Sports Page 8
Closing season Wildcat volleyball finishes their first Div. I season vol. 102, no. 25
wednesday, november 22, 2013
1 SECTION, 8 PAGES
INSIDE NEWS Construction continues on Cullen Auditorium to prevent future rain damage
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NEWS The third annual Zumbathon is hosted by SAND to raise funds on Saturday in the Rec Center Page 4
SPORTS We look back at ACU football’s first Div. I season with Coach Collums
A FINISHING TOUCH Madny lambright chief photographer
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NEWS The second annual Mingle & Jingle celebrates Christmas with Aaron Watson Page 4
OPINION The editorial board examines the many facets to be considered when changing the faculty employment policy
Senior Blake Watts, graphic design major from Georgetown, hangs his work in preparation for the senior show, “Against the Grain.” Six seniors are displaying art in the Shore Art Gallery for the senior art show. Read more about their preparation on page 5.
Four Campaign locations chosen Melany Cox Online managing editor The destinations for the 2014 Spring Break Campaigns have been selected. Four student-led campaigns will spend Spring Break in St. Paul, Minn., Seattle, Wash., Chicago, Ill. and Fairfax, Va. Mary Beth Cuevas, SBC coordinator and associate director for ACU Leadership Camps, said these locations were chosen based on past success.
“We looked back in past years to see which ones we had the most contact with, the ones that we went to the most, knowing people there,” she said. “That’s how we made those connections.” Last year the university sent students to 10 cities across the United States. Cuevas said they also tried to avoid picking locations other groups or Abilene churches might be going to. “We don’t need to doubledip like that,” she said. Cuevas said the office
is behind on coordinating campaigns because they didn’t get started until later in the semester. However, she said they are not concerned about this affecting applications. “We do still need people to apply,” she said. “We need leadership team, we need leaders for the campaigns themselves and we need students.” Applications for students and the SBC leadership team are available online. Cuevas said the leadership teams needs a financial organizer,
marketing organizer, an assistant coordinator and a travel organizer. She said they also want two people to lead each campaign. These people can also be members of the leadership team. “The kind of people we want for the leadership campaigns are people have a heart for service, a heart for seeing what people need, excitement and ready to grow in their faith,” she said. Cuevas said they are hoping to have 20 students per group. Mollie Spaulding, ad-
ministrative assistant for the Center for Christian Service and Leadership, said the applications are open-ended because they want to give as many people as possible the chance to apply. Students and leaders can apply by going to the Center for Christian Service and Leadership website and clicking “Ministry and Service” followed by “Spring Break.” contact cox at m@acu.edu
Times points to ACU’s endowment Page 6
Kirsten holman staff reporter
NEWS The Griggs Center hosts the Entrepreneurship Week Page 4
SPORTS Women’s basketball team looks to stay undefeated in Denton this weekend Page 7
SPORTS The ACU football senior class leaves behind an impressive legacy and big shoes to fill Page 6
ACU was recognized in The New York Times for outstanding endowment performance. The National Association of College and University Business collected the data of this years’ endowment performance amongst colleges and the results have brought ACU into the spotlight. According to The New York Times, ACU’s endowment fund had a return of 9 percent over a five-year period. Spalding University saw a return of 8 percent over that same time period, but Yale only stood at a 3.1 percent return for the year ending June 30, 2012. “For the year ending
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VIDEO Watch the dancers ruminate about the Sanctify show, Anomaly
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michelle nix senior interior design major from dallas
June 30, 2013 smaller endowments have had better results than the average large endowment. We have had some very good results over the years,” Jack Rich, ACU’s chief investment officer, said. “We have been very blessed but a lot of that is cyclical; what works this year may not work next year. So I don’t read too much into how the smaller endowments have done better than the larger endowments over some time periods.”
ACU’s endowments are comparably smaller than schools like Yale and Harvard. “Our endowment is actually a good-sized endowment,” said Rich. “We have about $337 million in the endowment today. It looks to me like that would put us in the top 200 of schools, and there are thousands of schools, so that’s a good sign. But when you compare us to some of the large endowments like Yale, Harvard and University of Texas, they have billions and billions of dollars. So we are very small in that context.” ACU has come a long way since Rich first started working at ACU 22 years ago. “When I started, the ACU endowment fund was about $50 million. Today it is $337
million,” said Rich. “It’s very different in terms of how we invest, almost a night-andday difference. And part of it is size; we’ve gotten bigger and we can be more complex in our investments.” What “The New York Times” calls the “Yale Model,” has a similar philosophy to ACU. “The Yale Model is the idea of having a very diversified portfolio, by making use of alternative investments,” said Rich. “So alternative investments would be things like private equity, hedge funds, things that the typical investor doesn’t take advantage of. So, in that sense, we have a high allocation to alternative investments much like Yale and many larger ensee campaigns page 4
Elevator Pitch winner goes green brittany jackson
ONLINE
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My favorite part was watching Mark kiss the first baby pig that was squealing incessantly.”
Winners of the SpringBoard Elevator Pitch challenge were announced shortly after Chapel in Hart Auditorium yesterday. Troy Bonneau, freshman computer science major from Farmers Branch, won first prize for his Greenstrip idea. His idea takes timed lights and smart phone applications and combines them into one concept, allowing a user to save energy whether he or she is home or not. “I saw one of the little
timers you use at Christmas to control the lights, to turn the them on and off at different times, and I was just like, ‘how can I make that better?’” he said. “I think smart phone integration is a great way to bring a device into the phone. And so that’s how the Greenstrip came to be.” First prize awarded $1,500, which Bonneau said he will most likely put towards getting his idea out there. “I wanted an idea that people could see. A lot of the ideas expressed here in the past years were a little out there, I was re-
Abilene Christian University
ally looking for something the people could understand,” Bonneau said. “The most I could do is use the money to get my idea out to another investor who can fund it a little bit better.” Tyler Edison, junior finance major from College Station, won second place with his Thingstrend pitch. The idea centers around all college students in America having a safe and efficient online site to buy and sell items to one another. It has already been put into see springboard page 4
Garon Goodspeed staff photographer
Troy Bonneau, freshman computer science major from Farmers Branch, won first place for his pitch.
Mission Thanksgiving not over Marissa Jones editor in chief Bob Strader is talking to me as he walks. “It’s not full,” Strader says. “We have a lot of great donations, but even though we’ve announced it in Chapel and the truck is sitting there in plain sight, people are like ‘oh i didn’t know that ended today.’” Strader, director of Ministr y and Service, is coordinating the Season of Caring on campus and ACU’s partnership with Love and Care Ministries to help the community. For 10 days, a truck has been sitting, waiting next to the GATA fountain for donations from students. After Chapel, that truck will be driven to Arrow Ford on South 1st, and the donations will be given to Love and Care Ministries’ Mission Thanksgiving program. “If people miss the truck, they can still take it to Arrow Ford,” Strader see volunteer page 4
friday 11.22.13
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7 p.m. Volleyball at Grand Canyon University
9 a.m. Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Zumbathon
8 p.m. Showing of the movie “Chronicle” in Zellner
12 p.m. Women’s Basketball at North Texas Classic
monday
1 p.m. Women’s Basketball at North Texas Classic
7 p.m. Men’s Basketball at Xavier University
7:30 p.m. ACU Cornerstone Musical: “Next to Normal”
7:30 p.m. Winter Band Concert
Announcements
Chapel checkup To date:
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sunday
saturday
2
Remaining:
89 11 @acuoptimist The Optimist
The ACU Medical and Counseling Care Center is offering flu shots for $17. No appointment is necessary and students may use their ACU Banner account, cash, check or debit card. University Park Apartments is offering student housing over Christmas break. Call 325-738-4600. Space is limited. Mingle and Jingle featuring Aaron Watson is at 6:30 p.m. at Dec. 2 on the Front Lawn.
optimist@acu.edu
The Student Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is hosting its third annual Zumbathon from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Nov. 23. Students may buy presale tickets in the Campus Center for $10 and will receive 3 raffle tickets. Tickets at the door are $12 and include 1 raffle ticket. Additional raffle tickets are $1. Refreshements will be provided. Students interested in Spring Break service can learn more about volunteer opportunities at acu. edu/ccsl/ministry-service/ spring-break/index.html.
