Man of many hats Multi-faceted athlete working toward career in criminal justice vol. 101, no. 16
friday, october 19, 2012
Sports Page 8B
2 SECTIONs, 16 PAGES
curtis christian Staff Photographer
INSIDE NEWS Student religious diversity continuing to grow Page 6A
NEWS Interview process for Presidential Scholarships changing Page 6B
HOMECOMING
paige otway Staff Photographer
JamFest concert to feature student artists, firework show Page 3A
OPINION Each member of the Editorial Board shares his or her political views
RETURN page 4B
FEATURES ACU heritage resurfaces through formation of CHARIS Page 7A
SPORTS Former football player, coach working as director of athletics emeritus
OF THE
paige otway Staff Photographer Top Left: Connor Vansteenberg, junior management major from Conroe, works on GSP’s float for the Homecoming Parade. Above Left: Freshmen Casey Montgomery and Kinsey Lee work on the Homecoming float for Freshman Action Council. Above Right: Taylor Hunt, sophomore musical theatre major from Overland Park, Kan., performs in Moody Coliseum during the Chapel preview of the Homecoming musical, “42nd Street.”
ALUMNI
audrey schaffner copy editor Continuing in last year’s footsteps, the Homecoming parade will be the only Homecoming event to have a theme. Misty Spainhower, alumni relations officer, said this year’s Homecoming parade theme is “ACU’s Greatest Hits”. “The floats will be fo-
cused on unique ACU traditions, landmarks and people,” Spainhower said. Samantha Adkins, senior alumni relations officer, said the alumni office tries to keep the parade theme ACU related so the floats will be meaningful to alumni and their families. Because of last year’s decision to nix the overall motif and only have a theme for the parade, no other events will be designed around
Groups preparing floats for ‘Greatest Hits’ theme
“ACU’s Greatest Hits”. Adkins said in years past, the parade was one of the only events completely tied to the theme, while other events, such as the reunion dinners and carnival, did not rely as much on the overall motif. Jama Cadle, assistant director of alumni relations, said the Homecoming theme used to coordinate with the Homecoming musical.
“The theme used to go along with whatever the musical theme was, so we used to kind of tie it together,” Cadle said. “It didn’t always correlate with some of the decorations for the events. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn’t.” This year’s parade theme, though unrelated to any other Homecoming event, has still stirred up excitement among stu-
dents. Abigail Flournoy, GATA float director, said she has been planning the float decorations since the summer, but the construction of the float, costumes and working on choreography for the parade began last week. “I was so excited about this year’s theme,” said Flournoy, junior speech see theme page 2B
ag department
Return to Medina brings healing
Page 1B
HOMECOMING Newly recharted Zeta Rho’s past members return for reunion Page 3A
HOMECOMING
samantha sutherland
King of Campus Court to restart bell-ringing tradition
features editor
Page 2B
ONLINE
paige otway staff Photographer The four Dukes of Campus Court show off their Wildcat sign during the debate on Tuesday night.
For a preview of some of our news stories on acuoptimist.com, turn to: Page 3B
McCarty wins debate, crown gabi powell student reporter
PHOTOS For more photos from this week on campus, go to our Flickr page
Prentis McCarty is the first ACU King of Campus Court. The dukes dueled during a live debate Tuesday night, in hopes of winning student votes as ACU’s first “King of Campus Court.”
Providing a needed break from the heated political debates, Hart Auditorium was the site of comical questions for the finalists of the King title. McCarty, Clint Coulter, Evan Hernandez and Jonathan Pruitt were asked absurd questions ranging from, “Describe your dating life using the title of a
reality TV show” to showcasing their best wildcat mating call. Before the debate took place, Zack Morgan, senior biology major from Keller who pitched the idea to Students’ Association, explained why this event would be important for students deciding who is worthy to be King.
“The debate is important because it signifies the first time that the finalists appear together in front of the whole student body,” he said. “It’s akin to the Homecoming Queen Court being introduced during Chapel. The students will get much more see debate page 6B
First Queen returning to ACU flickr.com/acuoptimist
elizabeth weiss student reporter
VIDEO Watch the seventh installment of The Ken Collums Show
acuoptimist.com
The first Homecoming Queen, Addie Rheiner Felts, will be coming back to campus this weekend to relive her glory days. Samantha Adkins, senior alumni relations officer, has been in contact with Felts’ daughter to schedule the visit. “We actually had a member of her family that notified us that she had been the first queen,” Adkins said. “We researched a little bit and there’s a great old Optimist story out there about her being crowned, that is very
much a Cinderella-story in how they wrote it. It’s pretty amazing, so we decided to invite her back.” Felts was crowned as Homecoming Queen in 1951 and graduated from ACU in 1952. She will be representing the 60-year Coming Home Court and will also join the 2002 Coming Home Court, who will be celebrating their 10-year reunion. The Alumni Relations Committee gave the Felt family a lot of options for Mrs. Felts to participate in while she is on campus. Because she is in her 80s, she will not be attending the football game on Saturday afternoon. Felts will be introduced and honored in Homecoming Chapel on Sat-
Abilene Christian University
urday morning. She will ride as the grand marshal in the parade on Saturday, and will also attend the Queen’s Tea on Friday afternoon with many of her family members. “Mrs. Felts has a long history with ACU,” said Misty Spainhower, alumni relations officer. Of Felts’ family, 19 members have gone through ACU, 15 of those being grandchildren. One of her granddaughters, Addie Jane Shipley, is currently a freshman attending ACU.
contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
A group of more than 30 students and faculty members from the Department of Agriculture completed a mission trip to the Medina Childrens’ Home, the same trip that ended in a lifechanging bus accident last year. Anna Ciufo, sophomore animal science major from the Woodlands, was involved in last year’s accident and suffered several injuries. This was her first year to make it to Medina on the mission trip. “A couple of my friends were a little nervous about the actual bus ride because of the experience we had,” Ciufo said. “But overall, especially toward the end, it was more of a positive healing experience and that was a blessing.” The students spent the weekend helping the childrens’ home with different projects that required some manual labor. They sorted food in the pantry, did tile work, organized the hog barn and cleaned some of the childrens’ toys. On Saturday night, as is tradition, the group prepared a meal for the kids and their families and held a devotional, Ciufo said. “I really love getting to talk to people and getting to serve them,” Ciufo said. see medina page 6B
friday 10.19.12
19 friday
4 p.m. ACU Soccer vs TAMU-Commerce 6 p.m. JamFest
20
saturday 11:45 ACU Homecom-
21
sunday
ing Choirs Concert
1 p.m. ACU Soccer vs Texas Woman’s U
1 p.m. ACU Volleyball at Tarleton State U
2 p.m. 42nd Street ACU Theatre
6:30 p.m. Annual Homecoming Chemistry Circus
2 p.m. ACU Football vs Midwestern State
7 p.m. ACU Volleyball at Angelo State U
8 p.m. 42nd Street ACU Theatre
22
monday
2A
9 a.m. Early Voting
8 p.m. 42nd Street ACU Theatre
Chapel checkup
63 34 @acuoptimist The Optimist optimist@acu.edu
Announcements Students interested in joining The Wildcat Reign can sign up at thewildcatreign. com. The Wildcat Reign aims to provide students the ability to facilitate Wildcat pride on campus and serves as a linking point between students and Wildcat athletic events. ACU Theatre presents their 2012 homecoming musical 42nd Street Oct. 19-20 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 21 at 2 p.m at the Abilene Civic Center. For tickets call 321-674-2787 or purchase online at acu.edu/ theatre.
ACU Swing Cats are hosting lessons for beginner and intermediate levels of swing dancing Thursday nights in SRWC Studio B. Intermediate lessons are at 8 p.m. and Beginners are at 9 p.m. Social dancing begins at 9:30 p.m. ACU Speech and DebateTeam is seeking new members interested in speech and debate. For more information email Dena Counts at dena. counts@acu.edu or text/call 325-428-6699.
Police Log Police log 10/14/2012 6:02 p.m. ACUPD was summoned to a residence for reported fireworks and noise violations. Three high school students were contacted and instructed to control the noise. 10/14/2012 6:55 p.m. ACUPD assisted APD on a disturbance call involving a resident/patient at a state residence care facility. 10/14/2012 11:06 p.m. ACUPD & Abilene FD responded to a fire alarm and confirmed fire at Smith-Adams Hall in the common kitchen/lobby area. Two students had been using the lobby stove to cook chemical substances, attempting to manufacture homemade smoke bombs. Both students were issued Municipal Court Citations for Reckless Damage. 10/15/2012 10:11 a.m. ACUPD assisted APD in finding and apprehending a nude male who was riding a bicycle in the area of Will Hair Park. Suspect was arrested and taken to Taylor County jail.
Leadership Summit will be having an interest meeting Oct. 30 and Nov. 16 from 11 a.m.-11:50 a.m. in COBA 201. Chapel credit will be provided. JamFest will be Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. on the HWC east lawn. The Homecoming Carnival will be Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. on the WPAC north lawn. General admisson is $3.
ACU will be putting on a fireworks display Oct. 19 at 8:15 p.m. on the HWC east lawn. The U.S. Department of State is coming to ACU Oct. 22 at noon in Bible 130 to talk about working for the U.S. Department of State, internships and more. For more information contact the Career Center. The 26th Annual Homecoming Chemistry Circus will be Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in Walling Lecture Hall.
