ACUOPTIMIST.COM | Monday, August 24, 2020 | 1
A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912
BY DAVID MITCHELL | PHOTOGRAPHER
Incoming freshmen and parents file into Wildcat Stadium for the Goodbye Blessing.
Students return to campus during COVID-19 pandemic BY OWEN SIMPSON EDITOR IN CHIEF
ACU will return to in-person instruction Monday, as the country continues to grapple the affects of COVID-19 that canceled all in-person instruction at ACU in the spring semester. The university has mandated face coverings in all buildings and outdoors when social distancing is not possible. ACU also intends to move online
following Thanksgiving break for the remainder of the semester. “ACU senior leadership is continually monitoring the rapidly changing global threat posed by the coronavirus,” the university said in a statement. Since then, protocols have been put in place if a student tests positive. If students are exposed and instructed to quarantine, each of their instructors is alerted and
the quarantined students participate in each of their classes remotely for the quarantine period. Meanwhile, if an entire class is exposed and instructed to quarantine, the class shifts to remote instruction for the quarantine period. While some activities on-campus, such as rushing, pledging and intramurals are likely to happen, the university is taking extra precautions to ensure all activities are approved
and safe for its students. ACU will provide free voluntary PCR COVID-19 testing to faculty, staff and students. There is no requirement to be tested for COVID-19, excluding student-athletes. “Departments and programs cannot require students to submit to COVID-19 testing,” Schubert said in an email Aug. 14. “Students who need testing as required by their clinical placement site
or off-campus employer may obtain testing at the ACU Medical Clinic.” The university will also host several open testing days for asymptomatic ACU faculty, staff and students who consent to be part of the approved research study. The first testing day is scheduled for Sept. 8. There have been as many as 14 active ACU-related COVID-19 cases throughout the summer. As of
Res Life creates guidelines for COVID BY DILLON DANIEL MANAGING EDITOR
BY RILEY FISHER | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
An incoming freshman receives the key to his room in Mabee Hall.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Residence Life has put different guidelines in place for students and staff and has restructured other guidelines regarding RA’s and events. One guideline impacting Res Life is a new rule restricting visitations at all residence halls from non-residents including family members and friends from outside the halls. Lauren Carrizal, housing manager for Res Life, said one reason for the guideline is to keep students on campus for the foreseeable future. “We want to be here as long as possible. We don’t want to be sending students home in six weeks. We, unfortunately, had to make a decision where we are not allowing any visitors at all.” However, Carrizal said the biggest reason for this rule is to keep residents and
staff safe. “We created these policies to keep people safe and keep them here longer. I know there’s some people who want their friends from other halls to be able to come over, who want their boyfriend or girlfriend to come over, but there are people in these halls that are immuno-compromised and they don’t want people coming in and out of these halls [if they are not residents].” Because of this concern, Res Life staff is making changes on how to conduct their positions on staff. “We’re doing a lot of things on Zoom,” Ryan Randolph, assistant director of Res Life, said. “If we do any events in person then they will be in huge spaces, six feet apart. These changes in events for the residents has also changed how staff conducts meetings. “RD’s do a lot of community together...we would have dinners with each oth-
er, hang out and go to each other’s homes [before the pandemic], but we’re not doing that [anymore].” Students will also have to adjust how they build community and hang out with fellow residents in the residence halls. “Residents are allowed to have other friends from the building in their rooms,” Carrizal said. “Each person is allowed to have two visitors in the room between themselves and their roommate, four being the total. Masks are definitely recommended when people are visiting.” The health of students, faculty and staff is the highest priority for staff members of Res Life. Although there does not seem to be a solution to this in the foreseeable future, Randolph and Carrizal said Res Life is continually working to create different ways for residents to create community with one another during this time.
Wednesday, the university was reporting four active cases. “At ACU, our top priority has been – and will always be – the health, safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff,” Phil Schubert, president of the university, said in an email in July. “With that in mind, we have developed a plan that harnesses what we know today and provides flexibility for the fall.”
