2006 02 15

Vol. 94, No. 36 1 section, 8 pages

WEDNESDAY

February 15, 2006

www.acuoptimist.com

Losing, gaining ground

Silent night

Flower power

Despite their first loss on the year, the Wildcats are No. 4 in the nation, page 8

Some students choose not to participate in or attend Sing Song for various reasons, page 3

A photo story from Bitsy’s Flowers documents Valentine’s Day, page 5

Show raises more than $1,000 n Proceeds from the ninth annual Black History Production, “At Our Highest,” will go toward next year’s show and Essence of Ebony’s Spring Break Campaign.

By ERIC GENTRY Student Reporter

Anna Carroll/Staff Photographer

Women in the beauty shop talk about “the definition of a man” during the 9th annual Black History Production this weekend in Cullen Auditorium.

Students, faculty, staff and members of the community came to campus for At Our Highest, a Black History production, written and directed

by sophomore Shelby Coates.

“It’s not just your typical Black History Month show,” said Coates, sophomore broadcast journalism major from Clarksville, Tenn. “People really liked the outlook and the interesting message.

It touched a wide range of people.”

At Our Highest raised more than $1,000 in ticket sales Friday. Some of the money raised by the production will

be saved for next year’s show, but much of it will go toward funding the Essence of Ebony Spring Break Campaign to Oklahoma City.

Every spring, the officers of Essence of Ebony interview candidates to direct the next year’s Black History Production. After being chosen last April, Coates spent her summer writing the script for At Our Highest.

“The message was a hope

for unity,” Coates said. “It’s not just black history or white history; it’s everyone’s history.”

Ernesto Villarreal, a junior interdisciplinary youth and family ministry and Spanish major from Brownsville, worked the lights at this weekend’s production. He said though he is Hispanic, he wants to give back to a culture See

BHP page 4

I will survive

Professor uses leave to study farmers

n During his sabbatical in the fall, Dr. Waymon Hinson talked with several black farmers in the southern United States to research for a project.

By MITCH HOLT Staff Writer

In 1910, black farmers owned 15.6 million acres of all farmland in the United States; today, black farmers own less than 3.1 million acres of all farmland in the U.S., and this number is rapidly decreasing.

Statistics like these barely break the surface of the study performed by Dr. Waymon Hinson, professor in the Department of MarHinson riage and Family Therapy, during his sabbatical last semester. Dr. Edward Robinson, professor of Bible and history, helped him with the study.

Hinson was introduced to the Black See

Brian Schmidt/Chief Photographer

Members of the junior class practice their Sing Song act at 7 p.m. Friday during Moody Weekend. Groups had their first opportunity to practice on the Sing Song stage during this time, and each group had 40 minutes on stage from 7 p.m. Friday until 4 a.m. Saturday. Kendall Massey, director of Student Productions, gave each group advice for their acts.

SABBATICAL page 4

Siggies, Gamma Sigs attempt five in a row n Despite winning every Sing Song since 2002, members of Sigma Theta Chi and Gamma Sigma Phi play down talks about dynasties and insist they are just having fun.

By DANI LINTHICUM Opinion Editor

Sigma Theta Chi and Gamma Sigma Phi are both going for their fifth year as champions of Sing Song class acts, but both clubs insist that they are just having fun and not concerned about winning again.

“I don’t want to use any

loaded language like ‘dynasty,’” said Justin Scott, senior political science major from Whitehouse and member of GSP. “Each year is an event unto itself.”

Scott said he would be deceitful if he didn’t admit that there are “certain pressures and a certain focus” to practices this year, but he said members are trying not to worry about winning too much.

“We don’t want to get to caught up in the winning See

SWEEP page 4

Video on the Web

http://pricklypear.acu.edu/videos/ for a report on Moody Weekend

Sing Song ticket sales • Tickets for Thursday and Friday nights and Saturday afternoon can still be purchased in the ticket window in Moody Coliseum from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through Friday.

• Prime seating areas cost $18 per ticket, $16 for premium seating and $14 for general seating for the Friday and Saturday shows. Tickets can also be purchased for $10 for the Thursday night performance.

Tickets sell more quickly n The Saturday night Sing Song show has been sold out for about three weeks, but tickets can still be purchased for the Friday night and Saturday afternoon shows.

By WHITNEY MANN Student Reporter

Sing Song tickets sold much more quickly than expected this year and sold out for Saturday night’s show by Jan. 24.

Last year’s tickets sold out for Saturday evening’s performance at the end of the second week of February.

“Saturday night has been selling out for as long as I can remember,” said Kendall Massey, director of Stu-

dent Productions.

Chris Jackson, sophomore marketing major from Tyler and member of the Student Production staff, said he thinks ticket sales have a lot to do with this being ACU’s centennial year; however, staff members hope people are simply wantMassey ing to come back and enjoy the show.

Sing Song begins with a discount show Thursday evening and continues through the weekend.

Documentary makes African children visible n Many who viewed “Invisible Children” at Highland Church of Christ on Monday came away with a better understanding of the living conditions in Africa.

By JAYME SMITH Student Reporter

The auditorium lights are dimmed and a wide-eyed audience sits motionless with the exception of a few women and men wiping a tear from their face, as flashing images of children carrying guns appear on a screen.

People of all ages Sunday

“It sickens me to know that what’s happening to children in Uganda is just a small part of what’s taking place all over the world.”

Ann Varner, student financial aid counselor and member of Highland Church of Christ

night viewed a documentary called Invisible Children at Highland Church of Christ.

The film showed kidnapped, enslaved Ugandan children as young as 5 years old being trained for combat.

The 7 p.m. screening at Highland was part of a nationwide effort to spread the film to universities and churches with the help of

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

volunteers traveling in RVs. It also began its three-day visit in Abilene, which continued Monday at HardinSimmons University and Tuesday at ACU. The showing of the film stirred emotions throughout the audience members at Highland, including Ann Varner, student financial aid counselor and member

of Highland.

“It sickens me to know that what’s happening to children in Uganda is just a small part of what’s taking place all over the world,” Varner said.

Specific parts of the movie also left Varner heavy-hearted.

“There was one child named Jacob who said that he couldn’t cry for his older

brother who had been killed or else he would also be killed,” Varner said. “You couldn’t see any fear or tears from these kids.

“It’s hard enough for adults to try and hide their emotions — imagine kids being forced to.”

Many viewers came to see the documentary for a specific purpose, like Joy Langford, professor of English.

“I want to be able to understand enough about this to spread awareness,” Lang-

Abilene Christian University

See

Shows will be 7 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets can be purchased in Moody Coliseum at the ticket window from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Friday or online at www.acusingsong.com. With about 900 online orders, this Web site has proved to be the more popular ordering location than the ticket window.

Tickets are sold in three different categories according to price: prime, $18; premium, $16; and general, $14. Tickets cost $10 for Thursday night’s show. When the show began 50 years ago, Sing Song adSee

SALES page 4

Special editions • With Sing Song and Lectureship activities during the next week, the Optimist will publish three special expanded editions covering all the events surrounding the week.

• Publication schedule: Friday: News will feature a preview of Sing Song as well as a look at the show’s 50-year history.

Sunday: Issue will include Sing Song results as well as a schedule of Lectureship activities.

Tuesday: Continued Lectureship coverage.

INVISIBLE page 4 Serving the ACU community since 1912

Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

15

Calendar & Events Wednesday

Lectureship packet distributed, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

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Saturday

Lectureship packet distributed, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

Dinner Theater Jane Eyre, 8 p.m, Fulks Theater.

