Optimist the
Vol. 98, No. 9
Rocketboys Return
PAGE 5 1 section, 8 pages
Friday, September 18, 2009
BREAKING NEWS, VIDEOS, PHOTOS, DISCUSSION AND EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
acuoptimist.com
STUDENT LIFE
Political groups merge to counter partisan trend Kimberly Wolford Student Reporter Political interest groups will play a larger role on campus this year as the ACU chapters of the College Democrats and Young Republicans
combine to form a new group, the ACU Political Alliance. “We decided in the spring that it would be better for the ACU community to work together as one group,” said Jared Perkins, sophomore environmental
science major from Waco. Perkins, current president of the College Democrats, said he and Aaron Escobedo, president of the Young Republicans, worked closely together in the spring to make their vision of tolerance and
collaboration a reality. “Because of a lot of partisan divisiveness at the national level, we thought it would be best to unite the campus community to influence people who care and want to make a difference,” Perkins said.
Perkins said the Alliance will be a chance for students who don’t want to “pick a party” to get involved in the political scene. “We saw that over the last year, the two groups were not a force on cam-
pus,” said Escobedo, junior history education major from Lamesa. “So, we decided that if we could work together, people would realize who we are individually.” see ALLIANCE page 4
ATHLETICS
FOLLIES
Acts spread peace, love
Hockey flies under radar David Soto Student Reporter
HEATHER LEIPHERT Staff Photographer
A chorus of freshmen perform the classic Beatles’ hit ‘All you need is love’ during Freshmen Follies on Thursday.
Brittany Brand Student Reporter Freshmen prepare for a night of entertainment as Freshman Follies kicks off the 2009-10 school year to the tune of “Peace, Love and Follies” this weekend. “Students are taking that in all different directions,” said Tom Craig, director of student productions. “It is going to be a lot of fun and a lot of energy. Everybody will enjoy the show.” Four freshman co-chairs are re-
sponsible for ensuring the show runs smoothly: Carly Branscum, journalism and mass communication major from Fort Worth; Zak Kroeger, exercise science major from Tempe, Ariz.; Allison Roche, youth and family ministry major from The Woodlands; and CaroleMarie Wiser, youth and family ministry major from Richmond. The co-chair positions were publicized during Welcome Week, and interviews were conducted during the first week of school. Student productions
personnel selected the final four. Kroeger said the co-chairs are responsible for holding auditions for the specialty acts, planning rehearsals and getting props and music together. They are also allowed to participate in the acts if they choose. “Once it all gets put together, it’s going to be fun,” Kroeger said. There will be 14 hall acts and seven specialty acts this year. Specialty acts
Not many students know that for the last 10 years, ACU has had a hockey team in addition to its laundry list of more traditional sports. Because the team is not a university-sponsored organization, but a club team, it does not get as much publicity as other sports, such as football. “We have a hockey team?” said Zac Watters, finance major from Clayton, N.M. “Wow, never knew that. I probably won’t ever go to a game, but it’s good to know we have a hockey team, I guess.” The hockey team plays in the Southwest Collegiate Hockey League along with three other schools in the Division II bracket; its competition includes schools such as the University of Texas at Dallas and Stephen F. Austin University. Last season, the team came in third overall, finishing 9-10-1. Philip Greer, ACU alumnus, served as team
see FOLLIES page 4 see HOCKEY page 4
SUMMIT
Speakers, Chapel credits draw student interest Bailey Neal Student Reporter The banner is up, and so are students’ expectations as the 92nd ACU Summit week approaches. ACU has invited a series of renowned speakers to lecture on topics and struggles Christians may face. The consensus is that many students at-
tend Summit solely for the Chapel credits, said Alena Weeks, sophomore psychology major from Abilene, and Tyler Nolen, junior information technology major from Flower Mound. Whether that is the case, event coordinators have tried to make Summit more relevant to students in the past couple of years, while still ap-
Forecast Fri
77° 59°
I won’t lie; more Chapel credits would be awesome. But it would be nice to just go to hear what these people have to say. ALENA WEEKS Sophomore psychology major from Abilene
pealing to the community at large. Weeks said she is excited about the event and curious about seeing the advertised changes to the series.
“This is only going to be my second Summit,” Weeks said. “I thought last year was pretty good, so I’m hoping that this year is going to be even better.” She said she
Inside Sat
80° 60°
Sun
85° 65°
CBS PRODUCER Lance Barrow visited with students Wednesday about working in the world of sports and the powerful ministry it can be. Page 8
is most looking forward to hearing from Donald Miller, the author of Blue Like Jazz. Nolen said he is also excited about listening to Miller’s lectures.
“I go to Summit to listen to certain speakers – this year, Don Miller is a big one.” Donald Miller is the author of several books, many of which are studied in ACU courses. One of his books, Searching for God Knows What, was this year’s Freshman Common Reading. see SUMMIT page 4
Online EDITORIAL Administrators have tried everything but begging to get students to behave in chapel. We propose a few unconventional methods. Page 6
VIDEO
LOUDandCLEAR
PHOTOS
Have you had enough rain? West Texas Fair and Rodeo
Visit acuoptimist.com to see what the ACU community is saying.
