The Vol. 95, No. 28
IN THIS ISSUE CAMPUS
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OPTIMIST
1 section, 8 pages
FRIDAY
December 8, 2006
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www.acuoptimist.com
Students opt to stay in Abilene during break
A fresh-faced coach
Books for cash
The Campus Store will buy back used textbooks beginning Monday for cash or credit to student accounts, page 3
n After finals end next Friday, some students will remain in town to work both on-campus and Abilene jobs during the month-long break.
Shining lights
The Abilene State School opened a Christmas lights display for the community at Christmas Lane on Thursday, page 3
By NATHAN STRAUS Staff Writer
Jacob Harbour, senior musical theatre major from Friendswood, works at KACU. He is also the technical director for the upcoming ACU play The Miracle Worker and spends time in the theatre shop. When December finals week is only a memory and students are on their way home, Harbour will
FEATURES
Senior Brandon Tatum was hired as Abilene Christian High School’s head basketball coach at 21 years old, jump on page 5
n The Study Abroad Office sent at least four students home from Oxford, England, after they breached a behavior contract earlier this semester.
ARTS
By DANIEL JOHNSON Sports Editor
At least four ACU students in the Study Abroad program in Oxford, England, were sent home after violating the behavior contract all participants sign before beginning the program. The students were dismissed from the program earlier in the semester af-
LACI ADKINS STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Coach Brandon Tatum, senior Biblical text major from Austin, stands with members of his team from Abilene Christian High School during a practice on Wednesday afternoon in the school’s gymnasium.
Brandon Tatum landed a head coaching position at 21 By MALLORY SCHLABACH ‘The Fountain’ weaves three story lines that take place in different time periods to tell a love story, page 7
SPORTS
Winning streak
The Wildcat women’s basketball team will play the University of Central Oklahoma in Talequah, Okla., on Saturday. The team’s record is 7-0, page 8
SPECIALS Final edition
This is the last edition of the Optimist until Jan. 19.
ONLINE Playing fetch
ACU’s new Ultimate Frisbee Club competed last weekend against other universities, view it online at: www.acuoptimist.com
See
BREAK page 4
Study Abroad dismisses four Oxford students
First-time coach
Fountain of Love
be in Abilene. “This is the third Christmas away from my family,” Harbour said. “I spent Christmas my freshman year and stayed and worked in the shop every winter since.” Harbour said he spent Thanksgiving with his family and does not regret having to miss Christmas with them this year. Harbour operates KACU’s daytime music program from 1 to 3 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. He hopes to be given a second show to run, a three-hour classical music
Editor in Chief
Brandon Tatum walks around the gym, surveying his team warming up. His silver athletic pants swish as he swings his arms through the air, motioning the team to follow him. “We’re going to take it easy tonight since we have our first game tomorrow,” Brandon says to a group of teenaged boys shooting baskets in the grey and blue gym at Abilene Christian School. The sound of basketballs hitting the plastic tile floor echoes as the boys hurry to circle up in the middle of the court around Brandon. “Joe, Jason, David, Chris and Michael…” Brandon rattles off the names of the basketball players he wants on the gym floor. He stands tall above their heads, but chooses to kneel down in the middle of the circle as the players begin to move into position. The three players who weren’t called stand on the sideline.
A couple look disgruntled because it means they won’t start in tomorrow night’s big game against Hamlin. At first glance, Brandon could pass as a high school player himself, except that he sports a goatee. At 21, he’s only a few years older than most of the players on his team. But any of them will tell you that his age doesn’t matter. Brandon, senior Biblical text major from Austin, learned late in the summer that he had just landed the job as a head basketball coach. He wasn’t holding his breath. After all, he still had more than a year of college to finish. “OK. We’re going to go over pre-game stuff right now and get it out of the way,” he says. Brandon talks quietly, his deep voice echoes in the empty gym. “Each man needs to do four layups and then switch sides,” he yells as the players form a line underneath the basket and begin to take a warm-up
“No dunking in warm up tomorrow unless you can prove otherwise that you can dunk.”
See
OXFORD page 4
Midnight Breakfast offered in the Bean
Brandon Tatum, men’s basketball ACHS head coach
n The Wildcat Parents organization will sponsor a buffet breakfast in the Bean on Dead Day. Students can relax, win prizes and sing karaoke.
lap before running the drill. Jerron Packwood, a senior point guard, leads the team around the gym dribbling the basketball. Hunter Haught follows holding his ball, as the team saunters around the gym and lines up to shoot layups. “Guys,” Brandon yells before they begin shooting, “no dunking in warm up tomorrow unless you can prove othSee
ter a disciplinary committee—made up of the professors of the program and on-site director Ron Morgan—made a disciplinary recommendation to Kevin Kehl, executive director of the Center for International and Intercultural Communication, and other university officials. Kehl said he and the other officials decided the violation warranted dismissal from the program. “There were some students that failed to abide
By EMILY SMITH Student Reporter
IHOP won’t be the only place serving breakfast after hours next week. Monday, also known as Dead Day, Wildcat Parents will serve students Midnight Breakfast in the World Famous Bean from 10:30 p.m. to midnight. Students can enjoy themselves
TATUM page 5
and combat the stresses of finals week. “We just encourage everybody to have fun, relax, talk to their friends and eat breakfast,” said Samantha Adkins, coordinator for alumni programs and planner for the breakfast. “We provide music playing, but when anyone wants to come up and sing, we have about 400 songs they can flip through.” Students can borrow board games, card decks or sing karaoke with other See
BREAKFAST page 4
Woodruff murder case still awaits trial date n Brandon Woodruff, former ACU student, has been in jail since he was charged with murdering his parents last October; a trial date has yet to be set. By MALLORY SCHLABACH Editor in Chief
No trial date has been set for former ACU student Brandon Woodruff, who was charged with one count of capital murder in October 2005 for
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
the deaths of his parents at their home in Royse City. Assistant District Attorney Noble Walker said because of numerous murder cases filed at the Woodruff same time, the Woodruff case is still in the docket at the courthouse.
“The bad thing is for those types of cases—capital murder cases—it just takes a long time to gather all the evidence and for it to be processed,” Walker said. “Hunt County had a lot of murders pending in court at the time of the Woodruff murders, so it hasn’t reached the judge yet for a date to be set.” Walker said the DA’s office is still in the discovery process of going through evi-
dence and gathering evidence and talking to witnesses. Walker said he couldn’t estimate when a trial date could be set, but when the case does go to trial, it would take between two and three weeks for a verdict to be announced. He said Woodruff still remains in the Hunt County Criminal Justice Center, where he has been for the past 13 months.
