injuries watching Abra Barker, president of GATA or illnesses. the Nova’s GATA, one reactions to of the oldest the secrets social clubs on campus, wel- Bid Night to be really hard, of Galaxy as well as hangcomed 17 pledges, who will and the other half didn’t know ing out with the other club be seen wearing bright red what to expect, but they tired members. skirts, shoes and lipstick for really quickly,” Barker said. “I love to see the reaction the next several weeks. “We are a very competitive on the Nova’s faces when they “Every pledge class is club so we had a lot of run- are introduced to the club’s different, and we have to ning activities. We run around secrets,” Brooks said. “You come at them with a differ- and scream and sing around can just see the excitement ent attitude to adapt to who the GATA fountain and hang on their faces when they figthey are,” said Abra Barker, out with the Frats. I think our ure it out.” GATA president and senior Flames really enjoyed the All clubs participate in seintegrated marketing com- evening.” cret activities, which add to munications major from Bid Night also went the allure of the evening, he Flower Mound. smoothly for the 39 Galaxy She said the pledge class pledges, called Novas. See BID page 7
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Pledges for Gamma Sigma Phi, known as Siblings, yell club sayings as they hold watermelons in the Beauchamp Amphitheater on Friday afternoon.
Campus Life took a much different approach to social club bids this year than it has in the past, attempting to bring more attention to smaller social clubs that have been suffering from lack of numbers in the past and present. “During rushing, a particular effort was made to try to encourage girls to consider all the clubs and not simply focus on two or three,” said Autumn Sutherlin, adviser for Tri Kappa Gamma women’s social club. The approach began with an informational meeting where an announcement was made explaining that not all women who rushed a club would receive an invitation Mike Spell, adviser of social clubs, said that this was difficult because in the past, there have always been certain clubs willing to offer invitations to women who didn’t receive bids from their first, second or third choices. This former approach was not an option this year. At this meeting, said Spell, one of the women advisers talked about how in college she did not receive a bid from her first choice, gave her second choice a chance and ended up becoming an adviser for this club. “We worked to emphasize that there are positives to being a part of a smaller organization,” he said. After the first meeting, the spearheading advisers organized two meeting times for women who did not receive bids from their first choices, a time that was designated to bring these girls together and hopefully get them to form a group and pledge a smaller club. No one attended either See
RUSHING page 7
Students help Lake Stamford victims recover from flood n David Davis, Haskell County judge, said he is frustrated after state officials left residents “to fend for themselves” after a flood destroyed homes and possessions. By TIFFANY TAYLOR Features Editor
One month after Lake Stamford rose and flooded its lakeside communities, residents still don’t have electricity. Permanent residents are on their own to pull up ruined floors and cover up water stains on the walls, without the full force of the government, since Gov. Rick
“It’s not thousands and thousands of people, but on a family basis—it’s everything they had.” Dr. Jeff Arrington, associate dean of Campus Life
Perry did not designate the site a disaster area. David Davis, county judge of Haskell County, said volunteers from surrounding areas are appreciated by himself and the victims of the flooding. Since several government agencies, such as FEMA, ORCA and NRCS, have decided the event does not qualify as a natural disaster, Davis said the county has been relying heavily
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
on private organizations. “We have so many people who are unable to help themselves. They don’t have the financial means or the physical means,” Davis said. Seeing the need for more manpower, a group of 50 students and members from University Church of Christ joined private organizations in relief efforts Saturday, said Jeff Arrington, associ-
ate dean of Campus Life. Arrington worked with graduate students from the Psychology Department and the Marriage and Family Counseling Institute to assess the needs of more than 100 homes owned by permanent residents. Unlike the majority of the group from the university, the graduate students went door-to-door in groups to find out who was a permanent resident and what needs they had. “You ask them to relive this nightmare, so you can fill out some places on your See
STAMFORD page 7
ANNA CARROLL/Staff Photographer
Jennifer Waters, freshman exercise science major from Loganville, Ga., and Haley Dilling, freshman marketing and graphic design major from Vero Beach, Fla., clean up debris Saturday left after Lake Stamford flooded in August.
Abilene Christian University
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Campus
Day
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
21
Calendar & Events Wednesday
Nothing scheduled this day.
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Thursday
Black History Program interest meeting, 8 p.m., Hilton Room.
Donald Asher’s Career Workshop, 7 p.m., Hilton Room.
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Saturday
Women in Missions Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m., Bible 219.
Friday
Entre A La Plaza, 7-10:30 p.m., GATA Fountain.
Announcements Jamfest Auditions begin Thursday at 4 p.m. in the Bean Sprout. Sign up at the volunteer Service-Learning Center or e-mail Amanda Spell at amanda.spell@ acu.edu or call her at Ext. 2772. Jamfest begins Friday, Oct. 14, 5:30 p.m. The Outdoor Club needs volunteers to help with National Public Lands Day Saturday, to help park staff with some projects such as removing non-native plants. Sign up at the tent in the Campus Center Sept. 19-23. Centennial Homecoming needs hard-working people to serve as members of CAT CREW and partner with the Homecoming Steering Committee for homecoming. Students can apply online at www.acu.edu/ homecoming. Collegiate Cards are now available in the SA office in the Bean Sprout. Students can use the card to get discounts at Abilene businesses. Overeaters Anonymous will meet Saturday at 10 p.m. and Monday at 6 p.m. at Shades of Hope on Buffalo Gap. For more information, contact Katie at 5725303. A typist is needed for a hearing-
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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 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. International Rescue Com mittee needs volunteers to mentor refugee families who have recently moved to Abilene. For more information, contact Debi Wheeler at 675-5643 Ext. 12. Big Country Balloon Fest needs volunteers to man ticket booths, silent auction, and the children’s area September 2325 from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. in twohour shifts. For more information, contact Julie Young at 665-6307. Volunteers are needed to help with the March of Dimes golf tournament fundraiser from Sept. 20-25 at Fairway Oaks Country Club.
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Sunday
Katrina Relief Effort, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Wal-mart.
Volunteer Opportunities Volunteers are needed on Sunday, anytime between the hours of 10 a.m- 6 p.m. at the Wal-mart on Southwest Drive to help box and load items donated to Katrina victims. For more information, contact Randy Perkins at 437-1337 or show up at Wal-mart any time. The Center for Contem porary Arts needs volunteers to greet patrons, answer phone calls and help with gallery set-up and clean-up. For more information, contact the Volunteer Service and Learning Center. Volunteers are needed to help with the March of Dimes golf tournament fundraiser from Sept. 20-25 at Fairway Oaks Country Club. Parents of Children with Down Syndrome is seeking volunteers to help with child
care during support group meetings. Meetings are 6:458:15 p.m. Wednesdays at the Women`s Center of Abilene Regional Medical Center. For more information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout. Healing Hands Inter national needs volunteers to help local churches prepare, gather and sort clothing for impoverished children on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 2-4:30 p.m. For more information, contact David Catalina at 677-9991. American Heart Associ ations needs help running a golf tournament on Sept. 20-25. For more information, contact Jennifer Woodard at 672-0566.
