The Optimist - 12.05.12

ACU gets gnarly Boarding beckons bored students

vol. 101, no. 27

wednesday, december 5, 2012

Features Page 5

1 SECTION, 8 PAGES

administration INSIDE OPINION The Editorial Board considers the pros and cons of having only Church of Christ faculty

page 6

Interim named dean of CAS mark smith editor in chief

pacity since the summer, as well as during the 200910 school year.

He also served as interim provost last

The semester-long search for the permanent dean of the College of Arts and Sciences has finally reached straughn its end.

Dr. Greg Straughn will serve as the permanent school year. dean of the college, beginDr. Robert Rhodes, ning Jan. 1. He has filled the provost, sent an email position in an interim ca- to all faculty and staff

Tuesday afternoon to tell them he had appointed Straughn to the position after the search comittee recommended him.

“Dr. Straughn is a unique and gifted leader,” Rhodes said in the email.

“We have witnessed his diligence in each of his administrative roles on campus during the past few years.”

Straughn was one of

two finalists for the position until late last week.

The other finalist, Dr. Murel Jones, withdrew as a candidate before he was to visit campus for an interview. Jones will continue in his position as dean of the School of Arts and Humanities at Elizabeth City State University.

Straughn said while he is relieved to no longer have the interim tag in his

title, he has a lot of work to do. He is looking forward to continue working with colleagues in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“I am excited to help craft a strategy for the college that will improve the student learning and faculty support,” he said. contact smith at mds10a@acu.edu

SPORTS Women’s basketball team defeats Eastern New Mexico

Page 8

SPORTS Men’s basketball team loses on last second layup

Page 7

NEWS Vespers concert to feature orchestra, choir Page 3

NEWS Bible professor reflects on Psalms lament in book Page 4

NEWS SA visits with Mark Lewis, votes to give Edwards Hall recycling bins Page 4

NEWS GATA spreads Christmas cheer to overseas mission Page 4

ONLINE NEWS Study Abroad early deadline applications due on Friday

photos by mandy lambright chief photographer Top: Children around Abilene got to sit down with Santa near Jacob’s Dream during ‘Mingle and Jingle’. Left: Hannah Lytle, junior marketing major from Abilene; Abbie Baird, sophomore vocal education major from Leander; Nick Tatum, senior family studies major from Plano; and Austin Anderson, senior pre-dental major from Flower Mound, perform “Silent Night” with Aaron Watson at ‘Mingle and Jingle’. Right: Adam Carpenter, senior finance major from Little Rock, Ark., decorates his own cookie at Christmas Slam.

Holiday spirit Slams, Jingles campus gabi powell student reporter

acuoptimist.com

NEWS Student Life Leadership Team honors outstanding seniors acuoptimist.com

Charity Presents, an NBA acrobat group and President Schubert were all part of ACU’s second annual Christmas Slam Tuesday night, giving students a time to mingle before finals week.

It came two nights after “Mingle and Jingle” put campus in full Christmas spirit with Santa Claus,

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and an acoustic Aaron Watson Christmas concert.

Drawing in crowds from campus and the Abilene community, Moody Coliseum was filled before the women’s and men’s basketball teams faced off against Texas A&M-Commerce. The Students’ Association and ACU athletics event gave away gift cards and free food provided by campus clubs and organizations.

Brock Neiderhoffer, junior ad/

PR major from San Antonio, was one of many students who do not regularly attend games, but made it out to celebrate the season.

“This is the first game I’ve gotten to go to this season, but I’d say there are more students than normal,” he said.

Those in attendance were reminded this to be the season of giving, with discounted tickets available with unwrapped children’s toys and canned goods.

The basketball acrobats, Team BIG AIR, highlighted the evening, performing slam dunk stunts for the crowds.

Of course, no holiday event would be complete without Santa Claus, who posed for pictures with children and nostalgic college students trying to forget the finals week before them. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

finals

NEWS Fishing club preparing for bass-fishing event acuoptimist.com

Dead day to return for finals week ert Rhodes re-instituted the extra day after hearing student feedback.

“I am so happy Dead Dead Day will be make its Day is back because now return on Monday after I can relax and not be as leaving campus for one se- stressed on Sunday night mester. The World Famous because I know I can sleep Bean will also host a Mid- in and study for one extra night Breakfast with karaoke day to prepare for my final and door prizes that night. exams,” said Hollie Derrick, Dead Day, the Monday junior Ad/PR major from before the beginning of fi- Monahans. nals, is a day set aside for Some students are excitstudying and rest before ed about the longer weekfinals begin. Administra- end that Dead Day brings. tion removed the break last “It is awesome that Dead year, but new provost Rob- Day is returning, I love three

price bahacall

student reporter

VIDEO ‘Mingle and Jingle’ gets campus in the Christmas spirit

acuoptimist.com

day weekends and it makes Monday a tolerable day of the week that I won’t mind waking up for,” said Aaron Tobias, junior kinesiology major from Plano.

Not every student will use the extra day to study for finals, however.

“When I was a freshman and we had Dead Day I remember all we did was hang out in Mabee and watch movies all day,” said Jackson Regas, junior psychology major from Sugar Land. “None of us studied but it was fun and I’m glad

Abilene Christian University

to see it coming back.”

Catching up on sleep is a big priority this late in the semester that many students will take advantage of.

Many students are excited about Dead Day’s return, but that isn’t how every one feels about the Monday before finals.

“I could go without having Dead Day, I wouldn’t mind getting my final exams over with quicker. Dead Day just means I have to stay in Abilene that much longer,” Austin Pretiger, junior social work major from Atlanta.

Midnight Breakfast at the World Famous Bean, however, is something everyone can enjoy. Karaoke and door prizes have been included in past Midnight Breakfasts.

Nolan Bryan, sophomore youth and family ministry major from Lubbock, said, “I love eating breakfast, I love winning door prizes, but I especially love singing karaoke.” contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Wednesday 12.05.12

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Wednesday

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Thursday

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Friday 7:30 p.m. Winter Band Concert

9 p.m. Campus Activities Board Christmas Scavenger Hunt

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Saturday 10 a.m. Big Brothers Big Sisters Basketball Tournament

4 p.m. Student Association of School Psychologists - Demolish Domestic Violence Car Bash

5 p.m. Women’s Basketball at Tarleton State University

6 p.m. Freshmen Action Council Christmas Social

7 p.m. Men’s Basketball at Tarleton State University 7:30 p.m. Christmas Vespers Concert at First Baptist Church

Chapel checkup

100 2 @acuoptimist

Around Abilene Dec. 5

Dec. 6

Dec. 7

Dec. 8

5:30 p.m. Bring four nonperishable food items and recieve a free dessert with your meal from the TSTC Culinary Institue.

6 p.m. Christmas Lane, presented by the Abilene Services Council, will be at the Abilene State Supported Living Center. Santa will be present and concessions will be sold.

