WEDNESDAY
September 28, 2005
Smash hit
Optimist
A women’s doubles team and Casper Steenkamp advanced to nationals, page 8
the
Vol. 94, No. 12 1 section, 8 pages www.acuoptimist.com
Proud parents
International appeal
The Alumni Association named John and Jean Isom as Parents of the Year, page 4
The Wildcats lost to a Japanese collegiate all-star team 8-0, page 8
Work begins on film contest
Students party in the plaza
n Although five fewer groups began FilmFest projects this year, organizers said they believe groups are better prepared and more will complete their films. By TIFFANY TAYLOR Features Editor
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Members of Viva Mexico, a group that performs traditional cultural dances, perform during Entra a la Plaza on Friday by the GATA fountain. Hispanos Unidos organized the event, which translates to “enter the plaza,” to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Entertainment included a mariachi band, soft rock bands, dancers and food provided by from local vendors.
More than 300 attend celebration organized by Hispanos Unidos to correspond with Hispanic Heritage Month By BLYTHE THOMPSON Student Reporter
Food disappeared quickly as student attendance was better than expected for a celebration in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, sponsored by Hispanos Unidos last Friday around the GATA fountain. Entra a la Plaza, the name of the fiesta, kicked off around 7 p.m. and ended at 10 p.m. with entertainment
that included a mariachi band from Lubbock, various soft rock bands from the university, dancers performing traditional Hispanic dances and free food provided by Abilene area vendors, such as Abuelo’s, La Popular and Mary’s Paleteria. More than 300 students showed up for the food, music and abundance of Hispanic culture that awaited them. To get food, students had to show up early. Maria
del Pinal, junior communication major from Fort Worth, said the food she was helping serve disappeared within the hour. The turnout was everything planners had expected, Hispanos Unidos member del Pinal said. Planners began organizing the event at the beginning of the school year, and the club would like to have this event every year, said Thomas Madrid, senior English major from
Abilene and member of Hispanos Unidos. Club members and students in search of a Friday night meal or evening out attended Entra a la Plaza. Korey Smith, junior psychology major from Wichita, Kan., said the food was great. “I wish they would do one of these every month with different cultures,” Smith said. Organizers chose Entra a la Plaza as the theme be-
By MALLORY SHERWOOD Managing Editor
Courtney Patterson spent Sunday playing on the playground and coloring with children. She had never met these children before, but they didn’t seem to care that she was 15 years older than many of them. Patterson, freshman business management major from Orlando, was one of more than 275 students trained by the Red Cross on Friday evening to work with the evacuees who moved from the Gulf Coast and Port Charles area to G.V. Daniels Recreation Center. She said she wanted to help because she is from Florida and knows what it is like to go through a hurricane.
“Last summer we had four hurricanes hit us, so I’ve seen what people go through, and I know what it feels like to lose property and your material things,” Patterson said. Patterson entertained BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer some of the children who Students listen to Red Cross shelter director Ronnie Broadus during arrived this weekend during the training session necessary for volunteers to work at a Red Cross her volunteer shift. Others evacuee shelter Friday in Hart Auditorium. More than 275 attended. work the registration table, clean, take care of infants Cross needed much help. “It’s been awesome. and serve food. Jon Strong, senior busiStudents have played She said the people are ness management major from with kids, changed friendly and thankful for a Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, was place to come, and they will one of more than 100 people diapers, registered wait it out until they can go who stayed after Chapel last evacuees, made beds, home. Friday because they wanted to set up cots, served food G.V. Daniels Recreation help. He said he was affected Center has about 130 cots by Chapel and felt he needed and so much more. inside its gym, covering the to get involved somehow. Without fail, every floor and leaving just enough Strong and some friends time I’m at the room for walking space. It of- attended the meeting Friday fers its guests a cafeteria with in Hart Auditorium and had a shelter, the adult a buffet line always stocked hard time finding a seat. He volunteers talk with food, a game room with said although the auditorium about how amazing billiard tables and televisions was packed and people had and a playground outside for to stand in the back, students our students are.” children. were attentive and listened to With so many people that Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life arrived in Abilene, the Red See SHELTER page 5
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
See
PLAZA page 5
See
FILM page 5
Gulf Coast students hear from families
Red Cross trains students to help n More than 275 students attend a training session to prepare them to work with hurricane evacuees from the Gulf Coast staying at the G.V. Daniels Recreation Center.
cause of its Hispanic history. The meaning of the name, literally translated “enter the plaza,” comes from the Spanish background where small towns would come to the town’s plaza to greet, meet, and eat, del Pinal said. Del Pinal, who is a mixture of Spanish and Guatemalan background, said she would like to share Hispanic’s zeal
Amateur filmmakers are prepared to begin their projects for the university’s film contest, FilmFest, after learning the basics Sept 9-10 at FilmFest workshops. FilmFest organizers planned the workshops to provide the basics for the groups, whose levels of expertise in filmmaking varies. Organizers planned classes for every position in registered groups: producer, director, technical director, writer, production designer, and sound designer. Fewer contestants attended the workshops this year than last, but assistant coordinator Matt Maxwell said the numbers did not reflect a decline in interest. Last year, the first year for the film contest, 30 groups began the process, some not knowing the requirements and necessary work, said Maxwell, junior electronic media major from Abilene. Almost half dropped out before films were due. About 25 groups have signed up this year, and Maxwell said he thinks the students are better prepared and more likely to complete the project. “I just know the quality’s going to be so much better,” Maxwell said.
n After Hurricane Rita caused less devastation than originally forecast, students have begun to find out if their homes were damaged as families wait to move back. By JACI SCHNEIDER Copy Editor
Hurricane Rita this weekend caused less damage to the Houston area than forecasters predicted and answered the prayers of several students. Chris Butler, junior nursing major from Houston, thought his mother’s house would be gone the next time he went home, but he said the storm didn’t damage it at all. “I figured that could happen because hurricanes are so unpredictable,” Butler said. Butler’s mother evacuated her coastal home to the Dallas area, where she will stay until at least Thursday. “All the water is contaminated,” Butler said. “On Thursday they’ll get the results and find out if they can go home.”
Abilene Christian University
Katy Hill, sophomore nursing major from Bridge City, said her home also survived the storm with little damage, even though the eye of the hurricane passed over her town, which is close to the Louisiana border. “My dad looked at it,” Hill said. “He said our house is fine, and there was no flooding; just a few trees blew down.” Hill’s mother left last Thursday for Mississippi to escape Rita, but her father had to stay in town until Friday afternoon because he works for an oil refinery. “When my dad was driving back to Port Arthur, where he works, he said it looked like someone took a huge chain saw and cut all the trees down,” Hill said. Although forecasters thought Rita might hit Galveston directly as a Category 4 hurricane, it downgraded to a Category 3 with 120 mph winds by the time it slammed See
HOMES page 5
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Campus
Day
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
28
Calendar & Events Wednesday
Stuffed animal drive, all day, Campus Center tables.
29
Thursday
Katrina Benefit Concert 8 p.m., ACU Williams Performing Arts Center recital hall.
