OPTIMIST THE
FRIDAY March 4, 2005
Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Abilene Christian University
Vol. 93, No. 42 1 section, 8 pages www.acuoptimist.com
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Keanu not constant:
Staff looks for occupancy to go UP:
Seniors carry Cats:
Constantine falls somewhere in the middle of comic book movie franchises. Page 5
University Park Apartments managers are trying to reach out to their target audience of sophomores to increase the number of tenants. Page 3
The women’s basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the LSC tourney. Page 8
Changes made to housing Barret, McDonald halls will house women; Morris to be men’s hall By LORI BREDEMEYER MANAGING EDITOR
Students living on campus next fall will have different halls to choose from depending on their classification and gender.
Morris Hall, currently housing sophomore women, will house sophomore and freshman men; McDonald Hall, a freshman men’s hall, will become a freshman women’s hall; and Barret Hall, which is still under construction, will house sophomore women. Dr. Mimi Barnard, director of Residence Life Education and Housing, said Morris and Mc-
Donald have housed men and women at different times since they were built, and switching the demographics of a hall is not uncommon. She said she and other campus officials, met to discuss the enrollment projections for next year to decide how to use the residence halls. See CHANGE Page 4
Residence hall changes The addition of Barret Hall will prompt changes for two other halls. McDonald Hall: freshman women, Bible and business majors Morris Hall: freshman and sophomore men, Bible and business majors Barret Hall: sophomore women
Campus cuts deal for KRBC to air on cable Station now available; Cox cable, local NBC affiliate still feuding STAFF REPORT Officials completed negotiations that have allowed them to add the NBC network back to campus cable, which took effect March 1. NBC and its local affiliate, KRBC-TV, have not been broadcast on Cox cable, which the campus receives, since Jan. 1 because of a disagreement between the two companies. Those who subscribe to Cox cable have only been able to access KRBC by unhooking the cable and using “rabbit ear” antenna. Jim Trietsch, associate chief information officer for the university, said ACU made an agreement with Mission
Broadcasting, which owns KRBC, to be able to broadcast the channel on campus. “We have an antenna similar to what you can do at home — you can put an antenna on an existing TV at home and get KRBC just off the air — and we’re mixing it into our on-campus cable system,” he said. Trietsch also said ACU was able to broadcast KRBC, which is Channel 5 on campus, because the university controls its own programming, and Information Services is paying a fee “to provide NBC as a service to our students.” “ACU’s cable system is independent of Cox cable,” he said. “We receive channels from Cox, but we don’t rebroadcast all of them, so we’re free to mix in other channels as we want to.”
Former Congress members to visit EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer
Judy Chant, nurse practioner for the medical clinic, moved from Victoria, British Columbia, in 1994 to Abilene—a town she had never heard of. She began working part time for Dr. Tony Rector, medical director for clinical services, in 2003.
Finding the cure Nurse practitioner found her way to ACU from Canada By JONATHAN SMITH EDITOR IN CHIEF
Judy Chant’s Friday did not begin with an 8 o’clock, but she had work to do before her 9 o’clock. At least she would be done after Chapel. Chant began her third stint in college last semester. This time around, she will not put
herself through 8 a.m. classes after sleepless nights or long days on little nutrition. Her job is to take care of the students who put themselves through that and the hundreds of others who go through the medical clinic each week. Chant began as a part-time nurse practitioner in the medical clinic in February 2003. Her journey to ACU and Abilene itself brought her several thousand miles and into a different medical specialty. She was born in Victoria, British Col-
umbia, where she spent much of her life on the water and around national parks. She opted to go back to nursing school in her mid-20s and began working in the cardiac unit of the hospital. “I was the first nursing student they let into the cardiac unit at that hospital,” Chant said. She continued working in the cardiac unit with her husband, a cardiologist, who went to school at Emory University
Congress approves Rec Center funding Bill provides free pool, Xbox for students until end of semester By JONATHAN SMITH EDITOR IN CHIEF
The Students’ Association unanimously approved funds on Wednesday to provide free use of the pool tables and Xbox video game systems in the Recreation Center of the Campus Center for students for the remainder of the school year. The bill, which was brought before Congress by freshman senators Brandon Smith and Jordan Williams, will cost the Students’ Association $100 each week for the remaining seven weeks of the semester. See SA Page 4
See CHANT Page 4
Men to speak to classes, student groups as part of two-day campus tour By LORI BREDEMEYER MANAGING EDITOR
Two former members of the House of Representatives will visit campus March 14 and 15 as part of the Congress to Campus Program. Harry Volkmer, D-Missouri, and Robert W. Daniel Jr., R-Virginia, will speak to several classes and student groups and to two Abilene Kiwanis Clubs during their stay. The Congress to Campus Program coordinates with schools to send ex-Congress members to colleges and uni-
versities for two-and-a-half days to share their experiences and promote careers in public service. The university participated in the program once before when Rep. David R. Minge, D-Minnesota, and Rep. George Wortley, RDillman New York, visited in the spring of 2003. Dr. David Dillman, professor of political science, said the students and faculty can all learn something from the men. “We need to have some better understanding of ConSee CONGRESSMEN Page 4
Sikes parking lot renovated SA rep worked since last semester to help traffic flow By JACI SCHNEIDER OPINION EDITOR
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Bobby Reed of Bontke Brothers Construction Company digs up a section of the Sikes Hall parking lot Wednesday in order to connect it with the Williams Performing Arts Center lot.
Students who park near Sikes Residence Hall or the Williams Performing Arts Center will notice something missing on their return from spring break. The small strip of land and concrete between the Sikes parking lot and WPAC parking lot will be removed during
spring break, and the two parking lots will be connected. Lauren Hart, sophomore integrated marketing communication major from Austin and Students’ Association representative for Sikes Hall, worked with SA officers and university administrators to have the $7,000 project completed. Last fall, Hart spoke with women in her residence hall about the parking lot issue; she thought the fact that the two parking lots weren’t connected was a problem. “Pretty much everyone I
talked to said it was a problem,” Hart said. As SA representative, Hart made the parking lot her semester project. She began the process of trying to have the parking lots connected by sending petitions to students living in Sikes Hall, students who attended class in the Mabee Business Building and in WPAC. “Then I wrote up legislation and presented it to congress,” Hart said. “It was unanimously passed.” See SIKES Page 4
Students spring forward to trips, campaigns Some plan to spend break at home, others look to minister By EVAN BLACK STUDENT REPORTER
Students are packing suit; spring break is in sight. Although many students are preparing to depart to 35 Spring
Break Campaign locations, an even greater number of students are not. Approximately 515 students will go on campaigns this year, said Clay Rich, senior accounting and finance major from Abilene and chair of the SBC committee. Students have many reasons not to sign up for a campaign, Rich said.
“Many people need to use the week just to rest,” Rich said. “But I would encourage students to go on at least one during their time at ACU.” Some students like Cara Cunningham, junior speech pathology major from San Antonio, said money is a decisive factor. “I think [Spring Break Campaigns] are a good cause,”
Cunningham said. “But they come with a big cost.” Spring Break Campaigns this year range in price from $220 to $1,200. Cunningham said she will spend her break at home with her family and boyfriend, who attends Texas A&M University in Corpus Christi. Cunningham is not the only one who plans to spend spring
break with family. “I just want to be with my family because I never see them,” said Jon-Daniel Todd, sophomore marketing major from Blue Ridge. Todd, who has never participated in mission work, said he has not put much thought into Spring Break Campaigns. See BREAK Page 4
CAMPUS Friday, March 04, 2005
04
Calendar&Events Friday
Computer auction, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Hilton Room. Summer online courses information, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Campus Center. Seek and Follow bake sale, 11 a.m.3 p.m., Campus Center. Shane & Shane ticket sales, 11:50 a.m.-1 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows. Students in Free Enterprise Etiquette Dinner tickets, 5-6 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.
