acuoptimist.com
Optimist the
Healthy Eating , page 5
Friday, October 1, 2010
Vol. 99, No. 13
1 section, 8 pages
FINANCE
University endowment increases over year Linda Bailey Editor In Chief
ACU’s endowment has increased despite the volatility of the stock market last year. “The movement of the stock market influences all markets, but there’s
not a direct correlation between what happens in the stock market and what happens in our portfolio,” Jack Rich, chief investment officer, said. In the year-long period ending June 30, the ACU endowment earned 15.1 per-
cent. Rich said the average return over the last five years has been 9.4 percent, which has pleased the university. The endowment has increased in the last year to more than $270 million. It peaked at $293 million in May 2008 and fell to $225
million in March 2009, Rich said. He said ACU lost about $45 million in market value between May 2008 and May 2009 but has since made up the losses in terms of returns. However, he said the endowment is not back to
its peak value because the university has distributed $30 million to areas such as student scholarships and university operations. “Over our history, we’ve received $146 million worth of gifts that have gone to the endowment; we’ve paid
Queen’s Ransom
out $162 million in distribution back to university,” Rich said. “So, even though we’ve paid out more than we’ve received in gifts, we still have an endowment of $270 million.” see MARKET page 4
CRIME
Student arrested for illegal drug use Alan Cherry Page 2 Editor
KELSI WILLIAMSON // Arts Editor
Ko Jo Kai members Jordana Chisolm, Kylah Riddle, Rachel Webb and Rebecca Hopkins celebrate their nominations for Homecoming Queen.
Many of the women say being crowned Homecoming Queen is not the most imOnline Editor portant part of receiving the nomination. Five Kojies, four Siggies and one DT were kid- Kylah Riddle, senior business-finance manapped during club activities Wednesday night jor from Dimmitt and a member of this and will serve as the 2010 Homecoming Court. year’s Homecoming Court, said she and the The 10 women were chosen out of more four other Kojies on the court are honored than 100 nominees to receive a spot on the to represent their club and its alumni. “It’s awesome to be nominated for Homecoming Court. Consistent with ACU tradition, the Homecoming Committee Homecoming Queen,” Riddle said. “We are kidnapped these women as soon as they proud to be represented by our club; we aren’t worried about getting Homecoming learned about their nominations. “These are the students that are most Queen – we are just excited to be on the active. They have to be known by the stu- court together. It’s a great experience.” This year Justin Prince, senior Bible major dent body to be nominated,” said Samantha Adkins, senior Alumni Relations officer. from San Antonio and president of Trojans, “They’re going to have fond memories, and made it into the top 20 nominees, Adkins said. this is another way to give them a memory see QUEEN page 4 they will have for the rest of their lives.”
Jozie Sands
Homecoming Committee kidnaps 10 queen hopefuls
ACU Police recently charged an ACU freshman with Class B Possession of marijuana and are investigating a criminal mischief charge for another student. Police responded to an anonymous report of two men in possession of a gun in the parking lot in front of McDonald Hall around 10:30 p.m. on Sept. 17. Chief of Police Jimmy Ellison said ACU Police officers quickly arrived at the scene and approached two men who matched the description. While the officers were talking with the two suspects, another individual approached the scene and reported one of their car’s windows had just been shot out by one of the suspects. ACU Police are currently investigating the evidence. “Through the course of their investigation they located what turned out to be a BB air rifle under the vehicle,” Ellison said. “As they continued their investigation they located a quantity of marijuana.” While searching the suspects’ car, ACU Police found half an ounce of marijuana in nine separate baggies, as well as smoking accessories and electronic scales. The individual who owned the car claimed possession of the marijuana and was arrested by ACU Police for Class B see DRUGS page 4
CONSTRUCTION
Loop line completion set for October Construction crews have successfully conArts Editor nected nine of 23 buildDespite rain delays and ings to the new heating several large events on and cooling loop line. The campus, construction rest of the buildings on continues to progress campus should be tied in on the new heating and to the circuit within the cooling loop line and the next two weeks, said Scot Royce and Pam Money Colley, director of physiStudent Recreation and cal resources. The Robert D. and Shirley Hunter Wellness Center.
Kelsi Williamson
completion in mid-October – assuming no rain delays or other setbacks. Rain has made for challenging and often impossible working conditions on the loop line project. Dennis said construction crews have found it is sometimes better to wait a see PIPE page 4
website
inside news Dr. John Bailey will receive this year’s Outstanding Alumnus of the Year award on Sunday, Oct. 10 for his work in missions. page 3
Welcome Center is next in line to begin running on the new system. Once the main heating and cooling line is completed, crews will finish the line’s feeders and then take time to demobilize their efforts. Both Colley and Zane Dennis, executive director of facilities and campus development, anticipate
opinion The editorial board presents both sides to the issue of legalizing marijuana – a debate making headlines across the country. page 6
GRANT STEPHEN // Staff Photographer
Construction continues as workers guide a piece of piping between Brown Library and Mabee Hall on Thursday.
weather video To see and hear the sports highlights of the week and to keep up with the Wildcat sports stats, watch the JMC Network Sportscast.
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Campus Friday, October 01, 2010
ACU Police Tip of the Week
Day
Help prevent burglaries in the ACU area. Always lock your room, apartment or house when you are not at home.
Police Log Edited for space
Tuesday, Sept. 21 8:30 a.m. Someone reported a parked motorcycle had been knocked over in the Big Purple lot. Subsequent investigation determined that a pickup truck struck the motorcycle. The owner of the motorcycle was notified. 5:10 p.m. Someone reported his iPhone had been stolen from Powell Fitness Center. 9:58 p.m. ACU Police received a call of an elderly woman in the parking lot of the Hardin Administration Building who seemed confused. An officer spoke with the lady, who was not talking very clearly. ACU Police requested EMS.
calendar & events
01
02
Friday
11 a.m. Praise Day in Moody Coliseum 8 p.m. Jazz Ensemble/ Swing Dance in the Windsor Hotel Ballroom
Saturday
Delta Theta Bake/ Garage Sale at 35 Harbour Town St.
03
Sunday
8 p.m. Women’s Soccer at Northeastern State University
04
Monday
11 a.m. Chapel in Moody Coliseum
Wednesday, Sept. 22 8:45 a.m. A student reported that an unknown vehicle struck his black Ford F250 pickup while it was parked in the Big Purple Parking Lot. 11:39 a.m. Abilene Fire Department notified ACU Police of an elderly woman who had fallen in Moody Coliseum. The woman was transported to Hendrick Medical Center for treatment. 11:45 a.m. Someone reported the theft of their iPhone. 1 p.m. Someone reported a hit-and-run crash in the in the University Church of Christ parking lot. There were no witnesses to this hit-and-run.