Announcements Do not click on links that you receive via AOL Instant Messenger, even if they come from someone that you know. Doing so could download a virus to your computer that is not detectable by most virus scanners. For more information, contact Team55 at Ext. 5555 or the Help desk at 738-4357. Sundaes on Mondays has been postponed until 7 p.m. Monday in the Living Room, For more information, contact La Shae Grottis at Ext. 6562. Insanity For Humanity! Habitat House Kickoff party at 5 p.m. Friday at 2966 Orange Street. For more information contact Jake Roseberry at jhr02a@ acu.edu. The Counseling Center and the Office of Career
and Academic Development is hosting Popcorn and Possibilities, to help students find solutions to their life questions and enjoy popcorn and soda in the lower level of McKinzie on Wednesdays from 2-3 p.m. For more information, call 674-2626 or see the Web site at www.acu. edu/counseling. 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. Prayer Room is open to all students during chapel on Mondays and Tuesdays for chapel credit until the end of the semester in Gibson 230. For more information, e-mail James Rhea at
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.
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Friday
Freshman Follies 7 and 9 p.m., Cullen Auditorium. Poetry Night 7-9:30 p.m., Bean Sprout.
01
Saturday
Freshman Follies 1, 3 and 7 p.m., Cullen Auditorium.
02
Sunday
Nothing is scheduled for this day.
03
Monday
Wellness Week begins. Sundaes on Mondays, 7-9 p.m., Hilton Room.
Volunteer Opportunities The Red Cross will be conducting a four-session disaster training in October beginning Oct. 10. There is no charge for these sessions but you must pre-register. Upon completion of all four sessions, volunteers will be certified to join disaster response teams through the American Red Cross. For more information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. Service Saturday is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 8. Sign ups will be Tuesday, Oct. 4-7 in the Campus Center ticket windows from 11:30 a.m.1:30 p.m. Healing Hands International needs volunteers to sort and pack clothing for a package going to Ukraine. For more information, contact David Catalina at 676-9991. The Boys & Girls Club of Abilene needs volunteers Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5-7 p.m. to assist with homework and some
teaching. For more information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. 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. Volunteers are needed to help with the American Heart Saturday. For more information, contact Frann Smith at 627-0070 or come by the Volunteer and ServiceLearning Center. Big Brothers Big Sisters needs volunteers to work on an art project with a child for one hour each week. The deadline to sign up is Oct. 10. Contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center, Julie Owen or Amanda Brough at 677-7839 for more information.
Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:
25 45
Police Log Monday, Sept. 19 5:20 a.m. Assisted APD with locating student in reference to found property Tuesday, Sept. 20 1:35 a.m. Disturbance between two students at Mabee Hall. Students were separated. Referred to Judicial Affairs regarding policy violations. 4:15 a.m. Traffic stop on Teague Boulevard, driving wrong direction 3 p.m. Theft of bicycle, case open Wednesday, Sept. 21 9:40 a.m. Vehicle accident in Administration lot Thursday, Sept. 22 1:10 a.m. Suspicious subject at Teague lot. Contacted subject was ex-student that was walking, checked, OK 1:15 a.m. Disturbance at University Park apartments 4:15 a.m. Suspicious subject at 1200 Cedar Crest, checked okay 6:40 p.m. Report of subject asking for money at Sherrod lot, checked unable to locate Friday, Sept. 23 2:42 a.m. Alarm sounding on vehicle at Smith/Adams lot, owner contacted 3:25 a.m. Abandoned vehicle parked at Abilene Christian Schools, vehicle secure, unable to locate owner, alarm did quit 9 a.m. Vehicle accident in Library lot 11:50 a.m. Fire at University Park apartments, AFD responded to grease fire in the kitchen, fire was out prior to AFD arrival 12:10 p.m. Report of fire damage at amphitheater 6:30 p.m. Criminal mischief to vehicle on Campus Center Road. 11:45 p.m. Theft at Cullen Auditorium
Saturday, Sept. 24 2 a.m. Assisted APD with party at East North 20th 3:30 a.m. Report of driver possibly intoxicated on East North 10th, checked unable to locate 1:25 p.m. Report of three solicitors at University Park apartments. Located subjects. Subjects had no campus authorization to solicit, escorted off-campus. 2 p.m. Vehicle alarm sounding at Smith/Adams lot, contacted owner 5:45 p.m. Reported of accidental damage to vehicle at University Park 9:15 p.m. Checked Moody Coliseum, located junior high students inside, escorted out. 11:50 p.m. Report of party at 600 East North 18th, advised to keep music down Sunday, Sept. 25 12:33 a.m. Report of large group of juveniles at East North 15th and Avenue I. Checked okay 1 a.m. Report of party at 600 East North 20th, one subject transported to Hendrick Medical Center for alcohol poisoning 1:30 a.m. Closed down part at 600 East North 20th, APD issued citations 2:16 a.m. Noise disturbance at 1400 Cedar Crest, warned to keep noise down 1:35 p.m. Checked Allen Farm, discovered vehicle on property 3:15 p.m. Disturbance at Sherrod apartment between female and male, both subjects left 4:11 p.m. Fire at Allen Farm, Abilene Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire 9 p.m. Assisted APD with report of child abuse at Sherrod apartments. Contacted residents children were OK. Case documented and referred to CPS.
CAMPUS NEWS
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Page 3
Up, up and away
Poetry Night draws student interest n Essence of Ebony provides students the opportunity to attend Poetry Night, a Black History Production in February and a costume skate night. By SHERRI SNYDER Student R eporter
Essence of Ebony will host two Poetry Nights in one year for the first time in the event’s six-year history to accommodate the increase in student participation and attendance. The first poetry night will be at 7:30 Grottis p.m. Thursday in the Bean Sprout. The second Poetry Night will be Nov. 4. About 20 students have signed up to present their poetry at the first show, and an estimated 150 students will attend, said LaShae Grottis, Essence of Ebony adviser and director of Student Multicultural En-
richment Program. “It’s a successful program, and this is just another chance to do it again,” Grottis said. Though poetry is the main focus of the night, monologues, singing, musical entertainment and refreshments will also be part of the show. “It’s a variety of art expressed through different avenues,” said Eric Mallet, sophomore communication and Christian ministry major from St. Louis. Mallet, who is president of Essence of Ebony, will perform a monologue that he said “will be a blessing to see.” Mallet said he wants to increase publicity and student involvement for Essence of Ebony. “We want to branch out to the community and expose the ACU campus to African American culture and heritage; we are multicultural,” he said. Poetry Night will give students who aren’t involved in Essence of Ebony the op-
portunity learn more about the organization. Essence of Ebony focuses on African American culture, but all students who want to fellowship are welcome. “I love the fact that this organization not only tries to unify African Americans on campus, but also makes it possible for students of other ethnicities to take part in our program,” said Camari Carter, sophomore political science major from Los Angeles. Essence of Ebony meets at 7:30 p.m. every other Thursday in the Onstead-Packard Biblical Studies Building, Room 120. Members pay a $10 fee and must have a minimum GPA of 2.0. In addition, members must attend all bi-weekly meetings. Other activities for the organization include costume skate night in October, a member lock-in in November and the Black History Production in February.