NEWS
Faculty spouse sues city manger PAGE 2
GALLERY
Take a look back at Wildcat Week 2020
PAGE 4
SPORTS
Editor’s Note The world is changing. The way individuals gather their news and look to be informed has immensely changed in the first 20 years of this century alone. Because of this constant change, the Optimist, department faculty and staff and myself believe the Optimist must adapt to its audience. We are actively seeking new ways to engage and interact with our avid readers and followers. With careful consideration of our audience, we will only print four issues every school year. The first will arrive on the first day of classes, followed by a Homecoming issue. Later in the spring semester, we will have a Sing Song and graduation issue. We believe that many of our readers enjoy weekly print issues, but it is also important to continue adapting to where our audience looks for news and information. We have many exciting projects in store for our online content this school year, and we believe we can invest more time with the subtraction of weekly print issues. Some of these projects include weekly podcasts and newscasts and daily updates on social media. Be sure to follow us online at @acuoptimist on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and be sure to check out our sports content on @optimistsports. -Owen Simpson
Wildcats release partial fall schedule
PAGE 5
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2 | Monday, August 24, 2020 | NEWS
Spouse of faculty member sues Abilene city manager for $1 million BY OWEN SIMPSON EDITOR IN CHIEF
A faculty member’s spouse who contracted COVID-19 in March has filed a $1 million lawsuit against the Abilene city manager for disclosure of private medical records. The plaintiff traveled to New York City March 4 and returned to Abilene four days later. Shortly after, rumors began circulating about an initial outbreak of the coronavirus in New York City.
According to the lawsuit, the plaintiff became congested and was tested for the coronavirus, and the test came back positive on March 29. According to the lawsuit, city manager Robert Hanna communicated “misinformation,” according to the lawsuit that led to media reports that the plaintiff had not self-quarantined after receiving the test results. “Shortly thereafter, Plaintiff and the faculty member began receiving
intimidating telephone calls and Facebook messages threatening them with physical harm and/ or death,” according to the lawsuit. The suit claims Hanna continued to make comments about the plaintiff ’s condition with threats of legal action. “I will pursue every legal option available to me to make sure you stay home that could include APD sitting out in front of your house; it could include ankle monitoring so that we
know where your location is at all times,” the suit quotes Hanna. After the faculty member and the plaintiff experienced online threats, the university released a statement on April 1 defending the plaintiff and the faculty member. “We are not aware of any willful violations of CDC guidelines or Abilene city instructions by our faculty member or their family,” said a university statement. “We ask that you be respectful of their right to
“We are not aware of any willful violations of CDC guidelines or Abilene city instructions by our faculty member or their family.” UNIVERSITY STATMENT
privacy and that you keep this member of the ACU community and their family in your prayers during this difficult time.” In his response to the suit, Hanna denied the allegations contained in the
plaintiff ’s petition. The plaintiff ’s Dallas attorney did not respond to a request for an interview, and Linda Bonnin, ACU senior vice president of marketing and communications, said the university does not comment on pending litigation. The plaintiff is alleging invasion of privacy by intrusion, intentional infliction of emotional distress, slander and violation of the state’s health and safety code and is seeking $1 million in damages.