Thursday

Dinner Theater Jane Eyre, 8 p.m., Fulks Theater.

Lectureship packet distributed, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

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Sing Song “The 50th Year”, 2 p.m., Cullen Auditorium.

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Sunday

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Monday

88th Annual Lectureship Opening Ceremony, 7 p.m., Cullen Auditorium.

Friday

Lectureship packet distributed, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

Dinner Theater Jane Eyre, 8 p.m, Fulks Theater.

88th Annual Lectureship, 8 a.m., Campus-wide.

Sing Song “The 50th Year”, 8 p.m., Cullen Auditorium.

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.

Volunteer Opportunities

The Alzheimer’s Association needs volunteers to distribute brochures and visit with attendees at a health fair in the Abilene Civic Center from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Feb. 16 in Abilene. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.

The City of Abilene Emergency Management needs 20 volunteers to act as victims in a simulated airport crash for a city/county wide exercise 8 a.m.-noon April 5.

A professional will add injuries to the volunteers with makeup, the fire departments will rescue them and transport them to the hospital and then back to ACU. Contact the director of emergency management by March 15 to volunteer. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.

The Day Nursery of Abilene needs volunteers to set up, prepare, serve, and clean up during Day Nursery’s 14th annual Mexican Dinner fundraising event from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 25.

The H.E.R.O. Program needs volunteers to help by walking along side a horse and helping support and interact with a client. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.

Hendrick Hospice Care will hold a Volunteer Orientation on Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon in the United Way of Abilene Community Room at 240 Cypress. A light lunch will be provided. To register or for more information contact

677-8516 or e-mail jlforrest@ ehendrick.org There is an urgent need for a student who needs special assistance during class in the JMC Dept. Ideally the volunteer would sit with the student during class and lab to provide assistance with hands on projects. Classes meet at 8 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays and at noon on Mondays. It is preferable that the volunteer have completed JMC 201 Intro to Visual Communication.

However, a student who is otherwise proficient in PhotoShop and iMovie would also be a strong candidate. For more information contact Dr. Cheryl Bacon or Jessica Smith at 674-2812 or 674-6767.

The Volunteer Center has received a request for someone with artistic abilities to paint drawings in a classroom. The drawings are already in place, they just need to be painted. Contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center for more information.

The ACU Lectureship will be held Sunday through Wednesday and volunteers are needed for the following: 1) Volunteers are needed to serve as ushers each night, Sunday through Wednesday from 6:15 8:15 p.m. 2) Volunteers to help with baby sitting are needed for a variety of 4-hour shifts during each day and evening.

3) Male volunteers are needed to serve communion Sunday evening, following the 7 p.m. lecture. Contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center for more information.

Credited Chapels remaining:

22 48

Announcements The Medical Clinic has a limited number of flu vaccines available for $15 that will be given on a first come/first serve basis.

No appointment is necessary.

Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. through 4:30 p.m. Call 6742625 for more information.

The Counseling Center and the Office of Career and Academic Development will share popcorn and possibilities by talking about solutions to questions about school/ academic problems, depression/ anxiety, careers, major choices, relationships, stress and other situations. Popcorn and Possibilities takes place every Wednesday from 1:30-2:30 p.m. in the lower level of McKinzie hall.

Eating Attitudes & Self Esteem (EASE), a confidential support group for women preoccupied with weight, size and food, will teach students to respect themselves regardless of current weight and size. Date, time and location are confidential.

Contact the Counseling Center at 674-2626 for more information or a screening interview.

Third Day and the David Crowder Band will be in concert March 5 at Taylor County Coliseum.

Special student rate tickets are available in the Campus Activities Board office from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact 674-2772 with questions.

Male students that struggle with sexual purity can join Brothers In Battle: The Struggle for Sexual Purity, a group of students who are involved in the same battle. The group will meet on Thursdays. Time and location are confidential. For more information, contact the Counseling Center at 674-2626.

Individuals who struggle with same sex attractions can

join Strugglers with Same Sex Attraction: And Those Who Care About Us for help and support on Mondays. The time and location are confidential. Contact the Counseling Center at 674-2626 for more information.

The Students` Association Congress will ratify the new Constitution Wednesday at 5 p.m. Student body members are encouraged to join in the discussion. For more information, come to the SA office from noon to 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday.

Applications are available for the 2006 ACU Leadership Camps Staff. Students can serve as a camp counselor and lead young people ages 7 to 18 to be more like Jesus. Applications are in the Leadership Camps office in the Bean Sprout.

Agricultural & Environmental Sciences and Healing Hands International will sponsor the Seventh Annual Ag-Missions Luncheon from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m.

Feb. 20 in the Zona Luce building Room 205. This is an information sharing meeting regarding worldwide mission efforts in agriculture, health and nutrition.

The luncheon is open to faculty, staff and students. Call 674-2401 for reservations.

Summer internships are available at Dry Bones Denver, a non-profit ministry that works with homeless and runaway youth of downtown Denver.

Summer interns will be involved in ministry on the streets (leading Bible studies, planning events for the homeless youth) and with the Elevations` groups. Interns must raise their own support.

Visit www.drybonesdenver.org for details about the Elevations program. Internship supervisor, Robbie Goldman Robbie@ drybonesdenver.org will be in Abilene Friday through Monday for interviews.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Page 3

CAMPUS NEWS

Some opt for song-free weekend n Not all students will participate in or attend Sing Song, either because they don’t want to pay the high ticket price or because they don’t have spare time.

By JORDAN SORENSON Student Reporter

While much of campus is swarming with Sing Song stress, many students chose not to participate in the musical tradition.

Some have even chosen not to attend the production at all.

Regi McCabe-Gossett, freshman biochemistry major from Everett, Wash., said he probably will not attend the show.

“I don’t want to spend like $20 on a ticket,” McCabe-Gossett said.

Some students are willing to pay the $14-18 ticket fee but were not interested in spending the hours preparing for the show. Amy Cullers, freshman nursing major from Plano, is one of those students.

“I’m not the performing kind, but I wanted to watch my friends in it, so I have tickets,” she said.

A prevalent reason why Sing Song didn’t attract some students was because of the

“I’ve been wrecking havoc with the freshmen when they come in for curfew each night.”

James Barcroft, sophomore sociology major from Arlington

massive time crunch the program’s preparation constrained on its cast. Rebecca Malcom, sophomore international studies major from Kingwood, said she’s simply too busy for the event.

“I already had a large time commitment to my job in Gardner hall as a residence assistant and that takes over 20 hours of my week,” she said.

Residence assistant James Barcroft, sophomore sociology major from Arlington, said he has been trying to use the time not spent on Sing Song wisely.

“I’ve been wreaking havoc with the freshmen when they come in for curfew each night,” he said.

Kelsey Evans, freshman interior design major from Portland, Ore., said she participated in Freshman Follies, but won’t be in Sing Song.

“It took up all of my time,” Evans said. “It was great, but it was way too much for me to handle, and this semester it’s just too much to have that and

everything else on my plate.”

Some students chose not to participate in Sing Song because their academic schedules take up too much time.

Emily Jordan, sophomore classical guitar major from Mason, said her major doesn’t really allow her enough time to join in.

“There is no way I could be a music major and do Sing Song because a music major just takes up so much time,” Jordan said. “So, bouncing school and church and everything else, I just don’t want to spend half my life practicing for Sing Song.”

While some students may have seriously considered joining Sing Song, others didn’t have to make that decision.

Rachel Pruitt, sophomore youth and family ministry major from Tyler, simply said, “I didn’t get the e-mail, so therefore I didn’t join.”