5:30 p.m. The Cottonwood Country Musical will be at the Cottonwood Community Center. The kitchen will be open at 5 p.m.

10 a.m. The Craftapalooza and Junk Market will be at Abilene Civic Center. Admission is free. It will feature arts and crafts, jewelry, retail boutiques, home decor and more.

The Optimist optimist@acu.edu Police Log Announcements Students interested in joining The Wildcat Reign can sign up at thewildcatreign. com. The Wildcat Reign aims to provide students the ability to facilitate Wildcat pride on campus and serves as a linking point between students and Wildcat athletic events.

Connections Cafe is now open in the Business building. La Popular breakfast burritos and Mission Lazarus coffee are among many of the new items on their menu.

ACU Leadership Camps is accepting 2013 camp staff applications starting Registration for the Dallas Marathon is Dec. 10 in Room 10 in the lower level of open at http://www.dallasmarathon.com/ the Campus Center. Positions include register-to-run/. The marathon will be counselor, first aid staff, office assistant, Dec. 9 in downtown Dallas. worship leader, videographer and photographer.

Reserve your Spring 2013 textbooks on the Campus Store website. There are no extra charges and your order is guaranteed to be accurate. Order before Dec. 31 and you will be able to pick them up the week before classes begin.

The Career Center is accepting registrations for the Spring 2013 D!SCOVERY program. The deadline to sign up is Jan. 23, by 5 p.m. Contact the Career Center for more information.

Midnight Breakfast will be on Dead Day, Dec. 10 starting at 10:30 p.m. The grand prize drawing of $150 happens at midnight. Use your Meal Plan or pay $5 for entry.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is having a three on three basketball tournament Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. in the Rec Center. Entry is $35 per team with all procees going to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Cash prizes will be given to the first and second place teams.

Volunteer Opp0rtunities The Center for International Education is looking for conversation partners for international students to practice English, conversations and cultural learning.

Partners meet for one hour each week at a time and place determined by the partners. For more information contact Laura McGregor at 325-674-2821 or laura.mcgregor@acu.edu.

Center for Contemporary Arts needs a gallery assistant to greet patrons, answer phones and answer basic questions about the Center and its programs. This opportunity is open Tuesday-Friday. The Center for Contemporary Arts is located at 220 Cypress Street. For more informa tion contact Jessica Dulle at 325-6778389 or visit: http://www.center-arts. com/.

Rescue the Animals is seeking volunteers to take pictures and videos in preparation for the launching of their new website as well as maintenance of the site after the launch. This opportunity is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. For more information contact Kathy Walker at 325-677-7722 or rescuetheanimalsvolunteers@yahoo.com.

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 Christian Ministries of Abilene: Food Pantry is searching for volunteers to greet and interview neighbors, do computer entries, shop with neighbors, take groceries to vehicles, bag, stock and pick up orders on Mondays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m.

- 11:45 a.m. The Food Pantry is located at 701 Walnut St. For more information contact Becky Almanza at 325-673-1234 or cmapantry@aol.com.

The Christian Service Center is seeking volunteers to help assist with filling requests for items such as clothing, bedding, kitchen utensils, etc. 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 be tween 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

For more information contact Roberta Brown at 325-673-7561 or at robertabrown51@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.

Meals on Wheels Plus needs volunteer drivers to deliver afternoon meals to seniors and adults with disabilities MondayFriday 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.

The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers for a variety of needs including sorting and pricing items in the thrift store, helping in the kitchen and/or doing yard work. Times are flexible. Volunteers are needed throughout the week MondaySaturday. 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.

The House That Kerry Built is looking for volunteers to assist in the day care of medically fragile children any day Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. or 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Contact Keith Loftin at 325672-6061.

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 Covenant Place of Abilene is seeking volunteers to lead singing and/or play piano for residents. For more information contact Ann Erwin at 325-793-1144.

University Place is seeking volunteers to help with the resident birthday party for residents the third Wednesday of each month at 2:30 p.m. For more information contact Linda Tijerina at 325-676-9946.

Breakfast on Beech Street is seeking volunteers to help set up, prepare and serve breakfast to homeless/lower income folks any Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 5:30 a.m. or Tuesday 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 325692-4149 or mbeasley5@suddenlink.net.

To serve on Fridays contact Rachel Brown at rdb08a@acu.edu.

Eternal Threads is seeking volunteers to help with packing and organizing ship ments, labeling products, errands and cleaning any weekday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information contact Pam Early at 325-672-6000 or pam@eternalthreads.com.

Christian Homes & Family Services is seeking volunteers to do minor landscaping such as raking, trimming bushes, minor apartment repairs and general upkeep Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more information contact Shaylee Honey at 325-677-2205 or Shoney@ ChristianHomes.com.

The Abilene Public Zoo is seeking volunteers to help clean/feed animals, assist zookeepers and assist with educational classes any weekday any time between 12 p.m.-4 p.m. They are also seeking volunteers to help with general labor such as grounds cleanup and painting any weekday at any time between noon and 4 p.m. For more information contact Joy Harsh at 325-676-6487.

Hill Resources is seeking volunteers to encourage and entertain mentally delayed individuals Monday through Friday any time between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information contact Michelle Espinoza at 325-673-3346 or mespinoza@ hillresource.com.

The Oaks at Radford Hills is seeking volunteers to participate in activities, go on outings and provide social stimulation for residents any day at any time. For more information contact Michelle White or Sonia Serrato at 325-672-3236.

Rescue the Animals is seeking volunteers to work at the adoption center doing a variety of tasks including cleaning, socializing and grooming the animals Monday - Saturday from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. For more information contact Mindi Qualls at 325698-7722 or rescuetheanimalsvolunteers@yahoo.com.

St. John’s Episcopal School is seeking volunteers to paint metal playground equipment anytime Monday-Friday after 3 p.m. and Saturday anytime. For more information contact Rebecca McMillon at 325-695-8870 or flores@stjohnsabilene.org.

The CAC Department is seeking volunteers to participate in Special Olympics, by helping mentally/physically challenged people play games and sports Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. For more infomation contact Angel Seca at 325-690-5235.

For additional volunteer opportunities visit: www.acu.edu/campusoffices/ccsl/ ministry-service/volunteer-opportunities/

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campus news

Wednesday 12.05.12

music

Orchestra, choir to perform in Vespers kirsten holman student reporter

mandy lambright chief Photographer

Soo Hun Yoon, freshman biochemistry major from Sierra Leone, performs “Gangnam Style” with Santa during halftime at the Christmas Slam event in Moody Coliseum.

Rehearsals for the Christmas Vespers Concert began in October for both the ACU Orchestra and Choir, who have been working hard for this seasons upcoming show.

This year’s Christmas Vespers Concert is Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Abilene on 1333 N. 3rd Street. Admission is free for everyone.

