OPTIMIST THE
FRIDAY September 3, 2004
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Abilene Christian University
Vol. 93, No. 5 1 section, 10 pages www.acuoptimist.com
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Cats ready to go:
Summer blockbusters hit and miss:
Set for California:
The football team begins its season Saturday against Central Oklahoma. Page 10
Arts editor Dee Travis reviews a summer of blockbuster and sequel movies such as The Terminal, Spider-man 2 and The Village. Page 7
The volleyball team plays its second tournament this weekend in California. Page 10
SA uncovers $30,000 expense Congress forced to pay for electronic bowling scoring built last year By JONATHAN SMITH EDITOR IN CHIEF
Amid confusion and questions of financial mishandlings, the Students’ Association this week found itself owing $30,000 for the electronic scoring in the bowling alley that should have been covered by last year’s SA budget. Executive treasurer Tyler Cosgrove explained to the new Student Congress in its first meeting Wednesday
night how last year’s administration overspent its budget by almost $80,000. About $48,000 of that was covered by budget rollovers from previous years, leaving the $30,000 electronic bowling to be paid this year. “This is not the fault of the voting members from last year,” said executive president Layne Rouse during the meeting. Exactly who is at fault remains as unclear as how $268,000 was spent by Congress last year, the executive officers said. Cosgrove said poor budget
documentation last year has made it difficult to tell where some of last year’s money was spent. He said the officers had not yet spoken with last year’s executive treasurer, David Shinn, or president, Jonathan Wilkerson, who could know more about the situation. Although they will continue to investigate what happened, Rouse and Cosgrove said the main focus now is to move ahead and decide how Congress will cope with a $65,000 budget instead of $95,000. See SA Page 8
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Executive treasurer Tyler Cosgrove addresses Student Congress on its first meeting Wednesday about the current financial crisis.
Snowcones popular with students, who disagree on best vendor By DEE TRAVIS ARTS EDITOR
Have you tried a fuzzy naval lately? How about tiger’s blood or a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle? Strawnana, anyone? As many college students know, these are snowcone flavors, and the average stand has at least sixty to choose from. Any college town has a built-in market for such a business, and the suffocating heat of West Texas only helps. Bill Luttrell, owner of Cajun Cones, says the south side of town alone has about nine snowcone stands, and the north side has about five. “Our busiest times are definitely April and May,” Luttrell said. Cajun Cones seems to be one of the most popular snowcone places in town, partly because of how long it’s been open: 17 years. Luttrell said he decided to bring a piece of the Cajun country with him when he moved to Abilene after being stationed in southern Louisiana during his Air Force days. “That’s where I had my first snowcone, only there they were called snowballs,” he said. “I had never found anything in Texas quite like that.” Luttrell said he owns three permanent stands and one portable stand. “The one on Judge Ely Boulevard is our original location,” he said. As for the competition, Luttrell said new stands are always appearing. “People drive by in the summer, see the long lines, and think, ‘I could open a snowcone stand,’” he said. “There’s more and more stands popping up every year, but we have our regular customers.” Many college students have made Cajun Cones a tradition.
By EMILY CHASTAIN STUDENT REPORTER
More than 300 students attended the pledging interest meeting Monday night where Mike Spell, adviser of social clubs, gave students information about rushing , including important dates, deadlines, eligibility and other rules. Mary Kay Knight, administrative coordinator for the Office of Judicial Affairs and Social Clubs, said the registration deadline has changed this year. Students now can attend open
$95,000
2003-04 SA budget plus rollover from previous years:
$238,000
Amount spent by 2003-04 Congress:
$268,000
How much SA has left for fall 2004 budget:
$65,000
Departments implement tutoring plan By LORI BREDEMEYER MANAGING EDITOR
EYAKEM GULILAT/Staff Photographer
Lauren Gumm, 4, daughter of Eric, director of orientation for the First-Year Program, and Sherry Gumm, eats a snowcone Aug. 19 during Welcome Week outside of Bennett Gymnasium. Students have a variety of snowcone choices in Abilene with such businesses as Cajun Cones and New Wave Ice.
Students express interest in social clubs Interest meeting draws large crowd; rushes begin next week
How much SA has for budget each semester:
Some add lower-level classes, night sessions to replace LEC
See CONES Page 8
An employee of New Wave Ice grinds a block of ice into the familiar texture of a snowcone.
(amounts approximated)
Cost of electronic scoring in bowling alley: $30,000
Frozen treat helps beat the heat
EYAKEM GULILAT/Staff Photographer
SA budget data
rushes Monday “We are really trying to emphasize relationships. with younger people,” through WednesPreast said. “It's a good day and then reg- Club is a blessing. We don’t want to be superficial.” way to connect through ister to pledge bethe classes.” Rosalyn Perry, president of Sigma Theta Chi fore 5 p.m. Rosalyn Perry, senior Wednesday. elementary education As of Wednesmajor from Abilene and day, 112 men and 242 women had loway said. “I had hoped they would Sigma Theta Chi president, said she’s registered. This number is about the provide a few more reasons why we looking forward to the rushes her same as the total number of pledges should do it.” club is having. She has prepared by last fall. Knight said she’s not sure Bryan Preast, junior business talking to members about the direcwhether people have just registered management major from White- tion the club is going. early or if this year’s numbers will house, also attended the meeting as “We are really trying to emphaexceed last year’s. well and said it gave him the infor- size relationships and make it more Jonathan Holloway, sophomore mation he needed, and he’s pretty real and intentional,” Perry said. biology major from Abilene, at- sure he’ll pledge after he rushes. “Club is a blessing. We don't want to tended the meeting and said al“I like the idea of having an or- be superficial.” though it was useful, he was looking ganization where I can meet some for more reasons to rush and pledge. people who are older than me, and E-mail Chastain at: “I was a little disappointed,” Hol- then when I get older, make friends optimist@acu.edu
Departments across campus have begun instigating programs to replace the tutoring services lost when the Learning Enhancement Center closed last semester. Each department was responsible for identifying the areas in which it would need tutoring, and the department chairs submitted proposals with requests for funding. The Provost’s Cabinet met Wednesday and discussed the departments’ requests, and most of the funding was approved, said Dr. Colleen Durrington, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. She said the tutoring will allow departments to work more closely with students than the LEC did. “They (LEC) did a very good job,” Durrington said, “but we believe the tutoring can be tied more closely to the classes and the specific needs of students in departments by Durrington having it handled this way. We hope we can make a positive out of it by making the tutoring more focused and more beneficial to students.” The Department of Mathematics and Computer Science has added extra lower-level classes with tutoring sessions attached to fill the void. Dr. Shankle David Hughes, chair of the department, said his tutors can help the students more effectively because they have taken the classes they’re tutoring. “The LEC hired good students, but they didn’t always know the purpose and direction of Math 120 and Math 130,” he said. “We’re changing that. We think we’re hiring good students who also know what the direction is and have that experience.” The department is also planning to conduct tutoring sessions three nights a week in addition to the new courses. Hughes said the process will be trial-and-error this semester. “We don’t know how many people to expect in those sessions,” he said, “and we don’t know whether we’ll have a few and not have enough to do or whether we’ll be overrun with people so that the tutors can’t keep up. So it’s kind of a learning experience this semester.” The English Department has also added new courses to help students who are not ready to begin regular entry-level English classes, and the classes each have a peer tutor to assist the professor, said Dr. Nancy Shankle, chair of the department. “By having the trained peer tutors in the room, it’s like cloning the teacher,” she said. “… It makes it possible for us to accomplish our goal of teaching the class in a writing workshop and giving the students the individualized attention they need.” She said the pressure of finding tutors and supporting a larger-than-normal freshman class has been alleviated by the University Writing Center, which is still in operation in the LEC space. “The university has been so open about See TUTOR Page 8
CAMPUS
DAY
Friday, September 3, 2004
3
Calendar&Events Friday
Freshman Follies sign-ups, 10 a.m.2 p.m., Campus Center ticket window. Study Abroad fair, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Campus Center. FilmFest sign-ups, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Campus Center. Free movie, Shrek 2, 6:30 and 9 p.m., Cullen Auditorium. Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King, 7:30 p.m., Paramount Theatre. Seats $5.