E-mail Sorenson at: jss05a@acu.edu

Study Abroad changes in sight n Coordinators will implement three new initiatives to make the Study Abroad experience more flexible for students and to encourage them to participate.

By ASHLEY ROBINSON Student Reporter

Leaders of the Study Abroad Program will implement three new initiatives beginning as early as this fall to encourage students to participate in the program.

Study Abroad coordinators made provisions to the program so that Bible, missions and ministry majors can participate in Study Abroad and benefit from a more flexible schedule.

Students who wish to study abroad or leave campus for a semester will be able to take a Greek course online beginning next fall.

Coordinators also included a trip to Spain this year for students participating in the Oxford Study Abroad Program during the spring semester. A trip to Normandy is already included for students in Oxford during the fall semester.

In the summer of 2007, Study Abroad will also offer a pre-health option.

Each year, the program grows, and more students make the decision to study abroad. Kevin Kehl, executive director of the Center for International and Intercultural Education, said he encourages all students to take part of the invigorating endeavor.

Kehl said the Study Abroad Program gives students the opportunity to travel and experience other cultures while receiving an education. Thirty-six students are currently in Ox-

“If I hadn’t studied abroad, my life would be so different.”

Lauren Graham, middle school education graduate student

ford, and 13 students are in Latin America. More than 90 students plan to participate during the summer sessions.

Kehl said one problem Study Abroad coordinators face is educating students about the study abroad opportunities available.

He said students come to school and attend classes not realizing that more is out there for them to experience. He said studying abroad gives students the chance to apply the classroom knowledge they have attained and broaden that knowledge in a handson environment.

“We want Kehl the Study Abroad experience to be something that our students anticipate and equate with ACU, just as they do Welcome Week and Sing Song, ” Kehl said.

For Lauren Graham, studying abroad was more than a trip to another country; it was the opportunity of a lifetime.

“Looking back, studying abroad is the best thing I ever did,” said Graham, middle school education graduate student. “If I hadn’t studied abroad, my life would be so different.”

Graham, who now works as the Study Abroad Program coordinator in the

Center for International and Intercultural Education, also completed her student teaching in Latin America, in addition to studying abroad for a semester.

Besides offering students the chance to travel, the Study Abroad Program also offers students a spiritual foundation similar to what they’d experience on campus, Kehl said.

Students can experience the spiritual foundations of ACU while studying abroad, which offers them a unique chance to interact with other cultures while exploring their own faith, Kehl said.

“Faith is integrated in every aspect from courses to excursions,” he said.

Amy Simpson, sophomore theatre major from Denver, spent a semester in Oxford and said that being in such a diverse atmosphere gave her “the chance to live and work the way God intended.”

Kehl said he believes that spending a semester abroad is a needed aspect of attaining a well-rounded education. He reflected on his own six-week expedition in Africa and said it was an “enriching experience.”

For more information about the Study Abroad Program, stop by its office, located in the Hardin Administration Building Room 124, or visit http://www. acu.edu/academics/studyabroad.html.

E-mail Robinson at: optimist@acu.edu

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

The men of Galaxy rehearse their Sing Song act Friday night at Moody Weekend in Moody Coliseum. Their theme is Batman and Robin and they are aiming to capture their first win in five years.

Despite probation, Galaxy sings n The 85-member men’s social club is participating in Sing Song despite being on probation because of an unauthorized pledging activity last fall.

By SHERRI SNYDER Student Reporter

Last semester’s probation won’t keep Galaxy off the Sing Song stage this year.

In September, Galaxy officers had a weekend pledging activity without submitting the required proposal to Campus Life officials.

That mistake landed club officers in the Campus Life office, where they were put on probation, said Galaxy president Scott Brooks, senior finance major from Coppell.

As part of the probation, all men who were pledging at the time, called Novas, were admitted into club without completing the remaining pledge activities.

Some of the pledges said they felt that the punishment seemed to affect them more than the officers.

Chase Cawyer, junior business management major from Colleyville, was a pledge when the club went on probation.

“Probation was defi-

“We felt cheated. We didn’t get to go through what a typical Nova would go through.”

Chase Cawyer, junior business management major from Colleyville

nitely worse for us; we felt cheated,” he said. “We didn’t get to go through what a typical Nova would go through.”

However, Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, said the club and its pledges were treated as a single group, not two separate entities.

“The action of the club as a whole, of any member or members behaving outside of the leadership of the club, and of the pledges acting alone or as a group, will affect the entire club,” he said in an e-mail.

Galaxy members and pledges felt no animosity toward one another, and the probation actually brought the men closer together as they dealt with the punishment, Cawyer said.

“Anytime you go through adversity, it makes you stronger — not only personally, but as a group,” he said.

Aside from the elimination of pledging activities,

not much has changed for the men of Galaxy.

Still able to participate in Sing Song, the men of Galaxy hope to win for the first time in five years. If they succeed, it will be the 25th time the club has claimed victory during Sing Song’s 50-year history.

The club will also hold its 22nd annual Kirk Goodwin Run sometime in early April. Kirk Goodwin was a pledge for Galaxy in 1985 when he was killed in a car accident. In his memory, Galaxy will sell T-shirts and possibly wristbands to raise money for a family who needs financial assistance with medical bills.

After a bit of difficulty last semester, Galaxy has assumed responsibility, accepted its punishment and put the past behind and look forward to the rest of this year’s activities, Cawyer said.

E-mail Snyder at: optimist@acu.edu

Page 4

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Sabbatical: Professor attempts to break racial barriers Continued from page 1 Farmers and Agriculturists Association, advocates for the rights of black farmers, in the early 1990s. During this time —a time Hinson said was a bit more prosperous for black farmers—he was hired by an attorney who worked closely with these farmers in the earliest cases of injustice filed against the federal government. Hinson said he witnessed the unfair treatment of minority farmers during his time as a psychological consultant.

“What I’ve seen is systematic racism at its worst,” Hinson said. “I decided this was something of importance that needed special attention.”

Stepping out on a limb Finally, in the spring of 2005, he decided he would take a sabbatical leave in the fall to conduct a special study on the lives of these black farmers in the southern region of the United States. Shortly after, he began developing a relationship with Gary Grant, president of BFAA.

Prior to the study, Hinson expected to face some opposition and wariness from those he would attempt to talk to.

Given he is white and was attempting to interview black farmers and their families, natural boundaries of distrust were expected, he said.

Hinson said he knew it would be quite a task to gain the respect of individuals different than him, and that he needed the help of Grant to gain credibility among these farmers.

During this e-mail correspondence, he said Grant asked him some penetrating questions. Grant told Hinson he knew this study would benefit him and his academia, then asked him, “But what’s in it for these farmers?”

“He compelled me to look at some things that I may not have looked at if he hadn’t asked me those questions,” Hinson said.

So the study began.

New beginnings During the study, Hinson sat down with several black

farmers and their families and asked them questions about their lives. He said these questions were very open-ended and related to their lives in regard to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“I was in search of the dominant themes that form the basis for their lives,” he said.

The farmers told many stories on the topic, and themes of struggle and resilience seemed to stand out the most during these in-depth interviews.

A major problem among black farmers in the U.S. is the issue of operational loans, Hinson quickly found out. Operational loans are sums of money from the USDA that allow farmers to buy seeds, fertilizer and pay operational costs for their farms. These loans are essential to many farmers, especially smaller, family owned farms. Many black farmers are facing the problem of the USDA not sending these loans on time or at all, resulting in late or no harvest.