05
DAY
Saturday
Computer auction, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., Hilton Room.
Spring Break: March 6-March 12
13 14
Sunday
Spring Break Campaigns leader meeting, 7-9 p.m., Living Room.
Monday
Faculty women’s luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m., Living Room. Social Club officers’ meeting, 56:30 p.m., Living Room. Society of African-American Brotherhood meeting, 9-10:30 p.m., Hilton Room. Summer online course information, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Campus Center. Girl Scout cookie sales, 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Campus Center. Students in Free Enterprise Etiquette Dinner tickets, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows. Shane & Shane ticket sales, 11:50 a.m.-1 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.
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.
15
Tuesday
16
Wednesday
Summer online course information, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Campus Center.
Summer online course information, 7 a.m.-11 p.m., Campus Center.
Students in Free Enterprise Etiquette Dinner tickets, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.
Students in Free Enterprise Etiquette Dinner tickets,11:30 a.m.1 p.m. and 5-6 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.
Leadership Camps staff training, 4-7:30 p.m., Living Room.
Shane & Shane ticket sales, 11:50 a.m.-1 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows
Shane & Shane ticket sales, 11:50 a.m.-1 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.
Women’s social clubs meeting, 810:45 p.m., Living Room.
Announcements Minority Peers Encouraging Excellent Performance Successfully, MyPEEPS, applications are due today at 5 p.m. For more information, contact the Office of Student Multicultural Enrichment at Ext. 2804 or kxi01a@acu.edu. On Saturday, the electrical connection to Zellner Hall will be upgraded, and all power to Zellner will be off from 10 a.m. until possibly 5 p.m. Beginning at 8 a.m., all central computer services will be unavailable, including Banner, my.ACU, e-mail and the Internet. E-mail will be upgraded beginning Saturday evening through Sunday. Doors with card readers will lock when the power goes down. Campus Cash and Bean Bucks purchases will not be available. Phone service might be lost if the power is off for more than four hours. For more information, call
Kay Reeves at Ext. 2991. Beginning March 5, call Reeves at the Help Line at 738-4357. In addition, students can press 0 for an emergency, and if the ACU phone system is unavailable, call Reeves at 518-9613. A West Africa mission team in the southern Togo is looking for someone to spend six months to one year as a school teacher for the team’s children. You do not have to be an education major. For more information, visit www.watchiharvest.com/video/2005MKSchoolVideoQuickTime.mov or contact Dan McVey at mcvey@bible.acu.edu. Students in Free Enterprise Etiquette Dinner will be March 18 at 7 p.m. in the Hilton Room. Seating is limited. The five-course meal, lessons in etiquette, takehome brochure and entertainment will cost $8 or 2 meal plans. Dress will be semi-formal to formal.
Chapel Check-Up Credited Chapels to date: Credited Chapels remaining:
35 36 Police Log
CAMPUS NEWS
Friday, March 4, 2005
Page 3
University Park looking for more students to apply for fall Occupancy rates lower than in past; students not showing interest By MONICA SMITH STUDENT REPORTER
As sophomores near the end of the spring semester, they begin the hunt for next year’s housing, and apartment complex managers and other renters begin attempting to recruit new tenants. University Park Apartments are no different. “Sophomores are our target market,” said Patricia HailJackson, managing director at
UP. “The majority of our residents are juniors, so if we miss out on sophomores, our occupancy is low.” University Park employees have gone out of their way to attract the attention of the potential tenants; on Feb. 27 after Chapel, they sponsored a barbecue for sophomores interested in living in University Park, but the turnout was low. Poor weather might have been the cause of the low turnout, but when the event was rescheduled for the following Friday, the result was the same. UP staff has begun to visit the sophomore residence halls to encourage students to con-
Home and Garden Expo takes place this weekend Variety of displays for all ages, genders available during expo By MARY TAN STAFF WRITER
The Big Country Home and Garden Expo this weekend will offer a variety of exhibits: a master chainsaw sculptor, a World Masters Trick Shot Champion and many home-related products. More than 120 exhibitors will provide home-related services and display home products such as windows, carpets and tiles at the Abilene Civic Center. Chainsaw sculptor Jerry Hendricks and multiple trick shot champion Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman also will demonstrate their talents. Hendricks will create different sized sculptures ranging from several inches to 10 feet high, and Rossman will perform trick shot segments and take challenges. The expo will take place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and
noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. A $2 admission fee is required for those older than 12. The expo, which is organized annually by the Big Country Home Builders Association, usually attracts about 4,000 people, said Brenda Moore, executive officer of BCHBA. The association generally targets home owners between the ages of 25 and 60, but that does not mean college students aren’t welcome, she said. The expo began in 1991 and has expanded to become the only event dedicated to the home building and remodeling industry, Moore said. This year Moore said she hopes to attract a larger crowd than in the past. “With two different attractions targeted to male-inquiring minds, we hope to see more husbands enjoying the entertainment while their wives are enjoying the shopping,” she said.
sider living in the apartments. Representatives visited Sikes and Morris halls on Monday evening, and Edwards, Smith and Adams halls on Tuesday evening. The staff offered fruit, muffins, cookies and drinks in addition to a free snow globe. Despite the freebies, students were still reluctant to even speak with the representative, Hail-Jackson said. “You almost have to tackle them to get them to take the free food,” Hail-Jackson said. “I’m confused. In years past, there has been no problem, but it’s been a struggle the past two years to reach sophomores. We want them to want
Big Country Home and Garden Expo When: • March 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. • March 6 from noon to 5 p.m.
What: More than 120 displays will be available including displays in: • home products for windows, carpets and tiles • Home-care topics Featuring: • Demonstrations by Jerry Hendricks, chainsaw sculptor and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman, Multiple Trick Shot Champion
For more information: • Contact Big Country Home Builders Association at: 325-698- 4232
E-mail Tan at: mtt04b@acu.edu
By DANIÈLE NTAHONKIRIYE STUDENT REPORTER
About 100 volunteers participated in Service Saturday last week as groups of students went to the Day Nursery of Abilene, Covenant Place of Abilene, Windcrest Alzheimer’s Care Center, Spring Season Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and The House Kerry Built. Nancy Coburn, director of the Volunteer and ServiceLearning Center, said a number of students also went to different sites to hand out fliers to let residents know about the areawide clean-up during the next Service Saturday on March 19. “We invited a few families in the neighborhood to let us know if they have any needs that we can help them do outside cleaning up that day,” she said. Coburn said she is pleased by
the work contributed last Saturday. “Everybody showed up and did very well,” she said. “We had lots of involvement.” Coburn said the center tries to have a service day every month, and March 19 will be the only weekend students will be on campus during the month. “The main project for that day is our clean-up efforts,” said Coburn. Coburn said the Don’t Mess with Texas campaign, which is a statewide program, contacted colleges campuses to do some type of clean-up during March. “They said we can do it on campus or go out in the neighborhoods,” she said. “We decided that we’ll go out in the neighborhood; that’s our No. 1 project.” Erin Martin, junior youth and family ministry from Houston and chair of the Service Saturday committee, said the last week’s service went well, and nothing was affected by the rain. Martin said the next Service Saturday will be a big event, and
“We encourage everyone to take a tour,” Hail-Jackson said. “Let us show you what we have.” The gates, which had been broken for some time, have been mended, and a new pedestrian gate will be installed with a four-digit combination. The complex also will have a newly renovated volleyball court with new sand and a new net. The rate of rent at UP will rise 3.5 percent. However, students who sign a lease by April 15 will pay the current rate, according to a University Park flier. In addition, if a lease is signed before May 6, tenants will receive the uni-
versity subsidy, which means ACU will pay for a portion of the rent. Students can save up to $180. “If we can’t get the sophomores, we will never reach our goal,” Hail-Jackson said. “I wish someone would relay to me what I could do for them. Call with suggestions. Right now, we’re open for anything. It’s important to the university, as well as corporate to get occupancy up.”