researcher psychologist Bean cut to 50% capacity BY SYDNEY VARNER ASSITANT MANAGING EDITOR
The Bean has implemented new rules and regulations to better protect the university as the fall semester begins. The campus dining hall has put into place multiple new precautions for the semester, including a 50% capacity limit for students as well as safety training and personal protective equipment for all associates. “All associates are wearing face coverings, gloves, getting temperature checks and practicing social distancing,” David Casida, Senior Director of Dining Services, said. “Also, we have Plexiglas barriers at all payment and check-in desks. “[We are] partnering with university leaders to plan all operations, traffic patterns, hours of operations and appropriate service response based on recommendations “[Our goal is to] provide quick and convenient hospitality at as many service locations as possible.” DAVID CASIDA, SENIOR DIRECTOR OF DINING SERVICES
from local authorities such as state health department, CDC and local officials.” The Bean is a popular establishment for faculty, staff and students across campus. Associates will work to
keep tables clean and available for students as quickly as possible while still adhering to the new 50% capacity guideline. “Our front of house team including managers, supervisors and staff will work diligently to keep the dining room cleaned and open tables and chairs available as quickly as possible,” Casida said. “Our cashiers will communicate information about wait times, if any, and work to seat our guest right away.” In efforts to help with these changes, the dining hall will also be introducing new programs this fall. These will include hot and cold meals available to-go at the entrance of The Bean and exchanged meals at Tu Taco and Breakfast Co. This means students can elect to swipe for a meal and drink at these establishments rather than wait on a table to become available in the dining hall. “[Our goal is to] provide quick and convenient hospitality at as many service locations as possible,” Casida said. “ We will remain fluid in our response to conditions as they arise.” Overall, it is recommended students continue to follow social distancing and mask guidelines while utilizing dining services.
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NEWS | Monday, August 24, 2020 | 3
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4 | Monday, August 24, 2020 | MEDIA GALLERY
MASKED FRESHMAN MOVE IN
BY RILEY FISHER | PHOTOGRAPHER
Cars full of belongings line up in front of Sikes Hall.
BY RILEY FISHER | PHOTOGRAPHER
Two Wildcat Week volunteers share the weight of a heavy box as they walk into Edwards Hall.
BY RILEY FISHER| PHOTOGRAPHER
Wildcat Week volunteers await the next round of cars outside Gardner Hall.
BY RILEY FISHER| PHOTOGRAPHER
Junior marketing and management major Noah Henderson pulls a minifridge into Edwards Hall.
BY DAVID MITCHELL| PHOTOGRAPHER
Ryan Lewis, junior Biblical Studies major, hauls boxes into Edwards Hall.
BY DAVID MITCHELL | PHOTOGRAPHER
Mya Parker, junior psychology major, carries a box from a student’s truck.
BY DAVID MITCHELL| PHOTOGRAPHER
Christopher Potter, sophomore ministry and vocation major from Carrolton, carries a TV into Edwards Hall.
BY RILEY FISHER | PHOTOGRAPHER
A Sikes Hall resident assistant takes temperatures before students and families exit their cars.
NEWS | Monday, August 24, 2020 | 5
NEXT to lead $30.5m nuclear research collaboration BY ALLIE JONES STAFF REPORTER
ACU will join three major universities in the search for a better tomorrow. With Natura Resources’s help ACU, Georgia Institute of Technology, Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Austin will form the Nuclear Energy eXperimental Testing Research Alliance (NEXTRA). This $30.5 million collaboration will be the largest sponsored research program in the university’s history. Dr. Rusty Towell, professor of engineering and
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physics and director of the NEXT Lab, said the goal of the NEXTRA program is to address some of the most critical needs in the world. “We are specifically addressing the need for clean, available, affordable, and safe energy,” Towell said. “Also, we are trying to provide pure water to people around the world. A source of pure water is a great need globally.” Addressing those basic needs could raise the standard of living for people globally. Towell said NEXTRA’s plan to develop a source of medical isotopes,
“There are lots of companies and countries that want to develop this technology. If we can have a research reactor in Abilene, we would be able to answer all types of questions they could have...”” RUSTY TOWELL DIRECTOR OF THE NEXT LAB
which are are useful to doctors for a variety of diagnostic tools, specifically treating cancer. The funding provided by Natura Resources and other
sponsors will go to building the facility and technology behind molten salt liquid-fueled reactors. Towell hopes that a construction permit for the new facility can be submitted within the next year. Towell also said now is the perfect time to build and research this technology. “It’s technology that everyone knows about in the sense that it was demonstrated in the ‘60s, but no one has built a molten salt liquid-fueled reactor in 50 years,” Towell said. “There are lots of companies and countries that want to de-
velop this technology. If we can have a research reactor in Abilene, we would be able to answer all types of questions they could have, making this facility very useful to them.” This facility is planned to be located somewhere on or near the ACU campus. Not only will it provide job opportunities for Abilene, but it will allow students to do ground-breaking research in their undergraduate years. Overall, this collaboration has the potential to benefit ACU, Abilene and the world. Though the approval is
a multistep process, NEXTRA hopes to have the reactor fully functional in five years. “I’ve heard nothing but positive feedback from the community. I am very excited about their positive reaction,” Towell said. “I think they realize how this new project is going to have a large beneficial economic impact and how this is going to raise the statute of ACU as a research university. They also see how we are addressing real problems and how that will bring people from around the world to Abilene.”