“I would be remiss if I didn’t say that in the 1930s the rise of agribusiness and the indus-

Sales: Saturday tickets sold out Continued from page 1 mission was free. As popularity increased, ticket prices gradually went up.

About one-third of the tickets for Friday night have been sold, and all of the prime tickets for Saturday afternoon are sold out.

Tickets went on sale during

Homecoming weekend.

“Selling the tickets early has been helpful,” Jackson said.

Massey said he hopes to connect with a new system of buying tickets online next year that will make it easier for the customers. He also wants to use a program that will immediately print off the tickets for the buyer as soon as they order

them online instead of receiving them in the mail.

“This is a big year,” Massey said. “It is our 50th show and there are lots of changes. It will be a show about our past, but we need to keep our eye on our future. We’re preparing for it right now.

E-mail Mann at: optimist@acu.edu

try has been systematically removing small farmers from the land – black and white,” Hinson said. “But if you look at the numbers, black farmers are losing land faster than white farmers.”

A different approach Meanwhile, Robinson’s involvement in this project was more research-oriented than Hinson’s hands-on role. He surveyed African American involvement in farming from the Colonial Era, the 1600s to the 1920s, and delved into the history-based part of the topic, which is quite abundant.

Robinson said his research has shown him that blacks were, in fact, the agriculture pathfinders on the American frontier, transforming much of the North American wilderness into flourishing agricultural area.

He is in the process of writing an article that shows that even though blacks contributed greatly to the agricultural and economic development of North America, they seldom benefited from their labors.

Ticket Sales • Friday night performance: one-third of tickets have been sold.

• Saturday afternoon performance: All prime tickets have been sold.

• Saturday night performance: all tickets sold

by Jan. 24

Sweep: Clubs not worried about winning Continued from page 1 streak,” Scott said. “Worrying sucks the fun and joy out of this year. Every year is different and fun.”

Other members agreed.

“We aren’t thinking about the past, we’re just working on perfecting our act and growing mustaches,” said Joey Halbert, senior political science major from Austin.

“We want to make our alumni proud and put on an entertaining show for the audience.”

Twenty-eight more men will participate in GSP’s Sing Song act this year, said Jeff McCain, senior integrated marketing communication

major from Liberty and GSP’s director.

McCain directed his freshman class act, but this is his first time directing GSP in Sing Song.

“It can be really hard to keep the guys’ attention,” McCain said. “They’re really easily distracted … but we have a lot of fun.”

One of the most powerful things about Sing Song is the influence of the older men to the younger members, McCain said.

Scott said that he remembers looking up to the older members when he first joined the club as a sophomore.

“Now I’m the older guy,” he said. “It’s cool to be a senior

and look back at the shows I’ve been in before, and see the young guys being a part of this tradition.”

Members of Sigma Theta Chi also stressed their desire to just have fun and not get to caught up in the competition.

“I’m just excited about our theme,” said Julianne Batts, senior interior design major from Abilene. “It’s really cute, and we have a lot of great girls involved.”

Siggies’ director, Kara Wilson, said that Sing Song is not about winning, but relationships.

“I just want people to know that Siggies are not full of themselves,” said Wilson,

senior interdisciplinary Spanish and vocational missions major from San Antonio. “It’s about having fun together and building awesome relationships.”

Wilson said the “streak” has never even been mentioned in Siggies Sing Song practice.

“We’re too busy having a blast together,” she said.

Wilson is the seventh director in her family, and she said it is really exciting for her to carry on that tradition.

“I love music, friends and having fun together,” she said.

“That’s what it’s about.”

E-mail Linthicum at: del01a@acu.edu

“Racism not only excluded African Americans from equal educational opportunities and social and political rights, it also prevented black farmers from acquiring the land and economic success they desired,” Robinson said.

Much of this information is studied in Robinson’s class entitled, “The African-American Experience, 1850 to the present,” which is offered through the History Department.

Robinson said he believes Hinson is doing an outstanding job and will be speaking in his African-American history class in March.

Proposing change Jan. 26-28, Hinson attended and spoke at the African American Farmers first national conference in Memphis, Tenn. According to the conference program, the conference issued forth an “urgent call to stop the on-going theft of life, dignity and land legacy of African Americans.”

The conference welcomed hundreds of white and black supporters from all over the

country. The title of Hinson’s presentation was “African American Farmers: Stories of Struggle and Resilience: Mental and Physical Challenges.”

It highlighted his study in the lives of the farmers and proposed ways to bring an end to the issue at hand­— psychologically, physically and spiritually.

Hinson has been working closely with Robinson in writing several literary pieces about their experiences with these farmers. The two professors have been brainstorming and exploring all kinds of possibilities, ranging from documentaries to books.

This whole project is not just about some black farmers and their stories, so it’s important that this is an ongoing project for Hinson and Robinson, even after he writes his pieces, he said.

“With a lot of prayer, reflection and talking with people,” Hinson said, “I’m looking for what else can be done with this project.”

E-mail Holt at: mah02f@acu.edu

Invisible: Film touches viewers Continued from page 1 ford said. “We should set to motion what we came to be about as Christians.”

Langford also had her own perspective on the events taking place in Uganda.

“It’s disorienting,” she said.

“Most of our daily lives are full of habit. We keep to our McVey schedule; we usually know what’s next and to see this film—it hits us in an uncomfortable way.”

Even though a number of viewers had heard of Invisible Children before, seeing the documentary broadened perspectives, said Christopher Smith, senior computer science major from College Station.

“I had learned about the events occurring in Uganda from Dan McVey, [missions

coordinator for the Department of Bible Missions and Ministry], but seeing the video gives a more direct perspective on what’s happening,” Smith said.

Volunteers for the cause, including John Rowett, representative for the Invisible Children cause, encouraged the people of Abilene, especially youth, to look at this situation wholeheartedly and passionately.

“It’s important for our generation to get involved, and it’s also our responsibility to change the world,” Rowett said.

After the screening, many, like Langford, questioned and discovered answers as to how people can help the children of Uganda.

“Encourage friends to see the video,” Langford said. “Talk to them about it, donate money but most of all, pray about it.”

E-mail Smith at: optimist@acu.edu

BHP: Cast already begins envisioning next year Continued from page 1 that has given him so much.

“I do believe that AfricanAmerican history is a part of American history,” he said.

“Some people tell me I’m not black, but you don’t have to be black to be a part of that

American history.”

Villarreal, who is also a residence assistant at Mabee Hall, said several students from his hall have already asked how they can get involved with next year’s production.

“We’re just planning to do

something even better next year than this year,” Villarreal said. “That’s what we strive for every year.”

Anna Peters, freshman children’s ministry and vocal performance major from Houston and an actress in the show, said she can’t wait for next year.

“I hope everybody felt something because we as a cast got so much out of it,” Peters said. “We wish we could have had three nights

instead of two.”

Coates said she is already thinking of possible scripts for next year’s show and hopes it will convey the same message of unity to its audience.

“Kids saw that black history isn’t just for black people, just like Freshman Follies or Shades isn’t for one race,” she said. “It’s for all people.”

E-mail Gentry at: optimist@acu.edu

Friday, February 15, 2006

Page 5

Local News

Gerber daisies soak up water while waiting in “bonnets” to be arranged.

Big Fun Roses (center), Saturn Roses (right) and Latin Ladies (left) have just been dethorned. Their leaves and thorns litter the floor of Bitsy’s shop.

Arrangements are stored in the Tool School where they stay cool.

