The Optimist Print Edition 9.16.16

WHAT'S INSIDE

NEWS

Over the past several years, the Hispanic student population has grown significantly.

Page 3

FEATURE

OPINION

English professor Laura Carroll has battled cancer over the last year.

Page 5

Are changes to Chapel fostering spiritual formation? Read what the Editorial Board has to say.

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SPORTS

Football begins Southland Conference play this weekend against Houston Baptist.

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v

Friday, September 16, 2016 Vol. 105, Issue 05

A student publication of Abilene Christian University since 1912

WHAT A RUSH

LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Sophomores Colton Powell and Austin Browning compete in the Olympic Rush put on by the Men of Gamma Sigma Phi. Rushing for students sophomore and above began this week as rushees and club members prepare for the upcoming pledging season.

McNair research looks at Hispanic enrollment

110th Summit welcomes faith leaders

BY HALEY REMENAR ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR

Celebrating 110 years of spiritual growth, Summit conference, “Love God, Love your neighbor,” will feature key note speakers from the Abilene area and around the nation.

In concurrence with the theme, Jonathan Storment, pastor at Highland Church of Christ, and David McQueen, pastor at Beltway Baptist church, will team-

While freshman Hispanic enrollment increased in 2016, research conducted by a junior McNair Scholar shows what affects the enrollment, retention and graduation rates for Hispanics in Texas colleges.

Adam Andrade, junior political science and business management major from Fort Worth, participated in summer research for the McNair Scholars Program, a program that helps minority or first generation college students prepare for graduate school.

Andrade used National Center for Education statistics to see what factors affect enrollment for Hispanics in Texas colleges and what measures could be taken to improve the Hispanic enrollment, retention and graduation rates.

Hispanic students accounted for almost fifteen percent of the ACU student body in 2015. This year Hispanic enrollment included 759 students, 15.46 percent of the student body. Hispanic enrollment for the 2016 freshman class reached 18.6 percent. This number mirrors the U.S. population with Hispanics accounting for 16.7 percent of the total population. However, in the nation as a whole, less than half of Hispanics attend college.

“Hispanics are trapped in SEE HISPANIC PAGE 3

BY EMILY GUAJARDO VISUALS MANAGING EDITOR

up to present a session titled “Love one another” at the last session in Moody Coliseum Wednesday at 11 a.m.

Dr. David Wray, director of Summit, worked to develop several different features for this year’s sessions including the development of a mobile application students and guests can use to read speakers’ biographies and the schedule.

Wray said he hopes the conference will bring new ideas to its attendee’s as well

as “strive to gain the attention of future generations.”

He also said the Summit leadership team plans to use social media, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and iTunes.

“One of the real strong principles of Summit is to have students, practitioners and congregational leaders come together for conversations,” Wray said.

Summit will begin Sept.

18-21 in Moody Coliseum.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Landon Saunders, president of nonprofit Heartbeat Kelly Edminston, graduate student in the College of Biblical Studies Sara Barton, chaplain at Pepperdine University Jack Maxwell, creator of Jacob’s Dream and professor of art Tony Fernandez, representative for Hope of Life, a Herald of Truth ministry Eric Wilson, associate

chaplain at Pepperdine University Dr. Jeff Childers, professor of Bible Dr. Phillip LeMasters, priest at St. Luke’s Orthodox Christian Church Jim Reynolds, marriage and family counselor Jim Gash, director of the Global Justice Program and professor at Pepperdine University.

EAG13A@ACU.EDU

SA passes fall budget with no discussion

BY HALEY REMENAR ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR

The Students’ Association made no changes to the $103,000 budget Wednesday because it plans to use the appropriations fund to supplement funds allocated to student groups.

In concordance with the SA constitution, SA distributed $46,440 to student groups, 45 percent of the total $103,200 budget.

The budget no longer had $60,000 campus entertainment fund because that money was turned over to the Campus Activities Board.

About 51 out of 59 student groups were represented at the meeting. Abraham Enriquez, executive vice president, said this year the executive cabinet emphasized groups would not receive funding if at least one representative from a group was not present at the meeting. Enriquez said he attributes the high turn-

out to student groups having better awareness about the function of SA. During the budget meeting, no motions were made to debate or amend the budget. SA executive president Abbey Moses attributed this to a new emphasis on the appropriations fund.

Student groups can apply for various amounts of funding from the $5,000 appropriations fund throughout the semester.

Applications for the fund opened in the SA office Sept. 15 and will close Nov. 22. The fund is not new to SA but this year the executive office chose to emphasize the fund as a supplement to funds already allocated to student groups.

“A lot of the debate that we’d have in the past would be $50 from one group to another group,” said Moses. “This idea of moving very small amounts of money is much easier to

$51,000 Student groups met with SA Executive Treasurer and CFO to request funding for the fall semester.

SA didn’t grant any funding for t-shirts or travel, and in order to be eligible for funds, a representative from the student group had to be present at the budget meeting.

$12,000 $10,000 $8,000 $6,000 $4,000 $2,000 $0 REQUESTED

SEE BUDGET PAGE 4 WWW.ACUOP-

GRANTED

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McNair Scholars to present at national convention

BY BRIANNA CLOSE STUDENT REPORTER

The McNair Scholars Program is preparing to present research at two national conferences in the coming months. One team will present research at the University of New Mexico research conference Sept.

29-30 in Albuquerque, and another will present research at the National Ronald E. McNair conference and graduate fair in Lake Delavan, Wisconsin.

Hilary Simpson, associate director of McNair Scholars, said various McNair Scholars Programs host over 20 national conferences every year that ACU McNair students are invited to be a part of.

Simpson says, "There are at least 20 national McNair conferences, and the reason they're national is because they're open to all McNair scholars to present. We try to get our students at least one of those after they've done their research."

McNair is a major way that ACU offers eligible undergrad students the opportunity to be a part of important research. Simpson says that McNair's "purpose is to prepare qualified students for graduate studies. We are one out of 156 programs across the country so our purpose is to help prepare these qualified students for their graduate studies. Most of them are first in their family to come to college, which is the most important factor. These are students whose parents are excited they're in college but don't necessarily know how to support them as far as getting into grad school."

McNair Scholars is a federally funded TRiO program which helps accepted students prepare for graduate school. The goal of McNair is to prepare students for graduate work by guiding them through research projects and other scholarly pursuits. ACU opened the McNair Scholars program, which is open for students of all areas of study, in 1996 and. Research produced through the McNair Scholars has ranged from areas of education to law to chemistry.

Simpson adds, "These conferences gives them experience presenting in front of people they don't see all the time. They also provide great opportunities to network. Most of these conferences have graduate school fairs so it gives them a chance to meet recruiters."

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

ISA prepares for annual Ethnos culture show

BY VANESSA ELLIS STUDENT REPORTER

This year's annual Ethnos culture show, hosted by the International Students’ Association (ISA), will take place Nov. 11-12 in Cullen Auditorium. The theme for this years show is “Roots.”

It will showcase the origin of the various cultures displayed throughout the show.

Christi Lim, junior graphic design major from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, is president of ISA this year.

“It’s about really finding out where we came from and exploring that then getting to share it with everyone,” Lim said.

In previous years, Ethnos offered a storyline for the show in which all of the acts would be incorporated together as parts of one main story. However, in this year's show, each act will not have a narrative in between performances to connect the acts to the story. Instead,

JARRED SCHUETZE CONTRIBUTOR

The diverse cultures of the university's community are showcased every year in ISA's annual Ethnos culture show.

the show will have a greater emphasis on each individual culture displayed.

Esther Tsuneki, junior education major from Tokyo, has performed in the past two Ethnos shows, taking part in both Japanese and

Latino acts.

