WEDNESDAY September 15, 2004
OPTIMIST THE
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
SA goes live
Student Congress members will be available in the Campus Center to talk to. Page 3
Abilene Christian University
By SARAH CARLSON COPY EDITOR
Contributions from faculty and staff members to the Centennial Campaign were due Friday, with Campaign officials expecting a good response. Brent Magner, director of
Students start work on Ethnos
development, said Friday was the first deadline for the Faculty-Staff Campaign, but faculty and staff members will have an opportunity to contribute in the spring as well. “We’re asking everyone to consider a special gift to the Centennial Campaign,” Magner said. Faculty and staff members have been asked to financially contribute to the university annually, with the donations
www.acuoptimist.com
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Sing Song reaches ‘Off the Charts’:
Safe at home:
Three co-chairs were selected for Sing Song to work with Kendall Massey from now until the production in late February. Page 4
The Wildcats won their home opener Saturday against the Redmen. Page 10
Faculty, staff give to Centennial Officials say donations expected to be high after deadline last week
Vol. 93, No. 8 1 section, 10 pages
typically being due in the spring. However, because the Centennial Campaign was launched this spring, Magner said faculty and staff members were asked to consider the special Centennial Campaign contribution during the summer before deciding to participate. The university’s previous fund-raising campaign, “To Lead and to Serve,” raised $114 million, with an excess of $2 million coming from faculty
Pledging numbers increase
and staff members, Magner said. “There are several members of our faculty and staff that will give some pretty sacrificial amounts,” he said. The goal for the Centennial Campaign, “Called to Faith and Excellence,” is $150 million to be raised by December 2006. No monetary goal is set for the Faculty-Staff Campaign, See CENTENNIAL Page 5
Magner
Record number of students register to join social clubs By DEE TRAVIS
‘Deep in the heart of Texas’
ARTS EDITOR
Many students will soon be losing sleep and acting strange, even more than usual. It’s pledging season, and a record number of students are participating. Mike Spell, adviser of social clubs, said approximately 470 students are currently signed up to pledge a social club this fall, including 300 women. “That’s a slight increase in the number of ladies,” Spell said, “and a significant increase in the number of guys.” Club members say they are staying busy with preparations for the pending pledge class. “Club is keeping myself and the other officers very busy,” said Mark Perry, president of Galaxy, in an e-mail. “There’s been a lot of late nights, and we anticipate more as pledging approaches.” Perry, senior accounting major from San Antonio, also said that close to 65 prospective pledges came to the latest Galaxy rush. “I believe this is close to or slightly higher than the number we had last year at this time,” he said. Nicole Painter, senior marketing major from Bedford and president of Alpha Kai Omega, also said in an e-mail how busy this season is. “Club is keeping us all very busy in preparation for pledging and rushes,” Painter said, “but it will become much more hectic once bids go out. For about four weeks during pledging it gets pretty crazy.” She said the club has seen record numbers of students express interest in pledging. “We have had a higher turn-out of girls than in years past,” Painter said. “We are currently the third-largest women’s social club on campus and have only been around for four years.” Bid night is Sept. 24, and invitations go out Sept. 23. Spell said all potential pledges currently living off campus, including University Park Apartments, will receive their bids at the ticket windows in the Campus Center from 5-6 p.m. Those living in residence halls will have them hand-delivered by 6:15 p.m. As for induction rituals concerning “hazing,” Spell made ACU’s policy clear. “Hazing isn’t just discouraged,” Spell said, “it’s not even an available option. Anyone who is unclear about hazing should check out the Texas state laws.” Pledging may be a hectic time for everyone involved, but both Painter and Perry said it’s ultimately about fun and fellowship. “I admire and respect the way such diverse guys can come together into a really unified brotherhood in Galaxy,” Perry said. “I’ve found some strong friends the past couple of years that I might not have encountered had it not been for club activities.” Painter also said her favorite aspects of club are the relationships that are formed and the support, prayers and encouragement that received from other members. “They give you an opportunity to be involved with school events,” Painter said, “and they add so much to your college experience.”
Organizers say they hope culture show transcends stereotypes By JULIA REID ONLINE EDITOR
Work has already begun for the International Students Association culture show, “Ethnos: The Virus,” which is planned for November in Cullen Auditorium. Carlos Macias, senior architectural graphics major from Torreon, Mexico, and director of the culture show, said he is confident the show will be a memorable experience. “[It’s] more than a show,” he said. “[It’s] a revelation of what lies beyond our stereotypes.” Every year, ISA creates a show designed to highlight the different cultures represented on campus. The organization currently is in the process of auditioning acts for this year’s culture show. In addition to looking for acts to perform in the show, ISA is also looking for students to help with set construction and advertising as it prepares for the event. The culture show is scheduled for Nov 12-13, and Macias said he hopes for record attendance. “The more people we have, the more people we get to communicate to,” Macias said. He said the biggest goal of the culture show is to achieve unity among all students, not just international students. As well as creating unity, Macias said he wants students to know that the culture show might not be what they expect. “It will challenge your point of view, what you thought you were sure about,” Macias said. “It will open your eyes and your mind to different points of views, to different approaches.” EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer
E-mail Reid at: jer02d@acu.edu
Texas was a popular theme for participants of Saturday's West Texas Fair Parade, including this one, who rode through on his motorcycle. For more pictures of the events surrounding the fair and rodeo, see pages 6 and 7.
E-mail Travis at: dxt02a@acu.edu
Men adjust to McDonald life Hall director works to get students into community mindset By LORI BREDEMEYER MANAGING EDITOR
McDonald Hall has become a place of community and friendship — for men. Last spring, Dr. Mimi Barnard, director of Residence Life Education and Housing, announced the residence hall would be converted from a sophomore women’s hall to a male living and learning community for mostly Bible and business majors.
Freshmen in these departments were invited, after arriving at the university, to move with their roommate to McDonald, where the pair would have their own rooms but live near each other. Because of this, not all residents are Bible or business majors. Bob Booth, director of the hall, said he has been encouraged by the friendships being made between the men. “They are very communityoriented,” he said, “and I’m surprised that they’re as quiet as they are, based on that.” Booth said they do a lot of playing spades and sitting out and talking, and the hall went
on a group trip to a Rangers baseball game Sunday. “They’re getting along great,” Booth said. He said one good thing about studying in the hall is that “you can shut yourself off from community with one quick swing of the door. [On the] downside, you can shut yourself off from community with one quick swing of the door.” Booth said his staff has been attentive to this and tries to engage the residents as much as possible and invite them out of their rooms. See MCDONALD Page 5
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Mark Edwards (left) and Zach Snyder, both of Houston, Kate Smith of Cambridge, England, and Cason Dickson of Normal, Ill., all freshmen majors in the College of Biblical Studies, watch a movie Tuesday in the lobby of McDonald Hall, which was recently changed to a freshman men’s hall.