E-mail Snyder at: optimist@acu.edu
Student plans trip to the flooded coast n The trip to the New Orleans and Mississippi area will allow students to help those on the coast who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina. By SARAH CARLSON Arts Editor
Matt Worthington is a visionary. After seeing the destruction of Hurricane Katrina in the New Orleans area and Mississippi, Worthington, sophomore theatre major from San Antonio, described the situation as heartbreaking and decided something needed to be done by students to help those most effected. Worthington sent out messages on Facebook.com to members of large groups he had created, relaying to students an idea of forming a bike ride to New Orleans at the beginning of summer to help rebuild what was lost in the waves of Katrina. Response was mixed, he said, and once he considered the logistics of a bike ride, he changed the plan to travel possibly by charter bus. Worthington said he had about 30 students who have talked to him so far about participating, and the plan is for the trip to be for three weeks in late May and early June. “I think a lot of the reason I’m getting such a good re-
“I need people who are going to create the ground for people to stand on.” Matt Worthington, sophomore theatre major from San Antonio
sponse is that people really do want to help and want to send more than just money, which isn’t a bad thing; we just want to do more,” Worthington said. Worthington is talking with a representative from Greyhound who he knows about the cost of taking a bus from Abilene to New Orleans or possibly Mississippi. He is also looking for corporate sponsorship to help pay for needed supplies to help rebuild buildings and said he will approach churches in the area about housing students for the time they’re there. “This trip isn’t supposed to be comfortable,” Worthington said. “It’s supposed to be sacrificial. When you go down there, you have to give up a lot, not just time-wise, but emotionally as well.” He said it is important to continue to help rebuild and much work will be needed six to 10 months from when Katrina hit. He said he wants to be involved in rebuilding things that benefitted the community, such as churches and shelters. While he has not nailed
down most of the logistics, and he is still in the brainstorming stage, Worthington said he wants people to respond and get involved and not be afraid to take a chance to help others. “I honestly believe that this is something that Christ calls us to do—to share other’s burdens,” he said. If a student is interested in participating or wants more information, Worthington said they can contact him at mrw03b@acu.edu. Worthington said he wants to encourage students not to worry about whether the trip will be considered a success, but rather, if they are being faithful to it and what they are called to do. “If you want to be a part of this, be faithful to this,” Worthington said. “I need people who are going to create the ground for people to stand on. That’s the whole idea of faith: stepping out on a limb when you’re not sure what’s there.”
E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu
ANNA CARROLL/Staff Photographer
Colorful hot air balloons are set up for Big Country’s 11th annual BalloonFest on Sunday morning at Rosebud Park. More than 20 balloons went up during the final flight of the weekend, which is pictured above.
Concert honors New Orleans n Three Abilene universities are working together to create a free concert in honor of the musical heritage of New Orleans after its destruction by Hurricane Katrina. By LUKE HARRIS Staff Writer
Abilene Christian, HardinSimmons and McMurry universities are working together for hurricane relief by putting on a concert Thursday in the Williams Performing Arts Center. The concert, “A Concert for Hurricane Relief,” will begin at 8 p.m., and admission is free with donations at the door. Glenda Weatherford, administrative coordinator for the Music Department, said all donations collected at the door will be donated to the American Red Cross.
She said the concert will have eight acts, with McMurry providing one act, ACU providing three and HardinSimmons providing four. The acts will include Romantic Masterworks, Broadway show tunes, Brazilian choro and two tributes to the music of New Orleans. One of the New Orleans tributes will be led by ACU’s Greg Bush, director of jazz studies, on the trumpet and Henry Martin, a community member, on the piano. Bush said, as a jazz musician, the tragedy in New Orleans really hit him hard, and he was saddened by the loss of such music history. Bush said he recently visited New Orleans before the hurricane and looked forward to being able to help. “When I heard about the concert, I jumped at the
chance to be able to help out,” Bush said. “I just really wanted to be able to help out the people that were affected by this tragedy and am just glad to help.” Weatherford said other acts will include the ACU Trombone Quartet performing, “When the Saints go Marching In,” and “Es is verraten zigeunerleben” by the ACU Vocal Arts Ensemble. McMurry’s Todd Johnson will lead “Estudio Brillante” and “Dengoso,” and will be followed by Hardin-Simmons’ four acts. Diana Ellis, Wes Gomer, Mark Pucket and William Mouet will lead six songs and the Hardin-Simmons’ Clarinet Trio will also perform “Epitaph fur drei Klarinetten.” E-mail Harris at: dlh03a@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Page 4
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Parents of the Year named n The annual award honoring parents will go to John and Jean Isom, who will be honored in Friday’s Chapel and in the Homecoming Parade. By MONICA SMITH Staff Writer
Every year the Alumni Association honors the parents of a student with the Parents of the Year award. This year, John and Jean Isom of Tuscola have been given the title and were nominated by their daughter, Jordan Isom, senior English major. “Both my mom and dad have been extraordinary servants at ACU, at our church, in the community and even within our family,” Jordan said. “So when I read the criteria for parents of year, I thought, ‘That’s my parents!’” Jean, who teaches two classes in the Department of
Sociology and Social Work, found out about the nomination when the Alumni Association sent her flowers as an announcement of award. “ACU sent us some flowers, but they came around the time of my birthday, and I thought ‘Jordan, how nice of you to remember my birthday,’” Jean said. “I didn’t expect it, but our daughter does these things; she kind of surprised us.” John and Jean are both graduates of ACU from the classes of 1976 and 1957, respectively. In addition, John was a member of the 1973 national championship football team and served as captain his senior year. During their time in school, the couple took notes on parenting from those who raised children at the time. “It’s amazing what you learn if you look around at your professors and the peo-
ple that you know,” Jean said. “They were great examples to us. We’re really proud to be Parents of the Year, but we feel we learned it at the feet of those who were parents when we were young. We owe them a lot.” The Isoms will be honored in Friday’s Chapel, which will be followed by a reception. Also, the Isoms will be in the Homecoming Parade Oct. 15. “It’s been a blessing to see my parents honored in this way,” Jordan said. “After all those years of them coming to my track meets or middle school award ceremonies, it’ll be a fun change for me to cheer for them. I’m looking forward to being on the front row when they receive their award in Chapel, and I’m planning on taking lots of photos at the Homecoming Parade.” E-mail Smith at: mxs02a@acu.edu
Speaker set for job workshop n Donald Asher will present a lecture for the McNair Scholars on preparing for the job market and he will lead workshops on improving writing skills. By KENNY McENTIRE Student Reporter
Nationally renowned spea ker Donald Asher will speak Thursday to students interested in job placement as part of a lecture and workshop series. Asher will speak at 7 p.m. in the Hilton Room covering topics such as how to deal with cracking the hidden job market and how to beat 1,000-to-one odds and land a dream job. The speech is open to all students. Asher also will lead a twoday, hands-on workshop for McNair Scholars and invited guests. The workshops will focus on the writing styles students need to be successful when applying to competitive jobs or graduate schools, said Jason Morris, director of the McNair Scholars program.