“I think it definitely has worked as a gateway among international students to find connections because there are so many different cultures, but also for the local students because

they are part of it as well,” Tsuneki said.

Ethnos is open to anyone interested in a culture to explore and learn more by joining in that specific cultures act.

“It’s very open; anyone

can join,"Tsuneki said. "You don’t have to be an international student. Anyone interested in that culture can take part. We only had five Japanese students in the Japanese act last year, and most of them weren’t.”

Last year's Japanese act featured American, Honduran, Malaysian, Mexican, Nigerian and Zimbabwean students. Only five Japanese students danced in the act out of 20 performers.

The show this year will begin at 7 p.m. on both nights.

Tickets go on sale Oct. 3 and can be purchased in the Campus Center.

Early bird tickets will be sold until Oct. 15 at $5 a ticket. Lim said that preferred seating will be offered this year, which includes reserved seating and a complimentary drink, priced at $12.

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

WANA raises awareness of eating disorders

BY ADRIENNE BARRICK STUDENT REPORTER

WANA an eating disorder support group on campus is gaining new members each week.

Although WANA, which stands for We Are Not Alone, has on campus for three years, this year it gained new leadership along with new members.

Kaila Bellinghausen, junior psychology and social work major from Amarillo, said, "It's amazing because God is opening doors to help people heal."

Bellinghausen, a leader of the support group, hosts meetings in her home every weekend. The group started as a result of

a few girls around campus noticing they shared similar struggles and seeking community. They decided to start a group and meet weekly to support each other. The group began meetings with 5-7 girls and grew to nine attendees last week, expecting at least five more in the next few weeks.

The meetings have transitioned from regular support to a journey of recovery, giving the members tools and tips each week to carry with them as they heal.

WANA plans to continue weekly meetings every Sunday in Bellinghausen's home. They are working on an awareness table in

“

[we're] a community of girls wanting to support one another in recovery and discovery of identity,”

KAILA BELINGHAUSEN GROUP LEADER OF WANA

the campus center and hope to have an event in February during the National Eating Disorder Awareness week. In addition, Bellinghausen started a small group Chapel called Journey to a Confident You, which meets Thursdays.

WANA has partnered with SOAR and handed out business cards to the Medical and Counseling Clinic so struggling

students, both men and women, can be referred to the group.

The support group has found multiple uses for their name, We Are Not Alone, but also using a play on words and saying, "WANA love your body."

Bellinghausen says her favorite part about this group is that they're "a community of girls wanting to support one another in recovery and discovery

of identity."

Chris Riley, vice president of Student Life, said, "Student-led organizations that not only take on difficult topics but provide opportunity for support are essential in helping improve our campus community."

Bellinghausen said WANA's ultimate goal is to keep growing and reaching out to the ACU community.

For more information about WANA, email 13wana@gmail.com

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

Art department continues visits to schools

BY LAUREN FRANCO STUDENT REPORTER

The Art and Design Department is continuing an initiative this year, visiting high schools to give students a glimpse into the college experience.

This initiative began in the fall semester of 2015, when the department visited local schools Abilene High School, Cooper High School and Wylie High School. This year the department plans on expanding its outreach by visiting Fort Worth Christian School.

Mike Wiggins, chair of the Department of Art and Design said the main goal through this initiative includes creating an interactive presentation for high school juniors and

seniors that is representative of what they might experience in college.

“A lot of high schoolers out there, younger people, that are really passionate about art or design think, ‘Can I really get a job in that field?’” Wiggins said.

The program will answer this common question through two different 50 minute classes.

The first class is geared toward fine art technique and tutorial through a workshop, while the other focuses more on creativity and hands-on experience.

Faculty are split up into three teams, each hosting one ACU student, and will be teaching either one of the classes.

The department created posters and cards that contain information about

“

We don’t necessarily need more students, what we really want is more passionate students,” MIKE WIGGINS CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ART AND DESIGN

successful art and design alumni. The cards display work from students in different decades and different locations and show students that a career in Art and Design is possible.

Wiggins said the department would also like to “build relationships between our faculty and art teachers." He said the plan is not necessarily to market ACU, but rather to humanize professors and students, making them more approachable.

Jason Clements, Pre-

AP/AP Photography teacher at Abilene High School said last year, “the professors that did come in were very positive, and that was one thing we really appreciated.”

He also said many returning students would both enjoy and appreciate the outreach coming again this year. “All of the students were very attentive,” he said.

Laura Rosenstein, art teacher at Fort Worth Christian School, said they have never really had

an initiative like the one ACU is providing. While they’ve been on field trips and had guest speakers come, there has never been anything along the lines of design. With 41 students enrolled in art classes at the school, Rosenstein said “it’s always a good idea to see art presented from someone new.

It’s like a breath of fresh air. We’re really looking forward to it."

“We don’t necessarily need more students,” Wiggins said. “What we really want is more passionate students. We want to increase the level of passion among all of our students.”

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

POLICE LOG SELECTED ACUPD CALLS FOR THE WEEK 09/07/2016 3:00 p.m.

ACUPD responded to a loud noise described as a shotgun-type blast in the Mall Area. Multiple callers reported hearing the bang. Officers were unable to determine the source of the noise.

09/10/2016 5:35 p.m.

A student reported a burglary at their UP apartment was burglarized. A game system and games were stolen.

09/11/2016 1:15 a.m.

ACUPD responded to an alcohol incident at Morris Hall. One resident was issued a municipal citation for Minor In Consumption.

911 CALL ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITY ADVICE ALARM ALCOHOL INCIDENT ANIMAL CALL ASSIST ATTEMPT TO LOCATE BARRICADES BUILDING LOCK/UNLOCK BURGLARY (MOTOR VEHICLE) BURGLARY (RESIDENCE) CHECK BUILDING

4 33 1 3 2 1 1 1 2 10 2

CITATION ISSUANCE CIVIL DISTURBANCE CREDIT/DEBIT CARD ABUSE CRIMINAL TRESPASS DISCHARGE OF AIR GUN DISCHARGE OF FIREARM DISTURBANCE ESCORT FINGERPRINTING SERVICE FOOT PATROL FORGERY 2 FOUND PROPERTY 42 HARASSMENT

1 1 1

INFORMATION REPORT INVESTIGATION FOLLOW UP MAINTENANCE UNIV 2 ASSETS: CCTV 1 MAINTENANCE: UNIVER1 SITY ASSETS 3 MEDICAL EMERGENCY 2 MONITOR FACILITY/LOT 1 MOTORIST ASSIST: JUMP13 START 1 MOTORIST ASSIST: OTHER 3 MOTORIST ASSIST: UN1 LOCK

3

NOISE VIOLATION 14 OTHER PARKING LOT PATROL 1 PARKING VIOLATION PATROL VEHICLE: MAINTE1 NANCE PATROL VEHICLE: REFUEL 3 PROWLER 4 RANDOM PATROL 13 REPORT WRITING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 2 SUSPICIOUS PERSON 4 SUSPICIOUS VEHICLE THEFT

1 1 57 15 11 12 3 33 21 4 5 2 2

TRAFFIC HAZARD TRAFFIC STOP WEAPONS OFFENSE WELFARE CHECK

1 4 1 2

TOTAL: 663 POLICE CHIEF TIP OF THE WEEK:

Be a good neighbor. Keep your gatherings reasonable in size and volume and keep your guest inside the house.

ASL instructor teaches students history of 9/11

BY ABBEY BOWLING FEATURES AND ARTS EDITOR

It’s been fifteen years since the most tragic terrorist attack on American soil and there’s now a whole generation of students who weren’t even alive on 9/11 – so how does one go about teaching that to children who don’t know what that day felt like?

