The Vol. 95, No. 26
IN THIS ISSUE CAMPUS UTOPIA
Students can attend Hillcrest Church of Christ’s worship time on Wednesdays as an alternative to a traditional Bible class, page 4
Toys for teens
Local band Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys will play in the Bean Sprout Friday for a toy drive aimed at teenagers, page 3
FEATURES Skates and pickles
Abilene’s first ice skating rink reopens Friday after warm weather melted the rink, page 7
SPORTS
•
OPTIMIST
1 section, 10 pages
FRIDAY
December 1, 2006
•
www.acuoptimist.com
Snowstorm prompts school closing n After Abilene awoke to snow flurries and ice-covered roads, the university administration made a decision to cancel all classes and close offices for the day. By MALLORY SCHLABACH Editor in Chief
The university closed campus Thursday because of winter weather hazards for the first time in nearly two years, Jim Holmans said. Shortly before 7 a.m., Holmans, assistant to the president, sent a university-wide e-mail canceling all 8 a.m. classes. Two hours later, all classes were canceled including evening classes, and all campus
offices were also closed. “The Provost’s Office made the decision to cancel classes about 9 a.m. based on gathered information from some faculty, ACU police, Abilene police, the National Weather Service in San Angelo, local TV weather forecasts, etc.,” Holmans said in an e-mail. He said safety is the first consideration when it comes to severe weather and the decision to close the university is not taken lightly. Police chief Jimmy Ellison was in on the decision to cancel classes. “When we consider closing the campus, we look at current
road conditions, current weather conditions and projected weather and road conditions,” Ellison said. “Based on what we saw at 8:30 a.m., with the icy conditions, dropping temperatures and the Abilene Police Department reporting a lot of accidents, it didn’t make sense to leave the campus open when it could have gotten worse.” Temperatures on Thursday were not expected to reach above-freezing, but by 1 p.m. most of the ice had melted and a snowstorm hit, so many students left their residence halls to sled down See
SNOW page 9
brian schmidt CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Hannah Palmer, senior integrated marketing communication major from San Antonio; Sharon Painter, senior nursing major from Fort Worth; and April Anderson, senior biology major from Tulsa, Okla., slide down the hills at Sherrod Residential Park on Thursday morning on inflatable rafts.
Microsoft exec to speak at COBA event
ACU’s music man
n Microsoft’s chief operating officer will speak on campus on Dec. 8 as part of the College of Business Administration’s Distinguished Speaking Series. By ATSUMI SHIBATA Page Designer
Weekend play
The Wildcat men’s basketball team will play its first conference game against Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday at home, page 10 RACHEL LAU STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
ONLINE Winter wonderland
Students enjoyed a day off of school because of winter weather. View it online at: www.acuoptimist.com
WEATHER DAILY FORECASTS Friday sunny
HIGH 55
LOW 34
Saturday mostly sunny
HIGH 56
LOW 31
Charles Nelson, professor emeritus of music, will end his career conducting Handel’s “Messiah” at a concert at 2 p.m. Sunday in Cullen Auditorium. Tickets are sold out but any seats still open at 1:50 p.m. are up for anyone who wants to come to the concert but didn’t have tickets beforehand.
n Charles Nelson’s love for music began at an early age, growing up in a musical family. Their guidance helped propogate his 65-year career. By JARED FIELDS Managing Editor
The musical career of Charles Nelson began with the Messiah. Now, the 80year-old world-class singer feels it fitting to end his career conducting a piece he has performed more than 100 times in his 65-year career. “Messiah,” George Frideric Handel’s choral masterpiece, usually has four soloists. But Nelson will use all 20 singers as soloists in Sunday’s performance. “All these people are top-flight soloists, so each one will be featured in a solo,” Nelson said. “‘Messiah’ is probably the only major choral work that would accommodate this many soloists.” Nelson and wife Betty began work two-and-a-half years ago on a project to celebrate their 80th year and commemo-
n SALT, Treadaway Kids and Wildcat Kids have joined to create a program where students can ensure a child receives a gift at Christmas. Staff Writer
sunny
HIGH 47
LOW 24
“The others are the brightest, most talented children you’ve ever seen,” Charles said of his grandchildren not in the arts. “Of course, that’s their grandfather talking.” Charles’ love for music began at about five years old when his mother took him to a children’s concert performed by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. “It had a real impact on me. I wanted to play the violin,” he said. So Charles started taking violin lessons when he was 6-years-old. He continued his lessons until he was 14. By then he had started singing and was already a bass. When his older brother, Byron, was 14-years-old and before Charles was born, the family moved by the Glenn Carter Country Club. Young Byron made some money caddying at the club. Eventually he would make his money playing. See
CONCERT page 8
Students asked to purchase gifts for kids By NATHAN STRAUS
Sunday
rate Charles’ final performance. “Several years ago it just seemed like something I would like to do. Get a group of professionals together and do a major work and celebrate our 80th year,” Nelson said. “Five years later seemed to be an appropriate ending.” harles wrote his memoirs for his grandchildren and took them to be printed. Leaning forward, holding his thumb and forefinger apart to show his memoirs’ thickness, in his deep, Paul Harveylike voice he recalls the printer telling him, “You’re a wordy devil, aren’t you?” He just has a lot to tell. The Nelsons were a musical family. His mother, Madge, had some training and could play the piano. John, the father, had no training, but could sing well and had a natural ear for music. His older sister, Margaret Ellen, was also musical. Charles and Betty have two grandchildren with training in the arts. Another is a theatre arts graduate from the University of North Texas.
ACU students have an opportunity to make this Christmas special for underprivileged Abilene children. A table has been set up in the Campus Center, which provides students the information needed to ensure a
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
child gets a Christmas gift. Participants must first “You don’t have to get The Angel Tree event is receive a piece of paper anything expensive,” Trejo sponsored by SALT, Wildcat describing a particular said. “Students should not Kids and Treadaway Kids child’s needs and wants. feel required to get every“The thing on the program wish list, only g i v e s “The program gives ACU students the opportunity to what they are ACU stucomfortable provide a gift for underprivileged kids...” dents the giving.” opporTrejo said Abby Trejo, sophomore biochemistry major from Ulysses, Kan. tunity to to take the provide gift, without a gift to wrapping it, underprivileged kids around The wish list ranges from to the Volunteer and SerAbilene,” said Abby Trejo, clothes to movies to toys. vice-Learning Center in the sophomore biochemistry Students must then go and major from Ulysses, Kan. get the gifts. See ANGEL page 9 Abilene Christian University
The university will welcome Microsoft chief operating officer Kevin Turner to speak at noon Dec. 8 in Teague Special Events Center as part of the Distinguished Speaker Series, which will be hosted by the College of Business Administration. “It is a great benefit for students,” said Cara Switzer, administrative coordinator for the Department of Management Science. “Just to be able to listen to See
MICROSOFT page 9
Campus groups receive SA support n Global Samaritan Resources and Silence Sessions were named in resolutions SA passed to show its support of the student-led campus organizations in Wednesday’s meeting. By KELSI PEACE Features Editor
The Students’ Association passed two resolutions to support campus organizations at Wednesday’s meeting. A resolution to support the goals of Global Samaritan Resources, a non-profit organization that delivers medical and educational supplies to developing countries passed unanimously. The legislation, which was written by Rep. Tyler Baker, Hardin Administration Building, and See
SA page 9
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Friday, December 1, 2006
01
Calendar & Events Friday
11 a.m. World AIDS Day Steve Haas, spokesman for WorldVision, will speak in Chapel. Purple Friday Prospective students visit campus.
02
Saturday
7:30 p.m. Tri-Collegiate Salsa Celebration at McMurry University in Radford Auditorium open to McMurry, Hardin-Simmons and ACU students.
Announcements What do Tupac Shakur, Lauryn Hill and Kanye West have to do with Jesus? Come find out Thursday evenings. “Jesus and the Hip-Hop Prophets” will take place at 8:30 p.m. in the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building, Room 128. For more information, contact Matt Worthington at mrw03b@acu.edu. Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver lunch to those in need. This is a great way to serve in the Abilene community, and you can get credit if your delivery time conflicts with Chapel. For more information, stop by the Volunteer Center in the Bean Sprout. Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) meets Wednesdays at 5 p.m. in COBA, Room 315, for those interested in sharpening business skills, entrepreneurial, leadership skills and service to the community. Girl Scout Troop #1550 needs young women who want to make a difference in young girls’ lives through Girl Scouting. The girls are from underprivileged homes, and
they need positive Christian influences in their lives. Meetings are every Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This program will end in May. For more information, please contact Diltzie Andrews at 673-6379. Big Brothers Big Sisters, in conjunction with Communities in Schools, is starting an after-school program at Ortiz Elementary for students who need to improve their grades and have at least one incarcerated parent. Volunteers will meet with their student weekly at Ortiz Elementary for fun and educational games or activities. Now through Dec. 19, Tuesdays at 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Ortiz Elementary. For more information, contact Erin McMullen at 677-7839. WorldWide Witness is now accepting applications for over 40 summer internships around the world. All majors are welcome. Apply online at www.worldwidewitness.org. For additional information, contact Gary Green or Wimon Walker at witness@ bible.acu.edu.