Abilene Christian University
Woodruff’s bail was set at $1 million last October, and it hasn’t been lowered despite attempts by his defense lawyer, Jerry Spencer Davis, in January to have the bail lowered to $100,000. Woodruff’s parents—Dennis, 43, and Norma, 42—were found dead in their mobile home on Oct. 18, 2005, two days after they had been shot See
WOODRUFF page 4
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 Friday, December 8, 2006
08
Calendar & Events Friday
11 a.m. Praise Day and Blessing of Graduating Seniors in Chapel. 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Free Movie Night in Cullen Auditorium, The Grinch, featuring Jim Carey.
09
Saturday
8 a.m. Galaxy Garage Sale at 604 EN 16th to raise money for a mission trip to New Orleans to help Hurricane Katrina victims.
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.
11
Monday
Dead Day. No Classes.
12
Tuesday
Exams begin.
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 a.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 of Galaxy Garage Sale Fundraiser on Saturday. They will be working with Operation Nehemiah and its recovery efforts to help rebuild homes in the devastated areas. They are fundraising to cover the costs and to be able to leave a gift for the ministry in New Orleans. They will be in the campus center this week after chapel to accept monetary or physical items (for the garage sale) that you might be willing to donate and to answer any questions you might have.
Credited Chapels remaining:
70 02*
Chapel is finished but the online survey is worth 2 credits.
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 Help prevent car burglaries: If you leave your vehicle parked on campus during the Christmas Break, park in an interior lot instead of side streets or perimeter lots. Also, remember to lock your vehicle and place valuables out of sight.
Police Log Edited for space
Monday 11/27/2006 09:20 am Jumpstart vehicle at Mabee/Edwards Lot 11:32 am Locked doors at Sherrod Apartments 16:30 pm Theft at Campus center, case #06-237 17:55 pm Assisted subject changing flat tire at Business lot 23:14 pm Report of suspicious subject at 600 EN 16th, checked unable to locate Tuesday 11/28/2006 08:00 am Recovered bicycle reported stolen at Gardner Lot, case #06-237 12:38 pm Traffic stop at EN 18th & Campus Court for disregarding stop sign 18:30 pm Report of students with water guns in the Admin.Bldg. unable to locate 18:50 pm Parking violation at Powell Fitness Lot Wednesday 11/29/2006 01:30 am Report of two suspicious subjects at the back door of Campus Center, subjects were gone upon arrival 07:30 am Vehicle accident at Ambler & Campus Court, no damage, no report made 09:23 am Assisted Abilene PD with trespasser at Chicken Express on EN 10th. 10:28 am Traffic stop at 2000 Campus Court for speeding 12:32 pm Assisted Abilene PD with disturbance at Rosa’s on Judge Ely Thursday 11/30/2006 03:10 am Assisted subject out of gas at EN 16th & ACU Drive 09:00 am Assisted with vehicle accident at Ambler & Judge Ely 15:00 pm Burglar alarm at Physical Resources, false alarm, reset alarm 19:28 pm Burglar alarm at Computer Center, checked building all secure 20:55 pm Abilene PD reporting violation of noise ordinance at 600
College, unable to locate 21:03 pm Locked Campus Center 21:10 pm Parking violation at WPAC Lot Friday 12/01/2006 02:00 am Maintenance issue at Mabee Hall, referred to Physical Resources 09:00 am Burglary of motor vehicle at Mabee/Edwards Lot, case #06-238 11:29 am Assisted ACU Office of Judicial Affairs at UP Apartments with eviction. 13:45 pm Disturbance between two females at the Bean in the Campus Center, no report 20:00:pm Monitored Basketball game at Moody Coliseum 23:55 pm Monitored party at 2500 Campus Court Saturday 12/02/2006 01:18 am Loud music at University Park Apartments. 08:16 am Escort from Powell to Business Building 08:19 am Monitored basketball game at Moody Coliseum 16:12 pm Medical emergency at Campus Center, no transport 16:32 pm Attempted theft at 1200 Washington 16:45 pm Criminal mischief at Big Purple Lot, case #06-240 17:10 pm Skateboarders at Moody Coliseum. 17:15 pm Vehicle accident at Mabee Lot, case #06-241 22:16 pm Report of suspicious subject at UP Apartments, checked, unable to locate Sunday 12/03/2006 10:30 am Criminal mischief at West Campus South Lot, case #06-243 13:03 pm Unlocked Business Building 19:45 pm Fire alarm-Foster Science Building, Abilene FD checked, unable to locate any fire 21:23 pm Unlocked room at Chambers
CAMPUS NEWS
Friday, December 8, 2006
Page 3
Spring semester brings Chapel changes, adjustments n Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of spiritual formation, looks for a new administrative assistant and plans to make changes for Chapel while he is in Oxford next semester. By JARED FIELDS Managing Editor
Students will notice changes on campus upon returning from Christmas break. Aside from the Barnards being gone the entire semester in Oxford, Shane Hughes will leave to accept a campus ministry position in Fort Smith, Ark. Hughes will leave after
being at ACU for 10 years as a student, staff and faculty member. “I want to do ministry and the position in Fort Smith will allow me to focus on that,” Hughes said. “I really enjoyed my time here. Barnard It’s been a great place for me.” Hughes’ resignation will take effect Jan. 3, giving the university about a month to
find a replacement. Aside from planning Chapel during his absence, Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of spiritual formation, will also look for someone to fill Hughes’ vacancy. Barnard is posting a job description for an administrative assistant to fill the hole left by Hughes. Though Wayne Barnard will be in Oxford during the spring semester, the new administrative assistant and graduate assistants will handle his day-to-day responsibilities. “[The administrative as-
sistant] will have it planned and have these different people carry it out,” Wayne Barnard said. With the daily planning of Chapel planned, the role of leading Chapel will be rotated among different people on campus. “It will pretty much be a team of people,” Wayne Barnard said. That team will consist of six to 10 people,” he said. Wayne Barnard said some changes will be made to the Chapel format as well. “We are looking at having
n The Abilene State School will showcase 75 Christmas light displays from Wednesday until Christmas. Viewers can drive through the display for free. By LAUREN SUTTON Opinion Editor
KATIE GAGER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Lauren Glay, senior graphic design major from Tulsa, Okla., wraps a Christmas present during the University Park Apartments Christmas wrapping party on Wednesday.