Itsy bitsy flower shop As they do every year, the women at Bitsy’s Flowers spent their Valentine’s Day with world travelers, which come from as far away as Cwalifornia, Columbia and Israel. Their travelers are flowers.

More than 2,500 roses, 800 of them red, and countless other flowers pass through Bitsy’s Flowers for Valentine’s Day. They’re all headed for final destinations in the Abilene area, and their names — Latin Lady, Saturn, Casanova — are as exotic as the destinations they were grown in.

“We always tell the boys the names of the roses they buy,” said Bitsy Gregory, owner of Bitsy’s Flowers for 31 years. “It impresses the girls.”

Valentine’s Day is the biggest holiday of the year for Bitsy, whose staff for the week before Valentine’s Day triples from five to 15.

“It gets fast and furious,” Bitsy said. “We tell people to order early every year, but they never listen.” The majority of Bitsy’s Valentine’s Day orders come in up to six days in advance.

“But we get it all done. If we don’t, we’ll have to leave the country.”

But it’s worth all the hassle for the women at Bitsy’s Flowers.

“Even after this long, the flowers are still as beautiful as the first year I worked,” said Faye Staples, a 20-year employee at Bitsy’s Flowers. “We wall ‘ooohhh’ and ‘aaahhh’ over each and every flower, even though we’ve seen them a thousand times.”

Above: On Friday, Bitsy Gregory straightens the heads of gerber daisies to make sure they stand up straight in their arrangements. She works amid Valentine’s supplies; Bitsy’s shop overflows into neighboring stores during the busy holiday.

Left: Bitsy selects a teddy bear from her storage closet for a gift basket Friday; aside from flower arrangements, Bitsy’s offers live plants, gift baskets and balloons.

Right: Debbie Prim, one of 10 temporary workers at Bitsy’s during the Valentine’s holiday, and Lauren Sanders, freshman art major from Houston, dethorn roses in Bitsy’s shop Saturday. All the roses sold by Bitsy are dethorned before being arranged.

Photo story by Emerald McGowan, design by Jaci Schneider

Page 6

The Issue:

Cell phones are a useful tool, but their use can get out of hand.

Our view:

Safety and consideration for others should outflank convenience

The solution:

Don’t make the government babysit you and your cell phone. Use common sense.

February 15, 2006

Use common sense with your cell phone It’s a common sight around campus. Drivers cutting others off, failing to signal turns or lane changes, or running stop signs — and we look over and sigh.

Of course, we say, he’s driving like a jerk because he’s on his cell phone.

Several states are attempting to regulate cell phone use among drivers. In New York it’s against the law to talk on your cell phone without a hands-free device while driving. Arizona, Arkansas and Illinois all prohibit bus drivers from using cell phones,

Will legislation really fix the problem, and and Maine 21 items in the 20 restricts items or less line. can we possibly regulate common sense? drivers We microwave evunder age erything, get our 21 from using cell phones ing on the go, let’s face it, lunch to go, park as close and driving even when the line is wrap- to class as possible, and But will legislation really ping around Taco Bueno, we yes, talk on our cell phones fix the problem; can we pos- would rather stay in our cars while walking, driving and sibly regulate lack of com- then hassle with getting out even bike riding. mon sense? and walking inside.

It’s a part of being effiThe real problem is not Modern American society cient, yes, but our constant cell phones themselves, but operates on the idea that frenzy can lead to carelessour attitude toward driving saving time reigns supreme. ness. The endless noise in in general.

We walk up and down the our heads from cell phones We live in a 100-mile-an- checkout lines at Wal-mart and iPods can cloud our hour society. Multi-tasking in an endless quest for judgment and just one misis a way of life, and for many the shortest line, and get take can make us regret our of us, we are so used to eat- ticked off at someone with distractions.

Let Loose

Cole Williams

Living with love and diamonds As Valentine’s Day comes and goes, I can’t help looking at the bare ring finger on my left hand without a sigh.

It’s not that I desperately want to get married; it’s just that my Guest Column r oom m a te Emerald is.

Our McGowan apartment is kneedeep in wedding magazines, I’ve just finished taking her engagement photos, and when we sit in our living room, I can’t help but notice how the light gleams from her diamond engagement ring.

And it wouldn’t be so bad, except Kalyn is my third roommate in three years to get engaged.

My freshman year roommate, Nichole, left one November afternoon

My roommates may have already met the man ... but they didn’t get the ring until I was around. to go on a scavenger hunt with her boyfriend. What she found was a shiny, round diamond engagement ring and by the following July, she was Mrs. Wesley Wilson.

My sophomore year, I studied abroad. I thought I was safe, rooming with a girl from Lubbock Christian University. Her gleaming diamond came in early December, in a hotel lobby, overlooking the Eiffel Tower. By the following July, she too, was a “Mrs.” By the time I moved in with Kalyn, I was in denial. I kept thinking she’d be my last college roommate; that I’d never have to move my two-ton couch again. When her then-boyfriend asked me to figure out what ringsize she was, my world

shattered. On July 22 of this year, she will become Mrs. BJ Gensic and I will again be ringless and lack a roommate.

According to U.S. Census records, for every 100 single women of all ethnicities, there are only 33 single men.

So, explain to me how I came across, temporarily lived with, and then was ditched by three of those lucky women?

Don’t take this the wrong way—I am ecstatic for all three of them; I know they’ll be happy and that they’ll have long, fruitful lives together. But that doesn’t help me or my couch, and Valentine’s Day only makes it worse.

What is Valentine’s Day, if not a nationally celebrated day for tortur-

ing those who, though they may be in a relationship, are not married or engaged?

A day for all ringless women across the country, 77 percent of women, to look at both their bare ring-fingers and their sickeningly happy married friends and wonder what they’re doing wrong. I am.

All I know is this: my ex-roommates may have met the men they wanted to marry before they moved in with me, but they definitely didn’t get the ring until I was around.

So this year I’m living by myself and maybe, just maybe, come November or December, I’ll get a gleaming diamond of my own.

Emerald cut, please.

E-mail McGowan at: eam02e@acu.edu or optimist@acu.edu

In Your Words

Have you seen “Invisible Children” and if so, what is your opinion?

“I liked the film, but not the way it was presented.”

Brent Hines

junior international relations major from Belton

“I don’t know much about it, but I plan on seeing it.”

“I haven’t even heard of it.”

Stephanie Peurifoy

Aaron Coronado

sophomore nursing major from Rockwall

sophomore music education major from Fort Worth

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

E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu

Don’t get stuck in rich complacency How could such a heartMany flock to the conbreaking catastrophe go fines of a protected dingy unnoticed for so long? hospital at night, welcomed I am ashamed of myself. by nothing more than proThe des- tection, bodies stacked in peration in piles concentration camp S o u t h e r n style, while disease has its Sudan and way with many. This is a N o r t h e r n refuge for them — a place U g a n d a to escape oppression. convicts This is a mere glimpse me. Have I of the situation. It doesn’t s tr u ggl ed crack the surface of what Don’t Believe for sur- really goes on. the Hype vival, for I see my warm bed, my a place to television, my triple-ventiMitch sleep and a three-pump-vanilla latte, Holt hot meal to my health and my freedom, eat? Never in my life have I and I am ashamed. I’m worried for my safety to the ashamed that I write colorextent that ful columns about thousands in the poverty-strickUganda and en, claiming that I Have I struggled recognize an everSudan face for survival, a every day. present epidemic, As the yet not truly afplace to sleep Lord’s Resisfected as someone and a hot meal tance Army, a who truly cares. to eat? rebel group of Knowing how to guerilla fighthandle these feelers that dwells in the jungle ings is difficult. by day and in the cities kidThe easy thing to do is napping children by night, continue to live in ignobecomes more zealous rance, to consciously alabout their pointless but low ourselves to get lost in devastating cause, thou- our technology-driven, casands of children between reer-path-of-choice lives in ages 8 and 14 are being which a trip to church on robbed of their innocence.

