acuoptimist.com
Optimist the
Bitter Rivalry Reignited, page 8
Friday, November 5, 2010
Vol. 99, No. 22
REPUBLICAN
SWEEP Election results present no surprise for students
GOV.
REP.
TEXAS STATE
Rep. Rick Perry 69.49%
UNITED STATES
Lib. Kathie Glass 2.63%
Rep. Randy Neugebauer 75.58%
Lib. Richard “Chip” Peterson 3.08%
Dem. Andy Wilson 21.34%
Dem. Bill White 27.35%
Jeff Craig and Laura Gasvoda Tuesday’s election results came as no surprise to most ACU students. Many said they expected Governor Rick Perry to win the Texas gubernatorial race and anticipated the GOP’s return to power in the U.S. House of Representatives. Members of ACU’s College Democrats gathered at the Taylor
1 section, 8 pages
County Democratic Party headquarters to watch election results. ACU’s Young Republicans watched election results from a classroom in the Hardin Administration Building, and other students watched from home.
TOTAL VOTES:
TOTAL VOTES:
1,884
1,901
see REPUBLICANS page 4
STRAIGHT-PARTY VOTES: each person represents about 100 people. Republicans: 853; 80.01% | Democrats: 198; 18.57% | Libertarian: 10; .44% | TOTAL: 1,066
Data from precincts 402 and 403, which vote at University Church of Christ and Hillcrest Church of Christ.
STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
FACULTY
Professor integrates faith, business SA to fund buses to football game Jeff Craig
Managing Editor
Dr. Monty Lynn was honored at a national conference in Florida last month for his work in integrating personal faith and business. Lynn, associate dean of the College of Business Administration and professor of management sciences, received the Johnson Award from the Christian Business Faculty Administration. The award, given only once each year, generally goes to a member of CBFA, a nationwide organization with more than 400 members. “It’s very humbling to receive it, and in large part it’s because so many folks have been helpful research partners,” Lynn said. “This is an award shared with many – colleagues at COBA and in other institutions.” Lynn said he was humbled by the recognition and attributed his ability to conduct scholarly works to the uni-
Department, Marketing and Student Life will also Editor In Chief help fund the trip. SA’s Students’ Association portion of the funding Congress unanimously will come from the Conapproved a bill during gressional Project Fund. Students interested in Wednesday’s meeting to help fund a charter bus riding the bus can sign up to transport students to from 1-5 p.m. Friday in Saturday’s football game the SA office with a student ID for $5. The names in Canyon. Sikes Representa- will go into a lottery systive Rebecca Dial, junior tem, and 50 students will political science major be randomly selected and from Lexington, S.C., and notified by 6 p.m. All stuAdministration Building dents not selected will be Representative Keri Gray, reimbursed Monday. SA Treasurer Chris junior political science major from Longview, Shim, senior finance presented the bill to al- major from Atlanta, Ga., locate $1,000 toward the said he anticipates many bus. Dial said the Presisee MOTION page 4 dent’s Office, the Athletic
Linda Bailey
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Dr. Monty sits in front of a bookshelf in his office on Nov. 2. Dr. Lynn recently received the Johnson Award from the Christian Business Faculty Association. versity’s encouragement of research. “Many years ago, COBA faculty were enabled to have a one-course reduction in their teaching load to do research,” Lynn said. “Now, campus-wide, thanks to academic
leadership, research is a component in tenure for all. COBA in particular has been supportive of research as long as I’ve been here.” see LYNN page 4
FUTURE STUDENTS
Admission changes could reduce total applications Linda Bailey Editor in Chief
The Offices of Admissions and Enrollment expect changes to ACU’s admissions process to decrease the total number of applicants – but those who do apply will be more serious
about attending ACU. Buck James, chief enrollment officer, said beginning this year ACU will not wave the application fee and has significantly expanded the application to provide a better picture of each student. “Both of those things together are kind of going to
The extended application will go beyond looking only at GPAs and standardized test scores. James said the new application will look at the full picture of the student and show how he or she might fit into ACU. The official number of early applicants has not yet
website
inside news Dr. David M. Vanderpool and his wife Laurie Vanderpool send a group to Haiti to provide medical service and spiritual guidance. page 3
weed out the people who are kind of casual shoppers and get people who are really serious,” James said. “We knew in doing that, that we would have slightly less applications, but the ones we would get would be more serious and probably a better fit for ACU.”
arts A weekend international film festival will show at Abilene’s historic Paramount Theatre this weekend. page 7
been determined, but Mark Lavender, director of admissions, said overall applications are down by a couple hundred compared to this time last year. However, he said the office has seen a much higher percentage of students who are completing their applications, suggest-
ing the changes have been successful in creating a more serious applicant pool. Enrollment Management made the switch in 2009 from a rolling deadline system to set deadlines. In the past, prospective students could see EARLY page 4
weather video The Abilene community and ACU students watched the election results on Tuesday night.
Abilene Christian University
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Campus Friday, November 5, 2010
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ACU Police Tip of the Week
Day
calendar & events
06
Friday
11 a.m. Praise Day in Moody Coliseum
Saturday
12 a.m. 24 Hour Film Festival starts
07
Sunday
12 a.m. 24 Hour Film Festival ends
08
Monday
11 a.m. Chapel in Moody Coliseum
6 p.m. Football game at West Texas A&M University
follow us on Twitter: @acuoptimist // become a fan on Facebook: The Optimist
announcements Dallas White Rock Marathon Students wishing to run the Dallas White Rock Marathon or Half-Marathon can sign up with ACU to receive a $20 rebate, a free ACU running shirt and a free pre-race party. Register to run the race at www.runtherock.com and to participatewith ACU visit www.acu.edu/whiterock
create, film and edit an original short film. There is no entry fee. For more information visit www. acufilmfest.tumblr.com
Registration for spring classes opened at 3 p.m. Oct. 27 for Honors, Graduate School and Study Abroad students. It opened at 3 p.m. Nov. 1 for seniors, at 3 p.m. Nov. 3 for juniors, and will open at 3 p.m. Nov. 8 for sophomores and 3 p.m. Nov. 10 for freshmen.
Amahl and the Night Visitors The ACU Opera will perform Gian-Carlo Menotti’s opera at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 14 at University Church of Christ. Admission is free, and any donations will benefit the CSC Feed the Hungry Drive. They will also perform at 8 p.m. Nov. 18 and Nov. 20 in the Williams Performing Arts Center. Tickets to these two shows will be $10 for adults and $5 for children and students.
Mother Teresa is Dead, the Department of Theatre’s Cornerstone production, will show at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16-20 in Fulks Theatre. For ticketing information call (325) 647-2787 or visit www. acu.edu/theatre.
Ethnos: The Culture Show begins at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12 - 13. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for general admission. Tickets will be sold in the Campus Center from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 8-12 and will also be available at the door.
