acuoptimist.com
Optimist the
Small-Town Mystery, page 6
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Vol. 99, No. 35
1 section, 8 pages
FACULTY
Faculty approves changes to credit hour policy Jeff Craig
Managing Editor
The faculty has approved changes to university policy that reduces the number of hours students can transfer from other colleges. The new policy increases the number of hours students must take from ACU to graduate with a
degree from the university. Students will now be required to have earned at least 48 hours of credit from ACU to graduate, the old policy required only 32 hours of credit from the university. Dr. Kim Pamplin, chair of the Faculty Senate, said the new policy will enable the university to have a
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larger influence over students who graduate from the institution. A total of 76 faculty members affirmed the resolution; five did not affirm and 10 abstained. “Our policy says that if you want to graduate from ACU you need to have a minimum number of hours,” Pamplin, also chair of the Department
We want to have a little bit of ACU’s stamp on students before they graduate. DR. KIM PAMPLIN // chair of the Faculty Senate
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, said. “We want to have a little bit of ACU’s stamp on students before they graduate.”
The faculty also approved a referendum changing the number of transfer hours students can earn after they enroll at the
university. Enrolled students who have taken less than 30 hours from ACU will be allowed to earn 15 hours from other institutions. Students who have earned between 30 and 59 hours at ACU can now only earn 12 additional hours outside of ACU. Those see POLICIES page 4
More Bean for your Buck
panoramic by DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Students enjoy lunch in the Bean. To see the entire panoramic image, visit our Flickr site at www.flicker.com/acuoptimist.
Revamp of meal plan to change student dining options Linda Bailey Editor in Chief
The university is overhauling meal plans next semester in an effort to continue their goal of creating a premier dining program. The new plan will offer meal plans by the day instead of by the individual meal. Instead of having scheduled meal times, the Bean will operate from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and students can enter and eat as many times as they want for
the number of days the plan allows. However, students will only be able to use meal plans in the Bean and must use Bean Bucks in all other dining areas around campus. Anthony Williams, chief business services officer, said ACU Food Services will offer just two plans to next semester’s underclassmen. Plan A will offer seven days a week of unlimited access to the Bean with $200 Bean Bucks and Plan B will offer five days a week (Monday-Friday) of unlimited Bean access with $400 in Bean
Bucks. Both plans cost $2,300 per semester after taxes. Upperclassmen can also choose plans offering $400 or $600 in Bean Bucks or 120 or 90 days of eating in the Bean per semester. With the 120-day plan, students will receive $275 in Bean Bucks for around $1,230 including tax, and with the 90-day plan, students will receive $500 in Bean Bucks for the same price.
quick facts This semester’s top two meal plans: • Plan A: 21 meals per week, with $120 of Bean Bucks for about $2,381 each semester. • Plan B: 15 meals per week, with $120 of Bean Bucks for about $2,212 each semester. Next semester’s top two meal plans: • Plan A: Seven days per week unlimited access to the Bean with $200 in Bean Bucks for about $2,300 each semester. • Plan B: Five days per week unlimited access to the Bean with $400 in Bean Bucks for about $2,300 each semester.
see FOOD page 4
SOCIAL CLUBS
SING SONG
Students help Ukrainian ministry Parking presents pesky problems Bailey Griffith Copy Editor
A 6-year-old boy lives on the streets with his mother. She dies. The boy is then sent to live with his father, who wants nothing to do with his son. The father passes the boy off to his grandmother. After traveling 16 hours alone, he arrives at his drunken, abusive grandmother’s home. That is the reality for Artyum, a Ukrainian child supported by Jeremiah’s Hope through a program called the Sasha Project. The Sasha Project provides Ukrainian children with groceries, school sup-
plies and other necessities. According to their website, Jeremiah’s Hope is now serving over 60 children through this program. Jeremiah’s Hope also serves the children through village outreach, summer camps, orphanage outreach and a transitional home for children leaving the orphanage. Andrew Kelly, ACU alumnus, founded Jeremiah’s Hope in 2004. “We have kids who lived in a home who have been thrown out of second-story windows into dumpsters below on the ground floor, alive,” Kelly said. “They know that that’s their
news The Meek Blood Center is facing a blood shortage after winter weather caused four days without donations. page 3
Photos courtesy of JEREMIAH’S HOPE
A Ukrainian girl living in a hospital colors a card from ACU. background and they want to know, ‘What purpose do I have,’ so that allows us to really share who Jesus is and that your mother may have thrown you out of a window, but God is never
going to throw you out.” Multigenerational poverty runs rampant in the villages in which Jeremiah’s Hope team works. see UKRAINE page 4
website
inside feature ACU students have driven to Anson for several years trying to figure out the cause of its mysterious lights. page 5
away than in past years. “Obviously, it’s a challengPage 2 Editor ing year for parking across With Sing Song known to the board,” Craig said. Lieutenant H.E. Jenkins host thousands of guests, finding a parking space of the ACU Police Departmight be as competitive ment said he has one major piece of advice: Arrive early. as the actual show. “Plan to deal with conMoody Coliseum will be flooded with students, gestion and delays,” Jenparticipants, family mem- kins said. “It’s always a bers and out-of-towners, strain on our parking sysand each will have the tem to have so many peosame question as to where ple come at one time.” Jenkins said he encourto park their vehicle. Tom Craig, director of ages all drivers to be flexible student productions, said and patient. Depending on that although parking will be plenty, it might be farther see PATIENCE page 4
Christina Burch
weather videos Watch a Valentine’s Day video of local flower and candy vendors preparing for one of their busiest seasons.
Abilene Christian University
Wed.
77° 56°
Thurs.
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76° 49°
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Campus Wednesday, February 16, 2011
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Day
calendar & events Wednesday
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Thursday
11 a.m. Sing Song preview in Moody Coliseum
11 a.m. Small Group Chapels (locations vary across campus)
USAA on-campus interviews
7 p.m. Sing Song student discount night in Moody Coliseum (tickets are $5 at the door) 7:30 p.m. Eurydice in Fulks Theatre
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Friday
11 a.m. Praise Day led by alumnus Sam Souder in Moody Coliseum
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12 p.m. Softball Southeastern Oklahoma Crossover tournament vs. Washburn University in Durant 3 p.m. Baseball vs. East Central Oklahoma University 4 p.m. Softball Southeastern Oklahoma Crossover tournament vs. Henderson State University in Durant 7:30 p.m. Eurydice in Fulks Theatre 8 p.m. Sing Song in Moody Coliseum 9:30 p.m. Eurydice talk-back in Fulks Theatre
Saturday
10 a.m. Softball Southeastern Oklahoma Crossover tournament vs. Southern Arkansas University in Durant 12 p.m. Softball Southeastern Oklahoma Crossover tournament vs. University of NebraskaOmaha in Durant 1 p.m. Baseball vs. East Central Oklahoma University 2 p.m. Sing Song in Moody Coliseum 7 p.m. Women’s basketball at Eastern New Mexico University 7:30 p.m. Eurydice in Fulks Theatre 8 p.m. Sing Song in Moody Coliseum 9 p.m. Men’s basketball at Eastern New Mexico University
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volunteer opportunities The Dyess Youth Center needs help with a Ping Pong Exhibition from 4-6 p.m. every Friday. Volunteers will preside over tournaments and help with an exhibition for the students. Transportation will not be provided, and volunteers cannot have any sexual assault charges or charges pending. For more information, contact Sheri Frisby at 696-4797, or e-mail sheri. frisby@dyess.af.mil.
from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. or 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. For more information, contact Debby Lillick at 673-4586 or visit www.nccil.org.
boxes Monday-Thursday at any time. Volunteers should call ahead. Contact David Catalina at 676-9991 for more information.