Weekly Stats for Week of oct. 9-16 2012 ALARM 2 ASSAULT 2 ATTEMPT TO LOCATE 1 BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK 13 BURGLARY 1 CHECK BUILDING 98 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 1 DIRECT TRAFFIC 2 DISORDERLY CONDUCT 1 DISTURBANCE 2
ESCORT 1 FIRE 1 FOUND PROPERTY 1 INCIDENT REPORT 1 INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP 9 LOST PROPERTY 1 MAINTENANCE: UNIVERSITY ASSETS 2 MEDICAL EMERGENCY 1 MOTORIST ASSIST: INFLATE TIRE 1
MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMPSTART 7 MOTORIST ASSIST: UNLOCK 11 NOISE VIOLATION 1 PARKING LOT PATROL 11 PARKING VIOLATION 1 PATROL VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 3 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 3 SUSPICIOUS PERSON 3 THEFT 3
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HOMEComing
Friday 10.19.12
JamFest concert to feature student artists JAMFEST LINEUP
matt sloan sports reporter The ACU Alumni Association will be putting on JamFest, an annual concert made up of ACU student bands, on Friday at 6 p.m. JamFest will feature a fireworks show and will likely be attended by more than 1,000 students and alumni. Nine bands will perform music from a variety of genres at the show. Jama Cadle, assistant director of alumni relations and university events, has high hopes for JamFest. “It is a great opportunity for students to stay involved,” Cadle said. “It’s also great for prospective students. The alumni love it as well, because it has a really good feel to it.” The Mighty Kong was scheduled to open JamFest, but one of their band members was recently deployed, so the band will no longer be participating. Instead, the festivities will begin with free pizza and T-shirts to accompany Reuben Katagiri, the first artist to perform. The rest of the lineup for Friday night includes Wyld
Reuben Katagiri 6 p.m.
Wyld Stallions 6:15 p.m.
The Band Isaac 6:30 p.m.
Pierce Hardin 6:45 p.m.
McCall & Anderson mandy lambright chief Photographer Sunset at Ivry, composed of juniors Chase Beakley, Jake Hall, Jonathan Bryant and Austin Conner performs at JamFest 2011
Stallions, The Band Isaac, Pierce Hardin, McCall & Anderson, The Dogwoods and M.A. Double. Following M.A. Double, the concert will pause for fireworks before headlining bands Sunset at Ivry and The Fox and the Hounds close the concert. “Some of these guys have played before, like The Band Isaac, but we also have new bands too,” Cadle said. “So a good mix makes up the line up. We are also moving the fireworks up so
that the people who attend the carnival will be able to enjoy the fireworks as well.” Each band has its own style, covering a range of genres from Christian music to rock and roll. “The main purpose of JamFest is to showcase the student talent,” Cadle said. “This is an event that we put on to really appeal to the students.” JamFest not only attracts alumni and prospective students, but also provides an opportunity
for the bands to play in front of a large crowd. “I absolutely love playing in front of big crowds,” said Isaac Wright, senior physical education major from Abilene and a member of The Band Isaac. “It really gets me energized and helps me play as well as I can. I hope that everyone out there enjoys the experience.” contact sloan at mes11a@acu.edu
7 p.m.
The Dogwoods 7:20 p.m.
M.A. Double 7:40 p.m.
Fireworks Show (not a band) 8 p.m.
Sunset at Ivry 8:25 p.m.
The Fox and the Hounds 8:50 p.m.
Zeta Rho preparing for first Alumni Breakfast kara stutesman student reporter Saturday morning Zeta Rho will conduct the club’s first Homecoming breakfast since their recharter. This year has been Zeta Rho’s first pledge class, grub and Homecoming Parade since the club’s recharter, and it will be the first time that previous Zetas will be able to participate in the traditional breakfast before the parade. While there are only ten Zeta Rho alumnae traveling
to Abilene for the breakfast, all of the Zetas and Z-Rhos are excited about meeting them and getting to talk with them. Laura Jane Hood, ZP Pledge Mom and junior youth and family ministry major from Franklin, Tenn., said, “We have alums as far east as Massachusetts and Virginia and we also have alums that are out of the country. So, we’re really excited about the 10 coming back. We’re pumped and it’s a good showing for our first year back on campus.” Jess Weeden, Zeta Rho
“
I’m excited for these ladies. This will be their first time to have a Zeta Rho-affiliated event in a long time.”
chaplain and junior psychology major from Monroe, Wis., said, “I’m excited for these ladies. This will be their first time to have a Zeta Rho-affiliated event in a long time.” The ZP advisors are also excited about the alumni
jess weeden Zeta rho Chaplain
coming in for the breakfast. “I think it’s exciting for the alumni to see Zeta Rho back on campus and I think that it strengthens the bond they have with ACU and the current students on campus,” said ZP advisor and assistant professor of soci-
ology, Dr. Suzie Macaluso. “Alumni have been very encouraging, I seem to meet a new alumni every few weeks and they have all expressed excitement and a desire to be involved with Zeta Rho as much as possible.” Tara Biesboer, ZP advisor and ACU School of Nursing Administrative Coordinator, said she thinks the Homecoming Breakfast will help ZP continue establishing itself as a club. It will give the members and pledges an opportunity to see what their club can become and give them some-
thing to look forward to in the future. “The most exciting aspect of the breakfast is seeing the embodiment of club and who were are as sisters and who we are as a family and as a home for each other,” Hood said. “Zeta Rho has this unique ability to be able to produce home wherever we are just because of the body of sisters that are together.”
contact stutesman at kas10a@acu.edu
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friday 10.19.12
HOMECOMIN
42nd
SHOWTIMES FRIDAY 8 p.m. SATURDAY 8 p.m. SUNDAY 2 p.m. TOP LEFT: Ashley Markgraf, senior muscal theater major from Fair Oaks Ranch, and Jace Reinhard, senior musical theater major from Greenville, Ill., perform the ACU Theater Department’s production of 42nd Street. TOP RIGHT: Director Julian Marsh, played by sophmore Jacob Alexander, music theater major from Amarillo, solemnly listens to the animated rant of his assistant Bert Barry, played by Seth Womack, music thater major from Justin. MIDDLE RIGHT: Ashley Markgraf, senior muscal thater major from Fair Oaks Ranch, plays Peggy Sawyer, a young girl with big broadway dreams, and Jace Reinhard, senior musical theater major from Greenville, Ill., plays Broadway actor Billy Lowlor . MIDDLE MIDDLE: Eean Cochran, junior musical theater major from Keller, shows off his dance skills as Andy Lee in the Homecoming Musical. MIDDLE LEFT: Amanda Jarufe,senior musical theater major from Coppell, performs with the cast from 42nd street. BOTTOM RIGHT:Brynn Smith, senior musical theater major from Fort Worth plays Dorth Brock, diva and star of Pretty Lady, the show-within-a-show, while she performs a number in 42nd Street. BOTTOM LEFT: Clint Diaz, sophmore musical theater major from Amarillo, performs during the homecoming musical. All photos by Mandy lambright chief Photographer
C & T D F
NG MUSICAL
friday 10.19.12
5A
COME & MEET THOSE DANCING FEET ON
Street T
By Alikay Wood
he ACU Homecoming Musical, “42nd Street,” will be performed Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Abilene Civic Center. “42nd Street” combines classic Broadway tunes and exciting dance numbers to create an incredible show.
The show tells the story of a chorus girl who becomes an overnight Broadway sensation, and the musical is a huge audience pleaser. Adam Hester, chair of the Department of Theatre, directed the musical. “This story is an ageold story and is one that people just love watching – the down-and-out chorus girl make it big,” said Hester. Minimal sets are used throughout the show since the majority of the story takes place as the
cast rehearses, however the sets that are used are creative and add a lot to the show. “42nd Street” is a tap show and has numerous group dance numbers with intricate choreography. Jacob Alexander, sophomore musical theater major from Atlanta, Ga., plays the lead role of Julian Marsh, a sarcastic Broadway director determined to make the show a success. “One of the things I really enjoyed when reading the script is
that the actors are pretty much making fun of themselves,” said Alexander. The storyline is intriguing and interesting as the plot is actually a show-within-a-show. This framing of the story allows the performers to explore the reality of the career they have chosen for themselves with a teasing tone. “It has a lightheartedness that is so infectious that people can’t help but leave the theater humming tunes and just feeling happy, it’s such a
“
This story is an age-old story and is one that people just love watching.”