He said Asher will attempt to teach students to look at their writings from an authoritative view, as they learn from one another and from him. The students will take part in exercises that should develop their content and style when writing essays, statements, biographies and letters, Morris said. The first part of the writing workshop will be at 1 p.m. Friday in Zona Luce Building, Room 203, and is open only to McNair scholars and invited guests. Asher will cover strategies to gain admission to highly competitive graduate programs and tips on researching potential graduate programs. Morris has seen Asher speak when he came to the university in the past and was in charge of arranging Asher’s weekend in Abilene. The McNair Scholars program is designed to help first generation, lower income and minority students underrepresented in their fields to
receive masters and doctoral degrees. “Donald Asher fits in with the mission of the McNair Scholars program because he tries to get students into graduate programs,” Morris said. On Saturday, Asher will talk with students in the Upward Bound program, a federally funded program designed to help high school students to prepare for and attend a college of their choice after graduation. Asher has been a special guest speaker at the annual conference of the National Association of the Graduate Admissions Professionals two times and has been the keynote presenter three times for the National Teleconference on Graduate Admissions. For more information on the McNair Scholars Program or the lecture and workshop series, please contact Morris at Ext. 2838. E-mail McEntire at: optimist@acu.edu
Wildcat Kids prep for school year n The service group has 125 student volunteers who will spend time with local elementaryaged children and take them to school-sponsored activities. By SHELBY COATES Student Reporter
Students have begun making background checks, training mentors and organizing October events for local elementary students through Wildcat Kids and Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Texas. The Wildcat Kids executive committee, made up of six students, has planned its first mentoring activity of the school year to be Pizza in the Park at Nelson Park on Oct. 6. The committee has planned other events including a skating costume party and an annual Christmas Party.
Wildcat Kids is an organization that has partnered students with at-risk elementary school students in the Abilene area for the past 30 years. After training, students are required to interact with their child through monthly activities, mentoring sessions and school lunches. This year Wildcat Kids has 125 student volunteers who are going through the process of criminal, child abuse and pedophile background checks and training through Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Central Texas. With the process started, Wildcat Kids cannot take anymore student mentors, said executive officer committee member Cortney Armstrong, junior integrated marketing communication major from Mesquite. “Big Brothers Big Sisters affects the level of student
involvement. Because of the deadlines, the planning of monthly events and required background checks, it is too late to sign up,” Armstrong said. Big Brothers Big Sisters has partnered with Wildcat Kids for the past four years, said Nancy Coburn of the Volunteer Center. Big Brothers Big Sisters has provided the training and the checks on students. “We have had no incidents before, but it just isn’t wise to not have Big Brothers Big Sisters check,” Coburn said. Armstrong agrees. Wildcat Kids requires being involved in a child’s life and “giving them the attention they need.” “Everyone can do it, but we want only the committed.” Armstrong said. “It’s a true commitment.” E-mail Coates at: optimist@acu.edu
Crafting jars of clay
briaN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Keiko Dowler, junior biology major from Midland, uses a pottery wheel to craft a bowl for her Ceramics art class Tuesday in a Don Morris art lab.
Library construction to begin n The Brown Library will undergo major changes to update the building and create a Learning Commons, an area for coffee and conversation. By DANIELLE SPENCE-MARROW Student R eporter
The 2nd floor is empty; the books have all been moved to the Atrium, and the reference section has been moved to the government documents area. The change to Brown Library is a result of construction to begin next month of a more modern, up-to-date library called the “Learning Commons,” which should be completed by the end of the year, said Dr. Mark Tucker, dean of the library. “I am really pleased with the partnership and the people I work with, which makes the right kind of environment,“ Tucker said. “I am concerned about the outcome, which is more critical than timing.”
However, the construction will not be finished by Homecoming. With the library under construction, all Homecoming receptions, which would normally take place in the library, will be moved to different locations, Tucker said. When the construction is complete, students should expect more space for quiet reflection and comfortable seating and also a commons area for coffee and conversation, Tucker said. Team 55 will also be located in the library for easy library service access, and the Writing Center, which is a service that helps students with the writing process, will relocate to the upper level. Students will also be able to perform the traditional task of consulting the card catalog and locating books and articles in the redesigned library. The Library Committee, which consists of a technology specialist and teaching
and library faculty and staff, planned the essential components and chose the design criteria for the Learning Commons with Bob Seal, dean at Texas Christian University and pioneer to the idea of the Learning Commons, Tucker said. The idea to redesign the library was a result of a change in how university students learn, Tucker said. Library visits have decreased throughout the years because technology has changed, and Internet access has allowed students to tend to their library needs online. So new proposals were made to try to increase the number of people coming into the library. “A growing number of libraries have joined this movement, seeking to reclaim their place as the university’s intellectual center,” according to the Library Committee report of 2004. E-mail Spence-Marrow at: optimist@acu.edu
Students spread frontier cheer n The Spirit of the Frontier Festival at Frontier Texas! will bring students from Abilene and surrounding areas to learn about frontier life. By TAKISHA KNIGHT Page 2 Editor
This weekend, more than 1,600 students from Abilene and the surrounding area will crowd the parade grounds of Frontier Texas! as history comes to life. The Spirit of the Frontier Festival at Frontier Texas! is in its second year, but this time, organizers expect a larger turn out. “It was a realization that we did not get enough kids [last year],” Nell Sims, educational coordinator and director, said. “This is the first year that organized groups of schools will be coming in.” She said they have preregistered about 1,700 students,
a significant increase from last year. In preparation for the crowd, Jeff Salmon, executive director, spoke to the university’s LYNAY group. He encouraged the servant-leader volunteer group to help coordinate activities such as archery and horseshoes, greet and lead students and help where needed. The parade grounds will be set up as a replication of the Abilene frontier of the 18401890 period in Texas. It will showcase live reenactments of frontier life, children’s activities and games, food and music. “We are taking over where the Fort Phantom Rendezvous Days left off,” Sims said. Before Frontier Texas!, the owners of the frontier military fort, Fort Phantom, opened the historic site to the public for tours. Similarly, the festival will
show frontier scenes from the viewpoints of settlers, soldiers, Native Americans, blacksmiths and more. Salmon said the blacksmith shop is among the highlights along with the Native American dancing and artillery demonstration where rifles and cannons will be fired. “A picture is worth a thousand words,” Sims said. “I think [students] can get an idea of what life was like in those days by seeing people do skills that are lost to today’s society.” Friday is reserved for prescheduled school tours of local seventh graders. Saturday, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. is family day where the events are open to all. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for school-age children. There is no charge for children ages 5 and under. E-mail Knight at: tnk03a@acu.edu
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
Page 5
Film: Workshops prepare filmmakers Continued from page 1
Even though Maxwell said he loved last year’s workshops, this year’s were an improvement. Doug Darby, multimedia coordinator for the Adams Center of Teaching Excellence, and Maxwell began preparing for the workshop at the beginning of summer break and went “full blast” a month ago, pinning down the specifics, Maxwell said. A survey taken at the end of the workshops showed that students liked having their memories jogged, even on subjects they were
familiar with and appreciated the hands-on nature of the classes, said assistant coordinator Robyn King, senior marketing and management major from Fort Worth. “It was a much more interactive thing, as opposed to hearing a lecture over what you’re supposed to do,” King said. Participants especially enjoyed Cary Roberts, an independent filmmaker and alumnus of the university, because he was practiced at communicating with college students, Maxwell said. Roberts was familiar with basic mis-
takes beginner filmmakers make and was able to warn students against specific things. “He brought experience to the seminar that none of us could learn anywhere else,” said Michael Breeden, junior electronic media major from Memphis, Tenn. Instructors not only brought skills to the classes that couldn’t be learned from manuals but were enthusiastic about their area of expertise, Breeden said, who is producing a film that might preview at FilmFest. He said he regrets not
being able to attend Kendall Massey’s classes for sound directors because he considers Massey a “master of his art.” Every class took place in the Onstead-Packard Biblical Studies Building on Saturday, except for the legal class taught by Kenneth Pybus, associate professor of journalism and mass communication. Pybus had an hour Friday to give participants an overview of copyright laws and other legal hurdles faced by students. Pybus’ class was the only one recorded and placed on the Internet be-
cause it included so much detail and information about subjects that none of the FilmFest staff members could clarify for contestants. Although most of the teams were represented at the workshops because they were a requirement, King said she had hoped more members of each team would have attended. Workshops were organized so that every member could attend and learn information specific to their role in the team, King said. Maxwell noticed this problem, too, and said he
and Darby discussed condensing the workshops into one large workshop next year. This format might benefit students who fill more than one role while making the film, allowing them learn about all of their roles, Maxwell said. Looking forward to FilmFest hitting its stride next year, Maxwell said Darby has assured him preparation becomes easier by the third year. Any kinks will have been worked out, Maxwell said. “Three’s a charm.” E-mail Taylor at: tat04a@acu.edu
Shelter: Students serve Continued from page 1
representatives from the Fire Department and Red Cross speak on fire safety, dealing with traumatized people and how to react. Strong said it is important for students to get involved and serve others around them. “It’s important because they’re people too,” Strong said. “This could happen to any one of us, and I know we all know someone affected by Katrina or Rita. It gets personal when we
can reach out to those in need.” This attitude is what makes Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life proud. “Students were extremely positive about wanting to serve,” Barnard said. “The response has been incredible, and I’ve heard many, many positive comments about our students’ abilities to work with people and to care for their needs. They have been willing to do anything, even without being asked.”
