OPTIMIST_2004-09-24 by ACU Optimist

OPTIMIST THE

FRIDAY September 24, 2004

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

Abilene Christian University

Vol. 93, No. 11 1 section, 8 pages www.acuoptimist.com

Serving the ACU community since 1912

On the road again:

‘Sky Captain’ sputters instead of soars:

Cats ready for tourney:

The Wildcats play LSC South opponent Eastern New Mexico on Friday. Page 8

Arts editor Dee Travis reviews the newly released Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, filmed to look like a 1930s comic book. Page 4

The Lone Star Conference will begin a tournament in Moody Coliseum Friday. Page 8

Bid Night launches pledging Social clubs prepare for month of activities beginning Friday By LORI BREDEMEYER MANAGING EDITOR

Prospective social club members will participate in Bid Night on Friday after being involved in three weeks of rushes. The students ranked clubs Wednesday and received bids Thursday night.

Mike Spell, adviser of social clubs, said 148 men and 233 women ranked clubs Wednesday, for a total of 381 students. He said the rushes went well, but he is ready to move beyond rushing and Bid Night activities to pledging. “Overall, the process has been exhausting,” he said. “There is a lot of paperwork and organization that takes place in the weeks up to Bid

night. We are looking forward to being into the pledging season.” Spell said his office has been preparing for Bid Night by talking to club members about the night’s events. “My office has spent much time with each club in discussions about their Bid Night activities,” he said. “Each club has prepared activities that complement their organization.”

Pledging guidelines

Pledging begins next week and will continue for about four weeks through Homecoming. Pledges will help build their club’s Homecoming Parade float, participate in visits with club members and play in or cheer for their club’s intramural team, among other activities. As pledging proceedings are about to be in full swing, Spell said things have gone well in See PLEDGE Page 5

The following are some of the prohibited pledging activities: • Activities requiring excessive sleep deprivation • Any physical touching intended to inflict pain • Creation of an environment that endangers new members through restriction of senses. • Any type of personal servitude or requirement to purchase goods for members. • Any activity that occurs without the presence of an approved adviser.

Police e-mails meant to warn Suspicious subjects prompt police chief to send ‘timely warning’ By SARAH CARLSON COPY EDITOR

A timely warning e-mail was sent to students Sept. 17 after a female student was alarmed by two males in a vehicle while walking alone on East North 16th Street at 9:35 p.m. The warning, sent by Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, and Jimmy Ellison, chief of ACU Police, said the males pulled their vehicle up beside the female and initiated conversation with her, eventually trying to lure her into the car. She then backed away, and when she did, the men immediately pulled away, and the girl notified Sikes Hall personnel and the ACU Police, according to the e-mail. “It alarmed her simply because of the time of night,” See SAFETY Page 5

Congress passes first bill BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Almost every one of Dr. K.B. Massingill’s, chief information officer, pictures on his bookshelves remind him of a friend he has made or a person he has helped while codirecting a medical mission trip to Zambia, Africa. The team, which goes to Zambia for about three weeks each July, has grown to 120 American volunteers.

Delivering a ‘day of dignity’ By JONATHAN SMITH EDITOR IN CHIEF

e just couldn’t move a person in a wheelbarrow. Dr. K.B. Massingill leaned over the wheelbarrow and picked up the helpless Zambian woman, now rigid with fear. Carrying her to a doctor, he could tell from the odor that she had not bathed in days. None of that mattered. He just couldn’t move a person in a wheelbarrow. Recounting the scene four years later, Massingill, the university’s chief information officer, cannot help but get teary-eyed.

“We can’t imagine dying because we’re not able to go to the dentist, but in Zambia it’s a routine problem.” Dr. K.B. Massingill, co-director of the Zambia medical mission trip

After almost eight total months spent in Zambia — a country in southern Africa just slightly larger than Texas — memories flow of people he has worked with, people he has helped. Pictures of them line his bookshelves, all seeming to face the 5-foot-by-7-foot map of Africa filling most of one of his office walls. Massingill and his family returned from his eighth medical

mission trip in July. He co-directs the trip with Dr. Kelly and Eleanor Hamby, retired ACU employees who began the ministry in 1994. Kelly Hamby said he and his wife began the mission after vacationing in Zambia with a dentist to offer dental care to people there. “It caused us to see a much bigger need medically,” Hamby said. That need gave birth to the med-

Rouse, VanRheenen to discuss possibility of leadership minor By JONATHAN SMITH EDITOR IN CHIEF

assingill lives next door to the Hambys and heard about the mission trip through them, but his family became interested in the trip in 1995 after befriending Patrick Kawinga, an ACU student from Zambia.

The Students’ Association passed its first resolution of the 81st Congress on Wednesday in its second meeting of the year. Congress voted unanimously to recognize the Welcome Week co-chairs and steering committee for the work they did. “It is a very exhaustive job,” said Sen. Missy Mae Walters, senior political science major from Abilene and co-author of the resolution. “I want to make sure that they feel appreciated.” Layne Rouse, executive president of SA, said he would be meeting with Dr. Dwayne VanRheenen, provost, about

See MASSINGILL Page 7

See SA Page 5

ical mission trip, which 10 years later sends about 40 medical professionals in various fields and more than 80 other volunteers to assist in whatever way possible for almost three weeks each July.

Joining the team

Plans continue for new residence hall Construction should be under way by October; done in 10-12 months By JACI SCHNEIDER OPINION EDITOR

Plans are still underway for construction to begin on the new residence hall later this month or early next month, said Jack Rich, executive vice president of the university. The $6 million hall will be built in the parking lot across Campus Court from Brown Library and will house men or women, depending on enroll-

ment figures. Rich said the $6 million includes architecture, construction, furniture and landscaping. “We’re moving on getting final plans … and working out some of the details,” Rich said. Some work has already begun for the project including utility lines being moved, said Kevin Watson, chief development officer, in an e-mail. Hill & Wilkinson, the contractor that built Williams Performing Arts Center, will build the new residence hall, and Rich said it should take 1012 months to complete the hall. “We’ve been taking some

steps to ensure it can be built quickly,” he said. Some details still need to be finalized before the project can officially begin, Watson said. Planners must work with the city to establish locations for hot and chilled water lines to cross the street, as well as cable and telephone lines. “We should break ground in the next couple of weeks and hopefully get into full swing by mid-October,” Watson said. During construction, the entire parking lot will need to be blocked off for safety purposes, Watson said. Once the building is finished, a parking lot will be

built for residents. Although many students are concerned with parking, Rich said it should not be an issue. “Over the past four or five years, we’ve added quite a bit of parking,” he said, adding that people may shift where they have to park, but spaces will be available. “Parking is always an issue on any campus, and I think it will always be an issue,” Rich said. “The location is convenient, and it will be a good addition.” E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu

TITTLE LUTHER PARTNERSHIP/Courtesy image

A site plan (above) and front elevation (below) show the details for the proposed residence hall to be built across Campus Court from Brown Library, which could begin in early October.

CAMPUS

DAY

Friday, September 24, 2004

Calendar&Events Friday

Monday

SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables.

Freshman Follies performance, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., Cullen Auditorium.

Learning service seminars for U-100 classes, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Hilton Room.

Freshman Follies Performances 7 and 9 p.m., Cullen Auditorium.

Sundaes on Mondays, 7-10 p.m., Living Room.

Freshman Follies ticket sales, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

Social club officers meeting, 5-6:30 p.m., Living Room.

Bid Night.

Saturday

Freshman Follies Performances 7 and 9 p.m., Cullen Auditorium.

Sunday

Culture Show sign-ups, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Campus Center tables.

Faculty-Staff photos, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Faculty-Staff Dining Room.

Homecoming concert meeting, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Living Room.

Poetry Night tickets, 11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

Voter Registration, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Campus Center tables.

Wednesday

SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables. Service Action Leadership Team Chapel, 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Living Room. Highland Party, 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m., Campus Center Recreation Area. Advising forum, 3:45-5 p.m., Living Room.

Tuesday

Campus Activities Board meeting, 5:15-6:30 p.m. SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables. Homecoming Steering Committee meeting, 9:30-10:45 p.m., Hilton Room. Poetry Night tickets, 11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.

Learning service seminars for U100 classes, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Hilton Room. Counseling staff meeting, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Faculty-Staff Dining Room.