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.
Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:
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Police Log Monday Sept. 12 6:50 a.m. Unlock Bible Building 8 a.m. Check West Campus north lot 9:50 a.m. Report of lost backpack reported in tennis courts. 5:50 p.m. Open room 314 of Administration Building Tuesday Sept. 13 8:30 a.m. Issued parking citations in University Church lot 9:42 a.m. Unlock door in Burford Building 2:50 p.m. Report of stolen vehicle in Mabee/Edwards lot 3 p.m. Disturbance reported in library lot, all OK 4:15 p.m. Jumpstart vehicle in Gardner lot 5:25 p.m. Jumpstart vehicle at Christian Village 5:55 p.m. Unlocked room in Bible Building. 7:15 p.m. Report of suspicious e-mails at McDonald Hall 7:50 p.m. Request for shuttle to library lot 11:32 p.m. Contacted two students in Sikes lot, checked OK Wednesday Sept. 14 1:10 p.m. Jumpstart vehicle at Mabee lot 1:20 p.m. Jumpstart vehicle at Administration lot 2 p.m. Vehicle accident on ACU Drive case #05-140 3:50 p.m. Service check of vehicle 4:35 p.m. Fingerprinted student at the station 4:40 p.m. Vehicle accident at Ambler & Judge Ely, assisted APD with traffic 8:56 p.m. Parking violations at Gardner lot 9:10 p.m. Unlocked vehicle at Tracy Lynn Blvd & Judge Ely 9:10 p.m. Alarm at Maintenance, all OK Thursday Sept. 15 1:50 a.m. Suspicious vehicle at Abilene Christian Schools,
checked OK 12 p.m. Foot patrol of main campus 4:40 p.m. Jumpstart vehicle at Smith/Adams lot 7 p.m. Report of smell of gas at Gardner Hall; checked was dirty laundry not gas 10:30 p.m. Theft of purse case No. 05-141 Friday Sept. 16 12 a.m. Foot patrol of main campus 9:20 a.m. Assist motorist at Smith/Adams lot 9:50 a.m. Foot patrol of main campus 7:30 p.m. Locked main campus 8:40 p.m. Suspicious subject at Smith/Adams, checked OK Saturday Sept. 17 12 a.m. Locked WPAC 12:07 a.m. Assisted motorist with vehicle problems at WPAC lot 12:15 a.m. Locked Bible Building 12:24 a.m. Noise violation at University Park lot 12:30 a.m. Locked Business Building 12:45 a.m. Locked Foster Science Building 5 a.m. Report of burglary in progress on Cedar Crest & College Drive. 8:30 a.m. Unlocked Bible Building 3:10 p.m. Jumpstart vehicle at library lot 7:30 p.m. Service check of vehicle 10:15 p.m. Report of loose dog at Business lot. Unable to locate 11:50 p.m. Assisted APD with locating student Sunday Sept. 18 2:20 a.m. Assisted APD in reference to noise violation on Westheimer 05-143, two subjects arrested.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
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CAMPUS NEWS
Page 4
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Athletes and sports fans enjoy a fellowship group n Fellowship of Christian Ath letes offers students interested in sports, athletes and coaches a time to gather for fellowship, prayer and small groups. By SHERRI SNYDER Student Reporter
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes will kick off its fourth meeting at 9 p.m. Thursday in the Hilton Room, under the direction of a new sponsor: ACU’s outside linebacker coach, Desmond Gant. The purpose of FCA is “to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of athletes and
coaches,” said Craig Howard, senior exercise science major from Amarillo and student leader of FCA. The students’ influence expands beyond the meetings and into the Abilene community, he said. Last Christmas, FCA members sold T-shirts on campus and used the proceeds to purchase gifts for the children of low-income families. Coach Gant is a former ACU football player, who only attended FCA a few times before he graduated in 2002. After moving to Houston and returning to ACU this year, Gant said he will be a part of FCA as its sponsor and will make sure it stays focused
on its main priorities. “Sometimes the focus may be the sport, and Christ may not always be the center,” he said. “My job is to keep
continue to lead FCA in the way he sees fit. “We walk in faith that the direction FCA takes is where the Lord leads,” Howard
“My job is to keep things focused on what’s going on: bringing athletes into the kingdom of God.” Coach Desmond Grant, ACU’s outside linebacker coach, sponsor of FCA
things focused on what’s going on: bringing athletes into the kingdom of God.” Gant said Howard is doing a great job as student leader of FCA, and he will let him
said. While students may think that FCA involves only athletes and coaches, anyone who enjoys sports can be involved.
Bikers continue to hunt for parking n More bike racks are not in the picture for students who use bikes as their daily mode of transportation because of costs, says Kevin Watson.
Beginning with a large group prayer and sometimes a game, the meetings usually break down into smaller groups, where students can pray, give testimony, or enjoy fellowship. Allie Watts, sophomore exercise science major and volleyball player from Austin, said FCA is a great place to meet people from other sports and form new relationships. “It’s like an instant friendship,” she said. “We’re all here for the same reason: to focus on the Lord and your relationship with him.” Members of FCA also gather to support and promote
athletic events. On Thursday evenings after the basketball games, they meet for lounge night where they recap the game, and enjoy food and hang out. “The name of lounge night kind of speaks for itself,” Gant said. “It’s for fellowship and getting to know one another.” FCA is a nationwide organization, and each school that participates is a certified huddle. ACU and HSU sometimes come together for a combined huddle for activities and prayer.
E-mail Snyder at: optimist@acu.edu
Timber!
“I have been here a long time and have watched this ebb and flow over time. It is interesting to watch, ... I only have anecdotal information, which amounts to seeing more bikes tied to trees or light poles.” Kevin Watson, associate vice president of Administration Services
By BLYTHE THOMPSON Student R eporter
Officials have no plans to build more bike racks to alleviate currently crowded racks across campus, even though students have noticed more bicyclists. Reasons for increased bike usage around campus varies from higher gas prices, lack of parking spaces or the need to get to class faster. Although bike regisWatson tration is not mandatory, which makes it nearly impossible to predict how many bikes are on campus daily, the over-flowing bike racks and daily bikers
leaving their bikes locked in random places around campus shows an increase in bike use. Cale Smith, junior art major from Spring, said he must park his bike next to a railing or even place the lock on the bike that prevents the tire from rotating, without locking it to any permanent structure. “The bike racks are completely crowded by the Campus Center, Moody Coliseum, Don H. Morris, etc.,” he said. When he has to lock the bike frame to the tire, which makes it unusable if stolen, Smith said “people could still snatch it.” He said more bike racks would make his day-to-day activities a lot easier and reduce his fears of having
his bike stolen. Smith said the main reason he chooses to ride a bike from his off-campus house is because “gas is too expensive.” Kevin Watson, associate vice president of Administration Services said in an e-mail that high gas prices and an interest in “BMX phenomena” contributes to the increase in number of the bikes on campus “I have been here a long time and have watched this ebb and flow over time. It is interesting to watch,” Watson said, “and I have no statistical data, only anecdotal information, which amounts to seeing more bikes at the bike racks, tied to trees or light poles.” Though some students
may find the lack of bike rack space a problem, Watson said, “it is an issue, concern and irritant for those who would like a rack adjacent to the door they want to access.” Officials plan to install bike racks at the new Barret Residence Hall, but nowhere else. In order to place more racks across campus, it would cost the school about $1,500 per rack, and Watson said, “cost is an issue,” when it comes to buying more bike racks for cyclists.