E-mail Smith at: optimist@acu.edu
Zellner to be without power Saturday
Service Saturday benefits community More than 100 students helped clean up Abilene last weekend
to live here, not be forced because ‘I’m a presidential scholar.’” Letters about housing were mailed in December to sophomore parents to allow time during the Christmas break for students to talk about next year’s housing, and a packet describing different leases followed. During Sing Song, the apartment complex offered an open house to allow visitors to see what the apartments look like. Many sophomore parents took advantage of the open house, which is still available to students who wish to see what their living arrangement would look like at UP.
the committee needs a lot more involvement from students. “We are going to publicize it on campus after spring break,” Martin said. “It should be really exciting because we are trying to get the whole campus involved.” Martin said Service Saturday has a few other sites to work on, but this project will be its main focus. “We will do trash pick-up all around campus and in the neighborhood as well,” she said. “That’s why we need to get a lot of people involved.” Martin encourages students to participate in this event. “It’s really important that students get involved, [but] not only for the people in the community,” she said. “It’s all for God; sometimes we need not to focus only on ourselves.”
E-mail Ntahonkiriye at: optimist@acu.edu
Air conditioning added to rooms with servers, e-mail upgraded By TIFFANY WILLIAMS COPY EDITOR
Power will temporarily be turned off in Zellner Hall from 8 a.m. until the late afternoon Saturday, but staff and students who work in the building should only expect slight inconveniences, if any, said Jim Trietsch, associate chief information officer. He said the power will be Trietsch off to allow AEP electrical company to add extra air conditioning to the rooms where campus servers are operated. “We want to avoid letting the rooms get over 75 or 80 degrees,” he said. “If that happens, the servers don’t operate well anymore. The computers get hot, we have to shut them down, and access to things like Banner and my.ACU serv-
ices are interrupted.” Triestch said they will take down servers at 6 a.m., and all electrical power should be shut off by 8 a.m. He said he hopes to have the power back up by late afternoon Saturday, at 5 p.m. at the latest. Trietsch said during this time period, students will not be able to access Banner, my.ACU and e-mail, regardless of where they are connecting to the Internet. Students on campus during the time of the renovations will not be able to access the Internet at all. Doors in Zellner that are operated by card readers will lock when the power goes down. Card readers will still work on the rest of the campus. “We don’t expect it to influence the phone lines,” he said. “The telephone switch runs on batteries, which continually recharge.” They are running additional electrical power from a line in the Brown Library to keep the telephone switch working. Trietsch said the team took measures to notify employees
who work in Zellner and students who might be influenced by the loss of power by making an announcement on my.ACU and specifically notifying each employee. He said he doesn’t expect the shortage to inconvenience many people, however, because the change will occur during the weekend before spring break, when employees will be away from the office and most students will be traveling. Trietsch also said one more change will be made during the weekend. “After everything is restored, we are doing an email upgrade Saturday evening through Sunday,” he said. “Students will not be able to access the e-mail service. We are moving our e-mail software to a new version because all software needs to be kept up to the latest release. “Students shouldn’t notice the difference after it is converted.” E-mail Williams at: tnt00b@acu.edu
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
Page 4
Friday, March 4, 2005
Congressmen: Former House members to speak to classes, clubs Continued from Page 1 gress,” he said. “We don’t elect our judges at the federal level. We have an electoral college for president; we don’t directly elect the president. But we directly elect these guys, so this is our most democratic institution, and we get the chance to learn more about it.” The U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress formed the Congress to Campus Program in 1976, and the
Center for Democracy and Citizenship and the Stennis Center for Public Service are also partners in the program, according to the CCP Web site. The site says members speak about their time in Congress, “bringing to life … the theory and the practice of democracy.” “They present a living, bipartisan demonstration of what ought to typify our representative system … [and] they give students and faculty an
authentic and candid ‘insiders’ look at the workings of American government and politics.” Dillman said although the congressmen probably will be of most interest to political science majors and classes, their scope is not limited to that field, and they’ll also be speaking to journalism classes, Lynay and Jack Pope Fellows, among others. Volkmer served on the House Agriculture Committee, the House Science and Tech-
nology Committee, the Space Subcommittee, and authored the Firearm Owners Protection Act, according to his biography. After leaving Congress in 1976, he served as a leader for the National Commission on Small Farms and the National Rifle Association. Daniel served on the House Armed Service Committee, the subcommittees on Investigations, Research and Development, Intelligence, and Nucle-
ar Weapons and also instructed economics courses at the University of Richmond Business School, according to his resume. He left Congress in 1982 and has since owned and operated Brandon Plantation in Virginia. “I think for political science-types, it’s just interesting to talk to former members,” Dillman said. “… But these guys have a wide variety of interests, and together, they cover a pretty wide span.
“It’s just a chance for students and faculty to spend a little bit of time with some people who are well-informed and to ask questions.” Dillman said the congressmen will also meet with students individually to discuss careers in public service, and students can contact the Political Science Office for more information. E-mail Bredemeyer at: lmb00g@acu.edu
Chant: Campus nurse felt ‘called to help’ Continued from Page 1
EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer
Judy Chant glances over a medical chart before entering a patient's room at the University Medical Center on Thursday.
in Atlanta, and dreamed of being able to practice medicine in the United States. The opportunity came in 1994 when a position opened in a West Texas town Chant had never heard of: Abilene. “Coming here was a major shock for me,” she said about leaving the lakes and parks of Canada behind for the plains and heat of West Texas—even after almost 11 years, the word “about” still brings out the best in her Canadian accent. With the change in scenery, Chant also decided to move out of the cardiac unit to somewhere she might be able to see a wider variety of patients and ailments. Becoming licensed as a nurse practitioner allowed her the opportunity to treat patients of any age. “As a nurse practitioner, I can see patients; I can write prescriptions myself,” she said. “I can do pretty much anything a physician does, but I just have to work under him.” But making the switch from
Canada to Texas and from cardiac care to general care did not always prove seamless. “The terms, the names for the drugs were all different,” Chant said. “Plus, I had never worked in an office setting,” something to which she has now grown accustomed. After receiving a master’s degree in nursing and being licensed as a nurse practitioner, she felt another calling—a calling to serve. Chant discovered the Presbyterian Medical Mission in Abilene and began volunteering there two days each week. The mission serves those without health care, and payment is determined on a sliding scale based on each patient’s income. “I just feel I was called to help those people in need—to help those people that fall through the cracks—and modify health care to fit their environment,” she said. Chant first saw the job for a nurse practitioner posted in a newspaper in 2003 and immediately thought working with college students would be the per-
fect job for her, but she almost did not even apply. The advertisement called for a full-time employee, and Chant wanted to be able to be home with her daughters, Gillian, 11, and Ginger, 10, when they arrived home from school each day. At the time, she did not know Dr. Tony Rector, medical director for clinical services, but she happened to meet his wife, who convinced Chant to apply for the position even though she could only work part time. When she applied in February, however, Rector said he was already forced to change the job description because of budget cuts. He needed a part-time nurse practitioner, and Chant was perfect for the position. Rector said he wanted someone who, aside from having high professional capability, could bring faith into the workplace. Chant’s résumé alone almost told him enough. “Here’s a woman who has worked in the Mission clinic helping people,” Rector said. “I think that says a lot right there.” Chant, who began working
shortly after applying, now sees seven to 12 students each weekday from about 8:30 to noon. “I’m like an extension of Dr. Rector,” she said. Mostly, she sees cases of upper respiratory illness, sports injuries, stress and anxiety, and she has no doubt she is in the right profession. “I love it. I feel like I’m their mother. I feel like it’s preparing me for when my kids go to a university.” Chant’s phone rang at 9:05 a.m. Friday, and the receptionist’s voice came over the speakerphone: “Your 9 o’clock patient is here.” Chant began to gather her things but wanted students to know one more thing about her job. “We’re here for them,” she said, picking up a clipboard, slipping on her white lab coat and heading off to live that promise to her first patient of the day. E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu
SA: Congress denies ex-CFO’s appointment Sikes: Construction to open parking lots Continued from Page 1
Smith said SA conducted a survey of students a few weeks ago asking what could be done to improve students’ experience in the Recreation Center. “The vast majority of students polled would go more often if [pool and Xbox] were free,” Smith said. Some members asked if this was the only improvement for the Recreation Center that SA was looking to accomplish. “In the future, we’re looking at doing more,” Williams said. “We think this is a major step at moving forward to what the students want.” Smith agreed and said that
more would likely come out of this project. “We’re not trying to push everything at once just from a logistical standpoint,” Smith said. “The whole point of this is not to get a bunch of free stuff, but to have student involvement.” Executive president Layne Rouse also wrote a letter to Congress and presented it at the meeting to apologize for the confusion caused at the Feb. 23 meeting when he brought Jeremy Gudgel, sophomore environmental science major from Andrews, before Congress for appointment as representative for Edwards Hall.
