OPTIMIST_2005-02-04

OPTIMIST THE

FRIDAY February 4, 2005

Department of Journalism and Mass Communication

Abilene Christian University

Vol. 93, No. 34 1 section, 10 pages www.acuoptimist.com

Serving the ACU community since 1912

Worth a ‘Million’:

Study Abroad plans interest meetings:

Playing it safe:

Million Dollar Baby, Clint Eastwood’s latest film, has the Academy’s attention.

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Students considering joining the Study Abroad Program can attend one of the scheduled meetings Monday through Wednesday.

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The Wildcats return most of their key contributors from the 2004 season.

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Colleges feel faculty shortfall

City of a

color Forest green, desert tan, barn red chosen to reflect culture in Abilene’s color scheme

Fourteen positions open across campus; 11 in Arts and Sciences

By TIFFANY WILLIAMS

By JENNIFER ANTHONY SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR

If Abilene restaurant owners have noticed an increase in business during the past two years, credit might belong to the city’s color palette. Forest green, barn red and desert tan — authors of the Abilene Landscape and Aesthetics Master Plan believe these colors represent the West Texas frontier.

These colors also stimulate appetites, so says www.infoplease.com.

“Green, brown and red are the most popular food colors,” according to the entry on color psychology. “Red is often used in restaurant decorating schemes because it is an

appetite stimulant.”

About 50 percent of travelers decide where to stop based on the entryways into cities, said Hester Woods, board member of Keep Abilene Beautiful. If the entryway appeals to drivers, chances are so will the town, said Woods, who also serves as director of the Visitors Services Center at the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau.

As part of the Texas Department of Transportation’s color scheme, these three colors play an important role in beautifying the city’s entryways.

“If you come into a city and see rundown entryways, you’re not real interested in seeing what the rest looks like,” Woods said. “It’s like

a home. People put wreaths on the doors, dress up mailboxes and decorate sidewalks leading up to the home. For a house, it’s called curb appeal. For a city, it’s highway appeal.”

But Abilene’s division of TxDOT didn’t choose these colors for their appetite-stimulating powers. In 2002, the 15 members of the Abilene Landscape and Aesthetics Master Plan Development Team pooled their expertise – ranging from architecture to maintenance to landscaping – to create a set of aesthetics guidelines. The 54-page document details suggestions for increasing appeal at the city’s entryways, including a color palette to repreSee COLORS Page 8

COPY EDITOR

When role is called in many departments this semester, some faculty members will not be present to answer “here.”

Fourteen positions are open in the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Biblical Studies, College of Business Administration, Honors Program and Study Abroad Program.

Deans and program directors agree: The university is feeling the shortage.

“We feel a loss, and we need a faculty member,” said Dr. Bob McKelvain, chair of the Psychology Department.

But McKelvain said he Durrington has faith in the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Colleen Durrington.

“She knows exactly what we need to do,” he said, “but various departments have needs. She is leading us in what we need.”

Durrington said she has taken steps to ensure most of the 11 open positions in the college will be filled at the close of the semester. She placed advertisements on the See FACULTY Page 8

Campaigns searching for students Trips to Toronto, Miami, Scotland need more members

By LAURA STORK STAFF WRITER EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer

Limestone and cactus make up the desert tan and forest green colors at the ruins of Fort Phantom Hill, just north of Abilene. Along with barn red, these colors compose the color scheme for Abilene, which city administrators say they hope reflect the landscape of the West Texas frontier.

Some opt to serve on Super Sunday Medical mission team to prepare supplies during Super Bowl

By JEREMY POND STUDENT REPORTER

As the New England Patriots take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night in the most-watched game of the season, some ACU students will be having an unorthodox Super Bowl party.

The students plan to spend Sunday afternoon at Hope Church of Christ as part of a service project. They will be packaging thousands of medication tablets for the Zambian Medical Mission.

Dr. K.B. Massingill, ACU’s chief information officer and co-director of the Zambian Medical Mission, is leading the project. He said the group will be watching the Super Bowl as they package the medication.

“Zambia is a country where even a simple antibiotic can save a person’s life,” Mas-

singill said.

He added that for many in Zambia, especially children and mothers, a mere package of vitamins is an invaluable gift.

Each year in July, the Zambian Medical Mission sends a team of approximately 200 people to Zambia for two weeks.

The team, including six or seven ACU students, will visit seven sites and treat about 18,000 people who would otherMassingill wise not have decent medical care available to them.

Massingill said although the Zambian Medical Mission does provide valuable medical assistance to many, it is primarily an evangelical organization, and it aims to show the love of Christ through the care and service of See BOWL Page 8

‘Urban Jungle’ fever

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

While most Spring Break Campaigns are spending the last few weeks before the break getting to know each other and raising money, the Toronto and Miami campaigns each are looking for seven interested students, and the Scotland campaign needs five.

Half of the original 20 dropped out of the Toronto campaign just two weeks after they signed up, said Chelsea Heard, Toronto campaign co-leader.

“A few couldn’t raise money, and some went on other trips. Spots opened up on campaigns they really wanted to go on,” said Heard, sophomore elementary education major from Albuquerque, N.M. Heard said her campaigners were a little discouraged when people began dropping out.

“It was a little bit of a shock,” she said.

“But it’s been kind of a weeding-out process. If God wants a certain group to go, then we’ll go; if he has to scare us out of it, then he’ll do that, too. I know he’ll fill it up with the right people.”

Heard said the Toronto campaign consists of 10 random people who are stuck with each other. The group is enjoying

Shades step squad performed its first of three shows this semester in Cullen Auditorium on Saturday with the theme “Urban Jungle.” (Story on page 3.)

See SBC Page 8

Hockey team ranked 18th in nation Club team has received bid to national tourney in three of four years

By SHAVONNE HERNDON STUDENT REPORTER

The ACU roller hockey team has had a good start with

eight wins, four losses and one tie. After competing and winning against some of the nation’s best, the Wildcats show no sign of backing down.

“We are very good,” said Caleb Dickison, sophomore exercise science major from St. Louis. “Our divisions are

divided on school size. We just barely make the cutoff for Division II, but we beat schools that have a school size three times the size of ours.”

The team defeated schools like the University of Houston, Sam Houston State, Texas Christian University, Texas A&M-Commerce and North-

western State.

“It was a really good weekend for us,” said Jace Gelet, freshman broadcast journalism major from Chino, Calif.

The Wildcats entered the tournament tied for third in the Southern Conference See HOCKEY Page 9

CAMPUS Friday, February 4, 2005

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Calendar&Events Friday

The Terminal, 6:30 and 9 p.m., Cullen Auditorium.

Fair Trade informational meeting, 11:45 a.m., Mabee Library Auditorium.

Residence Life Education and Housing applications deadline.

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DAY

Saturday

Scott Carrell piano recital, 8 p.m., Williams Performing Arts Center.

Sunday

Luncheon honoring president of Madagascar, 12:30 p.m., Teague Special Events Center.

Spring Break Campaigns leader meeting, 7-9 p.m., Living Room.

About This Page

Super Bowl party, 4:30 p.m., Mabee Business Building Room 201.

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.

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Monday

Study Abroad fair, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Campus Center.

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

Freshman usher practice, 9-10:45 p.m., Living Room.

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Tuesday

Study Abroad fair, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Campus Center.

Office of Career and Academic Development luncheon, 11:30 a.m.1 p.m., Living Room.

To ensure that an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style.

Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.

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

19 52

CAMPUS NEWS

Friday, February 4, 2005

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Eternal Threads raises money for saris Students donated money for garments this week for India

BY MITCH HOLT STAFF WRITER

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Ashley Wherry, junior social work major from Abilene, Candace Nicholson, senior sociology major from Costa Mesa, Calif., Meghan Dailey, freshman psychology major from Boerne, and Nichelle Wall, senior psychology major from Abilene, perform during Shades Step Show on Saturday in Cullen Auditorium during the women’s performance.

Shades shakes the jungle Students crowd Cullen Saturday to watch performance

BY MARY TAN STAFF WRITER

Phenomenal was the only way Rebecca Malcolm, freshman music education major from Houston, could describe the Shades performance Saturday.

The first of three performances this semester, “Urban Jungle” proved to be a success.