4
5
Sunday
Women’s Social Club Teas, 1-6 p.m., begin in Hart Auditorium.
6
7
Tuesday
8
Wednesday
Beyond the Wall poster sale, 7 a.m.- Deadline to pledge, must register by 5 p.m. 4 p.m., Campus Center. Service Expo, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Service Expo, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Campus Center. Campus Center.
Monday
Beyond the Wall poster sale, 7 a.m.4 p.m., Campus Center. Gamma Sigma Phi rush, 5 p.m., Will Hair Park. Sigma Theta Chi rush, 5 p.m., Hilton Room. Trojans rush, 7 p.m., Sonic volleyball court on Judge Ely Boulevard.
Campus Activities Board Beach Campus Activities Board Beach Bash sign-ups, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Bash sign-ups, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Campus Center ticket window. Campus Center ticket window. Galaxy rush, 12 p.m., Gary’s Pizza Beyond the Wall poster sale, 7 a.m.4 p.m., Campus Center. on Judge Ely Boulevard. Ko Jo Kai rush, 5 p.m., Beauchamp Amphitheater. Frater Sodalis rush, 5 p.m., Larry “Satch” Sanders intramural field.
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Thursday
First Invitational Rushes. Delta Theta Rush, 7 p.m.
Saturday
Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King, 2 and 7:30 p.m., Paramount Theatre. Seats $5.
Alpha Kai Omega, 7 p.m., COBA atrium. GATA rush, 9 p.m., Living Room.
Volunteer Opportunities Day Nursery is seeking volunteers to work shifts at its food booth Sept. 10-18. Workers will be serving food and drinks, but they will not be required to cook. Many different shifts are available during both day and evening hours. Visit the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout for more information. Big Brothers Big Sisters needs male volunteers to participate in “Brother to Brother” Thursdays from 4-5 p.m. Volunteers will be matched with a little brother for sports, art proj-
ects, games and other activities. For more information, call 6777839. Wildcat Kids is looking for volunteers. Applications can be picked up at the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout. Completed applications are due Sept. 10. A student needs someone to practice English on the intermediate level with once or twice a week in order to learn the language. For more information, contact Dennis Miller at dap04b@acu.edu.
Prospective pledges pick up invitaPi Kappa rush, 9 p.m., Cal Young tions, 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. Park. Free night out, 5-10 p.m., Play Faire Tri Kappa Gamma rush, 9 p.m., Park. Living Room. Campus Activities Board Beach Freshman Follies sign-ups, 10 a.m.- Bash sign-ups, 1:30 a.m.-5 p.m., 2 p.m., Campus Center ticket win- Campus Center ticket windows. dow.
About This Page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@jmc.acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor, ACU Box 27892, Abilene, TX 79699.
To ensure that an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style. Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.
Chapel Check-Up Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:
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CAMPUS NEWS
Friday, September 3, 2004
Page 3
FilmFest reels in students
Studious sophomore
Darby says interest meeting attracted more than expected By RUBEN J. GONZALEZ STUDENT REPORTER
EYAKEM GULILAT/Staff Photographer
Brooke Johnson, sophomore speech pathology major from Kemp, studies outside her room at University Park Apartments on Tuesday. Currently, 18 sophomore women are living in the apartments, which are usually reserved for upperclassmen. Overcrowding in freshman residence halls caused some freshmen to be housed in Sikes, a sophomore hall, and some sophomores to be moved to UP.
Doug Darby said he knew some curious students would attend Tuesday’s FilmFest interest meeting. But he didn’t expect a room full of about 30 students asking questions and signing up for the inaugural event. “I’m excited that there is more interest than I thought,” said Darby, multimedia coordinator and FilmFest committee chair. “I was hoping for 10 to 15 entrants.” Students participating in the first annual ACU FilmFest have until 4 p.m. Wednesday to submit their application forms and movie ideas for review and a $20 entry fee. The theme of this year’s event is “Let there be light.” Students have free reign on the overall content but must incorporate the theme within their movie and also adhere to ACU policy and guidelines.
Students must also produce their completed work using the iLife software suite, which includes iMovie, iPhoto, Garage Band, iTunes and iDVD. In addition, work must be done on one of ten 17-inch G4 iMacs and G5 Xservers that Apple computer software has donated for the event. All equipment will be available for participants from Sept. 13 to Oct. 13 in the FilmFest Headquarters, which will be located in the Industrial Technology building. Darby also encouraged prospective filmmakers to attend a production symposium on Sept. 11, where professionals will be on hand to demonstrate the iLife software’s capacity. “How cool is it for a guy from Pixar studios to come and teach you about developing storyboards?” Darby said. “Students will be able to get exposure and contacts that you can’t get in other schools.” April Cordero, sophomore electronic media major from Abilene, said students are lucky to have this contest.
“I transferred from UT, and you would never get an opportunity like this,” Cordero said. “For something like this, you have to wait years in order to get this kind of chance.” Hance Taplin, senior graphic design major from Denver, Colo., said FilmFest will prove to be a valuable experience. “This will challenge my creativity,” Taplin said. “It will give me the opportunity to see how I stack up against other talented and creative students on campus.” Darby said this event could become a realistic outlet for aspiring ACU filmmakers to fulfill the ACU mission. “We need to provide the means and tools necessary to get the ACU mission out there to influence media and corporations,” Darby said. “My hope is to become a catalyst for better unity and cooperation with other universities and institutions.”