This years 6th annual concert theme is “In Terra Pax”, which translates to “Peace on Earth,” and has been a tradition since 2007.

This concert involves about 180 performers, which are mostly ACU students.

The choir, orchestra and vocal soloists will feature the movement In Terra Pax

by English composer Gerald Finzi this year. There will be hymns and carols,

which will involve audience participation.

The Christmas Vespers Concert involves more than just music in the performance. There will also be liturgical readings, scripture and poetry.

“The atmosphere is a beautiful and sacred time of great music, celebration and reflection on the season,” said Dr. Steven Ward, director of bands and orchestra of music.

Ward will be involved in this performance, along with Dr. Paul Piersall, interim director of choirs, who will conduct the choir.

“It’s my favorite concert of the year,” said Phillip Jackson, sophomore music education and vocal performance major from League City.

Jackson is a tenor in the ACU A Capella choir, and this is his second year to be a part of the Christmas Vespers performance.

“Paul Piersall is a very fine conductor and everyone should come see what all he has done for us as a choir,” Jackson said.

Special guests at this concert include Dr. Jack Reese from the Graduate School of Theology, Dr Stephen Johnson, dean of the Honors College, Dwane Swearingen-Meeks, assistant professor of theater, harpist Megan Li and HyeJean Choi, assistant professor of organ at Hardin-Simmons University.

“Christmas Vespers has become one of the truly special events in Abilene during the Christmas season,” Ward said.

Ward said he expects 600-800 people to attend this concert from ACU and the greater Abilene community. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

academics

D!SCOVERY program opens for students Maggie Marshall student reporter Students thinking about their future can now apply for next semester’s D!SCOVERY program.

The D!SCOVERY program is for students who need help finding answers to the questions about the future that college raises.

“We were told to dream up what you want to do with your life,” said Hailey Thompson, senior Ad/PR major from Allen. “As a senior, I still say that to myself.”

Thompson also said the course gives you freedom to imagine where you want

your life to go.

D!SCOVERY is a five-week program held multiple times throughout the school year. It focuses on three main topics to help students find direction: deciding, confirming and narrowing.

The course’s main focus is helping students select a major. Though there are many undeclared majors in the program, there are also students having doubts about the major they chose.

“I heard this was a good resource to figure out what to do,” said Brian Lang, freshman accounting major from Abilene. “I hope to find out what I like to do and try to pursue that in a career.”

The class focuses on the spiritual aspects of choosing a major as well. Professors help students find confirmation that their major aligns with the skills God has given them.

Lastly, D!SCOVERY goes beyond the college years, helping students narrow their options down to a specific career which is available within the major they have chosen.

The program helps students live up to the ACU motto of finding ways to affect the world in exceptional, innovative and real ways.

D!SCOVERY uses scripture to discuss the idea of having a call and a mission. It also provides personal assessments

that help students explore their skills and interests, as well as up-to-date information on matching career paths with those interests.

“I think everybody should have to do it,” Thompson said. “It was really fun learning about myself.”

The program also provides a face-to-face appointment to help students fully understand the information they have found and determine what majors and careers to look into.

Students who are looking to uncover their skills and interests can sign up for this course on the ACU website at http://www.acu.edu/campusoffices/careercenter/students/

discovery/. they are considering and a The application asks few other details. students to fill out what obstacles are keeping them contact the optimist at from deciding on a career jmcnetwork@acu.edu or major, a list of majors

News

wednesday 12.05.12

4

Faculty

Professor reflects on lament in new book Kyle Knapp student reporter Dr. Glenn Pemberton has written a book, titled Hurting with God, addressing the need for Christians to be honest with God about their pain.

Hurting with God, which was published in June of this year, focuses on the lament psalms that make up 40 percent of the 150 psalms in the Bible.

“When we look at the book of Psalms, most people think, ‘Oh, it’s about worship and praise,’ and in fact there are more lament psalms in the book of Psalms than any other form,” said Pemberton, former chair of the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry and associate professor of ministry.

Pemberton said he started writing Hurting with God because of his experience in teaching college students about the book of Psalms.

“I’ve taught the book of Psalms to college students for 15 years now, and I’ve always noticed how college students respond to the language of lament– that they’ve never seen this before,” Pemberton said. “When I have the students write their own psalms, most of them every semester, with maybe one exception, will write a lament because they’ve never heard of the language before, and they’re desperate for a language to be able to speak honestly with God about the pain in their own lives.”

While the book is “about teaching the language of this lament as a

“

I’ve taught the book of Psalms to college students for 15 years now, and I’ve always noticed how college students respond to the language of lament.”

language of prayer,” Pemberton said, Hurting with God is also about his experiences with pain and lament and his learning from the lament psalms.

After Pemberton started writing the book, he had a stress fracture in his left foot in 2006 that took a long time to heal. However, after the fracture healed, the pain didn’t go away and got worse.

Pemberton learned that it was related to the nerves in his foot. He endured five surgeries on his foot, dating from 2007 to 2009, which included a neuro-

Dr. Glenn Pemberton associate professor of ministry

stimulator implant.

All this time, the pain in his foot continued to worsen and began spreading to his right foot.

In early 2011, Pemberton found an out-patient program at the Baylor University Medical Center where he said he spent four weeks doing “physical therapy, counseling, education, water therapy teaching us how to live with pain that’s not going to go away.”

“Because of that, I came back and started to use the tools that I had

been taught to help manage the pain that was there,” Pemberton said.

Pemberton rewrote the manuscript for his book and finished it in the summer of 2011.

“Going through all the things that I went through and continue to deal with are very difficult on my faith, and it’s difficult to maintain a healthy relationship with God when everything around you is falling apart,” Pemberton said. “But what I’ve learned and what the book tries to show people is that for those of us who are in pain, we’re not expected to keep singing all the happy songs that just do not fit where we’re at. There’s another language, in fact, there’s a lot of different languages for people of faith to talk to God.” Dr. Dana Pemberton,

chair of teacher education and Glenn’s wife, gave him early feedback on Hurting with God during his final edits.

“It’s the message of the book that resounds with me. That when people are in pain they need a language to stay in contact with God,” Dana said.

“They need to know that those feelings of fear and anger and confusion and even hopelessness are normal. And you can’t hide them from God so why not just talk to him about it and have an honest relationship?”

Glenn said the first chapter of the book can be found through the book’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/HurtingWithGod. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Missions

WWW accepting applications for summer Kirsten Holman student reporter Applications for World Wide Witness are officially due Jan. 14 for summer of 2013, but the application process has already begun.

WWW provides ACU students with the opportunity to travel to other parts of the world and be ambassadors for Christ.

World Wide Witness also sends students to places within the United States.

Through these summer internships students experience cultures outside of their own and apply themselves as servants in the mission field.

“They give their hearts to Jesus and the people they serve; they get the satisfaction of serving

those that are often marginalized,” said Larry Henderson, missions coordinator for World Wide Witness.