04
Monday
8 p.m. Femmes on the Frontline meeting and discussion “What is a Femme Anyway?” in the Living Room.
05
Tuesday
4 p.m. to 10 p.m. H-E-B Feast of Sharing at the Abilene Civic Center. This free meal brings the community together, and more than 600 volunteers are needed.
Volunteer Opportunities Lee Elementary needs volunteers to play Scrabble with third, fourth and fifth graders every Thursday from 3:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the cafeteria. For more information, contact Jennifer Clapp or Andy Blessing at 671-4895. YW-Care needs students with talent in athletics (all, especially football), the performing arts and any other special talent are needed to come and perform/present their talent before elementary school-aged children. Tuesdays and Thursdays through Dec. 15, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at elementary school campuses. For more information, contact Janelle Sands at 677-5321. Communities in Schools (Fannin Elementary) Volunteers are needed to sit with a child at lunchtime to talk, give encouragement and mentor. Now through May 18, Monday through Wednesday and Friday, from 10:50 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. at Fannin Elementary. For more information, contact Sheila Ashford at 675-8659.
Ice Skating Coming to Abilene. Volunteers are needed to help in a variety of ways with the outdoor ice skating rink that will be coming to Abilene Saturday through Jan. 13, which will benefit Habitat for Humanity. If you are interested in helping, contact the Volunteer Center in the Bean Sprout. Dignity U Wear/Stein Mart needs volunteers to wrap gifts beginning Friday and ending Dec. 23, Fridays 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Stein Mart. For more information, contact Kimberly Kelley at 793-1280. The Salvation Army needs volunteers at the Mall of Abilene to greet shoppers, record personal information from each person adopting an angel, log in presents and bag up angel presents. Volunteers are needed now through Dec. 17, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Mall of Abilene. For more information, contact Cecilia Barahona at 677-1408.
Men from Edwards hit the slopes n With winter break quickly approaching, students in Edwards are planning an affordable ski trip to southern Colorado in early January. By DENTON JOSEY PAGE 2 EDITOR
It’s hard to pass up a good deal, especially when skiing is involved. Brian Borbelon, sophomore accounting major from Houston, became interested when he heard some people from Edwards Residence Hall planning an inexpensive ski trip. Borbelon said he had such a good time skiing last year that he’s doing it again, but this time the price is smaller and the mountains are taller. In January, he went with his beginning ski class to Red River, N.M., and had a great time, despite unfortunate events.
“I just wanted to go skiing again because I had so much fun last year and everyone said Colorado was better,” Borbelon said. “I know there’s a lot more runs than at Red River.” There are 10 others ready for the ski trip to Wolf Creek in Colorado. The trip came about when Dylan Carey, junior biochemistry major from Lubbock, pitched the idea to the men of Edwards. “A couple friends and I got a ski trip together last year to Wolf Creek,” Carey said. “I’m an RA in Edwards this year, so I thought we’d put one together this year too.” “At first I wanted it to be an Edwards-only trip, but a couple of others wanted to go,” he said. The trip is partially an opportunity to form relationships and hang out outside of ACU, Carey said. The group plans to be gone Jan. 2 to Jan. 7 and would like
to take a van to get there but is OK with carpooling. “It is really inexpensive. I’m thinking about $260280,” Carey said. “It’s a pretty good price to go to Colorado and go skiing.” The drive won’t be too long, Carey said, because the resort is in southern Colorado. “The time we’re going is a good time,” he said. “Most people ski during Christmas break, so we’ll have the mountain to ourselves.” So far, Carey has arranged for a cabin that sleeps 11 people and has a hot tub. He said after a long day of skiing they will probably eat, have a devotional and either watch a movie or relax in the hot tub. “We get to do our own meals,” he said. “It’s a really good time to spend some time in God’s beauty.”
TOP U.S. SKI DESTINATIONS According to the National Ski Areas Association, 58.9 million people went skiing in the 20052006 ski season. Here are the top places to ski, according to Orbitz.com: n 1. Breckenridge, Colo. n 2. Mammoth Lakes, Calif. n 3. Lake Tahoe, Calif. n 4. Park City, Utah n 5. Steamboat Springs, Colo. n 3. Winter Park, Colo. n 7. Jackson Hole, Wy. n 8. Aspen, Colo. n 9. Vail, Colo. n 10. Snowmass, Colo.
E-mail Josey at: jdj03e@acu.edu
Credited Chapels remaining:
65 07*
There are 5 days of Chapel remaining but including the 2-credit online survey, there are 7 credits remaining.
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 at jdj03e@acu.edu.
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.
ACU Police Tip of the Week Drive safely around campus. Always keep an eye out for pedestrians crossing the streets and be especially careful when entering campus driveways; watch for walkers & joggers on the Lunsford Trail.
CAMPUS NEWS
Friday, December 1, 2006
Page 3
Feast of Sharing to entertain community with food, live music n Abilene’s second annual H-E-B Feast of Sharing will be conducted on Tuesday to feed about 6,000 hungry people and entertain them with live music. By PATRICK YGNACIO Student Reporter
The second annual HE-B Feast of Sharing will take place Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center; 1,400 pounds of glazed ham, 1,200 pounds of mashed potatoes and 80 gallons of gravy will be available for consumption. The dinner will be open to the entire Abilene community and hosted by hundreds of volunteers. The Feast of Sharing takes place in numerous communities in Texas and Mexico and are part of H-E-B’s continuous ef-
fort to combat hunger. The dinner will feature live music entertainment for all the guests and their families. Last year 5,250 people were fed at Feast of Sharing, said Mendy Huddleston, local H-E-B team leader admin and co-chair of the Feast of Sharing Committee. At least 6,000 are expected to attend this year. Huddleston said the food supply and preparations are made possible by two H-E-B trailer trucks, which will arrive at the Civic Center on Sunday. Huddleston said one truck will be delivering all the food and the other will serve as a “mobile kitchen” in which all the food for the dinner will be cooked. Certified chefs that travel with the
trucks will begin cooking the evening they arrive. Six hundred volunteers will be involved in presenting the dinner, said Dr. Thomas Kim, distinguished professor of economics at HardinSimmons University and member of this year’s Feast of Sharing steering committee. In addition to preparing the plates, volunteers will be responsible for greeting, seating and serving the attendants. Other volunteers will help with a children’s activity area featuring coloring books and an appearance by Santa Claus. Among the volunteers will be members from various organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way of Abilene and the Chamber of Commerce.
‘Homer’ show to benefit Hendrick n Student band Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys will team up with Hendrick Home for Children and play Christmas songs to benefit teens.
just music; there will also be Christmas stories and refreshments. “Our whole motivation behind this is to benefit an organization in town By JOHNNY BAUTISTA that is doing a lot of Student Reporter good for children,” Holt Many Christmas fundsaid. “Growing up in a raisers focus on providing functional family, I can’t toys for young children. imagine not having a famThis year Homer Hiccolm ily, and I can’t imagine & the Rocketboys has what these kids are going teamed up with Hendrick through. I hope that by Home for Children to host doing this, we can bring “Homer for the Holidays: joy to those kids who Toys for Teens.” might not have as much The benefit will be at joy as I do or any ACU 8:45 p.m. student.” in the Bean The HenSprout, drick staff “We want to be able to benefit the community and music e-mailed the and stand for something much more will start at band and important than music.” about 9:15 said, “Thank p.m. There you so much Mitch Holt, senior print journalism major from Memphis, Tenn. is no price for rememfor admisbering our sion, but kids. We the band and Hendrick major from Van, contacted have 29 teenage boys and strongly suggest bringing Hendrick Home for Chil- girls. The home provides gifts for teens between the dren and asked if the band Christmas for them, but ages of 13 and 18. could host a benefit for the when the community helps Mitch Holt, senior print youth of the home. out it really helps with our journalism major from This isn’t the first time children’s self esteem.” Memphis, Tenn., said or- Homer Hiccolm & the Several items of need ganizations often have Rocketboys has teamed up for Hendrick teens are per“Toys for Tots,” and many with Hendrick. Last year, fumes, body lotions, jewelof Hendrick’s teenagers the band participated in a ry, earrings, girls and boys end up being overlooked. similar benefit as part of socks, disposable cameras, That is why they decided Starbucks Coffee’s “A Not watches, cologne, Christo focus on getting gifts So Silent Night.” tian CDs and DVDs, board for teenagers. The band will perform games, AA and AAA batter“This isn’t going to be about 10 Christmas songs ies and gift cards to movies just another concert,” Holt and encourages the audi- and fast food restaurant. said. “As a band, we love ence to sing along. The playing at ACU, but we night won’t be filled with E-mail Bautista at: optimist@acu.edu
As of Monday afternoon, Huddleston said all the necessary volunteer positions had been met. “Everybody that I’ve talked to has been really looking forward to it; they have shown up in a huge way volunteering,” Huddleston said. “People started calling in immediately; they had either heard of it or were a part of it last year.” “The community’s response has been overwhelmingly positive in expressions of gratitude to H-E-B for its willingness to put on this kind of massive effort,” Kim said. “We’ve heard many people say that this is one of the best things that happen in Abilene.” Last year Kim served as a greeter for the Feast of Sharing. Kim said he especially enjoyed seeing
the expressions of gratitude on people’s faces as they arrived. Huddleston recalled the scene from the balcony in the Civic Center as the crowd enjoyed its dinner at last year’s Feast of Sharing. “It was very moving for me to see everybody from military to elderly, homeless and college students,” Huddleston said. “We just saw everyone there, and it was just awesome to see the whole community pulling together in one place.” The Feast of Sharing Dinners are the highlight of H-E-B’s ongoing work to combat hunger, according to the H-E-B Web site. The tradition began in Laredo and Corpus Christi in 1989 and has expanded in the years since it began.