E-mail Gonzalez at: optimist@acu.edu
New teachers accustom themselves to positions Sixteen new faculty members adjust to life at university By DEE TRAVIS ARTS EDITOR
ACU has 16 new teachers in full-time positions, according to the provost’s office. The faculty members will be teaching both graduate and undergraduate courses across 12 departments. Levels of teaching experience vary, as do reasons for coming to ACU. Dr. Mark Phillips, assistant professor of management, said in an e-mail that every first-year faculty member’s goal is just to stay caught up. “Beyond that,” Phillips said,
“I am excited about the chance to integrate faith and learning, something I was not able to do in my previous teaching work at a state university.” Dwayne Towell, associate professor of mathematics, said he had similar ideas concerning settling in. “I’m going to do my best to figure out how things work around here and keep my head above water,” Towell said. Towell graduated from ACU in 1986 and said he returned to ACU when he decided to change careers. Chandra Lewis-Qualls, professor of English, said in an email that she also graduated from ACU. “I really valued the individual attention I received from my
“The environment is incredibly positive, supportive and encouraging in comparison to secular settings.” Dr. Jeffrey Wherry, professor of psychology
professors here and the challenging work I was given,” Qualls said. “My professors here really pushed us to know the latest theory and to question it from our Christian standpoint. “That’s the kind of questioning that helped me keep my Christian faith despite obstacles in my life,” she said, “and that’s the kind of critical thinking I hope to pass on to my students at ACU.” Dr. Kent Gallaher, associate professor of environmental sci-
ence, said in an e-mail that he has taught in a Christian environment before and that the move to ACU was a very difficult decision, but he is glad to be here. “I come to ACU having spent eight years at Lipscomb University in Nashville,” Gallaher said. “I love Christian higher education, particularly the kind of mentoring relationships that only seem to occur in this environment.” Dr. Jeffrey Wherry, professor of psychology, said in an e-mail
that his main focus area has been children, specifically child abuse, for the last 15 years. “I am hoping to teach a child-abuse course in the spring for both graduate and undergraduate credit,” Wherry said. Wherry also graduated from ACU and said he hopes to have a positive influence on students. “The environment is incredibly positive, supportive and encouraging in comparison to secular settings,” Wherry said, “and I am interested in investing the balance of my career in a setting where the impact is hopefully eternal.” E-mail Travis at: dxt02a@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Page 4
College Dems: ‘We’re bringing it’ Organization to focus on congressional elections this semester BY DEE TRAVIS ARTS EDITOR
With the November elections approaching, political parties are on the campaign trail promoting their causes and candidates. The College Democrats, a campus organization composed of college students who are members of the Democratic Party, are preparing for the long weeks ahead. Kristina Campos Wallace, instructor of education and faculty adviser to the College Democrats, said the group’s first special interest meeting will be Tuesday, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Living Room. “This week is the GOP convention, so we’ve decided to give them their day in the sun; but once the convention is over, we’re getting to work,” said Amy Perez, president of the College Democrats. Wallace said the College Democrats will be focusing on several key issues in the weeks
ahead, the most obvious being the elections in November. “We’re choosing to focus more on the congressional elections than the presidential election,” Wallace said. “Texas is basically a wash for John Kerry.” Redistricting has pitted Republican Congressman Randy Neugebauer against Abilene’s current representative, Democrat Charlie Stenholm, in a race for the 19th District. Stenholm has served Abilene for 26 years. “He’s the senior most democratic member on the agricultural committee, and we see it as vital for the city of Abilene to keep Stenholm in office,” said Perez, sophomore interdisciplinary studies major from Houston. Perez said another key issue will be voter registration. “Especially now that we have a new freshman class that’s arrived, it is particularly important that we get the word out about our responsibility to vote as both Christians and Americans,” Perez said. “I personally hope to get a load of freshmen on board.” Perez mentioned several other activities that are planned
for the semester, such as working with the College Republicans later in the fall to watch the presidential debates. “We’re also hoping to recruit the College Republicans for the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk on Oct. 2,” Perez said. Wallace said she remembers the state of the organization when she first came to ACU. “There wasn’t much interest in the College Democrats when I first arrived on campus,” Wallace said, “so I helped restart the group.” While it may seem the College Democrats are dormant and inactive right now, Wallace says that’s not the case. “We currently have students doing block walks, handing out fliers and some even working in official campaign offices,” Wallace said. Perez agreed, saying, “We’re simply showing decency and respect to the GOP as they carry on their rightful celebration at their convention, but come next week, we’re bringing it!” E-mail Travis at: dxt02a@acu.edu
Friday, September 3, 2004
A taste even a horse appreciates
EYAKEM GULILAT/Staff Photographer
Apache, one of the horses ridden during routines at Hardin-Simmons University, enjoys a sip of Coca-Cola.
College Republicans targets indifference Group makes plans to increase number of voters, volunteers By CHRISTY GOWER FEATURES EDITOR
More than 50 people packed the room, and buttons, bumpers stickers and bottle cap openers sporting the BushCheney logo passed hands. And so began Monday’s meeting of the College Republicans. Jason Knight, chairman of ACU’s chapter of the College Republicans, said the chapter was formed in part to work toward the election of Republican candidates who represent the values it supports, like President Bush and others. He said he also wants to work with the College Democrats to break apart political apathy on campus. “We want to create a friendly atmosphere of competition,” said Knight, senior political science major from Abilene. He said the organization is taking more of a volunteer focus with help from the College Republican National Committee and that there is something for everyone, including those who don’t want a future in politics. “It’s a great chance to see how the nation’s political sys-
tem actually works,” Knight said. “These are the nuts and bolts of your entire government that you’re watching in action and helping.” For those who want to go into politics, Knight said being involved in the College Republicans has amazing benefits. “This is a great chance to get in on the ground-floor level and work your way up,” he said. The organization will have a booth at the Service Expo next week to answer questions and recruit volunteers, Knight said. “This is service,” he said. “You’re serving your community. You’re serving your government. You’re serving yourself and the people around you.” The College Republicans has several things planned for the year, including a mock election and a campus canvas, a campus-wide, door-to-door survey for the presidential race. “It’s a push to find out how the campus is going to vote, and it’s also a push to recruit volunteers for the College Republicans,” Knight said. “It’s also a push to get voters registered, no matter if you’re Democrat or Republican, of course.” The campus canvas is also intended to mobilize volunteers and get them active, said Kara Karlson, a field representative from the College Republican National Committee.
“You have strong leadership, and you obviously have a strong Republican base,” she said at the meeting. “You just need to mobilize them.” She told students at the meeting that not going door-todoor just before the 2000 election was the reason it was close. “We didn’t effectively get out there and mobilize,” she said. “In the last 72 hours, we fell apart.” To prevent that this year, she said the CRNC is sending a strike force to campaign in swing states in the days and hours before the election. At the meeting, six students volunteered to be a part of the strike force. “It’s not stupid that you’re in,” Karlson said at the meeting. “What you do matters.” Knight said he also wants to work with the CRNC and bring notoriety to campus by bringing in speakers like Rush Limbaugh, former President George Bush, Laura Bush and possibly even President Bush. Knight said he wants to get students excited and involved in all levels of politics. “We’re going to have fun this year,” Knight said at the meeting, “and we’re going to get President Bush re-elected.” E-mail Gower at: cng02a@acu.edu
Friday, September 3, 2004
CAMPUS NEWS
Page 5
Leaders drawn to Higher Ground for retreat Leadership workshop offered seminars, time to organize By DEE TRAVIS ARTS EDITOR
About 230 campus organization leaders participated in the Higher Ground workshop last weekend. Jan Meyer, director of student leadership development said the event “was designed specifically for leaders who have been elected or volunteered for their leadership roles.”
Meyer said Friday night was just for social club officers and advisers, and Saturday saw the arrival of all other organization leaders and officers. The two-day retreat focused on becoming stronger student leaders through skillbuilding experiences and included individual sessions, seminars and a ropes course. “This gave student leaders an extra challenge at the beginning of the semester,” Meyer said, “as well as an opportunity to recognize who the other leaders are.”