There are over 60 locations on every continent available to students.

Students can serve in a number of ways regarding agriculture, teaching, orphanage care, church planting, homelessness, anti-trafficking, sports ministry, campus ministry and more. Summer internships usually last 6-10 weeks.

The application process includes filling out an application, a spiritual bio, getting references and an interview. Once accepted, students must take a three credit hour upper level Bible class during the spring semester before their departure.

The required class is BMIS 391 Service in Global Context, specifically geared to train students who plan on taking short-term missions. Students are also prepared spiritually.

Students who complete the application process think the requirements are worth it.

“My absolute favorite experience in Thailand was the few days we got to spend working at the local orphanage for HIV/AIDS positive children, Agape,” said Ali Hayes, sophomore elementary education major from Abilene. “Those precious kids loved to see foreigners. Their precious smiles and sweet spirits showed me the true meaning of God’s love.

Even with their sickness, they still had so much joy and love for the Lord.

Experiencing these few days changed my life and taught me the true meaning of a joyful heart.”

Hayes visited Chiang Mai, Thailand last summer with ACU students Riley Thannum, Katie Green and Charlie Holt. Most days consisted of spending time with the head missionary, quiet time every morning, living in community with the students of Chiang Mai University and people from the local church, teaching free English classes, participating in a baking class and small groups with the church.

“This summer showed me that I cannot do everything on my own. There is absolutely no way I could spend three months across the world and not believe God made it hap-

pen for me,” Hayes said.

“God filled my heart with His love for the Thai people. He completely took over my life this summer and I realized I am nothing without Him.” WWW has sent students to other places in the world like Ghana, Bolivia, Egypt, Uganda, Zambia, Philippines, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Honduras, Peru, Russia, Turkey, and even New York and Oregon.

About 59 students have already sent in applications before the Thanksgiving break, but Henderson anticipates more applications will be sent in before school is out for Christmas break.

“I would tell anyone and everyone to go. You only have so many more summers where you are in

“

They give their hearts to Jesus and the people they serve; they get the satisfaction of serving those that are often marginilized.”

Larry Henderson Missions coordinator for world wide witness

charge of your life,” Hayes said. “Thailand was absolutely the most outrageous, spontaneous thing I have ever done for myself and I learned more about myself and my Lord in three short months than I ever had before.”

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Students’ Association

SA votes to give Edwards recycling bins JoSHUA GARCIA sTAFF reporter The Students’ Association voted to provide recycling bins for Edwards Hall in their meeting Wednesday.

Blair Agan, Edwards Hall representative, introduced the bill to Congress.

Agan, sophomore communications and political science major from Lake Jackson, addressed the lack of recycling opportunities for Edwards residents with Area Coordinator Curtis Smith and fellow Edwards Hall Representative David Sanderson. Ultimately, Agan decided Edwards would best be served with a formal set of recycling bins that cost about $550.

“I’ve talked to some of the residents that live in

Edwards and they said that if they did have bins, then they would recycle,” Agan said. “They have no reason to recycle now, because there are no bins there.”

On Nov. 8, Congress members voted to allocate $550 to Morris Hall for recycling bins. While the bill passed overwhelmingly, students did raise concerns over consistency with other bins on campus, transportation of disposed recyclables, the high cost of recycling-specific bins and the possible futility of the grassroots recycling efforts on campus.

Agan’s bill received similar push-back.

Several students said they would prefer a topdown recycling effort backed by the administration. Andrew Saucedo,

Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building representative, said it is SA’s responsibility to encourage a change in university policy.

“I think there’d be more efficient ways to do this, but since there’s nothing being done, let’s do something about it,” said Saucedo, junior biochemistry pre-med and Christian ministry major from Tyler. “That’s what we’re here to do.”

After discussion and debate, the bill passed by a wide margin. SA now has $500 remaining in the congressional project fund.

Mark Lewis, who has served as assistant dean of spiritual life and chapel programs for 18 years, also joined the meeting for a general discussion about

social clubs

GATA spreading cheer to Phillipines kara stutesman student reporter The women of GATA have undertaken Operation Christmas Child for the first time by putting shoeboxes together for children in the Philippines.

Samaritan’s Purse is the international relief association that puts on this program every year around Christmas time.

By filling a shoebox with toys, one can provide Christmas gifts to a child in need.

“The gifts provided in these boxes are their entire Christmas,” said GATA chaplain Kelsey Woodbridge.

While this is the first year GATA is participating in Operation Christmas Child, many members said they wouldn’t

be surprised if it became a service the club participated in annually.

“We were all so excited for it and really loved getting to do it so hopefully we can keep it going,” said Kaitlin Ballow, junior English education major from Henderson and member of GATA. “I think we were really wanting to get back to the fact that GATA is a service oriented group,” said Rachel Smith, junior English major from Wiggins, Colo. and GATA member. “We really wanted to focus on that this year, especially around Christmas time because that’s a time that a lot of people need help.”

Woodbridge, junior elementary education major from Austin, seconded Smith’s statement when she said, “Operation Christmas Child was

the perfect way to get involved in service throughout the world during the holiday season.”

Woodbridge wanted to encourage the rest of campus to join in and donate a box of toys. If students are unable due to time constraints, they can go to www.samaritanspurse.org /index.php / OCC/ and click on Builda-box. From there they can donate $30 and Samaritan’s Purse will make the box for them.

“It’s a great service and I like that we are getting back to our roots as a club,” Smith said. “If the club is just there and it’s not serving something bigger than itself, it’s kind of like ‘why are we here?’” contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

Chapel.

Chapel has been conducted daily since Sept. 11, 1906. Originally, students met Monday through Saturday at 7:30 a.m. and were allowed 15 absences.

Comparatively few universities in the United States still have daily, required chapel. Lewis said chapel is but one aspect of what defines a university as Christian-oriented.

“Chapel is not what makes a university Christian,” Lewis said. “It has been an intentional part of forming faith in students, as well as in faculty and staff, to have a daily chapel program.”

Much of the conversation revolved around faculty participation in chapel. Faculty and staff are required to attend Chapel

Several representatives did on Mondays and have renot attend the meeting on served seating in the lowerWednesday third of Moody Coliseum, but many Congress members expressed desire for Gabe Elorreaga, senior increased faculty-student class vice president assimilation. Lewis said he would be interested in Simon Jowett, senior possibly modifying facclass treasurer ulty chapel requirements and seating arrangements, Asim Dobani, McKinzie but praised President Phil Hall representative Schubert’s decision to involve faculty at all.

Stevon Carr, COBA “I thought it was really representative a wise decision not to say, ‘You must go to Chapel five Emily Dosa, Gardner days a week like the stuHall representative dents.’” said Lewis. “That seems very reasonable. As a result, it seems the majority took that very seri- stead-Packer Biblical Studously.” ies Building Room 114.