24-Hour Fall Film Festival ACU’s first 24 Hour Film Festival will begin at midnight Friday. Students will have a full day to
The ACU Jazz Ensemble will perform from 8-10 p.m. Friday at the Windsor Hotel Ballroom downtown for a swing
Chapel Checkup 68 25
Credited Chapels to date
dance hosted by the Abilene Swing Dance Society. The event is free and open to everyone. For more information e-mail Derek Brown at dpb08b@acu.edu ACUltimate, the university’s ultimate frisbee club, meets at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Interested students can contact Kyle Thaxton at krt06d@acu.edu. ACU Percussion Ensemble & Steel Drum Band Concert The Percussion Ensemble & Steel Drum Band will play in concert at 8 p.m. on Nov. 8 in Cullen Auditorium. Admission is free. For more information, call (325) 674-2199. The Boston Brass Concert The Boston Brass will play in concert at 8
Credited Chapels remaining
p.m. Nov. 12 in the Recital Hall of the Williams Performing Arts Center. Admission is free. For more information, call (325) 674-2199. ACU Choirs The ACU choral department is looking for students to join the University Chorale for the spring semester. Men are especially encouraged to join. Interested students may register for the University Chorale (MPEV 202-01) with their advisers. The course meets from 1-1:50 p.m. MWF. Contact Dr. Sean Pullen at sean.pullen@acu. edu or (325) 674-2108 for more information. Turkey Throwdown The women of Delta Theta are sponsering a doubleelimination flag-football tournament Nov. 18-21.
As construction continues across campus, expect parking congestion and traffic detours. Park in marked/designated spaces only. If a lot is full, seek a space in an adjacent lot.
Police Log Edited for space
Tuesday, Oct. 26 2:10 p.m. ACU Police stopped someone who was speeding on Campus Court. The driver was identified and issued a written warning. 2:27 p.m. Someone reported a man wearing a white sleeveless T-Shirt going door to door selling something on Griffith Street. The subject was identified, and it was determined that he works for a household chemical supply company. 3 p.m. Someone reported that his bicycle had been stolen from Smith-Adams Hall.
and issued a warning. 2:30 a.m. While on patrol, an officer observed several persons in the street carrying beer. When the officer went to the house, he saw people coming and going and advised the tenant to keep the party under control and party goers inside his house. 7:15 p.m. Someone reported their neighbor was playing drums in the garage of his home loudly and that it is a recurring problem. The officer relayed the complaint to the Abilene Police.
Wednesday, Oct. 27 1:45 p.m. Someone reported a bald man driving a large white van trying to sell energy drinks. Officers advised the person that the subject was with a group of door-to-door sales people, but would take action if the solicitors became a nuisance.
Sunday, Oct. 31 2:06 a.m. ACU Police assisted Abilene Police with a noise violation call in the 2600 block of Garfield Ave. Officers arrived and Abilene Police issued a citation for the noise.
Thursday, Oct. 28 3:21 a.m. ACU Police were notified of an alarm in the Williams Performing Arts Center. The alarm company informed ACU Police that the duct work thermal censer requires service. ACU Police notified the appropriate department.
Monday, Nov. 01 11 a.m. Someone called ACU Police in reference to a person inside her house on Ruswood Drive. Officers responded to the location and determined it was a misunderstanding. 3:15 p.m. Someone reported the theft of her bicycle from Smith-Adams Hall. 5:15 p.m. Someone reported the theft of her bicycle from Brown Library.
Friday, Oct. 29 1:55 a.m. While on patrol, an officer saw a subject on a bike coming out of the intramural field parking lot south of Gardner Hall. The officer stopped the subject and identified him.
Tuesday, Nov. 02 12:05 a.m. ACU Police assisted Abilene Police with a check welfare call in the 400 block of Penrose. Officers checked the residence and everything was OK.
Saturday, Oct. 30 1 a.m. Someone reported a loud party in the 600 block of EN 16th. An officer contacted the tenant
Report all suspicious activity to the ACU Police Department at (325) 674-2305.
The entry fee is $60 per team. Each team member will receive a T-shirt. All proceeds will be donated to Meals on Wheels to help feed hungry families during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. To sign up contact Jessica Ellison at jle06a@acu.edu. Iran and Nuclear Weapons Class The Department of Political Science is offering a special topics course this spring to explore Iran’s domestic politics, religion, economy, culture and geog-
raphy. The class (POLS 488.01) will be offered from 3-4:20 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. FCA, the ACU chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, meets at 9 p.m. every Thursday in the Living Room of the Campus Center. Flu shots are now available in the ACU Medical Clinic in McKinzie Hall. Call (325) 674-2151 for more information.
volunteer opportunities The Christian Service Center needs volunteers interested in business or design to put together an informational brochure. The work could be done any weekday afternoon before the end
of November. Contact Jim Clark at 673-7531 or jclark@cscabilene.org for more information. Mesa Spring Healthcare Center needs volunteers from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. any day of the week to help with fun activities for the residents, including playing instruments, calling bingo and sitting and talking with them. All help is appreciated. Contact Laura Reynolds at (325)692-8080 or lgreynolds@sears-methodist.com. The Center for Contemporary Arts needs a gallery assistant to help with exhibit setup and preparation, as well as an administrative assistant. The work can be done any time 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday - Friday. Call (325) 677-8389 or e-mail info@center-arts.com for more information. The Dyess Youth Center needs help with a Ping Pong Exhibition from 4 to 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) 696-4797 or e-mail sheri. frisby-@dyess.af.mil. The Dyess Youth Center needs volunteers from 4 to 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 696-4797 or e-mail Sheri. frisby-@dyess.af.mil. Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver noon meals to seniors and adults with disabilities. Routes are available 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Monday - Friday. Volunteers must be at least 18, with a valid driver’s license, auto insurance and a desire to serve. Training
is provided. Students may be exempted from one Chapel per week if delivery time conflicts with Chapel. Contact Elizabeth Rodgers at erodgers@mealsonwheelsplus.com. Aimee’s Art Studio is seeking volunteers from 9-10 a.m. or 1:30-2:30 p.m. Tuesday to assist with homeschool fine arts classes. No formal art skills or training is required. The studio is a five minute walk from ACU’s campus. For more information, contact Aimee Williams at (325)672-9633 or williamsbarryaimee@gmail.com. The American Business Women’s Association is having a fundraiser for education Nov. 12-14. It needs volunteers to serve at the concession stand and prepare food from 5 to 9 p.m. Nov. 12, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 13, and 12 to 5 p.m. Nov. 14. For more information, contact Sydney Moore at (325) 692-2633 or (325) 428-1024 or e-mail her at moore-h@att.net
CAMPUS NEWS
November 5, 2010
Page 3
ALUMNI
Alumni join fight against Haiti cholera outbreak Matthew Woodrow Opinion Page Editor