Sunday makes us feel bet“Invisible Children” is a ter about our lavish living. documentary reverberating But what good does throughout conversation that do? Injustice — povacross the country. This erty, racism, complaweek the film and several cency, war, violence, of its supporters were in rebel armies — survives Abilene showing the docu- because of our willingmentary to students and ness to live in ignorance. others in our city.

Ignorance is the easy The film captures the way out, but it’s not the violent kidnappings of right way out. If you have, young children who are be- give. Propel yourself into ing forced to fight for the the uncomfortable realm LRA’s cause and manipu- of questioning what is lated into vicious fighters, comfortable. Go above the along with those striving to collection plate and start a dodge the violence of the revolution of your own. Begroup by living in poverty come an activist for peace more abject than we can and a patron for the poor. imagine.

Question every ideal The film documents handed to you by society, five young boys who live and start over. as wanderers in their own But at all costs, deny country, dodgers of the yourself the rut of comfort rebels. At night, the boys on which we Americans retreat to the damp, de- thrive, the rut of comfort meaning basement of a bus that allows rebel groups yard, where they mutter like the LRA to have their Tupac songs, weep about way with the women and abducted friends and sleep children of third world side by side on the flooded countries. Replace it with cement floor. compassion.

This is similar to situaFor when we truly do tions that many refugees in this, no rebel army or racist the area face, but most are regime can survive. not lucky enough to have a E-mail Holt at: secret hideaway. mah02f@acu.edu or optimist@acu.edu

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

The solution lies in using common sense.

Talking on your cell phone and driving is sometimes necessary, but please be sensible when doing so.

A moment of convenience or story swapping is not worth someone’s life or even a fender-bender.

Common sense is too good a thing to waste — so please use it. Don’t force the government to baby-sit your cell phone.

Editorial and Management Board Jonathan Smith

Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Newsroom: (325) 674-2439

Sports desk: (325) 674-2684

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Dani Linthicum

Jared Fields

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Online: www.acuoptimist.com

SPORTS JUMPS

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Page 8

Indoor: Athletes continue to qualify for nationals Continued from page 8 meter relay team and Marvin Bien-Aime earned automatic bids to the NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships in Boston next month, joining automatic qualifiers Angie Aguilar in the pole vault and the women’s distance medley relay.

“I was really pleased with the effort we got and the results we got,” Hood said.

The women’s 4x400-meter relay team finished second in a field that included New Mexico, San Diego State, UNLV, New Mexico State, Houston, and Brigham Young University, posting an automatic

qualifying time of 3:45.03.

Bien-Aime, the lone automatic qualifier for the men’s team, won the men’s 200meter dash in 21.27, an new indoor school record.

“Marvin Bien-Aime just keeps getting better every week,” Hood said. “He looked like he was just cruising.”

The other men’s qualifier was senior transfer Montez Pride, who was third in the 60-meter dash with a provisional qualifying time of 6.87 and fourth in the 200meter dash with a provisional qualifying time of 21.72.

The men’s 4x400-meter relay team – comprised of Pride, Elton Garus-Oab, Jordan

Johnson, and Delt Cockrell – which already has posted a strong provisional qualifying time, won the event Saturday with a time of 3:14.21.

But the women’s team has stood out above much of Division II track and field this season, and Saturday’s performance was no different. Freshman Kim Prather was a top performer for the Wildcats, finishing sixth in the 60-meter dash (7.60) and fifth in the 200-meter dash with a provisional qualifying time of 24.62.

Shawna-Kaye Thompson, who has already qualified provisionally in the 60-meter hurdles, qualified provision-

ally in the 60-meter dash with a provisional time of 7.76. Teammate Jessica Hunt also qualified provisionally with a seventh-place finish in the 200-meter dash (24.73).

The women’s middledistance squad had a good showing Saturday. Vanessa Whittle and Denise Morgan went 1-2 in the 800-meter run, Whittle qualifying provisionally with a time of 2:17.03. Trina Cox won the women’s mile with an improved provisional time of 4:57.86, while teammate Olha Kryv’yak was second with a provisional time of 5:01.66. The milers’ times will be lowered even more,

however, after they are adjusted for the altitude at Saturday’s meet.

Two women posted provisional marks in three more field events, as well. Freshman Jessica Withrow was fifth in the high jump with a height of 5-6 and tied for ninth in the long jump with a distance of 18-3 1/4, both provisional marks. Jessica Blair placed eighth in the triple jump with a provisional mark of 37-11 ½, while junior Angie Aguilar tied for fourth in the pole vault by clearing a height of 12-6.

Aguilar has already qualified automatically for the national meet in the pole vault and

has the top height in Division II track and field.

Hood said he will take a small group of athletes to the Sooner Indoor Invitational in Norman, Okla., on Saturday with the hopes that the athletes who have yet to qualify or have weaker qualifying marks will post new ones or make improvements. The George Mason Invitational on Feb. 24 will mark the last chance for ACU athletes to qualify for the national meet, which will be held in Boston March 10-11.

E-mail Holt at: smh00a@acu.edu

Baseball: High scoring series for Wildcats Continued from page 8

Gary rhodes/Contributing Photographer

Wonderboy Brad Green runs into third baseman Ruben Rivera causing him to drop the ball in the fifth inning of the first game Saturday against Arkansas Tech.

no less intense, as the Wildcats quickly found themselves down 10-0 to the Wonderboys early in the game. However, Arkansas Tech again squandered its massive cushion lead to the Wildcats batting line-up. In the bottom of the fourth inning, with the bases loaded after a wild pitch and a walk, Reuben Rivera and Chris Walsh both drove in runners to tie the game.

Arkansas Tech fought back to regain the lead in the fifth inning and went into the sixth

inning with a 12-11 lead. The Wildcats, however, finished off the Wonderboys big in the bottom of the sixth when senior Joel Wells launched one over the right field wall to take the lead 14-12.

The game seemed to be over, as the Wildcats were feeling the momentum of Wells’ home run. Wiman struck out two batters in the top of the seventh and had a full count on what should have been the last batter of the game. However, Wonderboy Justin Bollig crushed the Wildcats with a game tying home run over the left field wall. And after

a defensive stand in the bottom of the seventh, the Wonderboys sent the game into extra innings.

The Wildcats couldn’t hold off the Wonderboy offensive strike in the top of the eighth, with third baseman Reuben Rivera pitching. Rivera walked two batters and gave up a hit, putting the Wildcats down 16-14. Unable to overcome yet another deficit, the Wildcats lost a heartbreaker to give them their first loss on their impressive 7-1 record.

However, this week’s national poll moved the Wild-

cats up a spot in the rankings to No. 4, while next weekend’s opponent Central Oklahoma moved to No. 1.

Bonneau said he hopes his Wildcats (7-1) can use the lessons learned this week to defeat the top ranked Bronchos from Central Oklahoma.

“We need to get the right roles for the right guys,” Bonneau said, “We need reliable starters from the bullpen, and we need some confidence from the mound as well.”

E-mail Loveless at: spl05a@acu.edu

Softball: West Texas A&M Tournament Continued from page 8 and had no errors.

Jennifer Leal pitched this game, allowing only seven total hits and struck out career high 16 batters.