SA meetings are open to all students. Meetings contact GARCIA at are conducted on WednesJTG10b@acu.edu days at 5:15 p.m. in the On-

5

featureS

wednesday 12.05.12

‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE

SHREDDING

Skateboarding offers creative outlet for Abilene residents year-round samantha sutherland features editor

M

any students share a common complaint, that there is nothing to do in Abilene.

But for those interested in picking up a new recreational sport, skateboarding beckons.

“Skateboarding has always been there for me and I’ve never said I was bored,” said Johnny Thornton, who has been skating for most of his life. “Bored people are going to be bored anywhere. It’s their lack of creativity that’s keeping them from doing something.”

Johnny Thornton, skater and owner of Primal Skateshop located at 2642 Post Oak Road, said all it really takes is a skateboard, a parking lot, a concrete parking block and a friend to easily kill four hours without ever getting bored.

“It’s free, fun and good for the soul,” Thornton said. “When people ask why I skate it’s like asking me, ‘Why would you want to have any fun in your life?’.”

Nic Noblique, artist and former professional skateboarder who resides in Clyde, said skateboarding can teach someone a lot beyond balance and some cool tricks.

“There’s something to be said for someone who takes the time to learn, and who focuses enough to teach themselves how to do something,” Noblique said.

Noblique, who started skateboarding when he was seven years old, has a long history of skateboarding. He placed top ten in Vans’ Warped Tour and rode for Sector 9 Skateboards. He has owned and operated skate and snow retail shops across the country and engineered a new center point concave skateboard that is now used by major skateboard manufacturers nation-wide.

“It’s not easy,” Noblique said. “When you see these guys out there that are doing tre-flips down 20 step stairs and sliding down 15 foot rails, these are things that not only require a certain level of determination and stamina, but you also have to have a lot of brains.”

Despite the positives, the skate culture has received a lot of negative attention over the years. “No Skateboarding” signs plague some of the city’s best concrete spans and, in some larger cities, skaters can get ticketed for cruising down the wrong sidewalks.

Noblique said a lot of people label skateboarders as punks, but he believes skaters are the next generation of leaders.

“Sitting around and playing video games isn’t going to get you anywhere,” Noblique said. “But getting out there and teaching yourself something is going to give you a much better future. All the kids I grew up skating with went somewhere, and that is pretty amazing.”

Additionally, Thornton said he has noticed that skateboarding helps people build up their self-confidence.

“There are kids that come into my shop that won’t say a word to anyone and they’re all shy,” Thornton said. “And they’ll start learning some tricks and you’ll notice them instantly become a lot more outgoing and interactive because their confidence is way up.”

Gallen Pierce-Lackey, 27-year-old Texas native who will be staffing the Youth With A Mission Boarders Discipleship Training School this January, said he appreciates the ministry opportunities that skateboarding provides because of the way that it brings people together.

“Skaters are a community. Jesus loves community,” Pierce-Lackey said. “When we bring skaters together and live our lives within the reality of heaven, we welcome heaven and the Spirit into the skate culture.”

Top Left: A skateboarder prepares to drop in from a tail stall on one of Primal Skateshop’s mini ramps.

Top Center: Skateboarders take turns on the half pipe at Primal Skateshop’s indoor skatepark.

Above Left: Some Abilene skateboarders hang out while taking a break in between skateboarding sessions outside of the shop.

Above Right: Dillynn Newman, a skateboarder from Abilene, catching some air as he jumps over the coping between ramps on Primal Skateshop’s half pipe.

RIght: A group of regulars hang out outside of Primal Skateshop located at 2642 Post Oak Road in Abilene.

Photos by Asia Todd

Pierce-Lackey said he experienced his first true Christian discipleship with his former boss at Quiksilver Skateboarding through being taught how to skateboard.

“The alternative culture is rebellious because they feel the need to validate who they are and what they do,” Pierce-Lackey said. “We as the church are warming up, but have been very guilty of focusing more on changing them instead of showing them Jesus by bringing heaven and loving them. Jesus loves skateboarding and football; he loves hardcore music and contemporary Christian music. We have to stop branding one culture or style as ‘best’ or ‘correct’ or ‘Christian’.”

Thornton also said skateboarding was not as dangerous as people tend to think.

“People worry about falling off a skateboard, but at least they’re not running into each other really hard like in other sports,” Thornton said. “I’ve never understood that double standard or why they think skateboarding is so much more dangerous than football or baseball; it’s a misconception.”

Noblique said skateboarding is not only healthy and a useful and environmentally friendly means of transportation, but it offers the opportunity to form deep friendships and to join a very unique community.

“There’s a brotherhood for sure in skateboarding,” Noblique said. “You get a couple guys who have determination, who feel the same drive, emotion and work ethic over something, and those are the people that will bond together.”

Thornton said skateboarding is an activity that overcomes any language barrier and cultural difference. He said you can go anywhere in the world and find that the skateboarding community is really tight-knit and it is a sport that allows for interaction between generations.

“I’ve seen that the older skateboarders are always willing to help out the younger skaters when they’re learning and they’ve always got a pointer for them about foot placement and all that.

They love teaching new skaters things,” Thornton said. “And when you see them learn a trick, you’ll know why.”

Once skateboarders start it, is hard for them to stay away, especially after they get a taste of the variety of skate spots across the nation. Even Abilene has a public concrete skate park of its own located at Rose Park. Thornton also maintains an indoor skate park complete with a half pipe, quarter pipe, rail, vert ramp and pyramid that are available for use.

He even hosts occasional skateboarding competitions and organizes out-of-town skate trips.

On the ACU campus, the population of longboarders has been growing. Thornton said that even he has begun to warm up to longboarding.

“But skateboarding is way more creative,” Thornton said. “There’s nothing like the art behind skateboarding.”

contact Sutherland at sns08a@acu.edu

Opinion

WEDNESDAY 12.05.12

Retaining heritage, or opening options EDITORIAL

6

Since the ACU Board of Trustees released its identity document, board members, administration and faculty members have begun informally discussing whether we should keep or change ACU’s longstanding policy of hiring only Church of Christ members for full-time faculty positions.

Here are two takes on the topic.

EDITORIAL

Diversity, academic integrity a benefit Far from ACU’s ideals our take The requirement for faculty to be Church of Christ members is beginning to take a toll on the university’s diversity. The criteria also prevents many otherwise qualified professors from having the chance to give our students the best education possible.

ACU’s Church of Christ identity has been a significant influence on the university since it was founded in 1906. However, as times have changed, it seems beneficial for ACU to break from tradition slightly in order to accommodate nonChurch of Christ faculty and staff members.

The first apparent benefit is that of diversity. From the professional standpoint, ACU has the potential of losing some respect in the academic world if it does not uphold a certain amount of diversity among faculty and staff members. Requiring new hires to be Church of Christ, a denomination that is sometimes lower in diversity, limits the potential for diversity in applicants.