Textbook buy-back begins Monday
By LAURA SMITH Student Reporter
Textbook buy-back begins Monday and will continue through Friday. The Campus Store will be open each day during finals week to buy books back from students from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Every year only a certain amount of books are bought back by the Campus Store, said Tammy Powell, text and media manager for the Campus Store. Because of this, there might be some apprehension toward taking the time to sell your books back. “I’ve heard it takes about two hours to get through the lines,
and it’s not worth it because it’s so long,” said Jenny Dodd, freshman communication major from Abilene. “You don’t get very much money back, especially since we pay so much to get them. I may not even do it.” Powell did have some tips for those who choose to sell their books back. First, make sure you have your ACU ID card. Driver’s licenses are taken, but university IDs are preferred, Powell said. Also, the sooner you sell your books back the better, she said. Each semester the Campus Store only buys back what it needs for a specific course the following semester. If enrollment is low for a class, fewer books will be bought back for that class. There is a chance books may be bought back for wholesale
“The spring is much less difficult,” Mimi Barnard said. “I will be a resource for the staff electronically.” Mimi Barnard said the major events of the spring semester are sophomore sign-ups and the recruiting of new RAs, making her absence less difficult for the staff. “They don’t always need me here to do that [daily work],” Mimi Barnard said. “I’m really proud of our staff.” E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu
State School offers light show
Wrap star
n The Campus Store will buy back textbooks Monday through Friday. Students are encouraged to bring ID card, check non-returnable books and sell as soon as possible.
some small groups meeting on Tuesdays because of spring breaks,” he said. The change will be made to accommodate people who want to participate in Spring Break Campaign Chapel and another Thursday small group Chapel. Contemplative Chapel, or “Come to the Quiet,” will go from taking place once a month to twice a month. Dr. Mimi Barnard, director of residence life education and housing, will also have to deal with overseeing her position from afar.
value, but this will be less than what they would normally be bought back for, Powell said. “Your best bet is to get your studying finished early and sell your books back in the beginning of the week,” Powell said. If it happens that your books are not bought back, either because the quota has been reached or a class is not offered the following semester, save your books and try to sell them back at the end of the next semester, she said. As the week continues, a dry erase board will be put up announcing books that will no longer be bought back. “We get busy, but we try to keep the list as updated as possible,” Powell said.
E-mail Smith at: optimist@acu.edu
For the past 16 years, the Abilene State School has fostered a love for the Christmas season among the community through its annual light display, Christmas Lane. Christmas Lane, which showcases 75 holiday light displays from different families, churches, universities and businesses in Abilene, begins Wednesday. Viewers can bring their vehicles, tune their radios to a particular Christmas station and drive through the 20-minute display of lights for free. Barbara Reid, director of community relations at the State School said Christmas Lane has become a holiday tradition for many Abilene families. “We find that someone may drive through three or four times through the hol-
iday, so it’s a pretty popular thing,” Reid said. Christmas Lane began 16 years ago as the Abilene State School was looking for a way to give back to the community. It began with seven displays for the community to enjoy and has grown since organizations have asked to partake in the event. Now, organizations that consistently put up displays include Blue Cross Blue Shield, Pioneer Baptist Church and Automated Copy Systems. “Christmas Lane is intended as a gift for the community,” said Kevin New, vice president for Automated Copy Systems. “The displayers get there name in front of several thousand viewers every year, but we also get to see smiles on faces.” In addition to the many displays, Christmas Lane provides a rest stop, Kwanna’s Winter Wonderland, where viewers can observe Christmas figurines and a display donated by the model railway association.
Children can also have pictures taken with Santa. “One of the greatest gifts that I can give is when I get to play Santa,” New said. “You have the innocence that come out and kids really think you are Santa.” Last year more than 10,000 vehicles came through the display and hundreds of dollars were donated to the State School. “It brings people to Abilene state school,” Reid said. “It makes people more comfortable to come and visit us throughout the year. It’s one of those good will efforts.” Many of the residents are involved in volunteering at Kwanna’s Winter Wonderland as well as setting up displays. Reid said that they drive through the event numerous times each season. “The most magical thing is watching the residents watching the bright lights and seeing their reaction to that,” Reid said. E-mail Sutton at: les03c@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Page 4
Break: Some to stay here
Friday, December 8, 2006
Femme fun
Continued from page 1
music show on Mondays and Tuesdays, in the near future. “Working here is great,” Harbour said about his job at KACU. “The hours aren’t bad and the work isn’t terribly difficult. But, radio is not what I’m looking for in a career.” However, should he need to do some jobs in radio to earn extra money, Harbour said it’s good to know how to work the equipment and operate a station. Some students will stay in Abilene to work in the city. Tripp Page, senior
“I kind of like Abilene during Christmas. It’s all laid back and mellow.” Tripp Page, senior interdisciplinary major from Whitney
interdisciplinary major from Whitney, said he will only take a few days off during the break to see his family but will spend most of the break working at Abilene’s two Gamestop locations. Page says he can do any job at the Gamestops except managerial duties. “I like working there,” Page said. “You get discounts on games and a heads up on what’s coming out.”
Page also works for Team 55 in the Brown Library. Page said he will not work for Team 55 during the break. “This is more laid back than Gamestop,” Page said about his Team 55 job. “At Gamestop, I have to worry about sales. I kind of like Abilene during Christmas. It’s all laid back and mellow.” KATIE GAGER STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER E-mail Straus at: nrs02a@acu.edu
Kara Wolfe, senior social work major from Katy, leads discussion during the Femmes on the Frontlines meeting Monday in the Living Room of the Campus Center.
Breakfast: Win games, prizes Woodruff: Student waits trial Continued from page 1
students. The cover charge is one meal plan, but if students don’t have meals plans, the cost is $5 at the door. About $400 in prizes will be given away throughout the evening. Students can look forward to winning such items as gift certificates, games, movies and winter items like blankets. Students who attend will also have the chance to win $100 at midnight and even students who won prizes earlier in the evening are qualified to win. Midnight Breakfast will have all of the breakfast fixings, from pancakes and bacon to a new feature, the personalized omelet bar. Aramark will provide
the food and Wildcat Parents will serve it. Apart from the food, students are encouraged to use the time to fellowship with friends. “It’s a fun time to go hang out with friends and stuff before finals,” said Stephanie Armstrong, junior nursing major from Modesto, Calif. Although she’s never won any prizes, Armstrong has enjoyed singing Shania Twain songs karaoke and is glad Wildcat Parents host the event, she said. She said she definitely plans to attend this year. Another student, Robert Arellano, senior psychology major from Houston said, “ I went because there was food and it was on my meal plan.”
Midnight breakfast
The Midnight Breakfast is open to students and begins at 10:30 p.m. Dead Day in the Bean. n Cost to attend: One meal plan or $5 n Total prizes: About $400 in prizes, including gift certificates, games, movies, winter items and a $100 prize. n Breakfast items will include pancakes, bacon and omelets. n The meal begins at 10:30 p.m. and ends at midnight on Monday, or Dead Day. Wildcat Parents are sponsoring the event.
However, Arellano does not plan to attend Midnight breakfast this year because he lives off campus. He said his favorite part of the breakfast was socializing with other students.
E-mail Smith at: optimist@acu.edu
Continued from page 1
and stabbed. Because there were no signs of a forced entry, Chief Deputy Robert White of the Hunt County’s Sheriff Department, said last October that Woodruff was a suspect early in the
investigation. Woodruff was arrested at his aunt’s home in Texarkana after his parents’ funeral. He has pleaded not guilty to the charge. Woodruff began at ACU in fall 2005 as a freshman
agribusiness major. He participated in Freshman Follies as a main character in a video, tying the freshman hall acts together just weeks before his arrest.