Gudgel began the year as chief financial officer, an appointed position by the executive cabinet. He resigned Oct. 27, and SA bylaws prohibit a candidate who served in one capacity — whether elected or appointed — from filling another office during the same academic year. Rouse said he felt Gudgel now could be considered eligible for the position while still upholding the intent of the bylaws. Confusion quickly engulfed the rest of the Feb. 23 meeting as members debated whether to appoint Gudgel without violating its own bylaws or to temporarily sus-
pend the bylaws to make the appointment. In the end, Congress voted against both appointing Gudgel and temporarily suspending the bylaws — a solution which some felt still left the issue unresolved. Wednesday, Rouse said in his letter that unless he received enough feedback during the rest of the week supporting Gudgel’s appointment, he would not seek for Gudgel to be appointed for the semester’s five remaining meetings.
E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu
Change: Housing options different next year Continued from Page 1 “Our goal is to use the facilities and all our resources to their maximum benefit for the most students,” she said. “… We have all these meetings and talk about how many people we think we’re going to have, and it’s like putting a puzzle together.” Dr. Tom Winter, associate provost, said the group had to consider the classification and gender of students who might attend the university next year
and to decide how best to accommodate them. “It’s logical, and it appears to make use of the residence halls that we have around campus in the most appropriate way, given the numbers of freshmen and sophomore men and women that we expect next year,” he said. Another reason for the decision rested on the anticipated completion of Barret Hall. Winter said the contractors still expect to complete it by August; however, the university wants
to have some flexibility in case construction falls behind, and making the hall changes gives them room to shift residents. “We all know that there are risks in building in West Texas at this time of year,” he said. “There’s always an outside chance that what’s on schedule today would not be on schedule in July. … This gives us a little better hedge if something happens that puts the construction behind schedule.” This was the first year McDonald was used as a living and
learning community for Bible and business majors, and Barnard said the men living there will move to Morris as sophomores and serve as mentors to some of next year’s freshmen. Also, McDonald will become a freshman women’s living and learning community. Freshmen can sign up for residence halls beginning March 15. E-mail Bredemeyer at: lmb00g@acu.edu
Continued from Page 1 After Congress approved the legislation in November, Hart and SA treasurer Tyler Cosgrove began negotiating with Kevin Watson, chief administrative services officer. Although Watson told Hart that the university budget had already been set and no money was left over for the project, Hart didn’t give up. “I told Congress and said I would be looking for donors,” she said. Congress decided to use $2,000 of the $3,000 it had set aside in its budget to be used at SA’s discretion to help fund the project. When Watson found out that Hart already had $2,000,
he was able to find the remaining funds to complete the project. “It always helps to smile and go by and be polite,” Hart said. “I definitely really appreciate Kevin because without him, this would not have happened.” The construction on the parking lots began Monday morning, Hart said. Watson said in an e-mail that the construction should be complete by the end of spring break. Bontke Brothers Construction, in partnership with university maintenance, is completing the project, Watson said. E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu
Break: Some students to work during week Continued from Page 1 “It seems more like a fun trip, or more like a social thing,” Todd said. Will Runyan, sophomore marketing major from Houston, agreed that Spring Break Campaigns have social relevance. “There is definitely some social merit to going, almost comparable to a social club,” Runyan said. Runyan, an emergency medical technician in Abilene, said he has been unable to go on a campaign primarily because of work. “I think for many people, this is their one chance to serve,” Runyan said. “I see the
opportunity to serve locally.” Work is also the determining factor for Courtney Cooper, senior history major from Fort Worth. Cooper has never been on a Spring Break Campaign. “I’ve thought about it, but it just never worked out,” Cooper said. “I’ve always been working to pay for school.” Spring Break Campaigns are not for everyone, she said. “I think it’s definitely a good thing, but I understand that it’s not everyone’s forte,” Cooper said. “I’m sure I’ll regret not doing it.” E-mail Black at: optimist@acu.edu
ARTSFRIDAY OPTIMIST
Page 5
The Box Office Figures are for the weekend of February 25-27 and are in millions. Total grosses in parenthesis. 1 Diary of a Mad Black Woman—$21.9 (new) 2 Hitch: The Cure for the Comman Man—$20.4 ($121.4) 3 Constantine—$12 ($51) 4 Cursed—$9.6 (new) 5 Man of the House—$8.9 (new) 6 Million Dollar Baby—$7.3 ($64.9) 7 Because of Winn-Dixie—$6.8 ($22.3) 8 Are We There Yet?—$4.1 ($76.5) 9 Son of the Mask—$3.8 ($14) 10 The Aviator—$3.7 ($93.6)
Today’s Movies Be Cool (PG-13) — starring John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Danny De Vito, Vince Vaughn; directed by F. Gary Gray A sequel to 1995’s Get Shorty, Travolta returns as Chilli Palmer, who leaves the movie business to try his hand in the music industry. The Jacket (R) — starring Adrien Brody, Keira Knightley, Jennifer Jason Leigh; directed by John Maybury A military veteran (Brody) returns home with bouts of amnesia. He is accused of murder, ends up in an insane asylum, is put on heavy drugs, is strapped in a jacket-like device and locked away in a body drawer of a morgue. This process sends him into the future where he sees his death and must try to stop in the inevitable. The Pacifier (PG) — starring Vin Diesel, Lauren Graham; directed by Adam Shankman Shane Wolf (Diesel) is a Navy SEAL assigned to protect the family of a deceased government official, whose top secret remains in his family’s house.