Twenty-seven communities throughout Texas and Mexico now take part in the dinners, which provide holiday meals to the hungry, the needy and the lonely.
information for H-E-B Feast of sharing n Dec. 5, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Abilene Civic Center n Number of attendees last year: 5,250 n Number of expected attendees this year: 6,000 n Number of volunteers: 600 n Glazed ham: 1,400 lbs n Mashed potatoes: 1,200 lbs n Gravy: 80 gallons n More food will be offered.
E-mail Ygnacio at: optimist@acu.edu
Here comes winter
don’t want to do the same thing over and over. We want to be able to benefit the community and stand for something much more important than music.” Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys will play an allChristmas song set and began practicing in early November, originally planning to have a normal Christmas show but later decided to try to use that show for a good cause. Philip Ellis, drummer for Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys and junior business
brian schmidt CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Ashley Brunette, freshman journalism major from Georgetown, and Brad Walker, freshman management major from Kingwood, make a snowman outside the Campus Center Thursday.
CAMPUS NEWS
Page 4
Friday, December 1, 2006
UTOPIA offers worship in silence n A university student-aimed devotional at Hillcrest Church of Christ takes place each Wednesday night. Students participate in silent worship.
“The purpose ... is to allow God to transform the student through worship.” Jeremy Davis, university intern for Hillcrest Church of Christ
By MEGAN LOWE Student R eporter
Students gather Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at Hillcrest Church of Christ in a time of worship; this time of praise is called UTOPIA. “The purpose of this unique experience it to allow God to transform the student through worship,” said Hillcrest university intern Jeremy Davis, junior missions major from Chattanooga, Tenn. Brian Collins, junior exercise science major from Mt. Juliet, Tenn., said he thinks the format works well for college students.
“It gives them a chance to relax and be with God. It’s easy to get stressed out during the week, so it’s nice to be able to praise God with other students and spend time alone with him,” said Collins, who is a co-leader of UTOPIA. UTOPIA, which stands for University Time Of Praise In the Auditorium, is led by students and directed at students. Worship begins with a 15-minute time of praise followed by a 10-minute talk delivered by a differ-
ent speaker each week. Then the students spread about the auditorium for a time of silence and prayer. Davis got the idea for silent worship while doing mission work in African during the summer. “There is so little time of silence in our busy lives, so we are encouraging people to be still and silent in the presence of God,” Davis said. “Most Wednesday nights, a student has given a short talk about their lives or something that God has put
on their hearts to share.” UTOPIA was started at the beginning of the semester. Between 40 and 60 students attend the service each week. “Anyone who wants to attend UTOPIA can; it is an alternative to a traditional Bible class,” Collins said. There are no plans to cancel UTOPIA, although the format may change in the future. David is optimistic about the future of the event. “For now we have had a great response to the time of silence,” Davis said. EMILY SMITH STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
E-mail Lowe at: optimist@acu.edu
Rance Schumacher from Hardin-Simmons; BrIan Collins, junior exercise science major from Mt. Juliet, Tenn.; and Phillip Greere, sophomore marketing major from Colorado Springs, Colo., worship during Hillcrest’s UTOPIA service Wednesday night.
Social clubs to host parties
Grammy winners perform in WPAC
n Social clubs are gearing up for their holiday parties, which will take place between now and the end of the semester. Locations vary with each club.
n Tingstad and Rumbel, Grammy Award-winning duo, performed Thursday in WPAC in a Christmas concert sponsored by Abilene public radio, KACU.
By SARAH POTTER Student Reporter
Social clubs will host Christmas socials in the spirit of the holidays as the semester ends. A variety of events and themes will be executed for each club’s social to entertain and promote community service. Social clubs Sigma Theta Chi and Galaxy will be in the giving mood for their Christmas socials this year. “Usually, Christmas social for Siggies is serviceoriented,” said co-social director Shannon Lair, junior education major from Apple Valley, Minn. While Galaxy guests are encouraged to bring a Christmas gift for needy families when they come to enjoy a meal at the Homeplace Restaurant, Siggies will bring gifts for needy children in other countries who might not get to open a gift this year, Lair said. Along with service, each club hosting a social this year will have entertainment to offer guests.
Alpha Kai Omega’s Christmas social is full of entertainment, said member Katie Garcia, junior integrated marketing communication major from Abilene. The club will host “A Hillbilly Holiday,” complete with barbecue, live music, bingo, a pie-eating contest and bobbing for apples. Frater Sodalis and Delta Theta will also have themed socials. At the Frats’ “A Corporate Christmas Party,” guests will participate in a gift exchange while enjoying some hors de-oeuvres. Delta Theta’s “Mistletoga” social will feature a live band, T-shirts and a dessert bar. Ko Jo Kai and GATA social clubs will host their parties at The Ice House, Abilene’s first-ever outdoor skating rink. Gamma Sigma Phi will have its social in the Bean Sprout, with guests enjoying ice cream and karaoke. “We don’t want to go for much glitz and glamour; we just want to have a good time,” said Andrew Skinner, junior management major from Dallas and social director for GSP. Although the Trojans
will not have a Christmas celebration, the club gathered Sunday for an annual Thanksgiving gathering.
locations: social club christmas Basic details of this year’s ACU social club Christmas parties. More information can be attained from members of these clubs. n Sigma Theta Chi: Southern Hills Church of Christ, toy drive for less fortunate children in other countries. n Ko Jo Kai: The Ice House Skating Rink, Nelson Park. n GATA: The Ice House Skating Rink, Nelson Park. n Alpha Kai Omega: Ball Ranch, “Hillbilly Holiday.” n Delta Theta: Amy Graves Ryan Fine Arts Center, McMurry University. n Gamma Sigma Phi: The Bean Sprout. n Galaxy: The Homeplace Restaurant. n Frater Sodalis: Location TBA, “A Corporate Christmas Party.” n Trojans: No Christmas party. n Pi Kappa: No details confirmed.
By LAUREN SUTTON Opinion Editor
The university welcomed the holiday season alongside Grammy Award-winning duo Tingstad and Rumbel, who performed Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Williams Performing Arts Center. Completing a mini tour in Texas, Tingstad and Rumbel played selections from their holiday albums and enjoyed a reception outside the Recital Hall after the performance. John Best, general manager and program director for Abilene Public Radio, said Tings-
KACU. “We were a warm, exciting audience. I think the crowd enjoyed it.” The Washington-based group had a Christmas concert in Austin and once again contacted ACU to see if they could perform again at the university before returning to Washington. “We’ve had a lot of people call and say they can’t believe we can afford this,” Best said. “We’ve got the benefit of a great concert at Christmas time. It’s a great Christmas present to give our listeners,” Best said.
E-mail Sutton at: les03c@acu.edu
Students needed for holiday service n The Volunteer and ServiceLearning Center is trying to gather students to help various organizations across Abilene during the holiday season. By LAURA SMITH
E-mail Potter at: optimist@acu.edu
tad and Rumbel play the type of music that people want to listen to around Christmas. They have a contemporary, instrumental and new age sound. “Their Christmas concert is the most popular; it is really beautiful,” Best said. Tingstad and Rumbel first performed at ACU about 10 years ago when their manager Carol Tingstad sent records to the Abilene Public Radio program director of the time, Kyle McAllister. The station began playing their music, and the group eventually performed on campus. “They liked the audience,” said Sandy Byers, traffic manager and administrative assistant at
Student R eporter
With the holiday season upon us, Abilene is in need of volunteers during a time of the year difficult for those with many needs, said Rita Harrell, administrative coordinator for the Volunteer and ServiceLearning Center. “In reality, not a lot of students are around during this prime time,” Harrell said. During the month of December, volunteers will be needed to help out the Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity. Salvation Army has several events going on. Bell ringing locations are available in front of K-Mart, and Walgreen’s. Beginning at 10 a.m., volunteers are encouraged to work as much as they can until about 7 p.m., when bell ringing stops.
Opportunities are available for individuals or groups. The Angel Tree in the Mall of Abilene is taking place from now until December 18. This project benefits underprivileged families in Abilene, and residents of Abilene are encouraged to list items needed by these families. Two volunteers at a time are needed to sit at a desk where they will direct people on what to do and how to sign in for the Tree. Volunteers will be needed Dec. 18 to Dec. 23 at the Abilene Civic Center to sort through the items purchased for the Angel Tree and assist families who come to pick up their gifts. Habitat for Humanity also needs volunteers at its Ice House skating rink at the Festival of Gardens from now until Jan. 13 to work the front gate, ice skate rental, concessions and ice rink supervision. Shifts last from three to five hours. Contact the Salvation
Army or stop by Volunteer and Service-Learning Center to get information on how to be involved.