He also said he was proud to see the students giving themselves over and over again. “It’s been awesome,” Barnard said. “Students have played with kids, changed diapers, registered evacuees, made beds, set up cots, cleaned floors, served food, and so much more. “Without fail, every time I’m at the shelter the adult volunteers talk about how amazing our students are.” E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu
BRiaN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Members of the mariachi group Amistad from Lubbock perform during Entra a la Plaza on Friday.
Auditions to be held for play Plaza: Club shares culture n Auditions will differ from past years and rehearsals will be closed this year for the Black History Production play, sponsored by Essence of Ebony. By ANNA CARROLL Student Reporter
Auditions for the eighth annual production celebrating Black History Month will be Oct. 4 and 6. Students can pick up applications to audition at the Information Desk in the Campus Center or in McKinzie Room 131. This year’s Black History Production, sponsored by Essence of Ebony, will be a play called “At Our Highest,” written and directed by Shelby Coates. This is Coates’ second year to participate in the Black History Production but her first as director. She will have the help of two assistant directors and a stage manager.
Continued from page 1
“We’ve all had a part, but we’ve never been directors before. We’re gonna learn together, but we also all bring a new feel to BHP,” said Coates, sophomore broadcast journalism major from Clarksville, Tenn. Actors will audition by playing acting games, and then the directors will pair up the actors to see how well they work together, Coates said. Students interested in one of the leading roles can audition Oct. 6 from 8-9 p.m. Auditions for the remaining parts will be Oct. 4 at various times. After applying, students will receive an audition time and parts from the script to perform in front of the four directors. All students auditioning will have an interview with the directors after their audition. Students will
learn Oct. 9 if they will perform in the production. Practices for the production will begin the week after Homecoming with a cast meeting. The following weeks’ rehearsals will be closed to visitors, Coates said in an e-mail. “We want the audience to be surprised this year,” said Mallorie Frank, sophomore sociology major from Dallas and assistant director. In previous years too many people knew the show before the performance, Coates said. The dates and times of rehearsals will be known, but the directors will e-mail the locations to the actors the week of rehearsal. The production will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 10-11 in Cullen Auditorium. E-mail Carroll at: optimist@acu.edu
for life, strong sense of community and family ties along with the idea of not stressing over little things with non-Hispanics, for them to under-
stand her culture. Hispanos Unidos is open to all students, according to the Web site, and is a club that, “promotes Hispanic awareness, “ Madrid said. The club reaches out to the
Abilene area with service projects to help their fellow citizens, and create a since of community among members.
E-mail Thompson at: optimist@acu.edu
Homes: Hurricane spares some Continued from page 1
into the Texas/Louisiana border, according to CNN. com. It caused widespread damage along the coast and flooded parts of Texas and Louisiana. Millions of gulf coast residents evacuated ahead of the storm. Butler said it took his mother 24 hours to drive from Galveston to Dallas last week, a drive that normally takes less than five hours.
Although evacuating was inconvenient for Hill’s family, she said they have a “better safe than sorry” approach and usually evacuate when hurricanes threaten their town. They won’t be able to return home until at least Wednesday. “We’ve always had the threat,” Hill said. “But we’ve never had one that actually hit our area.” “It was an answer to prayer because there was a lot less damage than what
forecasters predicted,” Hill said. “It was a comfort to know everyone was praying.” Butler said he prayed that the hurricane would just disappear, rather than hit the coast at all, he said. “I’m glad for the most part that it didn’t hit us,” he said. “But I know that meant it would go and hit someone else.”
E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu
ViewsWednesday Optimist
Page 6
September 26, 2005
Chief justice’s decisions will affect students The issue:
John Roberts will soon be confirmed as chief justice of the United States, and many students and adults alike are ignorantly turning their backs on this issue.
Our view:
Issues such as the appointment of a Supreme Court justice are important issues that may affect the lives of every American. Many people are ignoring issues that need to be confronted.
The solution:
Turn from ignorance and stay up to date on what is going on in the world. The appointment of a new chief justice of the United States could greatly affect many students’ lives. Pay attention to important happenings in the world.