E-mail Schlabach at: mes02e@acu.edu
Oxford: Students sent home Continued from page 1
by the behavior contract, and there were consequences related,” Kehl said. University officials would not release the names of the students, how many students were dismissed and why they were dismissed because of the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which prohibits allschools that receive the U.S. Department of Education funding from disclosing student records. According to the Study Abroad Behavior Contract, which all students sign before studying abroad, seven offenses may result in dismissal from the program: substance abuse, sexual promiscuity, theft, illegal use of computer lab and/or Internet such as copying or possessing copyrighted materials, assault, making threats against another individual or any violation of any local law. Kehl said the decision was based on the overall safety of the Study Abroad community in Oxford, and by violating the behavior contract, the students violated that safety. “If you look at the list
of those things that are grounds for dismissal, what’s behind them are the safety of the students,” Kehl said. “It’s about the safety and well being of all the students as well as the individual.” Kehl said that the students were dismissed only from the Study Abroad program and not the university. The students are able to return to ACU if they choose next semester and Judicial Affairs will handle any other punishment at ACU. “I hope that every person involved in ACU study abroad comes back next semester,” Kehl said. Whether the students receive credit for the courses they began at Oxford is up to the program’s professors, Kehl said. The four professors for Oxford this fall were: Dr. Paul Moris, professor of physics; Janine Morgan, adjunct professor of Bible; Jacqueline Holten, adjunct professor of history and Dr. Ron Morgan, assistant professor of history. The Study Abroad office also sent 10 students to the Montevideo, Uruguay, campus and will send 36 students to Oxford and 18 students to Uruguay in the spring. Dismissal from the pro-
Terms of dismissal In the Study Abroad Behavior Contract, all students sign the form acknowledging their understanding of the eight offenses that could result in dismissal. n Substance abuse n Sexual promiscuity n Theft n Illegal use of the computer lab or Internet n Assault n Making threats against another individual n Violation of any local law
gram isn’t as rare as some may believe, Kehl said. “It has happened occasionally in the past five years,” Kehl said. “But it’s not like we send people home every semester.” Kehl is optimistic that the disciplinary actions taken by the university and program officials will help dispel rumors that rules at Study Abroad are loosely enforced. “The actions speak here,” Kehl said. “I think that what took place hopefully communicates our concern about student activities that involves their well being and safety.”
E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu
Friday, December 8, 2006
Page 5
FROM THE FRONT
Tatum: College-aged coach prepares team for success Continued from page 1
erwise that you can dunk.” Laughter fills the room as the players look sheepishly at each other, then the first two take off for the hoop.
Going against odds Last spring, Brandon walked into the Athletics Office in Moody Coliseum after helping at a varsity basketball practice and heard Abilene Christian High School was looking for a head coach for its basketball team. Thinking he should probably give it a shot, he put together a portfolio of what he’d done before, turned it in as his junior year ended and waited to hear something. Little did he know that his name had already come up at Abilene Christian’s athletic director’s office. Mark Coley, athletic director at ACS and the high school principal, said former head coach Brad Pursley had coached the basketball and baseball teams for the past three years but because of other commitments could only coach baseball. Coley said the school didn’t really advertise it needed a coach; he just mentioned it to a few people and let the news of the open coaching position spread through word of mouth. “His [Brandon’s] name came up a couple different times from people we respect very well. So we looked into that and visited with him,” he said. Coley was looking for a coach that could be a disciplinarian, that had a strong basketball background and someone that was “churchy” and spiritually minded, he said. “Of course he went to Brentwood Christian, so he was familiar with our type of school. His goal is to be a campus minister/ basketball coach at a Christian school, so he fit right in with what we were looking for,” Coley said. “He had that type of personality and the basketball background because he’s played and then coached at ACU. Everything seemed to fall in place.” While things fell into place at ACS, Brandon wasn’t sure what to expect. Several months after turning in his application, Brandon hadn’t heard anything either way. In late July he received a phone call from Coley, who wanted to meet with him. The next day, Brandon was sitting in Coley’s office. Within the week, he was promised he would know something. After three weeks he assumed the worst; he didn’t even know how many people he was running against. In August, Brandon’s phone rang and the only words he heard were: “Do you still want to coach?” It was Coley. “I said yes I did, but I could hardly breathe on the phone, I was so excited,” Brandon said. “I didn’t think I had a chance to be the coach only being 21-years-old and still in college. I thought it might hurt me.”
Making an impression Since Brandon began as coach in August, he’s made friends and met new faces. So has his team member Michael Bacon. Michael, a junior guard who transferred from Abilene High School this year, is getting used to the team, coach and playing basketball again. Attending a private high school is much different than the public school downtown, but all that matters is that the coach is good and the squad is going to be good, he says as he fiddles with a basketball on the sidelines during a break at practice. “All of my previous coaches have been yellers and screamers. And Coach, he’ll yell if you do something really wrong, but he’s encouraging,” Michael said. “Yeah, he’s young, but he knows what he’s doing.” Making a good first impression was important to Brandon. At his first practice he made a plan of what he wanted to go over. Within half an hour he said he’d thrown out his plan and started with the basics. “I knew they knew I was young, but I needed them to know that I also knew what I was talking about,” he says as his
hands move about. “The biggest thing in athletics is to have the kids buy into the coach and the coach’s system. That begins with the first appearance.” He said his first practice was awful, but mostly because he didn’t know what to expect. He spent two months conditioning his players through running drills. He saw them practice with a basketball for the first time during the team’s first practice in October. “Some of my players had never played before, and so we needed to set them up at the basics, while others were star athletes and needed to move forward.” Many players say this year the team will be quick mostly because of the offseason practices. “Our off season workout was running —all running, “ said Hunter, a junior point guard, laughing. “We just ran laps and laps around the football field and ran sprints. He definitely works us harder than in the past. I think we’ll win and play as a team.” Brandon calls everyone to the court again to start a shooting drill. He absentmindedly reaches up to touch his blond hair as he talks occasionally. As the players rotate between taking shots and grabbing the rebound, Brandon stands underneath the basket talking to his assistant coach about what’s next, while keeping an eye on the players. “Hunter you’re the first one, so keep track of how many you shoot,” he yells to the retreating figure, and then returns to demonstrating what he wants the team to do next. Every few minutes he switches their routine and pushes them to move quicker and yell louder. While his team is learning drills and plays, Brandon’s learning that relationships are what make a team. He’s learned from coaching that building relationships is a major part of coaching. He knows he has to earn their respect and trust in order to be a good coach and have a great team, which is something he’s doing well, Coley says. Coley’s seen Brandon cheering at football games and selling snacks in the concession stand at football games. “He works hard and has been to a lot of our activities here, the kinds of things that are athletic-related but don’t necessarily have to anything to do with basketball. So I think our kids are relating to him.” He said parents like him, too, and that at the parent’s meeting in October before practices began, only positive comments were made about his coaching style.