The Center for Contemporary Arts needs a gallery assistant to help with exhibit setup and preparation. The work can be done any time from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Friday. Call 677-8389 or e-mail info@ center-arts.com.
Breakfast on Beech Street Students can help set up, prepare and serve breakfast for the homeless at First Christian Church on Third Street and Beech Street. Serving time is 6:30-7:15 a.m. on Monday-Friday. Visit www.fccabilene.com for more information.
International Rescue Committee Students can work with refugees who recently moved to the United States, teaching English, helping with homework and mentoring. Volunteer times are flexible. Call Daina JurykaOwen at 675-5643 ext. 16 to make an appointment. For more information on the International Rescue Committee, visit www.theirc.org.
The Salvation Army Volunteers are needed at the 1726 Butternut St. Salvation Army to sort and price items and help with kitchen or yard work. Volunteers are welcome any time Monday-Saturday. Contact J.D. Alonzo at 677-1408 or visit www.satruck. com for more information on the program.
National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature Students can greet patrons, assist with art activities, sell books and welcome visitors
Global Samaritan Resources Volunteers are needed to sort through clothing and repack
Betty Hardwick Center Volunteers are needed in several departments at the Betty Hardwick Center, specializing in mental health. Students can help mentally- and physicallychallenged people play games, run track and go bowling. Students can volunteer from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Monday-Friday. Contact Angel Seca at 6905235 for more information.
HERO Hendrick Equine Rehabilitation Opportunities needs volunteers from March 22-May 5 to help with its horse therapy program. Volunteers will walk or jog alongside horses and provide safety for clients as they ride. No horse experience is necessary. Volunteers must attend one of two training sessions offered prior to the beginning of the program. Contact Beth Byerly at 660-3465, or e-mail herocoord@netzero.com. Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver noon meals to seniors and adults with disabilities. Routes are available 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Monday-Friday. Volunteers must be at least 18, with a valid driver’s license, auto insurance and a desire to serve. Training is provided. Students may be exempted from one Chapel per week if delivery time conflicts with Chapel. Contact Samantha Barker at 672-5050 or sbarker@ mealsonwheelsplus.com.
about this page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@ jmcnetwork.com. To ensure an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days in advance. The Optimist may edit items for space and style. Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed on this page in a timely manner.
Chapel Checkup 22 51
Credited Chapels to date
Credited Chapels remaining
READ THE OPTIMIST ON YOUR iPad . iPhone . iPod announcements Online Summer Courses Registration opens Feb. 23 for online summer courses. Students can choose from 15 courses, and each course is three weeks long. For more information, visit www.acu.edu/ summeronline. Career Expo Current students and alumni have the opportunity to meet with employers from a variety of industries about potential full-time positions and internship opportunities from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Abilene Civic Center. The event offers résumé reviews and mock interviews. Professional attire is required. ACUltimate The university’s ultimate frisbee club meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Interested students can contact Kyle Thaxton at krt06d@acu.edu. Civil Rights Tour Students can receive academic credit during Summer Session I by joining the ACU Freedom Ride on May 15-21. The seven-day, 1,800-mile guided bus tour will visit significant sites of the American Civil Rights Movement. Registration begins Feb. 23. For more information, contact Dr. Richard Beck at beckr@acu.edu, Dr. Jennifer Dillman at jennifer.dillman@acu. edu, Dr. David Dillman at dillmand@acu.edu or an academic adviser. FilmFest Entry forms for the 2011 FilmFest can be found in McKinzie Hall, Room 122, at www.acu.edu/filmfest or acufilmfest.tumblr.com. GRE Prep Course Students interested in registering for the GRE prep course need to sign up by Feb. 18. The course is designed to help students learn test-taking strategies for the computer-adaptive GRE General Test. Students can become familiar with the exam and identify study needs through lab practice tests. Sessions are Mondays, 6:30-9 p.m. Feb.
21-March 28. For more information, visit www. acu.edu/pce. All-school Chapel The Chapel Office encourages students to participate in “Bring Your Professor to Chapel Day” and invite their professors to Chapel as a part of the campuswide effort to attend Chapel every Monday. Summit Art Contest ACU students can submit original artwork in the form of photography, drawings, paintings or other creations to visually communicate the theme of next fall’s Summit. Entries must be submitted digitally to summit@acu.edu by Feb. 15. The winner will receive $100, and his or her artwork will be used during Summit. For more information, contact the Ministry Events Office at 674-3750. ACU Connected Summit 2011 Steve Wozniak, cofounder of Apple, Inc., and the Rocketboys will be at the ACU Connected Summit at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28 in Moody Coliseum. Admission is free for all students, faculty and staff with a current ACU ID card. D!SCOVERY The Career Center is sponsoring a five-week workshop to help students decide, confirm or narrow their major and career choices. For more information, contact the Career Center at 674-2473 or visit www.acu.edu/careercenter. Springboard Ideas Challenge The mini-business plan competition offers students the opportunity to get their business up and running and the chance to win cash prizes. Students must register at www.acu.edu/ springboard by March 4 to compete. Viva Flamenco! The Spanish Flamenco concert will feature Ronald Radford at 2 p.m. on Feb. 20 at the Williams Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for regular admission.