Thursday

SA Live, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Campus Center tables. Learning service seminars for U-100 classes, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Hilton Room. Poetry Night tickets, 11:30 a.m.- 2 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows. Sigma Phi Phi chapel, 11 a.m.-11:45 a.m., Faculty-Staff Dining Room. Culture Show sign-ups, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Campus Center tables.

Chapel Check-Up Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:

23 48 Announcements

Shinnery Reviews are for sale. If you missed out last year, you still have a chance to purchase the 2004 student literary magazine for $4. See Nuria Hall in Chambers Hall Room 308 for more information. Interested in taking Portuguese or Russian? Help get these classes started for Fall 2005 by e-mailing Phyllis Chill at pnc02a@acu.edu or Erin Ford at efc02a@acu.edu. Only 12 students are needed to commit to two semesters per language so that classes can be opened up in the fall. Classes will count either as electives or foreign language requirements. The university ministry at Southern Hills Church of Christ invites students to attend its second annual "Bid Night Bash and Ice-Cream Crash" party starting at 7 p.m. on Friday. Free pizza, movie and games will be available. In addition, Free Indeed will be in concert at 7 p.m. Saturday. Free Indeed will lead worship on Sunday, which is "Celebration Sunday." A free lunch follows. The Chapel prayer room is now available on Mondays and Tuesdays in the Gibson Health and P.E. Center Room 230. Come and intercede for Chapel, the ACU

campus, the Abilene community and the world. The ACU Roller Hockey Team is looking for experienced players. Last year, players represented ACU at the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Tournament in Anaheim. They are hoping to continue a winning tradition. Contact crb00c@acu.edu for more information. A grief support group is available for those who have experienced a loss and are struggling to understand and deal with pain. This group will provide a supportive and understanding place to talk. The support group is sponsored by the University Counseling Center. It will meet every Thursday from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. in McKinzie Hall, lower level. Call 674-2626 for more information. A support group is available to help and support individuals who struggle with same sex attractions. Believing that healing can occur, group members will work toward growth and renewal. Individuals interested in joining the group should contact the Counseling Center at 674-2626. The group will meet every Tuesday. Time and location are confidential.

Volunteer Opportunities The Key City Kiwanis Club needs volunteers to help with its annual fish fry on Oct. 1 from 6:308:30 p.m. or Oct. 2 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. or 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. The YMCA needs volunteer coaches for flag football and youth soccer between Oct. 2 and Nov. 6. Some time is required one evening a week after 5 p.m. and approximately half the day on Saturdays, either morning or afternoon. Contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center for more information. Local radio station 95Q/96TX Country is looking for volunteers to operate stations

around Abilene where young adults can register to vote in the upcoming election. For more information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. The Optimist Club needs help with the annual Big Country Balloon Fest Friday through Sunday for two hour blocks of time at Redbud Park. Volunteers will operate ticket booths and carnival areas, and times are flexible. Stop by the Volunteer and ServiceLearning Center for more information. Volunteers are needed to help build the Abilene Community Playground from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday through Sunday. For more information, 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 Saturday. Lunch will be provided. For more information, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. Meals on Wheels needs volunteers to deliver hot noon meals to the homes of homebound elderly and adults with disabilities from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. 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 projects, games and other activities. For more information, call 677-7839. City Light Ministries needs

volunteers to tutor elementary school students and to play games or read to them on Mondays from 3:30-5:00 p.m. If you enjoy children and are interested in this opportunity, come to the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. Covenant Place of Abilene, an assisted living facility, needs someone to tutor one of the residents who is wanting to learn to read and write. For information on this service opportunity contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. Fashions For The Cure, a fund raiser for Breast Cancer Awareness, needs volunteers to help with this event on Oct.4-6. This will be a dinner and fashion show. Volunteers are needed to transport and set up a stage, help with decorations and help taking them down afterward. If you can help, contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.

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.

CAMPUS NEWS

Friday, September 24, 2004

Soccer rush scores Study Abroad chose international sport as theme for first rush By EMILY CHASTAIN STUDENT REPORTER

About 35 people attended the Study Abroad soccer rush Tuesday night in Bennett Gymnasium. The rush, which included flags, face painting, door prizes, snacks and popcorn, was an opportunity for prospective Study Abroad students to get to know each other and the study abroad alumni, and of course play some soccer. “It’s the international sport,” said Kevin Kehl, director of the center of international and intercultural education. “We thought it would be a great way for alumni to get together and have fun as well as promote the Study Abroad thing.” The soccer match was comprised of a team for Montevideo, Uruguay, and a team for Oxford, England, the sites where ACU houses students and faculty every semester in the Study Abroad Program. People watching in the stands supported the team of their choice by having their faces painted and waving paper flags. Though sporting flags for Oxford on his cheeks and head, Kehl admitted his loyalty to Montevideo. “I’m rooting for Latin America because they’re the underdogs,” Kehl said. “They need a little more support.” A

majority of students choose to Study Abroad in Oxford over Uruguay, and the rush showed the Latin American supporters to be a little outnumbered. Ultimately, it was the Oxford team that won the soccer match, but Kehl said everyone involved seemed to have a good time. Kisha Knight, junior integrated marketing and communication major from Mesquite, studied abroad in Oxford last spring and said she enjoyed the rush. “I think it was very successful, not only as a chance to have fun and work out a little aggression, but also as a chance to allow the new students to meet us and give them a chance to know our names,” Knight said. Also attending the rush was Rebecca Venable, sophomore secondary education major from Longmont, Colo., who said she’s planning on going to Oxford in the spring and that the rush provided her with an opportunity to meet the people going with her. “And soccer’s fun to watch,” Venable said. Jamie Pittenger, senior human communication major from Belton, said her only complaint about the rush was the label. “They should have called it a ‘football’ rush because in both participating countries, it’s ‘football.’” Despite the title discrepancy, Pittenger said the rush was a success. “I want to support the Study Abroad thing because it’s been

Page 3

SBC looks for leaders Applications for potential SBC leaders available By NATHAN CRUMMEL STUDENT REPORTER

EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer

John Halley, sophomore youth and family ministry major from Edmond, Okla., holds a flag in support of the Oxford team as his friends Leah Robison, sophomore political science major from Midland, and Missy Perkins, sophomore broadcast journalism major from Grapevine, watch the Study Abroad soccer match Tuesday. the best part of my college experience, and I’ve been able to do it twice,” Pittenger said. Kehl said this was the first time a Study Abroad soccer rush has happened at ACU, so he didn’t really know what to

expect. “Hopefully it will grow,” Kehl said. “We’d like to make it an annual event.” E-mail Chastain at: egc00a@acu.edu

Students seeking to be leaders in an ACU Spring Break Campaign can begin their quest next week. Interested students need to pick up an application, two reference forms, a leader handbook and a personality test in the SBC office on the first floor of McKinzie Hall. Students should then check the SBC calendar so they are aware of important meetings and dates. Clay Rich, senior accounting and finance major from Abilene and chair of the Spring Break Campaigns Committee, said the application process is lengthy but crucial to the success of the campaigns. “Leader selection is one of the most prayed-over times,” Rich said. “The leaders that are selected absolutely shape the campaign he or she is leading. We know God will raise leaders from the ACU student body that are focused on serving Him.” Rich said leaders “must prepare and equip campaigners for mission outreach and service by exemplifying integrity in preparation, organization, and character to establish an environment of prayer and Christ-likeness in a unified focus to seek God’s glory.” After picking up the appropriate forms in the SBC office,

students will attend leader interest meetings Tuesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Room 114 of the Biblical Studies Building. Applications are due Oct. 1 by 5 p.m. Once the students turn in their applications and appropriate forms, they will sign up for an interview with the SBC Committee and will await recognition of leadership positions. Leaders will be informed of their locations and co-leaders on Oct. 12. In accordance with the SBC handbook, leadership positions will be made available to fulltime ACU undergraduate and graduate students, excluding undergraduate freshmen and those on probation. Leaders must maintain a grade point average above 2.75 in order to be a campaign leader. Blake Kahla, senior youth and family ministry major from Missouri City, led a Spring Break Campaign to Honduras last spring and said he was encouraged to do so because of the experience he had on a campaign the previous year. “I believe every Christian needs to experience God in a new light, whether it’s in Honduras, New York or Montana,” Kahla said. “Spring Break Campaigns give students a chance to serve others and at the same time become more spiritually filled. God can do amazing things, even if it is only for a week!” E-mail Crummel at: optimist@acu.edu

Students: New kitchen-lobby in Smith, Adams halls creates delicious mix Kitchen only campus location for buying and cooking food By CHRISTY GOWER FEATURES EDITOR

The new kitchen in Smith and Adams halls has opened, and residents say they enjoy the addition. “Students tell me that they

love the expanded lobby and kitchen,” Dr. Mimi Barnard, director of Residence Life and Education, said in an e-mail. Cory Bourg, director of ARAMARK Food Service, said in an e-mail that he, too, has heard favorable comments. “The students seem to like the new look and atmosphere,” he said. “The traffic indicates that the new renovation has been well received.”