EMERALD McGOWAN/Staff Photographer
E-mail Thompson at: optimist@acu.edu
Tanner King, senior Christian ministry major from Tyler, works to remove an old fence from the grounds of a Habitat for Humanity house Saturday.
SBC leader applications due Sept. 23 n Spring Break Campaigns begin March 13-16 this year and offer students the chance to serve across the world in groups instead of taking a vacation.
“I don’t think you can find a student that has been on a Spring Break Campaign who hasn’t been changed in some way.” Eric Hurst, senior accounting and finance major from Garland
By TAKISHA KNIGHT Page 2 Editor
Students who want to lead a Spring Break Campaign this year must turn in leader applications by Friday in the SBC office in McKinzie, Room 129. SBC chair, Eric Hurst, senior accounting and finance major from Garland, said he expects this year to be like no other. “I think this year is going to be different from previous years because of the catastrophe in New Orleans,” he said. Hurst said the SBC committee is working to team up with churches in the areas that suffered from Hurricane Katrina’s devastation. Also, this year will be the 30th year anniversary of student lead missions across the nation and the globe. Students will go on campaigns March 13-17, and they will serve communities and churches. “I think Spring Break Campaigns are an amazing way for
students to get connected,” Hurst said. “It’s also an amazing way for students to see how God’s working in other parts of the countries and in other parts of the world.” He said a fellowship among the students transcends differences such as classification. “I don’t think you can find a student that has been on a Spring Break Campaign who hasn’t been changed in some way or other by the people they’ve interacted with or by the things they witnessed while they were on campaign,” Hurst said. Jeremy Cox, junior family studies major from Houston, went to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, on a campaign his freshman year, and he said that he experienced a bond with the people he worked with. He worked alongside students passing out flyers for a bilingual church, painting,
feeding the homeless and serving in a nursery. By the end of his experience, the students became his friends, he said. One campaigner became his roommate. To apply to lead a campaign, students must fill out an application, submit professor and church-leader reference forms, attend orientation and leadership meetings, and interview with the committee, Hurst said. From there, the committee reviews the application packets and interviews to select the leaders. “I [see] Spring Break Campaigns as a mission tool that God was using to change lives, not only the people we go to serve, but also the students that go on these mission trip,” Hurst said. “That is why I decided to get involved.” E-mail Knight at: tnk03a@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
I’ve almost got it
Students vie for chance to study abroad n The spring 2006 semester in Oxford is full with 35 students attending, while many have been registering for semesters through spring 2007. By EMERALD McGOWAN Student Reporter
BRIAN SChMIDT/Chief Photographer
Melisha Gomez, sophomore elementary education major from Garland, attaches a charm to a handbag for Eternal Threads as part of Service Saturday. Eternal Threads markets the handmade goods of Indian women in poverty, returning the profits to them so they have wages to live on.
Page 5
From the time she knew she wanted to attend ACU, Katie Noah, senior English major from Midland, knew she also wanted to study abroad in Oxford. “When I visited ACU during high school, the first thing I did on campus was to visit the Study Abroad office and get all the paperwork,” Noah said. “I’ve always loved Europe and England, and the idea of living there for four months really captured me.” Noah is not alone in her love for Oxford and the Study Abroad Program. More than 150 students study in Oxford each year, and four weeks into the school year, the spring semester is already full. Kevin Kehl, director of the Study Abroad Program, said the increase in student interest in the Study Abroad
program results from better planning. Aside from mailing Study Abroad literature to incoming freshmen when they are accepted to the university, the program gives information sessions during Passport, which have proven to be a strategic advertising device. “The Passport session allow students and their families to ask questions and meet Study Abroad alumni and faculty,” Kehl said. “They learn which classes will be offered when and can work with their advisers up front to plan which classes to save for Study Abroad.” Alumni of the program like Noah, however, make the difference in recruiting for Study Abroad, Kehl said. “They are a recruiting machine,” Kehl said. “They want to share their love for Oxford and are highly effective in doing so.” Kehl said 31 students are in Oxford this semester, and spring of 2006 has been full for some time with the maximum 35 students. Several students have already registered and been accepted for fall 2006 and spring 2007.
Kehl said the Study Abroad office is encouraging students interested in Oxford to attend classes in Montevideo instead. “We’re putting our efforts into helping students discover the Latin American opportunity,” Kehl said. “There are certain stereotypes that people think of when they hear the words Latin America, and we’re trying to help people realize the exciting opportunities for traveling, service and spiritual growth they could find in Montevideo.” Ron Morgan, on-site director for Study Abroad in Oxford, attributes the higher interest in Oxford to name recognition. “In general, English literature and history is more prevalent in most ACU students’ psyches,” Morgan said in an e-mail. “Also, from Oxford, one travels freely throughout Europe, a dream for any student.” Morgan said greater student interest has had a positive effect on the program there. “When we went from 18 students in Fall 2003 to 35
students the following spring, I almost dreaded it, thinking quality would suffer,” Morgan said. “But the larger numbers did not diminish quality, nor intimacy. Instead, it provided the advantage of greater diversity of personalities and giftedness.” Morgan also said that with increased student interest, Study Abroad devotes more of the program fee to large class trips, such as six days in France during the fall and six days in Spain during the spring. Study Abroad is an experience Kehl said he hopes more students will have. “Study Abroad creates space in students’ lives for God to work,” Kehl said. “It is a blessing to my life to be connected with the students before and after they return and to see the impact that the program has made on them.” Noah said she agreed. “It really challenged my faith to be immersed in a different faith-culture,” she said, “and to open my eyes to how other cultures see God.”