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6 | Monday, August 24, 2020 | OPINION
It’s up to us to stay in-person, on campus this semester BY EDITORIAL BOARD
As we enter this challenging semester, it is important to recognize that it is up to us, the students, to keep ACU healthy, safe and in-person. ACU has many procedures in place to ensure the safety of students and staff, including mask requirements, social distancing and increased sanitation. These measures keep us safe while we are in class and on campus, but it is up to us to keep contact down while off campus. The Universities of North Carolina and University of Notre Dame have both moved from in-person to online classes after only two weeks of moving in. Both universities cite off-campus activities as the reason for increased infection, with one citing a large party and the other citing residence life and fraternity housing as hot spots for exposure. Both schools are discussing sending the students home depending on levels of positive cases after the two weeks of online classes for quarantine are up. When looking at cases
BY RILEY FISHER | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Wildcat Week leaders wear their masks during Sunrise Devo in other universities that have had significant increases in cases, they are all attributed to off-campus activities. Since such a significant portion of the student population lives off campus, it is more important than ever that we make good choices when it
comes to what we choose to do and where we choose to be outside of classes. We must have tough conversations with our housemates about social distancing protocols, limiting large get-togethers and checking up on each other’s mental health as well as physical health. It’s
up to us. While the CDC recognizes that COVID-19 is more likely to cause complications in older adults, college campuses aren’t exclusive to perfectly healthy college students. Faculty, staff, professors, older students, those with health conditions
that put them at risk, those living with older people and those at risk belong in the ACU community. It is up to us to protect them from contact as much as we can. While professors were given the option to optout of in-person classes,
most classes are harder to teach online. These professors are knowingly putting themselves at risk in order to give us the quality education we want. It’s up to us to ensure that instruction at ACU remains in-person as long as possible.
In-person classes may be short-lived in fall 2020
BY OWEN SIMPSON EDITOR IN CHIEF
New positives, quarantining and temporary online instruction are just a few of the many things ACU will likely witness this fall semester. Despite the best and valued efforts from the university, they cannot prepare for or contain a COVID-19 outbreak. Several other universities across the nation including Notre Dame and North Carolina have already experienced outbreaks and shifted online
temporarily, or in some cases, for the remainder of the semester. ACU is not far behind, and they will experience new cases no matter what precautions are listed. Recent off-campus “partying” has already led to growing concerns, and new positive results have created complications during Wildcat Week. The university is in over its head, and while its passion to return in-person for
the fall is admirable and understanding, all classes may ultimately be online in less than a month. It’s true that the coronavirus fatality rate is extremely low for students and it’s very unlikely a student would be killed, the major concern for ACU is it’s older at-risk faculty and staff. A large outbreak from students, many of which may be asymptomatic, could ultimately jeopar-
dize in-person instruction. New cases are inevitable when you bring thousands of students across America and the world to one centered location, but can the university truly contain a massive outbreak? How will residence halls manage several positive cases without spreading it to other students? The university believes it is taking the health and safety of all its members seriously, but at what
point do they consider a complete shift to online instruction? How many cases will it take for online instruction to become a permanenet scenario at ACU? While we have several protocols in motion to best protect the community, we cannot prepare for the fall semester. We are guinea pigs in a lab experiment this fall at ACU, and no one can predict the outcome.