Reeves’ ‘Constantine’ less than heroic By BRAD EVANS SPECIAL CONTRIBUTOR
Constantine PP
Starring Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Shia LaBeouf, Djimon Hounsou; directed by Francis Lawrence Rated R (for violence and demonic images) Any fan of the source material knows that the Vertigo/DC Comics adaptation Constantine has undergone a significant Hollywood facelift in its transition from page to screen. Namely, the comic book titled Hellblazer, takes places in England, the protagonist is blonde and, well, English. Keanu Reeves certainly is not. That said, I am not a fan of the comic; I don’t know about it, and so for me the film stands on its own and cannot be judged according to adjustments; however, changes may anger fans. I must also note that I am not of the camp that cedes to Keanu Reeves the acting abilities of a totem pole; he may not be worthy of Oscar consideration, but he is certainly not horrendous, especially taking into account all he has ever acted in. He emerged as a viable action star in Speed, displayed his range in The Devil’s Advocate, literally became the savior of mankind in The Matrix and kept up with big-leaguers Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton in Something’s Gotta Give. Point being, if you can’t take Reeves seriously, this is certainly not going to be your cup of tea. The film begins ominously enough and doesn’t waste any time before the action begins. Brunette and American, Reeves plays noirish paranor-
mal expert and would-be detective John Constantine, who is apathetically dying of lung cancer — thanks to his unapologetic addiction to cigarettes. Not exactly a good guy, Constantine keeps what he calls “the balance.” The film explains its own universe well enough, so I won’t bother ruining it. The plot revolves around the aptly-named cop Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz). Her twin sister’s mysterious suicide prompts Angela to contact Constantine, and they uncover a sinister and supernatural force at work. Director Francis Lawrence comes from a background of directing music videos, and he should be credited with rejecting the inclination of his peers to over-edit their films to death, while simultaneously bringing to vivid life what is at best an average script. Cinematographer Philippe Rousselot (Big Fish, Interview With the Vampire) bathes the film in ashen-yet-sharp hellhewn clarity, mirroring the real-world Los Angeles with “the world behind.” The film’s computer generated images are quality enough, but what it lacks in comparative eminence, Lawrence makes up for by employing it intelligently and with restraint. The graphics in one scene involving insects felt overdone, but it ultimately served its purpose. Whatever the character Constantine might be in the comic, Reeves certainly does not play him as Neo, nor is the film — as has been strangely reported — a Matrix rip-off (although one scene toward the end involves Reeves in an almost identical camera and character position as one in Revolutions). Constantine is arrogant, ambivalent and sarcastic, and the
New York Times best-selling hardback fiction novels Numbers indicate: current position, last week’s position and total weeks on the list. 1/-/1 James Patterson, Honeymoon 2/1/6 John Grisham, The Broker 3/2/101 Dan Brown, The Da
Vinci Code 4/3/74 Mitch Albom, The Five People You Meet in Heaven 5/4/3 J.D. Robb, Survivor in Death 6/5/11 Michael Crichton, State of Fear 7/-/1 Robert Crais, The Forgotten
Man 8/-/1 Greg Iles, Blood Memory 9/11/3 Curtis Sittenfeld, Prep 10/6/4 Richard North Patterson, Conviction
Top-selling albums Numbers indicate: current position, last week’s position and total weeks on the list. 1/15/25 Ray Charles, Genius Loves Company 2/3/22 Green Day, American Idiot
March 4, 2005
3/2/5 The Game, The Documentary 4/14/3 Various Artists, Grammy Nominees 2005 5/10/48 Usher, Confessions 6/1/2 3 Doors Down, Seventeen Days
7/6/8 John Legend, Get Lifted 8/11/15 Eminem, Encore 9/22/93 Maroon 5, Songs About Jane 10/13/12 Kelly Clarkson, Breakaway
Photo courtesy of WWW.ROTTENTOMATOES.COM
Constantine (Keanu Reeves, left), talks with Angela (Rachel Weisz) in the film ‘Constantine,’ which opened last Friday. Constantine has the power to recognize half-breed angels and demons on earth, a gift he took his own life to avoid. He came back, however, against his will and now patrols the earthly border between Heaven and Hell. Weisz, a detective, wants to learn more about him. dark humor of the film is a relief and a surprise from the serious, murky tone otherwise carried on by the actors. Weisz is a bit shallow as Angela, but the vibrant supporting characters more than make up for this. Djimon Hounsou is colorfully frightening as Papa Midnite, and Shia LeBeouf is used well for both comic and serious moments. Although this all might sound like a significant amount of praise, the previously-mentioned sub-par script keeps the film on the ground for most of the duration. Welcome, however, is the stair-like building of the climax, relying for the most part upon fearful uncertainty and character interaction
rather than an all-out gun brawl. Although the strange, fictional theology of the film can be a bit perplexing at times, it is, at the very least, interesting. Hollywood will never tire of attempting to pit God and Satan against each other as if equals from the beginning, and Lawrence wisely allows the world to unfold realistically rather than explain through lengthy discourse or prologue paragraphs. Ultimately, Lawrence and his cast rise to the challenge, but only end up ensuring that Constantine does not land in the trash heap along with other sub-par comic book adaptations. Taken on its own, it is not a bad start for a franchise, and
in the range of comic book adaptations, it probably resides somewhere between the unvarnished atrocity of Batman & Robin and the absolute glory of Spider-Man 2; perhaps it falls along the same lines of the first Blade, which spawned a significantly superior and ridiculously enjoyable sequel. Constantine is certainly a step in the right direction for DC with Batman Begins, V for Vendetta and Superman Returns all debuting in the next year and a half, and for that, Lawrence, Reeves & Co.’s obvious effort should not go unnoticed.
E-mail Evans at: optimist@acu.edu
VIEWSFRIDAY OPTIMIST
Page 6
Laws need to be on hearts before walls
The issue: The Supreme Court began hearing sides in the case involving the Ten Commandments being displayed on government property.
Our view: No matter how the Supreme Court rules, it shouldn’t affect how we live our lives.
The solution: Continue to obey the Ten Commandments, whether they are displayed on government property or not.
March 4, 2005
The Supreme Court of the United States began hearing arguments Wednesday for two cases involving the legality of placing the Ten Commandments on government property. In Kentucky, the American Civil Liberties Union has filed suit against two county executives who posted the Ten Commandments on their courthouse walls. In Texas, Thomas Van Orden filed suit against Gov. Rick Perry to oppose a monument on the grounds of the state Capitol that bears the words “Ten Commandments,” among other religious symbols
Christianity, politics don’t belong together If people have important Family, said that emerging questions about baseball, into the political world is not they wouldn’t ask John something he necessarily Madden because we all know wanted to do, but something football is he felt he needed to do. When I read this, I wonM a d d e n ’s area of dered why any prominent expertise. If Christian leader would need people have to be involved in politics. It i m p o r t a n t seems like dangerous ground q u e s t i o n s to me. Wouldn’t the ideals about foot- and compassion of its minball, they istry be overshadowed by wouldn’t ask any deliberate political dabDon’t Believe the Peter Gam- bling a prominent organizam o n s tion like Focus on the Hype because we Family might do? As I read a little more inall know that Mitch Holt baseball is depth, I noticed that Dobson Gammons’ area of expertise. wasn’t just a presence in the If people have an impor- political world, he was zealtant question about politics, ously promoting one party they wouldn’t ask a famous and linking it with one belief preacher for his view. If peo- system. Sure, we all have our ple have important religious own political views, but it questions, they wouldn’t ask caught me off guard to see an expert in John Kerry Christianity what he family thinks. I wondered why any and being recogI don’t want to point prominent Christian nized as an any fingers; I leader would need to expert in the political realm simply want be involved in as well. to present an How can a idea from the perspective of politics. Wouldn’t the t r u s t e d someone who ideals and compas- C h r i s t i a n o rg a n i z a t i o n isn’t easily sion of its ministry with this much sold on all of the corporate be overshadowed by of a following ease into a political any deliberate spectrum such Christianity politics being marketpolitical dabbling? as without taking ed today. advantage of As long as I the trust that it can remempreviously earned ber, my family and I have had been consumers of the vari- through its family and minous Christian resources pro- istry resources? This situation is similar to vided by Focus on the Family, a company created to one I saw on the E! Channel pinpoint the shortcomings of not too long ago. At a America’s perspective on Hollywood ball, several family and relationships actors and actresses were interviewed on matters confrom a Christian aspect. It is amazing how much cerning their political stance. impact Focus on the Family The majority of them said has had on the lives of mil- similar things. I wonder how lions across the globe. The many impressionable fans organization, since its begin- that were watching the proning, has effectively stressed gram took their views as the importance of family and truth after seeing the interChristian values, changing views, even though these the lives of many and cater- stars probably knew very liting to individuals of all ages. tle on the subject they were I remember watching and discussing. loving the Adventures in Bottom line: With great Odyssey videos when I was a respect comes great responsiyoungster. My parents have bility. Christian leaders and frequently used Focus on the companies need to be careful Family lesson plans and about what they promote. books for classes they’ve Better yet, they need to be taught and for simple enjoy- careful how they promote it because a Christian followment. Focus on the Family has ing can quickly turn into a played a major role in bring- political following. The two ing focus back to important should not go hand-in-hand. elements like family and spirituality. In the past couple of years, I’ve noticed this organization becoming more politically vocal. In interviews, Dr. James Dobson, Respond to Holt at: mah02f@acu.edu or optimist@acu.edu founder of Focus on the
Daniel Barcroft
In My Words
Giant lobster claws way to Ripley’s Lobsters — scared of octopuses. Reports insist they can’t stand the sight of the things and completely freeze up when they see one. Speaking of lobsters, Bubba’s a big one. Bubba, found off the coast of Nantucket, Gray Mass., weighs 22 pounds. Matters Warren Gray Those in the know about lobster-like things estimate that Bubba is anywhere from 50-100 years old, with most predictions falling closer to 50. Either way, that’s one lobster that’s been aged to perfection. The Shaq-sized crustacean has been on the move lately. Originally shipped to a Pittsburgh fish market, Bubba was later shipped to the Pittsburgh Zoo, which will send him on to Ripley’s Believe It or Not’s museum aquarium.