E-mail McGowan at: optimist@acu.edu
JMC Department seeks Staph infections spread through campus new television station n Channel 24 will provide more opportunities for broadcast journalism majors to practice their on-air skills and for student programs to air. By MONICA SMITH Staff Writer
The Journalism and Mass Communication Department is working toward gaining a television station for student media. J.R. Kessler, general manager for KACU and Videoworks acquired Channel 24 for broadcast majors to be able to practice their skills. “There hasn’t been a media outlet for broadcast majors the way there is the Optimist or the yearbook for print majors,” Kessler said. “They have been able to air things on Channel 7 in the past, but it wasn’t a media outlet for students.” The station will operate from the broadcast studio, Master Control, where the signal for Channel 7 was sent out. The goal of the station is to provide more opportunities for student programs to air. Though there are no firm plans as of yet, Kessler said he hopes to have entertainment and news show programs. “This semester won’t see the full bloom of what the channel will be,” Kessler
said. “We want to do more complicated things than most stations do. We’re looking at affiliating channel 24 with a network. It will be a real TV station and that means having a real network affiliate to teach students to follow the rules and fill certain times. It will be a learning facility but operate like a commercial station.” But as with any big project, planners must cross a few hurdles. There are technical hurdles because the studio is in the process of gaining equipment in addition to administrative hurdles. Kessler must gain permission from the administration first to verify the content of the station; however he said he does not foresee any problems Funding for the station will come directly from the broadcast budget. Positions for the station will be unpaid, unlike the Optimist or Prickly Pear. “So if they want to have a paid position, they’ll have to put the work in the station and get advertisements,” Kessler said. “This will be fun for students to watch, so it will make students excited to work with the station and network.”
E-mail Smith at: mxs02a@acu.edu
n Direct skin-to-skin contact, as well as sharing towels, clothes and shaving razors help spread the infection, which should be treated soon after diagnosis. By JOHNNY BAUTISTA Student Reporter
Staphylococcal, or staph, infections are spreading on campus. The contagious infection is caused by bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. Staph infections can spread from person-to-person by direct skin-to-skin contact, the sharing of towels and clothes, the sharing of shaving razors, not tending to an open wound
and by not keeping yourself clean, said Dr. Anthony Rector, medical director for the University Medical Clinic. Staph infections begin by looking like a pimple, and within 2-3 days, the infection can double or even triple in size. The infection will then turn into a bright red color and the sore will be tender, Rector said. Rector said he is very concerned about staph infections. “This is not a battle that will be easily fought,” Rector said. In the fall of 2004, Rector said he had his first case of someone with a staph infection, and two athletes needed to be taken to the
hospital because of the infection. Since classes began four weeks ago, Rector has already attended to six students infected with staph. He said he will try to post awareness fliers about the infection in residence halls, rest rooms and in Moody Coliseum. He said athletes tend to have better chances of being infected due to the skinto-skin contact and maybe the sharing of towels or any other athletic gear. If a staph infection is not treated, it can spread to different parts of the body. In one case, Rector said, a student did not get the infection treated and had to
undergo surgery to have it removed. He said even after having surgery, the infection might not be completely removed. Rector said staph infections began in hospitals due to frequent use of strong antibiotics, which promoted resistant bacteria, but doctors do not know how the general public first began being infected with staph. If students notice any symptoms of sores, they should contact the Medical Clinic as soon as possible at Ext. 2625.
E-mail Bautista at: optimist@acu.edu
Cat Crew looking for Homecoming volunteers n Twenty-five-member committee needs 40 to 60 volunteers to help prepare Homecoming activities, greet visitors and assist in the clean-up process. By JAYME SMITH Student Reporter
The Homecoming steering committee is searching for volunteers willing to help with activities planned for this year’s Centennial Homecoming. Missy Mae Walters, one of four co-chairs of the steering
committee from Bentonville, Ark., said she is looking for at least 40 to 60 volunteers to aid in this year’s Homecoming process. The steering committee, called The Cat Crew, has 25 members. The crew needs volunteers to help prepare for activities, greet visitors and assist in the clean-up process, Walters said. About 10,000 visitors are expected for Homecoming this year, Walters said “This will be the largest event the campus has ever seen,” Walters said. She said
beginning Oct. 10, the steering committee and volunteers will be working full-time to ensure Centennial Homecoming is a success. The Cat Crew needs volunteers for numerous events. Volunteers can wrap gifts for the queens in the Homecoming Court, and Walters said she is in search of more males to help with The Homecoming Golf Classic, because only one of 18 volunteers is a man. The crew needs help with the inflatable games, face painting, and food set-up for the
carnival, and directors are needed for the parade. Volunteers will clean up after Friday’s Chapel in order to be ready for Saturday’s Chapel. The reunion dinners take an enormous amount of time to prepare for and most of the volunteers will work on the 10 dinners for each alumni class, Walters said. “We just want to make sure everyone has a good time,” Walters said.
E-mail Smith at: optimist@acu.edu
ViewsWednesday Optimist
Page 6
Congress needs more committed members
The issue:
The number of candidates running in Students’ Association elections has decreased during the past few years. This year, about half of the seats on Congress remained unfilled after the initial elections. Empty seats mean Congress will appoint a new members that the student body didn’t have an opportunity to vote into office.
Our view:
Congress members are more likely to feel a responsibility to their constituents if those constituents actually voted in an official election to put officers in office.
The solution:
Potential SA representatives should go through the election process instead of waiting to be appointed, and not having to campaign to their constituents.