Also, the Church of Christ requirement can hinder some high-quality faculty members from applying to teach at ACU. Though the quality of the current ACU faculty is great, other candidates that would make good additions may be overlooked simply because they might be a Baptist or non-

“

Students should be given the opportunity to be strengthened instead of sheltered.”

denominational rather than Church of Christ. Situations where better-qualified candidates are turned down because they do not fulfill this requirement can take away opportunities for students to learn from many competent, talented professors across the nation who are not Church of Christ.

A professor of a different denomination would not lead to many palpable changes in a non-Bible classroom. How often do art or biology professors discuss denomination-specific theology?

Instead, if the university is given the ability to hire who is best for the job regardless of denomination, doors would be opened up for many faculty members who were previously ruled

out to contribute to ACU. Thirdly, ideas that are challenged are known to become stronger. When surrounded by like-minded people, it is easier for students to accept beliefs without questioning them for themselves. Students who are able to defend their beliefs have the opportunity to grow in faith. There are always going to be students that gain or lose faith in college. Students should be given the opportunity to be strengthened instead of sheltered.

Finally, if the university is intent on reflecting the ‘real’ world, it is important to expand the thoughts and beliefs that are present on campus. Currently, 45 percent of ACU students are Church of Christ and the outside environment does not mirror this ratio. Faith will be challenged in the real world and it is better to begin exposing students to new mindsets in an environment where they can be mentored by a variety of Christian denominational backgrounds.

Overall, allowing nonChurch of Christ faculty and staff members will enhance, rather than inhibit, the ACU students’ Christian education. contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

our take One of the things that continues to seperate ACU from other universities is the foundation on which it has operated for over one hundred years. However, this could be only a part of the recent changes that continue to lead the university astray.

Many students, professors, alumni and staff of ACU have expressed concerns with a possible change in current hiring criteria. Their concerns are well founded. By hiring non-Church of Christ faculty and staff, ACU can expect negative effects as a result of the change.

Many parents send their children to ACU not only because it is affiliated with the Church of Christ, but because their sons and daughters will be surrounded by a 100 percent Church of Christ faculty that will ref lect the same beliefs the family finds in their home congregation. By hiring from outside of the Church of Christ, many parents will see a university that has strayed from its upbringing and no longer ref lects their denominational beliefs.

This change of perception could lead to a decline in enrollment that will negatively effect revenue and tuition prices on campus.

As it currently stands, ACU separates itself from many other Christian colleges throughout the nation. We remain one of the few colleges that requires its faculty to be Church of Christ. By shifting away from tradition, we would simply be removing one of the aspects that helps differentiate our university from others.

“

By shifting away from tradition, we would simply be removing one of the aspects that helps differentiate our university from others.”

Pepperdine University remains the only Church of Christ university to remove this requirement and their Church of Christ student enrollment subsequently dipped 5 percent. This may seem a far cry from ACU’s current

demographics, but this clearly ref lects a possible future for our university.

Whenever a person or entity steps away from its founding morals to conform, there is one question that will always be raised: where does it end?

Even though this possible change represents only one small aspect of the university, we have seen many similar changes in recent years.

Through the end of a ban on dancing at school sanctioned events and a relaxation of curfew, ACU has been taking small steps away from the foundation the university was built on.

As we continue to see conformity slowly chip away at the founding ideals of our university, we have to wonder at what point we will decide it has to stop. In the future we could see a university that is Christian only in name.

As the university works towards a decision, it must be aware of the potential repercussions of such a change.

contact the optimist at jmcnetwork@acu.edu

EVAN’s marks

COLUMN

evan marks

My passport has turned me into an existentialist THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID

MARISSA JONES

The complicated and soulsucking process to get a passport has made me lose some hope in society.

The first sign that there was something soulless about the process was when they told me not to smile.

Smiling is apparently banned in passport pictures to help facial recognition machines in airports, but I think there is something deeply wrong with forcing a large number of people not to smile.

13,125,829 people have applied for passports this year, so 13,125,829 Americans were told not to smile.

So much for the pursuit of happiness.

While taking the actual picture, it was hard not to smile. I ended up with a pretentious kind of smirk on my face instead.

Once I had my picture, I went to the post office to try to get a passport.

Attempt number one: I stepped up to the desk and handed the official my paper work– birth certificate, license, several pages of information.

“Do you want to hear the good news or bad news first?”

Not inspiring words.

“I guess the bad news,” I replied.

“Good, because there is no good news.”

Apparently my birth cer-

tificate was missing some information that would make it hard to get my passport at this juncture.

I was missing the letter ‘I’ to be exact. This letter indicates whether or not I had been born in a hospital. I was in fact born in a hospital but for some reason my birth certificate was missing it.

She sent me to the Department of Health Services who said they couldn’t help me and said I would have to order a new birth certificate from the place I was born and wait three weeks. All because I was missing the letter ‘I’.

Attempt number two: I decided to go back to the post office and plead. I was running out of time and getting desperate. They denied 9:31 a.m. Dec. 4 it again. I finally received my OMG I JUST SAW PRIcorrect birth certificate.

VATE PARTS Attempt number three: This time the passport #wearalongerskirt gods were pleased with my offering. They sent it off saying it would probably @em_brynn come in on time. This was a stressful time for me. Es- 3:37 p.m. Dec. 4 pecially because I was planning on studying abroad in VS fashion show tonight. Girls.. Don’t Oxford next semester.

I was cutting it a little act like you don’t wish you owned a multiclose to the deadline.

Luckily, it came in the thousand dollar all sequined/crystal set of mail Saturday. underoos.

hashtagACU

contact JONES at MNJ10a@acu.edu

@EmileeShamblin

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

Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79609 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

newsroom (325) 674-2439

8:59 a.m. Dec. 4 8:43 p.m. Dec. 3

9:54 a.m. Dec. 4

My roommate on Song of Solomon: “I dunno.

It kinda reminds me of sexting.”

“Speaking of prison rape, here’s another story...” Dr. Richard Beck

@redanteggs

@marafleet

Couple next to me in the ACU library: “Babe, how much memory does a 15 minute video takes up?” “I think like a beta-billi-byte?” No.

@morganmyer 10:19 a.m. Dec. 4

11:23 a.m. Dec. 4

Guy who booed me during introductions the first day of my freshman year is speaking in chapel today.

@hrjones13

10:41 a.m. Dec. 4

You’re not hood, you go to ACU.

@DaneBressert

Meanwhile at Starbucks: 8 mommies in yoga attire, 2 college theology majors, 1 awkward 1st date for 2 divorcees, & a mom nursing by herself.