Anna Radomsky, sophomore social work major from Austin, said the kitchen is nice to have. “I’ve baked a cake, and we’re baking Risotto tonight,” she said. Bourg said the kitchen serves two purposes: it gives the halls’ residents a place to do their own cooking, and it provides a place to serve prepackaged foods they can buy

with Bean Bucks and meal plans. “It’s a perk for the students that live in Smith [and] Adams [halls],” he said. He said this is the only place on campus with this service. “The setup is slightly different; we had an excellent opportunity to share the vision of ACU with our students,” he said. “It’s a fun, user-friendly

design which provides great service to the students with additional operational hours.” Bourg said the kitchen provides similar menu items to those at other food locations, like the Jellybean and the Fatted Café, and is open the same hours as the lobby. Radomsky said she really likes it because it brings breakfast foods from the Bean sometimes. When that’s not avail-

able, she and Taylor Rhodes, sophomore criminal justice major from New Braunfels, said they cook breakfast in the kitchen. “I eat breakfast [here] all the time and catch lunch some days,” Rhodes said. “They run out of stuff because everyone eats here.” E-mail Gower at: cng02a@acu.edu

ARTSFRIDAY OPTIMIST

Page 4

The Box Office Figures are for the weekend of September 17-19 and are in millions. Total grosses in parentheses. 1 Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow—$15.6 (new) 2 Mr. 3000—$8.68 (new) 3 Resident Evil: Apocalypse—$8.66 ($37) 4 Wimbledon—$7.12 (new) 5 Cellular—$6.79 ($19.7) 6 Without A Paddle—$3.63 ($50.3) 7 Hero—$2.84 ($46.1) 8 Napoleon Dynamite— $2.29 ($33.3) 9 Collateral—$2.27 ($96) 10 Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement—$1.94 ($91.9)

New York Times Best-Selling Fiction Novels Numbers indicate: current position, last week’s position and total weeks on the list. 1/-/1 Patricia Cornwell, Trace 2/1/78 Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code 3/9/2 Susan Clarke, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell 4/3/51 Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet in Heaven 5/2/2 Julie Garwood, Murder List 6/5/37 Dan Brown, Angels and Demons 7/6/18 Ian Caldwell and Dustin Thomason, The Rule of Four 8/8/9 Carl Hiaasen, Skinny Dip 9/4/4 Sandra Brown, White Hot 10/7/2 Terry Brooks, High Druid of Shannara: Tanequil

Friday, September 24, 2004

‘Sky Captain’ has style, needs characters By DEE TRAVIS ARTS EDITOR

Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow PP 1/2

Starring: Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie; directed by Kerry Conran Rated PG (for sequences of stylized sci-fi violence and brief mild language) Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow exists as a cross between a classic film noir and a 1930’s comic book. Most comic books are only as good as their illustrations, and Sky Captain possesses gorgeous style. The other side of this coin is that most film noirs are only as good as their characters. Sky Captain is the biggest summer film that was held back for a fall release, and it could have been a wonderful summer action film; it also could have been an intriguing film noir. As it turns out, it’s not enough of either. The story is set in a fantastic, futuristic vision of 1938. The opening scene shows a massive blimp docking atop the Empire State Building, and the visuals here harken back to classic concepts of the future; everything is sleek, metallic and overly shiny. We meet Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow), an ambitious reporter covering the disappearance (and possible murder) of seven scientists. While hot on a trail of newfound evidence, Polly witnesses the invasion of New York City by an army of buildingsized robots. Of course, there can now be only one hope for humanity: Sky Captain. Actual name Joe Sullivan, Sky Captain (Jude Law) flies his plane into the very heart of danger, fighting evil as only a

Ratings Key

PPPP PPP PP P

Excellent Good Fair Poor

super hero can. As he flies over the city, Joe looks down and sees Polly running through the streets. She sees his plane, and they simultaneously utter each other’s names. These two have a history. Polly desperately wants her news story and holds the crucial piece of evidence concerning the mystery of the invasion, yet can hardly go alone. They suddenly find themselves dependent upon one another to unravel the mystery of the robots and save the world. Sky Captain is the premiere work of writer/director Kerry Conran, and he certainly presents a glorious vision. A computer effects extravaganza, Guy’s film has tremendous style. The action sequences are exciting enough, but the visuals are at their best in the first fifteen minutes. While characters and plot points are being established, the imagined city of New York provides the perfect backdrop. Every element has an unrealistic glow. The picture itself seems dim and murky so that even the brightest colors are reminiscent of black and white film. These scenes are the opening of a movie that never arrives, a film in which the visuals serve the characters and the story, instead of the other way around. As the characters leave New York to track down the mad scientist responsible for the robotic mayhem, they also leave behind all sense of

Photo courtesy of WWW.ROTTENTOMATOES.COM

Joe ‘Sky Captain’ Sullivan (Jude Law) and veteran reporter Polly Perkins (Gwyneth Paltrow) team up in hopes of solving a deadly mystery in ‘Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.’ intrigue. The color palette brightens as the entire mood of the picture shifts away from character development towards typical action fare. The visuals never cease to impress, however, nor do the performers. Angelina Jolie turns up as Franky Cook, an old friend of Joe’s, but she’s yet another character who is only hinted at. After all, there’s no time to consider her character’s motivations when there’s more robots to blow up. With two Oscar winners and one Oscar nominee at the helm, it’s a shame the cast wasn’t given greater opportunity. The story ends up taking a turn for the ridiculous as more and more action floods the screen, but the characters themselves aren’t bad. In fact, they all show promise initially. Polly Perkins is the kind of

woman who’s always scheming and telling half of what she knows. She follows in the tradition of the seductive woman who plays the hero for all he’s worth, but unfortunately, she’s not that woman. Polly is only based on that stereotype, and stereotypes themselves aren’t interesting. Sky Captain is also bound by a stereotype; he would have been much more interesting as a scoundrel capable of mistakes, perhaps even wrongdoing. As it is, he’s far too predictable, and the hardest stuff he ever drinks is milk of magnesia. Don’t misunderstand; there’s nothing wrong with a fun action movie. In fact, a simple action film can be great. Take Raiders of the Lost Ark, for example. Indiana Jones is an infallible hero who embarks on one great adventure after

another, somehow managing to keep his hat on. The difference between the two films is that Raiders knows what it is: an adventure film, through and through Sky Captain throws in elements from all sorts of movies and never quite decides if it’s mocking its genre or embracing it. From jazzy film noir to science fiction to all-out action, Sky Captain would have been much better off choosing one and devoting itself fully, rather than dabbling in all three. Still, Kerry Conran is to be commended for such a valiant first effort. His sense of style shows great promise; his future work should be the payoff. E-mail Travis at: dxt02a@acu.edu

‘Kiss Me, Kate’ in progress Homecoming Musical centers on fun songs, dance numbers By DEE TRAVIS ARTS EDITOR

With one month left until opening night, the Theatre Department is busy preparing for the Homecoming Musical, Kiss Me, Kate. “We rehearse Monday through Friday and all day Saturday,” said Eric Harrell, associate professor of theatre and director of Kiss Me, Kate. Harrell said that rehearsals for the Homecoming Musical always begin early in the semester. “We usually call students back to begin rehearsing the weekend before school starts,” Harrell said, “but this year we waited until the first day of school.” Kelly Haseltine, senior theatre major from Abilene, will plays the title character of Kiss Me, Kate. “We’ve been rehearsing every day as well as most weekends,” Haseltine said. The show centers on a group of actors performing a

musical rendition of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. “The play within a play is a fun idea,” said Harrell. “We’re a group of actors, playing actors, playing characters.” Ben Jeffrey, junior theatre major from Kansas City, Mo., will plays Fred Graham, the male lead role. “The show is going really well,” Jeffrey said. “It’s a solid show and also has a fun and supportive cast.” Jeffrey said he is enthusiastic about Harrell as a director. “Eric’s doing a fantastic job.” Jeffrey said. “He’s focused and well prepared, but he also has fun while he’s at it.” This year’s Homecoming Musical is a first for Harrell, who said much of his work on the show takes place outside of rehearsals. “I was in the Homecoming Musical when I was a student here at ACU,” Harrell said, “but it’s pretty different as a director; on this side of it there’s a lot more administrative and logistical work.” Harrell said Kiss Me, Kate has large, demanding dance numbers.