This Week in Photos
2
Campus Day Friday, September 18, 2009
CALENDAR AND EVENTS
18
19
FRIDAY
8 a.m. Silent auction benefit at Taylor County Courthouse
1 p.m. Freshmen Follies
9 a.m. West Texas Fair & Rodeo at the Taylor County Expo Center 11 a.m. Parents of the Year presentation in Moody Coliseum 7 p.m. Parents Weekend 8 p.m. Freshman Follies
SATURDAY
2 p.m. ACU Volleyball vs Eastern New Mexico
20
SUNDAY
7 p.m. Summit: Theme Conversation God hears and God remembers 8:30 p.m. Summit: Late Night Events
3:15 p.m. Freshmen Follies 6 p.m. ACU Football vs SE Oklahoma State 8 p.m. Freshmen Follies
Volunteer Opportunities Frontier Texas! needs volunteers to staff a haunted house fundraiser. Volunteers will be asked to create a frightening
character and assist in crowd control and building sets. They will be needed Oct. 20-31. For more information contact Jeff
Salmon at 437-2804. Fellowship of Christian Athletes needs volunteers to create info cards. Volunteers
are needed Oct.14 from 8:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. For more information please contact Steve Keenum at 795-0020.
Announcements Freshman Follies will begin at 8 p.m. in Cullen Auditorium. Tickets are $10.
Summit begins Sunday at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum with God Hears and God Remembers.
Ryan Christian and Fate Hagood will lead worship. Also there are two late night services, The Day
After Tomorrow and The Word in Motion. Both services begin at 8:30 p.m.
Police Log ACU Police Tip Of The Week: Car burglaries are on the increase in the area. Always lock your vehicle and place valuables out of sight. Report all suspicious activity to ACUPD immediately. Friday, Sept. 11 9:31 a.m. Reporting party came to ACUPD to report the burglary of a black 1966 Ford Mustang. Burglary occurred between Sept. 10 at 10 p.m. and Sept. 11 at 9 a.m.
Visit acuoptimist.com for the complete log.
Chapel Checkup
Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:
20 51
Campus News
September 18, 2009
ENTERTAINMENT
Page 3
AWARENESS
Walk seeks funds for CF Jill Dougher
Student Reporter
JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer
Mary Ballard feeds goats and donkeys at the 4-H petting zoo.
West Texas Fair offers affordable entertainment Ben Warton
Student Reporter The annual West Texas Fair and Rodeo returned to the Taylor County Expo Center on Friday for a 10day run that will end Sunday. Attractions include nightly rodeos, a carnival and various musicians. The fair, situated on 117 acres of land, attracts people from all over Texas. The event advertises daily themes ranging from “School and Military Day” and even “Senior Citizens’ Day. Austin Holt, junior Biblical text major from Fort Worth, appreciates the fair as cheap entertainment. “I felt like this could be a great way to get together with friends to have fun and not cost
It makes you feel like you’re a kid again. Lacy Rountree Sophomore art education major from Granbury
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will sponsor the Great Strides Walk of Abilene to raise awareness and money for further research in developing a cure for the disease Sept. 19. The walk will take place at Redbud Park; check-in begins at 8 a.m., and the walk starts at 9 a.m. Cystic fibrosis, an inherited chronic disease, affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the U.S. About
5-11 p.m. MondayFriday and 1-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. The fair has a little something for everyone, including students. “I’m going because of the environment; I love the lights and sounds,” said Lacy Rountree, sophomore art education major from Granbury. “It makes you feel like you’re a kid again.” For more information, go to www.taylorcountyexpocenter.com or call 677-4367.
contact Warton at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
but individual walkers and teams are expected to find sponsors to donate to the cause. Prizes will be given at the end of the 5K walk to those who raised the most funds. “The prizes will range anywhere from T-shirts to beach towels to a Blu-ray player,” said Hobbs. To sign up for the walk or for more information regarding cystic fibrosis, visit www.cff.org.