Cullen Auditorium was filled to capacity, and even the aisles were full of people, said Jonathan Holloway, sophomore biology major from Abilene and member of Shades.

“The crowd was amazing,” he said. “They came ready to have fun.”

People in the audience, composed mostly of ACU students, witnessed energetic, choreographed acts. The show consisted of stepping routines from the men and women’s squads, as well as several filler items.

“I have never seen such an enthused crowd at an ACU event,” said Katherine Sweet, freshman education major from Austin. “They were clapping, cheering and dancing.”

Shades head captain Emanuel White, junior graphic design major from Fort Worth, said he credits the show’s success to their passionate members, after months of rigorous practice to coordinate the acts.

Stepping, a form of movement from Africa, involves the hands, feet and voice to bring out sounds of rhythm with absolute precision.

“Everybody has to be insync,” White said.

He said he feels stepping reflects Shades’ message: Different cultures and walks of life can come together and work as one.

Shades will be featured in Essence of Ebony’s Black History Production on Feb. 11 and 12 in Cullen Auditorium at 7:30 p.m.

Other performances include Sing Song on Feb. 18 and a show April 16. The group looks to continue to attract an audience large enough to warrant productions in Moody Coliseum.

“We want people to take us seriously,” said White. “We want to show them Shades is something.”

E-mail Tan at: mtt04b@acu.edu

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday volunteers from Eternal Threads, an organization that provides clothing to thousands of women in Southeast India, sat in the Campus Center to give ACU students the chance to help them in their cause.

Linda Egle, founder of Eternal Threads, has traveled throughout Texas for the past twenty years and travels back and forth between Southeast India and the United States to raise money for the organization.

“The women of India don’t wear western wear like we do,” said Sue Garcia, Eternal Threads volunteer. “If we

ship a bunch of it over there, they’re not going to wear it.”

Because of the cultural clothing differences, Eternal Threads raises money in the United States and then buys saris from an arranged business in India.

Most of the women in this area have only one sari to wear, Garcia said. To keep their garments clean, the women frequently go down to the river to wash their saris. They must do this almost every day in order to have something clean to wear.

Garcia said because of Egle’s passion for raising money for saris, thousands of women of India have been clothed.

The fund-raising campaign provided students with the chance to help the women of Southeast India, an area greatly affected by the recent tsunamis. The money raised during the week will

be sent with Egle when she leaves on her six-week trip to the area and will be used to purchase saris for the deprived women, Garcia said.

Because of the tsunami and the condition of the people of India, Egle’s partner has negotiated for the price of $2.75 per sari. The price was formerly $4 but has been reduced in order to make it easier to help the women of India.

Eternal Threads hopes the week of raising money on the ACU campus will open the eyes of students to the devastation and poverty in other areas of the world, Garcia said.

“Don’t worry if you didn’t have a chance to give this week,” she said. “We will be back on campus in the near future doing the same thing.”

E-mail Holt at: mah02f@acu.edu

CAMPUS NEWS

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Friday, February 4, 2005

Faculty, staff reminded of ACU’s religious heritage, history Centennial Committee promotes spiritual affirmation in Chapel

By TIFFANY TAYLOR PAGE 2 EDITOR

Faculty and staff listened to a taping of the late Lemoine Lewis’ 1983 Chapel speech Monday during the faculty and staff reaffirmation Chapel at Chapel on the Hill.

Lewis was a professor in the Department of Bible, Missions and Ministry from 1949-1986.

Some members of the Centennial Committee, who promote spiritual reaffirmation for faculty and staff, plan Chapels to serve as reminders

of the religious purposes of ACU. The Chapel sessions were designed specifically to remind the attendees of the religious heritage and commitment ACU wants to continue into the future. About 100 people attended. “ W e ’ r e looking back at our spiritual heritage and remembering – trying to reemphasize the spiritual asMorris pect of the university and trying to carry that into the future,” said Dr. Paul Morris, professor of physics and co-chair of the spiritual reaffirmation Chapel

“I believe that these Chapels give us a historical perspective that helps us remember who we are.”

Dr. Pat Simpson, associate professor of education

subcommittee.

Morris said the Chapels are supposed to help train the faculty and staff to purposefully keep Christianity an evident focus of ACU. “A lot of private universities have started out as Christian universities, but over the years they have lost the Christian and become private but secular,” Morris said.

Lewis’ speech, which focused on Martin Luther’s impact on the religious world, set the tone for remembering

Study Abroad has openings Students interested in Oxford, Uruguay to gather next week

By DANIÈLE NTAHONKIRIYE STUDENT REPORTER

The Study Abroad Program will offer interest group meetings about Montevideo, Uruguay and Oxford, England Feb. 7-9 in the Campus Center.

Students who have studied abroad will be available to answer any questions.

“We really want to make study abroad available for all students from any major,” said Annie Nichols, study abroad coordinator.

“We have 50 interested students for the fall and maybe 80 or more who are interested in studying abroad in the spring,” Nichols said.

“I think that an interest in the study abroad program is really growing from past years,” Nichols said.

Students must complete one year in college before admittance to the program.

She said usually the program consists mostly of sophomore students studying abroad because the program offers many general education cours-

es. However, several upper classmen studied abroad last semester because they waited to take their sophomore level courses in their junior year.

Nichols encourages international students to use the opportunity to become more diverse in international education.

“They are definitely welcome to join the program, and I think they will bring a unique perspective to the group of students studying abroad,” Nichols said.

She is asking students to attend the interest meetings and hear feedback from students who have studied abroad to understand their experiences, like where they traveled and how much money they spent.

The Study Abroad program also will offer specialized classes each semester.

Dr. John T. Willis, professor of Old Testament, will teach Greek in the fall, and Dr. Cole Bennett, assistant professor of English, will teach English courses next spring.

“We are happy to offer Greek in the fall because it’s a special class that Bible majors don’t take when they are sophomores, they really get off

track,” said Nichols.

Summer classes are also offered in Oxford, England.

“In the summer we have more specialized classes. They are usually specific to colleges or certain majors,” said Kevin Kehl, director of the Center for International and Intercultural Education.

Kenneth Pybus, assistant professor of journalism and mass communication, will teach Communication Law in May and Dr. Fred Bailey, professor of history, will teach a history course.

The College of Business and Administration will spend time in Oxford during Summer I. “This past week we had interest meetings for the fall Oxford program and Latin America program,” Kehl said.

Previously, 30 to 40 students attended the meetings.

“The faculty who are going will be trying to recruit those students to gather in partnership with our office,” Kehl said.

The study abroad program is still recruiting; students must have a 2.5 grade point average and must not be on academic or behavioral probation.

E-mail Ntahonkiriye at: optimist@acu.edu

and using the past when planning the future.

“Faculty members who knew Dr. Lewis talked about how ACU faculty today are standing on the shoulders of those who went before us,” said Patricia Simpson, associate professor of education and fellow Chapel committee leader.

The speech, which was in honor of the 500 year anniversary of Martin Luther’s birth, was, “about Martin Luther and Martin Luther

breaking away from the Catholic Church and what that’s opened up for us today,” Morris said.

Simpson said she feels that using the tape was a perfect way to convey the spiritual reaffirmation c o m m i t t e e ’s m e s s a g e because the current faculty was listening to a Chapel speech from ACU’s past, and it was Simpson about part of the history of the church.

“I believe that these Chapels give us a historical perspective that helps us remember who we are,” Sim-

pson said. “It was an exceptional experience for faculty to hear the voice of Lemoine Lewis again.”

The committee scheduled two faculty and staff Chapels last semester, but Morris said the Chapel on Monday was one of four scheduled for the spring semester.

Past reaffirmation chapels have broadly discussed the spirituality of the Old and New Testaments. Morris and Simpson will meet with the rest of the committee and the chairperson, Dr. Jack Reese, dean of the college of Biblical studies, before choosing a topic for the next Chapel.

E-mail Taylor at: tat04a@acu.edu

Are you sure it’s still winter?

EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer

Friends and fellow senior management and marketing majors Lisa Phin of Carrollton and Alejandro Castro of Houston take advantage of the warm and sunny weather Thursday afternoon to study on the Beauchamp Amphitheater steps.