Be sure to not lose sight of Jesus in this chaotic year
BY DILLON DANIEL MANAGING EDITOR
The year of our Lord 2020 has taken everyone on a whirlwind roller coaster ride. Tragedies, while always having been commonplace, seem to have exponentially increased. The passing of Kobe Bryant shook basketball fans and others worldwide. The deaths of Ah-
maud Arbery and George Floyd sparked a revitalization of the Black Lives Matter movement and COVID-19 infected millions with no end in sight. As more incidents seem to occur and unrest grows, one reminder I want to bestow on the ACU community is this: do not lose sight of Jesus among the chaos. While I am sure this is a generic statement many pastors are saying to their congregations currently, I mean this with intensity. Times like these mean Christians, while fighting for important issues in a Godly way, need to be seeking God more than ever. Consistent prayer, daily devotionals and weekly
worship sessions are just some things to keep the mind focused on Christ and oneself attentive to the Holy Spirit’s voice. As people, we get passionate about topics and issues, especially when they tend to be trendy. As Christians, we often associate are own morals and opinions about issues with God, and why shouldn’t we? If we believe in God, subsequently our morals should match His, right? While in many cases this is so, the first sign of associating God with our own beliefs about an issue usually means we’ve already lost sight of Him. We disguise our beliefs as His beliefs, and we
don’t even know it. So my challenge to anyone is to step into His presence. The Bible is a living and breathing Word with many answers to many of our questions, yet it also instructs us to seek Him. God is not just a reference, but a being we can communicate with, who we can have a personal relationship with. His words are not only present through text, but as a voice as well. When you feel the need the to say, “Jesus would have said/done ___,” ask Him yourself. When the weight of the world seems too over-bearing, just listen to Him as you read, worship or pray.
Tweets Seth Rodriguez @_sethrodriguez_ My car was bouncing around and I thought something was breaking but then I remembered I’m just driving in Abilene Tavian Miles @tavianmiles Chick fil a isn’t even in the S tier category. Jaron Myers @jaronmyers Christian colleges are just expensive youth groups Tavian Miles @tavianmiles I’ve been in Abilene for almost 3 years and I still use Apple Maps to get everywhere
THE OPTIMIST STAFF OWEN SIMPSON EDITOR IN CHIEF
DILLON DANIEL MANAGING EDITOR
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OWEN SIMPSON SPORTS DIRECTOR
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EDITORIAL & 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 letter 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 let-
ters 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 invasive privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verificationpurposes. Phone numbers will not be published.
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SPORTS | Monday, August 24, 2020 | 7
BY DAVID MITCHELL | PHOTOGRAPHER
Wildcat fans celebrate their victory.
Survey: Students want sports on-campus with fans BY OWEN SIMPSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Nearly 72 percent of students favor a return to sporting events on-campus in the fall semester, a new survey shows. Additionally, 60 percent of students want fans in attendance. The survey was conducted by the Optimist and distributed in conjunction with the Student Government Association. The survey, which had nearly 900 respondents, was conducted via social media from June 29 to July 5.