11 a.m. FilmFest directing workshop in the Mabee Library Auditorium 8 p.m. Guest Artist Series, Rawlins Piano Trio in the Recital Hall of the Williams Preforming Arts Center
follow us on Twitter: @acuoptimist // become a fan on Facebook: The Optimist
volunteer opportunities Disability Resources, Inc. needs volunteers from 10 a.m. until dusk Monday - Saturday and 1 p.m. until dusk Sundays Sept. 29 - Oct. 31 to help with its annual Pumpkin Patch. Volunteers will help sell pumpkins, read at story time in the children’s area, and assist with children’s games. Contact Jo Ann Wilson at 325-677-6825, ext. 2003 or e-mail joannwilson66@sbcglobal. com.
The Dyess Youth Center needs help with a Ping Pong Exhibition from 4 p.m.-6 p.m every Friday. Volunteers will preside over tournaments and help with an exhibition for the students. Transportation will not be provided, nor can volunteers have any sexual assault charges or charges pending. For more information, contact Sheri Frisby at 325-6964797 or e-mail sheri. frisby-@dyess.af.mil.
ACU Homecoming needs help on Oct. 8 to line the streets from ACU to Shotwell Stadium with streamers. Help is also needed at the carnival for two-hour shifts from 4 p.m.- 8 p.m., and in the Spirit Shop during the Homecoming game on Oct. 2. During the carnival volunteers will assist with face painting, inflatables, children’s game stations and other activities. Contact Kelsey Chrane at kdc05b@acu.edu.
The Dyess Youth Center needs volunteers from 4 p.m. -6 p.m. every Monday - Friday to assist students with homework in the areas of math, science, English and history. Transportation will not be provided, nor can volunteers have any sexual assault charges or charges pending. For more information, contact Sheri Frisby at 325-696-4797 or e-mail Sheri.frisby-@ dyess.af.mil.
announcements Flu shots are now available in the ACU clinic located in McKinzie Hall. Call (325) 674-2151 for more information. FCA meets at 9 p.m. every Thursday in the Living Room of the McGlothlin Campus Center. Table Tennis Club is looking for new members who enjoy casual and ranked matches. For more information, contact Benjamin Hayes at bph08a@acu.edu. Titanic, the Department of Theatre’s fall Homecoming musical, will show at 8 p.m. on Oct. 8-9 and 2 p.m. on Oct. 10 at the Abilene Civic Center. For ticketing information, call 325647-2787 or visit acu.edu/ theatre. ACUltimate, the university’s ultimate frisbee club, is meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesdays
and Thursdays. Interested students can contact Kyle Thaxton at krt06d@acu.edu.
Thursday, Sept. 23 8:41 p.m. ACU Police assist-
Red Dirt Adventure Challenge duathlon race by the ACU Outdoor Club will take place on Oct. 2. For more information and registration details, visit www.acuoutdoorclub.org.
ed Abilene Police with a traffic accident at Ambler Avenue and E. Overland Trail. Friday, Sept. 24 12:04 a.m. ACU Police Officer detained a suspicious person at EN 16th and Campus Court. The subject was placing his clothes over the stop sign. He was identified and released. 4:20 p.m. ACU Police contacted a man who was found to be in possession of stolen property from an off-campus theft. The man was arrested for Class B Theft and issued a criminal trespass warning for ACU properties. Saturday, Sept. 25 4 p.m. Someone reported their neighbor’s dog had been barking for several hours. Sunday, Sept. 26 1:30 p.m. Someone reported the theft of their iPhone. Monday, Sept. 27 3:15 p.m. ACU Police responded to a call about a suspicious man on E.N. 20th selling magazines. Officers checked and discovered the man worked for a magazine sales company. 9:05 p.m. ACU Police responded to a traffic accident on Campus Court. Report all suspicious activity to the ACU Police Department at (325) 674-2305.
Chapel Checkup 38 49
Big Brothers Big Sisters is having a benefit basketball tournament at 9 a.m. on Oct. 2 in Moody Coliseum. Entry fee is $30 per team. For more information, contact Kevin Riley at kpr07a@ acu.edu.
Credited Chapels to date
JamFest will take place from 6 - 9 p.m. on Oct. 8 on the East Lawn in front of the Robert D. and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center.
Credited Chapels remaining
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The Rawlins Piano Trio will perform as part of the Guest Artist Series at 8 p.m. on Oct. 2. in the Recital Hall of the Williams Preforming Arts Center.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Swing Dance Society pairs with Jazz Ensemble
‘‘ ’’
the Swing Cats give lessons and dance performances for Page Designer Art Walk in the past. “That’s kind of how they The Abilene Swing Dance Society will sponsor a dance got started here,” Beal said. event at the Windsor Hotel “We let them use the ballon Friday. ACU’s Swing Cats room after Art Walk. It’s an and jazz ensemble are sched- expanding and progressing uled to perform throughout thing, and they seem to be doing well and having fun.” the night. Derek Brown, direcThe Swing Dance Society has filled the Windsor’s ball- tor of jazz studies, said the room before as part of Art jazz band is excited to perWalk celebrations, but the form with the Abilene Swing addition of the jazz ensemble Dance Society. “I like to view this event as will create a unique atmosphere for the evening. Sandy our ACU Jazz Ensemble doing Beal, property manager of the a concert featuring all clasWindsor Hotel, has watched sic swing era tunes,” Brown
Bailey Neal
While the Swing Cats typically perform in traditional The atmosphere is more swing dance clothing, Frirelaxed than one of our day’s participants are invited more typical concerts... to wear whatever they want. DEREK BROWN // director of jazz “If people want to dress studies 50s or dress of the period, I’m said. “We’ve done a couple mote swing dance as some- all for it,” Komorowski said. of these in the past, and we thing everyone can learn and “But usually it’s not anything formal. Definitely come caalways enjoy it because the improve on. “If you’ve never swing sual and comfortable.” atmosphere is more relaxed Komorowski also offered than one of our more typical danced before, then I deficoncerts, and the energy is nitely recommend going advice to anyone who wants to the lessons before,” Ko- to participate in swing dancalways really high.” Ryan Komorowski, a morowski said. “That way ing for the first time. “The most important Swing Cats alumnus spon- once the dance starts, you sor, said that the Swing Cats know what to work on, and thing is to wear non-marking and the Abilene Swing Dance you can still pull someone shoes – shoes with lots of grips on the bottom could Society are working to pro- aside for more help.”
hurt the dancer’s ankles if they try to do spins,” Komorowski said. “We’re just doing this event because they’re dancing as much as they can, and we try and get as much live music as we can, for the Swing Cats and for the lessons,” he added. Dance lessons are from 7 p.m. - 8 p.m. and cost $5. The open dance will run until 11 p.m., with the jazz ensemble performing live until 10 p.m.
contact Neal at
bmn07a@acu.edu
STUDENT LIFE
Siggies sponsor memory walk for Alzheimer’s Laura Gasvoda
Contributing Reporter
Sigma Theta Chi raised over $1,500 for The Alzheimer’s Association in the Abilene Memory Walk last Saturday. Siggies and Siggie pledges walked in memory of member Meredith Morgan’s mother, Janet Sprout Morgan. The walk, which took place Saturday, Sept. 25th at the Abilene Zoo, was a success even with unfavorable weather conditions.