As health officials put the death toll of Haiti’s cholera outbreak close to 450, ACU will continue its outreach to the small island nation as it has since the earthquake earlier this year. Just a few months after January’s earthquake left thousands living in tent cities, ACU named Dr. David M. Vanderpool (’82) and his wife Laurie (’81) of Brentwood, Tenn., Parents of the Year for their work with the nonprofit Mobile Medical Disaster Relief, which operates in several countries, including Haiti. Dr. Vanderpool, a surgeon by training and CEO of MMDR, said this outbreak will be harder to combat because the country’s resources are already
so strained trying to recover from the earthquake. “Haiti had little infrastructure to begin with, so cholera was always a danger – the earthquake just made it more likely,” Dr. Vanderpool said. “I actually expected this outbreak earlier, like in June or even May.” Cholera is contracted by drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated food. “People get their drinking water from the river, but if you saw this river you wouldn’t even want to go near it.” Dr. Vanderpool said. “They’re using it as their latrines, their livestock are going in it, and it just looks nasty.” Each month, MMDR sends a group to Haiti to provide medical service and spiritual guidance. Recently, David S. Vanderpool
(’10), the Vanderpool’s son and the International Projects Manager of MMDR, went to Haiti as well. “Because so many of the earthquake refugees are living in squalid conditions within tent cities, cholera is able to spread like wildfire,” Vanderpool said. “Cholera was basically eradicated from the western hemisphere, and because of the lack of sanitation, constant hurricanes stirring up the filth, and a lack of hygiene education, cholera is killing and will continue to do so in Haiti.” More than 60 percent of people who contract cholera die if the disease goes untreated, Dr. Vanderpool said. “The best way to treat cholera is to get people more fluid,” Dr. Vanderpool said. “We treat them
with IVs, rehydration salts – which are Gatorade-like drinks – and also hook up water filters to five-gallon containers, so after about an hour the people can have five gallons of clean drinking water.” MMDR is trying to raise money for relief in Haiti, and encourages anyone who wants to make a donation to visit its website, www.mmdr.org/home, and click on the “Donate to Haiti Relief” link. Dr. Vanderpool encouraged all ACU students to help and said even a $25 donation will go a long way in fighting the disease. “The cholera vaccines are only about $50, and the water filters cost $25,” Dr. Vanderpool said. “Any donation is really appreciated.” Courtesy of DAVID S. VANDERPOOL contact Woodrow at
mrw08a@acu.edu
Dr. David M. Vanderpool checks on a patient in earthquakestricken Haiti. The Vanderpools are helping treat cholera patients.
STUDENT GROUPS
Fashion show accepting leadership applications Jozie Sands Online Editor
ACU’s spring fashion show is accepting applications for leadership positions until Nov. 23. The show’s organizers are Whitney Puckett, senior Ad/PR major from Melbourne, Fla., Elizabeth Coffee, senior Ad/ PR major from San Antonio, and Preston Watkins, junior Ad/PR major from Manassas, Va. Applications are due Nov. 23, and interviews will begin the
‘‘ ’’
week classes resume after Thanksgiving break. The fashion show provides students the opportunity to build their résumés by helping to plan a campus event. Coffee said they want to bring talents from different departments together and help the students prepare for the interview processes they will encounter after graduation. “It is a great opportunity for students to interview with their peers before they go into the professional market,” Coffee said. “They will be able to pres-
Proceeds from the show will be donated to Eternal Fashion can be used for Thread’s Red Thread Movegood and purposeful ment, which provides emreasons – it doesn’t have ployment for girls who have to be superficial or fake. been rescued from sex trafWHITNEY PUCKETT // senior Ad/PR ficking in Nepal, funds a major from Melbourne, Fla. safe house for victims and establishes border units ent their portfolio and practice Each team will consist of along the Nepal-India borpersonal selling around stu- a manager and between der, according to the organithree and five team mem- zation’s website. dents their own age.” Puckett said the show benThey will accept appli- bers, Puckett said. “We chose to have manag- efits a nonprofit organization cations for positions in advertising, public relations, ers and delegate the work so every year and gives students management, finance, that students will have a lot of a chance to use their creativity fashion, visual communi- freedom to bring in their own and talents to benefit organizations like Eternal Threads. cation and graphic design. ideas,” Puckett said.
“We always support some sort of nonprofit with the fashion show each year,” Puckett said. “Fashion can be used for good and purposeful reasons – it doesn’t have to be superficial or fake.” Applications are available in the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication Office, Room 300 in the Don Morris Center. More information will be provided at the Red Thread Movement Chapel forum Tuesday night. contact Sands at
jgs07a@acu.edu
FROM THE FRONT
Page 4
November 5, 2010
FACULTY
Honors faculty present at national conference Bailey Neal
Page Designer
Several ACU Honors College faculty members attended the National Collegiate Honors Council conference last week in Kansas City, Mo. Dr. Victor McCracken, assistant professor of theology and ethics, and Dr. Kristina Campos, assistant professor of communications, gave a presentation regarding ACU’s interdisciplinary core curriculum to hundreds of national and international college faculty and students. “There are honors colleges and programs from a wide variety of schools, all the way from junior colleges to wellrecognized state schools,” McCracken said. “We try to go every year because it’s a great place to learn what
their programs have to offer their students.” McCracken and Campos’ presentation, titled “Going General: The Future of Honors Education in an Interdisciplinary University,” included a discussion about how the ACU Honors College can continue to advance its students when ACU’s basic core curriculum is similar to those of most honors colleges. “One of the big issues in honors education is ‘what makes it distinctive?’” McCracken said. “What makes it different than the education an honors student would get in regular classes?” Dr. Joe Stephenson, assistant dean of the Honors College and assistant professor of English, said the presentation provided an interesting discussion of how the Hon-
ors College is responding to changes in core curriculum and how it can both lead and follow other colleges in the process. “They did a great job,” Stephenson said. “It was a very interesting presentation. They presented along with some people from Western Kentucky who talked about a new core curriculum just for Honors, so that contrasted with what Dr. McCracken had to talk about, how the college here sort of led the way and piloted the courses in the new core curriculum.” McCracken said the model of interdisciplinary core curriculum, which blurs the lines between regular and advanced courses, is a model ACU feels all its students can gain from and recently
STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
‘‘ ’’
became the basic core curriculum. “It is definitely innovative for ACU,” Stephenson said. “I don’t know any other school that has a core curriculum like ours and that, in fact, makes a special challenge for Honors, to take this core curriculum which, in a way, is already sort of an Honors curriculum, and how to do something with it that is even more ‘honors’ than it already is.” ACU was among many other honors colleges presenting at the conference that are members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. “Every year at this conference there’s a gathering of honors directors and leaders from the other schools in the CCCU, and Abilene is one of the lead-
One of the big issues in honors education is ‘what makes it distinctive?’