Opportunities for service in abilene ACU’s Volunteer and ServiceLearning Center has provided a list of service needs in the Abilene community during the holiday season. n Salvation Army: volunteers are needed to ring a bell and collect donations outside of K-Mart and Walgreens. nHabitat for Humanity: volunteers are needed to handle skate rentals, concessions and ice rink supervision. The skating rink proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity. nChristmas Angel Tree: volunteers are needed to sort through food at the Abilene Civic Center. This food will be given to families that are less fortunate. nFor more information, contact Rita Harrell in the Volunteer and ServiceLearning Center at 674-2932.
E-mail Smith at: optimist@acu.edu
December 1, 2006
Page 5
‘Casino Royale’ presents raw, effective Bond n James Bond depicts a more serious figure in the latest Bond flick that forgoes the stale, goofy elements found in previous 007 movies. By COLE WILLIAMS Cartoonist
In the first five minutes of Casino Royale, you know you’re in for a new type of 007 as James Bond harshly strangles and drowns an informant in a Czech bathroom. This opening scene, filmed in black and white, restarts the Bond series in such a startling, vigorous way that it shocks you out of expecting the usual tongue-incheek, overacting-super villain entry and puts you in the path of a lethal, dangerous beast of a movie. Going back to the very first book in Ian Fleming’s famed series, Casino Royale—which was last seen as a disastrous celebrity-ridden parody of the Bond series back in 1967—has James Bond being promoted to Double-0 agent status in Britain’s MI6 intelligence service. Impulsive, ruthless and a little unwieldy, his first major case has him following the trail of a terrorist agency that leads to a man named Le Chiffre (French for “The Number”). Le Chiffre is investing terrorist money in a game of high stakes poker in Casino Royale in Montenegro, and MI6 leader M pits Bond and his gambling prowess and talent for reading people against Le Chiffre in hope of bankrupting him. Along for the ride is the beautiful Vesper Lynd, a treasury agent setting up the money Bond is to use to in the game at Casino Royale. There are two big questions to be answered going into the movie: how is Daniel Craig’s performance as the new Bond and how does the
CoURTESY OF ROTTENTOMATOES.COM
Vesper Lynd, played by Eva Green, is comforted by James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, after witnessing a murder. movie keep the franchise going? Thankfully, there are positive answers to both. Despite nitpicky criticisms by some for his light brown/ blonde hair, Craig is superb as Bond. Cunning, violent, but also ruggedly charming, Craig brings and edge to the role that makes Bond truly dangerous, someone you could see being employed as a weapon to handle the biggest threats the world has to offer. As for the movie, past entries had become almost cartoonish, allowing movies like the Bourne series to usurp Bond’s throne and the insipid xXx to parody it. But this new Bond eschews many of the standards of past ones: there’s no Miss Moneypenny no Q, no gadgets, no world-conquering plot or quirky henchmen. In fact, Bond doesn’t even start off with an Aston-Martin—he begins with a Ford rental. But while some of these el-
ements may be missed, and their absence may put off the die-hard fans, the movie is the better without them. Without having dues ex machina gadgets to save the day, Bond relies instead on his intellect, simple weapons and pure brute force. And without the goofier elements of the series, the viewer can take the story seriously, easily imagining it less as a comic-book exaggeration of spy intrigue and more as what real world spies go through. There are also no CGI heavy action scenes; the movie’s amazing stunts, from the grueling chase scene through a construction site with more jumps and leaps than a Super Mario game, to the daunting fight to stop the bombing of a jetliner, are performed with real actors and stuntmen, making the movie much more breathtaking. However, Bond does get his Aston-Martin, but he has
to earn it (in a very funny scene, no less). But Craig doesn’t completely steal the show. The supporting cast adds up to make the movie truly memorable. Judi Dench returns as M and makes the most of her time as she argues with and orders around the new and relatively inexperienced 007. Mads Mikkelsen, while not as unforgettable as past villains, is still dangerous in his own quiet, calculating manner as Le Chiffre, especially in the card scenes and a torture scene so brutal it’s almost amazing it got into a PG-13 movie. As Bond’s CIA counterpart, Felix Leiter, Jeffrey Wright is solid if under used; hopefully he’ll be back to expand his role in later movies. But as Vesper Lynd, Eva Green superbly compliments Craig as she stands up and matches wits with Bond in every scene. Beautiful but not
overbearing and with a hint of vulnerability, Green is perfectly cast as the first woman to get to Bond and steal his heart. And it’s this interaction that in fact helps make Bond the man he is. There are, of course, a few flaws. The movie doesn’t reinvent the action film, but it certainly is up there with the best in the genre. And a large section of the middle of the film consists of Bond and Le Chiffre matching wits at the poker table. And while it’s certainly exciting in its own right as the two men outwit each other, it can’t match the fights and stunts in the rest of the film, and to some it may drag the movie down. And although the music, from the Chris Cornell song in the outstanding opening sequence to David Arnold’s background music, sounds perfect for a Bond film, the trademark Bond theme is never heard until the end of the movie; but this could be excused as Bond’s character is never fully evolved to the one movie goers know and love until the end. Casino Royale has been compared favorably to Batman Begins, as both reinvent a popular character and bring him back to his more realistic and enjoyable roots after increasingly outlandish movies with deteriorating quality. And while not as great as the Caped Crusader’s recent film, the newest entry for 007 reminds people why his movies are popular in the first place. Hopefully future installments will bring back the standbys of Miss Moneypenny and Q, and hopefully Craig will continue on as Bond. But for now, Casino Royale lives up to and beyond most of its pedigree to provide an entertaining and thrilling movie going experience. E-mail Williams at: cww02b@acu.edu
Box Office Stats Newly released movies and gross rates for Nov. 24-26. Total gross in parenthesis. n Happy Feet: $37,038,046 ($99,256,766) n Casino Royale: $30,785,874 ($94,053,658) n Deja Vu: $20,574,802 ($28,649,398) n Deck the Halls: $12,001,256 ($16,916,923) n Borat: $10,304,802 ($109,136,807) n The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause: $9,929,029 ($67,073,095)
Coming Soon Movies opening Friday: n The Nativity Story, starring Keisha Castle-Hughes, Oscar Isaac, Hiam Abbass. Director Catherine Hardwike recreates the Biblical story of the birth of Jesus Christ. While traveling to Bethlehem to register for the Roman consensus, Mary and Joseph try to escape the threat of King Herod who plans to kill the King who has been prophesied about. nTuristas, starring Josh Duhamel, Melissa George, Olivia Wilde. American tourists visit Brazil thinking it will be the vacation of their dreams. After enjoying a fun day on a secluded beach, they awake the following morning to find they had been robbed and drugged. They decided to go on a journey to get help, not knowing that the farther they go the more danger they’re in. n National Lampoon’s Van Wilder: The Rise of Taj, starring Kal Penn, Amy Steel, Holly Davidson. In the sequel to National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, Taj Badalandabad, goes to Camford University in England to teach history. While in Camford he finds himself the leader of a group of university misfits and faces the challenge of transforming his group into the universities top fraternal society.
Page 6
December 1, 2006
Let service be your gift to the community The Issue:
Several different groups on campus offer students an opportunity to provide a better holiday for individuals in Abilene.
Our view:
Serving others enables students to remember there are more important issues taking place in the community than their hectic schedules.
The solution:
Pick up an angel through the Angel Tree program and attend the Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys concert with a toy for a teen to participate in local service activities.