Phil Schubert, president of the university, was pleased with the turnout of the survey. However, the Senior Leadership Team has no involvement in the decision regarding sporting events. “It’s important to know that decisions around football, basketball and other Division I sports are not ours to make,” Schubert said. “These decisions will be made by the conference.” According to the survey, 82 percent of incoming freshmen favored a return to sports on-campus, the
highest approval of any student classification. Meanwhile, faculty and staff were “...you can’t have college sports if you don’t have college [campuses] open...” PHIL SCHUBERT PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY
relatively split, with only 47% supporting sports on-campus. Additionally, incoming freshmen had the highest approval of having fans in
attendance, nearly 73 percent. Other groups were less-approving. Only 46 percent of graduate students wanted fans and 32 percent of staff and faculty. Nearly 81 percent of students want classes to return in-person for the fall semester. The NCAA has addressed that students need to be on-campus for sports to even be considered. “College athletes are college students, and you can’t have college sports if you don’t have college [campuses] open and having students on them,” NCAA
president Mark Emmert said May 8. “You don’t want to ever put student-athletes at greater risk than the rest of the student body.” 60 percent of students want extracurricular actives on-campus in the fall semester, while 17 percent were against the idea and 22 percent undecided. Schubert was cautiously optimistic about student activities but realized that the health and safety of students is the top priority. “We will have to lean heavily on guidance coming from local and state health
officials, as well as the governor’s office,” Schubert said. “We certainly hope we can move forward with intramurals and other student activities. I think we all want that, but we have to do so safely.” ACU’s first home game is slated for Aug. 23 when soccer hosts UTEP. “Our conference, and all conferences across the nation, are discussing athletic events,” Schubert said. “I think we can look for those announcements soon since football season is racing towards us”
ACU looking to play an independent fall schedule BY OWEN SIMPSON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The Department of Athletics is actively pursuing an independent schedule following the Southland conference’s decision to postpone all fall sports for the spring semester Thursday. With the announcement, ACU football has no games scheduled for its season. The season-opener against Texas A&M was canceled July 30 following the SEC’s decision to move conference-only for the fall. Meanwhile, its matchup against Southern Utah was canceled Friday after the Big Sky conference postponed its season. “We’re facing a very different outcome than we hoped,” Southland conference commissioner Tom Burnett said Thursday. “We regret this outcome. However, we are comforted that these decisions were made with the health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches and extended groups in mind.” Despite the conference’s decision to postpone fall competition, ACU will
look elsewhere to fill an empty schedule. “While we certainly understand the Southland Conference’s decision to postpone fall sports, it is disappointing for our student-athletes,” Phil Schubert, president of the university, said Thursday. “All universities may not be positioned to meet testing and safety protocols, but ACU is fully prepared to meet all NCAA health and safety mandates, as well as state and local guidelines. We believe our student-athletes deserve to compete, and it’s in their best interest, as long as they can do so safely.” The Department of Athletics has been in contact with several teams for all fall sports to help rebuild a schedule. “Anticipating this decision might be forthcoming, I have been in consultation with Dr. Schubert about ACU’s desire to potentially play an independent schedule this fall,” Allen Ward, Director of Athletics, said Thursday. “As reflected in his statement, it’s ACU’s position that our stu-
dent-athletes deserve the opportunity to compete. There are a lot of moving pieces that will influence this possibility, but I continue to pursue and evaluate what options still exist.” While no games have been released, Ward confirmed that he has been in contact with several FBS and FCS schools about potentially playing. “There are a number of conferences in our geographic footprint that remain committed to playing this fall,” Ward said. “We are having conversations with a number of those teams to gauge mutual interest and alignment of health and safety measures.” Ward is hopeful that there will a portion of a schedule released within the next 10-14 days. “An opt-out provision is available for those who decide to wait,” Schubert said. “We will continue to monitor the landscape closely and are exploring opportunities to play other universities so our student-athletes can compete this fall.”
BY DAVID MITCHELL | PHOTOGRAPHER
Wildcats celebrate in the endzone after a touchdown run.
Jelen, cross country optimistic for the 2020 season BY AVERY JACKSON SPORTS WRITER
The fate of ACU’s cross country team was left in limbo Aug. 13 after the Southland conference made the decision to postpone fall sports. “The team is thankful for our administration allowing us to host meets and potentially even travel to a meet,” head cross country coach
Jarvis Jelen said. When the Southland postponed fall sports each college was given the opportunity to hold its own competitions in the fall at the university’s discretion. ACU made an announcement following the postponement that it plans to look into opportunities to play against other universities. The original cross country
schedule included meets at Texas Tech and Texas A&M prior to the Southland championships. The team was originally looking forward to this schedule considering the travel time and quality of meets. “The NCAA championships were already canceled along with most of the conference meets already,” Jelen said. “It’s disappointing since
we were going to compete against good teams and we were ready to go. At the same time it was for the best considering all the uncertainty around finishing the season.” Having more cross country meets held at ACU has allowed the team to invite better teams to compete and set up bigger competitions than in the past seasons. “We are still training as
hard as normal, and we will continue acting like we still have races upcoming,” junior runner Colton Gates said. “We will continue working hard training and preparing some fast times and work together as a team.” Cross country is coming off a strong last year placing third in the men’s conference. The men didn’t lose a single runner and have mul-
tiple freshman joining the team to help build depth and strengthen the team. The women are also working on increasing their depth to strengthen the roster. “We are just really excited for the future to have both men’s and women’s teams competing as one of the top cross country teams in the Southland conference each year,” Jelen said.