CAMPUS
DAY
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
15
Calendar&Events Wednesday
First invitational rushes.
SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables.
McNair Scholars, all day, Campus Center ticket windows.
SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables.
McNair Scholars, all day, Campus Center ticket windows.
Tri-University Bash, 8 p.m., Bean Sprout.
Summer II Oxford interest meeting, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Living Room.
U-100 multicultural workshops, 7 a.m.-10:45 p.m., Hilton Room.
Service Saturday sign-ups, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.
Ethnos Culture Show auditions and sign-ups, 9-11 p.m.
Chai Cafe, 9 p.m., Hilton Room.
SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables. Faculty-Senate meeting, 7-8:15 a.m., Campus Center, Faculty/Staff Dining Room.
16
Thursday
Ethnos Culture Show auditions and sign-ups, 7-9 p.m.
17
Saturday
Service Saturday, all day.
Friday
Service Saturday sign-ups, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows. Second invitational rushes.
Social Club invitations pick-up, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.
SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables.
Volunteer Opportunities 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. KGNZ needs volunteers to work at their booth at the West Texas Fair Wednesday through Sunday. A variety of times and days are available. For more information, contact Brian Sacapanio at bsacapanio@dig-inc.net or call 6901381. Students may also e-mail Doug Harris at doug@kgnz.com.
20
21
Tuesday
Second invitational rushes.
Sunday
No events scheduled.
Second invitational rushes.
Volunteers are needed to help build the Abilene Community Playground from 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Sept. 22-26. For more information, please contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. The Alzheimer’s Association is seeking 10-20 volunteers to help with the Alzheimer’s Association Golf Tournament at Maxwell Golf Course. The tournament will be from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Sept. 25. Lunch will be provided. For more information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.
18 19
Monday
Second invitational rushes.
SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables. Faculty-Staff photos, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Campus Center, Faculty/Staff Dining Room. Dan Mitchell/Marcia Straughn Faculty Recital, 8 p.m., Recital Hall. College Democrats meeting, 11 a.m.- 12:30 p.m., Living Room.
Social club officers meeting, 5-6:30 p.m., Living Room.
Announcements The Tri-University Bash will be conducted at 8 p.m. Friday in the Bean Sprout. Students from HardinSimmons, McMurry and ACU are invited. Come for entertainment, free food and the chance to meet students from other schools in Abilene. Applications for Spring Break Campaign Leaders will be available Monday. Those interested can stop by the new SBC headquarters in Room 129 in McKinzie Hall to pick up the necessary forms. More information will be provided at leader interest meetings at 8:00
p.m., Sept. 28 and Sept. 30 in room 114 of the Biblical Studies Building. Applications are due by October 1. For students interested in pre-law, a practice LSAT will be offered Thursday, September 23. It will be given in Room 219 of the Administration Building at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $10, and preregistration with payment is required. Register with Paula in the Political Science Office in Room 220 of the Administration Building by noon, September 22. For more information, call the Political Science Office at Ext. 2095.
Chapel Check-Up Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:
16 55
Police Log (edited for space) Sept. 6, 2004 4:20 a.m. Attempt to locate stolen WWF golf cart. 1:30 p.m. Harassing phone calls at Gardner Hall, case #04-126. 7:15 p.m. Incomplete 911 at Zellner, misdial. 7:30 p.m. Incomplete 911 at Zellner, misdial. 7:41 p.m. Vehicle accident off campus, case #04-128. Sept.7, 2004 1:35 a.m. Unlocked door at Don H. Morris Center. 3:55 a.m. Checked University Park Apartments Building 9 for someone screaming. Unable to locate. 8:05 p.m. Incomplete 911 at Zellner Room 207, misdial. 9:12 p.m. Assisted student locating vehicle. 11:32 p.m. Phone harassment off campus. Sept. 8, 2004 10:20 a.m. Placed boot on vehicle in University Church Lot for multiple violations. 11:00 a.m. Removed boot from vehicle, owner identified, fines paid. 8:10 p.m. Traffic stop off campus. 8:28 p.m. Traffic stop on Teague Boulevard, vehicle going wrong way on one-way street. 8:40 p.m. Traffic stop on East North 16th Street and Campus Court, reckless driving. 9:45 p.m. Traffic stop on East North 23rd Street and Campus Court, failure to display lights.
Sept. 9, 2004 12:00 a.m. Incomplete 911 at Nelson Hall. 1:10 a.m. Assisted subject at station with disturbance occurring off campus. 1:10 p.m. Incomplete 911 at University Park Apartments, misdial. 5:30 p.m. Theft at University Park Apartments, case #04-133. 9:20 p.m. Disturbance at 300 E.N. 13th St. Male subject asking for money and ride. Sept. 10, 2004 1:23 a.m. Fire alarm at Nelson Hall, burnt popcorn. 7:55 p.m. Monitored Abilene Christian High School football game, Elmer Gray Stadium. 10:10 p.m. Incomplete 911 at Smith Hall Room 108, misdial. Sept. 11, 2004 1:20 a.m. Traffic stop at East North 16th Street and Washington Boulevard, defective taillights. 10:35 p.m. Report of reckless driver on main campus. Sept. 12, 2004 1:30 a.m. Suspicious vehicle at Williams Performing Arts Center, all ok. 9:45 p.m. Suspicious vehicle off campus, all ok. 10:20 p.m. Check welfare of subject at University Park Apartments, all ok. 11:12 p.m. Fire alarm at Mabee Hall.