The Christmas season gives students one of the best opportunities to serve others. A couple of upcoming events will give the ACU community a gift to kids who might not have any Christmas presents or a family who needs food during the holiday season. Treadaway Kids, Wildcat Kids and SALT are teaming up to create the Angel Tree program. This program is designed to let volunteers pick a gift for a specific person. A booth is set up in the Campus Center this week with information from kids around Abilene. To help, someone must get the information of a kid and
God only knows what’s to come The Lord knows what Think of it. How he is doing. We seem many of us have looked to forget this; it slips back at a situation and from our minds so eas- said something along ily when the lines of, “That was we can’t perfect timing. If this seem to would have happened figure out any sooner, I don’t a solution know what I would’ve to what- done.” The Lord knew. ever is goHe also knows the ing on in time in which to do it, our lives even if we may not. An Come at that appointed time is set. Undone particular Before then, what he m o m e n t . is doing is this thing Michelle We de- called “preparation” Jimenez mand God that so many of us lack. to reveal Preparing us just for what his will is. that specific occasion; “If only I knew. If grooming us and those only it—whatever he around us until that has planned—would selected second comes hurry up around when and happen. we are finally Then I can ready. But in hindbe at peace.” All that is to sight, we see And when come, all your it doesn’t desires and all that has “hurry up dreams, will happened and hapcome to pass occurred pen,” we not when you when it was try to take would will it but control. We when he ordains supposed to. can’t seem it. Not to say to see God’s that you should will being remain idle, for acted out. idleness will Failing to realize that only keep you from seeour vision is dim, we ing the Lord’s will being see only in part. acted out. So keep movBut in hindsight, we ing, have hope and hang see all that has hap- on, even if it is just by a pened occurred when it thread. Wait on the one was supposed to. God’s whose vision is sharp, will was already in mo- who sees all in full. tion. There is a time for And for those who everything. We say we struggle with waiting on want things when we the Lord, rest assured want them now that is. for he knows what he is But look at how things doing. do turn out. When something that we want to happen actually does happen, it makes sense that it came to pass E-mail Jimenez at: when it did. mmj04b@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu
buy a gift Through the several projects taking place across mas song based on set, eat free the city of Abilene, students and members of the food the inforand community are invited to volunteer. m a t i o n enjoy beprovided. ing togethThe Aner before gel Tree program is a benefit the teens of Hen- parting for Christmas great way for anyone to drick Home for Children break—all of this in the know they made a differ- in providing teens often name of service to an orence in a particular kid’s overlooked in the holi- ganization that provides Christmas. To volunteer day season with Christ- homes for children who in this endeavor, swing mas presents that appeal need homes. by the Abilene Civic Cen- to teenagers. These gifts While the semester ter on Friday to help pack include body lotions, comes to an end, classes food to give to underpriv- cologne, socks, gift cer- provide a climactic ending ileged families. tificates, jewelry and and cause much stress to Along with the Angel anything else a teenager students on campus, we Tree Project, Homer Hic- might enjoy. must remember to keep colm & the Rocketboys, a On this night of benev- those with bigger probstudent band at ACU, will olence, the ACU student lems in mind. The holipresent “Homer for the body is invited to attend days, for many, are asHolidays: Toys for Teens” the event with a teenager- sociated with happiness, Thursday in the Bean aimed “toy,” listen to the fellowship and food. But Sprout. This event will band play an all-Christ- for others, the holidays
represent loneliness, hunger and neglect. Through the several projects taking place across the city of Abilene, students and members of the community are invited to volunteer. Take advantage of helping someone during the Christmas season. Although you probably won’t actually meet those you help in person, you can improve someone’s quality of life and potentially change someone’s life. Keep an open mind and a servant heart close at hand during the holidays.
E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu
Lebensgefahr
Alex York
Snow storm brings false hope to campus I remember why I hate winter. The snowstorm blanketing Abilene with two i n c h e s of snow Thursday was a mixed blessing. It brought good and bad. Students Fields of and faculty are preparDreams ing for the worst time Jared of year: fiFields nals. Students have a semester’s worth of work to cram into a week. Teachers have a semester’s worth of students’ work to grade in a week. No one goes a day without at least one big project looming over their head, if not surrounding them like a cloud. The mixed blessing
Homework aside, all anyone wanted to do was play in the snow and waste a perfectly good day to get some work done. brought by Mother Nature, the ultimate temptress, gives you the perfect opportunity to catch up but all we do is go outside into the most unpleasant weather. It is means for celebration in West Texas when there’s enough snow to barely cover the ground. And means for taking a day off, too. But when a giant ‘Northern’ blew in and dropped some snowflakes on the town, the Big Country was hit unprepared to cope with the wintry conditions. ACU cancelled classes all day and students took advantage. You would think students would shelter themselves inside from the freezing weather and dan-
gerous driving conditions. Instead, students came out in droves. Homework aside, all anyone wanted to do was play in the snow and waste a perfectly good day to get some work done. How sad is Abilene life when we willingly harm our bodies in these conditions? Pretty sad for some. Then the novelty of snow in Abilene wears off at a parallel rate to the snow melting in the afternoon heat that inevitably follows. After the first snowfall, any cold, wet day automatically becomes a bad day. But living in Texas, everyone is suckered in by snow. Snow adds a magic to the air that brings a nos-
talgic feeling to everyone. Snow is Mother Nature’s way of tricking us into thinking winter is a nice season. Well, she’s not tricking me. All winter is good for is buying more clothes and making life uncomfortable. If only everyone else could realize how horrible winter is, the mixed blessing would turn into a regular blessing with no catches. Then everyone could stay inside and the temptation to join the crowd outside would just melt away like afternoon snow. Students need to come to this conclusion. Everyone likes change, but that doesn’t make the winter change a good one.
E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu, optimist@acu.edu
In Your Words What is you favorite thing about a snow day? “We get to wear cute winter clothing, and everybody looks good.”
“That it’s white, and that school is cancelled because we don’t know what it is.”
“I’m from Kenya so it doesn’t snow. I like playing in and throwing snowballs in people’s faces.”
“Laughing at how the entire campus is shut down for less than an inch of snow.”
Ellie Johnston
Tim Brooks
Deb Talley
Nicodemus Mount
sophomore journalism major from Orange County, Calif.
sophomore accounting major from League City
junior biology major from Mombasa, Kenya
Editorial and Management Board
Editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration. Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university. The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing personal
attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published. Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu
graduate student from Janesville, Wis.
Mallory Schlabach
Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Newsroom: (325) 674-2439
Sports desk: (325) 674-2684
Lauren Sutton
Daniel Johnson
Editor in Chief
Opinion Editor
Sports Editor
Jared Fields
Brian Schmidt
Michelle Jimenez
Christi Stark Advertising Manager
Managing Editor
Chief Photographer
Arts Editor
Kenneth Pybus
Mitch Holt
Kelsi Peace
Shelby Coates
Adviser
Copy Editor
Photo department: (325) 674-2499
Features Editor
Advertising office: (325) 674-2463
Video Editor
Subscriptions ($40/academic year): (325) 674-2296.
Online: www.acuoptimist.com
Page 7
December 1, 2006
Frosty Fundraiser Story by
Takisha Knight
Photographs by
Emily Smith
Karen Mendoza, events coordinator for Habitat for Humanity, cuts the ribbon on the Grand Opening on Nov. 17 with Christine Brockman, volunteer from Chamber of Commerce.
S
awdust mingled with the October morning air, and Festival Gardens was all a bustle. Three by three, like Christmas elves, volunteers hauled rectangular sheets of plywood from the back of a trailer. Volunteers gripping staple guns waited at Table One and Table Two for the race to begin. “We only have one staple gun,” a Table One worker protested. “So do we,” his Table Two counterpart fibbed as she stapled the turf in rapidfire mode. The table with two staple guns finished first, but no one claimed foul play. Grooving to the Jackson Five Christmas album, they just hauled off the finished product to the edge of The Ice House, Abilene’s first-ever outdoor skating rink. Despite the 70-degree winter weather, volunteers from Habitat for Humanity, Dyess Air Force Base and ACU have turned Festival Gardens at Nelson Park into Abilene’s slice of winter wonderland.
Karen’s Christmas Workshop Ten athletic guys slumped together on a concrete bench they had lugged to the seating area near the rink, aching but proud of their brawny feat. “Good job guys,” said Karen Mendoza, events coordinator for Habitat for Humanity and the unofficial Santa figure of the site. “Now let’s move this one about here,” she said standing in front of another plot of fresh green turf with her arms squared open as if holding a box. “You mean another one of those?” the tall one complained. After her confident nod, he sighed but dutifully rallied the troops with an enthusiastic, “OK.” Grunting and hastily baby stepping, they heaved the concrete bench to its destination. Karen coordinates events and fundraisers for Habitat projects, and The Ice House is one of them. Karen’s boss, Kevin Coleman was struck by the idea to have an ice skating rink in Abilene after seeing one in Fredericksburg while on vacation. He thought it would make a wonderful fundraiser for more Habitat projects. He told Karen about it, and she began to investigate. “I went to talk to people,” she said. “You can tell then and there if they were excited. You could see it in their faces.” “The first thing people would ask me was ‘Are you going to give people lessons? How are you going to keep the ice frozen?’” To the latter, The Ice House staff would say, with hardened perseverance.
Emily Flatt, former professional skater and freshman communication major from Midland, volunteers a rink monitor with Henry Holluck, sophomore youth and family ministry major from Graham.
Abilene’s outdoor ice skating rink, the Abilene Ice House, may have been slushy earlier in the week, but determined workers are preparing to re-open Friday.