The situation begs the age-old question: Where do we draw the Gummi ethical line? Even though he’s gone, Bob Wholey, the owner of the fish market, won’t soon forget ol’ Bubba. “It is overwhelming,” Wholey told CNN.com. “If you see it, you will never forget it. Customers are just in awe.” Of course, Bubba’s unique size has prompted outspoken requests from various organizations. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent Wholey a letter asking for the release of Bubba in the Atlantic Ocean near Maine. But PETA faced stiff opposition. A PETA spin-off, if you will, People for Eating Tasty Animals, reportedly offered Wholey a whopping sum of money for the lobster. At market price alone Bubba would go for about $350. That’s an expensive dinner. But don’t worry, animal
lovers; Bubba is safely on his way to Ripley’s. He’s safe, that is, as long as Ripley’s doesn’t house an equally unbelievable octopus. But alas, for animal rights activists there are bigger fish to fry. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is upset with the new Trolli gummy candy from Kraft Foods Inc. Road Kill Gummi Candy features partially flattened snakes, chickens and squirrels that have been run over. There are even visible tire marks. The situation begs the ageold question: Where do we draw the Gummi ethical line? Apparently Kraft has come up with the answer. While no changes have been made to the candy itself, they have pulled the animated advertisement that included car headlights and
small animals from Trolli’s Web site. Gummi road kill? OK. But spicing up the promotions with headlights, complete with frightened little critters? There’s the line. “If you look across the Gummi category, we certainly have many products that are offbeat, and that's what we were doing in this case,” Kraft spokesman Larry Baumann said in a statement. “We didn’t mean to offend anyone.” Yeah, neither do octopuses, but look at the trauma they cause. Activists are considering a boycott to have the candy removed from the market; a Kraft “freeze-out.” So, Bubba please don’t run into an octopus. Editor’s note: According to msn.com, Bubba the lobster died Wednesday at the Pittsburgh Zoo. Respond to Gray at: weg02a@acu.edu or optimist@acu.edu
Residence housing decision poorly made It has come to my attention that Morris Hall will no longer house sophomore women, but will now house male freshman and sophomore Bible and business majors in fall ’05. This information was released on the ACU Web site on Wednesday March 2, 2005, the same day the residents in McDonald were informed of the decision. Men currently living in McDonald will live in Morris next fall. With registration for 2005-06 housing being held
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
ments can be placed on government property, everyone can see them as a reminder of one of the foundations for American law, and Christians can use them as another reminder of the original laws God set down for his people. Should the Court decide against posting the Ten Commandments, it should not change anything about how Christians live. Regardless of what the Supreme Court decides, you can still honor your father and mother — the Ten Commandments are more important to live than to read.
and words. If all we are Etching the Ten Commandments in stone was A ruling is concerned not enough to make the Israelites follow them. not expected with is seeing until June. these 10 stateThose opments plasposed interpret the posting of impose the religious document tered on government property the Ten Commandments on any on anyone’s life. They simply to win a religious and political government property as an offi- are paying homage to an an- battle, we do God and our faith cial state endorsement of one cient document that played a no service. particular religion and an significant role in shaping the Etching the Ten Commandunconstitutional violation of laws of this nation and many ments in stone was not enough the separation of church and states. to make the Israelites devoutly state and the First Amendment Many Christians, Jews or follow them all of the time. of the Constitution. Muslims — all of whom have Etching the Ten CommandAs far as the Optimist the Ten Commandments as part ments on our courtroom walls Editorial Board can tell, none of of their religious literature — and monuments won’t mean these state officials wants to might feel that winning this anything if they are not first establish the Ten Com- legal battle represents a neces- etched in our hearts and minds. So if the Supreme Court mandments as the law of the sary victory for God and their decides the Ten Commandland. None is attempting to religion.
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
on the first Tuesday following spring break, this residence hall change came as a complete surprise to the few women who were informed. This information came from current McDonald residents, not from the appropriate source, the administration. The new H.B. Barret Residence Hall will be available for sophomore women, but there are still issues with this change in Morris Hall. If Bible and business majors are given special circumstances to live
OPTIMIST THE
together in community, all majors should be given the same opportunity. Also, this announcement has come much too late in the year. I believe that housing registration should be postponed at least one week, so that students, especially sophomore women, may have time to adequately alter their plans based on this housing decision.
YOUR VOICE Re: Housing changes announced by the Department of Residence Life, Education and Housing on Thursday. See page 1.
Courtney Cagle freshman Bible missions and ministry major from Arlington
The Optimist Editorial Board
Published by the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Abilene Christian University
Editor in Chief
Opinion Editor
Arts Editor
Faculty Adviser
Jonathan Smith
Jaci Schneider
Sarah Carlson
Dr. Cheryl Bacon
Managing Editor
Copy Editor
Chief Photographer
Ad Manager
Lori Bredemeyer
Tiffany Williams
Brian Schmidt
Christi Stark
Optimist contact information Newsroom: (325) 674-2439
Sports desk: (325) 674-2684
Photo department: (325) 674-2499
Advertising office: (325) 674-2463
Subscriptions ($45/academic year): (325) 674-2296
Online: www.acuoptimist.com
SPORTS JUMPS
Friday, March 4, 2005
Page 7
Tennis: Women win 11 in a row Continued from Page 8
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Senior Rachel Taylor hits a forehand in her doubles match with Summer Beasley. The pair beat Midwestern State’s Frida Arlegard and Cilia Muller 8-6 on Tuesday. The women defeated the Indians 6-3, 15-1 overall.