Tickets are on sale for the ACU Theatre Department’s performance of “Next to Normal” at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 19 - 24 in Fulks Theatre. Season of Caring is partnering up with Love and Care Ministries to donate items to the homeless. Students can take part by donating household items and food in the Campus Center from 12 - 6 p.m. on Nov. 13 - 22. Students may also volunteer at the drop-off truck in the mall area of the Campus Center. For more information visit facebook. com/seasonofcaring.
Switchfoot will be performing at 6 p.m. on Nov. 24 at the Abilene Civic Center. Student ticket prices cost $20, or tickets can be purchased at the door for $30. To purchase tickets visit itickets.com or call 800965-9324. Students are invited to attend the ACU Winter Band Concert featuring the ACU Big Purple Band, Trumpet Choir, Brass Quintet and Woodwind Quintet. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 25 in Cullen Auditorium. Admission is free.
Police Log Police log SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 11/12/2013 1:00 p.m. An Abilene Lake Patrol Officer recovered a stolen Galaxy Social Club photo composite at Seabee Park and returned it to ACUPD who then released it to a Galaxy club officer. 11/12/2013 4:30 p.m. A student reported that his Galaxy club hat was stolen from his dorm room. 11/14/2013 2:02 p.m. A student’s ID card was stolen and then used by 3 other students to make a series of on-campus purchases. 11/14/2013 4:58 p.m. A student’s Android phone was stolen from Moody Coliseum. 11/18/2013 12:50 p.m. Student reported that a pink toilet containing a severed pig’s head was placed in their driveway in the 800 block of EN 14. Weekly Stats For Week of Nov. 12 - Nov. 19, 2013- Total Events: 367 911 CALL 1 ABANDONED VEHICLE 1 ACCIDENT 1 ALARM 4 ANIMAL CALL 2 ASSIST 7 ASSAULT 1 CITATION ISSUANCE 3 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 3
DISABLED VEHICLE 1 DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE 1 ESCORT 1 FOOT PATROL 23 FORGERY 1 INFORMATION REPORT 3 INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP 15 LOST PROPERTY 1 MEDICAL EMERGENCY 2
MONITOR FACILITY/LOT 2 PARKING LOT PATROL 13 PARKING VIOLATION 1 PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTENANCE 3 PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL 12 RANDOM PATROL 22 REPORT WRITING 10 SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 2 SUSPICIOUS PERSON 3
THEFT (NON VEHICLE) 4 TRAFFIC HAZARD 3 TRAFFIC STOP 1 WELFARE CHECK 2 Police Tip of the Week: ACUPD wishes everyone a safe and restful Thanksgiving Break. Make sure your dorm or offcampus residence is locked and secured when you leave.
Volunteer Opp0rtunities Friends for Life is seeking volunteers to help with both elderly residents and independent living elderly. Nursing home service opportunities include visiting, playing games, reading to the blind and assisting in arts and crafts. Independent living service opportunities include mowing lawns, grocery shopping and changing light bulbs. To volunteer contact Cecilia Barahona at 325672-2635 or cecilia@friendsforlife.org. The Noah Project is seeking volunteers to help with tasks such as answering phone calls, providing child care and doing maintenance and housekeeping. To volunteer call 325-676-7107. Love and Care Ministries is looking for volunteers to help with sorting clothing, stocking their food pantry, assisting in prayers in their prayer room and serving food to the homeless. For more information call 325670-0246. Volunteers are needed at the BCFS Abilene Transition Center for event planning and setup, assisting in teaching life skills classes, accompanying transport, visiting homes and/or assisting in construction of facilities for assisting in the betterment of male and female youth ages 15 - 25. This opportunity is open each morning Mondays through Fridays. Students interested must contact Johnny Nguyen at 325-692-0033 or jnguyen@bcfs.net. The Betty Hardwick Center is seeking volunteers for the Human Resources Center to help with filing and organizing. This job requires someone with attention to detail who wishes to learn more about Human Resources. The job is open Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. If you are interested please contact Martin Walker at 325-690-5235 or mwalker@ bhcmhmr.org. House of Faith is an organization that seeks to take Jesus to neighborhood children. Volunteers are needed to help with the various programs they do throughout the week. Backyard Bible studies are hosted Mondays and Wednesdays and a youth program takes place on Thursday evenings. The organization is seeking volunteers who can commit to a specific day a week. House of Faith lasts from 3 - 5:30 p.m. To volunteer or gain more information contact Amy Jeffers at abj09a@ acu.edu or call 832-331-5324. Rescue the Animals is seeking volunteers to work at the adoption center performing a variety of tasks, from playing with the animals to working in the office. For more information visit their website at http://www.rescuetheanimals.org/volunteer.
The Abilene Zoo is looking for volunteers to help with general labor, such as grounds cleanup and painting, any weekday at any time between 12 - 4 p.m. The Zoo is located at 2070 Zoo Ln. Contact Joy Harsh at 325-676-6487 for more information. Breakfast on Beech Street is seeking volunteers to help set up, prepare and serve breakfast to homeless/lower income folks any Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday at 5:30 a.m. or Tuesdays at 5 a.m. B.O.B.S. is located at First Christian Church on 3rd St. and Beech St. Service times must be scheduled in advance. To serve on Mondays contact Jody Depriest at 325-669-3312 or jody.depriest@ gmail.com. To serve on Tuesdays contact Allen Daugherty at 325-660-6949 or ale.al@suddenlink. net. To serve on Wednesdays contact Jane Harvey at 325-695-0092 or jharvread@aol.com. To serve on Thursdays contact Margaret Beasley at 325-692-4149 or mbeasley5@suddenlink.net. To serve on Fridays contact Rachel Brown at rdb08a@acu.edu. The National Center For Children’s Illustrated Literature is looking for volunteers to greet patrons, assist with art activities, sell books and make visitors feel welcome. Help is also needed for special events like Artwalk and exhibit openings. The NCCIL is located at 102 Cedar St. For more information on times and dates contact Debby Lillick at 325-673-4586 or visit http://www.nccil.org/index.htm. The Center for International Education is looking for English speaking students to be paired with international students for English practice, conversation and cultural learning. Partners meet for one hour each week at a time and place determined by their partners. To volunteer contact Laura McGregor at laura. mcgregor@acu.edu. Volunteers are needed to help with daily activities organized by the staff at Chisholm House. This could involve playing board games, helping with arts and crafts and helping with a walking club. For some of these tasks volunteers may be asked to lead a group or work along side a staff coordinator. Volunteer opportunities are from 2 - 4 p.m. or 6 - 8 p.m. daily. Contact Larissa Blankenship at 817-578-9296. The International Rescue Committee is seeking volunteers to work with refugees who recently moved to the U.S., teaching English, helping with homework and mentoring. Contact Susanna Lubango to make an appointment at 325-675-5643.