A life of basketball Brandon began playing basketball on a team in first grade. He also played soccer, baseball and was named athlete of the year his senior year of high school. Basketball was his favorite sport to play so he stuck with it after high school. He loved the strategy and excitement of the game. Growing up, he had a neighbor across the street who would come over to shoot hoops a lot, he said. They often played three-onthree tournaments with friends. “He was really good, and if he was on your team then you knew you’d win. If he wasn’t, then you didn’t have a chance,” he said. Brandon’s sister, Whitney, although four years younger, also played basketball with him and his friends and ended up be-
ing pretty good after playing all those years in the driveway, he said. His basketball heroes were his high school coach Jeff Strickland and University of Texas’ head coach Rick Barnes. Both influenced his decision to go into coaching. “A lot of coaches will say they began coaching because that’s all they know. I wanted to coach because I know the impact a coach can have on a kid’s life.” Strickland showed him the importance of being a coach. “If I can help just one kid, then I’ve done my job. A lot of kids, even at Christian schools, go through rough circumstances and need a male role model in their lives. I want to be that for them, if I can,” he said, explaining that his goal is to be a campus minister at a Christian school or college and the basketball coach. As a big UT fan, Brandon said he grew up watching Rick Barnes all his life. Between his freshman and sophomore year of college, after e-mailing Barnes on a whim, he was able to coach for two weeks at his camp, for elementary-aged and high school athletes. UT alumni like Freddy Williams and PJ Tucker arrived for the high school week and Brandon said it was all he could do to not ask for an autograph because he was a coach with them. Since coming to ACU, Brandon’s played on the JV team for a year and helped coach and observed the varsity and JV teams for the past two years. “I was always the weird kid. I never really wanted to play. I’d much rather interact with players and coach, even though I was good and did play sports.” He wanted to be an assistant sports coach for varsity so he decided to prove to head coach Pleasant that he was dedicated. He woke up for JV practices at 6 a.m., went to class and then would sit in on the varsity workouts in the evening. Last year, ACU had a new head coach, Jason Copeland, and Brandon didn’t know if he’d be able to do the same thing. “He came up and introduced himself the first day I got the job early on in May,” Copeland said. “He was here the whole first summer and worked really hard to get things done and organized. He’s just a very responsible young man.” Doing everything from observing to helping in practice to reserving hotel rooms for away games, Brandon was able to do it all and despite the sometimes boring and tedious work, he said the work paid off.
Game time Brandon’s team began the season with 12 players because many players from his team also play football, and the team was Top: Brandon Tatum, senior Biblical text major from Austin, watches his team play Tuesday against Woodson High School. Far left: Tatum addresses his team in the locker room before the game. Near left: Tatum coaches during a time out. ACHS defeated Woodson 51-48. The win was their first of the season. laci adkins
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
still in playoffs until last weekend. Only one player had played on varsity before. By his third game he had a new team, six new starters and was looking at a different ball game with height. Coley, who also coaches the high school football team, said after looking at the roster, that with the football players Brandon would probably have 21 or 22 players to split between JV and varsity. “We haven’t had that many players since I’ve been here,” Coley said. “That’s another thing that I think indicates that kids like him and want to be around him. There’s kids that are trying to decide whether to play, and I think a lot will decide to play because of him.” In the team’s first game, although it lost, the players were able to stay close with them and only lost by 11 points, an impressive feat since Hamlin’s already played several games with all its varsity members, Brandon said. The player with varsity experience, Jerron, predicted the team would do well against Hamlin, owing their success to the coach. “It’s kind of a mismatch right now, but we’re still going to do real good. They are not going to see the same team this year. We have speed and the ability to shoot 3s, something we’ve never been able to do well,” Jerron says with a smirk as he catches an incoming basketball. “Coach is good at telling what each player’s good attributes are and helping them develop them on the court.” His teammate Michael agrees. Brandon has helped Michael work on some trouble areas and helped him improve, something he admires in his firstyear coach. “Coach does really well. He’s a good teacher because I’ve been slow my whole life, and he is the first coach that I’ve had that has actually taken the time to work on my speed with me,” Michael said mimicking running in place quickly. “He’s given me drills to work on and worked on my agility with me.” Working hard with the team is something Coley’s seen Brandon do a lot. He runs practice every weekday for two hours and opens the gym for shooting during the weekend. “He is kind of a no-nonsense guy,” he says. “Even though he’s not a whole lot older than them, he’s still has that aura of being an older guy and has earned their respect. They don’t mess around much. They spend almost every minute they’re out there working on something. They work pretty hard and I appreciate that about him.” Brandon wants to see them go all the way to state or as far as they can. But he also wants them to know it’s not all about the sport. “Basketball is just a stupid game compared to everything else. It’s a stupid game that is a lot of fun, but it is only preparing you for the life to come,” he says with a smile. “Basketball teaches you self control, self discipline. You have to be on time and learn how to control your attitude. Most of these kids will stop playing basketball after they graduate from high school. I want them to be able to take something with them besides just playing a sport in high school.”
E-mail Schlabach at: mes02e@acu.edu
Page 6
The Issue:
As Christmas approaches, Americans get caught up in the consumerism the holiday season brings.
Our view:
Commercializing Christmas takes away from the beauty of Christ’s birth.
The solution:
Remember why you celebrate Christmas and that the real gift is Jesus.
December 8, 2006
Remember Christ in midst of madness Christmas has arrived once again, and with it comes bargain shopping, home decorating, gift buying and a myriad of charity drives. In the midst of all of the insanity, the question must be asked: what happened to Christmas? The first Christmas was simple. Joseph and Mary could not even secure comfortable lodging for the evening. In the filth of a crude structure meant to house livestock, a Savior was born. There were no gifts. Scholars agree that the magi from the Orient did not arrive and pres-
ent their gifts As people As people scramble around and pour huge sums until Christ scramble around of money into the American economic was around and pour huge machine, the simple message of Christ meant two years old. sums of money to bring to the world has been lost. Other than his into the Ameriparents, the can economic only other people around were cial event of the year. Since machine, the simple message shepherds. Black Friday, stores have been Christ meant to bring to the There was no ornamentation. far more crowded than at any world has been lost. Green and red were not yet the other point in the year. WalPeople will contend that the seasonal colors. Christ’s first Mart has entire aisles devoted season was not originally about crib was a feeding trough. His to Christmas candy and deco- the birth of Christ, and they parents likely had not even had rations. Department stores fill will be right. If America wants time to bathe after their long their shelves with all-too-en- to have a monstrous commertrip. ticing bargains that persuade cial celebration of the “Winter Somewhere in the 2,000 consumers to indulge in new Festival,” then so be it. years since that night, the gadgets, technology and many The tragedy is that Chriscelebration of Christmas has other trends for the coming tians, just like everyone else, become the largest commer- season. get so wrapped up in the com-
Lebensgefahrens
Alex York
Music brings back, makes memories In my home, good music was always taught, played and enjoyed; it was an integral part of life that could make any cloudy day more manageable. I credit my musician father and my mother’s passion for Lauren many things Sutton as the reaA State son why of Mind most good memories in my life are music related. As a child, I went to an elementary school located half an hour away from my house, and of course, little kids get bored during long car rides. But not me. Every morning, Mom would choose one of our favorite musicals and we would spend the drive singing all the songs from that particular show.