Thunderstorms delayed the event, but Siggies and pledges walked in spite of the rain. “It spoke volumes to me that we all came together to walk for Meredith and her mom in the first place, but even more that we did it in the rain,” said Emily Loper, senior English major from Athens and Sigma Theta Chi vice president. “About five minutes into the walk it started raining … but at that point it didn’t matter because
we knew how much it meant to Meredith, her dad, and all of the other families there affected by Alzheimer’s.” Chaplain Holley Craft, junior family studies major from Tyler, said the club participated in the event to show love and support for Meredith in this difficult time. “Our goal as a club is to unify and support each other, and we couldn’t have planned an activity to better show our pledges that we really do love each other
through thick and thin,” Craft said. In a tribute ceremony before the walk, participants wrote the names of people they were honoring on a flower to place around the zoo. Mr. Morgan also spoke to the Siggies, thanking them for their support. “One of my favorite activities during the pledging season is when we come together for our service project in the first week,” Loper said. “It’s really the first time that pledges
and members all get to participate in something as a big group united together and working for the same goal.” The Memory Walk is the nation’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research, according to the Alzheimer’s Association’s website. The event, in which teams walk to honor, remember, or show support for those affected by Alzheimer’s, has raised over $300 million since 1989. This is Sigma Theta Chi’s
first time to participate. Meredith Morgan, junior music education major from Arlington, said she felt very inspired after the event. “Words cannot begin to describe how blessed and encouraged I have been today by the Women of Sigma Theta Chi,” Morgan said. “God’s love for all of us was shown today through each one of my sisters.” contact Gasvoda at
lag08a@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
October 1, 2010
Page 3
FACULTY
Psychology professor awarded research grant Jeff Craig
Managing Editor
An ACU psychology professor recently received a grant to study the effects of sexualized media on young children. The Christian Scholars Foundation awarded Dr. Jennifer Shewmaker, associate professor of psychology and director of school psychology training, a grant to support her research. “They are a small family foundation, and their goal is to increase Christian academic voices in the academy,” Shewmaker said. “One of those ways is to give
Christian scholars more money for research.” Shewmaker said she was inspired in her research three years ago when reading about children and sexualized media. This prompted her to ask more questions and subsequently conduct research. Since then, she has discovered five factors that affect how children process media: family, race, gender, religiosity and involvement in celebrity culture. “Why do some kids look at this and say ‘I don’t believe this is how I should be,’ while others don’t do that,” Shewmaker said. “They take in
what the media says and go along with it.” Shewmaker said she has conducted quantitative and qualitative research at high schools, speaking with students and gathering their input first-hand. She expects her research to last from five to 10 years, and is currently working on a paper she hopes to submit to a peer review board in the spring. The mother of three daughters, Shewmaker said her goal is not to eliminate sexualized media messages, but rather to teach children and their families how to be more discerning.
‘‘ ’’
“Something needs to be done, but first we need to learn about it,” Shewmaker said. “I hope to develop an understanding of how we can help children be critical consumers and share that information with families.” Cherisse Flanagan, director of the ACU Psychology Clinic, said Shewmaker’s research will be important for both parents and children. “The benefit is to parents, educators and children,” Flanagan said. “Ultimately she’s hoping to make a real difference in deciding what messages we allow our children to see, and how they in-
I hope to develop an understanding of how we can help children be critical consumers and share that information with families. DR. JENNIFER SHEWMAKER // associate professor of psychology and director of school psychology training
terpret the messages they are going to see anyway. Having quality research that guides us in how to best educate. “ Flanagan said Shewmaker’s work has an important message for young girls. She said the media tells girls they have to be beautiful, which often affects how they live. “Part of what she is doing
Fire-breathing Wildcat
University names top 2010 alumnus Matthew Woodrow Opinions Page Editor
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Austin Fontaine, junior social justice major from Houston, breathes fire in the rain outside of Smith-Adams Hall on Friday.
FACULTY
COBA dean releases new book Contributing Reporter
Dr. Richard Lytle, dean of the College of Business Administration and professor of marketing, calls all Christians to break the mold in a book he released last week. ‘ Just over 200 pages, Abandon the Ordinary encourages people of faith to live their lives authentically. “In America, Christianity has become generic,” Lytle said, adding that it no longer influences people to change and find God. In a press release, Gary Skidmore, president of marketing at Harte-Hanks Inc., said the book gives readers a plan for building a distinctive leadership brand in their business, family and church. “If you really want to build a brand that is not generic, you must manage perception, power, performance and position,” Lytle said. “And as a Christian, you should consider your brand’s promise. For example, are you Kingdom-driven?” With a Ph.D. in marketing, Lytle decided to write his book in relation to business, with one of its major points being how Christian living coincides with the four busi-
contact Craig at
jrc07d@acu.edu
ALUMNI
LOCAL
Marissa Ferguson
is going to the source. She is interviewing girls who are speaking to her frankly, and hopefully she can gather information from that,” Flanagan said. “She is looking at how to be beautiful as a child of God.”
‘‘ ’’
ness principles of product, placement, price and promotion. “Anything generic does not have lasting power in the marketplace,” Lytle said. “If people look at us as Christians and can’t tell a difference, you have no power over life and cannot lead.” The book focuses especially on leadership and power, with the rest encouraing readers to avoid living the ordinary life that is often so attractive. “I talk about what is true power and looking at it through a Godly spirit,” said Lytle. “If you read the Bible, everything is about His power.” Skidmore said it is no surprise Lytle would write a book that takes a passionate look at leading through serving. “Rick Lytle is the best kind of leader – a servant,” Skidmore said. “He demonstrates his passion for serving students, faculty, peers, alumni and friends.” Lytle said inspiration for the book stemmed from 19 years of teaching on campus, and that students will have no problem identifying with the book. “Seeing students, there is a disconnect between Christianity and behavior
I talked about what is true power and looking at it through a Godly spirit. DR. RICK LYTLE // dean of COBA and professor of marketing
from integrity,” Lytle said. “If your speech is demeaning Jesus’ name, are we really honoring His name, or are we devaluing Him?” Abandon the Ordinary is available for sale at
Barnes & Noble Booksellers and Amazon.com. The current listing price for the book is $16. contact Ferguson at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
Dr. John Bailey will receive this year’s Outstanding Alumnus of the Year award. Dr. Bailey will speak in the Robert D. and Shirley Hunter Welcome Center at noon on Sunday Oct. 10. Bailey graduated from ACU in 1957 to work in dental medicine. After retiring from private practice in 1998 he began traveling around the world on medical missions. In 2003 he created Body and Soul Ministries, a nonprofit organization that provides free health care to those in need. Body and Soul Ministries operates in 15 countries around the world, including Nicaragua, Ghana, Iraq and Indonesia. Senior Alumni Relations officer Samantha Adkins said the Outstanding Alumnus award goes to individuals over the age of 40 who have significant professional and personal achievements. “Dr. Bailey, instead of retiring, became a global missionary,” Adkins said. “He now works with the Caris Foundation, going to third world countries and giving dental care to those in need.” A board of alumni choose an Outstanding Alumnus of the Year and a Young Alumnus of the Year from nominations received each February. “The board is made up of about 36 people from all over the U.S., with different professions and different class years,” said Jama Cadle, assistant director of Alumni Relations and university events. “We solicit nominations from faculty, staff, alumni, students and friends of
the university – So pretty much everyone.” The board recognizes several other nominees in addition to the Outstanding and Young Alumni. “We also give out Distinguished Alumni Citations. We try to recognize an alumni from each school,” Cadle said. “Several Distinguished Alumni have gone on to become Outstanding Alumnus of the Year.”