The Christian Service Center is seeking volunteers to help with filing requests for items such as clothing and bedding from the donation center, sort and organize donations and occasionally pick up donated items. Volunteers are needed every weekday and the first Saturday of each month between 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 - 4 p.m. For more information contact Roberta Brown at 325-673-7561 orrobertabrown51@ hotmail.com. For more information on the program visit http://www.uccabilene.org/ministries/csc.htm. The Food Bank of West Central Texas needs volunteers to help sort and stock food and other items any weekday Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Food Bank is located at 5505 N. 1st St. For more information contact Janice Serrault at 325-695-6311 or abfoodbk@camalott.com. The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers for a variety of needs such as sorting and pricing items in the thrift store, helping in the kitchen and/or doing yard work. Times are flexible and volunteers are needed Monday - Saturday. The Salvation Army is located at 1726 Butternut St. For more information contact J.D. Alonzo at 325-677-1408 or visit www. satruck.com. Christian Ministries Food Pantry needs volunteers to help with tasks such as cleaning up, stocking shelves and bagging flour. It is looking for students who can make a commitment of 1 - 3 hours a week. For more information contact Becky Almanza at 325-673-5295 or balmanza7@sbcglobal.net. Windcrest Health Care Center needs volunteers to help put up 11 Christmas trees in their facility, wrap pictures with wrapping paper and put garland down the hallways from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. on Nov. 22 - Dec. 6. For more information contact Melissa Long at activities@windcresthc.com or 325-692-1533. Meals on Wheels Plus needs volunteer drivers to deliver afternoon meals to seniors and adults with disabilities Monday - Friday between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Drivers must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license. Training is provided. For more information contact Samantha Barker at 352-672-5050 or visit http://mealsonwheelsplus.com. For additional volunteer opportunities visit: www. acu.edu/campusoffices/ccsl/ministry-service/volunteer-opportunities/
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Renovations continue to prevent flooding Melany Cox online managing editor Most of the renovations to Cullen Auditorium have been completed and measures are being taken to ensure the auditorium does not f lood again. The renovations began after Cullen was f looded in mid-June. Scot Colley, executive director of Risk Management and Construction, said the only part of the renovation that remains to be completed is the installation of new seats. He said all of the seats will be replaced over Christmas break. “We’ve tried to extract the water so many times, so we redid it all,” he said. “Everything that got wet was torn out and replaced. The seats will be the last portion and that will be done over Christmas.” The renovations included a new stage f loor, walls, curtains and carpet. Colley said Cullen has f looded several times.
In order to prevent Cullen from being f looded again, ACU Construction has raised curb elevations outside the auditorium 18 inches. Workers also tore out a ramp between Cullen and Moody Coliseum and put in drainage pipes to redirect surface drainage. Colley said during heav y rain, water from the Hardin Administration Building parking lot, the Brown Library parking lot and the parking lot behind Cullen all f lows toward the auditorium and f loods in through the side doors. He said raising the curbs will divert the water. Workers are also extending the handicap exits out to make up for the increase in curb elevation. Colley said he expects the work outside Cullen to be complete within two weeks.
jarred schuetze Staff Photographer contact cox at mkc09b@acu.edu
Construction continues outside of Cullen Auditorium.
Aaron Watson returns to ‘Mingle & Jingle’ brittany sanchez student reporter ACU looks forward to its second annual Mingle & Jingle on Dec. 2, which will kick off the holiday season with free hot cocoa, a visit from Santa and a concert by countr y music star Aaron Watson. Mingle & Jingle is an opportunity for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community to join together on ACU’s campus in celebration of the holiday season.
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son, (‘00) perform again at this year’s Mingle & Jingle. Bunton said that Watson hopes to make this a yearly tradition for him and his band. “He loves ACU and jennifer ellison loves contributing to the director of university events community,” said Bunton. There are hopes that “Mingle & Jingle startIt’s free of charge and this event will also ed in 2012 as entertain- includes the Christmas become an ACU and ment for prospective stu- movie “How the Grinch Abilene tradition. dents and their families Stole Christmas,” an op“This is a fun, laid after the Admitted Stu- portunity to visit with back event that gets evdents Reception,” said Santa and a concert with er yone in the Christmas Amber Gilbert Bunton, Aaron Watson. spirit,” said Bunton. production coordinator There were no trou“We had an excepfor Creative Services. bles having Aaron Wat- tional turn-out last year
We had an exceptional turn-out last year and hope to have even more in attendance this year.”
and hope to have even more in attendance this year,” said Jennifer Ellison, director of University Events. Departments across campus are contributing to this event. “All we ask is that families bring a toy donation for Love and Care Ministries,” said Ellison. Ellison said that this year they’re pleased to have the ACU Choir performing several Christmas selections as well as closing the evening with Aaron Watson on stage. “The University Cho-
rale will sing and join Aaron for the last song, ‘Silent Night,’” said Bunton. Bunton also said that ACU Enactus is inviting local nonprofits to set up tables and provide info about their organizations. The celebration will be held on the front lawn of the Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
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Griggs Center partakes in Entrepreneurship Week madeline orr managing editor The Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy participated in Global Entrepreneurship Week on Tuesday with a luncheon featuring Janie Barrera, president and CEO of Accion Texas. As part of the Griggs Center’s Entrepreneur Speaker Series, the event also served as a opportunity for commu-
nity members to interact on campus and for the Springboard Elevator Pitch finalists to be announced. Because Abilene Mayor Norm Archibald had a lastminute scheduling conflict, Anthony Williams, chief of auxiliary services officer and member of the Abilene City Council gave a proclamation on entrepreneurship in the Abilene community on Archibald’s behalf. “Economic growth has been tied directly to the
success of entrepreneurs,” said Williams. “We have benefited greatly from everyday use of breakthrough innovations developed and brought to market by the creativity of entrepreneurs.” Other local community members and students from organizations such as Highland Church of Christ, Wildcat Ventures, West Texas Innovation Network, Community Foundation, United Way and represen-
tatives from the Chamber of Commerce attended the luncheon. Accion Texas is based in San Antonio and manages the nation’s largest microlending portfolio. Barrera shared insight on the micro-finance industry and the lending process as well as her own experiences as an entrepreneur. “Successful entrepreneurs don’t have watch,” said Barrera. “They live and breathe their business.