Cassandra Knutson, American Sign Language instructor at ACU and in the Abilene Independent School District, taught the history of 9/11 to deaf middle school students through the use of an ABC stoy – a type of exercise that uses each letter in the sign language alphabet to tell a story.

But first, she actually had to teach them about the attack.

“I started with the basics,” Knutson said.

“We studied the geography involved – Middle East, NYC, D.C. – we looked at pictures of the attacked buildings, and talked about the various jobs at each. I set up the classroom to look like an airplane, because none of my students had ever flown. We talked about the Islamic culture, and how not everyone that looks like the terrorists has mal-intent. I built up their background knowledge, so I could explain the events of 9/11 more effectively.”

The students first acted as if it was just a scary movie or video game until they watched live footage of 9/11 and saw the stories of people impacted by the attack, which helped them understand the devastation, Knutson said.

“I knew signing a representation of the events of 9/11 would help make it more real for them,” Knutson said. “I knew that practicing the ABC story, much like a hearing student would memorize a poem to recite, would foster their memorization of the events. Secondly, I wanted to bring the tradition of storytelling by the Deaf community to my students. I am always looking for ways to show my students that being Deaf is not a disability, but something to have pride in.”

Knutson said the finished ABC story was a collaboration between her and the students. It was their first experience with that type of storytelling, so Knutson guided them through the process, but the students were creative and came up with great ideas, she said.

The video of the ABC story performance was picked up by USA Today late last week, just before the 15th anniversary of the attack, and is currently featured on their website. Knutson said it’s amazing that such a big platform saw the story and she loves that her students can see the result of their hard work.

Tessa Cave, senior sociology major from Keller, Texas, is a student in Knutson’s ASL class at ACU and said Knutson shared the video with her class after USA Today posted it on their website. “[Knutson] spent a lot of time ensuring that her students really understood the event and was able to incorporate a unique part of sign language,” Cave said. “I loved how it got to USA Today, as well, I think it’s really important that the US gets to see the Deaf culture.”

AKB12BACU.EDU

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Hispanic: Andrade researches retention CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

a vicious cycle that entails many social injustices,” Andrade said in his paper. “A government that is not helping quick enough nor well enough, a lack of opportunity and a culture that is used as a way to bind and jade a population instead of empower a race.”

Andrade said cultural factors influence Hispanic students because of a cultural stigma against higher education. At the same time, a circumstance which encourages Hispanics to enroll includes Hispanic teachers in colleges. When students see Hispanic professors, Hispanics who have earned doctorates and thrived in higher education, they are more likely to enroll at a university.

In his research, Andrade found higher Hispanic teacher to Hispanic student ratios helped enrollment at Texas universities, but that ratio did not help Hispanic retention rates.

“A lot of people who go to school, it’s because they want to have a better life for themselves,” Andrade said. “In a very raw sense, they’re following what their parents did; they left everything that was familiar to them. For my father, he left Mexico to attain a liberal arts degree.”

Because much of what affects Hispanics in college comes from culture and history, Andrade said that data was hard to collect.

“Bless all the professors who don’t have any affiliation with the Hispanic community,” Andrade said. “As a Mexican-American, trying to have those dual identities is hard for us but I can only imagine how much harder it is for someone who’s not from that culture.”

1.2%

UNKNOWN

0.3%

1.1% ASIAN

3.6%

NON-RESIDENT

AMERICAN INDIAN/ ALASKA NATIVE

4.2%

MULTI-RACIAL

11.5% BLACK

STUDENT BODY ETHNIC & RACIAL BREAKDOWN

15.4% HISPANIC

62.6%

HRR13A@ACU.EDU

WHITE

Lacrosse team looks toward bright future

BY B.J. MAXWELL JR. STUDENT REPORTER

The Men’s Lacrosse Club Team will build on last season’s success as it starts its 5th season.

Defenseman Joe Estes, junior psychology major from Denton, said the team has been working hard towards becoming a dominant lacrosse club and a force to be reckoned with.

As a club team, not funded by the Department of Athletics, the club received

funds from the Students’ Association.

“We’re just trying to rebuild on last years success,” Estes said. “We have a lot of good returners that know how to play and also a big freshmen recruiting class that we are excited about.”

The team will schedule 10 games for this upcoming season against the University Of North Texas, Baylor University, the University Of Texas-Dallas, Dallas Baptist University, Oklahoma State University, Incar-

First tailgate of season goes off without hitch

BY DEREK MARCELAIN STUDENT REPORTER

ACU football isn’t the only thing to kick off its regular season schedule on Saturday, tailgating also began its pregame ritual for the purple and white fans. Smoke filled the air as several grills were fired, the music was loud, and all around the students seemed to be energetic.

Abraham Enriquez, vice president of the Students’ Association, said he was a little nervous about the first tailgate of the year, but says, “we had three days to get it all together, but all the clubs, all the organizations that you see out here today were very great in cooperating with us and bring out the best they can out here.”

He continues saying, “The turnout is awesome of course being family weekend we didn’t really get to have the freshman and their parents here, because they had a separate tailgate, but for the most part this was a great way to kickoff football season and tailgating season.” He finished by saying he was excited for all the students that came out to be able to see what they are going to be a part of for the upcoming months.

Danny Burke, a member of GSP, is getting to see a different side this year as he was a player last year, but is now helping his club at the tailgate. “Observing the size and excitement of a tailgate corresponded to the level of anticipation for the game, “ Burke said. “Now, being more involved in the tailgate itself, I am extremely excited for this season and the direction SA is leading

different clubs and organizations in supporting one another.”

Even though the freshman had their own tailgate, a few stopped by to see what all the hype was over. Freshman Mati Bonneau’s said she didn’t really know what to expect, but said, “It is awesome, I

“

Last year we showed out well and this year we are making it even better ABRAHAM ENRIQUEZ STUDENT ASSOCIATION VICE PRESIDENT

love the atmosphere and how everyone is just excited to be here in purple.”

The food was good, the music was loud, and the energy was high. Galaxy member Trevor Tyson, says that his club is very excited for the tailgates to be starting back up. Tyson says, “Last year we showed out well and this year we are making it even better. We want to be the club with the best tailgate and we are so far doing a great job. It’s also great to just come out and show school spirit with all the other clubs and student organizations.

We are looking forward to some great tailgates and an awesome football season as well. Scratch em cats!”

Tailgating will resume at Shotwell on October 1, as ACU football will be away for the next two games, but returns home to take on Southland Conference rival Central Arkansas.

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

“

Right now we are basically self coached, we run practices ourselves and give the younger players a run down on how to do the drills,” HUNTER RHODES SOPHOMORE POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR FROM AUSTIN

nate Word, Tulsa and etc.

“Right now we are basically self coached, we run practices ourselves and give the younger players a run down on how to do the drills,” said defenseman Hunter Rhodes, sopho-

more political science major from Austin.

Estes said it’s hard to find a coach in Abilene since the city does not have a Lacrosse “culture.”

“There are not a lot of people who would even be

willing to coach us let alone even know how to coach Lacrosse, so it is mainly self-run and self-taught by the officers on the team,” said Estes.

Information about the ACU Men’s Lacrosse Club Team is available on Facebook (ACU Club Lacrosse), Twitter (@LacrosseACU), or by email at acuclublacrosse@gmail.com.

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

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FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

LYDIA LAWSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

Clubs prepare for large numbers of students rushing

BY HALEY REMENAR ONLINE MANAGING EDITOR

The Office of Student Life has not yet set a maximum number for pledge classes, but with more than 400 women signed up to rush, social clubs are preparing for large numbers.

Tom Craig, director of student activities and productions, said 405 women registered to rush but that number will change as the

Mini Jacob's Dreams to be sold at Summit

BY MERCEDEZ HERNANDEZ PRINT MANAGING EDITOR

Small-scale replicas of Jacob’s Dream are being sold to commemorate the sculpture’s 10 year anniversary.