“Our goal is always to make the national tournament because anything can happen once you get there,” Jones said. The past eight years the team has been ousted from the national tournament in the first round, but Jones said the team is hoping to boost their national ranking by playing some of the more topranked teams in NCAA Division II, which will allow them a higher seed once the tournament rolls around in May. The Cal Poly-Ponoma Invitational on April 1-3 in Ponoma, Calif. will provide an opportunity for the women to see teams ranked higher than them in the national polls. No. 6 Rollins University will be there along with No. 9 University of California at San Diego. In the mean time, the team has all of March to play, where they will try to continue dominating over Division I teams. The Wildcats are 6-1 against Division I competition this season and will face Iowa on March 13, Rice on March 26 and Pepperdine on March 30. The men’s team, meanwhile, hasn’t had a match since a Feb. 15 win over Lone Star Conference foe Midwestern State, but Jones said the break has allowed time to heal some injuries
there get us down.” Through the recent struggles, Walsh has remained one of the consistent contributors on the team. Walsh, who red shirted last season, leads the team with four home runs and 19 RBI while also leading the Wildcats with a .373 batting average. “Since I had to sit out last year, I’ve been pretty determined to go out and play well,” Walsh said.
Walsh and the Wildcats will look to get back in the win column on Friday as they start a four-game home series against East Central (7-7). Friday’s action gets underway at 4 p.m. with Adam Jones and Ben Brockman scheduled to pitch. Saturday’s doubleheader begins at noon. Coy Polk and Ben Maynard are set to pitch the second day.
Continued from Page 8
EMILY CHASTAIN/Staff Photographer
E-mail Gray at: weg02a@acu.edu
Senior shortstop Brenan Herrera slides under the glove of Cardinal first baseman Blake Weston after a pickoff attempt during ACU’s 95 loss against Incarnate Word at Crutcher Scott Field on Tuesday.
Track: Team in ‘great position’ Continued from Page 8 Kryv’yak’s progression in the event, however, is most astonishing considering her neardeath heat stroke during a cross country practice in 2003. Freshman Shawna-Kaye Thompson has qualified in three events: the 60-meter dash, the 60-meter hurdles, and the 200-meter dash.
Denise Morgan and Mwamba both qualified in the 800-meter run, while Brooklyn Hunt made it into the field of 400-meter runners. The women’s 4x400-meter and distance medley relays, though not as dominant as the men’s, will get their shot against the nation’s best in Boston. This season is the first in which the distance medley relay is an event at the indoor
E-mail Robarts at: kdr00c@acu.edu
March 1 results ACU 7, McMurry 0 Singles • Lana Pavlin ACU def. Mandy Elson McM 6-2, 6-1 • Allison Tetrick ACU def. Danyelle Pace McM 6-2, 6-2 • Joy Israel ACU def. Joanna Ring McM 6-1, 6-1 • Lauren Yarbrough ACU def. Danielle Bolin McM 6-1, 6-1.
Doubles • Yarbrough/Israel ACU def. Elson/Torti McM 8-1 • Tetrick/Lindloff ACU def. Ring/Bolin McM 8-5.
ACU 6, Midwestern State 3 Singles • Frida Arlegard MSU def. Rachel Taylor ACU 6-2, 6-3 • Summer Beesley ACU def. Cilia Muller MSU 6-2, 6-1 • Ashley Hawk-Caperton ACU def. Brenna Jackson MSU 7-5 • Lana Pavlin ACU def. Michelle Beukes MSU 4-6, 7-5, 10-6 • Wuthrich MSU def. Meagan Brown ACU 6-3, 1-6, 6-1 • Holly Lindloff ACU def. Michelle Watson MSU 6-0, 6-2
Doubles • Beesley/Taylor ACU def. Arlegard/Muller MSU 8-6 • Wuthrich/Jackson MSU def. Pavlin/Lindloff ACU 8-4 • Yarbrough/Brown ACU def. Beuhes/Van Reenen MSU 8-4
Women: Team to play Rambelles in semifinals
Baseball: Cats to host ECU Continued from Page 8
that the team has suffered. Casper Steenkamp is recovering from shoulder surgery from December and Artin Tafazoli has been nursing an elbow problem. The Wildcats will spring back into action, however, on Friday with a home match against Western New Mexico. After playing a plethora of Division I schools early in the season, ACU has won three of its last four matches with its only loss to Texas Tech who is currently ranked No. 35 in the NCAA Division I polls. On Saturday, the Wildcats will face heavy competition against the University of Texas who is currently ranked No. 20 in the nation. The goals for the men’s and women’s teams are the same, according to Jones, when trying to increase national ranking. After the match with the Longhorns on Saturday, the men will fly to Atlanta on Sunday where they will have an opportunity to play three Division II teams ranked in the top 13. On Monday they will face No. 13 Columbus State, on Tuesday No. 2 Valdosta State and Wednesday will hit the courts with No. 11 Armstrong Atlantic State. “The guys are ready to roll,” Jones said. “It’s going to be good turning them loose in Georgia.”
and outdoor national meets. Murray said he anticipates great things happening in Boston. “We’re in a great position, and we just need to be relaxed,” he said.
E-mail Holt at: smh00a@acu.edu
With the win, the Wildcats earned a trip to Tahlequah, Okla., for a semifinal game in the Lone Star Conference Post-Season Tournament against Angelo State. The Wildcats have already beaten the Rambelles twice this season. A third victory would put them in the championship game
against the winner of a matchup between Northeastern State and West Texas A&M. “We’re excited about it,” Lavender said. “Our girls have built up a lot of mental toughness.”
E-mail Gray at: weg02a@acu.edu
SPORTSFRIDAY OPTIMIST
Page 8
Women keep season alive against TexAnns
LSC South Standings
Wildcats beat Tarleton State 81-68 to advance to semifinals in LSC
current through 03-02-05
Baseball Team ACU Angelo State E. New Mexico A&M-Kingsville Tarleton State West Texas A&M
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Tot. 10-6 5-4 6-6 6-6 6-8 4-8
By WARREN GRAY SPORTS WRITER
Softball Team A&M-Kingsville Angelo State ACU Texas Woman’s E. New Mexico Tarleton State
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
March 4, 2005
Tot. 19-3 14-3 13-6 5-3 10-9 7-9
Scores Tuesday Baseball Incarnate Word 6, ACU 3 Incarnate Word 9, ACU 5 Women’s basketball LSC Quarterfinals: ACU 81, Tarleton State 68
Upcoming events in Wildcat sports... (home events in italics) Friday, March 4 BSB: East Central, 4 p.m. SB: St. Edward’s Tournament, Austin, St. Mary’s, 6 p.m. WB: LSC Semifinals, Angelo State at Tahlequah, Oklahoma, 6 p.m. MTN: W. New Mexico. 11:30 a.m. WTN: W. New Mexico, 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 5 BB: East Central, noon SB: Regis, noon Incarnate Word, 5 p.m. WB: LSC Championship, TBA, 7 p.m. at Tahlequah, Oklahoma Sunday, March 6 SB: Southeastern Oklahoma, 8:30 a.m. W. New Mexico, 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 7 SB: St. Edwards, 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 9 BSB: Arkansas Tech, 4 p.m. Friday, March 11 TK: NCAA II Indoor Championship SB: Tarleton State, 1 p.m. BSB: Northeastern State, noon Saturday, March 12 TK: NCAA II Indoor Championship SB: Tarleton State, 1 p.m. BSB: Northeastern State, noon
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Senior forward Stephanie Riles hits a jump shot over a TexAnn defender, helping the team to a 81-68 victory over Tarleton State in the LSC Quarterfinals on Tuesday in Stephenville. The team advances to the semifinals in Tahlequah, Okla., on Friday at 6 p.m. to face Angelo State, the No. 1 seed in the South Division.