DR. VICTOR MCCRACKEN // assistant professor of theology and ethics
ers amongst that group,” McCracken said. “It’s really good company. It’s great to visit with other directors that are thinking that we are not only working with really great, intelligent students but we are working in a Christian atmosphere.” For now, McCracken said the “million dollar question” is how the Honors College will advance the core curriculum to continue to challenge Honors students and appeal to their interests. “We attract students that are very curious and want to learn about many
different things,” McCracken said. Dr. Chris Willerton, professor of English and honors studies and former dean of the Honors College, was also recognized for his leadership in Honors programs last week. After serving more than 25 years as director and dean of the Honors College, the Great Plains Honors Council, ACU’s regional Honors council, awarded Dr. Willerton a plaque for his service. contact Neal at
bmn07a@acu.edu
FACULTY
Lynn: Business professor earns national recognition Continued from page 1
GRANT STEPHEN // Staff Photographer
Rebecca Dial, junior political science major from Lexington, S.C., proposes a bill during Wednesday’s meeting that will help fund a charter bus to take students to the football game in Canyon.
Motion: SA gives students chance to travel to game Continued from page 1
SA has helped fund charter buses for away students will want to at- football games in previous tend the last away game years. SA Vice President of the season, and he said Jared Elk, senior political riding the bus is cheaper science major from Savoy, said many students have than driving. “Imagine 50 diehard shown interest. In the past, two buses Wildcat fans traveling on the road and coming back were chartered, but only one in glorious victory,” Shim was available on Saturday. SA Congress also apsaid. “It will be a great colproved a motion during lege adventure.”
Wednesday’s meeting to grant $214 to two students for expenses to the National Student Leadership Forum. The students requested $449.40, but $214 was all that remained in the conference fund.
contact Bailey at
ljb07a@acu.edu
Jozell Brister, associate professor of economLynn said faculty research is ics, partnered with Lynn in good for the university and research projects this year. She said Lynn is a renowned its students. “Not every research proj- researcher with unique ideas ect makes it to the classroom and deserved the award. “He is a top researcher,” directly,” Lynn said. “Engaging research keeps faculty on Brister said. “He is published the leading edge of their field in lots of different areas and so you are developing as a journals. His published list professional and contributing goes on for pages. He’s very to the body of knowledge in meticulous and an original your discipline. These things thinker, the quality of his keep us sharp and prepared writing is superb. It’s amazing what he can do.” to be better teachers.”
Brister said Lynn possesses skills that make him an excellent educator and an exceptional researcher. “He is highly respected in COBA,” Brister said. “He is self-effacing, never accepts the limelight, and you’d never know all the things he’s done. He’s a genuinely humble man. You don’t find people any finer than Monty Lynn.” contact Craig at
jrc07d@acu.edu
FUTURE STUDENTS
Early: Admission stats down Continued from page 1
ary. James said a deferral can often provide a “wake-up submit applications call” for the student. “We had a number throughout the year. Now, applicants must submit the of examples of that last proper paperwork by Nov. 1 year,” James said. “Stufor early admission and Feb. dents who were deferred but really wanted to get 1 for regular admission. All applicants will be in- in really buckled down on formed by Nov. 19 of their their school work and were eventually accepted.” acceptance to ACU. Lavender said the apStudents who are deferred at the early admis- proach has benefited sions deadline can resubmit prospective students and their applications in Febru- the university.
“Having two enrollment deadlines allows us to consolidate all of our communications at one time to students,” Lavender said. “It really gives us an early indication of who is really serious about ACU. It allows us to work earlier with students to help them through, specifically, financial aid and scholarships.” contact Bailey at
ljb07a@acu.edu
ELECTION
Republicans: Students anticipated election night victories Continued from page 1
Nathan Lloyd, freshman biology major from Georgetown, said he wasn’t surprised by Tuesday’s results.
“I like Rick Perry,” Lloyd said. “I like living in Texas. And Texas is a Republican state; I’m not surprised Perry won. I even think Rick Perry may have had a chance at being President
if it weren’t for the George Bush legacy. I think he’ll just stay governor for a really long time instead.” ACU Young Republicans president Aaron Escobedo, senior history major from
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Lamesa, said the results of this year’s midterm elections should serve as a referendum on President Obama and his party. “This is what we were expecting the whole time,” Escobedo said. “People are tired of it. They’ve realized after two years they want real change.” Escobedo said the GOP saw major gains this year because the party returned to its core values, including fiscal conservatism. Stewart McGregor, freshman Christian ministry and political science major from Arlington, is a member of Young Republicans and supports the Tea Party Movement. McGregor, who watched the election results with the Young Republicans while wearing a tea bag around his neck, said he believed the tea party served the GOP well as a grassroots movement in the 2010 election. “I believe it played a strong role for fiscal conservatism,” McGregor said. “It helped wake up America; it’s going to be a force in the next election.” On the other hand, supporters of Bill White
were disappointed with election results. Farron Salley, junior Ad/ PR major from Fort Worth, said she thought White would close the gap more than he did. Salley said she was surprised with how Abilene residents voted, since White was in Abilene more recently than Perry and had more campaign signs visible throughout the city. “I think Bill White was Texas’ best bet for a rise in the Democratic party in Texas,” Salley said. “He didn’t carry the state like I thought he would.” ACU College Democrats president Rebecca Dial, sophomore political science major from Lexington, S.C., said she knew the GOP would retake the House, but also said she expected a closer gubernatorial race between Perry and White. “There is a lot of antiPerry sentiment and Bill White is the best candidate we’ve had in a while,” Dial said. Nikki Favors, a nontraditional student in the
Human and Professional Development program from Hamlin, said while she did expect Perry to win the governorship, she did not anticipate the results of the national elections. “I feel a little like Kevin Costner’s character in the movie Swing Vote as far as national politics are concerned,” Favors said. “I have to say I was a little clueless.” International students have their own perspectives on Tuesday’s elections. Daniba Dan-Princewill, junior nutrition major originally from Nigeria whose family now lives in Katy, said her sister, who was born in the U.S., is the only family member who could vote in this year’s election. “Even though I cannot vote, my family and I still have a voice through her,” Dan-Princewill said. Dan-Princewill said her family is Republican and is glad to see Perry win and the GOP regain the House majority. contact Staff at
optimist@jmcnetwork.com
Arts
November 5, 2010
Page 5
Abilene Events
1.
FRIDAY 24fps International Short Film Festival 7 p.m. Paramount Theatre
FRIDAY Orfeo Ed Euridice-Opera 8 p.m. Behrens Auditorium Hardin-Simmons University
SATURDAY 24fps International Short Film Festival 2 p.m. & 7 p.m. Paramount Theatre
SUNDAY Cinderella
2.
2 p.m. Paramount Theatre
4.
3.
SUNDAY McMurry Sunday Afternoon Jazz Jam 3 p.m. Bynum Band Hall McMurry University
ACU Events MONDAY ACU Percussion Ensemble & Steel Drum Band Concert 8 p.m. Cullen Auditorium
1. Daisycutter, directed by Enrique Garcia and Ruben Salazar 2. The Six Dollar Fifty Man, directed by Mark Albiston and Louis Sutherland
TUESDAY Mother Teresa is Dead
5.