CAMPUS NEWS
February 16, 2011
Page 3
SING SONG
Hotels report limited rooms for Sing Song Most hotels on the north side of town continue to Contributing Reporter accept reservations. “We still have 50 rooms While many local hotels are reporting no vacan- left for next weekend,” cies for Sing Song week- Justin Brumit, front office end, there are still rooms manager of Hilton Garden Inn said. to spare. When contacting hoIt’s not too late for alumni, parents and tels, ask about discounts friends to reserve a hotel for ACU-affiliated parents room for Sing Song 2011. and alumni. Whitten Inn Eyrah Quashie
offers a 25-percent discount to those affiliated with the university. “Yes, we do offer a discount and breakfast,” Sue Davis of Whitten Inn said. Students also may host a guest of the same gender who is above age 17 in their dorm room for up to two nights. Students are required to gain approval
and register all guests with their residence hall directors beforehand. All guests must register their vehicles with the ACU Police Department. Sing Song is one of the busiest weekends of the year for ACU students and guests. If the hotel is not a hop and skip away from the campus, remember
quick facts As of Tuesday, local hotels are reporting limited or no vacancies for Sing Song weekend. • Whitten Inn: Limited smoking rooms available • Holiday Inn Express: No vacancies • Residence Inn: Limited Vacancies Friday to allow time for travel and the influx of traffic for and parking. There will be Sing Song. less parking spaces available this year because of contact Quashie at construction on campus optimist@jmcnetwork.com
LOCAL
Abilene blood center reports serious shortages Samantha Sutherland Contributing Reporter
A four-day-long dry spell has left the Meek Blood Center with a shortage of blood. Frances Baker, Donor Recruiter for Meek Blood Center, explained that due to inclement weather, the center went four days without having any donors. As a result, it came up about 200 pints short on blood. The Meek Blood Center collects an average of 1,000-1,500 units of blood every month, or 50 units a day, according to Baker. In the past week, however, the center has experienced a massive shortage of blood donations. It provides blood to 15 different hospitals within a 120-mile radius of Abilene. “We’ve had days where it was bad, but we’ve never had four days; so we’re trying to play catch up. We’ve been having to call donors,” Baker said. Each patient typically donates one unit, or pint, of blood. A donation can be given every eight weeks
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and each unit collected has the potential to save two lives. It is possible, if health conditions are met, to give double units. About 75 percent of the blood donated at Meek Blood Center comes from high school and college students. Baker said that students are the backbone of their blood supply. “It benefits anyone in need of a blood transfusion. We don’t have any way to make blood in a laboratory; we rely completely on donors. That is who supplies 100 percent of the blood used in the United States, and they’re anonymous donors. They don’t know who they’re going to help,” Baker said. Dr. Bo Green, professor emeritus of mathematics, had been a loyal blood donor for years when he was diagnosed with leukemia. Suddenly, his role changed from donating blood to receiving blood. He began donating in 1972 when a member of his church needed blood for surgery and turned it into a
We don’t have any way to make blood in a laboratory; we rely completely on donors.
FRANCES BAKER // donor recruiter at the Meek Blood Center
personal ministry, donating a total of almost 16 gallons. Green said, “It’s like I’ve lost a significant part of my life. I hate that I will never be able to give blood again. I still wear my 15 gallon [donor] pin just to encourage other people. It’s such a significant thing that people need to do.” Green is currently cancer free. His treatment required a total of 31 units of blood from the Hendrick Medical Center’s facility. He stressed how important platelet donations, which can be given every two weeks, were for cancer patients. He said they really could not live without them. “I encourage everyone to donate blood; it’s really needed and not that bad of a thing. You get free cookies and a T-shirt. It’s just a good feeling knowing you’re doing something like that to
STUDENT GROUPS
Group to celebrate Black History Month with walk Meagan Hernandez Staff Photographer
Essence of Ebony is planning a “Walk Through Black History” to educate and entertain the ACU community in commemoration of Black History Month. The production will take place Feb. 26 in the Williams Performing Arts Center at 6:30 p.m. “This event is important because it gives us a chance as African American students to educate our fellow peers,” said Masci Sledge, president of Essence of Ebony. “It also gives us a chance to unite people on and off campus.” The typically annual Black History Production
began a few years ago. Although, it was not produced last year. Sledge says this year, they wanted to revitalize the tradition George Pendergrass, director of the Office of Multicultural Enrichment, said maintaining such traditions plays a notable role. “It is extremely important to consistently highlight the history of African Americans,” Pendergrass said. There is the saying ‘If you fail to study history, then you are condemned to repeat it.’ Because of this country’s sordid past, too often the history, backgrounds and contributions of African Americans are seldom known.” The annual production,
lead by Essence of Ebony, is a collaborative project between Essence of Ebony, the Student African American Brotherhood and Virtuous African Heritage Sisterhood. Sledge said the organizations wanted the event to be different past productions, which have included a guest speaker and several programs. This year’s event will be a semi-formal banquet held on the campus. “We will really be taking the audience back and having students recite speeches from well-known African Americans who made a difference in our history,” Sledge said. contact Hernandez at
mkh05a@acu.edu
save people’s lives,” Green said. “It’s good to realize how important it is to live a good life so your body can be healthy and you will be able to help instead of harm other people.” Donors receive health benefits for donating as well. Baker said men in particular experience a positive change in the way they feel immediately after giving blood. It reduces the amount of iron in the blood and allows for increased oxygen levels. Donating four times a year can reduce the chance of heart disease by 35 percent. To donate blood you need to weigh 120 pounds, be in good health and have the required levels of hemoglobin. Baker said the main qualification that knocks people out of being able to donate is travel. If the donor has been in a country with a
SAMANTHA SUTHERLAND // Contributing Reporter
Retired teacher Karen Wilson of Abilene donates blood at Meek Blood Center as technician Stephanie Perez gives instructions. malaria risk, such as Mexico or Haiti, within the past year, they are deferred from being able to give blood for one year from the date of their return. A blood drive has been scheduled on the ACU campus for April 7 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m in the park-
ing lot between Brown Library and the Administration Building. The3 Meek Blood Center is located at 1150 North 18th St. in Abilene. They can be reached at 670-2805. contact Sutherland at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
CAMPUS NEWS
Page 4
February 16, 2011
LOCAL
McMurry narrows mascot search to final three Zane Goggans
Contributing Reporter
McMurry University has narrowed its search for a mascot to three finalists. McMurry is currently searching for a mascot after having to drop the name Indians. In 2004, a total of 33 schools, including McMurry, had to submit a report that explained their usage of their Native American identifications to the NCAA. In 2005 all NCAA colleges and universities were required to discontinue abusive, national, racial or ethnic nicknames or mascots. The name Indians fell into these categories. McMurry appealed the NCAA’s ruling, but was rejected
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in August 2006. The university’s Board of Trustees decided to terminate the Indians mascot later that year. McMurry has been mascot-less ever since. A mascot-finding committee was created last year and has sifted through nearly 150 mascot suggestions. The committee, made up of alumni, faculty, student government and students have narrowed the list to three: Bison, War Hawks and Circuit Riders, according to the McMurry website. Some earlier suggestions included the Unicorns, Crazies, Clowns and the mythical Greek sea monster, the Cracken. Mastodons were a popular choice in student polls but were eliminated just weeks ago.