John Roberts could change students’ lives with the decisions he makes and may affect Americans for a generation. President Bush appointed Roberts as chief justice of the United States, and the U.S. Senate will decide this week whether to confirm him. Before the presidential election last year, several groups, including Rock the Vote, campaigned to involve young voters in the election process. Students debated the presidential and senatorial candidates in classes, in forums and among friends. However, Roberts’ appointment has attracted little attention on campus and many students show little concern for a man whose power will rival the president, and whose uncertain term can change American law and define the rights
Sound of Music kicks Planeteers Children deprived of ad- musical was set in Austria, equate TV-watching time as the only accent I heard was children often suffer various British accents. Directors tomaladies—like not being able day are putting entirely too to distin- much emphasis on realism. guish the Kids shouldn’t go without a Ninja Turtles taste of the good old days, by their col- when no one had the correct ored head- accent in movies, and everybands. Oth- one seem to have learned the ers will never same soundtrack and chorebe able be ography. able to finish Furthermore, take into this quote: account the hours of enterI’m Pretty “With all tainment musicals provide. Sure... your powers With a big enough family, any combined, I household can stage their Tiffany am ...” own version of various musiTaylor Years af- cal performances. My brother, ter the fact, I continue to chas- for instance, was forced into tise my mom for her iron grip being Friedrich von Trapp sevon the television. Quite the eral times. opposite of having free reign, Sing along to the movie the kids in my family ended enough times, memorize the up watching the occasional words and voila—the family video from our small collec- has built-in entertainment for tion. As a result, we became long car rides and rainy days. authorities on The Sound of Musicals bring families toMusic, which was, not by co- gether. When my hometown’s incidence, one of my mother’s local theatre presented The favorite movies. Sound of Music, my family Despite the life-long dam- was over-prepared for the auage of incomditions. My plete Satursister landed day mornings the role of a Kids shouldn’t go early in life, I and my without the good old nun, wouldn’t give father was days when no one up the constant pressured flow of cheesy into takhad the correct musicals for ing the role accent in movies. an episode of of a count. Saved by the Watching Bell. a certified Julie Andrews’ magnum public accountant prepare for opus exemplifies why 1960’s his speaking part in a local musicals should continue to musical was priceless. be a part of American culture. The Sound of Music does Before there was Schindler’s even more than bring families List, the von Trapp family together, though. It may very resisted the pull of the Nazi well be the sole connection party, much to the dismay of between me and thousands Ralph and the two-faced but- of Americans. Sing a line from ler. the movie, and 10 bucks says Before there was The Lord someone next to you will of the Rings, this family saga know where it comes from. took a whole afternoon to Although it is a shame if a watch, taking up two VHS college student doesn’t know tapes. that with all of our powers And as a third grader, I combined, we get Captain learned most of what I knew Planet, it is unacceptable if a about the Catholic Church student hasn’t been able to from the nunnery scenes in experience the joys of growThe Sound of Music. Not only ing up with musicals. Because do nuns have excellent voices, “My Favorite Things” is the but they aren’t too bad at car only song I can sing with my mechanics, either. grandmother, roommate, dad Most importantly, The and next-door neighbor. Sound of Music implemented the No. 1 Hollywood rule: any E-mail Taylor at: tat04a@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu accent will do. Although the
of the people. Decisions that form the future of the United Wade, which legalThe Supreme ized abortion and States shouldn’t go unnoticed by Court is the affected the poputhe nations’s future leaders. last line of lation of a generadefense when tion; and Texas vs. the rights of Americans and think he was too ambig- Johnson, which recognized come under attack. uous in his Senate hearings. Americans’ right to burn an The Senate Judiciary Students should take time American flag and broadCommittee on Thursday ap- to investigate the views of ened freedom of speech. proved Roberts to replace those in opposition and The outcome of all these former Chief Justice William support of Roberts to make cases still affects the basic Rehnquist, who died Sept. 3 their own informed opin- rights students enjoy, years of complications associated ion. after the judges make their with thyroid cancer. The nine-member Su- decisions. If the U.S. Senate ap- preme Court interprets laws The new chief justice will proves Roberts this week, and determines their con- influence future Supreme he will serve a lifetime ap- stitutionality. Although this Court decisions; he could be pointment, and at 50 years might seem irrelevant to the deciding vote in a case on of age, that appointment students’ daily lives, it plays gay marriage, the wording could easily last at least a huge role in the way they of the pledge of allegiance, 25 years; Rehnquist was 80 live, and students should Internet file sharing and years old at his death, and take note of what’s going on physician assisted suicide, Justice John Paul Stevens in the court. Past Supreme which all could come up in is 85 years old. Although Court ruling have included the Court in the near future. supporters and critics alike Brown vs. Board of Educa- Within the next few weeks, acknowledge Robert’s intel- tion, which forced schools President Bush will appoint ligence and qualifications, to desegregate and direct- another justice to replace some Democrats worry his ly changed education for Sandra Day O’Connor, who views are too conservative students’ parents; Roe vs. announced her resignation
Student disagrees with dress column Maybe this response is a little late, but I didn’t have a chance to read Wednesday’s Optimist until yesterday morning, so please pardon my lack of a timely response. However, I feel I should respond because of something within this editorial that bothered me. My question is this: Why is it always a woman’s fault when a man sins, especially when that sin is lust? Of course that question is a little radical—I know not everyone takes the “blame women” card so readily, but I felt your editorialist
E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu
Your Voice In response to “Women, cover up and keep it real” by Mallory Sherwood, Sept. 21 issue
did. No, I don’t think women should walk around in “lingerie” on campus, but we should also not be blamed for causing men to lust. It is not all our fault simply because we were born with breasts. I do realize that “men who are good guys
struggle with temptation and lust daily,” but frankly, they can also be incited to lust by other body parts, like, let’s say the ankle. (Don’t believe me? Remember that period called the Victorian age where it was the height of scandal to show one’s ankle for fear it would incite men to great heights of lust?) However, I also know plenty of good men who aren’t inspired to temptation and lust simply by seeing a woman in a low-cut top or short skirt. So, instead of blam-
ing women, everyone should share the blame equally. Yes, we should dress appropriately, but men should also gain a little more self-control and accept their own fault in this situation. So please, let’s stop playing the blame game and unloading all of the blame and guilt on women and put it on both sexes, where it belongs.
Jenny Ferguson senior English major from Follett
White trash photo offends faculty I was shocked by the large picture showing Sigma Theta Chi’s Bid Night in the Sept. 21 Optimist. The picture in question was the one where a young lady had a large sign hung around her neck that read “White Trash.” I am disappointed that ACU has students who evidently do not understand the offense of using derogatory terms
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
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
this summer. Although one president appointing two justices isn’t unprecedented, it doesn’t happen every decade. Although Americans don’t vote justices in, they can still affect their appointments. The Senate must approve Bush’s appointments, and senators depend on elections to keep their jobs. Students should follow the Supreme Court nominations and let their senators hear their voices. Decisions that form the future of the United States shouldn’t go unnoticed by the nation’s future leaders. Students need to take an interest in the Supreme Court appointments because the justices’ decisions will affect every day of every American for as long as this country stands.
Your Voice In response to a photo from Sigma Theta Chi’s Bid Night activities in the Sept. 21 issue on page 8 of the Optimist. to identify certain groups of people. How is it possible that
Optimist the
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anyone who claims to be like Jesus, and to be His reflection in this world, can defame another human being by using a derogatory term? My heart aches for those students who, in previous years and places, may have heard that term used as a description of themselves. I feel certain that those same students came to
ACU thinking they would certainly never be embarrassed by that slang here at this Christian university. To those students, I apologize for any offense taken to that photo in the newspaper.
Vicki Anderson director of Neighborhood Relations
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SPORTS JUMPS
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Page 7
Volleyball: Team plays St. Mary’s at home Friday Continued from page 8 in yet another 3-0 sweep. The Wildcats have lost only one game in their last 8 matches and showed no signs of stopping this last weekend. The Wildcats found themselves in a tight first game in Wisdom Gym against the TexAnns because of a sub-par .149 hitting percentage. “Tarleton had a lot a off added momentum to begin the match,” said assistant coach Sarah Carthel. “ We wanted to come in with more mental toughness on the road; but at start it was hard to get it going.” Nonetheless, the experienced Wildcats found a way on the road to take the first game 35-33, behind Senior Ashlee Motola, who led the team with 16 kills in the span of three matches. Following the rocky start, the nation’s 15th ranked team played almost flawlessly, taking the next game 30-21 and hitting .342. “Our mindset coming in was just to stay mentally focused,”
Carthel said. The Wildcats used experience to shut down the TexAnns in virtually every way the rest of the match. ACU held Tarelton to a hitting percentage of .067 in the second game and an impressive .000 in the third and final game. The Wildcats finished off the TexAnns in the third game led by Senior Lindsey Martin, who led the Cats with 37 assists overall, a hitting percentage of .132. “Tarleton has built a great program and is definitely on its way up,” Carthel said. The Wildcats next match will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Moody Coliseum against Angelo State. “The competition level in the conference is continually rising, and our goal throughout the season has been to go undefeated in LSC play,” Carthel said. “Our mindset is, for the most part, getting better, and we’re going to use that toughness throughout the rest of the season.” Brian Schmidt/Chief Photographer
E-mail Harris at: jhh03c@acu.edu
The Wildcats celebrate a point during their home match against Texas A&M-Kingsville in their 3-0 win Thursday in Moody Coliseum.