Keeping the Ice Frozen Dyess and Habitat volunteers practically eat perseverance for breakfast. When the ice melts, there’s only one thing to do: freeze it again. Every night they spend hours re-laying the ice. It takes about 30 minutes to make a layer of ice in 40-degree weather. Warmer nights take longer. It took five hours to make three layers of ice Saturday morning. The volunteers labored until 6 a.m. only to have the wind cut away at it again. “We fought it all week,” MSgt Gordon Story, founder of the Dyess We Care Team, said. “That’s a little on the pressing side to watch all your efforts slosh away,” he smirked with a shrug. Gordon said, “My job on base is the civilian’s equivalent of human resources.” One of his duties it to get airmen involved with the community through the We Care Team. Ice layer after ice layer in the wee hours of the morning, the airmen are learning the definition of perseverance. Thanksgiving weekend crowds were turned away Saturday and Sunday when the rink had to close down because of the melting, wind-weathered ice. Gordon said the ice was unsafe for skaters, so they had no choice but to close. The Abilene crowd took it well, however. A little boy who was happy to have even the short time on the melting ice ran up to Gordon, hugged him and said, “I’ll be back.” Gordon knew he would. The Ice House made amends by refunding the customers or letting them keep wristbands for the next day the rink could open, Friday. Cookies and hot chocolate are on the house at the grand re-opening of the rink at 3 p.m., Friday when skaters can meet Santa and skate until midnight. Thanks to the cold front, the ice should remain solid. “As they say, you can’t fight mother nature,” Gordon said. Of course, Gordon didn’t know just what kind of battle he was in for. Weather counts for more than any of the team thought. The team took cues from contacts at the skating rink at Fredericksburg about 200 miles south of Abilene. After acquiring the use of Festival Gardens from the City of Abilene, they began to construct the site using sand boxes to level the ground on the cement. They used plastic railing for the actual rink, which is 48 feet
by 104 feet. They ran antifreeze through a grid to begin the process of making ice. Every evening they build the ice by adding water and an ice-surfacing agent. The final touch is to shave it with a Zamboni. Contacts in Fredericksburg said as long as temperatures are below 85 degrees, then the ice will stay frozen. Gordon said in actuality, it’s more like 70 degrees. Worst of all, no one from Fredericksburg mentioned the wind factor. Nevertheless, community members are supportive. They keep coming back in droves. Every night has been a good night, workers say. Each night up to 400 skaters ranging from college students, families and grand parents watching from the sidelines come to skate and nibble on Vittle Barn treats like cheesecake, fried turkey legs, and fried pickles. (See SKATIN’ SNACKS, this page) Almost every night is special at The Ice House. On Military Mondays Dyess members and their families get half-price admissions. A student ID gets college students in with a $2 discount on Tuesdays. Thursdays are Rock n’ Skate Night where skaters can rock out to live performances by local bands. Date Night Fridays offers a $4 discount to couples, and occasionally Starbucks vends coffee. Gordon suggests people come at about 9:45-10 p.m. He said that’s when the first rush begins to poop out and turn in for the night. “It’s a lot more exercise than people think,” he said. “But they have a good time.” As a native Georgian, Gordon said he doesn’t function well on skates and typically fares better on the PA as Karen’s announcement guy. He also spends time at Sally and Russell Mullins’ Vittle Barn quenching his new appetite for fried pickles, a rising favorite among The Ice House crowd.
Spread the Word “Every place I go I end up mentioning it,” Karen said. One time she went to Office Depot and the cashier started telling her about the ice skating rink. She had no idea the word spread so quickly. “The excitement is really overwhelming,” she said. The community seems to want the ice skating rink, which is good news since it will take a community effort to keep the $65,000 project going. This first attempt at an ice skating rink has produced unexpected expenses, Karen
THE VITTLE BARN: SKATIN’ SNACKS Every day Russell Mullins, mayor of Leuders, just east of Anson, packs up with his wife Sally and makes the 45-minute trip to Abilene—to sell fried pickles. Fried pickles are MSgt Gordon Story’s favorite treat on the Vittle Barn menu. The vendor restaurant offers carnival type foods every night at The Ice House. Smoked turkey legs, curly fries, cheesecake, corn dogs, sugar puffs and fried pickles battered in a family recipe are just some of the raved about foods the couple vends from their trailer. Karen and Gordon invited Vittle Barn to serve at The Ice House and Sally thought it was a “fabulous idea.” “We were kinda wonderin’ about days like these,” Russell said with a charming Texas twang. “We go with the flow,” Sally explained. “I saw the potential of it,” Russell added. Sally came up with the idea of vending foods at fairs and rodeos, Russell said. “It was going to be a part of our retirement,” said Sally. “She thought we needed something else to do since we have 40 acres to work.” “And a café and tractors,” Sally laughed at her industrious tendencies. “Really we need to start slowing down now that we’re getting old.” “Speak for yourself,” her husband teased, provoking group laughter among The Ice House staff. Class Airman Thomas Vasbinder Is a fan of Vittle Barn corn dogs. He’s not sure what it is about them he likes. He just knows that they are good, and so are the people who make them. Vasbinder said he enjoys the way Sally and Russell talk with customers and each other. “They’re easy going and down to earth,” he added. One night at closing, as The Ice House Staff wound down at another early closing, Gordon dubbed them honorary We Care Team family. The couple just smiled warmly. The feeling was mutual. said. The trial-and-error approach makes it difficult to determine how much Habitat will need to break even, but Karen hopes The Ice House will raise $60,000$70,000 for future building projects and WTC projects. Gordon said community members can help The Ice House stay in business. “The biggest benefit for us would be if they go to any of these businesses, speak to the managers and thank them,” he said. “The more people express feedback, the more likely they can help next year.” Karen said she presented the idea to local businesses and asked for their support. She landed the first sponsor in July. The title sponsor is the Abilene Chapter See
SKATING page 8
FEATURE JUMPS
Page 8
Friday, December 1, 2006
Concert: Professor ends his career where it began Continued from page 1
“Some people would ask me, ‘did I play golf’ and I said ‘yeah, about the way he sings,’” Charles said. Byron helped Charles take his first voice lessons in 1937 during the Great Depression, giving young Charles the $25 a month his family couldn’t afford during the Depression. Byron passed away at his Roanoke home at the age of 94 on Sept. 26, as one of the greatest golfers of all time. On this day, Charles wears one of Byron’s yellow gold sweaters from a golf club he’s never heard of. “Banff Springs golf club. I’ve never been there. It’s just a nice yellow sweater,” Charles says about the sweater with the club logo on the left chest. The Nelsons moved to a farm near Denton when Charles was 14 years old. Margaret Ellen went to college at North Texas State Teachers’ College. Charles went to the Demonstration School on the NTSTC campus. At 15, Charles was taken by his sister to audition for Frank McKinley, a voice teacher at NTSTC. “She was a pushy big sister. She took me, too. After the first lesson they invited me to sing in the college choir,” Charles said. He was singing bass by then, his voice maturing quicker than most 14-year-old boys. That fall, the school combined choirs and sang a performance of the “Messiah,” his first performance. There he continued to sing in the choir through the beginning of World War II.
photo illustration by rachel lau STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Dr. Charles Nelson, professor emeritus of music, began his teaching career at Carthage High School in 1950. Nelson came to ACU in 1984. In August 1944, Charles was drafted into the Army where he became a cook. “It occurred to me that if I was a cook, I would be close to fire. And close to food,” Charles said. “Mother didn’t like to cook, she let us kids do the cooking.” While stationed in Camp Howze near Gainesville, Charles met his wife, Betty. They married May 30, 1947. Charles says Betty is just as indispensable as anyone could be. It is difficult for him to tell a difference in the responsibilities the two share. “After 59 years, how do you tell?” he said. Charles’ military career ended in 1946. He returned home and enrolled at North
Texas State University. Two years later, in 1948, Charles was stricken with polio. However, Charles didn’t let it affect him or his career. “I always tell people it was the best thing that happened to me. I could get into anything and get out of anything I wanted to.” Charles now uses a motorized scooter after using crutches for many years. He never let it get him down. Walking into a room with him, he says to get a seat anywhere “I brought my own.” Charles got his first teaching job at Carthage High School in 1950. He attended graduate school at NTSU that year, where
he got his Master of Music Education. From there he went to Harlingen High School and Edinburg High School. After teaching at high schools for nine years, he got his first college teaching job at Lipscomb College as a choral director, where he spent nine years. In 1968, Charles took a job at East Texas State University, now Texas A&MCommerce. He spent 16 years there. He left ETSU in 1984 to come to Abilene Christian University, and in 1987 was given an honorary doctor of music degree by the school. At ACU, Charles was the artist in residence. This allowed him to perform as much as he wished, and he
took advantage of it. “Some people said I was never there, so how could I be in residence?” From 1950 until 1997, Charles performed 2,314 times -- in every state except Hawaii and in 15 foreign countries. In 1998, ACU President Royce Money invited Charles to put together his recordings to archive in the library. “One of the things singers hate to do is listen to their own recordings,” Charles said. “Sixty-five years worth. That was not planned.” The library holds 92 CDs of his choral and solo work throughout his career. Nelson’s voice is clear and strong. His lungs kept
healthy by the upper-body exercise of his arm-powered bike. Dr. Paul Piersall, professor of music and chair of the Department of Music from 1996 to 2004, recalls Charles’ strong voice. Charles was on his bike downtown when he got going too fast and wrecked. Charles broke his pelvis in the wreck, but still performed duets with Piersall. The two sang a bass duet at schools all over the state. Sitting in a wheelchair in a performance after the accident, Piersall said Charles still sang louder than him. The text to the “Messiah” was compiled from the Bible by Charles Jennens. Handel put words to music in 1742. The first performance released 142 men from debtors prison and benefited two other charities as well. Keeping alive the work of composers like Handel is all Charles needs. “Making music has been a privilege, but not because of others’ enjoyment, Charles said. “If what I’ve done has been pleasurable to others, I’m glad.” “The greatest benefit that comes to me,” Charles pauses to tell how the “Messiah” was arranged. “We’re actually coming to an intimate association with the scripture. And with the assistance of Jennens, to the genius of Handel, we’re keeping alive the text, or the scripture in this case, and the genius of Handel.” Reflecting back on his 80 years, Charles’ life has been about more than just performing. “To perpetuate greatness, that’s the way I feel.”