7:30 p.m. Fulks Theatre William Performing Arts Center
WEDNESDAY Mother Teresa is Dead IMAGES COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT THEATRE
3. Echo, directed by Magnus Van Horn 4. Charlie and the Rabbit, directed by Rodrigo OjedaBeck and Robert Machoian 5. Logorama, directed by Francois Alaux, Herve de Crecy, and Ludovic Houplain 6. The Armoire, directed by Jamie Travis 7. The Kinematograph, directed by Tomek Baginski
7.
6.
7:30 p.m. Fulks Theatre William Performing Arts Center
THURSDAY Mother Teresa is Dead 7:30 p.m. Fulks Theatre William Performing Arts Center
FRIDAY Mother Teresa is Dead 7:30 p.m. Fulks Theatre William Performing Arts Center
FRIDAY Boston Brass, Guest Artist Series 8 p.m. Recital Hall William Performing Arts Center
Around the World in 20 Minutes
Paramount Theatre hosts 12th-annual 24fps International Short Film Festival By Kelsi Williamson, Arts Editor
W
hen the Paramount Theatre opened in 1930, local newspapers hailed it as “West Texas’ most perfect theatre … embodying modern construction.” Although “modernity” is a term long since abandoned to describe the SpanishMoorish interior architecture, domed ceiling and cozy seating capacity of this Abilene historic landmark, the word can still be used to describe the purpose and content of the multipurpose venue. Since it began 12 years ago, the 24fps International Short Film Festival has embodied this synthesis between preserving the past and pushing forward into the future. The festival and competition, which received over 550 film submissions this year, was born from small beginnings, said Barry Smoot, director of the 24fps International Short Film Festival and the Paramount’s artistic director. After the popularity and success of the horror documentary, Blair Witch Project, directors at the Paramount wanted to provide local filmmakers the opportunity to create and showcase similar films based on local legends or hauntings. In 1999, the Paramount hosted its first Film Festival screening such shows. “We had such a great response from that initial idea, the next year we just expanded it,” Smoot said. “It went from being localized to statewide to regional to international about seven years ago.” Now a truly international event, the festival accepts submissions running under 20
minutes from any country and in any genre or language. Some have already gained acclaim, such as the Academy Award-winning French animation, Logorama. Other films have made appearances at widely-recognized festivals like South by Southwest, the Cannes Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival. Smoot and a few others narrow down the immense number of submissions to 30 films that will run over the course of three viewing sessions this weekend. These films have already been viewed and scored by six remote judges (each selected for his or her presence in the professional film industry), as well as a panel of regional judges from around Abilene who collectively cast one vote in the final judging. “It’s a little bit mind-numbing,” said Robert Leeper, the Paramount’s media consultant and one of this year’s regional judges. “When you get to this level, it gets hard to pick out which is best.” Smoot said the wide range of films submitted makes it important to view the entries from both a broad base and for each film’s individual merit. He also said judges cover an array of perspectives to make sure no film is unfairly critiqued over another. “We tell judges to elevate a film that speaks to you,” Smoot said. Leeper, a self-proclaimed gearhead, said the technical filming aspects are what mostly attract his attention. Both Smoot and Leeper agreed that many of this year’s selected films carry somewhat of a satirical edge, a spirited bite to them.
“There seems to be a lot of turmoil all over the world in the last year,” Smoot said. “I think that’s reflected in the demeanor or the voices of these young artists.” Smoot said while the dark humor that pervades films like the American short, Successful Alcoholics, leads viewers to laugh at situations when they really shouldn’t, it still ends with a meaningful message. Yet shorts like Joshua Weigel’s, The Butterfly Circus, balance the dark humor with a sense of inspiration and beauty. The festival itself is an interesting mix of contemporary subject matter and a historical backdrop, which helps elevate the profile of 24fps and the Paramount Theatre. “We’re pretty continually surprised by the geographic spread and the quality of people that are finding out about the festival,” Leeper said. While the three screening sessions are not categorized within any particular genre, the 2 p.m. Saturday matinee will show only familyfriendly shorts. The 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday evening sessions may contain some adult content. Tickets for each screening are $8, and a pass for all three is $15. To see all 30 films, viewers will need to attend every session. For more information on the festival and the films being screened this weekend, visit 24fpsfest.com.
App of the Week HeyTell Social Networking
HHHI Just in case you feel disconnected from the people closest to you, HeyTell provides a quick and easy way to stay in touch. It is texting without typing, or is it talking without conversation? Either way, HeyTell sends short voice messages to phone contacts. iTunes describes it as a “crossplatform” voice messenger, but more simply stated, think of it as a walkie-talkie app. Perhaps slightly unnecessary, the app does provide a great alternative to texting while driving by allowing the sender to relay simple messages with both hands still on the wheel. Simply download, choose a contact, and push the record button to start talkng. Heytell is available for free from the iTunes app store.
Art Exhibits ALICE’S GARDEN Alice Wright 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday The Grace Museum
Still Nature Beverly Penn 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The Grace Museum
Here and There Ruth Jackson, Bernice Landrum, & Linda Engle
contact Williamson at
kkw07a@acu.edu
11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Center for Contemporary Arts
Opinion
Page 6
EDITORIAL
November 5, 2010
Military policy hinders effectiveness In the past few months the controversial “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) policy has once again made its way into headlines. The underlying premise behind DADT appears, on the surface, understandable. The policy forbids those who openly identify as gay from serving in the military forces because “it would create an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion that are the essence of military capability.” Upon closer consideration, however, this premise falls flat. Unit cohesion and building trust are essential aspects of effective military units, but there is little evidence that homosexuals who serve in the military erode the ca-
pability of their troops. As Sen. Carl Levin, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a recent opinion piece, “There is no evidence that the presence of gay and lesbian colleagues would damage our military’s ability to fight. Our closest allies in NATO and other alliances, including Canada, Britain, France and Israel, allow gays and lesbians to serve openly with no impact on readiness.” The firing of gay men and women may actually hinder the military’s effectiveness more than anything. There are countless stories of courageous men and women, like West Point graduate Lisa Young. Young served in the U.S. Air Force for 16 years, became a Chinook Pilot and
was selected for promotion to lieutenant colonel – until her homosexual orientation was discovered and she was discharged. According to Aaron Belkin, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Palm Center at UCSB, the Pentagon “has fired over 11,000 capable troops, including nearly 1,000 considered mission-critical and over 300 foreign linguists, just because they’re gay. This despite overwhelming evidence that letting known gays serve does not impair cohesion, recruitment or effectiveness.” When it comes to rejecting individuals who present a risk to unit cohesion, the military appears to have a double standard, since for
years the Pentagon has allowed convicted felons to serve in the military. According to the Associated Press, the military “routinely grants waivers to take in recruits who have criminal records, medical problems or low aptitude scores that would otherwise disqualify them from service. Most are moral waivers, which include some felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic and drug offenses.” Such was the case with Army Reservist Bob Gidding, a convicted felon who plead guilty to a charge of felony arson after he admitted to setting another man’s car on fire. Gidding was sentenced to five months in prison and three years probation, and was also prohibited from owning or possessing By Morgan Davis
The Funny Funnies
the issue
The “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy prohibits openly gay individuals from openly participating in the military.