Paramount to celebrate 75th Classic movies highlight anniversary of Abilene theatre

“I’m really thrilled that the Paramount is still alive and kicking.”

Betty Hukill, executive director of the Paramount Theatre

By SARAH CARLSON ARTS EDITOR

To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the Historic Paramount Theatre will show a classic film for each decade from the 1930s through the 1980s, and put on a production of the musical Smoky Joe’s Café this summer.

The theatre just finished its children’s production of Grease: The School Edition! along with the Abilene Performing Arts Company as part of its anniversary celebration.

Betty Hukill, executive director of the Paramount, has been working at the Paramount off and on since 1989 and said it has been exciting watching the theatre stand the test of time through the various transitions Abilene has made.

The Paramount was restored in 1986, the first building in downtown Abilene to be restored by the Abilene Preservation League, which will celebrate its anniversary at the theatre in April.

For the classic movie series, Hukill said the films were chosen out of the Academy Award winners throughout the years, the decades of the ’30s through the ’80s representing the opening of the Paramount through its restoration. It Happened One Night opens the series Feb. 11 representing the 1930s; Casablanca will air in March for the 1940s; Annie Get Your Gun, starring Howard Keel, whose widow and biographer will be on hand for the show, will air in April for the 1950s; The Sound

of Music will air in September for the 1960s; The Godfather, Part II will air in October for the 1970s; and the series will end with Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark in November representing the 1980s.

Hukill said other films might be added throughout the year. She said she is looking forward to the year and the anniversary.

“I think it’s extremely exciting that the Paramount is still a vital part of the Abilene community,” Hukill said. “I’m really thrilled that the Paramount is still alive and kicking.”

E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu

CAMPUS NEWS

Friday, February 4, 2005

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Support groups available on campus Counseling center provides students an opportunity to heal

BY MONICA SMITH STAFF WRITER

The University Counseling Center is offering a variety of weekly support and therapy groups for the spring semester.

The five groups will offer support and encouragement for those struggling with eating disorders, homosexuality, sexual abuse and other issues.

EASE: Eating Attitude and Self Esteem is a group for those with a range of problems extending to anorexia, bulimia, binge eating and serious weight concerns.

“If it’s just something that dieting and exercise will fix, this is not the group for them,” said Margaret Davis, therapist at the University Counseling Center.

The group is already meeting; however, the place and times are not advertised for confidentiality reasons. Interested students can call the cen-

ter for more information.

“We will still take people for a while,” Davis said. “We will close after a few weeks because you have to do that for trust to develop. People have to get to know each other to feel safe.”

EASE has been an ongoing group since the ‘80s. It continues to meet because of the members.

“They do things for each other that a therapist can’t do,” Davis said. “They’ve experienced it, so they have the understanding and help and encouragement that they’re able to offer to one another.”

Kurt Boyland, counseling center therapist, co-facilitates a group that meets off campus with Dr. Sally Gary, assistant professor of communication.

The Strugglers with Same Sex Attraction (and those who care about us) has met since the summer of 2003, Boyland said.

“It’s becoming more consistent,” he said. “It was tough getting started, but now there are regular members as the group evolves.”

Steve Rowlands, director of the counseling center, leads

Song of Solomon, a premarital group taught by a video series.

The group meets in the Hilton Room during Chapel on Thursdays for credit. This year, about 80 people attend, and the meetings are open to walkins.

“It’s not limited,” Rowlands said. “It’s open to singles who would like to be in a relationship, couples and those engaged to be married—not just the married.”

Helen Marshall, a counselor in the counseling center, leads the Inspirational and Motivational group. The goal of the group is for students to realize their fullest potential and to develop self-esteem and confidence with a spiritual emphasis.

Although the group was scheduled to meet for the first time Jan. 20, meetings have not begun. It is planned to meet Thursdays during Chapel and count toward Chapel credit. As with the EASE group, students who are interested in joining the group can call the University Counseling Center.

Another group — Survivors

of Sexual Abuse—was scheduled to begin this week but has been postponed as screenings are still in progress.

“We hold screenings to see if the group is the right fit for a person,” said Heidi Morris, counseling center counselor.

“Some people still need individual counseling and to put them in a group setting would be inappropriate.”

The group has met in the past with a low turnout. The decision to bring the group back is partly because of the higher acceptability of participants talking about the issue.

“Just because they’re not ringing the counseling center doesn’t mean they aren’t hurting,” Morris said. “People are more willing to get help. They realize it’s okay to step out and find healing in their life.”

Contact the University Counseling Center, located in the lower level of McKinzie Hall, at Ext. 2626 for more information.

E-mail Smith at: mxs02a@acu.edu

Is she really going to make that toss?

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Deanna Cromwell, junior youth and family ministry major from Abilene, plays the ring toss game at the Healthy Relationships booth in the Campus Center Wednesday, while Mandy Nelson, junior youth and family ministry major from Alvin, looks on, awaiting her turn.

Writing Center open weekends Abilene students, community members welcome at center

BY SHAVONNE HERNDON STUDENT REPORTER

The University Writing Center, a writing resource for the community, is now available Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m.

“These extra hours will not only help students but other writers from the Abilene community,” said Cole Bennett, director of the writing center.

Bennett explained many students indicated a need for weekend hours, particularly those who receive assignments late in the week due the following Monday and those whose weekly schedules make it hard to drop by.

Many individuals assist students in improving their writing skills.

Ten graduate students and six undergraduate students are on staff with the writing center.

The student helpers give feedback of any kind for essays, research papers, summaries, abstracts, proposals, case studies, lab reports, application letters and more.

The Writing Center, which began in 1999, develops strategies for revision, support in evaluating and meeting the demands of specific writing tasks, according to Writing Center’s Web site.

“Students often tell us that our tutoring helps them get their writing to the next level in the writing process,” Bennett said.

The Writing Center is open

to other universities in town and the community at no cost.

“As more people will be using our services, weekend hours made sense,” he said.

“Although most of our students at the moment are ACU students, we are ready to assist anyone who walks in with any piece of writing. We are convinced that by having this mission, our community will become more productive and confident writers,” Bennett said.

Students may contact the Writing Center at Ext. 4833 to set up an appointment or e-mail at writingcenter@acu.edu. Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday noon to 4 p.m.

E-mail Herndon at: optimist@acu.edu

VIEWSFRIDAY OPTIMIST

Page 6 The issue: Several members of the SA Congress have shown poor attendance throughout the year.

Our view: If students have promised to serve the student body as members of Congress, they should responsibly attend meetings.

The solution: Congress members who miss excessive meetings should be impeached to make room for leaders who will serve.

February 4, 2005

Impeachment should not be empty threat In the closing minutes of Wednesday’s Students’ Association meeting, Congress discussed doing something it hasn’t seriously considered in recent years.

It discussed removing a member from office.

Foster Science Building Rep. Christopher Smith stood before Congress to make a case against Williams Performing Arts Center Rep. Zach Tabers, who has attended only a few meetings since being elected in August.

Congressional bylaws state that a member is eligible to be removed from office if they do not

Readers of ACU: Band together “There’s nothing to do in of Abilene is a bookstore by Abilene” has to be one of the definition, and it can boast most commonly used phras- of the new book scent, but es on campus. I admit, I’ve the store is miniscule, but said it quite not cozy and becomes crowded quickly. often myself.

With a small selection We will always be told and an unappealing location, that it doesn’t Waldenbooks does not make matter what the cut.

The other “bookstore” is you do, it’s whom you do Hastings. However, I find it it with, but difficult to get into the spirit Much Ado us students of book-browsing under fluknow that’s orescent lights and surAbout com- rounded by music and movie Something not pletely true. paraphernalia. The loud know music, movie rental section Jaci Schneider We that you can and unorganized setup do only watch so many movies, not contribute to the atmosplay so many games of phere.

The best bookstores have Spades and go to Chili’s so a cozy feel to many times. Afthem.

They ter a while it gets old, no You can only watch can be large or small and sell matter who you so many movies, used or new hangout with. books, but It’s not that play so many they must have we need an amusement park games of Spades a relaxing atmosphere. in Abilene, or an ice skating and go to Chili’s so Gentle background music, rink or more many times. plump chairs restaurants. We and a built-in need somewhere we can go just to hang coffee shop are also quite out with our friends. A place nice additions.