I don’t know how we are going to represent “preachers’ at games. JOSH NEAVES // student body president at McMurry
McMurry Student Body President Josh Neaves said the three mascots are very accurate when considering the school’s history. Bison have been a part of Abilene history for hundreds of years while War Hawks tie into McMurry’s Native American feel. Circuit Riders have a much different history. The term “circuit rider” was used to describe traveling Methodist preachers going from church to church preaching Methodist circuit rid-
ers traveled across New Mexico and West Texas in the late-1700’s through the mid-1800’s. In an attempt to more identify itself with the Methodist denomination, Circuit Riders became a unique mascot choice. “I don’t know how we are going to represent ‘preachers’ at games,” Neaves said. “It’s interesting.” Neaves said that the students may be leaning towards War Hawks as a favorite, but said information is not easy to come by. Alumni do not appear to have a fa-
vorite, but seem to like all three mascot finalists. Final voting for the new mascot is expected to take place March 7-10. Students, faculty and staff can vote online. The committee will gather all of the data to create a final proposal for the Board of Trustees. The new mascot will be announced March 11. From there, McMurry will begin to incorporate the new-found mascot and logo into the campus, sports, merchandise and the community according to Neaves. The Department of Advancement will come up with the new logo. Neaves would not disclose what his choice was. He said that some of his personal favorites were already
eliminated including The Nation and Thunderbirds. “I haven’t voted,” Neaves said. “I do have a personal opinion, though.” McMurry student Zach Henderson, junior music major from Abilene, said he liked the previous choices better than the finalists. “I don’t like any of the mascot choices. I feel the process was manipulated. The administration came up with a list of about 20 names, which a lot of students liked,” Henderson said. “Then they took that list away for some reason and came out with a new list with a lot of the old names missing. contact Goggans at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
SOCIAL CLUBS
Ukraine: Social clubs work with local ministry Continued from page 1
Some villages don’t have roads, running water, electricity or gas. Many families are self-sustaining, growing what they need to survive. “There’s a whole attitude of hopelessness. They just feel absolutely hopeless. So we’re able to share with them that God gives us hope. Yes, you may never escape the village, but you can find happiness and peace in a relationship with Jesus,” Kelly said. Bonnie Kellum, senior psychology major from Allen, was an intern at Jeremiah’s Hope last summer through WorldWide Witness. “I was there for the summer and so I met all of these kids and spent a lot of time in the village just talking to the kids. Once I came home it was like I couldn’t just do nothing. You meet these kids and you hear these stories and something changes in you and it’s placed on your heart to make a difference,” Kellum said.
Kellum, also president of GATA, came back to ACU and proposed to the club that they do something to give back. Kellum knew she was going to go back to Ukraine. She told GATA members she was going during winter break and that they could make gift bags for her to take back to the children. “Everyone was really excited,” Kellum said. Marcus Womble, junior psychology major from Allen, was an intern with Kellum and two other ACU social club members at Jeremiah’s Hope. “We saw how we had all these social clubs there and we were like, we should do something that gets them all together, brings awareness and gets clubs working together for something,” Womble said. Last semester’s all-club grub, Giving Thanks for a Cause, joined ACU’s social clubs together for an event
where the admission price for the evening was simply bringing a small item for the gift bags that Womble and Kellum would take back to Ukraine during the winter break. “We were thinking, wouldn’t it be so awesome if this could be something we did every year where your ticket in the door to come and hang out with all of your friends is something that goes for a good cause. We’re definitely trying to make kind of a legacy for people to follow and to keep giving,” Kellum said. Frater Sodalis sponsors Artyum each month by passing around a hat and asking each member to donate about a dollar. It costs $15 a month to sponsor a child through the Sasha Project, and Womble said Frater Sodalis usually raises twice what it needs, enabling Jeremiah’s Hope to provide groceries and other provisions for Artyum’s entire family.
“Once you experience something like this, you’re never the same. I think it’s so important for us as Americans — us as Christians — to give back, because you never realize how materialistic and selfish and just how worldly you are until you see someone who’s without anything. It is very humbling and I think if more people did stuff like this, it would be a much better place to be,” Kellum said. Womble said he wants to see the ACU campus become more aware of situations like those in Ukraine. “I’d love for different social clubs to take their own personal proactive steps toward assisting in any way that they can,” Womble said. “Just something creative that shows the children of Ukraine the love that they need.” Photos courtesy of JEREMIAH’S HOPE contact Griffith at
bng10a@acu.edu
FACULTY
A Ukranian child sits on the steps at the Pine Branch Christian Camp last summer.
DINING
Policies: Faculty approve Food: Plans sold by the day handbook consolidations Continued from page 1
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with more than 60 hours of earned credit from ACU will only be allowed to transfer in 9 additional hours of transfer credit. Hours earned previous to enrollment at ACU will not be counted toward the total. “These are both efforts to say that if you are going to get your degree from ACU, we want to have at least a minimum influence,” Pamplin said. “Taking a bunch of hours from somewhere else is less of an ACU education.” The faculty also made sweeping changes to the faculty handbook. Pamplin said an effort to consolidate the handbook had not taken place in several years. He said this year’s consolidation
Taking a bunch of hours from somewhere else is less of an ACU education. DR. KIM PAMPLIN // chair of the Faculty Senate
reduced the size of the book by nearly half. “For the last several years, the handbook has had updates, but there has not been a comprehensive evaluation,” Pamplin said. “It cut down what was like 200 pages to around 100 pages.” Dr. Cheryl Mann Bacon chaired the faculty committee commissioned to evaluate the faculty handbook. Bacon, chair of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, said a main goal of the evaluation is to reduce redundancies.
“There had not been a comprehensive and up-todate version of the handbook available for many years,” Bacon said. “Neither had it been clear who was making assorted changes in the handbook. So the Faculty Senate appropriately took the leadership role in setting the job.” All approved referendums will become effective after receiving the approval of the provost, president, and Board of Trustees contact Craig at
jrc07d@acu.edu
Continued from page 1
All changes made to dining were determined by student input, Williams said – including the addition of an all-organic station in the Bean for the fall. To prepare for the station, ACU Food Services is offering 10 students the chance to pilot the organic initiative for the rest of this semester in an effort to gauge enthusiasm for organic eating and to find out which dishes are most popular, Zena Maggitti, director of ACU Food Services, said during Friday’s interest meeting for students. The program will provide students with 10 meals per week: five lunches and five dinners Monday - Friday. Wiepie Rojas, sopho-
more nursing major from Waxahachie, said she wrote a 5-to-8-page paper over Christmas break detailing why she should not be required to pay for a meal plan for health and financial reasons. While, she wasn’t able to get rid of her meal plans, she was approached by the university to discuss organic options – an initiative Maggitti said they had already been looking into. While, Rojas doesn’t feel responsible for changes, she does see her efforts as showing ACU dining that students are interested in eating organically. “I think it was a matter of putting a little fire underneath them, showing them that there is a student interest and desire to change the way that we eat and that organic is becom-
ing more important as we find more evidence that it’s a lot more beneficial to your health,” Rojas said. She has already signed up for this semester’s pilot program and said she looks forward to eating organically in the Bean and appreciates dining services for working with her beliefs about organic eating. Those beliefs, Rojas said, center around pesticide use, genetically modified food and treatment of animals. “I think one of the things we forget is as a Christian is that we are called to filter what we watch and what we say and what we do,” Rojas said. “I don’t understand why we wouldn’t filter what we eat.” contact Bailey at
ljb07a@acu.edu
SING SONG
Patience: Construction presents parking difficulties Continued from page 1
which parking locations fill up first, officers will direct cars to other lots to balance the congestion. Sing Song parking is met with several challenges this year, Jenkins said. The Teague Special Events Center will be housing the President’s Circle dinner on Feb. 19. The Saturday dinner will
require police officers to reserve the entire Teague parking lot and half of the Edwards north parking lot for both performances. The second parking obstacle will result from the ongoing construction of the Royce and Pam Money Student Recreation and Wellness Center. With threequarters of the Campus Center lot consumed with construction, the Robert
D. and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center will be opened for additional parking. The third parking hindrance is expected to come from the holding tents for the Sing Song participants themselves, Jenkins said. Without the usual space from the Gibson Health and P.E. Center, students in the show will navigate to and from Moody Coliseum by way of holding tents.