contact Dougher at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Outdoor Club attracts climbers Ryan Cantrell
Assistant Sports Editor me too much money.” Several musicians and artists perform every night in the HEB pavilion, including Crawfish, Top and Abilene’s own Aaron Watson. Attendees even get a shot at the microphone during Karaoke Night on Thursday. Fair admission is $7 for adults, $4 for students and free for children 5 and younger. Music is not the only attraction. Carnival rides, rodeo events, fair food, exhibits and a petting zoo compete for visitors’ attention. Single tickets to the carnival cost $1, and a strip of 24 tickets costs $20. Hours are
1,000 cases are diagnosed each year, and the predicted median age of survival for a person with CF is a little more than 37 years. Great Strides has given more than $180 million to research and coordinated walks at more than 600 sites since 1989. This will be the third year that Great Strides has taken place in Abilene. Laura Hobbs, special events coordinator for the walk, says she expects to have 100 walkers and hopes to raise around $20,000. Registration is free,
The ACU Outdoor Club led its third annual Rock Your Face Off clinic at Abilene High School for students interested in rock climbing Wednesday. The clinic was intended to prepare them for a rock-climbing trip with the club later this month. Colter Lane, president of the Outdoor Club, said he was excited about the event. “My favorite thing about the event is seeing others get excited about climbing,” Lane said. “It is a sport that I love to
do, and it is really cool to see others get excited about it, too.” The clinic covered a variety of topics, including climbing safety and belay techniques. Students of all skill levels were welcome, but those with some climbing experience learned a few more advanced techniques. Rock Your Face Off is supposed to be a twopart event each year. This year, students were encouraged to come back for a rock-climbing trip to Lake Brownwood on Sept. 26. The first couple of hours on-site will be spent picking up trash and cleaning
up the climbing area, and students can earn service hours for this part of the trip. The group will spend the rest of the afternoon climbing. The trip is $6 for students and $3 for members. Treasurer Emily Holt said she thinks the Outdoor Club is a great way to share common interests with others. “I love being with a lot of other people who enjoy the same things I do,” Holt said. “It is about getting to have fun with them.”
contact Cantrell at
jrc07f@acu.edu
Page 4
From Front
FOLLIES
September 18, 2009
ATHLETICS
Follies: acts prepare Hockey: Club on campus Continued from page 1
For more information ID – and are available in the Campus Center or to buy tickets, visit from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m www.acu.edu/follies. give students an oppor- Friday. Tickets for all tunity to demonstrate a performances can also particular talent, such be purchased online or contact Brand at optimist@jmcnetwork.com as singing or dancing, at the door. and students had to audition for a spot during the first week of school. Hall acts are open to any resident on that hall, allowing everyone to participate. “I’m estimating that 700 to 800 students are involved,” Craig said. The shows will take place in Cullen Auditorium on Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m., HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer 3:15 p.m. and 8 p.m. Jessica Welshans, freshman music education major from Spring, sings On Tickets are $10 – or My Own as Sam Souder, senior worship ministry major from Arlington, plays $5 with a valid student the piano.
Continued from page 1 captain last year, ending the season with 11 goals and five assists. Although hockey is a less well-known sport in Texas, the team has a loyal following, thanks partially to a few Facebook groups. Most of the games take place outside the Abilene
area, which makes it challenging for fans to watch the team in action. However, a few die-hard hockey fans continue to make the trips to watch the team battle it out on the ice. One such fan, Jesse Goforth, attends several games each season. “I love hockey; I always have,” said Goforth, an accounting and
finance graduate student from Houston. “I found out about the hockey team about two years ago, and since then, I have gone to around six games, and I plan on going to many more.”
contact Soto at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
STUDENT LIFE
Alliance: Parties join forces Continued from page 1 will be a few Young Republicans events scheduled, along with events sponsored by the Alliance. The group is bringing two retired congressmen to ACU for its “Congress to Campus” event in October, Escobedo said.
Perkins said the group is planning to coordinate with SALT to organize a Service Saturday for Alliance members. “We just want to make our presence known and let everyone know we still want to make a difference,” Escobedo said.
The ACU Political Alliance will have an interest meeting in Room 219 of the Administration Building at 7 p.m. Sept. 24.
contact Wolford at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
SUMMIT
Summit: Student response Continued from page 1
some,” Weeks said. “But it would be nice to just go to hear what these His appearance at ACU people have to say.” While in the past, is the seventh stop on credits have his A Million Miles tour, Chapel which began in Vancou- proven most influential, it seems opportuver on Sept. 15. Twenty-three possible nities to hear relevant, speakers Chapel credits still ap- well-known are becoming a factor peal to students. “I won’t lie; more Cha- in students’ decisions to pel credits would be awe- attend Summit lectures.
“If the school could get more well-known people to speak – more familiar names – maybe we would think, ‘Oh, I’ve heard of them. Let’s go,’” Weeks said.