The 28 inch tall bronze sculptures can be ordered through the campus store and cost $2,600. The replicas take 12-14 weeks to be made and are produced at a foundry in Bastrop.

Jack Maxwell, sculptor of Jacob’s Dream and professor of art and design, said the replicas have been a long-time dream of his.

“This is a dream that we had from the very beginning,” Maxwell said. “I remember Royce Money, he was president at the time, said something like don't worry we’ll soon have smaller Jacob’s Dreams.

It took some time, but I’m glad we’re doing this now.”

Jill Maxwell, who is Maxwell’s wife, said the response from the several people who’ve already purchased replicas has been positive and that the replicas have fulfilled the desire to take a piece of the ACU community into their homes.

“It was a humbling experience to make [Jacob's Dream], but to see it come to fruition was incredible.

It means a lot to us that it has become a place that people find peaceful and I just think that the idea of commemorating the anniversary is quite important to a lot of people,” Jill said.

Maxwell will be presenting about the inspiration behind Jacob’s Dream at this year’s Summit on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. at Jacob’s Dream.

rushing process continues.

Right now clubs do not have a limit on the number of pledges they can take. Craig said by Sept. 24 the number each club can take will be clearer.

"While we're starting with a large number right now, we may not have everybody that makes it through the final ranking," Craig said. "To estimate would be a little bit presumptive. We won't really know an accurate number

pledge class number not changing that much," said Ross, senior interior design major from Lubbock. "We don't want our pledge class to get too big so girls can't connect on a personal level."

Ross said the large number of women registered to rush may mean clubs have to make more cuts so they can still take about the same number of pledges.

Kelsee McGee, president of GATA, said her club's

first rush Monday night had a large turnout and she was excited to see so many women interested in social clubs.

"We have the potential to have one of the biggest pledge classes GATA has ever had," McGee said.

Right now the number of women registered to pledge makes up about 27 percent of the total number of female sophomores, juniors and seniors. On average, sororities at typical univer-

sities have about 12.4 percent of female undergraduates in sororities, according to the U.S. News and World Report.

Men still have time to register until Sept. 21, but 151 men were registered on Monday.

HRR13B@ACU.EDU

Budget: groups can pull from appropriations CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

go through the appropriations process without having to take it from the other organizations.”

No motion was made to approve the budget but Moses said the SA Rules to Order do not require it.

Archer emailed all student groups at the beginning of the semester so they could request funding. Each group sent a representative to meet with the SA cabinet and explain their requests.

Archer and Michael Humphrey, chief financial officer, created the budget based on each group’s needs.

Groups which received no funding included Wildcat Reign and Weekend Campaigns. Wildcat Reign wanted money for tailgates which was already provided

by the SA campus initiative fund. Both groups asked for travel funds which Archer said SA does not fund.

“That’s just been a precedent set a few years ago by SA,” Archer said. “We decided that we want most of the funding to go to things on campus that will benefit students on campus.”

The Kinesiology Club received the smallest amount which totaled their requested $75. The Collegiate Entrepreneur’s Organization received the most funding followed by the International Student’s Association and Hispanos Unidos. CEO received $7,000, just 7 percent of their requested $51,500.

Meredith Orr, sophomore management major from North Richland Hills and student director for

“

We decided that we want most of the funding to go to things on campus that will benefit students on campus.

MATTHEW ARCHER EXECUTIVE TREASURER STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION

Startup Week, said CEO planned to use most of their requested funds for Startup Week. Because what they received will only cover onethird of the cost of Startup Week, Orr said the group will have to supplement the cost through donations, which they have been able to do in previous Startup Weeks.

Adam Andrade, College of Business and Administration representative, said

CEO will use the money to have a better chapter within the national organization.

“Each and every dollar that we get from Congress goes to fund the best CEO chapter in the nation,” Andrade said. In Nov. 2015, ACU’s chapter of CEO was named best in the nation at the Collegiate Entrepreneur’s National Conference.

Other changes to SA procedures include not allowing student organizations to be reimbursed for purchases. To use their funds, student groups must reserve a P-card for an hour time slot, make the purchase and return the card on time.

Student groups may not purchase something then give SA the receipt for a reimbursement. However, student groups which spent

their money prior to Sept.

14 will be reimbursed for their purchases.

SA also unveiled resources for student groups, including social media, various materials and tailgates.

Student groups can email requests for SA to post about their group or an event on the SA Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.

SA will offer student organizations free banner paper and paint, black and white printing, food supplies including paper goods, chalk and cooler renting. This year SA will also rotate five student groups to be featured at each tailgate in the fall semester.

HRR13B@ACU.EDU

Indoor soccer kicks off intramurals MADI FITCHER STUDENT REPORTER

Intramural Sports kicked off on Monday with the start of Indoor Soccer.

This year’s season has 20 men's teams and 9 women's. All the teams consist of students, staff and faculty. The sport will be a double elimination tournament lasting until Sept. 22 for the men. The women’s tournament starts Oct. 12 and lasts until Sept. 22.

Both tournaments will be held inside the Rec Center in Gym C and D. In order to get a grip of the sport, many teams started practicing the week before the tournament started. Old Man United

is a team of all seniors that will be graduating in December or May. The captain, Chris Blakeley, a senior business management major from Dallas, plans on using the strategy of having fun with his friends for their last time to play together. The Shin Kickers is a mostly freshmen team under the command of Logan Chapman, a freshman business management and finance major from San Antonio. Chapman started his with a practice to get his group of friends ready for the tournament.

Frater Sodalis’ indoor soccer team is ready to start up under the lead of captain and intramural director, Bobby La Chiusa, a senior engineering

major from Houston. La Chiusa is aiming to have fun while bringing in their techniques from outdoor soccer to the indoor games. The captains enjoy their team because of the diverse group of guys they play with. With Frats being a smaller club, they recruit freshmen, who get a taste of being a part of the brotherhood. “I met my club through intramurals,” said Nathan Vela, a junior business management major from Pflugerville. “I didn’t have any interest in pledging until I got invited to play with Frats. Intramurals gave me the opportunity to meet my brothers.”

Gamma Sigma Phi is also planning on bringing

their brotherhood into the tournament with 3 different teams. “The best way to rush GSP and really get to know us is to come watch our intramural games,” said Jonathan Bradford, a senior psychology major from College Station. “We enjoy our time together as brothers. GSP is hard at work with their more skilled team with practices and strategy to win."

Ten Plagues is a soccer team made up of professors, graduate students, and staff members. The captain, Dr. Kilnam Cha, assistant professor Bible, Missions and Ministry Department, is ready to start the smack talk fun with his students. Cha said, “When you play with students, it

isn’t about winning. It’s about the experience you get to share with your students.” The Ten Plagues team combine with the Sunflowers of Death team.

See chart below to check out professors playing ball.

The women’s teams are working just as hard. Christiana Cha, a staff worker from Portland, Oregon, is ready to start the season with her team, Chats Sauvages. Her team strategy is to let each girl have the opportunity to play, bond and work together. Christiana Cha said, “I got a group of girls together that I might not have met otherwise.”

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

TEN PLAGUES Intramural Soccer Roster

Garrett Lane

Evans Ngoge

Kristian Travis

T. Kyle Tippens

Nathan Gibbs

Ryan Jessup

Vicente Rojas Aguirre

multimedia and journalism

management

assistant professor of finance

Christopher Cornell graduate student

OPTIMIST@ACU.EDU

until the end of next week."

Craig said the ideal number for women's pledge classes is 50-54, but the increasing size of the student body in the past two years has increased the size of pledge classes.