The Wildcats ended the 1-1 tie in the sixth inning scoring six runs, all of which were RBI’s. They continued the trend in the seventh scoring another eight runs.

Deel hit a grand slam for a finale play, allowing Borgeson, Johnson, and Wilson to all score.

“Our pitching kept us in

the games, and our hitters just did not stop,” Wilson said. “It seems when someone gets something going at the plate we just all follow suit. Also, we have a very competitive team that does not give up or give in when we get behind.”

The fifth and final game was a devastating turnaround for the Wildcats, as they lost to Fort Hays State 1-0.

“It had just been a really long weekend with bad weather,” junior pitcher Vidalin said. “We had a lot

of small errors and just a bunch of things we should have done differently.

“We had really good defense, but we just couldn’t score the runs when we needed them.”

The Wildcats only had two hits in their only losing game, with Hays State having just three. Both teams were scoreless until the fourth inning, when the Tigers scored the one and only run of the game.

“We just did not get the breaks in the last game,” Wilson said. “Though we

had just two hits, we hit the ball well, it just happened to be either right at the defense or blown foul.”

The wind was incredibly strong in both of the games played Sunday and served as the equalizer in the game against Fort Hays, she said.

The Wildcats will play in the CBS Insurance Classic tournament in Abilene this weekend. Their first game is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Wells Field.

E-mail Moore at: aem03e@acu.edu brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Mustangs: Wildcats need wins in final games Continued from page 8 big second half by giving up 50 points.

All five starters scored in double figures with Rembert leading the way with 19 points and junior guard, Tiago Souza, coming in with 17 points in just 26 minutes.

Mauro Matai recorded a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

The bench played 53 minutes in the game against Midwestern State but only turned in four points, giving the Wildcats trouble keeping up with the Mustangs in the second half.

“Realistically, we got to win them all.”

Jason Copeland, on his team’s chance to make the postseason.

With three conference games to play and trailing a game behind Midwestern State and the final playoff spot, the Wildcats will look to put a stop to the losing streak as they visit the second best team in the LSC South — West Texas A&M in Canyon on Tuesday night.

The Buffaloes have yet to lose a home game and stand

at 6-2 in conference play this season, which will make the road trip to Canyon and the Wildcats’ chances of a playoff berth difficult.

Copeland said to end the losing streak, the team will have to see the bench step up and stop getting hurt by points in the paint, calling his team: “undersized.”

Because of Sing Song and

Lectureship schedules, the team has had to play most of the second half of their conference schedule on the road.

“If you look at it, even the good teams at ACU will lose late in the year because that does make a difference,” Copeland said.

The Wildcats know the importance of winning these last few conference games to make the post-season tournament.

“Realistically, we got to win them all,” Copeland said.

E-mail Holland at: beh03e@acu.edu

Senior Kierstan Barbee scrambles for the ball in Saturday’s 62-52 win against Midwestern State in Moody Coliseum.

Win: Wildcats stay in postseason race Continued from page 8 Sophomore Alex Guiton led the team with 17 points and four steals. Senior Kierstan Barbee grabbed nine rebounds to lead the team in the category; she also had eight points, two blocks and a steal.

Saturday the Wildcats travel to Portales, N.M. to take on Eastern New Mexico and their 1-9 conference record.

The Wildcats need to contin-

ue picking up wins to stay in contention for the LSC Postseason Tournament.

“We’ve struggled all year with putting together all 40 minutes of a game,” Lavender said. “It may be five minutes at the first or end, or 10 minutes somewhere in the middle that we don’t play well, but we need to put it all together.”

E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu

Page 8

February 15, 2006 Standings

Men’s Basketball Team Tarleton St. WTAMU TAMU-K MSU ENMU ACU

Conf. Overall 9-0 20-4 6-2 17-6 5-3 15-8 4-5 15-9 3-5 9-14 0-5 11-9

Women’s Basketball Team WTAMU Angelo St. Tarleton St. TX Woman’s ACU MSU

Div. 9-1 9-1 8-2 5-5 4-6 3-7

Overall 20-3 18-5 16-7 12-10 10-13 9-14

BASEBALL Team Angelo St. ACU

ENMU TAMU-K WTAMU Tarleton St.

Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Overall 4-0 7-1 7-1 2-1 3-2 2-6

SOFTBALL Team Div. Tarleton St. 0-0 ACU 0-0 ENMU 0-0 TAMU-K 0-0 Angelo St. 0-0 0-0 WTAMU

Overall 6-1 8-4 8-4 4-2 4-17 2-7

Scores Friday

Softball ACU 14, Adams State 1 ACU 12, Colorado St.-Pueblo 2 Men’s tennis ACU 7, UT-Pan American 2 ACU 9, Lamar 0 woMen’s tennis ACU 9, Central Arkansas 0

Saturday

Women’s basketball ACU 62, Midwestern State 52 Men’s basketball Midwestern State 84, ACU 72 Softball ACU 12, Panhandle State 4 Baseball ACU 12, Arkansas State 2 Men’s tennis ACU 7, UT-Pan American 2 ACU 9, Lamar 0 woMen’s tennis ACU 9, Ouachita Baptist 0

Sunday

softball ACU 15, New Mexico Highlands 1 Fort Hays State 1, ACU 0 baseball ACU 17, Arkansas Tech 16 Arkansas Tech 16, ACU 14 woMen’s tennis ACU 7, Northeastern State 2 ACU 8, Southeastern Okla. St. 1

Upcoming Schedule Wednesday

men’s tennis ACU at California-Irvine, 2 p.m.

Softball ACU vs. Incarnate Word, 3 p.m.

(DH)

Wednesday

men’s tennis ACU at Cal Poly Invitational softball ACU vs. CBS Insurance Classic

Friday

Softball ACU vs. CBS Insurance Classic baseball ACU vs. Central Oklahoma 4 p.m.

(DH)

Saturday

Women’s basketball ACU at Eastern New Mexico, 6 p.m.

Men’s basketball ACU at Eastern New Mexico, 8 p.m.

Softball ACU vs. CBS Insurance Classic Baseball ACU vs. Central Oklahoma, noon (DH)

Women get key comeback win n The Wildcats picked up a key 62-52 win against Midwestern State to stay in contention for the LSC Postseason Tournament.

By JARED FIELDS Sports Editor

After losing to division leader Tarleton State 83-59 on Thursday, the Wildcats needed a win in Saturday’s game against Midwestern State and they got one.

The 62-52 victory kept the Wildcats just one-game behind Texas Woman’s for the final spot in the LSC Tournament. Texas Woman’s will visit Moody Coliseum on Feb. 25 in the last conference game for both teams.

Trailing 16-4 midway through the first half, the Wildcats came out of a timeout and went on a run of their own. Sophomore Ashlee Barr made a couple of free-throws and junior Lacey Blau hit two shots to quickly cut

Women’s Basketball the Mustang’s lead to six.

“When you look up and see the score you can get down,” Blau said.

“You can’t think about the score and freak out; you just have to listen to [coach Lavender] and do what she wants you to do.”

Whatever Lavender said must have worked because the Wildcats fought their way back to take a two-point lead into halftime.

“There wasn’t a whole lot said in the timeout when we were down,” Lavender said. “We just weren’t playing our game, but some girls stepped up a little bit.”

Lavender said two players that stepped up their play in the half were Blau and freshman Kristee Davidson.

“Lacey and Kristee gave us a spark during that run,” Lavender said. “Both

See

Thirteen new marks set over weekend

n The Wildcats won two of three games against Arkansas Tech this weekend at Crutcher Scott Field.