Layne Rouse, senior human communication major from Midland and president of the Students’ Association, said the retreat was a way for leaders to sharpen their skills. “This was a great way to address the needs of our leaders,” he said. “It helped them realize how to achieve their potential while also being equipped with the proper knowledge.” Meyer said the event was a success, partly because of the synergy. “No one felt that they were alone on their service effort,”
she said. Rouse said an annual leadership retreat would help eliminate confusion caused by the constant change in organizations’ membership. “It would mean more stability and less reinvention from year to year,” Rouse said. Rouse said he was thrilled with the final result. “Jan Meyer did an incredible job,” he said. “The sky is now the limit.” E-mail Travis at: dxt02a@acu.edu
Shrek’s Fairy Godmother to whip up crowds Friday CAB picks Shrek 2 for its first free movie night By RUBEN J. GONZALEZ STUDENT REPORTER
Students who missed Shrek 2 in the movie theatres have another chance to see the giant green ogre and his friends Friday night in Cullen Auditorium as the Campus Activities Board’s first pick for free movie night. CAB plans to offer four
movie nights this semester at 6:30 and 9 p.m., said Jenni Kripner, CAB intern and senior elementary education major from San Antonio. The movies are free to all ACU students and faculty and $1 for those not affiliated with the school. Along with free admission to students, CAB provides a wide range of concessions, including soft drinks, popcorn and candy. Kripner said free movie night is perfect for college students living on campus. “First of all, it is free,” Krip-
ner said. “Plus, it is somewhere to go with your ACU friends because it’s right here on campus, which means you don’t have to travel anywhere.” Kripner said CAB is negotiating the final dates of the other three movies, Spiderman 2 with Toby Maguire, The Terminal with Tom Hanks and M. Night Shyamalan’s film The Village sometime this semester. CAB is funded by the Students’ Association and sponsors events such as Beach Bash and Sadies Week and funds the Freshman Action Council.
LaShawn Bennett, junior financial management major from Chicago, said the movies are a welcome entertainment in Abilene. “In this town, it’s hard to find something fun to do without being in the wrong places,” Bennett said. “There is nothing to do here. So, at least ACU is trying to help students find entertainment on the weekends. Because, Lord knows, we sure could use it.” E-mail Gonzalez at: optimist@acu.edu
VIEWSFRIDAY OPTIMIST
Page 6 The issue: Last year’s financial mishandlings have left the Students’ Association with $30,000 less than anticipated.
Our view: The executive officers have done a good job in alerting the necessary parties and are taking important steps.
The solution: No matter who is to blame, Congress’ aim right now should be to move ahead within the confines of the new budget restrictions.
September 3, 2004
SA in for rocky term, on way to success to ing can and The focus right now should be on how this year’s opportunity learn and immust be done— Congress will deal with a 32 percent budget cut. prove on a budbeginning with get process that the now-graduhas caused ated members of last year’s executive officers—the many questions as possible about headaches for past Congresses. We are glad to hear Cosgrove alfocus right now should be on the details. how this year’s Congress will deal We are much more confident ready talking about improved with what essentially amounts to in an administration that is up budget policies and procedures. a 32 percent budget cut. The front and open about the troubles These safeguards can be the beexecutive officers have done that. it has inherited than leaders who ginning of a budget overhaul to Twenty-four hours after learn- leave behind their problems and see that a similar situation never ing of the situation, officers sent mismanagement for others to arises again. Congress now will have to an e-mail to current Congress reap the consequences. members, and at Wednesday’s Although it should be second- look for alternative means of first SA meeting, president Layne ary to dealing with the budget cri- funding other than the semesterly Rouse and treasurer Tyler Cos- sis, investigating what led up to student activity fee. Cosgrove said grove spoke and answered as and caused the crisis gives SA the the administration will look for
The Students’ Association discovered earlier this week that it would owe $30,000 for an electronic scoring system in the bowling alley that last year’s administration approved and should have paid for. Since becoming aware Monday night—on the eve of student groups submitting their budget requests — that their budget would be $65,000 instead of $95,000, the executive officers so far have made the right moves in dealing with the situation. Although plenty of investigat-
Dr Pepper, lack of exercise, bad choice
Campus offers plethora of parking “We urge the administration to In take some time over the next month before construction could possibly begin, to study the current parking situation and how it will be affected once that lot is unavailable.” The Optimist Editorial Board, of which I am a part, printed those words Aug. 27 in an editorial looking at the effects the new residence hall will have once it is built on the Ask the student parking lot across Question from Brown Library. Jonathan I am here to offer a disSmith senting opinion—to say crisis averted even before one parking spot has been lost to construction. Since the announcement that construction could begin on a new residence hall in the next few weeks, the general response I’ve heard from students has been, “Where are we going to park?” You have 573 options to choose from.
“I guess it will be better than the Wal-Mart here on Judge Ely; it’s pretty nasty.”
Beau Brady freshman pre-physical therapy major from Collinsville
“Last night I was at the old Wal-Mart noticing the old signs and old equipment, so I’m excited about having a cleaner store and bigger selection.”
Justin Scott
Lauren Graham
junior political science major from Whitehouse
senior interdisciplinary major from Abilene
Editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist Editorial Board 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, its Editorial Board 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 less. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published. Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@jmc.acu.edu
though, you can find a glut of parking by any student lot near an athletic field, such as Gray stadium or the intramural fields. Literally hundreds of spaces are available there, and it wouldn’t take more than 15 minutes to get anywhere on campus—and that is if you are really taking your time. So freshmen and sophomores: If you’ve got a class on the other side of campus, feel free to start your car up and drive on over there. However, I can’t guarantee it will be any faster or worth your time in gas money. Upperclassmen in University Park Apartments and off-campus: Come on, too, although I won’t guarantee your spot will be in front of the building you want. But I will go out on a limb and guarantee a parking spot will be waiting for you. You might even be lucky enough to get that one prime spot in the big lot by Moody.
most every other lot there were at least scattered spots available. On Monday from 9-10 a.m., that many empty student parking spaces were available in on-campus lots, disregarding the lot to be used for the new residence hall. Granted, that number will shrink once the 196-space lot is occupied by construction and a residence hall. Although, even that lot was only two-thirds full during my extensive study of student parking. Once those people find new parking homes, roughly 400 spots will remain to choose from. You might not believe that if you only accept spots in the lots by residence halls such as Mabee, Edwards, Sikes or Gardner (zero spots were available when I checked). In most every other lot at least a few scattered spots were available—including one prime space in the lot by Moody Coliseum and the tennis courts. If you don’t feel like hunting for a space
E-mail Smith at: optimist@acu.edu or jvs02a@acu.edu
Freshman offended by ‘don’ts’
In Your Words
“I think Wal-Mart destroys the social and economic fabric of our towns, but I shop there.”
Daniel Barcroft
In My Words
The Bean Sprout, Pizza Hut I haven’t had a drink in two weeks. For those of you who and Chick-Fil-A offer students know me well, that is probably an alternative to the hat trick of hard to believe because I’m Bean stops. However, all three places are high on grease and addicted. That’s right, low on healthy choices. Outside of food, another reaI’m addicted to son for the gained weight is Dr Pepper. But I’m not simply because you’re not in going to let Dr high school anymore. A high Pepper run my percentage of college students life anymore. I participated in some type of athput the can letic activity during their high Front Roe down. And you school years. However, in college very few students double as can, too. Seat C u t t i n g athletes. In fact, fewer than ten Brian Roe back on calo- percent of the student body at ries is just one way for college ACU participates in collegiate students to combat one of the athletics. Without the athletic compemost feared enemies on the titions or pracACU campus totices, many studay: the freshman dents find it diffifteen. Freshmen, Put down that ficult to exercise by now you have extra piece of on a regular likely been inbasis. formed of the epipizza or that “In high demic known as the freshmen fifteen. If morning doughnut. school I played football and basnot, I’m here to ketball,” said enlighten you. According to the unofficial Travis Crowell, sophomore ficollege dictionary, the freshmen nance major from Hurst. “We fifteen is defined as fifteen (or had football practice for three more) pounds added to the hours a day in the fall and basbody that did not exist before ketball practice for three hours a day in the spring. Now I have joining the college ranks. The infamous freshmen fif- to make the choice myself to teen is attributed to a variety of exercise, and that’s more difficulprits. The number one ex- cult.” Despite the increased dining cuse: campus food. First-year students who live on campus opportunities and the decreased are required to purchase some athletic opportunities, the Bean type of meal plan, usually and Pizza Hut are not to blame. We are responsible for ouraccompanied by Bean Bucks. The meal plan can be used at selves. We have a choice. We the World Famous Bean, the control our exercise programs, Jelly Bean and the on-campus our eating habits and our health cafés and stands. Meal plans can overall. So, stop your addiction now also be used at specific times at the Bean Sprout and the on- before it transforms into the despised freshman fifteen. Put campus Pizza Hut. Yes, the Bean offers a salad down that extra piece of pizza bar, wraps and some low-fat or that morning doughnut. Put options, but it presents many the Dr Pepper down. Hey, if I can quit drinking, unhealthy choices as well. I personally enjoy the Jelly Bean or anyone can. the Fatted Café, but each location sells sodas, candy bars and E-mail Roe at: optimist@acu.edu or bpr00a@acu.edu doughnuts.