Kennedi Ross, president of Ko Jo Kai, said her club usually takes a larger pledge class with about 65 women in her 2014 pledge class and about 59 in the 2015 pledge class.

"We're looking at the

graduate student

assistant professor of

Laurent Nlemba graduate student

graduate student

assistant professor of

David Kneip

assistant professor of bible

staff

graduate student

Wes Erickson

graduate student

F E ATUR E S

FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

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Carroll balances cancer, career

BY ABBEY BOWLING ARTS & FEATURES EDITOR

A

fter being diagnosed with breast cancer in March, Dr. Laura Carroll has kept up with both her job as an associate professor of English and her position in the Adams Center as the director of faculty development – all in between driving back and forth to Dallas for chemotherapy.

Though it’s been hard to manage and find a good balance between her family, work and treatment, one of the best things was not allowing the cancer to completely disrupt her normal life.

“Through this whole process, from diagnosis to now, going to work and living my normal life the very best I can has been one of the most helpful things for me,” Carroll said. “Simply because it adds a sense of normalcy, getting up and getting dressed and going to work, it’s something that feels normal and that healthy people do. There’s definitely days where I’m really fatigued – but for me, to be able to come and interact with students, which is absolutely my favorite thing to do, especially in those early days, was really encouraging...Coming and being with other people and getting the chance to do work that I’m good at and that I love makes me feel like Dr. Laura Carroll, that person that I normally am, and not a breast cancer patient.”

The tight-knit ACU community has been with her every step of the way, she said.

When she was diagnosed in March, her students were thoughtful and understanding of what she was going

through, and wanted to help by offering things like babysitting and prayers. A group of students who studied abroad in Oxford during the fall of 2014, when Carroll and her family were the study abroad faculty in Oxford, heard about her diagnosis and immediately showed support by giving her a gift basket full of coloring books, headscarves, encouragement notes, and a blanket – all things she might need when going through chemotherapy – as a way to show their love and concern. Faculty members have also helped, offering to drive her to appointments, sit with her through chemotherapy, and pick up the slack when she had to be out of the office. hrough it all – all the doctor’s appointments and chemotherapy for the past six months, and the surgery and radiation she’ll undergo in the coming months – Carroll has felt God’s presence.

“From the very first days of my diagnosis, there have been people who I had never met who spoke to me words that I absolutely needed to hear, or offered a kindness I needed more than anything at that moment. That, to me, was God showing His presence,” she said. “What may have been one of the worst days of this process so far was the day that I was getting a PET scan.

What they’re looking for is to see if the cancer’s spread anywhere else in the body, which is terrifying, right? We all know that if it spreads, that’s a really bad thing. The tech who was getting me ready for the PET scan – and I’m just a wreck – she says, ‘I’m a fifteen-year survivor,’ and talks about her

T

“

LYDIA LAWSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Despite a cancer diagnosis, English professor has stayed strong and continued with a normal life.

Coming and being with other people and getting the chance to do work that I’m good at and that I love makes me feel like Dr. Laura Carroll, that person that I normally am, and not a breast cancer patient. ”

LAURA CARROLL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH

journey being diagnosed at 36. Now she’s 51 years old, and it doesn’t even cross her mind. That’s what I needed to hear that day. To me, that was God’s voice saying, ‘I’m here.’”

Another time, after her first round of chemotherapy, Carroll and a friend went to Sephora to look at some makeup products because she was already anticipating one of the side effects of the treatment: hair loss.

“The young woman, Brooklyn, who worked at the brow bar, spent probably an hour telling me how to do my eyebrows, showing me how to put on fake eyelashes, and was just so kind and gentle. We talked about a friend of hers who had cancer and again, that extreme kindness in this moment when I was scared and broken and lonely, this person I don’t know takes the time to be extra kind.

That was God’s provision and God’s presence.” et, there are still times where it’s hard to know exactly how God’s working.

“Certainly on Monday, when I got the report that the MRI was completely can-

Y

LYDIA LAWSON STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

cer-free, one of my first impulses was to praise God and yet – you don’t have to live for very long to see a lot of times when people have prayed fervently for healing that hasn’t come,” Carroll admitted. “Knowing how to walk that walk is difficult – knowing how to feel about that is hard, as a person who’s now on the receiving end of those prayers.”

Still, things look optimistic for Carroll. She’s scheduled for a mastectomy in less than two weeks, and then she’ll start radiation, and she’s always looking for a silver lining.

“I saw a post on Facebook the other day where somebody said, ‘Cancer’s one of the best things that’s ever happened to me.’ They were talking about all the blessings that have come out of this experience.

I’m not there yet – can I see silver linings? Absolutely. Have people shown me how loving and kind and present they can be? Absolutely. But it’s hard, it’s hard on my kids, it’s hard on my family, and yet, in a lot of ways, we can still do normal.

I’d rather not have had cancer, but we can still do normal life.”

AKB12B@ACU.EDU

A RT S

Weekend happenings in Abilene include jazz, swing, The Force

BY ABBEY BOWLING ARTS & FEATURES EDITOR

Looking for something new to do in Abilene? Here’s a few things happening around A-town in the coming weeks.

ACU Theatre will feature alumna Jasmin Richardson (’09) in a fundraising cabaret titled Just Jazz on Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Center for

Contemporary Arts. Tickets are a little pricey at $40, but they include light appetizers and a night of listening to Richardson perform jazz, gospel and musical theatre selections. All proceeds will go toward the ACU Theatre department.

The Grace Museum downtown caters to Abilene’s col-

lege population by hosting a college night on the third Thursday of every month.

If you missed it this month, be sure to catch the next one that falls on Oct. 20. Bring your student ID and explore the museum, check out the food trucks on the street, grab some Monk’s coffee on the rooftop and enjoy live music,

all at the Grace.

The historic Paramount theatre downtown will show a one night only screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens on Sept. 24 starting at 7:30 p.m.

All seats are $6, which you can buy online or at the box office.

Holly Tucker, a former contestant on The Voice, will swing

through town and debut some of her newest music at the 2nd Annual Shrimp and Wine festival on Sept. 24 from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. The festival will take place in between N. 2nd and N. 3rd Street in the heart of Abilene.

The ACU Swing Cats will host their annual Fall Stomp on Oct. 6 at the Elks Grand

Ballroom on N. 1st from 8-11 p.m. Fall Stomp is a free event, featuring the jazz band and 1940’s style dancing, and is open to students and the Abilene community. Come out and enjoy a night of dancing, appetizers and a fun time.

AKB12B@ACU.EDU

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O PI N I ON

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ED IT O R IA L

FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

Students bankrupt without Summit opportunity THE ISSUE

The annual Summit lectures will take place next week on campus, and in the past, students were able to earn lots of credits for attending sessions. This year, only three credits can be earned.

OUR TAKE

If the Chapel Office wants students to engage in Summit, they’ll have to give students a reason to attend.

The 110th annual Summit lectures begin Sunday night and this year, students have the opportunity to earn three spiritual formation credits over the four days of events and sessions across campus.

Yes, three.

In years past, students viewed Summit as the credit goldmine – like in 2009 when students could earn 23 credits (which is just insane) and even as recently as 2014 when 12 credits could be acquired.

Last year, in light of the shift from Chapel credits and multiple-credit forum to the more versatile spiritual formation credit, the Office of Spiritual Development decided to limit credits offered during Summit to sessions in Moody, giving students the chance to earn seven credits in four days. But we’re left wondering, where have all the Summit credits gone?

If Summit and the Chapel office are looking to see students show up and be engaged over the next several

days, they will have to offer more than the hope of spiritual formation.

Jan Meyer, director of spiritual formation, said the decision to offer only three credits was influenced by multiple factors like available space and the abundance of credit opportunities for students offered throughout the semester.