Football: Turnovers costly Continued from page 8
brian schmidt/Chief Photographer
Junior wide receiver Tie Lasater runs around defenders in Saturday’s 33-30 loss to Eastern New Mexico.
Continued from page 8
Continued from page 8
E-mail Holland at: optimist@acu.edu
The Wildcat offense put up good rushing numbers, but the lack of a solid passing game hurt the offensive production. Malone threw for 132 yards on 8-of-15 passing with only one touchdown pass, which went to senior Robb Spells for a 54-yard touchdown catch. Myles rushed 23 times for a total of 82 yards, and freshman Taber Minner stepped up in the place of the injured Sneezy Beltran, with 71-yards off 11 carries. “We beat ourselves, and that is the only way that we will lose in this conference,” Allen said. “We have to go out and work harder at doing the little things right, and things will flow our way.” E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu
Naimadu: Wildcats place well with D-I competition
Japan: Team learns lessons Bonneau said. Despite being almost a semester away from the start of the new baseball season for the Wildcats, Bonneau seemed optimistic the season to come this spring. “We’re not even close to where we need to be, we’ve got a long road ahead of us,” Bonneau said. “Once our young guys buy into our system, we’re going to be a tough team to beat … we expect this team to be a championship team.”
of a penalty for an ineligible man downfield. ACU drove to the goal line, but was forced to kick a 19-yard field goal after an open receiver dropped a pass in the end zone from Malone. Coming out of halftime with a 22-17 lead, ACU received the opening kickoff. Malone was intercepted, and the Greyhounds were forced to punt. On the punt, junior all-American Danieal Manning fielded the ball on the 2-yard line trying to make a play. However, Manning was tackled in the end zone for a safety instead of getting ACU’s offense back on the field. Manning’s attempted punt return was his only one of the game. Every Greyhound punt
went out of bounds to keep the ball out of Manning’s hands. “I wouldn’t kick it to him,” coach Thomsen said. Eastern New Mexico’s triple option running play performed as expected, totaling 249 rushing yards and scoring three touchdowns. “The option attack is always a hard offense to stop, especially when they have the ball on the short end of the field,” senior outside linebacker Matt Allen said. “We did an average job of stopping their attack, but average is not good enough.” The defense had two players each make 14 tackles. Sophomore Cody Stutts and junior Marcus Brown led the way for the Wildcats defensively. Stutts had one quarterback sack and Brown forced a fumble.
brian schmidt/Chief Photographer
Wildcat sophomore starting pitcher Chris Wiman pitches to the Nanshiki Japanese All-Star team during the Wildcats 8-0 loss Thursday.
remained in contact with the Kenyan the whole race. With a mile to go, Naimadu surged well ahead of Clark and beat him by 10 seconds. ACU, the only Division II team in the Race of Champions field, placed third overall (83 points) behind the College of William and Mary (48) and the University of Virginia (60). The Wildcats’ placing Saturday came despite disappointing races by a few ACU runners. Two Wildcat freshmen, however, continued to run well this season, placing in the top-10 overall. Serge Gasore was seventh with a time of 24:24.30, edging out teammate Philip Birgen, who placed eighth in 24:24.70.
Senior Lucky Hadebe was next for ACU, placing 30th with a time of 25:19.80, while fifth runner Martin O’Kello was 37th overall in 25:32.20. Freshman Alberic Nkurunziza finished a disappointing 63rd (26:14.40). Hood had set a pre-race goal of having all his runners run within one minute of each other, but instead, the spread of the seven runners was more than two minutes. In the women’s race, sophomore Olha Kryv’yak was the top Wildcat, placing 16th in 17:44.60 over five kilometers. Senior Trina Cox was 24th with a time of 17:59, followed by senior Adeh Mwamba in 44th with a time of 18:32.80. Hood said he thinks Mwamba’s best is yet to
come. “Adeh continues to get in better condition, but she is still far from being 100 percent,” he said. “If anyone underestimates Adeh, I think they will be in for a surprise by the time our conference meet completes.” Both teams will participate in the Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree in Stillwater, Okla., on Saturday. Hood said the weekend was a good learning experience for his team. “Overall, the trip to N.C. was a good traveling experience that will benefit the team when we prepare for the National Championships in November,” he said.
E-mail Holt at: smh00a@acu.edu
SportsWednesday Optimist
Page 8 Standings Football Team Angelo St. WTAMU Tarleton St. ENMU A&M-C ACU
Conf. Overall 3-0 5-0 3-0 5-0 3-0 4-0 3-1 3-2 2-1 3-1 2-1 2-2
All-stars visit Wildcats n Collegiate all-stars from Japan played a nine-inning game against the Wildcats Thursday using a hollow rubber ball called a Nanshiki ball. ACU lost the contest 8-0.
Baseball
By BRIAN HOLLAND Sports Writer
Volleyball Team Div. ACU 2-0 Angelo St. 1-1 TAMU-K 1-1 WTAMU 0-0 ENMU 0-0 Tarleton St. 0-2
Overall 12-3 8-8 5-11 13-6 2-8 8-5
Scores Saturday
Volleyball ACU 3, Tarleton State 0 Football Eastern New Mexico 33, ACU 30
The baseball team lost 8-0 to a Japanese collegiate all-star team in front of the home crowd Thursday night in exhibition play. This was the team’s first shutout since late last season, but don’t try to tell that to head coach Britt Bonneau. “I wouldn’t even look at the score,” Bonneau said. “Overall, I just think it was a good experience for both teams.” The defending Lone Star Con-
ference South Division champions helped the visiting team jump to a quick lead by hitting three batsmen in the first five innings and walking in a run. The Japanese team helped its cause with two hits for two runs each to command an early 5-0 lead. While the visit from the Nanshiki Japanese All-Star Baseball Team was its first ever to Crutcher Scott Field, the main story of the game was the type of balls used. The Nanshiki ball is a seamless, rubber ball with a hollow center. The composition of this foreign baseball makes for lower scoring games due to less flight in the outfield and more bounce on the infield grass.
Though the different ball could have changed the way the team played the game, Bonneau instead credited the play of the Japanese team: “They don’t make many mistakes and that’s the type of team we want to be come March.” Bonneau also said the Nanshiki team reminded him of the Delta State team the Wildcats faced in the regional tournament of the Division II College World Series last year. The game, instead of carrying importance on the scoreboard, allowed for the new squad to gain some collegiate experience. “We’re relying on three or four young kids to be impact players See
JAPAN page 7
n The ACU men’s and women’s tennis teams won two championships at the ITA Central Region Tournament to advance three players to the national meet.