‘‘ ’’ The winner has to show professional and personal achievements in their life.
SAMANTHA ADKINS // senior Alumni Relations officer
The Alumni of the Year were traditionally honored in the spring, but the event was moved to Homecoming because of changes in ACU’s Summit schedule. “We used to honor the alumnus during lectureship but then Summit was moved to the fall,” Cadle said. “This will provide more opportunities to meet with them and maximize their time on campus.” Tickets are $20, and tables for eight may be reserved for $140. Tickets can be purchased at www. acu.edu/alumni. Nominations for next year’s awards can be made at www.acu.edu/alumni/ awards/index.html. contact Woodrow at
mrw08a@acu.edu
FROM THE FRONT
Page 4
October 1, 2010
HOMECOMING
CONSTRUCTION
Pipe: Construction Queen: 10 nominees announced quick facts nears completion ceive the title, will not be able to attend any Homecoming activities. Jama Cadle, interim It is not unusual for a few director of Alumni Relations, men to be nominated will present the crown. “It’s not a big deal what club Homecoming Queen, Adkins said, but she has never the Homecoming Queen is seen a male student receive in,” said Jessica Ellison, senior accounting major from Van this many nominations. Only seven women from and a member of this year’s the Coming Home Court of Homecoming Court. “The girl 1999 will be able to attend who wins will be the one who Homecoming Chapel and the deserves it. She will be somefootball game this year. Cin- one the students believe in.” derella Wong, 1999 Homecoming Queen and the first contact Sands at international student to rejgs07a@acu.edu Continued from page 1
Continued from page 1
few days for the ground to dry before moving forward. “It kills us,” Dennis said. “Everything they work on is in the ground and everything is saturated.” As loop line construction comes to an end, students and faculty should expect to see more progress on the Wellness Center, Dennis said. At the moment, construction teams are still focusing on structural elements in the foundation and basement of the Wellness Center. While parking and congestion will be a challenge during next week’s Homecoming events, supervisors say student and campus visitor awareness will help keep projects running smoothly. “It’s not going to be any different than it has been for the past few events,” Dennis said. “We need everyone to be very, very aware of their surroundings.”
Dennis and Colley suggest Homecoming participants avoid parking in the lots behind the OnsteadPacker Biblical Studies Building and recommend parking behind Edwards Hall near the the old intramural fields instead. Supervisors also ask people to step lightly on the fresh sod being laid across campus in completed construction areas. The sod needs approximately two weeks of total water saturation to survive after it is planted. Walking on the grass is harmful both to the growing process and campus aesthetics. “It’s a huge issue. Please stay on sidewalks,” Colley said. There is currently fresh sod in front of McKinzie Hall and the McGlothlin Campus Center and in the mall area outside Moody Coliseum. contact Williamson at
kkw07a@acu.edu
The 2010 Homecoming Court appears at three events during Homecoming Weekend: a Chapel appearance, the Queen’s Tea and half time at the Homecoming football game. Caroline Conwell, management major from Atlanta, Ga. Heather Lowery, biology major from Midland n Jessica Ellison, accounting major from Van n Jordana Chisholm, nutrition major from San Antonio n Julie Kelley, exercise science major from Amarillo n Kinsey Logan, communication disorders major from Huntsville n Kylah Riddle, business finance major from Dimmitt n Rachel Webb, marketing major from Beaumont n Rebecca Hopkins, speech pathology major from Edmond, Okla. n Sarah Greer, English major from Spring n n
CRIME
Drugs: Police enforce policy Continued from page 1
According to the ACU Student Handbook, “The university has a zero-tolerance polPossession of Marijuana and icy prohibiting the unlawful taken to the Taylor County possession, use or distribution of illegal drugs and conjail by Abilene Police. Ellison said both stu- trolled substances. Violations dents were also referred of this policy will be assessed to ACU’s judicial affairs, the full range of disciplinary which will deal with up- responses, including the posholding the university’s sibility of immediate dismissal from the university.” polices in the case.
Under Texas law, possession of a usable quantity of marijuana carries a minimum a fine of up to $2,000 and/or 180 days in jail. Ellison said he was thankful someone called to report the crime and stressed that the ACU Police rely on the community to help alert them to suspicious activity. He said the ACU Police
would continue to be an active presence at ACU. “We are going to enforce that law aggressively on campus and around campus,” Ellison said. “We owe it to the community to maintain a drug-free environment.” contact Cherry at
arc07a@acu.edu
FINANCE
Market: University endowment remains steady Continued from page 1
Rich said the stock market certainly plays a role in the endowment, but the relatively small amount of total assets ACU has invested directly in the stock market reduces the endowment’s volatility. He added that ACU tends to underperform when the stock market goes
up rapidly, but tends to do much better than the market when the stock market drops rapidly. “It’s better if your investments are less volatile over the long term,” Rich said. “Over many years, the less volatility you have in your investments generally the better.” Dr. Terry Pope, professor of finance, said the
stock market had a fairly strong spring and a weak summer. While it is having a strong fall so far, he said, it continues to be somewhat volatile. “The impact that has on people’s thinking is, ‘well, maybe this is not for me, and I’d like to do something else,’ so they’ve sought safer havens,” Pope said.
Instead of investing in the stock market, many people have bought securities from the U.S. treasury or put money in the bank where they know it will stay safe. The high employment rate has also had a dampening effect on the economy, which Pope said goes full circle.
“In order to get the unemployment down, there’s got to be more hiring, but to be more hiring there has to be more profitability, and then once the employment rate starts dropping, then consumer spending comes back stronger,” Pope said. This same philosophy may apply to donations to the endowment.