My sophomore year, a that will spur interesting conversations, a place where friend and I had to make a we can be comfortable hang- quick trip to Dallas. At the ing out for a few hours with- end of our trip we had to out spending a ton of money. arrange a meeting spot with someone, and we chose a We need a bookstore.

Many people might be Barnes and Noble bookstore. asking right now: Why on I have to be honest, my earth would we want to hang friend and I ended up arriving at the meeting spot sevout at a bookstore?

These people obviously eral hours early, simply to have never had the experi- catch up on our book-browsence of browsing through ing. We shouldn’t have to aisles and aisles of books, drive to Dallas to find books. absorbing that unique new Abilene is a college town; it book smell while sipping should be filled with bookcoffee and chatting with a stores.

We don’t need a Best Buy; friend.

Not only are bookstores we don’t need a Ross; we great places to hang out, don’t need another Chickthey also happen to be great Fil-A. We need a bookstore. study sites. When would I’m calling all students anyone be more inspired to remotely interested in readstudy than when surrounded ing to please write to by books and people read- Borders, Barnes and Noble ing? And the library doesn’t and any other book store you count; you have to have the can think of. Tell the companew book scent, not the nies of the great need of bookstores in Abilene. musty, sleepy library aroma.

I am aware of only two Maybe if we tell them, they bookstores in Abilene, and I will come. would hesitate to label one as an actual bookstore.

Respond to Schneider at: Waldenbooks at the Mall jrs02a@acu.edu or optimist@acu.edu

Rating systems doesn’t equal sin level While reading a letter to the editor last semester in response to my column regarding ABC affiliates not airing an uncut and R-rated Saving Private Ryan, I was struck by the last line: “...

Christians need to learn where to draw the line beI am the tween art and sin.”

Enemy The writer Sarah Carlson was discussing mainly why the movie should not be shown on network television during primetime hours.

What struck me was the word “sin.”

What sin? Whose sin? Is it a sin that the movie is rated R in the first place, or a sin because of the content that garnered the R rating, or a sin because the violence of the film was based on reality, or a sin that I, as a Christian, thought it should be aired uncut on network television?

I’m hoping none of these represent the right answer because art cannot be classified as a sin simply when the one viewing the art disagrees with

Art can’t be classified as a sin simply when the one viewing the art disagrees with its subject matter. taken into consideration and not just their rating.

The ratings system was designed to warn parents of the amount of certain kinds of content, whether it be violence, sexuality or inappropriate language, before they sent their kids off to the theatre.

However, just because a movie is rated R does not mean it is worse in a moral sense than one that is PG-13, many of which are not suitable for children as well.

I understand why some Christians choose not to see many R-rated films because of their content. A vulgar slapstick comedy is generally less than enriching. However, many Christians who flee from Rrated films sprinted to the theatre last year to see The Passion of the Christ, easily the most violent movie I’ve ever seen.

Not only this, they took their children to see this unbearably graphic film.

They defended the rating and violent content and made an excuse, but it was a fallible

its subject matter. Viewers may find a film, a painting or a piece of music revolting yet still call it good and appreciate it for its inherent value without sacrificing their ethics.

I remember my youth group days when my youth minister would swear off R-rated films to make a point, although I never could quite figure out what that point was. I think we were supposed to be impressed and follow his lead away from “sinful” movies. However, he managed to sneak a few Rrated flicks in here and there, eventually abandoning his abstinence from the rating.

Now here is my problem: How can you group every movie that is rated R under the title of “sinful,” or in the same general rated-R category at all?

Lumping films such as The Godfather with American Pie, Shakespeare in Love with The Girl Next Door, or Schindler’s List with Scary Movie is an insult and an obvious blunder.

They are of such different quality that their content must be

one. It was what the viewers brought to the table—the idea that what they were seeing really happened, and not just to anyone, but to their savior. The horrific events of D-Day as depicted in Saving Private Ryan happened, too; why should these sacrifices not be honored or considered?

Individuals must set their own boundaries on what they want to watch and what they will let their children watch, but they should not be so quick to judge others for their choices. Too many times I have heard unnecessary comments or read scathing letters condemning previous arts editors for bringing down the name of Christian in ACU by recommending a movie with nudity in it.

We appreciate and love movies because of the stories they tell and the emotions they raise in us, not because of their ratings. I can respect someone who chooses not to watch a movie because of its content, but not if they arbitrarily avoid it because of its rating.

Respond to Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu or optimist@acu.edu

“No. Homework.”

“Not yet. I may do something with my church— Hilllcrest Church of Christ.”

“Well, I may go to that multicultural Super Bowl party.”

“I picked up a flier, but apart from that not really. It will be my first Super Bowl in America.”

Damien Lawrie

Jordan Isom

Jeremy Davis

Brent Couchman

freshman Bible and English major from Gosford, Australia

sophomore English major from Abilene

freshman Bible, missions and ministry major from Chattanooga, Tenn.

senior graphic design major from Boerne

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

Daniel Barcroft

In My Words

In Your Words Do you have any plans for the Super Bowl on Sunday?

vital to properly represent students.

Smith prefaced his case to Congress by saying: “I am reluctant to bring this up, but it’s gotten to the point where it can no longer be ignored.”

It could not have been said any better.

Impeachment is not a punishment to be thrown around lightly, but when members so egregiously neglect their duties, Congress should consider serious action.

Congress should remove those who aren’t representing the students and make those positions available for those who will.

beattend 80 percent When members so egregiously neglect their duties, tunately, cause of recent of all scheduled Congress should consider serious action. computer probmeetings each lems attendance semester. Memrecords for this bers can miss no asked if they were in favor of year currently are unavailable. more than three meetings.

That complicates the issue of In order to represent the stu- moving ahead with removing dents they were elected to serve, Tabers, not a single member showing how many members have missed meetings excessively, members must be present at a stood in protest.

Congress should continue to but intact records would show majority of the meetings. If a member is not living up to his job show Rouse that it desires to several members guilty of irregudescription, Congress has the remove people who grossly neg- lar attendance. Obviously, some of these members might have obligation to make that seat avail- lect their duties.

Tabers might prove to be the legitimate reasons for missing able for someone who will.

Executive president Layne first of several that should be con- meetings, and Congress should Rouse said he would not bring sidered for removal. Some mem- consider more than absences any member before Congress to bers of Congress asked if anyone alone.

The principle still stands: be impeached unless Congress else had missed an excessive shows that that is its will. When number of meetings. Unfor- Regular meeting attendance is

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@acu.edu

OPTIMIST THE

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ARTSFRIDAY OPTIMIST

February 4, 2005

Million Dollar Baby Oscar Watch Nominated for: Best Picture Best Director, Clint Eastwood Best Actor, Clint Eastwood Best Actress, Hilary Swank Best Supporting Actor, Morgan Freeman Best Adapted Screenplay, Paul Haggis (producer) Best Film Editing, Joel Cox

Today’s Movies The Wedding Date (PG-13)— starring Debra Messing, Dermot Mulroney; directed by Clare Kilner Kat (Messing) does not want to attend her younger sister’s London wedding alone, so she hires a male escort (Mulroney) to pose as her boyfriend and her date to the event.

Boogeyman (PG-13)—starring Barry Watson, Lucy Lawless; directed by Stephen Kay Tim (Watson) returns to his childhood home to confront his terrifying memories of, you guessed it, the Boogeyman.

Box Office Figures are for the weekend of January 28-30 and are in millions. Total grosses in parentheses.

1 Hide and Seek—$22 (new) 2 Are We There Yet?—$16.3 ($38.5) 3 Million Dollar Baby—$12.3 ($21.6) 4 Meet the Fockers—$8 ($258.4) 5 Coach Carter—$8 ($53.6) 6 The Aviator—$7.6 ($68.2) 7 Racing Stripes—$6.5 ($35.1) 8 Sideways—$6.3 ($40.1) 9 In Good Company—$6.2 ($36) 10 Assault on Precinct 13—$4.3 ($14.8)

Swank’s performance worth a million in ‘Baby’

By SARAH CARLSON ARTS EDITOR

Million Dollar Baby PPPP

Starring: Clint Eastwood, Hilary Swank, Morgan Freeman; directed by Clint Eastwood Rated PG-13 (for violence, some disturbing images, thematic material and language) “Anybody can lose one fight.” Even the greatest victors have lost at least once. What makes them great are their choices—what they choose to do after losing.