“There’s some new choreography that audiences have never seen before” in a Homecoming Musical, Harrell said, “and ‘Too Darn Hot,’ the song that opens the second act, is going to be one of the neatest numbers we’ve ever done.” Josh Martin, sophomore theatre major from Austin, is a member of the ensemble. “The ensemble is in almost every scene because we help create mood and scene environments,” Martin said. Harrell said the show is unique because of the different styles of music. “Most musicals are within a certain time frame,” Harrell said, “but the show within a show allows for a variety of styles of music and dance.” Although the amount of work can at times be overwhelming, Harrell said he feels good about the progress that’s been made. “The show is in one month, and we’re right where I hoped we’d be at this point.,” Harrell said. E-mail Travis at: dxt02a@acu.edu

Today’s Movies The Forgotten—starring Julianne Moore, Dominic West, Gary Sinise; directed by Joseph Ruben After losing her 8-year-old son in a car accident, Moore seeks psychiatric help, only to be told that her son never existed at all. She teams with another man who has faced similar confusions to discover the truth about her forgotten memories.

The Last Shot—starring Matthew Broderick, Alec Baldwin, Toni Collette, Ray Liotta; directed by Jeff Nathanson When a first time director (Broderick) finally finds a producer for his film, he quickly realizes that his producer is a federal agent on a mission to bring down the mafia associated with Broderick’s project.

The Motorcycle Diaries—starring Gael Garcia, Rodrigo De la Serna; directed by Walter Salles Currently in limited release, this independent film tells the story of Che Guevara, leader of the Cuban revolution, and the adventures he had with a friend in the 1950’s, travelling across South America on a motorcycle.

Top-selling Albums Numbers indicate: current position, last week’s position and total weeks on the chart. 1/-/1 Alan Jackson, What I Do 2/1/3 Tim McGraw, Live Like You Were Dying 3/2/2 Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company

4/-/1 Anita Baker, My Everything 5/5/7 Various Artists, Now 16 6/8/8 Ashlee Simpson, Autobiography 3 7/3/2 Jill Scott, Beautifully Human: Words and Sounds Vol. 2 8/4/2 LL Cool J,

The DEFinition 9/6/3 R. Kelly, Happy People/U Saved Me 10/7/3 Young Buck, Straight Outta Ca$hville

CAMPUS NEWS/FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Friday, September 24, 2004

Page 5

Pledge

Sky’s unlimited for fest Balloon Fest to feature hot-air balloons, powered parachutes By BRIAN SCHMIDT STAFF WRITER

The Abilene sky will be busy this weekend as the 10th annual Big Country Balloon Fest begins Friday at Redbud Park. The event, which runs through Sunday morning, is the Optimist Unlimited Club of Abilene’s main fund-raiser, with all proceeds going to help children of the Big Country. The event began 10 years ago with nine balloons and a goal of helping the children and serving the community at the same time. Current Balloon Fest chair Robin Hicks, president of the Optimist Club, said the community aspect of the

event has been important since it began. “We wanted the event to have a community appeal and involve the community,” she said. “It’s something that [affects] the community in a positive way. ... The entire family can come and have a really good time.” The Balloon Fest has grown each year with the number of balloons and pilots expanding, as well as adding powered parachutes last year. “[As of Wednesday,] we had, between balloons and powered parachutes, 30-plus pilot confirmations,” Hicks said. “Pilots come from all around; we even have a pilot from New Zealand.” Hicks describes the powered parachutes as “[looking] like a go-cart that flies.” He said that is far from the only new addi-

Continued from Page 1

tion over the past several years. “The event has evolved over the years to much more than just the hot-air balloon show,” according to an article in the official Big Country Balloon Fest program. “There is a children’s area where games are set up, a street dance, local entertainment, air castles, a silent auction, arts and crafts, and [much more].” The Balloon Fest is free to the public, and according to the Abilene Police Department, it attracts about 20,000 to 25,000 people. It has become known all over the United States and has been featured on several national television stations such as CNN and The Weather Channel.

E-mail Schmidt at: bms02e@acu.edu

his first semester as adviser after he took charge of social clubs from his wife, Amanda. He said she helps him when he has questions, and overall, he has been pleased with the process. “I feel really good about the way things have gone with this being my first year,” he said. “With Mary Kay Knight as the administrative coordinator working with social clubs, things have gone very well. She has been involved in the process now for four years and has been wonderful in helping me with the nuts and bolts of the pledging process.”

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Steve Sprague tests the burner on a hot-air balloon Wednesday night at the Balloon Fest pre-event tether at the Wal-Mart Supercenter.

E-mail Bredemeyer at: lmb00g@acu.edu

Freshman Follies to feature Alumna to receive award Malagasy student chorus Twenty-four students to sing traditional Christian song By JENNA LUCADO STUDENT REPORTER

A chorus of 24 students from Madagascar will perform a native Malagasy song in Freshman Follies on Friday and Saturday. The song, a traditional Christian song for the Malagasy people, is titled “Rombaho,” which means “Help us God.” Kendall Massey, director of Student Productions, said the song might contribute culturally to Freshman Follies. He said the performance has the potential to influence the audience’s “fuller perspective” of the “global community” that the world, including ACU, has become. He said the song can act as a reminder to students about the different cultures that have come together to form the ACU community. “I think that the Malagasy

Friends, classmates to honor author at reception Sunday

performance can really be beneficial in the long run by helping the ACU community to accept each other for who we are,” Massey said. The Malagasy students agree. They have expressed joy in the opportunity to help educate campus about their homeland and further its perspective of the world. After being asked to perform in Freshman Follies, Patricia Ratsirimpady, freshman computer science major from Anjahambe Vavatenina, Madagascar, said she is very willing to show culture. Hasina Randrianjafy, freshman environmental science major from Antananarivo, Madagascar, also said she appreciates chances “to talk about [their] culture” “A lot of students don’t even know where Madagascar is,” she said. Massey said he had the idea of including the performance after hearing the Malagasy students audition for the Wel-

come Week talent show in August. “I would really like to get as many international students involved as possible,” Massey said. The song the students sing will be just one of the new aspects of Freshman Follies. This year, the production will include video segments as the transitions between the acts, as well as a significant amount of time cut compared to previous years. Also, all of the music will be contemporary. However, Massey said selecting modern music can be difficult. “Popular music's subject matter is not nearly as pure as it once was,” he said. “I have made a strong effort to use songs that are popular but have a message and show what is still good about music.” E-mail Lucado at: optimist@acu.edu

Safety: Goal to inform campus Continued from Page 1 Ellison said. He said because the intentions of the men were not specifically known, he, along with Barnard, felt obligated to warn the student body. “I would rather be safe than sorry,” Barnard said. “You don’t want to be paranoid, but it’s good to be aware. Early in the semester is a good time for people to have a little dose of awareness.” Ellison said the men were probably itinerant, or traveling, vendors and might have been only looking to sell perfume as they had told the girl. He said he has received information from other students that they saw the same vendors in the United Supermarket parking lot and a gas station parking lot. He said he wants students to be wary of these vendors, even though their actions were not criminal, and the men might not be harmful. Timely warnings are generally sent out three to four times a year and are for matters that cause reasonable amount of concern or alarm, Ellison said. He said they are not meant to scare students,