I grew up in a world where Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald accompanied every meal, and the thought of not taking music lessons were, for the greater part of my life, just not an option. I guess we figured we shouldn’t listen to music when we could make our own. Singing songs from shows like Oklahoma and My Fair Lady made this the most anticipated and most memorable part of my day. And in the evenings while Mom prepared dinner, Dad would play the piano as my sisters and I unabashedly danced around the living room. Bach, Schubert and Gershwin were no strangers to the Sutton household as I listened to my Dad gracefully play through bookshelves of their music. I grew up in a world where Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald accompanied every meal, and the thought of not
taking music lessons were, for the greater part of my life, just not an option. And so I have a hard time understanding people who aren’t moved by beautiful music or whose musical breadth doesn’t extend beyond the handful of songs that are repeatedly played on the radio. This is partially because music defines the trends, issues and heartbeat of culture. Think about the way the Beatles and other pioneer rock ‘n’ roll groups shaped the youth of the 1960s or how the music of Bing Crosby and the Glen Miller band reflected a society struggling to find joy in the midst of war. Music also reveals our per-
sonalities and develops us as individuals. Studies show that even before birth, infants exposed to music can express their preferences by the way they move in their mother’s stomachs. And people who grow up with musical training are statistically better students because of the discipline their studies in music have brought them. Perhaps my upbringing has made me more prone to being a music lover than some, but every person has something to gain from listening and learning more about music. Music is a great educator that stirs thoughts and moves the soul. And if anything, the sound of an old, familiar tune will, in the end, spark memories that are not easily forgotten.
E-mail Sutton at: les03c@acu.edu or optimist@acu.edu
mercialism that they forget to remember what they are celebrating. The beautiful message of God’s love is lost as the world stresses out and becomes furious at each other over his birthday party, yet it happens year after year as consumers stand in line for hours, run through stores and fight over who gets the new Playstation. Christ would want peace on earth, good will toward men and a simple celebration of the greatest gift in history.
E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu
A child’s life, not a woman’s choice Wednesday the House of it is a right, doesn’t sit well Representatives passed the Un- with me. born Child Pain Awareness Act Her choice came when the that instructs abortion clinics to woman decided to engage in tell a woman sexual intercourse that created considering the growing child within her. an abortion If you can’t make an educated, that the fetus well-thought out decision to will feel pain not have sex, which always at 20 weeks. has the chance of resulting in The bill also a pregnancy, then you should requires the not have the right to decide doctor to ask whether to let your child live or Mallory the woman die. Someone once said, “PregSchlabach if she’d like nancy is survivable. There are Face the to have anes- much worse things in life than Facts thesia for the pregnancy.” unborn child As a pregnant woman only before the procedure. two options should exist: delivSince the House’s vote, pro- ering the child and raising it, or testors on both sides are in an giving it up for adoption. uproar over fact disputes and Even if a child is unwantif informing women about the ed by the mother, it is still a pain and giving them an anes- wanted child. thesia option will actually disMore than 240,000 womsuade the woman from going en are waiting to adopt a through with an abortion. child because of fertility When it comes down to it, problems or simply because regardless of if the unborn they don’t want to have chilchild can feel dren naturally, pain, it’s still according to a child. Why the Child WelAs a pregnant would it ever woman, only two fare Gateway be OK to end options should ex- I n f o r m a t i o n the life of a Web site. ist: delivering the child? While As politichild and raising cians, pro-choice some who are pro-life supand pro-life adit or giving it up port abortion vocates argue for adoption. in the case of over if a mother incest or rape should have the or if the mothoption of giving er’s life is in her unborn child danger, I feel that only in the anesthesia before killing it, case if the mother’s life is truly or when a fetus really does in danger and both cannot be feel pain, think about who saved, should abortion be an they’re talking about: a living, option. Even if someone im- breathing baby with a heartpregnates a woman when com- beat, ten fingers and ten toes, mitting a horrible crime like and then make the decision rape or incest doesn’t mean to choose life. she should end the child’s life because of the crime of the father. A woman who wants to choose whether to deliver the E-mail Schlabach at: mes02e@edu or optimist@acu.edu child she’s conceived because
Awake member argues raising money shouldn’t need explanation As a lay member of Awake, I was proud to be a part of World AIDS Day at ACU and the entire week promoting AIDS awareness. Last year the organization raised nearly $3,000 for an orphanage in Malindi, Kenya after a Chapel presentation that featured a video and 250 students wearing orange shirts bearing the message, ‘Are you awake?’ This year, in light of other fundraising efforts on campus and lack of a specific place to give money to, Awake decided
Letter to the Editor A letter to the editor concerning Mitch Holt’s column on Wednesday. to push awareness and proactive involvement in AIDS education and prevention. The ‘Lives Are at Stake’ campaign, as advertised on WorldVision’s Acting on AIDS Web site, has been a hit at other campuses. Awake decided to employ this method as a visual way to get attention
for the cause. It didn’t demand anything from anyone, but it asked that people take a look at the face of a child whose life is quite different from us here at ACU. It is true, the pictures of the children that were on the stakes also gave the reader an opportunity to give money to help the kids. Seriously, prayer is really helpful, but I think sometimes it is more helpful to give a child in Africa some money on top of prayer instead of praying for
them for a few days. I contend that it would have been worse to not at least give people information about where they could give money if they wanted to do more than pray. Regardless of how poor the American college student going to a private university is, the hurt their wallet may feel from a donation is nowhere near the joy the children in Africa would feel from a little bit of food and medicine. Holt was right, all the speaker
asked you to do was pray for Benjamin. WorldVision is the one, like their brave employee Steve Haas, asking for money. It’s a shame to criticize Awake for not being honest when all they did was allow students to choose in private how much they wanted to be involved; there may have been more guilty consciences that led to the money that was raised last year in Chapel, but at least that money was raised. Which is worse, the fact that they
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
didn’t ask for money in Chapel and that there was indeed the opportunity to give money or that most people have already forgotten about the kids and AIDS and will not think about it again until December 1, 2007?