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.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
CAMPUS NEWS
SA seeks to inform students
Small-group Chapel plans still on hold Room 114 of the Biblical Studies Building and a testimonial time called “Faith Stories” will be in Hart Auditorium. The three locations together have enough seats for around By JACI SCHNEIDER 700 people, Barnard said. The OPINION EDITOR largest space, Chapel on the Hill, can seat about 350. Too many students–1,447– “On any given Thursday, we attended Chapel Thursday in Moody Coliseum to divide into may have more students in one Community-Formation Chapels than the other,” he said. “When this week, said Wayne Barnard, one room is full, people can opt for another dean of CamOn the Web choice.” pus Life, and www.acu.edu/campusoffices/chapel/sgc.html Chapel on on Thursdays other weekChapel will continue to meet in Moody days will remain as it has for the until small groups are finalized. past few weeks. Unlike last semester, Shane “I think one more week in Moody, then we ought to be able Hughes, coordinator of Chapel programs, or Barnard will most to move,” Barnard said. The application deadline for likely preside over all services. “We go back and forth on small-group Chapel was Friday, so the group in Moody should that,” Barnard said. “The chalbe smaller this week and closer lenge is that faculty and staff and to the size it will continue to be different people who would be at for the rest of the semester, presiding come from class, too, and it’s as hard for them to get Barnard said. As of Thursday, 30 groups there early.” Barnard said that although applied for small-group Chapel. When community-formation Hughes, who began his position Chapel begins, three options this semester, has not yet been will be available. A time of wor- introduced in Chapel, he should ship and contemplation will be sometime soon. take place in Chapel on the Hill, an in-depth Bible study on E-mail Schneider at: Renovation of the Heart will be in jrs02a@acu.edu
Regular schedule for Thursday Chapel should start next week
Representatives answer questions as part of SA Live By KATHERINE FLANARY STUDENT REPORTER
For the next six weeks, Congress members of the Students’ Association will be in the Campus Center from noon to 6 p.m. as a part of SA Live, letting the student body know who is representing them in Congress. At least two SA representatives will be at tables in the Campus Center to answer questions from students. “This will give students a chance to share with their representatives things they want, things they need,” said Elizabeth Alvarez, senior international relations major from McAllen and SA chief development officer. Project boards are on the tables, describing the different roles of residence hall and academic representatives and class senators. Alvarez said the boards explain how many representatives there are and
Page 3
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Daniel Gray, sophomore class senator and social work major from Collierville, Tenn. and Keith Robinson, COBA representative and junior finance and management major from Indianapolis, give the scoop on the Students’ Association to Adam Smith, junior youth and family ministry major from White House, and Jonathan Wactor, junior political science major from Tuscon, Ariz. will help students find who their representative is. SA is placing emphasis this year on Congress developing a standing relationship with the students and faculty, she said. SA president Layne Rouse, senior communication major from Midland, said the point of SA Live is for members of Congress to reach out to the
students and not leave the job to the SA executive officers. “Our job is simply to mobilize Congress and to give them every opportunity in order for them to do what they are supposed to do,” Rouse said. An emphasis on Congress connecting with the university will be apparent this year,
he said, and Congress will learn to connect to their constituents. “Instead of asking the students to come down to the basement and seek us out,” Alvarez said, “we’re going to the students.” E-mail Flanary at: optimist@acu.edu
New club to celebrate Celtic and Scottish heritage, traditions Society members say they hope to educate students By MALLORY SHERWOOD STUDENT REPORTER
Women on campus aren’t the only ones wearing skirts to class. Members of the Thistle and Harp Society, a new club on campus, proudly wear kilts as a way to celebrate Celtic heritage. Acting president Travis McGuire, senior biblical text and music major from Amarillo, and vice president David Young, jun-
ior vocal education major from Austin, began the group because of the response they received from students last year when they first began to wear kilts. On Sept. 2, they conducted their first interest meeting with almost 10 people attending, doubling their expectations. The Thistle and Harp Society is a co-ed group open to anyone interested in Celtic and Scottish heritage and traditions. “What we really want to get out is that you don’t have to wear a kilt and you don’t have to be of Scottish heritage to be a part of this group,” Young said.
“We want people who have a desire and a heart to do something good around campus and the community.” Though this society originally began to make the sighting of kilts on campus more commonplace, the founders state a far more important purpose now. “We want to be a presence on campus and provide a place where people can come and feel like they’re doing something productive with their time here at ACU, whether it’s educating the community [about Scottish heritage] to doing community service,” McGuire said.
The Thistle and Harp Society has 15 to 20 unofficial members. Once the members ratify their Constitution and finalize yearly dues, they will become an official ACU-sponsored club. Beginning Friday, the Thistle and Harp Society will meet for the first time as a small group for Chapel in Room 213 of the Williams Performing Arts Center. This praise and worship Chapel will study the lives and works of Celtic Saints and is open to members and anyone else interested. A business meeting will immediately follow Chapel.
McGuire and Young said they hope to see their society grow in the future and to one day organize and conduct their own Scottish Festival, as well as celebrate Celtic holidays and begin Highland games, which are similar to track and field meets, but without equipment. “I’m not going to limit the scope of what we could be,” Young said. “Sub T had to start somewhere, or Gamma Sigma Phi. We’re not a social club, but all of these places like us had a beginning. This is kind of the beginning place for us, and we’ll see where it goes.”
Interest is growing each week as people spread the word about the society, Young said, but many people are still not appreciating why the group wears kilts. “How many people can I name off the top of my head who never wore pants?” McGuire said. “Alexander the Great, Plato, Aristotle, Moses and Jesus. It is just another way to remember the great men of history.” E-mail Sherwood at: optimist@acu.edu
CAMPUS NEWS
Page 4
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Sing Song co-chairs selected, prepared to lead Students get ready for 2005 show to be ‘Off the Charts’ By DEE TRAVIS ARTS EDITOR
Although Sing-Song 2005 won’t take place for several months, planning for the production is already underway. Co-chairs for the event have been selected, and they are ready to face the challenges that come with running Sing Song, said Kendall Massey, director of student productions. “The co-chairs have been assigned according to the three main areas of what we do,” Massey said. “There’s an upstage person, a downstage
person and a marketing person.” Massey also said that it will be a group effort between everyone involved. “They’re going to be doing this together,” Massey said, “but they each have a specific focus for what they bring to the group. This way, instead of everyone coming to me, there will be someone with a more specific focus for everyone to go to.” Jeffrey Rasco, senior management major from Abilene and 2004 Sing Song host, will work upstage with classes and clubs. “I have been involved with Sing Song every year,” Rasco said in an e-mail. “I want to give back to the show that has been such a big part of my
experiences here at ACU.” Massey said the upstage area requires someone with a strong presence. “Jeffrey’s a good leader,” Massey said, “and he’ll work really well up there.” Courtney Varner, junior English major from Abilene, will work in the downstage area. “Courtney has so much downstage experience,” Massey said. “She’s very organized and is going to help that aspect of the show flow really well.” Brenna McWilliams, senior marketing major from Colleyville, will work with marketing. “I hope that we can work together to create a lot of opportunities for student involvement,” McWilliams
said in an e-mail, “and I also hope that we will be able to communicate the excitement and importance of Sing Song to those who don’t necessarily see all of the behind-the-scenes action.” Rasco described his feelings about working on the show, saying, “Kendall is one of the most talented and visionary directors I have ever worked with, and it’s an honor to be asked to work side by side with him.” The theme for this year’s Sing Song production is “Off the Charts,” and Massey explained that he wanted a fairly broad and open theme for the show. “When I was a student, there was no theme to follow,” Massey said. “This year’s theme
Bowling alley strikes back New scoring system gives higher quality to campus favorite By LAUREN WARE STAFF WRITER
Staff members of the Recreation Area in the Campus Center said they hope the new automatic scoring system for the bowling alley will bring in more customers and revenue, said Brad Campbell, evening supervisor for the Recreation Area. The system, a donation from the Students’ Association, was installed over the summer and bowling games were free for students the first several weeks of school. “Our profits last year as compared to the summer were higher, but it’s over the next couple of weeks that we’ll know,” Campbell said. He said staff members would like to see more students using the alley so that the price to bowl does not increase.