our take
Thousands of potential soldiers are unnecessarily excluded from contributing to the U.S. military. a handgun. Gidding was deployed to Iraq before serving his prison sentence – even though the military knew of his recent sentence. So a convicted arsonist barred from owning a handgun won’t create “an unacceptable risk to the high standards of morale, good order and discipline, and unit cohesion,” but an honored West Point graduate with a 16-year career in the Air Force will because she’s gay? The U.S. Military has every right to make cohe-
sion among troops a top priority. But that the military lowers its standards for felons who have clearly demonstrated behavior that erodes social cohesion suggests this policy is founded not on substantiated claims but on deepseated and irrational fears. That is why this policy – along with the deep discomfort that spurred its creation – needs to be re-examined. contact the Optimist at
jmcnetwork@acu.edu
COLUMN
Science fiction futures unseen Middle Class Hero By Alan Cherry
letter to the editor
ACU should discuss GLBTQ issues openly Did you know there is a Queer- SoulForce’s visit and the promStraight Alliance in Abilene ise for more Chapel forums and whose members include ACU discussion on this topic. But we students? No? Did you know that have not forgotten. Dr. Beck’s two weeks ago was Ally Week, Chapel conversation last Tuesconducted in opposition to ha- day was a start, but there is still rassment and discrimination a long way to go before the silence is ended. against queer people? I liked candlelight devo because it was cool to see This culture of silence is toxic You probably didn’t, because all administration of the lights and listen to the speaker. to queer students, because it the does not allow TYLER PINKERT us to publicize our activities or tells them they are alone, that Freshman business management major from Red Oak conduct them on campus. We un- no one wants to hear from them, derstand the administration’s rea- that their identities are shameI liked the service project. I got to know a lot of soning and sympathize with their ful and must be kept secret. How people and group and I had many queer teenagers have comobstacles. It my would probably be a blast. easier for them if queer students mitted suicide in the past month and their allies would go away or because their classmates did not be quiet. But we cannot go away, accept them? The culture of silence is harmful to straight stuand we will not be quiet. ACU’s culture of silence on dents, because we are uneducatGLBTQ issues needs to end. ed and unprepared to conduct It seems many in the student Christian service and leadership body have forgotten about in a world that increasingly in-
cludes openly queer people. If ACU is to fulfill its mission, we must be able to discuss these issues openly between the students and the administration. We must be able and willing to learn from each other. Did you know that there are dozens of queer students in ACU’s community? Did you know that they are your friends, your classmates and your neighbors? Did you know that they are your brothers and sisters, and that true Christian community is impossible where people’s identities are secret, shameful and silent? I believe this community is necessary and possible. Do you? It’s time to find out. The silence ends now. Start the conversation by emailing qsa.abilene@gmail.com.
Ruth Riggan, senior missions major from Concord, Calif.
editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration. Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university. The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print
letters containing personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published. Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu
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in the next few months, we probably won’t be discovering alien life like Arthur C. Clark promised us we would in 2010: Odyssey 2. We certainly didn’t master interplanetary travel by the early 2000, or artificial intelligence by the late 1990s like Isaac Asimov foretold. On the plus side, we haven’t been attacked by Buggers or prematurely demolished in order to make way for a hyperspatial expressway either. Skynet hasn’t sent Arnold Schwarzenegger clones to wipe us out, Big Brother is not watching us and
Good news everybody! I have it on very good authority that any day now the super science community will begin making all kinds of technological breakthroughs. Science will bring us Cherry flying cars, 4-D movies and self-drying clothes. In fact, Mattel should be only a few short years away from reinventing the 1980s by introWe are not living in ducing us to Huxley’s Brave New the world’s first World, although his hoverboard. I cannot wait predictions seem to get my hands to be increasingly, on one of those albeit terrifyingly, retro-looking bad-boys. accurate. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, you can expect all of these Keanu Reeves will never wonderful things – and know kung-fu. We are not living in many more – to not only be introduced, but also be- Huxley’s Brave New World, come mainstream in less although his predictions than five years. I couldn’t seem to be increasingly, albeit terrifyingly, accurate. possibly be more excited. Instead of all the cool At least, that’s what Robert Zemeckis, Bob Gale things we’ve been promand Steven Spielberg have ised, we have iPhones and raised me to believe in and smart cars and the Tea Parhope for. I like their vision ty – and I am disappointed. So until science can get of the future. It has awesome toys, time machines, its collective act together instant fax machines and and deliver me a hovereven televisions where you board and introduce me to can watch multiple screens an iron giant, I will be lookat once (unless your boss ing for the nearest Applied calls during dinner to fire Cryogenics laboratory, setyou). That future looks ex- ting the timer for 1000 years and waiting for a beautiful, citing. It looks promising. But as much as I love purple-haired Cyclops to science fiction, all of my welcome me to the world favorite stories keep let- of tomorrow. ting me down. Unless we get some visicontact Cherry at arc07a@acu.edu tors from Gilese 581 g here
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FROM SPORTS
November 5, 2010
Page 7
FOOTBALL
Canyon: Wildcats ready
vs.
Continued from page 8
Offense ACU and WT are two prolific offenses. Taylor Harris and Mitchell Gale both have numerous weapons at their disposal. But Gale’s efficiency this season puts ACU over the edge.
Defense Both teams have rock solid defenses, but WT’s defense has returned five interceptions for touchdowns this season. Simi Kuli and Shad Baichtal lead a very good front seven for the Buffs.
Special Teams With such an evenly matched game this week special teams will be the key, and part of that is field position. Mark Sprague has done a great job of reversing field position on punts for ACU.
Optimist Pick
31
28
This is the biggest game of the season for both teams. ACU can lock up a share of the conference title with a win, while WT needs a win to stay in the playoff hunt. The team that has had the fewest turnovers has won five of the last seven matches and ACU is +12 in turnover margin this season.
‘‘ ’’
and Texas A&M-Kingsville. Both squads have a lot riding on this game. “Every time we hook up there is a lot on the line,” head coach Chris Thomsen said. Besides the conference title, ACU and WT alike are looking to solidify playoff spots. The Wildcats have virtually clinched, sitting as the only team in Super Region Four without a loss. WT, on the other hand, is fighting just to stay in the top six in the region. The Buffs are currently sitting at No. 5 and need to win out to guarantee themselves a spot in the NCAA playoffs. Statistically, the matchup between these two teams is about as muddied as it gets. Offensively, ACU is No. 3 in Div. II at 43.44 points per game, while WT sits just one spot behind at No. 4 in Div. II with 42.56 points per game. Edmund Gates and Mitchell Gale are arguably one of the most potent quarterback-receiver combos in the country. Gates leads the LSC in receiving touchdowns, and Gale is No. 4 in the country in passer efficiency.