The student body’s elected voice only can whisper this year compared to voices of the past. After a low participation in Students’ Association elections this year, 29 seats on Congress remained unfilled by elected representatives, including six of 20 class senator positions. If Congress expects to be a voice that shouts in advocacy for the students, it will do so with about half of its members unelected by the students. The low participation almost seems unexplainable—especially when positions like the five freshman class senator seats, which have drawn seven or eight candidates during the past couple years, only draw four candidates. But the structure of Congress has changed and apparently so
has the desire to Congress needs more committed students to run took the responsible become part of step of requiring all for office and, now, to seek appointment. that structure. students who might Three years have otherwise sought ago, each class stopped electing to the decrease of candidates in appointment to a position to a president, vice president and SA elections is the increase of run in this fall’s elections. three senators to represent it. representatives appointed each Unfortunately, the fall elecInstead, each class now elects year because of the number of tions did not yield enough canfive senators to Congress. empty seats still left at the be- didates, and Congress sits in its With the class president and ginning of the term. current state—appointments vice president went some of Three years ago, Congress still will be necessary. the luster and appeal of being had 18 seats vacant after elecMassive numbers of apa class officer. Fifteen freshmen tions, and it immediately filled pointments to SA endangers ran for five seats in fall 2002— 10 of those positions with ap- Congress’ mindset because the last time classes elected a pointments, which Congress these students likely feel less president and vice president. members approve with a ma- accountable to the constituents Three years later, four freshmen jority vote. executive officers appointed ran for five available seats. The number of appointees them to represent. Perhaps much of this de- has only continued to grow: 10 Elections essentially cause crease in freshman participa- in 2003 and 23 last year. candidates to feel indebted to tion eliminated those who ran This year’s total of 29 un- serve those who put them into only to put the office on their filled seats should have come office. This year’s appointees resumés. as no surprise. will come to office through the Another negative trend tied Executive officers this year votes of fewer than 30 Congress
Cole Williams
Let Loose
Women, cover up and keep it real It is a sad day when, by the middle of September, I am already in daily search of the most outrageous dress code violators. Usually the plethora of long, tan legs, bare shoulders and too much cleavage doesn’t Face the reach its Facts peak until the spring Mallory semester, Sherwood but I fear this year tops all. Just last week I passed a girl wearing a strapless dress. She takes the cake thus far. Does it bother anyone else that women on campus are getting away with wearing short, frilly, miniskirts, spaghetti strap, halter top or strapless shirts that show cleavage, as well as shirts that are more accurately called lingerie to class? Women, take a stand and defend yourself and your image. Much more is at stake than not dressing in style. If you are unclear on what the dress code is, here is what the Student Guide says: “All students, staff and faculty are expected to dress with Christian appropriateness. Dress should
September 21, 2005
We are called to a higher standard not only in the world, but at this university. be modest. Some extremes are not acceptable, including halter tops, crop tops/ open midriffs, and short and/or revealing skirts and shorts.” This doesn’t mean the university is trying to cramp your style, rather they want to protect you and your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Your choice of dress conveys a different message than what you probably intend. Much of what women wear on campus may be cute, perfectly accessorized or color-coordinated, but is it demonstrating to others your integrity? We are called to a higher standard not only in the world, but at this university. 1 Timothy 2:9-10 says, “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” Women should dress in a way that not only shows they are women of faith, but in a way that protects their brothers in Christ. I don’t think that we, as women, realize the role we play in temptation. Men who are good guys fight with temp-
tation and lust daily. This is a problem when we dress provocatively and cause them to fall. Women shouldn’t think they need to dress like society tells them to in order to impress the men on campus. The first man I walked up to today told me that women get away with too much on campus, particularly with what shirts they wear. He said it is not appealing to guys on campus when women don’t value themselves or God with their bodies. Don’t think that women are the only problem on campus with dress code. Far too many men wear pants around their ankles, with lovely polka dot and striped boxers sticking out. Please. You have a waist for a reason, so please keep your pants there, too. No one wants to see your underwear, so keep it tucked in. Also, as Christian men, stand up for the women surrounding you and hold them accountable. Lastly, I challenge the faculty and staff on campus to uphold the guidelines. The Student Guide says, “Implementation and enforcement of the dress code are the responsibility of the entire
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: optimist@acu.edu
university community.” Faculty have an equally important role that isn’t fulfilled enough. Students and co-workers look up to you. Be the example by not allowing students who violate the dress code to continue throughout their day. Please enforce the dress code in your classes. As a woman, I understand that what many students wear is in-style and floods the department stores and malls. Don’t let it be your only choice, though. While some attire may be suitable for other occasions, campus shouldn’t be one of them. I challenge each woman to evaluate what they wear each morning before heading to class and to consider the image they are portraying with their attire. I challenge the men to watch out for us women and to keep their head and pants held high, and I challenge the faculty to use their discretion at what is acceptable on campus, too. Keep the spaghetti strapped, baring-all shirts, and skirts-so-short-thatyou-shouldn’t-wear-them in the closet, and don’t forget to keep the boxers covered up.
E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu
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members—not constituents who brought them to office. The Optimist published an editorial in late August calling for potential SA candidates to think hard about how committed they are before turning in their petition for candidacy. Potential candidates seemed to have embraced that message—too well. But perhaps they missed the most important message we hoped to convey: Congress needs committed students, most importantly, to run for office and, now, to seek appointment. Not everyone can simply vote for their representative voice. Some must also be willing to add their own voice so that Congress can advocate for students at full volume.
Free time–gift for the busy student I plan on getting lost activities to the fullest. Wednesday night or at least Then graduation comes, certainly by this weekend. and we feel guilty when we Because when the second have a few minutes of free season of time—we feel like we are ABC’s se- wasting time. ries Lost It’s how I spent summers in p r e m i e r s Miami and Washington, D.C., Wednesday sometimes bored. I shouldn’t night, I will have had time to sightsee, viseither be by it museums, go to the beach my TV or or see a space shuttle launch. have the VCR That was something called running. free time—a phenomenon Ask the But I that college, at least after Question s h o u l d n ’ t freshman year, has left me have time for completely unprepared to Jonathan that. Certain- handle. Smith ly not during Between classes, Chapel the school week when I have a and student group involvejob to do and a newspaper to ment, college teaches many publish. The weekend should lessons. But free time managebe questionable because that ment is one lesson I will have is when I am supposed to to commit to a self-study. catch up So even on all the if I have to Free time—a phenomenon that save Lost important work until this college has left me completely I missed weekend, unprepared to handle. during I’m dethe week termined while I was busy with the to take that hour’s worth of newspaper. time at some point. It will be That is normal, though, an hour for me to begin learnright? This is college, after all. ing one of the most important We are supposed to spend lessons of my senior year: free four years being involved with time will exist post-graduation the best groups of people, as and every now and then. the most influential campus Even in these all-important leaders, in five student groups, college years—it is OK to inchampioning the most noble dulge in it. causes. As we are so often told, these are the best years of our lives—naturally we E-mail the Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu should be involved in the best
Mural poorly placed Your Voice Excerpts from a letter to the editor about the sculpture in the Hall of Servants in the Bible building. One of my favorite things about the Bible Building is the Hall of Servants. Its openness and brightness appeal to students, inviting them in and making them feel at home. Majors and non-majors alike congregate in the Hall to eat lunch, catch up with friends, read, study with classmates, and meet new people. And while the Hall bustles with energy, it provides peace for those who seek it. This semester, however, the community of the Hall of Servants has experienced an obstacle in the form of a sixteen-foot mural that runs down the length of the Hall of
Servants, splitting in half the area of community. The Hall of Servants just is not the same when individuals and groups cannot see and speak to those on the other side of the Hall. I even heard some students plotting to march around the mural for seven days in a row, hoping to have the same effect that the Israelites had on the walls of Jericho. I do not wish to criticize the mural itself but to request that those in authority consider moving the mural to another location to revive the spirit of community that has suffered as a result of the mural’s presence in the Hall of Servants. Karissa Herchenroeder Junior youth and family ministry major from Duncanville
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Online: www.acuoptimist.com
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
Page 7
Stamford: Students help Continued from page 1
Anna carroll/Staff photographer
Crystal Graham, senior elementary education major from Atlanta, Ga., works in Stamford on Sept. 17 after homes were destroyed when the area was flooded at the beginning August.