“We had made the decision over the summer to limit the number of Summit opportunities since students would already be choosing from a larger pool of options for the fall,” said Meyer. “Our goal is to have more students engaged on a regular basis.”

The downward credit trend may leave some scratching their heads, asking, “Isn’t three credits on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 11 a.m. just pretty much any old regular week of Chapel?”

Well, yes.

In Chapel and Summit’s defense, part of this decision is about space. Summit moved afternoon and eve-

ning keynote sessions to Cullen Auditorium. Both offices decided to not offer credit during these times to keep guests from being pushed out by students on their quest to 55.

Logistically, this is the decision that had to be made - but it doesn’t keep us from mourning the passing of the trusty multiple-credit forum, a frequent friend to students in year’s past.

Last year, the Chapel Office granted credit to Summit sessions that faculty sponsors requested to be spiritual formation events, however they didn’t receive any requests for Summit this week.

Chapel/Spiritual Formation/Quest credits have become this currency of sorts students are looking to acquire in exchange for time, sometimes attention, and perhaps, if you’re lucky, spiritual formation.

Meyer said, “We want students to seek to grow and deepen in their faith.... but we know that does not always have to be tied to a credit for everything that a student does. Unfortunately, there is a mindset at work among some that unless there is a credit tied to it, there’s no reason to attend.

That is not what we believe to be the case for Summit,

BY MITCHELL EAST GUEST COLUMNIST

@COLLINTHOMPSON SEPT. 13 3:29 P.M.

I did a group project with a few randos from PR class early in the semester & we still use the GroupMe to talk about Harambe #ACUDifference @DEEJLOUEEJ AUG. 30, 7:11 P.M.

dear sir, why are you eating sushi w/chopsticks in the middle of this library??

@IDKAITLYND SEPT. 14 1:48 P.M.

walked all the way to my house only to realize i drove to campus... @BRADEN_8CLARK SEPT. 14, 8:20 A.M.

We don’t get graded on delivery in my speech class.

Are you serious? I was hoping to get by on sheer charisma alone. @HAYLEEANNE87 SEPT. 14 4:26 P.M.

Decided I’m surrounding myself with chicken nuggets instead of negativity

@EM_ILY_95 SEPT. 14 8:50 P.M.

Some churches have started Racist Anonymous groups.

In this group, a Christian will confess to the group the racism in her past and present. I know it sounds weird, but stay with me.

White Christians should consider confessing racism.

I know: if you confess racism at all, the confession feels like membership in the KKK. But a white Christian can confess, “I’m a racist,” and in the next breath say, “but I don’t want to be.” This distinction is important. Some racists want to be racists; some don’t.

Like other vices, racism exists on a spectrum, from deep hatred of people of color to subconscious bias in favor of other white

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and we encourage students to attend, be challenged, and participate in the blessing of this on our campus.”

Summit is an incredible opportunity and resource for students, but it will continue to be underutilized by students if there isn’t some sort of stake in it for them.

Maybe it’s a shallow view of twenty-somethings, but odds are, even students who want to tap into the wealth of spiritually-forming ses-

people. Some people have insatiable greed. Others experience occasional selfishness with their possessions.

All vices exist on spectrums.

In the confession of racism as a vice, the Christian moves one step away from vice and one step closer to virtue. Another way to describe it is repentance: turning from an old way to a new way.

You’re probably not in the KKK, but even a little racism seems like too much.

This instinct makes sense; we should never excuse racism or chalk it up as “not that bad.” But can white Christians really claim to be immune to this sin? What pill can you take to control of your subconscious thoughts? If you’re like me, you have some thoughts without your consent, with-

KRAZY KASSIE

Today has been the roughest and to top it off my Starbucks tastes like nail polish remover

KASSIE KIM VIDEO NEWS DIRECTOR Senior convergence journalism major San Antonio

@RAYRUNNS SEPT. 14 3:26 P.M.

walked all the way to my car barefoot to save my birks from the rain that’s called care and commitment

@SAWYER_FAITH SEPT. 15 7:36 A.M.

gonna need a whole pot of coffee today

@_KYSTHELIMIT_ SEPT. 15, 9:21 A.M.

i call my look todayd “sandlot chic”

I wonder if this tweet is good enough to be in The Optimist?

On Sept. 7, 2016, we said goodbye to a dear friend that has been around since the dawn of the switchboard. During Apple’s keynote speech, it was announced that our dear friend, the headphone jack, will no longer be a function on the new iPhone 7. In its place is another speaker, bringing stereo sound to our future Apple devices.

Many times, our falling phones have been saved by the headphone cord

plugged into the jack.

Though the detangling of the cords and having only one working headbud after a few months of heavy use has been stressful, we still cannot forget the times that we shared an earbud with a friend to experience a song together in a loud setting or using an Aux cord to plug our phones and iPods into speakers so we could blare music with our friends in our rooms.

Now we must rely on

T H E

EDITORIAL AND LETTER POLICY

E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu

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sions at their fingertips are picking and choosing for what they’ll exchange their time.

While the argument of being too busy for Chapel can be swiftly refuted by those in charge, we think there is an argument for valuing student’s time amidst the loosely-held-together chaos most of the student body lives in.

As much as we want to think students will spend all

2015

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of their free time next week listening in to some of the rich conversations happening just because they want to, that probably won’t be the case.

We aren’t asking for 23 credits in four days, but maybe just a few more in a week dripping with opportunity.

OPINION@JMCNETWORK.COM

out your control.

In 2015, a friend of mine and I watched Selma together. Both of us tried to pretend we weren’t crying, but it was obvious. Later, we talked about the story, and I bemoaned the history of racism in our country.

His confused look told me everything. Racism wasn’t history for him. Racism hurts his life in the present.

A year later, he texted me over the summer, “Do you ever feel guilty for being white?” Yes, it was an intense text, but I was honest. “Yeah, sometimes. I wish you didn’t experience so much pain at the hands of people who look like me.

And that people who look like me would never benefit from the pain inflicted on others.”

Then I said, “But I feel

less guilty than I used to because you are so gracious.”

In these conversations, you may feel guilty. That’s normal, but it’s not the goal.

The goal of confessing racism isn’t guilt. It’s absolution. The first step in any program is admitting you have a problem. I have a problem, and it hurts other people. I am a racist, but I don’t want to be. With confession on my lips and my ears attuned to the pain of my black brothers and sisters, maybe the church can move forward. Together.

Mitchell East is a second-year Masters of Divinity student in the Graduate School of Theology from Round Rock. He graduated from ACU in 2015.

Eulogy for a headphone jack

When you rush so hard you get shut down for a noise complaint #RUSHKJK

Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79609

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COLUMN

@SAVYGIRL17 SEPT. 14 11:24 P.M.

personal attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published.

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Since making my last confession

@acuoptimist

Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist 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 or the university.

The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing

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GUEST COLUMN

hashtagACU

@LAUREN_FRANCO1 SEPT. 15, 5:11 P.M.

Credits available during Summit

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bluetooth-enabled, wireless headphones or earbuds to enjoy our music in peace.

Though we that have small ears are not big fans of over-the-ear headphones.

We don’t think the new wireless earbuds Apple will sell remind us of that one Doctor Who episode with the 10th Doctor when the Cybermean first came to our universe from the parallel one. We will just have to use either the new adapter that comes with the new phone so we can use our still working wired earbuds.

We have many memories with our wonderful friend, the headphone jack, and moving on to something new like wireless may be scary for some of us, but let us not forget the wise

words of Jedi Master Yoda, “Train yourself to let go of everything you fear to lose.”

In order for us to move into the future, we must be able to let go of our attachment to our wires and be willing to go wireless, because the future is upon us.

The headphone jack is preceded death by the 8-track, Sony Walkman, cassette tape, portable CD players and the iPod classic.