They have the will to think about nothing else.” Brandon Avedikian, graduate student in the Masters of Accountancy program from Fresno, Calif., is vice president and CFO of Wildcat Ventures, the student-run company within the Griggs Center. Avedikian said he thought Barrera brought a unique perspective to the lending world. “I had never heard of a not-for-profit lender be-
fore,” he said. “Her strategy of being able to be self-sustaining as a non-profit was impressive and inspiring.” After Barrera’s keynote address, Dr. Jim Litton, assistant professor of entrepreneurship and director of the Griggs center, announced the Springboard Elevator Pitch finalists.
contact orr at mco10b@acu.edu
Women’s dorm extends curfew for Catching Fire rachel fritz student reporter Sikes extended freshman girls’ curfew for the premiere of “Catching Fire” last night. Courtney Martin, assistant director of Sikes Hall, came up with the idea to make the premiere a special event. “Several of our Smorris [Sikes and Morris] staff members were talking about wanting to go to the movie together, so I decided this was something we should invite everyone to,” Martin said. Sikes and Morris are traditionally sophomore women’s dorms, but Sikes recently began to house freshmen because of the increasing number of women in the freshman class. Freshmen living in Sikes are still expected to follow curfew while sophomores are not. “Sikes is a unique
breed of freshman and sophomores and we wanted to make sure our freshman could come, too, by extending curfew,” Martin said. In previous years, freshmen dorms have extended curfew for movie premieres like “Twilight” and the seventh “Harry Potter” movie due to their popularity. “There is a lot of excitement for the movie premiere, simply because “The Hunger Games” series is very popular, and for everyone to go see it together,” Martin said. “Extending curfew is always reason to celebrate.” Usually, when freshmen come in after curfew they are required to check in with the desk manager and are issued a warning, but that was not the case last night. “Everyone who comes in after curfew will need to show the desk manager a ticket stub from the
‘Catching Fire’ movie to get a freebie,” Martin said. Meme Coleman, freshman nutrition major from Rockwall, said that it is difficult living in a sophomore dorm because the community is different living among sophomores. “It’s amazing that we get to miss curfew because we’re not going to be stuck in the dorms and we get to experience Abilene after dark,” Coleman said. Coleman is also a fan of “The Hunger Games” series and was excited for the opportunity to go see “Catching Fire”. “I read the book series when it first came out and I went to the premiere of the first movie so I said I’ve got to see the second one the night it comes out,” Coleman said.
contact fritz at ref11a@acu.edu
paige otway Staff Photographer
Students prepare for finals in the library.
SAND keeps dancing with third annual Zumbathon dent of SAND. “We started it as a way to raise funds so that SAND can have money for variThe third annual Zumbathon ous activities as a group will be held in the Royce and and go to the different Pam Money Recreation and conferences that happen Wellness Center on Satur- throughout the year where day. SAND is an organiza- we learn more about our tion for nutrition majors that profession, network with provides a place for them to Dietetic Internship Direcform community with fellow tors and future employers, nutrition majors and spread and get up to date with the health awareness. new research that is going Taylor Newhouse, se- on,” Newhouse said. nior nutrition major from In the past, the Student Montgomery, is the presi- Academy of Nutrition & Di-
rachel fritz
staff reporter
etetics has hosted different events, such as a 5K and a pet-a-thon at Rose Beb Park, to raise the money. Now, SAND is hosting the Hawaiian-themed Zumbathon to raise money. “Like all student organizations, we want our group to continue for years to come and we need a strong base of members for it to continue,” Newhouse said. “It is important, like in all aspects of life, to be an active member of your community and to take on a leadership position
when able.” The Zumbathon is an opportunity for SAND to reach out to the ACU community and inform students about health as well as an opportunity for students to have fun getting fit. “We put on the Zumbathon as a way to promote fun activity and use it as an opportunity to inform individuals about nutrition,” Newhouse said. There will be a costume contest and a raffle during the event.
Newhouse said it’s a fun way to celebrate that Thanksgiving break and gives students the opportunity to be silly and to dress up with their friends. Ruthie Swedlund, a Zumba instructor, will be one of the instructors along with Tiffany Sheffield, junior communications major from Argyle. “We will be playing a variety of music, like Christian music, salsa and a lot of other different things,” Swedlund said. “And since it’s Hawaiian
themed this year, we’re going to throw in some Hawaiian songs and dances.” Swedlund had been involved with this year’s preparations for the Zumbathon and is said she is looking forward to the event. “The Zumbathon is a fun way for students to come out and exercise and have fun doing it,” Swedlund said.
contact fritz at ref11a@acu.edu
Endowment: ACU investments yield more than Yale from page 1
both private equity and hedge funds helps ACU to dowments.” reap benefits of diversificaAccording to Rich, pri- tion. vate equity means invest“The hope is by diversiing in smaller companies fying your asset allocation, that are traded privately. you can reduce your risk ACU also allocates funds and get a similar return to to what are called “hedge what you can get on the funds,” which are equally public marketplace. So non-traditional invest- that’s what we are trying to ments just like private eq- accomplish,” said Rich. uity. Allocating funds to ACU also has an advan-
tage being located in West Texas. The university has received gifts related to land and energy. Rich said, “So with our $337 million we would put roughly 40 percent in what I would call private equity or direct investments, and then in hedge funds we have about 25 percent and the rest would be in mostly public markets.”
Rich said they consult with LCG Associates who help them organize investment planning, find managers and give advice. ACU has worked with LCG for over 20 years, which is a long time in this business. There are important elements to maintaining a healthy endowment fund. One of these elements, according to Rich, is a good
investment policy and a good board that watches and helps develop the investment policy. Such elements ensure a reasonable amount of risk and a structure that helps avoid making bad decisions. “Secondarily,” Rich said, “it’s having a good pulse of the market, a good sense of what it is that you are trying to accomplish
in the marketplace. So are you wanting to take a lot of risk, are you wanting to minimize your risk and avoid losses? Those are all pieces of the planning that are important to what you do.”
contact holman at keh09c@acu.edu
Volunteer: Bob Strader talks straight about this year’s Season of Caring opportunities for service from page 1
cool experience just to do When I ask why stu- Strader has two reasons. that. It’s pretty impressive dents should care about “First, people really says. “Really it’s a pretty what they do out there.” this particular ministry, need the stuff we give. They need it. I’m a follower of Jesus, and He tells me to help the needy people. They need it so we do it.” And second? “To show we are a part of the Abilene community. To show we’re not outsiders. We’re not just spoiled rich kids on the Hill. We are people who want to participate in the community. This is a great way to do that.” Students can also volunteer on Saturday at 8
p.m. to help unload the donations. Volunteers should meet at the Love and Care Ministries’ headquarters. Simultaneously, Turkeys for Taylor continues – a program dedicated to collecting money to purchase Thanksgiving dinners for 70 families and students at Taylor Elementary. “We’ll take 25 cents, we’ll take a dollar, we’ll take five dollars, but a turkey dinner costs 70 bucks,” Strader says. Students can donate money to Turkeys for
Taylor’s in the Center for Christian Service and Leadership office in the downstairs of the Campus Center until 5 p.m. on Friday. But Strader calls it a “soft deadline”, and they will take money next week. “I’m walking around right now picking up money actually,” Strader says. “Some people called and said they had some to give.”
contact jones at mnj10a@acu.edu
Springboard: Student ideas compete to win $1,500 from page 1 action, but Edison now has $750 to place towards expansion. “At the beginning of this semester, we had 30 users online and 20 items uploaded. Right now we have 195 users with 93 items uploaded,” Edison said. “Next semester we’re going to every college in Abilene, and the semester afterwards we’re going to all 48 colleges in Dallas.”
Jeff Johnston, sophomore ad/PR from Coppell, received third place for his “Signmeup” pitch. With this idea, he hopes to organize a company that will create more professional-looking garage sale signs for people who lack concepts of design or time. Lastly, Rudy Garza, sophomore marketing major from Corpus Christi, won $250 in a student-choice award for his
“V-Card” pitch. His idea called for a convergence of all social media which would allow a person to connect to anyone’s entire social media outlets with just one click of a button, therefore increasing the efficiency of networking.
contact jackson at bkj12a@acu.edu
5
arts
friday 11.22.13
GOING
This Week Friday, November 22 Abilene Ballet Theatre presents “The Nutcracker” at 8 p.m on Friday, 2:30 & 8 p.m. on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Student tickets are $10.