“Donations tend to follow economic cycles,” Rich said. “So, our donations [to the endowment] have been down over the past three years as the economy has been down. Typically we’ll see donations improve as the economy improves.” contact Bailey at
ljb07a@acu.edu
Arts
October 1, 2010
Page 5
Abilene Events 10/1-10/2 HSU Theatre-Our Town 8 p.m. Hardin Simmons University
10/1-10/3 Smoke on the Mountain Varying times Abilene Community Theatre
SATURDAY NCCIL Storybook Gala 7 p.m. Elks Art Center
ACU Events TONIGHT Swing Dance/Jazz Ensemble 8 p.m.-11 p.m. Windsor Hotel Ballroom Abilene
SATURDAY FilmFest-Free Directing Workshop KELSI WILLIAMSON & HANNAH BARNES
Above: A serving of roasted balsamic squash and sweet potatoes accompanies rosemary, lemon and garlic chicken; Below right: Brown rice pudding includes plenty of raisins and pecans; Bottom: scenes from Slowpoke Farm correspond to related recipes.
From the
11 a.m.-12 p.m. Mabee Library Auditorium
SATURDAY Rawlins Piano Trio 8 p.m.-9 p.m. Williams Performing Arts Center Recital Hall
up
10/8-10/10
ground
Titanic Varying Times Abilene Civic Center
By Kelsi Williamson
10/9 Homecoming Choral Concert 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Williams Performing Arts Center Recital Hall
Kerry and Joy Hedges are among the increasing number of people who recognize the advantages of eating locally produced food. The owners of Slowpoke Farm, a sustainable operation located just south of Cisco between Abilene and Forth Worth, the Hedges believe buying local food improves a community’s ecology and economy and benefits an individual’s health and spirituality. “Food is fundamentally the most important thing you have in your life. It is the primary way you interface with the world,” Kerry Hedges said. Buying locally produced food results in cooking locally produced food. Even with the stress of college life, the Hedges suggest taking small steps to move toward incorporating fresh and organic food into eating habits. “You cannot change everything,” Joy Hedges said. “You start with one meal and work your way up.” With that in mind, you may want to try out a few Slowpoke Farm recipes. They may take a bit longer than Top Ramen, but they are top-notch alternatives to fast-paced eating. The Hedges suggest experimenting with spices and ingredients in these recipes to fit personal taste. Local products, including produce, meat and dairy, are available every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at the Abilene Farmer’s Market. The market opens at 8 a.m. and is located in the Frontier Texas parking lot on N. 1st St.
App of the Week Sleep Cycle alarm clock Healthcare & Fitness
HHHI The Sleep Cycle Alarm is a uniquely useful app creation. Courtesy of Maciek Drejak Labs, the Sleep Cycle Alarm measures your sleep patterns and wakes you in your lightest sleep phase. The app measures your sleep movements throughout the night, using the accelarometer in your iPhone. Since you move differently depending on the phase of sleep you are in, the app senses when you are in your lightest phase of sleep, so you wake up feeling much more rested. The app also allows you to set your latest possible wake-up time and wakes you up within a 30 minute time window that ends with the time you set. The Sleep Cycle Alarm app is available for 99 cents in the iTunes app store.
Art Exhibits ALICE’S GARDEN Alice Wright 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday The Grace Museum
LINDA3
Rosemary, lemon and garlic chicken
Roasted balsamic squash and sweet potato
Raisin, pecan and brown rice pudding
Linda Fawcett, Linda Murray, Linda Stricklin 11 a.m.- 5 p.m. The Center for Contemporary Arts
4-5 cups winter squash (such as acorn squash) and sweet potatoes, cut into 1 in. wedges 4 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons fresh sage, chopped 2 onions, cut into wedges salt and pepper to taste 2 tablespoons gruyere cheese (optional)
3 eggs 1 1/2 cups heavy cream 1/3 cup maple syrup or sorghum 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/8 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 2 cups brown rice 3/4 cups pecans 2 cups raisins
Ginger Geyer
2. Toss and coat chicken breast in olive oil and lemon juice, and place in a baking dish. Add garlic, rosemary, salt and pepper. Top with lemon slices. (Or experiment with your own flavors.)
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Center for Contemporary Arts
2. Toss squash, sweet potatoes and onions with oil and vinegar. Add spices.
2. Beat eggs with cream, maple syrup, vanilla, salt and cinnamon.
3. Roast in oven for 25-30 minutes or until cooked thoroughly.
3. Place ingredients in a roasting pan and cook for 30 minutes. If using cheese, sprinkle over squash and cook another 20 minutes.
3. Stir in rice, pecans and raisins. Pour into casserole dish. Bake for 4050 minutes.
1-2 chopped cloves of garlic 3 tablespoons rosemary 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil lemon juice from two fresh lemons salt and pepper to taste 2 chicken breasts sliced lemon for garnish 1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
4. Serve warm with oven-roasted balsamic squash.
4. Garnish with more cinnamon, if desired. Serve warm.
THE REUNION Texas Sculptors 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Center for Contemporary Arts
THE PORCELAIN REFORMATION
FULL BLOOM Ann Ekstrom 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday The Grace Museum
THE VACANT LIGHT Saybra Phillips 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Center for Contemporary Arts
Opinion
Page 6
EDITORIAL
October 1, 2010
Two sides to marijuana controversy Current drug laws should stand
M
arijuana, weed, dope, grass, Mary Jane, hashish – these and others are all names for the popular recreational drug that comes from cannabis. Despite the fun nicknames associated with the drug, it is dangerous enough to be taken very seriously. Research is clear when it comes to the dangers of marijuana consumption. Some say outlawing marijuana takes away people’s inalienable rights. Yet one of those rights is life, and marijuana use endangers the life of the user and those around him or her. While 14 states have legalized medicinal marijuana, the government has outlawed the use of the drug in most cases – and for very good reasons. The mind-altering chemical in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), attaches to nerve endings in the brain and interferes with neuron communication. This creates a sensation of pleasure, but it also causes short-term memory loss, distorted perception and hampered learning ability. These effects are even more potent when THC is consumed as food rather than smoked. Studies have shown that daily marijuana users exhibit more permanent side effects. Brain scans reveal areas of decreased blood activity. These “holes” cause problems with language, emotional control and motor control. High school seniors who smoke marijuana have been shown to score significantly lower on math and verbal tests than their peers. Some would argue that other dangerous substances, like alcohol and tobacco, are legal. But marijuana has been deemed more harmful than either of those. Smoking five joints of marijuana a week is as harmful to the lungs as
More and more states across the nation are legalizing some uses of marijuana. A variety of messages come from the media, the Drug Enforcement Agency, Christian groups and actual users. The editorial board has chosen to outline the pros and cons of the argument, allowing readers to consider opposing viewpoints on the issue and come to their own decisions. By Morgan Davis
The Funny Funnies
a pack of cigarettes a day, and the long-term effects are even more destructive. Those who advocate the legalization of marijuana point to its medicinal uses. Yet drugs like Marinol have the same effects and are approved by the FDA. In most states, receiving a medical marijuana card requires nothing but an application, a doctor’s signature and a small deposit. From then on, the medical marijuana is mostly selfadministered. If we already see prescription abuse with many medicines today, how much more likely would it be to see abuse with an addictive drug? There are no studies that prove marijuana to be a
Marijuana needs to be legalized
“gateway drug,” but the Drug Enforcement Administration has shown that only one percent of cocaine users started using cocaine without first taking marijuana, and 62 percent of current cocaine users started with marijuana before age 15. Columbia University’s National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse reports that teens who used marijuana at least once in the last month are almost 26 times more likely to use another drug than those who have never used marijuana. Everything is permissible but everything is not beneficial – and marijuana is one of those things. Just because we can reach up and eat the forbidden fruit does not mean that we should.