@megankateteel

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7

sports

wednesday 12.05.12

men’s basketball

Last second layup sinks ‘Cats brittney johnson sports reporter

curtis christian Staff Photographer

Senior forward Dosh Simms extends to the basket for a layup in Moody Coliseum. The ‘Cats were defeated

by ENMU Saturday, 62-60. Simms was four of eight shooting and had eight points.

The ‘Cats are looking to up their game after losing against Eastern New Mexico University on Saturday. The team suffered their first loss of the conference, 62-60.

“We just didn’t play very well and that’s on me,” head coach Golding said. “I didn’t have our team prepared.”

Since the redemption game against Dallas baptist on Nov. 20, when the team won 75-73, defense has been the focus for the Wildcats.

Coach Golding plans to make defense the major focus for the entire season.

“We have to able to play good defense,” he said. “The other night, I thought defense kept us in the game against Eastern New Mexico.”

Senior center Steven Werner led the team with 13 rebounds, senior guard Eric Lawton had two consecutive threepointers in the second half, and senior guard Elliot Lloyd and junior forward Cornelius Cammock were two of the top scorers in the game.

“You have to just come out and play hard no matter who you play,” Lawton said. “Every game in the conference is going to be pretty tough, you have to always come out with the same intensity.”

With the comeback of senior forward Dosh Simms, the Wildcats are anxious to have their returning seniors be a vital

piece in shaping the rest of the season.

Simms played well against the Greyhounds, nailing successful layups in the second half, pushing the wildcats to a lead around the eight minute mark in the second half.

“We got so many new guys.”

Golding said.

“We’re trying to figure this out and we’re still a work in progress, through December as we get into second semester,

by January, we’ll have an idea of where we’re at.”

Tuesday, the Wildcats took a little break to spread the holiday spirit, at the second annual Christmas Slam. Both the women’s and men’s team played Texas A&M Un i ver sit y- C om merc e and enjoyed a half time performance from Team Big Air, a high performance acrobatic basketball group.

The Christmas Slam included a visit from the jolly man himself, Santa Claus and a toy drive for Arms of Hope, an organization reaching out to disadvantaged children and families.

There were many giveaways for the ACU fans, and a special Christmas blessing from President Phil Schubert as well.

The Wildcats are back in action Saturday at Tarleton State University. The game begins at 7 p.m.

contact johnson at baj12a@acu.edu

basketball

Fan poll to determine LSC Era Starting 5 edward isaacs sports editor The ACU Athletic department is currently conducting a fan poll to determine which Wildcats will be voted to the Lone Star Conference Era Starting 5 men’s and women’s basketball teams.

The poll is in honor of the ‘Cats 39th and final year as a member of the Lone Star Conference.

Fans will be able to vote from Thursday, Nov. 29 through Tuesday, Jan. 29 when ACU plays West

Texas A&M University at home.

Results will be announced at the beginning of the Wildcats’ home doubleheader against Tarleton State University Saturday, Feb. 9.

Those who wish to participate can either vote online at acusports. com or with a paper ballot, available at every home game.

The ballots are divided into six categories: men and women guards, forwards and centers. Ballots only include the student-athletes who played

for the ‘Cats while they were in the LSC. The men’s basketball team began competing in the Lone Star Conference under head coach Willard Tate in 1973-74. The women joined the league in 1982-83 with Burl McCoy as the coach.

While voting, fans are told to select just one center, two guards and two forwards, which will create both a men’s and women’s starting lineup. The older fans who have been watching ACU basketball for decades will have some difficult choices to make.

For the men’s guard spots fans will have to choose between two-time first team all-conference selection Randall Moore, 1980’s star Floyd Logan, Rodney Lee and David Baxter among others.

Lee led the Wildcats in scoring twice in the early 2000’s, while Baxter holds the record for most points scored in a single game in Moody Coliseum with 44.

Forwards in the men’s category include: Corey Stone, the top career scorer at ACU with 1,848 points, Rodney Fedell,

the third-best rebounder in ACU men’s history and current Director of Athletics, Jared Mosley.

Mosley scored over 1,457 points from 1995-99.

The women’s forwards will not be an easy decision either. They include: all-Americans Jackie Bucher, Claudia Schleyer and Jennifer Clarkson.

Another top contender is Pat Bidwell, considered one of the program’s best 3-point shooters, Jamie Meyer who scored over 500 points in her career and Caroline Omamo.

Omamo led the team

in rebounding for three straight years during the late 1990’s.

Fans are encouraged to look through the men’s and women’s basketball record books to help them with their vote. The record books are attached and available with the online ballot. A ballot received that contains more than one center, two guards and two forwards will be marked void.

contact isaacs at jei08a@acu.edu

women’s basketball

Hot: Dickinson scores 25 points in win from page 8 from the field, including 42 percent from beyond the arc.

“Everyone on this team can contribute,” Head Coach Julie Goodenough said. “Anyone of these girls can play quality minutes. We focus on playing team basketball, and that’s exactly what we have.”

The Wildcats jumped out to an early 22-6 lead with 10:30 left in the first half. They were able to push the lead up to nineteen before ENMU went on a 15-8 run to close out the half and cut the score to 38-26.

“

We kept scoring like we know how to do and played smart ball. We just played ACU basketball.”

tions that we knew they were looking for.”

The Zias were never able to get back into the game as the Wildcats held a fifteen point lead for the majority of renata marquez forward the second half. Thanks acu women’s basketball to smart play down the stretch, ACU was able to “We jumped out to a play great defense. They notch the win. big, early lead and didn’t forced ENMU into dou“We were able to get handle the lead very ble teams, bad shots and stops and started talkwell,” Goodenough said. turnovers. The Lady Zias ing on defense,” Marquez “We need to practice were forced to put up bad said. “We kept scoring staying focused and in- shots deep into their shot like we know how to do tense, regardless of the clock possessions. and played smart ball. score. Stay in tuned with “When we as a team We just played ACU basdoing the little things start talking on defense, ketball.” correctly.” it becomes very intense,” After a rejuvenated Marquez said. “So we just contact zepeda at paige otway Staff Photographer half time break, the talked and kind of took djz11a@acu.edu Junior forward Renata Marquez shoots a layup in Moody.

Wildcats were able to away most of their op-

sports

Wednesday 12.05.12

women’s basketball

standings

Wildcats storm past Zias

men’s basketball

8

Team

Div.

Ovrl.

MSU ENMU WTAMU ACU UIW TAMU-K TSU Commerce Cameron ASU

2-0 2-0 1-1 1-1 1-1 1-1 0-0 0-0 0-2 0-2

5-2 5-3 7-1 4-2 4-3 4-3 4-1 5-2 3-3 2-4

women’s basketball

Team

Div.

Ovrl.