AGAINST
ACU’s Theatre Department present Next to Normal Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m in Fulks Theatre. Tickets are $15.
THE GRAIN
ACU CAB presents a free showing of Despicable Me 2 in Cullen Auditorium at 8 p.m. Scope Film Interest Group is screening Chronicle at 8 p.m. in the Honors Commons. Saturday, November 23 Leslie Lewis staff Photographer
SAND puts on the 3rd annual Zumbathon beginning at 9 a.m. in the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. Tickets are $12 at the door. Sunday, November 24 Switchfoot brings their Fading West tour to the Abilene Civic Center at 6:00 p.m. Tickets range from $20-30.
Senior art students bid ACU farewell with unique art show Richard Lyne ARts Reporter Senior year, for most students, represents the final peak of all their efforts at ACU. For six students, it offers the chance to share the fruits of their labors with the rest of the community. The senior art show, “Against the Grain,” opened this Thursday and showcases the works of Aubrey Barnett, Lauren Bennett, Le-
“
anne Kawahigashi, Lee Anna McGee, Chelsea Tatum and Blake Watts. These Decembergraduating seniors are all graphic design majors, with the exception of Bennett, who is majoring in interior design. The theme of going “against the grain” is particularly significant to all involved, because it celebrates the uniqueness of each participant. “‘Against the Grain’ is more along the lines of
We’ve worked really hard the past few years to prepare excellent work for people to see.”
Le Anna Kawahigashi senior art major
not being the same as everybody else - standing out from the crowd,” said Bennett. As an interior design major, her contributions include f loor plans, renderings of planned spaces, and examples of her proposed materials and finishes. Her exhibits feature a hospital and a hote “It’s a really talented group of people. People I’ve wanted to be in a show with since I became an art major. I think it’ll be a really good one,” said Watts, who has created diverse graphical products such as band posters and infographics. Kawahigashi, exploring the connotation of wood grain, is utilizing a laser cutter to transform her designs into three-
OUT
NOW Mandy Lambright chief Photographer
TOP LEFT: Senior art majors work to hang the exhibit “Against the Grain” in the Shore Art Gallery. The exhibit opened on Thursday night. TOP RIGHT:Lauren Bennett constructs a piece for the “Against the Grain” exhibit. BOTTOM: Seniors LeeAnna McGee, graphic design major from Abilene, and Chelsey Tatum, graphic design major from Fort Worth, mix an acetone wash while putting together their senior show. dimensional wooden creations. “We’ve worked really hard the past few years to prepare excellent work for people to see. It’s a final culmination of the past couple years in the art department, looking back and seeing what we’ve learned and how we’ve improved,” Kawa-
MOVIES
higashi said. “Against the Grain” will be on display in the Shore Art Gallery from now until the end of the semester on Dec. 13. The gallery will be open from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. every weekday. Rated PG-13 contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
MUSICAL PREVIEW
146 min.
Catching Fire
BOOKS
Cornerstone musical is nowhere close to ‘Normal’ Alikay wood ARts editor The ACU Theatre Department has never let controversial subject matter prevent them from putting on a play and this years Cornerstone production, Next to Normal is no exception. The musical won the Pulitzer for Best Play in 2010 and has dazzled audiences with its story of the effect of mental illness on a family. Next to Normal tells the story of Diana (played by Alexandra Bonneau), a wife and mother struggling with bipolar and schizophrenic tendencies. Owen Beans plays her loyal husband and Caryn Esch portrays their neglected daughter Natalie. During the course of the show Diana seeks mental help from multiple doctors in an attempt to permanently conquer her illnesses. The play offers a subtle commentary on the morality of various psychiatric treatment, exploring both sides of the issue
without mindlessly condemning Doctors. Natalie falls in love with a pothead named Henry (played to stoner perfection by Tyler Hazard) and fears her own eventual descent into insanity. Perhaps the most striking question raised by the play is what the value of reality is. Diana’s refusal to grieve and face reality forces her into a delusional world that excludes the rest of her family. When Natalie can no longer take being ignored by her mother she turns to drugs for comfort and escape. Choosing the truth is often the most painful decision and Next to Normal fearlessly explores why the pain of reality is more beautiful than the bliss of delusions. ACU’s production has cut much of the foul language in the songs but otherwise left the script unaltered. The purpose of the show is to explore emotional pain at its deepest and most desolate place and it would be dishonest and cheating the audience to censor the play and lighten this burden. The seven person cast offers an intimate
look at the devastating consequences of refusing to live in reality and the value of life regardless of happiness. The show is darkly humorous while grappling with serious topics such as drug use and suicide. Although unafraid to portray the difficult reality and seeming meaningless of life, Next to Normal offers an optimistic message. Dan and Henry refuses to abandon the women they love regardless of how Diana and Natalie have changed from the women they initially fell in love with. All of the characters eventually decide that pain is a necessary aspect of being alive. The message of the play is perfectly captured by a line the cast sings in the shows final song Light, “the price of love is loss but still we pay, we love anyway.” Next to Normal runs this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Fulks Theatre.
Salvage Anna Duncan
MUSIC
contact wood at akw10a@acu.edu
AM
Jake Bugg Shangri La
Deanna romero staff Photographer
Alexander Bonneau anchors the show with her portrayal of Diana, a wife and mother struggling to tell fantasy from reality.
Deanna romero staff Photographer
In “Next to Normal” Caryn Esch plays Natalie, a girl haunted by her older brother Gabe played by Jace Reinhard.
Daughtry Baptized
Opinion 6 TO HIRE, OR NOT TO HIRE? Friday 11.22.13
The university hires only faculty who are members of Churches of Christ; however the Optimist recognizes significant benefits to hiring faculty members from outside that single religious group. The Faculty Senate recently conducted a survey at the request of the Board of Trustees regarding faulty church membership requirements. The survey results showed a majority of faculty members are in favor of hiring outside of the Church of Christ. The board has not changed the policy, but members will continue to contemplate and study the issue. We think there are several factors that should be considered in this decision, which are presented below.
The changing nature of the students
T
he Church of Christ prides itself on its stance against denominationalism and division. The Church of Christ has no official governing body that dictates each congregation, or a convention that cradles the denomination’s beliefs and theologies. As a result, universities affiliated with the Church of Christ have acted as a holder of the Church of Christ theological views. For decades, ACU has been a leader and an incubator of Church of Christ ideals and traditions as they’ve molded ministers, pastors and all students to continue to serve the Church of Christ. It’s probable that the current hiring policy was originally put into place to protect students from the “sin of denominationalism” or the issues that occur in other denominations. But the students who arrive from both Church of Christ and nonChurch of Christ backgrounds at ACU do not seem bothered by the differences of each others’ denominations. What the hiring discussion uncovers is a discourse between carrying on heritage of the Church of Christ and trying to ref lect the composition of the student body. If this institution is centered on our belief in
Christ and not in a church denomination, just as our demographics and our mission statement suggest, then we can move forward with a new hiring policy that allows ACU to hire the best, the brightest and those who are committed to the core of the Gospel.