“Early in the semester is a good time for people to have a little dose of awareness..” Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life

or annoy them for that matter. “What a lot of people don’t realize is that we are required by law to make the campus aware of crimes that pose a potential risk to students,” Ellison said. Barnard said the situation probably didn’t warrant a timely warning, according to the standards set for Ellison the warnings by himself and Ellison, but he does not regret sending the e-mail. Ellison said his goal is to make the campus informed, aware and safe. He said students should always walk or jog in pairs, especially at night. Barnard recommends female students carry their whistles with them when running around the campus and should take advantage of the safety shuttle, a golf cart that drives students around cam-

pus at night. Students should also be aware of traffic and cars near them and should not get too close to a car, even if it is someone asking for directions, Ellison said. “I want to make sure this campus is as safe as it can be,” Ellison said. “I think it is the responsible thing to do, I think the parents expect it and I think students deserve it.” He said it is easy for people to be critical about warnings like the one sent out, but that will not stop him from informing the university. “I would rather explain to one sore-head why I’m distributing information that is not really information you want in slick brochures,” Ellison said, “than explain to one mother or father whose daughter’s been raped or murdered why I had information and didn’t distribute it.” E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu

SA: Rouse meeting with leaders Continued from Page 1 making a minor in leadership available to students. So far, Rouse said he has looked through the student catalog and selected all the classes that have to do with developing leadership skills. “There’s so many different classes that have leadership aspects to them, but there’s not any kind of track for students to follow if they want to specifically target their leadership skills,” Rouse said after the meeting.

He said he began meeting with VanRheenen and Jan Meyer, director of student leadership development, during the summer and will continue the meetings this semester. Rouse said they still need to determine Rouse which department would house the minor or if it would cross several departments. He also said

Meyer and Dr. Charles Mattis, dean of the First-Year Program, could start a lowerlevel class centering on leadership. Sarah Woodroof, executive secretary for SA, announced which committees members would serve on. As representatives, members of Congress are assigned to one of six committees.

E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu

By ELIZABETH NEWMAN STUDENT REPORTER

Alumna Mary (Shrode) Hollingsworth, the author of more than 80 Christian books for adults and children, was awarded a Distinguished Alumni Citation and will be honored with a reception at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens at 3 p.m. Sunday. Hollingsworth was nominated by other alumni and selected for one of the awards by the 33-member Alumni Advisory Board. Friends and former classmates of Hollingsworth will attend the reception to recognize her accomplishments. Charlotte Greeson, Hollingsworth’s friend of almost 20 years, was one of the people who nominated her and who will speak at the reception. “She is a great example of

Christianity and has always wanted to use what God has given her to enhance people’s lives,” Greeson said. “She has reached so many with her talent.” Hollingsworth of Bedford graduated from ACC in 1970 with a business degree and has sold more than 6 million copies in her career as a Christian author. “Everyone that nominated her talked about how she exudes the love of Christ, not only in her work, but also in her life,” said Jama Cadle, Alumni Events coordinator. “She has been very humble and grateful.” Hollingsworth, now a freelance author, serves as managing editor for the W Publishing Group, a division of Thomas Nelson Inc. of Nashville, Tenn. She published her first book in 1975 and has published books such as My Little Bible, Hugs for Women and The International Children's Story Bible. Along with writing books,

Hollingsworth has worked on animated videos and CDs. She is also the best-selling female Church of Christ author in the world, Cadle said. “It’s really important for our alumni to nominate other alumni, so we can keep up with them and see what they are doing,” Cadle said. “It’s neat to work with these people and see how they have used their experiences at ACU to shape their career.” Other recipients who will be honored later in the year include Bob Allen III, president of the Associated Publishing Company, of Abilene; Stephen Kenney, a public defender in Charleston, W.Va., and pulpit minister of Hurricane Church of Christ in Hurricane, W. Va.; and Dr. Stan Denman, chair of the Department of Theatre at Baylor University.

E-mail Newman at: optimist@acu.edu

VIEWSFRIDAY OPTIMIST

Page 6 The issue: CBS aired a report that included questionable, unchecked documents about Bush’s military record.

Our view: CBS and Dan Rather cast media in a bad light. They acted irresponsibly and should have admitted their mistake sooner.

The solution: Media members need to carefully check all facts and sources, regardless of deadlines. If they do not act responsibly, they will lose their audience.

September 24, 2004

CBS handled record situation badly Rule No. 1 in journalism: Make sure the information being reported is true. CBS two weeks ago failed to do so, and it left CBS Evening News anchorman Dan Rather and producer Mary Mapes discredited and made the media look corrupt in the nation’s eyes. CBS aired a report on Sept. 8 that included documents given to the network by Bill Burkett of Baird that raised questions about President George W. Bush’s military record. Burkett said he obtained the documents from a source he later revealed he had

lied about, but he Dan Rather should have admitted on CBS Evening wrong sooner than he did. said he told CBS to check the doc- News that he and his producers were wrong sooner. They stood by the story and uments and their its authenticity authenticity before the network ran them; CBS fact-checkers and slow down the for almost two weeks before ignored the advice. process when questions about a going on air to admit the mistake, News organizations can get story are raised. CBSnews.com which prolonged the issue and caught up in thinking they can be said documents experts “raised smeared their name more than the first to break a story, and in red flags that network officials was necessary. In order to mainthe emotion of trying to get some- apparently disregarded” about the tain its integrity when it makes thing on air or in print, it’s easy to documents. If the network had mistakes, the media must admit forget the basics like calling sour- taken another day or two to veri- when its members have commitces and double-checking facts. fy the information, it could have ted errors. CBS is right in naming a probe But, ensuring the information avoided this fiasco instead of panel, which it did on Wednesthat will be passed on to the mass- rushing to break a story. es is correct should be the first Dan Rather should have day, to investigate the documents. thing members of the media do. admitted on CBS Evening News The panel will review the netThey also must listen to their that he and his producers were work’s use of the documents and

Pitcher’s actions overshadow season Seventy-one wins in the year’s version of the Rangers, NBA is an amazing season. I want to remember the 18After all, only one team has inning win against the Seattle surpassed the mark. But 71 Mariners. I want to remember wins in Major the time they gave up eight League Base- runs in the fifth inning and ball; that puts fell behind 14-4 to the Detroit you 20 games Tigers, only to score 10 in the under .500. bottom half of the inning and That’s where go on to win 16-15. I want to the Rangers remember the early season were at in sweep of the Red Sox, in 2003. In 2002 which the other Francisco, Gray it was 72 Francisco Cordero, garnered wins, 73 in three saves in two days and Matters 2001 and back the Rangers proved they were Warren Gray to 71 in 2000. for real. These are the images The 2004 Rangers, minus that made the season great. Some images I don’t care to three hall-of-famers from 2003, have won 85 and still relive: Texas pitcher Carlos Almanzar having to be helped have 10 games to play. A turnaround of that mag- to the dugout because of an nitude houses many great sto- asthma attack suffered during ries. How unfortunate it is the bullpen brawl; a Rangers that Frank Francisco’s deci- coach having to be restrained sion to play extreme musical so he wouldn’t go after a fan; chairs with some fans is now and Alfonso Soriano’s ninth the most storied of memories. inning two-out game-tying home run against F r a n c i s c o ’s a division rival ascension to the being overshadbig leagues this owed by a flying season is ironiWithout a chair. cally one of doubt, throwing Baseball seathose great stosons are inexpliries of the year. an object of cably long. In After beginning any sort at a fact when this the year in one began marDouble A Frisco, fan cannot be riage vows were he was called up exchanged only to Arlington aftolerated. by a man and a ter yet another woman. After veteran pitcher, 162 games, all this time Jeff Nelson, went down with an but a few moments blend injury. Francisco never together into the murky looked back. He helped the ambivalence that is the sport Rangers beat the Yankees in of baseball. It’s those few May, striking out Derek Jeter, moments that define a season. Without a doubt, throwing Jason Giambi, Jorge Posada and old Texas pal Alex an object of any sort at a fan Rodriguez in the process. cannot be tolerated, and After going 3-0 with a 1.69 Francisco should be made an ERA in August, Francisco was example of through a lengthy named American League suspension. But that doesn’t mean the incident has to Rookie of the Month. But Francisco threw all define his season, or that of those nice moments into the his team. The Rangers did too stands of Oakland Coliseum many great things this season on Sept. 13 with one fling of a to let one incident supercede folding bullpen chair. them all. Jennifer Bueno’s broken nose gave the Rangers’ season a black eye that just won’t go away. E-mail Gray at: When I think back on this optimist@acu.edu or weg02a@acu.edu

Daniel Barcroft

In My Words

Ding Dongs in dire danger of extinction I am not really a journalist. I’ll pretend to be one every now and then when the Optimist wants to take a big a chance, but really I’m not a journalist. But between the Optimist and the NPR content on KACU, I find No Pun for every now and then a story Barcroft that is so Daniel Barcroft important I must spread the word and command action from every citizen within sight of my words. It is such a story that I now bring to both of you. Interstate Bakeries, the makers of Wonder Bread and Hostess snack products, has declared bankruptcy. Now, I’m not sure there’s the need for widespread panic— yet. As per American business practices, the company has people working on a turnaround plan. But this is just the

Are you going to go to Freshman Follies? Why or why not? “No. I prefer not to spend money watching little kids making fools of themselves—you get enough of that on campus.”