contact Neal at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
Arts
September 18, 2009
MUSIC
Page 5
Rocketboys to release ‘Ghosts’ Paul Knettel Contributing Writer Everyone loves a free concert, especially when it features one of the most well-known and successful bands to come out of ACU in the past few years. The Rocketboys – formerly known as Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys – will be playing a free concert during Summit next week. The Rocketboys are made up of five ACU alums – Daniel Wheeler on guitar; Justin Wiseman on keyboard; Mitch Holt, guitarist and vocalist; Brandon Kinder, on vocals, guitar and piano; and Josh Campbell on bass and vocals. They formed while at ACU and developed a strong following across the country, writing and recording two EPs, two live DVDs and touring extensively, all while completing their degrees. They have since moved to Austin to pursue careers in music, but they are returning to their roots Wednesday when they play in the “WorldFamous Bean.” The Rocketboys will be selling their first full-length CD, 20,000 Ghosts, at the show, even though the CD’s official release date is Sept. 29. The album was recorded and produced in Austin by Louie Lino (Nada Surf, Matt Pond PA) and mastered by Alan Douches (Sufjan Stevens, Animal Collective), and has 11 brand-new songs on it. Several of the new tracks are available online and on an EP sold during their summer
Summit Arts Events Several classes, concerts and exhibits will be offered Monday-Friday. Exodus and Film
Caped Crusaders and Dark Knights: Redemption in Popular Film Monday, 9-9:45 a.m. Tuesday, 8:30-9:50 a.m. BSB 115
Freedom's Meal
How Passover Became The Lord’s Supper Monday, 10-10:45 a.m. Tuesday, 9:30-10:15 a.m. BSB 249
Hear the Voice
Recapturing the Beauty of God’s Story Monday-Tuesday 4-4:45 p.m. BSB 112
Coffee House Comedy: Uncaged Monday, 8:30-9:30 p.m. Brown Library Learning Commons Bob Smiley
The Word in Motion
Photo courtesy of PAPERTHIN MEDIA
The Rocketboys will release their new album, 20,000 Ghosts, at their show Wednesday during Summit.
Sunday, 8:30-9:30 p.m. WPAC, Fulks Theatre ACU Department of Theatre faculty and students
Iron Pour Event tour. They include such titles as Like Ice In Water and All the Western Winds, and they are an enjoyable continuation of the band’s resonating, uplifting sound. The tracks are filled to the brim with rich guitars, intriguing rhythms and complex keyboard patterns, topped with Kinder’s soaring vocal melodies. Kinder said The Rocketboys are proud of this new offering, and that it represents “the next level of the band” as they grow together musically.
The band spent a year on the record from its conception to the final product. They will embark on a month-long nationwide tour promoting
the album Oct. 8 in Dallas. Dignan, a band from McAllen and former tour mate of The Rocketboys, will join them on the tour. Dignan released its new CD, Cheaters & Thieves, in June. For more information about The Rocketboys or to listen to tracks from their new album, visit myspace.com/rocketboys. The free show will be at 8 p.m. Sept. 23.
Monday, 8:30 p.m., Grassy area west of Teague Special Events Center ACU Department of Art faculty and students
Of Mountains and Music Tuesday, 8:30-9:30 p.m. WPAC Recital Hall ACU Department of Music faculty and students
Talmud: The Art of Ben Zion and Marc Chagall
Don H. Morris Center, Shore Art Gallery Exhibit open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
contact Knettel at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
REVIEW
Popular alumni group returns to Abilene for show Joel Dallas Contributing Writer My favorite way to judge a live performance is to observe the interaction between the performers and the crowd. The Hunters and Gatherers, a band of ACU alums based out of Austin, brought in a formidable crowd at Abilene’s The Hideaway recently. They lived up to their reputation for putting on a rollicking show, charging the air in the packed-out venue with a palpable excitation. In fact, it was the crowd that initially complicated
my journalistic endeavor. I arrived at the front door of The Hideaway as an aggressive reworking of Hendrix’s Hey Joe blared clearly through the wall, only to be told by a sour-faced bouncer with a handlebar mustache the establishment was full. I could hear the heavy bass line in the bridge building to a climax, and I realized I had to get myself inside – and fast. Without hesitation, I managed to surmount a tall wooden barrier at the back of the building where an unguarded
door was located. Once inside, I was immersed in an eruption of sound that had already driven a roomful of people to groove along to the music. The Hunters and Gatherers, with their stellar showmanship, were filling the building with so much energy it was impossible to sit or stand still. On the drums, Jared Durham sounded out beats with his mouth, one arm held high twirling a drumstick. He pounded out the rhythm as Bryce Powell hammered the opening lick
to the Beatles’ Come Together. Logan Pringle roared into the microphone as he sang, “Here come ol’ flat top.” This was not a cover. This was the Hunters and Gatherers reinterpreting a classic through a raw and edgy modern lens. The band’s take on Stay with Me by The Faces expressed the gamut of the group’s stylistic influences. The song opened with Rob Watkins on guitar frantically picking a progression, backed by Powell smashing on the keyboard in a manner reminiscent of early rock pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis. On
Pringles’ vocal cue, “Slow down!” the band seamlessly transitioned into a funky breakdown that showcased Powell’s command of the keys and Durham’s skill in orchestrating time changes through compounded backbeats. Perhaps the group’s most notable talent is its ability to channel authentic emotion into the lyrics and composition of their original material. Rain Check conveyed solemnity and contempt as the song gradually climbed to its furious peak. In the end, I was impressed by the immense
amount of energy the band poured into the audience throughout the three-hour set. Every member of the Hunters and Gatherers is capable of performing more than just memorized progressions, beats and riffs. Their show, instead, was a creative, improvisational form of musical expression that swept the crowd up in its path and never put them down.