“We’re trying to lock down a really low student rate and keep shoes free,” Campbell said. “It’s a great blessing to the students that SA gave it to us.” Because of the new scoring system and free games for students, Campbell said the bowling alley was swamped the first two weeks of the semester. “Oh yeah, it’s been very busy,” said Joel Swedlund, manager of the Campus Center. “From bowling class to close it’s been very busy.” He said he hopes the new scoring system will bring in more people from the community. “I expect it will bring in quite a few more people both from ACU and the community now that we’re the only nonsmoking, family-friendly bowling alley with automatic scoring,” Swedlund said. For the first two weeks of school, anyone with a college ID could play for free. Additional free nights have not been planned, Swedlund said,
but that does not mean there will not be any more. “At this point, we don’t have anything else planned,” Swedlund said, “but you never know.” Campbell said the new scoring system was not put in solely so that the alley would raise revenue. “We are really trying to refocus the bowling alley into something that’s going to bless the students,” Campbell said. “We’re not here to make money. Every year I’ve been here there’s been a deficit.” The scoring system is just part of the bowling alley’s effort to continue to be a place students want to be, Campbell said. “Joel just bought a bunch of bowling memorabilia from ebay” with which to decorate the alley, he said. “We’re trying to make sure that it remains fun for the students.”
E-mail Ware at: llw04a@acu.edu
is so broad; it just has to relate back to music. What can you not do?” Massey said Sing Song should thrive on originality and creativity in acts. “We want people to take control of their acts and do something completely different,” Massey said, “and I’m hoping that people will take the creativity that they saw last year and run with it.” Massey said he’s looking forward to changes in the scoring of the acts and to working with a show as unique as Sing Song. “The acts are going to have to be better from top to bottom this year,” Massey said, “because entertainment value will come into play. I want the judges to gauge crowd reac-
tion. “Sing Song is not like any other show I’ve seen in the United States,” Massey said. “Shows like this are usually accompanied by a pit band, and very few people are doing an a cappella show on this scale anymore.” Rasco also shared his excitement concerning changes in the program. “Using last year as a springboard, this year’s show will boast some things never done before in an effort to segue into next year’s centennial show,” Rasco said. “It’s going to be a very special year on the Sing Song stage.” E-mail Travis at: dxt02a@acu.edu
Bear necessities
EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer
Melani Schweder (front), freshman art major from Denver, Colo., and Lisa Etchison, freshman graphic design major from Houston, check out the Berenstain Bears exhibit at the NCCIL on Thursday during Abilene’s monthly Artwalk event.
Students have fun at beach Beach Bash succeeds with food, fun, inflatable games By APRIL WARD PAGE 2 EDITOR
Beach Bash, sponsored by the Campus Activities Board, provided students with a variety of opportunities to socialize, compete and enjoy themselves Saturday. Jenni Kripner, CAB intern and senior elementary education major from San Antonio, said Beach Bash offered many activities for students to participate. “We had some inflatables in the mall area,” Kripner said. “We also had ultimate Frisbee
and a flag football tournament.” Billy Smith, CAB intern and junior marketing major from San Antonio, said the inflatable games were the highlight of the event. “We had a 26-foot rock wall, sumo wrestling and an obstacle course,” he said. “Sumo wrestling was the favorite, though. People were jumping all over each other.” The inflatable games weren’t the only event to draw crowds. Demetrius Collins, senior exercise science major from Odessa, said he enjoyed the flag football tournament. “I played for GSP, and we came in third,” he said. “We played five different games, and it was really fun.” A free showing of Toy Story
played in Beauchamp Amphitheater. While Kripner said the event was a success, the ACU football game interfered with attendance. “We had hoped people would come from the football game to Beach Bash, but we didn’t get as many people as we expected,” she said. “It went really well, though.” Smith said there will be another opportunity for students to enjoy the inflatable games soon. “We’re having inflatables in the mall area for Unstress Day on Friday, Oct. 8,” he said. “It should be pretty fun.” E-mail Ward at: alw02b@acu.edu
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
Page 5
Centennial: University employees urged to contribute to cause Continued from Page 1 and an exact amount pledged will not be known until the end of the fiscal year in May. Magner said he usually receives a good response from faculty and staff for campaigns, and in previous campaigns at least 70 percent to 82 percent of those employed
on campus contributed. Whether the fall deadline will affect spring contributions remains to be seen. He said it is important for faculty and staff to contribute to campaigns as an example for alumni and those outside the university. “We like to be able to tell them that the folks who are
the insiders, the folks who know us best, are contributing and are behind this,” he said. Kitty Wasemiller, associate professor of family and consumer sciences and spokeswoman for the Faculty-Staff Campaign, said she wrote a personal plea to faculty and staff members encouraging
McDonald: Faculty gets involved Continued from Page 1 Also, Randy Harris, instructor of Bible, ministry and missions, has helped the staff with room check a couple of nights. “Randy’s been somebody that I wanted to get plugged in with that group as soon as possible because I think that he has such a powerful influence,” Booth said. “Just his own personal devotion to God and his heart to seek God really pours forth into other people.” Booth said it was Harris’ idea to get involved, and he hopes more faculty will consider it. “I’m excited about faculty who are stretching out and
leaving the convenient opportunity in the sense that you have a home that holds 62 people, so you can really meet a lot of people at the same time,” he said. Barnard said she is pleased with the results so far, and this idea is not unique to ACU. “There really is a lot of theory and practice that goes into what’s happening in McDonald,” Barnard said. “There are schools across the United States who build specific buildings … in an effort to assist their holistic development and their studying and all kinds of things.” She said the decision to create this community was based in part on admissions predictions.
them to donate, but she said the campaign has been rather low-key in order to let them make their own decisions without feeling pressure to contribute. “I’m serving as an encourager to my colleagues to give back to the school and to celebrate the Centennial,” Wasemiller said.