T
he American government is not an institution that exists to promote the ideologies of any single group. It exists to “secure the blessings of liberty” and ensure all people have the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Anything that doesn’t infringe on the basic rights of another human being should be legally permitted. When the government enforces a particular group’s standard of morality on the rest of the nation, it fails to live up to the standards established in the Constitution and
upon which this country was founded. This is why the government should legalize marijuana. In 1920, the government banned the sale, transportation and consumption of alcohol in the U.S. As it turned out, prohibition did not solve any problems. Instead, as John D. Rockefeller Jr., noted at the time, “respect for the law has been greatly lessened, and crime has increased to a level never seen before.” Likewise, the current laws that make the possession and use of marijuana illegal
have done little to curtail its presence. Marijuana usage nationwide has been on the rise since 1995, according to government surveys. This isn’t to say the dangers of marijuana use should be overlooked; it is, after all, an impairing substance. At the same time, multiple studies have shown the long-term usage of THC (the most abundant drug in marijuana) to be less harmful to the human body than prolonged use of alcohol or tobacco, both legally-controlled substances. If marijuana was legalized, the government would be able to tax marijuana sales, which could boost the economy. The legalized vending of marijuana would also create job for producers and sellers. As a legal drug, the government would be able to set standards for the herb, ensuring a safer, cleaner product than what is often sold illegally. The government could also set parameters on marijuanause that would be similar to laws concerning alcohol and tobacco. These would include setting age limits, restricting usage to private settings and outlawing driving while under the influence of marijuana. As with the end of Prohibition, the legalization of marijuana would probably not cause a dramatic increase in the number of users. Marijuana would be a personal choice, like drinking alcohol and smoking tobacco. In a private, controlled setting, there is nothing in marijuana usage that directly infringes upon another person’s right to life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness any more than the controlled use of alcohol or tobacco already do. Smoking marijuana is a personal decision, and the government should acknowledge it as a legitimate one. contact the Optimist at
jmcnetwork@acu.edu
COLUMN
Text abbreviations do not belong in conversation Altitude Sickness By Juliana Kocsis
OMG. This is OOMWPP, BTW. Why do we AENAD? In MOO, using TL outside of TM is SNF. Translation: Oh my goodness. This is one of my worst pet peeves, Kocsis by the way. Why do we abbreviate everything nowadays? In my own opinion, using tex-
ting lingo outside of text messages is so not funny. Before I begin my non-abbreviated diatribe against using texting lingo in everyday communication, I will admit that it does serve a purpose in 160-characterlimit text messages. The 14 fewer characters in JK BTW versus “just kidding, by the way” can prove quite helpful. As the name suggests, however, “texting lingo” is for texts and should be avoided entirely in every other other form of communication.
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
Facebook posts cut off at 1,000 characters, which is more than enough room to spell out every “by the way,” “oh my goodness” and “laughing out loud” for your friends and stalkers to see. Facebook messages have no limit at all, and neither do good old-fashioned e-mails, unless you can fill 10 MB with text. Conversations, especially, are no place for keypad acronyms. My critics might point out that as an English major and copy editor I am predisposed to hate all abbreviations and deviations
from strict grammatical and syntactical standards. I must admit that I edit billboards for word choice and menus for comma splices, and that my MLA style sensors go on emergency alert with the first spelling mistake in an e-mail. But my own idiosyncrasies aside, there are more important reasons why I am so frustrated with the proliferation of texting lingo outside of texts. To me, OMGs, JKs and LOLs on Facebook, blog posts and – worst of all – in conversations, suggest a disintegrating concern
Optimist the
Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
newsroom (325) 674-2439
sports desk (325) 674-2684
for language and personal communication. An LOL in an e-mail only serves to remind me that I am talking to a computer screen. A BTW dropped in a face-toface conversation makes whoever I’m talking to a cell phone screen. If we allow it to seep into our writings and conversations, texting lingo may spell an imminent linguistic and social decay in society. We may forget how to spell and how to construct a complete sentence, and the English language will be reduced to a set of capital letters strung together
(or lowercase letters if we can’t be bothered to hit the shift key). We ourselves will become walking Blackberries and iPhones, who laugh in obnoxious LOLs and express ourselves in digitized emoticons. Does this mean that I will refuse to respond to Facebook posts and e-mails that include the dreaded texting lingo and run away at the first sign of it in a conversation? Yes, that’s exactly what I mean. JK, not really. :) contact Kocsis at
jck07a@acu.edu
editorial & management board Linda Bailey
Matthew Woodrow Juliana Kocsis
Alan Cherry
Kenneth Pybus
Editor in Chief
Opinions Page Editor
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Page 2 Editor
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Jeff Craig
Brandon Tripp
Hannah Barnes
Morgan Davis
Cade White
Managing Editor Sports Media Director
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Jozie Sands Kelsi Williamson
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photo department (325) 674-2499
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FROM SPORTS
October 1, 2010
Page 7
FOOTBALL
Preview: Wildcats go hunting for Javelinas
vs.
Continued from page 8
Offense The edge has to go to the Wildcats here. Kingsville has scored just 12 offensive touchdowns this season against mediocre defenses at best. ACU has been posting huge numbers thanks to a deep rushing attack and a potent air attack led by Mitchell Gale and Edmund Gates.
Defense As good as the Wildcats are on the defensive side of the ball, the Javelinas are better. With studs at every position, Kingsville has not allowed double digit points yet this season, allowing an average of just 5.25 points allowed per game.
Special Teams The Wildcats have proved to be one of the best special teams in the nation. With Kendrick Johnson returning punts, you never know when he is going break one. Morgan Lineberry has a next level leg, even though he may be erratic at times, and Spencer Covey has continually put the Wildcats opponents deep on kickoffs.
Coaching As much as Bo Atterberry has done in just three seasons at the helm of the Javelinas program, Coach Thomsen has the big-game experience with numerous playoff and tough regular season games under his belt.