“I’m not planning on it, but I probably will because I have a bunch of friends in the freshman class.”

Dylan Carey

Adam Lewis

Chelsea Blanton

freshman biology major from Lubbock

junior psychology major from Covina, Calif.

senior interior design major from Nashville, Tenn.

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 fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published. Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@jmc.acu.edu

What if ... we never see a Twinkie again? What’s next, the Tootsie Pop? latest in what appears to be a trend. A couple of years ago, I got similar news about Converse, the company that manufactures the Great American Sneaker. After some careful thought, I bought myself a pair of black high-tops in every size up to 12. I wanted to make sure that if the Chuck Taylor became extinct, I wouldn’t be high and dry. As it turns out, some other company bought them out, and now they’re more popular than ever. But those of us who wore them before they were “in” know what a close call we almost had. You don’t remember Crystal’s Pizza, but every alumnus to visit Abilene since I’ve been here has expressed shock to find it was closed down and replaced, such a staple it was for dating college students.

And now, the Ding Dong is in danger. What if? What if they don’t turn around? What if nobody buys them out and we never see another Twinkie again? What’s next, the Tootsie Pop? The Oatmeal Crème Pie?! One possible cause cited was the popularity of low-carb diets. In fact, Interstate Bakeries isn’t the only bakeryrelated company in trouble. But let’s count the cost along with the carbs. In five years, the Atkins diet will go the way of all diets, and be something to keep in mind as you eat smart, and one of the dozen other common-sense diet principles will come to the forefront in another fad. And even if it doesn’t, it won’t matter; in less than a year you’ll cheat on the diet anyway. This diet will come and go, but the Twinkie has been around for almost 75 years.

That’s at least three generations that grew up with the delicious confection in their lunchboxes. Now it’s up to us to keep it alive, if we want our kids to know that same unnaturally yellow confidence in a scrumptious end to lunch. And I’m only using this example from the crass world of consumer products to illustrate a larger point: Your very favorite “simple pleasure” in life is on a use-it-or-lose-it basis. Your favorite delicious treat, barbecue restaurant, shoe, city park, date or beverage won’t be there tomorrow if you don’t take advantage of their presence today. So next week when you shop for groceries or fill out your day planner, remember your favorites. That way, they’ll be around to remember you. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go call my girlfriend and my parents and enjoy some grape Kool-Aid or Jones Soda. E-mail Barcroft at: optimist@acu.edu or dwb99a@acu.edu

Patriotism shouldn’t be discreet

In Your Words

“I’m probably going to go just to have a good time and see some of my friends and get a couple of laughs.”

find any wrongdoing. Viewers used to trust the media to provide accurate, unbiased news, but now people are more wary of what they see, hear or read because too many journalists have taken advantage of the system and given incorrect or false reports. If the community doesn’t believe the media is reliable, readership and viewership will drop. Instead of worrying about pushing the story all the time and always being the first to report a story, journalists should remember that the quality of their job depends on the integrity of their work.

Abilene Christian University is in the United States of America. Therefore, it is in fact an American university. Those from other nations that decide to attend ACU understand that it is just that. I wish that many Americans understood the same. Since when has patriotism been restrained to silent or discreet expressions? I think ACU should be proud that it is an

OPTIMIST THE

American u n i v e r s i t y, and should be willing to show the world its patriotism.

YOUR VOICE Re: The Optimist, Sept. 22 “Flag petition raises needed discussion” editorial

Matthew Morgan senior history major from Abilene

The Optimist Editorial Board

Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Abilene Christian University

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Jonathan Smith

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Online: www.acuoptimist.com

JUMPS

Friday, September 24, 2004

Page 7

Volleyball: Tournament last stop before LSC South

Football: Wildcats won’t underestimate Greyhounds

Continued from Page 8

Junior middle blocker Amanda Slate led the way with 21 kills and a .622 hitting percentage. Junior outside hitter Michelle Bernhardt finished with 15 kills and junior setter Lindsey Martin added 44 assists in the 30-18, 35-33, 3230 victory for the Wildcats. “Amanda just carried us with 21 kills, only two errors and some big serves,” Horn said. “She’s really got her jump serve down and is putting the ball away.” Slate is second on the team with 188 kills and leads the

Wildcats with a .356 hitting percentage. Horn credits Slate’s strong season to her ability to control her athleticism on the court. Slate and the Wildcats will look to control the LSC South Division when division play begins Thursday at home against West Texas A&M. The reigning LSC South champions and the Wildcats will begin play at 7:30 p.m. in Moody Coliseum. BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

E-mail Roe at: bpr00a@acu.edu

Running back Rashon Myles carries the ball away from ACU’s goal line on Saturday’s contest with Tarleton Sate. Myles gained 102 yards and had 1 touchdown on 14 carries in the 31-14 victory.

the Greyhounds, and this season he’s passing leader, and he leads the team in rushing. Hinson averages 5.5 yards per carry with 295 yards on 54 attempts, and he has found the end zone five times on the ground. He’s thrown for 510 yards and three touchdowns as well, giving him 805 yards of total offense (7th in LSC). “[Hinson] understands the offense; he ran it in high school. But the best thing about him is he makes good decisions, and that’s the highest compliment you can pay a

quarterback,” Gaines said. The Wildcats have finished 5-1 the past two seasons in the LSC South and shared the title with Kingsville in 2002. ACU will face Southeastern Oklahoma State in next week’s contest, which will mark the last LSC crossover matchup before the Wildcats finish with five-straight South Division games.

E-mail Robarts at: kdr00c@acu.edu

Massingill: Work about saving lives, saving souls Continued from Page 1 “He leaned over our back fence one day, and he was looking for work,” Massingill said. “He wanted to mow lawns.” Massingill, his wife and two children became friends with Kawinga while he worked for them. “He kept saying, ‘When are you coming home?’” Massingill said, “meaning when were we going to come to his home” in Zambia, where the average life expectancy is 35 years and an average collegeaged student in America could be considered middleaged. Massingill promised him they would go in 1997, admittedly unsure to what he was committing. “I don’t know if I thought he would forget or if I thought this is far enough out that I can work it out,” Massingill said, “but 1997 came around, and we just stuck to it.” At first, Massingill said he and his wife thought the trip would be a good way for their children to see the world from a different perspective. “There’s little doubt in my mind that the reason that we’ve kept going is exactly the same,” Massingill said. “It’s not that I feel that they need it anymore; it’s because it’s their ministry.” Massingill said he loves the family-friendly atmosphere of the medical mission — another reason they continue to go. “When you’re a family and you find something you really care about and can do together,” Massingill said, “you just keep doing it.