Maggie Fitzgerald had been losing her entire life. Stuck waitressing at 31, she steals scraps of food from plates as she clears off tables, wrapping pieces of half-eaten meat into recycled tin foil to take home.

Her days and nights are filled with dreams of becoming a fighter. Her family represents the lowest common denominator of society with members in jail, a missing father and a mother who cheats on welfare, all of them laughing at her dreams.

Frankie Dunn is a near-retirement-age boxing trainer who’s never had a champion fighter. He spends his life training others to be great but still holds them back, refusing to get close enough to them in order to avoid the pain that would come with letting them go. He writes a letter to his estranged daughter every week, only to have them returned to him unopened. He attends mass every day, asking the annoyed priest questions, not being able to forgive himself for something.

In Million Dollar Baby, Clint Eastwood’s masterful film, Maggie (Hilary Swank) and Frankie (Clint Eastwood) are brought together through determination; Maggie’s willpower to

have Frankie train her eventually wins over his stubbornness in refusing to train a girl.

Helping Maggie win Frankie over is Eddie Scrap-Iron Dupris (Morgan Freeman), an old boxer trained by Frankie who never made it to the championship, losing his eye in his 109th fight, something Frankie is unable to forgive himself for. Eddie now lives in Frankie’s gym, cleaning and helping out wherever. He watches Maggie as she comes in, hitting the punching bag with sheer resolve and not much skill. Eddie lets her stay in the gym after hours and loans her a speed bag to train with, all the while Frankie grows annoyed with his favoring Maggie and her refusal to take no for an answer.

Frankie decides to train her but not manage her, planning to take Maggie only so far and leave the rest up to her. He shows her how to hold her gloves and move her feet and teaches her the most important rule of all: Protect yourself at all times. Punching the bag in front of a sign on the wall that reads, “Winners are simply willing to do what losers won’t,” her eyes focus and muscles ripple as she relentlessly tries to become a better fighter.

The background characters in the gym, especially Danger Barch (Jay Baruchel) complement the story well with sidebars of humor mirroring the theme of courage. Danger’s dreams of becoming a fighter are hopeless, but his ignorant yet innocent take on life is inspiring nonetheless.

When it comes time for Maggie to enter her first match, Frankie pushes her away to a manager, leaving her without much of a choice but to accept the other’s guidance. During the fight, Frankie and Eddie watch from a distance as Maggie gets creamed and receives less-thanadequate advice from her man-

New York Times best-selling hardback fiction novels Numbers indicate: current position, last week’s position and total weeks on the list.

1/1/2 John Grisham, The Broker 2/1/97 Dan Brown, The Da Vinci Code

3/3/70 Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet in Heaven 4/4/7 Michael Crichton, State of Fear 5/7/4 W.E.B. Griffin, By Order of the President 6/5/3 Terry Goodking, Chainfire

7/8/9 Nelson DeMille, Night Fall 8/6/3 Barbara Taylor Bradford, Unexpected Blessings 9/13/8 Jimmy Buffet, A Salty Piece of Land 10/-/10 James Patterson, London Bridges

Top-Selling Albums Numbers indicate: current position, last week’s position and total weeks on the list.

1/-/1 The Game, The Documentary

Page 7

2/1/18 Green Day, American Idiot 3/2/11 Eminem, Encore 4/5/11 Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz, Crunk Juice 5/4/4 John Legend, Get Lifted 6/6/8 Kelly Clarkson, Breakaway

7/7/44 Usher, Confessions 8/9/7 Ludacris, The Red Light District 9/10/12 Various Artists, Now 17 10/11/11 Destiny’s Child, Destiny Foretold

Photo courtesy of WWW.ROTTENTOMATOES.COM

Frankie (Clint Eastwood) talks with Maggie (Hilary Swank) before a boxing match in Eastwood’s ‘Million Dollar Baby.’ Frankie is Maggie’s boxing coach and mentor as he reluctantly trains her to become a champion fighter. The film is nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. ager. Frankie steps in, gives her instruction and tells the referee he’s her manager. He’ll never leave her again. She is his darling, his blood.

The two travel the world as Maggie edges closer to a championship, the only problem being most boxers don’t want to fight her because she knocks out her opponents in the first round. She wins the heart of the crowds and rises up to the championship, where events occur that will force Maggie and Frankie to their furthest and demand their courage for one last fight.

Eastwood’s eye for directing and musical ability for writing the score of the film, both of which he did for 2003’s haunting and brilliant film Mystic River, make Million Dollar Baby superb. This is Eastwood’s 25th film to direct and 57th to star in, reinforcing his iconic status

in American film. Baby is not simply a boxing movie; to say it is would detract from its quality.

Rather, it is a film about two people who are alone in the world, each needing family but having none to rely on. It is a glimpse into the lives of two broken people and their respective journeys toward their own sort of redemption. Eastwood and Swank give outstanding performances, emerging into their character with ease. Freeman is great as well, and his character also learns he has one fight left in him.

Baby’s seven Academy Award nominations are well deserved, marking the second year in a row Eastwood has been nominated for Best Director and one of his films for Best Picture.

Swank is up against hefty competition in the Best Actress category, including Annette Bening for Being Julia, a repeat from the

2000 Oscars where Swank, nominated for Boys Don’t Cry, beat Bening, nominated for 1999’s American Beauty.

The film has a Shawshank Redemption quality to it, mainly because Freeman narrates this film as well. His voice of silk can bring tears to the eyes, yet his words always have an underlying threat—hope.

Some will attempt to sum it up by labeling it depressing, or sad, but they are wrong. The film is a harsh and satisfactory slice of truth about Maggie and Frankie who come to love each other as a father and daughter would.

Million Dollar Baby is easily one of the best films of 2004, telling a story of three people, all whose lives are stained, tragic and beautiful.

E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Page 8

Friday, February 4, 2005

Colors: Landscape depicted in city’s shades Continued from Page 1 sent Abilene’s history.

The team agreed on the appropriateness of these colors because of their similarity to the surrounding landscape inherent to the city’s beginnings in the West Texas frontier.

Forest green — the color of cedar elm, live oak and the scrubby little bushes that denote the end of the Hill Country. Green has positive connotations beyond foliage, however, said Janet Laminack, county extension agent–horticulture and board member of Keep Abilene Beautiful.

“I’ve always heard of green as sort of a humanitarian color for people interested in nature,” Laminack said.

“Green and tan are very natural. They give you the connotation of natural settings, plants and the outdoors.”

Desert tan — the second color — conveys images of rocky bluffs and the limestone native to the surrounding area.

Because of its availability, this limestone was often used for buildings such as courthouses and jails.

Limestone, also seen in the

said.

The third color, barn red, represents the soil characteristic of the Big Country. It colors streams and rivers and white

EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer

Red brick is the background behind the Abilene sign on the side of the T & P Depot building on North 1st Street. ruins of Fort Phantom and other architecture from the early days of settlement near Abilene, helps convey the region’s military history, Woods

socks. Barn red embodies warmth and invitation, Woods said.

Laminack said she is glad the team chose colors besides

just brown.

“We are kind of proud of our western heritage, which is a lot of brown,” she said.

“They probably wanted to get a feel for the desert, the western cowboy feel, but also add some other colors to it — a little more life.”

Aesthetics play a key role in a city’s economy, said Bill Brock, Abilene’s assistant manager for Solid Waste Services and staff support person for Keep Abilene Beautiful.

“When people come into town, first impressions mean everything,” Brock said. “If the place looks dirty, they get a bad impression of our city.”

Spending time and money to keep the city attractive sends a message to visitors, Woods said.

“It makes a statement,” she said. “We’re friendly, we welcome you into our city, and we want you to feel good while you’re here.”

EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer

E-mail Anthony at: optimist@acu.edu

Faculty: Applications coming in

Dynamite dating

Continued from Page 1

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Heidi Morris, a therapist at the University Counseling Center and coordinator of the Peer Health Education program, speaks about ‘The Dynamics of Dynamite Dating’ for Healthy Relationships Week during a small-group Chapel in the Library Atrium on Thursday.