A new Wal-Mart Supercenter is supposed to open in a year. What do you think about that?
grant and fund-raising possibilities that will not only help SA dig itself out of its current hole but also offer Congress ways to increase funding for future years. Though sad that it took a budget crisis for SA to take a serious look at its budget procedure, the aim now should be how to move ahead within the confines of the newly felt budget pressures. Regardless of who is to blame, the $30,000 still had to be paid. We are glad to see the current executive officers beginning to take the steps necessary to solve a situation caused by someone else’s mismanagement.
After giving your article some thought, I'm pretty offended by some of the "don'ts" that you included and felt that you were bashing the freshmen. What if a high school senior happened to read this article and got the impression that all the upperclassmen bash the freshmen for acting like freshmen? Here are more specific thoughts included in the order that was written in the paper: 1. As far as loitering, freshmen don't have a set pattern of where we sit yet. Give it time and we won’t have to "loiter." As far as the mailboxes go, yeah, it gets congested, but what do you expect when 4,000 people have little free time to check their snail mail? I try to get in and out of there ASAP. 2. I'm a freshman, and today
OPTIMIST
(August 28) was the first time in a week and a half that I've driven my car, and that was to make sure I knew how to get to Beltway Park church. 3. Trust me, I don’t, nor does anyone I know, act like they know everything. 4. I've heard of stories about the "too cool" attitude but don't know anyone personally, well, one, but that’s it. 5. I am definitely using this time to change who I am and get away from the high school image, really hard. 6. I love my classes and don't complain, and as far as the meal plan goes, yeah, I ordered too many, but now I know, and I'm just going to get less. It’s not a complaint, just a mistake.
THE
YOUR VOICE Re: The Optimist, August 27. 7. I “Freshman: don’t be too love my cool” by Sarah Carlson, U 1 0 0 copy editor
class; three of my good friends so far I met in that class, and trust me, I have friends that are upperclassmen, and I have hardly talked to them because they are always studying. Anyways, as far as your writing, it’s great. I just didn't like the content. Kyle Byrd freshmen accounting and finance major from Wichita Falls
The Optimist Editorial Board
Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Abilene Christian University
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Online: www.acuoptimist.com
ARTSFRIDAY OPTIMIST
September 3, 2004
The Box Office Figures are for the weekend of August 27-29 and are in millions. Total grosses in parentheses. 1 Hero—$18 (new) 2 Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid—$12.8 (new) 3 Without A Paddle—$8.6 ($27.7) 4 Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement $8.1 ($75.1) 5 Exorcist: The Beginning $7.1 ($31.2) 6 Collateral—$6.5 ($80.2) 7 Alien vs. Predator—$4.9 ($72.2) 8 Open Water—$4.8 ($23.3) 9 The Bourne Supremacy $4.6 ($157.7) 10 Suspect Zero—$3.4 (new)
New York Times Best-selling Fiction Novels Numbers indicate: current position, last week’s position and total weeks on the list. 1/1/75 Dan Brown, The DaVinci Code 2/-/1 Sandra Brown, White Hot 3/2/48 Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet In Heaven 4/3/6 Carl Hiaasen, Skinny Dip 5/8/15 Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason, The Rule of Four 6/6/34 Dan Brown, Angels and Demons 7/7/6 Sue Grafton, R is for Ricochet 8/5/4 Clive Cussler with Paul Kemprecos, Lost City 9/4/3 J.D. Robb, Visions in Death 10/-/1 Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson, Dune: The Battle of Corrin
Page 7
Summer prolongs cinematic mediocrity DEE TRAVIS ARTS EDITOR
Coming on the heels of a cinematically dead spring, America experienced a comparatively mediocre summer; not quite dead, but seriously wounded at best. Just about any film that managed to live up to its trailer received accolades from my corner. Still, as always, there were diamonds to be found in the big-budget rough. There were many films released that I did not pay to see ... the trailers had shown me more than enough. In that sense, this is not truly a full recap of the summer’s events. The following, however, is a brief account of what I did fork over eight bucks to experience—the good, the bad, and the ugly.
The Terminal PPPP
Ratings Key
PPPP PPP PP P
Excellent Good Fair Poor
the same-small budget (compared to Minority Report, for example) magic that helped Catch Me If You Can to make The Terminal one of the year’s best films. Everything about it was charming, warm and genuine, a welcome relief in an overly loud season.
Shrek 2
PPP1/2 While not quite as original and refreshing as its predecessor, Shrek 2 delivered fun for kids (but mostly for adults) and possessed a great heart.The characters were memorable, and that’s saying something.
Troy
PP1/2 Troy was, in my opinion, the biggest letdown of the summer, partly because it carried the largest expectations. With a star-studded cast, impressive visuals and a story that has truly stood the test of time, the final product was too long and too stale, with a screenplay that consistently flatlined. Why would anyone feel a need to alter The Iliad?
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban PPP1/2
This third installment of the Harry Potter franchise didn’t stand on its own quite as well as the first two. There were just enough excluded plot points to muddy the waters somewhat for nonreaders, but at the end of the day, the magic had definitely returned to Hogwarts.
Steven Spielberg employed
Top Selling Albums Numbers indicate: current position, last week’s position and total weeks on the chart. 1/2/4 Various Artists, Now 16 2/1/5 Ashlee Simpson, Autobiography 3/9/18 Prince, Musicology 4/-/1 213, The Hard Way 5/6/22 Usher, Confessions 5 6/12/67 Maroon 5, Songs About Jane 7/3/2 Shyne, Godfather Buried Alive 8/-/1 Ryan Cabrera, Take It All Away 9/10/13 Avril Lavigne, Under My Skin 10/11/16 Big & Rich, Horse Of A Different Color
Today’s Movies The Cookout—starring Quran Pender, Jennifer Lewis, Ja Rule; directed by Lance Rivera Pender signs a $30 million dollar deal with the New Jersey Nets and celebrates by throwing a backyard cookout. Paparazzi—starring Cole Hauser; directed by Paul Abascal A film star plots his revenge against the paparazzi who caused an accident that injured his wife and son. Wicker Park—starring Josh Hartnett, Diane Kruger; directed by Paul McGuigan A remake of the french film, L’Apartment, Hartnett finds himself obsessing over a woman who reminds him of his lost love.