24
Optimist Pick
10
The Javelinas have counted on their defense all season long and will have to count on it again to stay in the game. But the Wildcats’ three-headed monster in the back field combined with an ever-improving passing game will do the Javelinas in. ACU should pull out the win in their toughest test of the season.
and Corey Robertson have combined for 36 tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery, with a secondary unit that has allowed just 109 yards per game through the air and only two passing touchdowns. The secondary will have to contain a Wildcat passing attack that burned them last season for 289 yards and two touchdowns and has continued to flourish this season. Mitchell Gale and the ACU passing attack have averaged 268 yards through the air in four games this season – 68 more yards than last season. Edmund Gates, who torched the Javelinas last season for over 100 yards, continues to climb his way up the record books this season. He is now in ACU history’s top-10 in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions. Gale will have to move the ball early and often for the Wildcats to succeed. The battle of the lines should be the key to this game. Kingsville statistically has the most dominating defensive line in all of Division II, allowing less than 50 yards rushing per game and 14 sacks on the season. Defensive end Matt Romig has been wreaking havoc on opposing offenses this season. Romig has accounted for five of the Javelinas 14 sacks and has five tackles for loss. Trevis Turner and Neal Tivis will have to keep Romig
CROSS COUNTRY
Rankings: ACU falls to fourth Continued from page 8
‘‘ ’’
Sang ran the 8,000-meter course in 24:25.04, and his teammate Cleophas Tanui finished 15th overall with a time of 25:04.40. “I felt like this course was a good test for us as a team,” Sang said. “It had some varied elevation and offered some new challenges that we’re not used to here in Abilene, so that was good for us. It was good preparation for us.” The women’s cross country team finished the meet in eighth place and displayed its strongest showing of the season, Woods said. Anais Belledant came in 15th and was the top fin-
sion II national contender; we want to be compared to We want to be compared a national powerhouse,” to a national powerhouse. said Woods. The Wildcats, ranked CHRIS WOODS // cross country head coach number one in the NCAA Division II South Cenisher for the ACU women, University of Oklahoma, tral rankings prior to the Jamboree, completing the 6,000-me- Kansas State University, Oklahoma Texas State University, Tex- dropped to number four ter course in 22:24.62. “I felt like everyone ran as Christian University and in the latest rankings released Thursday by the a good race, and everyone many others. Woods used this race United States’ Track and performed well,” Belledant said. “It was fun getting and group of schools to Field and Cross Country to race against lots of big as a measuring stick to his Coaches’ Association. The men and women name schools and really program and to give the team a chance to compete will return to action next hang with them.” The Oklahoma State with the best schools in Saturday at the ACU-hosted Cowboy Jamboree, the old- the country, regardless of Naimadu Pre-Conference Meet at Sherrod Park. est cross country race in the their classification. “I think it’s very imporcountry now in its 74th year, attracts many top-flight Di- tant to compete against vision I schools, including these guys, because we contact Shake at Oklahoma State University, don’t just want to be a Divibxs09a@acu.edu
COLUMN
Pride: ’Cats represent Continued from page 8
to make some noise in conference play and even compete to make the NCAA national tournament. ACU tennis has played great this season, knocking off Division I opponents across the board. The men’s team had two individuals win single matches against opponents from Texas Tech University and New Mexico University. Julia Mongin has played incredibly for the women’s team. Mongin won the last two tournaments she played and qualified for the national championship tournament. Jaclyn Walker also played well, making it to the finals
Wildcat athletics Below are the records of the ACU teams currently in action and where they rank in the LSC and the nation. • Football (4-0) – tied for first, 5th in the nation • Volleyball (10-2) – tied for first, 26th in the nation • Soccer (5-2) – second best record, unranked against Mongin in the last tournament. She also qualified for the national championship tournament. The golf team is off to a promising start after winning its first tournament last weekend in Oklahoma. Alex Carpenter led the Wildcats, tying for first place in the tournament. Cross country is running in stride, with the women’s team finishing eighth last weekend in a meet that fea-
tured multiple Division I schools. Amos Sang leads the men’s team and has already won an individual meet this season, winning the Baylor Bear Twilight Invitational. ACU sports have never looked better. Division II schools athletics are often looked down on, but this year nobody is looking down on the Wildcats. contact Cantrell at
jrc07f@acu.edu
and his counterpart Mike Talamantez from getting to Gale and the running backs to allow time for plays to develop. “The offensive line protection is going to be key this weekend,” said ACU head coach Chris Thomsen. “We have to be able to get our receivers open down the field.” The ACU defense should have an easier time this Saturday. The Javelinas come in with the 91st ranked offense in Div. II. They have scored only 12 touchdowns this season, including just 20 points against an East Central team that allowed 45 points in its first game of the season and 47 points in its second. Kingsville has struggled to replace one of the most feared quarterbacks in the LSC in recent years with Billy Garza. Junior Nate Poppell has thrown just four touchdowns to a receiving core that was considered one of the best coming into the season. Receiver Deleshaun Dean, a senior transfer from Arizona, and senior Ryan Lincoln are the primary targets for Poppell. The two have combined for 367 yards this season, nearly half of the team’s receiving output. But just because the Javelinas have not been scoring does not mean they come without weapons. Dean and Lincoln are always a threat to break big plays, and Kingsville’s new two-headed rushing attack should not be overlooked. After star running back
Fred Winborn was dismissed from the team two weeks ago, the Javelinas have turned to Connell Davis and Jonathan Woodson to carry the load. The two combined for 96 yards in their first game after Winborn’s departure in a 34-9 win over Incarnate Word last weekend. “They lost Fred, but they found they had two or three backs that can take his place,” said Thomsen. “So I don’t really expect much of a drop-off in production from that aspect of their game.” The Wildcats will have to cut down on penalties if they want to reach 5-0. ACU was tagged nine times last Saturday for 94 yards in that department – something neither Thomsen nor Edwards wants to see repeated. “We have been telling ourselves that we need to stop it,” said Edwards. “We know that committing penalties is going to get us beat this weekend.” If the Wildcats can cut down on the penalties and find a way to penetrate a daunting Kingsville defense, ACU should be able to move to 5-0 and solidify its spot as one of the top teams in Div. II. The Wildcats will travel more than 400 miles on Friday down to TAMU-K. The game between the two undefeated teams is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kick off in Kingsville, Texas.
contact Tripp at
bjt07a@acu.edu
Sports
Page 8
Standings FOOTBALL Team Div. Ovrl. ACU 1-0 MSU 1-0 TAMU-K 1-0 WTAMU 1-0 ENMU 1-0 E. Central 1-0 Angelo St. 0-1 Tarleton St. 0-1 UIW 0-1
4-0 4-0 4-0 3-1 2-2 1-3 2-1 0-4 1-3
VOLLEYBALL Team
Div.
Ovrl.