Bowl: Sunday not just about game Continued from Page 1 the people the participants meet.

Massingill said there was no rhyme or reason to choosing Super Bowl Sunday as the project date.

“It’s just purely coincidence,” he said.

Hope Church of Christ

expects 30 to 40 to be at the project Sunday night. Most of them will be from ACU, but students from Hardin-Simmons University and McMurry University are also expected to attend.

Jennifer Nissen, sophomore English education major from Macond, Ill., will be one of the students helping Sunday night.

Limestone and cactus make up the tan and green colors at the ruins of Fort Phantom Hill, just north of Abilene.

She said she feels that the project will be a good use of her time.

“Many of my friends will be there, so it will be a lot of fun,” she said, “and I’ll get to do something good in the process.”

E-mail Pond at: optimist@acu.edu

semester. She placed advertisements on the Internet and in the Church of Christ newspaper, the Christian Chronicle.

She also sent ads to alumni and asked faculty members to distribute the ads in conferences.

“We have tried in a lot of different ways to find the best people out t h e r e , ” Durrington said. “As we get the appliWillerton cations, we have search committees narrow the applications down to two. Those people will be invited to come for interviews.”

She said usually three to five people in each department are on the search committees.

“I am telling applicants we will have decisions made on the finalists at the end of March,” Durrington said, adding that interviews will take place during April. New faculty members will begin teaching classes in the fall.

The response from applicants depends on the department, Durrington said. The English Department has already received several appli-

cations, while the Journalism and Mass Communication Department has not received any viable applicants.

Other departments looking for new faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences are Art and Design, Biology, Mathematics and Computer Science, Music, Physics, Political Science, and Sociology and Social Work.

The search has been slightly smoother for the College of Biblical Studies, which only had one position to fill: professor of New Testament and Greek in the Graduate School of Theology, said Dr. Jack Reese, dean of the College of Biblical Studies, in an e-mail.

Reese said an offer has been made but not yet accepted, and the new faculty member will begin the position in the fall.

“The absence has put a strain on the department, and several faculty members have taken on additional classes until someone is hired,” Reese said.

In the Study Abroad Program, an on-site director is needed for the Latin America Program, and a faculty member position is open in the Accounting Department of the College of Business Administration, according to the ACU employee Web site.

Dr. Chris Willerton, direc-

tor of the Honors Program and professor of English, said he is looking for an assistant professor, who will also fill a position in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“We are setting up interviews,” Willerton said. “We have to coordinate one interview with the English Department because one of the applicants has applied there.

Whoever comes in will have a very complicated interview day.”

He also said he hopes to have the position filled by the end of the semester so the new employee can begin in August.

Durrington said although the number of open positions might seem large, she has seen high numbers in the university before, and it is a problem that can easily be overcome. She said she appreciates the mentorship between seasoned ACU professors and new faculty.

“We prefer to have someone who has completed their doctorate,” she said, “is committed to Christian higher education, someone who has been teaching before and has a good track record, and is involved in scholarly activity.”

E-mail Williams at: tnt00b@acu.edu

SBC: Campaigns look to fill voids Continued from Page 1 spending time getting to know each other, while eagerly looking for more to join.

The Scotland campaign, led by Travis McGuire, and the Miami campaign, led by Dustin Johnson, are also looking for people to join.

Rachel Klick, Spring Break Campaign secretary, said groups lose people every year—some more than others.

“It’s very unusual for people not to drop out,” said Klick, senior broadcast journalism major from Fort Worth. “Leaders are constantly having to pull people off of their waiting lists.”

The campaigns are trying to find more interested students through word of mouth,

announcements in Bible classes and my.ACU. Every year Spring Break Campaigns send hundreds of students into the world to share Jesus with unbelievers.

Now the campaigns not searching for more members are in the process of getting to know each other better before they try to reach out to others.

Klick said many campaigns are doing service projects and group dinners or lunches to get to know each other better.

“My campaign did a service project last Saturday at the Salvation Army,” said Klick, who is a co-leader for the Washington, D.C. campaign.

“It was a good opportunity to open up and talk.”

Amanda Stough, Washing-

ton, D.C. campaign member, said her campaign has gone to a free movie in Cullen, the Shades show and will be having a girls’ sleepover this month to help create deeper relationships among the members.

Stough, sophomore accounting major from Atlanta, also said her campaign intends to have a garage sale in order to raise money for the campaign.

Students interested in joining a campaign should contact the Spring Break Campaign office or check my.ACU for more information.

E-mail Stork at: las00f@acu.edu

JUMPS

Friday, February 4, 2005

Football: Eighteen commit to ACU Continued from Page 10

state selection by the Texas Sports Writers Association.

Collins helped Ryan win a pair threw for more than 2,000 yards of Class 4A state titles in 2002 in just nine games to earn alland 2003 before the school Southwest Junior College moved to Class 5A prior to the Conference honors.

2004 season. Ryan was also Malone was one of the most knocked out of the Class 5A highly sought-after quarterDivision II state playoffs by backs in the state in February Southlake Carroll.

2002 when he signed with Former ACU standout Bob Tulane after verbally commitShipley, now the head coach at ting to the University of Texas.

Burnet High School, sent the He was on several state top-100 Wildcats two players for the lists that recruiting season and second straight year. Following was listed by Rivals.com as the the lead of Cody Warner and Ty 18th-ranked quarterback in the Kuhn, who signed with ACU in nation.

2004, offensive linemen Marshall and Malone will C l a y t o n compete with Trahan and returning Leo Saldivar quarterbacks high school football at a high level “Playing Texas s i g n e d Brock Pierce and in big games gets you ready to play We d n e s d a y and redshirt with ACU. freshmen Nick in big games at the next level.”

The 11 Bird, Brock high school Sherwood and Chris Thomsen, head football coach signees repreTwaneil Spead sent seven for the starting high schools spot in the fall.

“Getting those two guys 2002 and finished fourth in whose teams combined to fin(Marshall and Malone) was 48.33. Jeremy Wariner, who ish 60-23 (.723 winning perreally important because we won the gold medal in the 400 centage) in 2004. Five of those needed some depth at that posi- meters at the 2004 Olympic schools made the state playoffs Games in Athens, won the race. with Wylie winning a state tion,” Thomsen said.

The Wildcats’ high school championship, Denton Ryan “Those guys will obviously come in and compete for the class is solid as well, led by the reaching the regional final and starting job with the guys we four Abilene High products, Abilene High reaching the already have here. With what who helped the Eagles to a 12-1 regional semifinals. Collins, in we want to do on offense, we’ll mark in 2004 and the school’s fact, played for a Ryan team that need a guy at quarterback who first outright district title since won state titles his freshman can make good decisions, get us 1958. The Eagles lost to eventu- and sophomore seasons before in the right protection schemes al state and national champion losing in the state title game his and deliver the football with Southlake Carroll in the third junior season. Ryan played in round of the Class 5A Division four straight state champiaccuracy.”

Thomsen also singled out II state playoffs, falling 35-30 onship games before falling defensive tackles Alonzo Wines for their only loss in an other- short of reaching that game in 2004.

(Cisco Junior College), line- wise remarkable season.

That winning tradition is Adams should make the backer Marcus Brown (Blinn College), defensive back Patrick most immediate influence of something the ACU coaches Ellison (Blinn College), offen- the four Eagles. A first-team all- were looking for, Thomsen said.

“A program has to get over sive tackles Devorias Jackson District 3-5A placekicker in (Navarro Junior College), wide 2004, Adams was 56 of 57 on the hump and start winning receivers Keith Talbert and extra point attempts and five of sometime, and most of the high Danny Sellers (both of Navarro five on field goal attempts. He school kids we brought in— Junior College), and defensive leaves Abilene High as the especially the ones from back Kyle Seals (Baylor) as school’s all-time leading scorer Abilene High, Denton Ryan, transfers who will make a dif- and the District 3-5A record- Wylie and Burnet—have gotten ference for the Wildcats in holder for most career PATs over that hump,” Thomsen (170), career kicking points said. “These kids have seen 2005.

Bam Harmon left the basket- (273) and career field goals first-hand how that happens and how hard you have to work ball team at Cameron at the end (22).