contact Dallas at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
Opinion
Page 6
EDITORIAL
September 18, 2009
Chapel solution: shocking, shaming? this problem, we propose a giant metronome be installed behind the stage. A large flashing light will keep pace for the selected song so that everyone can remain in tempo. Those that are unable to keep pace will be asked to cease and desist. We all know Thomas and Alexander Campbell were excellent clappers; we must not let that tradition die. Few would argue any action more heinous than “sliding and gliding.” Thus, we believe the best solution is shame. Those who choose to engage in this act – you know who you are – will be found out and given a cowbell to place around their necks for the remain-
social nightmare that persuades many to remain seated. That is why we suggest implementing a 10-second grace period to allow students to get to their feet. After 10 seconds, a tiny electric shock will shoot through the seats of Moody Coliseum, rising in intensity every 30 seconds. After all, the song does not say, “I sit contently in my seat in awe of you.” Another problem that has plagued members of the Church of Christ for centuries – more so than the debate about the use of instruments in the assembly – is our inability to keep time when clapping. In order to alleviate
How do we make Chapel the best it can be? This has been an ongoing debate since ACU’s founding in 1906. There have been many attempts over the years to discourage excessive talking, “sliding and gliding” and poor attendance, but we at the Optimist have some suggestions of our own to make Chapel a truly enriching experience. First, few moments are more awkward than when a song mentions “standing,” and everyone waits to see who will be led by the Spirit to rise from his seat. Those brave souls who do venture to rise to their feet risk being the only one in Chapel – a
der of the week. Whenever one who has been caught “sliding and gliding” walks across campus or nears a large group of people, she must shout “Slider and Glider” at the top of her lungs to alert others who might otherwise associate with her. We hope this will discourage “sliding and gliding,” but for those that persist, a few days in the stocks outside Moody are not out of the question. Unfortunately, while these measures are sure to “encourage” better observation of several traditions, they entirely miss the point. Whether one stands or sits or claps rhythmically is not a product of
Ataraxia
By Jordan Blakey
THE ISSUE
Chapel participants cause other students to lose focus with loud and disruptive actions.
OUR TAKE
The best Chapel will not come from new policies, but from students showing more consideration. one’s spirituality. The state of your heart determines the quality of your Chapel experience. Talking during a speaker’s lecture or intentionally clapping out of sync with everyone else reveals a lack of respect for others’ Chapel experience. “Sliding and gliding” shows disrespect for Chapel itself. A truly
enjoyable Chapel experience cannot come from new policies, but will instead come when students begin to show consideration for others.
Email the Optimist at:
jmcnetwork@acu.edu
COLUMN
Beatles’ formed lasting legacy Conscientious Conjecture Laura Acuff
COLUMN
Abilene weather increases frustration Sondra, Not Sandra Sondra Rodriguez Every time it rains, Abilene floods. It gets pretty windy here, too, and shortly after Christm a s break, s t a r t anticipating a snow d a y that’s acRodriguez tually an ice day. Abilene weather is unique, to say the least. You’ll wake up one morning hoping to wear flip-flops and a T-shirt till you get slapped in the face with the bitter hand of winter – even though it was 70 degrees yesterday. It is inconvenient and frustrating that we are not graced with the gradual and scenic change of the seasons. But, there are ways to prepare. The past few days of rain gave us a taste of the campus’s potential for floods. The simplest way to deal with it, un-
less you enjoy trudging to class with wet jeans, is to buy some rain boots. You may not realize how cold wet jeans will feel while you’re in the rain, but once you’ve settled into a freezing classroom for an hour and 20 minutes, you might regret not rolling up your jeans at least. The Abilene wind typically brings the rain, sticks around for the storm and carries it out. It makes runners feel like they’re trying to run through a brick wall, it always seems to push my hair in the most unnatural direction imaginable and it births dust storms that bring to mind an apocalyptic sci-fi movie. It is infuriating. Being mad at the wind can only last so long. Eventually, you realize how foolish and probably unhealthy it is to get angry with a force of nature. Instead of getting mad, carry the necessary pieces to protect yourself and your good mood. These include a hat,
You’ll wake up one morning hoping to wear flip-flops and a T-shirt till you get slapped in the face with the bitter hand of winter – even though it was 70 degrees yesterday. a scarf, a jacket – anything to shield you. If you own none of these things, hardcover binders and notebooks work quite well at deflecting debris and blocking powerful gusts. Gusts and flooding are irritating, but the worst stage of Abilene’s weather is yet to come. Anticipate ringing in the spring semester with a few days of ice. Even if you’re not plagued by my fear of slippery surfaces, the ice is unpleasant. It’s cold, but it’s not the kind of cold that allows for moonlit strolls across fresh snow, bundled in layers and sipping on hot chocolate. It’s a violent kind of cold. The wind whooshes and makes you feel like someone
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
is shooting frozen darts into your naked, unprotected flesh. Fortunately, classes are usually canceled when such weather rolls in, but if they aren’t, wear enough layers to make you feel like you’ve put on a fat suit. More importantly, have the courage to walk to class in your homemade fat suit, knowing everyone you pass wishes they were just as prepared as you.