form,” Arrington said. One woman’s front door had fallen apart, mattresses were stacked out in her front yard and a brown line rose four-foot high on her walls. Standing in her house, Arrington said he had a difficult time asking if she needed assistance, and instead felt the better question would be, “What doesn’t need help?” While Arrington and his party took inventory for relief agencies, the undergraduate students helped with manual labor. Students ripped up ruined carpet, carried away debris, which still littered the front yards, and helped remove furniture and large appliances that will never work again, Arrington said. “Its not thousands and thousands of people,” Arrington said. “But on a family basis—it’s everything they had.” While Arrington’s son attempted to carry a piece of furniture out of a house, his foot went through a wet floorboard, which Arrington said is an example that shows the state of the situation. Arrington said he would like more groups from the university to travel univer-
Anna carroll/Staff photographer
Merrell Cotton, junior criminal justice major from Abilene, and Brady Broyles, freshman environmental science major from Muleshoe, work together moving debris from a house in Stamford on Sept. 17.
sity to Stamford Lake because the university has the manpower, the relief efforts need and the attention the residents are craving. “These folks feel very forgotten,” Arrington said. Agreeing with Arrington, Davis said he felt the public and government, which have been focused on Hurricane Katrina victims, have forgot their constituency. Immediately after the lake flooded, Davis said his county was not prepared to organized large groups of volunteers. He sees the delayed response by various groups as a kind of blessing
because his county is better able to use the response now, he said. Even though Davis said he understands Katrina victims’ need for aid, he also wants the government to serve the needs of his county. “It upsets me that the state of Texas is going out of its way to help the hurricane victims,” Davis said, “But they left the victims in the governor’s home county to fend for themselves.”
E-mail Taylor at: tat04a@acu.edu
Rushing: Bid system disappoints smaller clubs Continued from page 1 meeting, said Spell; however, the department was informed that members of the smaller clubs had been in contact with some of the girls in this situation. “The purpose of this idea was not to benefit so-
cial clubs,” Spell said. “The purpose was to minimize as much as possible the feeling of rejection some people were feeling from certain social clubs.” Tri Kappa Gamma member Brittany Groves said that their bidding experience was somewhat discour-
aging this year. Groves, junior graphic design major from Yukan, Okla., said girls who didn’t receive their first choice simply dropped out of the bidding process altogether without giving smaller clubs a chance. “It only worked out for
Bid: Evening ends safely Continued from page 1
nalism major from Allen, said the club didn’t change anything for this year’s pledging process because it had already reconsidered the process when the club rechartered last spring. She said the club took into account safety issues and extended the length of Bid Night. This year the three pledg-
members. She said members cresaid. Other activities Novas atively came up with a difparticipated in included eatferent way to inform the ing dinner with Ko Jo Kai Scrappie’s on what the club pledges at Mr. Gatti’s pizza expected for each day by proand skating with the Squigs: ducing a fashion show from Sigma Theta Chi pledges. the spin-off of The LearnHe said the club didn’t ing Channel’s, “What Not to change anything about its Wear.” pledging activities this year, GATA also focused on edbut members took more ucating its pledges about the precaution club’s heritage, to maximize which celebrates safety, like 86 years since “We are sisters in Christ and we lead and having water it was chartered and Gatorade this year. serve in the community ... we want to show available for Barker said them how much we stick together.” pledges she wanted the Another Flames to know Abra Barker, senior integrated marketing communication major from Flower Mound club on camwhy they chose pus that GATA. didn’t have “We are sisto change activities for Bid es, who Gower described as ters in Christ, and we lead Night was Tri Kappa Gamma. sweethearts, ended the eve- and serve in the community,” This year TKG is down to ning at 2:30 a.m. after finish- she said. “We want to be this three pledges, after 28 stu- ing earlier than expected. for them and show them how dents re-chartered the club Gower said the members much we stick together.” last spring. were able to hang out and Christy Gower, president that the evening was enterof TKG and senior print jour- taining for both pledges and E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu
us to send out five bids this year,” she said. The club only received three new women in this pledge class. Some of the girls were ranking Tri Kappa Gamma as their second or third choice, Groves said. “Three-fourths of our club will be graduating in
May,” Groves said. “It’s a little disheartening because we know the numbers are eventually going to go way down.” Groves said TKG is excited about the three new women they’ve received. “We know that in order for [Tri Kappa Gamma] to
survive, we all need to work together,” she said. “We’re not a larger club that if 30 girls have to work, 80 can still make it to an event— everyone has to put in their part.”
E-mail Holt at: mah02f@acu.edu
September 21, 2005
FocusWednesday Optimist
Page 8
Pledging their allegiance Pledges put to the test on Bid Night
Anna Carroll/staff photographer
Women pledging GATA, called Flames, participate in the “human knot,” a get-to-know-you game Flames played during Bid Night.
anna carroll/staff photographer
Karla Howerton, junior English major from Denison, poses for Siggies during the Sigma Theta Chi Bid Night on Friday.
anna carroll/staff photographer emerald mcgowan/staff photographer
Graham Russell, sophomore undeclared major from Concord, Calif., pushes Hamilton Doty, sophomore marketing major from Paris, into the waiting arms of his fellow Brats on the Administration Building steps Friday. Both Russell and Doty are pledging Frater Sodalis.
emerald mcgowan/staff photographer
Pledges from Ko Jo Kai and Gamma Sigma Phi grouped together during a dance competition on Bid Night.
Ko Jo Kai pledges, called Nu Nus, walk around campus doing the elephant walk. Nu Nus covered the campus dressed up in boas, crowns and other articles of pink and green picked out by their “Big sis.”
Anna carroll/staff photographer
Emily Edmonds, sophomore elementary education major from Rockwall, paints the face of her Squig Bid Night buddy, Liz Franklin, junior marketing major from Arlington. All Squigs are required to dress up in various costumes to be worn for the duration of Bid Night.
SPORTS JUMPS
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Page 9
Japan: Exhibition begins at 6 p.m. Continued from page 10 barrier. The Japanese players are not expected to know English, but will instead travel with several translators. Besides seeing players from a different country and hearing a different language used on the field, fans will also notice another difference in the way the game is being played: the balls the players use. Different from the hard baseballs used with NCAA regulations, the Japanese team uses a softer rubber ball. This new ball, also known as a “kenko” ball, is the same weight as a regular baseball, but because of its rubber composition, travels
harder on the ground and not as high or far in the air. “Hardly no one could get the [kenko] ball over the [outfield] wall in practice the other day; it’s just tougher to get a good hit on,” said Reid Bishop, sophomore outfielder. The kenko ball has failed to inspire much popularity at the collegiate level here, mainly because of its tendency to lower scores on the baseball diamond, but Bonneau said, “[the kenko ball] is a ball I’ll always buy for different drills.”