Two years ago it was like I was in Div. I or something ... I loved it.
FRED THOMPSON // Wildcats’ senior defensive end
Gates, Gale and the rest of the ACU offense will have to contend with a fast, talented WT defense. Linebacker Shad Baichtal has been a nightmare for opposing offenses. He leads the WT defense in tackles, sacks, tackles for loss and quarterback hurries. The secondary is also loaded with returning starters Tae Evans, Caleb Randolph and Curtis Jefferson. The three have combined for eight interceptions and 20 passes defended – more than the rest of the defense combined. Taylor Harris leads a talented corps of wide receivers for WT. Stephen Burton is an NFL prospect and leads the Buffs in touchdowns, with eight already this season. Although Burton may be the most physically impressive receiver, he is not even the leader in receptions or receiving yards – those belong to Tyson Williams. Harris has thrown touchdowns to eight dif-
ferent receivers this year, which poses a challenge for the ACU defense. “Burton is a big guy who can run,” Thomsen said. “You have to worry about him, but there is an entire group of guys there that can hurt you.” ACU will need to put together one of the best games of the season to pull out the victory in one of the most hostile environments in the LSC. Nearly 14,000 fans from both sides attended the matchup last time the Wildcats headed to Canyon. “Two years ago I thought I was in Div. I or something,” said senior defensive end Fred Thompson. “It was so high energy, and I loved it.” With another conference championship on the line for both teams, it should be just as rowdy and loud this time around. contact Tripp at
bjt07a@acu.edu
GOLF
Sawgrass: ACU shoots solid third round for win numbers, but other than that I played good and 69 by Sheppard, one of tried to lower my numbers only two golfers to shoot during round two,” Shepunder par that round. pard said. “Some players Three Wildcats were in the got some really big numtop five individually. bers early on and became “It was a really tough discouraged, but I just course, and I had a few big tried to stay focused.” Continued from page 8
Carpenter was ahead by six strokes at 72 after the second round. Bouniol was tied for fifth at even par. ACU cinched its second team title of the season, shooting 19 strokes ahead of its host, Queens University. Barton College, Lander
University, and Florida Tech rounded out the top five. Leading the tournament from start to finish, Carpenter claimed his fourth individual win of the season with 210. Tyler Sheppard tied for second place with a 217, and
SOCCER
Awards: Eight honored LSC Awards
Continued from page 8
be putting the rest of our season in jeopardy.” The Wildcats will take on the Rambelles at 5 p.m. in Wichita Falls at the MSU soccer pitch. contact Cantrell at
jrc07f@acu.edu
1st Team all-Conference Honorable Mention • Andrea Carpenter • Kendall Cooper • Ashley Holton • Elliot London • Julie Coppedge • Courtney Wilson • Lexi Sterling Freshman of the Year 2nd Team all-Conference • Andrea Carpenter • Brie Buschman Player of the Year Academic Player of the Year • Andrea Carpenter • Anastasia Nelson
CROSS COUNTRY
LSC tourney at home Bryson Shake
Assistant Sports Editor
‘‘ ’’
The ACU cross country team has had one number in the back of its mind since the season began back in August. That number is 19 – the number of consecutive years the purple and white have won the Lone Star Conference Cross Country Championship. The Wildcats, ranked fourth in the region, will have the opportunity to increase that number to 20 this weekend when ACU hosts the 2010-2011 Lone Star Conference Cross Country Championships at Sherrod Park. First-year head coach Chris Woods is fully aware of the streak and the expectations that come along with being in charge of such a prestigious program. “Well, I definitely don’t want to be that coach,” Woods said. “ACU has a great thing going on with their program here, as is evident by all of the championship banners. We’re excited for this opportunity and the challenge that it presents.”
This is the most fit and mentally focused team I’ve ever been around.
CHRIS WOODS // men’s and women’s cross country head coach
The Wildcats drew a lucky straw in being able to host the tournament on their home course, which adds the built-in advantage of familiarity to the equation for a 19th-straight championship. “I feel as if we have an advantage because we know the course,” junior Anais Belledant said. “I feel really confident knowing that I have a knowledge of what to expect when running on it.” The team hosted the Naidamu Classic on Oct. 9, where the men’s team won and the women’s team took second place. Now the team is looking to build off of that momentum as it heads into the meet this weekend. “We had a great showing at the Naidamu Classic, so we’re really hoping to build upon that success at the conference meet,” freshman Will Mack said.
ACU is currently ranked fourth in the South Central Region and is second among LSC schools behind East Central, who is third. Eastern New Mexico, Cameron, and Texas A&MCommerce are all ranked in the top 10 in the regional rankings as well. “East Central always has a strong program with some very talented runners,” Woods said. “They always compete at a high level and bring their A-game.” Woods said the team is mentally and physically prepared for the tournament. “This is the most fit and mentally focused team I’ve been around,” Woods said. “As a coach, that shows how determined they are to succeed, to me, and that’s something that is rare. They make my job easy, and it’s a blessing to be in this position.” contact Shake at
bxs09a@acu.edu
Bouniol tied in fourth with a 220. Wildcat Trey Sullivan finished just outside the top 25 with a 230. “This course was definitely the most difficult course we have played on all season,” Carpenter said. “There are some very
tough holes that you have to stay focused on.” The Queens Tournament was the Wildcats’ final chance this fall to move up in the Nike Golf Poll. contact Jefferies at
jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Sports
Page 8
Standings FOOTBALL Team Div. Ovrl. ACU TAMU-K WTAMU E. Central MSU ENMU Tarleton St Angelo St. UIW
5-0 4-1 4.-1 4-1 4-1 3-2 1-4 1-5 0-5
9-0 8-1 7-2 4-5 7-2 4-5 2-7 3-5 2-7
VOLLEYBALL Team
Div.
ACU 12-0 WTAMU 12-0 Angelo St. 11-1 MSU 8-5 Tarleton St. 7-5 TAMU-K 4-8
Ovrl. 24-3 22-8 16-10 14-13 21-8 10-14
WOMEN’S SOCCER Team Div. Ovrl. MSU ACU Cen. Okla. WTAMU NE St. ENMU E. Central
10-1-0 15-2-0 9-2-0 14-3-0 6-4-1 10-7-1 4-6-1 8-7-3 3-5-3 7-6-5 2-9-0 5-13-0 1-9-1 5-11-2
Briefs n Quarterback
Mitchell Gale and linebacker Kevin Washington were named the Lone Star Conference's Top Performers of the Week. Gale threw for 377 yards and four touchdowns while Washington’s 13 tackles, three of which were for a loss in the Wildcats’ 33-20 win over Angelo State.
n Shawna Hines was named the LSC South’s Offensive Player of the Week. Hines hit .370 over the weekend with 24 kills and averaged over three kills per set, helping the No. 21 ranked Wildcats stay a perfect 12-0 in the Lone Star Conference.