Another immediate influ- to make that happen. Playing of the fall semester to transfer to ACU to play football. ence player from the high Texas high school football at a Harmon — who originally school list could be center Sam high level and in big games gets signed with the University of Collins of Denton Ryan, who you ready to play in big games Rhode Island to play basket- was a Class 5A first team all- at the next level.” ball—played the 2003-04 season at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M before transferring to Cameron. At the time he left the Aggies’ basketball team, he was leading the LSC in assists per game (5.0).

He was a three-sport standout at The Colony High School, where he was one of the topranked wide receivers/defensive backs in the state, a starter on the basketball team that was ranked as high as No. 8 in the nation, and a Region I-5A qualifier in the 400 meters in track and field. He reached the final of the 400 meters as a senior in

Page 9

High school signees • Matt Adams, PK, 5-10, 175, Abilene High School • Taylor Broderick, DB, 5-11, 160, Abilene High School • Sam Collins, OL, 6-0, 260, Denton Ryan High School • Deron Guidry, RB, 5-9, 200, Tomball High School • Haskell Hall, LB, 6-5, 240, Abilene Wylie High School • Lane Miller, DB, 5-11, 180, Abilene High School • Adam Myer, OL, 6-6, Shawnee (Kan.) Mission High School • Joe Saldivar, OL, 5-10, 250, Burnet High School • Clayton Trahan, OL, 6-4, 270, Burnet High School • Travis Walding, DB, 6-0, 190, Abilene High School • Jody Walker, LB, 6-3, 200, New Braunfels High School

Transfers • Kyle Bachelor, TE, 6-4, 260, junior, Murrieta, Calif.

(Grossmont Junior College) • Marcus Brown, LB, 6-0, 235, junior, Houston (Blinn College) • Derrian Duncan, CB, 6-1, 185, junior, Grand Prairie (College of the Siskiyous) • Patrick Ellison, DB, 5-10, 185, junior, San Antonio (Blinn College) • Bam Harmon, DB, 6-2, 200, junior, The Colony (Cameron) • Devorias Jackson, OL, 6-5, 310, junior, Killeen (Navarro Junior College) • Landon Kinchen, DB, 6-2, 200, junior, Mansfield (Cisco Junior College) • Billy Don Malone, QB, 6-3, 215, sophomore, Paris, TX (Tulane) • Daniel Marshall, QB, 6-3, 205, junior, Houston (Blinn Junior College) • Kyle Seals, DB, 6-0, 190, sophomore, Arlington (Baylor) • Danny Sellers, WR, 6-3, 190, junior, Hubbard (Navarro Junior College) • Keith Talbert, WR, 6-0, 200, junior, Lumberton (Navarro Junior College) • Alonzo Wines, DT, 6-1, 290, junior, San Antonio (Cisco Junior College)

Hockey: Men to face No. 1 team this week Continued from Page 1

also face league rival, the University of Texas at Dallas.

Hockey League and 20th in Last season, UTD beat ACU to the nation among Division II finish first in the SCHL. schools, and they ended the Revenge seems to be on teammates’ minds. tournament ranked 18th.

“We have a good chance to In the fifth year of competition, the players have made an beat them this year with the early influence against experi- new freshman we have. They enced schools, winning a bid have done a really good job of to nationals in three of the past stepping in and playing well,” four years, while going 103- Andrews said. “In order to win 19-3 in 125 games over the we need to up the defense and play better than we did against past four years.

“We have beaten some real- them the first time.”

“Our team is very dynamly good teams this season so ic,” Dickison said. “We have far,” Gelet said.

Despite the lack of a prac- several freshman that are a tice facility, the team still great help to us, and then we works hard to represent ACU, have several seniors that have been playing since the team he said.

“In most cases the teams we started.

Gelet added, “There’s great play against get to practice at purpose-built inline hockey leadership and a lot of speed rinks, while we practice at a on this team. We are all great less fortunate facility,” said Jon shooters from the outside and Andrews, junior marketing have enough size to battle management major from down low and in the corners.”

Some teammates are from Midland.

Last year the team finished as far away as Alaska and with a 16-4 season record. In Washington, while others are f ro m t h e West South“I am extremely proud of this Texas. w e s t A few Colleyear’s team for putting things players giate together the way it has.” call the Hockey DallasLeague, t h e Jon Andrews, junior marketing major from Midland F o r t Wo rt h Wilda r e a c a t s home. ended Although they are from difthe season ranked second in their division and 12th in the ferent walks of life, Andrews said, “We all come together on nation.

The goal for the team this the rink to pursue a common year is to play at the national goal.”

“All of us get along really tournament in Fort Collins, well,” Gelet said. “We hang Colo., April 13-18.

“Whether we make it to out a lot, and the thing that nationals or not, I am extreme- really makes us good is our ly proud of this year’s team for ability to see the rink and putting things together the make the passes to the open man. This comes from having way it has,” Andrews said.

“This weekend will be our a bond with your teammate.”

“If anyone ever came to see hardest tournament of the us they would realize how legit semester,” Gelet said.

They will face the No. 1 we are and we would rock team in the league and the fifth their socks off,” Gelet said. ranked Division II team, the University of Louisiana at E-mail Herndon at: optimist@acu.edu Lafayette. The Wildcats will

Baseball: Depth, experience to lead team Continued from Page 10

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Dane Marchuiller, junior starting second baseman, throws the ball to first base during practice Jan. 26. Marchuiller redshirted last year after transferring from Cuesta Community College.

Gubbels, Walsh and junior Morgan Colonel all figure into the outfield plans as well.

“We’ve got four or five guys we can kind of platoon out there,” Bonneau said. “They all can hit,[are] good athletes [and] can run.”

Behind the plate the Wildcats have all-conference senior catcher J-Bob Thomas backed up by sophomore Alec Sowards and junior Matt Jackson. Even with all the depth and talent at the positions in the field, Bonneau said the team’s strength is on the mound.

The Wildcats return all-conference hurlers Ben Brockman, Ben Maynard and Coy Polk, along with senior reliever Andrew Dillman and healthy returnees Simmons and Whitlock.

To that existing core, ACU has added Ken Bice from Howard College, who picked up 12 saves last year. Bonneau

calls newcomer Brandon Moore from Arizona Western a solid starter and thinks Jason Kennedy and Adam Jones will add even more depth.

“It’s a year that we have four game sets on the weekend, doubleheaders on Friday and Saturdays,” Bonneau said.

“You’ve got to have a good

fire.”

Bonneau said it was a great learning experience as the Wildcats finished the year on a strong 20-9 push to finish as co-champs of the LSC South.

Cure said experience is a key part of a baseball team. The Wildcats also have numerous seniors to rely on this season as

“We have all the talent in the world, we just have to use it.”

Cody Cure, outfielder and preseason LSC player of the year

bullpen in situations like that.”

The team’s depth, both on the mound and in the field, is helped by the fact that many players were unexpectedly put in starting roles last season.

“We relied on a lot of freshman kids,” Bonneau said. “Kids we’d planned on having a key role as being backup players were thrown right into the

well as the young players who have seen extensive playing time.

The Wildcats’ experience and talent was enough for LSC coaches and media representatives to tab them as the favorites to win the South Division title. It also grabbed ACU a spot in the national poll, as they sit at No. 25 in the

nation heading into the season.

“I could easily see us higher based on what I know,” Bonneau said. “Based on last season, I was surprised to get in the top 25.”

ACU and the poll voters will get to see just how surprising the recognition is when they take on No. 1 Delta State in their first game of the season on Saturday. Bonneau said he’s looking forward to seeing how the team reacts to that challenge, and he likes the early returns on the level of the team.

“Sometimes you don’t know where you’re at, but this team seems to be real focused on working hard every day,” Bonneau said.

Cure is just ready to get out on the field and show what the team can do.

“No one’s going to lay down for us,” Cure said. “We have all the talent in the world, we just have to use it.”