Improvements in quality and diversity
B
y eliminating a professor candidate solely based on denomination, the issue to hire non-COC faculty goes beyond questioning religious principles, limiting students’ potential in the classroom. ACU already drafts the highest caliber of educators. However, add “Church of Christ membership” to the prerequisites and the pool of eligible professors drastically dwindles.
We believe expanding faculty eligibility gives students access to the best education by awarding a position to the absolute most-qualified teacher. Allowing non-Church of Christ candidates to be included in the hiring would only expand and elevate the quality of ACU education and, in turn, expand and elevate student’s learning. ACU has provided its students with an out-
Following the Christian tradition
T
he Church of Christ has a tradition of rejecting tradition, and ACU was built on Church of Christ traditions, including the church membership of the people we hire. The Church of Christ is a non-denominational church, yet ACU has a denominational hiring policy. This is in keeping with our Church of Christ traditions. But what about the Christian tradition? The Church of Christ was born from the Stone-Campbell Movement. The purpose of the movement was to unify Christians in a single church body. Members identified themselves not as Protestants, but as Christians, plain and simple. Our hiring policy should ref lect the desire to become unified believers. By changing it, we’re not doing away with ACU tradition, we would be altering it to be more inclusive. We would not be giving up on our heritage by adjusting the hiring policy. Hiring faculty members who don’t attend a Church of Christ would be a new step, but we are still sticking with our Christian tradition.
Theology in the classroom
Membership and spirituality
D
oes a church membership directly correlate to spiritual maturity? Is the Church of Christ more important or more holy than the Baptist Church, or the Methodist Church? By choosing to hire only from a small pool of Church of Christ members, it would seem as though ACU is saying just that. Although it is understood that hiring from such a select group of individuals helps insure that the university is filled with good Christian role models for students, we believe the policy hurts more than it helps, for both students and faculty. A person’s denomination, or lack of denomination, doesn’t dictate where they stand on the “spirituality scale.” The hiring policy has obligated professors of the past and present to change their memberships to the Church of Christ solely to work at ACU. Although no one is forced by the university to make this switch, they are
standing education due to outstanding educators. However, the teacher talent and student potential will always be limited should ACU stick by its Church of Christ constrictions. ACU has a duty to act as an institute of “higher learning” by providing students with the highest quality possible.
A
bei ng
required to choose between the job that they want and the faith that they have. In any other business or profession, it could be argued that a person’s job should not interfere with their personal life or choices. And yet, because this is a private Christian university, it is an exception to this rule. There are wonderful Christian professors in the Church of Christ, but there are wonderful professors in other denominations, as well. Limiting our hiring pool limits our opportunities for growth.
Illustration by Ben Todd
Faculty should represent the student body
T
he most important factor to consider when evaluating the possible revision of ACU’s hiring policy is the effect on students. ACU is first and foremost an educational institution and its primary goal should be to provide a high quality educational experience for its students. The university exists to serve the students and its faculty make up should ref lect the religious diversity of the student body. Currently, over 50 percent of ACU’s student body is not affiliated with the Church of Christ. Be-
cause faculty members are limited to Church of Christ membership, students attending churches of other denominations are denied the opportunity to form invaluable relationships with their professors outside the classroom. ACU’s administration exhibits extreme disconnect with students by refusing to hire professors outside of an extremely religious background. Expanding ACU’s hiring to outside the Church of Christ would be a necessary step to ensure that the student body is accu-
rately represented among faculty members. The Church of Christ is an important part of ACU’s heritage but the alumni ACU produces are a far more important piece of this heritage. This is a debate that should not be decided by potential profit or the opinions of alumni, but by considering the makeup of the student body and the negative impact the current hiring policy has on these students.
CU is set apart from other universities because it works to make Christian theology relevant in the classroom. You won’t find a professor quoting scripture in a business class at Texas Tech. As students, we value the opportunity to rely on our professors to give us spiritual guidance practical for our majors. We understand the importance of protecting this unique aspect of ACU, but does a professor’s denomination affect his or her ability to be a positive role model in the classroom? Hiring outside of the Church of Christ will not only maintain the status quo but will improve ACU’s ability to provide spiritual growth in the classroom. Our time at college is not about trying to preserve our beliefs – it’s about reaching beyond our comfort zones and challenging what we believe to build stronger foundations. Choosing to solely hire professors who are members of the Church of Christ limits opportunities for students to learn from professors from different backgrounds with different viewpoints of Christianity.
hashtagACU Nov. 21 6:01 p.m. Nov. 21 5:28 p.m. Nov. 17 5:57 p.m.
Gardner has turned into Mordor. Who wants to sleep outside with me?
@Hannasuzanna
Sometimes you just don’t have the strength to put on pants for the bean. This is one of those days
@CourtneyFlanary
Nov. 21 5:33 a.m.
If Miley Cyrus is considered to be a southern belle I don’t want to live on this planet anymore.
@sara_calvin
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.
published by the department of journalism and mass communication editorial and management board
E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu
sports desk (325) 674-2684
So what girl at acu isn’t seeing catching fire tonight?
@LeroyMay
Feeling like Pocahontas surrounded by her mother’s spirit as the leaves go crazy around my car. This is a great moment #ColorsOfTheWind
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Walked into class at 3 pm with temperatures in the low 80’s. Walked out of class at 6 pm and children are getting ready to make snowmen.
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7
sports
friday 11.22.13
Senior class walks away as living legends SLOAN RANGER MATTHEW SLOAN SPORTS DIRECTOR
As the ACU football team says goodbye to one of the greatest classes in the history of the program, it is never too early to wonder who will step up next season. Offensively, for the second straight year, a new quarterback will step into the limelight with humongous shoes to fill. John David Baker followed up the insane numbers of Mitchell Gale with video game totals of his own in 2013. Baker amassed over 3,500 yards of total offense and 40 touchdowns, which is an ACU record. Once again, there is a cluttered but capable group looking to take over. Back-up quarterback Malcolm Rueben completed all of his passes
this season in extremely limited action and could have the inside track. However, redshirted quarterback Kade Munden was a highly coveted recruit last season. ACU will also lose several offensive linemen that were a part of one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Nobody can score points without blocking, and the linemen were the unsung heroes of the season. Blake Spears, Will Latu and Josh Perez will all graduate, leaving more than half of the offensive line in f lux. At the skill positions, it would be hard to imagine any team in college football, at any level, with more talent leaving. The
trio of receivers, Darian Hogg, Taylor Gabriel and Darrell Cantu-Harkless, combined to score over 100 touchdowns in their career. This season alone, Harkless, Hogg and Gabriel accounted for 3,470 yards and 26 touchdowns. Harkless is the only player in ACU history to have over 1,000 career rushing, receiving and kick return yards. Hogg has caught more than half of ACU’s 10 most explosive passing plays in the history of the school and Gabriel caught over 200 passes in his career. Nobody knew where the production would come from when Johnny Knox, Edmund Gates and Raymond Radway left, but Hogg, Harkless and Gabriel stepped up and continued the legacy of outstanding wide receiver play. Replacing these guys seems like an unbelievable task, but ACU has several gifted players
“
The 2013 seniors will always be remembered as the first class to graduate ACU as Div. I football players, and it’s hard to imagine a more deserving group.”