Denton Josey junior journalism major from Eustis, Fla. jdj03e@acu.edu
Editorial and Management Board Mallory Schlabach
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December 8, 2006
Page 7
‘Fountain’ floods screen with emotional beauty n Director Darren Aronofsky creates a visually pleasing film of love, death and metaphysics while maintaining functionality between three story lines. By KRISTIN WOOD Contributing Writer
Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz star in Darren Aronofsky’s The Fountain, which was released Nov. 22. What amazed me so much about a movie that got mixed reviews (and scathing reviews from the New York Times and Los Angeles Times) will take some explaining. In the story line which is set in the present, Jackman plays Dr. Tommy Creo, whose wife has a brain tumor. Tommy performs research he hopes will save Izzi from an early death. The movie flashes from this story to two others: the first, set in the 16th century, has Jackman playing a Spaniard named Tomas, who is sent to search for the Tree of Life by Queen Isabella. The third story line takes place in the 26th century, where a bald Jackman (named
Tom) is inside what appears to be a spherical, transparent spacecraft, traveling towards a golden nebula. Weisz makes occasional cameos in this setting, appearing as Izzi. Izzi gives Tommy the manuscript of a book she is writing called The Fountain. As he reads the book, he is transported back in time as Tomas while every time he imagines Izzi’s death, he is transported into the distant future. Izzi tells Tommy she wants him to finish her novel, and she only appears to Tom in future scenes to whisper, “finish it” —presumably as a figment of his imagination. As Tommy struggles to find a cure that will save the love of his life, he goes through obvious emotional turmoil that accompanies the slow death of a loved one. He is torn apart at the thought of losing Izzy, and his performance is moving and extremely accurate. Weisz doesn’t get to exhibit her acting skills as much, but her scenes are thought-provoking and just as moving as Jackman’s. What I found most impres-
By BRANDON COOKS Student Reporter
A special musical presentation will take place at the Paramount Theater on Dec. 18. Comedy, cowboy music and Christmas spirit will fill the historic theater with a performance by the Flying J Wranglers from Ruidoso, N.M. Emily Hobbs, senior family studies major from Ruidoso, N.M., is the daughter of two
of the members of the Flying J Wranglers—James and Cindy. Emily said this show will be perfect for people of all ages to see if they are in town this winter break. She said the show provides a fun and lively spirit for the audiences as well. “The Flying J Wranglers are great and hilarious entertainers to watch,” Emily said. “They are not a country band. The music has more Western influence and a bluegrass, traditionalsounding instruments as well.” ACU students have been to New Mexico to see the band perform as well. “I’ve spoken to a lot of students who have been out to see
Newly released movies and gross rates for Dec. 1-3. Total gross in parenthesis. n Happy Feet: $17,545,418 ($121,501,018) n Casino Royale: $15,112,870 ($115,876,024) n Deja Vu: $10,947,752 ($44,007,448) n The Nativity Story: $7,849,304 ($7,849,304) n Deck the Halls: $6,676,139 ($25,017,188) n Borat: $4,746,746 ($116,241,347)
Coming Soon CoURTESY OF ROTTENTOMATOES.COM
Tom, a 26th century astronaut played by Hugh Jackman, meets Izzi, played by Rachel Weisz, while traveling through space in a transparent spacecraft headed toward a golden nebula. sive is that this movie, which is cinematographically brilliant, uses few computer-generated effects. The transitions from present day to the distant past and future provide interludes that give just enough time to process what has happened in
the previous scene. The splendor of the film is not only delightful, it is functional. The Fountain is about love, death and a metaphysical take on both; it’s also about the search for the Fountain of Youth, but that’s a side story
that just happens to mirror Tom and Izzi’s life. The three story lines are not in linear order, but Aronofsky’s artistic vision still comes through beautifully. E-mail Wood at: optimist@acu.edu
Western band to perform Christmas music, comedy n The Flying J Wranglers will perform Western music with a Christmas twist and clean comedy at the Historic Paramount Theater on Dec. 18.
Box Office Stats
the band perform and they all loved it,” Emily said. James Hobbs, co-owner of the Wranglers and also a band member, gave reasons why people should come. “Number one, we have a good time,” James said. “Our music is authentic and if anyone enjoys harmony, rhythm and laughter, it’ll be great event to come and see.” James also said the Flying J Wranglers do not perform country music as some may think, but their show will be Western with a Christmas twist. “With this particular show we do this time of the year, we always perform Christmas
songs along with a mixture of cowboy fun,” James said. He said along with their musical performances the band also does clean comedy acts as well. “My wife does one of the funniest acts you’ll ever see in your life when she dresses up as a grandma,” he said. “She also does a Western style yodel which is really something to see.” Throughout all the excitement and fun, James said the real reason they do the Christmas show is to hone in on the real reason for the season. “We want to peel off some of the false ideas that have
been fabricated into Christmas because the holiday has been so commercialized,” James said. At the end of the show the Wranglers perform a number of gospel songs that express what they feel the true meaning of Christmas is really about. Tickets will be sold at the Paramount for $20 at general price and $15 for students. Emily is also selling tickets. Her e-mail is ekh02b@acu.edu.
E-mail Cooks at: optimist@acu.edu
Movies opening Friday: n Apocalypto, starring Rudy Youngblood, Raoul Trujillo, Dalia Hernandez. The great Mayan civilization is in danger when a violent invading force threatens to destroy its way of life. One man, urged on by a powerful love for his family, will return home to fight for his people. n The Holiday, starring Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law. Amanda and Iris find themselves in similar predicaments despite living 6,000 miles apart. Desperate for a change of scenery during the Christmas holiday, they meet on a home exchange Web site where they instinctively switch homes with one another. During their switch, they both encounter a new romance—something neither of them wanted. n Blood Diamond, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly, Djimon Hounsou. Danny Archer is a South African mercenary imprisoned for smuggling. Solomon Vandy is a Mende fisherman who was forced to work in the diamond fields after being taken from his family. Both are African men, but their histories are far from similar. The only thing joining them is the hunt for a rare pink diamond that could ultimately transform their lives.
SportsFriday
Page 8
ScoreBoard Standings MEN’S BASKETBALL
Team
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Tarleton TAMU-K ACU MSU Angelo St. ENMU WTAM
Overall 6-0 6-0 5-1 3-1 3-3 3-4 3-5
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Team
Div. 1-0 1-0 0-0 0-1 0-0 TX Woman’s 0-0 MSU 0-0 TAMU-K 0-0 ACU WTAM ENMU Angelo St. Tarleton
Overall 7-0 7-1 7-0 4-1 4-0 3-3 2-3 2-4
Scores Tuesday WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU 76, Angelo State 64
Upcoming Saturday WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU at Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Okla., 2 p.m.
MEN’S BASKETBALL ACU at Central Oklahoma, Edmond, Okla., 4 p.m.
Thursday WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU at Northeastern Oklahoma State, Talequah Okla., 6 p.m.