She said faculty and staff members have the opportunity to specify an area on campus or in the campaign they would like to contribute to, such as a certain department or program. They can also donate to the campaign in general and have their money disbursed. She said she has heard from
several people about the donations and said it is important for people to give back to the university in ways other than their time and energy. “We’re certainly asked to be stewards of our resources,” Wasemiller said. E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu
Helping with horses
“We kind of had a glimmer, a forecast of what this year might be like last year,” she said, “and so admissions told me to expect at least as many freshman males as we had quadrupled in Edwards, and that was 32.” Barnard said she considered how best she could use McDonald, and after she made the decision to make it a male hall, she found out there would be many women enrolled also. “Which is a wonderful problem to have,” she said, “but goodness, I hope we never have to do it again.” EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer
E-mail Bredemeyer at: lmb00g@acu.edu
Beth Byerly and Charlotte Reyugh look at the list of volunteers for Hendrick’s H.E.R.O. program after the Service Expo in the Campus Center on Thursday. H.E.R.O. uses horses for therapy for disabled children and adults.
West Texas Fair
Page 6
PHOTO ESSAY
Wednesday, Sept ember 15, 2004
PHOTO ESSAY
Page 7
PAUL BRYAN/Contributing Photographer
PAUL BRYAN/Contributing Photographer
PAUL BRYAN/Contributing Photographer
PAUL BRYAN/Contributing Photographer
EYAKEM GULILAT/Staff Photographer
The West Texas Fair and Rodeo, a staple of Abilene culture, began Friday and runs through Sunday. It features rides, games and various contests for anyone interested in experiencing the atmosphere only a fair possesses. The Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association Rodeo began Tuesday night and has events beginning at 7:30 p.m. through Friday. General admission tickets
are $2, but organizers say they are expecting large crowds Friday and Saturday and cannot guarantee admission. Cantastic Night begins at 5 p.m. Thursday, and anyone who brings six Coca-Cola cans or any product cans produced by Coca-Cola can get in free. Armbands, which give admission to all the carnival rides for the night, can be purchased for $15.
EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer
EYAKEM GULILAT/Staff Photographer
VIEWSWEDNESDAY OPTIMIST
Page 8 The issue: A 10-year-old ban on assault weapons expired Monday, brining the gun issue back into the forefront of discussion.
Our view: The bill, which focused on banning certain types of guns, appears to have been mostly ineffective.
The solution: To be more effective, Congress should focus more on who can purchase guns and how they go about obtaining them.
September 15, 2004
Expiration of gun ban won’t change much A 10-year-old ban on certain assault weapons expired Monday, leaving strong support and dissent on both sides of the issue. Signed into law in 1994 as part of President Clinton’s crime bill, a 10-year sunset clause was added to the bill at the last minute in order for it to garner enough votes to pass the U.S. House of Representatives by the slim margin of 216-214. Although people will haggle over whether statistics show the ban had a positive effect on
on guns the crime rate, Congress should not be in the business of passing “what” has failed. Init appears the feel-good legislation with little practical purpose. stead, Conban did more gress should to make people consider infeel better than actually removing assault did little to keep these weapons creasing the regulation on the weapons from the market. off the street and out of the “who” or the “how” of obThe ban focused on 19 semi- hands of those who wanted to taining a gun. Making it more difficult — automatic guns with protrud- us them. ing pistol grips, flash suppresCongress should not be in while still adhering to the sors and bayonet mounts. the business of passing feel- Second Amendment — for peoHowever, guns without these good legislation with little ple to purchase any firearm will go a long way toward keeping modifications — even if they practical purpose. fired the same caliber bullets — Extending the ban would any dangerous gun out of the remained legal under the ban. have only extended the illusion hands of criminals instead of These copycat weapons of safety without truly protect- keeping one type of gun out of the hands of all citizens. became available soon after the ing American’s lives. Although views may differ ban went into effect, so the ban In this case, regulating the
Daniel Barcroft
In My Words
Dodge ball fun for nonathletes, too “If you can dodge a interest in adding ACU to wrench, you can dodge a that list. Count the Edwards ball.” Hall residents among that If you have not seen the group. Every week, the men movie Dodge- of Edwards play dodge ball ball, this quote games, pitting separate halls means nothing against each other. It offers a to you. But if chance to have some fun and you have, you bond, while also supplying an should recog- outlet with which to peg that nize this as a guy who takes up every washquote from Rip er on Saturday afternoons. Torn’s character One of the great things Gray just before he about dodge ball is that you chunks a don’t have to be extremely Matters wrench at the athletic to play. Although it Warren Gray head of an might help to have some unexpecting, sheepish young maneuverability and arm man. As morbid as the situa- strength, it definitely requires tion seems, the image of him less overall ability than basbeing dropped by the tool ketball, racquetball, tennis, surely stirs at least an inner football and other on-campus chuckle. sporting options. For some reason, another Can’t catch? That’s okay; human being slammed by a the object of the game is to flying object is a comical oc- dodge. Can’t hit the broad currence. Obviously, throw- side of a barn with a ball? ing a wrench at one of your That’s cool, too. Not knowing friends is not recommended, where your errant throw will even though it is quite funny end up will only keep the other team more on the big screen. But throwing a But throwing a on their heels. I myself am not ball at one of your ball at one of blessed with athletbuddies across the ability. I couldn’t gym — that’s enyour buddies ic jump over a threetertainment. legged grasshopper With the help across the taking a nap. of Dodgeball, the gym—that’s Luckily, jump is movie, dodge ball the sport is entertainment. not one of the five sweeping the D’s it takes to play: nation. Numerous dodge, duck, dip, organizations focus on the dive … and dodge. According growth of the sport, including to the movie, that’s all it the International Dodge Ball takes. Federation, which offers an One final advantage to opportunity for individuals to dodge ball — you don’t even start their own league, and have to know how to spell. the National Amateur Dodg- Even the IDBF Web site receball Association, which ognizes dodgeball, dodgesponsors an outdoor and ball, Dodge Ball or dodge ball indoor national champi- as acceptable spellings. It onship every year. One of the makes for a nice break from most coveted prizes in all of the rudimentary confines of dodge ball, The Bexley Cup, the names of other sports. is awarded to any team that If you haven’t played this wins both indoor and out- delightful sport since 3rd door championships in the grade gym class, you should same season. The Bexley look into it. But leave the Reckers was the first team to wrench at home. Hurling it at accomplish this amazing feat, an opponent’s head is just a thus gaining name recogni- waste of a good tool. tion on the storied trophy itself. Across the country, colleges and universities are adding dodge ball as an intramural sport. Some students Respond to Gray at: optimist@acu.edu or weg02a@acu.edu on campus have expressed
Base vote on beliefs, not celebrities Think of your favorite celebrity. It can be anyone—the star of the newest movie, a professional sports player or the mayor of your town. My favorite celebrity right now is probably one of the Olympic athletes, someone Kerri Lori’s Story like Walsh (beach Lori volleyball), Bredemeyer Carly Patterson (gymnastics) or Natalie Coughlin (swimming). Now think of that person on TV or in the tabloids telling America whom they support for president. Does that really matter to you? I’d have say to all of them, “Who cares?” Celebrities this year have spent much time and money making sure their fans know exactly who they support for the presidency. Some have made Internet commercials, some have performed at the national conventions, and some have attended rallies and sponsored fund-raisers for their favorite candidate.