Spider-Man 2 PPP1/2
One of the greatest superhero films ever made, SpiderMan 2 was the rare sequel that triumphed over the original. With stronger characters, a better story and good performances all around, Spider-Man 2 was one of the summer’s most pleasant surprises, as well as one of its best films.
Napoleon Dynamite PP
Napoleon Dynamite made me laugh and was therefore somewhat successful. The idea of nerds that aren’t intelligent is, admittedly, a very funny idea, but the movie has little to show for its parts. It’s a bizarre hodgepodge of nothing worth your time, but it does have some big laughs.
This limited-release film was one of the most original musicals in years. Using the music of Cole Porter, De-Lovely showed how Porter’s songs reflected his life, and vice versa. Two delightful performances from Kevin Kline and Ashley Judd helped tell the unfortunate story of an unusual man, and the music he gave to the world. One of the summer’s best.
The Village PPP
The Village has been as divisive as Shyamalan’s Unbreakable, for mostly the same reason: It wasn’t the movie people were expecting. I thought The Village was solid, founded on a superb concept and very well made, scattered with interesting performances. It was not, however, the Signs 2 promised by the trailers.
De-Lovely PPP1/2
E-mail Travis at: dxt02a@acu.edu
Jet Li offers action with a heart LUKE HARRIS STUDENT REPORTER
Hero
PPP Starring Jet Li; directed by Yimou Zhang Rated PG-13 (for violence and some sexual content) The stylized action film Hero may be Jet Li’s best work of his career, which really isn’t saying much since he starred in two movies with DMX. The film has a beautiful style, and some of the scenery will leave you breathless. The scenery isn’t the only thing that will leave you breathless, however; the fight scenes are like beautifully choreographed dances. Although the story may be slow at some points, the rest of the film leaves you feeling complete and good. The film takes place in old China when it was not one land, but seven different states. The film follows a warrior called Nameless because he was orphaned as a child and devoted his life to the sword. The story follows Nameless as he battles the three
deadliest assassins in China: Flying Snow, Broken Sword and Sky. Nameless does this because the King has offered mountains of gold, numerous amounts of land and a private audience with the King himself. The story begins with Nameless telling his story to the King, but there are many surprises along the way. Besides the wonderful scenery and the beautiful fight scenes, the other thing that was amazing about the film was the choice of music.The music is captivating and helps you really get into the scenes, although you seem not to notice it. Most of the music is in the fight scenes, which seems to guide the two battling in their every move. The locations in the film also make for breathtaking fight scenes and a truly beautiful film. If you think that you should wait until Hero comes to DVD, please don’t. The locations, like that of A River Runs Through It and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy are truly captivating, and you will not get the same experience from a television screen. The locations really lend to the fight scenes in that the environment is used to the battling assassins advantage,
such as jumping from building to building and running on water. The action is very similar to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, only this movie is good. I know that I may be one of the only people to not like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, but although the action is almost identical in Hero, the story is much more heartfelt. The love story between two of the three assassins is heartwarming. Even though the two have killed thousands of people, you genuinely feel for them in their conflicts and in their losses. The story conveys a truly deep message of peace and companionship in the film. I recommend this movie to those who appreciate not only a good movie, but also a movie with a message. This movie requires a lot of attentiveness because it is in Japanese with subtitles, but if you are willing to pay attention, it is worth the time spent on it.
E-mail Harris at: optimist@acu.edu
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
Page 8
Friday, September 3, 2004
Cones: Opinions vary on tastiest snowcone Continued from Page 1 “Cajun Cones is one of the finest run establishments in Abilene,” said Jeff Giddens, senior communication major from Nashville, Tenn. “My favorite flavor is root beer float. It’s a creamcicle, which costs extra, but people like me can shell out the big bucks.” Although popular among some, Cajun Cones is certainly not the only choice for snowcones in Abilene. The owner of New Wave Ice, Sharon Hicks, lays claim to five locations. “It’s been open for five or six years now,” Hicks said, “but my husband and I have only owned it for two.” When asked why she entered the business, Hicks laughs. “I like snowcones,” she says. New Wave has a stand lo-
cated on Ambler Avenue, directly across from Hardin-Simmons University. Some might think that Cajun Cones holds the monopoly on ACU students because of its location on Judge Ely, but some also enjoy New Wave. “New Wave Ice is amazing,” said Alex Mieyunin, senior political science major, “but I don’t like Cajun Cones at all.” Mieyunin remembers having his first snowcone when he came to Abilene as an international student from Russia. “We didn’t have snowcones back in Russia,” he said. “My friends took me to Cajun Cones, and I didn’t enjoy it, but I love New Wave.” Some students remain indifferent on the matter. “Cajun Cones is OK,” said Sara Black, sophomore com-
EYAKEM GULILAT/Staff Photographer
Whitney Wright, freshman undeclared major from Abilene, poses with snowcones at a Cajun Cone stand. Students enjoy snowcones from two stands near campus: New Wave Ice on Ambler Avenue and Cajun Cones on Judge Ely Boulevard. munication disorders major from Nashville, Tenn. “There was no urgency in my step to return there after I first tried it, but I guess it was refreshing.” Jason Kennedy, sophomore theatre major from Abilene, said they all taste the same. “Abilene definitely got confused,” Kennedy said. “In-
stead of throwing up a bunch of Starbucks and one snow cone stand, they threw up one Starbucks and a plague of snow cones.” EYAKEM GULILAT/Staff Photographer
E-mail Travis at: dxt02a@acu.edu
Corey Forehand, sophomore undeclared major at McMurry University from Abilene, pours red syrup into a snow cone at Cajun Cones snowcone stand.
SA: Group funding to decrease Continued from Page 1
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Layne Rouse (left), president of the Students’ Association, Melanie Booker, vice president, and Elizabeth Alvarez, chief communication officer, talk as treasurer Tyler Cosgrove explains the budget to Congress at the Students’ Association meeting Wednesday.
“We can tighten up on our spending and be more frugal,” Cosgrove said, “but much of the brunt will be felt by student groups.” Cosgrove said this semester he had planned to budget about $40,000 to student groups, whose budgets were due Tuesday; however, that amount is being re-evaluated now. Next week before the budget is presented to Congress on Sept. 11, Cosgrove said he would meet with student group representatives and give them the opportunity to prioritize their budget requests. Congress will also be looking for alternative means for funding other than the student activity fee, Cosgrove said, which could include
“We can tighten up on our spending ... but much of the brunt will be felt by student groups.” Tyler Cosgrove, executive treasurer of the Students’ Association
grants. These funds could be used to make up some of this year’s deficit as well as provide additional money for future semesters. Cosgrove said he hopes that because of this crisis, new safeguards and budget procedures will be implemented to avoid such a situation in the future. Among the new procedures he would like to see are weekly budget updates to Congress and better, more exact documentation of spending so it will be easier to tell how money was spent. Also on the agenda for
Congress’ first meeting was inducting the newly elected freshmen. Elections were Tuesday and filled such positions as freshman senators and academic building and residence hall representatives. Rouse said Congress now has 37 of the 58 available seats filled and that most vacant seats will be filled by appointment in the coming weeks.