The physical work

he team spends almost three weeks in Zambia each July. They dedicate seven full days to clinics, during which time they may see more than 18,000 patients. Villages swell from 500 people when the team arrives to 2,000 or 3,000 people — many of whom will walk three days to attend a clinic. Massingill said the majority of cases they see are malaria, parasites and burns. Some of the infirmities, Massingill said, would be almost unheard of to many Americans. “We met a man last year who had been run over by a plow 20 years before,” Mas-

singill said. “Twenty years ago dozen people plus several Massingill said. “I had never the oxen got loose while he Zambians every hour, all day actually heard that authentically. That all comes from was plowing and pulled the just cooking.” Other volunteers are sta- superstition and witchcraft.” plow into his leg. It was still Back at the same town one an open wound from 20 years tioned with each doctor to have the next patient ready to year after introducing Christago.” Massingill told of people walk in as soon as the current ianity to the people, Massingill remembers a completely who have abscessed teeth for one stands up. A few workers at a time eat different atmosphere. years that will get infected, “I lay my head down to go and they die because of the lunch in half-hour shifts before immediately going back to sleep, and I hear this infection. “We can’t imagine dying to work. singing start,” he said. “It was By 5 p.m. and several thou- in Chitanga, not English, but because we’re not able to go to the dentist, but in Zambia sand Zambians later, the clin- it wasn’t tribal dancing. It was it’s a routine problem,” he ic shuts down, leaving work- Christian music.” ers half an hour of daylight to said. Massingill said that is what Because fire acts as the collect their things. Dinner he takes from the trips — seeonly source of light and heat and a devotional close the 16- ing God work in the people to at night, Massingill said some hour days. whom they preach. “By 9 o’clock, everyone is of the most severe cases the And the work continues pretty well asleep because long after the team leaves team treats are burns. The team begins many they’re dead tired,” Massingill Zambia at the end of each days at 5:30 a.m., before the said. July. sun comes up, in order to A church development reach a location and set up a team made up of Zambian The spiritual work clinic by 9 a.m. Christians follows up with all “I feel a huge burden when ven though the team the congregations begun we roll into a place,” Masdoes medical clinics throughout the nation during singill said. “I’m a slave driv- about half its days in Zambia, the year. Massingill said this er. I’m just rushing and going, Massingill said he does not team does the real work. and I see these crowds of even consider that the most “We consider it our cause 1,500 to 2,000 people gather- important part of the trip. to assist the Zambian church, ing out there. “I would never want any- not to plant an American “Every 10 minutes we see one to think we go to do med- church,” Massingill said. “We 150 people,” he said. “So if ical work,” he said. “We go to just go and cause a reason for we’re 10 minutes late starting bring people Jesus.” a lot of people to come a clinic, then 150 people are As missionaries, Massingill together.” going to go home without said they are welcomed into care.” the country because Zambia Missing his friends By 9 a.m., the Zambians considers itself a Christian are separated into lines of nation. ictures and portraits men and women and children “[The team] has a chance that fill his bookshelves who need medical, dental or to see what Jesus means when and line the walls speak to vision help. he says the fields are ripened what Massingill remembers As people move through, for the harvest,” Hamby said, most from Zambia: the peothe lines multiply and fan out who saw the need for the trip ple. Just looking at a picture to all the different medical even though many people in resurrects a story. profession“This guy als. owns a garage “What sticks out in my mind are the friendships In order and comes with I can’t count on, because people that are to care for us,” Massingill 150 people said, gesturing healthy one year die the next.” every 10 to a picture of a minutes, Zambian carryK.B. Massingill, chief information officer Massingill ing a large hose said the around his team must shoulder. “We operate with extreme efficien- Zambia have some knowledge call him the Soul Mechanic cy. In some cases, visits end as of Christianity. because he really wants to do simply and as quickly as givHowever, the farther off spiritual work, and he does ing the Zambian several the tar roads a town is locat- most of the time, but he’s our Tylenol tablets or vitamins. ed, Massingill said the more mechanic. And I don’t know However, if the patient is run- animistic society is, and the what we’d do without him.” ning a temperature or seems people talk more of evil spirTwo others, Dominic to be more ill, up to half an its. Moonga, who visits the Zamhour may be spent in diagnoMassingill said he remem- bian churches year-round, sis and prescribing medicine. bers one time two years ago a and his daughter Caroline, Even the volunteers who baby dying in a town where a Massingill regards with have no medical training — clinic was located and the rit- utmost honor. like Massingill — stay busy. uals the locals went through “You’re looking at two of “We’ve got about 220 peo- during that time. my heroes right there because ple we’ve got to feed every “Way off in the distance I they really do the work,” Masday, and remember, we’re could hear African drum- singill said. cooking on open fires,” Mas- ming — I mean traditional triLeaving at the end of July singill said. “It can take half a bal dancing and drumming,” is bittersweet for Massingill,

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Dr. K.B. Massingill, chief information officer, stands beside his map of Africa. Massingill spends about one month Zambia helping codirect a medical mission trip each July directing and overseeing the work that occurs while the team is there. and not just because he does not want to leave the work he does there. “I have some deep, abiding relationships with some people there, but I can never count on the fact that they’ll be there when I come back a year later,” Massingill said, holding back tears. “So what sticks out in my mind are my friendships I can’t count on, because people that are healthy one year die the next, simply because they don’t have adequate medicine. “It’s not that they couldn’t be saved,” he said. “It’s just that they don’t have what it takes to be saved physically.” That is why Massingill goes to spend time with the people and help give them something he says not even their politicians give them:

dignity. That is why he just couldn’t move a woman in a wheelbarrow. “You can be there working, ready to do the next chore that comes along, and it just so happens that the next chore that comes along could be this really important chore of carrying somebody into a doctor’s office,” he said. “Whereas my next chore here is to make sure my computer is locked before I leave. “You are put in a situation where the next average thing you might do is going to really be meaningful to somebody.”

E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu

SPORTSFRIDAY OPTIMIST

Page 10

LSC South Division play under way

LSC South Standings Football Team Div. 1. A&M-Kingsville 0-0 2. ACU 0-0 2. Midwestern State 0-0 4. E. New Mexico 0-0 5. A&M-Commerce 0-0 5. W. Texas A&M 0-0 7. Angelo State 0-0

Tot. 2-0 2-1 2-1 1-3 1-2 1-2 0-4

Volleyball Team 1. Tarleton State 2. E. New Mexico 3. Angelo State 4. ACU 5. West Texas A&M 6. A&M-Kingsville

Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

September 24, 2004

Tot. 12-3 9-2 11-3 11-5 9-6 5-8

Scores Tuesday Volleyball ACU 3, St. Edwards 0

Briefs

After last week’s upset win, Wildcats take 2-1 record to Portales, N.M. By KYLE ROBARTS SPORTS EDITOR

In a roundabout way, ACU’s football season starts Saturday in Portales, N.M. Sure, the team may have just come off one of the biggest wins in school history by beating Tarleton State on its home turf. But the quest to dethrone Texas A&M-Kingsville (four straight LSC South Division Titles) starts with Eastern New Mexico. The Wildcats take their 2-1 record to the 1-3 Greyhounds, but fans may want to disregard records and statistics when making assumptions about the

outcomes of games in the LSC South. “You can’t judge [ENMU] by their record; the conference’s talent is spread so well across the board,” said senior receiver Dillon Cobb. “In the past, we’ve been 0-3 and beaten them while they were nationally ranked, so it doesn’t matter what their record is; they can beat you.” ACU has had the upper hand on the last five matchups with the Greyhounds, but the last time the Wildcats went to Portales, it took a game-winning field goal from 49 yards out from Eben Nelson to win 20-19. “Tarleton overlooked us last week, so we need to learn from their mistake and not overlook them,” said Nelson, senior place-kicker. “We need to

expect their best and be ready to give our best.” The tables are turned this week for the Wildcats. Last week, the team had a sevengame losing streak against Tarleton and was able to snap it with a 31-14 win. This week, however, the Greyhounds will be looking to snap a five-game losing streak to ACU. “We’re still high from the Tarleton win, and I think we have the ability to dominate them, but they’re hungry for a win,” Cobb said. Head coach Gary Gaines said, “We have momentum established, but that doesn’t guarantee anything. Just because a team is unranked doesn’t mean they can’t beat us.” Both Gaines and Cobb have commented on Eastern’s

Game Preview

unconventional style that the team should expect Saturday. “They’re Abilene Christian (2-1, 0-0) at Eastern New Mexico (1-3, 0-0) hard to preDate: Saturday Sept. 25, 2004 Time: 6 p.m. (7 p.m. CST) pare for in a Location: Portales, N.M. week’s time; Stadium: Greyhound Stadium (6,100, grass) Audio: KULL 92.5 FM or streaming audio at www.tsrnsports.com they run the wishbone offense and Colors: Purple and White their defense Coach: Gary Gaines (18-26, 5th season) sends the blitz f re q u e n t l y, ” Gaines said. Colors: Green and Silver “Their deCoach: Bud Elliot (63-47-2, 11th season) fense is really good,” he said. “They throw are doing, but they do and they everything at you–they blitz do it well.” from every angle and line up in Steven Hinson is the thirdawkward formations,” Cobb year starter at quarterback for said. “It kind of makes you See FOOTBALL Page 7 wonder if they know what they