In this world of uncertainty and immorality, don’t rely on those celebrities to tell you who to vote for. Although many of them use their celebrity status to raise money for the campaigns, their announcement of who they will or will not vote for doesn’t matter to me. Several actors and musicians have joined a political action committee called MoveOn that has created Internet ads against President Bush and even has a concert tour, according to MoveOn.org. Matt Damon, Scarlett Johanssen, Kevin Bacon, Rebecca Romijn and Martin Sheen have performed in the ads. Artists on the tour include Pearl Jam, Bruce Springsteen, R.E.M., Dave Matthews and the Dixie Chicks. The artists’ goal, according to the Web site, is to “make a change in the direction of our country. We share a belief that this is the most important election of our lifetime. We are fighting for a government that is open, rational, just and progressive.” Who cares? Few celebrities are openly
supporting President Bush; I could only find two: Kelsey Grammer and Stephen Baldwin. But more singers took to the stage for that side of the election and sang at the Republican National Convention last week. Those of note were Jaci Velasquez, Third Day, Nicole C. Mullen and Michael W. Smith—all Christian performers. While Kerry’s supporters are touring the country with a busload of popular musicians, the GOP seems to be looking for the Christian vote. Even two ACU celebrities participated in the RNC, according to a press release. Max Lucado, a well-known minister from Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, who graduated from ACU in 1977, gave the benediction on the first night of the convention. Ted Poe, a former Harris County judge who graduated from ACC in 1970 and is running for office in District 2, spoke Monday to other congressional candidates. It’s neat that two ACU alum-
ni took part in the convention. But the use of celebrities to influence the country’s opinion is futile. Who really cares what they have to say? More superstars supported Al Gore than Bush in 2000, and Gore is not our president now. I can’t really let myself, and I hope no one else will allow themselves, to listen to and believe a famous person who has someone else make decisions for them all day. These people have personal assistants who make their appointments, apply their makeup, order their food, choose their clothes and draw their bubble baths every day. Now all of a sudden, they seem to be able to make a decision about politics and want to share it with anyone who will listen. In this world of uncertainty and immorality, don’t rely on these celebrities to tell you who to vote for; they’re no more informed about politics than you can be. Form your own opinion of the candidates and cast your ballot this November based on what you believe. Respond to Bredemeyer at: optimist@acu.edu or lmb00g@acu.edu
Skirt editorial a good message Thank you so much for the excellent editorial regarding the dress code at ACU. The editorial was very well written, and I appreciate that it was printed early in the school year. I am hopeful that the dress code policy will be enforced. Our influence reaches beyond the campus as ACU students and employees run and walk the perimeters of the campus and work and shop in the
Abilene community. Our appearance is one way we can show the ACU difference in Abilene and throughout the world. Susie Whitworth, administrative coordinator and degree plan specialist, Department of Exercise Science and Health
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
“It would be nice, but I don’t think it would be possible. It would push everyone back, and 30 minutes isn’t really going to make a difference.”
“In the morning we’re all so tired; we could be more productive in the classroom at a later time.”
Re: “No room for short skirts of campus” Editorial
Duke University got rid of 8 a.m. classes last year. Should ACU do the same thing?
In Your Words
YOUR VOICE
on how the law should be handled, the Editorial Board agrees that assault weapons have little practical purpose in the hands of the general public. However, laws that exclude one type of weapon from the market while leaving plenty of other equally lethal weapons available seems arbitrary and futile. Congress made the right call in allowing this feel-good-only ban to expire, and now it should be able to concentrate on issues that actually protect citizens.
“Yes, because not even God is awake at 8 o’clock in the morning!”
Eric Johnson
Dr. Jonathan Wade
Jake Roseberry
sophomore finance major from Boerne
assistant professor of English and assistant director of the Honors Program
sophomore business management and marketing major from Troy, Ohio
OPTIMIST THE
The Optimist Editorial Board
Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Abilene Christian University
Editor in Chief
Opinion Editor
Jonathan Smith
Jaci Schneider
Managing Editor
Copy Editor
Lori Bredemeyer
Sarah Carlson
Faculty Adviser Chief Photographer Brian Schmidt
Dr. Cheryl Bacon
Ad Manager Christi Stark
Optimist contact information Newsroom: (325) 674-2439
Sports desk: (325) 674-2684
Photo department: (325) 674-2499
Advertising office: (325) 674-2463
Subscriptions ($45/academic year): (325) 674-2296
Online: www.acuoptimist.com
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
SPORTS
Page 9
Tennis: Wildcats to face D-I schools Continued from Page 10 “When it comes down to it, it doesn’t matter if you’re No. 1 or No. 6,” Jones said. “When we play team matches, it only counts one point if you win, so it doesn’t matter where you end up.” The Wildcats also won the men’s second flight doubles, but HSU beat the Wildcats in the men’s first flight doubles and in the women’s first and second flights of doubles competition. Overall, Jones said the team played well, but they could have played better. The Wildcats will travel to
Las Cruces, N.M., on Friday to play in the New Mexico State Aggie Invitational. Unlike the Wal-Mart Open, the Wildcats will not be favored in this tournament. There will be a few Division I schools in the tournament, and Jones said he is looking forward to seeing how his team plays when they’re not the dominant squad. “The pressure’s going to be on the other teams this weekend,” Jones said, “so we just need to go out there and let it rip.” E-mail Gray at: weg02a@acu.edu
EYAKEM GULILAT/Staff Photographer
Cade Ogilvie, sophomore wide receiver, tries to avoid the grasp of Redman red-shirt freshman linebacker Nick Nance, who is attempting to make the tackle. The Wildcats defeated Northeastern State 23-14 Saturday at Shotwell Stadium.