Officers and student workers will be manning several parking lots to ensure that traffic filters smoothly. The Campus Center lot, Morris lot, Teague lot and Edwards north lot are among them. For students in the production, Jenkins said he strongly encourages parking in the Brown Library lot. Leaving the parking spaces closer to Moody
Coliseum will be respectful to the visitors, Jenkins said. Participants can also carpool and walk, for those close to campus and if weather permits. For handicapped parking, the Edwards north lot will be the best, although it will be limited, Jenkins said. He recommends drivers looking for handicapped spots come early as well. “Just be respectful of ev-
erybody and be patient,” Jenkins said. “We’ve never had anyone who has shown up the last minute and not been able to get in there and see the show.” Jenkins said his final recommendation for all students and participants is to leave immediately after the show to ease congestion. contact Burch at
clb10b@acu.edu
February 16, 2011
Focus
Page 5
The small town of Anson
attracts visitors photo illustration by HANNAH BARNES // Features Editor
with an eerie legend
Ghost Story photo illustration by JOZIE SANDS // Online Editor
Some say
of civilization in this remote location. Visitors must travel south down the bumpy dirt road then turn around to face north because the light cannot be seen from the highway. The light seems to rise a lost soul roams the hills northwest of Anson; others from the horizon and sway back and forth. It appears believe it’s a ghost swinging a lantern back and forth. and then disappears. Skeptics say it’s an unremarkable phenomenon easily explained by logic – but the only thing certain about a The Adventure Kayla Avery does not believe in ghosts or spirits. Howmysterious light in the sky near Anson, Texas, is no one ever, the sophomore psychology major from Longview is certain. Anson, a town of 2,500 located about 30 miles north is still fascinated by the light and the adventure that of Abilene, sits at the crossroads of U.S. Highway 83 and comes with the trip to Anson. She said she has been to U.S. Highway 180. The city may first appear to fit every see the light several times, even though she believes the stereotype of a small Texas town. The town square sur- light has some sort of explanation. “We were told to turn the car around and flash the rounding the 20th century red-brick courthouse lost half its tenants long ago. Red dirt and small trees domi- headlights three times to make the light appear,” Avery said. “What we saw looked like a light swinging back nate the landscape. But a light dancing across the sky northwest of town and forth across the end of the road. It was eerie. There makes this sleepy West Texas town anything but ordinary. are lots of trees around and it is really dark, but there is nothing to be afraid of.” She believes the light is nothing more than a flashing The Mystery “The first time I was there I saw a mysterious light traffic light in the distance. However, not everyone who bobbing in the sky along the road,” said Vince Somoza of searches sees the light, further complicating the mystery. Margaret Moore, junior youth and family ministry Anson. “Some people think it’s a ghost, but personally, I and secondary education major from Houston, visited don’t think that’s what it is. I don’t believe in spirits.” Somoza works at the 7-Eleven on Highway 277 just Anson with three of her friends in search of the mysnorth of town. He said visitors, especially college stu- tery last year, but she didn’t see anything. Moore said dents, often come into the store looking for directions she had heard about the light and wanted to investigate to the light. Somoza said he thinks the light comes from for herself. “I had heard that the lights shifted across the street like a barn north of town, but his theory is one of many. “Legend has it, the light is the spirit of a mother out a swinging lantern that swayed back and forth,” Moore searching for her lost children at night,” Somoza said. said. “But it was funny because we didn’t see anything. One person in the car was freaking out which made me “The light is her lantern.” Visitors to the lights can only view them from a deso- nervous. It is in the middle of nowhere and you still belate dirt road west of town. Scraggly mesquite trees and come paranoid thinking about mysterious things.” Moore said she finds the idea of ghosts illogical, but waist-high grass line both sides of the road, which runs parallel to Anson’s Mount Hope Cemetery. A faint glow she still wonders what the light could be. She thinks the from the city lights of Anson provides the only reminder glow is caused by car headlights on a nearby road, but she’s not sure. While the light itself may be an unsolved mystery, some people find the experience itself more thrilling than the idea of a “ghost light.” Suzi Summers, sophomore elementary education major from Mesquite, said she thinks the light is an optical illusion of some sort. Summers said her biggest fear when visiting the light was mischief from other people – not ghosts. “It was fun, but it was kind of freaky at the same time. You just see these little bouncing lights. It was dark and we had to turn off the headlights, and you felt like something might pop out,” Summers said. “People like to scare people to get a reaction. But it seems kind of
story by Jeff Craig
dangerous if you have people pop out with cars. It’s a bad idea.” Despite fears that the area is dangerous, Anson Police Chief Barrett Thomas said the area is perfectly safe. He said deputies from the Jones County Sheriff’s department frequently patrol the area because they know the light is a popular destination for area students. Thomas said as long as students stay on the road and off private property they will be fine. “We have students from all three Abilene universities come out all the time,” Thomas said. “We love to have them out here; we’re happy to have them. It’s perfectly safe.” The Unsolved Phenomenon For visitors to the Anson lights like Avery, Moore and Summers, the adventure is what provides the excitement – not a hope to see something paranormal. For Anson residents like Somoza and Chief Thomas the Anson lights serve as a magnet, bringing visitors to the town. They all have two things in common: They don’t think the lights are paranormal and they believe the lights are explainable. But even so, the Anson lights remain a mystery. The mystery of the lights, the short trip to Anson and the spookiness of the location of the light itself make the trip a popular venture – even for skeptics. contact Craig at
jrc07d@acu.edu
Opinion
Page 6
February 16, 2011
EDITORIAL
New meal plan fits students’ schedules ACU Food Services is unveiling an improved meal plan program that we think will give students more Bean for their buck. With the new program, the Bean will be open between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. on weekdays and have extended hours on the weekend. These new hours will give students more options for eating and allow students to fit eating into their schedules instead of fitting their schedules around dining hours.
The new plan also gives students an unlimited number of Bean trips per day. Instead of swiping for meals, students can enter the bean multiple times a day for as may days as their plan allows. Again, this modification gives students more flexibility with their dining eliminating the need to “save up” meals for certain times later in the week. It also might curb the urge to eat as much food as possible per trip to the Bean.
The only downside to the new plan is that ACU Food Services will only accept meal plans in the Bean, while other oncampus eateries will only accept those precious Bean Bucks. Some students might find this as an annoyance, but the new plan makes up for this change by providing more Bean Bucks per semester, allowing students to continue enjoying places like the Fatted Café and Einstein Bros. Bagels.