Player Profile n Spencer Covey, sophomore kickoff specialist from Coppell and NCAA Division II leader in touchbacks, added three more touchbacks Saturday in ACU’s game against Angelo State, giving him 25 on the season. Covey’s kicks neutralized an explosive ASU return unit that averaged 25 yards per kickoff return. The Coppell native red-shirted last year and was a two year letterman at Coppell High School.
SOCCER
Wildcats to meet Rambelles in tourney Ryan Cantrell
Sports Multimedia Editor
ACU will take on Angelo State at 5 p.m. Friday after a first round bye in the Lone Star Conference Tournament which began Thursday. The Wildcats entered the tournament as the second seed behind first seed Midwestern State. Midwestern State finished the season 10–1 in conference, earning the top seed and the rights to host the conference tournament.
The Mustangs also received a first round bye and will now play Central Oklahoma, after the Bronchos defeated Incarnate Word 3–1. The winner of the MSU –UCO semifinals match will play the winner of the ACU –ASU game in the conference finals. ACU has had its best season in school history, earning its highest seed in the conference tournament this year. ACU is still seeking its first postseason victory and conference title.
“I think we have had an excellent season, and we have reached our goals as a team that we set at the beginning of the season,” Coach Casey Wilson said. “We have given ourselves a chance to cash in this weekend on all of our hard work so far this season.” This weekend is important not only for the conference tournament, but also because the results could determine if ACU qualifies for the NCAA regional tournament as well. The
ACU Cross Country will host the Lone Star Conference Cross Country Championship Saturday. n The No. 2 ACU football team will travel to take on WTAMU at 6 p.m Saturday.
ular season with a 14 –3 record, they still have to play strong this weekend. “A lot of things could happen this weekend,” Wilson said. “Just about everyone in the conference tournament is hovering around the top 10 in the regional polls. We have to take care of business, especially by winning the first game on Friday night. If we don’t win that first game on Friday we would see AWARDS page 5
ACU falls to West Texas Austin Gwin Sports Editor
A rowdy crowd and the pressure of the big game weren’t enough to propel the Wildcats to victory against the West Texas A&M Buffaloes. “We talk a lot about how our wins don’t define us, and the same thing applies for our losses,” said head coach Kellen Mock. “We’re a little frustrated, we’ll come back and be just fine.” It was one of the largest crowds Moody Coliseum has seen for a volleyball game, but the Buffs proved to be the better team Thursday night. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen this many fans at Moody as there were tonight,” Mock said. “I can’t say enough about the crowd support.” The Wildcats lost the first set, 24-26. The Wildcats were up 23-18, but a run by the Buffs tied the game at 24. A few errors down the stretch, including a miss by Neely Borger on a kill at game-point, gave the Buffs the game. “Today we weren’t quite as disciplined and didn’t communicate as well as we wanted to,” Mock said. “We didn’t perform up to the standards we set for ourselves.” The Buffs also took game two, 25-21. WT took an early lead and never looked back as the two
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Jennie Hutt (8) dives for a ball during Thursday night’s match against West Texas. ACU was swept 3-0 as the Buffaloes won their 79th-straight LSC conference game. With the loss ACU moved to 12-1 in conference play, while the Buffs went to 13-0. teams traded points. The Buffs were better at the net in the first two sets, leading ACU in blocks 10 to three. Game three also went to the Buffs to complete the sweep, 25-20. The Buffs
took advantage of poor hitting from the Wildcats, who only hit .058 in the third set. For the game overall, ACU hit .185 and the Buffs hit .283. The win pushes
FOOTBALL
ACU will play it’s last the Buffs’ conference record to 13-0. This win, game against Eastern New which is the Buffs’ 79th Mexico at 2 p.m. Saturday straight conference win, in Moody Coliseum. also means the LSC tournament will be held in contact Gwin at Canyon next week. agg07a@acu.edu
GOLF
Carpenter wins fourth in a row Brenna Jefferies Sports Reporter
n The
n
Wildcats would need to be in the top six in the region to qualify. The Wildcats currently sit in fourth, with Midwestern State one spot above them and Angelo State one spot below. Other LSC teams trying to jump in the standings are Incarnate Word and Central Oklahoma, who sit at seventh and eighth, respectively. The winner of the LSC tournament earns an automatic bid into the regional tournament. Even though ACU has played its best reg-
VOLLEYBALL
Upcoming No. 23 Wildcat soccer team will play the winner of the Angelo State, A&M Commerce game at 5 p.m. Friday in Wichita Falls in the LSC Conference Tournament.
November 5, 2010
DANIEL GOMEZ // Chief Photographer
Mitchell Gale runs through the Angelo State defense last Saturday during a 33-20 ACU win.
Rivalry renewed at WT Brandon Tripp Sports Editor
The ACU Wildcats look to continue a seven-year trend in the matchup against West Texas A&M this Saturday, after coming off a 3320 home victory over their rival, Angelo State. West
Texas A&M just saw its own huge victory over Incarnate Word, 49-10. Both teams are vying for at least a share of the Lone Star Conference championship, which adds to an already bitter rivalry between the two schools. With the win, the
Wildcats would move to 10-0, halt the Buff’s bid for a share of the conference title and only have to beat Southwestern to clinch the LSC. Should ACU lose, the Wildcats will move into a three-way tie with WT see CANYON page 7
With strong showings at recent tournaments, the ACU golf team is climbing the charts, ranked fifth in the latest GolfWorld/Nike Golf Division II Poll. “This is what you want,” said junior Tyler Sheppard. “You definitely want to be ranked in the top 10 or top five right before the end of the semester.” ACU vaulted five spots in the poll after finishing second among 15 teams last week in the Bruce Williams Memorial Invitational at Dominion Country Club in San Antonio. On Tuesday, the Wildcats won the Queens Invitational at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Verde Beach, Fla., with a three-day total of 876 on the challenging
Dye’s Valley Course. The ’Cats finished day one three shots behind leader Lander University, with sophomore Alex Carpenter scorching the first round with a 65 (-6) and taking the individual lead. “I played just as well as I did last week, but I shot 65 in the first round, which is the best round of the year for me,” Carpenter said. “With the conditions the way they were, I am very happy with how I played.” Bouniol and Sheppard were at 15th and 18th after round one, respectively. Bouniol shot a 75 (+4), and Sheppard shot a 76 (+5). In round two the Wildcats fired off a 289 and seized the team lead by 11 strokes behind a sizzling see SAWGRASS page 4