MEN’S BASKETBALL ACU at Northeastern Oklahoma State, Talequah, Okla., 8 p.m.
Dec. 14 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. Incarnate Word, 6 p.m.
MEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. Rhema College, 8 p.m.
Dec. 16 MEN’S BASKETBALL ACU at St. Mary’s, San Antonio, 7 p.m.
Women carry win to Oklahoma n Extending its team record to 7-0, the women’s basketball will carry its undefeated record to Talequah, Okla., to take on the University of Central Oklahoma on Saturday. By MICHAEL FREEMAN Online Editor
The winning streak for the Wildcat women’s basketball team rolls on as ACU handed conference rival Angelo State University its first loss Tuesday night in Moody Coliseum. Throughout the game, the Wildcats controlled Angelo State’s potent offense in a 7664 win. With the victory, ACU improves to 7-0 on the season. The Wildcats are off to the best start in school history since the 1995-96 team started 25-0 before losing its first game. “Our team was patient,” forward Kristee Davidson said. “We always looked for the extra pass.” One Wildcat player who received plenty of passes was forward Jody Meyer. Meyer came off the bench to score a career-high 20 points. “It’s a great advantage that we have a lot of depth,” head coach Shawna Lavender said. “We don’t hesitate putting in a sub. They just pick up where the starters left off.” In the first 10 minutes of the game, ACU jumped out to a quick 21-12 lead aided by center Audrey Maxwell. Maxwell scored seven of her nine points for the game in the first ten minutes. The Wildcats continued to add to their lead as they entered halftime with a 41-24 advantage. But Angelo State came out firing on all cylinders in the second half. Angelo State went on a 21-7 run, and cut the Wildcat lead to 48-45 with 13 minutes remaining. Davidson stopped the bleeding with a watershed three-pointer. After that play, ACU went on a 16-2 run during the next seven minutes.
Women’s basketball
Meyer led the way during the last half of the game, shooting eight of 11 from the floor. Meyer finished the game with 20 points. Davidson had 13 points and seven rebounds. Guard Alex Guiton also put up 13 points. And forward Lacey Blau added 10 points of her own. ACU’s final run of excellent shooting was enough to sink Angelo State by a score of 76-64. “I thought we did a great job of being ready to play,” Lavender said. “Playing with confidence was key for us.” ACU’s next match-up will be Thursday in Talequah, Okla., against Northeastern State University. Then, Saturday, the Wildcats will take on the University of Central Oklahoma. “It’s always a long trip. It’s about an eight-hour drive,” Lavender said. “I think mentally this weekend will be a big test for us.” On Dec. 14, the Wildcats will return home to face the University of the Incarnate Word in Moody Coliseum at 6 p.m. Then the Wildcats will begin a seven-game stretch during Christmas break, starting with the Hoop ‘N Surf Tournament in Hawaii. “Staying focused over Christmas break will be key,” Lavender said. “That’s where the mental part of the game comes into play.”
Team statistics n Field goal percentage (.468) n Three point percentage (.347) n Free throw percentage (.674) n Points-per-game, 78.7 n Assists-per-game, 17.7 n Blocks, 21 n Steals, 61
brian schmidt CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu
Forward Jamie Meyer drives to the basket and is fouled by Angelo State center Katarzyna Kurowska in the second half of the Wildcats’ 76-64 win over Angelo State on Tuesday. ACU is 7-0 after the win and will take on Lone Star Conference North rivals University of Central Oklahoma on Saturday.
Wildcats face offensive strength in Broncho team n The ACU men’s basketball team will be on the road against The University of Central Oklahoma in their third conference match up.
Dec. 19 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. Montana St.-Billings, Honolulu, Hawaii, 10 a.m.
By BLAKE PENFIELD Sports Writer
MEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. St. Edwards, 7 p.m.
Dec. 20 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. Missouri Wester, Honolulu, Hawaii, noon
Jan. 4 WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. East Central, 6 p.m.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ACU vs. East Central, 8 p.m.
n Home games listed in Italics
Intramural Round-up 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 Jan 22, 23 and 25. 3-2 SOFTBALL Tournament on Friday and Saturday at the intramural softball fields on Campus Court, behind Edwards residence hall. View the schedule on the intramural bulletin board in Moody Coliseum.
Friday, December 8, 2006
brian schmidt CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Guard Tiago Souza goes for a layup over Dallas Baptist University guard Brian Lohrey during ACU’s 76-61 win over the Dallas Baptist Patriots on Monday. ACU is 5-1 after the win and will take on the University of Central Oklahoma on Saturday.
The men’s basketball team’s impressive 5-1 season record will be challenged on Saturday when the Wildcats try to lasso the University of Central Oklahoma Bronchos in Oklahoma. ACU is currently enjoying the highest field goal percentage in the entire Lone Star Conference and the fourthhighest three-point field goal percentage in the conference. These statistics are already showing a staggering improvement over last year’s team. While ACU is undefeated at home, the team has yet to win an away game. Central Oklahoma will not be easily persuaded into giving up a victory in its own house. With a solid 5-3 season record, the Bronchos are currently undefeated at home. The Bronchos also bring two offensive powerhouses to the game. Guard and forward Sam Belt, who previously played for the University of Tulsa, averages 17 points-per-game and is only outscored by forward Anthony Brown, who averages 22 points-per-game. Last season, Sam Belt was named second-team all-LSC North and named first-team all-LSC North the season before. He was also named LSC Player of the Week on three separate occasions last year and won LSC North Freshman of the Year in 2004. Last week he won the LSC Player of the Week yet again. Anthony Brown was named firstteam all-LSC North and twice named LSC North Player of the Week last season. He was also awarded the title of LSC North Newcomer of the Year last season. “They’re a very explosive team,” said head coach Jason Copeland. “They have one of the best players in the league, and Anthony Brown is a great shooter.” Central Oklahoma is experiencing a similar season to that of the Wildcats this season in terms of new blood.
Men’s basketball The Bronchos have only two returning players, paralleling ACU’s small threeman return. Central Oklahoma averages 80.2 points-per-game and have kept other teams at an average of 75.9 points-pergame. Where the Bronchos have the most notable edge over the Wildcats is in free throws. Central Oklahoma shoots 70.2 percent from the line, the fourthbest in the league, over ACU’s 64.7 percent, making them tenth in the league. Free throws are the one main thing to which Copeland attributed the Cats’ single loss.
Basketball statistics Field goal percentage n Team (.507) n Courtnie Ross, guard (.657) n Norman Alexander, guard (.559) n Cameron Holson, forward (.558) n Philip Brooks, guard (.518) Three-point percentage n Team (.371) n Alexander (.520) n Elmo Williams, guard (.500) n Ross (.444) n Holson (.429) Free throw percentage n Team (.647) n Alexander (.778) n Holson (.778) n Brooks (.769) n Williams (.647)
E-mail Penfield at: optimist@acu.edu