E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu
Skating: Rink to re-open Continued from page 7
of Credit Unions. The City of Abilene donated the use of Festival Gardens and WTU Retail Energy donated $5,000 worth of free energy to the project. Other sponsors are mentioned on banners that line the inner walls of the ice skating rink. Gordon said instead of spending money on a movie that doesn’t benefit the community, people have a better option by going ice skating, something new and fun that benefits the community.
West Texans on Ice “Fish out of water,” First Class Airman Thomas Vasbinder said while describing the West Texans wiping out on the ice.
The airman from Ohio said, “It’s pretty much like taking someone out of their comfort zones and putting them some place they’ve never seen before. As ice rink monitor, he saw Abilenians laughing, smiling and scrambling on the ice. He thought the rink would bring a lot to the community. Fellow monitor, Sr. Airman Benjamin Wolfe said he didn’t think it was possible to build an ice skating rink in Abilene. Originally from New Mexico, the airman said he scrambled just as much as the other skaters when he tried his ice legs for the first time opening night. “I felt like my legs were real wobbly. It’s something I never felt before,” he said. “I love it.” From the smiles the two
monitors saw from the community of Abilene, ice skating may have a place in West Texas.
Times, Ticket Prices The Abilene Ice House will be open every day of the week until Jan. 13. n TICKETS: $10 for adults $7 for children younger than 5 n DISCOUNTS: Tuesdays: $2 off with student ID Fridays: $4 off for couples n TIMES: Monday to Thursday: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday: 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday: Noon to 8 p.m.
E-mail Knight at: tnk03a@acu.edu
Friday, December 1, 2006
Page 9
FROM THE FRONT
Angel: Kids need presents Continued from page 1 basement of the Campus Center. The gift needs only be in a bag labeled with the number of the child it will go to. The child’s number is on the bottom of the “Child Information for Angel Adopter” slip of paper. All presents must be delivered to the VSLC office by Tuesday. Sarah Novack, sophomore vocational missions major from Lakin, Kan., said she is excited about the Angel Tree program.
“I just like kids,” Novack said. “We just want to be role models for them.” Novack also said the Angel Tree program shows students how to give to the needy, and the table is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Trejo said last Christmas SALT ended up purchasing many of the gifts for the children. “We didn’t haven enough students sign up last year,” Trejo said. “Students should take advantage of
the opportunity to provide a gift to children who may not have one. We appreciate your support.” SALT’s purpose is to show love for neighbors in the Abilene community, Trejo said. Trejo also said the Angel Tree program has taken place every Christmas for about four years.
E-mail Straus at: nrs02a@acu.edu
SA: Members pass resolutions Continued from page 1 Sen. Kyle Moore, junior class, supported the formation of Global Samaritan Resources Student Outreach club, a student organization that will work to raise awareness and encourage volunteers to support the organization. SA also passed a resolution to support Silence Sessions, a student-produced television show that has featured live performances of local bands such as Homer Hiccolm & the Rocketboys and Streets of Simon Lee and national bands. The show airs on channel seven and at www.silencemagazine.net. “We support Silence Sessions and we want it to continue on campus, enriching the ACU musical experience,” said Sen. Brandon Smith, junior class, during debate of the legislation. The resolution also “request[s] communication between members of the execu-
tive cabinet and J.R. Kessler,” according to official wording. Matt Worthington, executive secretary, said despite great efforts from SA officers to reach Kessler, professor of journalism and mass communication, about the issue, he doesn’t respond to e-mails and phone calls, and they can’t get in touch with him. The legislation is a “call to action” for Kessler, who sponsors the organization, Worthington said. Silence Sessions was postponed in early fall because the equipment used to record audio for the TV show was “not up to par,” said Dustin Reid, senior electronic media major from Rockwall and founder of Silence Sessions. Reid had booked several national bands and filled up a Silence Sessions schedule for the entire semester because he was informed the TV studio where the show is filmed would be receiving a recording equipment overhaul. When the equipment wasn’t in-
stalled as promised, Reid said, he had no choice but to indefinitely pull the plug on the production. “Bands aren’t going to want to drive hundreds of miles to play if they can’t get a decent recording,” he said. “I never asked for any equipment, I never expected ACU to pay to make the show possible.” However, new equipment was ordered for the production and is in the Adams Center but has not yet been installed, Reid said, for reasons he did not know. If a new sound system is installed in the Bean Sprout as has been discussed, Silence Sessions may move recording there, Reid said. For now, Silence Sessions is postponed, Reid said. “I’m not going to book anymore bands until the situation gets right,” Reid said.
E-mail Peace at: knp04a@acu.edu
Microsoft: Speaker comes for series Continued from page 1 him is a big deal.” Turner has been mentioned and honored in several prominent magazines including TIME Magazine, Business 2.0 and CIO magazine. “We want our students to have the same opportunity that students at Harvard have,” said Michael Winegeart, assistant professor of international business and director of collaborative learning. Every year COBA invites speakers to give students an opportunity to learn from professionals who have a message and passion to share—a heart for ACU, faith and spirituality. “He is coming here because he is a believer,” Winegeart said. Many people might be willing to speak at larger schools in bigger cities, Winegeart said, but Turner and other speakers in the Distinguished Speaker Series are generous and glad to come to ACU. “They know it’s not about money; it’s about the king-
dom,” Winegeart said. After his nearly 20-yearlong career at Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Turner was appointed as a chief operating officer for Microsoft in 2005. Turner is responsible for strategic and operational leadership of Microsoft’s worldwide sales, marketing and services. He leads a global organization of more than 35,000 employees, including field sales and marketing professionals who delivered more than $44 billion in revenue during fiscal 2006, according to the Microsoft Web site. He serves on the Senior Leadership Team with Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer and five other senior executives. He began his career at WalMart as a cashier while attending East Central University in Ada, Okla., and he graduated with Bachelor of Science in management in 1987 and continued working at WalMart. At 29 years old, Turner became the youngest corporate officer ever at the company and held various leadership positions, most recently
president and chief executive officer of Sam’s Club. He also worked in the IT department for 13 years and oversaw all information system and IT operations worldwide. He was awarded the first Sam M. Walton—Entrepreneur of the Year award, which is voted by Walton family and is the highest honor given at the company, according to COBA Web site. Switzer she will be at the luncheon to learn Turner’s thoughts, strategy and any insight he has. About 300 tickets have been sold as of Wednesday, and about 250 tickets are still available. A mentoring session is limited for about 80 people and will take place after the event. Tickets for the luncheon are $6 for students and $12 for others. Contact Switzer for tickets and Winegeart for a mentoring session.
E-mail Shibata at: axs03d@acu.edu
BRIAN SCHIMDT CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Abbie Holland, freshman missions major from Houston, throws a snowball outside the entrance of the McGlothlin Campus Center on Thursday during the university’s snow day.
Snow: All classes, offices closed Continued from page 1 the hill behind Smith and Adams residence halls. Mark Foster, freshman computer science major from Abilene, met up with friends at the hill for sledding and snowballs. “We went near Sherrod Apartments and grabbed some trash can lids and slid down the hill for awhile,” Foster said. “We also had a snowball fight and played around in the snow for awhile. It was great.” Because Foster grew up in Abilene, he said he didn’t expect school to be canceled
today. “I was very excited when I heard they had eventually canceled everything,” he said. “They always say it’s going to snow, and then we get just a little and it melts right away. He said he couldn’t remember for sure when Abilene last had a snowstorm like this. While many people were excited for the break from classes, Ellison said many people have complained that the school closed. “There will always be those that want to second guess why we do or don’t
close,” he said. “But we have to make a decision based on the information we have early in the day before it gets worse. If students come and get stuck on campus, that’s not good. Safety is our primary concern, not class schedules and work.” Ellison said students should remain cautious while driving, even if it is on slush and to be careful when driving on bridges and on Judge Ely Boulevard because of its long and gradual slope.
E-mail Schlabach at: mes02e@acu.edu
SportsFriday
Page 10
ScoreBoard Standings MEN’S BASKETBALL
Team
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Tarleton TAMU-K MSU ACU Angelo St. WTAM ENMU
Overall 5-0 4-0 3-0 3-1 2-2 2-3 2-3
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Team
Div. 1-0 0-1 0-0 0-0 0-0 TX Woman’s 0-0 TAMK-U 0-0 MSU 0-0 WTAMU ENMU ACU Tarleton Angelo St.