Adam Hester chair of the department of theater
positive upbeat show,” Hester said. Tickets for the homecoming musical can be purchased online for prices ranging from $14-25. contact wood at akw10a@acu.edu
Senior appears in first major role Samantha Sutherland Features editor Lots of scenery, lots of costumes, lots of music and a lead actress who is making her big break into theater – that is how director Adam Hester, chair of the Department of Theater, described “42nd Street,” the homecoming musical that will hit the stage of the Abilene Civic Center this weekend. “This show has more costumes than any show, in my memory, in the past 30 years,” Hester said. “Our first dress rehearsal was a wild ride, and it was exciting to see. It has a lot of eye candy as well as one fun number after another.” The musical, which features many elaborate tap numbers, was selected for its entertainment value as well as the value it brings to theater students who were given the opportunity
to sharpen their tap skills, which Hester believes will be invaluable to them in the next phases of their careers. The musical also highlights a student who Hester said, in many ways, parallels the character she is playing. She is a student who has come from a small town bringing a lot of talent to the stage, finally able to prove her ability. Ashley Markgraf, senior musical theater major from Boerne, will be taking the spotlight as Peggy Sawyer which is the first lead role she has played at ACU. “I feel like I’m portraying a very tangible character,” Markgraf said. “I’m Peggy’s age and most of our beliefs are really the same. I feel very connected. I don’t really have to act when I’m Peggy, I just am Peggy.” Markgraf said the most challenging part of the role is the tap dancing, but otherwise said she feels relaxed
and comfortable in the part. “Both Ashley and Peggy have a big heart, big dreams and a lot of talent,” Hester said. “And Ashley’s situation is not unlike this funny, happy-go-lucky play we’re doing because the character she’s playing is a truly nice individual that people are rooting for as she achieves her dreams.” Markgraf’s acting career started in fourth grade, but was put on hold as she focused on animation and dance. However, after a performance in her last semester in high school, an audience member came up to her and urged her to continue acting professionally. “Two or three weeks after that, I came to ACU and auditioned and got in,” Markgraf said. “I’d never thought about it until that semester, and I will never regret that decision.” Next semester, Markgraf will be going to New York to
do a Tepper semester with Syracuse University which will offer a unique opportunity to learn from industry professionals and to strengthen her acting skills. “I’m really proud to have Ashley as an ACU ambassador there representing us in New York City,” Hester said. “It’s been really rewarding to watch Ashley’s growth these past four years and I feel like the audiences are going to love her in this show.” The musical will be performed at the Abilene Civic Center on Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. “Be prepared to be entertained,” Markgraf said. “It’s a very fun show, the dancing is incredible and I feel a lot of people would really enjoy coming to watch it.” contact Sutherland at sns08a@acu.edu
news
Friday 10.19.12
6A
religion
Student diversity increasing steadily Total number of Church of Christ-affiliated students continues to dip further below 50 percent Kyle Knapp student reporter The number of students claiming a Church of Christ affiliation has been decreasing as ACU’s student body continues to become more religiously diverse. According to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, the percentage of students with a Church
of Christ affiliation this year is 45.6 percent, a decrease from 2008 when it was 57.9 percent. As the percentage of students with a Church of Christ affiliation has decreased, the percentage of students that go to Community Churches and students categorized as “Other” have both shown a significant increase. Community Church
“
It gives them the opportunity to engage in great conversations with people from various backgrounds.” byron martin interim director of the office of multicultural enrichment
students have increased from 8.7 percent in 2008 to 12.4 percent this year while students filed under “Other” have gone from 9.8 percent in 2008 to 16.3 percent. “ACU is an attractive, strong, Christian university and anyone under the moniker of Christianity can see it as a strong, viable option for a good, strong, Christian educa-
tion,” said Byron Martin, interim director of the Office of Multicultural Enrichment. Martin said the increase in diversity in the student body is a positive trend. “It gives them the opportunity to engage in great conversations with people from various backgrounds,” Martin said. “It also gives our students from different religious backgrounds an opportunity to experience a religious heritage that most of them may not have heard of before.” Dr. Jean-Noel Thompson, vice president for Student Life and dean of students, also said the increasing religious diversity in the student body will be a positive experience. “I think as we equip students for the world they’re going to enter, which consists of a number of different faith traditions. This exposure for students to interact with, be in unity with, and discuss difference in a civil way, is about equipping students to be young adult professionals and ready for a world that is very diverse even religiously,” said Thompson, “So I think it’s a good thing. I think it’s a fantastic learning experience not only for our students, but also for our faculty and our staff.” Thompson said the increase in religious diver-
designs by asia todd design editor
sity is partly due to ACU’s marketing, which he said has broadened “unlike decades ago when ACU didn’t really advertise outside of the Church of Christ.” Along with marketing, Thompson said another contributing factor to the decrease in Church of Christ students is there has been a decrease in the number of families claiming the Church of Christ doctrine. Thompson and Martin both believe ACU’s stu-
dent body will continue to diversify in the coming years. “ACU welcomes the broader range of diversity,” Thompson said. “Yet we do that with the hope that all of our students, regardless of religious affiliation, will pursue a Christ centered life.”
contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
7a
features
FRIDAY 10.19.12
Sewell Auditorium, part of ACU’s first campus, was the meeting place of many Stone-Campbell Movement Christians that later formed the University Church of Christ.
photo provided by acu library
REDISCOVERING
HERITAGE CHARIS brings discussion of learning about Christian history to campus to help students affirm their faith identities
M
any students entering college struggle to maintain their Christian faith, according to a Barna Group study. In fact, the study said 40 to 50 percent of Christian youth group graduates fail to stick with their faith or remain connected to their religious community after graduating high school. Approximately 40 percent of students have a hard time finding a church home. While many churches work to build fellowship among students, another recent study funded by the Lilly Endowment indicated that connecting other generations to young adults might contribute to their long term faith. “Conventional wisdom is that you increase young adults’ faith by connecting them to one another in youth groups or mission trips,” said Dr. John Weaver, dean of library services and educational technology. “But studies show that it is also important to connect them with other generations, even generations of the past, to provide models and wisdom for how young adults should relate to God and relate to God’s mission in the world.” Weaver said there is an important link between students’ understanding of their Christian heritage and the strength of their spiritual identity and faith. “Students often come to college pulling away from their faith partly because they don’t know what’s behind their faith and the history of it,” Weaver said. “But when you look into that history, you find stories of men and women who had deep and active trust in God. Seeing those stories provides not only information but inspiration to our own lives as Christians.” To address this need, Brown Library and the Adams Center for Teaching and Learning, are collaborating with the ACU faculty to develop the Center for Heritage And Renewal In Spirituality, or CHARIS, which is the Greek word for “grace” or “gift.” “CHARIS is helping ACU have a healthy understanding of its religious past to realize the best possibilities for a future lived in God’s will for what the school needs to be,” Weaver said. “It’s a broader vision to
help ACU live a 21st Century vision of its 19th Century roots.” Because the establishment of ACU is strongly connected to the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement, ACU has used the Center for Restoration Studies to help connect students and faculty to ACU’s heritage. Weaver said CHARIS is a continuation and re-imagination of the Center for Restoration Studies that will continue to be developed over the next year as part of ACU’s strategic planning process. The Stone-Campbell Movement was named after two movements that came together in the 1830s to form the larger Restoration Movement, said Dr. Doug Foster, professor of Bible now serving as CHARIS professor. The purpose of the movement was to create Biblical unity among Christians. One of the slogans of the movement, ‘We speak where the Bible speaks and are silent where the Bible is silent,’ had two dominant interpretations that later caused division among the Stone-Campbell followers. Foster said a government census ultimately recorded the division of the larger movement into the Disciples of
“
It’s about sharing stories, stories of the past and present, that inspire more active faith in the future.”
dr. John Weaver dean of library services and educational technology
Christ and the Churches of Christ in 1906, the same year that ACU was founded. “The folks that established ACU were part of the more restrictive view of scripture that would be called Churches of Christ,” Foster said. “Historically that’s who we’ve been and that’s how we’ve been shaped. So, to tell the stories, the good and the bad, helps us see why we do things.”
ACU Bible Lectures (later called Summit) brought Christians together in Sewell Auditorium in February of 1930.
photo provided by acu library A postcard dated between 1914 and 1918 shows the administration building on the first campus of Childers Classical Institute (later called ACU) located on North 1st Street.
In a book that Foster co-wrote with Gary Holloway, Renewing God’s People: A Concise History of Churches of Christ, he said seeing how the church responded to broader cultures in the past can help Christians see how they might best respond today. “The Churches of Christ, like any other Christian body, developed and changed because we’re in a different time period. The issues of the 19th century aren’t necessarily our issues today,” Foster said. “It’s important to know our history, not so we can duplicate or be bound by the way we’ve always done things, but so we can understand why it was the way it was and determine if it needs to continue.” The focus of CHARIS’s will be on more than just the history of Churches of Christ, since fewer than 50 percent of students are members of the Churches of Christ. CHARIS will address Christian heritage with a broader view to enable students to connect with their own personal religious identity. “We can’t understand our religious history unless we put it under the context of the larger Christian history,” Foster said.
“So we’re not going to go back and only look at Churches of Christ. We can’t understand our history in isolation. It has to be done in conversation with all Christians.” The CHARIS steering committee includes Weaver; Foster; Dr. Royce Money, chancellor; Dr. Carisse Berryhill, associate dean for digital initiatives, special collections and university archives; Dr. Jack Reese, professor of Bible; and Dr. Lesa Breeding, executive director of the Adams Center. The committee is seeking ideas from faculty, staff and students for how best to facilitate this. It is currently organizing lectures with scholars and church leaders, making more historical resources available, funding research and developing spaces to learn and discuss heritage and spirituality to support student learning and faculty development. “Going forward, we need to connect the spirituality of our faculty and students to stories of Christian faith that can renew our commitment to Jesus Christ, both as individuals and as a university,” Weaver said. “So it’s about sharing stories, stories of the past and present, that inspire more active faith in the future.”
Story by Samantha Sutherland
photo provided by acu library
Friday 10.19.12
8A
1B
sports
friday 10.19.12
WALLY’S WORLD W edward isaacs sports editor
ally Bullington sits in his office in the Teague Special Events Center with a giant grin on his face as he reminisces about the old days with his former roommate and football teammate, Bob Davidson. Davidson and Bullington played in the only undefeated, untied season in ACU history (11-0 in 1950). The 1950 undefeated team traveled to Evansville, Ind., and won the only Refrigerator Bowl in college history. Nearly 63 years after coming to Abilene to play football, Coach Bullington, 81, now serves as director of athletics emeritus. He has been a player, assistant coach, head coach and an athletics director during his time with ACU. In his current role, Bullington can be found sitting in his office nearly every day talking on the phone or sending emails. On Bullington’s wall hang two pictures. One is of all-pro running back Wilbert Montgomery at his 1996 College Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Indiana; the other is the world record field goal, 69 yards, kicked by Swedenborn Ove Johansson in 1976. Both players are former Wildcats coached by Bullington during his nine years as head football coach (1968-76). Bullington still keeps in touch with both ex-standouts. Johansson played soccer before he kicked for the ACU football team. “One of my players told me I should take a look at Ove,” Bullington said. “I told him to show up at practice one day and he did. Later, he told me in his Swedish accent ‘Coach I will break field goal record,’ sure enough he did.” Montgomery went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit
standings football
Team
Div.