Friday
Volleyball ACU vs. St. Mary’s, 7 p.m. Tennis Women, Red Raider Invitational, 11 a.m. Women, Kentucky Fall Invitational, 11 a.m.
By JARED FIELDS Sports Editor
Saturday
Football ACU at Southeastern Oklahoma State, 2:30 p.m. Cross country OSU Cowboy Jamboree, 11 a.m. Tennis Women, Red Raider Invitational, 11 a.m. Women, Kentucky Fall Invitational, 11 a.m.
• Home games listed in italics
Statistics Football-Season
Rashon Myles Taber Minner Billy Malone
Receiving yards Robb Spells Jerale Badon Taber Minner
Tackles
Cody Stutts Marcus Brown Clayton Farrell Matt Allen Travis Carpenter
358 145 91
257 222 97
44 44 34 28 20
brian schmidt/Chief Photographer
Junior Holly Lindloff runs for the ball in Saturday’s ITA Central Regional Tournament at the Eager Tennis Center.
Cross Country successful in N.C. meet n Members of the men’s and women’s cross country team ran in Saturday’s Great American Cross Country Festival in Cary, N.C., running against D-I schools. By Steve Holt Sports Writer
As expected, sophomore star Nicodemus Naimadu ran away with the race Saturday in Cary, N.C. Naimadu took home a first-place medal from the Great American
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Nanshiki Japanese All-Star starting pitcher Atsuhi Sunaga throws a pitch during the Wildcats 8-0 exhibition loss Thursday.
Tennis teams dominate regional meet
Upcoming Schedule
Rushing yards
September 28, 2005
Cross Country Cross Country Festival after blazing the eight-kilometer course with a time of 23:59.60. The defending Division II national champion lived up to his title and much more, defeating top runners from some of the premier Division I schools in the South. Naimadu’s attitude about the win was nonchalant. “I just took it easy, en-
joying the terrain of the course,” Naimadu said of his race. “It was a nice course for training; hills and slopes, tall trees that provided shade and kept the place suitable for the event.” Head coach Derek Hood said he hoped Naimadu would win the race, but he was surprised at how much he dominated the meet. “I didn’t expect him to basically lead the entire race, but he took control of the
race from the very start and looked great,” Hood said. “Nicodemus is a very talented athlete, and I think it’s safe to say that any race he enters this season, he should be the man to watch. He thrives on competition.” Hood said Naimadu got out to an early lead and waited for someone to challenge him. Only Clemson’s Matt Clark, who finished second overall, See
Naimadu page 7
The ACU tennis teams won two titles Saturday in the ITA Central Regional Tournament at Eager Tennis Center and advanced three players to the national tournament. The women’s doubles team, consisting of juniors Holly Lindloff and Lana Pavlin, won the doubles championship and senior Casper Steenkamp won the men’s singles title. Steenkamp’s win is the second regional championship of his career. He also won as a sophomore in 2003. Steenkamp defeated Midwestern State’s Brett Emerson in the final, who had beaten Steenkamp in two matches last spring. “I expected Casper to win this tournament,” head coach Hutton Jones said. “That first set of the final was about as high a level that has ever been played on these courts.” Lindloff and Pavlin fought off the defending regional champion team of Alicia Cummings and Laura Barzilla from Tarleton State in a pair of 7-6 sets to claim the title. “I thought we could win,
Tennis but we were the No. 2 seed,” Lindloff said. “We knew it was going to be really hard the whole weekend but we pulled it all together.” Pavlin said she was suffering from knee pain throughout the weekend and played with soreness during the tournament. “I had really bad tendonitis in my knee and it felt really bad,” Pavlin said. “I was just playing one game at a time and not letting it all overwhelm me.” Jones said the doubles team of Lindloff and Pavlin is an energetic team that will get to the net. “That’s what they’ve got to do at nationals if they want a chance to do well,” Jones said. “A lot of the teams tend to be good singles players who are good doubles teams, and they hit the ball awfully hard, but you can beat them if you get up to the net.” In Steenkamp’s last trip to nationals, fall 2003, he lost all three of his matches, but hopes to do better this time around. “I’m very excited about going and it’s going to be a great opportunity to play against the best people in the country,” Steenkamp said. “It’s going to be a great challenge, every problem presents a great opportunity.” E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu
Volleyball advances to No. 14 in national poll n The Wildcats traveled to play the Tarleton State TexAnns on Saturday in the team’s first weekend of LSC South Division play, and swept the TexAnns 3-0. By HUTTON HARRIS Sports Writer
After getting off to a slow start this season in Tampa by going 0-3; the ACU Wildcat
Volleyball volleyball team has reeled of 12 straight victories to put them on top of the Lone Star Conference, with a 20 record, 12-3 overall. The team’s latest triumph came this weekend in Stephenville against the Tarleton TexAnns See
VOLLEYBALL page 7
Missed opportunities cost Wildcats n ACU’s two failed fourth down conversions in the fourth quarter kept the Wildcats from coming back late in the game and led to a 33-30 loss to Eastern New Mexico. By JARED FIELDS Sports Editor
A blocked field goal, two missed extra points, a touchdown called back because of a penalty and a safety on a punt return gave Eastern New Mexico enough opportunities to beat the Wildcats 33-30 to open South Division play. The loss drops ACU to a 2-2 record for the year and starts the Wildcats’ division play with a loss. “It was simply a badly executed part of our team on Saturday, all the way around,” sophomore right guard Na-
Football than Young said. “It is something we must improve on to win close games down the road.” ACU lost a possible five points from missed kicks and two extra point conversions , one on a block, and while another was kicked wide right. In the third quarter, the Greyhounds blocked a 23-yard field goal attempt by sophomore Mark Trevino. “There was a mishandled snap,” head coach Chris Thomsen said. “The ball was just real low.” With just less than 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter, senior running back Rashon Myles ran in a 4-yard touchdown and made the two-point conversion to bring the score to within a field goal for the
Wildcats. After the conversion, senior right tackle Devorias Jackson remained on the field, lying motionless on the turf. Jackson was placed on a stretcher and carried off the field after a long delay. As serious as the injury looked as emergency personnel attended to Jackson, Thomsen said the injury was a strained neck, and Jackson should be OK in the upcoming weeks. Young said he didn’t see Jackson go down but talked to him after the play. “[Jackson] told me that he ran around the edge and saw two linebackers and went to hit one,” Young said. “And the other guy hit him on the side of his neck.” When play resumed, ACU
kicked off to the Greyhounds. Both teams traded possessions until the Wildcats got the ball with 3:17 left on the clock. After a first down and three plays for no gain, the Wildcats game came down to a fourthand-10 play. Malone dropped back to pass and found freshman Andrew Hansen in the middle, but the pass went high and incomplete, and the Greyhounds took over with 2:09 left in the game. The Greyhounds picked up a first down and ran out the clock to leave ACU with the 33-30 loss. Early in the second quarter, an apparent ACU touchdown pass was called back because brian schmidt/Chief Photographer
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Freshman Jonathan Ferguson leaps for the ball during Saturday’s game.