The price for all the modifications per student is around $2,300 for the semester for underclassmen – a steep price, but relatively comparable to this semester’s Plan A and Plan B. Of course we’d like to see lower prices for oncampus dining, but we realize only so much can be done, and we appreciate the fact that at least prices won’t rise too sharply. Anthony Williams, chief business services officer, said he and others in dining By Morgan Davis
The Funny Funnies
the issue
ACU is reformatting student meal plans to a day-by-day basis, rather than a certain number of meals a week.
our take
The proposed plan allows students to come eat at their own schedule and not worry about partitioning meals out. services are looking into enhancing and changing some food court locations. However, they are still looking at data and student input before making a decision – and it appears they really have listened to students. It seems like the new plan is the perfect com-
promise between reasonable hours and large amounts of food. The price may be high, but the unlimited access to the Bean could make everything worth it. contact the Optimist at
jmcnetwork@acu.edu
COLUMN
Rangers disloyal to faithful star Rounding the Bases By Brandon Tripp
COLUMN
True community fosters comfort Conscientious Conjecture By Laura Acuff
The 5 a.m. crowd at Anytime Fitness looks significantly different than the gym’s daytime patrons. People rarely wait on exercise equipment. They tend to avoid machines directly adjacent Acuff to those currently in use. In fact, we hardly acknowledge each other’s presence at all, short of the occasional, silent nod. I am one of those people. At least five days a week, I race daylight and hit the gym, baring uncooperative circumstances of course – like snow days or forgetting that I’ve parked my car clear across campus. The standoffish clientele doesn’t bother me. Call me crazy, but I’d rather not have to make small talk about the weather before the sun even rises. Only a few days after beginning my 5 a.m. regime, I could recognize
the other early risers, I knew I don’t know their names, but I do who was new believe that in a gym emergency, I’d and who was have caretakers. a regular. And I could tell the Eventually, I stood up, other regulars recognized me. monitor pretty carefully There’s an almost tan- what I eat. And generally, made my exit, and drove mygible respect, an elitism I can predict and prepare self home to cook breakfast. shared between regular at- for, if not avoid, my sys- But my impromptu lesson on community lingered. tendees. Outsiders have to tem’s sugar slumps. At ACU, community can However, every now prove their dedication to earn the morning head bob. and then, I awake to find seem ready-made. No matter But still, nobody talks. the situation already upon how academically rigorous, And that almost worried me me. The trick is clearing in some ways, college forever my groggy head and ac- seems like a yearlong sumMonday morning. Like any other Monday, tually noticing quickly mer camp for overgrown kids. We are surrounded by people I had rolled out of bed and enough to avoid fainting. Cradling my head in my just like ourselves, eager to dragged myself to the gym. I had finished my run on the hands, I fought back the build relationships and make treadmill – one of my better familiar sense of panic and friends and sharing many of runs, actually – and proceed- tried to rationally assess the same challenges. But community also ed to the weight machines, how capable I was of drivwhen I realized something ing back home for some comes from less obvious sources: our pew neighfood and a pre-class nap. wasn’t quite right. Looking around, I realized bors at church, rock climbMy heart rate hadn’t slowed like it should have; I was surrounded by strang- ing companions, a familiar I’d broken into a cold sweat ers, and none of my Abilene Walmart greeter, or a 5 and begun to shake. As I area “emergency contacts” a.m. gym crowd. It may not be as overt as closed my eyes, I felt ver- would be awake for a while. But it’s OK, I remem- the bonds we share with our tigo start to kick in. This was not normal bered. This is Texas. This closest friends, but, espeexercise fatigue, I finally is Abilene. And this is my 5 cially in crisis, unconventional community can be admitted to myself. But a.m. workout club. I don’t know their just as critical. neither was it an altogether names, but I do believe new experience. Prone by heredity to that in a gym emergency, contact Acuff at hypoglycemia, I usually I’d have caretakers. lka06a@acu.edu
editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration. Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university. The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print
letters containing personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published. Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu
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iels have treated Young, the face of a team that had nothing going for it before 2010. Daniels has been actively listening to proposals from teams since the winter meetings, despite reassuring both Young and the public that the Rangers were not shopping the six-time allstar. It seems as though the Rangers have given Young every right to feel “betrayed” and “misled,” even if they won’t admit it to anyone. The designated hitter role and super utility position that was promised to him is seemingly all but gone with the addition of Mike Napoli and
It appears as though it will be the end of an era in Texas this coming season. Michael Young has now publicly asked for a trade and the Rangers seem more than willing to Tripp comply with his request if the right deal presents itself. Although nothing official has happened yet, it appears that one mom has jumped the gun and broken the news to her young son. The YouTube video, The way Young, which is who has accepted quickly making its way two position around the moves before this Web, shows off-season, has a young boy, presumably a been treated by toddler, disan organization traught and that owes him so upset about the news that much is borderline Young won’t travesty. be with the Rangers next rumors of Texas going afseason. The boy at one point ter another possible DH takes off his Rangers before spring training. The way Young, who ball cap, drops it on the ground and says the has accepted two posiRangers are no longer tion moves before this offhis team because his fa- season, has been treated by an organization that vorite player is gone. It’s funny that the re- owes him so much is a action from a toddler is borderline travesty. The about the same as the Rangers would not have reaction I had when I been the team they were learned my favorite player last year without his leadership. Now it appears wanted out of Arlington. Even if Young doesn’t the Rangers have taken end up leaving, it is still him for granted one too hard to know that the many times and enough face of the franchise, and is enough. Now all of us who the most popular player on the team for nearly a claim the Rangers as our team may have to decade, wants to leave. I know everyone go through the next few wants to be happy and years without seeing No. I understand Michael 10 out on the diamond. Young completely. What And it is a shame. is hard to understand is how the Rangers francontact Tripp at chise and GM Jon Danbjt07aa@acu.edu
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FROM SPORTS
February 16, 2011
Page 7
BASEBALL
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Nine-run seventh dooms ACU Win: Kimbrell to host games Brandon Tripp Sports Director
The No. 8 Wildcats dropped two of three in Kingsville, including a nine-run seventh inning comeback by the Javelinas, over the weekend to open their season 1-2. After having their opener delayed by more than a week, the Wildcats were on cruise control six innings into their season opener leading 13-5. But the ACU bullpen was unable to contain the Javelinas who stormed back, scoring nine runs in just two-thirds of an inning and on only two hits. “I was trying to get somebody up in the bullpen that could throw strikes,” said Head Coach Britt Bonneau. “It’s not like we were putting bad pitchers out there.” The Wildcats were unable to rally in their final
‘‘ ’’
two innings and fell to Kingsville 14-13 in the season opener despite five errors by Kingsville accounting for six of ACU’s 13 runs. Saturday the Wildcats were again poised for a victory up this time 4-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. The lead was built off four errors from Kingsville; but starting pitcher Adam Lambrix struggled to contain the Javs giving up four straight hits to open the inning before being pulled by Bonneau. Senior Will Calhoun came on in relief but could not hold back the floodgates giving up a double to his first batter. Calhoun was responsible for two runs one of them earned. Kingsville pitcher Aaron Aspaas, younger brother of ex-ACU pitcher Cameron Aspaas knocked in two RBIs in the game. The Wildcats had their
I was trying to get somebody up in the bullpen who could throw strikes. BRITT BONNEAU // head coach of ACU baseball
chances in the seventh inning with the tying run at the plate twice, but were unable to capitalize. “We struggled with pitching,” said senior Will Calhoun. “I think it was a lack of intensity in the middle of the game and that gave them momentum.” It looked as though the Wildcats would be swept out of Kingsville in game three going down 3-0 before ACU took a turn at a comeback victory. Coach Bonneau’s team was down in the sixth inning before scoring one run in the seventh, eighth, and ninth to send the game into extra innings. In the 10th, ACU took over scoring two runs on a double by Camer-
on Bankston. Bankston was thrown out trying to stretch his double to a triple. Peter Goudeau and Abe Williams both doubled to make it three runs in what would prove to be the final inning for the Wildcats. Calhoun sat the Javelinas down in order in the bottom half of the inning on just 21 pitches finishing off Kingsville 6-3. ACU will take their 1-2 record into a matchup against East Central University this weekend. The games are scheduled for Friday at 4:05 p.m. and Saturday at 1:05 p.m. and 3:05 p.m. contact Tripp at
bjt07a@acu.edu
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Defeat: Davis drops 17 in loss Continued from page 8
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Junior guard Preston Davis drives the ball past West Texas A&M defenders in a game last week. Davis led the Wildcats with 17 points in the loss to Texas A&M-Kingsville.