Overall 5-1 3-1 4-0 3-0 2-0 2-1 2-2 2-2
Scores Monday
Women head into first LSC crossover game n The ACU women’s basketball team will continue its undefeated season against Texas A&MCommerce on Saturday. The game will be ACU’s first conference game. By MICHAEL FREEMAN Online Editor
After a roaring start, the women’s basketball team is gearing up for two tough match-ups. The Wildcats are 4-0 for the first time since the 1996-97 season. ACU will attempt to keep the streak alive when Texas A&M-Commerce comes to town Saturday. Then the Wildcats will host conference foe Angelo State University on Tuesday. After Thanksgiving break, ACU put up a decisive 8562 win over the University of Texas-Permian Basin on Monday. Even though ACU committed 24 turnovers in the game, head coach Shaw-
MEN’S BASKETBALL WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU 85, Texas-Permian Basin 62
Saturday WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. Texas A&M Commerce, 2 p.m.
MEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. Texas A&M Commerce, 4 p.m.
Monday MEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. Dallas Baptist, 8 p.m.
Tuesday WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. Angelo State, 6 p.m.
Thursday WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU at Northeastern State, Tahlequah, Okla. 6 p.m.
MEN’S BASKETBALL ACU at Northeastern State, Tahlequah, Okla. 8 p.m.
n Home games listed in Italics
Briefs Four Wildcats named all Southwest-region n Four ACU football players were made were named to a Daktronics All-Southwest Region football team on Wednesday. Defensive end Travis Carpenter was named to the first team while offensive lineman Nathan Young, wide receiver Jerale Badon and quarterback Billy Malone were all named to the second team.
Online n Watch highlights of the ACU football team’s 30-27 loss to West Texas A&M on Nov. 18 at: www.acuoptimist.com ACU finished the season 8-3 and the loss was its first playoff appearance since 1977.
Women’s basketball na Lavender was still pleased with the Wildcats’ overall performance. “I think one of the good things about that game is that we were able to work some of the kinks out after being on break,” Lavender said. “I think we got a lot of things accomplished.” The revitalization in the Wildcats’ play is just in time to take on the Lions of Texas A&M-Commerce. Commerce is 5-3 and averages 73 points-per-game. The match will be the Wildcats’ first LSC crossover game of the season and fourth game at home. So far, ACU is undefeated at home. “Texas A&M-Commerce is always tough. And they are playing really well right now,” Lavender said. “We have to have a great defensive game.”
Upcoming n The intramural schedule seen on the Optimist sports page is not final and is subject to change. Any last-minute changes can be viewed on the intramural bulletin board in Moody Coliseum. WATERBALL Waterball games postponed until further notice. 3-2 SOFTBALL Tournament postponed until further notice.
brian schmidt CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Point guard Kathryn Kundmueller tries to steal the ball from University of Texas-Permian Basin guard Ranieal Draper on Monday. blocked shots. “Angelo State is one of our big rivals. We always match up well against them,” Lavender said. “It should be a great game.” The Wildcats will battle Angelo State in Moody Coliseum on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Lavender urged students to go to the games and support the Wildcats as they try to keep their winning streak going. “We need lots of people, especially on Tuesday,” Lavender said. E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu
Amanda Farrell switched to basketball after playing volleyball for four years n One of the newest additions to the undefeated ACU women’s basketball team is a former allAmerican ACU volleyball player, Amanda Farrell. By TEX REMBERT Student Reporter
The women’s basketball team has many new faces this year. But one of those faces may be familiar to fans in Moody Coliseum this season, especially if they’re also Wildcat volleyball fans. Former ACU all-American volleyball player Amanda Farrell, then Amanda Slate, made the transition from volleyball to basketball this season. Head women’s basketball coach Shawna Lavender said the idea of recruiting Slate to play basketball had always been a joke around the athletic office. “I used to joke around all the time and tell the coaches from last year’s volleyball team that I was going to take Amanda from them,” Lavender said. “We had a couple of early injuries this year so we asked her if she wanted to be a part of the team and she said yes.” In Division II athletics, athletes are given four years of eligibility in a single sport, but if they remain a full-time student for a fifth year, they are eligible to play a different sport for one additional year. Farrell, senior forward, is one of only a few athletes in ACU history to take advantage of this rule. A few of Farrell’s old volleyball teammates and new
brian schmidt CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
basketball teammates didn’t believe her when she said she was going to play basketball. “They laugh,” she said. “They think it’s funny when I walk out of the locker room with my big jersey and my big shorts and shoes.” Sophomore Lauren Leone, a former volleyball teammate of Farrell’s, had hoped everything would work out for her friend. “When I found out that she was actually on the team I was excited,” Leone said.
Farrell played on her high school basketball team and always wanted to continue playing in college but because she was on scholarship for volleyball, her commitment was there and the coaches didn’t want to risk her getting injured. Farrell said she is getting used to playing basketball again after not playing competitively for more than four years, on top of playing a new position. In high school Amanda played the point guard po-
sition, however this year she will play forward. At six feet tall she is one of the tallest players on the team. Farrell said the biggest transition will be adjusting to the contact in basketball. “I can’t be as girly in basketball,” she said. “Volleyball is a no-contact sport, and now I have to get adjusted to all the contact underneath the basket.” Lavender has helped Farrell transition back into basketball and get used to getting
physical under the basket. “We had to tell her that is OK to knock people around, because if you don’t, other people are going to knock you down,” Lavender said. In volleyball, Farrell was one of the best players in the country. In addition to making the NCAA Division II all-American second team last season, she ranks third on ACU’s all-time kills list and was a vital part of the 2005 team, which posted an overall record of 31-4 and undefeated in conference. Because of her success in volleyball, Farrell recognizes that her major role will be encouraging her new teammates in a different sport. “I’m coming in to be an encourager and a leader when I can,” Farrell said. “They brought me in because they know that I know how to win and they have seen my leadership on the court and they thought I could bring that to basketball.” Lavender said Farrell’s experience and work ethic were also major reasons for bringing her on to this year’s team. “One of the things that Amanda brings to the team is her work ethic,” Lavender said. “She also has the experience of playing in big games. She has had so much success in volleyball at a high level. Bringing that to our team will be great for a young team like ours.” Slate and the rest of the undefeated women’s basketball team next game will be on Saturday against Texas A&MCommerce. E-mail Rembert at: optimist@acu.edu
Wildcats face experienced A&M-Commerce team n The ACU men’s basketball team will take on Texas A&M-Commerce in its first LSC Crossover game on Saturday. By BLAKE PENFIELD Sports Writer
Intramural Round-up
One of the biggest threats to the Wildcat defense will be this week’s LSC North Division Player of the Week, Katedria Mosley. The junior guard earned the honor after a scoring a season-high 20 points in the A&M-Commerce win over St. Mary’s, 72-54, on Nov. 25 at the Texas A&M Kingsville Classic. ACU will take on A&MCommerce on Saturday in Moody Coliseum. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ACU will have its first taste of division play when the Wildcats play Angelo State. The Wildcats will have their hands full with Angelo State, which is 3-0 on the season. Angelo State is the best shooting team in the LSC, with a field goal percentage of 49.2. Angelo State also leads the conference in the categories of average rebounds-per-game, average assists-per-game and
From V-Ball to B-ball
St. Edwards 65, ACU 60
Upcoming
Friday, December 1, 2006
Moody Coliseum will host the men’s basketball team’s fifth game of the season Saturday against the Texas A&M-Commerce Lions. The Wildcats are 3-1, meaning they already have half the wins they were able to muster in last year’s 27-game season. ACU holds the fourth-highest shooting percentage out of the Lone Star Conference’s 14 teams, and the team is fifth in the LSC North. Commerce’s head coach, Sam Walker, recently reached the 100victory milestone. His success has been attributed to his unique coaching style—one that is exemplified by the coach’s penchant this season for a new starting lineup combination nearly every game.
Men’s basketball Commerce senior guard Lamar Searight was selected as an honorable mention for the allLone Star Conference team last season and is currently ranked in the LSC top-ten in several categories including third in steals-pergame, ninth in assists-per-game and 10th in points-per-game. He has scored at least eight points in every game in his career and has the impressive distinction of scoring double figures in 26 of his 34 played games. “They’re very talented. They were a playoff team last year, they have three starters back and their guard play is the best we’ve been up against all year. They also have one of the best coaches in the Lone Star Conference,” ACU head coach Jason Copeland said. Copeland said the Wildcats will try to shut down Commerce’s offense by containing their guards
to limit their scoring opportunities. Eliminating transition buckets for the Lions by being judicious with the ball will be crucial for slowing down their offense. Attendance at men’s home basketball games averages at 438 people. However, this number may be misleading as the team’s second game took place during an ACU football game. Copeland said he feels attending the basketball games can be more than just entertaining; It actually helps the team. “It creates a great environment for our players,” he said. ACU will play Commerce at 4 p.m. on Saturday and the match will be ACU’s first conference action. The game that was supposed to take place Thursday against Dallas Baptist University has been rescheduled to Monday at 7 p.m. because of the snowy weather. E-mail Penfield at: optimist@acu.edu
GARY Rhodes CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Guard Tiago Souza shoots over a Concordia defender on Nov. 18. ACU is 3-1 to and will begin conference play against Texas A&M-Commerce on Saturday.