waiting in the wings. Demarcus Thompson and Cade Stone have already given ACU fans a taste of their explosiveness and should be featured more in 2014. Let’s not forget running back Charkandrick West, who ran for over 2,000 yards and 28 touchdowns in his four years as a Wildcat. West leaves as third in ACU career touchdowns and in the top 10 ACU rushers in terms of yards. Defensively, ACU has some production to replace as well. Let’s start with the middle lineback-
er position. This season, the middle linebacker combo of Thor Woerner and Jesse Harper combined for 126 tackles. Both linebackers will be graduating, leaving a big gap in the middle of the field. At the outside linebacker position, both Justin Stephens and Blake Rudd will return, which helps them give the linebacker some experience heading into next year, but Woerner and Harper will definitely be missed. Defensive linemen Kolby Rowe and Nick Finney will also be graduating
this year. Rowe stared all 11 games this season opposite of talented end Nick Richardson and Finney started half of the games this season. Both players were important parts of a defensive line rotation and Finney scored a touchdown early in the year after recovering a fumble. In a talented secondary, Caleb Withrow will be the only player that graduates after starting seven games for the Wildcats in 2013. His graduation means that Keith Barnett will become a full-time starter going forward and ACU will be looking for a nickel cornerback to step up. The 2013 seniors will always be remembered as the first class to graduate ACU as Div. I football players, and it’s hard to imagine a more deserving group. contact sloan at jmcnetwork@acu.edu
Wildcats conclude D-I season in Arizona collin wieder sports reporter The women’s volleyball team will be finally finishing their season this weekend in Arizona. They will be playing the Grand Canyon Antelopes today after they had a week and a half break. Coach Mock believes the break helped refresh the Wildcats and give them time to come up with a game plan. “We really fine tuned some technique this week and tightened up our individual play.” The Wildcats come in with a 6-16 overall record and a 2-12 Southland record. They have struggled offensively this year as the team has had a low hitting percentage of .137. A bright spot for the ‘Cats has been the blocking game which leads the Southland in blocks per set at 2.36. A rough year for the Wildcats saw some positive news come out this week as freshman middle blocker Lexi Mercier made the All-Southland Honorable Mention team. Mercier leads the Southland in blocks per set at 1.48. The Wildcats will need a solid performance from Mercier as well as Jennifer Loerch who leads the team in kills per set with 3.21. The ‘Lopes come in with a 10-18 record and 4-11 Western Athletic Conference record. They will be looking for solid a performance from junior Mackenzie Phelps who leads the WAC in digs per set at 5.48. ACU will also play Southland conference opponent Incarnate Word on Saturday for their final game of the season. The
mandy lambright chief Photographer
Junior middle blocker Neely Borger spikes the ball for the Wildcats in their home game at Moody Coliseum.
first two meetings did not go well for the ‘Cats as they lost in straight sets in both meetings. Senior Caley Johnson thinks the team will be ready to go and is excited with the opportunity to beat Incarnate
Word in her final game. “We would like to get a little bit of revenge since we didn’t put up a very good showing the first two times hopefully we come out with a win this last go around,” Johnson said.
The ‘Cats will also be losing two seniors this Saturday in Caley Johnson and Madelyn Robinett. Mock thinks the two seniors had a huge impact in their four years here and are going to be tough to re-
place. “Madelyn and Caley haven’t been the most highly-touted players during their career but they both filled roles for us. The thing about Madi and Caley is they truly embody excellence and the
values of ACU. They are great volleyball players and we are really going to miss them.” contact wieder at cpw11a@acu.edu
Football: A recap of ACU’s 2013 season son they lost, but officials another winning season. that barely knew what Baker accounted for an The Wildcats gave up only sport they were watching ACU record 40 touch12 points and played even took three touchdowns downs. better the next week. off the board for ACU, “What he did this year ACU’s Homecoming which is obviously tough was really special,” Colvictory against Incarnate to overcome. lums said. “The more he Word got the Wildcats to steps away from this sea5-3. The defense gave up I am greatful for what these guys did this year, they only six points in the victory and ACU scored 40. A laid the foundation for the future.” historic senior class won their final game in Shotwell. Then ACU nearly won an ESPY against New Mexico State, completing a Hail Mary pass and lateralling the ball to star wide receiver Taylor GaKen collums briel, who was knocked head coach ACU football out of bounds at the sixyard line. But make no mistake, every team in the Southland Conference took notice at the But at 5-5, the Wild- son, I think the more it way the Wildcats played cats faced off against the will mean to him. When against the biggest school most established Div. I you sit back and time on their schedule. team on their schedule goes by, he will realize In San Antonio, un- and answered the bell, what he put together this timely errors and atro- running away with the season was pretty specious officiating robbed game 65-45. cial. It speaks to his prepACU of their second win In 11 games, ACU aration, competitiveness against Incarnate Word. faced the toughest sched- and love for the game.” The players and coaches ule in recent memory but Darrell Cantu-Harkcited mistakes as the rea- still managed to turn in less finished his career from page 8
“
with over 1,000 career rushing, receiving and kick return yardage. Cantu-Harkless is the only player in ACU history to do so. West will leave ACU with the fourth most touchdowns in ACU history, and Taylor Gabriel walks away with in the top 10 receivers in ACU history in terms of yardage. Darian Hogg was a part of more than half of ACU’s 10 longest touchdown catches in ACU history. The trio of wide receivers was possibly the best group of receivers in ACU history, which is saying a lot. Nick Richardson recorded double-digit sacks and Angel Lopez made over 100 tackles. Tyler Chapa intercepted two passes and returned them both for touchdowns. The middle-linebacker combination of Thor Woerner and Jesse Harper combined for 126 tackles. Being the first Div. I team in school history
is unique in itself. But the ability to turn in another winning season and rewrite the ACU record books in the process makes the 2013 ACU football team completely unforgettable. “I am grateful for how these guys have grown as players and how they have grown as men,” Collums said. “They have
learned how to win, but just as importantly as all of that, they have learned how to be men. I would hope that they would have a better chance to make it in the next chapter of life.”
contactSloan at mes10b@acu.edu
sports
friday 11.22.13
Wildcats nearly shock Horned Frogs daniel Zepeda sports editor The men’s basketball team continued their building process as they fell to 0-5 after a 71-64 loss to Texas Christian University in Fort Worth on Tuesday night. The Wildcats were close to earning their first win of the season as they were able to battle back from a 14-point deficit, but did not have enough in the tank to finish against the Horned Frogs. “Obviously, I wished we would have won, but I feel like we got better as a
team,” sophomore guard Parker Wentz said. “Our defense allowed us to stay with TCU and kept us in the game.” The Wildcats were finally able to catch the Horned Frogs with five minutes left to play, tying the game at 58-58. ACU kept pace with TCU, trailing by one with two minutes remaining, but free throws and converted layups tanked the Wildcats’ comeback as they fell behind in the final minutes. “We wanted to keep fighting and competing and leave it all on the court,” Wentz said. “I feel like our
defense helped our offense and made us more comfortable taking shots. Also H [Harrison Hawkins] and LD [LaDarrien Williams] did a great job penetrating and dishing.” ACU trailed by three going into halftime, 32-29. The Wildcats shot 38 percent for the game but were 9-20 from the three-point line. Wentz led ACU with 14 points on 4-5 shooting from beyond the arc. Junior guard Harrison was one of four Wildcats in double figures with 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Sophomore forward Austin
Cooke added 12 points and seven boards while junior guard LaDarrien Williams finished with 10 points and two steals. ACU won the rebounding battle 37-33, but were outscored in the paint 34-14. They also committed more than twice as many turnovers, 13-6, as TCU was able to convert 19 points off them. The Wildcats travel next to San Angelo for the Angelo State Classic. Two games will be on the schedule for ACU as they’ll play against Western New Mexico University today at 5 p.m. WNMU lost its first game of
the year to Northern New Mexico, 75-62. After that, ACU will take on Northern New Mexico Saturday at 5 p.m. “We have to prep for them like we have every other team so far, and that’s been getting ourselves ready to win,” Hawkins said. “We like to think of ourselves as a good threepoint shooting team, so hopefully they’ll fall for us in these next few games.”