contact Rodriguez at
sar06g@acu.edu
Optimist the
Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Newsroom (325) 674-2439
Sports Desk (325) 674-2684
John Lennon caused mild chaos back in 1966 when he said the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus.” C o n servative Christians protested, some even burning piles of Acuff Beatles albums, but the band continued to maintain solid success. A remastered album of the band’s music was released just this week, and a new version of Rock Band featuring Beatles songs is spinning in game consoles across the country. Several weeks ago, hundreds of fans brought traffic on Abbey Road to a standstill as they celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Abbey Road album. All this for a group that disbanded more than 30 years ago. Musically, many of the Beatles’ songs seem simpler than today’s popular songs. Their vocals are rawer than the highly processed vocals of many modern artists, and their harmonies generally seem uncomplicated. Lyrically, their tunes range from simple desires, such as “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” to abstract lines about yellow submarines and walruses. We like their vintage style now, but the Beatles might not have met with the same success had they tried to break into the music business today instead of in the 1960s. The music industry of the 1960s explored pre-
viously uncharted territory. When the Beatles marketed their chipper, catchy songs, consumers welcomed a brand of music that seemed altogether different than the products of other rock ‘n’ roll performers of the time. What they did musically was simple, but different. They opened up an entirely new genre of music. The Beatles found success not as musical prodigies, although they certainly were geniuses, but as musical innovators. They escaped the
The Beatles found success not as musical prodigies, although they certainly were geniuses, but as musical innovators. more traditional box of the 1950s to usher in the tumultuous 1960s with rebellious exuberance. In some ways, the foursome made even better salesmen than musicians. They built a legacy outlasting even the band mates themselves. With recordbreaking music sales, a video game and even a feature film constructed around their iconic music – ¬¬¬ Beatlemania, it seems, is here to stay, whether in actual support of the band or in the spirit of innovation their legacy inspires.
contact Acuff at
lka06a@acu.edu
Editorial and Management Board
Colter Hettich Editor in Chief
Linda Bailey
Opinion Page Editor
Sondra Rodriguez Jozie Sands Managing Editor
Chief Photographer
Laura Acuff
Brandon Tripp
Photo Department (325) 674-2499
Advertising Office (325) 674-2463
Features Editor
Sommerly Simser Scott Stewart Kenneth Pybus Multimedia Editor
Page 2 Editor
Faculty Adviser
Chelsea Hackney Jordan Blakey Cade White Copy Editor
Liz Spano
Sports Media Director Arts Editor
Multimedia Desk (325) 674-2463
Cartoonist
Faculty Adviser
Christi Stark Advertising
Subscriptions ($40/year) (325) 674-2296.
From Sports
September 18, 2009
Page 7
COLUMN
Rage: Outbursts good publicity Continued from page 8
HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer
John Kelly, freshman from Richardson, serves during the Walmart Open on Friday.
TENNIS
Play: Tennis season starts Continued from page 8
“We are looking to see who’s going to step up and play,” Jones said. “These matches also mean something in that they get us ready for regionals.” Sophomore John Strahl stepped up, winning his side of the bracket with a convincing victory (60, 2-6, 6-2) over Northern Arizona University’s Robin Pezzuto. Strahl be-
gan to come into his own during his freshman year, and Jones said he sees Strahl as a key player on the team this season. “John was a very talented freshman last year, and he really didn’t break into our top six until the end of last season,” Jones said. “In my mind, he was a blue chip recruit, and I am expecting big things.” Strahl and his teammates on the men’s and women’s teams will have
to develop quickly. The women’s team has its regional tournament in Topeka, Kan., Sept. 25-26; the men’s tournament is at ACU Oct. 2-4.
contact Craig at
jrc07d@acu.edu
Tantrum: Ridiculous antics discussion around the water cooler. They also sent a clear message to those watching that yelling, screaming and cussing is the way to get attention. All Williams and Federer needed to do was hold their breath, cross their arms and scream, “I hate you!” before storming off to their rooms – exactly what we want to be teaching our kids. Take another tennis great as an example. John McEnroe is one of the best players to ever step onto a tennis court. But, rather than being remembered as a for-
mer world champion or a winner of seven Grand Slam titles, he is remembered for screaming at an umpire, “You can not be serious!” Fortunately, Williams, whose tirade was far more vicious than Federer’s, has many years ahead of her. People have time to forget. This was the first time she has reacted in such a manner, and she apologized to the judge. Now, she has a choice: she can be remembered as a McEnroe or a Billie
Jean King. Tennis needs fans. It needs to get people excited about watching matches and cheering on their favorite players. What it doesn’t need is another prima donna player to mouth off in front of millions of people.