Ovrl.
WTAMU MSU TSU ASU ACU TAMU-K ENMU Commerce
5-0 4-1 3-2 2-2 2-3 2-3 1-3 1-3
6-1 5-1 3-3 3-4 4-3 3-4 2-4 1-5
Team
Div.
Ovrl.
ASU TSU WTAMU TWU Commerce ACU UIW TAMU-K Cameron MSU
11-1 10-2 8-2 9-3 6-5 5-6 4-7 3-8 2-9 2-9
18-3 16-5 17-3 15-5 15-5 9-12 7-13 10-10 7-15 4-17
Team
Div.
Ovrl.
WTAMU UIW ASU TWU MSU ENMUw Commerce ACU
8-3 7-4 6-4-1 5-5-1 4-4-3 4-7 4-7 3-7-1
9-5-1 7-6 8-6-1 6-7-2 4-8-3 5-10 5-9 5-9-1
volleyball
soccer
briefings
mandy lambright CHIEF Photographer
Wally Bullington stands in front of a trophy given to one of his former players. Bullington was a football player, head football coach, athletics director and assistant coach during his time at ACU.
Former coach, player relives glory days Lions in the National Football League and he is currently the running backs coach for the Baltimore Ravens. Jared Mosley, director of athletics, said Bullington spends much of his time building relationships. “He maintains good contact with former players, donors and people of interest in our program,” Mosley said. “Wally really
helps us raise the money to get certain projects off the ground.” As a player, Bullington was a four-year letterman and was named all-Texas Conference in 1950, 1951 and 1952. The Athens, Ala., native was a 210-pound all-American center, a linebacker, punter and kicker. “The 1950s was a good time for ACU athletics,”
Bullington said. “The football team won 11 games in 1950. Basketball and track were also both doing well during that time period. We had outstanding coaches. We didn’t have many women’s sports then although over the past few years we’ve grown a bunch in that area.” Women’s athletics began to emerge at ACU
in the 1970s and 80s after Title IX was enacted. The athletes themselves have also changed since Bullington played ball. “In those days players were smaller,” he said. “A 240-pound guy was a big player back then. Now that’s nearly a running back.” This season’s football roster features 23 players
Senior midfielder Julie Coppedge was selected as the Lone Star Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Tuesday. She scored the only goal in Sunday’s 1-0 win over first-place Incarnate Word. The men’s and women’s basketball teams began their first week of practice in Moody Coliseum this week. Julie Goodenough is entering her first year as the women’s coach while Joe Golding is in his second year as the head coach for the men. The men open their season against Baylor University on the 25th.
see wally page 7b
ex- factor
golf
‘Cats place sixth during downpour daniel zepeda sports reporter The ACU golf team played in the Querencia Cabo Collegiate tournament this last week in Los Cabos, Mexico. The Division II’s third ranked team finished sixth after the competition was shortened due to consistent heavy rain. “The team really performed well considering the conditions and competition we went up against,” senior Alex Carpenter said. “We were all bummed that the tournament was cancelled because we felt that we could have done better
with more holes to play.” The tournament was reduced to twelve holes in one day of competition after two days of severe rain dropped on the fields. The rain was not the only obstacle for the team, as the golf course proved to be one of the hardest the team has ever faced. “The course was probably one of the toughest courses we’ll ever face as a team,” sophomore Corbin Renner said. “When you take a course of that difficulty, and then add the horrible rain to it, it becomes a very hard tournament.” As a team, the Wildcats shot fifteen over par (303) to
give them a three stroke lead over seventh place UT-Arlington. ACU was led by senior Alex Carpenter who shot par (72), good enough to tie for second place individually. “It was a tough course with tough conditions, but I’m happy on how I did,” Carpenter said. Junior Trey Sullivan and sophomore Corbin Renner also finished strong. They both shot a three over par (75) which tied them for seventeenth place individually. “Trey and Corbin both did really well,” Carpenter said. “Everyone has shown this year that they really love the game and have a
passion to do their best.” On top of a difficult course and extreme weather conditions, ACU also faced stiff competition in which they were the only Division II team in the tournament. They took on ranked teams like No. 20 Florida State and No. 25 Saint Mary’s of California. “Coach (Mike Campbell) has really gotten us prepared for Division I competition,” Renner said. “We have faced a lot of competitive teams this year and it has helped us mentally and physically work on our games. I’m proud of how the team competed under all the circumstances this week.”
Since the move to Division I next year will require the team to sit out of the playoffs for the next few seasons, the Wildcats are hungrier than ever for a national championship title. “We have all taken on the saying that this is our year,” Renner said. “This is our year to win a title and bring it home for ourselves and ACU.” The Wildcats return to action this weekend, Oct. 22 to 23, for the Bruce Williams Memorial in San Antonio. contact zepeda at djz11a@acu.edu
volleyball
LSC powerhouse teams pose threat brittney Johnson sports reporter
curtis christian Staff Photographer
Outside hitter Madelyn Robinett springs up for a serve.
Coming off of an emotional victory against West Texas A&M (3-0) last weekend, the Wildcats are now preparing to go up against the toughest teams in the conference, Angelo State (18-3) and Tarleton State (16-5). “Both of them are going to push us,” said head coach Kellen Mock. “We are really going to have to work well as a team to overcome their strengths and be able to highlight our own.” The team hopes to carry their momentum and confidence from last week’s victory into this week’s battle. Confidence is something that senior Kalynne Allen, middle blocker, has been focusing on. “We are trying to build the confidence of the freshmen up,” Allen said. “The
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We are trying to build the confidence of the freshmen up. The days we can get them to believe that they are good, are the days we’re usually successful.”
days we can get them to believe that they are that good, are the days we’re usually successful.” The outcome of the matches this weekend will play a large role in determining if the ‘Cats go to the playoffs. “We have to play the game, play as hard as we can, hopefully win and then win or lose, let it go and move on,” Coach Mock said. The ‘Cats have seven more games, including matches between Texas Woman’s and Texas A&M Kingsville, before the conference tournament.
Kalynne allen middle blocker acu volleyball
Things are looking up for the team, especially with not one, but two players of the week on the court this weekend, Jennifer Loerch, co-offensive player of the week and Sarah Siemens, setter of the week. Head Coach Mock is confident and looking forward to this weekend. “Its our team stepping up, taking care of business and playing ACU volleyball,” Mock said. “If we do that we should get a win.” contact johnson at baj12a@acu.edu
Houston Texans safety Danieal Manning recorded six total tackles against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. He had five solo tackles and one assist. The Texans lost 42-24. St. Louis Rams running back Daryl Richardson had 76 rushing yards on 11 carries in a 14-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday. He also had two receptions for 23 yards.
Upcoming Football hosts Midwestern State University on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. for homecoming. Soccer hosts Texas A&M UniversityCommerce and Texas Woman’s University this weekend. The Commerce game is at 4 p.m. on Friday and the TWU match is at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The volleyball team will travel to Angelo State University and Tarleton State University this weekend. The Angelo match is at 7 p.m. on Friday, while the TSU match is on Saturday at 1 p.m. The men’s and women’s cross country teams travel to Lawton, Okla. for the Lone Star Conference Championship. The meet starts Saturday. .
homecoming Queens
Josh Garcia Staff reporter
2012 Becca Clay Speech Pathology major from Salt Lake City
Leigh Foith Ad/PR major from Plano
Sarah Miller Accounting major from Irving
Jocelyn Groves
Sarah Kelly
Biology major from Lubbock
Ad/PR Major from San Antonio
Bethany Morgan Ad/PR major from Nocona
2B
King of Campus Court to ring first bell
Homecoming Voting for the 10 Homecoming Queen candidates ended last Friday. The winner of the crown will be announced during halftime of the football game. The game, against Midwestern State University, will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Shotwell Stadium.