ACU played in a home game Tuesday night against Incarnate Word. The game was moved over to Kimbrell Arena at McMurry University due to Moody Coliseum hosting Sing Song rehearsals Tuesday night. The results of the game were not available in time for publication. Both Desmond Woodberry and Alex Richman missed Saturday’s game due to injury. “When you are in that kind of injury situation you need to have other guys step up and make some plays. We weren’t able to make the plays, but I felt that our guys played really hard,” Copeland said. The Wildcats will return to action Saturday, as they travel to Portales, N.M. to take on the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds.
Continued from page 8
Head Coach Shawna Lavender said. “The trip to Kingsville is tough but I felt good about where we were, and where we are.” After going down 5-0, the ’Cats clawed back and knotted it up at 6-6 at the 16:36 mark of the first half. Freshman Renata Marquez then proceeded to hit back-to-back 3-pointers to double the Javelinas’ score 12-6. It was easy sledding from there as ACU’s lead swelled to 23 at the break 47-24. The second half was much of the same as the lead ballooned to as much as 30 at one point with the score finally settling down at an 18-point margin. “Their record isn’t great, but they have lost a lot of close games,” Lavender said. “We played like we knew we were the better team.” Mack Lankford, the leading scorer in the LSC South was at it again pacing the field with 21 points and seven assists. Junior Kelsey Smith had a career night with 19 points and 16 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season. The 16 boards match her season high she set in a game early in the season against the University of Texas-Permian Basin.
The win greatly helps the Wildcats’ playoff push. ACU (9-13, 6-4) sits in a tie for third place in the Lone Star Confernce with Angelo State. The Rambelles hold the tiebreaker over the ’Cats thanks to a season sweep of the Wildcats last week. Also, the Wildcats hold a 1.5 game advantage on fifth place Midwestern State. If the current standings hold, then the ’Cats would be able to grab the last playoff spot in the South, but would have to play the top seed from the North, currently Northeastern State. Another critical game is up next for the Wildcats as they play the sixth place team in the standings, Incarnate Word. It is technically a home game for the Wildcats, but because of Sing Song preparations, the game will be played in McMurry University’s Kimbrell Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. “The important thing for us is that we prepare like it’s a normal home game,” Lavender said. “We will do the same thing that we do when we are in our gym, and it should be about the same because we will have our home fans there.” contact Gwin at
agg07a@acu.edu
contact Cantrell at
jrc07f@acu.edu
TENNIS
Woes: Struggles increase drive Continued from page 8
and Emily Conrad both won matches to secure the vicWildcats did not stay down tory over Tarleton State. The loss drops the Wildfor long, rebounding to defeat Tarleton State, 7-2 in the cats to a surprising 2-3 retournament. Though the cord on the season. “I think both teams need TexAnns took an early 2-1 lead, ACU persevered and to play more matches, plain went on to impress by win- and simple,” Head Coach ning all six singles match- Hutton Jones said. “But, the es against Tarleton State. season is just getting started Freshmen Micah Hermsdorf and there is a lot of room to
improve and playing these tough teams gives us a real assessment of where we are.” Bryan Joiner reiterated that fact and will use the weekend’s loss as motivation for the matches ahead. “Everyone has tough losses they have to deal with. But you don’t learn from your wins, you learn from your losses. We’ll learn from
them, improve in practice, and get ready for the next one,” Joiner said. The women’s team will head north to face four Oklahoma schools as the men take on Air Force Academy and Metro State in Colorado Springs, Colo. contact Jefferies at
blj10a@acu.edu
SOFTBALL
Sunday: ’Cats rebound with three crucial wins Continued from page 8
Sunday the Wildcats rebounded from the West Texas A&M loss in resilient fashion. In game one, Shelby Hall threw the ’Cats to victory over Texas Women’s 6-3, pitching a complete game allowing only three runs and striking out four. Up 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth, ACU opened up its lead when they added four runs. Brianna Fowlkes singled home Kaylee Crozier. Then Gilliland continued to swing a hot bat, drilling a double off the left field wall, scoring Ashley Calles and Lyndi Smith.
Freshman Peyton Mosley picked up a win in her first ever collegiate start in a 5-2 win over Cameron during Sunday’s night game. Mosley threw a complete game, allowing seven hits and two runs while striking out seven. “Peyton [Mosely] did a fantastic job for us in the Cameron game. She had everything working, and really stepped up in a big way for us. I was so impressed with her performance in that game Sunday,” Reeves said. ACU got on the board early in the first and would add three more in the third inning when Valentina
Nabayan scorched a home run over the center field wall to put ACU up 4-0. A Kelsy Hebert home run for Cameron would make the score 4-2, but the Wildcats held on. ACU would add an insurance run in the sixth when Sarah Martinez hit her first home run of the season, solidifying the 5-2 victory. The ’Cats improve to 4-4 on the season after going 3-1 last weekend. They will travel to Oklahoma next weekend for the South Central Regional Crossover Tournament. contact Shake at
bxs09a@acu.edu
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Page 8
Standings MEN’S BASKETBALL Team
Div.
Tarleton St. 8-1 MSU 6-3 WTAMU 6-4 ASU 6-4 UIW 4-5 ENMU 4-5 TAMU-K 3-7 ACU 1-9
Ovrl. 17-4 18-5 19-4 10-12 15-6 9-12 8-14 9-13
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Team Div. Ovrl. Tarleton St.9-0 WTAMU 7-3 Angelo St. 6-4 6-4 ACU 4-5 UIW 3-6 MSU ENMU 2-7 TAMU-K 1-9
19-2 14-9 13-9 9-13 8-13 7-14 4-17 3-19
Briefs ACU cheerleading will host a junior cheerleading camp on Feb. 26 at the Teague Special Events Center. All children ages 5-10 are welcome. Visit www.acusports. com for details.
n
n Tickets for the Lone
Star Conference Basketball Championship are now available for purchase. The tournament will take place March 2-6 in Bartlesville, Okla. Tickets cost $35 and can be purchased through the Lone Star Conference online at www.lonestarconference.org. Call 325-674-6853 for more information.