E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu
Tutor: Peer tutors to be trained Continued from Page 1 making sure that the students’ needs came first,” Shankle said. “In terms of English, the Writing Center is doing such a good job of serving our students’ writing needs that we have not felt a problem. The Writing Center stepped up to pick up the slack when the LEC closed.” However, not all departments have had an easy time of starting a new program. Jan Hailey, instructor of Bible, ministry and missions who teaches Greek classes, said she was not aware of how much work it would take to create a tutoring system. Each tutor has to go through three levels of training with Dr. Gloria Bradshaw, director of Alpha Academic Services. The departments also have to set up an assessment program so that the students’ progress can be tracked and measured. Hailey said she has already had a few students ask about
tutoring, and she would like to have a program in place soon so the students won’t suffer. “If we don’t have tutors, and if we can’t get the program in place, I’ll have to do what I’ve always done, and that’s tutor out of my office,” she said. “But sometimes it helps Hailey when you have someone other than the person that you hear all the time, and I think older students or graduate students sometimes are really a great encouragement to students in a way that I can’t be. “I can tell them they’re going to be just fine, but they may not believe me.” She said she hopes students will be able to do well without having a need for the LEC. “I hope in the long run it doesn’t hurt students,” she
said. “That’s what makes ACU different, is I think professors here, more than any other place I know of, feel a sense of responsibility for every single student. We just care about them.” Durrington said although this semester will be a learning process for the departments, she is glad they have the opportunity to set up tutoring. “If there are some areas where we are not providing tutoring where the LEC did provide tutoring, then I hope those problems will surface, and we’ll be able to take care of that next time,” she said. “I’m pleased that we are able to continue to provide the tutoring, and I hope that we can make it efficient and effective for students by making it more connected to the classes that they’re taking.”
E-mail Bredemeyer at: lmb00g@acu.edu
SPORTS/JUMPS
Friday, September 3, 2004
Page 9
Intramural office increases staff Six full-time female workers added to balance event presence By NATHAN CRUMMEL STUDENT REPORTER
The ACU Intramural office is in the process of making upgrades and renovations to the existing program in order to better accommodate student, said Jonathan Ross, senior psychology major from Mesquite and the current intramural coordinator. Ross said additions to the intramural staff allow the group to better handle the intramural events throughout the school year, and six fulltime female staff members were added this year to give a more balanced approach to the events as well as to the staff. Currently, 16 members serve on the staff led by both
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Sophomore transfer John Brock, starting wide receiver, catches a pass from senior starting quarterback Greg Wiggins on Wednesday.
Football: Wildcats open season Saturday Continued from Page 10 of his seasons. “Greg’s been around, he understands his role and he’s got his head screwed on straight . . . he’s one of our smartest players,” Gaines said. Central Oklahoma already has the advantage of one game under their belt. They took on Mesa State on Saturday and won by a convincing 35-14 score. The Bronchos are led by senior running back Jarrod Mannoy (60, 240) who gained 1,250 yards last season with 15 touchdowns. Mannoy gained 98 yards
with a touchdown in last season’s 17-14 win over ACU. He also carried for 94 yards and a touchdown against Mesa State on Saturday. Junior Kevin McKenzie also carried the ball well for the Bronchos gaining 49 yards on just five carries. Junior quarterback James Smith is expected to start for Central Oklahoma tomorrow, and he completed 11 of 16 passes for 138 yards, a touchdown and one interception in the victory against Mesa State. E-mail Robarts at: kdr00c@acu.edu
Ross and Danny Kittley, intramural director. Ross added that one of his goals was to make sure he and his crew are able to cover as many bases for the students as possible, and that the recent additions were just one way of making that realistic. Matt Shoemaker, junior communication major from Albuquerque, N.M., is one of three newly appointed senior crew chiefs in charge of making sure the competitions are run correctly and flow smoothly. Shoemaker said he is most excited about the use of another new addition to the intramural program, the “Satch” Sanders Larry Intramural Field that will be used for flag football this fall. He said the fields and the lighting are higher quality than the field used last year
and the better conditions should add to the enjoyment of the games. “We want to make it fun and have everyone involved,” Shoemaker said. “One thing we like to brag about is the student participation and involvement in intramural sports. I think the new facilities will add greatly to the experience.” Another bonus to this year’s intramural upgrade is the price for teams and athletes. Shoemaker and Ross both commented that prices are the same if not already lower compared to the expenses of last year. In addition to steady and lower prices, Ross said the seasons will include more games in most instances. Ross added it is the fans and not just the athletes that will benefit from the upgrades and the new facili-
ties. He said there are plans to have concessions at many of the sporting events to help make the games more fan friendly. He also encouraged students to take advantage of the new walking track adjacent to the new intramural fields. Weekend tournaments in tennis, racquetball, indoor soccer and 3-on-3 basketball have also been added to this year’s agenda. First, the weekend tennis tournament is scheduled to begin September 10 with the deadline for participants set for September 9. Students interested in upcoming events, prices, and deadlines can go online to www.acu.edu and look for intramural sports under the campus life section of the site. E-mail Crummell at: optimist@acu.edu
Volleyball: Squad readies for tourney Continued from Page 10 get through tough matches.” ACU may have some tough matches this weekend, but on Tuesday night the Wildcats easily destroyed the visiting Wayland Baptist team in three straight games. The Slate home opener produced a solid crowd of 400 fans cheering on the electric ACU volleyball team. Slate wowed the crowed with her game-high 16 kills and supplied an outrageous
.750 hitting percentage in the three-game match. “I was just trying to find the open spots on the court and hit them,” Slate said modestly. “The third game was really intense and everyone was hitting well.” With the win over Wayland Baptist, the Wildcats improve their record to 3-2 on the season. ACU will return home Tuesday to compete against west Texas foe Lubbock Christian at 7 p.m. in Moody Coliseum following the four-game tournament in San Bernardino. BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
E-mail Roe at: bpr00a@acu.edu
Junior middle blocker Amanda Slate blocks a spike from Pioneer freshman outside hitter/middle blocker Krissa Johnson.
SPORTSFRIDAY OPTIMIST
Page 10
Cats roll in home debut
LSC South Standings Football Team Div. 1. ACU 0-0 1. Midwestern State 0-0 1. A&M-Kingsville 0-0 1. W. Texas A&M 0-0 2. Angelo State 0-0 2. E. New Mexico 0-0 2. A&M-Commerce 0-0
Tot. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-1 0-1
Volleyball Team 1. West Texas A&M 2. Angelo State 3. E. New Mexico 4. Tarleton State 5. ACU 5. A&M-Kingsville
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
September 3, 2004
Tot. 4-0 4-0 0-0 2-1 3-2 2-2
Scores Tuesday Volleyball ACU 3, Wayland Baptist 0
Briefs Olympic dreams end for former ACU track stars All good things must come to an end. For the former ACU Wildcats competing in the Olympic Games in Athens, the end came Aug. 23. Former all-America track and field athlete Delloreen Ennis-London advanced to the semifinal heat of the 100meter hurdles but failed to qualify for the final, finishing fifth in 12.6 seconds. EnnisLondon was fourth in the event at the Sydney Games. Former sprint star Nic Alexander advanced to Saturday night’s quarterfinals in the men’s 100-meter dash but was last in his heat with a time of 10.48. The Games ended there for Alexander, who represented his native Trinidad and Tobago for the second time in the Games. Former ACU sprinter from Namibia Christie VanWyk failed to advance past the first round of the 100-meter dash. ACU has been represented by multiple athletes in every Olympic Games since 1984, but the school’s greatest international success came a halfcentury ago, when Bobby Morrow brought home three gold medals in 1956 and Early Young was part of the 1960 gold medal-winning 1,600-meter relay team. — Steve Holt, sports writer
80 minutes is all it takes as ACU beats Wayland Baptist in 3 By BRIAN ROE SPORTS WRITER
While most students at ACU were attending class and studying yesterday, the women of the ACU volleyball team were soaking up the sun in the state where The Terminator governs. The Wildcats left after Chapel on Wednesday for San Bernardino, Calif., in preparation for a weekend tournament. “I’ve never been to California before so I’m excited to go there and play volleyball,” said junior middle blocker Amanda Slate. Though unlikely for Slate to see Gov. Arnold this weekend, she and her teammates will meet four opponents Bernhard looking to terminate the Wildcats at the
•Volleyball vs. Sonoma State, 10 a.m. • Volleyball vs. MinnesotaMankato, 5 p.m. • Football @ Central Oklahoma, 6 p.m.