Friday 10.19.12
Erica Porter Kinesiology and Nutrition major from Kerrville
An old ACU tradition is set to be reignited Friday after Chapel as the resounding clang of a bell honors Homecoming once again. In 1980, Mrs. B.C. Freddie Goetz Goodpasture, Mandy Goetz Myers and Marky Goetz Pace donated a locomotive bell to ACU in memory of Fremont Goetz. The bell, cast in 1895, was incorporated into a monument presented by the class of 1980 in honor of Garvin V. Beauchamp, who served as dean, vice president and coach of an undefeated football team. Bell-ringing has always been a feature of life on campus, but on Homecoming weekend, ringing the Goetz-Beauchamp bell was a tradition in and of itself. Following Chapel on the Friday of Homecoming, freshmen were responsible for ringing the bell continuously until the game on Saturday. Sophomores, juniors and seniors would attempt to stop the freshmen from ringing the bell through horseplay and roughhousing, sometimes in the name of pledging. The tradition continued through the 90s, but the class rivalries escalated. Samantha Adkins, senior alumni relations officer, said after one violent in-
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If any upperclassmen do anything to try and deter them from ringing the bell, there will be some pretty staunch consequences.”
cident, a student was left with a broken nose. Ultimately, the bell was removed. “ACU Campus Police just felt that it was time to stop,” said Adkins. “There was a lot of concern about other future injuries.” The monument is still standing today, located between the Money Student Wellness and Center and the McGlothlin Campus Center. The Goetz-Beauchamp bell was restored to the monument this year by Physical Resources after it was found in storage. With the new tradition of the King of Campus Court, Zack Morgan and the Student Alumni Association saw an opportunity to give would-be Homecoming kings a greater role on campus by reviving an old tradition. “Winning has to mean something,” said Morgan, senior biology major from Keller. “When we found out the bell was back, we thought it would be a great opportunity to help reshape a tradition that had gone a little awry.” The modified tradition
zack morgan senior biology major from keller
will still begin after Homecoming weekend’s Friday Chapel, but the newly appointed King of Campus Court will be responsible for ringing the bell initially before turning it over to the freshman class. The bell will be rung continuously by cycles of freshmen until Saturday’s game–with no chance of upperclassmen interference. “If any upperclassmen do anything to try and deter them from ringing the bell, there will be some pretty staunch consequences,” said Morgan. Morgan said ringing the bell will make the King of Campus Court more relevant to Homecoming weekend. The King will also be leading the Homecoming parade. “I think a lot of seniors will feel like they maybe missed out,” said Morgan. “Hopefully juniors and sophomores will be excited about getting the opportunity in the coming years.”
contact garcia at jtg10b@acu.edu
homecoming
Theme: Students to compete in parade ward to Saturday when the float is finished and on pathology major from Cor- display for the parade. pus Christi. “There is so “The most rewarding much you can do with it, part of this process will and it has provided a great be seeing the result of all opportunity to really show of the hard work GATA pride for everything that and the Flames have put embodies ACU.” into our float on Saturday Flournoy is looking for- morning,” Flournoy said. Continued from page 1A
Mary Shive
Ali Wren
Suzanne Zeller
Speech Pathology major from Fort Worth
Speech Pathology major from Arlington
Family Studies major from Abilene
“Everyone has so much pride for this club and for our theme, so seeing everything come together will be so much fun.”
contact the Schaffner at als09d@acu.edu
3B
homecoming
Friday 10.19.12
homecoming
JMC alumni honored at Gutenberg dinner marissa jones Managing Editor The JMC Gutenberg Celebration recognized its 20th anniversary by honoring three distinguished alumni on Thursday night. Victoria Ahlén (’98), Lovey Chin (’00) and Tracey Ferguson (’93) received the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication’s Gutenberg Award to celebrate their outstanding professional achievements. Ahlén, CEO of Awoque, a social media agency in Sweden, said she is passionate about telling people’s stories. She is known as a leader in the use of social media. During the World Transplant Games of 2011, Ahlén posted videos online of hundreds of stories of athletes who had received organ transplants in order to increase awareness for organ donations.
“Thank you for this award,” Ahlén said. “I am grateful from the bottom of my heart. Here I am thousands of thousands of miles away from you and you’ve noticed me. Without you I wouldn’t be standing here.” Chin serves as the vice managing director of global marketing for the Lotte Group in South Korea. She has previously worked for J. Walter Thompson, General Electric and MTV Asia. Chin thanked the JMC faculty and staff for being supportive, equipping her with skills crucial in her work and shaping her into the person she is today. Ferguson, founder and editor in chief of Jones Magazine, stars in the reality TV show Keeping Up with the Joneses and is a fashion icon in Houston. She said ACU gave her a foundation she could always go back to when tragedy or success occurred.
“I wasn’t only prepared to write and to edit,” Ferguson said. “I was prepared to tackle tough issues, to be able to speak my mind and to stand on Christian values.” This year, the dinner was changed to allow students and faculty a better chance to connect with alumni. Instead of sitting at tables, attendees were served heavy hors d’oueveres and encouraged to mingle before the awards ceremony. Dr. Cheryl Mann Bacon, chair of the department, conducted the ceremony and was impressed with the honorees. “We wanted the 20th year to be really good, and Melissa Long Staff Photographer I think we achieved that,” Bacon said. “I’m really just Dr. Cheryl Mann Bacon and alumnus Lovey Chin pose with Chin’s Gutenberg award. blown away by the things you have all said and the things that you’re doing.” contact Jones at mnj10a@acu.edu
Homecoming Schedule Friday 9:30 a.m.Homecoming Golf Classic-Diamondback Golf Club 11 Chapel-Moody Coliseum 3 p.m. Queen’s Tea-Lobby of Williams Performing Arts Center 5 Homecoming Carnival-North lawn Williams Performing Arts Center 5 Sing Song Ticket Sales-McGothlin Campus Center 5:30 Miscellaneous Events-various locations 6 JamFest-East lawn of Hunter Welcome Center 8 Homecoming Musical: 42nd Street-Abilene Civic Center 8 Fireworks-East lawn of Hunter Welcome Center
Saturday 6 a.m. 8 9:30 10:45 11:30 2 p.m. 6 8 8
Social Club Breakfast-various locations Academic Alumni Receptions-various locations Homecoming Parade-East North 16th Street and Campus Ct. Homecoming Chapel-Moody Coliseum Academic Alumni Receptions-various locations Homecoming Football: ACU vs. Midwestern State-Shotwell Stadium Reunion Events-various locations Homecoming Musical: 42nd Street-Abilene Civic Center Reunion Concert and Dessert
Sunday 2 p.m. Homecoming Musical: 42nd Street-Abilene Civic Center
NEWS STORIES AVAILABLE ONLINE Business Services dispels rumors that the Den could close soon Intramurals beginning new seasons in indoor soccer, bowling and volleyball UP conducts Safety Week, demonstrates proper use of fire extinguishers and engraving cellphones New Triathlon Club elects president Ag Department conducting dance lessons Engineering Department undergoing introductory semester Dean of students discusses religous future of the university with the Students’ Association Sing Song tickets now available for purchase Annual Chemistry Circus to attract alumni on campus for Homecoming Environmentalists pushing for more recycling on campus
GO TO ACUOPTIMIST.COM
Opinion
FRIDAY 10.19.12
4B
POLITICAL
PEOPLE
With a few debates in the bag and the election three weeks away, the members of the Editorial Board get a chance to share their individual opinions.
Politics requires compromise Voter priorities WOAH! IS ME DAVID SINGER
The last time we had a president who didn’t associate himself with a party was 1776, when George Washington was awarded the position. Since then, voters have slowly become more focused on a candidate’s attachment to political parties rather than political platforms. If you’ve ever told yourself that you completely agree with either party on every issue, you are either drastically uniformed or truly blinded by political bias.
tion a decision between the lesser of two evils, it is not that. It is, however, a compromise. If you approach the election as a series of decisions regarding specific issues, you will quickly realize that some of your views lean Democratic and others Re-
We are fed caricatures of the candidates that distract We are fed caricatures us from how similar they are. Despite the concept of of the candidates that Romney as a disconnected distract us from how elitist and Obama as a man of the people (an image that, similar they are.” along with his strong speaking skills, got him elected in 2008), what we’ve really got is two lifetime politicians with law degrees from Harvard who are worth more publican. You’ll also realize money than most of us will how similar the two candiever make. dates are in many areas. While many call the elecAs we approach Election
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Day, voters have the responsibility of not only learning the candidates specific stances on certain issues, but also deciding which of these issues are the most important to them. Personally, while I am beginning to lean a certain way, I have yet to dedicate my vote to either candidate. I’ve come to accept that I probably won’t make a truly informed decision until 2016 or even 2020. But by November 6, I will have a candidate I am knowledgeable about and can stand next to on the issues I think are the most important.
contact SINGER at dis08b@acu.edu
Issues over ‘left’ or ‘right’ CALL ME, MAYBE
LINDSAY PALMER
Politics is something that we can never escape. It is always around us. Some of us just accept what we hear. Instead of actually looking deeper at the candidates and researching what they believe, we make up our minds on who we are voting for purely on what we hear about them from oth-
ers. When I was younger I was one of those people. I would just accept what was told to me, without researching if it was true or if it was logical. This is still something that I feel is sometimes true when it comes to politics: people care more about if the candidate is “Right” or “Left”
instead of what’s right and wrong. It is for these reasons that I take issues I feel strongly about such as terrorism, immigration, debt, health care and social security and compare what the candidates believe. I then choose which side I will support. When people ask me which candidate I plan to vote for and if I like the left or the right more, I tell them I don’t really care for politics. What I do care about is what is right and what is wrong. I look at my values and
I know that I don’t support abortion, the way healthcare has been changed or the war on terrorism. I also believe that we should create a competitive environment for businesses. These are just some of the things that I believe are right and wrong. I will choose which candidate to vote for based on how well they line up with my views on these issues.
contact PALMER at lsp10b@acu.edu
need changing CULTURAL VAGABONDAGE CLICHÉ SAMANTHA SUTHERLAND
There are many factors that go into picking a favorite candidate for presidency – or at least there should be. For some it’s as simple as picking a donkey or an elephant. For others that invest more time learning about the candidates and their stances, there is more consideration involved.