E-mail Holland at: optimist@acu.edu
Tennis: Both teams succeed at two locations Continued from page 10 tournament drew teams from New Mexico University, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona University, and College of Santa Fe. The tournament this last weekend helped prepare the team for regional tournament which begins this Thursday. “We didn’t win, but we got our share of wins,” Jones said. “This was a great prep for this week.” In doubles, Casper Steenkamp and George Carstens competed wining four out of five matches only to be beaten in the finals by the College of Santa Fe, ranked No. 1 in the nation in NAIA. “Coming back to our region there are no teams as tough as what we faced out there,” Jones said. This week the Wildcats will begin their march to nationals with their first
step being the ITA Regional Tournament. The tournament will be at the ACU tennis courts and Rose Park tennis courts. This is one of eight regional tournaments being played this week from all of Division II in the nation. From these eight tournaments, eight doubles teams and eight singles players will advance to the ITA National Championships in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., set which is set to be Oct. 13-15. Jones said he is confident about the tournament this week after the performance this last weekend and hopes to show ACU’s strength by sending several doubles and singles deep in regional tournament. “I feel we have several players that if they do it right could win it all,” Jones said.
E-mail Hilton at: optimist@acu.edu
Football: ACU halts comeback Continued from page 10
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Sophomore libero Liz Snoddy digs the ball while backed up by senior outside hitter Michelle Bernhardt during the Wildcats win over SE OK St.
Volleyball: Team prepares for LSC Continued from page 10 match against Southeastern Oklahoma State at 1 p.m. on Saturday. The Wildcats did indeed overmatch the Lady Savages winning convincingly in three games, 30-19, 30-23 and 30,19. “Compared to [Friday night] we played a little flat,” Horn said, “but I’m still proud of the team to come away with the win.” The Wildcats came back a few hours later and faced the Lady Indians of Midwestern State. Led by seniors, Amanda Slate, who had 18 kills, and Michelle Bernhardt, who added 16 kills; the Wildcats hit .333 in the match. “Midwestern has a much quicker-type offense than
the average,” Horn said. “ We have to have great reaction out on the floor.” The Wildcats found the energy and reaction they needed and sweep the tournament field beating the Lady Indians 3024, 30-25, 30-23. The victory gave the Wildcats their 26th straight match at home. “We love to defend our home court,” Horn said, “and want other teams to dread coming to Moody.” Plain and simple the Wildcats have accomplished that task, and they’re well on their way to accomplishing their undefeated goal as well.
E-mail Harris at: jhh03c@acu.edu
plays brought the Lions within striking distance. The Wildcats were up 278, and Commerce was driving down the field. On a throw into the end zone, junior Mark Gaines intercepted the pass in the end zone, and appeared to down the ball for a touchback. However, Gaines was called down at the oneyard line, and the Wildcats took over with their backs against the goal line. On the first play, Rashon Myles was tackled in the end zone for a safety, and the score went to 27-10, ACU lead. “We didn’t execute down there, and that gave them a good chance to get back in it,” Thomsen said. “That’s the biggest play right there, giving up the safety.” After the Wildcats’ kickoff, the Lions drove 77 yards for a touchdown and followed with a two-point conversion. With just more than two minutes left in the game, Commerce made an onside kick and recovered the ball on the Wildcat 46-yard line. On a third and fifteen from the 46-yard line, Westerberg completed a pass to Cedric Patt over the middle of the
field. Patt looked all alone as he seemed sure to gallop into the end zone when Manning came from behind and knocked the ball loose from Patt’s arms at the two- yard line. The ball popped out and rolled into the end zone for an ACU touchback. The touchback gave the ball back to the Wildcats and closed any hope for a comeback from the Lions. The defense was strong all night for the Wildcats, which showed in the stats. Marcus Brown finished the game with eight tackles total, six solo, including two sacks. Matt Allen also had eight tackles from the outside linebacker position. Standout senior defensive end Clayton Farrell recorded nine tackles with one sack, and sophomore Cody Stutts also had nine total tackles in the game. Malone finished the game with 150 yards and two touchdowns on 17-28 passing and one interception. “Billy improved a lot on his decision making,” Thomsen said. “Offensively I’d say there was improvement. It’s getting better; we took a step.” E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu
SportsWednesday Optimist
Page 10 Standings Football Team Angelo St. WTAMU Tarleton St. TAMU-K ACU MSU
Conf. Overall 2-0 4-0 2-0 4-0 2-0 3-0 2-0 3-0 2-0 2-1 1-1 2-1
Wildcats put away Lions, 27-18 n The Wildcats got off to an early 17-0 lead in the first quarter because of a punt return touchdown and a short TD pass. ACU held off a late comeback attempt from the Lions, to get their second win of the season. By JARED FIELDS
Volleyball Team Div. ACU 0-0 Tarleton St. 0-0 WTAMU 0-0 Angelo St. 0-0 TAMU-K 0-0 ENMU 0-0
September 21, 2005
Overall 10-3 7-3 9-6 6-7 4-10 2-7
Scores Friday
Volleyball ACU 3, Central Oklahoma 1
Saturday
Volleyball ACU 3, SE OK. St. 0 ACU 3, Midwestern St. 0 Football ACU 27, A&M-Commerce 18
Upcoming Schedule Thursday
Volleyball ACU vs. TAMU-Kingsville, 7 p.m. Tennis ITA Central Regional, Women 11 a.m. Men noon
Friday
Tennis ITA Central Regional, Women 11 a.m. Men noon
Saturday
Football ACU vs. Eastern New Mexico, 2 p.m. Volleyball ACU at Tarleton St. 2 p.m. Tennis ITA Central Regional, Women 11 a.m.
• Home games listed in italics
Briefs Volleyball game against A&M-Kingsville moved to Moody Coliseum Thursday night ACU volleyball was scheduled to travel to Kingsville to open Lone Star Conference South Division play. According to ACU Sports Information, the game has been moved due to concerns regarding Hurricane Rita. The game will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday. The Lady Javelinas were supposed to play Angelo State on Saturday, but that game is moved to San Angelo. After the San Angelo game, the Lady Javelinas will have to wait to find out when they can return home. Hurricane Rita was a Category 2 hurricane on Tuesday afternoon, but has been predicted to be a Category 3 hurricane by the time it is predicted to hit land early Saturday morning. Hurricane Rita could hit anywhere from the Texas/Mexico border to just west of New Orleans. Officials in Galveston, 180 miles from Kingsville, are considering mandating its’ residents evacuate the city in anticipation of Rita. To make up for the changes in the schedule, ACU will host Tarleton State on Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. and then travel to Kingsville to play the Lady Javelinas on Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. The Tarleton State game is now the Wildcats’ last regular season home match. The Wildcats could play in Moody again, but they have to win the LSC South Division and host the conference post-season tournament or host the NCAA Division II Southwest Regional Tournament, which would take place in the middle of November. The Wildcats are 10-3 this season, and ranked No. 15 in the newest AVCA top 25 poll. The Wildcats have also won 26 straight home matches in Moody Coliseum, dating back to the 2003 season.