Football: No. 7-ranked Tarleton up next Continued from Page 10 had a game-high 13 tackles (2 TFL), Brandon Henry added seven (1 TFL), Matt Allen had six, and Yeldell added four, including his fourthdown stop that helped shut down Northeastern’s rally attempt. Though Gaines admits
that the game was fun and hard-fought, he said he’d like to see some improvement. The Wildcats racked up 108 yards in penalties, including 60 via personal fouls. Coach Gaines talked about mental mistakes last week and says there are still a few of those to clean up. Gaines said he had hoped
for the goal-line offense to be better in week two as they were 1st-and-goal in the second quarter and had to settle for 21-yard field goal by Eben Nelson. Even still, the Wildcats were able to convert on three of the four times they reached the redzone. After evening their record, the Wildcats will go to Steph-
enville this Saturday to play the Tarleton State Texans. ACU beat Midwestern State 19-3 on Saturday and is now 3-0 with a No. 7 national ranking among Division II schools. E-mail Robarts at: kdr00c@acu.edu
Volleyball: Cats split weekend matches Continued from Page 10 “So far it’s been a roller coaster ride for us,” Morrow said. “St. Mary’s is a smart, well-coached team, but we just played as individuals instead of as a team.” True to its 2004 form, the Wildcats bounced back on Saturday, defeating Incarnate Word and improving to 7-5. The Wildcats struggled in
the first two games against the winless Incarnate Word team, but ACU edged the Cardinals in the opening game 30-22 and then dropped the second game 2830. The Wildcats rallied in the final two games of the match, winning 30-21, 30-18. Slate again led the Wildcats with a .593 hitting percentage and a game-high 19
kills. Bernhardt added 15 kills, freshman outside hitter Abbie Lowry chipped in 14 kills and Martin posted 48 assists, nine digs and two kills in the win for the Wildcats. “Coach Horn basically told us that we are too good not to win,” Morrow said. “We turned it around on Saturday and won the game with good chemistry. Volleyball is all
about team chemistry.” The Wildcats test their team chemistry again this weekend with home matches against Texas A&M-Commerce at 7 p.m on Friday and Southeast Oklahoma State at 2 p.m. on Saturday. EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer
E-mail Roe at: bpr00a@acu.edu
Read the Optimist online at:
www.acuoptimist.com
Junior Jason Ray won his match against a Collin County Community College player in Friday’s tennis tournament at ACU.
SPORTSWEDNESDAY OPTIMIST
Page 10
Cross country teams sweep meet
LSC South Standings Football Team Div. 1. A&M-Kingsville 0-0 2. ACU 0-0 2. Midwestern State 0-0 3. E. New Mexico 0-0 4. A&M-Commerce 0-0 4. W. Texas A&M 0-0 5. Angelo State 0-0
Tot. 2-0 1-1 1-1 1-2 0-2 0-2 0-3
Volleyball Team 1. Tarleton State 2. Angelo State 3. E. New Mexico 4. West Texas A&M 3. ACU 5. A&M-Kingsville
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
September 15, 2004
Tot. 7-2 8-3 4-2 7-4 7-5 5-6
Manirakiza, Mwamba finish first in their respective races By STEVE HOLT SPORTS WRITER
ACU swept the men’s and women’s team titles at its own meet Friday, also claiming the top two individual titles at the ACU Classic. Bernard Manirakiza won his fourth straight Classic title, covering the fourmile course in 20:13.31. Adeh Mwamba won her second-
Cross Country straight individual title, running the three-mile course in 17:56.34 to break the course record by more than 20 seconds. “A win is always nice,” said head coach Jon Murray. “Both Bernard and Adeh are in exceptional shape.” Mwamba’s victory by more than a minute impressed her coach. First-year Wildcats Olha Kryv’yak and Trina Cox were second and third, respectively. Kryv’yak seems to have made a
complete recovery from a heatinduced stroke she suffered last August, covering the course in 18:51.73. Cox, a transfer from Santa Rosa Community College in California, ran the course in Manirakiza 19:18.95 in her first action as a Wildcat. After Manirakiza, junior Martin O’Kello was second for the ACU men in 20:30.03; junior college transfer Lucky Hade-
Friday Football ACU 23, Northeastern State 14 Volleyball ACU 0, St. Mary’s 3
Team to play against No. 7-ranked Tarleton for Saturday’s game
Saturday Volleyball ACU 3, Incarnate Word 1
By KYLE ROBARTS
Briefs
SPORTS WRITER
Carter named D-II Female Athlete of the Year Melanie Carter's outstanding Abilene Christian University basketball career might have come to an end more than six months ago, but the honors continue to roll in for one of the most decorated athletes in the history of ACU women's athletics. On Monday, Carter—who graduated with honors last May with a degree in communication and a four-year grade-point average of 3.78—was named the Texas winner of the NCAA Woman of the Year, joining former ACU all-America basketball player Jennifer Clarkson as the only ACU athletes to ever win the award. Clarkson won the state award in 1996, the same year she was named the NCAA Division II Female Athlete of the Year. The prestigious award honors outstanding female student-athletes who have excelled in academics, athletics and community leadership, and who have completed their collegiate athletics eligibility. —ACU Sports Information EYAKEM GULILAT/Staff Photographer
(home events in italics) Friday, Sept. 17 • Volleyball vs. A&M Commerce, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 18 •Men’s and women’s cross country at Mo. Southern Stampede, 10 a.m. • Football at Tarleton State, 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 21 • Volleyball at St. Edwards, 7 p.m.
tradition of excellence for ACU cross country and track and field,” Murray said. Murray said he will take just the women’s team to Joplin, Mo., on Saturday for the Missouri Southern Stampede, so the men’s team “will not have to race Arkansas three times in one season.” The meet will be a preview of the NCAA Division II South Central Regional on Nov. 6, which will take place on the Joplin course. E-mail Holt at: smh00a@acu.edu
Wildcats earn first win of year
Scores
This week in Wildcat sports...
be placed third in 20:46.72; and freshman Vincent Morogah was fourth in 21:15.77. Angelo State was second in the team standings, followed by Wayland Baptist in third and Northwood in fourth. This year’s recent additions to the women’s team, along with several talented recruits and transfers on the men’s team, seem to be a perfect fit to the program, Murray said. “I think we were just really blessed in our recruiting to get these athletes because they all are ones who will continue the
Danieal Manning, sophomore strong safety, out runs defenders as Travis Carpenter, red-shirt freshman strongside linebacker, and Brandon Henry, sophomore linebacker, follow down the field.