such as corporal punishment, foreign policy, debt problems and preserving national parks. It is easy for many individuals to get lost in the fun of competition, especially if candidates are willing to put on a good show. Yet, these elections hold an incredible amount of power for our country. There are many issues It is easy for many that are not highlighted individuals to get lost by the media, seen in in the fun of competition.” campaign ads or questioned in public debates that can be transformational to the way our country operates. Just because these decisions aren’t featured on The However, there may need Colbert Report, doesn’t to be some rearranging mean they aren’t imporon the public’s priority tant. Candidates should list. be analyzed thoroughly, The Big Bird argu- in more areas than are ments and attacks, while currently emphasized, funny, are prime exam- so voters can be certain ples of this need for revi- they picked a presidential sion. Time spent arguing candidate that can make about PBS is time that is wise decisions regarding not spent highlighting all issues. more important issues. There are a range of contact sutherland at topics that candidates sns08a@acu.edu take public stances on,
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Election is a choice between two evils more time arguing one miniscule point than covering the issues that ONES AND ZEROS voters would like to hear BLANE SINGLETARY about. Campaigning has been more focused on attacking the other, sometimes If there’s one thing I have We’ve seen in the de- on some of the most trivto say about both the Re- bates in recent weeks ial aspects (see Big Bird), publican and the Demo- that both of them have no rather than saying what cratic candidate in this desire to work together. they could do to make election, it is that both They talked over each this nation better. of them are equally... other, and the debate Many people I’ve talkdreadful. moderator, and spent ed to share my strong
discontent with both leading candidates and say that they’re voting for one because it is the “lesser of two evils.” This is not a smart way to vote. I did my research, and looked over all of the candidate’s platforms, not just Democratic and Republican, and found that I align most with Gary Johnson, the Libertarian candidate. For the most part, I
OPINIONS FROM THE ARCHIVES Columns and cartoons from the past give look into previous presidential elections Nov. 8, 1996
NATHAN WILLIS
agree on his plans for the future of energy production, the economy and his ideas about how involved the U.S. should be in foreign affairs. In short, he’s the first person in this election I can feel good about voting for. While it is unlikely that Johnson will win this election, it is very possible that he will at least send a message this November: America should
not be limited to two choices. I encourage everyone to do their own research and find the candidate they can truly feel good about voting for as well.
contact singletary at sbs07a@acu.edu
COLUMN
Election reminds us not to assume Originally published Nov. 10, for Al Gore. 2000 by Michael Hagerty, FeaNot everyone at ACU is tures Editor. a member of the Church of Christ. Not everyone here We’ll see you at the victory is even a Christian. Not evparty. eryone here is a Republican. Those words, roughly Most of us know these things, paraphrased, were part of a but an occassional reminder Chapel announcement on is healthy for everyone on Monday, made with the as- campus - including me. sumption that the outcome I can think of several Demof the presidential election ocrats on campus - not just was obvious - Bush would students. This school, which win. Those words also as- loves to celebrate its diversity, sumed everyone on campus should also remember that obviously agreed. the political views of its memAs everyone knows, the bers are just as diverse as the only obvious thing about color of their skin. And when the election was that it hap- I say “school” I am thinking pened. (Well, it was also obvi- mainly of students. ous what happens when Dan I realize that everyone’s Rather stays up way past his entitled to his or her opinbedtime.) ion - even the person who in Bush had not won yet as of Chapel on Monday assumed Wednesday and neither had Bush would win and that evGore. Regardless, I kept hear- eryone in the room shared his ing statements that assumed opinion. everyone at ACU voted for Thankfully, many people Bush. Not true. recognize other people’s I always heard that one views. They don’t assume evshould never assume. AS a eryone agrees with them. wise and mildly clever perAssuming is like asking son once said, “It makes an a girl with a tummy if she is idiot out of you and me.” Of pregnant. course, idiot is not quite as If she is, you lucked out. strong a word as he used. If she’s not, you’ve offended Nonetheless, don’t as- her. sume everyone here is a Republican. I am not trying to contact the optimist at attack Republicans. I voted, jmcnetwork@acu.edu and let’s just say I didn’t vote
5B
opinion
FRIDAY 10.19.12
Care, attention bring decision
EVAN’s marks
evan marks
DISTURBANCE IN THE FORCE MELANY COX
During a recent outing with my family we ended up discussing the upcoming presidential election. I heard one of them say that the only way we will ever accomplish anything is if Republicans and Democrats work together. Even George Washington himself warned us about dividing into political parties. I dislike talking about politics because it leads to an argument no one can win. But we can’t ignore it. We can’t block it out. The future of America’s next four years is about to be decided. How can we ignore that? At first, I wasn’t fond of either of the candidates. But as I paid more attention, they both started to grow on me and I began to form a decision. Obama has done some great things with his
presidency. It was under his administration that Osama bin Ladin was killed. He’s also done some pretty lousy things that I don’t agree with. I don’t agree with Obamacare and I don’t believe situations in the Middle East were handled correctly. Romney on the other hand, needs to work on his foreign policy. But I believe he has good intentions for America and the debates have shown he knows what’s up. I’ve heard people say it doesn’t matter who’s elected. Wrong. It does matter. And to whoever is elected: it’s time for a change.
contact cox at mkc09b@acu.edu
Spin doctors for president THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID
MARISSA JONES
I don’t pretend to be an expert on politics. I’m pretty ignorant and apathetic like most college students. But I think the reason I’m so disenchanted with it all is because what I want is honesty. Transparency. I want candidates to be utterly truthful to us. And I’m just not seeing that happen. During the debates, several websites fact check what the candidates say. It was surprisingly frequent how many times the websites found a candidate spun or ignored the truth. Romney cherry-picked his numbers when talking about oil production. Obama claimed Romney said something he never did. Romney did the same thing to Obama. Then there was that whole binder thing. I’m tired of half-truths. Many times the candidates just look like that girl in middle school who would say anything to get the other kids to like her. But this middle school
Can’t we all just get along? WELL, THIS IS AWKWARD MARK SMITH
I’m not a Democrat. Or Republican. I think politicians are overpaid and don’t fulfill their promises. Instead of watching the debates and the candidate’s inspirational promotional videos, I prefer to watch the Bad Lip Reading versions of these videos on Youtube. I don’t agree with President Obama about a lot of his political agendas and views. I don’t think I like Obamacare, but, like Congress, I haven’t read it all so I guess I can’t say
girl has a paid campaign manager telling her how to be cool. Are we voting for a politician but electing his campaign manager? It’s impossible to know what a candidate will actually do if elected. The problem is so many empty promises are made that can’t be fulfilled. We allot more power to the presi- 1:47 p.m. Oct. 12 dent than the position en- I just watched the first titles them to. presidential debate I would really appreciate from last week. Politics it if a candidate stood up are frustrating. and said this: “Citizens of America, in reality, I actually have very @drewdixon little control over the economy or the policies made to control the economy.” 4:54 p.m. Oct. 13 That sure would be re- I would really like to freshing. be at home in Austin What we really need is for #ACL right now, a president like the one in but home in Abilene at Independence Day. He was #ACU is a close pretty awesome. second, right?
for sure. Unlike Obama, I’m not pro-choice and the nation’s debt has only gotten worse since he’s been in office. His political experience before being elected is short. However, I do respect him. The president of the United States is called the most powerful job in the world for a reason. Whether I agree with his politics or not, Obama was elected to the position. He’s the boss. So it bothers me when
hashtagACU
contact JONES at mnj10a@acu.edu
@reilz_cox
I see bumper stickers that say “Obama Sucks” or “Worst President Ever,” using Obama’s campaign symbol as the “o”. A quick Internet search will reveal the multitude of “I Hate Obama” Facebook pages.
es more negative results than positive. Should Mitt Romney win, I will respect him just the same. I don’t agree with all of his politics or all of his ideas either, but he will have earned the job and my respect. I hope Joe Biden reads Public, blatant disreHis disrespect for spect for our president this. Paul Ryan during their produces more negative debate was laughable results than positive.” (Ha). I care about the issues. Probably not as passionately as many, but I do. I think, however, though respect isn’t a political isFreedom of speech is sue, it’s an important and important. The American all-too-absent element of people have the freedom politics. to disagree with the government. However, the contact SMITH at public, blatant disrespect mDS10a@acu.edu for our president produc-
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2:07 p.m. Oct. 18
@MaxLucado Any chance you’ll be attending ACU Homecoming this weekend? The men of Galaxy would love to see you at Homecoming Breakfast.
2:24 p.m. Oct. 17
If I had a dime for every time I was misquoted in The Optimist, I would have exactly thirty cents.
@blainesmith1
@Lincoln_Woods
8:42 p.m. Oct. 18
I think my life will be 10 times easier when I’m surrounded around Christian students at a school. #ACU
@AshNicoleGarcia
9:34 p.m. Oct. 16
Fun game to play no matter what your politics. Watch the individuals in the #debate audience and guess who you think they are voting for.
@Stormented
1:32 p.m. Oct. 18
Nothing amps up my school spirit quite like purple ribbons on traffic signs. #ACU #homecoming
7:18 p.m. Oct. 18
Trying to fit into targets maternity clothes cause they’re so dang cute.
@MichaelMcKiss
@hollyyyholmes
COLUMN
Election brings to head many needed revisions Originally published Nov. A slightly larger group 11, 1960 by Lynn Coleman, of individuals has had its Optimist Political Writer. faith in the fundamental intelligence of the body Time wise it is early politic rekindled. It is also Wednesday morning; possible that this group is sleepwise it is late, late exhibiting a fleeting fareTuesday night. We have well smirk for the order been at it for some time that was. now attentively following This contest has been the election returns. a milestone among PresiIt looks as if Senator dential elections. The Kennedy will take office best and the worst of pocome January 20, as he litical traditions have behas racked up an impres- come prevalent during sive electoral total. We the course of the past few surmise that a sizeable months. segment of the populace It is entirely likely that will be shaking their col- the general public was exlective head and wonder- posed to a greater opporing whatever happened tunity for enlightenment to the good sense of the than in any other previelectorate. ous campaign. The T.V.
debates, though proving a political liability for Mr. Nixon have certainly been an asset to informing the public on the crucial issues of the campaign. The length of the campaign coupled with the youthful vitality of the contenders has made the campaign the most spectacular in our history. But dragging out the campaign over many months (Kennedy has been going full blast since January) has a taxing effect on the candidates, their effectiveness, and the observing public as the campaign enters its final stages just before the election date.