It is survived by the wireless headphones and vinyl records. May we never forget our dear friend, the headphone jack.

KMK13D@ACU.EDU

O P T I M IST

published by the department of journalism and mass communication editorial and management board Allison Brown Editor in Chief Opinion Page Editor Haley Remenar Online Managing Editor Mercedez Hernandez Print Managing Editor Abbey Bowling Arts & Features Editor Emily Guajardo Visuals Managing Editor Jonathan Raitz Sports Editor

newsroom (325) 674-2439

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SP ORTS

FRIDAY | SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

7

FOOTBALL MATCHUP PREVIEW

HOUSTON BAPTIST (1-1)

18.5

Points Per Game

36.5

172.5

Rush YPG

162.5

181.0

Passing YPG

292.5

353.5

Total Offense

455.0

ABILENE CHRISTIAN (0-2)

SOCCER

Injured Johnson transitions to supporting role

BY MIKAELA CLINTON SPORTS WRITER

The soccer team has welcomed five freshmen this year, including defender Shay Johnson from Coppell High School. Johnson was a four-year varsity starter for the 2015 6A state champions, a threetime first-team all-district player and team captain while also playing for the Dallas Texans soccer club.

Johnson said between the huge jump in competition from the high school to collegiate level, she was nervous and was unsure of what to expect.

“Coming into it, honestly I thought I was going to sit the bench,” Johnson said. “But I was expecting myself to work hard and it really paid off. I’ve had good playing time and it’s been really fun meeting the girls, they’ve been really supportive of freshmen starting and freshmen playing.”

The support of the upperclassmen and the feeling of family the whole team creates for each other Johnson said has helped boost the confidence she

and the other incomers now feel on and off of the field.

As a freshman, Johnson has had an impressive start, scoring twice for the Wildcats already this fall season against the University of Texas-San Antonio and the University of North Texas.

However, this past weekend right before playing against Oklahoma State University and Southern Methodist University, Johnson suffered a sprained ankle and probable ligament tear which put her in a boot, on crutches, and off of the field.

Despite the setback, Johnson said she isn’t going to let her injury keep her down.

“My initial thoughts when I first got hurt were very negative, and I was very mad and frustrated, not necessarily because of the pain I was experiencing, but just because the thought of not playing really upset me,” Johnson said. “But the mentality that the women have poured onto me about it, just comes down to faith in God and knowing that it’s all in his hands.”

Getting injured so early on is difficult and at times disheartening for any athlete, but Johnson said she is thankful for her teammates and the mentorship of the older women who have helped shape her attitude about the whole thing.

“Here at ACU, I’m lucky to be surrounded by people who constantly remind me that this is a part of God’s greater plan for me,” Johnson said.

She is leaning back on that faith and that optimism and tackling rehab head on. Working with the trainer every day, twice-aday, Johnson is approaching her recovery with the same determined and whole-hearted mindset that fueled her success on the field up to this point.

“Taking care of rehab to get back on the field should be easy for her,” head soccer coach Casey Wilson said of Johnson’s efforts.

“Shay is a great girl and already a mature college soccer player in terms of what she can do on the field and knowing what is expected of her.”

Wilson has full confidence in Johnson’s ability

to make it back to where she left off as a strong contributor to the team. With about a month and a half left, the hope is to be fully recovered before the end of the season.

Johnson said that her main goals now are to support the girls, watch film, and get as good of rehab as possible.

“I’ll be out, so it’ll be fun getting to cheer them on because it’s a different perspective,” Johnson said.

She is confident in the team’s ability to compete with those they will face in the future as she said the tough teams that they’ve faced so far have prepared them well for what’s to come. Johnson, along with the league’s head coaches and sports information directors who picked the Wildcats to finish second in preseason polling, expect the team to have a strong showing and successful conference season.

This weekend, soccer opens Southland Conference play against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

MBC15A@ACU.EDU

LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Freshman Shay Johnson suffered a sprained ankle and probable ligament tear ahead of the Wildcats game against Oklahoma State. Johnson has been recognized twice as a Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention.

TENNIS

After successful spring, teams scatter begin season

BY HANNAH NULL

SPORTS MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR

The men’s and women’s tennis teams will start their fall season this weekend traveling to three separate tournaments in Midland, New Mexico and Cincinnati.

Sophomore Josh Sheehy, freshman Jonathan Sheehy, junior Henry Adams and senior Nico Agritelly will represent the men’s team in the Midland Racquet Club, and the women’s team will be represented by upperclassmen – Erin Walker, Lucile Pothier, Ansley Boarman and Whitney Williams.

Large programs from

across the nation compete in the Midland Invitational, and this year, it will host teams from such schools as Texas Tech, the University of Texas, Penn State, Rice, Texas A&M and the University of San Diego.

Whitney Williams will attend the Midland Invitational for the first time in her three years at ACU. “I’m happy to be competing with the upperclassmen,” said Williams. “Erin Walker, one of the seniors, is our leader. She sets the example with her patience and competitiveness on the court.”

While the women have Walker as their leader on the

LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Junior Paul Domanski returns the ball in a tournament last year. Domanski received second team all-Conference recognition last spring.

court, Senior Nico Agritelley for the men’s team has high expectations for the teams

WITH COACH KEN COLLUMS, GRANT BOONE AND HANNAH NULL

SATURDAYS AT 11 AM on KTAB-TV

this season.

“We have an incredible group of guys this year and

with so much potential our limits are bigger than any of us can imagine,” said Agritelly. “I expect all of us to lead each other this year since all of us are at such similar playing abilities that the team is going to be able to push each other on and off of the court.”

There are only a certain number of spots open for each school at tournaments, so the members have to split up and compete in numerous cities.

While half of the teams go to Midland, the remaining men travel to New Mexico for the New Mexico State Invitational and the remaining

women will compete at the Greater Cincinnati Invitational in Ohio.

Each team finished off the spring season with a doubles championship at the Ojai Tournament in California.

Williams was in one of those Wildcat duos, with Walker, and finds that to be her strong suit.

“I think we have a very strong team and I am expecting a solid overall year of tennis”, said Williams. “There is always room to improve, but we have a great starting point.”

HLN12A@ACU.EDU

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S P O RT S

CROSS COUNTRY

Top four runners from last season to redshirt

BY TREVOR WYATT SPORTS WRITER

When cross country heads to North Texas this Saturday it will be without the help of four women upperclassmen.

“On the men’s side, we have a really solid top five forming this year, Ryan Cleary, Drew Cummings, Travis Nichols, Sterlen Paul, and Lucas Bennett,” said Jarvis Jelen, assistant track coach and distance running coach. We’ve also got two more really solid guys running in Reid Rivers and John Baker, who are really rounding out this team into a top seven.

Things are looking really good on the men’s side.”

On the women’s side, however, they’re still having trouble getting numbers.

“We’re still trying to get a couple of people cleared for competition. We’re going to have a really young team this year, due to the four girls redshirting.”

The four redshirts include Diana Garcia Munoz, Carnley Graham, former Southland Conference athlete of the year Allie Hackett and her sister Michaela Hackett. Coach Jelen says that although the girls aren’t running cross country this

year, three of the girls will run track, and all of them are still training.

Last year, the women’s Southland Conference cross country championship was due in large part to the four women redshirting, Allie Hackett took the gold, Munoz finished fourth and Michaela Hackett posted a seventh-place finish. Allie Hackett also earned the 5K and 10K in outdoor track last spring.

“The top 4 women are in amazing shape.

Their training is going well, and they all look in good shape, and they’re all healthy,” Jelen said.

“They’ll all be at the same meet we are, running unattached, so we’ll be able to see where they’re at in their training. They’ll also be able to get a race in, so that will be good for them.”