Free Mrs. Baird’s hot dogs and hamburgers weren’t the only things cooking at Shotwell Stadium Saturday when the Wildcat football team acquired its first 2004 victory, 23-14, over the Northeastern State Redmen. Mark Gaines had 136 yards rushing, Greg Wiggins threw two touchdown passes and had 184 yards in the air, and Jerale Badon had 90 yards on nine receptions. However, Danieal Manning won the crowd with his special teams performance. Manning returned his first punt of the season for a 55yard touchdown and had 166 total return yards, including an interception on the last play of the game. Manning’s second punt-return was just as amazing as the touchdown play, head coach Gary Gaines said. “Danieal’s a threat every time he touches the ball, and teams are going to catch on and stop kicking to him, so we’ll have to get creative and find a way to keep getting him his touches,” Gaines said. Blocking was great for Manning the whole night, but he was not just running through holes; he shook off tacklers with stutter steps, stiff arms and simply running strong with the ball. Manning’s second punt that Gaines referred to was a 34yard punt that ended the third quarter. The return gave the
Football Wildcats great field position and set up the game-sealing drive, capped by a touchdown pass from Wiggins to Dillon Cobb. After Cobb’s touchdown reception, the Redmen were stopped on fourth-down conversions on two-straight drives. Northeastern drove to ACU’s 31-yard line and had a fourth-and-six situation, electing to go for it instead of attempting the 48-yard field goal that might have brought the score to within six. However Forrest Mazey’s pass to John King was incomplete, and the Wildcats took over. The Redmen then drove from their own 29-yard line to the Wildcats’ 24-yard line and came up short when Greg Yeldell stuffed DeAngelo Green’s run. The Wildcats gained 17 yards before Chase Fishback and Jaime Bueno made sure that the Redmen would have a long hike to the endzone. Fishback skied a punt with 2:27 left on the clock, and Bueno caught it over his shoulder and downed the ball at the Northeastern 4-yard line. This left the Redmen with 2:21 to drive 96 yards for a score and then recover an onside kick to give them a chance to pull of a miracle, but Manning’s interception in the endzone with the clock running out nixed the Redmen’s plans. It was a great day for the linebackers as all four starters combined for 30 tackles and five for a loss. Shawn Taylor See FOOTBALL Page 9
Volleyball splits weekend matches in San Antonio Cats improve to 7-5; enter weekend with pair of home matches By BRIAN ROE SPORTS WRITER
The Wildcats continued their torrid pace of inconsistency last weekend, splitting a
Volleyball pair of away matches in San Antonio against St. Mary’s and Incarnate Word. ACU started the weekend slowly, dropping three straight games (30-26, 30-20, 30-27) to the Rattlers in their home opener. St. Mary’s improved to 6-3, and the Wildcats fell to 6-5.
“You never want to play another team for their home opener,” said ACU head coach Brek Horn. Lindsey Slate Van Horn led the Rattlers with 14 kills, and
Megan Lowry added 10. Junior middle blocker Amanda Slate led ACU with 14 kills, senior middle blocker Sophia Kindred added 10 kills and junior setter Lindsey Martin chipped in 39 assists. Junior outside hitter Michelle Bernhardt hit only .121 and recorded nine kills. Bernhardt, who leads the Wildcats
in kills this season with 145, injured her shoulder in Tuesday night’s home game against Lubbock Christian. Senior libero Kellen Morrow, who led the Wildcats with 14 digs in the loss, said this season has had its up and downs. See VOLLEYBALL Page 9
Tennis opens season with wins Tafazoli defeats teammate Steenkamp to win tournament By WARREN GRAY SPORTS WRITER
The ACU tennis team played well in the recent Wal-Mart Fall Open, capturing wins in both the men’s and women’s first flight singles matches. Even with the success, head coach Hutton Jones called the tournament a “wake-up call” for the women’s team. “We won each flight in singles, but we really should have won all flights in doubles, too,” Jones said. “But our effort was good.” Senior Summer Beesley played well for the women’s team, winning her first flight. Beesley beat out HardinSimmons’ Rebecca Watkins for the title.
Tennis “I was so happy for her success in her tournament; you want your players to be rewarded for their hard work,” Jones said. The hard work Jones spoke of is countless hours of extra hitting and never putting down her racquet during the summers. “She came in competing for the sixth spot as a freshman, and then she jumps to two or three her junior year,” Jones said. “Now she wins flight one in the first tournament.” On the men’s side, ACU newcomer Artin Tafazoli won the first flight in his first action as a Wildcat. For Tafazoli, a senior transfer from UNLV, it was his first competitive match in three years. “Right now I’m using my experience more than my game,” Tafazoli said. “I have a
ways to go, but I’m going to put in all the time and effort it takes to get there.” The experience worked well for him; he did not lose a single set in the entire tournament. “It couldn’t have been scripted any better as far as him getting back into it,” Jones said. In the finals, Tafazoli beat his teammate Casper Steenkamp, the player he’ll be vying with for the No. 1 spot on the team. “Casper was a strong No. 1 last year, so we’ve basically got two No. 1-type players,” Jones said. “It’s definitely a good situation.” Steenkamp and Tafazoli aren’t thinking about the situation though, and they said they plan to let their play speak for itself. Jones, meanwhile, said he is excited about having two top flight players, and he said it does not matter where they end up. See TENNIS Page 9
EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer
Junior Jason Ray takes a swing at the ball during Saturday's tennis tournament at ACU. In this round of men's singles, Ray played Casper Steenkamp, who also plays for the Wildcats.