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
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The acrimonious aspects of this campaign have been particularly displeasing. The struggle not only involved the usual innuendos and slanderous accusations, but the
Our election night hope is that rationality will dispel the presently dominant feelings with all due haste. To our surprise, Texas wound up in the Kennedy column. Wonder how This contest has been a come? For one thing, LBJ milestone among Presi- stumped the state during the last few days; and dential elections.” another thing, the Dallas crowd which heckled Johnson last Friday received heavy criticism from the press, and the Republicans were successfully blamed, rightly race was further compli- or wrongly. cated by the bitter and Professional observers unseemly application of say that Kennedy successthe religious issue by both fully captured the imagisides. nation of the people. This
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seems true. In our view, for a Democrat to be successful he must be liberal, must appeal to the highest hopes and motives of men. His appeal must also be assisted by a set of circumstances which induce unrest, reflection, and receptiveness to new ideas. Apprehension over economic prospects and the overall position of the U.S. vis-a-vis the Soviet Union supplied the necessary circumstances. Kennedy supplied the liberalism.
contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
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news
Friday 10.19.12
6B
admission
Process looking to change, improve Students adapting to tweaking of Presidential Scholarship interviews mark smith editor in chief Hannah Anderson didn’t know if she could attend ACU because of the cost. She spent her senior year
of high school trying to find scholarships, and thought she had found the answer when she was invited to interview to be a Presidential Scholar, which could mean as much as a full scholarship to the university.
She had the grades, the test scores and the service she thought would give her an edge. So she traveled the 300 miles from her home in La Vernia, a small town east of San Antonio, to campus for the interview. “They asked a lot about service, cultural interactions and my passions,” Anderson said. “I talked about my involvement with church and mission work and volunteering in nurseries. I was involved in theater in school, I was vice president of my honor society and I was a girl scout for 10 years. I was fourth in my class.” But she didn’t get the scholarship. Like Anderson, the vast majority of prospective students who interview for a Presidential Scholarship receive no funding from that program. And the university is continually tweaking its method of selecting recipients. The Office of Admissions selects about 300 high school seniors to interview for a Presidential Scholarship each year. Of those, 40 students, fewer than 15 percent of those who interview, will receive a half, three-quarters or full-tuition scholarships. Faculty and staff members conduct the interviews, structured to learn about the candidates’ leadership and character qualities. Officials acknowledge the interview process for the Presidential Scholarships isn’t intended to be completely objective, which some students find disappointing or frustrating because one interviewer may receive a different impression from a candidate than another interviewer. Tamara Long, director of admissions, said candidates’ answers outweigh
their test scores. These answers, given in the interviews with two people employed by the university, are based around leadership, service and church involvement. The interview process now is different in most aspects than it was just a
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assistant director of alumni relations, being much more significant than the other. “One of her questions was if I had shared my faith with any of my friends,” Schmidt said. “I almost started crying because a few days before I had shared my faith with my
I’m more extroverted, and talking with one person would’ve been easier than two.”
hannah anderson freshman psychology major from La Vernia
few years ago; some of the changes began last year. In 2010, students knew whether they were eligible for either a half- or fulltuition scholarship, and a three-quarters option was not available. Now all the interviewing students are eligible for any of the three levels of scholarship. “It lets us have more money to spread out to more students,” Long said. In the past, students were also required to write on-the-spot essays. “We’ve started counting the writing section in the SAT and ACT scores instead,” Long said. “We knew it was very stressful for the students to write them and grading was a challenge because they were handwritten.” Candidates were also required to answer questions in two one-on-one interviews rather than one interview with two people. “The one-on-one interview didn’t necessarily set up all students to share openly, but it did help a student who was naturally more extroverted,” Long said. “We felt moving toward a two-person, conversation-style interview would let us better identify all students we felt should be presidential scholars.” However, some students disagree about which format would be better. Jessica Schmidt, junior nursing major from Carlsbad, N.M., interviewed for the scholarship during her senior year of high school in 2010. She recalls her interview with Jama Cadle,
best friend throughout high school. He was not a believer and I had the chance to sit and talk with him for four hours about Christ and my belief.” Schmidt also talked about her accomplishments and abilities in both interviews, but this one stood out as more memorable for both of them. “When I was leaving the interview, she said she hoped her kids grew up to be as a good of a role model as I was,” Schmidt said. “I don’t remember much from the other interview because he asked me about my accomplishments, but she asked me about me.” Schmidt was awarded a full-tuition scholarship. She would not be able to be at ACU if she hadn’t. Schmidt said she liked the one-on-one interviews and would’ve found a twoon-one interview more intimidating and less conversational. Zach Carstens, freshman biblical text major from College Station, received the scholarship for threequarters of his tuition. He said he thinks he benefited from the new interview structure. “There were two people witnessing the interview so one person couldn’t skew the answers,” Carstens said. However, Anderson said she would’ve preferred the old method. “I’m more extroverted, and talking with one person would’ve been easier than two,” Anderson said. Long said the process isn’t supposed to be com-
pletely unbiased, but the two-on-one interview is supposed to make it less subjective. “Those two people are both hearing the same story and scoring it in their mind, and when that student leaves they can talk about what they heard to make sure they’re on the same page,” Long said. “Before, you may have scored students entirely differently than others and I don’t think it had the highest integrity for the fairness of the students. Interviewers now have someone to validate or challenge what they heard.” A recent change to scholarship recipients’ requirements is that they are no longer required to live on campus. Until last year, all new scholars would be required to either work in Residence Life or live in University Park Apartments. The Office of Admissions staff members expects the tweaking and changing to continue. “We’re always working to improve the process,” Long said. “I would hate to see it stay the same.” Long took the position of the director of admissions last year, but she’s led the Presidential Scholarships for four years. She said it isn’t a perfect system but is always trying to improve. “How do you perfectly pick the top 40 students to receive these scholarships?” Long said. “Probably everyone invited for the interviews qualify, but how do you pick the 40 most exceptional?” Fortunately for Anderson, she was able to secure outside scholarships and grants in addition to the standardized test-based scholarship she receives from ACU. Anderson, now a freshman psychology major, had to find a cashier job at McKay’s Bakery to help pay for school. “Money’s definitely an issue,” she said. “My parents are constantly on me to continue to apply for scholarships even though I’m already here.” contact Smith at mds10a@acu.edu
Homecoming
Debate: Dukes compete for student votes Continued from page 1A of an opportunity to see and get to know the personalities of the people they could end up voting for. Also, it’s going to be hilarious. I imagine the candidate able to garner the most laughs winning some serious votes tonight.” Around 40 students attended the duke jousting, making for a light-hearted atmosphere with much laughing. The officers of the Student Alumni Association gave the moderators a list of questions, but also played off the responses of the dukes. Pruitt, criminal justice and psychology major from Recife, Brazil and Duke of Teague, said he enjoyed participating, closing with remarks of a promise if elected King, he “will make sure Big Bird will keep his job.” “I guess I really didn’t hesitate because I went
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I guess I really didn’t hesitate because I went into this just focusing on having fun, and trying not to take it too seriously.” jonthan pruitt senior criminal justice and psychology major from Recife, Brazil
into this just focusing on having fun, and trying not to take it too seriously,” he said. No candidate was a clear winner, but each made a convincing campaign for their election as King of Campus Court. “All the contestants garnered lots of laughs, and were all-around entertaining throughout,” Morgan said. Immediately following the debate, online voting was made open to students until Thursday evening. The King will be announced and crowned during Chapel on Friday. “One thing we wanted to definitely avoid
in making this tradition was having just another homecoming king competition,” Morgan said. “I think that the debate gives an event like this a certain character and feel that distinguishes this title from traditional homecoming crownings. The King of Campus Court isn’t so much a position you win by doing a lot of community service and being a popular student. We want this competition to bring out individual personalities.”
contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
ag department
Medina: Students bond during first service project since crash that was cool because it was built on the land that the “It’s just great to see their ag department had cleared reaction and appreciation over the past few years.” and just knowing that you Ciufo said she enjoyed hopefully made a differ- being able to spend time ence.” with the students in her deCiufo said the home had partment, because they are dedicated a prayer room in so much like a family. their new chapel to Anabel “I’ve just really had a Reid, the student who died shift in perspective in the in last year’s accident. importance of things,” Ci“The chapel had just ufo said. “I learned to never been built,” Ciufo said. “And take people and relationContinued from page 1A
ships for granted and to really invest time in people and helping them, talking to them and getting to know them. God is in control of everything and if you rely on Him, even when things don’t seem good, they will be good in the long run.”
contact Sutherland at sns08a@acu.edu
7B
sports
friday 10.19.12
ACU (4-3) vs. #12 Midwestern State (5-1)
Game Preview
Offense MSU
Intangibles ACU
Defense MSU PICK:
PICK:
PICK:
One year ago, Midwestern State hung 70 points on the ACU defense, and ran for over 440 yards. No, that is not a typo. Dual threat quarterback Brandon Kelsey has rushed for over 100 yards in back to back games, and they have plenty of
For Midwestern State, defensive back Nelko Conway has been a game breaker this season, picking off three passes and recovering a fumble. Talyon Jackson is the team’s biggest hitter, forcing a couple fumbles so far this season and leading
It is Homecoming week, and the Wildcats will be fired up and ready to put last week’s poor performance behind them in front of a large crowd. The ‘Cats will also have revenge on their mind after last season’s lopsided loss to MSU.
other horses in the backfield as well. ACU was shut out for the first time in over a decade last week, but they should be able to bounce back in front of the big Homecoming crowd. However, quarterback Mitchell Gale was sacked for the 100th time in his career last week, and will probably get hit a bunch again this week. The Widlcats skill position players are still dangerous, and will be able to make some big plays on a MSU defense that is not the same caliber as WT was last Saturday.