E-mail Gray at: weg02a@acu.edu

SPORTSFRIDAY OPTIMIST

Page 10

February 4, 2005

Baseball to begin season with depth

LSC South Standings current through 02-02-05

Men’s Basketball Team A&M-Kingsville A&M-Commerce Midwestern State West Texas A&M ACU Angelo State E. New Mexico

Div. 4-0 4-1 4-1 2-2 1-4 1-4 0-4

Tot. 13-6 17-3 12-8 8-11 8-12 8-12 7-12

Women’s Basketball Team West Texas A&M Angelo State ACU E. New Mexico A&M-Commerce Texas Woman’s Midwestern State A&M-Kingsville

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

Tot. 14-5 16-2 13-5 9-10 8-11 9-9 7-12 4-15

Team at No. 25 in nation, prepares to show their talent

By WARREN GRAY SPORTS WRITER

For the 2005 ACU baseball team, depth is the name of the game.

The Wildcats lost only two key players from a young 2004 squad. The team will see several players who sat out last season back in action who sat out last season, and it added a shortstop who started 42 games for Oklahoma University last year.

“This team is totally different than last year’s because of

the depth we have on the mound and offensively,” Head coach Britt Bonneau said.

“Because of the fact that we had to redshirt guys for injuries, last year’s team didn’t have the depth and didn’t have the talent we were anticipating.”

Two of the main players the Wildcats were forced to red shirt were senior pitchers Kade Simmons and Justin Whitlock.

Both spent the year recovering from offseason arm surgery after making major contributions in 2003.

Junior transfers Dane Marcouiller and Chris Walsh also redshirted last year.

Marcouiller is expected to start at second base while Walsh will see time in the outfield.

But Bonneau said the biggest addition is senior OU transfer Brenan Herrera, who will anchor the Wildcats middle infield from the shortstop position. Matt Callahan, 2004 all-conference second baseman, graduated, so Herrera should prove a valuable commodity up the middle.

“What we’ve added is a kid who has Big 12 experience, and that’s big,” Bonneau said.

Besides those who sat out last season, the Wildcats’ roster features nine new players. One of those players, junior Ruben Rivera, played shortstop last year for Arizona Western College but will switch to third base as a Wildcat. Rivera, who recorded nine saves last year, also will see time on the

mound at ACU. His presence forces senior Ryan Barker to move across the infield from third to first.

“We’ve had a three-time allconference player over there that we’re moving,” Bonneau said.

Marcouiller rounds out the infield and will line up next to Herrera at second base, taking over for the departed Callahan.

Although he has big shoes to fill, he brings experience of his own. In 2003 Marcouiller’s Cuesta Community College team made it to the final four of the California World Series.

The Wildcats’ outfield is anchored by preseason Lone Star Conference player of the year Cody Cure. Cure batted .395 last season on his way to

picking up all-conference honors.

“Cody was a big part of our team last year; he kept us together,” Bonneau said.

Cure said the early accolades are nice but won’t mean anything if he and the team don’t back it up on the field.

“It means I had a good year last year,” Cure said. “In the long run, that really means nothing.”

The ACU outfield will see many other faces alongside Cure. Bonneau said the team is expecting junior Joel Wells, who will see time in right field and at designated hitter, to improve on a solid sophomore campaign.

Senior Dan See BASEBALL Page 9

Upcoming events in Wildcat sports... (home events in italics) Friday, February 4 MTN: Eastern Kentucky, 10 a.m.

MTN: Tenn. Chattanooga, 3 p.m.

Saturday, February 5 WBB: West Texas A&M, 6 p.m.

MBB: West Texas A&M, 8 p.m.

Tuesday, February 8 BSB: St. Mary’s, 3 p.m.

SB: Midwestern St., 2 p.m.

2005 baseball schedule (home events in italics) February 5 Delta State, Austin, 10 a.m.

St. Edward’s, Austin, 2 p.m.

February 8 St. Mary’s, Abilene, 3 p.m.

February 11 Incarnate Word, San Antonio, 3 p.m.

February 12 Incarnate Word (2), San Antonio, 12 p.m.

February 18 Cameron (2), Abilene, 2 p.m.

February 19 Cameron (2), Abilene, 12 p.m.

February 25 Central Oklahoma (2), Edmond, Okla., 1 p.m.

February 26 Central Oklahoma (2), Edmond, Okla, 1 p.m.

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Senior shortstop Brenan Herrera, transfer from the University of Oklahoma, lunges for a ball during practice. The baseball team is scheduled to play its first game against Delta State in Austin on Saturday at 10 a.m. followed by a doubleheader against St. Edwards at 2 p.m.

Football team adds 18 on National Signing Day Five from Abilene schools, 13 transfers in 2005 signing class From ACU SPORTS INFORMATION Four local standouts from Abilene High's undefeated District 3-5A championship team headline the 2005 signing class that was reeled in Wednesday at Abilene Christian University.

Placekicker Matt Adams, linebacker Lane Miller and defensive backs Travis Walding and Taylor Broderick all signed binding national letters-ofintent on Wednesday, the first day high school players can make their college choices official. Haskell Hall, a starting linebacker on Wylie’s Class 3A Division I state championship team, also signed with the Wildcats.

ACU also recruited 13 transfers from junior colleges and four-year schools, none bigger perhaps than two quarterbacks in Daniel Marshall from Blinn College and Billy Malone from Tulane University.

New ACU head coach Chris Thomsen has been on the job fewer than two weeks, but he termed his first signing class a “success” that addresses immediate and future needs.

“We had some immediate needs at defensive line and, to some degree, wide receiver,

and we were able to address both of those areas,” Thomsen said. “Long-term, we needed to upgrade our offensive line, and we picked up three really good high school offensive linemen.

“I feel really good about this class, and the guys we’ve got coming in,” said Thomsen, who was named head coach Jan. 21, replacing Gary Gaines, who resigned Jan. 7 after five seasons as the head coach.

“The coaches who were here in the interim period (Jerry Wilson, Colby Carthel, Nathan Headrick, Dan Gonzalez, Cody Farrell and Josh Ritchey) all did a great job. I got here after a lot of the work had been done, especially with the transfers. Those assistant coaches deserve a lot of credit for the class we signed.”

Marshall and Malone fill perhaps the most glaring need on the offensive side of the ball.

Last year, the Wildcats finished near the bottom of the Lone Star Conference in passing offense (12th at 151.6 yards per game), total offense (12th at 278.2 ypg), scoring offense (10th at 22.2 points per game) and passing efficiency (11th with a combined quarterback rating of 98.2).

Marshall started at Blinn College in 2004 after a solid high school career at Klein Forest High School in Houston. Last year at Blinn, he See FOOTBALL Page 9

An order of commercials with a side of Super Bowl

BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer

Senior second baseman Kristen Alvarado backpedals to catch a pop fly off the bat of a Colorado State-Pueblo batter during the Wildcat season opener Thursday.

You might be used to hearing, “We now interrupt the Super Bowl, for these messages,” but with the evolution of the entertainment mecca that is Super Bowl Sunday, in reality it should say, “We interrupt these Kyle’s commercials Column to bring you Super Kyle Robarts the Bowl.”

Mark Rogers, sports anchor for KTXS, and I were joking on Wednesday that Tom Brady will be opening and Terrell Owens closing for the Paul McCartney show this Sunday.

Don’t get me wrong. I do enjoy some of the commercials that come on during the biggest sporting event of the year — my favorites being Terry Tate’s office linebacker and the E-Trade monkey — but for the football fan who really wants to watch the game, all the entertainment sometimes gets in the way.

Luckily, last year I found an activity to pass the time during the big game, and I will do it again this year: pack pills.

At Hope Church of Christ, after services begin at 5 p.m., I sit at a table with other members from the congregation with a good view of the

projector to show the game, and we count thousands and thousands of pills. We count aspirin pills, adult, children’s and prenatal vitamins, and antacid medicine into tiny bags that later will be shipped with team members — including myself — from the Zambia Medical Mission.

The mission doesn’t begin until July 7,, but the medicine must be organized and shipped by boat a few months ahead of time so it will arrive on time for the mission.

In the two years I have been a part of the mission, we have seen more than 35,000 Zambians receive free medication and care for wounds, teeth and eyesight.

Packing pills is one of the many pieces that complete the puzzle of the ZMM each year.

So if you don’t mind missing the first quarter, staying busy while you watch the game, laughing at the commercials or ignoring the halftime show, head on down to Hope Church of Christ on Highway 351. The good people will even feed you free food.

And I’ll save you a chair after the game while we count pills. We’ll talk football.

E-mail Robarts at: kdr00c@acu.edu