Stephanie Riles and Meredith Doyle aren’t ready to end their college basketball careers just yet. At least that’s how they played Tuesday in Stephenville during the second half, leading the Wildcats to an 81-68 win over Tarleton State. They played to get to the next game. “It’s definitely motivation,” Doyle said. “Right now we’re playing for each other. We know that nothing is guaranteed at this point.” Riles led the Wildcats with 28 points and eight rebounds in the game. Doyle had 14 points, including the nail-inthe-coffin 3-pointer, five rebounds and three steals. Both players stepped up their game in the second half. “I was disappointed with how I came out and played in the first half,” Riles said. “I just wanted to be more aggressive.” Riles’ aggressiveness was noticeable down the stretch. She worked hard to get position in the post, enticing the TexAnns’ Isha Brown into her fourth foul midway through the second half. Brown was Tarleton’s offense for most of the night, scoring 25 points, and the Wildcats’ efforts were aided when she was forced to the bench. “It helped because we were picking up a lot of fouls guarding her,” Riles said. As Riles and Doyle picked up the play after the break, so did the rest of the Wildcats. After shooting just 36 percent in the first half, ACU shot 56 percent in the second half. Their defense improved as
well, and ACU outscored Tarleton 46-32 after halftime. Doyle said coach Shawna Lavender made some adjustments in the locker room, which carried over to the improved play. “We basically just talked about being more aggressive and taking the ball to the basket,” Lavender said. A more assertive ACU team doubled its free throw attempts in the second half from seven to 14. The aggressiveness could also be seen on the defensive end. The Wildcats came away with 14 steals in the game, including four from Ashley King, who struggled offensively with an injured shooting hand. She went scoreless but contributed in many other areas as she tallied six assists in the contest. Doyle “She was a big key when we went on our run,” Lavender said. “She did a great job defensively shutting down No. 12 (Katie Crawford).” The decisive Wildcat run began with 12:08 left in the game. The teams had seesawed back and forth for most of the period before a 19-8 run turned a one-point deficit into a 70-60 lead. Not surprisingly, it was the seniors who led the charge. Riles pushed the run with a three-point play, and Doyle had three big buckets and capped the run with an assist to Ashlee Barr. “You expect that from your seniors; they’ve been through a lot of battles,” Lavender said. “Meredith had nine points in the run, and Steph really put everybody on her back.” See WOMEN Page 7
Wildcats lose two games in stormy weather Baseball team washed away by Incarnate Word By WARREN GRAY SPORTS WRITER
For the ACU baseball team, lightning struck twice on Tuesday. The Wildcats lost the first game of a doubleheader 6-3 to Incarnate Word, then lost the second game 9-5 in a game that
featured a lengthy rain and lightning delay. “They just hit the ball,” ACU outfielder Chris Walsh said. “They had a few bloop hits and we made some mistakes.” ACU coach Britt Bonneau agreed that mistakes did the team in on Tuesday. While he conceded that his team didn’t hit real well, he said the big problem was pitching and defense. “When we did make the pitch we couldn’t get the play
behind our pitcher,” Bonneau said. “Right now we’re facing the types of teams you don’t have room to make four errors against.” The four errors came in the second game for the Wildcats after they committed one in the first game. Ben Maynard picked up the loss in the first game and is now 2-1 on the season with a 5.30 ERA. In the second game the Wildcats cycled through seven pitchers as the game was halted
for an extended period of time as storms approached Abilene. Andrew Dillman picked up the loss in relief, evening his season record at 1-1. The Cardinals on the other hand got complete games from their starters in both games. “They threw two great arms at us,” Bonneau said. “We faced their No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers.” The Wildcats, ranked No. 11 in the nation, are now 10-6 but have lost four of their last six games after the Tuesday sweep.
Bonneau said the team has played tough competition, leading to close games and tough losses, but insists the experience will help in the long run. Walsh sees the Wildcats as a great team, one that just needs to cut down on the mistakes. “We’ve played well, but not to our full potential,” Walsh said. “But we’re looking for a championship; we’re not going to let a couple of losses here and See BASEBALL Page 7
Team prepares for nationals Twenty-four to compete at NCAA Division II Indoor Championship By STEVE HOLT SPORTS WRITER
Twenty-four Wildcat track and field athletes will represent the university March 1112 at Boston’s Reggie Lewis Center for the 2005 NCAA Division II Indoor Championships. The final list of qualifiers, released at noon on Tuesday, ranked the top Division II performers in 15 events. Thirteen ACU men qualified in 10 events, while 11 women qualified in nine events. Head coach Jon Murray said he thinks the qualifiers list turned out to be in ACU’s favor. “We got a lot of people in [to nationals] that I didn’t really think we would, honestly,” he said. “I see pretty much everyone scoring in their events.” The men’s team will try to defend its indoor title in Boston, while the women’s team will attempt to improve on a fourth-place finish a year ago. Several ACU men or relay teams have the nation’s top times or marks going into nationals. Murray said one of
the more important events of the meet for earning points will be the men’s triple jump, where Wildcats Ben Washington, Vladyslav Gorbenko, and Yevgen Pashchenko are ranked 1-2-3 going into the meet. An ACU sweep in the event would earn the men’s team a big 24 points toward the final score. South African transfer Lucky Hadebe has the top entering times in the 800meter run and the mile, both of which will be close races. Freshman Nicodemus Naimadu, who claimed the Division II cross country title in the fall, is the favorite to win the 5,000-meter run in Boston. Adam State senior Celedonio Rodriguez, who won the 2003 cross country title, will pressure Naimadu, however, as they are two of only three runners to break 14 minutes in the event this season. Junior Cory Aguilar will be shooting for his first national title in the pole vault, but he will have to surpass three vaulters who have cleared 17 feet and one who has cleared 18 feet. Pashchenko is ranked No. 2 in the nation in the long jump and is seeking his first national title in that event. The men’s 4x400-meter and distance medley relay
teams are both ranked No. 1 in the nation. In the sprints, sophomore Marvin Bien-Aime enters the national meet with the fifthbest 200-meter time, while Marvin Essor has the No. 2 400-meter time. Additional men’s qualifiers include Ricardo Johnson in the 400-meter dash, Martin O’Kello in the 800-meter run, Laurant Ngirakamaro in the 5,000-meter run, Delt Cockrell in the 200-meter dash, and Bernard Manirakiza in the mile. On the women’s side, the pole vault and middle distance events likely will be the big points-earners for the Wildcats. Plenty of purple will be visible in both the pole vault and the mile, each of which include three ACU athletes. Sophomore Angie Aguilar, along with seniors Val Gorter and Katie Eckley will attempt to continue the phenomenal ACU success in the event in recent years. They will have to surpass one athlete who has cleared 13 feet, however, in order to continue the ACU dominance in the event. In the women’s mile, Olha Kryv’yak, Trina Cox, and Addeh Mwamba will look to earn points for their team. See TRACK Page 7
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Senior Summer Beesley reaches for a forehand nit during her 8-6 doubles match win with Rachel Taylor over Midwestern State’s Frida Arlegard and Cilia Mueller. Beesley also won 6-2, 6-3 in a singles match against Mueller, helping the Wildcats to a 6-3 victory on the day and moving them to 15-1 on the season.
Tennis team makes the ball roll Men, women continue steady successes, aim for nationals in May By KYLE ROBARTS SPORTS WRITER
The Wildcat tennis teams’ spring season success earned them recognition in the national ranks. With both teams ranked No. 1 in the region, the men’s team is ranked No. 22 in the
nation with a 6-4 record while the women are No. 11 with a 15-1 mark. The women’s team – whose only loss came to Division I Arkansas on Feb. 13 – have won 11 in a row during a busy spring schedule. The Wildcats’ 16 matches have been played in just 25 days and head coach Hutton Jones said that all the match experience the women are gaining will prepare them for the long haul. “By the time we’re in April
and playing one to two times a week, the girls will be able to put the accelerator to the floor, and with all of their match play, it’s going to make feel kind of easy.” After nine straight regional tournament championships, the team will aim for their 10th straight title which will also give them their 10th straight national tournament berth. See TENNIS Page 7