contact Knauth at
txk07a@acu.edu
contact Tripp at
bjt07a@acu.edu
ALUMNI
Barrow: Sage advice for ACU students Continued from page 8
COLUMN
Continued from page 8
Federer had a similar outburst during his match against Juan Pierre del Potro in the U.S. Open finals. Federer complained about a call and was told to be quiet. That did not sit well with him, and he started swearing at the judge. Although I do not condone the two players’ actions, I do think as a general rule our society loves this kind of thing, and not just in tennis. People watch everything Terrell Owens does, because no matter how offensive it is, it sells. Every time John
Daly comes intoxicated to a tournament; every time Ron Artest throws a punch; and every time T.O. shouts at his offensive coordinator on the sidelines, we watch with anticipation. Only after do we say how atrocious their behavior was and demand better behavior from our “role models.” So, even though Williams used every curse word in the English language and invented some of her own, no one can deny that she brought tennis some of the best publicity it could ask for.
ACU is frequently mentioned in CBS broadcasts, thanks to Barrow. For example, Barrow will cover the Pittsburg Steelers and Chicago Bears game this week. The announcer will mention ACU a few times, because Johnny Knox and Danieal Manning, both Bears players, are former ACU football players. Barrow is in a unique position. He works in a secular industry, yet maintains his Christian beliefs, influencing
many in the business, including his colleague, Grant Boone. “Lance is a phenomenal guy,” Boone said. “He is a great example of what I like to call a vocational witness. The people he is witnessing to would never darken the door of a church. The way that Lance preaches is treating people with respect and dignity, no matter who they are or what walk of life.”
contact Gwin at
agg07a@acu.edu
Sports
Page 8
Standings FOOTBALL Div. Ovrl.
Team
MSU ACU Tarleton St. TAMU-K Angelo St. SE Okla. Central Okla. ENMU WTAMU East Central NE State SW Okla. TAMU-C
2-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-1 1-1 1-1 0-1 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2
3-0 3-0 3-0 3-0 2-1 2-1 1-2 1-2 0-3 0-3 0-3 0-3 0-3
VOLLEYBALL Team Div. Ovrl. WTAMU 0-0 Cameron 0-0 TAMU-C 0-0 ACU 0-0 TAMU-K 0-0 SE Okla. 0-0 Angelo State. 0-0 East Central 0-0 TX Woman’s 0-0 Central Okla. 0-0 ENMU 0-0 SW Okla. 0-0 MSU 0-0
11-2 10-2 12-3 9-3 9-3 9-4 8-5 9-6 7-7 6-7 4-9 3-12 2-12
WOMEN’S SOCCER Team Div. Ovrl. WTAMU MSU TAMU-C Angelo State Central Okla. East Central ACU NE State TX Women’s SW Okla. ENMU
0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
5-0-1 3-0-1 5-1 4-2 3-3-1 1-1-1 2-3 2-3 2-3 2-4-1 2-4
ALUMNI
Barrow offers wisdom, advice Austin Gwin Assistant Sports Editor The life of a CBS producer might seem like one of luxury, but Lance Barrow, coordinating producer of CBS Sports, would be the first to say producing a game takes preparation and hard work. “I enjoy the challenge of being the producer,” Barrow said. “I enjoy the challenge of studying every week and getting better every week. I love being a part of doing all the events that we do.” Barrow and Wildcat football announcer Grant Boone gave students a chance to hear firsthand how life in the sports broadcasting industry works Wednesday. Students also got advice on
how to be successful in such a competitive field. “Start working as early as you can,” Barrow said. “Develop contacts. Use any resource you have. Try to get out there and get as much experience as you can.” A white lie at a golf tournament got Barrow started at ABC Sports. He went to the Colonial Golf Tournament in Fort Worth hoping to help with the broadcast of the tournament. Someone asked if he had worked for ABC before. He said yes, and he has worked in the industry ever since. Barrow’s position has allowed him to befriend such sports legends as John Madden, Jim Nantz and Pat Summerall. Surprisingly, his most ex-
JOZIE SANDS Chief Photographer
CBS producer Lance Barrow discusses topics such as how to become a sports journalist and to how to maintain your Christian values while working in a secular business. citing contact is not a sports star. “I went to Maine one time with Jim Nantz, and I got the chance
TENNIS
Tennis begins season hopeful
Agree to Disagree
Tennis stars Serena Williams and Roger Federer have had well-documented arguments with officials in recent tennis matches. Some would argue the profanity-laced tirades are good for tennis because they show personality and passion. Others say tennis players should show more decorum.