8 | Monday, August 24, 2020 | SPORTS
STANDINGS Football Team SHSU Nicholls SELU UIW HBU UCA Lamar McNeese SFA ACU NWSU
Ovrl. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Conf. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Soccer Team ACU McNeese UIW SHSU Lamar NWSU TXAM-CC SFA Nicholls UCA SELU HBU BY DAVID MITCHELL | PHOTOGRAPHER
Sophomore wide receiver Lionell McConnell scores a game-sealing touchdown.
Army headlines revised fall schedule BY OWEN SIMPSON EDITOR IN CHIEF
The Wildcat football team will travel to West Point, New York, Oct. 3 to face Army for the first time in program history. The game also will be just the team’s second time against a military academy. The Wildcats lost to Air Force 37-21 in the 2016 season-opener. The Wildcats also added two additional games Fri-
day against UTEP Sept. 19 and the first scheduled home game against West Texas A&M Oct. 17. Allen Ward, director of athletics, emphasized excitement and optimism with the first scheduled games of the 2020 season. The Southland conference postponed all fall conference competition Aug. 13 with the intent on playing in the spring. “It was definitely a step in the right direction,” Ward said
in an email Thursday. “We’re making good progress on other games as well.” The Department of Athletics expressed interest in playing several games in the fall, along with a conference spring schedule. They’re hopeful to add an additional two games for the fall. “It still depends on finalizing our plans for the spring,” Ward said, “but I’m hopeful we can have multiple games this fall.”
Army finished last season with a 5-8 record, losing its only matching to a ranked opponent in double-overtime, 24-21, against No. 7 Michigan. Meanwhile, ACU finished the year 5-7, losing its last three consecutive games. Meanwhile, West Texas A&M competes at the Div. II level in the Lone Star conference and finished 8-3 in 2019. UTEP finished 2019 with a 1-11 record, it’s only win coming from Houston
Baptist 36-34 in the season-opener. The Department of Athletics is still actively searching for opponents, but it is unclear when there will be an announcement. “I would love to give a definite time-line, but it all depends on when an agreement is reached and working with the other party on a release date,” Ward said. “There are a lot of moving parts to pull together, hopefully soon.”