ACU 4-0 WTAMU 4-0 MSU 3-1 Angelo St. 3-1 Tarleton St. 2-2 TAMU-K 2-2
10-2 9-4 8-6 6-6 13-2 5-8
WOMEN’S SOCCER Team Div. Ovrl. MSU WTAMU Cen. Okla. Angelo St. NE St. E. Central ENMU ACU
1-0 1-0 1-0 1-00-0-1 0-0-1 0-1 0-1
6-1-0 5-1-2 5-3-0 4-3-1 4-1-2 4-2-2 3-5-0 5-2-0
GOLF
October 1, 2010
Carpenter secures Wildcat golf victory Austin Gwin Sports Editor
The Wildcat golf team returned from the Oklahoma Collegiate tournament in Lawton with its first win of the season, with Alex Carpenter bringing home an individual title. “It was probably the best tournament we have ever played as a team,” Carpenter said. Carpenter, a sophomore, led the Wildcats to the team title by two strokes over the University of Central Oklahoma and tied for first place with Central Oklaho-
ma’s Josh Creel. Creel and Carpenter both shot 202. The second day of the tournament separated Carpenter from the rest of the pack. In the second round, Carpenter shot his best round ever for ACU, a 64. The win is his fifth in ACU uniform, the most of any golfer on the team. Carpenter could have won the title outright, but he had to settle for a tie after a double bogey on the final hole. Both Carpenter and Creel wanted to play a tie breaking hole to decide a winner, but officials chose to award the title to the two golfers for their outstanding play.
Rounding ACU’s lineup were Kyle Dickinson and Trey Sullivan. Dickinson shot even par for the tournament and finished in 16th, and Sullivan squeaked into 25th place at three over. “It’s a huge advantage to have a deep team,” Carpenter said. “What kept us from going further in the playoffs last year was that we didn’t have that good fifth guy. This year we have that, and it showed with a 17 under first round, 14 under second round and a four under fourth.” In three weeks the Wildcats will travel to Muscle Shoals, Ala., to compete at
Defending Division II National Champion Cyril Bouniol finished only one stroke behind his Wildcat teammate for a third place tie. U.S. Amateur participant Tyler Sheppard also continued his hot play, finishing sixth with a 205. “It feels great to win anytime, but especially early in the season,” Sheppard said. “That just increases everyone’s confidence and makes it that much easier to win the second.” The Wildcats showed the balance and depth of their squad with all five golfers finishing in the Top 25.
the Shoals Golf Club in the Division II National Championship Preview. Only teams that the NCAA thinks may make it to the National Championship are invited to play in the exhibition-style tournament. “It’s just a chance for the best teams in the nation to see their competition and see where they stack up at this point in the year,” Carpenter said. “It is an honor to get invited, and I am looking forward to it.”
contact Gwin at
agg07a@acu.edu
FOOTBALL
Southern Showcase
ACU heads south to Kingsville for Top 10 matchup
Briefs
Brandon Tripp Sports Director
n Wildcat
volleyball will play in the Washburn Regional Crossover Friday and Saturday. ACU will play four matches, including Emporia State and Truman State, both Top 25 teams.
n The
ACU soccer team returns to action in Oklahoma today to take on East Central and Northeastern State on Sunday. Both are conference matches.
Player Profile n Alex Carpenter is a sophomore from Little Rock, Ark. He won four tournaments in his freshman season, enough to earn him the Phil Mickelson award for the best freshman golfer in Division Carpenter II. This summer, Carpenter and his teammate Tyler Sheppard participated in the U.S. Amateur Championships. In the offseason, Carpenter won the Southern Amateur, earning him an exemption into Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Invitational in March, an official PGA Tour event.
Ex-Factor n Bernard
Scott and the Cincinnati Bengals will take on the Cleveland Browns at 1 p.m. Sunday in Cleveland on CBS.
n Johnny Knox, Danieal
Manning and the Chicago Bears will face the New York Giants Sunday at 8:20 p.m. on NBC. Knox was the leading receiver for the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football last week. He caught four passes for 94 yards, while Danieal Manning had three tackles and a 44 yard kick return in the Bears’ win over the Packers.
HEATHER LEIPHART // File Photo
Raymond Radway runs away from a Javelina defender last year in ACU’s 47-35 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville. This year the Wildcats come into the game ranked fifth in the nation with the Javelinas one place behind in sixth. Game time is 7 p.m. on Saturday.
COLUMN
After another dominating win last weekend the Wildcats hit the road again, this time to face the No. 6 Javelinas from Texas A&M-Kingsville. The Javelinas come to the match at 4-0, with a marquee win in the first week of the season over Northwest Missouri State, the No. 1 team in the nation at the time. Kingsville boasts the strongest statistical defense in the country, allowing just over five points per game this season. “We are really excited about this game,” said senior linebacker Eric Edwards. “We have had a good week of practice so far.” Leading the Javelinas is a slew of all-Lone Star Conference potential and former picks, most notably at the safety spots where two 2009 all-LSC second teamers play. Datra Glover see PREVIEW page 7
CROSS COUNTRY
Pride in purple hits new height Ryan Cantrell
Sports Multimedia Editor
I have never been more proud to be a Wildcat than I am this semester. Like other universities, ACU’s sports program has been strong in a few sports but has struggled in others. Cantrell This semester, however, the Wildcats have been great in every sport. As an avid sports fan, I am truly proud to call myself an ACU Wildcat. The football team is looking solid, going 4-0 to start off the season and earning the Wildcats a No. 5 ranking in the nation for Division II schools. The Wildcats offense has found a rhythm, led by a muchimproved Mitchell Gale. ACU has averaged over 47 points per game in the first
four games. This includes a 65-3 stomping over rival Tarleton State University last week, which has had the Wildcats’ number in the past couple years. ACU volleyball pulled it together with a 10-2 start. ACU has looked unstoppable recently and is currently riding a nine-game winning streak. ACU fans seem to have noticed, with home attendance up from last season. Women’s soccer has greatly improved with a new offense led by freshman sensation Andrea Carpenter. Carpenter has scored eight goals already in only seven goals. She has recorded at least one goal in every game and is climbing the charts for a school career goals record – a record she could own by the end of her first season. The soccer team should be able see PRIDE page 7
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Jacob Schofield runs around the Lunsford Trail during practice, with the team trailing behind.
‘‘ ’’
’Cats run to Top 10 finishes Bryson Shake
Assistant Sports Editor
The ACU cross country team continued its strong showing this year with a solid performance at the Oklahoma State Cowboy Jamboree on Saturday. All-American Amos Sang finished fourth individually, helping the ACU men’s cross country team finish 10th in the standings overall at the meet and fourth among the Division II schools present.
We had strong performances around the board ... that is always a good thing. CHRIS WOODS // cross country head coach
Head coach Chris Woods was pleased with his team’s showing in Oklahoma City, and he hopes to use this meet as preparation for others down the road. “I felt like we were solid all around at the Oklahoma City Jubilee,” Woods said.
“We had strong performances around the board, and as a coach, that is always a good thing. This was a big meet for us to compete at, and I feel good about the experience and understanding our runners took away from it.” see RANKINGS page 7