Jeff Craig
SATURDAY Volleyball ACU 3, Southern Arkansas 0 ACU 3, Dallas Baptist 0
Football ACU 20, TAMU-Commerce 14
TUESDAY Soccer ACU 1 vs. Hardin-Simmons 2
THURSDAY
The men’s tennis team opened its singles season at the New Mexico State Invitational in Las Cruces, N.M., Friday. The matches allowed Head Coach Hutton Jones to evaluate the individual members of his squad for the first time. “We had enough success that we have hope for a good season,” Jones said. “But we also got beat enough to know where we are going to need to be.” NCAA tennis lasts all year, but the fall sea-
Upcoming FRIDAY Tennis ACU at Racket Club Invitational ACU at Islander Invitational
Lauren White, sophomore accounting major from Midland, tosses up a serve during a match Saturday. son consists of singles matches only; doubles play begins in the spring. While these early matchups have little to do with the team’s spring rankings, they are still important. Singles sea-
son moves rapidly, and teams have little time to prepare. Jones said these types of events are vital to setting his rosters and evaluating progress. see PLAY page 7
FOOTBALL
Cats look to stay perfect The Wildcat offense has not put up point against good defensive lines consistently, but a stellar defense has made plays when the team needed it most. Southeastern Oklahoma University, which has scored at least 34 points in every game this season, will put the defense to the test Saturday.
SATURDAY Cross-Country
at Missouri Southern Stampede
Volleyball ACU at Eastern New Mexico, 3 p.m.
Football ACU at Eastern New Mexico, 3 p.m.
Tennis ACU at Racket Club Invitational ACU at Islander Invitational
MONDAY Golf at The Territory Classic HOME GAMES LISTED IN ITALICS
Briefs n Freshman golfer Adam Carpenter won the individual medalist title at the Charles Coody West Texas Intercollegiate Tournament at Diamondback Golf Club on Tuesday. It was Carpenter’s first collegiate tournament, and he won in a playoff on the fourth hole.
Displays of rage good for television
Tantrums immature, set poor example
Brandon Tripp
Tanner Knauth
Sports Media Director
Assistant Sports Editor
Serena Williams swore at the top of her lungs on national television. It was shocking, ugly and uncalled for. But it certainly was not harmful to the Tripp reputation of tennis as a sport. In fact, nothing could have benefited tennis more. Williams’ and Roger Federer’s outbursts were the most energetic and emotional moments in the sport since the days of John McEnroe, with his continuous swearing and thrown rackets – rackets that still lie in pieces somewhere. Williams went off the deep end when a line judge called her on a foot fault, which was, in all fairness, a bad call. She threatened the judge, saying she would shove the tennis ball down her throat. Of course, she spiced it up with some profanity. Williams was completely wrong and has apologized for her actions. Still, how many times do we have to watch it on Sports Soup? In four days, almost 3 million people have watched the YouTube clip of the blow-up.
Many people said Serena Williams’ verbal abuse of a line judge was good for a sport that has b e e n stereotyped as a count r y c l u b Knauth sport played by rich white men. Roger Federer was doing the tennis community a favor throwing a tantrum on national television, they said. Tennis could stand to lose some of its dignity. Nothing could be further from the truth. Although tennis could use some marketable larger-than-life personalities, Williams and Federer are going about it the wrong way. The two are some of the most talented players in tennis, but they should let their play do the talking. They can be strong personalities without the profanities – and without threatening to shove a tennis ball down the throat of someone half their size. It’s become cliché to say, “Think of the kids,” but in this case, it is true. The tirades made SportsCenter and made tennis a topic of
HEATHER LEIPHART Staff Photographer
Soccer ACU 1 vs. Hardin-Simmons 2
to sit in the back of a agents,” Barrow said. Suburban with the 41st “Sometimes, I just have president of the United to pinch myself.” States, George Bush, and two Secret Service see BARROW page 7
COLUMN
Sports Writer
Scores
September 18, 2009
KEY PLAYER: Coming into the season WR Edmond Gates was being touted as one of the most explosive players in the LSC. Gates has started the season slowly with only nine catches for 92 yards and no touchdowns. Gates could have a breakout day though as the SE Oklahoma defense has given up nearly 40 points a game this season and 695 yards passing against Eastern New Mexico last week.
KEY PLAYER: RB Baylen Laury leads a very good offensive attack for SE Oklahoma. Laury was named LSC North Division Player of the Week after racking up 184 yards and two touchdowns in Southeastern’s 49-47 win over Eastern New Mexico. Laury is the leading rusher in the conference averaging 115.7 yards per game.
KEY MATCHUP: The Wildcat defense has played extremely well this season. Aston Whiteside leads the LSC with 4.5 sacks, but will be facing a Southeastern team that averages 36.3 points per game. If Whiteside and the defense can slow down a rushing attack that averages 175.3 yards a game, ACU should be able to outscore SE Oklahoma.
KEY MATCHUP: Special teams could be a major factor in this game, and SE Oklahoma has a dynamic return man in Jerome Hewitt. Hewitt set a pair of school records last week we seven kickoff returns for 201 yards. If the special teams unit can provide good field position for SE Oklahoma, it could help their offense score against a stout ACU defense.
see RAGE page 7
see TANTRUM page 7