Ovrl. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Conf. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Volleyball Team SFA SHSU NWSU SELU TXAM-CC Nichols HBU ACU UNO UCA McNeese Lamar UIW
Ovrl. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Conf. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Football
Women’s basketball prepares during pandemic BY JALEN GARRETT SPORTS WRITER
Although COVID-19 has altered the way sports are functioning, that hasn’t stopped the Wildcat basketball team from preparing for a possible season this winter. “There have been lots of talks, rumors, and projections about this season,” coach Julie Goodenough said. “As of right now, we are moving forward with our normal schedule. We actually have a head coaches’ meeting next Tuesday
with the conference to discuss more.” The NCAA is also reported to meet within the next few weeks to discuss the start of the 2020-2021 season. A decision is expected to be finalized by mid-September. Aside from physical health, COVID-19 has tested the mental well-being of the entire world like no other. For the Wildcats, the anguish hit harder than expected. “I went through a grieving process in March,” coach Goodenough said. “
We arguably had the best team that ACU has ever had. I felt like we had been cheated out of advancing to another conference championship. As long as I knew that God was in control, I could sleep better at night.” Last season, the Wildcats ranked first in many categories in the Southland Conference including scoring, three-point field percentage, field goal percentage, and steals. Along with having six seniors graduate last season, the Wildcats will look for veterans such as senior forwards Mikayla
Mabry and Alyssa Adams to step and lead this team into victory. “We expect a lot out of our junior and senior play“We have the talent to win games, but we are going to have to be tougher.” JULIE GOODENOUGH HEAD WOMEN”S BASKETBALL COACH
ers,” coach Goodenough. “One of our expectations is that the practices are be led by them. They should set the tone with their en-
ergy, attitude, and how they communicate.” The Wildcats look to continue to dominate the scoreboard while tweaking their mindset on the hardwood. “We have the talent to win games, but we are going to have to be tougher,” coach Goodenough said. “We graduated a lot of our grit and toughness with our seniors. As far as a team, we want to continue to dominate offensively. Yes, we might have to get better defensively, but it’s more fun scoring 85 points a night rather than 60.”
Southland response postpones volleyball until spring BY MADI MILLER SPORTS WRITER
BY MEGAN HOLLEY | PHOTOGRAPHER
Freshman middle Breanna Box attempts to score off a hit.
Volleyball has been postponed with the intention of rescheduling conference games during the spring semester of 2021. The Southland Conference Board of Directors announced Aug. 13 that conference competition for football, volleyball, soccer and cross country will be canceled in the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic still impacting the United States. The board is looking for the best ways to allow athletes to play in a safe environment and said that time will give them a better handle on how to deal with issues related to coronavirus. Until then, questions remain about how and when athletics will take place. “It wasn’t a shock when the season got delayed,” Angela Mooney, head women’s volleyball coach, said. “I was preparing mentally on what would be best for our team and with only having one senior and eight newcomers. I think it is going to be an advantage for our team to get to work on the system and the way we train.” Mooney said they expect to have eight hours a week during this fall semester. They will work on becoming a better unit and go into the fall with the same
goal of getting better every day in order to chase the goal of winning a conference championship. Outside hitter Kate Mueller is the only senior on the team this season. After having a season-ending knee injury last season, she completed rehab and is ready to get back to action competing on the court. “We were disappointed in the season getting postponed because of all the work we did during quarantine to be ready,” Mueller said. “As a team, we are focusing on the blessings that can come out of this like all the extra time we get to spend on getting better every day. We have a young team so this fall will give us time to be our best when the spring ultimately comes.” The Department of Athletics announced that fall sports will be permitted to participate in scrimmages with other schools throughout the fall semester. ACU has been actively seeking this opportunity. “I have been in communication with other schools close to us and within our region about Friday scrimmages so the players don’t miss any school,” Mooney said. “It is in the works, and a lot of us are open to doing it as long as it is compliant and we can keep the players safe.”
Mansell Junior quarterback Peyton Mansell’s arrival comes as the Wildcats see the departure of an instrumental part of their offense. Before his time with the Hawkeyes, Mansell earned all-conference and all-state recognition during his career at Belton High School. After throwing 2,526 yards and 33 touchdowns his senior season, he received offers from several universities, including Abilene Christian. During his time at the University of Iowa, he was five for eight in passing, throwing one interception. He also carried the ball eight times, earning one touchdown. Mansell will need to learn to fill the gap in ACU’s offense that was left by Luke Anthony, who transferred to Louisiana Tech University.
Football
Clark Junior wide receiver Kobe Clark will hopefully build on his 2019 season, which consisted of career highs and program records. After a quiet freshman year, Clark appeared in all twelve games, becoming a frequent target for the offense. Clark set a school record for receiving 87 passes for 777 yards, averaging approximately seven receptions per game, nine yards per catch and 65 yards per game. Based on the improvement between his freshman and sophomore season, it looks as though the junior wide receiver might be ready to set more records and play a more significant role in the Wildcat offense this coming season.
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