Player Profile n Erin
Gilliland, junior catcher from Midland, had an impressive offensive showing at the Whitten Inn Classic last weekend. She racked up seven hits, eight Gilliland RBI’s and scored three times, leading ACU to a 3-1 record at the tournament. In the St. Mary’s game, Gilliland knocked in six RBI’s, including a walk-off grand slam. Gilliland was an all-conference catcher at Odessa College prior to coming to ACU.
TENNIS
Sports
Early season woes plague men, women Brenna Jefferies Sports Reporter
The men’s and women’s tennis teams are both in for a rough ride with multiple Division I opponents ahead. Recent losses and their upcoming schedule can attest to that. This weekend the men’s tennis team was defeated by Rice University, 1-6, but defeated Division I Prairie View A&M, 4-0 to combat the prior loss. In the match against Rice, the ACU men’s team suffered their first loss first loss of the season. Red-
‘‘ ’’
shirt freshman Hans Hach claimed the only victory with a singles win over Rice’s Philip Seifert, 6-3. “The match against Prairie View A&M showed we were a little rusty. But soon we will be ready for conference and we are hoping to win nationals. We just need to regain our composure and focus and look to the road ahead,” said Hach. The following day the ACU men fell to Lamar University, 2- 5, to even up their overall record for the spring season at 2–2, and bring about their second loss of the young spring season.
the two and three singles matches, we had the opThe season is just getting portunity to and could started and there is a lot have won. I think we were of room for improvement. right there with them and HUTTON JONES // head tennis competed well despite evcoach at Abilene Christian University erything,” said senior LauThe Cardinals won the be a formidable foe by de- ren White. Jaclyn Walker, a senior doubles point Sunday with feating the No. 6 Wildcats, wins at Nos. 2 and 3 dou- 1-6, in their first home from Abilene, and Julia bles, including a 9-7 win at match of the spring sea- Mongin, a sophomore No. 2 when Denis Ermilov son at the Teague Special from Jaurnay, France, won and Dusan Savkovic barely Events Center indoor ten- the No. 1 doubles match that proved to be the edged ACU’s tandem of nis courts. “I thought going into it team’s only victory against senior Bryan Joiner and juwe could win that match. Louisiana-Lafayette. nior Nick Plum. Despite the loss to On the women’s front Some of the matches were this past weekend, Divi- close. The one, two and Louisiana-Lafayette, the sion I opponent Louisi- three singles matches ana-Lafayette proved to were barn burners and in see WOES page 7
SOFTBALL
Slam highlights tourney
Bryson Shake
Assistant Sports Editor
The Abilene Christian softball team got back on track after a 1-3 showing at the St. Mary’s Softball Classic in San Antonio Feb. 5-6, going 3-1 at the 2011 Whitten Inn Classic on Saturday and Sunday. The Wildcats used solid hitting and strong pitching in the games to finish victorious, two things that Head Coach Bobby Reeves said is essential to success. “Our three wins last weekend can all be accredited to either strong pitching performances, solid hitting or a combination of both. I was very pleased with the way we played in those aspects of the game,” Reeves said. In their home opener Saturday afternoon against St. Mary’s, ACU turned the bats on and senior pitcher Brittany Rexroat threw a solid five innings, allowing five hits and four runs in that span, proving Reeves’s previous hypothesis correct. The ACU offense shelled out 10 hits and took advantage of five Rattler errors en route to a 15-4 win. Three Wildcats accumulated multiple hits in the effort, including junior Erin Gilliland, from Midland, who
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Erin Gilliland sets to bunt during the Whitten Inn Classic hosted by ACU. Gilliand hit a walk-off grand slam to give the Wildcats a 15-4 mercy rule victory over St. Mary’s University. The Wildcats won three out of their four games in the tournament and are 4-4 on the year. hit a walk-off grand slam, giving ACU the win due to the 10-run mercy rule. Gilliland had three hits and six RBI’s while also scoring twice and hitting a double. The Wildcats lost to St. Mary’s last weekend at their tournament, and Kara Stutesman used that
to fuel her the second time around. “That win was a big one for us. We proved to ourselves that we can hang with anyone and are a quality team. We don’t like to lose, so we definitely had this game circled on our calendar,”Stutesman said.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Ryan Cantrell
Sports Multimedia Editor
men’s and women’s basketball teams will play at Eastern New Mexico on Saturday. The doubleheader will begin with the women playing at 3 p.m., followed by the men at 9 p.m.
n The baseball team
will host East Central University this weekend at Crutcher Scott Field. They will play Friday at 4:05 p.m. and will play a double header Saturday. First pitch for game one is 1:05 and game two will follow at 3:05 p.m.
“You’ve got to give her lots of credit,” Reeves said. “She had our number and was throwing very well all night. She was mixing her pitches up and just made it hard on our batters to pick up on anything.” see SUNDAY page 7
Javelinas get best of Wildcats again
n The
softball team will play in the Southeastern Oklahoma Crossover Tournament Friday-Sunday in Durant, Okla.
In the night cap, the previously loud ACU offense went silent at the hand and arm of West Texas A&M pitcher Shelby Cockrell, who tossed a no-hitter against the ’Cats and acted as a catalyst in the No. 6 Lady Buffs’ 11-0 blowout win.
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Upcoming
n The
February 16, 2011
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Mack Lankford sets a screen for fellow Wildcat Renata Marquez last weekend.
Lankford keys blowout win Austin Gwin Sports Editor
It was a relatively easy game on a tough Lone Star Conference schedule for the Wildcats, and they took full advantage of the matchup against a weak Texas A&M UniversityKingsville opponent with an 82-64 victory.
It was the second time the two teams have played this season, and it was the same result for the Wildcats as the first time – a win. This game went quite differently than the first, though. Two weeks ago at Moody Coliseum, Kingsville took the Wildcats into overtime before the
’Cats eked out an 84-82 win. The trip to Kingsville went much more smoothly than the home game as the Wildcats dominated all but the first 4 minutes. “There is always the chance of a letdown especially coming off our huge win against West Texas,” see WIN page 7
Turnovers and poor shooting plagued the Wildcats on Saturday night, as ACU dropped to 1-9 in the LSC South Division. The Javelinas defended their home court in Kingsville to defeat the Wildcats 71-65. “I think we lost because we didn’t give 100 percent for the whole game,” guard Preston Davis said. “We would play hard for parts of the game, but then not play hard at some points.” The Wildcats started off well as they led for most of the first half. The Javelinas would rally back at the end of the half to take a 34-31 lead into halftime. Kingsville would never relinquish its halftime lead as they opened up the game in the second half. After falling behind by as much as 12 the Wildcats would rally and cut the
deficit to four with the final minute of the game. However, the rally would come up just short as the Javelinas earned the sixpoint victory. “I thought we played hard. We didn’t take care of the ball like we should,” Head Coach Jason Copeland said. “I think we ran out of gas in the second half. We had a couple guys out that were normally in our lineup and we got worn out in the second half.” The Wildcats committed 25 turnovers in the game and shot 34.6 percent from the field. This was ultimately the difference in the game as the Wildcats fell just short Saturday night. Davis led the Wildcats and all scorers with 17 points in the game. Zach Williams and Marcus Washington added 12 points and 10 points respectively. see DEFEAT page 7