ACU Commerce UIW TSU ASU MSU TAMU-K TWU WTAMU Cameron ENMU

2-0 1-0 2-0 1-0 2-0 1-1 1-1 0-2 0-2 0-2 0-2

3-1 3-1 5-2 3-2 4-3 5-1 3-2 2-5 2-6 1-5 0-6

briefings Sophomore forward Sadie Dickinson was named the women’s basketball LSC offensive player of the week for her perfomance this weekend against Eastern New Mexico and West Texas A&M. Dickinson led the team in scoring in both Wildcat victories.

Senior center Steven Werner was named the men’s basketball LSC offensive player of the week for his performance in the Whitten Inn Classic.

He averaged a doubledouble of 19.0 points and 14.5 rebounds. paige otway Staff Photographer

Freshman guard Kynzie Newman drives to the basket in Moody Coliseum Saturday against Eastern New Mexico University. The Wildcats won 74-56. Newman has 31 points on the season and is averaging 7.8 points per game.

Dickinson has career night in blowout victory daniel zepeda sports reporter Thanks to a career night from sophomore Sadie Dickinson, ACU was able to best ENMU with a final score of 74-56 in Moody Coliseum Saturday.

The win gives the Wildcats a 3-1 record (2-0 LSC) and keeps the Lady

Zias searching for their first win of the year, as they fall to 0-6.

“We just really kept taking it to them,” junior Renata Marquez said. “We would have stretches where we were unstoppable then some stretches that we got too comfortable and allowed ENMU to chip away.

In the end our stretches were too much for them.”

Dickinson came out on fire, scoring the first ten points of the game for the Wildcats. She finished with a game high 25 points (8-13 FG, 5-8 3PT) and also added eleven rebounds.

“My teammates were the main reason I was able to play at such a high level,” Dickinson said.

“We’ve worked hard

in practice on hitting the open player and that’s exactly what we did. The confidence we have in one another is enough to help anyone knock down some shots. I really owe it all to my teammates.”

ACU also received help from junior Mack Lankford, who finished with 13 points, four assists and five rebounds to cap off a

well-rounded game. Senior Kelsey Smith was one point away from a doubledouble, as she chipped in nine points, 11 rebounds and a huge three point shot that turned into a big momentum shift for the Wildcats.

ACU finished the game with 45 percent shooting see hot page 7

women’s basketball

Goodenough signs first D-I class matthew sloan sports reporter The ACU women’s basketball team will have five new faces for their inaugural season as a Division I team.

November 15th, head coach Julie Goodenough signed her first division one recruiting class during the early signing period, giving the ‘Cats size to go along with their depth at guard.

“The five players that we have signed already are very talented and we feel like they are division one athletes,”Goodenough said.

“We are getting a lot bigger with this class and a lot

taller. They will meet some needs we have with graduation, it will help us maintain our size or even get a little bit bigger.”

The signings helped spark interest in the entire program, and coupled with their blistering start in conference play the entire Big Country is dreaming of successful years to come.

“I have been at the division one level the last nine years and I have enjoyed coaching at that level and was excited to come to Abilene Christian University and be here for this transition,” Goodenough said. “It is really exciting for our student athletes

“

We are getting a lot bigger with this class and a lot taller. They will meet some needs we have with graduation.”

and for the ACU community to have a division one school here in West Texas.”

The Wildcats only guard in the 2013 recruiting class is Alexis Mason. They also added Sydney Shelstead, Erin Maxwell, and twin sisters Lizzy and Suzzy Dimba to the Abilene Christian family.

Among the many talent-

things get in your head.”

The Wildcats were looking for a specific type of player to fit into coach Goodenough’s aggressive style of basketball, and she thinks the young players will be julie Goodenough head coach able to match her intensity. acu women’s basketball “To be an impact player at the divison one level you ed players these recruits will have to be extremely combe able to look up to is sopho- petitive,” Goodenough said. more Shannon Sanders, who “I talk to our players played division one basket- now and tell them you have ball last year before suiting to be a junk yard dog. You up for the ‘Cats in 2012. have to be mean and have “The girls are a little a little grit to you. So that is bit bigger, and the game what we look for.” is a little bit more fast paced,” Sanders said. “I contact sloan at would tell the new girls mes10a@acu.edu coming in to just not let

column

matthew sloan

It has been five years since one of the greatest hitters of all time retired from the San Francisco Giants, and he deserves to be in the Hall of Fame.

Barry Bonds is the alltime leader in homeruns, and has a record seven MVP awards. That is more than Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle combined.

Bonds is one of four players to ever earn 40 steals and 40 homeruns. He was walked 2,558 times, over

200 times in 2004 alone.

The steroid cloud surrounds Bonds, and he became the poster boy for an era of guys that were using performance-enhancing drugs. But to say that he was not one of the best hitters in the history of baseball is ridiculous.

In his 22 years in the Majors, Bonds stole over 500 bases and had an OPS of over 1.051. Bonds hit over 600 doubles, and he came up as a center fielder, and went on to win eight gold gloves in the outfield.

It is easy to say that he was a cheater, and cheaters should not get in. Fine, but he played 15 years in San Francisco, which is far

“

The steroid cloud surrounds Bonds, and he became the poster boy for an era of guys that were using performance-enhancing drugs.”

from being an easy place to hit the ball out of the park.

In fact, it is one of the best pitchers parks in the Major Leagues. Yet Bonds hit 40 homeruns eight times with his home park being AT&T Park.

Let’s also remember that those Home Runs were not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. Those balls were landing in the ocean.

People had boats parked outside of right field in hopes of getting a souvenir, and they were widely successful.

Bonds won the Silver Slugger award five straight times… twice. From 19901994 and then again from 2000-2004, he won the award a total of 12 times.

For those of us into saber metrics, Bonds had a double-digit WAR three

ex- factor Houston Texans defensive back Danieal Manning had three total tackles Sunday’s 24-10 win against the Tennessee Titans. Manning has 55 tackles, two interceptions and three forced fumbles for the season.

Rams running back Daryl Richardson rushed for six yards on three carries and had three catches for seven yards against the San Francisco on Sunday. St. Louis defeated the 49ers, 1613. Richardson has 457 yards and 85 carries this season.

Upcoming The men’s basketball team will face Tarleton State University Saturday in Stephenville at 7:00 p.m.

The women’s basketball team will also play Tarleton State Saturday on the road times, and a WAR eclips- starting at 5:00 p.m.

Bonds should not be in bondage write so hard university

Senior midfielder Julie Coppedge was named to the 2012 Capital One All-America Division II Women’s Soccer Third Team Wednesday. Coppedge is also a two-time Lone Star Conference Academic Player of the Year and a CoSIDA Academic All-District 6 selection.

ing 9.0 six different times.

In his only World Series appearance, he hit four homeruns, walked 13 times, and had a batting average of .471. I would consider that clutch in the fall classic.

So we can be mad that he cheated, and that he did not respect the game.

We can be mad that he was not a good example for the children and that he was rude to the media.

But to keep the greatest hitter of our generation out of the Hall of Fame is a crime in itself. contact sloan at mes10a@acu.edu