Match Notes Team Statistics
Individual Leaders
ACU 44 / .302
K/PCT
WBU 17 / (-.067)
9
SA
7
11
SE
10
46
Digs
31
5
Blocks
1
Attendance: 400
Kills: Amanda Slate - 16 (.750 pct.) Michelle Bernhardt - 12 (.333 pct.) Digs: Kellen Morrow - 10 Liz Snoddy - 8 Assists: Lindsey Martin - 34 Service Aces: Amanda Slate - 3 Time: 1:20
against the No. 7 team in the nation, San Bernardino. The Wildcats play again at 5 p.m. to face Fort Hayes State. “San Bernardino is obviously a very good team,” said head coach Brek Horn. “I think it’s their first home match too so that’s not working in our favor either. You never want to be someone’s first home match.”
team worked on intensity and mental toughness this week at practice in preparation for the tournament. “We are playing some really good teams but I think we are ready,” Bernhardt said. “We focused on staying intense in practice and worked on drills to help us See VOLLEYBALL Page 9
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Junior outside hitter Michelle Bernhardt spikes the ball over Pioneer freshman outside hitter/middle blocker Krissa Johnson and freshman setter Kourtney Dunnam for a score during the Wildcats 3-0 (30-17, 30-22, 30-15) win over the Pioneers on Tuesday in Moody Coliseum.
Team looks for strong start against No. 9 team in the nation
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Head coach Gary Gaines (left) and quarterback Greg Wiggins (right) go over a play during Wednesday’s practice. Gaines and Wiggins are both in their fifth seasons at ACU and are looking to capture the LSC South Division crown.
Game Preview Abilene Christian (0-0, 0-0) at Central Oklahoma (0-0, 1-0) Date: Saturday Sept. 4, 2004 Time: 6 p.m. Location: Edmond, Okla. Stadium: Wantland Stadium (10,000, grass) Audio: KULL 92.5 FM or streaming audio at www.tsrnsports.com
(home events in italics) Friday
Saturday
San Bernardino Tournament. Three of the four teams ACU will face are nationally ranked. ACU opens the tournament today at 12:30 p.m.
The Wildcats return to the court Saturday morning to play Sonoma State at 10 a.m. and the tournament wraps up for ACU Saturday at 5 p.m. against Minnesota-Mankato. Junior outside hitter Michelle Bernhard said the
Wiggins, Wildcats set to take on Central Oklahoma
This week in Wildcat sports... • Volleyball vs. San Bernardino, 12:30 p.m. • Volleyball vs. Fort Hayes State, 5 p.m.
Volleyball
Central Oklahoma
Abilene Christian Colors: Purple and White Coach: Gary Gaines (16-25, 5th season) 2003 Record: 6-4 (5-1 LSC South) Players to Watch: DB Danieal Manning (56 tackles, 6 int., 3 total TD in ‘03), DE Clayton Farrell (45 tackles, 8 sacks in ’03), QB Greg Wiggins (1,854 pass yards, 8 TD career)
Football
but we would just have to turn around and play a tough opponent the next week,” Wiggins By KYLE ROBARTS said. “I actually feel more SPORTS WRITER pumped up to play on the road, The Wildcat players and it’s more exciting and motivatcoaching staff have been in ing to have the opposing fans preparation for against you.” t o m o r r o w ’s Head coach Gary Gaines is game since the more than happy to turn over final buzzer the reigns to Wiggins as the sounded that fifth-year senior enters the seaclosed out son. “I think Greg has earned ACU’s second lots of respect among our playstraight 6-4 seaers and coaches because he’s son on Nov. 16. stuck around in a situation Wiggins When the where most players wouldn’t ball is kicked off at 6 p.m. in have,” Gaines said. Edmond, Okla. tomorrow, the Gaines is referring to team will get a Wiggins sticking chance to with the team as 2004 LSC Pre-Season Poll make its presa backup when South Division *first place votes in () ence felt and Texas A&M Pts. see how its off- School transfer Colby Texas A&M-Kingsville (17) 142 season work Midwestern State (2) Freeman took 111 97 has paid off. Abilene Christian (1) over in 2001. New Mexico 86 Opening up Eastern Even though West Texas A&M (1) 69 against the #9 Angelo State Wiggins has 42 41 team in the Texas A&M-Commerce been in the shadn a t i o n ows, he isn’t a ( C e n t r a l stranger to the Oklahoma) on their turf doesn’t system and has been able to scare away quarterback Greg have a share of playing time due Wiggins. to Freeman’s injuries in all three “We could pad our stats and See FOOTBALL Page 9 schedule a team that’s inferior,
Colors: Bronze and Blue Coach: Chuck Langston (28-16, 5th season) 2003 Record: 9-3 (3-2 LSC North) Players to Watch: RB Jarrod Manoy (1,250 yards rushing, 15 TD in ‘03), WR Zach Edwards (710 rec. yards, 3 TD in ’03), DB Uriah Matthew (75 tackles, 3 int, 5 FF in ‘03)
Last Meeting: Oct. 11, 2003 CENTRAL OKLAHOMA 17 ABILENE CHRISTIAN 14 Game Notes: ACU had nine dropped passes, a blocked field goal, and a failed snap on FG attempt
Q&A FARRELL with
Clayton
What is something that most people may not know about you? Most people don’t know that I started my football career as a quarterback. I played quarterback up until seventh grade. Between seventh and eighth grade I had a growth spurt and gained 50 pounds so they moved me to the line.
What are your individual goals for this season? Individually, well you always want to improve your stats from the last season so I’d like to get more sacks and more tackles than last season. My big goal individually would be to reach double digit sacks. Overall I just want to play well and win ball games.
What is Gary Gaines like as a coach?
Sport: Football Position: D-Line Class: Junior Number: 54 Height: 6-5 Weight: 275
Favorite Food: Mom’s Enchiladas Favorite Band: 3 Doors Down Birthday: Aug. 12, 1982
He’s the nicest guy off the field too. On the field he keeps us focused, he keeps us motivated and he is always prepared. But really his calmness is the most unique thing about him.
Why are you are better player this year than last year? Well first of all I got bigger. I’ve gained about 15 pounds of muscle since last season. I worked hard this summer and feel bigger, faster and stronger.
What are your expectations for this season? I just hope to have a great season this year and do better than last year. Obviously I want to win ballgames this year and go to the playoffs. We have a tough schedule so we’re going to have to play hard and just be crisp on all aspects of the game. — Brian Roe, sports writer
Coach is well spoken and has a certain calmness about him.
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Sophomore Mark Gaines, starting running back, follows his blockers during rushing drills at practice Wednesday.