Lance Bingham, head track and field coach, says that he’s excited for the opportunity to advance to postseason play next year.

“ACU cannot make it into the postseason next year. With them redshirting this year, it gives them the opportunity to compete next year,” Bingham said. “There’s nothing crazy going on, we’re just trying to get the best team

possible for our first year of eligibility.”

Bingham also said that he expects the men’s team to do very well this season.

“I predict a top 5 finish for the men this year,” Bingham said. “We have a strong group of about seven guys, and I can’t wait for them to show their stuff.”

This weekend the teams will compete against Big12 opponents, TCU, Baylor and Oklahoma as well as the Conference USA host, North Texas.

TMW13A@ACU.EDU

FOOTBALL

STANDINGS Soccer Team

UCA Nicholls St. SFA McNeese SELU NSU HBU UIW ACU Lamar TAMU-CC SHSU

Ovrl. Div. 5-3 3-2 3-2 3-3 3-4-1 3-4 2-5 1-4-1 1-6-1 0-6 0-7 0-8

0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0

Volleyball Team

Ovrl. Div.

UIW 4-6 HBU 8-4 SHSU 6-4 TAMU-CC 5-4 SFA 5-5 NSU 5-7 Nicholls St. 4-7 UNO 3-6 McNeese 3-9 SELU 1-8 ACU 1-10 Lamar 0-8 UCA 4-6

1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1

Football Team

UCA UIW SHSU McNeese SFA Nicholls St. ACU Lamar SELU HBU NSU

Ovrl. Div. 1-1 1-1 1-0 1-1 1-1 0-1 0-2 0-2 0-2 1-1 0-2

1-0 1-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-1 0-1

EX-FACTOR Charcandrick West logged 23 yards on nine touches in the Kansas City Chief’s 33-27 win over San Diego.

Seth Spivey finished his 2016 campaign with the Spokane Indians with a .236 batting average, a .333 onbase percentage and tied his career-high with 42 RBI.

LAUREN FRANCO STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Senior running back Adrian Duncan carries the ball during the second half against Northern Colorado. Duncan totaled 101 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, become the first Wildcat this season to eclispse the 100-yard mark.

From walking on to running in

BY JONATHAN RAITZ SPORTS EDITOR

As a walk-on, Adrian Duncan knew he’d have to prove himself.

But unlike many walk-ons Duncan was not redshirted his freshman year. In fact Duncan was efficient in four games totaling 156 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries, but playing behind Oklahoma State transfer Herschel Sims and sharing snaps with fellow freshman at the time, DeAndre Brown, his opportunities were limited in 2013.

“Not too many walk-ons get to say that they got to play their true freshman year,” Duncan said. “And it was just very honoring that they called me to be able to go in there and play running back and actually just help my team out as a freshman.”

After solidifying his role as a sustainable back-up as a freshman, Duncan entered 2014 season locked in at the third-string running back position behind Sims and Brown. Through the first two games of the season, Duncan did not register a carry, as ACU fell to FBS-opponent Georgia State 38-37 and FCS-powerhouse Northern Arizona 27-21. But in the Wildcat’s third game against Troy, after Sims and Brown had each sustained injuries, Duncan’s number was called.

Late in the fourth quarter he got three chances and on his third carry, Duncan found the end zone for the first time

in his career.

“It was late in the game.

Playing a big Div. 1 school.

We were right there in there and I got to score the winning touchdown,” Duncan said.

“I had some great blocking up front, some great blocking from my fullbacks and tight ends, so that was a really awesome moment. Everybody was just in that moment with me. The locker room afterward was just crazy, it was just a really exciting moment for me.”

And with Sims and Brown still nursing injuries, it was Duncan who got his first career start against Incarnate Word the following week.

In that game he carried 20 times for 54 yards and helped ACU to a 21-0 win.

Although Duncan would carry the ball just five more times that season, scoring another touchdown against Ave Maria three weeks later, he had proved to many what he already knew, he was reliable. And head coach Ken Collums said Duncan knows and plays his role well.

“He’s ready to go at any point,” Collums said. “AD plays well every time he goes into the game which tells you something about his character, something about his grit, his focus everyday because he knows he’s not going to be the starter, but yet when it’s his time he goes in and plays well. And you love guys like that, you want guys like that all over your team.”

Redshirt sophomore Riley Mayfield is now in his second

“

God’s given him a talent, and you can’t do it with no talent. Every time we’ve called on him for the last three years, he’s stepped up and he’s done a fine job.”

KEN COLLUMS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

year blocking for Duncan, and he says having guys like Duncan and now true freshman Tracy James be able to fill in for Brown has helped the passing game excel.

“They’re both excellent runners and they’re hard nosed kids so they’ll hit the hole they’re not afraid to get tackled,” Mayfield said.

“When you have a good running game it sets up the passing game and you can do play action off of it.”

But as often as he has excelled in the backup role, with injuries hindering Brown as of late, Duncan has seen his workload significantly increase. In fact in the Wildcats’ last game against Northern Colorado, the offense racked up 239 yards on the ground, 101 of which came from Duncan.

“We really just had that mentality that we are better than what we played, so we need to step it up,” Duncan said. “And the offensive line had the same aspect, wide receivers, everything just played into that so that really all contributed to our successful running game.”

Now with Brown still working through an injury and after eclipsing the 100-yard mark for the first-time in his career, Duncan looks primed to be the starter when ACU opens Southland Conference play against Houston Baptist.

“There are times where we have non-scholarship guys that don’t make it, but he did and he did because there is more to Adrian Duncan,” Collums said. “God’s given him a talent, and you can’t do it with no talent. Every time we’ve called on him for the last three years, he’s stepped up and he’s done a fine job.”

However, as consistent as Duncan has been on the field, he said his parents have been the real consistency off the field. Even when Duncan was still trying to make a name for himself as a walkon, it was his parents who supported him at every game along the way.

“Even my freshman year when I was just playing just at the end of games, they were still there. And even when I didn’t play they still traveled,” Duncan said. “They traveled all the way to Troy even

though they didn’t know if I was going to play or not.”

Duncan said since the beginning, his parents have been there when he gets down on himself encouraging him to go back out there and keep performing.

“They’ve always been that way. I know that no matter what I do they’re going to have my back and no matter what troubles I’m going through they’re there supporting me and that’s just really a boost of confidence.”

Now with just nine games left as a Wildcat, Duncan looks to take advantage of the glimpses of what could be promising season for ACU despite the 0-2 start.

But at the end of the season when he reflects on his career, Duncan can rest assured the impact he’s had on those around him has gone deeper than football.

“It takes a lot more than just wanting to play the game to be able to do that.

It takes character, it takes grit and it takes just consistency that some young men don’t have and in fact probably most young men don’t have,” Collums said. “He’s got a lot of stuff going for him and when he’s through playing football at ACU he’s gonna go and do well in society, he’s going to be a great husband and father, there’s a whole lot to Adrian Duncan.”

JMR13B@ACU.EDU

Daryl Richardson and Taylor Gabriel each made their regular season debut in new uniforms on Sunday as Richardson suited up for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Gabriel dressed out for the Atlanta Falcons.

BRIEFINGS After posting 417 total yards and five total touchdowns, redshirt sophomore Dallas Sealey earned Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Week.

In her first year at the setter position, sophomore Kendall Bosse ranks third in the Southland Conference at 8.53 assists per set. Fellow sophomore Lauren Walker also ranks third in the Southland in blocks at 1.12 per set.

UPCOMING Volleyball concludes its non-conference season in Florida this weekend, before starting Conference play on Thursday night against defending Southland Champs, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Soccer also begins Southland play Saturday against TAMU-CC. The Wildcats were picked to finish second in the conference in the preseason polls.