8
standings Men’s basketball
Team
Div.
Ovrl
UIW SHSU NSU ORU SELU SFA TAMU-CC MSU UCA NO HBU Lamar Nicholls St. ACU
0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
4-0 3-0 2-1 2-1 2-1 2-1 3-2 3-3 1-1 1-1 1-2 0-3 0-3 0-5
woMen’s basketball contact zepeda at djz11a@acu.edu
NEW DIVISION, SAME SUCCESS
Team
Div.
Ovrl
UIW ACU NSU UCA HBU Lamar MSU SHSU TAMU-CC Nicholls St. ORU SFA SELU NO
0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
4-0 4-0 2-0 3-1 2-2 2-2 2-2 2-2 2-2 1-1 1-2 1-2 1-3 0-3
Team
Div.
Ovrl.
UCA NSU ORU SHSU TAMU-CC MSU HBU UIW SFA Lamar SELU ACU NSU NO
18-0 15-3 14-4 14-4 13-5 9-9 9-9 7-7 8-10 7-11 4-14 2-12 2-16 0-18
26-3 19-11 22-6 17-10 19-11 17-15 14-17 12-12 16-15 9-21 11-20 6-16 5-23 3-28
Volleyball
briefings Freshman volleyball middle blocker Lexi Mercier was selected to the Southland Conference’s Honorable Mention list on Wednesday. Mercier led the Southland in blocks per set with 1.48.
mandy lambright chief Photographer
Top left: Senior quarterback John David Baker calls out plays at the line for the Wildcats. Top right: Sophomore defensive back Tyler Chapa makes a tackle in a game against Incarnate Word. Bottom left: junior line backer Blake Rudd pulls down the opposing receiver earlier this season. Bottom right: senior wide receiver Darrell Cantu Harkless takes off against Tarleton during the Wildcats double overtime finish.
matthew sloan sports director The ACU football team wrapped up their inaugural season as a Div. I football last Saturday, earning their eighth straight winning season and showing ACU fans the best is yet to come. “Nobody is ever satisfied with losing more games than you win,” head coach Ken Collums said. “Having a winning season is a relief at some level be-
cause it should not have come down to one game. I am very proud of our wins in college football, but we could have won several more games easily. I am grateful for what these guys did this year. They laid the foundation for the future.” The football team started their season by dropping 84 points on Concordia College. Signs pointed to ACU’s offense exploiting a team that was devoid of talent, but the rest of the year proved to be more
of the same for one of the country’s best offenses. The very next week, the Wildcats hung 60 on crosstown foe McMurry. ACU had two players go over 100 yards rushing when Charkandrick West and quarterback John David Baker cracked the century mark. As it turns out, the War Hawks would be better than everyone expected later on this year when they beat University of Texas San Antonio on the road. Next, the Wildcats
pounded a New Mexico Highlands team and had a 3-0 record heading into their first road game of the season. ACU fell to Illinois State 31-1, but left ACU fans with a lot to be excited about. The Cardinals were the only team to slow down ACU’s offense all year long, but the fact that ACU did not get blown out and even had chances to win the game showed that the team was in a good spot. However, the loss was the first of a three-game
skid in which ACU lost in double overtime to rival Tarleton State and then followed that up with a loss against juggernaut Pitt State, leaving the Wildcats at 3-3 half way through the season. Future Southland Conference competitor Houston Baptist was just what the doctor ordered for the Wildcats, who scored 69 points and got their defense rolling as well.
reese gwin
The ACU women’s basketball team hits the road for the first time this season, traveling to Denton to participate in the North Texas Tournament. The ’Cats face the host school on Sunday. University of North Texas is 1-1 through two games. They opened their inaugural season in Conference USA with a win against Kansas City (77-70). From there, the Green Machine took on No. 13 ranked Texas A&M and lost 67-48. The North Texas Green Machine is led by junior forward Briesha Wynn and junior guard BreAnna Dawkins. Each are averaging 10.5 points through their first two games. Wynn is seeing her first action on the UNT team since transferring from Texas Christian in 2012. While at TCU, she averaged 7.3 points and 4.9 remandy lambright chief Photographer bounds. Suzzy and Lizzy Sophomore guard Cemetra Jenkins drives the baseline Dimba will most likely be against Northwood. ACU won the game, 105-44. matched up on Wynn. They
have both the size and athleticism to handle her. Also, their scrappy mentality and active hands could create problems for the North Texas transfer. Meanwhile, ACU is 4-0 and has won every game by an average margin of 41 points. Their defense has been overpowering, forcing an incredible 106 turnovers already this season. These turnovers have played right into the hands of the offense, which thrives in transition. “That has been a real strength for us. We felt like this freshman class would help us to be able to score more in transition,” head coach Goodenough said. While the freshmen may be facilitating the run-andgun offense, the benefactors have definitely been the upperclassmen. Sophmore Whitney West is averaging a team high of 17 points per game followed closely by senior Renata Marquez with 15.8 points per game. When asked about her early season success, West
ACU men’s basketball signed three guards for the 2014-15 season. Kaelon Wilson from Lancaster, Drake Green from Clear Lake and Kevin Maura from Jacksonville, Fla.
ACU women’s basketball signed three players for the 2014-15 season. Sierra Allen from Roscoe, Alana Aguirre see football page 7 from Frisco and Alyssa Echols from Pflugerville.
ACU takes on Mean Green on road sports reporter
Former ACU running back Daryl Richardson was named St. Louis Ram’s Community Player of the Week earlier this week. Richardson and teammate Michael Brockers visited Bryan Hill elemen every month to help students reach their academic goals.
passed the praise off to her coach. “That’s all coach Goodenough having our intensity up in practice and preparing us for Div. I competition,” she said. That intensity and preparation showed up Tuesday night when the Wildcats blew out Northwood University 105-44. ACU displayed a more balanced offensive attack with six ‘Cats scoring in double figures. They will need to continue that team effort on the road if they want wins. The North Texas game will be their toughest challenge yet. When West was asked what she hopes to accomplish on the road, her answer was simple. “Upsets. I don’t think anyone expects us to win these games,” she said. While the ‘Cats may be the underdog, betting against a team who has already put up triple digits twice would be unwise. contact gwin at erg12a@acu.edu
ACU golf signed Clarke Hudgins from Amarillo for the 2014-15 season.
Upcoming Men’s basketball plays Western New Mexico Universtiy today at 5 p.m. and then takes on Northern New Mexico College at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Volleyball takes on Grand Canyon University today at 7 p.m. and then plays Incarnate Word at 2 p.m. on Saturday for their season finale. Women’s basketball plays University of North Texas on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and then Grand Canyon University on Sunday at 3 p.m.