Abilene Christian (2-1)

Eastern New Mexico (1-3)

Intramurals in full swing

Manning earns LSC Special Teams POW for second straight week Danieal Manning was recognized for the second straight week as the Lone Star Conference South Special Teams Player of the Week. Manning returned a punt for a 55-yard score against Northeastern State on Sept. 11 and had a total of 176 return yards between punt, kickoff and interception returns. Manning played a big part in ACU’s upset of Tarleton State Saturday, returning a punt 73 yards for a touchdown and picking off his second pass of the season. — Kyle Robarts-Sports Editor

Softball and tennis finish as flag football begins By NATHAN CRUMMEL STUDENT REPORTER

Martin named LSC South Division Setter of the Week The Lone Star Conference named ACU setter Lindsey Martin the South Division setter of the week for her performance last week. The junior from Sugarland added 119 assists to her season total last week in three regional matches. Martin averaged 13.22 assists per game and helped the Wildcats go 3-0 against Texas Woman’s, Texas A&M-Commerce and Southeastern Oklahoma. Martin posted her best statistics against Texas Woman’s with 48 assists, nine digs and two kills. “Lindsey is the quarterback of this team, and she deserves the recognition,” said head coach Brek Horn. “She carries a lot of responsibility, so the coaching staff is always pushing her.” Martin leads the LSC with 666 assists through Thursday. Horn said Martin’s teammates also deserve credit. “Lindsey is doing a good job, and it doesn’t hurt to have good hitters,” Horn said. “It’s really a team effort. She couldn’t do it without the pass and without the hitters, but Lindsey is really doing a great job reading the middle blockers and getting the ball to her hitters.” — Brian Roe-Sports Writer

This week in Wildcat sports... (home events in italics) Friday, September 24 VB: Central Oklahoma, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 25 VB: SE Oklahoma State, 1 p.m. VB: Cameron, 5 p.m. FB: at Eastern New Mexico, 7 p.m. Monday, September 27 G: at NSU Men's Fall Classic, 9 a.m. Tuesday, September 28 G: at NSU Men's Fall Classic, 9 a.m. Thursday, September 30 VB: West Texas A&M, 7 p.m. Saturday, October 2 MCC: at OSU Cowboy Jamboree, 10 a.m. WCC: at OSU Cowboy Jamboree, 10 a.m.

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Members of the Wildcat volleyball team celebrate after a point in Saturday’s match with Southeastern Oklahoma. ACU won the match 3-0.

Crossover tourney begins Friday Wildcats to face UCO, SEOKU and Cameron By BRIAN ROE SPORTS WRITER

ACU plays host to the entire Lone Star Conference this weekend at the annual LSC Crossover Tournament in Moody Coliseum. Twelve teams will play 18 matches over the two-day tournament beginning

Friday at 1:30 p.m. The Moody Coliseum courts will be split into two separate courts in order for two matches to be played simultaneously. The first matches of the tournament feature Texas A&MKingsville vs. Texas A&MCommerce on court one and Tarleton State vs. Central Oklahoma on court two. “The conference and crossover tournaments alternate locations every year, and since we

are a centrally located school, we get to host every four years or so,” said head coach Brek Horn. The Wildcats are 14-1 alltime at the LSC Crossover Tournament, which began in 2000. The team’s only loss came to Central Oklahoma in 2002. ACU will face the Lady Bronchos in their first match of the tournament Friday at 7:30 p.m. ACU will also play two matches on Saturday at 1 p.m.

against Southeastern Oklahoma State and at 5 p.m. against Cameron. “We will be at home, so we expect to win,” Horn said. “We expect to win all matches on our home court.” The Wildcats carry a fivegame winning streak into the tournament after defeating St. Edwards in three straight games Tuesday in Austin. See VOLLEYBALL Page 7

Training staff undergoes changes Dunavant, Webb fill holes; ‘blessed’ to have student trainers By WARREN GRAY SPORTS WRITER

The ACU athletic training program has been split in two this year. For the first time, the Wildcats have a head men’s athletic trainer, Jason Dunavant, as well as a head women’s athletic trainer, Britney Webb. “We divided it up into men’s and women’s just for ease of issues,” Dunavant said. “There’s some men’s issues we can talk about and then women’s issues we can talk about now. So it makes things a little easier for us.” This is Dunavant’s first experience as a head trainer. He has been an assistant trainer for four years at ACU after holding the same job at the University of Arkansas. Dunavant was actually set to accept a job at Seton Hall in New Jersey before being

offered a job at ACU. He said he chose Abilene for a number of reasons, not the least of which was the location. “It’s a lot better in Texas than it is in New Jersey for one thing,” Dunavant said. Webb was a head trainer at Granbury High School before coming to ACU. The wife of a high school football coach, Webb has beDunavant come accustomed to moving. When they moved to West Texas after he accepted the job as Baird’s head football coach, Webb knew she wanted to continue to be a trainer. “We really just kind of lucked out on her because she just happened to be in the area,” Dunavant said. “She’s fantastic.” As head trainers, both Dunavant and Webb say this is what they want to do, and

where they want to be. “This is what everyone aspires to be,” Dunavant said. “Being an athletic trainer is like being a director of a movie.” “Directing” the athletes takes a lot of behind-thescenes work. While trainers don’t usually get the recognition of coaches, their work with the team is vital. Dunavant said 12-hour days are the norm for him, days that begin at 6 a.m. Webb also said the job takes a lot of work and doesn’t always get publicity. “If you’re in this profession to get recognition, you’re in the wrong profession,” Webb said. Both head trainers said they are blessed with 11 student trainers who carry much of the workload. Webb said she doesn’t know what they would do without the students. “If we didn’t have them, it would be pretty hard to do this job,” Webb said.

Dunavant echoed her remarks. “You can have the biggest, baddest boat on the water, but if you don’t have a motor pushing it, it doesn’t matter diddly squat,” Dunavant said. “Our student trainers are that motor.” When all is said and done, Dunavant said, a trainer’s job is complete when a recovering athlete plays well. “I got the biggest thrill of my lifetime watching Rashon Myles break one,” Dunavant said. “Rashon’s been kind of banged up, and when we finally got him healthy and he scored that touchdown, I was just bubbling inside. “That was satisfaction enough for me.” Rick Fox, former head athletic trainer, left ACU after the spring semester to take the same position at Burnet High School.

E-mail Gray at: weg02a@acu.edu

The last hitter has rounded the bases, and the first touchdowns of the year have been scored for ACU intramural sports. Matt Bryan, senior intramural crew chief, said everything has run smoothly so far and that the year should be one of the best. “It’s gone fairly well, just about as good as you could expect it to go,” said Bryan, senior finance and accounting major from Mesquite. “We’ve been lucky we haven’t had any major problems so far.” The men’s and women’s tennis singles and doubles tournament ended last weekend with a record number of participants, said Jonathan Ross, intramural coordinator and senior interdisciplinary psychology and missions major from Abilene. Softball saw larger numbers than expected as well, which led to the creation of a season and playoff system instead of the double elimination tournament that was planned. Intramural softball ended last week with the Diamonds winning the women’s division and Degeneration X winning its third consecutive softball championship, said Ross, who plays for Degeneration X and said it was rewarding to win a third straight title. Ross said he and his teammates must now turn their attention to the flag football season, intramurals’ most popular sport. Danny Kittley, director of ACU intramural sports, said 54 teams are playing in the various men’s and women’s divisions, with about 1,100 students participating. Kittley said he sees this as about the peak number for participants for any given year and that the 54 teams ties a school record. Brad Powers, junior education major from Fresno, Calf., said he has taken notice of the improvements in the officiating staff and their desire to provide the best possible games. “It’s been awesome,” Powers said. “The intramural staff has put it together really well. So far it’s been a more pleasurable experience than in years past.” E-mail Crummel at: optimist@acu.edu