In all three games, the Wildcats scored more than 12 runs.

n The men’s and women’s indoor track and field teams added 10 provisional marks and three automatic marks over the weekend for the national indoor meet.

By PATRICK LOVELESS Sports Writer

By STEVE HOLT Sports Writer

The women’s track and field team added eight new provisional and one automatic qualifying marks or times, while the men’s team added three provisional and two automatic qualifiers, as ACU made strong showings at the University of New Mexico’s Albuquerque Invitational and the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark. The biggest performance of the weekend came Friday evening in Fayetteville, where sophomore Nicodemus Naimadu broke the indoor school record in the university 5,000-meter run with a third-place time of 13:42.29 against the nation’s best Division one distance talent.

Naimadu’s performance was an automatic qualifying time by about 20 seconds and exceeded head coach Don Hood’s expectations.

“I was thinking he might run around 14-flat,” Hood said with a chuckle. “But when you put a competitive person in that situation, they’re going to run pretty well. I’ll never put limits on what he can do anymore.”

Freshmen Philip Birgen and Serge Gasore placed third and ninth, respectively, in the college 5,000-meter run at the Tyson Invitational. Birgen improved a previous provisional qualifying time with a 14:39.65 performance, while Gasore posted a new provisional time of 14:48.71.

Two events stood out for the Wildcats competing in New Mexico: the women’s 4x400-meSee

INDOOR page 7

WIN page 7

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Senior center Jamie Boles-Lord shoots a jump-shot in Saturday’s game against Midwestern State, winning 62-52.

Wonder Boys play Cats tough

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Left fielder Thomas Bumpass dives back to first base after he reached on single. Bumpass came around to score on a Minor Alexander single.

Last weekend, Wildcat baseball saw its toughest games yet, and the team members hope the difficulties they faced will prepare them for next weekend’s battle with No. 1 Central Oklahoma.

The Wildcats faced the Arkansas Tech Wonderboys in three games Saturday and Sunday. After defeating the Wonderboys in Saturday’s 12-2 laugher, the Wildcats seemed to lose some of its edge during Sunday’s doubleheader.

“Nobody showed up to pitch on Sunday,” said coach Britt Bonneau. “We’re still searching for consistent pitching.”

Both games were totally offensive, with both defenses slacking. Brian Kennedy and Jason Kennedy were hit with ease during the first game

Baseball of Sunday’s double-header, and the Wildcats found themselves in a 13-0 hole before the first four innings were through.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Wildcat hitters finally came out of a slumber and knocked in nine runs to bring the Wonderboy lead to only four. Arkansas Tech lost no time knocking in another two runs to put the deficit to 15-9.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, however, the Wonderboys squandered their lead to the bats of Johnny Zepeda and Danny Williams, finding themselves up only 15-13.

With the bases loaded, Reuben Rivera put the finishing touch on a spectacular come-from-behind win with a single that knocked in both Thomas Bumpass and Danny Williams to end it with a final score of ACU 17, Arkansas Tech 16.

Sunday night’s game was See

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Wildcats slug out wins in Canyon n The Wildcats won four of five games at the West Texas A&M Tournament. The only loss came in the last game against Fort Hays State with a 1-0 final.

By ASHLEY MOORE Sports Writer

The softball team played a winning weekend in the West Texas A&M Tournament in Amarillo. The women won four out of five games, including three that were called because of the “eight run rule.”

The first game against Adams State ended with a 14-1 Wildcat win that was called in the fifth inning. The Wildcats scored 10 runs in the second

Softball inning and four in the third, leaving the other three innings scoreless.

Samantha Borgeson helped with a home run in the second. Sarah Vidalin pitched and allowed only two hits and one run the entire game.

The second game was also called in the fifth inning, with the Wildcats in the lead 12-2 against Colorado State-Pueblo. Vidalin pitched for the Wildcats again, giving up only two runs, both in the final two innings. ACU finished with no errors and only three unscored hits.

Heather Krumpols homered to left field for the last play in the fourth, allowing Daisy Barcena to also score.

The third game in the series, also the third game to be called in the fifth inning, ended in the same fashion as the first two. The Wildcats came out on top, 124, against Panhandle State Oklahoma. Kristine Beristianos was the starting pitcher for this game and stayed on the mound for four innings. She threw six strikeouts before Vidalin came back in to pitch the last inning.

Jenna Daugherty scored one of the four runs in the first inning because a Pan-

handle pitcher hit Krumpols while she was at bat. Jade Wilson batted flawlessly scoring all three times she was at the plate.

Jade Wilson was eight for 13 on the weekend with several walks. Everyone contributed at the plate, and Borgeson and Krumpols hit big home runs. Nicole Deel hit a grand slam against a stiff wind against New Mexico Highlands, head coach Chantiel Wilson said.

ACU defeated New Mexico Highlands 15-1 on the final day of the tournament. The Wildcats earned their runs out of a total of only 19 hits See

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Men lose fifth game in a row n The Wildcats played Midwestern State for the second time in a week Saturday, but came up short again, losing their fifth conference game in a row, 84-72.

• Home games listed in italics

Briefs Tennis teams continue winning ways on the road.

The women finished a threeday trip where they defeated both Central Arkansas and Ouachita Baptist by a count of 9-0. Lone Star Conference challengers Southeastern Oklahoma State and Northeastern State also fell to the Wildcats by the scores of 8-1 and 7-2 respectively.

The men ruled over their matches last Friday beating the University of Texas Pan-American, 6-1, and Lamar University, 5-2.

gave us something off the bench; it was the energy we needed at the time.”

Blau finished the game with nine points, three rebounds and a steal.

Davidson added five points, two rebounds and a block.

In the second half, the Wildcats took the lead and ran with it. At the 9:30 mark, the Mustangs pulled within three points, but the Wildcats rattled off eight straight points to push the lead to 11, a lead they would not relinquish.

Freshman center Audrey Maxwell added another spark to the game. In just her second start, Maxwell pulled down seven rebounds in 14 minutes of play.

“Audrey was great for us on the boards,” Lavender said.

By BRIAN HOLLAND Sports Writer

brian schmidt/Chief Photographer

Senior Tex Rembert drives to the goal against a Midwestern State defender in Saturday’s 84-72 loss in Moody Coliseum.

Losing five straight conference games, most recently Thursday night to Tarleton State 91-59 and Saturday to Midwestern State 84-72, has left the men’s basketball team on the outside of post-season play looking in.

The loss to Tarleton State in Stephenville began with just a 10-point halftime deficit, but soon became a blowout when the Texans started

Men’s Basketball the second half with a 19-2 run. Tarleton State then went on to outscore the Wildcats 52-30 the rest of the second half, as they routed their way to their eighth conference win.

The Texans have since collected their ninth conference win and reside at the top of the Lone Star Conference’s South Division in conference play. The loss came after just a close, six-point loss to the Texans 10 days earlier.

“We caught them off guard at home,” said head coach Jason Copeland, “but they were ready at their place.”

Senior forward, Demarc-

quez Rembert, shot 5-5 from behind the arc and dropped in 19 points for the game but failed to get to the freethrow line. Will Alexander, junior point guard, was the next-highest scorer with eight points and four assists. Starting shooting guard, Cameron Holson, did not score a point in the 18 minutes of gametime he saw on the floor Midwestern State came to Moody Coliseum on Saturday afternoon just one week after their first meeting against the Wildcats in Wichita Falls.

The Wildcats found themselves with a two-point advantage on the Mustangs going See

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