Sports Editor
In front of a packed home crowd, ACU pulled away early to clinch a 2718 win against longtime rival Texas A&M-Commerce. Once again, junior Danieal Manning made the difference for the Wildcats. Manning returned the first punt of the game for a touchdown, and forced a fumble near the end zone to save a score. “Every week it’s going to be something,” head coach Chris Thomsen said about Manning. Manning fielded the squib punt off two bounces near the home sideline. He sidestepped a group of tacklers, and then broke free to the middle of the field. After catching a few key blocks, Manning sprinted into the end zone and quickly gave the Wildcats a 7-0 lead. On the next Lions possession, the Wildcat defense held the offense inside the 20-yard line. On third down, junior defensive end Azzie Beagnyam and sophomore linebacker Cody Stutts sacked Lions quarterback Kyle Westerberg for a six-yard loss and forced the team to punt from its own 14-yard line. The Lions punter, Kyle Cook, received a bad snap and was forced to run. Cook scrambled, but lost five yards on the play and gave the Wildcats the ball on the nine-yard line. Rashon Myles made two rushing attempts before Billy Malone connected with freshman Chris Conklin from three yards out to put the Wildcats ahead 14-0 after less than five minutes of play in the game. The Lions punted away the ball after another three-and-out series, and ACU drove the ball back into enemy territory before Mark Trevino chipped in a 24-yard field goal and upped the Wildcats lead to 17-0. The Wildcats starting position on the field was near midfield because Cook’s kicks went out of bounds to get away from the always-dangerous Manning. Starting with such a short
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Sophomore wide receiver Jerale Badon tries to escape from linebacker Chris McIntyre in Saturday’s win against Texas A&M-Commerce.
Football field, the offensive numbers misled their productiveness. The longest drive was for 42 yards, which set up Trevino’s field goal. However, on ACU’s next possession, the Wildcats went three-and-out, and was forced to punt. On the snap, the ball soared over punter Chase Fishback’s head, and bounced toward the end zone. Fishback outran a Lions defender to the ball, where he kicked it out of bounds into the back of the end zone for a safety. Fishback’s quick decision allowed the Lions only two points, instead of a possible touchdown. The Lions next score came from a 35-yard field goal after a more than six-minute drive. The Wildcats’ following drive ended when a holding call pushed the team back and forced them to punt, and the Lions ran out the clock to end the half. The Wildcats went into halftime with a 17-5 lead.
The ACU defense kept all the offensive numbers low in the first half. The Lions offense posted just 81 total yards and stayed pinned inside their territory for most of the half. “I think from a scheming standpoint, our coaches did a good job of putting a game plan together,” Thomsen said. “Our players did a good job of executing that scheme and being where they’re supposed to be.” Coming out of halftime, ACU again came out aggressive, and scored midway through the third quarter. Malone threw a pass deep down the field to sophomore Jerale Badon, who leaped in front of a defender to grab the pass for a gain of 33 yards. Two plays later, Malone dumped off a screen pass to freshman running back Taber Minner, who ran 25 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, ACU was looking to coast to a win, but a few See
FOOTBALL page 9
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Redshirt freshman running back Taber Minner escapes a tackle from cornerback Keenan Davis in the second quarter of Saturday’s 27-18 win over Texas A&M-Commerce.
Wildcats notch three more wins n ACU beat North division favorite Central Oklahoma 3-1, then knocked off two other north division teams 3-0 on Saturday in the LSC Crossover Tournament. By HUTTON HARRIS Sports Writer
At the beginning of this season, head coach Brek Horn and the Wildcat volleyball squad set a goal to go undefeated at Moody Coliseum this year. The Wildcats kept that objective alive by winning all three matches in the Lone Star Conference Crossover Tournament this weekend. The Wildcats pushed their home winning streak to 26 matches by overpowering Central Oklahoma on Friday and Southeastern Oklahoma State and Midwestern State on Saturday. The Wildcats came out on Friday night ranked 16th in the nation and first in the South division of the LSC and prepared to face the Lady Bronchos of Central Oklahoma, who were ranked first in the North division.
Baseball will play Japanese squad
Volleyball “Our adrenaline was definitely flowing for that first match,” seventh year head coach Brek Horn said. The Wildcats showed some early butterflies, falling behind in the first two games 5-1 and 4-1, but battled back, eventually winning both games; the first 30-21 and the second 30-24. Senior setter, Lindsay Martin, once again led the Wildcats with 62 assists, and sophomore Liz Snoddy had a career-high 29 digs. However, Central Oklahoma forced a fourth game winning 30-26 in the third frame. “Going into this match, we knew we would have to bring a level of high intensity,” Horn said. The Wildcats used that intensity in the fourth game going on a 12-0 run midway through the game and eventually took the game and match 30-22 and 3-1. The Wildcats faced a doubleheader by winning their first
See
VOLLEYBALL page 9
n The ACU baseball team will scrimmage a Japanese collegiate team Thursday at 6 p.m. The teams will play using a rubber ball that the Japan team uses. By BRIAN HOLLAND Student Reporter
GARY RHODES/Contributing Photographer
Senior middle blocker Amanda Slate goes for the kill against Bronchos outside hitter Katie Schult in the Wildcat’s 3-1 win in Friday’s game.
Tennis teams gain playing experience n Women’s and Men’s tennis was in play this weekend with the women going to UTEP and the men traveling to New Mexico State to play tough competition. By BRADY HILTON Student Reporter
Last weekend the Wildcat tennis teams received good preparation for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Regional Tournament, and
Tennis faced stiff competition in the New Mexico State Aggie Fall Invitational and the UTEP Miner Fall Invitational. The women’s team traveled to UTEP to play against five highly ranked competitors in two days worth of mock duels; playing individuals in either singles or doubles. These teams included: New Mexico State, Northern
Arizona, UTEP, Texas A&M Corpus Christi and Lee College. The Wildcats did well considering being the underdogs on paper, facing Lee College, ranked No. 1 in the nation among Junior Colleges and the rest representing Division I. The experienced doubles teams of Meagan Brown and Elizabeth Korinek and Holly Lindloff and Lana Pavlin stood out beating all
teams represented except New Mexico State. “As a coach it is scary after losing four seniors,” said Hutton Jones, head tennis coach, “but after this week I feel much more comfortable. The season will be good.” The men’s tennis team went to New Mexico State for the Aggie Fall Invitation. The See
TENNIS page 9
The baseball team will host a Japanese collegiate all-star team in exhibition play Thursday night at Crutcher-Scott Field. The game will officially begin at 6 p.m, but pre-game ceremonies will include an exchange of gifts custom for the Japanese players; Britt Bonneau, head coach, said the team plans to give Japanese players ACU T-shirts. The Japanese team has, in recent years, traveled to San Antonio to play different Division II teams, such as St. Edward’s and St. Mary’s. After touring the ACU campus and baseball facilities the Japanese coaches requested to include a stop in Abilene as part of their tour of Texas. “It’s just going to be a lot of fun,” Bonneau said. “It will be a nice change of pace to play somebody other than ourselves.” Unfortunately for the coaching staff and the players, they know little about this young Japanese team. No scouting report was used in preparation for the game. Another obstacle facing the game will be the language See
JAPAN page 9