MSU in tackles. For ACU, stopping the running game has been a strength for the team so far, but they have five linebackers that are done for the season. Linebacker Thor Woerner is also dealing with a high ankle sprain, but the Wildcats cannot afford to have him off the field. L.B. Suggs will be under an immense amount of pressure to slow down a talented running attack and fufill his responsiblities in the passing game.
On top of that, seniors Mitchell Gale, L.B. Suggs and company will want to secure a victory in their last Homecoming game, and will make sure that both the offense and the defense are ready to play. MSU may be looking past this weekend and on to Caynon, where the LSC championship will be on the line against WT. Tomorrow could be a trap game for the MSU Mustangs.
Edward Isaacs
Taylor Langston
Matthew Sloan
Daniel Zepeda
After last week’s devastating 36-0 loss to rival West Texas A&M, the Wildcats are returning to Shotwell desperate for a win. Midwestern State has a very talented team this year and may have an edge over ACU. But if the ‘Cats can pull off a win in front of the Homecoming crowd, it could make for a very exciting, close game.
The ‘Cats had one of the roughest games in recent memory last weekend. After getting shut out 36-0, ACU is looking for a shot in the arm. Traveling back home for Homecoming could be the boost the team needs. I think the Wildcats will keep it close but MSU will score late and get the win.
ACU is now facing more adversity than ever. They are going up against a team that is second in the LSC with a lone conference loss and a returning stud at quarterback to boot. I hate to diss my boys, but I think the momentum pendulum couldn’t be swinging any farther from us.
After a bad showing last week, ACU will come out motivated to bounce back against MSU. Unfortunately, the Mustangs have too much on the line to lose this weekend, and with the injuries at linebacker reaching an all time high, the ‘Cats may not be able to slow down the Mustangs potent rushing attack.
After getting shut out last week, Wildcat nation is desperate for a Homecoming game win. But of all the teams to face, we get MSU. Their QB can run just as well as he throws and he leads their high powered offense. Only way ACU comes away with a win is in a shootout, but even that is unlikely. Looks like a notso-happy Homecoming.
Pick: MSU 21-17
Pick: MSU 28-21
Pick: MSU 24-14
Pick: MSU 34-24
Pick: MSU 35-28
Natalie Goin
Ken Collums show continues this Saturday The Ken Collums Show will air at 10:30 a.m. this Saturday on KTXS. The show runs every Saturday during the football season at 10:30 a.m.
athletics
Wally: Bullington still serves role at ACU from page 1b weighing over 240 pounds. The Wildcats played in the Texas Conference, part of both the NAIA and NCAA divisions, while Bullington attended school. They became independent in 1954-55 then moved to the Gulf Coast Conference in 1955-57. “We had some outstanding players,” Bullington said. “We had a few of the World War II veterans coming back to school. Our running back, Bailey Woods, doubled in track as a sprinter. We had one of the best quarterbacks in the southwest, Ted Sitton. He was a threat running the option as well as throwing the ball.”
Sitton went on to become an ACU assistant and head coach. “A Division I school could play anyone in those days,” Bullington said. “Over the years we played Florida State, Fresno State, Arizona State and Texas Tech.” “I loved coaching,” he said. “If I was going to change anything looking back, I would have kept coaching.” Bullington led ACU to its first NAIA Division I national championship and coached six first team allAmerica players including Montgomery. In 1969, Bullington became athletic director for ACU and oversaw one of the biggest transitions in Wildcat athletic history, the move
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I look at him like the godfather of ACU athletics. His wisdom and insight has been invaluable to us.”
from NAIA to NCAA Division II. The school made the jump from the Southland Conference to where it is now, the Lone Star Conference. “The Southland was a good conference,” he said. “We felt like the NCAA was a better fit for ACU athletically and academically than the NAIA was.” Much of the same thought process went into the recent decision to
jared mosley athletic director acu sports
move to Division I. Bullington said the academic standards are much higher in Div. I, a major reason the University decided to act on this opportunity. “There has always been a desire to keep our athletic mission and identity aligned with the greater institution,” Mosley said. Mosley said Bullington was not directly involved in the decision. However, Bullington fully supported
the jump after studying the effects it would have. He weighed the decision from both an athletic standpoint and the effect on the school as a whole. He thinks it is possibly the biggest athletic move in ACU’s history. “He’ll certainly be utilized moving forward to help build bridges and raise money,” Mosley said. Ten years from now, Bullington hopes the university will have an oncampus stadium for the football team. Shotwell will never exclusively be ACU’s stadium since it is owned by the Abilene school district. “My dream is that by then we will be competitive in all sports,” Bul-
lington said. “I can see us winning championships because we’ve competed with some of these teams in the past.” After pausing for a moment, he laughs, “I’d like to see some banners in Moody saying ‘Southland Conference Championship’ and I’d love to be wearing a ring from a national championship or two.” “There’s no way to capture everything he’s done for ACU or our athletic program,” Mosley said. “I look at him like the godfather of ACU athletics. His wisdom and insight has been invaluable to us.” contact isaacs at jei08a@acu.edu
sports
friday 10.19.12
8b
football
Just a football player? That’s Hogg wash matthew sloan sports reporter Darian Hogg is known around the Big Country as a blue-collar wide receiver for Abilene Christian University. But Hogg is more than a dual sport athlete. “Darian goes over the middle and makes tough catches,” quarterback Mitchell Gale said. “He blocks punts and he is a very hard worker.” Hogg grew up in Arlington, and his father is a constant source of motivation in his life as a student as well as an athlete. “My family has been a huge influence on my life, and my dad is my hero, to
this day,” Hogg said. “He always took care of me growing up, and he doesn’t expect anything less than me graduating. I do that for him. It’s his goal that he wants to see lived out, so I am going to make it happen.” His football career comes from humble beginnings, as a flag football player at a local YMCA, but he quickly became a division-one caliber player, and wanted to fulfill his childhood dream of dawning the blue and white of the Air Force Academy. “Since I was four years old, my dream was to be an air force pilot, and the asthma shot that down,” Hogg said. “But this is my fourth year at
ACU, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else.” As a criminal justice major, he has dreams of a future that involves him serving and improving the lives of those around him. “I want to get my masters in criminal justice, and either apply for a police academy and be a peace officer or join a SWAT team or something like that,” Hogg said. “Just something to help people, that is kind of how I have always been.” Hogg also has a lighter side. He serves as the team barber, one of many ways he builds relationships with the guys he spends his entire college life with. “My roommate plays football, in the same posi-
tion group and we have the same major,” Hogg said. “Being on the football team, you have a lot more accountability. With football, you probably have ten good friends, and you still know everyone on the team.” So when he is crackblocking safeties and catching touchdown passes, it is easy for ACU football fans to only appreciate big plays by “number 47,” but it is the man inside the jersey that will live on when his football days are behind him. To watch a video about Hogg, visit acuoptimist.com contact sloan at mes11a@acu.edu
mandy lambright chief Photographer
Wide receiver Darian Hogg cuts another player’s hair.
cross country
‘Cats hope to bring home LSC title matthew sloan sports reporter The ACU cross country team is coming off a team victory at Midwestern State, and hopes to carry this momentum to Lawton, Okla. for the Lone Star Conference championship October 20th. First year head coach Chris Ward arrived on the scene a little late, but the team has continued to improve every week, and will have a chance to peak this weekend against the entire LSC. “It was an adjustment period for us on both sides,” Ward said. “It took about a month, but I think we came to a mutual agreement that if we both keep working hard, improvement is going to happen.” Last weekend, the men’s
team swept the podium in Wichita Falls, lead by Xavier King, with James Grantham finishing second. However, with the Lone Star conference championship on the line Saturday, the men’s team will need to put together another strong performance in order to qualify for the Division II South Central Regional Tournament in the beginning of November. Senior Alyse Goldsmith headlines the women’s squad and is looking for another shot at nationals. Meanwhile, Ayesha Rumble is coming off of a top-ten finish at Midwestern State and should have a chance to compete in regionals as well with another good performance over the weekend. “It would mean a lot to win an LSC title,” Goldsmith said. Neither Wildcat team has
been in a meet for a couple of weeks, so both teams should be itching to compete in Lawton on Saturday. “A lot of people see our sport as punishment,” Ward said. “These individuals like to run a lot, so that makes it fascinating, to watch people run four miles on the women’s side and six miles on the men’s side.” The men’s cross-country team had won 20 straight LSC titles before last season, when Eastern New Mexico stole the Wildcats bid for the championship. On the women’s side, Midwestern State has won the last four championships, while ACU had been on a sevenyear winning streak of their own before 2008. contact sloan at mes11a@acu.edu